If you follow me on Instagram (@racheladelicia), you might remember this dress from a week or so ago. I wore it to an art class, and since then I’ve worn it to an impromptu cocktail party, a brunch, and a shower for a friend. Anytime I find something that can be so versatile (heels, sandals, wedges) and be worn to so many events, I can’t help but give it a prime spot in my closet rotation! I was a little worried that the pattern would make it stand out–but it’s managed to get compliments each time, and still feel like a fresh outfit. Until my next purchase, it’s my new fave!
Hope you’re having a great Monday! xo RA
Dress: sold out, similar and on sale here
Shoes: Cynthia Vincent, old, similar here
I couldn’t help but fall in love with this Mara Hoffman dress. It is so ladylike–but the cutouts give it just a little edge! The linen is perfect for summer and even on a hot day kept its shape! I added one of my grandma’s vintage hats, and a steal of a pair of shoes!
Everywhere you look recently there are painted and embellished jeans or cargos for your wearing pleasure. Jcrew has these , JBrand and Siwy had style for years, and I recently fell in love with these from Preserve. Then I looked at the price and realized that I could easily do this myself, for a fraction of the cost.
Fair Warning: I am not crafty, if you are and like to plan and test paint, etc, my method may drive you crazy. I’m more of a “decide to craft and wing it” person–and yes, this does mean there are unfinished projects here (sidebar, if anyone wants to finish the t-shirt quilt I started from old college shirts the project is all yours). But back to jeans. I know I’m not the most artistic, but looking at the pictures on Preserve I thought I could make due with pain splatters and “flowers”. I ordered Vintage Levis from Etsy, I already had paint and brushes, and this took about an hour of painting time and 8 hrs each side of drying time.
I decided on a color palette (gold and navy) and just began to get paint on the jean. I knew kind of where I wanted my “Flowers” so I sketched out those, then just added as I went along. I added paint splatters, and once I liked the front I let it dry. I decided that I only wanted one big flower on the back–so that was easy.
All in all I think the painting took less than an hour and the drying took about overnight for each side. I’ve loved wearing them–and have gotten so many compliments!
Hope this inspires you to do a pair–we can wear them together! xo RA
Details:
Jeans: Etsy
Shoes: Brian Atwood, old, similar here
Shirt: Jcrew
I don’t think it’s any secret that I love overalls–they easily pull an outfit together, are super comfy, and if you find the right ones super flattering and sexy! I love the little flares on these-I’ve worn them with heels and flats and it looks great with both. They come up just high enough on the sides that I can get away with just wearing a bandeau underneath–but I’ve also worn a variety of tops and that looks amazing. Basically what I’m saying is that I haven’t worn these in a way yet that I don’t love–and I feel attractive in them, it’s a win-win!
If pressed I would tell you I’m a ballet flats woman–not that I don’t love sneakers, but I find myself reaching for the ballet flats first. In developing that habit I may not have been aware of kicks like these. In all honesty I didn’t find them, a teenager I know did, but as they say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery–I can’t resist getting a pair for myself–and I’ve been living in them ever since. I’m also loving the combo of a semi-sexy dress with the sneakers! They seem to balance each other out and leave me with thousands of combinations!
There is something absolutely classic about a good shirtdress– you can dress it up or wear it casually and they flatter everyone. So when I found this one in a bright pattern on Etsy I fell in love! I can shy away from big patterns and colors just as much as the next person, but this dress made it easy to get just a tad bit out of my comfort zone. It’s become a go-to in my closet and a great update!
I’ve never been into wearing a ton of labels–but sometimes I can’t resist. I found this amazing vintage Gucci at one of my favorite LA stores, RecessLA, and fell in love–I mean look at that detail. Modern denim culottes make it feel fresh–and those slides are so comfy!
Being from the South I’ve adhered to certain rules about white all my life–no white after Labor day for example. However, even among my Southern friends there are disagreements about when you can begin to wear white–I know die-hard Southerns who claim Easter, others who claim Memorial Day. Well, no matter where your line in the sand is- there’s good news! It’s Memorial Day! We can wear white! And this means one of my favorite things–the little white dress is back. Much like its sister, the little black dress, there is a white dress for every occasion–casual, cocktail, formal. I love the clean sophistication that white brings, and love that it can have so many dimensions. This season is seeing some amazing lace whites, boho whites, and classics–so I promise there’s something for everyone!
I’d love to know your take on the great white debate and how you feel about white dresses!
At one time I thought of polka dots as something for little girls. Not anymore. I can’t tell you how many pieces I have with dots–and each one is a little different. My current fave is this sexy Topshop dress–and these shoes! Ebay find–and I love them!
Happy Friday! xo RA
Dress: Topshop, sold out online-you can try in-store or I love this one and this hat
May days in LA don’t start out sunny and warm. They tend to start gray–clouds, a little cool, and if you didn’t know better you might think it was going to rain. This breaks up–the sun comes out, and it feels like you think LA should. However–there’s just something I love about these gray mornings, especially if it gives me an excuse to wear my fave color.
