shopping – Investment Piece

Fashion Stories: Changing to Stay the Same

a woman in a maxi denim dress with a gold belt and gold glitter and black booties
a woman in a denim maxi dress and leopard sneakers

They say that everything comes back in style (which may also be a reason to never throw anything away!). And as someone who is slowly beginning to see styles that she remembers from her childhood back “on trend” I can only say- I didn’t think things would change so quickly to stay the same for me.
Perhaps another way to say that, is that as much as things change, they stay back. Or come back to themselves. Or whatever they say.

Take for example the denim, skirt and dress, trends this fall. Maxi. Slit. Just a hint of a shirt dress. They remind me of dresses from the 1990s. And earlier. These denim pieces also remind me of my grandma (Mimi). I’ve written a lot about her influence on my fashion sense, see here, but let me tell you- my Mimi also loved a denim dress. Or skirt. She would pair denim on denim, pair belts with her denim dresses- and wear both with everything from sneakers to sandals.

Denim dresses are a huge trend. Yet, they also bring me back to my Mimi. Sometimes we change just to stay the same.

a woman in a denim dress with leopard sneakers
a woman in a maxi denim dress with a gold belt and gold and black booties

This is where you may be thinking that I style these new but same denim dresses much differently than my Mimi would have- but really, I don’t think I do. Perhaps I’m a bit more flashy. But my Mimi loved a great accessory. A gold belt? She’d love it. The glitter booties might be exactly up her alley, but I have a feeling she would have loved them. And leopard sneakers? My Mimi would have worn these herself! We, my Mimi and I, were different- but we were really the same.

And we both love(d) a denim moment.

a woman in a denim dress with a gold belt and gold and black booties
a woman in a denim maxi dress and leopard sneakers

This denim dress, and all of the 1000s and 1000s ways you could style it (truly a bit dressed up and with sneakers are barely scratching the surface of what is possible here!) is a trend- but isn’t it also the same? What I mean is that, at least in my case, denim like this was a staple in my childhood- I’ve spent my adulthood changing and finding my own style, and am now in the same thing it started in. Maybe that’s what all those saying mean. Just perhaps- all roads do lead home, we change and yet find ourselves the same. I just think we should wear fabulous shoes with it!

I’ve linked this exact dress (under $50!) and similar ones, as well as some fantastic shoe options. What is something that you’ve changed and then found out it was simply the same? I want to hear all about it.

XO RA

Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!

a woman in a denim dress with a gold belt and gold and black booties

Fall Blues

It’s officially fall and I’ve spent most of the week fighting off the latest variant (still). It’s been one of those weeks where work, scheduling, most everything has been rearranged and moved aside in an effort to recuperate and feel like myself again. Things that help? Outfits like this. Shoes that wrap. Skylines and slits. Stay tuned for updated looks and new things coming. Here’s to entering the new week feeling like our best selves! Xo RA

Investment Piece: October Blues

Fall Blues are a thing.
The colder weather, the shorter days, the change in the air–it can leave you feeling a little down. Or the fact that the colder weather and change in the air aren’t coming quite as quick as you would like. The only cure I know of? Deep breaths, leaning into the change, and getting excited about sweaters and boots. All valid things.

The good news? Loves, these are the kind of Fall Blues that involve sad feelings, deep breaths, or even loving sweaters. These Fall Blues are the kind that make you want to dance, that go with any kind of weather, and doesn’t require a love of boots (though you should still probably be excited about boots). This is blue silk and crepe. This is a bell sleeve, a wrap top, and a slit that goes there. This is the kind of October Blue that can make you happy now and later. And loves, that’s an October Blue I can get behind.

In pieces this Cult Gaia ensemble is amazing. The top would go great with jeans, trousers, a different skirt. The skirt? I’ve already worn it with a great graphic tee (I’ve already worn it with my Tom Petty tee), a white button down, or one of those beloved sweaters. And the silk is some of the softest I’ve felt in a while. I love the drama that the lace up shoes bring, and who can go wrong with a vintage Bottega Venetta clutch? The real trick here for Fall blues? Besides blue, it’s simply trusting that one color can carry an outfit. I’m a huge fan of monochromatic looks, and while the sleeves and the slit help, I think that any one color look can make an impact!

I got this limited edition Cult Gaia years ago, and while it’s no longer available, the feeling of the look is so easy! Any skirt and top can mimic this feel (and I’ve linked my faves below), you simply need to embrace a monochromatic look, have some fun, and find yourself a rooftop!

If you’re still suffering from Fall Blues, I can recommend apple cider and wine. If that doesn’t work, you’re on your own!

Shop my picks below, they do contain affiliate links (I get commission though there is no added cost to you!

Happy October Blues!
XO RA

And if you love this exact top you can shop my closet on Dora Maar where you can find that and so many other goodies!

Investment Piece: October Bues

Fall Wishlist

a woman in a plaid suit and grey corset with platforms

One of my most favorite things about a new season is making a wishlist for it. Of course those wishlists are always dependent on what I need to refresh in my closet, the upcoming trends, and what I personally love. A juggling act, a bit of shifting at all times, and of course a bit of planning and wishing. This year: I’m still into suits, I want a bit of fun, I need to replace some leather pieces- and I’m excited for all the things to come!

I know that what I may want (now) and want later in the season may change; and I know that both of those things may be incredibly different from what I end up buying. For now, at the start of fall the below categories and lists are where I’m starting. I know that I may end up in different places, with a different closet- but this is where I’m starting. Over the next few weeks I’ll be refining this seasonal wishlist (and letting you know what I’ve bought!- those on my email list will be the first to know! Want in? Sign up!)

In the mean time here’s what I’m wishing about for fall- what are you looking for- new, or updates to your closet? I would love to hear about it all!

Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!

Personality Pieces
We all have things that are just us- for me it can often me Dinosaurs, polka dots, statement pieces, and classics. My fall wishlist? Full of all of these things. I’m a fan of updates that look like me so I can’t help but fall in love with staples and statements that scream my name!

Leather Updates
I know faux leather is in- but all of mine have worn out. I’m looking to replace some of my faux leather pieces or perhaps replace them with vintage or new leather pieces. From skirts to blazers these are some pieces I’m loving!

Suting
Suits have been in (honestly I don’t know when they’ve ever been out!) but I just love them. Especially the trend of matching trousers, bustier and blazer! I have some that I love- but I keep seeing suits (and that combo!) everywhere. I may wait and see- but I’m upping my suit game this season!

Basics
This is the time of year when I go through my closet and see what I need to update. Sweaters. Layers. Coats. Bags. More. Yes, some of these I want in statements, but I also want some tried and true classics to come back to for YEARS!

Investment Piece: Color of the Season

On top of all of these- I’m looking to add some color. Add some laters. Buy some great trousers- and of course more! Again, I’ll be updating my list (sending it to my email subscribers in the next few weeks- I hope you’ll be one of them!) and of course letting you know here! If there is anything I can help you find for fall- or recommend -please don’t hesitate to reach out!

XO RA

Fall Clean Out

a woman in a blue satin shirt dress and red over the knee boots in a hallway

I know, I know. We chat about closet clean outs in one of two ways: January, when we all feel the need to start anew. Or spring. (Which is close to January!) when we all hear or chat or talk “spring cleaning”.

And I think all of those close cleanings are super valid. To be fair- any time you take to deep clean or clean out your closet is valid. And yet-

Why don’t we chat about a fall clean out? It’s just as needed! From closets (there is a hug clean out from warm weather clothes to cold weather clothes) to cleaning (yes, clean now!)
Maybe it doesn’t sound as sexy or trendy- but I think it’s as necessary.
So this week I’m taking the time to not only clean out my closet: see here, here, here, here, and here.

Point being – now is a great time to go through your closet. Switch out from summer to fall

Maybe there’s nothing you want to get rid of. And yet it’s a great time to: clean all suits, coats, and jeans.See here, here, and

Or perhaps you’re into a new coat (and who could blame you!) Some of my new faves:

At the end of this week I’ll be sharing my fall wishlist – from suits to dresses to coats and more. This week I’ll also be spending some time in my closet seeing what I should let go of in my closet, what I should add, and what I need to mend/clean/replace/etc- and of course I will share that with you.

We’re at the start of a new season (and yet I know that the temps won’t show it automatically!) but I have a firm belief that perhaps fall is a bit like “if you build it, it will come”. Which for us means” let’s get the sweats and coats and more and make sure our closets are ready. The cool weather will come!

I can’t wait to share my wishlists and my fall fashion with you. What are you looking forward to in the new season that’s coming?
XO RA

a woman in a blue striped midi skirt, grey strappy top and red lace up heels

We could chat about a lot with this outfit. And here’s where I will admit there are shoots where I wear something simply for the outfit to be photographed- and shoots where I wear an outfit I wear and I shoot it. This is the latter. I love a great skirt. Always have, probably always will. Fun fact? I don’t think I wore jeans till I was 6 or 7 (and that’s only because I realized all the kids in 1st grade were wearing them and I was a-okay being a trendsetter but didn’t want to be left out!) as I always wanted to wear skirts or dresses. Point being a great skirt is such a fantastic piece to build outfit(S!) around- or even a closet.

Pair a great skirt with a tee, a blouse, a sweater, a going out top, a blazer- the options are endless! What I love about this particular skirt (minus the pockets) is that it’s perfect to transition from summer to fall. It’s a linen blend, but it reads wool. And the blue, black, grey and very light red stripe mean that it goes with so many things- and not just black- that could read both summer and fall. A bit nubbly, a bit weighted, it moves fantastically, but truly can stand alone. Here (because it’s still over 100!!) I had to pair it with an elevated tank; aka a “going out top” I’ve had for a good 10 years. Strappy, low cut, and really a bodysuit- but the pleats and folds make it feel expensive.

a woman in red lace up heels and a blue striped midi skirt
a woman in a blue striped midi skirt and grey strappy top with red lace up heels

Beyond outfit formulas and transitional pieces- red is on trend for fall. This is one of those trends that just makes me laugh. Mainly? I love red. One of my favorite colors. I’m also a HUGE fan of pops of red in outfits- and especially love a great red shoe (read about my early and faithful love for Dorothy or Red Date Shoes here). So red as a trend? Great! But, when was red ever “out”? Aka for me red not being a thing was never a thing- if you know what I mean. These fantastic red shoes? Years old, worn regularly, a favorite. (Though, yes, I will be using this “trend” to add to my red section in my closet. I mean- it’s in the name of fashion!)

What I could say about this – there is always a trend that’s not a trend but a staple to you. Use it to your advantage to transition seasons. Love red like me? Now is the time to get out your red, add it to your accents, say you’re ready for fall. Of if red- or any other fall trend- is something that you’ve always liked but never knew how to wear it? Might I suggest you start small? The term “pop of” may be overused, but anything that you’re a bit unsure of never looks wrong as a shoe, or bag, or belt, or scarf, or umbrella, coat, etc- start with an accessory and see how you feel. Then go all out in an outfit- or not. You always get to choose!

But I do love a great pop of color- especially when it’s red. I love a statement shoe. And when an outfit that is very much me on a Monday feels perfectly on trend and red-y to transition to the new season- it makes the outfit feel a little more special.

What are your thoughts on red? How do you wear it? What fall trends are you looking forward to and what are you wearing during these transitional weeks from summer to fall? I want to hear about it all!

This top (as mentioned) is old, as are the shoes from seasons and seasons ago. The skirt? Vintage and a gift from a lovely neighbor. However, I’ve linked similar pieces for you below – don’t be afraid to take what you love and mix and match and make your own for years to come (trends or not!)
XO RA

Note: This post does contain affiliate links. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!

a woman in a blue striped midi skirt, grey strappy top, and red lace up heels