shopping – Page 17 – Investment Piece

Life is a Bowl of ….

A black silk skirt with fruit graphics such as watermelon, cherries, apples, etc, with real cherries on top

Fun fact:

It’s so hot that shooting looks outside is almost impossible (I’m hoping that I can get up early enough this weekend for so many shoots! And indoor shoots are planned! Today I was thrown out of my local grocery store for attempting to try and shoot this fruity skirt look – so I’ve had to reach out to plan B. What’s Plan B? In this case it means all of the things around the internet I’m buying and think you should too!)

Yep. MY shoot plans got derailed (though I got compliments on this outfit that I planned!), and yet- I have so many things in so many carts around the internet that perhaps might be in your cart too!

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

From a crop top to swim bottoms to the chicest out out dress, here’s what I’m buying at ShopBop:

If you’re shopping the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, I recommend shopping beauty. These are my picks:

Speaking of makeup fro lips to eyes to my fave mascara: currently get 30% off at Tarte with toe FAM30 and these are my picks:

And if you’re wanting a preview of how I styled this skirt here it is:

what are you shopping for? Or what is the weather holding you back from?

XO RA

Can’t beat the heat? Join it!

a woman in an off the shoulder red dress and white clogs with black stripes holds a blue watering can in front of green trees and plants a woman in a red off the shoulder dress and white clogs with black stripes in front of green plants

I HATE that we’re currently reduced to conversations about the weather. And it’s no one’s fault, and it’s not one conversation. BUT it’s so hot. SO HOT. And everyone knows it. No matter how or who I’m chatting with recently, the heat comes up. We ask each other how we’re handling the heat, we wish each other cooler temps, we worry about what to wear to beat the heat. It feels so cliche to chat and make convo about the weather- but when it’s this hot? What can you do as none of us are beaten the heat? You might as well join it!
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Currently where I am it’s 90 by 10a and 109 by 6pm. Just unbearable. There are moments when it feels like it might be cool(er) and we could be outside – for a few minutes. And then my camera or phone lets me know that it’s overheating. I try and attempt to plan my days- but beating the heat is oh so rare that it just seems as if we have to ride this heat dome out till the fall (Or at least hopefully in the fall we’ll be able to beat the heat!)

And yet. With the heat, and the high temps, and the sweating through anything and everything you put on, and cameras and phones overheating- we still have to work. (apparently). So if you can’t beat the heat- why not join it?

I know that sounds extreme. To me what join the heat means is- go with the flow. Look, it’s so hot right now, there’s no way you could deny that you’re planning or dressing around it. So. If I can’t avoid being hot I might as well look hot. Or at least that’s my going theory. For example this red (hot) dress. The off the shoulder makes it flattering for everyone, and hides whatever you need hide. Also- these clogs? I thought I hated them (maybe I still do!) but these Adidas ones (linked below, size down), are all I’m wearing right now (most likely to be one with the heat or beat it!). And yes, I’m watering my outside plants more than once a day- though I worry it’s not enough!

What are you wearing to be the heat? Aka if we know we’re gonna be hot what are you wearing in spite of that? Because maybe what it really means to beat the heat is to accept it and dress around it!
This EXACT Dress (I’m in an XS) and shoes (size down- these are a men’s 7 – I’m a Women’s 9 and the rule is go 2 sizes down if you’re switching between men and women sizes ).

Also if you have any tips to beat the heat (or join it!). Please lmk me know!
XO

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!

shop here

Thinking Pink

Investment Piece: Thinking Pink

Isn’t ironic that if pressed, I would tell you that I’m not a pink kind of woman (and yet, with Barbie the Movie all I can think about is pink!- by which I would really mean that I think of myself as a feminine dresser but not overly girly or wearing big bows, etc- and yet, looking back (and through my closet) there’s a lot of pink. Is it that what I think pink means and what I like to wear are so far apart? Am I just needlessly defensive? Or is it when I think pink I’m thinking about things that no one has brought up?

When I separate the pink in my head that I know I’m not (big bows, super little girl, saccrine) and think pink (my kind of pink)- I have to let you know that I love it. I love the softer side of me and feeling safe enough to share it with people. Pink can be a bit shocking, and we know I love that. Thinking about pink, it can also have depth, from this month being about fighting cancer – you can shop pink here, to pink representing the various layers of womanhood (and there are so so many), pink isn’t just one thing.

Maybe that’s what I have to think about it so much.

Investment Piece: Thinking Pink

I was drawn to this dress (via Pickled Vintage, I just adore everything about this store!) because the details (the high neck, the skirt) reminded me of Vera Ellen’s costumes in White Christmas (A family favorite,and if you’ve haven’t added it to your holiday watch list rotation you’re missing out!). It’s the kind of dress that you want to dance in (or at least sway so people can admire how it moves). This dress is dainty – but also daring (ever so slightly sheer).

For all my overthinking and worrying about pink, this dress may be the best of it: in it I feel special, a bit soft, but still strong and immensely confident. If I’m thinking about pink, I want it to look and feel like this. Could we want anything more?

Investment Piece: Thinking Pink

What comes to mind when you think pink? Do you wear pink? What does it mean to you?

This dress is vintage, but below I’ve linked modern pink dresses that I just love. These shoes are my beloved Sarah Flint” perfect sandals. This month when you use my code SARAHFLINT-BAINVESTMENTPIECE on any shoe you’re getting $60 off any full price shoe!
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!

Investment Piece: Thinking Pink — A look at this dress completely unedited and a bit more pink!

Amazon Prime Day

I will admit that I have mixed feeling about recommending/encouraging/promoting Amazon- not because I don’t love deals but because I want to move to ethical fashion. And I can’t trust that Amazon is ethical. On the other hand? I can’t deny that I shop there- from beauty to some fashion. And I also won’t keep what I’m doing for you. So, let’s just say that we’re working on getting better with our shopping choices (as we know slow is best) while participating in a deal. Complicated? Yes. A chance to really think about what we want and want to buy? Of course.

And with that out of the way, there are a few things that I must recommend to you. From the SolaWave (I’ve had mine less than a week and am amazed at the results) to red light therapy bands (recommended by my dr!) to crochet dresses (on trend and upcoming I’ll show you all the ways I’m styling mine!) to slip and sculpting dresses. There are so many things on sale for Prime Day(s), so I’ve narrowed it down to my ultimate favorites. Anything you’re loving and think we all have to have? I’d love to hear about it!

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!

Beauty
The must have item is the SolaWave, followed by the red light therapy belt, but I also love these silk pillowcases and face tools!

Fashion
Included: My new fave sneakers, crochet dress, slip dresses, and sets!

What are you buying or have bought on Amazon Prime Day? I want to hear all about it!

XO RA

Beating the Heat

a woman in black Bermuda shorts and a black crop top and white heels turns away from the camera in front of green hedges
A woman in denim cutoffs and a blue and white vest faces towards the water
a woman in board shorts and a strapless top and sandals on a chair by a pool
a woman in a blue shirt with yellow slits and a yellow cami top stands by a grey utility box with "I used to be Cool" spray painted on it in blue
a woman in white pants that slit up the leg and a white and red striped crop top and a huge straw hat lounges on a chair in front of a pool
a woman in a blue halter dress in front of a stone wall

I know, I know, what I’m about to say is a bit controversial. But I can’t help it. My loves, it is HOT outside. And I know that’s something we say EVERY year. This year? It feels like hot x 1000. It’s been over 100 degrees for so long that I now think of anything under 95 as chilly. In the afternoons you can see the heat waving off the pavement. The plants are wilting, the pets are lethargic, and I’m wondering how low we can put in the AC.

In the midst of this, we’re supposed to get dressed? I’ll be honest, lately I feel as if I’m not doing the best job at this. I’m hot, I’ve had cameras overheat and sweated through simple sundresses. The idea of getting a GREAT outfit together can just seem so overwhelming. And yet- there’s so much fashion that I want to wear and show you and chat about. However, there are days when simply getting dressed feels like too much. I’ve spent the past few weeks trying to wear as little as possible while staying cool while staying fashion.

It’s hard.

And it looks like the heat isn’t breaking. So. What do we wear when it’s so hot and all we want to do is beat the heat? I’m not an expert (as I am in the turn down the AC camp) but my recommendations are:
-swim with everything. Not shocking as I am a fan of swimwear as outerwear, but you at least have the option to jump in a body of water at a moment’s notice
-linen. Or any breathable fabric. This is not the season for heavy or synthetic or clingy. Let your body breathe by wearing fabrics that breathe (the first look in this post is one of my faves as it’s a linen top and shorts that can be mixed and matched in SO many ways- but always leaves you cool
-dresses. In general I’m a dress woman (fun trivia I wouldn’t wear jeans till I was 7 as they were too “constricting”) and yet, dresses let the air flow keep you cool, and keep you chic

What do you recommend?

Below I’ve rounded up some of my beating the heat faves but my most important tip is to stay hydrated, dress cooly and stay out of the sun as much as possible in the heat of the day! We’ll save our high fashion for AC and pray for breaks in the temps together!
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 strapless orange dress on a deck in front of river

Pretending to be in Paris

It was a national holiday and the weirdest short week this week. So many of my Social Media feeds are full of friends and acquaintances who are traveling- from Europe to Asia to all the islands. With the holiday being on Tuesday, the week has been so choppy, and while there are a ton of great sales (and great sales coming), I decided to join everyone. At least in spirit. I’m linking and shopping for us, but just know, at least mentally, I’m pretending to be in Paris.

Investment Piece: Pretending to be in Paris
Investment Piece: Pretneding to be in Paris

Sometimes the only reasonable response to a week is to pretend to be in Paris. To find a place that gives you the feel of the city of light. A cafe with great espresso and red umbrellas. High end art and velvet couches. A dress that’s classic and red lipstick. Loves, I have a confession to make: I’ve never been to Paris. It’s on my lists, and has been at the top of my Vision Board for years, but it hasn’t happened-yet. And with all the things in the world, it may be a while till I get to go. So, while I’m determined to make Paris a reality for me, in the meantime, I spend some time making Paris a reality for me, here. This may be the part where you tell me I can’t know what Paris is like, and that might be right, but I get to create what I want, and isn’t that amazing? My Paris? Chic, fun, and has amazing wine. I get to wear amazing dresses and act like the art I love. Will the real Paris live up to mine? Well, there’s only one way to find out, and I’m willing to take one for the team, and try it out!

Loves, how can you not feel like you’re some place magical in this dress? I love the black and white, the stripe, the silk. It’s timeless and classic, and lends itself to any situation,and any magic. We may not be in Paris, but here’s hoping your Friday is full of magic–and that you get to wear something like this!

XO RA

The dress is Valentino, I got it on Vestaire Collective for less than $300 and I’ve found you similar! Shop my similar and Paris inspired picks below!

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!

Holiday Hangover

a woman in a black dress sits at a brown table drinking a martini in front of a burger, salad and fries

It’s the day after a national holiday- here in the states. As the holiday fell on a Tuesday for some this is the end of a 4 day weekend, and for others we worked Monday, had Tuesday off, and are now back to work. A bit discombobulating all by itself. Add in that it’s midsummer, mid year, incredibly hot, and so many are on vacation (in Europe and Japan according to my IG! Which I love! I wish I was with you!) and this week just feels- a little bit like a hangover.

Not like a horrid hangover. But one of those times when being productive isn’t really attractive, you kinda just want to lay in bed all day, getting dressed seems hard, and any little thing you do feelS as if it needs a reward. Basically this week, especially when it’s short or choppy, feels as if we’re moving through water. And not in the glamorous swimming way. So, what do we do? How do we cure the holiday hangover?

A woman in white pants, a red and white striped shirt holds a big hat over her face as she stands in front of a pool

For me, the cure is 2 fold. First, I let myself rest and take it easy- mainly as I’ve learned from hangovers and years past that pretending as if hangovers aren’t here and pushing ahead make everything worse. (like headaches and many aspirins and avoiding to do lists with the accompanying guilt worse). We don’t like to claim that the day after a holiday is a holiday – but let’s be honest, it’s not the best work day so I plan ahead. Pre-schedule, light-schedule, whatever we call it- I do it. Second, I plan ahead, not just for the day after but the week after. I try to give myself a break down of what to do each day and plan in advance for everything from exhaustion and setbacks to breaks and post ahead- I find it helps.

Third, not a true hint but what I do, now that we’re in another odd holiday week, in the mid year mark, I try to take a step back and think: what do I really want to do this year? What do I need to get done still? What do I want to wear? Who do I want to be? And what do I need to do to get there?
These are incredibly personal questions, whose answers may change through the season. What I know is that I’m taking stock, making plans, and adjusting my wishlist.

Taking it easy and shopping for who I want to be? Sounds like a great holiday week to me! Below I’ve linked everything from swim cover ups (that will double as glam dresses) to work skirts to swim I want to wear for the rest of the season. It informs where I want to go from here- and if that’s what we get from a holiday hangover I’ll call it a win!
XO RA

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

a woman in an exercise dress and sneakers running on a trail

Summer Formula

Investment Piece: Summer Formula

When someone tells you about a “fashion formula” they usually mean that they have a combo (usually top+bottom of some sort) that works with whatever you have. Graphic tee and jeans. Button down and skirt. Etc. None of those are bad. Or wrong. I fully believe in having outfit go-to’s that make your life easier, that you feel great in, and that always work. It’s just that sometimes the formulas I have surprise me.

Like a scarf as a top. Oldest trick in the book. I’ve written about it here, here, and you can see the same scarf as above styled as a different sort of top here). I wear this “top” all summer long- with pants, skirts, bikinis and swim suits. Only this summer, I keep pairing it with shorts. And I think I love it.

Is it a Summer formula if it’s your new go-to and it looks this good?

Investment Piece: Summer Formula

When it gets to be so hot (where I am we’ve had it good till this week. Then we’ve been above 100 every day), it can be too hard to think of what to put on. Everything feels like too much, everything is too heavy, everything feels gross. More and more my go-to summer formulas are things that not only do I think look good, but things that keep me cool. Being physically cool now counts more than any other fashion metric. And a scarf as a top? As cool as you can be- seriously sometimes my only concern is that the scarf I grabbed is a bit too sheer. That’s it.

They go with skirts. Pants (if you can handle them). Swimsuits. And shorts. No thinking. No worrying. Just an outfit that you can feel good in (literally). Isn’t that the point of a summer formula? An outfit that lets you express yourself and not sweat that much (hopefully). I’ve been living in this one. I would love to know- what’s your Summer formula?

I’ve linked the exact shorts (under $30) and scarf (under $100) but this outfit works with any scarf and shorts you have on hand! Stay cool out there!

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 so much for your support!

Southern Summer

We’re back! After a week of reflection and listening, we’re still in the fight but excited to bring you new content! First up: one of my all time favorite summer dresses. I pull this number out every year when the heat turns up. I stay cool. I look like a lady. And there’s something about this outfit that lets me know that summer has started!

There is something special about summer in the South. Yes, it’s hot and can be humid. There’s also magic in the air, there’s a kindness and time can slow. Spending part of my time in the South it’s an exciting time: there are bbqs, rivers, and sweet tea on the porch.

And when I got my hands on this stunner from the 1910s I knew it was a perfect fit–the tiers, the buttons up the back. This is a lawn dress, which means it’s linen or cotton, and these dresses were commonly used for everything from tea time to night gowns to picnics! We know that I love a great vintage number, and I love making them modern. Maybe it’s my height, maybe it’s the age, but I love that it’s a midi dress now. And the shoes! Gingham screams summer, and I love the mix of colors and leg wrap!

While white is most certainly a summer color, I love adding a bit of pop to it. And any color can be your pop (ya know, if gingham is not your thing). Again, the mix of traditional and non-traditional is what I love about this outfit–and summer! While this dress is vintage, and these JCrew shoes are a few summer seasons old, there are so many ways to take the idea of a southern summer and make it your own. Gingham dress with white shoes. White shoes with this summer’s gingham. Mix and match. Pop your white with a bold color. All white (if you dare). Wear what you love. Maybe that’s the trick to any southern summer.

And a note: My mom is the true star of this southern summer- not only did she do all the buttons (and snaps, because yes, there are two layers of each), she helped take these pics! Stay cool out there lovers!

I’ve linked all sorts of options for your southern summer. I can’t wait to see your take on 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!

Want your own vintage lawn dress? I got you here:

Or maybe something more modern:

Happy summer!
And loves it’s supposed to be SUPER hot this week- please stay cool out there!

Spanx Denim Review

Since spring I’ve been intrigued by all of the pull on jeans out there! Would they be more comfortable than a traditional waistband? Suck me in a bit more?
As you can see, I got a pair of the Spanx pull on wide leg- and I love them. They have been harder to get on/off than I thought (if you’re bigger in the hips I would suggest sizing up!), but that’s becoming easier and easier! This pair is a bit big in the waist (but my natural waist is super high and that’s part of it) but I love the way they look and how high they are!

While I can’t speak to every pair of pull on jeans out there, these I can whole heartedly recommend! I’ve linked them for you below (for reference I’m in a XS/Tall). Do you have any pull on jeans that you love?

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

a woman in a green garden in wide leg pull on jeans, a black t-shirt and brown and gold sandals