shopping – Page 27 – Investment Piece

New Favorite

Investment Piece: new favorite

This is basically a one woman show, me. I hire photographers, showcase other businesses, work with people, but this enterprise? It’s me. The US, and the world has been (trying) to deal with its history of racism (yes, there is work to do). Many companies and stores pledged to hire and stock more Black-owned (especially Black Women)companies. I have no employees and I don’t stock– but I’ve made it a point to seek out designers and companies that are Black Owned. Here’s the thing- they should have been on our radar to begin with. It should not take BLM to make us seek out amazing stores. But. I’m grateful that I’ve found these companies. The products are amazing and should be a part of your closet.

This dress is from Mie, and it’s my fave fave. Pockets. Sexy. But functional. Good for everything from a backyard staycation (the pandemic isn’t over!) but will look stunning when you’re out and about. Everything from this store is stunning. The service was stellar. I highly recommend everything about them!

Investment Piece: New FAvorite

Investment Piece : new piece
Investment Piece: New Piece: New Piece

Have I mentioned the pockets? This dress is linen but thick, so will be great for fall transitions, or even layered with t-shirts. It’s sexy, but not overly so. I’ve worn it with sneakers to go to the store. With sandals for backyard drinks. Barefoot. It’s become my go-to dress. It’s comfy but makes me feel special.

I love finding new brands, I love clothes that make me feel special yet seamlessly fit into my closet, and I love sharing them with you. I’m a bit embarrassed that it took a movement for me to really seek out new things, but I’m ever so grateful for this discovery.

Shop all the wonderful things from Mie here. And I’ve linked these shoes and similar items below!
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: New Favorite

Pool Style

a woman in snakeskin one piece swimsuit and wedges blue and white shirt dress and bucket hat in front of a pool and hedge

I’m one of those that will wear my swim as fashion (see ,
here , and here here/a> and you can search swim in the search bar

But. While we’re here, let’s chat about pool style. Do I wear different swim suits for fashion and for the pool? Yes. I am that friend who will wear swimsuits with my skirts and pants and shorts, and then absolutely change into a different swim suit to get into the water.

a woman lounges on a chair by the pool in a striped shirt dress, wedges, a bucket straw hat in front of a pool and green hedges

And yet, there is an overlap between my pool style and my swim style (aka I am also a firm believer in looking chic in your coverups!). In both on the street and by the pool, I want to look my best- which for me usually means a great pair of shoes- and while matchy-matchy isn’t a thing I religiously adhere to, I want the outfit to go together. For the pool? I err a bit more on the practical side, but still am a fan of statements.

Like this snakeskin print one piece. Practical enough to swim laps in, but chic enough to turn heads (and if you did want to wear it on the street, I think using this suit as a bodysuit with black pants would be very 1950’s chic- It’s linked for you below!). A shirt dress as a cover up (and of course with a swim suit you don’t have to button up!) that also double as a great day dress. And of course, a great pair of shoes and a hat (this one is my favorite summer hat, it provides coverage and is chic!).

a woman walking from the pool in a snakeskin one piece swim suit, open striped shirt dress, straw bucket hat and wedges

There is nothing wrong with throwing on a pair of cut-offs or a sarong over your swimsuit, or even an old teeshirt. I’ve done all of that! This season I’ve been partial to terry cloth separates. No matter what suit I’m wearing, or what I have over it, I do like to think that my pool style is an extension of my style -just another story I’m telling. What do you wear to the pool? Do you think of your pool attire as style?

a woman in a striped shirt dress and straw bucket hat, wedges, walking away by a pool and hedges Note: This post does contain affiliatelinks. While that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!

a woman by a pool in a snakeskin swimsuit, an open striped shirt dress, wedges and a straw bucket hat

Backless

Yes, I love this dress so much we shot it twice! I love the simplicity of it. From the fron it’s simply a t-shirt dress, but from the back–oh from the back! It’s backless! And it’s both sexy and yet still simple. It goes great with heels, as well as with sandals. I’ve worn this to dinner, and out running errands. It’s just perfect!

The surprising thing about this dress? At first glance, it’s not my color. If you know me you know that orange and I usually don’t mix. Usually I’m more of a purple person, or classic black, or red. But there’s something about this shade of orange, just bright enough to feel like summer but not SO orange. (We’re sticking with that).

Perhaps, much like a basic that is really a statement, there’s something to be said about things that aren’t what they seem on the surface. In all honesty, everything about this dress was a bit shocking for me-from the out-of-my-comfort-zone color, to the length (I do still worry about being a bit too old for mini dresses), and while I love a bit of back showing, this one felt a bit risqué. But all together, it’s perfect and somehow me.

Shouldn’t our choices give us room to shock (even us) a bit? Give us a bit of room to grow? I like to think so. And choosing dresses that sometimes aren’t what we would think we would choose for ourselves can expand how we think about ourselves. OR just look amazing at a weekend brunch 🙂

This dress was custom, but I’ve linked similar dresses that are new and fantastic for you below. I hope that your weekend is full of the best kind of surprising plans!
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!

Sparkle Swim

a woman in a green sparkle green one shoulder one piece swimsuit with a green sparkle sarong over it in nude heels in front of a pool and green hedges
a woman lounging on a bench in front of a lake in a pair of white shorts, a green one shoulder body suit and green mules
a woman in green one piece one shoulder sparkle swim and matching sarong with nude heels with a pool and green hedges and pool

I’ve never been one to NOT wear swim with EVERYTHING (see here, here, here, and more if you search swim in our side bar!) but this sparkle swim is a bit special. Because sparkle elevates everything. From pool side to outside outfits (I didn’t know what else to call the outfits I make with swimsuits), a little bit of glitz always makes what would usually be a pool day be a day of glamour.

And if there is anything I LOVE it’s a bit of glamour.

Especially when it’s incredibly hot and feels as if everything is a bit more difficult than it should be- you may be a bit of glamour.

I’ll be honest- I’ve never been one to like glitter (it always felt a bit of a LOT) but in this set- the one piece and the sarong, it feels just the right bit of sparkle. Together as a set, and wearing the one piece as a body suit with shorts (or pants or skirts!), this sparkle swim feels like a breath of fresh air- and all that we might need right now.

a woman in white shorts and a green sparkle one piece one shoulder swim in front of a bench and a lake
a woman in e one shoulder one piece green sparkle swimsuit with a matching sarong in front of a pool and a hedge

And then , this set got me to thinking- what’s the difference between sparkle and glamour? Why am I so open to one while being resistant to another? Is it the wording? The association I have with the terms? Why is one better (or different) than the other?

And ya know, I don’t know that I have great answers for you. I’ve always associated glamour with old Hollywood, old money, high end things and sparkle with fads, trends, and for lack of a better word-cheap.Yet, this sparkle swim set left me feeling glamorous. So, perhaps my associations were lacking, or misguided. Or maybe sparkle and glamour can mean the same things.

the back of a woman in white shorts and a green sparkle one piece swim suit in font of a bench and a lake

Maybe, in my rush to judge, and think of myself in a certain light (don’t lie, we all do it), I’ve overlooked sparkle in the chase of glamour. When all along, they may have been the same thing (at least some of the time). All I know is that this sparkle swim, and all the sparkle swim I’ve seen this season, has been glamorous. And perhaps my strive for glamour has always had a bit of sparkle (from sequins or these sparkles or any of the other sequins and sparkles found in the search bar). Maybe sparkle has always been my thing?

My thing has always been swim so it wouldn’t be that far off. As for the difference between sparkle and glamour, as of now, I’m leaning towards sparkle as glamour- based on my experience with this swim set. What do you think?

I’ve linked the exact swim and similar shorts for your shopping pleasure below! I would love to know your thoughts on the difference between sparkle and glamour- please let me know in the comments!
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!

Snd love the heels? They’re my beloved Sarah Flint’s and you can use code SARAHFLINT-BAINVESTMENTPIECE for $50 off your own pair!

a woman sits on a bench in front of a lake in white shorts and a one shoulder green sparkle swim suit and green heels

(Mini) Skirting It

Investment Piece: (MIni) Skirting It
Investment Piece: Mini Skirting it

Know what I hate? The idea that something is too “young” (or too “old”) for a certain age group. Yes- there’s dressing appropriately, but if you feel great in something, why shouldn’t you wear it? Yet. While I would tell you that you can wear all the things that make you happy, I sometimes also worry that my choices are too “young”. Or that I shouldn’t wear something because of my age.

For example, mini skirts. Part of my issue is that I worry my height is too much (my solution to that is to make sure that any mini skirt I buy isn’t too loose, for example this number I sized up so it wouldn’t be short and tight!), but I also worry that I’m too old for mini skirts.

And loves, I would like to think that I’m not too old for anything. Following your own advise it tough, but, I decided to mini skirt the issue and wear what makes me happy. And this skirt, these colors- how could you not be happy in it?

Investment Piece: Mini Skirting It

Maybe skirting the issue (mini or otherwise) comes down to a little bit of bravery. Or confidence. It may seem silly, but wearing a mini skirt seemed like a big deal to me. However, wearing it was so fun. I didn’t feel old, I felt empowered. Mainly by the fact that I was wearing something that brought me joy!

Some styling notes:
– as mentioned above, I did size up so that the skirt wasn’t too tight. Although this skirt is so stretchy! It’s incredibly comfy (and there’s room enough for shorts underneath if that makes you comfortable!)

-I paired it with a blouse to balance the look. Although from bikini tops to tank tops to sweatshirts, this skirt would go with so many things

-I wore flats as again I was worried about my height. But. I might get even more daring and wear it with wedges or heels!

Investment Piece: Mini SKirting It

What time are you avoiding wearing because of something you “should” wear? How would it feel to wear it instead? I would love to hear about it!

I’ve linked this skirt a few others like it below so you can mini skirt it with me!
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!

Inspired by: Valentino Resort 2018

Investment Piece: Inspired by Valentino Resort

With my fashion choices, I like to think that I get my inspiration from everywhere. However, there are times when I just happen to be inspired by other fashion choices that I either see people making (why street style is still such a strong force) and by the fashion choices presented to me. This week?

Ok. More than a week.

I’ve been inspired by the images of Valentino Resort from 2018 that have been flooding all my timelines. (Both at the time and now!)
Investment Piece: Inpsired by Valenitno Resort

Especially when I realized that this patterned, all the best of the 70s look I could recreate with pieces I already owned.

Investment Piece: Inspired by Valentino Resort

Note: none of my brands here are Valentino. Though I do love that house (see here, here, and here, and search “vintage Valentino” in the search bar. There’s not a lot of Valentino I pass up).

What I love about this Valentino Resort look? It’s patterned, all mix, all bold, all subtle. It goes together, and yet, any of these pieces would be great on their own. I love the headscarf. Could we make those a thing? Please? And the loafers (heeled)? Perfection. It’s like the best of logo, the best of patterns, and the best of the 70s. (AKA those sunglasses).

Do I want this Valentino look? Of course.
But then, I realized that I could recreate it with pieces I have!

This wrap dress? (And yes, everyone should have a wrap dress, it’s a basic in my book) Vintage DVF. The pattern and the colors are seasonless and perfect to match with anything. These loafers? Gucci. And yes, I am unafraid to use this turquoise as a neutral. Even here, it doesn’t “match” perfectly, but it goes. And somehow, I had the perfect scarf and sunglasses.

Should you copy everything that comes down the runway or is in an ad? Not at all. Should you get inspired by it? Yes. Take what you love. Turn it into your own. And if you can recreate a look you love? Why not?

I’m already excited for when it’s not 100 degrees and I can put my spin on this Valentino Resort look:
Investment Piece: Inspired by Valentino Resort

Below I’ve linked some Valentino pieces I love, some DVF, some great wrap dresses, and more.
I can’t wait to see what you create and get inspired by!
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: Valentino Resort

Fashion in the Wild: the SwimSuit

Loves, I have some shocking news for you. It’s summer. And I’m in a swimsuit. In fact, I’m wearing a swimsuit with EVERYTHING. Pants. Skirts. Shorts. Capes. Alone. With anything I can get my hands on. I have a thing for swimsuit fashion. So much so that I made a little video about it:

It happens every year : the temps go up and my bathing suits come out. Not just to the pool, beach, or under a cover up, but as a base for many, many outfits. This summer may see me hang out more in the back yard, but I’m still using my swim suit as fashion inspiration. As I shop and put together outfits, I’ll be sharing them with you. In the mean time, stay cool and healthy and in your swimsuit!

I’ve also rounded up some of my current fave swimsuits for your weekend shopping pleasure!
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!

Palm Springs Summer

a woman in white shorts and a green blazer on a porch with green elephant ears

I’m a believer that seasons have themes, sometimes ones we consciously choose, sometimes we see the theme when we’re done with the season. (And a chat for another time is how we can try to choose a theme but life has other plans!) This summer I’m being conscious about my theme (cue the mood boards and wishlists- which I think help not only focus you on what you want fashion wise but experience wise!)- and I’ve decided that this summer is a Palm Springs Summer.

I currently have no plans to go to Palm Springs- though I’m open to that- but in terms of clothing and plans, it’s Palm Springs. So. What does that mean? Honestly, I began thinking of Palm Springs when

Shift Dresses
From cocktail to pool side, there is nothing chicer or easier than a shift dress. Very 60s, and very Palm Springs. I’m loving these:

Anthropologie
The store with the edit that started it all! I’m still loving the slightly vintage feel- and all of these pieces would look amazing with a scarf in your hair and big sunglasses!

I’m still working on my mood boards and I can’t wait to share with you all the Palm Springs and more looks I’ll be wearing here all season long!
XO RA

Category: shopping

New Favorite

Pool Style

Backless

Sparkle Swim

(Mini) Skirting It

Inspired by: Valentino Resort 2018

Fashion in the Wild: the SwimSuit

Palm Springs Summer

Easy Like….

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