Category: shopping

How to Blow Out Summer: You could go the typical way to blow out summer (not talking explosives). You could start with a pool, or the ocean, add your friends, some great food and drinks. That’s a typical way to blow out summer. We aren’t typical. To blow out summer we start with white, all white (because some of us still believe we only have till Labor Day to do so). You can do sweet white, but as we’re blowing out summer, let’s try some edge, yes? Like this necklace from Sydney Curtis (she’s @aireheartbysydney on Instagram and you can find these amazing pieces at Elaine Kim in LA). I love that it’s so long that it’s a choker and a long necklace in one. And that over the shoulder? Let’s blow out summer!

How to Blow Out Summer: I can’t get enough of these white pants with slits up the legs. (You’ve seen them here). It’s classic, but with an edge. You can wear them to any formal gathering, your legs stay cool, and you’re able to easily let people know that you came to blow out summer. I recommend white heels (though I love the grey on these) with white pants, it enlongaates the leg. And is something to flaunt. Let’s blow out summer.

How to blow out summer: Make it Dramatic. I love the monochrome white for this, though you’re tempting red wine and food stains at your own risk. Let’s balance that leg slit with a tad bit more coverage on top. I love the long sleeves, a slight nod to what’s to come, but the white celebrates where we are. And a tunic top can hide some destruction (food stain or not). Let’s blow out summer.

How to Blow Out Summer: Have some fun with it. You’re wearing white, you can do anything-pool party, concert, dinner, drinks, bbq, New England lobster bake, whatever trouble you can find! Have a great time: go crazy, enjoy the heat, Rock your white. Let’s Blow Out Summer!

You can shop my picks below! I hope that you have a safe and fun Labor Day! While we’re off Monday (check my stories and Instagram for how I blow out Summer), we will have all the best sales for you! Be careful, have fun, and wear white!
XO RA

How to Beat the Heat. Step one: Get a pool. Get an ocean. Get some water. Water helps cool you down in heat.

How to Beat the Heat. Step two: shorts. Jeans, and pants, and even some dresses will leave you burning up. Shorts are tricky–finding the right coverage, the right length, the right material. But, as tricky as shorts can be, they are one of the best ways to keep your legs cool and beat the heat.

How to Beat the Heat. Step Three: the right shoes. At this point, you may be thinking that these shoes aren’t the best for beating the heat, but loves, hear me out. In the summer, it’s so tempting to throw on your flip flops. And I get it. And flip flops have their place. But when it’s one million degrees outside (not an exaggeration), the sun bakes the concrete. Flip flops, for all the good they do, are on top of the hot concrete. The result? Your feet bake. They swell. They get too hot. Maybe heels aren’t for you, but they do put a layer between you and hot concrete.

How to Beat the Heat. Step Four. Cotton, breathable, and open. What I love about this specific cotton shirt dress is that it buttons every which way-up the front, down the back, up each side; making it wearable as almost anything-from a dress to a top. The venting also makes it cool even when the heat is unbearable. In this instance, worn as a shirt over shorts was the best option to make it through summer heat!

How to Beat the Heat. Step Five. Fans, cool drinks, and when you can’t take it anymore, I suggest finding the nearest place with AC where your makeup, hair, clothes, etc won’t melt!

I hope that the last week of “summer” is amazing for you and I hope that whatever you’re up to, you’re beathing the heat and staying cool!

Check out my shopping picks below!

XO RA

As many of you know, I’m from Texas have families in the areas affected by Harvey. This has been one of those times when fashion and all things fun seem to take a back seat. Our thoughts and prayers are with Texas, but they need our action too. IF you can Red Cross could use your donations!

Part Flash Back Friday, part end what you started with, I couldn’t resist this repost of gold from years ago! (Remember loves, we started the week Eclipsed by Gold”). I still love (and wear) this gold dress- it’s the perfect combination of easy and fancy! These shoes are my go to’s (especially when I need to feel a bit strong), and I will take a trip to Paris any day! I’ve updated your shopping options, and am still in love with Megan Weaver (and excited to shoot with her again!)!

Loves, we know that I love ballet and all things ballerina. However, I don’t always love looking so sweet–there has to be balance. So I love the look of a ballet inspired dress with some tougher shoes (even addias or converse would work) and an attitude of a bag! It’s soft and yet not so soft! The perfect combination. I’m really a big fan of balance-tough and sweet, sexy and modest, and I love that these elements combine so seamlessly here!

I also have to give a shout out to my photographer, Megan Weaver for amazing photos! You can follow her on Instagram @meganmweaver and online at Megan Weaver

Happy Friday!
Xo RA

Details:
Dress: Zara
Shoes:Louboutin, similar here
Bag: Kate Spade, old

Updated shopping:

I hope your punk and ballerina sides play nice this weekend!
XO RA

Purple is one of my favorite colors, and not just because it’s my school’s colors, TCU-Go Frogs! It’s the perfect shade, right between red and blue, not sad, not angry. It’s shaded. I love it! So when it comes to lady like vintage dresses from one of my faves Timeless Vixen, I can’t resist it, and all the purple feelings it brings!

This dress: I love the two shades of purple, the pleating, the detail on the sleeve, the ability to go from casual to dressy!

Purple feelings–the subtle ones, the ones a little magical, the ones that are shaded? Those are something special too!

And the combo of both of those in this dress? Amazing! I have worn this dress to pop-ups, and casual lunches, but know it will look great at a formal tea I have on my books. One of my favorite things about lady-like looks? They’re completely classic, go anywhere, and the juxatipositons they leave themselves open to!!

Hope today your purple feelings and your lady like dresses get celebrated!

Shop my picks below:

XO RA

Loves! If you haven’t shopped this sale yet, you must! The prices are insane!

Loves! Happy Eclipse Day! Do you have your glasses? Are you going to watch? Is it affecting you? (As you may know, I’ve been battling a major headache all weekend, I’m hoping this is not one of the changes that this eclipse will bring!)

And speaking of being eclipsed- when was the last time you were eclipsed by gold? Metallics can be one of those items that people tend to shy away from; but loves, gold is a neutral, one that may make you shine, but a neutral. It goes with everything, and yet you are guaranteed not to blend in! I’m in love with this vintage gold dress from Recess LA, the shine, the pocket, the easy fit. I’ve worn it with sandals for an easy dinner, and with heels for a party.

Is it as great as the solar eclipse? Not a chance, but I’m hoping that the gold is still shiny!

Enjoy the Eclipse! Shop my picks below and make a golden one for yourself!
XO RA

Loves, there are times when Beyoncé is just right. I’m so reckless when I Rock my Givenchy Dress. (Side note: I’m also happy, confident, charming, sassy, and funny when I Rock my Givenchy dress. It’s pretty limitless). If you follow me on Instagram you’ve seen this dress–it’s vintage Givenchy from The Kit Vintage. It’s just perfect. It’s a silk linen blend (great for now, great for later). The black makes it classic. The pop of color makes it fun. There’s a bit of a button that can allow you to make it low cut (date night) or modest (work meeting). I’m just in love. And reckless when I Rock my Givenchy dress. (I couldn’t resist, it’s Beyoncé).

But, this is vintage, so I know that it can be frustrating. I know it’s not just something that I can tell you where to buy it. Loves, this is what I can do for you: I’ve linked similar dresses (and these exact shoes below!), and if this exact dress is something you’re interested in, I can recommend searching for it. Your fave vintage place, Etsy, 1stdibs, or a general Google search might be able to help. What I would try? Givenchy dress. Givenchy floral dress. Givenchy linen blend dress. Givenchy short floral dress. My experience? Things take time, but things show up. I hope you like what I picked for you. If you’re off to hunt, I wish you luck!

Either way, let’s get a little reckless, a little responsible, a little happy this weekend (in or out of our Givenchy dresses).

XO RA.

And don’t sleep on this deal!

Is there any saying more ominous than the classic “don’t go in the water”? Especially when it’s accompanied by the iconic image of a shark (and that gorgeous gal swimming above him. Years ago, when I found this shirt I couldn’t help but love it–it has pockets and that neckline! And, beyond that, it’s a classic summer tale. I first saw “Jaws” when I was 7. It took me years before I could swim in the ocean again. I took the warning “don’t go in the water” very seriously.

But loves, this is fashion, not sharks. And just like I can’t help but pull this t-shirt out every summer as the ultimate summer ode, I also couldn’t help but pair it with clothes that aren’t meant for the beach. Nothing will keep me out of the water like protecting stunning shoes! I’m in love with the flare and the asymmetric leg of these pants–it’s makes anything a bit more fun, because even avoiding sharks can be something to laugh at! These Miu Miu bootie were one of the first luxury items that I hunted down (Vestiaire Collective is one of the best sites for this). I love them. I would fight a shark for them. And this small turban is one of my fave pieces to liven any look up! (You can see the first time I shot these pants here, and this turban from way back when this was only me and my iPhone here).

Together? This combo, at a little hotel in LA screams summer–the water, the palm trees, the colors, the cry “Don’t Go in the Water”. Hope your Wednesday is every bit as fun!

Shop my similar picks below XO RA
I even found these booties in black for a special someone who is a size 5 (and they’re under $200!!)

This sale is still worth your time:

There’s something about wearing a scarf as a top that screams summer to me.(Probably because it’s a move I often use at at pool, but that’s a different post!) It’s a move that can be incredibly casual, but it doesn’t have to be. I’m just in love with this kisses! scarf from Realisation Par is perfect for everything from shirts to adding flare to your hair or a favorite purse! (I also love their cherry one!)

But I couldn’t help but “fancy up” my kisses! Scarf with this stunning vintage YSL skirt. (Note: I know it’s a bit different in every light, it’s a real, true purple). The silk is stunning and it’s become my new neutral-I wear it with everything. The shoes are becoming another staple (vintage Gucci), and all together I like to think this kisses! Combo is the perfect summer outfit for nights out.

Also, this outfit makes me feel like Carrie Bradshaw, and any outfit that does that is in a win in my book!

Happy Monday!
XO RA

I’ve linked some similar pieces below:

And don’t sleep on this sale!

Also: It’s the last few days of our IFundWomen campaign, Read about it here