Category: shopping

You may or may not be traveling this weekend for Memorial Day, maybe you’ll be getting in the water; either way, this time of year lends itself to the panic that calls itself “swimsuit season”. I have good news for you! If you have a body, you have a beach body–simply go to the beach. (I’m not arguing that point, we’re all beautiful and there is no rule about what you should feel comfortable in. I still want my mom to get in the water with me, so I have little patience for all the stories we tell ourselves about how swimsuit season should go. And yes, I say that as one who has to give herself pep talks for crop tops). That rant being over, let’s be real, the overwhelming options and the quest to find a suit that is both practical and makes us feel good can make it seem like finding a swim suit is an impossible quest.

Now, I have a weird confession: I love swim suits. I do! Not that I don’t have to give myself my own rant and pep talk, but I love that there are endless options-I wear them with jeans/skirt/shorts. I have a thing for vintage swim wear (see last year’s post on that here, and you can look forward to more vintage swim wear this summer!) or (promise not to laugh) we can look back on one of my very first posts about wearing swim wear with “street” clothes here. I recently read that every woman should have a great one piece and a great two piece as options, that’s something that I can get behind! Below I’ve curated some of my fave swim suits this season (and cover ups too!). I’d love to know–do you love swim suits (and the water) as much as I do? Do you mix them with your street clothes? What are you looking to add to your collection this year?

Happy Swim Suit Shopping!! It’s not scary when we do it together, right? XO RA

My current fave swimsuits:

Great cover up options:

And don’t forget the sunglasses:

Loves, I often have encouraged you to step outside your comfort zone and try new things in your fashion. Wanna know a secret? It’s hard for me, too. It can be hard to try a new thing, but the upside is that sometimes you find something new–and it fits right in. We know I’m a fan of jumpsuits, and I’m open to color. However, I never thought of myself as a “uniform” gal (blame it on commercial head shots, or old pics of a Boy Scout shirt that I used to wear “ironically” that I now realize was just-not good), but I kept away from vintage like this flight suit. Then, one night I was a friend’s pop up, and on a whim I tried it on–and loves I’m so glad I did. A bit out of my “range”? Maybe, but it fits!

I love the color, the zippers, the fact that it’s a flight suit, but not overt. It goes amazing with heels, and great with sneakers. It’s been out to a cocktail party, and worn with sneakers for a more casual day. I love it with these gold necklaces (vintage Monet-read about them here and Cassandra’s Collections, one of my faves!) but it also can stand alone. It’s not me, but it fit my style. I love it! The lesson? Trying new things is good for you!
Or at least, finding new clothes that fit you perfectly is not something to pass up.

What’s something that you didn’t think you’d love but you do?

XO RA

This jumpsuit is vintage from The Keep Vintage” and these heels are my fave Brian Atwoods! Shop my similar picks below!

Heart prints? They aren’t just for little girls and en masse Valentine cards. I have to admit, I’m not a sweet dresser. I like bows, hearts, pink, but like an edge; so when I pick bows, pinks, and hearts I like them edgy. This Rixio UK dress fits the bill. I love that the heart print is subtle, the off the shoulder, and bias cut. It’s a heart dress, with just enough edge for a heart like mine, and who can beat that?

I’ve worn with dress to a tea (Alice in Wonderland themed so it was a perfect fit!), and with sneakers for a casual happy hour. I originially bought this dress in the thought that it would be great for Valentine’s Day, a way to wear hearts without being saccrine; I didn’t wear it then, but have loved that this print has fit in at all other occasions. Here, I love the juxatipositon with the green shoes, and how perfect were these flowers we stumbled upon??

In case you didn’t know about Rixio UK- I love them! They’re a London based company, all products are done in silk–often with vintage patterns and fabrics! The designs are fun, edgy, and just a hint of sweet, and simply perfect. They fit true to size and there’s something for everyone. You can find Rixio on their site Rixio UK or at Net-a-Porter.

Hope your Friday is just sweet enough! I HEART THIS DRESS AND YOU! XO RA

Shop my picks below:

Check out the new arrivals at Mod Cloth and get 20% off:

Early last week I was told that this dress was a perfect solution for wearing black in Summer. Loves, this is where I confess: I didn’t know that we had to look for ways to wear black (call it my inner New Yorker, but I’m not a native New Yorker), even in Summer. Maybe you subscribe to the theory that even dark colors should be “Summer-ized”. Maybe you think black is a year round color. And we can all agree that no matter where you fall on that spectrum no one thinks heavy fabrics and heat are a great combo. Loves, no matter what you want to debate from those theories, this black dress (For Love & Lemons) is simply perfect for the summer months. Sheer, with Swiss dots, and a adjustable neckline, it would look great with heels at a Summer soirée, great with sandals, or over a bathing suit for a day at your favorite body of water. I personally believe that black is a seasonless color, but this may be the perfect Summer black. And with these espadrilles and hat? Let’s Summer–in black of course!

Austin Loves–I got this dress at Lively Collective (@livelycollective on Instagram and on South 1st), and that little shop is quickly becoming one of my fave places to shop when I’m in town! It’s full of boho, beachy, and local treasures–everything you need to get you through the summer (and yes, even some black!) Happy Shopping!

XO RA

Shop my picks below:

And if you prefer to rent your Summer looks:

Loves, have I mentioned that I love the Prada runway?? The feathers, the fun, the high fashion, it was all amazing. So when I found this vintage coat with feather detail on the collar and sleeves, I couldn’t resist it! (And the colors were amazing too!) It has all the fun and feathers of the Prada runway, and the added benefit is that it’s a find from the 1920s. I think it would be great as a dress, but I love the juxatipositon of the coat with the ripped jeans, and we all know I love these shoes!

My fave thing about pieces like this one? it’s the perfect combination of fashion and fun, it can elevate any outfit or day, and is the epitome of this week! It’s been such a great week full of love and celebrations, and I can’t think of a more fitting outfit.

Hope you’re out in something fabulous having a great weekend! Cheers!

XO RA

I say all the time that fashion should be fun and that you should wear what makes you happy. I believe in that. And what could be more fun than polka dots? But loves, I have to admit to you that even though I believe all those things, I sometimes worry that things might be too short for me. And that maybe I’m too old for certain things. Crazy thoughts, right? Mainly because if you came to me with an amazing fun polka dot dress that made you feel special and invincible, but you were worried about it being a little too short, I would want to tell you how things that make you happy are amazing! That you should wear what makes you happy. That maybe there is a such a thing as too short, but that if everything is covered and you’re comfortable, then have at it! That if a polka dot dress that is unique and you finds you that you don’t leave it. Isn’t it crazy that we forget that we should speak to ourselves the same way that we should talk to our friends?
My fears aside, I’m glad that I didn’t walk away from this dress. Putting it on simply makes me smile, and what else should fashion do?

There’s something I love about classics-polka dots–in a “new” way–these sleeves! This was an amazing find from Timeless Vixen (loves, I love her, she is so kind, fun, and her collection! Shop her online here) via A Current Affair (read all about my LA experience here and if you’re in NYC make sure that you visit them this coming weekend!). This dress is both fresh and timeless, all at the same time. Again, I did worry about the length, but it’s just fun! The colors, the sleeves, the personality. It makes me want to dance all night, but would be just as great at dinners, parties, and events (and loves, I hope that there’s dancing at all of those things!).

Pics are by Katy Shayne (I always remember to tag her on Instagram, but not here-she’s amazing!). My shopping picks are below!

XO RA