Sunday Chronicles – Page 19

Sunday Chronicles: Hostess Gifts

Investment Piece: Hostess Gifts

Beginning this week, many of us will be traveling to friends and family, bringing with us holiday cheer and (hopefully) pie. From the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday through the entire holiday season, we will most likely be eating/staying/partying at someone else’s home. Which begs the question: what should you do about a hostess gift?

I’m from the South and a big fan of the hostess gift. Even if it’s just a bottle of wine. Sometimes, especially if it’s a bottle of wine. Beyond the way a hostess gift allows you to contribute to the festivities, I’m a fan of the way a hostess gift says thank you for opening your home.

This is not the only time you’ll hear me say this, but I think that gift giving is personal. I have no idea what the people in your life might like, or your relationship to gifting with them. At the very least, I hope that my gift guides inspire you to find something special for your gifts. At the most, I hope my picks are something you can give! And in between, I hope that my gift guides make shopping for gifts if not fun, bearable.

But back to the hostess gifts.
**According to my mom, and etiquette specialist, if you’re bringing food to a party you don’t have to bring a hostess gift. I’m letting you make that call.

Below are my picks for hostess gifts. You’ll notice most of them are small, related to eating and drinking, and inexpensive. There’s no need to go over the top with a hostess gift.

That being said—if the hostess is someone you’re incredibly close to, feel free to pick something personal and not related to the party. From a book she’d love to something she collects (I collect vintage perfume bottles), anything that says “thank you” is a great idea.

And if nothing else, there’s wine.

I’d love to know: what are your go-to hostess gifts?

Wishing us all a week of merry and shoes! 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!

Sunday Chronicles: Singles Day

Investment Piece: Florals

Apparently, today is Singles’ Day! Is this a thing? According to the multiple emails I’ve gotten letting me know I can get 11% off in celebration, yes.

I have questions.

Now, I’m in no way against single people having a day (there’s a payback for Valentine’s Day). But, like Valentine’s Day, I wonder if this is simply a day to encourage shopping? (Hey, I make a living that way, so I can’t be too critical.) Of course, Singles’ Day can be anything we make it. (If we make up holidays, we can make up rules) So, here’s my take on Singles’ Day.

Let’s do it.
I’m in.
However, instead of focusing on being single (which is amazing if you think about it), let’s just make it a celebration of self love. Self love, and being single, gets a lot of press, but real talk? Self love, and being single, isn’t easy. It’s not just face masks and sales. Sometimes, it’s removing yourself from toxic situations (delete his number and you don’t have to be friends with people who are mean to you). It may mean that you have to push yourself harder (your goals won’t reach themselves), or say yes or no to things that are hard (but worth it). Self love, and Singles’ Day, may mean you’re at home alone when it’s easier to be out.

These things are hard. And you do deserve to be celebrated for them. Especially as we go into what is often the craziest time of the year, you deserve a little treat. I hope that you do something today to support yourself, be it a day in or out, hard or easy.

And because there’s nothing wrong with indulging in a face mask or a sale, I’ve linked some of my picks for Singles’ Day below.

Here’s to us!

Wishing us all a week of self-love and amazing shoes! 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!

My Singles’ Day Picks for Face Masks and Instagram Self Care: (some are $3!)

Nordstrom is having a sale. You should shop it:

Need Supply Co is one of my favorite online shops. From the unique to the trendy, the quality is amazing, they have brands I love, and the customer service is 100! For Singles’ Day you can take 11% off your order with the code SELFLOVE. This is what I’m lusting after:

Happy Singles’ Day Shopping!! Xo

Sunday Chronicles: The Holidays are Coming!

Investment Piece: Happy Holidays

We’re done with Halloween. And full speed into the holiday season.

Ok, if we’re honest, the rush into the holiday season started before Halloween. I went costume shopping for bits and pieces 2 weeks ago, my local craft store was taken over by Christmas. The rush to get to the holidays and Christmas? That’s another post. But we can’t hide our heads in the sand now, the holidays are coming!

Which is exciting! They don’t call the holiday season the most wonderful time of the year for nothing! Traditions, treats, cocktail parties, time with friends and family, snow (hopefully!), gifts, and all the trimmings. There are things that are only holiday activities and I love them all. From the build up to the actual days when we celebrate, I’ve always been a fan of the holidays. Yes, I’m the one who loves putting lights and decorations and cooking. That’s just the tip of my holiday iceberg.

But. The holidays can be a very difficult time. Sometimes it’s hard to be with our family and friends. We may be missing people. The stress from the traditions, trimmings, parties, treats, gifts, and all the holidays things can be overwhelming. One of my best Thanksgivings was spent alone eating what I wanted, watching football, and doing laundry. I get it.

Yes, let’s not forget Thanksgiving!

As stressful as the holidays can be, we’re here to help! Starting in two weeks, our gift guide series will start! And we’d love some feedback! Do you like category gift guides (i.e. For him/for her/stocking stuffers/etc)? Or do you want budget based gift guides (i.e. Under $100/etc?) Or do you want a combo of them? My goal is to make holiday shopping SO easy on you, so let me know what guides would help you the most!

And speaking of being helpful, I know that many of you hate holiday shopping. I get that. For the holiday season, I’m running a special on my personal shopping services. From doing it all for you to just emailing options, there are ways to get me to the hard work for you. Prices start at $25 an hour, and I’d love to custom make a package that fits your needs! Email me at racheladelicia@investmentpiece.com!

Wishing us all a week of holiday calm and amazing shoes! Xo RA

Sunday Chronicles: hair and change

Investment Piece: Sunday Chronicles Hair and Change

I have a history with my hair (you can read all about it here). All summer long, I’ve been dying to get my hair done, change it up a bit, and feel different. You could say I’ve been courting change. Which is new for me. However, I’ve been craving the kind of change that’s complete, the wake up and your life is DIFFERENT. (I can’t be the only one who thinks there are events from birthdays to holidays where you will wake up changed)

And what better immediate change to make you feel like your life is different than to change your hair?

Here’s what I’ve learned about change: it doesn’t always follow our guide lines. Sometimes change happens fast. Sometimes, the change is slow. And even when you want it, change isn’t always easy and there’s not always some big “aha” moment where you wake up different.

I finally got to have my hair done. And I love it. I do feel lighter, and am so appreciative if you reached out on Instagram to let me know that you like it. But did I wake up completely different? No. Should I have? A week ago I might have said yes, explained that making a change like hair is one way to shake things up. And while a big hair change is always a great way to shake it up, I realized after getting my hair done that the change wasn’t my hair, but me. The hair change was simply an outside look at change that had happened on the inside.

This summer was a season of change for me. Some sudden, some slow, some wanted and some not. I didn’t have any big “aha” moment, and some of the change I’m still craving in my life is in the process. But, I’m different. We all are, if we think about it–and isn’t that a good thing? (If you say no, ask yourself if you want to be in the same place in 5 years. Do you want what’s here? Or do you want better?) Maybe the point isn’t to have these moments where the change is so overwhelming that we wake up different, but to be so comfortable with our change that we’re not afraid to show it.

For the first time in my life, I’m thinking my hair might need to be a little bit shorter. That’s huge change I’m happy to share with you; even if there was never a time I woke up different.

I’d love to hear about or see your change!

Wishing us all a week of change and amazing shoes! Xo RA

Sunday Chronicles: Back on the Grind

Investment Piece: Sunday Chronicles: Back on the Grind

Loves!!
It feels so long since we’ve been in this space together. I’ve missed you!

Real talk? It felt like such a long summer, and yet somehow, I’m still feeling behind. Is that internal pressure? Is it the truth? Is there a difference?

Even though we’re “adults”, I still love this time of year, the back to school grind. Summer is amazing, and one of my favorite seasons. However, getting back to a “routine”, settling into a schedule, brings me comfort. I think it’s a great chance to really sit back and reassess goals, time management, and make adjustments where needed.

Or at least that’s what I’m attempting to do in this season of “back on the grind”. I’m attempting to look at how I’m spending my time, where I can most effectively work, where I can cut back. It’s so comforting to feel like I’m getting back not only to a groove, but working on a schedule that works for me. They say that kids love routine, and as much as I love spontaneous things and surprises, I think I might love routine, too. So, I’m working on balancing that. Is this being on the grind? It feels like it.

(Is it normal that figuring out how to work is part of the work?)

Here at Investment Piece, we’re looking at goals, what works best, where we should be spending our time, how to give you our best, what best content you want to see. This summer we went to a restricted schedule, and I love you staying with us! It seems that you really liked us publishing on M/W/F. Did you? Do you want to stick with it? We’re on the grind and have so much to bring you, but want to find a schedule that works best for you! Because, loves, we’re in this grind together.

So! For this month we’re going to stick with a M/W/F schedule, where we will be giving you a mix of outfit posts, where to shop, our closet series, trends to try, and all of the content you know and love. On Sunday’s we’re bring back Sunday Chronicles–we’ve missed you and we hope you’ve missed us (and ex-files). We’ll see how this grind goes. Love it? Hate it? Have ideas? Let us know! Racheladelicia@investmentpiece.com or in the comments!

In the meantime: wishing us all a week full of getting on the grind and amazing shoes!
XO RA

Sunday Chronicles: Living in Chaos

It’s not Sunday, so it must seem odd to read a Sunday Chronicle. Right? However, for me, this entire summer has been odd. I’ve literally been living in chaos. From helping my mom deal with my grandma’s apt (boxes) to moving all my homes (boxes) to settling into temporary digs to breaking my toe this week (yes, ouch!). It’s been chaos. And some chaos is great! A lot of chaos, is overwhelming. With clothes and things spread out, I’ve been out of wack, and I’m not going to lie, this venture of ours has been hard to shoot. Living in chaos takes it toll. So, I couldn’t help but look back at this and remind myself that chaos is nothing that I haven’t conquered before.

The good news? The boxes are almost dealt with (for now). Next week there’s all new content, and it’s amazing. This weekend all looks from Instagram will be updated and shoppable here, on Shopstyle, and on Pintrest. Have I beaten chaos?

For the moment, it feels like it. In the meantime: a look back at living in chaos.

I’m moving (more on that in a coming post) and am completely overwhelmed –if nothing else because my apartment is currently filled with boxes, furniture, and varying stacks of items to take, sell or store. This makes my little Type-A, really organized, neat heart anxious. Let’s be honest–moving and packing are draining, and I have a hard time relaxing when things aren’t in their place.

This isn’t to say I’m used to everything going swimmingly all the time. I’m no stranger to bad days (both hair and personal), outfits that don’t work (even with prior planning), and the general mess that life can bring. And I’m a control freak (in the best way!)–and I’ve always used keeping things neat (and my work outs) to feel like I had some sort of power over what was happening in life. So living in a state of constant unrest is not just super settling. So what do?

There is no right answer right? Or if you know one please share! What I know is I’ve been working on keeping my sanity – my schedule, my to-do list, my priorities. My things might be in boxes but that’s no reason to stop functioning as myself; as much as I can I’ve been doing what I need to do for self care- workouts, seating aside time for relaxation and friends, etc.

Let’s be honest, I wish life wasn’t complicated. I wish here were times and situations that didn’t make us uncomfortable. I wish things were always smooth. But. the uncomfortable and unsmooth times allow us to grow. They prepare us, make us strong, make us better. And if that’s the endgame, a few weeks with boxes is nothing, right? Right. Or at least that’s what I’m hoping for.

Wishing us all a week of good change, no boxes, and amazing shoes! XO RA

Sunday Chronicles: Summer Hours

Investment Piece: Days in La

Does any one else have the song lyric “Summer Time and the livin’s easy” going through their head constantly? Just me?

I don’t know that I believe that, but I do hope that your summer livin’ is very easy. And includes amazing shoes and all the water and rose your heart desires that. (And if you don’t like water or rose, I’m hoping you get what you love.)

We are at the height of summer. The day are long, it’s hot, and we’re all on (somewhat) of a vacation mode. Here at Investment Piece? Our summer is easy, but busy. With work trips, personal trips, working fashion, working family, and some personal matters to attend to (nothing bad!) our summer is in full swing.

And yes, there’s water and rose. And amazing shoes.

But, as we know that July is a month when so many of us travel. So many of us are in full summer swing. At Investment Piece? Just for July, we’re starting summer hours. Instead of publishing Sunday-Friday, we’ll only be publishing Monday/Wednesday/Friday.

What does this mean for you?

Your favorite (I hope) inspiration, series (sales, where to shop, looks into closets, fashion gives back, in the wild, etc) will all make appearances, but only on M/W/F. Got something you desperately want to see (other than amazing summer outfits)? Let me know at racheladelicia@investmentpiece.com.
But don’t think you’re getting some sort of big break from me. Besides being here M/W/F, there will be all sorts of places you can catch up with me during the month of July!

At ShopStyle! You can find all my looks/widgets/sales picks there! Search for InvestmentPiece

On Instagram (@RachelAdelicia) All looks will be shoppable (the link is in the bio)

Here–all my looks are shoppable in the menu! And of course there will be posts Monday/Wednesday/Friday with a combo of outfits and all of our favorite series!

Pintrest-InvestmentPiece or search @racheladelicia. Shoppable pins, pins with my looks, all things summer will be up!

Facebook- Investment Piece. I’ll be linking all sorts of sales picks and special content for you! (As well, you can always find our latest post there!)

I hope that this month finds you doing all the great things that make summer amazing. I hope that you get your own Verision of summer hours! I can’t wait to see you on all sorts of platforms over the next month!

Wishing us all summer hours and amazing shoes!

XO RA

****Note- don’t worry, we’ll be back to full hours come again in August!

Sunday Chronicles: Embracing the Suck

I know. My image doesn’t really go with my title. The issue? I’ve had one of those weeks. Not a bad week- there was plenty of good- but one where I felt stuck, inspiration was non-existent, and nothing went according to plan and was 10x harder than it needed to be. Case in point? I ordered “The Year of Yes” (Shondra Rhimes) and “Big Magic” (Elizabeth Gilbert)- those books were supposed to be in the picture too, and I was going to tell you all I had learned or was exited to learn from them. They didn’t come in time. So- what do you do when a week like this happens? While this is an option:

(And can help), it’s not always a solution.

I did make it to see “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” this week (see it!) and was reminded of some advice an old acting coach was fond of:
“Embrace the suck, it’s the only way to move forward”.

The character in the film and my old coach are right- sometimes things suck. They don’t go our way, everything is off, and we don’t know what to do. And most of the time the answer lies in simply embracing where you are and moving forward from there. Does that sound easy? I know sometimes it’s not. But sometimes inspiration comes when we go looking for it, things begin to go our way when we continue to put one foot in front of the other; and it’s been my experience that weeks like this are always balanced out.

So my plan for this coming week? Read, write, paint- photograph fashion that I like, and hope you do too. Embrace the suck and move forward- trusting that it can’t suck forever.

Wishing us all a week of inspiration and amazing shoes! XO RA

Sunday Chronicles : Giveaways and Celebrations

Investment Piece: Fashion Gives Back

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Blog Birthday giveaways! Vintage Dresses and Product of a Strong Female shirts. We’re still contacting the winners, so please be patient with us! (I’m also hoping the winners will share pics of them in their new goodies!)

As for things, does anyone else have a crazy busy May?

For me, May is full of family birthdays (and friends who are like family). My mom’s birthday is this week (as is mine), and it seems that there is an event EVERY NIGHT. I just scheduled myself a night off as it’s the 6th and I’m already so tired that I don’t know how to make it to my birthday.

So, the question becomes, how do we recharge ourselves in the middle of a crazy month?

Friends have been asking me about plans for my birthday, and what I keep thinking about is that taking care of yourself is a from of celebrating yourself. I’m seeing nights in and nights out in my future. Bubble baths and days by the pool and rose. Maybe some new shoes? Maybe a great read?

I know that the best way to be my best self is to give myself the things I need: workouts, sleep, veggies, and some fun. And maybe some wine for good measure. That’s the only way to enjoy all these things that fill up May is balance the fun with care.

How do you care for yourself? What does it look like when you celebrate yourself and take time for yourself?

I want to hear your tips and tricks and suggestions!

In the meantime, I’ll be celebrating all the things, relaxing, and trying to take care of myself with all the things.

Wishing us all a week of celebrations and care, and of course, amazing shoes!

XO RA

Sunday Chronicles: Year in Review and a Survey

Investment Piece: Sunday Chronicles: Year in Review

Loves, you’ve indulged me all month long as we celebrated the blog’s birthday (one week to go!). Isn’t it funny how different things can hit you at different times? The past few years when the blog had a birthday, it didn’t faze me. I was so focused on the growing and the doing, not even the vision, just the getting things done. This is in no way to imply that the blog, or myself for that matter, is at the peak, or exactly where we want to be. We’re still a work in progress.

However, this year, on the blog’s birthday I feel a little bit more secure in my vision, in my plans for the future; and, can look back at the year with a different eye. We started many different series this year. From Designer Spotlight to Fashion in the Wild, to Fashion Gives Back, Investment Piece began to look a bit past just our own fashion. Sometimes these series are the highlights of my month, sometimes they come together at the last minute. After sitting with them, and digesting them for a year, we’d love to know your thoughts.

What series do you love?
What series do you hate?
What do you wish we would focus on?
What do you wish we would leave out?

Our goal is to produce content that we all love (that’s me and you) and we can’t do that without your input. Ways to give feedback? Comment here, on Facebook, on Instagram, or email me at racheladelicia@investmentpiece.com. We truly want to know your thoughts on the series and would love to hear your ideas!

Investment Piece: LA Walk

And here’s the thing about looking back at a year in review, you can’t help but look forward. For months I’ve been playing with the idea of a video series that explores our closets. Our goal in the coming year is to get that into production. We’re playing with classes to teach you how to mix prints, how to shop more efficiently, and maybe getting experts in to teach us all (me) how to pack light. I’m excited about the future, excited about the fashion coming, and the brands we can’t wait to introduce you to!

Again, if there’s something you would love to see on site, we would love to hear about it. We’ve loved sharing all things blog birthday with you!

Stay tuned this week for our last giveaway and our last birthday edition of FBF!

Wishing us all a week of good memories and amazing shoes! XO RA