Category: Sunday Chronicles

It’s that time of year! We turn the page, we start anew, we set our goals. There’s much ado about our resolutions and how to stick to them, jokes made about them, and the reality is that some of us let our goals go. My thoughts on goals? I love them! I think that they can act as a great catalyst or game plan to get us to that great live we want. However, I also think that we have to be smart about them, goals are powerful, and I truly believe that we can create anything we want–but how? Here are my tips for goal setting:

Decide What You Want
I mean really decide. Here’s the deal: General goals beget general results. This is your time to be incredibly specific. Want to lose weight? How much? How do you want your body to look? Want a great relationship? What exactly does that mean to you? The more specific, the more juicy detail you can add only helps you.

Believe You Are Worthy
Women, in particular, tend to talk ourselves out of our goals. “I’d love to be a but I’m . I’ve had acting coaches and athletic coaches alike tell me that the number one difference they see in those who achieve their goals and those who don’t is the belief that they are worthy of their goals. And loves, you are worthy of your best life. You are worthy of your best. When your goals are built on top of that, you are unstoppable.

You Change Your Daily Life 
Call it your habits, your system, your plan. Goals and results don’t fall from the sky (or if you have information on how they do–hook a sister up!). To get what we want we have to change what we do (yes, there’s more than one cliche about this). I’m the first to admit that I’m a big picture woman, I can see the big thing I’m after, and often the breaking the goal up into small steps is difficult for me. However, I’ve noticed the biggest changes in my life, the resolutions that stuck so to speak, were built on things that I changed about my routine. If your goal is to lose 10 lbs the reality is you’re going to have to change how you work out and what you eat. And every goal is like that!

It doesn’t have to be big
Here’s the good news about our daily changes: they don’t have to be big. Knowing that I can think big, I am aware that I can set myself up for failure by trying to do the impossible. The great news? The possible, small bits of possible, make up the impossible. Let’s stick with our weight loss example: 10 lbs isn’t coming off over night, and you won’t go from laying on the couch to running marathons. BUT you can move 20 mins more each day, you can make it to the gym one day, you can eat more veggies one day. Those little things add up, and can make big change.

The biggest trick of all? You just have to start. Loves, I don’t think that the beginning of the year is by any means the only time to set new goals. Any time you want to set a new goal, the world is your oyster. I think that visualizing and really believing in your goal are key (I love vision boards, I think our self talk can change our lives, I think we create the world we want by our thoughts and actions). I also believe that big impossible things can happen, but just in case we do little, possible things each day. And lastly:

Learn to be Grateful in the Hallway
When you’re waiting for a door to open, or a goal to be achieved, it can get frustrating in the meantime. It can get overwhelming and scary and seem like a great idea to give up. I don’t believe that you have to be a cheerleader all day every day. Yes, we become what we believe, but occasionally days suck. And it’s OK to admit that. Gratitude is something that we talk about, and can be trendy, I can say that it works. I have a spin teacher who I love who preaches that while you’re waiting on God to open your door, you have to learn to praise Him in the hallway. To say thank-you before you get what you want. Sound out there? Try it. I can personally testify that having an “attitude of gratitude” is life changing, and helps you get what you want faster–not to mention you enjoy the ride a little more. An acting coach I had once challenged us to keep a gratitude journal for a month-that each morning we were to write down 3 things we are grateful for; they could be small (coffee), big (family and friends) or that thing you want so much (your goal). We were challenged to see what our life was like at the beginning of a month, and then again at the end of the month of this task. I challenge you to try it!

So, how do you work on achieving your goals? Are you a resolution type? What do you think of my “methods”?

And if mine weren’t enough, I love these articles about goal-getting!
From Forbes
James Clear
And Inc

Wishing us all results and amazing shoes! XO RA

It’s that time of year, loves. Parties, presents, events, church, love, peace–making merry. The lights and tree are up, everything is decorated, you may have cookies in the oven now. For some, making merry and getting in the spirit is easy; for others, making merry isn’t automatic. I love the holidays, but know that for many this time of year is difficult, for many reasons. And many of us have had a hard year. This time of year is fun, brillant and beautiful, but also comes with the pressure of being merry. We often feel as if we have to be happy, and in the spirit all the time. But what if you’re not? What if you find yourself the opposite of merry? I’m no expert but I do have some ideas:

-Don’t Force It
Loves, many of us have had a hard year. The holidays in general can be difficult for some, between family issues, and the added stresses to budget, time, and the expectation that we’re merry ALL THE TIME. So you’re not in the spirit? Don’t force yourself to be. This is not me telling you to not participate in the holidays (but loves, that is valid and you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to), but me saying if it’s not natural forcing yourself to go over the top with merry isn’t a solution. Accept where you are. Do what you like. Ask your family to understand. The season is not about the biggest presents, decorations, or parties attended. The season is about love and peace, and offering that to yourself is a great celebration of the season.

-Volunteer
A gentle reminder that if you woke up this morning, have clean water that comes in both hot and cold, and know that you will eat today, you are incredibly rich. In this season of giving, remembering those who are less fortunate is something that can get you in the spirit, and help someone else. A great way? Adopt a child or family through the Salvation Army. No matter your personal level of merry, let giving someone else a holiday miracle get you in the spirit! More information on giving to the Salvation Army can be found here<.

-Do What You Love
Love Christmas music? Blast it. Love movies? Watch them. Baking? Fill your kitchen with goodies. There is no “one” or “right” way to celebrate this season. We all have different traditions, views, and ways of getting through the end of the year. No matter what it is that you love, if it brings you joy at this time of year–do it. I am aware that you may not get out of doing things that you don’t love, but if you can focus on what you do, you can find some merry there.

I’d love to know–how do you make merry? What do you do when you aren’t in the spirit?

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

We change as we grow older, but in many ways we stay the same. I’ve always had my fair share of sass (ok, more than my fair share), and if you look at some of the graphic shirts I love, that hasn’t changed much. I’ve had a fashion sense, and loved outfit styling from a young age, something that has stayed constant. And I’ve always been adamant that I will wear what I want–no matter what. My mom loves to tell the story of how, as a 1.5 year old, in the middle of winter, I wanted to wear my purple leotard out. I did. And I made my mom carry the two back up outfits and coat for me. Again, in some ways I haven’t changed that much (though I tend to wear a bit more than a leotard now, I am a fan of back up outfits). I was, and can be, stubborn and sassy (in both amazing and perhaps not so amazing ways). But more than the leotard story, what has always been the image of my “sass” are my red boots.

I had many pairs of red boots as a kid, and I loved them! (Different story, I’m a firm believer that all women need red shoes, Dorothy taught us that, but let’s chat about that later!) Red boots made me feel powerful, fun, and I worked them with everything –skirts, shorts, jeans, even leotards. Without me saying a word, they let the world know that I was there, and not afraid to be seen. And if the world didn’t pay attention I was more than willing to stomp those red boots to get my point across. Part talisman, part statement, I loved the way the boots made me feel, and how they looked. They gave me permission to be myself, sass and all.

While I currently don’t own red boots, I like to think that I wear what they gave me–confidence. They were a safe way to stand out and be heard. I love fashion, clearly always have, and while the way fashion looks can be breathtaking, the most important part of fashion is how it makes you feel. And we all deserve a piece that brings out our sass, in the best ways. Recently, I gave a little girl in my life a pair of red boots. Because they were darling and perfect. I hope she loves them–but more importantly I hope that she takes the red boots to heart, and isn’t afraid to hide her sass.

Wishing us all a week of sass and amazing shoes! XO

Loves! It’s almost Halloween! I realize you may have celebrated last night (in which case may I recommend coconut water, charcoal, and a burger). My big plans? My all time favorite movie Hocus Pocus, and handing out candy with my sister! If you need costume ideas for your plans might I suggest this, this, this, this or this. I hope whatever you do, or don’t do, there’s candy and good times to be had!

If you follow me on Instagram (and I hope you do @racheladelicia) you know that I have an event coming up!

If you’re in Austin on 11/10 I hope that you join me at Bloomers and Frocks! We will have wine, snacks, and great holiday styling tips (as well as some of the most amazing vintage! See my review of Bloomers and Frocks here)

Happy Halloween! And hope to see you soon!

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