Category: Sunday Chronicles

Sunday Chronicles: Ghost Tour

a woman with cat eye makeup and skeleton earrings

A few weeks ago I mentioned that this year, and specifically this holiday season I wanted to be present and enjoy the season and the holiday we’re in- aka Halloween. You can read more about my thoughts here. Keeping true to my word, and wanting to enjoy Halloween and not skip to Christmas season, when a family friend suggested that we book a Ghost Tour and stay in a (allegedly) haunted hotel- I said yes. Even though I sometimes (often times) have to watch anything scary through my fingers or blanket or my sweatshirt.

Because it’s not like they would let us die, right?

a skeleton in a phone booth and the image of a woman in the glass

We didn’t die. (Spoiler alert! And if you’re curious or local we stayed at the Menger and went on a Sisters Grimm tour. Highly recommend both!) What we did do is have a lot of fun, learn quite a bit of history, and get into the spirit of the season.

a man dressed as a rough rider from 1890 in the lobby of a hotel

Our tour guide was not only charming- he dressed in costume, which you know I love- he was incredibly knowledgeable about every space we went into, every street we went on, and local history. While there were ghost tales that were a bit creepy, most of them were truly fascinating! And even had me looking for clues!

a window with bars on it. You may be able to see a ghost in it!

For Example, in the above picture you may be able to see the ghost of a woman in the window. I didn’t- though I did see something over a bed in the hotel I think that was just my over-active imagination!

The tour was so fun and the hotel was fantastic (not to mention the jewelry store in the hotel where I happed to find MANY things that were so gorgeous, the only scary thing was how I could afford them all!) Most of all, this ghost tour was such a joy in that we got to walk (and ride) part of a city that I hadn’t seen before, I got to learn a lot (like ask me about certain killings in San Antonio), and it was the perfect way to get into the Spooky spirit that isn’t just watching scary movies (aka Hocus Pocus) on my couch!

I also got to dress to theme, which we know I love!

a woman in a black leather dress in a bathroom mirror

I can’t believe that Halloween is basically a week away (I have so many cute outfits to wear! And I want to watch so many movies!) How are you getting in the spirit of Halloween? Are you jumping ahead to the Winter Holidays? I would love to hear all about it!

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

Sunday Chronicles: Spooky Season

Shadow of a woman dressed as Maleficent with horns on her head and holding a raven

October is it’s own kind of magic, and not just Halloween. The crispness in the air, the endings and the beginnings, the beginning of the holiday season.
There is that aspect- I know that this is the month that time seems to speed up, we start chatting about the holidays (I have already seen Christmas trees out in stores), I’m supposed to start talking about holiday gifts, and a lot of us will breeze right over Halloween (or dress up and have their tree up!) and go right into the HOLIDAY season.

Yet, the older I get the more I want to enjoy the season I’m in. Right now, that means spooky season. I want to enjoy the changing of the seasons, the pumpkins, the scary movies (or really just watching all the Hocus Pocus), the costumes (have I mentioned how much I love Fashion Halloween?), and just enjoying October.

So, if I’m not rushing into the next season, what does it mean to really be present in spooky season (besides the obvious)?
For me, it means a few things:
-spending time in the cool weather. I know this seems like a no-brainer, but it’s just starting to be cool where I am (and it still heats up in the afternoon!). So wearing a sweater, or jacket when I can means something
-fall and Halloween decorations. The more I don’t want to rush the seasons (really, I won’t put up Christmas till December, will try to take in November as much as I can), this means that this weekend I’m putting out pumpkins. And skeletons. Wreaths full of fall flowers and motifs. Planning costumes and getting out boots
-curating my social media and consumption. I’m not the best Horror Movie Watcher (Though I do love some horror, I’m more a thriller gal, very much a Hocus Pocus gal, have the Peanuts Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown on repeat), but I love to watch shows, movies, and listen to songs (Monster Watch) that match the season
-participate in fall activities. I’m not running to orchards or pumpkin patches. But I am making sure that I go out and do what fall means to me. Yes, some of it is basic. But, aren’t we all a little basic? I’m loving carving pumpkin parties, tailgates, and am so excited to hand out candy on Halloween (I also do a Hocus Pocus watch and make butternut squash soup!) Though if you want to ask me to apple of pumpkin pick with you I won’t say no!

I really am just concentrating on enjoying the moments, without rushing ahead. In the coming weeks I’ll be sharing my Halloween costumes- and my plans for holiday shopping. That’s what spooky season means to me! What does spooky season mean to you? And how are you celebrating?

I would love to hear about it!
Wishing us all a week of spooky and amazing shoes! XO RA

What to do when you HATE the trend

I originally wrote this post a few years ago. I pull it out now and again, because I can’t stop thinking about this topic. Again we’re finding ourselves at a time when trends are going to be presented. We’re in the middle of a transition to a new season. We’re being told what’s trendy, what we should buy, and the looks that we HAVE to have. And loves, I’m not mad at any of that. I love seeing new interpretations and getting to explore new sides of ourselves through fashion. The flip side of that? What if we hate it all. What if the trends for fall or next spring are just awful and wrong for us? Next week I’ll be sharing what 2021 Fall trends I’m excited about (and also what trends you can buy vintage!). I know that trends can have this negative connotation. But I really think if we can think of them as the fashion being offered to us- to do what we need to- they seem more appealing.
With that I feel a little bit better. I hope you do you!

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

image

NY Fashion week has come and gone, and we’ve been presented with what’s on trend for now, and for the Fall. Which is great, right? Hopefully you’ve been inspired and are excited about what will be/is offered to you, and you have ideas and plans on how to wear it (or you’re excited to see how we wear it here!) But loves, let’s be honest with each other. There’s a chance, and there are times, when you just HATE a trend. Maybe you try it and it’s just not flattering on you. Maybe it brings back bad memories. Maybe you just hate it so much you can’t bring yourself to try it or think about it. I get it. I know, I’m in fashion and supposed to encourage you to try new things. Which I think you should. But not everything is for everyone.

Loves, I’ve struggled with this part all week. A part of me is torn–I feel as if I’m supposed to encourage you to try new things. Maybe the right piece, the right time, the right color will change your mind on a trend. Maybe. Trying different versions of a trend is also valid. Maybe you hate cold shoulder, but you love a certain off-the-shoulder. Maybe. Classics may be your thing and you don’t want to vary out, but one dress could change your mind. Maybe. I think all these avenues are great-again, I’m for us all trying things. But loves, sometimes things don’t work. And that’s valid too. Trends are simply that, a passing fancy, and if you don’t like it, it’s ok. A new trend will come about, or classics are always in style.
There are trends that I don’t like; and my personal view is that fashion is supposed to be a fun way to express yourself–not a list of things you HAVE to wear.

So, at the end of the day my biggest advice is, if you don’t love it, don’t wear it. That simple. Love what you wear, wear what makes you feel good!

XO RA

Sunday Chronicles: Change of Plans

a woman with a black eye in a metallic shirt and black shorts stands on stones

One of my favorite sayings is “The way to make God laugh is to tell Him your plans”. A play on the fact that, no matter your beliefs, things have a way of not going to our plans all the time. This weekend I had every intention of shooting so many looks, working out, getting the house clean, etc. And yet, all week long all my plans have had to be changed. As it turns out, I pulled a muscle in my back- truly painful and very limiting on any movement I wanted to do. Then, on Thursday, I woke up with a black left eye. I have no clue how I got it (though I must have been hit at some point!), and while at first it didn’t hurt, over the past few days it’s gotten more swollen and hurt a bit more.

Which means, ironically, my plans for tomorrow might change and I may need to go to the Dr.

When my plans change, I try to roll with the punches, I try to be graceful, I try to take it all in stride. Sometimes a change of plans is easier said than done.

Knowing that I could rest for a week (or take it a bit easier physically), knowing that everything would get done eventually- even knowing that a great pair of sunnies could hide my black eye- the changes from what I had planned were hard to deal with. I was disappointed, frustrated, a bit sensitive, and a bit impatient. By the end of the week, even just putting off a run made me feel just awful.

And the reality is- these small change in my plans were not earth ending. As I’ve said, I know that everything will get back on track, I have time, and I can already move my body so much more than usual. So, why do our plans changing upset us so?

Yes- obviously there is a big difference between small and big plans, while there were moments this week that felt big, my change of plans were all fairly minor. Yet, they were upsetting.

Is it because we think we know best? That we have a hard time with change in general? That going with the flow is easier said than done? For me, it’s probably a combo. I’ll tell you (and I can be) that I love spur of the moment plans- but I also know that my plans changing can throw me for a loop. Even the minor plans.

So, what do we do when we have to change plans? Thus far I’ve vented to friends, felt bad about it, gotten mad about it, tried to over compensate with replanning the plans– and nothing has felt as good as just letting my body (and me and my plans) be- and happen as they can. There are times I’m better at it than others, and I’m sure there’s a lesson in there that I might not learn right away.

What do you do when you have to change your plans? How do you handle it?

Wishing us all a week of plans that work and amazing shoes! XO RA

Sunday Chronicles: Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

movie poster-pink- with an older woman in a skirt suit and hate, holding a briefcase with Dior dresses, a man raising his hat and two women in the background with text Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

This week I went to the movies for the first time since the pandemic started. There’s a whole post to be written about my love for movies, how I used to go at least once a week, and how nervous I was to go back to the movie theater. I did wear my mask the whole time, chose a smaller theater, and a weekday matinee. All which made me feel more comfortable. But. This post is about Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, which was not only a great movie to see (and about fashion!) but a movie that reminded me why I love movies and stories so SO much.

Not giving the entire plot away, but in Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris a London cleaning lady in 1957 saves up to buy herself a Dior dress (when it was still all couture), and her adventures doing so. I will never be the one to discourage you from saving and buying yourself something beautiful (Dior dress or not), but that wasn’t the only thing I loved about this movie!

I loved that Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris reminded me that:

Fashion is Magical
an older woman in a teal cardigan and red hat looks on in awe , behind her sit a woman in a floral dress and a man in a black suit

When Mrs. Harris gets to Paris, specifically to the House of Dior, she stumbles into a fashion show. Her expressions during the display of dresses, suits, coats, and hats is simply one of awe. She even claps at certain looks. I understand that impulse- I’ve clapped when buying shoes. But it was a reminder that fashion is magical, it can make you feel things, it’s awe inspiring. Yes, fashion is functional and tells our stories, and is often beautiful, but I think that sometimes we forget that the combination of all of those many things that fashion is can be magic. And sometimes, in a couture house, or when we see fashion that moves us, or when fashion is incredibly beautiful, I think the appropriate response is to call it magic and be awe struck by it.

Fashion is mad of details
One scene in the movie, one of the workers gives Mrs. Harris a tour of the Dior workroom. From buttons to patterns to embellishments, there was an attention to detail- from the magical to the mundane. Yes, the movie reminded me that fashion (and we) are magic, but there is also function, business, work, and detail that goes into fashion. Yes, there are conversations to be had about who makes our clothes, how they make them, and our own needed details. I loved that this movie- about the magic of fashion- took the time to point them out. And it was also a reminder to me that the little things about our outfits- the ones we think maybe no one notices? They matter.

Our Stories Matter
In the film, Mrs. Harris is a simple war window, a cleaner called an “invisible woman” by more than one person. Yet her story- falling in love with a dress, yearning for that beauty, saving and coming to live out her dream inspires others. From love to work, Mrs. Harris inspires and changes the lives of those who she comes into contact with. In this blog I’ve made it my mission to tell our stories, with fashion, to make sure that our stories matter. There was a part in the movie where it’s mentioned that even if Mrs. Harris is simply going to keep her Dior dress for herself that it’s worth it, and I agree with that. I also agree with the notion that the stories we tell- who we are, what we do, what we wear, can change others.

There is so much more to this movie. I truly loved every minute of Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (I may have to get back to the theater more often!), and highly suggest seeing it! It’s also a book (which I’m reading), and I believe that you can get the entire Mrs. Harris series (she also goes to New York and Moscow!) on Kindle for under $10!! And because of who I am, and the stories I tell, I did make my movie going outfit an occasion:
a woman in a blue silt shirt, white pleated silk skirt, studded brown sandals stands in front of a red wall, brown door, sink
(The skirt is vintage Dior because I love a theme!)

Have you made it back to the movies? Have you seen (or read) Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris? What were your take aways?

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

Sunday Chronicles: Sick

Investment Piece: Day Off

I had big plans for this weekend – from posts to IRL plans. And yet, they’ve all been put on hold as I’ve been under the weather. Because of the pandemic, of course I’m worried about it being Covid (I’m currently just achy and have a sore throat so I’m hoping not!). I did have the Omicron variant in January- and I didn’t talk about it. Partly as I wanted to see how it played out (I was lucky and had a mild case but did deal with lingering symptoms, one of my fears of getting another variant); and partly as talking about being sick isn’t something I’m skilled at.

Also, partly as I was hoping if I didn’t address ha I bc Covid it wouldn’t affect us here.

I spent yesterday laying low, doing the bare minimum, taking care of myself. At the end of the day I was feeling better than I did when I woke up. There is a chance this is something – but I’m crossing my fingers it’s a little bit of being run down and I get over asap. But. This time I want to talk about it- my fears about being sick, how it might affect me, and include us in the process. We (all of us) have been dealing with the pandemic and it just seems silly not to be honest about our personal experiences.

There is a new outfit post tomorrow, and as of now it doesn’t seem as if any of our shoot plans or posts will be affected. If I do end up having Covid I will let you know (again, let’s hope I’m not!) and if the schedule changes here I’ll let you know.

In the meantime, let’s take care of each other out there. If you have any tips to get over any illness quickly I’m all ears!

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

Sunday Chronicles: Burnout

A woman in white pants, a red and white striped shirt holds a big hat over her face as she stands in front of a pool

Everyone I know is burned out right now. The toll of the last few years seems to be taking its tool, and my loved ones (and me) are over tired, over sensitive, and overwhelmed. If you google burnout what turns up is: Burnout is a form of exhaustion caused by constantly feeling swamped. It’s a result of excessive and prolonged emotional, physical, and mental stress. In many cases, burnout is related to one’s job. Burnout happens when you’re overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to keep up with life’s incessant demands. Which is a great definition. And may accurately describe our collective state during this time due to the incessant nature of everything.

What’s not super clear when you google burnout is how to cure it.

It’s not just my loved ones, I have to admit that I’m a bit burned out too. I’m wiped, at times finding it difficult to be passionate about the things I care about, and in general I have little to no energy. My burnout is not an all day everything issue, but I am beginning to notice it. Remember on Wednesday when I was all excited to revamp everything? While that’s still my plan, I haven’t found the energy to start on anything, and even the things I feel excited about I’m still kinda “meh” about.

I’ve spent some time this week chatting with more than one friend, and they are all feeling the same way. So, my question is: if we know that we’re burned out what do we do about it?

Google has advice like “rest, journal, exercise, get help”- which are all great suggestions. But what if you’re doing all those things and still dealing with burnout?

The answers for that seem to be a bit more vague, especially as so much of the collective burnout isn’t work related, but related to the Pandemic, the state of the world, and all of the things we don’t have control over. So, what am I doing about my own burnout? I am resting more, and at the same time trying to get into a routine that serves me (aka not staying up super late watching old reruns!). I’m bringing back a sense of play, aka letting myself move (swim, dance) just for fun, and getting in my closet and exploring. I’m also making it a point to spend time with friends and people I love.

Is it a quick cure? Not at all. But my desire for the revamp (and all good things) also keeps me going a bit. Are you dealing with some burnout right now? How are you “curing” it? What helps? I’m open to any and all tips- and if I find something that works great, I will pass it along!

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

Sunday Chronicles: Summer Blockbusters

tom cruise in front of an airplane with the title for Top Gun Maverick

I know this won’t shock you, but I’m a huge fan of movies. Stories: getting involved in people’s emotions, rooting for the good guys, against the villains, going on all the ups and downs with characters- I love it all. For a time in my life, I had Friday afternoons off from work and each (or most) weeks I would take myself out on a Friday afternoon date, aka to the movies.

Sidenote- I will die on the hill that there is nothing more indulgent than a matinee movie (it feels like you’re getting away with something and getting to play hooky) and going to the movies alone (getting to experience all the things how you need to! When I regularly took myself to matinees on self-dates I really enjoyed not only the stories, but the time I gave to myself.

There are a ton of summer blockbusters opening (including Top Gun: Maverick, which, yes, I do want to see!), and while I could list all of the movies I currently want to see- and thought about doing so- when I thought about summer blockbusters, what I really want to talk about are movies, and the experience going to the movies can be.

In all honesty, I haven’t been to a movie theater since the pandemic. Not because I don’t love movies or have things I want to see, but because it hasn’t felt safe. And I know you may be at a place where it feels save for you, I just haven’t gotten there yet (the balance of living life and safety is a lot sometimes, isn’t it?). Movies at home are great- there’s something to be said about not worrying about bathroom breaks, getting to rewind, having any snack in the world, etc. I’m always grateful when we can stream or somehow get movies at home (I really do love it and spend a lot of nights watching movies at home!), but there is something special about a movie theater. The big screen, the dimmed lights, the smell of popcorn, the gasps and cheers from other audience members who may be strangers. The movie theater is a place you can be alone with people, and when you’re going to watch summer blockbusters, is such a unifying experience. When you love movies as much as I do, the movie theater, and the summer blockbuster are magical places.

I’m not looking for advice, or to be told that I should just go back to the movie theater- though I miss it and have a few summer blockbusters on my list- I know I’ll get back there. Though I am currently thinking of going to a drive in and if you have tips to share on that experience, I’m all ears!

Maybe what I’m longing for right now, more than a trip to the movie theater or to spend an afternoon engrossed in a summer blockbuster is a bit of magic. The experience of getting to go and try new things from a comfy chair, the lights and the sounds- and the cheers- that can only be called magic when it spans about 90 mins. Perhaps I’m longing for a bit of what I used to have, which is weirdly one of the reasons I love movies so, I’ve always felt that movies can give us what we’ve lost or are longing for. So in the meantime, I’ll be finding ways to get my summer blockbuster fix.

I would love to know your thoughts about summer blockbusters, movies in general, movie theaters- and if you have any drive in tips!

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

Sunday Chronicles: Speeding Up

a woman in an exercise dress and sneakers running on a trail

Has anyone else felt aid things have sped up all of a sudden? And yes, the world is so much more open than it’s been in the past few years, and yes, I’m adjusting to that. And yes, this time of year is always packed-between birthdays, graduations, and the beginning of wedding season. Every day in May I know someone who’s birthday it is- and we’re talking about personal relationships, not just acquaintances. It’s a busy time of year and we all have a ton going on.

Yet, it feels that things are speeding up, above and beyond all the reasons listed above. Being busy and having plans is great, and yes, after a few years I’m excited to see my friends and do things.

But.

When things speed up, especially when they seem to speed up incredibly quickly, I can get a bit anxious. I want to do ALL the things, but I’m also one of those that needs alone time. I want to get my work done and grow, but I don’t want to do rushed work. In all honesty, I’m also still incredibly overtired, from being ill this January, from all the things, from speeding up. So, while I want all the plans and the growth, as things speed up, I’m trying to balance the speed with rest. Balance doing all the things with doing all the things well, spending time with everyone and making sure that it’s quality time.

Balance, especially when it involves finding the right speed can be difficult. Or it is for me.

In general, I think that we are all obsessed with speed. We like things fast, now, and hate waiting. My impatience feels that. And as speed is something that we can measure, speed – or how fast things are happening or others or how fast others can go- is an easy way to compare ourselves to others. And we know what they say about comparison (it’s the thief of joy).

I’m aware of all of this, and am also aware that when things speed up I put a lot of pressure on myself to do all the things. Which makes the balance much more difficult. So, these are a few things that I’m doing to make sure that I’m both speeding up and going at a pace that works for me:

-I’m scheduling down days. For me, I’m still needing more days off than I normally would and instead of judging that, I’m attempting to give myself what I need. This means there are times I say no to plans, times I rest instead of working out, and times when I occasionally ask for more time on projects.

-I’m trying to say “yes” to the plans that really excite me or serve a purpose. And while there are events that I can’t say “no” to, I’m attempting to be incredibly intentional with my schedule so that when I’m running around it’s fun- not a chore.

-I’m going with the flow as much as I can. Sometimes that means having to cancel. Sometimes that means saying yes at the last minute. Much of the time, it means listening to what I need, making sure I have buffer time, and trying to not feel guilty for any of it.

Both the speed and the balance are works in progress.

How are you dealing with things speeding up? Do you need to schedule down time or are you adjusting well? I would love to hear all your tips and how you do your schedule!

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

Sunday Chronicles: Rest

Investment Piece, fashion blogger, pjs, bed, pj dressing, Zara, CA, TX

Does anyone else have an issue with rest? I don’t necessarily mean falling asleep (though that’s an issue too), but the actual resting. The funny thing is that I know that rest is an important part of any creative endeavor, and always needed. Join a gym? Start training? They will tell you the importance of rest days, that rest actually helps you become stronger, more fit, and helps you achieve your goals faster. I know all of this. So, why do I have problems resting?

Perhaps it’s that I feel like I have so much to do that taking any time off is putting me behind. Or perhaps it’s that I worry that rest isn’t productive, even though I know it is. How do you convince yourself that rest is important and how do you let yourself rest?

I’ve been thinking about rest a lot recently, probably because I’m at a point where I need some. Lately I’ve been transitioning from one (day) job to some new opportunities, trying to recover from some health set backs, and keep on top of everything. From feeling burnt out to overtired to knowing I need some time off, I’ve been there in the past few weeks. And yet, simply taking a few days off has felt completely undoable.

Yet, because I know I need rest- because I know rest would behoove my creative process, my fashion, and what we’re building here- rest has been hard for me to give me. I’ve let myself sleep in (which is so weird when you’re not young!), I’ve let myself play around all day, I’ve let myself nap and lay down. And yet- I still worry about all that I have to do- so my rest isn’t feeling restful.

In all honesty, I’m looking for suggestions. How do you let yourself rest? How do you let go of all the things you should be doing and just relax? Social media will make self care seem like it’s all face masks and rose, but when you need rest, how do you get it? Especially when you need more than a face mask and a glass of rose?

I’ve been taking it a day at a time, not looking too far ahead as that’s overwhelming right now. I’m doing what I can, letting myself have some down time each day, and attempting to be easy on myself when I do all that I can do. I’m trusting that little by little the rest will come- and I may even break down and take a few days completely off. But anything you can recommend I’m all ears!

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