Category: Uncategorized

Luxe Gift Guide

I know, I know. Sometimes our holiday wish lists that we give to our family and friends are full of things we need, things we want within budget, and things that don’t reach too far. Yes, I get it- budgets are important, we don’t ever to burden our loved ones, and getting things you need is fantastic.

But there are times when that’s not the most fun thing. Why not wish for things completely out of reach? Why not dream about pie-in-the-sky beautiful and unique things? Maybe it’s because I’m a shopper or a dreamer or can’t help myself from wanting, but especially after the years we have, I have been dreaming of luxe gifts. There’s a huge chance that we won’t get any of these, but it doesn’t hurt to dream or to ask.

And if you’re wondering, yes, having my eye on expensive things is part of why I’m always such a big fan of
gift cards.

Below, I’ve linked some of the luxe gifts on my list- from the semi-reasonable to complete fantasy. This holiday lets dream a little and give a little luxe 😉

Awake Mode
This British designer is a bit, edgy,a bit classic, and a bit within reache. On my Wishlist?
Investment Piece: Luxe Gfit Guide
I love how these gloves have a manicure! SO chic and just the right amount of cheeky!
You can buy your own pair (or a pair to give) here

Investment Piece: Luxe Gift Guide
I also love the fringe on these shoes! Perfect for making the holidays special, and will even keep away the January blahs. Shop them here

Lipstick
Investment Piece: Luxe Gift Guide

I know, lipstick doesn’t seem luxe, but this lipstick from Carolina Herrera is! You can chose your shade, add a tassel, add charms, make it an ACCESSORY! And I’m all about little neccesities that become luxuries! I’ve picked matte red but you can customize your own here

Of course, it wouldn’t be a luxe gift guide without some REAL luxe items, so from Cartier watches to gowns to shoes, I’ve rounded up some things I LOVE that are a bit out of reach (because we might as well dream!)

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!

I would love to know: what’s on your luxe Wishlist? We all have things that we would love that are a bit- big, for lack of a better word. I want to hear about yours- after all this is a safe space! And who knows, maybe one day we’ll get them!

Xo RA

Fall 2021 Trends

I’ve been thinking a lot about trends recently. And I know that often within fashion trends can be a loaded word, if we can think of trends as the fashion that’s being offered to us (and style is what we do with them), I think that trends can be something that we can get exited about- and use them (or not) to best tell our stories. This season I happen to love quite a few of the trends, and I’m looking forward to playing with them. Below, I’ve listed a few of my favorites. Of course these by no means are the only trends- as the season goes on more and more will emerge. Some of them don’t truly feel like trends, but more of an exploration of fashion we already know (see cutouts and prints, pleats and shackets). So many of these Fall 2021 trends you can buy vintage (even more to explore and play with!). There are so many ways to style all of these, and over the fall and winter seasons I can’t wait to play with these and I can’t wait to see how you play with them. I have linked some shopping options for you (Those are affiliate links and while that does not affect the price for you, I may earn commission from them. Thank you for your support!) and of course the best ways to shop trends (and more) with me is to follow me in the ShopLTK and ShopStyle apps (or the links in the search bar!). Now- let’s get to exploring the Fall 2021 Trends!
Xo RA

1990s Revival
Investment Piece, fashion, style, blogger, vintage, dolce Gabbana, high style, CA, TX

I’ll be honest, I have some reservations about this trend (and this picture may not be a great representation- I was going for slip dress with boots!) I remember the 1990s and feel that so many of the trends- slip dresses, plaid shirts, combat boots, straight leg jeans, have been in and out of popularity since then. I was never into the bigger shoes (I felt like they made my feet look big), but I have been playing with lug sole boots (see here), and I’ve always loved a great slip dress. Perhaps there are gems to play with in this trend? Maybe from maxi cardigans to Rachel Green inspo to chokers, there’s a way to tell our stories?

You can shop slip dresses here, lug sole boots here, and denim options here

Sweater Vests
Investment Piece: Fall 2021 Trends
This may be the trend I’m most excited about! I know- maybe I’m secretly preppy? I love a good sweater vest with nothing underneath- with pants/jeans/skirts. Sweater vest dresses. Sweater vests over chic dresses or tops. There is so much to play with and so many ways to wear a sweater vest, I’m truly looking forward to being in one all fall!

Shop sweater vests here
And because sweater vests lead to sweater dresses (another fave of mine!) -and those never go out of style, shop some of my current faves here

Suits
JCrew, Gucci, high fashion, blogger, InvestmentPiece, ft worth, TX, CA, lookbook

I LOVE suits. They are such a chic look – from wearing menswear to a women’s tailored suit. Them being “back” means there are so many suits to explore- leather, bright hues, fancy, Classic, and so many more. This is also a great trend to buy vintage. I will be in suits in all the ways!

Shop suits here

Other trends I’m excited to explore :
-Saturated colors. I love black, but I also love playing with colors!
-Daytime sequins. We know I love to wear party dresses, what makes us think I won’t play with wearing sequins all day?
-Lavendar. One of my favorite colors and something I’m already wearing!
-Plaid. Such a standard. As are cords. I’m exited to see what new offerings we get, and how I can incorporate them into my rotation! (Again, this is a great trend to buy vintage!)
-Quilted
-Wraps

And so many more that I can’t wait to play with!

Then some trends that don’t scream me, but I’ve been known to play with:

Neon
Investment Piece: Fall 2021 Trends

If you ask, I would tell you that neon is not for me. But as you can see, there are times when I have played with neon- and I loved it!

Green
Investment Piece: Fall 2021 trends

On certain trend lists you’ll seen great (especially lime green) named. I will tell you green isn’t my color. But I’ve been proven wrong at least once before. Is this something I should explore?

What Fall 2021 trends are you looking forward to? What trends do you hate? What trends do you maybe want to play with?

I can’t wait to explore it all with this season!
Xo RA

Happy July 4th!

Happy July 4th!

If you’re in the States, I hope that you have had this holiday weekend off and that it’s been full of celebrations and fun! If you’re overseas, I hope that you’ve had a great weekend and are enjoying a summer weekend full of love and fun!

Here at Investment Piece we’re taking today and tomorrow off for the holiday. There are a TON of sales, and if you want to shop with me follow me in the LiketoKnowit and ShopStyle Apps (available in your App Store! I’m @racheladelicia and @investmentpiece!). We’ll be back on Wednesday with summer styles for you!

Xo RA

Hoppy Easter

Investment Piece: Hoppy Easter

There is more than one holiday happening this week, or have happened this week. If you’re celebrating, I hope that it is full of chocolate and love and renewal. If you’re not celebrating- I still wish you chocolate and love and renewal. I’m taking today to spend with my family and celebrate (virtually) but will be back in amazing shoes before you know it!

Xo RA

Holiday Expectations

Investment Piece: A Merry Little Christmas

We are officially in the holiday season. Are you tired of people telling you that this holiday season will be different? Between the pandemic, and shut downs, I think we all know that this year may not look like years past.

And that’s okay.

It’s also okay to miss things. I’ve been honest that I miss dressing up, parties, and other holiday traditions-like going to see the Nutcracker. I don’t see the harm in being sad about things.

But just because things are different,and we might miss things, doesn’t make this holiday season bad. Right? It all comes down to our holiday expectations.

Wasn’t it Shakespeare who said that “expectations are the roots of all heartache”? He might have been on to something. Even in a “normal” year, the holidays come with loads of expectations, traditions, and nostalgia that can be hard to compete with. My dad is one of those that wants every holiday to be “the best” and “perfect” and while that’s great, the older I get the more I know that what makes something “the best” can often be little things, and perfect isn’t a thing.
Also, getting caught up in trying to recreate how things were (even sometimes outfits!) doesn’t always work out.

So, what are your holiday expectations?
I’m trying to focus on small moments-watching my favorite films, wearing things I love (even just to the living room), looking at Christmas lights, etc.
I’m making new traditions- setting up virtual parties, baking for my neighbors of having them over, and indulging myself however is safe.
I’m also changing things around here. Normally this is a time where we would do a lot of holiday gift guides, and while you can still find those (and so much shopping inspiration) over at LiketoKnowit and Shopsyle, I’ll be doing one gift guide here (really focusing on shopping small!). I’ll be sharing outfits-with not an eye towards big parties but things that are luxe and that you can lounge in! And I’ll be sharing holiday traditions – from movies to what I’m baking to all the little things that will make this holiday for me.

This year will be different. And what if instead of tensing around that, we let our expectations be high? That we get excited about what could be the perfect and best holiday?

What are your holiday expectations? And plans? Even if it’s different, how are you handling this season, and what are you doing to get excited about it?

Tell me them all!
Xo RA

Happy Thanksgiving!

Investment Piece: Hostess Gifts

Happy Thanksgiving! I know that this year has been a doozy, and perhaps your usual holiday plans have been waylaid. It’s hard. I keep reminding myself that having a roof over our heads, clean water, and the health of myself and loved ones means that we are rich beyond measure. I’m also so grateful for you, and this little corner of the internet that we share. No matter how you’re celebrating this week (and there is no right way), I hope that you’re feeling loved–and that there’s plenty of your favorite food!

Some “programming” notes. I’ll be posting sales picks (if that’s your thing) on my LiketoKnowit and ShopStyle accounts all through the weekend- follow me there for all sorts of shopping info! There’s a special holiday “ex files” headed your way Sunday, and Monday I’ll be rounding up sales you absolutely can’t miss! Then we’re off and running into the holiday season- making merry at home.

I’m so grateful for you, and for us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Xo RA