Vintage Jewelry: Care and Cleaning

Investment Piece, fashion, blogger, vintage, belts, high fashion, necklaces, CA, TX

Loves, we’ve spent a month chatting about vintage jewelry. Brands I love (Monet), stores I love (Platt Boutique) and ways to wear vintage pieces Belts as necklaces). But now that we’ve been treated and have our vintage jewelry, how do we care for it? How do we clean it? Loves, I wouldn’t leave you hanging! Get my best tips for care and cleaning your vintage jewelry below!

Care
Put it how you will: “Offense is the best Defense”, “A Pound of Prevention is worth an ounce of cure”, or “A penny saved is a penny earned”; the best way to care for your jewelry (vintage or modern) is to store it properly. What does this mean? Everyone has a different system, my grandma wrapped her necklaces seperately in tissue, I have a friend who collects vintage ring boxes; the point is your jewelry should be stored in a dry place where it can’t get tangled or scratched.

Don’t sleep in your jewelry. Simple and seemingly straight forward, during sleep your jewelry can get twisted, hit, or dirty, and is best off your body. Loves, I admit that I have a bad habit of sleeping my necklaces, but I’m trying to get better at this!

If you’re wearing perfume or hairspray apply it, and make sure it dries, before putting on your jewelry. Oils in these products can damage or discolor your jewelry, and we don’t want that!

Inspect your jewelry regularly. If a stone is loose, or anything is broken, take it to a jeweler.

Investment Piece, fashion, blogger, vintage, belts, necklaces, high fashion, CA, TX

Cleaning

Loves, here’s the thing. Depending on the stone and medal of your piece, the cleaning instructions can vary. Gold and platinum can usually be rinsed with soapy water. Silver needs to be polished. No chemicals at all should be used on pearls, in fact, only wipe them with a soft cloth. If you have costume jewelry with foil back, be aware that water will ruin the piece. Also, various stones require various cleaners, or can have senstiivities to various cleansers. There are many basic jewelry cleaners on the market, and if you follow the instructions they can be great. My advice? Take any jewelry that you’re not sure how to clean to a jeweler. Not only should they be able to let you know the best way to care for your piece, many jewelry stores offer free cleaning. In fact, some of the best jewelry care advice I have gotten is for any repair or care concern to seek out the jewelry store with the best reputation in your area–even if it’s Tiffany’s. The professionals there will not risk the store’s name and can be trusted to give you the best advice they can. And of course, you don’t have to see out a Tiffany’s, several smaller jewelers (like my friends Platt) are fantastic with amazing reputations! A great resource when looking for a jeweler to trust is the American Gem Society (you can find their listing of jewelers here).

I’d love to know: how do you store your jewelry? What are some of your cleaning tips?

XO RA

Belt It

Investment Piece, fashion, blogger, high fashion, belt it, vintage, Jcrew, Beau Coops, CA, TX
Investment Piece, belt it, fashion, blogger, high fashion, mother, beau coops, CA, TX
Investment Piece, fashion, blogger, high fashion, belt it, vintage, Jcrew, Mother, CA, TX
Investment Piece, fashion, blogger, high fashion, Jcrew, vintage, beau coops, Mother, high fashion, CA, TX
Investment Piece, belt it, Jcrew, Beau Coops, Mother, high fashion, blogger, fashion, CA, TX

Loves, I know. I can’t quit these shoes. I wore them last week here, there’s a great chance you’ve seen them all over my Instagram, they are just perfect – they dress up an outfit, are a statement, and go with everything. I just can’t quit them.

Another thing I can’t quit? This vintage belt! I’ve worn it countless times, I just love the lion, and I love that it makes everything feel new. Case in point? A way to make last year’s coat (or blazer or top) feel this year? Belt it. Put a belt over it, and yes a statement one you love helps, and the piece just feels fresh. And the possibilities are endless. All of the sudden you he tons of new things and outfits, all by belting it. In fact this may be my new motto. Dress? Belt it. Jacket? Belt it. Sweater? Belt it. It will change your life!

Or at least change your outfit!

Happy Monday!
XO RA

This jacket is from JCrew and I love how the belt made it a complete piece on its own. Again, wearing my fave MOTHER jeans. Shop my picks below!

2/27 at 12 a.m. ET to 2/28 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Sunday Chronicles: For Sale

Investment Piece, fashion, blogger, Sunday Chronicles, for sale

Loves! We made it to another Sunday! I hope that this week was great, that you were productive and you surprised yourself. I hope that you found some rest, some quiet and that this weekend brought some respite. I hope you got to sleep in and take your time over coffee. Or, if that’s not your thing, I hope that you were up with sun and running (in your own way). Me, I’m working on balance. There’s been work and workouts and charging ahead. There’s been rest and proper sleep ins and books that I’ve devoured. Coffee and bone broth, wine and snacks. And now, it’s Sunday. And we have a lot to get through!

First, this is the last week that my closet picks from my massive closet clean out are still for sale! This is your chance! See the original listing here. I have shoes, clothes, some accessories, all for sale! Please email me at racheladelicia@invetmentpiece.com if you’re interested. This week isn’t good for you? I will let you know when the sale hits other websites, and always feel free to email and ask!

(Side Note: Wondering what all is for sale on site? After every outfit post you can shop my picks of similar items below the post, my Instagram and other picks are for sale under the “Shop My Site” tab, and as of this week my Pins are shoppable! So if you follow me on Pintrest and are interested in a piece, the pin will let you know what is available for sale! Want to shop with me? Email me at racheladelicia@investmentpiece.com and we will chat!)

Second, I was made aware that last week’s Sunday Chronciles failed to load (there’s a bad joke in there some where). I don’t want you to miss out! So, if you like, you can check out that post here.

And third! It’s Oscar Sunday! As an actress I look forward to tonight, and yes, as a child I practiced my speech in my head all the time. We could get into all of the politics of the event, and I have opinions, but more fun? The fashion and the night! I will be posting my favorite looks from the red carpet and thoughts on the awards this evening! Make sure you follow me on Instagram (@racheladelicia) and on Twitter (@racheladelicia)!

I hope this week is good to all of is, and includes amazing shoes!

And don’t forget–my clothes are for sale! Shop them!

XO RA

New Age

Investment Piece, new age, fashion, blogger, high fashion, vintage, new, vogue, CA, TX
investment Piece, fashion, blogger, new age, vintage, new, high fashion, CA, TX
Investment Piece, fashion, blogger, high fashion, new age, vintage, new, vogue, CA, TX
Investment Piece, fashion blogger, new age, vintage, new , high fashion, vogue, Ca, TX
Investment Piece, fashion blogger, vintage, new, new age, high fashion, vogue, CA, TX
Investment Piece: New Age, fashion, blogger, high fashion, new age, vintage, new, vogue, CA, TX

One of the many, many things that I love about fashion is that it can be anything you want. This vintage blouse from my love Bloomers and Frocks is over 100 years old. (Yep, the lace is older than all of us). But it’s a new age, a new day, and while I’m sure this Victorian piece looked amazing over blouses and skirts, it goes great with jeans. (And yes, it still goes great with skirts, but we all know that one of the things that I love most is juxatipositon) It feels new and other worldly, all at the same time. It’s new age using old pieces! And I love it!

These Mother jeans are some of my fave, and these Jimmy Choos are classic. This was one of the funnest shoots! I loved the play of the rocks and the wall with the vintage, the way that the landscape made us feel as if we were in another place! And lucky for us, this fashion works in everyday life too!

What does new age mean to you? And are there any vintage pieces that you could give a new age to?

Happy Friday Loves!
XO RA

Blouse is vintage, I got it at Bloomers and Frocks! Check them out for great pieces. Another place? Try etsy, searches that might find you something similar include: lace vintage blouse, Victorian, Edwardian, Turn of the Century, and modest lace.

These Choos are a few seasons old, if you HAVE to have these try TheRealReal, Tradesy and Vestaire Collective. They’re velvet and leather baller pumps!

And shop my picks below: (And I was able to find some modern lace tops that are super similar!)

90% off luxury consignment

Sale Thursday!

Loves! It feels like spring, yet it’s still winter. Many of us had abnormally warm weather this week, and it just feels like the time is right to begin preparing for the next season. The great news? There are sales to help us out! In fact, this week both Neiman Marcus and Nordstorms have outstanding sales! See my choices, and shop my picks below.

I’d love to know–what are you buying?

Happy Sales Shopping! XO RA

Neiman Marcus:
Investment Piece, sale, Neiman Marcus, shopping, high fashion, blogger, Ca, TX

Nordstorms
Investment piece, sale, shopping, Nordstorm, high fashion, CA, TX

#streetstyle

Investment Piece, fashion, blogger, street style, high fashion, fashion week, Fendi, leather, Ca, TX
Investment Piece, street style, high fashion, fashion week, Fendi, blogger, leather, CA, TX
Investment Piece, street Stlye , high fashion, fashion, blogger, fashion week, Fendi, leather, CA, TX
Investment Piece, street style, high fashion, fashion week, Fendi, leather, fashion,  blogger, CA, TX
Investment Piece, street style, high fashion, fashion week, fashion, blogger, Fendi, CA, TX
Investment Piece, fashion, blogger, high fashion, street style, Fendi, Ca, TX
investment Piece, street style, high fashion, fashion, blogger, fashion week, Fendi, Ca, TX

What is street style and why are we all so obsessed with it? In simple forms, street style is what people wear on the street, but that doesn’t explain why we pour over editorials and Instagrams at the street style from various fashion weeks, why there are street style stars, or why fashion magazines devote space to the discussion of street style. So what is it? A quick internet search will tell you: Street fashion is fashion that is considered to have emerged not from studios, but from the grassroots streetwear. Street fashion is generally associated with youth culture, and is most often seen in major urban centers.[1] Magazines and Newspapers like the New York Times and Elle commonly feature candid photographs of individuals wearing urban, stylish clothing.[2] Japanese street fashion sustains multiple simultaneous highly diverse fashion movements at any given time. Mainstream fashion often appropriates street fashion trends as influences. Most major youth subcultures have had an associated street fashion. That sounds really academic, right? What is street style to you?

To me, street style is the combination of the fashion that we are offered 4 times a year, and your own point of view. It can be very “studio”, it can be “funky”, it can be “vintage”. It is what you wear on the street, how you put together an outfit, your point of view expressed. And yes, this is a broad definition of fashion, in my opinion. What I think makes street style “street style” is the recognization of this fact, and the willingness to use the street as your runway. I know this sounds a lot like “inspirational” fashion talk. But loves, I buy it. I think that what you wear can change your mood, life, day. I think what you wear can make a statement, say who you are, be unique. I believe that you don’t need a runway, that you should dress how you feel all the time, and that the street is a great venue for your style.

So, this recent take on my street style? A fantastic vintage Fendi dress, layered and apron tied. A leather jacket for warmth and edge. Flats for walking (and juxatipositon) and shades to guard. Perfect for the street, errands, evenings, and made me feel like me.

What does your street style look like?

XO RA

Photo again by Stepehen Spillman–give him a follow on Instagram @spillmanphoto

Vintage Belts as Necklaces

Investment Piece, fashion, blogger, vintage, belts, high fashion, necklaces, CA, TX

Loves, we’ve been on a vintage jewelry kick. We talked Monet and Platt Boutique, and today we talk about one of my fave vintage jewelry tips: wearing vintage belts as necklaces. Those chain Chanel and Gucci belts? They look great around your neck!
Investment Piece, fashion, blogger, vintage, belts, necklaces, high fashion, Ca, TX
Investment Piece, fashion, blogger, vintage, belts, necklaces, high fashion, CA, TX
These type of pieces look great with skirts, dresses, and jeans, but I also love them wrapped around your neck. They work perfectly as a chunky necklace, and are a statement piece. A great place to buy vintage belts? Vestaire Collective, The RealReal, and Etsy. But loves, no need to limit yourself to a chain link belt to try this styling trick!
Investment Piece, fashion, blogger, belts, necklaces, vintage, high fashion, CA, TX
There are so many great vintage belts out there, like this snake by Whiting and Davis. Again, great as a belt, and amazing around your neck. The above sites are great for finding pieces like this , you can search by brand name, animal, or simply vintage belts.
Investment Piece, fashion, blogger, vintage, belts, necklaces, high fashion, Ca, TX
Another option? Mesh belts! Take a vintage belt buckle and put it on a chain. The possibilties are endless!

I’d love to know: do you rock your vintage belts as necklaces? What are some jewelry tips you have?

XO RA

90% off luxury consignment

Vintage Jacket

Investment Piece, fashion, blogger, vintage, high fashion, jeans, Mother, CA, TX
Investment Piece, fashion, blogger, high fashion, mother jeans, CA, TX
investment Piece, vintage, fashion, blogger, mules, beau coops, new romance, CA, TX
Investment Piece, fashion, blogger, vintage jacket, mother jeans, beau coops, high fashion, CA, TX
investment Piece, fashion, blogger, vintage jacket, mother jeans, CA, TX

Loves, you know I love vintage clothes, I love juxatipositons, and I have this theory that our clothes are a part of our autobiography (more on that here). So it should come as no surprise that I love mixing my grandma’s vintage jackets into my rotation. It’s a way to keep her with me, to mix who she was and who I am–and might I mention that vintage jackets simply look great with these Mother jeans? I love the classic of the jacket,the rip of the Jean, and the mule that ties them together. It’s very traditional, yet full of twists. I love the details on everything! The gold and navy on the jacket! The rips and saying on the jeans! The rose gold and brocade on the shoe! Each piece would be amazing on its own, but together they are simply perfect!

Do you wear vintage jackets? With what?

XO RA

Photos by the amazing Stephen Spillman, follow him on Instagram at @spillmanphoto

The jacket is vintage, but I found some great tweed options with a vintage feel below!

90% off luxury consignment

Cosmos

Investment Piece, fashion, blogger, cosmos, sugar hit love stoned, jumpsuit, zingy, CA, TX
Investment Piece, Cosmos, high fashion, blogger, sugar high love stoned, jumpsuit, CA, TX, Ziggy
Investment Piece, Cosmos, high fashion, jumpsuit, sugar high love stoned, high fashion, blogger, CA, TX
Investment Piece, Cosmos, high fashion, jumpsuit, sugar high love stoned, blogger, CA, TX, Ziggy
Investment Piece, Cosmos, high fashion, jumpsuit, sugar high love stoned, blogger, Ziggy, CA, TX
Investment Piece, Cosmos, high fashion, jumpsuit, sugar high love stoned, Blogger, Ziggy, TX, CA
Investment Piece, Cosmos, jumpsuit, high fashion, Ziggy, sugar high love stoned, blogger, CA, TX

Loves, I’m a big believer that fashion can be magic; it can change your mood, life, and make you smile. There are outfits that are true magic,and while I usually use that word to describe an evening outfit, this jumpsuit fits the bill. Part tribute (Ziggy), part menswear (workwear jumpsuit), part magic (Cosmos), these are the perfect combination of sass and fashion. Wear them with sneakers for running around, wear them with heels for a night out. I’ve worn them with a shirt underneath (I love it with a stripe, but it looks great with a solid as well!) Everytime I wear it, people (men and women) comment and ask where I got it, proving that simple can make a statement and that fashion is magic. And loves, all Friday needs is some magic!

XO RA

You can get these exact coveralls here, and make sure to check out all of Sugarhigh Lovestoned. I’m in love with their quality, comfort and attitude. (Sizing note, as I’m tall I got the small and it’s about perfect!)

Below are some other jumpsuits that I think are magical! Happy Shopping!

Picture credit Stephen Spillman and make sure to give him a follow on Instagram @spillmanphoto

For Sale!

Loves! This a repost to remind you that special pieces from my closet are still on sale, with part of the proceeds going towards Planned Parenthood! Shop below, tell a friend, get something fabulous!

Loves! You asked, and I listened. More than one of you have inquired if there was a way for you to get a piece of my closet, and I am happy to share the wealth. I completed my closet clean out (need more on that? I got you! here, here, here, and here) and have selected a few items to offer for sale on here! The details: all items are cleaned and have a price (somewhat open to negotiation), PayPal is the only method of payment and there is a $10 shipping fee, 10% of profits will be donated to Planned Parenthood, items will be donated/sold to consignment shops in a month if they don’t sell so don’t wait! To claim your item or ask questions email me at racheladelicia@investmentpiece.com Happy Shopping! XO RA

Investment Piece, fashion, Jcrew, for sale
Jcrew 3 strap Snakeskin heel, size 9, (seen here) $95 (worn only a few times, perfect condition)

Investment Piece, Zara, fashion, for sale
Zara clear heel pump, size 9. Seen here $55 (worn only a few times, perfect condition)

Investment Piece, fashion, vintage, for sale
Investment Piece, fashion, vintage, for sale
Vintage Flares with Peacock detail, Waist 24, inseam 35″, $55 (great condition)

Investment Piece, fashion, boots, fringe, for sale
Sam Edleman Fringe Ankle Boots, size 9, worn only a few times, perfect condition, seen here, $125

investment Piece, fashion, vintage, bag, for sale
Vintage Straw Clutch with Key detail $40

Investment Piece, Floral, Pink, fashion, blogger, Ca, TX, Gucci
Anthropologie Pink Floral maxi, size XS, worn only a few times, seen here

InvesmentPiece, fashion b logger, high fashion, statement cape, melange mode, club Monaco, 3x1
Custom Cape/Top size XS, seen here $75

Investment Piece, fashion, vintage
Vintage Pearl Crop Top, Cream, all over pearls, great condition, size Small, seen here, $125

Investment Piece, match set, coordinates, Zara, high fashion, blogger, CA, TX
Zara Stripe Skirt and Top set, size XS, perfect condition seen here $50