I’m a fan of anything that can be worn in more than one way. And believe it or not, I promise that even your “fancy” dresses are multifaceted. Like this gorgeous Asian inspired dress. Alone? Stunning. Dressed up or down? Perfect. Worn as a duster over destroyed jeans? Yes, please. It’s a statement piece with more than one thing to say, and I love hearing it all!
So next time you want to switch things up I highly recommend a dress over jeans, or a sweater over the dress–I promise your clothes have so much to tell you.
Happy Wednesday!
XO RA
Details:
Dress: Vintage, RecessLA
Jeans: Levis
Shoes: heels, Brian Atwood, old, similar here, flats: Jcrew, old, similar style: here
One of the best things that I have ever bought was this simply stunning DVF gown. I loved this collection when it first came out a few seasons ago,, but in particular lusted after this star gown. The print, the wrap, the length. Everything was perfect and I knew I had to have it. But, I wasn’t able to purchase it right away. So I put it in the back of my head. However, I was really lucky and able to find it on Tradesy (a God send). And I haven’t looked back.
From events to dinners. I put a sweater over the top and wore it as a skirt once. I’ve dressed it up with heels, worn it with sandals. It is still one of my favorite pieces and makes me feel special every time I put it on. I love that it’s timeless and a statement at the same time. I love that it’s well made. I love that I feel as if I can make it new every time. It’s a great investment.
Happy Tuesday! XO RA
Get in on a piece you may have missed out on at Tradesy
Every where right now you’re seeing neck scarves. Or ankle scarves. Or scarves on wrists. This weekend I put a scarf through a clutch and called it a night. Know why? It’s an easy way to add something to an outfit. It’ chic. It’s timeless. I love it! I’ve been adding scarves to a lot–and in this heat, it’s a way for me to feel like I’m adding just the right amount, without adding layers. And this wrap dress? Perfect for heat!
In the past couple of weeks I’ve gone back to something that I love: I started painting again. Let me be clear, I don’t paint because I think I’m great at it. I have no intentions of showing, selling, or promoting my painting. I don’t do it because art is my highest calling. I do it for the creative outlet, I do it to simply make art. There’s something soothing to me about putting paint on a canvas. About being creative, without any expectation of the creation. Put even plainer: making art makes me happy, and I think it makes me better at all of the things (both creative and non-creative) that I do.
I’m a big fan of us all doing the things that make us happy; there’s something to be said for something that brings you joy and serves no other purpose. And I’m a fan of art for art’s sake. Being creative serves us in all ways, and not all art needs to be “art”. (More on this in more eloquent ways can be found in Elizabeth Gilbert’s book “Big Magic”). I believe that we all need a release, and this happens to be mine–having a place I can just create makes me a better actress, it makes me better at fashion, it makes me nicer. Throughout the week I try to allow myself places where I can just let go: the gym, living room dance parties, and art. As much as I love to see art, museums and matinees, making art is good for me. So, without expectation, without fear, I let myself paint.
Like you, the past few weeks have been many things: scary, overwhelming, and simply a lot. Turkey, Nice, Dallas, Alton Sterling, Philando Castle. It can leave us all feeling helpless and yearning for peace. I have no answers. But am a firm believer that love, joy and faith are the ways to heal. That we need, more than ever, to come together. I believe that art and creation can fight destruction. Do I think my simple ocean painting does anything? By itself, no. However, I think that being peaceful and joyful makes me a better person, and by being my best self I help others do the same. And I think that is powerful. So my encouragement? Let’s get out there and make art, whatever that means to you. Let’s be our best selves and love each other. Let’s give ourselves permission to make art, just to make something.
I’d love to know: what’s your creative release?
Wishing us all a week of creative joy and amazing shoes! XO RA
My love of caftans is well documented. And I’m also a fan of anything that’s versatile- can go from day to night, dress up or down, goes anywhere. I’m also a fan of anything that can make me look good and is easy to throw on after spin class. This caftan? It fits all marks and is perfect for summer! I love the story–this dress is made by teachers who began dying and making dresses to make up income, and I think we can all be grateful! The caftan is oversized but super comfy–I wear it straight or pulled up to make it shorter. I also think it would look great with a belt. Heels, scrappy sandals and you’re ready for a night out! Sandals are perfect for running errands (or leaving spin class); or it’s great by its own by the pool. How great is that!
Happy Friday!
XO RA
Details:
Dress: Brightly Twisted, found at Abbey Rose Boutique in Austin (find them on Facebook!)
Shoes: Booties: Jerome Rousseau, old and Dr Scholl’s
As you may have seen on Instagram yesterday, I was challenged to make a pair of men’s board shorts fashionable. Lucky for you? I am not one to back down from a challenge.
In general, I’m not one to strictly adhere to “fashion rules”; I’m more of a “if it looks good and you feel good” gal. And I, personally, love menswear. So I actually thought that this wasn’t really a challenge. It is summer–which means rules, if you believe in them, are looser to begin with. It’s hot and we’re all by the water in some form. So a pair of board shorts with some sort of top and cute shoes? I bet any combination would be great! However, it is a challenge and I take those to heart. So my options: an open sweater (over bikini) with heels or a “fancy top” with sandals (yes my current go-to’ so). Which do you like? Would you wear something like this? Do you have a fashion challenge for me?
I’m a fan of sheer-this we know. And yes, you could always wear a full slip.Or shorts underneath. Or a dress over it (for fall I envision this under a great sweater dress with booties!). But I love that this sheer skirt is just sophisticated to wear with the boy shorts that come with it. That it’s almost a surprise how sheer it is. That with a top and a hat it’s almost cool enough to beat this heat!
Hope you’re staying cool! XO RA
Details:
Top: Free People, old, similar here
Skirt: sold out in black, floral:Reformation
Shoes: Madewell
There are several posts and articles about decluttering, cleaning out, getting rid of–on this site, on others, there are book empires about the topic. And there are sites, articles, books, stores dedicated to vintage shopping and finding treasures there (and you’ve seen some of those treasures on this site). But, how do you go about finding treasures in your own (or your mom’s) stuff? I’m sure that there are books about it. Sites, articles, methods; and it is a challenge. Cleaning out is difficult for many reasons, many of them emotional. We don’t want to throw out anything that we have an emotional connection to, it’s science (for these purposes). Conversely, going through someone else’s things and looking for treasure can be hard–things may not be stored properly, you may be going through bags and bags–and you may have to be creative in your thinking.
I spent the last weekend helping my mom clean out her garage. Now, I’ve been lucky enough to be raised by fashionable women, with plenty of belongings to save, but like any garage there were boxes of paper and things to be thrown out–and there was some hunting to do. However, I knew that somewhere there might be treasure, hidden as it were. And I was right, there were things worth saving. My tips? Keep your eyes open–great things can be inside boxes, bags, stuffed in corners. Keep your mind open–great things can be repurposed (dresses into skirts, etc). Keep it realistic–if an item is damaged or falling apart it may not be able to be saved, let it go.
So what did I “get”? Glad you asked!
This amazing crochet (satin lined) clutch with lucite pull. Needed some cleaning, but in mint condition.
Mom wore these as earmuffs as a child. They go around my waist, so I just got a new belt!
And while I didn’t find it in the garage, I have been using this:
Scarf we cleaned out of my grandma’s hopsital room for everything from a hair tie to over a sundress.
I’d love to know–have you ever cleaned out (or helped clean out) and found treasures? What are your guidelines for keeping things?
As much as I’ve wanted this space on Sundays to be one of discussion, one that’s thought provoking, one a little bit deeper, I’ve stayed away from politics. Politics are so personal, and we’ve become so divisive that I had no desire to start an argument. Then this week happened. Loves, what a week. Like you, I’m sad, scared, overwhelmed and upset. I don’t know that I have big answers. But this is what I do know- America is a great country, and we need to come together, have some difficult conversations, and find a way to show our love for each other.
I am aware that by the nature of my coloring I am afforded the benefit of the doubt in many cases. I’m sure there’s privilege that comes through no doing of my own that I’m not aware of; I think I have a responsibility to stand up for the people who aren’t afforded that benefit. Much of the national conversation is a paradox. #AllLivesMatter. Yes, they do. Everyone needs to be treated with respect and kindness. #BlackLivesMatter. Yes, and by recognizing that we aren’t saying other lives aren’t important. The conversation is “black lives aren’t treated this way”. Their house is on fire and we need to help them out it out. #BlueLivesMatter. The majority of law enforcement personel are outstanding. They keep us safe, deserve our thanks, should be treated with respect. Their House is starting to burn and they need help. Violence is never the answer. I truly believe all these things are true at the same time. And yes, that means we may have to have some hard conversations. We need to really listen to what the other person is saying. And help put out fires.
I’ve also stayed away from religion here. No matter what your beliefs, one of the most radical things about Jesus was how he loved people. Not the “good” ones, and not in passing. He radically loved people- hugged them, touched them, washed their feet, got down in the dirt with them. I believe that’s what we’re called to do- radically love each other. Right now that means standing by our black neighbors, loving them, having their backs. It means loving our policemen, standing by them and having their backs. We can do both. Love is the only force strong enough to beat hate. So let’s love each other.
My challenge this week, for all of us, is to show love to a stranger- by holding doors or making eye contact or asking how someone is (and really listening to the answer). Let’s love.
Wishing us a week of love and amazing shoes! XO RA
I fully admit that I can lean to the editorial side in my fashion sense. I also love a good dress (or pant or top) that can seamlessly move seasons. So the perfect marriage for me? A piece that allows me to do both! Yes, this dress would look great with simple sandals, or heels, but its simplicity lends itself to pushing a bit forward–and I love it! The 3 colors make it a bit elevated (and yes, that’s navy), and the tie back makes it more that “just a dress”. I really love it with the mules–and it would also look great with loafers!
Do you love fashion forward items?
Happy Friday! XO RA
Details:
Dress: Zara
Shoes: Elizabeth and James, old, similar here
