Investment Piece – Page 161 – Everyday Editorial

Making an Investment a Basic

I started this blog not only because of my love for fashion, but because I truly believe that fashion can be a great investment and can help you express yourself. I’ve spent a good deal of my time saving and investing in pieces that I know will last–but the question can often be, now that I have this investment, how can I use it on a regular basis? The answer can depend of course on what your investment piece was–sometimes it’s simple, buy a great bag and use it! However, I think we all can be guilty of saving for something and then treating it as if its too precious, when the point of buying is to use it! This is not a call to treat great things poorly (I can write another time about the internal cringing I do when I see expensive bags being thrown on the floor), but rather a call to enjoy your life (that special day you’re waiting for is today) and to make the investment piece you worked for a basic!

Take for example this amazing Chanel dress. Chanel is known for being timeless and classic–and this dress is all of that, and while the temptation is there to save an expensive dress for a special day, I’ve made it a point to wear it as a basic–like any other black shift dress. The result? Even grocery runs feel special. And it looks great with everything from sneakers to heels. So what are you saving for a rainy day? Why not wear it today?

Happy Wednesday! XO RA

Details:
Chanel Dress, bought at Recess LA
shown with:
Stuart Weitzman Boots
New Balance Sneakers
and Louboutin Pumps

Oscar Fashion

I’m sure by now you’ve seen all the images from the Oscar Red carpet-you have your favorites, have tried to find Margot Robie’s dress online (or is that just me?). Being an actress the Oscars have always held a special place in my heart, and the red carpet is one of my favorites! It is the one where not only does anything go–there is an air of glamor and “old-Hollywood” that I just simply adore. But you’ve seen the pictures. So let’s talk after party–the best things happen at the Vanity Fair party, and others throughout town, where the stars change and let loose a little bit. See below for some of my picks from the after parties–I’d love to know, what was your favorite Oscar fashion? Favorite after party fashion?

Happy Tuesday! XO RA

Clogs

So the thing about tights–they make everything better! From dressing up clogs (which also go great with skirts and pants) to make short dresses seem a little bit longer to just making you feel special (because that’s what Mondays sometimes call for), they got your back. I love the retro-feel of this look, and also love that it didn’t feel costume-y. And every piece works great on its own-win, win, win.

Happy Monday! XO RA

Details:
Dress, Zara, old, similar here
Tights: here
CLogs: Vintage Prada, similar here

Sunday Chronicles: Leap Year

There’s a favorite saying of mine “People worry about wasting money, worry about wasting time. Time is not a renewable resource. Money is”. While is this not a call to be careless with your money, it is a call to be aware of your time. Tomorrow is leap day–the one extra day that we get every four years. A whole extra 24 hours (and yes we could complain that it’s a Monday–but time is a gift). No matter what you value or what you like to do, time is what makes up our lives–and it’s finite. So what are you going to do with your extra time? From work to relaxing to pampering yourself, I hope that you get to take this gift of an extra day and do something special with it–what ever that means to you!

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

Spring Layering

We are ever so surely inching towards spring–but don’t worry, that’s no reason for us not to layer (it’s really the secret to life) and shy away from materials like suede. The secret? Keep it colorful like this pop of blue, use a shirt dress for a pop at the hem and wear comfortable mules. The good news? Everything is perfect on it’s own (you may recognize the Art dress, I’ve worn it many times with everything), the skirt looks great with just a t-shirt or a sweater, and the shoes go with everything. And together–perfect spring layering!

Happy Friday! XO RA

Details:
Dress: Rodebjer
Skirt: Asos
Shoes: Zara

Pleated

You may have read this week that it’s official–midi skirts are no longer a trend, they’re a staple. To those of us who knew how flattering they are and how they go with everything this is not news. I love midi-skirts and use them inter-changeably with my fave jeans. My current variation on repeat? Metallic pleats. Just enough pop, just enough neutral. I wore this exact outfit to two different events–so you’re seeing the different shoes–I love that it lends itself to anything you put on, and this bomber jacket is not only trendy–but super comfy and goes with everything!

Happy Wednesday lovers! XO RA

Details:
Jacket: Asos
Skirt: Kate Spade, old, similar here also love this one and this one
Shoes: Wedges, Jeffery Campbell, old, similar here
sneakers Addias

Fashion Week Changes

While fashion month is pushing forward, NY Fashion Week is over. We got to see a lot of exciting collections- and got some announcements that look to change the way fashion week works in the future. Fashion week, no matter where, is typically a designer or fashion house presents their collection (men and women separately) of the coming season (so fall presented in spring,etc). While this gives us clothes to look forward to, and trends to track- it can leave the consumer waiting months for the collections. Well this year many designers/houses decided to change the game- huge houses including Burberry, Tom Ford- announced that from now on they would present a co-Ed collection that would be ready to shop. In other words you would be able to see a runway show and buy those same clothes the next day. This is coming at all price points and is being billed as a way for fashion to put consumers first. We’re the consumers- what do you think?

I’ll admit I’m looking forward to seeing how this works- and the thought of not having to wait to shop always makes me happy!

I’d love to get your thoughts!

Happy Tuesday! XO RA

Classic

There are jokes about wearing all black–and the women who do so. It’s become a cliche-right?
Here’s the thing about cliches though–they often have some truth in them. Or in this case, flat out work. Want to feel pulled together? All black. Nothing matches? Wear all black. In a mood? Black. Want to look classic? Black is your go-to. And I’m in love with these separates–whisper thin turtlenecks, perfectly cropped pants, classic bag and heels. Monday? Black has it handled.

Hope your week is off to a great start! XO RA

Details:
Top: Free People
Pants: JCrew
Bag: Chanel
Shoes: Coach, old, similar here

Sunday Chronicles: Permission to do Nothing

Friends! It’s been a week, hasn’t it? I’ve been busy with work and commitments, and have also been battling sleepless nights. That’s not always bad- I’m a little Type A and I like being busy. Which is good- we live in a society that glorifies busy. I’m sure you’ve heard that before – but have you ever taken a moment to think about how true it is?

We love busy. We encourage busy. We are all supposed to have jobs we love and activities we love and when we aren’t doing those things we need to have plans- with our friends, or learning a new skill or something. The main point? We aren’t supposed to have time unaccounted for- we should always be doing something. I love my job, I love spending time with friends, learning skills – all of that. However, the busier I become the more I cherish doing nothing – and long for unaccounted time.

What we forget is that doing nothing and unaccounted time are both actually good for us. They let us relax, unwind, recharge- and believe it or not become more creative. If you were to start a new workout regime your trainer would talk to you about rest; that recovery is an essential part of the program, and how you wouldn’t see progress without it. So, how did we get so far away from that truth in every other area of our lives?

I don’t have the answers friends. However, I do know that this week I’m giving myself permission to do nothing. To have some time set aside for nothing. And whatever shape that nothing takes- reading, movies, art, relaxation- I’m going to let myself enjoy it!

Wishing us all a week of nothing and amazing shoes! XO RA

Sequined

Part of why I fell in love with this dress were the sequins. Part the chiffon strips. Part the apron back. Part the lilac color. That it reminded me of the stunning Louis Vuitton sequin number at the Golden Globes. That it can be worn with heels or sandals. The reasons are endless–but the result is the same–this stunner made its way into my heart and is making a firm stance on my outfit rotation (dressed up and down, with a shirt over, with a jacket, and by itself in all its glory). I think a better question is why don’t I love this dress?

And the answer: no reason at all.

Hope your Friday has some sparkle to it! XO RA

Details:
Dress: Tibi
Shoes: Steve Madden