Making an Investment a Basic

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

Pleated

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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

Transitioning

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Can we talk for a minute about crazy weather? Or is it only here? One week it feels like winter, the next the temps are in the 80s. I went to an early spin class the other morning–when I went outside there was ice on my car. That afternoon it was 70 and sunny. There are many conversations we could have about this trend–this weird transitioning weather–but for our purposes let’s stick with the really important “What do you wear for transitioning weather?” My go-to’s? Amazing jeans, a light sweater, and open toe suede shoes. I can layer in the morning and be fine in the afternoon. I’d love to know–what are you wearing?

 

Happy Wednesday! XO RA

Details:
Sweater: Zara
Jeans: Madewell
Shoes: Zara

Trend to Try: Mid Heels

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Mid heels, kitten heels, grandma heels–no matter what you call them, there’s a new shoe in town–and friends, they are worth a try. Mid-heels (really kitten) are back in vogue and this new crop are just as sexy as your heels. I’m loving mine with jeans, pants, skirts–really their limits are boundless.
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What makes them great is their comfort for all day wear or walking –but my favorites have just enough sex appeal (be it toe cleavage, color, or design) that I don’t feel as if I’m giving up anything.
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So are you wearing them? With what? How do you love them?

Happy Tuesday! XO RA

Pictured:
Vintage Bottega Venetta and Prada shoes
Grey: Topshop
Black: Valentino

#shoeofthemoment

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There’s the old saying: “There’s a shoe for every moment”. Well–maybe not, but there should be, because every where you look right now, there’s a snakeskin bootie. Who am I to complain about that? I picked this one–I love the mod shape and the gold heel. What about you? Are you partaking in this moment?

 

Happy Friday! XO RA

Details:

Booties: Asos
Also love these, these Tory Burch and these SJP

Football Chic

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This is a week of family and big meals, gratitude and turkey and pie–and for some of us it is also a weekend of Football! It should come as no surprise to you that I am a big football fan, I was raised on it, watch it every week, and am lucky enough to be able to attend both of my teams games this Thanksgiving week. However, I am a still a fashion lover and let’s be honest, sports gear isn’t always made with women in mind. The usual solution is to simply wear team colors–which I do and love. I also love a jersey or t-shirt with jeans (boots, heels, sneakers all go) but for the holiday I’ve decided to step up my game a little bit. I was lucky to find shoes in both my team colors (and the stars work as my Cowboy’s symbol). Then I had this shirt custom embroidered for my college team (I simply bought a shirt and had my dry cleaner do it!) I would love to know–how are you repping your team spirit this week?

XO RA

Details:
Shirt: Jcrew I had my dry cleaner embroider it, another option can be found at here
Purple Shoes: Prada, old
Star Shoes: JCrew, sold out, also love these

Classic

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Is there anything more Americana than Ralph Lauren? I can remember looking at their ads when I was little and wanting to live in that world. I still do! So when it finally gets cool enough for me to borrow my mom’s vintage Ralph Lauren fur-collar coat I grab it! It may not transport me to the Ralph Lauren world, but with riding boots, a pony tail, and red lips–it’s a for sure classic!

 

Happy Monday! XO RA

Details:

Jacket and Turtleneck: Vintage

Jeans:Jcrew and on sale!
Boots: old, similar here

New Fave

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There’s nothing like a new favorite outfit to get you through Monday. While it’s no secret that I love a good jumpsuit (who doesn’t!), this one goes above and beyond. It’s just loose enough to be forgiving, the self-tie belt gives a couple different tying options and the pattern makes sure it is anything but boring. I’ve dressed it up, worn it with flats, and it’s official –we’re in love.

Hope you have something fab to get you through Monday too! XO RA

 

Details:

Jumpsuit: MIH Jeans
Shoes: Jessica Buurman

Fall Basics

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There’s something so comforting about fall basics: a great trench, rain boots, paper thin turtle necks. This week the air has turned just a bit crisp and it’s finally beginning to feel like fall! There seemed no better time to pull out the basics–made just a little bit special with the addition of overalls–and go exploring. Hope you have a fabulous weekend!! XO RA

Details:

Trench:Zara
Overalls: Zara
Boots: Target
Turtleneck: Target

Lust List

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Ever since I’ve seen them I can’t help but dream about these Gucci boots. The fur, the heel, the patent–what’s not to love? The Zara boots below come a close second, but I can’t help but think about these! They may go on my “save-up for list”. What’s on yours?

 

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Happy Thursday! XO RA

Details:

Spurgle: Gucci
Save: Zara