23 July 2015

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

Christmas in July is finally here!! The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale opened to everyone last Friday after a week of being open to cardholders only. Since I am not currently a cardholder, I spent the week leading up to open access stalking the sale through the sneak peek link and compiling a list of all the things I most wanted so that Friday, as items flew out of the website, I was able to quickly snag most of the items that I really wanted. As you may remember, I am all about fall - the fashion, the food, football, pumpkins, red & orange leaves - you name it, I'm a fan, which is why I wasted no time preparing for the upcoming months by finding things I can enjoy on a cool day now and with a little outfit modification, straight through the end of the year. My forever fall favorites are plaid everything, cozy knits, thin layers, and dark denim, and there are plenty of options for all of these in the sale.  


Nordstrom Sale


Shop my favorites:




Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!




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16 July 2015

IG Lately

Here's a little round-up of some of my recent-ish IG posts. Enjoy!


shirt | skirt | sandals | bag | necklace - old (similar)


shoes | clutch | skirt - old (similar) | shirt - old (similar) | necklace - old (similar)




crop pants | hooded shirt | shoes | purse (sale option here) | scarf - old (similar) | sunnies


sweater | leggings | boots | bag (in black here) | scarf - old (similar)


couch | pillow covers | bunny cookie jar | gold spike urchin | gold turtle | coffee tray - old (similar) | coffee table books (1)(2)(3)(4)(5


nail color: essie 'tuck it in my tux'


skirt | sandals | bag | bangles (similar) | tank - old (similar) | necklace - old (similar)


tank top | shorts | kimono (sold out, similar here & here) | sandals (sold out, similar here) | tote | necklace - old (similar) | sunnies








tank top | skirt | bag (sold out, similar here and here) | wedges - old (nearly identical here) | necklace - old (similar)


Still playing a little catch-up, this summer has been crazy busy! This weekend will be the first we've been home since the first weekend in May. Looking forward to catching up on house work, blogging, shopping, and hanging with our local friends and family.Tune in tomorrow for my top Nordstrom sale picks!


Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!




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15 July 2015

RocksBox Review + a Free Month for You

At the beginning of this year I started a membership with Rocksbox, and seven months later I am more satisfied than ever. Rocksbox is a subscription-based designer jewelry rental company which lends members three pieces of jewelry at a time with unlimited exchanges for three new pieces. Members receive their three pieces from a stylist who uses a personal taste profile, your wishlist, and feedback you leave on previous pieces to curate a unique trio. After you are done wearing your pieces, you drop them back in the mail with the prepaid shipping label and envelope supplied with your pieces. The best part, in my opinion, is that if you fall in love with anything, you have the option of purchasing it at a 20% off members only discounted rate. Plus, each month you receive $10 shine spend that can be used towards the purchase of any piece. Color me obsessed! 


Box 1 // Honestly, I was a little disappointed with my first box. I didn't love the earrings, which is totally my own fault because I checked off both dangle and studs as my preferences during my style eval and in reality, I am rarely a studs kinda gal. I wasn't a huge fan of the necklace, it's very pretty don't get me wrong, but not really my taste. BUT, I loved this bracelet. Like love, loved it! Swoon. So, I held onto the box for awhile and wore the bracelet a bunch. The great thing is that if I didn't like any of the pieces, I would have packed it up and sent it right back for a new one since Rocksbox offers unlimited exchanges. I wrote my honest reviews on their site and crossed my fingers the next box would have more pieces I loved.


Box 1 // Here's a shot of the bracelet I was crazy about. I considered buying it, but even with the 20% off it was a little outside of what I would spend on a bracelet. That is one of the great parts of Rocksbox though, you can wear and style designer jewelry pieces that you may not normally treat yourself to, for only $19 a month.


Box 2 // Two of the three pieces out of my second box are pictured above. During the time I had my first box, I figured out the whole "wishlist" part of the program. Wishlist is key guys. Seriously. With wishlist, members are able to request what pieces they are interested in getting both from Rocksbox's photos on instagram and through the website. I began tagging pieces that I would like to receive and I was delighted to receive these crystal statement earrings off my wishlist!


Box 2 // Along with the delicate lariat and the crystal statement earrings I received the grey beaded wrap bracelet shown above. The necklace and bracelet weren't really my taste again, so I went back and re-filled out the style preference evaluation/quiz on the website, being more selective and not as broad in my choices. I also filled out feedback on each piece hoping to give more clues as to my personal style. I was able to wear the earrings and bracelet (which I ended up liking on because of the grey ombre effect!) a few times before returning the set.


Box 3 // I literally squealed and did a little happy dance when I untied my third box. It was by far my favorite of the first three sets. All three pieces I received were off my wishlist, and I had a really hard time not purchasing them all. I love a good statement earring, I feel like they are almost necessary with my mess of long dark hair. This pair was the perfect mix of color and clear crystal stones, and they were drop earrings which, turns out, are my jam. 


Box 3 // The next piece I was super excited about receiving is the Loren Hope crystal necklace pictured above. I loved this piece so much I even decided to buy it for the 20% off discounted members price. It is the perfect blend of statement and classic!


Box 3 // Here's a quick snap of my all the pieces I received in my 3rd box. As you can see, the 3 pieces I received were the earrings, infinity bracelet, and Loren Hope crystal necklace. I don't have any photos of the infinity bracelet styled, but it was such a delicate yet 'me' piece that I loved it so much. Also, that 'shine' necklace near the top of the photo was a gift from Rocksbox that I received as a surprise in my first box from them - so sweet!


Box 4 // My fourth box was another amazing trio of jewelry. I loved this gold Margaret Elizabeth bangle with circular Labradorite stones! It is the perfect neutral piece for layering with other bracelets. One of my favorite combos is to pair it with this fringe bracelet (sold here) as seen above and below. I love the contrast of the swingy fringe and the structured bangle.


Box 4 // As you may have guessed, I opted to purchase this bangle at the 20% members price. It is my most expensive purchase to date, but worth every penny. I am already dreaming of how I can wear it in upcoming seasons, transitioning its smoky grey accent stones in with my fall wardrobe.


Box 4 // I'm a sucker for multi-colored necklaces, I think that are just so versatile. This necklace I received in my forth box was no exception, I loved the mint accent in an otherwise neutral statement piece.


Box 4 // How cute are the little quote cards that Rocksbox started including in their boxes? Just another little way they brighten my mail day. I really did love every piece, even though I could not manage to get a good shot of those grey Kendra Scott earrings to save my life! Despite being disagreeable in photographs, I did choose to purchase the earrings as well.


Box 5 // My fifth box was the first one that had a little hiccup in arriving. I was waiting on it after the ship date for a week, with USPS not bothering to update the shipping status. So, while I was bummed that it took so long, I complete targeted my anger at the mail service, and not at Rocksbox, since they normally have a one-to two day turn around with their priority mailers. Fingers crossed it was an isolated incident (my 6th one showed up on time; so far, so good). Once my box (finally!) arrived, I discovered, per usual, that it was well worth the wait. I know it sounds too good to be true, but every box that comes is better than the last! I loved this teardrop bangle in this gorgeous aqua chalcedony color. It was my second one from Margaret Elizabeth (I bought the one by her in my previous box) and I am officially a fan of her work! After a little back and forth on it, I ultimately decided I couldn't part with this one either and purchased it.  


Box 5 // Like with the bangle and designer above, I was pleasantly surprised to fine another pair of Kendra Scott earrings in my fifth Rocksbox, especially after receiving and purchasing the grey pair in my previous box, I happily accepted and purchased this pair as well, the color and shape are gorgeous (and matched the bangle), and I will take the 20% member discounted price on anything KS any day of the week!


Box 5 // Recently, Rocksbox began allowing members to request what piece or pieces they would like in their very next set (its a separate text box in the area where you can put your feedback on your current box). I love this because even though I have 50+ pieces on my wishlist, there are certain things I either like more than others and would like sooner, or in the case I have upcoming events, like weddings and parties, I might want to request something particular to go with my outfit. Although none of the items I requested for this box were available, my stylist did a great job of finding pieces that were similar to the ones I wanted. Plus, I really loved the color theme of this set, which made pairing pieces together for a cohesive look super easy.

So that's a little recap of my first 5 boxes, the sixth one arrived a week or so ago, but I have been so busy traveling and working, I have hardly had time to unpack it! Look for its contents soon on my IG feed.

As you may have guessed I have teamed up with Rocksbox to give you all a chance to try it out for yourself! Just use code rachelxoxo4 when signing up here for a free month of jewelry - absolutely no strings attached or commitment needed after the month; although, if you are like me, you will become addicted quickly! 


Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!




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08 April 2015

9 Pieces, 9 Ways for Spring

Recently I have been thinking a lot about the concept of a capsule wardrobe. I have always been a more is more kinda person when it comes to my closet. I tend to dress based on how I am feeling, and this often requires a plethora of options to cover all of my many moods and feelings. However, over the winter and now as I am examining my closet in preparation of its springtime refresh, I am realizing my more is more mentality is starting to weigh me down. I just have so.much.stuff.ahh. And it's not like my closet is a mess, I am incredibly neat and OCD, so everything is in its place and all items are carefully tucked into drawers, shelves, and sorted by color and pattern on hangers. I am not stressing out about not having the space to fit everything, but more about the shear volume of space it takes up, regardless that I have the room to accommodate it. Does that make sense? 

Anyways, this time of year always makes me think about new beginnings and fresh starts. As I look around my closet, I can't help but want to purge. Slowly, I have been sifting through and removing shoes, belts, accessories, and, of course, clothing. If I haven't worn it in a year, if it doesn't fit, if I don't like how I feel wearing it, if I don't love it, it's gone (and probably being listed for sale in my instacloset). I want to reduce to the things that I love, that I wear, and that have lots of styling potential. Because let's face it, if I look at it and my response is "meh" then its just going to sit there untouched.

Spring cleaning and refreshing also means I will probably be adding a few new pieces to my closet as well. Keeping to my new less is more mentality, I will be much more particular when adding new pieces. To help guide my choices, I have started thinking about pieces in terms of a capsule. I have done no-shop and shop your closet remix challenges before, but the idea of narrowing my closet down and mixing only a confined number of things over time has been really intriguing to me lately. There are a lot of variations floating around on blogs and pinterest; such as the 30 pieces for 30 days or the 7 pieces for 7 days challenges. I wanted to take this idea and use it as a tool for expanding my closet so that I naturally develop a more capsule style closet without forcing a challenge.

Today I have put together a 9 pieces 9 ways graphic to help illustrate some of the pieces I have considered adding and how I could style them. I have also included 9 accessories that can be mixed and matched with the pieces as shown. Looking at the pieces, it is pretty easy to see that 9 ways of styling them is just the beginning. Sidenote: this is also a great strategy to employ when packing for a trip!

9 Pieces, 9 Ways

Shop the pieces:



Shop the accessories:



So let's talk about these pieces. First of all, all the items shown are from J.Crew and J.Crew Factory. I shop this retailer often because they always have a great mix of classic and trendy pieces, their pieces are great quality, and they usually have some sort of sale going online - like right now (PS - this post is in no way sponsored by them). Now, that mix of classic and trendy pieces I just mentioned is key for me when selecting new items to add to my closet. When I'm shopping for new clothing, I try to look for classic pieces in neutral colors and staple patterns, simple pieces in bright colors to add contrast to outfits, and a few trendy pieces that are versatile. These 9 items featured are a great example of this mix.

Classic pieces in neutral colors and staple patterns are the majority of my picks. These types of clothing are really wearable and provide the base for most outfits. In this set, I have chosen a denim jacket and shorts, a white and black striped tee, white skinny jeans, a navy and white stripe skirt, and a black and white stripe dress in a simple but classic cut. Most of the accessories I chose also follow this; the cognac bucket bag (trendy in style but classic in color and material), the black birkenstock sandals, cognac sandals, and over-sized sunnies. In all of these pieces, color, cut, and style are important in making the neutrals feel both classic and modern. Additionally, of these pieces "go" not just with other neutrals and patterns, but also just about every other color under the sun.

Next I will look for simple pieces in a bright color to add contrast and visual interest in my outfits. In this set I have selected a lightweight sweater in poppy, lace embellished shirt in aqua, a citron tote, and the multi-colored bangles. These items can all be added to otherwise neutral outfits to create or accent a focal point in the outfit. Look for colors that are not present or prominent in your closet to provide more mixing and matching options as you expand your wardrobe.

Lastly, when shopping, I will look for a few pieces that are currently on trend that may or may not be considered in a year or two from now. In this set, I selected a fun parrot patterned romper, bright tassel earrings, woven tote with pom poms, and pastel d'orsay flats. As fun and lovely as all of these things are, they are all very of the moment and there is no guarantee that I won't be replacing them next spring with a new trend. To save money, I keep trendy pieces to a minimum and stretch their dollar amount further by sticking more to accessories and less to clothing. To maximize a trend's versatility, I look for pieces that can also fall into one of the above categories, like the woven pom pom tote which is basically a neutral tan with a classic strip pattern on it, or the tassel earrings which are a bright but simple piece that can be added to an otherwise classic outfit for a fun pop. 

Looking at the graphic you can probably spot quite a few other combinations; throw the denim jack over just about anything pictured, the bags and shoes can all be swapped around, accessories can be added, the dress can be turned into a skirt by throwing on and knotting a shirt along the hem, etc. This is one of the reasons I think this strategy is so great for packing too. It minimizes how many things you need to bring while allowing a lot of versatility in your outfits.

I hope this has been a helpful way of thinking about what you buy seasonally and different ways different pieces can be paired together. Remember to take inventory of your closet for the current season before adding pieces to make sure you have your basics covered and don't be afraid to reach for a few new colors to add focus to your outfits this spring!

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!




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25 March 2015

Transitioning to Spring

I'm not going to lie, this relentless winter has had me down for a while. I've been whiny, tired, cold, and most annoyingly, wandering in a creative drought; feeling uninspired and unmotivated. Sadly for my blog, this has meant infrequent posts. I just haven't been feeling it, and I would rather not post than post below my own standards, ya know? Well, luckily, the past two or three weeks we've witnessed a glimmer of spring here as the temperatures have hoovered above freezing enough to begin a thaw in the metro Detroit area {insert happy dance here}. With the withering snow and ice piles, the first day of spring under our belts, and a renewed sense of optimism, I am excited to return to blogging refreshed and rejuvenated.

Today I'm sharing some of my most loved pieces while in hibernation, and the various ways I have styled them throughout this past season. They are all pieces that can be used as the weather reluctantly transitions back to warmer temps as well. I did a similar blog to this last winter when I was embarking on a closet remix challenge (here), so I wanted to do a follow-up this year to help out anyone else who is in a bit of a closet inspiration rut. While I am not currently swearing off shopping, I do try to maximize how I style my closet and have become much choosier in adding new pieces.


red bow bag (budget option here)

This red bow bag has been a staple in my closet for over a year now. When you think of spring fashion and style, you may not immediately think red, I don't either. I think mint, blush, lavender, and other pastel hues. However, nautically inspired clothing has been a pretty consistent warm weather trend and one of the ways I love to add a punch to my maritime inspired ensembles is with some pink or red accessories; cue this bag - the perfect contrasting pop to crisp white and navy outfits. Plus, it will add to a patriotic pallet around Memorial Day and the 4th. 


cargo vest (old, options here and here)

One of the most used and versatile pieces in my closet is my trusty cargo vest. Its olive green color is the perfect neutral that goes with many brights, other neutrals, and pastels, making it a great year-round staple. I am looking forward to styling it with floral and lace dresses, to add a little edge to my feminine spring attire.



As a self-professed shoeaholic, I often go through cycles of my favorite shoes "of the moment." Having over 100 pairs makes it hard to give each their deserved attention without them taking shifts for my affection. Currently on repeat are these mint flats from last year that Target so wonderfully brought back again for this spring. I love the pop of color these give an outfit and love pairing them with feminine scarves on an otherwise neutral ensemble.


light pink gingham shirt (old, nearly identical versions here and here)

This little number is definitely my MVP for springtime layering. The pretty pastel pairs perfectly with so many other colors and patterns, while providing an additional thin layer for warmth on those "between seasons" kinda days. Plus gingham is right on trend this season. I can't stop wearing it!


patterned pants (all old, love these or splurge on these)

Confession, I am a tiny bit obsessed with patterned denim. I have these two floral pairs and two polka dot pairs, and am always on the look out for versatile pants with a touch of something special. I love the subtle, or sometimes not so subtle, print mix they add to an outfit. One of my favorite ways to transition denim is by rolling the hem and slipping on a pair of flats. I am especially loving this pair of floral pixie pants, and am thinking of jumping on the drapey pants bandwagon with these


khaki mini skirt (striped one here) and leopard shoes (pumps, flats, love these)

I didn't realize until I started compiling photos that I almost exclusively pair this skirt with a leopard shoe. Crazy coincidence or the perfect pairing? I'll let you decide. Either way, I am obviously obsessed with this skirt, I have it in like 6 colors and between them, I wear one at least once a week (sometimes more!). They are comfy, have pockets (winner, winner) and are a good length for work or a casual lunch with friends. I like that this khaki one provides a simple neutral base and will be pairing it with pastels and fun prints as the weather warms. As for leopard shoes...I just keep adding to my collection each season - heels, booties, flats, sneakers, the list goes on and on. They go with almost everything in my closet and are a quintessential pattern for mixing. I have been eyeing this chic pair for spring. 

As you can see from the collages above, a lot of the featured pieces show up in outfits for other featured pieces, because I really do try to work and re-work my closet to get the most bang for my buck. Transitioning my winter pieces to spring also saves me money by not having to buy a new wardrobe every season, ain't nobody got time for that

What winter pieces are you keeping around for spring?

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!




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04 March 2015

Spring Accessories

This never ending winter is giving me a serious case of spring fever. Luckily, retailers have been rolling out their spring and summer stock for over a month now, so I can easily daydream of warmer weather and all of the fabulous things that come with it. One of my favorite things about warmer weather is having bare legs and feet. I have already begun stocking up on new shoes for spring, bring on the espadrilles and sandals please! Another plus? All the color - from floral skirts to bright bags, I am obsessing over saturated hues and pretty pastels alike.

Shopbop's Big Event Sale couldn't have come at a better time! I will be stocking up on swoon-worthy spring accessories while these amazing prices are available. Top on my list? This amazing pair of sunnies (perfect for when the sun finally comes out to play!), this pair of wedges, and this bag (I want one in every color; decisions, decisions).


Shopbop sale

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17

Shop The Big Event Sale
15% off orders of $250+
20% off orders of $500+
25% off orders of $1000+
Use code BIGEVENT15 at checkout


This sale is amazing, but only goes for a limited time so hurry up and take advantage of it today! Offer expires Saturday March 7, 2015, at 11:59 PM (PT) 

Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!




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