The Shake-Up

When I was 12 years old I woke up and decided to cut off all my hair (1 inch long all around).  After a healthy dose of regret and a river of tears, it grew back along with a strong desire never to cut my hair again.  I have also worn glasses since I was about 10 years old but had never found a pair I felt was stylish or gave me the look I was going for, so I have always worn contacts outside of the house and worn my glasses while I am at home.  As I approach 30 this summer, I just felt I needed a shake-up.  It's not that I haven't been doing what I want or like I just needed to inject a little something new into my reality. 

Sometimes, people move to a different city, make the decision to end a long-term relationship or leave their career as a way to get a fresh start.  All is well and good with these dramatic changes, yet there are times we want something that will be less life-altering but still get that feeling of exciting and new.  A great way to do this is through style.

I woke up not to long ago and realized I had, had the same hair cut/length for almost 15 years.  I thought about it and was unimpressed with my attachment to my long hair so I cut it.  I also have found my eyes becoming more fatigued throughout the day from wearing contacts for so many years. I knew I needed to get a pair of glasses I liked enough and felt good enough wearing to rock outside my house.  I decided to drop the cash on a pair that I really loved and that felt great (read: properly fit my face and not heavy).  I wanted a "look" but also something that went with the clothes and jewelry I like to wear.  I didn't want my glasses or my hair to be an after thought to me and my style I wanted them be synergistic components.

I have loved these small but significant shake-ups and they have given me a lot of fun new ways to play.  What do you think?  Have you made some "shake-up" decisions lately that have kept you on your toes?  I would love to hear about it!

Relish Goes To Florida

I recently met up with my beautiful-in-every-way sister in Florida to visit my Grandmother and soak up some much needed Vitamin D.  It's been slow to warm up in Chicago so I couldn't wait to wear some of my favorite new pieces from the RELISH Spring collection.  As the trip came to an end it brilliantly dawned on us to do a quick impromptu photo shoot.  Obviously, all these pieces can be styled in so many different ways which is what we love to find; versatile and comfortable items you can wear in a variety of locations and scenarios.  Come in soon to see and play with our beautiful Spring selection.  As always, we are here to help you put together a style that looks and feels like the best version of YOU!

Our easy printed dress paired with our reversible bucket hat

We paired this pink leather jacket with sneakers and jeans but it can easily be paired with something dressier!

These lightweight floral pants are sooo comfortable and double lined so they aren't see-through!  We paired it with our striped cap-sleeved top and beaded necklace

My favorite new Spring sweater paired with jean shorts and open choker.  This sweater is lightweight and with just a little something interesting with the various size stripes. 

Printed leggings with one of our Italian scarves we wrapped as a top and super comfortable woven raffia hat from Colombia.

All My (Neglected) Children

On this episode of, All My (Neglected) Children, I present to you one of my babies.  She's beautiful and has great flow.  She exudes a feminine, goddess-like quality.  I like to think of her as harmonious.  She's bigger but still delicate.  She has a heavier, rich tone but lightweight as well; strong but also soft, piecey yet cohesive. If you haven't noticed, I think she's synergetic greatness, which is why I am here to announce that she deserves more love and attention! 

My baby, the necklace I'm wearing to the left, is something that I really loved right away when I saw it.  Fair-trade and hand-made in Guatemala (read: made with good vibez), it seemed like a piece that could make a beautiful style statement but still be comfortable and easy to wear. At $36 she's super chill and modest, who wouldn't want a gal like that around?

Imagine my surprise when she and her siblings arrived at RELISH and so few people seemed to be relishing her.  I looked at her and like most women seem to know their children, I realized she has been misunderstood and simply needed better representation.  So ladies, take a second look at my neglected baby.  What do you think, does Mother know best?  Does she deserve another shot?


Thank you and I rest my case.

If You Were A Yak

If you were a yak you would laugh at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.  If you were a yak you would toss back your head covered in long shaggy yak wool and laugh with your yak friends before heading out for an afternoon frolic in the frigid temperatures that felt like no more than a delightful breeze whispering sweet nothings against your plush, dense coat.  Unfortunately, since you are a human, more than 3 minutes outside in 0 degrees Fahrenheit feels like a hearty thrashing from a cat o' nine tails in the hand of Captain Bligh himself.

 Luckily for you, while we can not turn you into a yak we can get you as close as possible to being a yak while still remaining human with our yak wool pashminas. These scarves, literally brought to us directly from Nepal are the warmest things since baked bread, freshly sliced.  I have taken to wearing mine over my coat for added warmth and style as well as around the house.  Men and women alike have become hooked to these scarves because they soothe and comfort in a vast tundra of chill and despair.  Anyway, come check these out for yourself.  If you are feeling that Winter lack, just come get the yak!

Swing Your Braided Mane!

 As the last day of the year arrives at least a bit of reflection seems creepingly inevitable.  I got to thinking about what I could say in my final writings of 2014 and quite obviously,  a "Thank You" seems in order.  Through out the year your support, kind words, good vibes, laughs and style have inspired us and made what we do, all worth it.  We are truly grateful that you chose to shop at Relish and Williams Shoes and can't wait to show you what is in store for Spring.  Next, the usual suspects; Love, Health and Success, come to mind, all of which we wish you oodles of in 2015.

Lastly, I would like to leave you with something else.  Something to counterbalance the classic undertones of shame and inadequacy that conventional resolutions of dieting and gym attendance seem to bear.

Several months ago on the Main St. El platform I discovered a piece of artwork which immediately delighted me and I have come to love more and more as the days go by.  It appears to be the work of a genius and insightful child.  Full of humor, sophistication, honesty, simplicity and that certain je ne sais quoi in all things cool. I present to you, Stumpy.

Whatever the next year may have in store for us may we face it with the same style and panache as Stumpy.  Let's live it boldly, beautifully and confidently, unapologetically ourselves and RELISH in the joys of being alive. Stumpy has led me to my battle cry for 2015:

GO FORTH AND SWING YOUR BRAIDED MANE!

A Little Bit Of Beauty

"If you care for a thing enough, it takes on a life of its own doesn't it?  And isn't the whole point of things -beautiful things- that they connect you to some larger beauty?"  -The Goldfinch

I recently finished The Goldfinch, which I highly recommend.  It was a great story and also really well written, a combination not as easy to come by as one might think.  I particularly enjoyed the way the author describes emotions.  A friend and I have often talked about how discussing emotions is the final frontier in any language.  Even in your native language talking or explaining the nuances of feelings accurately can seem close to impossible.

Anyway, since I was a child I have always loved to see, touch and experience beautiful things (yes, I know, who doesn't).  One of my early memories is standing behind my grandmother in her fur coat and my sister and I ever so gently touching the luxuriously thick yet soft pelt so she wouldn't feel it and drinking in the rich mahogany hue with our little 4 and 6 year old eyes.  When I came across this quote in The Goldfinch I immediately identified with it and felt like this explains in better words than I could have put myself, why I enjoy what I do so much and the search to bring beautiful, fun and wearable things to the store every season.

I relish the thought of a gift bringing moments of beauty to our friends and family throughout the year so here is my top gift picks to do just that!

These silk and cashmere scarves from Chan Luu never get old.  Their light weave and large size make them gauzy and ethereal.  They bring comfort and warmth on bleak grey days when you need a bit of luxury and levity to remind you that Spring will, eventually, come again.  Having one of these scarves wrapped around your neck is truly one of life's small pleasures.  Warning:  Whomever you give this to will become hooked and no other scarves they own will compare (I have testimonies).

You know the feeling when you walk in from being out in the cold, dark winter night to the warmth and safety of someones house and you are greeted with rich winter hues, earthy spicy piney scents, dim softer lighting and you feel that cozy holiday feeling?  Our candles from Voluspa are all wonderful but I love the Golden Cypress this time of year in particular.  They describe it as, "The heart of a green velvet floored forest mid winter. The clean sugary balsam of a snapped cypress needle." Normally I would laugh and roll my eyes about a description like that but seriously, it's that good.  The beautiful red glass jar for this particular scent is also part if its beauty.  When lit it casts a sultry, moody red glow.

There is nothing quite like the smell and feel of Italian leather.  This leather line, MyWalit, makes wallets and bags in bright colors that really pop and are as soft as butter.  I like the thought of pulling one of these beauties out of your purse and giving a burst of color to all around.






Women (and men) have been adorning themselves with beautiful baubles since they figured out how to string together stones, bones, quills and feathers.  I just never tire of beautifully crafted jewels and think of them as wearable art.  My favorite piece in the store currently is this long strand of grey fresh water pearls mixed with faceted labradorite stones.  Perfect to wear from casual to cocktail.

Lastly, no amount of beautiful things will ever be as beautiful as the beautiful memories you create with the beautiful people you love and cherish so this holiday season we have carefully crafted a wonderfully edited playlist of music to put on while cooking, relaxing, hosting a dinner party or simply hanging out with friends and family.  Our "Relish Your Life - Good Times Mix" is the soundtrack to great moments to come in 2015.  Music to your ears, literally. 

To see more pictures of fabulous gift ideas please click here

 

Fake It 'Til You Make It

Cardigan-Cowgirl

My sister and I went out over the Thanksgiving weekend and she wore a very sassy outfit, a vintage wool striped jacket, a navy felt fedora type hat and a red lightweight scarf.  We caught a glimpse of our reflection in a window and she said, "Oh my God, I look like Woody from Toy Story!" "Yeah but you look like the most stylish Woody that every lived," I said, "Just rock it. Don't ever let 'em see you sweat."

Fast forward to two weeks later and I found myself having left the house in a scramble and a haste and looking like what my sister and I (after texting her a pic of my fashion faux pas) dubbed "cardigan-cowgirl gone wrong."  I got off the train and was hoping I wouldn't see anyone I knew.  "No," I told myself, "you got this.  Just act like you have the best outfit you ever wore on right now."  "Fake it til you make it" as they say.

Woody and I

With the holidays coming up a lot of feelings of anxiety can surface about what family and friends may think of our appearances, "successes" and "failures" over the past year and general judgements. Sometimes in fashion and in life, you just have to have a chin-up, fighting spirit (and a laugh here and there) and make the best of your decisions while hoping you live another day to give it another go.  Today you might have to fake it but tomorrow you may make it. 

What do you think?  Have you ever done or worn something you regret?  What do you do?