For those of you who aren't my mom ...

Hi! Thank you for being here. Wanted to say hello.

Happy Monday. Or whenever you might be reading this. I really really love Substack. And I’m so grateful for the community I’ve built here, especially mom, a paying subscriber (by choice). And now dad! And I quote: “I just gave you $80 so I can read what you say about me.” But for those who aren’t my mom or dad and may have just jumped in randomly, I thought it might be good to introduce myself.

So, hi!

The Basics: Rachel Eden Solomon, 54. I have a 21 year old son. He is adopted from Korea. I have a business, Honor Code Creative, where we help clients crystallize and tell their stories through branding, marketing, advertising. I have a side hustle where I do pretty much the same for style clients through clothing. This is my second marriage. About to celebrate 15 years. Brookline, MA transplant. Recently moved to Miami. I am home.

Hey Mrs. Solomon? Like the song “Hey, Mrs. Robinson.” A reference to The Graduate and another woman of a certain age. Wearing leopard. And going after what she wants. Just saying.

Origin Story: I’ve been deeply into fashion since I can remember. For a long time as a kid it manifested in only wearing clothing with words on it. My mom, a full-time English teacher, exhausted by trying to find t-shirts with words, finally said, “but you can’t even read!” I worked on my alphabet while tie shopping with my dad at Filene’s Basement (“look for A, Armani, B Brioni, Z, Zegna …”)

Style + Fashion Work: My first fashion job was at Ralph Lauren the summer before law school*, where I sold shoes, spent my whole paycheck and had to eat spaghetti 3x a day, and once accidentally charged someone $9,500 for socks. I was the editor of fashion/beauty for a small, short lived newspaper, Boston NOW, and I wrote the Stuffy column for Stuff Magazine where I covered new, notable and expensive … stuff. In my “main work” lane, I led the copy team as the first creative at Rue La La. And was then the first Creative Director at M.Gemi. Today our Honor Code clients also include brands in the fashion/retail space like Hearts on Fire diamonds, Melissa Shoes and more.

Writing: Writing is my thing. I’ve written a lot. I’ve written for InStyle, the Penn Gazette, short stories, written a novel (long ago!). BTW proofing is not my thing. I try, but it’s a battle.

My Purpose Here: I think when you’re looking for something it means others probably are too. I was looking for a place in style world where people are talking about ideas. And also offering really concrete tips and how-tos. A place where I could get something more than “buy X with this link.” Though I like some great links, too! And I crave newness, in particular, new ways of styling, seeing. Authenticity. Things on a real person. I don’t want to see only perfection. And no judgement. I don’t want to judge one another’s style choices. To me style is subjective and vulnerable. Getting creative requires a safe space.

*yes, I was a lawyer for 5 minutes.

What’s Different (I hope!):

• I write very regularly - generally 3 x a week and often adding more surprise posts. The cadence is usually

  • Wednesday: 6 gems! (six little great ahas)

  • Friday: my podcast. (If that’s not your thing, skip it!) OR another hot take.

  • Saturday: Hot takes, reader asks. (Ask me anything!)

  • Sunday: The week in outfits + outfit prep for the following week.

  • Plus surprise posts on sale finds, shopping/non shopping tips, etc.

• I take requests - subscribers can ask me anything and I’ll address it.

• I’m responsive in comments.

• I’m not so interested in just what looks “nice,” and there’s tons of that out there. If I’m posting it, there has to be something new to learn/share, whether it’s a BIG idea or just, “oooo, try this sock thing.”

• No advertising (one day I may do sponsored posts?) but anything I suggest is fully unbiased and only because I really love it.

• No fast fashion, and I will often link to second hand; I was an early adopter of secondhand style 30+ years ago! (Thanks, Mom.)

• Living in Miami right near the Design District means I can share lots of things you can’t see anywhere else.

• Relatable + vulnerable — I share WIP, fashion fails, behind the scenes, no makeup photos, no photo shoots, etc. Things that I actually wear and where/when I did. I will always tell the truth.

• Actionable + relevant — over time and with work I’m at a place now where I do invest a lot in fashion, but while you’ll see high end, it will still be actionable and relatable as an idea at any price, and as often as possible come with a less-scary-priced option.

Community Ground Rules:

I hope it’s ok if I also share some expectations. Aside from the obvious ones. Let’s not judge each other. My feeling re. not liking something on social or here is just - move along. Also: Let’s not judge our bodies meanly. We do that, and the world does that enough.