Happy Memorial Day and Happy Birthday to Us!

^^^ One of my most favorite photos. This is in front of the JFK museum in Hyannis. This was taken early in the morning on May 29, 2014 (our birthday!) My dad took this and captured the scene perfectly. The sun peeked out through the clouds just at that very moment. It's one of my most treasured memories.

My parents are the best! They got this cake made up for me with an image of JFK on it saying "Happy Birthday To Us." Needless to say, that was the best birthday cake ever. It's hard to believe this was 11 years ago.

^^^ This was from my first trip to Cape Cod back in 2013 and one of the most memorable. I fell in love with Hyannis and Cape Cod the moment I laid eyes on it.

^^^ This was from the same trip as the first photo back on May 29, 2014.

^^^ That is the Kennedy Compound in the back where the family grew up and would spend their summer and early fall on Hyannis Port. Thanks to my brother for actually taking this photo for me!

^^^ This was my second trip to Hyannis wearing my favorite JFK hat. It's really the only one I wear!

^^^ This was from our third trip to The Cape in 2015 when I was pregnant with Ava. We always make our first stop the JFK Museum!

^^^ This was from our trip last year, 2016. We actually went a little later in the year around June and had the most amazing weather.

Happy Memorial Day to everyone! I hope everyone enjoys their cookouts with friends and family and maybe even sneaking in some Memorial Day sales as well!

Today also happens to be my 29th birthday and also John F. Kennedy's 100th birthday. There are so many centennial celebrations going on right now for his 100th birthday (check out the hashtag #jfk100) and I am ecstatic that I'll be able to partake in them at the Boston and the Hyannis Museums! When you're getting to know me, one of the first things I'll tell you is that JFK and I share the same birthday, thank you mom! It is one of the coolest things ever for me. A fun fact, there are other members of my family that share presidential birthday's as well. We're a very presidential family, haha! 

- I share JFK's birthday

- My brother Michael shares George H. W. Bush's birthday

- My daughter Ava shares Barack Obama's Birthday

- My cousin shares Lyndon Johnson's birthday.  

When I was younger, images of JFK were actually all around me, though I didn't know who he was at the time. My mom was a big JFK Jr. fan and she had some clippings of him taped onto her mirror along with magazines of him (sexiest man alive lol.) As I got older, I realized that I shared my birthday with JFK when I looked at the calendar my school teacher had on his wall and saw that May 29th had JFK written on it. I knew he was a famous president, but did not know much other than that. I started doing research on him, reading and watching anything I could get my hands on. I instantly fell in love. My first big JFK moment was when my dad took me to the JFK Library and Museum in Boston for my 18th birthday. I could not believe my eyes! Whether you like history or JFK, this museum is a must. The views are spectacular too. Next came my first trip with my dad to Hyannis and Cape Cod in 2013 for my 25th birthday. Our first stop was to the JFK museum on Main Street. We went around town seeing all of the JFK highlights (they have a walking tour) and ended our first night at the Kennedy Memorial with the sun setting behind us shinning out onto the bay. That trip holds a very special place in my heart. 

There is no one that has captured my heart (of course we're talking celebrity wise here) more than John. F. Kennedy. He truly is an inspiration for me. He provides hope of achieving the impossible, hope for a brighter tomorrow, hope to never give up on your dreams. His quick wit always make me smile and laugh and his charm is so swoon worthy. His style and grace even inspires my own today. He was a champion of peace, equality, and justice. He challenged us to be the best we could be. He wanted us to go to the moon, not because it was easy, but because it was hard. He knew that we could accept this challenge, turn it into an opportunity, and succeed. 

It is with a happy heart that I say Happy 100th birthday JFK! I cannot wait to celebrate with my family. Cheers to a fabulous Memorial Day for everyone too.

xo, Amanda

Favorite Swimsuits

Navy Ruffled Swim Suit c/o || Black Swimsuit c/o|| Mikarose Mint Swim Suit, old c/o||

Happy Friday, friends! Is anyone else super excited for the long weekend?! I know I definitely am. Make sure to catch my post on Monday to see why =) With the holiday weekend upon us, I thought it would be a good time to round up some of my favorite swimsuits below. Best of all, most of these are under $20! I'm loving all of the prints and pretty details. I hope everyone has an amazing weekend!

Shop My Favorites Below:

xo, Amanda

Memorial Day Style

Similar Pleated Top || Pleated Skirt (on sale) || Vineyard Vines Hat, old || Sunglasses || Striped Flats || Wicker Bag || Daniel Wellington Watch c/o || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || Jackie Kennedy Emerald Unity Band || Rose Gold Love Bangle || Lip Color: Ava ||

Happy Wednesday, friends! Memorial Day is right around the corner and it actually falls on my birthday this year! With the holiday nearing, I automatically started pulling out all of my finest red, white, and blue pieces. I always tend to dress very patriotic with a preppy side for Memorial Day. It's also a time when I want to be near the water. There's something very soothing and peaceful about being around a lake, the ocean, or even a stream. I've always been drawn to them. I think JFK said it best when he said:

“All of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea - whether it is to sail or to watch it - we are going back from whence we came." -John F. Kennedy

A lake was the perfect backdrop for this pleated ensemble, which is on sale! Both the top and skirt are from Banana Republic Factory, though I could not find the top online. I picked up both pieces in the store and both fit true to size. I couldn't help but swish and twirl the skirt a few times too. It's irresistable!

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xo, Amanda

Bow Back Gingham Top

Hello, all! I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. I was able to go see Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and totally loved it. Definitely a great sequel to the first one, which was so funny. Has anyone seen it or plan on going to see it?

This bow back gingham top is seriously the cutest! Not only is it one of my favorite summer prints, but the bow back detail is absolutely darling. The peplum hem is only adds to the overall charm of the top, which also comes in a red and blue print. It should be noted that the back of the top is completely open and ties with the bows. I'm wearing an XS for reference. I actually also wore this top with blue skinny jeans and my pink slides for a more casual look. The white skinny jeans and leopard heels add a touch of glamour to the top for a fun night out. Leopard and gingham work so well together!

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xo, Amanda

A Walk In The Park

Gingham Shirtdress || Tignanello Bag c/o || White Jean Jacket || Sunglasses || Vineyard Vines Anchor Belt, old || Espadrille Sneaker || Rose Gold Love Bangle || Jackie Kennedy Emerald Drop Earrings || Jackie Kennedy Emerald Unity Band || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || Fossil Watch c/o ||

Good morning and happy Friday, friends! This is one of those easy going looks that I love to wear on casual days or on the weekend. It's a go-to for me! A shirt dress is a staple in my closet. This one is on sale now for under $40! An essential item, they can be dressed up with some heels or dressed down with sneakers like I have here. Speaking of, these espadrille sneaks are extremely comfy and perfect for summer. I've been wearing them everywhere I go. I love a clean a crisp white shoe in the spring and summer. They pair with everything and make walking long distances a breeze. They're the perfect travel shoe!

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

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xo, Amanda

Colorful Windowpane Dress

Hello all! I hope everyone is having a great week so far. I recently wore this windowpane shift dress during a little heat wave we had (in the 90s!) and absolutely love its colorful eye catching print. I'm all about wearing some prints (hello stripes, plaid, polka dots, leopard, floral, and more) and love that this dress combines two different ones to make it pop. The rest of the outfit plays with the different colors in the dress. Several people stopped me on the street to ask about this dress. There's just something that makes it stand out from the crowd. Whether its the colors or the print, this dress is definitely a winner. I can't get enough of it! 

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xo, Amanda

Blush Lace Romper

Good morning, friends! I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and if you are a mom that you had a lovely Mother's Day. Needless to say, it is a hard day for me, but I am lucky enough to have an amazing family and friends to help celebrate with me. Ava was an absolute doll too. I dressed us up in matching pink tulle outfits (my favorite thing to do!) and we all went out to breakfast together. The weather also broke on Mother's Day and we had mostly sunshine and warm weather. It's the start of what is hopefully our summer. We just got off of a 10 day rain storm with cool temperatures. Some days even felt like winter, it was crazy! I'm a stickler for nice weather, haha.

With warmer weather on my mind, I couldn't help but to pull out this blush lace romper. How gorgeous are the lace details on the shorts?! Another day, another romper, am I right?! I just wore this palm print one here, and cannot get over how comfortable they are. I always laugh too because I love to put Ava in rompers during the spring and summer since its an easy and chic outfit all in one. This blush romper fits true to size.

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xo, Amanda

Tropic Thunder

Tobi Palm Print Romper c/o || Pink Slides || Mar Y Sol Tote || Sunglasses || Jean Jacket || Christian Paul Watch c/o || Rose Gold Love Bangle || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || Jackie Kennedy Emerald Unity Band || Lip Color: Ava ||

Happy Friday, everyone! A few days last week were absolutely dreamy weather wise so I pulled out this palm print cold shoulder romper. It's so cute! Palm prints is big right now and I love the little tie up front. Is anyone else envisioning beachy get-a-ways wearing this?! Haha, that's exactly what I had imagined. Pairing pinks and greens together has become a new favorite of mine. I usually have a hard time finding a romper that fits well, though I had no trouble with this one. Either the length can be off or the waist has too much fabric making it look blousy.

To all of you mama's out there, I wish you a very happy mother's day this Sunday! I know I feel extremely lucky to be Ava's mom. I thank the Lord every day for making me her mama. I hope everyone has an amazing weekend.

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Gray Lace Dress

There is something special about a "going out" dress that you save for special occasions or when date night rolls around. The detailing on this dress is what caught my eye with its tiered ruffles and netted mesh creating an overall lace look. The beautiful soft gray color feels feminine and pairs well with other soft colors (think pastels) or with black. I went with other soft grays and blush to finish off the look. I kept getting asked where this dress was from while Ava and I were out because of how uniqueit looks. I'm wearing a size XS for reference and found it to fit snug. It does say to go up one size on the site so if you like some wiggle room then I would suggest to go up one size.

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T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers LUXE

Hello all and happy Wednesday! If you're like me, then time is of the essence and something I seem to never have enough of! I try to make my morning routine as quick and efficient as possible so I can get my day started with little Ava. When I was in college, I used hot rollers every day. I loved the big bouncy curls they created and how I could keep them in while I was getting other things done like my makeup, brushing my teeth, and so on. I always felt they saved me time while doing my hair. Typically, I don't do very much to my hair so whenever I want a polished look, it has to be with a tool that will be quick and easy.

T3 is quickly becoming a go-to brand for all types of hair styling tools. Their quality and price point cannot be beat! Their newly enhanced hot rollers deliver shiny hair with lots of volume and curl. I was amazed at the amount of volume I had. Powered by advanced T3 HeatCore Technology, equipped with dual temperature settings for all hair types, each roller ensures optimal heat transfer for lasting volume, body and shine. The velvet flocking on each roller boosts shine and grips with no tangles, a huge plus for me! Having long hair, tangles do happen so this is a nice feature to have. Their insulated rim makes handling and wrapping your hair a breeze. 8 crease-free clips are included to hold the rollers firmly in place. These hot rollers are great for shoulder length or longer hair.

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Hello, World!

xo, Amanda

Pretty Picnic

Striped Seersucker Dress || Pink Slides || Sun Hat || Wicker Bag || Humble Chic Olive Branch Earrings c/o || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || Jackie Kennedy Emerald Unity Ring || Rose Gold Love Bangle || Welly Merck Watch c/o || Picnic Basket ||

Good morning and happy Friday!! Last Friday I took my family out for a little picnic in one of my favorite parks. The weather was amazing, sunny with highs in the 80s. It literally felt like summer, we were all sweating haha. We enjoyed fresh fruit and some desserts while playing ball and watching Ava chase squirrels around. The timing could not have been more perfect to pull out this pink seersucker dress. I've always been a big fan of wearing seersucker in the summer. I actually used to own this blue seersucker shirt that I wore non-stop back when I was in high school. The dress runs true to size, I'm wearing a 00 for reference. There is also a built in bra with an internal zipper to help keep the dress up. It's actually quite genius and works well. The off the shoulder ties add the most darling detail to an already chic ensemble. This truly is the dress of the season! Wonderful for weddings, showers, brunch with the girls, beach bashes and more!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

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60s Mod Style

Good morning and happy Thursday, friends! I thought I would take a little break from all the pinks and blues and do a more dramatic look reminiscent of the 1960s mod era. Is anyone else thinking about Mad Men when they see this outfit?! That's kind of what it reminds me of, which by the way, I absolutely adore that show! When I saw this dress on Chicwish, it instantly popped off the page at me. I couldn't take my eyes off of it. It's definitely a head turner! The black and white offers a stunning contrast, while the bright red in my lip color gives a nice little pop of color. I'm wearing an XS for reference. Don't forget Chicwish is still offering 20% off of your order in honor of Mother's Day. Use the code GFM20.

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xo, Amanda

Welly Merck Classic New York

Welly Merck Classic New York Watch c/o ||

One of my favorite accessories to wear is a watch. There's something classic and kind of magical about looking at a watch to tell the time rather than your phone. With so many stylish watches to choose from at great prices, there's no reason for you not to be wearing one! This Classic New York watch from Welly Merck is fashioned in rose gold with a white or black face. The straps are interchangeable too! The strap I'm wearing is the mesh version. I also love how versatile this watch is. You could wear it to a formal dinner or even to a ball game and it would still be appropriate. This would also be a wonderful idea for a Mother's Day gift. It's only 11 days away! What mom wouldn't love the gift of time and effortless style?

Use the code Amanda for 20% off your Welly Merck order.

xo, Amanda

Retro Blooms

Happy Friday, friends! When I first saw this dress, it instantly reminded me of one of my other favorite dresses from Chicwish that I wore last year here. This dress is perfectly named 'Retro Felicitous Printed Peony Dress' as it evokes dreamy floral visions of the 1950s. I can't help but think of Grace Kelly wearing a dress like this, especially her character Lisa Freemont in Rear Window. One of my most favorite movies ever! Peonies are also my favorite flower so this print particularity spoke to me. The fit is true to size. I'm wearing an XS for reference. I wanted a more casual elegance when styling this look and opted for slides instead of heels. They're so comfy. I love a good fit and flare dress and knew this would become a fast favorite. I could wear one every day and be happy as a clam. I always feel the most confident in them! Some of my other favorite dresses from Chicwish are this pink sweetheart dress, this sunflower dress, and this carnation chiffon dress

 I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Get out and enjoy some of that nice weather.

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xo, Amanda

Garden Party In Bloom

Pink Sweater || Similar Tulle Skirt || Pink Sandals || Wicker Cross Body Bag || Pink Sunglasses || Baublebar Star Drop Earrings c/o || Christian Paul Watch c/o || Rose Gold Love Bangle || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || Jackie Kennedy Emerald Unity Band ||

There's something quite special about the spring. Everything is in bloom and coming back to life again. The air is beautifully fragrant with flowers and warm with afternoon sun. The skies are blue and the birds are chirping their morning songs with such cheerfulness. It's hard not to be in love with the spring time. I always get so excited for its arrival and wish that it never had to leave. While I've always been a big fan of tulle skirts anytime throughout the year, I especially love them in the spring. The green and pink combination blends in perfectly to the blooming backdrop that is everywhere I look. I'm also swooning over wicker bags as I've mentioned before. This cross body is one of my favorites for its chic circle shape and its ease to hold. Its a go-to bag that will carry you throughout the season! Even little Ava loves it <3

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xo, Amanda

Mother's Day Gifts with Fossil

Chicwish Bow Wrap Top c/o || White Skinny Jeans || Pink Slides (ties are removable!) || Fossil Cross body bag c/o || Fossil Wallet c/o || Fossil Cactus Key fob c/o || Fossil Blue Tassel Key Fob c/o || Sunglasses || Fossil Jackie Watch c/o || Rose Gold Love Bangle || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || Jackie Kennedy Emerald Unity Band || Lip Color:Ava || On Ava: Robeez Red Mocassins c/o ||

Good morning and happy Monday, friends! With Mother's Day right around the corner, it's never too early to start thinking of gifts for the woman who will always love you unconditionally, your mother. Fossil has some beautiful bags that are the perfect gift with designs being both fashionable and functional at the same time. Being a busy mother myself, I definitely appreciate a good bag, especially a cross body, that stays true to my style and also allows me to be on the go with little fuss. How cute are the stripes on this cross body too?! A classic summer trend that never goes out of style. I'm also loving the complimenting wallet that has a special lining built into it that protects your credit card information from being stolen from unwarranted scanning. You can never be too careful these days! Any mom would be thrilled to get these specially curated bags made with mom in mind.

I'm completely in love with this bow wrap top from Chicwish too. You can never go wrong with blue and white gingham print! It fits true to size (wearing an XS) and is absolute perfection for the upcoming summer months. I can't help but think about summer bbq's or picnics when wearing this top. Bring on the warm weather! Chicwish is also having a 20% off mother's day sale right now with the code GFM20. I'm also smitten with these candy pink slides. The ties are removable and they fits true to size. They are super comfy and the bright pink shade adds the prettiest pop of color to any outfit. I'm actually really excited that slides are a huge trend right now. Who doesn't love a chic and comfortable shoe.

 

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xo, Amanda

Striped Skirt Set

Good morning and happy Friday, everyone! Stepping out in style is easy breezy in this striped top and skirt set from Chicwish. The bow on the top is the perfect detail to finish the look off. The blue and white stripes have a classic feel and is one of the top trends this spring. Chicwish has so many blue and white pieces right now that I'm swooning over like this top, this skirt, and this dress. I particularly love how you can mix and match these two pieces to create other looks as well. You can get so many different outfits out of just one set! I'm wearing a size XS for reference. Straw and wicker bags are always and spring and summer time favorite to me. They feel special because of how seasonal they are and of course they're a classic that never goes out of style. To keep the look updated and fun I opted for some sequin striped keds, which are my go-to when I'm running out the door now. Let's be honest, who doesn't love some sequins and a comfy shoe?!

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

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xo, Amanda

Anchors Aweigh

Happy Thursday, friends! If you don't see me wearing something flirty and romantic, then you most certainly will find me in something nautical inspired. I can't help but love the classic preppy style that reminds me of fond memories spent at the beach on family vacations and the dreamiest of all places, Cape Cod. Spring and summer is when my nautical style hits the ground running (or should I say sailing!) and doesn't look back. Seeing as how it's still April, the weather can be hot and humid one day and rainy and chilly the next.

It's always a good idea to have a favorite sweater or sweatshirt on hand for layering when the chill hits the spring air. I layered this anchor print sweater on top of a crisp white button down shirt for a classic cool vibe. I'm wearing an XS, though usually I would have gotten an XXS. I decided I wanted the sweater to be a bit roomier for comfort purposes. If you want a more fitted look then go with the smaller size. Also, the anchor is actually a rose gold color! You know my love for all things rose gold. The white sailor shorts are the cutest too and perfect for any nautical style. The gold buttons actually have little anchors on them. I'm wearing my usual size 00 and found them to fit fine. The espadrille sneakers are currently on sale and a new favorite of mine! They are super comfy to wear all day and are the epitome of summer style.

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xo, Amanda

Dark Florals In Spring

Dark Floral Dress || Camera Bag || Blush Sandals || Pink Sunglasses || Cardigan || Christian Paul Watch c/o || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || Jackie Kennedy Emerald Unity Band || Lip Color: Ava || Rose Gold Love Bangle ||

Good morning, friends! I hope everyone enjoyed the Easter holiday. We were lucky enough to have amazing weather to enjoy the outdoors and wear our Easter best without freezing. Fun fact, it HAS snowed in PA before on Easter. Thankfully, not this year!

Over the holiday weekend I pulled out this dark floral dress to wear for some errands around town and on an ice cream date with my very special little lady. I can't help but smile every time I see a flowering trees in bloom too. There are quite a few out right now, but they are so short lived that its important to delight in their splendor any chance that I get. With all of the blooms out, a floral dress was an easy choice. The camera bag pairs beautifully with the dress in matching blush and black tones. The cardigan provides the prettiest pop of yellow and some added sparkle to brighten up the look. The keyhole detail in the back is anything but ordianry. I love how it shows some skin, but not too much skin. Just the perfect amount!

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xo, Amanda

April 2017 Glossybox

Happy Friday, everyone! Another month means another beauty box from Glossybox, a monthly subscription box filled with beauty goodies to delight. Each product in this months box is literally so good. I've used them all and so far I am pleasantly surprised by their results! My favorites are the the matte lip colors from Colourpop Cosmetics. I'm wearing the shade Tuesday in the above photos and love how creamy smooth it is with a highly pigmented color that is 100% kiss proof! Below is a list of what you'll find in April's box.

  1. Doucce Maxlash Volumizer Mascara: This mascara will intensify your lashes with both volume and length. Yes, please! The brush is big and fluffy, which glides though lashes evenly, coating them with a velvet carbon black formula.
  2. Vasanti Cosmetics Birghten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator: This triple acting formula brightens and breaks down dead skin with papaya enzyme, exfoliates with micro-crystals to help smooth your skin's surface, and cleanses with an aloe-enriched cream gel. As I get older, I definitely notice my skin becoming dull and need formulas like this one to keep my skin looking fresh. I read that if you are in your 20s, you should exfoliate twice a week. If you are in your 30s, then you should exfoliate three times a week.
  3. Colourpop Cosmetics Ultra Matte Lip: As I said above, this was my favorite product from the box. The colors are highly pigmented, 100% kiss proof, and have a creamy texture with a matte finish. It glides on smooth and leaves a bold look. Love!
  4. Beauty Shampoo And Conditioner: The Beauty Shampoo and Conditioner work with all hair types and is safe for everyday use and for color-treated hair. I noticed immediately how soft and smooth my hair was after using these, plus they smell great!
  5. Vince Camuto Ciao Eau De Parfum: Ciao celebrates the spontaneity and energy of the modern woman's lifestyle. With notes including Italian Mandarin, rose, jasmine, Indonesian Patchouli, and Glowing Amber, that is sure to become your new favorite!
  6. Aromafloria For Feet's Sake Intense Repair Spa Foot Butter: I put this on after I got out of the shower and then went to bed. The next day my feet were so soft! A must for sandal season. This combines shea butter, vitamin E, tea tree and mint, leaving skin moisturized and feeling fresh.

I hope everyone has a beautiful and lovely Easter weekend spent with family, loved ones, and friends! I can't wait for little Ava to find her Easter basket from the bunny. I'm so excited to watch her explore for it this year.

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xo, Amanda