photography

Pops Of Leopard

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The humid weather finally broke the other day and I could not be happier! I dare say there was even a chill in the air to where I felt like I should have had a jacket on. No joke, when I let Belle out to go to the bathroom, I was actually shivering. It's crazy how the weather can switch from being a sauna to an ice box all within a day or two. In any case, it was time to pull out some fall favorites! Don't get me wrong, I'm still soaking up as much summer as I can since I know I'll miss it once its gone, but fall is my favorite season, especially the transition part. This is a time to layer and experiment with different textures and looks. I love how I can mix summer and fall together during with some transition styles.

This was a look I put together for the Nsale back in July. I love the polished feel the outfit has with a playful side of the forever fall favorite leopard. Once fall hits, I instantly start using leopard like a neutral too. The leopard pocket is the cutest little detail and obviously what won me over about the top. The shirt is so versatile, perfect for work or after hours, even some weekend fun! You can tuck the shirt into a black or burgundy skirt, add some heels and voila office chic. Wear the top with some skinny jeans and leopard flats and you have a laid back effortless weekend look. There are endless possibilities. These jeans too, love them! They're so soft and fit great with a streamlined look and nice dark rinse. If you're on the shorter side (wave hi, I am too :p ) you'll probably need to roll the hem just a bit. I usually do this with most of the jeans I own.

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xo, Amanda

Lace Shift Dress

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Happy Friday, friends! I wore this feminine lace shift dress yesterday while out and about with Ava and let me tell you it is so comfy and feels great in the heat. Luckily, we did get a break with the humidity, but its still hot out! The ruffled flutter hem moves beautifully with the body and is my favorite detail about the dress. It's so cute and of course there is the fact that its great for twirling ;) Lace always feels very romantic to me and adds the perfect touch of elegance to any outfit.

I wasn't too sure about the new choker trend coming back around from the 90s, but I have to say I don't mind it. I'm not one for 90s fashion, haha, but the new chokers have a modern polished feel to them. This choker is actually really versatile and can be worn multiple ways. I tied mine around my neck a few times and then added a slip knot at the end. It can also be worn longer without a knot or with a bow-tie after tying it around your neck a few times.

These t-bar pearl earrings are pretty neat too. I'll admit, it took me a while to figure out how to put them on (you take the pearl off at the end) but once they were on I loved the fresh take these have on wearing pearls. Pearls will always be timeless, which is why I love them. You can never go wrong with pearls. These earrings will add a new look to an old classic!

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xo, Amanda

Blue Checks

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Besides wearing a dress, this is my go-to casual summer look. A fun top, high waisted shorts, and either a heel or pair of flats. Depending on what I'll be doing for the day depends on the shoe, haha ;) This shirt instantly drew me in the minute I saw it online. Maybe its the bright blue color or the checkered pattern, but whatever the case, I was hooked. How can you go wrong for under $12?! The top is fashioned like a t-shirt, but has a thicker material. I'm wearing an x-small. I would say it runs on the larger side so size down if you can.

I've been wearing these heels non stop too. I'm hooked on them! They're comfortable for their height too. The leopard is discreet enough to not over power the look, but rather add a fun pop into the mix. A little side note too. Wearing a high waisted short with the top tucked in a bit and some heels definitely gives the illusion of long legs! I've been doing this for as long as I can remember. It's a great trick for gals on the shorter side.

How gorgeous is this Christian Paul watch too!! Oh my, the mix of peach and a rose gold face has my heart aflutter. The design is beautifully elegant and timeless. The peach band is Italian leather with a rose gold case and hands, while the Indexes are made from Austrian Crystal. This truly is a versatile piece being able to dress up or down. I've already worn it here in a more casual environment and dressed up in a lace dress.

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xo, Amanda

Olive Green Dress

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Olive Green Dress || Similar Floppy Hat || Tory Burch Bag || Wedge Booties || Daniel Wellington Watch c/o || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || Jackie Kennedy Emerald Unity Band || Necklace and Earrings Set ||

Happy Wednesday, friends! This was one of the dresses that caught my eye while the nsale was going on last month. I love the olive green color and how the dress has a more fitted silhouette than overly relaxed. The quality of the material is above what I had expected too. It's comfy and simple, which is great for adding on some accessories. Once the weather cools, a plaid blanket scarf would not only add some warmth, but some pizzazz to the overall look. For this summer-transition outfit, I wanted things to be on the lighter side with some fall inspired colors. These booties are my new favorite too! They're actually a wedge style and are sooo comfy! I love how versatile they are. I did go up 1/2 a size based on some recommendations, but I feel if I stayed with my usual size, they would ave fit just fine too.

 

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xo, Amanda

Slit-Sleeve Blouse

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One color combo that I do not see utilized too often is red and pink, though they are totally fabulous together! I always end up pairing the two around the obvious Valentine's Day holiday, but thought it would be fun to do the mix in the summer. The easy-breezy feel of this blouse with metallic threading is cool and laid back with an elevated polished feeling. Did I mention metallic thread, haha? That is what originally caught my eye. The slits in the sleeves reminds me of the cold shoulder trend, but with a more refined look. The red skirt is what may draw the eye with this outfit, but the top has a subtle elegance that is the icing on the cake.

I hope everyone has been staying cool. It's been a sweltering heat wave here in PA. I've been trying to get all of my outdoor activities/errands done in either the early morning or late afternoon. Any other time of day and its like a sauna. Really looking forward to fall right about now, haha.

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xo, Amanda

Pink and Teal Flare

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My last day in D.C. was spent at the National Harbor, which is such a cute to visit! Lots of little shops (South Moon Under, one of my fave's!) and restaurants line the streets, while the harbor has a ferris wheel, boating, and one of the most amazing hotels I've seen. It's actually the convention center, but wow, the inside was breathtaking. I have some more photos of it below. It's where these photos were taken. The one wall is all windows looking out upon the harbor. Quite a site to see! There is even a little village set up on the ground floor.

This skirt is actually part of a matching set with a crop top, but I decided to switch it out for a bright pop of color with this swing top. The teal really makes a statement while the skirt has that effortless swish I love so much. Plus, I mean hello, pink! I adore how the skirt has a vintage feel to it that simply makes me smile. That's one of the great things about having an outfit that comes as a set, you can switch out the pieces for multiple looks.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

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xo, Amanda

Enchanted Forest

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Dress WE gown c/o || Silver Shoes || Headbands of Hope Headband c/o || Jackie Kennedy Earrings || Jackie Kennedy Bracelet || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || Jackie Kennedy Emerald Unity Band ||

Happy Friday, everyone! This dress was so much fun to photograph. As soon as I put it on, I felt like a princess, which gave me the idea for the enchanted woods theme. Obviously, Disney came immediately to mind. The gown is beyond beautiful and fit perfectly. I'm wearing a US 2. I did have to get it hemmed a bit with the length, but that's nothing new. I'm pretty short, haha! I love how the delicate lace almost acts like an airbrush for the skin. The beading is stunning and shines beautifully in the sun light. I could not help but twirl round and round as I was snapping away. Now, there is a crystal belt that accompanies the dress and would go where the white fabric is around my waist. I forgot it for the shoot! It was one of those moments where I was rushing around trying to get everything ready and simply forgot about it. The dress looks amazing with or without the belt though. This gown looks super expensive, but its only $106.19! Whoa, haha, that is a fantastic price point for an evening dress with intricate detailing and gorgeous fabric.

Below is a video I shot for the dress. Now, I do not shoot videos so this was a first for me. I added some music and only had a few songs on my computer to choose from so of course, Sinatra made the cut. Little Ava bug is at the end too! She's such a doll. I love the part where I twirl her around and then she snuggles up to my face. I just about melted on the spot <3

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

xo, Amanda

Embroidered Dress

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Humble Chic Embroidered Dress c/o || Similar Striped Wedges || Mar Y Sol Bag || Wood Watch c/o || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || Jackie Kennedy Emerald Unity Band || Similar Tassel Earrings || Sunnies ||

This is such a fun summer dress! It's so cute and pairs perfectly with an updo to show off the fab back. The pink embroidery adds a uniqueness to the swing style, which swishes beautifully. I was dancing in this dress for Ava while she was eating dinner the other night and it floated around me with every movement I made. I can picture my self wearing the dress at a beach or lounging by a pool. It really has such strong summer vibe. How about the braiding in the back too?! That had to be my favorite detail about the dress, but I did have to keep making sure my bra strap was not showing.

I have been so swamped this week and feel like I've been playing catch up with just about everything, haha. If I have missed some of your posts, I am slowly getting to them! I hope everyone has a great Thursday!

 

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xo, Amanda

Dark Floral Dress // The Kennedy Center

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DownEast Basics Dress c/o || Tignanello Bag c/o || Boater Hat || Flats (similar lace ups here) || Karen Walker Sunnies || Daniel Wellington Watch c/o || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || Humble Chic Olive Branch Earrings c/o ||

I have to say I am beyond excited for fall to get here. I'm always excited for the next season when it is about one month away. That being said, the season after fall I am not so excited for, haha. I'm soaking up as much summer as I can while slowly transitioning over to my fall wardrobe. Dark florals are a fantastic way to still wear summer staples that look and feel like fall. This midi dress with pleating, perfect for twirls!, is so beautiful for wearing throughout the day and even into night. While I was in DC, I wore this to explore the Kennedy Center and then out to dinner and drinks with some friends. The Tignanello bag was a perfect match for the subtle pink flowers in the dress. The shade is called Peony, though it reminds me more of a rose. I love the lady like dome shape and have been carrying this everywhere lately, even to the Shinedown concert last night, which was fantastic by the way!

The Kennedy Center is showing The Phantom of the Opera right now until August 20th. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw the signs and costumes out on display. Phantom is favorite Broadway play and one of my favorite movies. I wish I had known ahead of time, I would have gone! I have seen it in New York a few years ago. Kennedy and Phantom in one building (enter the heart eye emoji here.) My cousin took me all around the building and then eventually out onto the roof where the outfit photos were taken. If you have not ever been, I would highly recommend visiting and taking in a show. Even the staff members were a delight to talk to.

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xo, Amanda

Nautical in the City

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Striped Sweater || H&M Sailor Shorts (bought in store) Similar || Sandals || Tory Burch Cross Body Bag || Karen Walker Sunnies || Humble Chic Olive Branch Earrings c/o || Daniel Wellington Watch c/o || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band ||

Happy Tuesday! Just a quick post for today with some nautical flair, which as you know I'm a huge fan of! Nautical styles, next to romantic, are my favorite to wear. I just picked up these sailor shorts at an H&M store and love the high waisted style with the gold buttons. The sweater actually has matching gold buttons along the shoulder. Usually, I would have gone for a blue striped sweater, but I have so many of them and decided to branch out a bit with the orange. I like it! 

I'm headed off to see Shinedown live in concert in about an hour! I cannot wait. They are my favorite band and one I've seen multiple times in concert. They always put on a fantastic show!

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xo, Amanda

Rainbow Pleats

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Pleated Rainbow Top (bought in stores) Dress version On Sale (Here) and Similar Tank (Here) || Similar Pleated Skirt || Boater Hat || Blush Flats || Straw Bag || Karen Walker Sunnies || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || Humble Chic Olive Branch Earrings c/o || Daniel Wellington Watch c/o ||

I've had a long standing girl crush on pleats for quite some time now. They're perfect for twirling in and have the best feminine flair! I love how having pleats on the top and bottom make this outfit look like a dress, while actually being a top and skirt. The bright rainbow colors are fabulous for summer and bring a cheeriness to the entire look. I got this top in the store, but could not find it online, although the dress version (which is gorgeous) is still available and is on sale for under $25 right now! I wore this look while strolling around in Washington D.C. in the simmering heat. The humidity was unbearable! Thankfully, the museums all have amazing air conditioning, haha.

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xo, Amanda

Bell Sleeve Dress

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Bell Sleeve Dress (On Sale) || Leopard Bag || Burgundy Spike Heels || Humble Chic Olive Branch Earrings c/o || Socialite Pink Necklace c/o || Marc Bale Watch c/o || The Peach Box Bangle c/o || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || 

It's no secret that I'm a fan of any type of flowy beautiful dress, but especially ones that can be worn through various seasons and have fun details. How about these bell sleeves?! A true nod to the 70s trend going on, but with an updated and polished feel. I'm totally in love with the plum color too! It's absolutely gorgeous for the transitioning season in and throughout fall. This would even make a great layering dress with some tights or a faux fur vest around the holidays. This dress, leopard bag, and spiked heels are all part of the nordstrom anniversary sale still going on until August 7th. Still a few more days to grab those fab pieces for almost half off the price!

This rose gold mesh watch from Marc Bale and rose gold bangle from The Peach Box have my heart fluttering. I'm obsessed with rose gold pieces and find they flatter any skin tone. The watch is so feminine and elegant with a timeless feel. It makes a huge statement without being over the top.

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xo, Amanda

Happy 1st Birthday Ava!

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To My Darling Ava,

Happy first birthday! I can hardly believe that one year has passed since the day you came into our lives and made our world a better place filled with light, hope, laughter, kisses and coos. Your smile is my sunshine. You're becoming such a beautiful and smart little girl with an independent spirit that is curious and adventurous. Speaking of adventure, we've been on quite a few already and I cannot wait to continue to show you all the most loveliest things life has to offer. It's been quite a year to say the least. We've had some sad moments and also many happy ones to keep us going each day. You're daddy gets to watch you from heaven now and see the beautiful little girl you have grown into. He has become our guardian angel walking along side of us in spirit. You have filled my life with a love I did not know existed until now. My hope, and your daddy's hope, was for you to be happy in life and it is my wish for you on this special day to have all the happiness in the world. To know that you are loved beyond measure and that I will be there for you no matter what. Happy first birthday my little love bug.

Love, 

Mommy  

Blue Striped Ruffle Top

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The one thing I wanted to make sure I did while in Philly was take Ava to the zoo. What a wonderful time we had! You cannot really see in the first two zoo photos, but there is a tiger behind us haha. I had Ava in her tiger outfit that Justin and I picked out for her while we were at the San Diego zoo last year. I could not wait for her to be big enough to fit into the outfit and then to finally take her to a zoo while wearing it. She's my little tigress! The cutest event that happened was when, I'm assuming it is the mother, giraffe went over to one of the baby giraffe and started nuzzling it. Everyone went "aaaawwwwwww." My heart melted right there! This blue striped ruffle sleeve top is perfect for a summer outing. I love the nautical vibe, but these fun feminine ruffles are what really get me! They're too cute to pass up, plus the top is under $15. I'm wearing an XS.

xo, Amanda

Floral Organza Dress

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A wonderful Monday to everyone! This was one of my favorite days of our Philly trip. We got so much accomplished in one day! We met up with my blogger babe Pri of Paint The Town Chic and went all about town. I have been dying to wear this garden organza dress for some time now and love how pretty it is to stroll around the city in. The intricate detailing of the floral pattern, along with the silky organza layering.  The colorful embroidery feels extra feminine and charming! I'm wearing an XS for reference.

To start the day off we ate at the Reading Terminal to eat (is there any place else haha?!) and then went to the top of the One Liberty Building to their observation deck. The weather was fantastic to look out upon the city below. Below are photos of our adventure throughout the day. Next we did a bit of shopping and then headed back to city hall so Ava could play in the water. She had a blast! After that, we headed back to the hotel to chat and then let Ava take her nap. Later on, my dad, Ava, and I all headed down to Penn's Landing, which everyone recommended!, to spend some time by the river and see all of the events happening down there. As you can see from the photos, it looked like it was about to down pour, but it thankfully held off until very late that night. I definitely would recommend visiting Penn's Landing for anyone traveling to Philly. Especially around twilight when the lights are turned on. Magical!

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Some more photos throughout the day below:

xo, Amanda

Striped Fit and Flare

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Bias Stripe Dress || Kate Spade Bag || Similar Heels || Daniel Wellington Watch c/o || Vineyard Vines Belt || Humble Chic Earrings c/o || Sunnies ||

Happy Friday, everyone! It would seem that all I've been wearing lately is stripes! While that is certainly not the case, I do wear them quite frequently. This dress caught my eye because of the beautiful sturdy fabric, midi length, and the way the stripes were patterned. While not vertical or horizontal, these bias stripes compliment the curves of the body. The cut in arm openings also are high enough not to allow any gaping (with the dreaded bra showing) and also make the shoulders and arms appear to be more toned. Win! There is a black leather belt that comes with the dress, but I switched it out for my Vineyard Vines anchor belt. Confession, I had this belt on upside down for about half of the day before I realized it! I was so embarrassed, haha. Oh well, those things do happen every now and then.

We were able to meet up with my good friend Rhina and have some dinner and go shopping. It was wonderful to catch up. One of my favorite parts of the night happened at dinner. This is when Ava met her first boyfriend lol. He was our waiter at an Irish Pub and absolutely one of the best I've ever seen around kids. Ava was enamored with him from the moment she saw him. He would talk to her and play games. She watched for him every time he passed by. It really was the sweetest thing. I made sure to get a photo of the two of them together. Just look at how she's looking at him!

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! Below are some of the family photos.

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xo, Amanda

Seeing Stripes

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Striped Top || Pink Striped Shorts (on sale) || Kate Spade Bag || Sandals || Daniel Wellington Watch c/o || Humble Chic Earrings c/o || Similar Karen Walker Sunnies ||

On our second day in Philly, we did lots and lots of exploring! We went to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and various shops. The historic part of Philly is so beautiful and a treasure trove of interesting sights and museums. You can never go wrong with stripes and needless to say I've always been a bit obsessed with them! They have a preppy nautical feel that I just adore. This shirt is so lightweight and comfortable to wear in the high heat. It also has great versatility, being able to wear it in the office with some khaki slacks, white shorts or blue jeans on the weekend, or even with a skirt for date night. The pink striped shorts have me feeling all kinds of happy! They're on sale now for $19.50 too. They are beyond cute and kind of remind me of candy, haha. Not a bad thing!

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xo, Amanda

Cold Shoulder Lemon Top

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I'm not going to lie, I definitely have a thing for lemon prints! I love how fun, summery, and sun shine yellow they are. This cold shoulder top is perfect for summer and is made from a thin light cotton. The lemon print is bright and vibrant, sure to make anyone smile! I wore this look for a our first day in Philadelphia two weeks ago. Let me tell you, summer in the city is sweltering. These photos were actually taken down by the convention center where the Democratic Nationals Convention is taking place right now. One of the first things we did when we arrived was head to the Reading Terminal to grab a bite to eat. You can find almost any kind of food there. It is beyond belief. I love it there and can't help but to always think of the movie National Treasure while walking through the aisles. Afterwards, we walked around a bit before settling in for the night.

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xo, Amanda

Floral Romper

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Kissmet Floral Romper c/o || BareTraps Sandals c/o || Awear Sunnies c/o || Rebecca Minkoff Bag || Socialite Pink Necklace c/o || Daniel Wellington Watch c/o || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band ||

We have been having such extremely hot days here recently. Whenever the heat rises, I always opt for comfy pieces to keep me cool.  I love the dark floral on this romper! The bright blue and gold floral pattern pop beautifully against the black background. Dark florals are not only a great option for summer, but also in the fall as a transition piece. These sunnies that I'm wearing are made from sustainable materials that are also biodegradable. They are the lightest I've ever felt! I've been such a sucker lately for anything lace up and these sandals are no exception. They have memory foam in them, which is a dream to walk on, especially when you're running all over the place!

xo, Amanda

Cozy Cardi + Riding Boots

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Burgundy Cardi (Sold Out) Similar One (On Sale) || Stripe Top (On Sale) || Jeans, Similar ones (On Sale) || Tory Burch Riding Boots (On Sale), order 1/2 size up || Leopard Bag (On Sale ) || Daniel Wellington Watch c/o || Jackie Kennedy Unity Band || Earrings ||

Happy Monday, friends! This is one of my favorite fall inspired outfits. I love being curled up in a cozy cardi when the weather has a bit of chill in the air. The rich burgundy color is beautiful. Its my new favorite color for fall! Riding boots are my go-to fall and winter shoe too. I would order 1/2 a size up in these for the best fit. I have my normal size and they're a bit tight around my foot. The leather is absolutely gorgeous. I also love that the boot shaft is on the narrower side, making these a good choice for girls with narrow calves like I have. There's still a few size left so make sure to get yours before they're gone! I'm not going to lie, it was extremely hot when I photographed this outfit, haha! Summer is going strong for sure, but I am a tiny bit excited for fall to arrive after putting together these nsale outfits, which runs until August 8th.

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xo, Amanda