May Favorites

We might as well go ahead and call this post "Beach Essentials" because in keeping with the spirit of vacation, I'm sharing my favorite things from May and they all just so happen to relate back to the beach.  I don't think I can say anything more that I haven't said already about how much I love going to the beach, so let's just get started!

Esther Williams Beach Blanket Bingo Bikini via Modcloth

Back in winter, you know, when you've got a little extra cushion from all of those holiday indulgences, I was already thinking about swimsuits for our trip.  I tried on the ones I already owned and cringed when I saw how they fit.  Since I totally slacked on my plan to get my butt in the gym, I decided the next best thing was to at least purchase swimsuits that I could feel confident in.  When I found the Esther Williams line on Modcloth and started reading the reviews, I knew that they had to be mine.  The retro style is right up my alley and who can resist polka dots?  If you want a little more modest coverage but to still feel like a knockout then I highly suggest these suits!  They are definitely pricey but that's just all the more motivation to take advantage of pool days at my apartment this summer.

Floppy Straw Hat by Target

I'm not a hat person at all, but I am a safe-sun practices type of person.  Think reapplying sunscreen religiously every hour because I will inevitably burn, and a sunburn is not cute.  I found this floppy hat at Target and thought it was perfect for not only the beach and pool, but also any prolonged outdoor activities like going to the park.  Since the brim is pretty wide, it protects your face and neck very well, some of your most delicate skin.  Also, for my girls who color their hair, you don't want to see all of that gorgeous color that you sat in a chair for 3 hours to get fade away from so much sun exposure, am I right?

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40

Speaking of safe-sun practices, I usually like to buy a face-specific sunscreen in addition to what I wear on my body because I have pretty sensitive skin and am very prone to breakouts.  I usually go for a drugstore brand like Neutrogena or Aveeno but this time I wanted to try something a little higher end, purely for scientific research purposes, not because I'm addicted to Sephora or anything.  I have to say that this stuff did just what it was supposed to do and I didn't get burnt on my face at all (the rest of me was a different story).  It can be a little thick and leave a white cast if you're not careful, but it's great if you take care to rub it in well. 

Gemma Sandals by Sole Society

I discovered Sole Society how I discover many things these days, through the wonderful world of Instagram.  Seriously, so many of my conversations with friends start with "So I saw this thing in Instagram ... "  Not that it's a bad thing at all!  I had been on the hunt for a new pair of sandals to update my spring and summer wardrobe, and I decided I wanted to get a pair with a horizontal strap across the toes this time as opposed to a t-strap (there has to be a more eloquent way of saying that, but you get the point).  I tried several different ones on from various stores and they were either too big or (usually) too tight.  I don't have super wide feet by any means but they definitely aren't narrow either.  It was a bit of a gamble to buy these online, sight unseen and not being familiar with the brand past their number of Instagram followers, but I went for it and I'm glad I did.  They fit well, though I do need to break them in some because, hello blisters from the first time I wore them.  It's a sacrifice you have to make sometimes, I guess.   

xoxo,

Amanda

According to Amanda: The Dos + Don'ts of a Beach Vacation

You know how you go into a trip, beach or not, having one set of expectations and then it ends up being different but still completely wonderful at the same time?  That's about how my trip last week to Destin was.  In case you're not from Louisville (because everyone from Louisville goes there) Destin is a beach town on the Florida panhandle, directly south of here.  It has emerald waters and white sugar sand.  Read - gorgeous.  I wanted to share my beach trip experience, what I packed and didn't use, what I wish I'd brought, you get the gist, in case you have a beach trip coming up! 

Do make it a road trip - getting there is half the fun.  On our drive south we jammed out to the entire Bruce Springsteen discography as well as some of the best and cheesiest 90s pop songs.  We stopped halfway for lunch in Birmingham at Whataburger (seriously, why don't we have those around here?!) and just got to spend time talking about anything and everything.

Don't let your gas tank get too low.  You really never know when you might run into traffic, so trust me when I say this.  Standstill traffic and less than a quarter of a tank is not a winning combination, I repeat not a winning combination.  Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything, ahem.

Do wear sunscreen and reapply, reapply, reapply.  Dealing with a painful, itchy sunburn from your first day on the beach is not how you want to start your trip.  If you're fair skinned like me, wear a floppy hat and retreat under a colorful beach umbrella too.  Bonus points because it makes for a fun photo op.

Don't forget a good beach read.  I hit up Target the week before the trip for last minute essentials, including a new book.  As much as I love a juicy romantic read, I went with something a little more inspirational.  There's something about being on the beach that helps you find your inner happiness so this book was just what I needed.

Do go to bed early, get up early, and get plenty of rest.  In a typical work week, my alarm clock is the bane of my existence.  But at the beach, I naturally woke up at about 6 or 7 AM every day.  Eating breakfast on the balcony overlooking the ocean while the sun was coming up got every day off to a great start.  And since we got up early, we passed out around 10 each night.  No complaints here though.  I have never felt more rejuvenated in my life.

Don't be a loud neighbor.  Most condo buildings on the beach front have floors and floors of units with who knows how many people staying in them.  That's a lot of beach goers in one place.  If you've ever lived in an apartment then you know how it can be when you feel like you're a part of your neighbor's conversation because they're so loud.  We dealt with this on our last night.  Thankfully I was so tired every other night that it didn't wake me up!

Do embrace wavy beach hair.  I only washed my hair once, halfway through the trip.  The rest of the time I embraced the wave and let the saltwater air do its thing.  Low maintenance is definitely the way to go when you're at the beach.

Don't bother with makeup.  I packed all of my makeup essentials and didn't touch them once except for mascara and lip gloss.  Let me tell you, I've never gotten ready so fast in my life!  If I can do it, anyone can.  And after a week without worrying about makeup, it almost felt foreign to me once I got back into my regular morning routine for work.

Do let yourself indulge.  If you want a fun cocktail in a blender souvenir cup, then by all means go for it!  If you want an big ice cream cone covered in sprinkles, get it!  Do it for the Insta people.  And for vacation, duh.

Don't think every meal needs to be fancy.  To save a little money and make the most of our time on the beach, we ate breakfast and lunch at the condo and went out for dinners.  That way we didn't have to worry about getting dressed, going to find somewhere to eat, and coming back bloated and tired.  Bloated and swimsuits don't mix very well.

Do swim in the ocean.  To me, this one is a no-brainer!  You drove all the way to the beach, now get yourself in it!  Take long walks, put your toes in the water, let the waves crash around you and just soak in your time in paradise because it won't last forever.

Don't worry about a plan.  Beach vacations to me are for relaxing and taking it easy.  This isn't a trip where you need to sight-see, get from point A to B to C by a certain time or have a strict schedule of all you want to accomplish.  This is your chance to not have a worry in the world except for if the tide is going to reach your chair ;)

xoxo,

Amanda

Insta-cation Roundup {Destin, Florida}

The month of May has all but slipped through my fingers and now it's full on summer mode around here.  I haven't blogged since May 8th (yikes!) or even opened my Day Designer for that matter and I fully blame vacation brain and needing to get the heck out of Louisville for a week.  My sister trip with Kelly couldn't have been better - the weather was gorgeous and we got to spend quality time together, the ingredients of a perfect mental refresher.  There is something so soothing about sitting on the beach, taking in all of the sounds of the ocean, and just focusing on how great it is to be alive at that very moment. 

Today I wanted to share an Instagram roundup of our trip in case you missed it (hit that follow button if you did!)  I'll be honest, I came prepared with my new camera but ended up taking most pictures just with my phone.  I guess that's the world we live in today.  I also wanted to be more present and live in the moment rather than worrying about documenting every little thing.  It's always fun to look back on photos, but if you didn't get to truly soak in the experience, are those photos really worth it? 

xoxo,

Amanda

One Year Blogiversary!

Today is officially my one year blogiversary and I seriously can't believe how fast the time has flown by.  Looking back at my very first post and thinking about how hard I worked to make it absolutely perfect, I can't help but notice how much easier this whole blogging thing has gotten for me post by post.  Sure, I still have writer's block sometimes and stare at a blank screen for a long time before I find that spark of inspiration, but for the most part blogging has become second nature and something I look forward to doing each day.  It's a part of me now and I am truly thankful that I have this little space to share the things I love with all of you! 

Funny story - this past weekend I was out with Chelcey at a local art boutique and got recognized for my blog for the very first time and it was pretty cool I must admit.  Not that I am doing this for any sort of fame whatsoever, but just knowing that someone is looking at what I put out there and cares enough to read along totally made my day.  And wouldn't you know she recognized me by the necklace I was wearing.  If that's not a good sign then I don't know what is ;)

Here's a look back at some of my favorite posts from my first year, and here's to another good one ahead!

UPDATE!  Since Chelcey and I started our blogs together a year ago, we've teamed up for a fun giveaway for you all!  Don't miss out on your chance to win a Sephora Gift Card and one of Chelcey's fabulous prints below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xoxo,

Amanda

Five Things

In case you didn't realize, I've amped up my posting schedule this week, aka every day, and I'm pretty darn proud of myself for sticking with it!  With some encouragement from my blogging PIC Chelcey, I decided to make some changes around here in the form of more content that will be coming your way each week.  The change of seasons always inspires me to try new things, and now that warm weather seems to be sticking around I want to share more style, beauty and life inspiration with you.  I can't guarantee that there won't be a day or two skipped in between, but I'm going to try my best to keep the creativity flowing.  As much as I may dread having to write a blog post some days, I truly do find myself being happiest when I'm pouring my heart and soul into this little corner of the web.

Today I wanted to let you in on what's been happening in my life, and you know, just write.  This is a blog after all!  As much as I love sharing tips and tricks and beauty and style posts, sometimes it feels good to just sit down in front of the computer and let the thoughts flow from my brain (except for those days when I got nothing ... awkward). 

1. Vacation all I ever wanted ... In less than a month my happy little self will be sitting on the beach, drink in hand with one of those little umbrellas, soaking in the sound of ocean and maybe a little sun (I'm the poster-child for fair skin that just won't tan, so beach umbrellas are my bff).  I've already got vacation-brain so it will be a miracle if I survive the next couple of weeks and manage not to forget anything.  I'm also planning a little getaway in June to Chicago with my momma for her birthday.  I've actually never been if you can believe it, so please fill me in on all the best spots that we should check out while we are there!

2. If the pants fit ... The other day when getting dressed for work, I decided to reach far back into the depths of my closet where those "I'll fit into this eventually" clothes live, and lo and behold the pants actually fit!  I was pretty happy about it, because I haven't worn them in a very long time.  I can really see a difference physically and feel a difference inside in my body since I started meal prepping (and have been keeping it up).  Now, just imagine what a steady exercise routine will do.  It's a work in progress.

3. And down the stretch they come ... It's officially Derby season around here, aka my most favorite time of the year, and I am so excited about it.  There's a certain buzz that fills the city for Derby and you best believe I will be soaking it all in, meaning lots of good food, drinks and time with friends and family.

4. Treat yo-self ... I finally bit the bullet and bought a new camera!  I honestly haven't purchased a camera probably since early college and while there's technically nothing wrong with my little Canon point and shoot, it was time for an upgrade.  Enter the Nikon 1 J4.  I'm no photography pro, so this little guy is perfect because it gives the quality and options of a DSLR with the convenience of a point and shoot.  First order of business and will be documenting my trips.

5. I'm moving - I couldn't come up with a clever enough way to introduce this one, so I figured I'd just come right out and say it.  Yes, you read that right.  And yes, I just moved a year ago.  But I'm excited for this new adventure, having roommates for the first time, and all of the fun that comes along with a fresh start and blank space. 

Happy Thursday y'all!

xoxo,

Amanda