I just can't stay away completely...

Hello everyone! I'm popping back in here for a moment to give you all a quick update and share a bit about a new project.

Thank you all so much for the kind words and prayers. I have been doing really, really well for the past couple of months, partly due to saying "no" to a lot of things and giving myself more time to breathe, and partly due to getting some supplements and dietary things together, which has improved my health. It's been an interesting time, and I definitely plan on sharing more about it in the future. :)

Taking a break from the blog was a really good decision for me, and allowed some extra time to evaluate and make clearer decisions about my future. But I have missed blogging a lot. And while I'm not sure the time is quite right for me to start up again at AmandaBeth (although I'm confident that it will happen eventually), I have been wanting to share some of the things I've learned as I am using this phase of life to pursue my writing career. I want to have a place to document the journey, and also be able to interact and be inspired by other writers online. I've been toying with the idea of creating something new for over a year and a half now, so... drumroll... I'm starting a writing-related blog.

It's called iWrite, therefore iAm: The incoherent babbling of a cynical workaholic. (Ok, so not that last part.)

I'm just starting out at this point, but I'd love if you'd click over and join me there. Even if you're not a writer, if you read (blogs, at the very least) I'd love to have your input, and hear your voice.

Thank you all for the support and for staying subscribed. I'm pretty positive that AmandaBeth will be revived again, and until then I'm glad I've got a new place where we can stay in touch. I've missed you. :)

-Amanda

Image: Pinterest

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Taking Time

Today I am writing to let you all know that I feel the need to take an "official" break from the blog. Like I mentioned in my last post, the past six months of my life have been a bit rough, and right now I am in a season of trying to slow down and simplify things a little bit. And I feel like, at this time, the whole blogosphere is a distraction I could do without.

Despite the fact that I've only been posting inconsistently for the past year or so, the blog has still felt like a very big part of who I am. I find myself constantly thinking about it, dreaming up ways to grow and expand, and planning way more blog posts than I ever get time to write. It's something I have a real passion for, and the last thing I want to do is hang up a "closed" sign. So I'm not going to. I'm just going to take a break. :)

I am planning on spending the next few months focusing on finishing up my current book project. One of my "resolutions" for 2012 is to get it finished, edited, and submitted to some agents by the end of the year. Eeek! That's kind of a big goal, and the project definitely needs more focus than I am currently giving it.

So, all of that said, I don't intend to abandon the blog and never return (I have way too many post ideas and things I know I'll want to share!), but for now I'm just going to let it rest for a little while. Keep following, because you never know when I might jump back here and surprise you! :) I am hopeful that there are lots of other exciting adventures ahead of me, and I can't wait to share them all with you.

Have a blessed, lovely weekend, and thanks for reading.

-Amanda xo

Photo by Alina Maira

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Belated Birthday

So the 4 year anniversary of this blog's beginning slipped by me unnoticed earlier this month, while I was in the whirlwind of everyday life. I've been struggling a lot lately to keep up with that whirlwind, but I didn't want the month to pass without acknowledging how special it is to have a blog that's not just a baby anymore, and thanking you all for the encouragement and support over the years.

I have been especially surprised and cheered to see the number of subscribers continue to slowly but steadily grow, and find that you are all still leaving comments, and cheering me on. It's nice to know that you care, especially since for the past year or so I have veered away from the initial fashion-focus, posted irregularly, and been unable to put the time and energy into blogging that I have in the past.

If you've been following from the beginning; for years, a few months, or maybe just weeks or days, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm not sure where the blog will go from here, or what will happen next, but I'm glad that you are along for the ride.

In all honesty, I feel that I am at a crossroads. The past six months have been a bit of a roller-coaster (maybe I'll share more about that some time) and I've reached a point where I finally see the desperate need to slow down, evaluate, and breathe. Keeping healthy, getting the basic things of life accomplished, and trying to simplify and iron out my goals for the rest of this year is harder than I ever thought it could be.

All of this to say that I'm not sure what part the blog is going to play in what's to come, but I am so thankful for the part it has played thus far. And for all of you who have been a part of it.

I hope you have a wonderful rest of the month, whether it's your birthday or not. And I also hope it's not pouring buckets of rain wherever you are, although it's rather lovely. ;) God bless.

xoxo
Amanda

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Easter Eyes

For Easter Sunday, I wanted to wear something keeping with the pastel color scheme of the holiday, without being too traditional and Easter dress-y. I paired a simple knit shirt with a striped skirt, complete with pleats, oversized buttons, and pockets. I also pulled out my "Buckingham Palace" satin heels that I bought on my trip to London in 09. They've appeared twice on the blog before (here and here) but this was the first time I've worn them out. And while they were bearable, they are definitely a bit too small. My feet hurt when I look at these photos.

I also decided to wear my new glasses, which I just got a a few weeks ago. I wore glasses from when I was eight up until I was sixteen, but it's been contacts ever since. So now people who have known me for years are marveling at how different I look and asking me if I can see so much better now, which is kind of funny. I plan on alternating the glasses with my contacts, both to save some money on the latter, and to add some variety to my look. It's nice that glasses are an accessory nowadays, and not just a dorky necessity. ;)

What I'm Wearing:

• Shirt by SO wear it declare it - hand-me-down
• Skirt by MERONA - hand-me-down
• Shoes by laceys - from BULLFROGS in Greenwich, London
• Glasses by SUCCESS:XPL in "Grape"
• Earrings and Tights - unmarked

Tights are not something I'd usually wear with these open-toed shoes, but the chilly weather made it necessary. Fortunately, I had this neat pair on hand, with a kind of interesting design. I was also planning on wearing a headband as my "Easter Bonnet" piece, but with the glasses and earrings it was a bit overkill. My sister Lydia even convinced me not to wear any additional jewelry, but to keep things simple. I think it was good advice.

What did you wear on Easter Sunday? Please leave a link to your blog post and photos in the comments... I'd love to see! :)

Have a beautiful week!

-Amanda

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Easter Pretties and Ideas

Tomorrow is a very special holiday and, in celebration, I thought I'd share some random Easter-ish things I've found in my internet travels. Hopefully you'll get some ideas and be inspired! (Be sure to click each photo for a link to the source, which has even more pretties!)

Easter Sunday requires special thought being put into your fashion ensemble. Whether it's a brand new dress, an unusual pairing of separates, or reviving a favorite look... make it special. Soft, feminine shades - or floral prints - are perfect for springtime and very appropriate, but don't be limited by them. Be creative! 

 

Ooo... pastels! I have a hard time pulling them off, but when you find the right shade, it can be really yummy. The pink easter dress above is so very pretty, and who wouldn't want a some beautifully colored creamers like these?

 

As well as pulling out your pastel dishes for this holiday, be creative with your centerpieces! Using eggshells as vases or tea light holders? Brilliant.

Your food can fit the color scheme as well. Maybe try a French Macaroon recipe using your favorite colors, or bake this delicious looking Italian Easter Bread. Obviously, the possibilities are endless.

Wear an "Easter Bonnet" tomorrow. Seriously. Hats and fascinators have become very popular over the past year (thank you Kate, Pippa, Eugenie and Beatrice! ;) and are available in so many different styles. There is something for everyone! (Even a decorated headband will add something unique to your holiday look.)

  

Some pretty jewelry is also a great way to dress up your ensemble. You could go with something dainty and vintage-inspired, our pull out your favorite bird's nest jewelry (love this trend!).

Unlike last year, I didn't do anything unique when it came to dyeing Easter eggs (they are so pretty on their own that they don't really need enhancement). But there are plenty of gorgeous ideas out there, including this very, very sweet one, using blown eggs and a secret message. Be sure to look at all the photos, it's really charming.

Don't forget the reason why we celebrate tomorrow. He is risen.

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What are your Easter plans? Any interesting recipes, crafts or fashion looks in the works? I plan on shooting some photos of my outfit tomorrow, if I have time... please share a link to yours!

God bless, and have a lovely weekend!

-Amanda

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MAD for 1960s Inspired Fashions

Ladylike day dresses. Glamorous evening gowns. Smart and preppy pant and sweater ensembles. Vintage shoes. Costume jewelry. And oh, those yummy hair and makeup looks! The 1960s have been a major influence on fashion for the past few years... due to classic films, new television programs, books and blockbuster movies. It's an era that I was never fond of until the past few years, mostly because I had only seen 60s fashion from the pages of a few fashion history books, and they focused on the most bizarre trends, trapeze dresses, and Twiggy. The reality was that a great many women were still dressing a lot like they had in the previous decade, and comfortable with having a figure like Marilyn Monroe.

Now that I've seen a bit more of what women actually were wearing in the 60s, rather than just looking at fashion plates and advertisements from that decade, I absolutely love the styles. It's such an interesting time period, and a great mesh of the classic femininity of the past and the more edgy and futuristic looks that were coming into fashion.

These photos are from Banana Republic's official Mad Men collection, set to coincide with the start of the newest season of the popular television show. (A disclaimer here: I have not seen the show, and from what I have heard about it, it's not one that I would watch or recommend. That said, the costumes are pretty fabulous.) The designs in this new collection are classic, clearly 60s-inspired, and yet modern enough to look fresh and contemporary in the 21st century.

Anything from this collection can look either vintage or modern, depending on what the pieces are paired with, and how you finish off your ensemble. It's all in the shoes and accessories!

My favorite items are the sleek and sophisticated sheath dresses. They've become wildly popular over the past few years (thanks, Kate Middleton, for your contribution! ;) and are so ladylike and classy. I think they are the perfect look for a special occasion... particularly if you are attending a summer wedding!

I am also a big fan of the dainty cardigans, which are so versatile, and don't necessarily have to look "girly." And those brightly colored (or stark white) "cigarette pants" are just so, so timeless and chic. They remind me of Audrey Hepburn, and Mary Tyler Moore.

What do you think about the resurgence of 1960s fashions? Any styles you particularly love, or can't stand?

Does anybody else have some pretty cap toe flats on their wish list???

-Amanda

Images: Entertainista

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Rose Colored Glasses

The internet is a strange thing these days.

With the help of dozens of social-networking websites, we can now broadcast ourselves and our personal lives all around the world. This can be a good thing, at times. Now our friends and relatives can see the recent family photos, hear the latest news, and visit with the new grand-baby via video chat.

Then, of course, there are downsides. Sometimes we share things from our personal lives that we shouldn't. We know, but don't realize how many people will see what we have said. We create embarrassing situations for ourselves. Sometimes we wish that we could take those words back.

If only we stopped to think before we officially "published" some things on the internet.

Over the past ten years, while I've been working on various publications, blogs, and social-networking sites, my mother has warned me again and again to be wary of posting negative things on the internet. We both have read one too many "rants," and, when people are always talking about how depressing their lives are, it gets old pretty fast. Really, we'd rather hear about your personal troubles over coffee than through the cold, insensitive internet.

So I've been careful. I try to think twice before I post (and check for typos!). And yes, there have been some things I've written online that I regret. There have been times when I've been too emotional, and said too much. But I've tried to keep things positive, so people don't have to roll their eyes at me every other status update. And I think my mother is fairly satisfied. ;)

But recently, I've noticed a trend that has struck me as equally disturbing as the "bare your soul and tell everyone what a mess your life is" statuses I've seen for years. This new trend is not an obvious problem. It seems nice, squeaky clean, and like something every good girl should emulate.

But here's the danger. People's lives are starting to sound perfect.

For example: (These are not real statuses, for the record!)

• "Curled up by the fire with a pumpkin spice latte and a brand new book!"
• "Making chocolate creme pie in the kitchen while my adorable and so well behaved children sing along to Josh Groban in perfect Italian."
• "Just spent three hours shopping! Now I've got five new pairs of shoes." 
• "Tanning on the beach with all of my best friends from college and look how gorgeous we are in this Instagram photo!" 

You've probably seen something along those lines. You know what I mean. ;)

While there is nothing "wrong" with any of these statuses, when these become the only thing that a particular person ever posts, their life starts to sound like one super fun, incredibly amazing, free-of-all-care carousel ride. It starts to sound perfect.

And, by comparison, our "real" lives, which include the nitty gritty as well as the pretty, start to feel so very imperfect.

Apparently, there is more than one study out there that shows that Facebook can cause depression in teens (or anyone, really). This is because we watch the lives of our friends and relatives through a filter, seeing only what they choose to share with us. And when we're reading dozens of awesome status updates, and seeing all the beautiful photos from vacation, our lives can seem dull by comparison. We feel like we don't measure up, that our lives are boring or depressing, and maybe we wish that we were someone else.

Don't get me wrong. There is nothing bad about a cheerful status update. And I still believe there is lots of wisdom in my mother's reminders not to post my tumultuous emotions all over the internet. (As she truly states, it's not everyone's business to know each little thing going on in our lives. ;)

But I want to see some reality. I want to hear some honesty. I want people to know that my life is not perfect, that there are days when the sun seems to have disappeared, and that I have had a rough week (or month, or year).

I do love to hear about the happy things going on in other people's lives. I am also encouraged when I hear about their struggles, life's challenges, and how God is still good, no matter what. There obviously there has to be some balance, so that our Twitter statuses don't all dip to one extreme or another.

I don't know how well I've done in keeping the balance. I know that I would love to be a positive person, who is cheerful and encouraging. I also know that I am incredibly weak, quick to complain, and often drag others down along with me. But I want to be honest about how much I need a Saviour. I want to walk in the light, instead of trying to hide my imperfections. I want to be real.

I don't want you to look at me through rose colored glasses.

-Amanda

Image: Tree Among Mist Print

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Katie Ermilio Spring 2012

Spring is just around the corner, and for those of us in New England, it's been a dreadful tease. Earlier this week the temperature went up to seventy degrees, and even at its chillier times, the weather has been well above average for the month of March.

So, lots of spring-y fashion has been dancing in the back of my mind. And none lovelier than these looks from Katie Ermilio, photographed by Jamie Beck. The collection is sweet and ladylike, and both the model and the photography capture that very pretty and feminine spirit.

Here's a few favorites...

 

I didn't think these needed much of a description, but I'd love your opinion. Do you enjoy big doses of eye candy without accompanying text? I'd like to know! Also, what do you think of this collection, and which look is your favorite?

You can see more of Jamie Beck's high resolution photos at her photography blog, or browse the entire collection at Katie Ermilio.

Have a lovely rest of the week!

-Amanda

Images: Jamie Beck for Katie Ermilio

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A bit of randomness...

So, I've got a few random things I'd like to share with you today. The first is a tag from the lovely Rachel Hope, which I am finally re-posting. I haven't been tagged in a while (probably since I am terrible at responding), but I wanted to follow up on this one.

I'd love to obey the rules exactly, but I'm short on time. So I just decided to answer the questions that Rachel gave me... and if you'd like to participate, you can go over to the original post and read the details for yourself. Pretend that I tagged you. :)

1. Who is your favorite author?

The first author I remember deciding was "the best" is Louisa May Alcott. She is still on my list, and my personal favorite of her books is An Old Fashioned Girl.

2. Do you have a favorite country that you dream of visiting, and if you do what is it?

I've already had the opportunity to visit the country I'd dreamed about, spending six amazing days in London, England. I would definitely like to go back, enjoy London again, and see some of the countryside. In the future, I plan on visiting as much of Europe as possible, especially Ireland and France.

 3. Do you prefer skirts or jeans?

They are both so perfect for different things that it's hard to say. Jeans are great for everyday, or for dressing up, if they are a really nice pair... with the right shoes, top, and accessories. But I guess I'd have to go with skirts/dresses, simply for the "wow" factor you can get with an amazing ensemble.

 4. Do you have a favorite genre of music?

I like a lot of very different types of music, but I'd have to say my favorite genre is the big band/swing/oldies from the 30s, 40s and 50s. Judy Garland, the Andrews Sisters, Doris Day, Rosemary Clooney, Jo Stafford, Helen Forrest, et cetera...

5. Do you prefer tea, coffee or cocoa, or none on these?

Chai Lattes are the best. I would drink them morning and evening if it was in my budget. ;) (Trader Joe's Spicy Chai Latte mix is amazing.)

6. If you inherited tons of cash what would be the first thing you would do?

I'd save and invest as much as possible, and see how far I could make it go. And then, if there was some extra after determining all the practical uses, I'd jump on a plane for Europe. :)

 7. Do you have a fashion icon and if so who?

I know everyone says this, but Audrey Hepburn is really inspirational. It was so much more than just the way she dressed. She was an expression of true beauty and a radiant spirit. Read Audrey Style for an incredible and respectful look at her life, and what made her such an enduring icon.

 8. What is your dream job?

I've wanted the same two dream jobs for my entire life. One is to sing, and have the privilege of entertaining people. The other is to write fiction, and have the privilege of entertaining people. I've been able to do quite a bit of both over the years, and find them the most special and fulfilling jobs ever. I really hope I can continue to do both in some way, shape, or form for the rest of my life.

9. Do you have a favorite book and film adaption?

Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea. The novels are not my favorite books in the world, but Lucy Maud Montgomery is one of my top authors and I've always felt a closer connection with "Anne Shirley" (in both the books and the films) than any other literary or film character. The movies have been my favorites since I was about eight years old.

10. If you could rewrite one classic novel which one would it be?

Actually, a long time ago, I spent 3 1/2 years re-writing The Phantom of the Opera. I'm not particularly proud of that piece of work (as it wasn't completely original), but the fact that my mom and sister couldn't stop turning pages was rather gratifying. ;)

11. What is your idea of a perfect day?

One with 48+ hours in it!!!

But if it had to be 24 hours, I'd like to wake up at seven o'clock (without an alarm, feeling refreshed) drink chai tea, listen to classical music and leisurely catch up on my housework and computer-related stuff. Then I'd write for about two hours, have a late breakfast and maybe go for a walk or something. In the afternoon I'd blog or work on random projects, and then dress for dinner and go out to see a musical, after having supper with family or friends. And then I'd like to come home feeling warm, fuzzy and inspired, and stay up until midnight recording music in the basement. And then sleep soundly (with awesome dreams) and somehow manage to wake up and do it again the next day. (Oh and make enough from the writing and music endeavors to live on.) That's it. ;)

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Moving on to blog news, here's a little update on my new Tumblr blog! I decided to go with the name "The Daily Lovely," which really just seemed to fit. Thanks so much to everyone who commented, shared their favorites, and gave new suggestions. I appreciated the enthusiasm... it was catching! :)

So feel free to skip over to The Daily Lovely for a daily dose of pretty things. There will be lots of St. Patrick's Day inspiration posted over the next week.

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Also, I finally went and organized the Monthly Fashion Archives from 2010, so you can now browse a list of the posts and view them at your leisure. And now I know I need to tackle 2011 (whew!). Thanks so much for your patience, and for reading the archives. There's a lot of fun stuff buried in there that I think is worth revisiting. ;)

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend, and I'll see you soon...

-Amanda

Image: lovisa ranta on flickr

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And the winner of the Shabby Apple "Biacami" dress is...

... Elenatintil! Random.org chose 80 as the number for today (we had exactly 260 entries - the most in any AmandaBeth giveaway thus far!). In her entry, Elenatintil wrote:

"If I won the dress, I'd wear it with my white eyelet lace scarf and matching heels. (I do have heels that look like they're made out of eyelet lace!) I might also add a narrow white belt. Red lipstick is a must!"

Congratulations! Sounds like a lovely ensemble! :) I'll be emailing you shortly with information on receiving your dress!

Thank you to everyone who entered! I hope you'll stay fans of Shabby Apple for a long time... and who knows? Maybe there will be another chance to win one of their dresses in the future. :)

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend! Mine was busy, busy, busy, with performances of the musical "Annie," in which I played Grace. It was a fantastic experience and, while it's nice to be back to normal things, I am definitely missing the fun of working with so many wonderful and talented people... and getting to wear pretty vintage gowns onstage. ;)
Have a restful week!

-Amanda

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Best of the 84th Academy Awards Red Carpet

Picking my favorites from the red carpet at the Oscars this year was surprisingly easy. There were a handful of truly stunning gowns, a lot of mediocre, and very few fashion "misses."Just after watching the red carpet I was able to name my top four looks, without spending the next day agonizing over photographs and trying to narrow it down. I wish every awards show was this easy!

As far as trends go, there was lots of sparkle: beading, sequins and elegant embroidery. Many actresses wore white, looking gorgeous and sophisticated, and various blush/neutral/nude shades were also popular. Most beauty looks were refreshingly natural, with soft makeup and relaxed hair, and jewelry seemed very minimalistic compared to recent years. 

There were a couple of fashion disappointments for me on Sunday evening. I really, really didn't like the gown Viola Davis choose. The color didn't flatter her, and the fabric and seams looked a little strange. And while I am fan of Viola forgoing a wig and showcasing her own short hair, I think that the red/brown shade is wrong for her skin tone. So sorry, Viola! You know I adore you and wanted you to win!

Bérénice Bejo was a similar story. I did not like her dress, and thought the pale minty green color was terrible for her. And, like Viola, I think she needs to go back to a darker hair color. The red/brown hair and makeup looks she's been sporting recently do no suit her. 

That said, here's my picks for the best dressed women on Sunday evening...

Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen 

This whole look just blew me away. If I had to pick a favorite, Jessica would be it! The black of the dress set off both the incredible gold embroidery and her beautiful skin. Rarely have I seen a gown that has such perfect fit. It looked superb from every angle. The hem hit right where it should, and the train was stunning. I also loved Jessica's golden dewdrop earrings, and her soft, tumbling hairstyle. I don't always like "casual" hair with an elegant dress, but this just works.

Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab 

Talk about old-time hollywood glamour! This gown caught my eye immediately. The fit and drape were gorgeous, as were the thousands of softly muted sequins. (And I've always been a big fan of one-shoulder designs!) Milla's hair and makeup were very retro, while still remaining sleek and modern, and I loved her jewelry and clutch choices. The beaded cuff on her wrist was a work of art.

Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji 

Another one of my favorite ladies from The Help made me very happy on Sunday night. Octavia looked fantastic all through the awards season, but she definitely saved the best for last. She's been faithful to Tadashi Shoji at every major event, and with good reason. This gown was immaculate, from the beading to the draping to the silhouette. I've seen many similar style gowns completely miss the mark, but this dress was so flattering and just perfect. She deserves a fashion statuette along with her Best Supporting Actress award.

Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton 

Michelle Williams has been one of the most beautifully dressed actresses of the year, and while this gown was very different from the one she wore to the Golden Globes, it was equally stunning. I loved the coral color. It's rather an uncommon red carpet choice, but it worked perfectly with her skin tone, soft makeup, and simple jewelry. My only (tiny) complaint was that there are a lot of little details happening on the dress, but the silhouette and fit are perfect for her.

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So, those are my picks of the evening! Do you agree with my selection? Who were you favorites? (And who do you think made the horrible "Worst Dressed" list?)

I hope you all have a lovely week. I'll be busy with rehearsals for Annie, and shows this coming weekend, but I'll see you all afterwards! God bless.

-Amanda

Images: Just Jared

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Belated Valentine

Valentine's Day was a nice break from all the things that have been keeping me so busy (and which also caused this post to be belated). I didn't have to work (I'm a supernanny), and I didn't have any rehearsals (I'm playing Grace in a production of "Annie"). I did take time to hit the gym, and later I took my little sisters to see The Muppets at the local dollar theater. I must admit, the movie left me misty-eyed, and feeling warm and fuzzy. (For the record, any time people burst in random musical numbers I get misty-eyed, warm, and fuzzy, so that's not saying so much.) And Amy Adams singing "Me Party" felt very Valentine's Day appropriate. ;)

I also squeaked in some time to do my hair, makeup and throw on something decent (this usually doesn't happen on my day off). I wanted to dress for the occasion without being holiday-ish or wearing the typical red blouse. So I opted for a loose knit top in horizontal stripes and threw on a light coral scarf for a little touch of Valentine.

What I'm Wearing:

• Striped Top by DEB - hand-me-down
• Skinny Jeans by Old Navy - hand-me-down
• Boots - from Famous Footwear
• Jewelry by Accessorize
• Silk Scarf - gift

I hope you all had a beautiful day... and I'd like to see pictures of what you wore! Have a lovely weekend.

-Amanda

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Shabby Apple "Biacami" Dress Giveaway

 Every once in a while you find that perfect dress. A combination of sweet and spunky. Eye-catching, and still demure. And if that fantastic color and great fit are part of an amazing deal, then it's pretty much unbeatable.

So try and beat this...

I am so pleased to be able to offer this "Biacami" dress to one very lucky winner. It's made by Shabby Apple, who have always set the bar high when it comes to fashionable and modest women's dresses. They also offer maternity styles, fitness and swimwear, and styles for little girls. There's a lot of very pretty things to browse. :)

The "Biacami" dress meets those high expectations; completely modest and yet still beautiful and fashionably chic. Wouldn't you love to take it home?

Ok, so here's how you enter...

1st (Mandatory) Entry: Visit Shabby Apple's Facebook page, click "Like," and then leave a comment on this post to let me know. (If you do not have a Facebook account, please comment and tell me  which item from shabbyapple.com is your favorite.) You must include your email address in your comment so that I have a way of contacting you if you win. (If you don't want to publicly post your email, send it to me at amandabethboutique{at}gmail.com)

For extra entries:

Let me know which item from ShabbyApple.com is your favorite OR tell me how you would style the "Biacami" dress if you won it. - 1 entry

Follow AmandaBeth through Blogger/Google/other feed, AmandaBFly on Twitter (I follow back!), The Daily Lovely on Tumblr, or become a fan of AmandaBeth on Facebook 

- 1 entry for each

Post about the giveaway on your blog, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, et cetera. (You must include the link to your post in your comment!) 

- 2 entries for each

The giveaway will run until midnight (EST) on March 4, 2012. The winner will be chosen through Random.org, announced within 48 hours, and contacted via email. The winner must have a US shipping address.

Good luck entering the giveaway... I hope you have a blessed, fashion-y week!

-Amanda

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My Love is Requited

I haven't been crazy about somebody in a long time.

It's a rather comfortable place to be. No drama. No fuss. No wondering if your affections are returned. No feeling tongue-tied. No sudden blushes. No drowning yourself in tears, pounding the pillow, or wondering if he even knows you exist.

Besides the fact that it is so comfortable, I have come to realize life has plenty of drama of its own, without the additional complications that a major crush brings.

And yet, I am desperately, daily, head-over-heels in love.

And in this love there is no drama, fuss, or wondering if my affections are returned. I love someone who loved me long before I knew of His existence. I don't ever have to feel tongue-tied, because I can tell Him everything, without fear. I am too comfortable in His love to blush. And ok, I will admit that there have been times I've drowned myself in tears over Him, and pounded the pillow. But I have always known, without a doubt, that He knows that I exist... and that I am never alone.

When I am flipping through radio stations in the car and hear one top 40 hit after another, I am struck by how much other people are missing out on this. Almost every song I hear is about love: forbidden, young, old, broken, renewed, and you can hear how very desperately everyone wants it.

There is truth in the words "all you need is love," but it goes so much deeper than that. The love of a human being will never be perfect. It will disappoint, become fickle, start to fade, and sometimes be lost completely.

But His love.... that is a different matter entirely.

It is a beautiful thing to know you are loved perfectly, and to carry it inside of you, no matter where you are. Each special love song on the radio is meant for you. Nothing can separate you from that love; not death or life, or anything inside or out of this world. That's pretty romantic.

It makes me smile. It makes me want to roll down the windows of my car and turn up the volume on the stereo. It makes me want to read all the letters He wrote to me; over and over, until I know them by heart. And it makes me want to tell everyone else about Him; He who loves me so perfectly.

He loves you, too. Just as completely. Do you know His name?

Today, I am fulfilled and at peace. Because my love is requited.

-Amanda

P.S. I meant to get this up yesterday (I'll have another post coming soon, as well), but my Valentine's Day was so busy (and fun!) that I ran out of time. How was your day? I would love to hear about it! :)

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