Summertime Stillness

I said to my soul, be still, and wait without hope

For hope would be hope for the wrong thing; wait without love,

For love would be love of the wrong thing; there is yet faith

But the faith and the love and the hope are all in the waiting.

Wait without thought, for you are not ready for thought:

So the darkness shall be the light, and the stillness the dancing.

~ T.S. Eliot

I can't believe the summer is half over, and that August looms ahead of me. Summertime is one of those things I always look forward to and am much too busy to fully enjoy. It's usually gone before I really tasted it. Fortunately, after the craziness that was this past school year, even the busy state I am in seems relatively peaceful and I have been able to snatch a few real moments. The ocean has called me to herself, I've enjoyed a few good times with friends, and had a wonderful visit with my sister and my little nephew pumpkins. There have been good, true moments of stillness in the midst of the dance of life.

• Blouse by EXPRESS - thrifted
• Jeans by American Eagle - hand-me-down
• Sandals by capelli New York - from Burlington Coat Factory
• Bracelet handmade by my bosom friend
• Earrings also a gift from said friend
• Ring by Touchstone Crystal - gift from my aunt

What has your summer been filled with?

Here's hoping you've had moments of stillness in the midst of the summer rush, and that relief comes in the form of cool breezes (preferably across the ocean) and simple memories made.

xo
-Amanda

Photos by Lydia Flynn

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Sea Fever

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,

And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,

And a gray mist on the sea’s face, and a gray dawn breaking.

~ John Masefield

I finally dipped my toes into the atlantic ocean this week. It had been my plan to go to the beach first thing after finishing cosmetology school, but one thing led to another, and it was almost a month before I got down to beautiful Newport. My sister and were able to enjoy the sunshine as well as a ferocious breeze.... I also read a bit more of Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier (which is a masterpiece), gossiped with a mermaid, drove around spying on the mansions, and walked along the cliffs. It was wonderous.

This isn't what I wore to the beach, but it was a nautically inspired Sunday afternoon getup.

• Cream Blouse by PETE & GRETA - gift from my aunt
• Striped Skirt - used to be a dress, refashioned by me
• Belt - thrifted
• Red Shoes by SM NEW YORK - thrifted
• Necklace - gift from a friend from the Dominican Republic
• Gold Hoop Earrings - handmade by Kathy Snyder
• Star Bracelet - hand-me-down

If you're an east or west coaster, have you been to the ocean yet? And if you live far away from the sea, how do you survive? Tell me your secrets.

-Amanda

Photos by Lydia Flynn

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Just a note to say...

... I GRADUATED! (Among other things.)

Click over to FlyGirl to hear more about what I've been up to the past month, and what's coming up. Hopefully I'll be in blogland more often. Thank you, as always, for following along.

-Amanda xo

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Happy Birthday, Audrey

I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. 

I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. 

I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, 

renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; 

never throw out anyone.

Elegance is the only beauty that never fades.

The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, 

because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

Happy Birthday to one of the most beautiful, wise, and giving women to grace the screen. 

Audrey, I love you muchly.

-Amanda

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American (Easter Sunday) Gothic

My little brother and I shared a room back when I was about 11. He was 3. Fourteen years later he beats me in the height department... even when I've got my 5" heels on.

He used to tag along with me and my sisters when we'd play with cousins, build forts, and have adventures. Now I tag along when he and his friends play basketball, or go to the movies.

He used to be a pain in the butt. Sometimes he still is. But the fact that we can have (fairly) intelligent conversations nowadays makes living in the same house easier.

I used to be able to beat him up. Even though he's taller than me now, I am obviously still capable of causing him pain... or else why would he have obediently agreed to get an Easter Sunday picture with me?

Little brothers are cool. ;)

What I'm Wearing:

• Maxi dress by apostrophe - thrifted 
• Cardigan by New York and Company - hand-me-down
• Shoes by Fioni Night - thrifted
• Necklace - made by a friend from a piece of home dec trim
• Earrings from Dayspring - gift from a friend

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday with family and lots of food (I may have made the much lauded buffalo chicken dip... yum). Everyone was well behaved, the kids enjoyed hunting eggs with the cousins, and one sister ended up in the emergency room. It's not a real family holiday without a trip to the hospital.

(FYI, she's doing fine. 8+ stitches, but she's a trouper.)

So thankful to be able to spend the day with my family and reflect on all the wonderful things He has blessed me with... and that He is alive. It's worth celebrating every day.

-Amanda

Photos by Lydia Flynn

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You can stand under my umbrella for another 6 years...

Yep, that's right, I've been blogging fashion-y things for six years now.

It's been good. It's been bad. Some of it's been ugly. Things have changed considerably around me and inside of me since nineteen year old Amanda Beth decided to become a fashion "expert." Some of the things I wrote in the past completely embarrass me now. Some of the outfits I wore for photo shoots make me want to hit the the "delete post" button. And six years from now I'll probably wish I hadn't posted these wet, bedraggled last-December shots.

But it's all a part of the journey. We live, we learn, we grown and change. It keeps things interesting.

What I'm Wearing:

• Dress by R&K Originals - thrifted
• Belt - hand-me-down
• Tights from Target
• Pumps by GUESS from Marshalls
• Umbrella from Target
• Necklace and Ring - hand-me-downs

Can I just say a big thank you to everyone who still reads the blog? I know my posting has been less than inspired or consistent over the past few years, but the fact that some people still take time to browse my sporadic posts and leave a comment means the world to me.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for these 6 years.

-Amanda

Photos by Jeff Flynn

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It's a great day for the Irish!

St. Patrick's Day is one of the best days of the year. I love every holiday, but one tied so closely to my heritage which consists of wearing a fabulous color, listening to wonderful music, and eating a favorite meal is extra special.

And this year, I finally get to celebrate it as a redhead. Life is as it should be.

This is the third shade of red that I'm on... you saw the original tint in a few posts here, then it was vibrant red/orange (which you might have spied on Instagram), and three weeks ago we toned it down to more of a brown/auburn shade. But the more I wash my hair, the more the orange underneath peeks through, and when the sunshine hits it, as in these photos, it's still pretty bright.

At least I won't be lost in the crowd.

What I'm Wearing:

• Teal blouse by Wrapper - hand-me-down
• Skirt by teeze me - hand-me-down - was originally a dress, refashioned by me
• Green tights from Target
• Nude pumps by GUESS - from Marshalls
• Earrings from Forever 21 in Times Square (bought them last Tuesday)
• Shamrock necklace - pendant from Joann Fabrics

What are your plans for St. Patrick's day? I've got school, a meeting with a makeup artist I will be working with, and then corned beef and cabbage for supper with my family. It will be nice and low key... got another full week to rest up for!

Enjoy the day! "May you always have a clean shirt, a clean conscience, and a bob in the pocket." ;)

-Amanda

Photos by Lydia Flynn

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A few favorites from the 2014 BAFTA Awards

Lupita Nyong'o in Christian Dior

Cate Blanchett in Alexander McQueen

Amy Adams in Victoria Beckham

Sai Bennett in Chanel

Just posting a few quick favorites. Which designs did you like best?

-Amanda

Images: Harpers Bazaar DE

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Vogue China - December 2013

 

The beautiful Sui He photographed by Mario Testino. I love the 50s/60s vibe of the fashions in this shoot... so classic and feminine.

Stay warm and dress pretty! :)

-Amanda

Images via glossy newstand

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2014 Critics Choice Awards and 2014 Screen Actors Guild Awards "Best Dressed" Lists

I know that both of these events took place a few weeks ago, and I don't usually cover these "smaller" red carpet occasions, but there were so many unique and beautiful ensembles that I just had to share them. 2014 is turning out to be a fabulous year for designer fashion, with fewer predictable designs, and many classic, yet surprising, red carpet looks.

Jessica Chastain, in Nina Ricci, took my personal "best dressed" prize away from the Critics Choice Awards. She is always superb, and here the color, style, and details of her gown suit her perfectly. (As does her hair... I gave it the "best hair" award over at my FlyGirl blog.)

Other favorites were Camila Alves in Paule Ka, also sporting a dress with beautiful color and shape, and Aisha Tyler in Tadashi Soji, wearing a classic black lace gown.

Two favorite fashion goddess took on similar looks with simple understated gowns that put their beautiful, unfussy hair in the spotlight: Cate Blanchett in Lanvin, and Amy Adams in Roland Mouret.

Cate Blanchett and Amy Adams were also stunning at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the former looking statuesque in Givenchy and the latter evoking a 1930s screen siren in Antonio Berardi.

Black and gold seems to be a popular combination in 2014, with lots of heavily decorated gowns that look like they emerged from ancient Persia, especially on blonde beauties Katrina Bowden, in Badgley Mischka, and Malin Akerman in Naeem Kahn.

One of the best looks of the night was Lupita Nyong'o, looking fresh and lovely in a turquoise gown by Gucci. Hannah Simone continued the flowery neckline trend in an elegant Marchesa gown.

___

Feel free to check out my "best hair" post over at FlyGirl for more Critics Choice and SAG awards coverage, and also let me know which red carpet look was your favorite.

-Amanda

Images: JustJared

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A cold imagination

Isn't it awful that cold feet make for a cold imagination, 

and that a pair of woollen socks induce good thoughts! 

- Franz Grillparzer

I'm not sure if the cold weather truly does make the imagination sluggish, but this year it's really affecting me. I've been absolutely stir crazy, and visions of sunlight, sandy beaches, and summertime party dresses are dancing before my eyes. I love New England and its each and every season, but the cold feels especially biting this winter, and it's got me looking with anticipation to the warmer warmer.

Until then, I'll wear "woollen socks."

What I'm Wearing:

• Faux fur vest by ANN TAYLOR LOFT - thrifted
• Green top by MOSSIMO SUPPLY CO. - hand-me-down
• Pencil skirt by UNITED COLORS OF BENETTON - gift
• Tights by VERA by Vera Wang - Kohl's
• Shoes by CAMI - hand-me-down
• Jewelry by KATHY SNYDER

I took a lot of outfit photos in the chill of December. This month has been even frostier, so I haven't braved the outdoors to shoot my Sunday outfits. But my hair is red again, so some shots need to happen before it fades away... ;)

How is the winter treating you?

-Amanda

Photos by Lydia Flynn

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Introducing "FlyGirl"

So, I got a new endeavor going this week: FlyGirl, a blog focusing on hair and beauty, as well as living a healthy lifestyle... essentially a culmination of the bits I have learned over the years, and the many things I am currently learning in cosmetology school. I'll be sharing my favorite links, tutorials, hair and beauty trends, my own creations, and much, much more.

This is a new process and the blog will definitely take time to grow and evolve, but I do hope you'll follow along and share your thoughts along the way. I'm so enjoying transitioning into my new career, and I want to share as much as I can with all of you!

Thank you all so much for your support over the years! You're the best.

Hugs,
Amanda

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Snowflakes

Out of the bosom of the air,

Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken,

Over the woodlands brown and bare,

Over the harvest-fields forsaken,

Silent, and soft, and slow

Descends the snow.

Even as our cloudy fancies take

Suddenly shape in some divine expression,

Even as the troubled heart doth make

In the white countenance confession,

The troubled sky reveals

The grief it feels.

This is the poem of the air,

Slowly in silent syllables recorded;

This is the secret of despair,

Long in its cloudy bosom hoarded,

Now whispered and revealed

To wood and field.

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

These photos were taken after a snow storm last month (back when my hair still looked red... I need to remedy that soon), so it seems fitting to post them today, after the 12+ inches of snow that got dumped on us in the past 24 hours.

I love snow, and I don't even mind driving in blizzards... other than the fact that there's terrible visibility and the chance of spinning out every five feet. If it's going to be cold (and New England has been fluctuating between mid fifties and below zero temps), it might as well be pretty.

What I'm Wearing:

• High-low top by xhilaration - hand-me-down
• Cardigan by MERONA - thrifted
• Jeans by American Eagle - hand-me-down
• Boots by eurostep - Famous Footwear
• Earrings - gift

How are you enjoying the snow? If you don't get snow, I'm sorry, but your back is definitely a lot happier than the average New Englander. ;)

-Amanda

Photos by Lydia Flynn

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