Vogue Turkey - October 2013

Channeling Sabrina-era Audrey Hepburn here's the elfin Mariacarla Boscono photographed by Cuneyt Akeroglu. Doesn't her hair make you want to get a fringe?

This shoot makes also me want a little black jumper and a polka-dot neck scarf. ;)

-Amanda

Images via Visual Optimism

Read More

I'll get my little black dress on...

Happy New Year to all! I hope you had a tremendous holiday season and are ready to jump into 2014! I must confess that I'm not feeling as adventurous as I usually do when I flip the calendar over. Maybe its my schedule that's burned me out, maybe I've still got leftover aging apprehension from when I turned 25, maybe it's feeling that changes are around the corner, and I might not like them all. Whatever it is, I know that God has these next 12 months under control, and I can trust Him, and take everything that gets thrown at me.

Oh yeah, and regardless of what the new year brings, I'm gonna dance to "Little Black Dress" by Sara Bareilles because I finally bought The Blessed Unrest (it's on sale for $5 on amazon) and have been playing it on repeat. Sorry, but that song makes me feel tremendously happy. ;)

2013 was definitely a crazy, busy, barely-got-a-chance-to-catch-my-breath kind of year. Some highlights:

• Tried out a couple of really strict healthy eating diets for the first time in my life, and loved them. They definitely changed my taste buds, how I perceive food, and helped me feel better physically.
• Watched my brother play lots of basketball. I now (mostly) understand the game and enjoy it.
• Played Baroness Shraeder in "The Sound of Music" and made a dear, new friend.
• "Inherited" my cousin's record player and started my love affair with vinyl.
• Sent my middle grade novel out to some friends and got positive and helpful feedback.
• Saw my best friend go off to bootcamp, and then to Afghanistan.
• Spent some very special times with my bosom friend, whom I hadn't seen in 3 years.
• Sewed a wedding gown over 2 months with some of the best women I know.
• Braved Boston on the 4th of July for the greatest fireworks display I've ever seen.
• Hosted a 1960s summertime bash.
• Went to the beach. Newport, I love thee.
• Had a blast (luxury) camping with my family in NH.
• Spent a magical week in our ancestral home in Arichat, Nova Scotia, and then swung by P.E.I. for a Lucy Maud Montgomery fix.
• Started cosmetology school. Hair shows, products, homework overload.
• Managed to turn 25 without doing anything too crazy. (Other than canceling my party the night before because I was too exhausted. Still embarrassed by that.)
• Came out of "Les Miserables" unscathed.
• Took NYC with some of my favorite girls and realized that Times Square at midnight is truly everything I dreamt it would be.
• Released 3 new Flynntastics videos.
• Got to see my nephews!!
• Colored my hair for the first time ever. It won't be the last.

Umm. This list wasn't supposed to be that long. :P

As far as 2014 goes, the only plans I have are to finish school, take state board, and get started in a salon. Whether that's in the city, the suburbs, another state; I don't know. I hope to continue to write, do community theater, and start working with some local ministries. But the year really is a big question mark. There's so many things I could do, places I could go... God is going to have to sort it all out.

What I'm Wearing:

• LBD by MIKA ROSE - gift from a dear, fashionable friend
• Belt - Kohl's
• Tights by Simply Vera VERA WANG - Kohl's
• Wedge Ankle Boots by White Mountain - thrifted for $4 and just like new! 
• Necklace - Forever 21 in NYC
• Earrings by Touchstone Crystal - Christmas gift

What did your 2013 look like? And what are your plans for 2014? Please share. :)

Thanks for visiting!

-Amanda

Photos by Lydia Flynn - Thank you to the owners of the random driveway we borrowed for the shoot... I hope you weren't home.

Read More

words for the new year

Have a lovely one.

-Amanda

Read More

"Mistletoe"

Wishing you all a Merry, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! :)

-Amanda

Read More

Meant to be RED

I have always wanted red hair. It's been like a disease, eating away at me since the time I was 6 and first saw Anne of Green Gables (still my favorite movie). Anne Shirley may have hated her carrot-colored tresses, but I wanted them desperately. Natural reddish highlights were not enough.

Dyeing my hair red has always been near the top of my bucket list, but I was truly afraid to change my hair color. Not only did it seem like "cheating,"but I was terrified that I'd end up with an unwanted result.

Apparently cosmetology school has destroyed my fears. Finally, I am a redhead.

From looking at shades to finally seeing the end result, the process was fun and exciting (and my classmate Kalyn did a super job!). We were originally shooting for a brighter, more orange-y red, but it came out more of a "chocolate cranberry." More subtle, but I love it. And since it will fade out in about a month, I will be able to throw a new shade on and try for more brilliance. (Really, the possibilities are endless... watch out, world!)

My outfit yesterday consisted of a favorite top, which is comfy, long and fitted at the bottom, making it good with jeans, or tucking nicely into a skirt.
After owning this skirt for years, I recently almost got rid of it (or considered shortening it up), but I'm so glad I didn't. It's perfect when I want something a little retro 30s/40s.
I think these shoes (a Savers find for $3.50) speak for themselves.

What I'm Wearing:

• Knit Top by Bella D - thrifted
• Vintage Wool Skirt by LADY THOMSON - hand-me-down
• Sheer Tights - hand-me-down
• T Strap Shoes by BONGO - thrifted
• Jewelry designed by Kathy Snyder

Any redheads (natural or artificial) care to leave a comment and tell me how you feel about your hair? I find it kind of funny that some of the most famous redheads (take Lucille Ball, for instance) weren't naturally red. It makes me feel more like I can "own" that color, instead of feeling like an illegitimate ginger. ;)

-Amanda

P.S. There are lots of fabulous quotes and sayings regarding redheads... what's your favorite?

Photos by Lydia Flynn

Read More

All This Falling

Autumn

The leaves are falling, falling as if from far up,

As if orchards were dying high in space.

Each leaf falls as if it were motioning "no."

And tonight the heavy earth is falling

Away from all other stars in the loneliness.

We're all falling. This hand here is falling.

And look at the other one. It's in them all.

And yet there is Someone, whose hands

Infinitely calm, holding up all this falling.

~ Rainer Mari Rilke

I won't lie, this outfit was definitely Anthropologie inspired. Maybe someday I will be able to afford (and justify) some of their delicious pieces. Until then, I thrift and re-fashion. ;)

What I'm Wearing:

• Sweater by heather B - hand-me-down
• Skirt and Belt was a hand-me-down dress, refashioned by me
• Boots by eurostep - from Famous Footwear
• Tights - unlabeled

I am so excited for the coming week. My sister, B.I.L. and 3 nephews are coming into town, I have days off from work and school, there's a huge parade in Plymouth, I'll get to see Catching Fire, oh yes and THANKSGIVING. I have so very much to be thankful for.

What are your plans? :)

-Amanda

Photos by Lydia Flynn

Read More

Are You Feeling Hungry?

Just wanted to pop in and let you know that we've got a new video up on our YouTube channel this week... just in time for the release of "Catching Fire" on the 22nd. And of course it ties into this whole fashion thing for multiple reasons...

1. "The Hunger Games" movie has some amazing costumes.
2. Jennifer Lawrence is one of the best dressed celebrities out there, in my opinion.
3. We get to wear camo in the video... and I actually like it. :P

So, you really should subscribe to The Flynntastics YouTube channel, follow on Facebook and Twitter, and share our videos until doomsday. Ok, I'm done. ;)

Have a great rest of the weekend!

-Amanda

Read More