April Favorites

one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine 

Can you believe another month has come and gone? I know I've said that in every monthly favorites post this year BUT SRSLY. Time is FLYING by! We'll be drinking pumpkin spice lattes before we know it (and I'm secretly 100% A-OK with that).

I've been running around and working like a crazy person lately so I haven't really had much time to shop or sample new products this month but I have found a few winners that I'm sharing below. Have you tried any of them?

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Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, friends! It is time for my monthly "real life" Friday Favorites post - a quick recap of everything going on behind the scenes in my day to day life. Honestly, this month has been crraaaaazy for me between work, evening work events every single Thursday, teaching Beyond 500, blogging, going to physical therapy and weekend social activities. I'm feeling a bit burnt out on everything (physically and mentally) so much so that I've barely picked up my phone to snap a picture of the pups. You know I'm worn out when that's the case! I've really had to come to terms with learning to say no to things - sometimes I can't do it all and that is OK! Whether that means taking a day off from working out, saying no to a cocktail in lieu of catching up on sleep or not finishing a blog post at 10 p.m. the night before it is supposed to go live....heck, I almost didn't even write this post.

That being said, this Friday Favorites is short and sweet. LOTS has happened this month, but not a lot has been documented (at least not people, just snaps of random things). In a way, though, that's the way it should be. Less time on our phones and more time enjoying life with those we love. Can I get an amen?!

In regards to the picture above, it seems fitting for my "favorites" post because it is a few of my favorite things! Coffee, flowers and Louis V. I'm basic, I know.

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Dressing for Derby Day

Similar Fascinator Hat | Similar Lace Dress | Pumps | Lips, color is Patina

Grab your pearls, a fancy hat and a mint julep - Derby Day is almost here! The most exciting two minutes in sports will be taking place on Saturday, May 5. As a kid, my dream job was to be a jockey......then at age 10 I hit 5'9" and realized I wouldn't live out those dreams, HA! Tall girl probs. Regardless, the Kentucky Derby is the epitome of equine events and since I grew up riding horses, it has always held a special place in my heart.

My parents lived in Kentucky for a couple of years, so I was able to tour Churchill Downs once when I visited them. It was SO fun - I highly recommend it if you are ever in Louisville! They have an entire gift shop filled with hats! I still haven't made it to the Derby itself, but it is a bucket list item, for sure. They say the inner field (where the affordable tickets are) is more like a giant drunken tailgate than a fancy southern gathering, but everyone still gets dressed to the nines! My neighborhood hosts a Kentucky Derby party every year, so that's where I'll be watching. Last year I won best dressed wearing this exact outfit AND placed all my bets on the winning horse. Hopefully this year I'll be just as lucky!

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Wanderlust | My Travel Bucket List

Umgee Top, Similar Here | Hi-Waist Jean Shorts | Pumps | Leather Earrings c/o Nickel & Suede | Lips, color is Patina 

If you've been following along for a while, you know how much I love to travel! The problem with traveling, though, is that the more you do it, the more you want to do it. My travel bucket list a.k.a. my Wanderlist is constantly growing but I also want to go back to places I've already been. So many destinations, so little time off work, am I right?! How does one get a travel TV show on HGTV? Host for hire!

I've seen a few other bloggers do posts on their travel bucket lists or upcoming travel plans - I think they are so fun to read! C and I constantly talk about where to go next; we have like two years worth of trips tentatively mapped out haha. In 2018, we are doing lots of little weekend trips around the U.S. but we hope to add some more international and European trips into the mix next year. Scroll on down to see where we're headed and where we're dreaming of going.

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Hiking the Oklahoma Mountains

Patagonia Better Sweater | Onzie Leggings, Similar Here | Nike Metcons, Similar Here | Similar Backpack

Wait....did you just read the title right? Hiking the Oklahoma Mountains? 

What mountains?

Believe it or not, there is a teeny tiny little mountain range in southwest Oklahoma called the Wichita Mountains. The little group is surrounded by flat rolling fields of wheat and cotton and is home to a wildlife refuge. It is located just outside of Lawton and is a short hour and a half drive from Oklahoma City (only two and a half hours from North Texas) making it the perfect day trip location.

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Best Shoes for Travel

Nike Roshe | Fav Leggings

With all the traveling I've been doing the last six or seven months, I've learned a lot about what shoes to wear and what shoes not to wear. Not all shoes are made for walking! There isn't much worse than getting a blister in the middle of a vacation that has a lot of walking involved - I know from experience..... I can't tell you the amount of times I've had to ask for bandaids at the front desk of a hotel! It is also important to wear shoes that are supportive and that won't leave the soles of your feet feeling tired and bruised. Lastly, you want to look cute (duh) and have shoes that fit in your suitcase and match a lot of outfits.

I rounded up my go-to shoes that have been travel tested and approved. Some of these have literally been around the world with me and probably have a few marathons worth of miles on them.

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Swimsuit Roundup

Bikini Top | Bikini Bottom | Similar Boater Hat | Fav Tanning Lotion | Fav Beach Hair Product, Salt Spray Here | Best Beach Day Lippie

Swimsuit season is upon us! Whether you (and your body) are ready or not. Mentally, I'm ready! I need a tan, a pool day and a pina colada. Physically, yikes...so not ready! If we're being honest, I tried to take pictures in this suit and deleted them all, opting for a flat lay instead. My doctor still hasn't released me to do much working out since my shoulder surgery in November so I'm feeling preeeeetty out of shape. Though I haven't gained any weight, I'm not exactly confident in my new bikini (no abs, all flabs). Luckily I can start running again on May 1 - I don't even like running but I.am.pumped. to start getting my body back in shape. I'll have to start slow, but I'll take what I can get! Crossing my fingers I can start lightly lifting again in June.

All that to say, swimsuit shopping has been a bit more challenging this year. I'm definitely keeping an eye out for flattering suits like high rise bottoms and one pieces. Lucky for me, one pieces are all the rage right now and I kinda love it! Long gone are the sporty Nike one pieces I wore to summer camp.....now one pieces are just as sexy (and sometimes more revealing) than a two piece!

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Best of OKC Cocktails

Frozen Avocado Margarita at Barrio's

I've loved sharing my Oklahoma City favorites these last few months - boutiques, brunch spots and coffee shops! Obviously you can see where my priorities are (coffee, breakfast food and clothes) haha. This month, though, I thought I'd share my favorite OKC craft cocktails. There is nothing quite like sipping a good cocktail with your significant other or a close friend on a weekend afternoon/evening.

I am typically a gin or vodka kind of gal - I love anything with a fresh herby or floral flavor (rose, jalapeño, lavender, lemon, orange blossom, mint). I don't particularly care for bourbon or whiskey, but I can appreciate rum and tequila in the right setting - like on a beach in Mexico am I right?! Even though I prefer gin and vodka, this list ended up a bit tequila heavy. What can I say, I guess I just love a good marg! I also included a second favorite drink from each location because sometimes it is fun to mix it up and sample lots of fun drinks....especially when there is good patio weather!

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Long Hair Don't Care | Cocoa Locks Review

Similar Vest Here & Here (on sale!) | Striped Tee | Leggings | Glasses, c/o Warby Parker | Shoes | Lips, color is "Stripped" 

A while back, Cocoa Locks reached out to me and asked if I wanted to sample their drinkable hair vitamins. Of course I immediately said YES - I'm all for anything that makes my hair healthier. I've had long, thick hair most of my life so I wasn't expecting to see much extra growth from it....I was just hoping it would stay healthier and stronger between cuts. However, after using the product for a little over a month, I have been truly amazed at the results and had to share.

I got my hair cut the day before I started using Cocoa Locks and it has already grown 1-2 inches! It is healthier than ever, too - shiny, thick and soft/silky. Normally my ends start to dry out pretty quickly after a cut because I use heat on my hair regularly, but not this time. They are still super blunt and healthy looking! This could be due to my current hair product routine, but I think Cocoa Locks has a lot to do with it, as well. My hair typically stops growing right below my bra line and it has already surpassed that - I'm anxious to see just how much longer it will get!

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10 Must Have Travel Items

one | two | three, cheaper version here | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten

With all the traveling we've been doing, I've quickly learned what travel items and gadgets I swear by and can't leave home without. There has been a lot of trial and error throughout the last few years of traveling, but I think I finally have a foul-proof system - unless of course my flight gets delayed, then I freak the BLEEP out.

I thought I'd share my top ten travel items with you in the hopes that they will make your travels easier and more enjoyable, as they have mine.

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My Thoughts on Healthy Food Shaming

Cactus Tee & Blazer c/o SheIn - use code AMANDASOK20 for 20% off! | Hi-Rise Shorts | Similar Slides | Lips, color is Patina 

Nothing good ever comes from making others feel bad about what they're eating. 

BOOM. Nuff said.

Not really. Actually, I have about a billion thoughts racing around in my head. Angry thoughts, annoyance, defensive remarks, frustration, pride, defeat, guilt, etc. A LOT of thoughts all jumbled up. So I'm about to get real with you and share something that has been on my mind. It has been a touchy subject for me for years. I'll try to get my thoughts on paper (err, screen) in a way that makes sense. This blog post is really more like a therapy session for me, but at least there is a cute outfit and puppy pictures to break it up, ha!

Are you ready? Good. Buckle up!

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A Weekend in Wine Country

Last weekend I met my best friend from high school, Jessica, for a girl's weekend getaway in Texas wine country. Before planning this trip, I had no clue Texas wine country existed - and I grew up in North Texas! I didn't have high expectations for the wine, but I was pleasantly surprised and how pretty, charming and tasty the entire experience was.

We visited three wineries in the North Texas Red River Valley and one brewery. I loved it so much and would totally visit them all again! It is the perfect getaway for a girl's weekend, whether that be friends, mom/daughter, or even a quiet, low key bachelorette party. It would also be ideal for a romantic weekend getaway for those who want to lay low and enjoy each other's company.

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