Labor Day Sales

Haaaappy Friday! This is an extra special Friday because 1) it's payday 2) it's football season (GO POKES) 3) it's a three day weekend!! Nothing can go wrong today. Plus, PSLs are out and this time next week I'll be in NYC for fashion week with some of my best gal pals, so all is right with the world.

A holiday weekend means one thing in particular: SALES!! I can't say no to a sale. I'm terrible, really, I know. I rounded up some of the best sales going on right now and included a few of my favorite sale items at the end of the post.

P.S. My tee above is c/o LivLuvShop....you can't really read it, but it says "Sale Searching" which is way too perfect for me!

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August Favorites

one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve

I know I say this in every monthly favorites post but holy moly this year is FLYING. I can't believe I can finally quit saying "PSLs will be here before we know it" because THEY'RE HERE, friends, they're here. Yes, I'm planning on getting one today. If you're basic and you know it, clap your hands [clap clap].

I haven't tried tooooo many new products or gadgets this month because all my moneys have gone to clothes to take to New York Fashion Week next week. HOWEVER, the couple of new things I have gotten are serious winners!

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Best of OKC Patios

After a summer of sweaty days, patio season is aaaaaalmost upon us! Truth be told this post has been in the works since May, but then it got too hot in Oklahoma to enjoy being outside. Now, fall is right around the corner and I'm ready to soak it up!

One of my favorite weekend activities is sitting on a patio and sipping a good beverage with my favorite people (and sometimes a pup or two)...that and having brunch or dinner on a patio! This post seems like it's almost a carbon copy of other Best of OKC posts I've done..... best cocktails, best places to take your dog, best brunch spots.....but just let that be some assurance that I really do love the places I recommend. I love them enough to mention them time and time again!

Without further ado, though, let's get to the best patios in Oklahoma City!

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Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, friends!! It has been a hectic last few weeks for no reason other than just being busy with life in general. Work, work, work, blog, teach at Beyond Studios, work, clean, chores, maybe sleep, blog stuff, work. Repeat. If we're being honest, there aren't many pictures to share that weren't taken specifically for the blog and already shared in other posts. In some ways, I'm proud of that, because it means I put my phone down and focus on what's in front of me when I need to. But in other ways, I need to start documenting the little moments and saving those memories again!

I did, however, get a new iPhone so I'm hopeful that my cell phone picture game will be substantially better moving forward! I realized I had my old iPhone 6s for three years......pretty sure that's the longest I've EVER had a phone! The X is treating me very nicely so far.

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Tips for Healthy Hair Growth + My Weekly Hair Routine

I get a lot of comments on my hair - they are always my favorite kind of comments because my hair is my crown of confidence! I have had the exact same long hair cut since I was 15....if it ain't broke don't fix it, ya feel me? In the 13+ years I've been taking care of it, I've learned a thing or two about overall hair health and how to grow it long / keep it long, thick and healthy.

Obviously everyone's hair is v. different, so what works for me might not work for you, BUT it's worth a shot!

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5 Steps to the Perfect Faux Tan

One Piece Suit - comes in several colors and is on sale for $18! | Similar Hat | Lips, color is Patina

As I say farewell to summer, I'm suddenly realizing just how little time I've spent out in the sun this year. My pool days were few and far between....good for the health of my skin, yes, but I feel sooooo much better about life in general when I'm tan. It's just a fact! Anyone else? Lucky for me, faux tans are not frowned upon in today's society. Faux tans mean you're taking better care of your skin instead of lathering on some oil and cooking under the hot summer sun. Long gone are the days of fake baking in the tanning booth, too. I hung up my key card two years ago and even though I miss my year-round tan (and my heart sticker tan line tattoo circa 2008), I know my skin is eternally grateful that I'm using a self tanning lotion instead of those harmful rays. I'm not here to lecture you, though!

I believe I've mastered the art of applying self tanner. Follow these steps and you too will have a streakless, natural glow all year round that doesn't make you look like a Jersey Shore character.....but can I still get a GTL fist pump for old times sake??

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Designer-Look Jewelry for Less

Bar Bracelet | Spike Bracelet | Goddess Choker Bracelet | Quartz Ring 

I’ve always been a jewelry person but my style of jewelry has significantly changed throughout the years. Who’s hasn’t? I mean all of us had a puka shell necklace and a mood ring at one point in time, right? Right?!!?? Now-a-days, my taste in jewelry leans toward the simple but classy side. I like mostly dainty pieces for necklaces and bracelets (because I like the layer them) but I love a good statement earring. It's just a fact that no outfit is complete without a little bling! I tend to learn towards the designer jewelry look, though, so when Kinsley Armelle reached out to me to collaborate, I jumped right on board! I'm so excited to introduce you to them.

All the Kinsley Armelle pieces are such high quality. They look expensive, like designer items, but they are reasonably priced. Some of their pieces are very dainty and simple (like the ones I’m wearing here) while others are more like statement pieces. What I love most, though, is that all of them mix and match and compliment each other perfectly! I love to mix colors, metals and styles but other times I want everything to match. Kinsley Amelle makes both options possible. They offer druzy styles, rhinestones, chunky boho pieces, colored beads and more.

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How to Style Paperbag Pants

Black Lace Cami | Yellow Pants (they come in three other colors!) | Black Strappy Heels | Leopard Clutch | Lips, color is Patina | A Necklace | Bracelets are Kinsley Armelle, get a discount with code AMANDASOK

Hi, friends! I’m coming atcha live from my car, heading home from a weekend at my parent’s house in NW Arkansas. Every time I visit I always have to swing by Onyx Coffee on the Bentonville Square. It is my favorite coffee in the entire world - so much so that I always stock up on their beans to brew at home! I’m a coffee snob through and through, I know. You can also order their beans online from Trade Coffee Co. and get 50% off your first bag with code TRADE_2f674j if you want to give them a try! You’ll love them, I promise.

Now, onto clothes! I want to talk about one of my favorite trends right now: paperbag pants. I was hesitant to try them at first, but the second I put my first pair on I was SOLD and immediately ordered about three or four more pairs in different colors and lengths. I think they are some of the most flattering pants on the market right now; the high-rise hugs you in all the right places without giving you too much of a mom-jean booty if you know what I mean. I struggled a little bit with how to style them, but after some pinterest-inspo I feel like I’ve got the hang of it. Scroll on down to see my tips on how to style paperbag pants [or shorts].

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Sunroom Reno | How to Create Faux Shiplap

Hi, friends! It has been a hot second since I talked about the #WhiteHouseOnThePrairie. Back before I was seriously blogging I talked about it a lot, but I forget that most of you weren't around back then! Let me give you a quick run down......

I live in a historical home built in 1920. C and I bought it in October of 2016 and spent about four or five months renovating it. It wasn't in bad shape necessarily but it wasn't good, either. It was not tastefully updated, the yard was an overgrown disaster and there were structural and cosmetic changes that we wanted to make (knocking down walls, adding a bathroom/closet, rearranging/redoing the kitchen, bathrooms, e tc). We didn't do the work ourselves (we hired a contractor) but I did most of the design and am so proud of the way it turned out.

The one room that didn't turn out like we hoped was the sunroom. We tried to take the cheap and easy way out on the floors and it turned out teeeerrrrribbly. Plus, the walls were cinderblock and they just looked cold and blah. For the last two years it became "the dog's room." It has a door to the backyard so it is easy to let the dogs in and out and then lock them in there if they are wet and muddy. It is also where Kylo sleeps.....so it was always dirty. I finally had enough of it and decided to do something about it!

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5 Things to Do When You Can't Travel

Vacation Mode Tank c/o LivLuvShop | Initial Rose Gold Necklace c/o AUrate | Heart Sunnies, $14 Chloe Dupe! | Rose Gold Greece Slides

I'm just gonna come straight out and say it: I'm in a rut! A blogging rut, a content rut, a photo rut, a travel rut......basically, I'm lacking some serious inspiration here lately. Womp womp. I think a lot of it is due to that fact that I haven't traveled anywhere since June.....that's two months if you're curious and that's the longest I've gone all year without a weekend getaway. Travel feeds my gypsy soul, ya'll! And I need food to survive, ha.

C and I have been very blessed to go on so many trips this year but as it turns out, quick weekend trips start to add up. Between having to work within a tight budget, having surgery, attending a few weddings, being insanely busy at work and trying to catch up on real life things at home, traveling took a bit of a back burner but my brain is always in Vacation Mode. To satisfy my wanderlust, I started to think of fun things to do in the mean time to get me through until my next trip - one month to go but who's counting? Scroll on down to read my "What to Do When You Can't Travel" suggestions!

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What's Left of the N-Sale

N-Sale Top | Jeans (BOGO for $9.90) | Similar Booties 

If I was to guess, I'd say you are sick of hearing about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and are 100% over it. If you were to shop it, you most definitely have shopped it by now. If you weren't going to shop it, you probably aren't even interested in reading this post. I feel ya. This sale is kind of like Christmas music in that it is SO EXCITING at first but after a few weeks you are ready to get back to your regularly scheduled programming (which in this case is summer clothing because it is HOT out).

Needless to say, the N-Sale only has a few days left before it ends. It won't be back until next July so if you've been thinking about pulling the trigger on something, now is the time to do it. Returns are piling in so certain sizes and colors are getting restocked here and there. There are still a few items, believe it or not, that are almost fully stocked. Everything will go back up to its original price on August 6, so if there is anything (and I mean anything) that you might regret not buying, snag it now! I rounded up some of my favorites items that are still in stock and those last few things that have my eye below.

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Ride OKC: Bike & Brews Tour

One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to hit the pavement and explore the nooks and crannies of a city. Finding uniquely cool areas and instagrammable spots makes my heart so happy! I got to do just that and play tourist in my own city last weekend during Ride OKC's Bike and Brews Tour. It was such a fun experience - I just had to share. 

The Bike and Brews tour starts at Myriad Gardens and winds you through downtown Oklahoma City stopping at five of the local craft breweries on the way. Between breweries, you see unique street art, historic buildings, modern architecture and Oklahoma City's best attractions and local districts. According to Ride OKC, the goal is to show off the main attractions of the city along with hidden gems and local favorites. Being a local myself, I concur! I discovered several new gems I didn't know existed while riding through some of my favorite areas of town. 

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