Jalapeño Bacon Mac

Now that Texas has started to get cold it is time for our favorite comfort foods to be entered into our dinner rotation.  One of Ryan's favorites is my jalapeño bacon mac n' cheese.  If you follow me on Instagram then you have probably seen me photograph my bowl a time or two...and since then I have had numerous requests to share my recipe.  So in honor of it almost being Thanksgiving I decided to share this DELICIOUS meal with you!!

A necklace worthy of a name

Blazer: Mural // Dress: ElizaJ (no longer available) // Necklace: C/O oNecklace // small necklace: James Avery //

Maxi Monday

Welcome to the Jungle

// Dress: Eliza J // Shoes: Target (old), similar // Hat: Target, similar // Necklace: James Avery // Purse: Louis Vuitton //

Hippie Chic

Time for Change

clearly I have been styling since a young age..crop top boots and the cutest handbag!

Maybe not the best outfit choice...

I am cozily sitting in my bed with Brazos at my feet as I write this post.  I have been a little MIA lately and I want to apologize for that, this month has been a whirlwind and things are about to change drastically for me.

Tomorrow is my last day at my corporate job.  I cannot believe that 4 years ago I moved to Dallas and started this career in a field I new nothing about.  I have been an emotional wreck for the past two weeks as I slowly count down the days until my departure.  It wasn't a job I loved, but I loved my bosses, coworkers, and most importantly it was where I met the love of my life.   Tomorrow at 5:00 I will close the door on that chapter to pursue my passion.

I am excited to announce that I will be working for an up and coming company in Dallas called Front Door Fashion beginning on Wednesday.  I will be a full time personal stylist surrounded by extremely talented women and beautiful clothes...what more could a shopaholic fashionista want out of life?!  I know I have a lot to learn but I am excited to be jumping into a career that is something I have dreamed about since I was a child.  So cross your fingers I have a great first day/week!

So what is Front Door Fashion?  Well, the easiest way I can describe it is Stitch Fix but 10 times better!  In a nut shell they offer 3 services 1.) a box service where you fill out an online profile and your very own personal stylist takes that and picks outfits out for you that are sent to your door for you to try on in the privacy of your own home.  And trust me when I say you're not just an ipsy/birchbox algorithm your stylist will get to know you so well...she will even get to know your pinterest board!  2.) In studio styling sessions, where you are styled in person one on one with your own stylist.  And Can I just say their styling lounges are TO DIE FOR!  3.) in closet consultations, where the stylist comes to you and helps you with your current closet and will show you how to maximize it.

I cannot explain how excited I am to embark on this new adventure, and the doors it will open for me in the future.  So if this sort of things sounds appealing to you or you know someone who would love to be styled head over to Front Door Fashion and request a box.  You can even request me as your stylist!

Happy Monday everyone, things are about to get interesting around here!

Avid hand bag collector since basically birth..but I'd say it really started in college!  Another gem for your viewing pleasure!

Amelia B.

Special occasion everyday

Dress: Eliza J (no longer available but similar styles here)

Crop Toppin’

Crop top skirt Combo: Liz & Honey (no longer available) // Shoes:Zara (old), similar colors  // Necklace: James Avery // Purse: Tory Burch (no longer available in this color) similar style, love the color //

P R A D A, M A R F A

Since 2005 after reading an article in the Dallas Morning News about a new standalone art piece I

Ranch Life

Off the Beaten Path- a different type post!

Today my day started like any other day… me snoozing the clock for another 30 min making me 30 min behind schedule before I even crawled out of bed. So dry shampoo and a quick rinse in the shower was all I had time for this morning. Not only was I running late, but I also had to herd 2 cats and a dog into my spare bedroom so that pest control could come in and spray. First of all does anyone have cats, and have you ever tried to MAKE them do something, it’s basically impossible?! On any other day the animals would be jumping at the chance to get into the spare room (no pets room), but not today. I’d catch one cat put her in, track down the other cat put him in and the other would run out. We played this game for about 10 minutes this morning… next it was Ava’s turn. I’m super glad that my little mud bucket decided to dig some new holes in my back yard. Luckily for me she was easy to wrangle into the spare room, she leapt up those white carpeted stairs leaving behind a nice black trail of baby ava tracks that I did not have time to clean up (can we say good bye pet deposit). As soon as I get her in the room two little rockets shot out the door, now I am back to catching cats again. So another minute was spent chasing and pleading with them to just go inside the room. Let’s just hope this isn’t a preview of what my week is going to be like!

I am sorry I don’t have a fashion related post to share today…I know a few of you read this for that only, so hopefully you don’t mind! This weekend was so mellow that I didn’t want to do anything but hang out with Ryan and friends, plus I was uninspired again and I would rather give you good posts vs. a "look at my crappy outfit" post. We ran a few errands on Saturday and spent the night making delicious margaritas and smoking another rack of ribs! I even tried making Queso Blanco, it’s not Mexican sugar quality but it was pretty darn close! Sunday I made an early morning target run, finished some necklaces and then we headed to the pool for a little SUNday Funday. After our pool time we headed to the Rustic to listen to Kyle Park and eat dinner! It was such a fun night I was sad that it had to come to an end.

I made Ryan take a picture of me in the DallasBIG sign… Get it Amelia B IN THE BIG D! You’re welcome for that little funny! Apparently I was the only one who thought that was really funny and ironic, oh well! I do have to give some props to my girl Jordan she marketed my necklace like she was pitching it to Shark Tank. It was such a humbling experience to see that other women loved my design as much as I do. It gave me such a confidence boost. I gave out almost every single one of my business cards I had on hand! I really hope that more and more people will rock my designs, it truly is a passion for me!

Some exciting news Ryan and I are taking a mini vacation this week! I am so ready that I can’t even stand it! So stay tuned and make sure you follow me on IG to see where we are going!
Hint: One of the places is a place in the middle of NO WHERE that I have been dying to visit since 2005!

Have a great week everyone and I hope you don’t have to herd any Cats!!



Amelia B.

Shades of Pink

Dress: Ann Taylor(not available), similar // Shoes: Schutz (old) similar style and WANT(on Sale) // Purse: 3.1 Phillip lim // Earrings: Kendra Scott (on sale) // necklace: Kendra Scott // necklace: Amelia Blake Design // Sunnies: Tory Burch (old) almost identical(new version) //

Uninspired

// Top: Nordstrom (similar) // Skirt: Forever 21 (old) // shoes: DSW(old) // necklace DIY // Purse: Rebecca Minkoff (TJ MAXX find) Similar here // 

Vox Box and my First Review + a glimpse into my daily routine

Please note this post contains a review of products that were sent to me complimentary for me to review. This review is 100% my opinion.

I finally decided to sign up for Influenster, all I have to say is why on earth did it take me this long. If you aren’t familiar with it let me give you the break down. Influenster is a site where you use your
social influence to review and test products. From time to time influenster will have surveys for you to do based off your profile and similar interests to products they have for testing. If after the survey you qualify they send you free product to test and review known as a Vox Box. It is absolutely 100% free!

I signed up about 2 weeks ago and within a week I had my first survey and a few days later my first ever vox box was en-route to my house. Let me write a little disclaimer here; after scowering the interwebs on how to get a vox box I came to realize that it normally doesn’t happen all that quick. The key is to have a high influence on your social media and to participate and keep your badges active. If your profile shows this and the products they have match your profile you are more likely to be given a survey, then based on your answers a vox box.

My first box arrived and I cannot contain my excitement since it was the Yves Saint Laurent box!!! The box was beautiful black and white and inside was a full sized Touche Eclat Blur Perfector (retail value $55.00), the second product I received was the YSL Touche Eclat Blur Primer this was more of a deluxe sample but the full size retails for $52.00. So not too bad for my first Vox Box!

My first impression is that the blur perfector is gorgeous, and the package is on point totally chic and feminine. The primer to me looks like a magical elixir, it has beautiful gold flecks and a great aroma, not that I would expect anything less from YSL. It has been about 6 days since I received my samples and I have been using them for the past 5 days! The primer works really well, as an oily skinned person I am very picky about my primer. I was worried the gold flakes would make me look shiny, but they hardly show up. I immediately apply my foundation and a setting powder for a stay all day look. Even being out on sales calls in this heat the makeup stayed put. I applied the blur perfector to my T-zone and used it as a touch up throughout the day when I noticed any shine. It’s basically the bomb, easy to apply and perfect to carry with you in your bag. 

 

Y'all This NYX setting spray is my current obsession!

I would rate both of these products an 8 out of ten. I am a little disappointed in the price of the primer, 52.00 for 1 oz!! I currently love and use Becca ever matte poreless prime and it costs 36.00 for over an oz, I feel like they both do the same job and the Becca lasts a little longer throughout the day and is a lot more cost effective, so I will likely stick with it, but the YSL is a total #2 contender for me and will be perfect for traveling. The blur perfector is the same 55.00 for this small compact, yes it does a great job at hiding imperfections and giving me great skin but it’s pricey. That being said I would still splurg on it. I love having a product that can touch up oiliness in a snap, and I have always been a huge fan of YSL so I am excited to have two new products to add into my makeup routine!

I hope you enjoyed my review! I am sure they have some great boxes planned for the future!

Amelia B.

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes

Floral

//Dress: Eliza J, here // Necklace: Kendra Scott (on Sale) // Purse: 3.1 Phillip lim // Jacket: Calvin Klein // shoes: nine west //

Prep with a side of Class

// Dress: Ann Taylor (no longer available), similar, love this one, similar // belt: Old Navy (not online), similar // Shoes: Target (old), similar // necklace: Amelia Blake Design (coming soon) //

Festival Style

Friday a friend of mine invited me and a few others to be models/participants in a seminar at the Jamberry Conference.  We sat at a table on stage in front of hundreds of women talking and being

Sweater Weather

So how many of you are surprised to see me in these shorts? I swear my daily uniform is Dresses, Dresses, the occasional skirt, and the business suit (only because I have to). I have no idea why I dislike wearing shorts/ pants but I just do, it’s weird I know.

Pink! is my favorite color

And on Wednesday we wear pink…again! I am obsessed with this pink floral print dress, and no surprise here it’s Eliza J. I received this as a gift but lucky for you I found this pretty thing on

Black & White

 

Another Monday Funday! I am in love with this little outfit, so much so I have worn it twice in a week weekend. I am a sucker for any type of eyelet dress and this one just happens to be 40% off right now. I purchased it a while back when I had to return some work pants that didn’t fit and I was only able to get store credit, but I just saw it online for 54.00! Much better than the 90.00 price tag! I am pretty sure it’s cheaper in the store, but size selection may be limited.

kaleidoscope dress

Ok, first I want to apologize for the picture quality... not my best and not Ryan's fault.  The sun was out in full force and in every photo I'm making weird wincy faces or standing behind this tiny tree.  But I really wanted to share this dress that I have had forever and a day, because lets be honest it's really colorful like everything else I own.

On Wednesday we wear Pink…Flamingos!