Shop my Dance Night Look

Dance is finally starting again and it's one of my favorite things to do. I love watching Scarlett dance at Arabesque Studio and then getting pizza with my baby and friends. I wore a comfy Lula Roe Carly dress which you can get from Olivia Fink's Facebook Group (mine's a small) or check out these alternatives.

Shop this look:

The Dress

SheIn  $16
My dress is actually a dark green and I love the long sleeves on this one.

Lulus $33
This one has a pocket like the Carly but it's a little short (I love that the Carly is longer in the back!)

The Shoes

Halogen $90
I bought these at the Anniversary Sale and I'm really pleaded with how comfortable they are.

Lulus $25
I can't testify to how comfortable they are but the price is right!

The Bag

Sole Society  $60
This bag is fabulous I get so many compliments. It doesn't fit everything but it handles the basics.

Rebecca Minkoff $395

If you want a genuine leather version try out this gorgeous one.

The Necklace 

Jules Smith $85

This came from my Rocksbox and if it were a little cheaper I might buy it. Works perfectly with this dress though. Interested in trying Rocksbox? Get a free month with this code: amandabbff1130.

Forever 21 $5

For $5? I think I need this one.

The Bracelet

Kate Spade $40

I get a lot of wear out of this classy bangle.

Forever 21 $7

One of these would work perfectly.

The Rings

Ettika  $30

This came from my Rocksbox and with the discount it came to $14 not a bad deal. I have difficulties with rings because of my arthritis but this delicate and open backed ring doesn't hurt at all.

Forever 21 $5

These caged rings have a similar look.

The Sunnies

BP $12

I really like these sunglasses and the price.

Ray-Ban $150

Beautiful and more sturdy, but don't loose them.

Shop my Picnic Look

Summer weather lingered on last week and it was super hot for Scarlett's school picnic. Here's my look that I stole from @budgetbabe.

Shop this look:

The Dress

H&M $9

Lulus $38

The Shoes

Adidas Superstars $80

Target $30

The Bag

Vintage Coach on ETSY $45-90

Rue 21 $9

The Necklace

Kendra Scott Elisa $60

Abalone Choker from ETSY $30

The Sunglasses

Aviators from eBay $2

Ray Bans $165

Shop my Back to School Night Outfit

Last night was my first Back to School as a parent and it was equally boring and awkward as it is as a teacher. But I wore this super cute dress I got on clearance at TJ Maxx. Here's some dupes at all price ranges for my outfit.

The Dress:

Tobi $42
This tiered dress is super cute!

Charlotte Russe  $15

This one's a little more casual but you can't beat the price.

ASOS $79
This one has a similar feel but in a longer style that will take you into winter.

Old Navy  $37
I love this button up, such a versatile style.

The Bag: 

Nordstrom $45

Faux leather saddle bag with gold details.

Target  $25

A similar but less pricy option.

The Jewlery:

Tory Burch Cuff $175 & Necklace $175

eBay Initial Necklace $10

Ettika Onxy Ring $30

For a cheaper alternative to my Tory Burch Jewlery try one of these...

JCPENNY  $14

This is fabulous for the price!

Kendra Scott  $90

Perfect match, half the price.

Forever 21 $6

Talk about budget friendly fashion finds!

The Shoes:

Macy's  $48

Almost identical to mine. 

Payless $25

Easier on the wallet, lower heel.

Instagram Roundup #ootd August 29th - September 4th

First week of school, soccer, dance, etc..... long week. Fortunately we finished it with a retreat on Kent Island, MD right on Crab Alley. Check out the views!

Monday: First Day of School

New York and Company Flamingo Tee $12

New York and Company Destroyed Black Jeans  $69

Havaianas Flip Flops $32

Longchamp Le Pilage Tote Medium $115

eBay H Bracelet $8

Stella Dot Cluster Bracelet  $59

Betsy Johnson Glasses Bracelet (mine's old but here's a similar style from Kate Spade $78)

Turquoise Bar Necklace $34


Tuesday: Birthday Party

Nordstrom Strappy Back Tee $21

Charlotte Russe Skinny Boyfriend Jeans $14

Missoni Velvet Flats (buy them second hand and save hundreds of dollars

Sole Society Structured Bag $60

Kate Spade Bangle $40

eBay Nail Braclet $2

eBay Arrow Bracelet $8


Wednesday: Nutcracker Additions

Loft Peplum Top $20

New York and Company Cropped Jeans $16!

New York and Company Open Back Booties $40

Nordstrom Reversible Tote $48

Victoria Emerson Wrap Bracelet $29

Turquoise Bar Necklace $34

Nordstrom  BP Sunnies $12


Thursday: Rainy Day

Charlotte Russe Flannel Shirt $15

Old Navy Ripped Denim Shorts (sold out)

Hunter Boots $105

Target Crossbody Satchel Bag $30

Tobi Pyramid Bracelet $10

Stella Dot Rose Gold Monogram Pendant $69


Weekend: Kent Island 

I wore Lula Roe all weekend with a few accessories.

Toms Classic Canvas Slip Ons  $47

Nordstrom Sole Society Tote $59

Grey Cutout Sweatshirt (mine came from TJ Maxx but here's a similar style from ASOS for $25)

Gold Rimmed Raybans (I accidentally grabbed Jenny's) $200

Walmart Feater Lariat Choker $4 in stores

eBay Spike Bracelet $1

ETSY Name Necklace $30

Stella Dot Cluster Bracelet  $59

Check out the views from Crab Alley

Nordstrom Summer Clearance Sale

Nordstrom is having a summer clearance sale and here are great finds! It's on now through September 11th. Here's my recommendations for some staple items for fall at seriously low prices.

BP Tassle Pendant Necklace  $12
A great dupe for the $98 Kendra Scott version.

Lush Tunic $28
I have this in 3 colors it's so great!

BCBGeneration Peep Toe Booties $66
This shoe is all the rage for fall.

Halogen Long Side Slit Cardigan $39
Long cardigans are right now, they're flattering on everyone.

Bell Cuff High/Low Blouse  $34
Burgundy ✔, Bell Sleeve ✔, High Low✔ , this is on point for this season.

BP Plaid Shirt $29
Everyone needs this in their wardrobe.

Topshop Washed Kacki Jacket $45
You've got to own an army jacket this season.

Mixed Finish Crossbody Saddle Bag $22
Seriously great price on a staple peice.

The Gospel on Makeup Brushes

Every artist needs the right tools and we all are very opinionated on the subject. Avoid buying a big set because you'll get a lot of brushes you'll never use. Instead buy exactly what you need and most of them aren't that expensive. Here are my must have brushes.

Eyes:

Smashbox Eyeshadow Brush #7 $24 I'm not a fan of Smadhbix makeup but their brushes ate the best! I love the way this brush evenly picks up and puts down powder.

Smashbox Smudge Brush #15 $24 is the perfect tool for corners and creases.

NYX Pro Blending Brush $10 is what you need for perfect eyeshadow blending.

Smashbox Cream Eyeliner #9 and Angled Brow Brush #12 Combo $10 helps me achieve perfectly shaped brows and perfect eye lining (I use the #9 side for my brows and 12 for my eyes)


Face:

Tarte Airbrush Finish Foundation Brush $34 needs a few uses to get broken in but I love this brush. It has mostly eliminated the need for my blender sponges.

e.l.f. Ultimate Blending Brush $6 was what I used before I bought the Tarte brush. It's excellent for the price but still needsome blending out afterwards and after a few  $6months the glue weakened and the brush is loose.

e.l.f. Beautifly Bare Blending Brush $6 is what I use with my highlighter it's perfect for dusting.

e.l.f. Contouring Brush $6 is what I use for my bronzer it creates a sharp, controlled line in the right places.

Too Faced Teddy Bear Blush Brush $65 is soft but picks up pigment perfectly. It's easy to control. Unfortunately you can't buy it separately right now but the eye shadow brushes are also really nice so if you've got the cash this is a good set.

Sephora Collection Mini Multitasker Brush  $14 is a good alternative blush brush.

e.l.f. Beautifully Bare Stippling Brush $4 is perfect for liquid or cream blush. Blends very naturally.

Bare Minerals Seamless Buffing Brush $26 is what I use to apply transparent powder all over my face.

Oval Blending Brushes $13 I know I said don't buy a set but these are super cheap and hard get individually I use the medium size to blend my bronzer and the small one for precession highlighting. I'll be giving away one of the medium brushes on instagram. Check @pinkhairmandie!


Good brushes can last you years if you care for them. I spray my brushes weekly with e.l.f. Daily Brush Cleaner $3 and quarterly I do a full wash. Get the details here.

Instagram #ootd Roundup August 22nd - 28th

Last week before school starts was super rocky, mom went to the hospital but she's out now and doing better. Meanwhile instagram is preventing me from commenting or liking photos which is really frustrating, hopefully it'll get fixed soon.

Tuesday: Breakfast with Scarlett

Anna Taylor Loft Tank $13

New York and Company Rip and Repair Jeans $70

Tom's Slip Ons $48

Amazon Straw Fedora $15

Nordstrom Sole Society Tote  $59

Etsy Name Necklace $30

Etsy Doctor Who Bracelets $24 

Wednesday: Lunch Date 

Zulily Elephant Tank  (here's a similar style from H&M for $10)

Charlotte Russe Skinny Boyfriend Jeans $18

Target Thong Sandals $18

Nordstrom Reversible Tote $48

Quartz Bar Necklace  (here's a similar style from ETSY for $36)

Stella Dot Sahara Necklace $49 

Nordstrom BP Sunnies $12 

Thursday: Visiting Mom in the Hospital 

Nordstrom Lush Linen Shirt (sold out but here's a similar style for $25)

New York and Company Linen Shorts $16

Minnetonka Moccasins $40

Victoria Emerson Wrap Bracelet $34

Bauble Bar Alpha and Ice Pendant  $36

Mom's Na Hoku Hawaiian Slipper Lariat $1200


Friday: School Open Houses

Nordstrom Rack Shirt Dress $40

New York and Company Booties $40

Nordstrom BP Drawstring Bag $55

eBay Monogram Pendant Necklace $10

Stella Dot Cluster Bracelet  $59

eBay Chain Bracelet $1

eBay H Bracelet $8

Nordstrom BP Sunnies $12


Saturday: Bachelorette Party

Zulily Romper (here's a similar style from Nordstrom for $98)

Charlotte Russe Silver Heels  (here's a similar style from Lord & Taylor for $68)

Alice Evans Designs Clutch and Cuff

New York and Company Statement Necklace (here's a similar style for $27)

Forever 21 Rhinestone Bracelet(here's a similar style from ETSY for $8)