5 Ways to Stay Motivated Through the Holidays

motivation
Exact Top Here, Available Here in Charcoal, Also Love This One | Similar Bootie Shorts | Nikes | Lips, color is Sugar Fig
Good morning! Today is kind of a big day for me....  I'm having surgery on a torn labrum in my shoulder. I tore it about a year ago and decided it was time to get it fixed so that I can work out and stay active without restrictions and get some quality of life back.

For those that don't know, I am very passionate about fitness - I used to compete in Crossfit competitions before I got hurt and I absolutely loved it. Since getting injured (which, by the way, did NOT happen at the gym) I've felt very limited and have lost a lot of motivation, both in my diet and my workout routines. I'm hoping that this surgery will help me get back on track as I will have to reprioritize a lot of things in life while I recover.
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Cyber Monday Deals + Gift Guide for Her

wish list graphic
one - a new carry on tote for upcoming trips | two - word has it these hair ties are amazing | three - wireless headphones for the gym | four - the cutest beanie! | five - high rise leggings, por fa vor, this brand is incredible! on sale in black here | SUNNIES (no number, oops) | six - smells so good! | seven - bc everyone loves kendra | eight - DYING to try this curler, on sale here with code MONDAY17 | nine - some of my holy grail makeup products, great value | ten | eleven - a faux fur blanket to cozy up by the fire | twelve - my yearly Nike upgrade| thirteen - this has been on my wish list for months...everyone has one except  me! | fourteen | fifteen - love those ruffles | sixteen - wanted this during the N-Sale but it sold out, it looks so soft! | seventeen - I'm a sucker for fun back details | eighteen | nineteen - some of my favorite things!  
I thought I'd do something a little different for this gift guide and share some of the things on my personal wish list! My original thought was that it would help you put together your own wish list, but I think everything on here would make great gifts for any of the ladies in your life, as well! I have pretty basic taste, so whether you're shopping for wives, girlfriends, daughters, moms, sisters, etc. these items could work!
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AOK Guide to Black Friday

black friday sidewalk
Sweater - 35% off & comes in 4 colors! | Jeans, size up one size | Similar Clutch - 40% off! | Similar Leopard Flats + THIS pair is 50% off | Lips, color is Fiery - PERFECT for the holidays + 40% off!
OK, lets be real here, what time did you wake up this morning to start snagging deals? Or did you even go to sleep? Have you been snagging deals for days? I have never been much of a Black Friday shopper in years past because I hate crowds and I value my sleep more than money, HA! BUT, I'm all about shopping online from the comfort of my bed! Thank goodness for the internet. Unfortunately I almost always have to work on Black Friday. Life is really unfair. Don't tell my boss I'll be shopping from my work computer all day........oops!
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Romwe Sale + Thankful

young blonde woman smiling over her shoulder
Plaid Dress, c/o Romwe | Monogram Necklace - would make a great gift! | The Perfect Holiday Lip, color is Fiery
Every year at this time I'm reminded how thankful I am for my marriage! Six years ago on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (SIX years!! What the?!) C & I went on our first official date. We got sushi....I don't recommend eating sushi on a first date, ha! I remember driving back to Dallas that night, meeting up with my BFF and gushing aaaaallll about it. I told her I wasn't going to let myself fall for him - obviously that changed! In the six years since, the holidays have become a special time for us to reflect on those first few months together and the memories we created. We became "official" on New Years Day and every holiday season since has been just as magical!
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Gift Guide for the Home

one - a cozy blanket (this one is super soft and on sale) | two - a coffee mug (fill it with cocoa and a gift card!) | three - coasters | four - a cookbook or coffee table book | five - personalized letters | six - a cozy candle (this is my all time favorite scent) | seven - a festive pillow | eight - a marble cheese board | nine - holiday wine glasses (gift them early so they can be used all season) | ten - a wine cooler or ice bucket | eleven - a cozy cardi | twelve - silk pillowcases (soooo good for your skin and hair) | thirteen - house shoes | fourteen - a monogrammed cocktail shaker
This is our first holiday season in the #WhiteHouseOnThePrairie! Although we owned it this time last year, it was stripped down to the studs and under serious renovation. I'm sooooo beyond excited to decorate for Christmas soon! I've known where the Christmas tree will go since day one, ha.

In light of my love for Christmas decor....aaaand my love for being a homebody.....I put together this Gift Guide for the Home! These would make great hostess gifts, friend gifts, house warming gifts, or gifts for newlyweds! I have some of them (and love them), and others are on my personal wish list. I tried to include a variety of price ranges fit for anyone on your list. Several of these would make great gift baskets if paired together or with a beverage, gift card or food item. In my opinion, you can never go wrong with gifting blankets, coffee mugs and candles - no one can ever have enough!
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Friday Favorites

Tourist standing in front of Austin Motel sign
Similar Peplum Top Here and Here, also love This One! | Similar Moto Jacket - on sale! | Skinny Jeans | Shoes | Monogram Necklace - would make a great Christmas gift!
I seriously can't believe the holidays are upon us. November has FLOWN so far; it seems like I did my last Friday Favorites post just few days ago. About once a month I like to take a day and talk about my real life - not just pre-planned content type of blog posts. These are some of my favorite posts to write (and read on other blogger's sites).

This month has seriously been a whirl wind...like, I had to open my planner just to remember everything I did! I'm sure the next month will be just as crazy since it is filled with big holidays, parties, family time and tons of shopping (and a shoulder surgery, if your name is Amanda Martin).
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Time to Feast + A Thanksgiving Outfit

Similar Turtleneck Bell Sleeve Sweater | Dark Skinny Jeans - size down | Black Boots - on sale for $35!
Thanksgiving is here and that means my hunger is in full force. When Influenster sent me the Feast VoxBox for free in exchange for review, I was a little (OK, a lot) confused because I am far from a recipe/food blogger.....however, I'll take free mint cookies any day. I had fun sampling some of the items in the VoxBox and am sharing my thoughts and a few family favorite recipes below.

By the way....how cute is this turtleneck sweater? I think it would be perfect for Thanksgiving dinner! It is just classy enough to look nice but it is cozy, comfy and very flattering (i.e. it hides the food babies). I wore it with jeans here, but it would look equally as great with my favorite pair of leggings and a pair of riding boots for maximum turkey day comfort.
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Gift Guide for Your Bestie

one | two - this candle smells incredible | three | four - current fav lip color! | five | six | seven - the best color for dry lips | eight | nineten | eleven | twelve - such a popular scarf this year! | thirteen | fourteen - majorly on my wish list!
Happy Monday, loves! Can you believe we are basically half way through November?! I'm not allowing myself to turn on Christmas music until the radio stations start playing it.......but I'm gonna be honest, I check 104.1 every morning! I have a feeling it will be on any day now...

I make it a goal to get all my Christmas shopping done ASAP so that I can actually enjoy the holiday season instead of stressing out all of December! I do most of my shopping online in November, so I thought I'd start putting together some gift guides so that you can do the same. I'll be publishing gift guides each Monday through Christmas. Today's guide is ideas for your BFF or sister and is filled with things I either have or would love to get.
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One Dress Two Ways

girl leaning against wall wrapped in aztec poncho
Dress, Long Sleeve Version Here, Green Version on Major Sale Here | Similar Poncho, on major sale (also love This One for 25% off) | Similar BootiesMonogram NecklaceBraceletLips, color is Patina
Happy Happy Friday! Today I wanted to do something a little different....I'm sharing two different looks with the same dress! As you saw in Monday's post, I'm teeeerrible about buying something and only wearing it once (sometimes only for photos!). Terrible, I know, but I am just not an outfit repeater, ha! I've been consciously trying to find ways to repeat my outfits by styling basic pieces different ways. I thought this dress was the perfect opportunity to do just that!

You've probably seen 47 different bloggers wear this dress but there is a good explanation: it really is that good. It is so dang flattering, I can't even begin to explain - you just have to try it for yourself! I was sooooo bloated the day I took these photos (thanks to a few too many bottles of wine at a Halloween party the night before) but I still felt flawless once I put the dress on. That's the kind of dress every girl needs in her life. The ruching seriously flattens you out and highlights your curves in the best kind of way.
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All About the Accent Sleeves

smiling girl wearing ruffle sleeve sweater
Pearl Ruffle Sleeve Sweater c/o SheIn | Similar Distressed Skinnies | David Yurman Bracelet | Similar Ruffle Shoes | Lips, color is Patina
One of this season's hottest trends is accent sleeves: bell sleeves, ruffle sleeves, balloon sleeves, etc., etc. I personally dove head first into the accent sleeve pool and am loving it. One HUGE tip, though, don't wear bell sleeves to Thanksgiving Dinner! Been there, done that, not a good idea. Gravy, 'errwhere.

This ruffle sleeve sweater is only $24 and is super thick and warm (plus, gimme anything with pearls). I love that the ruffles start a little lower down on your arm - I have really broad shoulders so when ruffles start higher up, it makes me look even wider than I am! I think it would look incredible with a leather pencil skirt, with a statement necklace, or even distressed black jeans for a black-on-black look! So many options.
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Clothing Rental Companies + My TV Appearance

young woman sitting on kitchen counter
Dalmatian Print OTS Top (size up if between sizes) | Skinnies (size down) | Wedge Booties - on sale for $25 and so comfy! | Bracelet | Lip Stain, color is Patina
Happy Monday Morning! Did you catch me on TV last week?? My friend Mireya from Fox25 News did a story on clothing rental companies and asked to interview me (along with Ashley from Sass & Satin) to get my thoughts. The full story aired Thursday at 5 pm - you can view it here.

I did a lot of research for this piece and I wanted to share all the details so you can know which companies are worth your time. Mireya asked me to look into Rent The Runway, Le Tote, Parcel 22 and The Ms. Collection. Some of them I really liked and would use myself, others....not so much. There are also some pretty cool jewelry rental companies on the market right now like Rocksbox or Switch that deserve some recognition, as well!
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The Perfect Orange Friday Sweater

girl wearing orange sweater in okc
Split Back Turtleneck (on sale here in black) | Distressed Skinnies (size down) | Keds | Belt, Dupe Here |
Exact Vince Camuto Purse Sold Out, Similar Here
Happy Orange Friday, friends! It's one of the most important Orange Fridays of the year - Orange Friday, Bedlam Edition. For anyone not from Oklahoma, Bedlam is when Oklahoma State University and The University of Oklahoma play each other. Its a big rivalry that awards even bigger bragging rights. You know I'll be cheering on my Pokes - even though I'm not overly confident that we'll pull off a W, ha!

I want to note how perfectly cute and cozy this sweater is! It can be hard to find a sweater that is cute, soft, just-warm-enough, and that can be dressed up or down, but I found it!! This Free People Sweater comes in several colors (the black version is on sale here) and is so cozy without being too stuffy or itchy. I love the slit in the back to give it a little extra character, but it could be easily made work-appropriate by wearing a cami underneath. It also looks great with a moto jacket for extra chilly days. I was totally planning on wearing this to the Bedlam game tomorrow, but.....that Oklahoma weather is doing it's thang and it will be too hot. Luckily I have roughly 17,245 other orange items to wear instead. 
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