April Favorites

OKC Blogger Amanda Martin's April Favorites 2019
one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve | thirteen

Hi friends! Happy Monday! I'm finally back in the swing of things around here and feeling recovered from jet lag....mostly! April was a crazy month - half of it being spent in Europe - so my monthly favorites list is a bit different this go round. Most of these items were things I purchased to take with me on the trip and I loved them so much that I had to share!
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What I Wore in Europe

Amanda Martin shares what to pack for a trip to Europe
Ruffle Cami is c/o Meela Collections | Backpack is c/o VICI, similar hereShop the rest of my look here!

Bonjour! I am officially home from Europe and back at work. Womp womp. It is kind of nice to get back into a routine, though. As much as I love traveling, I always love coming home and I appreciate getting back to my gym and healthy eating habits! I really missed my bed, hubby, hair products and puppies (in no particular order haha).

My mom and I traveled to Europe for 12 days - most of that time was spent in Paris but we did hop over to London for two days via the Chunnel! I knew we wouldn't have much opportunity to do laundry so I strategically packed outfits that would be light weight.....that way I could bring more pieces. If you're curious, YES, packing cubes really do work! I packed enough outfits in one suitcase to wear something different every day + several dressier looks, as well, that I changed into for fancy dinners!
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Where to Stay in Paris: Hotel Chavanel Review

where to stay in paris: hotel chavanel review

Paris is always a good idea.....and staying at Hotel Chavanel is, too! If possible, I always choose to stay at a boutique hotel when traveling; they always seem to have more charm, a caring staff and they feel more unique to the city in which you are visiting. Hotel Chavanel was no exception....from the moment my mom and I arrived in Paris it was like we were living in a dream!

Hotel Chavanel is a 4-star, family-owned, 27-room boutique hotel located in the Le Madeleine neighborhood (the 8th Arrondissement) of Paris. It is chic, elegant and so very welcoming! When I was trying to figure out where to stay in Paris, I instantly fell in love with the photos of their property. Their website lists the decor as "discreet-luxury, not ostentatious, but well thought through with attention to detail." I couldn't agree more. The aesthetic of the hotel from the lobby to the guest rooms was beautiful but not over the top. The whole property had a modern yet fashionably elegant Parisian charm to it, which I loved, and it was filled with unique lighting and stylish touches like the Aspen trees lining the lobby and the candy bowl filled with rose and lavender flavored mints at the front desk. There was a floral shape that was carried throughout the design of the hotel from the curtains to the wall art and it really tied everything together with such a modern elegance.

When we checked in, we were greeted with a welcome card from the owner, a champagne toast, and an ornamental perfume piece to put in our luggage to keep it smelling fresh. I thought it was the sweetest touch! I will definitely be using it on future trips; I know it will hold wonderful travel memories.
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OKC by the Districts: Uptown 23rd

OKC Blog Amanda's OK |  Uptown 23rd District Review
Spotted Top (only $5!) | Yellow Chino Pants | Similar Mule Slide Shoes

Hello fellow Oklahomies (and anyone else out there reading this)! I'm getting ready to skip town for a few weeks so this post is going up earlier than normal. I shared my favorite spots in Midtown and the Plaza in months past but this month we're talking about Uptown 23rd! Uptown 23rd District is one of Oklahoma City’s premier business and entertainment areas that continues to grow. It's located along historic Route 66 (on NW 23rd Street) between Broadway and Pennsylvania Avenue. There are many iconic landmarks such as the Tower Theater, Gold Dome and the historic Milk Bottle, lots of tasty restaurants and plenty of things to see and do!

I'm rounding up my favorite local spots in the Uptown 23rd area to help you create a day filled with tasty eats and lots of fun. TONIGHT is actually Uptown Uncorked - Uptown 23rd's annual fundaiser with tastings from Uptown’s best restaurants along with local breweries and wineries, live music, a photo booth, and exciting raffle items. If there are still tickets available, it would be a great time to experience the area!
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Easter Inspo with Roma Designer Jewelry

Easter Dress Inspo from blogger Amanda's OK
Yellow Wrap Dress, similar here and here | Roman Glass Pendant, c/o Roma Designer Jewelry (use code AMANDASOK20 for 20% off) | Strap Sandals | Lips, color is Twig

Spring is in the air and Easter is right around the corner! I LOVE Easter and everything that it stands for....plus it's a good excuse to dress up, take pictures, eat candy, and bake my Grandma's homemade carrot cake! My mom and I booked a big mother-daughter vacation in April, though, and we unknowingly did so over Easter weekend...we didn't realize until it was too late. I'm sad to miss our family's Easter Sunday traditions but I guess we'll just have to indulge in Grandma's carrot cake when we get back!

The planning of my Easter Sunday outfit has been a big deal for as long as I can remember! I love all the floral prints and pastels, tulle skirts and pretty crochet details. I'm rounding up some Easter dress inspo for you below - I tried to find dresses that are appropriate for church, brunch, egg hunts and everything in-between. Even though I'll be out of the country on Easter, I'll be rocking an Easter dress all day long.
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7 Ways I Maintain a Work-Life-Blog Balance

OKC blogger Amanda Martin shares 7 ways to find a work-life-blog balance
Workout Set (only $30!) c/o Fabletics | Long Sleeve Crop Top | Crop Leggings | Nike Metcons

If you want something, you gotta work hard to make it happen. But I'm gonna be honest.......I've been working myself into the ground lately chasing my dreams and I am exhausted both mentally and physically. Of course it pays off eventually, but the pay off isn't always overnight so it can be tough to keep pushing yourself without seeing those immediate benefits. Needless to say, with so many things going on, I've had to really focus on maintaining a work-life-blog balance so that I don't burn myself out! I recently saw a quote that said, "I cannot pour from an empty well" and it really resonated with me.

I have a full time job that often includes nights or weekends, I teach fitness classes several mornings (5:30 a.m.) and evenings (6:00 p.m.) a week, plus I blog, which is more a less a job in itself (but a fun one, of course). In between all of that I try to find time to be present with my husband, visit my out-of-town family, spend time with friends, meet with blog partners, workout, clean the house / do chores, run errands, travel and maybe find some time to relax if I'm lucky. I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong, I know how blessed I am to have so many amazing opportunities. What I'm getting at and what I've come to learn is that sometimes I can't do it all and that's OK.

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