Weekend Recap

Outfit deets: Dress (eliza J last season), similar // Shoes: Kate spade by Keds (last season), Similar // sunnies: Karen Walker, Same frame different color// necklace: Kendra Scott.

Valentine’s Day was this past weekend and to be honest I love v-day! I always hear people complain that it’s a hallmark holiday or that you should love someone unconditionally all the time not just on one day, but for me it is more than that. I view it as a day we celebrate our love for each other.

 Last year Ryan and I went all out, booked a room at the NYLO in Plano, made dinner reservations, and planned an entire staycation in the comfort of our hotel! Let’s just say that relaxing staycation didn’t happen… our reservation for dinner was two hours behind schedule, and when we finally could have gotten into the restaurant they had run out of food. On the plus side they gave us a voucher for our meal, oh but it had to be used that weekend (like we were going to come back)… so at 8pm on Valentine’s Day we were scrambling to find reservations. In hindsight I wish we had ordered pizza but since I was dressed up I really wanted to go out. After driving around and frantically searching open table for available reservations we found a place. We finally sat down for dinner around 10:00 and made it back to the hotel after midnight. At that point we were exhausted and just wanted to go to bed, I was actually missing my own bed by this point.

So for this year we both agreed a low key informal day was what we wanted. Saturday we decided to enjoy the perfect weather with a picnic at White Rock Lake. I packed up the picnic basket and Ryan loaded Ava into the car. We found a perfect spot near the water with a great view of downtown off in the distance. Our spread was pretty amazing too; hummus, fruit, cheese, cupcakes you name it. We just relaxed and enjoyed the day together.

Ryan and I were talking on our ride home how quickly time had passed. We spent over two hours talking and eating…it seemed like we had only been there a short while. Once we got home, we headed to Dillard’s to run an errand…which turned into Ryan surprising me with my feather dress! And then we had a late dinner of steak and pan sauce. I really couldn’t have asked for a better day spent with my loved ones, and it sure beat the price of a steak dinner at our favorite restaurant! How did you spend v-day?

Amelia B.

A Crush on Blush

Since it is the month of love I thought I would showcase a few V-day inspired outfits. Ryan and I have decided to do a low key Valentine’s Day this year since our experience last year at the NYLO in Plano went soooo wrong. I mean honestly how do you run 2 hours behind your reservation and run out of food… after eating at almost 11 at night at an entirely different place we decided that a day spent together and a night in is just what we need. So in honor of not getting all dressed up and fancy here is my first Valentine ’s Day outfit.

This Topshop dress was a clearance find from Nordstrom Rack almost 7 months ago….I took the tags off today, it was on major sale marked down from 135.00 to 59.95 and then another 25% off. I love how feminine it is with the pleated bodice and tiny sequins. The color might be the best part; blush is just a romantic color to me, is that weird? Since it is a little cooler today I threw on this cream jacket I purchased from forever 21 a few years ago! It too has tiny sequins and the texture reminds me of something I would see in a Chanel boutique. To finish the look I added these Darcy Kendra Scott earrings that the man got me in celebration of our 3 year anniversary and my favorite neutral heels I purchased years ago for $19.99!

I feel like the textures and color make this outfit perfect for a date night yet also work appropriate! Since shopping my own closet I have started to pair pieces together that in the past I never did! I really love being able to do that, I feel like I am breathing fresh air into things I already have. Oh, and finally getting around to wearing those items that still have the tags on them.

Amelia B.

I almost Failed (update on the NO Shopping)

party dresses by ameliablake featuring Tiffany & Co.

Paper Crown petite cocktail dress
anthropologie.com

Jessica Simpson lace dress
macys.com

Jimmy Choo evening shoes
neimanmarcus.com

Jimmy Choo chain wallet
nordstrom.com

Jimmy Choo chain wallet
nordstrom.com

Tiffany & Co. earrings
tiffany.com

 Above is my 30th Birthday inspiration...I know I still have time to think about it but this leads me into my almost OOPS moment.

So this past weekend I almost broke the no shopping challenge. My bestie was in town and we decided to hit up Ulta for some makeup essentials (don’t worry I only got replacement face wash and my Urban decay spray). We were walking around the shops and I had the brilliant idea of running into Dillard’s, as said perfectly by Vivian from the movie Pretty Woman “Big Mistake. Big. Huge!”


I wanted to see the current Eliza J Dresses or “old Lady dresses” according to the sales associate, and after walking finding none we stumbled upon a blush feathered dress on clearance, so perfect for a birthday dress! Then this gorgeous lace dress with a feather and floral trim. I wasn’t sold on either but they were both interesting enough to catch my attention, and being in a store for the first time in months I figured What’s the harm in playing dress up, right?

Luckily the feather dress was cute but not something I couldn’t live without. However, that Lace number stole my heart! It was sophisticated but fun perfect for a 30th Birthday. I wanted to buy it right then and there, but my conscience got the best of me and I put it on hold for the day. If I was about to break the “challenge” I needed to really think about it and why I was de-committing. Technically I can buy a dress for my Birthday, but what you don’t know is that I bought that one from Anthro a few weeks ago. My aunt got me a gift card and my favorite dress went on mega clearance (as in 25% off the already 65% with free shipping). So in my mind I fulfilled my B-day buying.


That night I thought about it…A LOT! I tried to justify it, how could I skirt the rules and get it. But then I decided that I had to let it go. There will be many items over the next few months that I will have to give up. I learned a real big lesson that day. If you avoid the temptation it is a lot easier to reach your goals. Being able to overcome the temptation also made me feel really good about my decision a few days later. I have been avoiding stores and online retailers to eliminate the urge to shop and using my time to do other things, like sew,, explore Dallas, or spend time with Ryan!


As of today I still want the dress and have been hinting at it, I mean Valentine ’s Day is approaching, haha! But if I do not get it, I will survive; another something will come along that I will think I can’t live without but will have to pass on so I better get used to it.







Love Always,


Amelia B.



PS On a side note what do you think of the new blog design???  Still working on making it mine but I just love it!!