5 years ago

Haute Homebody Milestone and Weekend Reads

Happy Friday everyone!  Today is a bit of a Haute Homebody milestone on the blog and Instagram.  Today’s picture marked my 700th picture on Instagram!  So I figured it was time for a re-introduction of sorts.

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W E E K E N D R E A D S // Today is a big milestone: this picture marks my 700th post on Instagram. Swipe to see my first. Ironically, my very first blog and IG post was about virtual date nights with my now-husband when we were in a long-distance relationship! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I figured this would also be a good time to share some facts about myself. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ -My name is Amanda, and I started my blog in 2015 after needing a creative (and girly haha) outlet from my job as a sports reporter. However, it took me years to build up the courage to tell anyone I even had a blog. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ -I love sports. I spent 12 years working as a reporter covering just about every sport and every major athlete and coach. I even met my husband covering sports. I also played college lacrosse and was a competitive figure skater for a large part of my life. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ -Travel is really the reason I work. I took my first international trip at 14. I've been to four continents and 26 countries. My favorite city in the world is London after living there for a bit. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ -What I once thought I wanted to be: marine biologist, celebrity divorce attorney 🤷‍♀️, foreign correspondent, broadway star (if only I could sing and dance better haha) and TV anchor at a regional sports network ✅ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ -I LOVE Lifetime movies. I watch them all the time. I don't know why I love them so much. I even applied to be a script reader at Lifetime right out of college but I never even got an interview! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Also in today's weekend reads ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ -Gift ideas for Mom – At-home gym equipment that's still in stock – Tons of good outdoor patio pieces on sale – An Ikea furniture hack that I'm super excited about. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Read more: http://hautehomebody.com/haute-homebody-milestone-and-weekend-reads/ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #ltkblogger #ikeafurniture #diyhome #mothersdaygifts #ltkgetaway #lblogger #styleinspiration #portlandblogger #bloggerspdx

A post shared by Amanda | Style/ DIY Blogger 💃🏻 (@hautehomebody) on

I started this blog back in 2015 when I was working as a sports reporter in Indianapolis.  I was lonely, bored and around TONS of masculine energy all day, so I felt like I needed a hobby to escape.

At the time, I would do tons of fashion DIY crafts, and that’s how this blog originally started.  These sequin pumpkins were my very first DIY blog project.

This was my very first Instagram post on making a Strawberry gimlet and ironically having virtual date nights with Jake, being in a long distance relationship.  We were SO ahead of the curve.  LOL

While this is something I struggle with all the time, I do think it’s important to look back and be grateful for the progress you have made in life.  It literally took me YEARS to even tell my friend’s that I had a blog because I felt embarrassed and felt that it just wasn’t good enough.

Fast forward six years of blogging (with MANY breaks in between due to insecurity) and I’m doing it as a full-time job.

There’s always miles to go, but it’s pretty amazing what you can teach yourself to do when you just go out there and try.  For those of you looking to start a blog, a new career, etc, I’ve learned over the last six years:

You’re never too old to start something new…There’s space for everyone…Just start and figure it out as you go…Ask questions of people who know the answers….And you can find the answer to anything on the Internet.

Thanks for being a part of this journey!

Weekend Reads | 5-1

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Mother’s Day is just around the corner.  If you’re looking for blooms for mom, try Urban Stems or Farm Girl Flowers if you can’t find a local florist doing no-contact deliveries.  I love that they feel a little different bouquets than usual.

Other gift ideas for Mom…

-meal delivery service subscription like Blue Apron.  I feel like everyone could use a break from cooking right about now!

-similarly, how about a gift card to a local restaurant or bar doing food and beverage delivery/take-out service.

-workout app subscription

-love this personalized family recipe cutting board

-Williams Sonoma has lots of interesting charcuterie and wine baskets

-a pair of Birdies slides…they are soooo comfortable and adorable and under $100

-amazing Amazon back massager

Onto this week’s other reads

One of my life’s pet peeves is not being able to get all the juice out of a citrus fruit.  Maybe this product will be the answer.

Also VERY excited about this $20 Amazon kitchen tool we just picked up.

This swingy white dress ($55) is so so good.

So I had been an anti-audiobook person.  But after listening to Jessica Simpson’s Open Book, I have changed my tune.  Here’s what I started this week.

Glamour’s list of best books of 2020.

Just snagged this $30 blue maxi dress.  I can seeing myself wearing this ALL the time.

A round-up of places that are selling hand sanitizer online.

Easy DIY project that will bring the good vibes all summer long: how to make a cornhole set. 

I started this book this week for my book club.

I really want to attempt making this flatbread recipe next week.

Best home gym equipment AND there’s still pieces on this list available.

I’m super excited for this show out today on Netflix.

This risotto recipe looks simple and divine.

Fodor’s looks at how your hotel stay will be different after Coronavirus.

Do I need phone soap?  I probably do.

Any rattan and wicker furniture fans?  I’m dying to try this Ikea cabinet hack when we get in the house.

Love everything about this $40 palm dress.

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner.  Perhaps celebrate at home with Slow Cooker Carne Asada Tacos and a Strawberry Jalapeño Margarita.

Weekend Sales | 5-1

Aerie: 50% off bras and bikinis.

Ann Taylor: 60% off 3+ items, 50% off 2+ items and 40% off 1 items.

Banana Republic: 50% off everything.

Boohoo: Take 60% off everything.

Gap: Take up to 75% off everything plus an extra 50% off markdowns with code PERK.

J. Crew:  40%-60% off dressy-ish styles.  Runs until FRIDAY night.

Loft: 40% off your purchase plus an extra 15% off with code XOXO.

Madewell: 50% off sale with code BIGTIME.

Mango: Take 30% off everything.

Nordstrom:  Up to 50% off many brands.  Love this $18 straw visor for summer.  Great everyday bodysuits for $21.

Old Navy: 30% off everything.

Wayfair: Up to 65% to 70% off various furniture, decor items.  We’ve been scouring this sale for stuff for the house renovation.  Here are some of the pieces I love:

Sephora: Spring sale ends TONIGHT.

Below I’ve shared my tried and true favorites in skincare, makeup and hair as well as the products I’m thinking about buying and trying.

Sephora Spring Sale Picks: My Tried and True Picks

Sephora Spring Sale, best foundation 2020, best foundation in your 30's, sephora spring sale picks, sephora haul, 30 year old makeup tips, sephora makeup favorites, makeup

Shop the Post: Skincare

 

 

Sephora Spring Sale, best foundation 2020, best foundation in your 30's, sephora spring sale picks, sephora haul, 30 year old makeup tips, sephora makeup favorites, makeup

Shop the Post: Makeup

 

Sephora Spring Sale, best foundation 2020, best foundation in your 30's, sephora spring sale picks, sephora haul, 30 year old makeup tips, sephora makeup favorites, makeup

 

Shop the Post: Hair

 

 

Sephora Spring Sale Picks: What I’m Planning to Buy and Try

Sephora Spring Sale, best foundation 2020, best foundation in your 30's, sephora spring sale picks, sephora haul, 30 year old makeup tips, sephora makeup favorites, makeup

Shop the Post: Skincare

 

Sephora Spring Sale, best foundation 2020, best foundation in your 30's, sephora spring sale picks, sephora haul, 30 year old makeup tips, sephora makeup favorites, makeup

Shop the Post: Makeup

 

 

Sephora Spring Sale, best foundation 2020, best foundation in your 30's, sephora spring sale picks, sephora haul, 30 year old makeup tips, sephora makeup favorites, makeup

Shop the Post: Hair

Recently on Haute Homebody:

-Every single TV show we’ve watched in quarantine

Target Spring Haul

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