EMPTY HOUSE TOUR

Hey Friends! I've been a little MIA this summer so I wanted to catch you up to where I've been... we bought a house! If you'd be interested in reading about our experience buying our first house, I'll be happy to share. Lets just say it's stressful and a world of unknowns. But for today I wanted to share this video I shot the first day we went to the house :)

I hope to venture into house updates and decor on the blog as we go. We're starting from scratch because I didn't want to buy anything in our rental in case it wouldn't work for our future home. Currently, our bed is still on the floor, the only thing in our living room is a couch and tv, and the running count for trips to Home Depot is 9 😂

Our house is turn key, but I do have some plans as far as updates I'd like to make to make it our own, maybe I'll cross them off and update them here as I go! 

Tiling the master shower and updating the vanity with paint, hardware, and new mirror

Paint Tims video game room (the green room)

Paint the navy accent wall to brighten it up for my video / blog room

Shiplap or paint the powder room, add storage

Plant things outside that make me happy (and I won't kill)

New carpet upstairs

Add some interest to the kitchen island (such as x's on the side)

New hardwood floors + add hardwoods on stairs 

Update the shelving unit in the pantry 

Thanks for reading / watching!

xo Amanda John

NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE TOP 10

Here are my must have picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I'll explain later because I'm running late to work... haha!

This morning I had an unplanned early wake up that lead to a little too much extra time before work to peruse the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. The next thing I knew I had 30 minutes to shower and leave so thank you for waiting it out for me to finish this post :)

My game plan for the sale was to shop online and pick up in-store, so I knew the items I wanted most were reserved for me in the store before I drove 30 minutes to my nearest Nordstrom. Normally, I got for new boots and a few little things here and there, but this year I wanted to focus on really good basics that I will get regular wear out of, like basic tops, a good pair of jeans, and comfy layers for work and the weekend.

#1: Halogen Long Open Front Cardigan | #2: BP Lightweight Rib Stitch Cardigan | #4: Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite® Circle Cardigan

I'm always cold at work year round, so I knew picking up a few different cardigans would be a good investment to my wardrobe and out of all the options  I ended up with these three. A must have for me this year is finally trying the Barefoot Dreams Circle Cardigan that always sells out while I contemplate the price tag, so this year there was was no hesitation other than deciding the color.

#3: Halogen Soft Ruffle Jacket

This isn't a piece that I normally go for but I was intrigued by the design and color and wanted to reserve it to try on. I'll let y'all know what I think of it when I get it.

#5 Halogen Button Back Ruffle Hem Dress

My current comfy LBP is in serious need of tossing and this one with the ruffle detail will be the perfect replacement! Drop ruffle details can be a hit or miss with my hips, so I hope it fits! I can picture so many different outfits around the dress, so I'm excited to style it.

#6 Madewell Catskills Jacket

I wasn't expecting to get a new olive green coat because I have one but I've never been happy with how it fit on me, so I'm hoping this one is a more flattering cut and I wear it more because I think they are a fall staple.

#7: Emerson Rose Tie Cuff Blouse

 I love the little bow tie sleeve detail on this otherwise boring plain white top (even though I can never have too many of boring white tops for work!).

#8: Barefoot Dreams Cozy Chic Robe

Another Barefoot Dreams item I regretted not picking up last year. It's actually been in my cart ever since but I didn't want to pay full price when I knew the sale price in the back of my head! I don't neeeeeeed a new robe, but since I live in my $12 Tuesday Morning robe I thought I wanted to treat myself to this one.

#9 AG The Legging Raw Hem Ankle Skinny Jeans

The holy grail AG jeans... These are always one of the first things to sell out, so this year I wanted to see what all the fuss is about with these! I would never pay full price for them, and even the sale price is a little hard to swallow, but I'll let y'all know if they're worth it after I get to try them on. I ordered two sizes to be safe since I'm not familiar with how they fit.

#10 Lush Raw Edge Side Slit Tee

Out of everything in my closet I get the most wear out of my basic tees, so I wanted to pick up a few of these to try at under $16. They look thicker than most I've seen, and I'm hoping that's a good thing! They will work perfectly under all the jackets and cardigans I ordered.

I also wanted to share the other items still tempting me and hanging out in my cart:

I wasn't very tempted in the beauty department because most of the options we're large gift sets and unless I knew it was a product I already love I didn't want to spend more to get more. I did purchase this set because I love the scent of the deodorant and it lasts me forever. I think I buy like 2 a year somehow, it's crazy. 

Anything I missed?? What's your favorite from the sale?!

xo Amanda John

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Atlanta Bridal Boutique Reviews

I wanted to share a quick little cheat sheet from my experiences shopping at bridal boutiques in Atlanta so all of my fellow ATL brides can have a little inside scoop to the type of boutiques they want to visit. If you missed my wedding dress shopping experience, you may want to read that before heading out for you appointments because I shared a lot of shopping tips and tricks!

The White Magnolia in Buckhead 

• The most darling little shop
• Smaller selection
• Patient and budget friendly consultants
• Very intimate. All appointments are 1:1 in the store 
• Good lighting
• Extra large fitting room
• The consultant wasn't in there with you until you needed to zip / clip 
• Offered 10% off day of appointment purchase
• No in-house alterations to get an idea of what that will cost
• No problem with you taking pictures

Wedding Angels in Roswell

• Large selection divided into rooms by style of dress
• Seemed to be the only shop that offered different perks: when I went they were offering a free veil. 
• Large selection of bridal accessories
• Bad lighting in the viewing rooms (at least the one I was in)
• Great consultants 
• Separate rooms to go into when showing everyone the dress to help with intimacy
• No problem with you taking pictures

Atlanta Bridal Couture in Alpharetta

• Good natural light when trying on dresses
• Had to carry some heavy dresses up the stairs to the fitting room
• Medium sized selection
• I self-selected everything, the consultant wasn't really picking up what I was putting down
• No problem with you taking pictures

Joan Pillow Salon in Buckhead

• Expensive, but the most dreamy selection
• Not the best lighting
• Right next to bridesmaids shop. You can see how the dresses will look next to yours.
• This was the only boutique that had someone from alterations there to talk me through what to expect in my fittings. This may depend on day/time you go.
• No problem with taking pictures

J. Andrews Bridal in Peachtree City

• You can't see most of the selection so you have to have a good consultant / clear vision - 
• I wasn't clicking with the options my consultant was putting me in, but maybe that is because I didn't really know what I wanted? 
• Very small fitting rooms, especially for bigger dresses + the consultant in there with you while you changed.
• Good designer selection

Bridals By Lori

• It was cool to go to because of the show, but don't go on a Saturday or weekend when they're busy. I felt like I was in a beehive and it was very loud / busy. Go on a weekday if you can fit it into your schedule.
• They didn't really respect the budget you told them. I was told, "well there's this dress but it's $****"
• Dresses are in bags so it's a little harder to tell if you want to try them on, but it did keep them looking nicer than other samples I tried on.
• Not intimate.  Multiple girls will be looking into the same mirror and trying to have their "moment", plus I felt uncomfortable trying on gowns in front of everyone else's entourage and watching them talking about the dresses on me.
• More pressure to purchase environment 
• Biggest selection of gowns from all the other boutiques 
• I didn't have an appointment and they worked me right in
• No pictures allowed

BHLDN

• Smallest selection
• Budget friendly, most selections are around $1000 and under. 
• Unique and pretty accessories, though expensive
• Only two fitting rooms are reserved for BHLDN, the rest are for Anthropology customers. Bridal gowns are by appointment only, but my Mom and I were going to shop for bridesmaid dresses and the first time they let us go into the regular fitting rooms and the second trip to look for her dress they made us wait quite a while to use the BHLDN fitting rooms. I would just recommend called ahead for an appointment to be safe. 
• You can easily see all of their selections online before going. Other boutiques would just list the designers offered.
• No in-house alterations to get an idea of what that will cost

I do want to visit a few other Atlanta stores just to update them here for you.  On my list is Adore Boutique in Kennesaw, The Sentimentalist, and Fabulous Frocks. I may even look into selling my dress there so if you're interested in reading about re-selling your dress then let me know! 

If you're an Atlanta bride, where did you say yes to the dress? I'd love to know hear about your experience!

xo Amanda John 

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