I pieced together a few of my favorite heart/ Valentine’s items, so here they are, 10 fabulous Valentine’s Day gifts either for yourself or that special girl in your life.

1. Beach Bunny Burnin Up Jumper- $149.00

2. Forever 21 Heart Sports Bra- $4.80

3. Ikat Heart Blouse- $38.00

4. Forever 21 Heart Pajama Set- $9.80

5. Promise Maui Blush Pink & Navy Heart Anklewrap Heels- $36.00

6. Gucci Sterling Silver Heart Earrings $180.00 (Obsessed neeeeeed nowwww)

7. Bebe Love tights- $18.00

8. Naughty Monkey “Heya Hot Stuff” – Pink- $75.00

9. Oversized Heart & Feather Earring- $34.00

10. Deux Lux ‘Resort’ Wristlet- $36.00

xoxo

I spent the night at The W Hotel here in San Diego of course with a handful of favorites. Wanting to not be a part of the glittery dress crew, I opted for the glamorous tuxedo look instead. It was super easy to put together, I even got crafty and made my own bow tie out of a fancy leather bow head band. Speaking of glamorous, how amazing is Ashley’s dress? Little brat in her pageant gown for NYE haha I loved it, we looked like bride and groom

 For outfit info scroll to the bottom…

Our plans were to have dinner at Nobu inside of the Hard Rock Hotel… but yeah that didn’t work out so well. We fully got there, all 8 of us, ordered drinks, appetizers etc, laughing, taking pictures… I look down and I see the menu says $125.00 fixed menu. Obviously I am not about to eat $125.00 worth of food in my tiny skirt, so I ask the waitress for another menu. She tells us that we can not eat where we are sitting if we did not want to order off the fixed menu and that we would be moved to a hidden back room if we wanted to do that. I of course tell her she is insane, especially because half the table was ordering the fixed menu. Really Nobu? All 8 people have to order off the fixed menu to dine with you? We all decided that instead of dealing with their rudeness we would just go next door to Mary Jane’s and eat quesadilla’s for $6 dollars instead.

So we finish up our casual dinner at MJ’s and then head over to the W where we had a table. You know me, I do not like the scene and avoid it at all costs, so we decided The W would be perfect. I actually have gone here a few times for NYE and always have a blast. We drank champagne, squirted silly string and danced the night away. Pretty simple but perfect NYE!

Wondering what I’m wearing? I pretty much pieced together the entire outfit with some old items and a few new ones.

* Blazer- Arden B., old.

* Skirt- Forever 21, purchase here.

* Button up blouse- Express. Can purchase anywhere tho, Nordstrom, Bebe, Forever 21…

* Bow Tie- I made it It was a headband from Forever 21 but I ripped the bow off and looped it on some ribbon

* Booties- Bebe, old.

* Belt- Bebe, new. (Not online)

* Earrings & Bangles- old, Bebe.

And that’s it! Overall a fabulous night. Fun with my gfs and the fact that Nelly re-tweeted me on Twitter just proves 2012 is going to be the best one yet hahah. Happy 2012 everyone! xoxo

8. To trust in the bigger picture. Many of us lose things that are/were important to us (Jobs, boyfriends, friends, family etc…) and ultimately we spend way too much time wishing things could have just turned out differently. I want to try to live more by faith in 2012 and trust that bad things only happen to make room for better things, or to make us stronger as individuals. You might not see the lesson now, but so many times later down the road we see why things happened the way they did. Faith. I want to try to never live in the past and accept that once the past is gone it’s gone, so many of us waste time fighting that reality. Acceptance and faith in 2012.

7. To take better care of my health. This means taking daily vitamins, making routine dentist/dr appointments, washing my hands more, just not neglecting the things that keep me healthy. The older we get the better we need to treat ourselves because if we don’t do certain things now, we will pay for them later. I don’t want weak bones or wrinkles when I am older so I better take action now. I already am really good about protecting my skin tho, so if you’re not, now is the time to start wearing a daily SPF and a wrinkle correcting night cream

6. Continue to keep psycho people away. This one I struggled with in 2011 because I always want to forgive those I care about even when they devastate me time and time again, but sometimes certain people simply don’t deserve to be let back into our lives… ever. I usually convince myself that forgiveness is healthier, but what is healthiest is learning how to forgive while leaving the bad people behind. If you know someone is bad for you just leave them in the past where they belong. They say if someone mistreats you and then asks to at least be friends? Hell no we can’t be friends, friends don’t miss treat one another. People can only hurt you if you let them.

5. To continue to better myself. I had a pretty productive 2011, landing a new job in an industry I love, but I want/need continuous growth to feel successful, so I need to set larger goals. I am clearly not having a baby or settling down any time soon, so I want to take advantage of this time. I feel lucky to still have no commitments to anyone other than myself, and while most people are focusing on finding a boyfriend/husband/baby, I’m going to focus on being the best I can be, now is the time to make my dreams a reality.

4. To smile more. Now don’t go emailing me saying “I toldddddd you so” or “It’s about timeeee” I’ll smile when I’m ready, but it is something I could improve on. Just so everyone knows, I don’t purposely not smile, I just have a fat face and sometimes smiling hurts, it feels like my whole face is scrunching up and I don’t like it. Seriously tho, I’ve just never been a super smiley, perky person, but I am genuinely fine and happy when people accuse me of being upset! (Ok, ok, sometimes I might be a bit grumpy but 84% of the time I am happy )

It seems to be a problem for everyone else other than me. I am not working on this for anyone other than myself, because smiling should be my choice, however life is too short not to be positive and happy so we will give it a whirl, no promises, just a whirl.

4. To use my gadgets less. I really am addicted to gadgets but it’s not my fault! My parents had me on the computer honestly since I can remember, age 5?  I am going try to start leaving them behind more, I need to break this separation anxiety I have formed with them, but idk, it might be too late?

2. To only make time for those who make time for me. This goes for friends as well as the fellas. If someone wants to be in your life they will find a way to be in it, no forcing. This was also a goal of mine last year and I think I stuck to it fairly well. Excuses are sooo 2011, enjoy those that make an effort to enjoy you… never chase like Big Pun says, only replace.

1. To use items I already own. This will be my biggest challenge. I’m not sure I can commit to this when it comes to clothing BUT… when it comes to jewelry, nail polishes, lip glosses, shoes, and other gadgets, I need to use the things I own instead of buying new ones. I have sooo many nail polishes and accessories, but I always seem to want new ones? I paint my nails once and then toss it into my pink polka dot nail polish case and never use it again. After about a year or two of hoarding it, I then end up giving all away to the Salvation Army anyway. All these little things end up going completely to waste, so, with that being said, I really am going to try harder to use items I have and to stop re buying things I already own. I suppose that is called being more resourceful

Overall I have no HUGE resolutions, just minor improvements that hopefully allow me to continuously grow into the best version of me I can be. They actually will all be a challenge for me, so I am going to figure out a way to remind myself of these goals often, maybe I will make little post it note reminders for my desk at work? Sounds like a plan!

What are some of your 2012 NYE Resolutions?

I then spent Sunday baking monster treats for my work party on Monday. Just when I think I can’t get any better, I surprise myself. I’ve successfully added baking super cute treats to my already stacked resume

Anyway, hope everyone has a super fun Halloween ♥ I will finish off the day with the Chargers vs. KC game, my prediction… Chargers of course!

Sunday I went to the Chargers vs. Dolphins game, my first game of the season. I love going to games every once and a while, but when it’s 100 degrees out? Not so much. I almost prefer watching from the comfort of my own bed when it’s as hot as it was on Sunday, but I of course had so much fun regardless. The main reason I had to go to the game, was because I got a brand new fancy Jovan Jane Charger’s headband I wanted needed to wear. My mom also got me a cute rhinestoned jersey for my birthday that I wanted to put to use, but unfortunately the “short, fat/wide” jersey cut is not my fave so I opted for a simple fitted Charger’s shirt instead.

Jovan Jane NFL inspired headbands $27.00

She has sooo many other cute options… check them out here.

How skinny is this girl behind me? Yikes.

The following day I did have work, but… work was fun because my entire desk was covered in Hello Kitty decorations and pink cupcakes I had a nice lunch with a friend, finished up work and hurried home to prep for a birthday dinner at Cucina Urbana this yummy Italian Restaurant in the Little Italy area. I had been here once before and fell in love with their butternut squash ravioli so I had to go back. I took being a fatty to a whole nother level tho, because I couldn’t even wait to eat my birthday meal and ate Naked Pizza before my own dinner. I didn’t even eat dinner at Cucina Urbana, because I was so full I did have 2 pineapple infused rum cocktails though. Super delish.

The best part of my entire birthday was of course the QT I got to spend with my favorite girlfriends. We all had soo much fun eating, drinking, laughing, taking pictures, annoying the staff, eating cake, opening presents etc… I made reservations for 10 girls thinking a few would flake, but last minute I had to call and make it 13 because everyone came through. Rare but amazing

I got a few super cute cards (my favorite), a cute new white iPad, a Sanrio gift card, a PANDA Power shirt, a lot of Pandapple Sanrio gear actually… Panda… Amanda... get it… ya, anyway, my favorite perfume Lola, some yummy bath supplies, cute glitter nail polish, a gift certificate to BICE, another Hello Kitty shirt, pretty flowers, this crazy stereo speaker thing for my iPhone, a Sephora gift card, the cuteeeeeeeeeeeeest Hello Kitty Spooks balloon, “Amanda” confetti, some Hello Kitty lip gloss and so on and on. Overall the perfect birthday. Food + Cake + Drinks + Best Friends + Hello Kitty= perfection.

My cuteee balloon.

& proof my smile works. I prefer real smiles over staged ones any day

Thank you SOOOOOOOOOO much also to everyone who emailed, texted, called etc… every single Happy Birthday made my day that much better. Here is to a fabulous year!

A few pictures are finally on the DJHere.com site from the event we held at Andaz Hotel Downtown San Diego to celebrate our 7th Birthday! Overall such a fun event!

Special thanks to everyone involved, everyone worked as one big team to pull it off!

* Hair & Make Up- Blend Hair Lounge in Hillcrest, San Diego. From cuts & color, to special event hair styling and make up artistry, they do it all and are awesome! (619) 297-9000

* Jewelry- Bellina & Stella & Dot (They have soooo many cute, funky, big necklaces, super affordable!)

* Clothing- Eden Boutique & NYLA Kensington Boutique

* Cake- Cute Cakes in Escondido

* Hair accessories- Jovan Jane, so many cute, girly accessories for your hair, including hats!

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To view all the photos, please visit DJhere.com thanks!

Everyone that knows me knows I dieeee for shoes… When I was little my mom used to call me Imelda because all I wanted was shoes, shoes and more shoes. So, combine my love for fashion, hot heels, social media, web design, photo-shoots, styling, and creative marketing and bam I’ve found the perfect job. Everything I live for all in one position.

I will be working full time with Naughty Monkey, which ironically is located right here in San Diego. Talk about a perfect fit! Naughty Monkey is a popular shoe line known by girls all over, whose shoes are featured in major department stores such as Nordstrom, and other trendy boutiques and online stores all over the world! I love Naughty Monkey because they aren’t afraid to add personality to their shoes, the perfect combination of style and sass.

Naughty Monkey Women’s Entourage Platform Pump $69.00

I am so excited to take on the next chapter of my life and to see where it takes me. More importantly, I can’t wait to share all the cute new shoes with you all! I see myself doing big things with the company and truly believe everything does happen for a reason (if you can endure the wait), and life absolutely will give you the things you want and need if you’re willing to work hard and never give up! I am so lucky to have found a position that I am so passionate about, that will teach me so much about an industry I live for. They always say if you do what you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life

Wish me luck, and I hope I serve as a reminder that anything is possible for those with a dream and the desire to live it.

Plus Lulus.com has 20% off everything right now so why not buy a few cute new dresses?

For 20% enter in coupon code: twenty20 at checkout.

Four Leaf Clover Green Dress $41.00

Blaque Label Komodo Dragon Lime Green Dress $71.00

Lucy Love Cameron Linen Mint Green Dress $61.00

Homer’s Banquet Strapless Green Dress $35.00

Luck o’ the Irish Green Dress $68.00

BB Dakota Jessica Strapless Green Dress $65.00

I think this one would be super cute belted to avoid looking too baggy. It looks ok without a belt on super skinny girls. I’d look like a mess in this one without a belt though…

Collective Concepts Marble Painting Green Top $41.00

If you want your green to be something a bit more unique, try this fun top!

To view ALL the GREEN items, click HERE!

]]> http://www.helloamanda.com/2011/03/stpatricksdayoutfits/feed/ 0 http://www.helloamanda.com/2011/02/pretty-peoines/ http://www.helloamanda.com/2011/02/pretty-peoines/#comments Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:41:37 +0000 amandajo http://www.helloamanda.com/?p=7838

I loveeeee peonies, they are my favorite flower. They’re so much cuter than roses, way more personality. I got my sister these for her birthday today, so cute, I should have kept them Thought the colors were bright and pretty enough to share. Happy Friday!