STYLING THEM BERMUDA SHORTS

Can we just take a minute to talk about something pretty trivial here? Since it's my blog I'm going to say yes. Yes we can talk about Bermuda shorts.

My sister in laws and I have had a few chats about Bermuda shorts lately. I felt it was high time to take it to the blog. It's nice to have a short option available at the mall that's modest, but to be honest it's not super easy to style them and not look like a girls camp leader.

But I'm not one to sit back when my people need me. Today I had a mission. I pulled out my 4 pairs of Bermuda shorts and took on the challenge of putting together some fashion conscious looks and styling tips for taking those knee length shorts to the next level. 

1. BEACH LOOK. 

Try boyfriend beat up bermudas with a relaxed linen or cotton tunic. The key to taking bermudas (which tend to look really "basic") to the next level is styling and accessories. Add a great watch and a pair of trendy block-heel sandals instead of flip flips to keep from falling into basic-land. 

(Ps-my next fashion DIY will be making some ripped up boyfriend Bermudas) 

2.DATE LOOK

Take your slim fit dark denim bermudas and add a silky button down. I love black, so I put my trusty Club Monaco black shirt in. But the skys the limit here. It is your date after all. Add an outerwear layer for when it cools off at night (this longline trench vest is amazing, or a trench coat would be great too). Then pump up the va-va-voom factor with red lips and statement heels. HELLO GORGEOUS. 

3. THE OFFICE LOOK.

This is similar to the date night look (blousey top, heels, accessories) but for the office opt for a bermuda short of the dress pant variety. A pair of black dress-bermudas is a good staple to have in the closet. I have some Joe Fresh ones that I stand by. 

3. THE CASUAL LOOK

This look is definitely the most "Amanda". The styling is just how I like it, RELAXED but intentional. Pair and oversized boyfriend oxford with a slim fitting pair of chino bermudas. Add a feminine touch with a pointed toe ballet flat and keep it cool with simple accessories and wayfarer sunglasses. This is will likely to be my uniform for this summer. 

REFLECTION ON MY MOM

    

My Mom's name is Kelly. She the gave birth to my big head. She loved me through the high-pony phase (as pictured above), the tom-boy phase(not pictured), the wishing my name was "Natalie" phase. She tolerated the unbearable clarinet practices. She would sporadically drop off a happy meal for me at lunch making me the coolest kid at Stonehaven Elementary. She enforced journal writing, which I am so grateful for now. She told me everyday before school to make good choices and she had an after school snacks ready for me when I came home. She taught me to always have faith, to always be kind, to speak kindly, to work hard and to always have a sense of humor. 
I hope one day I can be the kind of homemaker and mom she has always been for my family. 

I love you Mom!!!! 

Happy Mothers day

DIY: CONCRETE BATH SET

Another DIY project complete!

 I was inspired by a stoneware bath set from West Elm. I wanted to do something similar, but instead of a tumbler with toothbrush slots, I wanted to make something with a special slot for the toothpaste too. 

Heres what I used:
-fast setting Quikrete (here at Home Depot)
-water
-cardboard
-tape
-sanding block

HOW I DID IT:

I used some cardboard from a pasta box and built the shape I wanted and taped it all up. I mixed the quikrete with water and mixed it until it was the consistency of melting ice cream. Then I poured it in my mold and added in my small cardboard cylinders for the toothbrush slots, and my smaller cardboard rectangle for the toothpaste slot. I taped the cylinders in place so the concrete set nicely and crossed my fingers! 

After it had dried I peeled off the cardboard and gave it a subtle sanding, I really like the natural textured look so I didn't want to smooth it over too too much. and VOILA! all done. 

I'm really happy with it! It gives our bathroom counter a little industrial touch and it just looks so sweet beside the  potted succulent we have there. 

Next project: To make a matching tumbler and soap dish. Stay tuned!