love

Do More of What You Makes You Happy

"Do more of what makes you happy." Sounds familiar right? But do we all follow that wise old saying? As I laid in bed last night, I had an A-ha! moment. I truly feel that I live a balanced life. I make sure to designate time for my family, boyfriend, friends, and myself. There used to be a time in my life where I consumed myself with only work. Although, I love my job - it definitely was not healthy for me to submerge myself in projects over my head.

Since then, my life has changed. I have one good job and a business. I allow myself to work a certain amount of hours. With the remainder, I make sure I spend a fair amount of quality time with the people who matter most to me plus personal time. Finding a balance between family, work, and personal time has made my quality of life much better and less stressed.

It is okay to LOVE what you do but don't make that the only thing you do. I enjoy working but I also don't want life to fly by without fully "living" it. It is easy to get caught up in the mix of things. Start living in the present. Enjoy every moment. Ultimately, do more of what makes you happy with the people who make you happy. :)

As we approach the holidays, I wanted to wish you all a very merry holiday and a happy New year! Embrace time with your family and friends. Eat big, love big, and laugh bigger :) If you loved this positive post and want more, please follow me on instagram @amatox3 or @byamadesigns <3

Yours truly,

Amanda M. Amato

Hollywood Glam

What's black, white and glamorous all over? Trick question - any upholstered piece with a black and white pattern can create a Hollywood Glam feeling. Black and white colored fabrics are a staple when it comes to a woman's wardrobe. The black and white color combination is so simple and classic, yet elegant. So why not use that color combination in your home? Imagine a luxurious vanity with mirrored drawers and a mirror above which is illuminated all the way around - ah! It screams "GLAMOUR!"

Hold on, I'm ready for my close up!

Not so fast! If you want to dazzle your home with a dose of Hollywood Glamour, here are a few tips. For fabric, mix and match a few patterned pieces with some solid pieces to balance your room. For example, designate the largest piece in your room to be a solid fabric with two armchairs that are in a bold black and white pattern. For a more modern look, try using a black and white chevron. If you prefer more traditional, opt to use a damask print or a stripe. If you have a wild side, there is nothing better than animal print! Try using either zebra or cowhide print.

Now lets talk about accessories! As you would dress up your little black dress with sparkling jewelry - I would definitely add sparkling silver pieces to your room. Whether it is a table lamp with a mercury glass base or a decorative cocktail table - think of the accessories as the jewelry of your space.

Here are some inspiration images that I adore!

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