off of broadway

I have never done a feature like this before and I am not really sure why.  There are so many bloggers that I really admire and want to know more about.  I think I wanted to interview Amanda first because she was the first mom I met in blogland (Chictopia actually,) she was the winner of my very first giveaway, has a killer vintage shop (that I can’t stop shopping at,) and I feel like we have several things in common, not to mention the fact that I have been completely blown away by her easy personal style! So, for this very first interviewed feature (using the questions Krystal gave me for my very first interview, thanks again Krystal!) Please allow me to introduce Amanda from Off of Broadway! 

Describe your style. What's Ms. Amanda's style mantra?

i'm casual and laid-back with a love of 70s and 80s styles.  whether vintage or vintage inspired, i feel most comfortable wearing things from that era.  and my mantra would be 'if you don't love it, don't wear it.'

What was your inspiration for starting up a fashion blog and what have you enjoyed the most about it thus far?

it all started with chictopia and posting outfits on there.  of course i stalked it for months before i ever posted anything.  i remember taking pics of my first outfit and feeling so very awkward and ridiculous.  when i actually put it on chictopia i was in cold sweats before i clicked the finish button!  so funny.  but then i found a lot of girls had their own style blog so i'd visit them.  some of my very first haunts were second skin and idee geniale.  i realized after a while that i got so much inspiration from these ladies and maybe, just maybe, someone could get inspired by me.  i have enjoyed every little bit about blogging so far.  i've 'met' so many awesome ladies that i consider my friends even though we've never met.  i talk to my family about you guys all the time as if we live in the same town and are bff's!  i love this community that we have in the blogging world and the sense of belonging that we have.  for the most part everyone is so encouraging and uplifting.  and it's just fun!

Fashion icons?

gosh, i can't say that i have any famous style icons.  i am 100% for real when i say that i look up to christina, mel, erin of calivintage, merl of clyde's rebirth, starr of a thought is the blossom (literally to name a few so i don't bore everyone) for their creativity and sense of style that goes beyond what is trendy to what is felt in themselves.  i think you can see if someone is being true to who they are in what they wear.  it's personal, you know?  

Complete this sentence: "I feel best when wearing..."

jeans and a t-shirt, no contest.  well, if i'm being truly honest, jammies.  but i assume we're talking about outside of the house.  but i love to wear skinny jeans and my american apparel v-necks.  i feel great in it.  it can be casual and sexy at the same time.  depending on shoes and accessories, that is an outfit that will suit almost any situation. 

Fashion advice for other girls your age out there

well, if i could give advice to other moms my age (29, yes i'm almost 30), it would be to find a style that makes you feel awesome.  it doesn't matter what size you are, whether or not you stay home with your kids, or how many kids you have, you must dress every single day in real clothes that fit and make you feel like a million bucks.  believe me, i know.  i used to just wear sweats if it was cold and shorts and an over-sized tee if it was hot, every day.  then i read an article in a magazine about organizing your closet and throwing out (donating!) every piece of clothing that didn't make you feel great.  that night at about 1 am, i started yanking out clothes to give away.  at that moment almost 2 years ago, i decided i wasn't going to settle any more.  i deserve better than that and so does my husband and my son.

If your clothes could say one thing to you, what would they say?

thanks for choosing me, and i'm going to do my best to make you feel pretty. 

Thank you so much Amanda! 

{EDIT: I would also like to point out the very lovely Clyde's Rebirth harness jewelry Amanda is wearing in the photo with her back turned! Her husband surprised her with it! Good man! And absolutely gorgeous Merl!  I love the way she wore it!)