Posts in Feature
Valentine's Day Outfits From Revolve You'll Love
Valentine's Day Outfits From Revolve You'll Love

SHOP THE LOOK

Hey, y’all! We’re a month away from Valentine’s Day and I’ve rounded up some cute options for you from Revolve! Whether you’re heading out for a date night or staying in cooking with a glass of wine, there’s an outfit for any occasion. You could go casual with denim and a bodysuit, a skirt and sweater or go all out with a fun and flirty dress.

You can always find my Revolve Ambassador page full of the latest and cutest pieces for any occasion. Shop the Valentine’s Day edit here and all my other favorite pieces here. Here are some of my favorite go-to date night looks to give you some inspiration:

  • jeans, bodysuit, blazer, and heels

  • long sleeve mini dress and knee-high boots

  • faux leather pants, off-the-shoulder knit, and heels

  • corduroy pants, bodysuit, leather jacket, and heels

  • faux leather shorts, bodysuit, blazer, knee-high boots or heels

  • wide-leg jeans, lace bodysuit, and pointed-toe booties

  • mini skirt, button down, colorful heels

Check out some pieces below for even more inspiration:

What’s everyone’s plans for Valentine’s Day? Kollin and I don’t really love the holiday, but any excuse for a romantic dinner right? We might just stay in and cook together or hit one of our favorite spots downtown. Be sure to check back on the Revolve favorites page as I add to it continuously!

FeatureAmanda NavaFashion, valentine's day, valentines day outfit, tweed dress, revolve favorites, revolve under 100, date night outfits, louis vuitton bag, lv bagComment
5 Books that Will Change Your Life

Hey, y’all, Happy New Year! I hope everyone’s holiday season was wonderful and full of core memories. I’m sure most of the content you’ve consumed recently is all about making the most of the year ahead or being intentional with your goals and resolutions, so rather than doing that, I’ll make this post a bit more evergreen and say that these books are for any time. I recently shared a video on Instagram and TikTok that showcased 5 books that changed my life and will also change yours.

So, let’s get into them:

The Power of One More

One of my favorite discoveries in 2022 was Ed Mylett. My husband and I love listening to The Skinny Confidential podcast and Ed was a guest on an episode. He is a successful entrepreneur, performance coach and author and recently released his latest book: The Power of One More. I’ll link the podcast episode here for y’all!

His book, The Power of One More, tells his keys to success and draws on his 30 years of working with athletes, CEOs, and entertainers to live an extraordinary life. He shares actionable strategies, the psychology and science behind problem-solving, and getting past mental roadblocks.

“At it's core, The Power of One More is about your willingness to do one more rep, make one more phone call, get up one hour earlier, build one more relationship, or do one more thing for whatever your situation calls for.”

This book is one of my favorites I’ve ever read and is definitely one I will continue to come back to time and time again. You can grab it in any format at the links below!

Think and Grow Rich

Written in 1937 by Napoleon Hill, this book is on the list of many of today’s most successful entrepreneurs and world leaders. Inspired by business magnate and later-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, Hill wrote this self-improvement and personal development book on his life-changing philosophies for success. His timeless 13 strategies outline a philosophy of empowerment that will allow you to seize the life you want and achieve the success you've dreamed of. With real-life examples and stories from the most powerful business leaders of his time, the lessons in this book are so valuable.

We found the timelessness of this book and how ahead of his time he was to be so interesting. Definitely give it a read! You can find it on Amazon, but be sure to grab the original version. I’ve linked it below!

Atomic Habits

I started this book and was immediately intrigued by the science and behavior-based strategies. We all have habits and whether they are good habits or habits we would like to break, Atomic Habits breaks down why we perform the habits we do, why we find them hard to keep or break, and behaviors we can do to make the most of our habits.

This New York Times #1 bestseller written by James Clear has sold over 4 million copies and has been #1 for years and years. Not only will this book help you with tangible actions to take to make changes, but it helps change the way you think about habits and motivates you to make the changes. Get your highlighters and notebooks out with this one because there are so many good parts to take with you. I will definitely be referring back to it every couple of months!

The Daily Stoic

Written by Ryan Holiday, The Daily Stoic offers a daily meditation on the philosophy of Stoicism, a school of thought that originated in ancient Greece. The book presents 366 selections from Stoic philosophers such as Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca, along with Holiday's own commentary on how to apply their teachings to modern life.

It’s organized into four sections, one for each season, and each day's reading includes a quote, a brief explanation of the quote's context and meaning, and a reflection on how to apply the quote's teachings to one's own life. I love reading the daily page in the morning to set my day in the right direction and get in a stoic mindset. You can start it at any time of year and it’s available on Amazon.

48 Laws of Power

The 48 Laws of Power is a book written by Robert Greene that offers a guide to the exercise of power and success. It is organized into 48 chapters, each of which covers a different "law" related to the acquisition, maintenance, and use of power. The laws are drawn from a variety of sources, including historical figures, philosophers, and politicians like Henry Kissinger, Napoleon, JP Morgan, and the Emperors of China.

Fair warning, this book is a bit much to put it lightly. It has received criticism for its cynical and often Machiavellian view of power. It definitely can be extreme at points with the historical examples and “laws” that are given. When reading take it with a grain of salt and realize that the stories are from another time. Obviously, most of us are not conquering other countries or sabotaging a monarchy to gain power, but the “laws” that are given at their base have some lessons and actionable takeaways to be used in today’s world. This book is not a quick read but can help build confidence and provide guidance to relationships in your life such as work, family, and entrepreneurship. You can grab this book on Amazon - it is one you’ll want to highlight and take notes on too!

What other books have you read that changed your way of thinking or helped you? Leave them in the comments and let me know if you read any of the 5 above.

FeatureAmanda NavaLifestyle, The Power of One More, The Daily Stoic, The 48 Laws of Power, Think and Grow Rich, Atomic Habits, Self Help Books, Self Improvement, Books to Read, Books that Will Change Your Life Comment
The Brown Sugar Cookie Recipe Everyone Will Love
Brown sugar cookies recipe, chewy brown sugar cookies, holiday cookies, easy cookie recipe

Hey, y’all! I can’t believe that Christmas is a week away. One thing I know most people will be having this time of year is great food and baked goods!

I’d rather have a baked good than much else, and my love for freshly baked cookies runs deep. A few years ago, my husband’s family wanted to do a cookie baking day and we all had to bring a recipe. I found a recipe in an old book when we lived in Chicago and of course, now can’t find it, but the recipe below is the closest I’ve gotten to making the same ones! My husband is not a huge dessert or sweets person, but loves these cookies and asks me to make them every year!

They are surprisingly delicious and flavorful for how simple of a cookie they are, but the simple things in life generally are the best. When you check out the recipe you might think to add to these cookies - chocolate chips or other add-ins, but resist that urge until you try them! Full of molasses and cinnamon, they are so good!

Prep Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes

  • Cook Time: 13 minutes

  • Total Time: 3 hours

  • Yield: 20 cookies

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch*

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled*

  • 1 and 1/4 cups (250g) packed dark brown sugar

  • 1 large egg, room temperature

  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

  • 1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar (optional for rolling)

Instructions

  1. Mix together the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. You can use a mixer, but it is not required. A wooden spoon or spatula works too! Set aside the dry mixture.

  2. In another bowl (I used my Kitchen Aid mixer), mix the melted butter and brown sugar together until no brown sugar lumps remain. Mix in the egg. Finally, add the vanilla. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix them together. The dough will be very soft, yet thick. Cover the dough and chill for 2 hours, or up to 3 days (if you’re in a pinch this step isn’t mandatory, but be sure to bake right away once done baking).

  3. Take the dough out of the refrigerator and allow to slightly soften at room temperature for 10 minutes if you had it chilling for more than 2 hours.

  4. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.

  5. Take 2 tablespoon-sized amounts of dough and roll it into a ball, then roll it into the sugar if you’d like. Place 3 inches apart on the baking sheets.

  6. Bake for 8-12 minutes. Remove from the oven when the cookies are done spreading out and have rounded at the top. The cookies will be puffy and still appear very soft in the middle. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet for ten minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. They will continue to cook in the center on the baking sheet after being removed from the oven.

  7.  Cookies will stay fresh if covered at room temperature for 1 week.


NOTES

  1. You can make this dough ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The dough will freeze well for 3 months. If baking from the freezer, place on the counter and leave at room temperature for 30 minutes and then bake as directed.

  2. You can melt butter in the microwave - be sure to watch it though as it can melt quickly and burn if left too long. Once it is melted let it cool slightly before adding it to your mixture. If it is too hot it will cook the egg in the dough.

If you’re looking for an easy way to package up the cookies try these baker boxes. I found them on Amazon and really like them! They come in a ton of sizes and are easy to assemble and store, unlike Christmas tins. Add a ribbon and card and you’ll have the perfect hostess gift!

Enjoy, y’all! What cookie recipes does your family make? I’d love to see them.
Comment below and tell me your favorites!

FeatureAmanda NavaLifestyle, recipe, brown sugar cookies, holiday recipe, cookie recipe, holiday partyComment
Equilibria 12 Days of Wellness Sales

Hey, y’all! over the last two years, ya’ll have seen how much CBD has improved my mental and wellness health and I’m so excited to share that Equilibria is doing 12 days of Steals and Deals for the holidays!

Not only are they sharing amazing deals on their best products, but you can always use my code AMANDANAVA for even more $$ off! Check out some quick Q&A and benefits of CBD:

Q: What is CBD?

A: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating, naturally occurring compound produced by the Cannabis sativa plant, which encompasses both hemp and THC-dominant cannabis. It is considered a phytocannabinoid, which are cannabinoids produced in plants. Endocannabinoids, on the other hand, are cannabinoids produced in the human body. 

Cannabinoids interact with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which is considered the primary regulatory system of the body. With receptors present on nearly every area of your body, this system is thought to play a role in maintaining homeostasis, or balance. 

Members who take CBD as part of their daily, consistent personal wellness routine report benefits such as:

  • Decreased stress levels

  • Balanced mood

  • Improved quality of sleep

  • Increased energy and focus

  • Reduced discomfort

Q: What should CBD feel like?

A: CBD is more about what you don’t feel than what you do. The goal of taking CBD is to support balance in your body, and combat the damage that stress may cause. It’s about not feeling edgy when you typically do. It’s about not experiencing exercise-induced inflammation.

Q: IS CBD Legal?

Yes! The Federal Farm Bill (the Agricultural Act of 2018) legalized the production and sale of hemp bred with 0.3% percent or less THC. The industrial hemp plants we use in our products meet this requirement, and our full-spectrum, whole-flower hemp CBD products are completely federally legal.

HOWEVER: Marijuana-derived CBD products (those with over 0.3% THC) are illegal under federal law and under state law except in states where medical and/or recreational cannabis is legal.

Ok, onto the savings! Check out the amazing sales happening over on myeq.com leading up to the holidays!


Check out my first blog post on my anxiety story and how CBD has helped me with things like anxiety, stress, and overall wellness. Comment below or send me a DM on Instagram if you have any questions! Thanks so much for reading!

This post is sponsored by Equilibria. I may receive a small commission from any purchases made through links in this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

FeatureAmanda NavaLifestyle, CBD, Equilibria, CBD Gummies, Wellness, Mental Health, Women owned businessComment
Holiday Dresses and Outfit Inspo with Express

SHOP THE LOOK

Hey, y’all! It’s officially December and time for all the holiday parties, family gatherings, and festive outfits! I was scrolling through some pages on Express and I am loving their holiday collection! From sequins, velvet, fabulous heels, and dresses perfect for winter weddings, Express’ newest collection is so fun!

The best part? Everything is 30%-50% off! There is no code needed - the discount automatically applies at checkout. I’ve added a few of my favorite finds in the graphic below. Whether you’re looking for something casual like this bodysuit paired with denim, or you are going full sequin glam in this iconic dress, you’ll be fabulous in anything! Pair either with these amazing shoes for a festive and chic vibe!


SHOP THE EDIT

This post is in sponsorship with Express as an Express Style Editor. I may receive a small commission on any purchases made through my links. All opinions are my own.