Lifestyle: Selflove

When I was 6 years old I decided no one liked me. What a thing to think and make as a life statement so young, but it's true. I wasn't invited to a girls birthday party, being one of the only kids not invited. I was so upset, I lied. Yep, I was 6 so what do you do. I told my very best friend that I lost my invitation and needed the address and time. She gave it to me, I wrote it down and went home and told my mom I needed to get a gift for a girl in my class. 

We bought a dress and some pretty sweet lip smackers, I was actually so excited! But, we got there, and I was looked at like a fool. By the kids and her mother. I didn't get to go to the party and I never told my Mom what I did to get there. I was 6 years old and I decided no one liked me and I wasn't good enough. 

This thought led through my whole life, I can see how it followed me in every relationship, family, friend and romantic. So many situations kept confirming that I was not enough and I was constantly comparing myself. 




Then, body image began to be a big part of the "I'm not good enough" mind. I started to diet at a young age and wanted to be skinny like my friends. I gained a lot of weight or "baby chub" when I was 11 and was made fun of for it. I didn't always eat the best, there was a convenience store right down the street. So yeah I ate a lot of junk, that didn't help. I was made fun of one too many times and decided to stop eating and start working out ALL the time! 

I was 13 when I became anorexic and 14 when I thought I'd give bulimia a try (that didn't last long, thank goodness). But 3 years later I still wasn't eating much, before high school. I was 100 pounds, skin and bones. I never felt more less, and not enough. In high school I had several wonderful people in my life who helped me eat and gave me some hope. BUT, I wasn't happy and it showed in so many ways. Becoming an over eater I gained weight and lost once again. I compared myself to everyone who I thought was prettier, thinner and well, better than me. I wasn't enough for anyone, especially not myself. 

I tried so hard in every single relationship, friend, family and romantic to be the one person they would love, and be there for. Except I didn't try with my own, the relationship with me. Self love is such an important relationship to have. When you have a strong sense of self worth and love for yourself, things begin to shift. Friends who were your "Besties", fall away and men who you thought loved you, do too. Relationships that no longer serve you basically disappear. 

And what are you left with?  YOU. To love and be kind to, to be your best friend, the light that lifts you up and the heart that holds you close no matter what. Because, well, you are enough. You begin to see that the relationships you now have are the ideal relationships for you. They love and cherish you as you now do yourself. Taking care of yourself mind, body and soul, is the most wonderful, generous thing you can do in your WHOLE life. 

Self love, should be taught to our children and every person on the planet, period. Give yourself the opportunity to shift, love YOU more than anything else, and every one you love will feel it!

This shoot was to show that you can get to happy after an eating disorder. I recovered from Anorexia, I am a recovering over eater and very proud. I no longer put myself down because of my body or the decision that little 6 year old girl made so many years ago. I love her and ME every day. It's not always easy, but like in any relationship if its worth the fight, then FIGHT. I am enough for me and I know I am enough for every one else too. 

Thank you so much to Michelle Liane for being apart of the beginning of something wonderful. 

Self love is all you need to be happy.    

You are beautiful just the way you are..


I hope this serves you.

Your Designer,

                                                           Amanda Garrett

A little Birdy told me..

Hello Wonderful!

Isn't just the best time of year, with joyful music playing and every ones spirits start to lift as we get into the holiday season. Christmas parties and get togethers come by the plenty and all the time we have gets compiled into one month where we really make time for the ones we love.  It certainly is one of my favourite times of the year.

I get to see family that lives on the other side of Canada and have every one all together under one, two, or three roves, how exciting!  There are many gifts to be given and love to be had, that we must always remember those in need. I have heard a lot of families who instead of buying things for each other, they donate what they would have spent to charities, local and global. THIS is so amazing, and what a time of year to do so when many who are less fortunate then we, really need a lift in spirits. 

The Canadian Women's Foundation and Raising the Roof are the two that I contribute to all year round. BUT I like to give a little bit more a Christmas to help an individual or family in need. I truly believe that giving to another, not only lifts them up but gives us our own strength to say thank you for all that we have to be grateful for. 

This morning I received a little birdy in the mail that made me so very grateful for my own healing and hope. The fact that I can help someone else's journey to an awesome life, makes me so thankful.

I will be donating to The Canadian Women's Foundation this year and all ask from you my amazing readers and tribe to share this like crazy! For every new 'Like' on my Facebook page up to 300, I will donate a dollar and match it to my own contribution.

Since 1991, the Canadian Women's Foundation has invested in more than 1400 community programs across Canada that help women and girls move out of violence, out of poverty and into confidence and leadership.  It's a chance to offer hope to a woman starting out on a difficult journey.  

This Christmas help someone in need, human or animal, whatever foundation speaks to you the most and put your heart there. Any contribution is big, whether a dollar or one million, donating gets someone closer to a better and happier life. 

SO be grateful for all that you have because someone certainly wishes they were in your shoes!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas love!


Your Designer,

Amanda Garrett

Lifestyle: When you feel like quitting..

Hello Lovely!

So here's the thing, keeping commitments to ourselves can be hard. We have the best intentions and the perfect picture in our heads of how it is "supposed" to go. The truth is some things are hard, because of habits that have been a part of our lives for sooooo long, to step in front of them can be tricky when they hold on to your left foot like tar. 

The best part is though, you did move that one foot, even just a little. And what does the mean??! It means you've got this for all the reasons you decided to move from habitual tendencies in the first place. Think about why you started, for your family and friends, to feel good, to be able to play with your nieces and nephews or daughters and sons, until you all fall on the floor laughing, (one of my favourite things of all time, just saying). To run with your dog so when you get home he's passed out in his bed well before its time to sleep. Those my friends are good moments!

When you feel like quitting remember why you started, why you even had the thought to move forward. Because you are ready to stretch your wings and soar. Be easy with yourself my love and just pull that foot right out of what was never tar, but just a sticky piece of gum.

I promise to continue to honour myself and share my journey. Even though my 40 day challenge of not over eating is complete, I will not quit, stop or hold myself back. I have never felt more clear and happy. Finally free! I've got this and so do you.

I hope this serves you.

Your Designer,

                                         Amanda Garrett

Lifestyle: My Recovery from Overeating

Hiya Gorgeous!

I have been posting my journey to stop overeating on Instagram. I am on day 22 and it hasn't been easy. Some days have been filled with the struggle of consuming so much at once that I feel I have failed. Others have been easy breezy and healthy, my struggle is not just with junk food but with all food. Overeating is something a lot of people do because we eat with our emotions rather than when we are hungry.

The grief of loosing my dog a little over four months ago had me constantly binge eating and not witnessing what I was doing. I am sad, but joyful at the same time with life and so it is hard to recognize sometimes when the grief is showing up. In one of my previous blogs, I wrote about my eating disorders when I was 13 years old. Although I no longer starve myself like I did back then, overeating is just as bad for my health.

This journey of 40 days without overeating was a decision I made because I was feeling foggy and exhausted. I needed help and with the plethora of books and support I have received I believe wholeheartedly  that I can do this. YES, I have fallen off, and most likely will again. BUT, I do my best with meditation and awareness to come back to who I really am. A healthier, happier me!

So I am more than half way done my 40 days and here is what I have come to notice, I forgive myself more easily than I once did, I have completely let go of it being about my appearance and I love myself even more today than yesterday and when I started at day one.

Some tips for those of you who feel like food is something that controls you; Meal prep HELPS a lot! Meditation, books (Mindset, Willpower and The Best Diet Begins in Your Mind etc), following blogs and others on a similar journey, support of and from others , hobbies, and working out. The number one thing is know that you are going to fall off and that is okay. 

“I don't believe in the words "success" and "failure" any longer. For me, it's all experience.  The only thing that defines experience is the way you choose to handle it in any given moment.” - Stacy London

Be easy with yourself and love the process, you can do anything you put your mind to!


I hope this serves you.

Your Designer,

Amanda Garrett

A.M.E.G. Designs

My Own Projects: A Dress for a Very Special Wedding

I made this dress to wear to my Dad's wedding back in July and totally forgot to post it! This was an unbelievably, amazing day and I am so glad to share it now with all of you.