Topshop & Chicago Social Magazine Spring Style Party

In celebration of warmer weather (finally got to ditch my faux-fur coat yesterday when the sun decided to peek out and warm things up a bit!), Topshop and CS Magazine teamed up for a Spring Style Party complete with cocktails, cupcakes and Chicago’s best dressed.

              
Local Chicago bloggers Emma Arnolds (Tres Awesome) and Amy Creyer (Chicago Street Style) were the evening’s fashionable hosts and the electronic sounds of DJ Dani Deahl had me dancing all over the store.


I loved to see the April issue of CS lining the shelves! It looked so gorgeous and glossy next to the pretty pastels and shiny sequins seen all over  Topshop’s Spring line.

 

 {Neon-splattered shoe showcase}

 <-- Showing off my story on Chicago Fire Goalie Sean                     Johnson on the back page of CS!


Bianca and I got our hair all did up at the Beauty Bar where Teddie Kossof Salon Spa was beautifying guests with complimentary makeovers, hair styling and manicures.

{My hair transformation}

Who says the second city has no style...?

Bouncy Ball Statement Necklace

For Christmas this year, I gave my incredibly crafty little sister this awesome book by Erica Domesek of P.S. I Made This.

We finally found some time over my Spring Break at home to try out one of the creative DIY projects in Domesek's book and while I am definitely not the arty sister in our duo, I actually found this necklace made from rubber bouncy balls and pantyhose to be very simple to make.


Materials Needed:
-Pantyhose
-Rubber bouncy balls
-Scissors

Tips:
-Make sure to use VERY sheer pantyhose so the colors from the bouncy balls will show through more vibrantly
-Mix balls of varying colors and sizes or try different colored and textured tights for different looks


How-To:

1. Cut off the legs of the pantyhose.

2. Knot one leg and drop the bouncy balls in one at time, tying a knot between each ball as you go.

3. Repeat the last step for the second leg and be sure to add more balls (I used a larger ball to be the anchoring, centerpiece of the necklace), as this will serve as the bottom strand. 

4. Attach the legs together by knotting them end-to-end. 

5. Get creative and make knots up the rest of the pantyhose or simply tie the legs together at the top to finish off your new bouncy ball statement necklace!

I wore my necklace to the Topshop & CS Magazine Spring Style Party last night and everyone thought it was such a creative idea. Thanks again for the inspiration P.S. I Made This! 

build a balance

In the days of kings and queens I was a jester. 

They treat me like a god, 

oh they treat me like a leper. 

See me move back and forth between both. 

I'm trying to find a balance.

I'm trying to build a balance.

-Atmosphere, Seven's Travels 

Welcome to build a balance! My name is Amanda Marie and I'm 22 years old -- you know, that scary age when you have to start figuring out what your "real life" is going to be all about.

Images via 1, 2

Carpe Diem was always my mantra. Seize the pleasures of the moment without concern for the future.

But the future is starting to come at me like a big sack of bricks and I’m thinking it’s about time I get a little more concerned--while still having a great time of course. 

This is where building a balance comes in.

In the midst of internships, senior year of college and heading into grad school, I wanted to create an outlet to balance my thoughts and ensure fun and creativity still has a space to thrive. 

Come along with me as I try to find my balance. Maybe along the way I can help to build yours too.