If you're anything like me you freaked when you heard that Balmain was partnering with H&M. Balmain officially released the look-book last week and showcased their designs yesterday at a show in NYC. Upon hearing the news I knew some pieces would be affordable, but it is Balmain so there is the element of couture pricing still being present. The pieces range from $34.99 to over $600, so I have put together the pieces that are completely affordable and the ones that are worth the splurge! The line doesn't hit stores until November 3rd, but take a look at the full line  now so you can hit the "buy" button asap, because these are going to go fast! (I haven't seen these pieces in person, so I can't speak to the quality outside of the images, but based on pricing and what I've seen from other bloggers, you'll be getting Balmain quality at H&M pricing - a no-brainer).

My favorite pieces are marked by a heart for one of these reasons:

1) What you get for the price

2) Unique item

This fur coat is not going to be found for this price anywhere else - especially for the quality that it will be. Sure, you could head over to Forever 21 and grab a green fur coat and call it a day, but it won't last you past this season because of the quality. It is worth the extra $70-$80 to have a piece that will last for years and looks fab. I would have to make the same statement for this gold sweater. In more affordable stores, you're going to trade affordability for quality and your sparkly sweater is going to be on the cheaper side in the quality department as well. While this sweater may be expensive, it's going to look like you paid way more for it than you did. And the color is to die for (hello holidays!)

You can never go wrong with a graphic tee. They are a staple in my wardrobe and this one will probably be one of the first items to go once the line goes live. The same goes for the pencil skirt. Pencil skirts should be a staple in any women's wardrobe and this one is a great price and is unique because of the matching turtleneck. 

One of my favorite things about Balmain is their bold and unique accessories. I was disappointed to see that one of my favorites of theirs - their belts - are still pretty steep. But, there are some more affordable options, like these earrings and clutch (comes in four colors).

It will be interesting to see where the line heads in the future and how Balmain can appeal to the more affordable spectrum of the market even more. What's your favorite piece from the line?! 

Alright y'all, it's honesty hour! I've been wanting to write about this for a while, but hadn't had the motivation to come right out and say it yet, so here goes nothing.

For those of you that don't know, I studied advertising in school and my biggest goal in life was (and still is) to become a creative director for an ad agency. During school, I had three internships, worked part-time and was in all the right clubs and organizations to set me on the path for success. I was receiving great feedback from my professors and my bosses and felt like I was on top of the world.

Enter senior year.

I'm sure some of you are familiar with the feeling of being in a stalemate and that you aren't reaching your full potential or maybe have experienced it before. During senior year I always felt that I was waiting for the next part of my life to start and I just had to wait and wait until graduation for it to happen. I was so ready to be a grown up [WHAT] and all I wanted was to start my career.

Upon friends receiving job offers five months before graduating and seeing peers in my major get jobs at great agencies, I was becoming discouraged and thought that maybe I had set my goal too high. I talked to my advisors and family about what plan would work best and tried to network with as many people as possible to find the right fit.

Graduation came and went and still no offer.

Fast forward to July and to me applying to about 10 jobs a day, at this point any job that was hiring in the marketing/ advertising industry or even had the word marketing in the description. My lowest point came when the agency of my dreams, Leo Burnett, had chosen their interns for the year and I wasn't on the list of those that were accepted.

For those that aren't familiar - the ad world, especially in large cities, is extremely competitive and internships are pretty much your only way of being hired unless you've had a salary job within an agency before. Leo Burnett is known for hiring their interns on at the end of the program and with my internship experience I thought I had a good shot, so as you can guess I was devastated that I couldn't even land an interview for one.

After a few sketchy interviews for random positions and some much needed Ben and Jerry's, God sent me a little gift in the form of an email. I opened the email and realized it was for a marketing position at an investment banking firm [my thoughts - yeah right I can't even stand algebra, there's no way I could do that or even want to]. But, by this point I was pulling my hair out and was jumping at any opportunity that could pull me away from Netflix and the massive amounts of ice cream I'd been eating, so I replied to learn more about the position.

I scheduled the phone interview and I had never been so intrigued during a job interview. Long story short, I went through three more interviews and accepted their offer to be their Client Experience Manager.

I was so excited to accept a job that I really cared about and to work for a company that really invested [ no pun intended ;) ] in me and my future. After a couple weeks of getting started and learning about the company, I was sort of at a cross roads and was asking myself if I made the right choice. Part of me was loving what I was doing and the freedom that came with it, but the other part of me was day dreaming about being in an ad agency talking campaign strategy with the creative team. It hadn't hit me that I was living my dream, just in a different way, until my boss told me I was allowed to own that I worked in the finance world.

Translation: I wasn't comfortable telling people I worked in investment banking, because I didn't have much of an idea about the industry and I clearly don't work with the numbers that most people think I do when I tell them what I do. I was putting myself in a bubble and not accepting what I was actually accomplishing.

Upon voicing this confusion to my boss and asking for his advice, he gave me the best ego boost I've heard in my life. "Amanda, you have to realize what you're accomplishing here. I know this isn't the industry you know and it isn't your dream job in the ad world. But, to be frank, if you were at Leo Burnett right now you would be an intern, but you are here - running the marketing department."

BOOM. BAM I WAS FLOORED. I wasn't even realizing that I was living my dream. I was sooo caught up trying to become the person that I was pushing so hard to be and I hadn't even realized the blessing that was brought into my life.

The reason I'm posting this is not to brag about my position or how "my dream came true anyways..." But, to remind y'all of how life surprises you, God surprises you, and challenges you everyday to push yourself further. Sometimes it is hard to recognize something as a dream come true because you're so focused on the end result that you miss the journey of getting to that dream. I didn't give myself credit for running the marketing of an investment banking firm because I was so caught up in saying, "One day I'll be in an agency." I was loving my new job, but focusing on what I didn't have instead of appreciating the amazing thing I did have.

So, try and think of every opportunity in the most positive way and give something a shot that, at first, you may have thought would never be the right fit. Turns out, it could be the best decision you make.

Thank you for reading and letting me voice my story. In the very least I hope this makes you realize a situation could have a unique outcome, one that you may not have expected. In the best case scenario, I hope it gives you the courage to take a leap of faith and realize that not everything has to go according to plan. xoxo

Moving to Chicago has meant a lot of new things and changes for me. One of them mainly just being change of environment. 

Growing up I was always taught to do unto others as you would like done unto you, to give back to my community and to help those less fortunate than I am in any way I can. In Kentucky, I can't say that I was exposed to any drastic lifestyles or people who were in extreme poverty very often. On my walk to class I would sometimes see a homeless man walking down the street or a someone on the corner of the street holding a sign asking for anything anyone could offer. I really wasn't exposed to it that much, until I traveled to Egypt in 2008. While what I witnessed there was far more extreme than what I've witnessed in the States, it definitely had me thinking about what the rest of the world looks like outside of my bubble of Kentucky and UK. Going back to high school and eventually college, I remembered the experiences I had in Egypt and would think back to them when I felt I wasn't being appreciative of what I had. Being pretty philanthropically involved in college I met people who struggled and helped with events and fundraising for those less fortunate - but it never came to be a part of my daily life.

Seeing people in dire need every single day has definitely put into perspective that I am so lucky and so fortunate - even when I feel like I'm not getting what I deserve or have a want that is completely unimaginable for someone who is on the street everyday asking for money to feed themselves. I guess my point in posting this is to share my perspective with you so that you can think about the world around you. We get up and go to work everyday and have the same routine, going about our day and probably sticking to the same 10 topics that surround our lifestyle when it comes to thinking or day dreaming. Not once do I think on daily basis, "Where is my next meal going to come from?" or "How can I tell my 6 year old daughter that we don't have anywhere to stay tonight because the shelter is full and I only managed to get $12 off the kind people that helped me." 

From our own perspective, we all have problems, we all have complications that make life hard and to be honest, we are all selfish. We want to help ourselves before we help others and these past four months in Chicago have definitely changed that for me. I remember the first time I was approached on the street by a homeless person asking for money. Just to be completely transparent with y'all - I was scared. I was alone and had never been actually approached by someone like that. I've walked past many people who ask for money, but never had someone come directly up to me. When he asked for money I said I was sorry, but I didn't have anything that I could offer. I really didn't, but remember thinking to myself that I probably wouldn't have anyways. Why is that? 

The homeless are often generalized into people who ask for money so they can continue to buy drugs or alcohol, or use that money for something that others don't deem necessary. Because of this generalization, many of the people in actual need get looked over and the people who could help them don't. This is the mind set I had when this man approached me. But why did I judge him and make assumptions about his life when I knew nothing about him? 

Come Sunday morning, Kollin and I were sitting in Mass and the priest began his homily. The subject of his homily was none other than that of helping those around us. The main message that I took away from Mass that day was that many people don't help others when they are capable because they think, "Oh, someone else will help them. I don't have to," or "I don't want to be the person who does that, no one else is." As humans, we usually don't go into uncharted territory unless someone else does it first and makes it out okay. This is the same mentality that many people have about helping others. The priest continued to talk about a time on the train when a man stood up and asked for money so he could have a meal that day. The priest admitted that is how he felt and once a woman approached the man with some cash, others started to do the same. Everyone who gave money and probably some others were completely capable of helping him, but needed an example to follow.

A story to take with you is one that happened to me this past weekend. Kollin and I were coming back from the farmer's market heading for the Red Line. As we are talking we pass a homeless man and he says, "Hello ma'am, do you have any spare change? A quarter or anything would really help me." I didn't hear and Kollin said that he didn't have any change on him as we mostly use debit cards. We approached the corner of the street and I asked Kollin what he said. Upon hearing that this man wanted only a quarter and I complain about how annoying change in my pocket or purse is, it really sunk in how blessed I am. That change is someone's meal or bus ride to work. At the farmer's market I bought cilantro and received change back - 50 cents. I thought about telling the woman to keep the change because I didn't want to carry it around with me. For some reason I didn't and placed it in my purse. Then 20 minutes later, I meet a man who desperately needs the change that I thought about just throwing away. 

So, after a long post my main point is this - be that person who starts the trend and helps others when you can. Be that person who doesn't assume and thinks the best of people. Be the person who thinks about changing your perspective of the less fortunate and take the time to really think about how you can help someone - because you can, even if that isn't in monetary form. A simple hello, a piece of fruit from your lunch, a prayer for them or even just a smile can change how that person feels or gets through his or her day. 

I have and always will be a lover of riding boots, but sometimes they don't work with a certain outfit. The lines of the outfit may be off or they make me look totally stumpy if I have a shorter hemline. The perfect alternative and all the rage right now are booties. Also known as ankle boots, I couldn't be more obsessed. But, finding the perfect pair that aren't $400 can be tricky. The heel height is wrong, the color is too chocolate or the straps make it look too much like a motorcycle accessory. So, I have put together a few of my favorites that are under $100 and come in a variety of colors!

I just picked these up from Target and am dying over them. The heel height is a little tall for everyday use for me, but when I want to add a little pep to my step -figuratively and completely literally - I'll reach for them!

Another love of mine that I recently came across is Sole Society. Their boots are wonderfully made and while $100 may seem like a lot, they are great quality and will last a while compared to the $19.99 ones you find at Forever 21. These are so trendy and classic at the same time and come in two great Fall colors!

For those of you just wanting something fun for the season without a big monetary commitment, H&M and Forever 21 have great options for usually under $40! Happy Shopping!

Skirt: Romwe | Top: Forever 21 - similar | Shoes: Enzo Angiolini - similar 

| Bag: Michael Kors | Necklace: Dillards - similar 

One of the best things about being in the same city as Kollin is date night! While being apart four years in college, date nights were few and far between (months and months apart). So, when we would make a night of it, we made sure to make it special. Moving to Chicago provided a lot of opportunities for date nights and celebrating our anniversary was one we knew would be extra special. Because of the long distance we have never celebrated an anniversary together. Finally together and on year three, it'll be a night to remember for sure.

I love switching up from the traditional date night dress that many girls seem to grab. There are so many other silhouettes to try! A full A-line skirt adds drama to any outfit and when you add black to the equation - total elegance. When wearing all black I like to bring color into my accessories. An animal print shoe and turquoise necklace are both so fun and perfect for the end of Summer.

Whenever Kollin and I tell someone how long we've been together or our story, they are usually amazed that we made it through while attending college from across the country. One of the questions I always get  is "How do you do it?" or "Isn't that hard?" so I thought I would briefly elaborate on some things that helped Kollin and I for all you girls who are/are going to be long distance!

1) Communicate

This is important for any relationship, but for long distance it is the key. Talking everyday, even if it is just a "Good morning, I hope you have a good day," is what keeps you going. Kollin and I knew that going to college so far away from each other would be hard, but we also knew that we were the type of people that wanted to have our own paths and experiences. School always came first. Having that open communication and being upfront about what we wanted is what made us so strong and understanding of each other's wants and needs - even if that meant talking about our schedules over Skype at 1 am to find out when we could talk that week.

2) Understanding

There are going to be times when each partner is going to have a harder time than the other. Whether it is recruitment commitments, organization meetings, soccer practice or finals, each person has times when their relationship suffers a little bit for those other commitments. The important thing to remember is that life is a balance. As much as you'd like to stay up until 3 am talking to each other, life kinda gets in the way. Having that understanding will help you realize that putting your partners needs before your own is sometimes necessary.

3) Keep it positive

As much as being apart from your partner hurts, theres one thing that Kollin taught me that helped a lot. No matter how much you're hurting or missing them, spreading that around and being negative doesn't make anything better. Instead, focus on the positive and amazing things about your relationship. This will keep you in a good mindset and will honestly make the time go by more quickly. 

4) Surprise each other

Being so far apart, surprises can be harder to accomplish so you have to get a little bit creative. Even the smallest things can make a big impact. During finals I would send Kollin care packages with his favorite candy, cookies and sweets. From a young age we began writing love letters to each other. So, when Kollin would notice I was having a hard time being apart a letter would show up in the mailbox a few days later to cheer me up. Remembering to choose each other daily and focus on the small things will make all the difference. 

For those of you in long distance relationships, I hope this helped and shed some light on what you can do if you're having a hard time with it. Feel free to email me if you have any questions or just need a pep talk! Thanks so much for reading!

I've been getting some requests to talk about Greek Life and some advice so I thought I would share my outlook on it! 

Recruitment is over and you've accepted a bid to a sorority. You've met your sisters and made friends with your pledge class. You've decorated your dorm room and bought everything in your sorority's colors. But, there's some things you should know before your sorority experience continues. 

First of all, Welcome! 

Running home on Bid Day is still one of my favorite memories and I am so happy for each of you to experience everything thousands of girls before you have and more! A sorority is one of the best decisions that you can make in your life and will help you excel in all the ways you want to. I hope you're ready for the best time of your life because it is happening right now!

Soak it in.

This experience is overwhelming for even the most outgoing person. Being brought into a house with almost 100 other girls and finding over 200 more girls inside that house to be friends with is actually pretty insane (ha). But, soak in every single experience and try to say no as little as possible! Some of the best times I had with my sisters were the ones I never expected - like spending 2 hours at the sorority house dining room table talking about TV shows and who preferred Serena Van der Woodsen to Blair Waldorf (Queen B always!) 

So, even if it seems awkward or something you wouldn't immediately jump into - give it a try. The worst that will come out of it is you'll learn a sister's name and have something funny to laugh about when you're reading your senior spotlight in four years.

Learn from the older girls and get to know them.

Being a new member can give you the motivation and inspiration to conquer the world - and you can. College, in general, is full of new experiences and opportunities. Who better to talk to about those opportunities and classes than the girls who have been in your place before? Some of the best relationships I made in my sorority were ones with the girls in the pledge classes above me. They became such role models for me and pushed me to become the woman I wanted to be. Coming into a sorority with the attitude of respecting the older girls and wanting to learn from them will take you far. You'll learn so much not only about your sorority, but college and life and general. Those girls will want to help you in any way you can and what's better to have someone to look up to and be your role model? 

It may seem corny now, but it is real.

During recruitment I'm sure you got a taste of the sisterhood of your sorority and some of the topics brought up might have seemed awkward. Seeing girls have a strong bond and talk about how much they love each other may have been weird, especially because you only have four days to decide where to join. I know it freaked me out a little when I went through recruitment. 

Being a new member is all about learning and finding a piece of that sisterhood for yourself. It takes time. I know countless girls who walked into their sorority house on bid day so upset and then a year and half later were President or held executive position. Don't expect to understand and accept everything right away - some girls might and that's great, but don't give up on it because you may not be there yet! Put yourself out there and your sisters will love you for exactly who you are - remember, they handpicked you to join their sisterhood for a reason!

Joining a sisterhood was honestly the best decision I have ever made. My sisters became my absolute best friends who I could turn to for anything, whether that was at 2 am crying over a boy or just to walk to grab pizza. Your sisterhood is what you make it - so make it count.

Congratulations to all of you who have pledged and joined the best thing that has happened to you!

                                                                                                     Image via Pinterest

1. I want that, but not yet.

I've been dating the same guy off and on for almost nine years. Most people say "When are you getting engaged!?," when they hear how long we've been together and that we're living together in the city. Well, to be honest... no time soon. Whenever someone I know from school or my sorority gets engaged I am so happy for them and think how great that moment for them is. Kollin and I have always been so open to the idea of marriage and planning our lives together, but engagement has never been on the forefront of our relationship. We are both so excited for that day to come, but we also are so excited for the amazing things that will happen in between.

2. I'm exactly where I want to be.

Every couple is different. When you know, you know. Sometimes it takes 5 years or two months. Kollin and I have a "plan" you could say, but for the time being we are completely content just being excited over going grocery shopping together. Don't compare your relationship to someone else's and think that one path is any better than another. Every couple has an idea of what their plan should be and finding that plan will let you know where you are most comfortable. 

3. It's okay to put my career first.

Growing up in the South I was always surrounded with women who had the idea of the "American Dream" being going to college and finding a great guy, getting married after graduation, having children soon after and finding a career somewhere in between. While there is nothing wrong with that plan, I personally think the "American Dream" is accomplishing your personal dream - whatever that may be. I've always been very career driven and to be honest, it is my first priority in my personal "American Dream." In a world where women are idealized as homemakers and caregivers, why can't we add CEO to that description? 

4. Jealousy will happen.

When logging onto Facebook and seeing a girl I know showing off her amazing ring or an Instagram post of her bachelorette party, I'll admit I'm jealous. What girl doesn't want to plan her dream wedding and experience all the amazing things that an engagement brings? But when thinking about why I am actually jealous, I realized I was jealous of the experience and idea rather than the reality. 

5. I'm not ready.

When someone the same age or even younger gets engaged I think, "I'm I supposed to be doing that now?!" 

Yes, I am in love and feel I've found the person I want to be with forever, but why does that mean it has to happen because I've realized that? To be honest, I'm not ready for a wedding until all parts of my life are ready - finances, career, law school for Kollin, and just time to grow as a partnership. In a nutshell, yes I could marry Kollin tomorrow and be so very happy, but what am I giving up for that just because I love the idea of getting married? Many people who marry young say they gave up nothing and accomplished all they wanted to while married. But, like I said before every couple is different and it is okay that finding the perfect booties for Fall is higher on my priority list than getting engaged lol (kidding, kinda ;) ).

Rug - similar | Coffee Table - similar | Sofa | End Tables | Pillows - Target find | Lamps - similar

I have a love-hate relationship with Mondays. I always dread waking up on Mondays because, you know, it's Monday... but then I always get the urge to be really productive a few hours later so that I can prepare for the week ahead. This productiveness usually turns into me cleaning and organizing the entire apartment (which doesn't take long considering we live in a not so large place). 

But, a clean and organized home always adds to my productivity so win-win. I'm finally in a place with decorating that I'm okay with the idea of sharing some pictures that have been requested! So, we have the living room & bedroom! 

Flowers - similar | Candle {Home Goods} | Table Tray {Home Goods} | All three books available on Amazon

When thinking about how to decorate I wasn't sure what to do because I have always lived with girls so pink and glittery was never a problem. When designing what Kollin and I wanted I always found things on Pinterest and if I liked them and they were girly (99.9% of the time they completely were) then I would either do one of two things:

1) Change the color scheme to a more gender neutral tone

2) Stay completely neutral

The end result ended up being a pretty neutral apartment with some touches of color throughout. My best advice for designing a room is to start with the neutral color you want. I was dying to have white everything, but Kollin and I both knew that that idea wasn't practical for our first place. So, we decided that gray was the next best option. Then choose the colors you want to accent the neutral color (we chose black, yellow/gold and white). 

When it came to the bedroom we didn't have many options for decorating because the bed took up the entire room (no exaggeration there). Because of this, we got creative with artwork and made a gallery wall that portrayed both of us and the things we love. Green is Kollin's favorite color and I love navy and already had the bedspread so it all worked out pretty well! 

Bedspread {on sale!} | Frames are from Home Goods!

Over the past 7 years I've given Kollin numerous paintings as gifts and we knew we wanted to involve them in our decorating. Above is a Jimi Hendrix I painted him in 2008 for Christmas, which is so special to both of us. While I normally wouldn't have planned for Jimi to be hanging on the bedroom wall, he does match pretty nicely and adds an edgier flair to the room! 

When finding prints for the artwork I really wanted something that tied in both of our interests and styles, while also making the room about us. So, we have the trendy palm leaves print for me and the mountains print for Kollin with our anniversary date to tie it all in and have as a reminder of choosing each other everyday. Check out these free art prints so you can add some to your next gallery wall!

My last tip of the post is to scope out some more expensive pieces that you want and then go straight to Home Goods or TJ Maxx. These stores are always on trend with decorations and current home decor, but you pay sometimes less than half of what you pay retail. Personally, I think saving some cash on decorations so that you can invest in other items like artwork or a nice rug is the perfect solution and you don't even feel like you're giving something up because the quality and trend are both on point there! 

Thank you so much for reading and letting us share a little bit of us with you!