A Guide To Chicago

I'm off to Chicago for a fun filled Bachelorette party weekend with a few of my college girlfriends.

In my place today we have Liz from Sequins & Stripes {a Chicago native + my college roommate} sharing her "Guide To Chicago"!

Enjoy!

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Hello ES readers, it's Liz from the fashion + style blog, Sequins & Stripes, and I am thrilled to be covering for Amanda today while she is en-route to Chicago! Woo hoo! For those of you who didn't know, Amanda and I went to college together, were in the same sorority, and were roommates for two years. This weekend our sorority sister is celebrating her bachelorette in lovely Chicago so Amanda thought what better way to ring in the weekend than with a little Chicago guide of a few of my favorite things to do in the windy city!

I live in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago, which is just one mile north of The Magnificent Mile, city shopping, the Chicago River, and the loop. I love LP for its residential neighborhoods, hole in the wall bars, dog parks, cozy restaurants, boutique shopping and quaint cafes. 

I have lived in Chicago my entire life {aside from my college years at Ohio State :)}. I grew up in the western suburbs and moved downtown the summer after I graduated. My field trips in grade school consisted of architectural boat rides along the Chicago River so I have always had a fond appreciation of our beautiful architecture and skyline.

Ask anyone you know from Chicago and I can promise that they will tell you that nothing beats a Chicago summer. My weekends typically consist of brunch here, shopping at the Green City Market, hitting the beach with friends, and dining al fresco at night.  I am already dreaming of a few summer soiree's in the making.

I highly recommend all of you making a trip to Chicago, especially if you never have, and stop by a few of my favorites:

I hope you enjoyed a few of my Chicago favorites! Don't forget to stop by Sequins & Stripes to find daily inspiration for a styled life {and a peak into my life in Chicago!}. Amanda, can't wait to see you in a few short hours! xo

**********

After this I sure am excited to be in Chicago!

A HUGE thank you to Liz for stopping by today.

See you soon! xoxo

Paper Lantern

How fun would be these lanterns be for a party or even just an every day pop of color!

And the amazing thing ...

You can make them yourself in any color you want!

Want to know how to do it?

You'll find the list of supplies [only three!] and the instructions here.

{imaga via Martha Stewart}

To The Beach!

Today I can be found over at A Day in the Life and Mind ... sharing my list of must have beach bag necessities while Jaclyn is away.

If you haven't met her yet you MUST!
So make sure to stop in + say hi!

{images via Pinterest}

Friday's Fancies Guest: Chihuahua in the City

Thank goodness this week is almost over!

Fridays are such a great day.

Especially since it means another round of Friday's Fancies.

And today I'm so excited to say we have a special guest visiting.

Emily, from Chihuahua in the City is here to share her fanciness inspired by my favorite color:

TEAL

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Hi everyone! I’m Emily from Chihuahua in the City and I’m thrilled to be participating with Amanda in the Friday’s Fancies blog swap. After a quick exchange of emails and a brief getting to know you session we settled on using {av’s} theme of Winter Wonderland while using our favorite color as inspiration. If you follow me you’ll know I chose pink; Amanda’s choice is rich and gorgeous teal.

I’ve seen tons of celebrities rocking these coated J Brand jeans lately. They sort of have a leather like shimmer appearance making them just a little more special than your typical colored denim. When I spotted them in teal I knew they would be the base of my outfit inspiration.

Since my recent move from the Southwest to NYC I’ve had to completely rethink my wardrobe and have struggled finding stylish and warm clothes. This would totally be an outfit I could wear to work and then straight out to dinner. I’m always looking for a platform since they are much easier when navigating the streets, subways and buses of NYC. And the earmuffs keep my ears warm but not flattening out my hair like a hat.

Don’t forget to pop over to {long distance loving} to see all of the other wonderful Friday’s Fancies link ups this week!!! 

1. Nanette Lepore Dazzle Me Top

2. Elizabeth and James narrow high heels

3. Saks Fifth Avenue collection Earmuffs

4. Mackage Helena Gloves

5. Alex and Ani beaded bangle set

6. Mackage Diana-E Jacket

7. J Brand Low Rise Coated Legging Jeans in Teal

**********

How amazing is the outfit Emily chose for me!?

Completely me, it's as if she has known me for years.

Thank you to Emily for visiting today!

To check out the look I created for her pop on over to her blog.

Hope every one has a fabulous weekend!

xoxo

Amanda 

Saturday Surprise! Guest Post: Coral Cafe

Today we have another surprise guest that I'm oh so excited to introduce to you!

Drew, from Coral Cafe has popped in today and let me tell you, her post is gorgeous! 

Take it away Drew .....

I am so excited to be here to share some birthday wishes to one the sweetest bloggers around! 

Amanda sure deserves to have love, laughter and lots of sugary sweets around the week of her birthday!

Celebrate to your huge heart's content, love!!

 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 

Thanks for letting me join in on the celebratory week!

and have an exceptional 26th birthday!!

~Drew~


Wasn't that color palette amazing?
So fun and festive and perfect for any birthday!


Thank you so much Drew for stopping by today.
Stop back anytime you like!

Guest Post: Sequins and Stripes

Happy Friday + Weekend!

I'm so so so excited it's finally here!

I'm also super excited to have today's guest  with us: Liz, from Sequins and Stripes.

I've had the pleasure of knowing this always stylish, adorable blogger for almost 7 years!

We first met at Ohio State and spent our last 2 years there being roommates.

Liz has always been such an inspiration to me, especially when it comes to her sense of fashion and today is perfect example of why.

This girl knows her stuff!

Hi there! It's Liz from the fashion and style blog Sequins and Stripes and I am super excited to be here to celebrate Amanda's 26th Birthday! Amanda happens to be my college roommate and since we live in separate cities and I am unable to be there for her special day, I thought I would throw a festive party and make sure she is dressed to the nines to finish up birthday week on Eclectic Snapshots.

Amanda, I hope you have the bestest weekend celebrating the most amazing year ahead. Here is to your 26th birthday full of laughs, confetti, pretty banners, sparklers, sequins and a fabulous outfit...

1  DVF Reara Silk Wrap Dress  2  Christian Louboutin Crystal Embellished Suede Pumps  3  Topshop  Nude Gold Stud Tights  4  Elizabeth Cole Four Strand Pear Necklace  5  Kate Spade Lady Marmalade Earrings  

6  Elizabeth Cole Set of 5 Cuffs

A huge thank you to Amanda for hosting me today! I love you roomie, Happy Birthday! xoxo

See I told you she was good! Not only is this the perfect birthday outfit, but it's also perfect for the holiday season! 

And I absolutely love all the sparkle she's mixed in.

Liz: Thank you so much for stopping by today! 

It means the world to me to have you visiting my little blog!

Wish you could be here to help celebrate, xoxo.

As for me, LET THE CELEBRATING BEGIN!

Guest Post: Gentri Lee

Happy December everyone!

Today's fabulous guest post is coming from the always cheerful Gentri from GentriLee .

Her adorable blog had me from hello and this birthday round-up is no different.

Gentri loves all things fairy tale and it definitely shines through today!

Hello Amanda's lovely readers! I am so excited to be here today and to be a part of Amanda's Birthday Celebration! I love birthdays. :) Whether it's my own or someone else's. I love that we all get a day to feel truly special OR to make someone else feel truly special. Here are some ways that Amanda can make herself feel like Queen for a day...

Wear a pretty dress!

Wearing something pretty can turn even the gloomiest day into a ray of sunshine...

                                                                                                       Source: Uploaded by user via Gentri on Pinterest

Get Pampered!

Sit back, relax, and let someone else pamper you... perfection.

                                                                                                              Source: google.ca via Nowell on Pinterest

Go outside!

Take a walk, a bike ride, a hike, or just grab a favorite book and spend some time outdoors.

                                                                                               Source: oh-so-rosie.blogspot.com via Gentri on Pinterest

Do something fun!

Come up with something you've never done before, something that you will never forget, and DO it! Build a teepee, blow glass, try something you've always wanted. For my birthday this past year I went to the prettiest hotel around and tried those pretty french macaroons for the first time. Made my day!

                                                                                              Source: sunshineandpearls.tumblr.com via Gentri on Pinterest

And of course,

Make a wish! Because if any wish were to come true- it's the one you make when you blow out your candles on your birthday.

                                                                                                  Source: cilantropist.blogspot.com via Gentri on Pinterest

Have the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER Amanda!! :D

Love,

Gentri

Seriously fabulous, right?!

Now do you see why I love this girl?

If you haven't visited her, you must go!

Thank you so so so much Gentri for visiting today. 

An absolutely gorgeous birthday round-up!

Surprise! Guest Post: The Vault Files

Happy Wednesday my dears! I have a lovely treat for you:

Gaby from The Vault Files is visiting today as a surprise guest post!

She's brought with her a few birthday essentials that are to die for ......

Hi everyone! I'm Gaby from The Vault Files and I'm thrilled to join Amanda's B-day celebration week along with all the fantastic bloggers she has invited! 

I have put together what I consider my must-haves for a girly Birthday Party, hope you enjoy it!

Via Style me Pretty

Via Fairy tales are True

 Via Pinterest

Via Bakerella

 Via Pinterest

Via Pinterest

Via Style me Pretty

Thank you so much Amanda for letting me be part of your celebration week! I wish you a very Happy Birthday (and week!) ;)

Um, Yes Please!

How amazing is this round up?

These must-have's definitely add up to one fabulous birthday!

Thank you so so so much Gaby for saying hello today.

Can't wait to plan your next visit!

Guest Post: A Day in the Life and Mind

I'm so excited to have the super cute and always hilarious Jaclyn from A Day in the Life and Mind.... 

 Being that we had our fair share of fun times together at The Ohio State University I can promise you she is as silly, carefree, and beautiful in person as she is in the blog world.

If you haven't visited her, you MUST.

Today she is sharing a fabulous birthday gift guide and all for under $50 .... so here we go!

Happy Birthday (week) Amanda!  I am Jaclyn from "A Day in the Life and Mind...", and I went to college with Amanda, so I am excited to be guest posting in honor of her birthday!  With all the many friends, sisters, brothers, cousins, blah blah blahhh, it is hard to manage budgets for each of their birthdays.  Today I am sharing a few birthday gift ideas under $50 that are sure to still keep your wallet full.  

Enjoy!

Thanks again, Amanda for having me and have a wonderful birthday!!

Thank you so much Jaclyn for visiting today ~ stop by anytime you want!

Such great choices, I love them all! 

One thing is for sure, she definitely knows my love for Urban Outfitters.

And how funny is that picture!?  Oh, college!

Guest Post: chartreuse & a twist

Kicking off this birthday filled week is the wonderful Brynn from chartreuse and a twist. 

I fell in love with her and her adorable blog the second I laid my eyes on it.

Her insane ability to find amazing thrifted treasures and her always gorgeous color crushes are just a few of the reasons I visit her everyday in this fabulous little blog world.

Enjoy!

Hello, lovely readers of Eclectic Snapshots :) I am Brynn from chartreuse & a twist and I am so happy to be here today! Amanda and I originally bonded in the bloggy world over our shared love of vintage and thrift treasures...and then just recently found out that we are both Sagittarians :) Our birthdays are just a week apart...mine was just yesterday and Amanda's is Sunday! I am sharing my birthday MUSTS today...the "ingredients" {so to speak} to the perfect birthday! 

1. the birthday outfit is essential!!! every birthday girl MUST have the perfect birthday ensemble {and i'm thinking this hot little ensemble makes a perfect statement!}

2. fancy birthday cocktails are simply the best! what better way to get the {birthday} party started??!!!!!

3. eat beautiful cake! i can't imagine a birthday without some sort of cake! cheesecake, cupcake...etc...it's just a birthday tradition that is a must for me :)

4. shake, shake, shake it!!! i am such a shaker i just can't help it ;) dancing on my birthday is a major must...and it doesn't just have to be out & about...it could be somewhere as simple as my own living room! i just love to let free and dance!!!

5. treat yourself...i am not one that expects gifts on my birthday...it is not what it's all about for me...but I absolutely treat myself :) yep, that's right! i am all about treating myself for my birthday... because, truly, why not?!

so there you have it! the ingredients to a perfect birthday!!! amanda, i wish you the happiest of birthdays and hope that you get all of this and more :) thank you so much for having me over today!

xoxoxo brynn

A HUGE thank you and a Happy Birthday to my fellow Sagittarius, Brynn, for sharing these birthday festive ingredients. 
Any one of these would make a great addition to my celebration this coming weekend!

Blog Series: Birthday Fun

I am so excited to announce that I will be having my first ever guest post this week! 

Not only am I completely blessed to have one guest, but there will actually be FOUR wonderful ladies popping in to say hello.

On December 4th I will be celebrating my 26th birthday and it seemed like the perfect time to have a few visitors here at Eclectic Snapshots.

Since my birthday falls on the beginning of the week this year I decided to make my "birthday week" the week before.

WAY more fun to build up to it, wouldn't you say?

I've gotten a sneak peak at the birthday fun these ladies have put together and I can't wait to share.

Mid-week I'll be checking in with you all.

Until then show these beauties some love!

xoxo

Amanda