After growing up in the public eye and weathering a turbulent few years, Amanda Bynes is turning 30 healthier than ever – and with a decidedly lower profile.
The Thousand Oaks, California, native – who celebrates her milestone birthday on Sunday – is currently taking classes at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles.
"She is doing great. She is happy and healthy and excited about the future," Bynes family attorney Tamar Arminak tells PEOPLE.
A source close to the star also says Bynes is committed to school and planning for a career in fashion.
"She is working on her own designs, which are incredible thus far. She hopes to launch her line soon," the source says.
Bynes' lawyer, David Esquibias, tells PEOPLE that the star is hitting a good stride both personally and with her studies.
"Amanda is doing great, enjoying school and thriving creatively," he says.
It's a happier chapter for the former child star, who began her professional acting career at the tender age of 7, appearing in a Buncha Crunch commercial.
She later gained notoriety on Nickelodeon's All That and Figure It Out before landing her own show on the kid-oriented cable channel – The Amanda Show – at just 13.
Her career continued to blossom with a number of film roles – including She's the Man, Hairspray, and Easy A – before personal issues put any potential projects on hold.
In 2012 she faced DUI and hit-and-run charges. A year later, in July of 2013, she was placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold after she was seen near a gas can and small fire in a driveway of a Thousand Oaks home.
The incident came after a string of erratic behavior and troubling social media posts.
Family, friends and fans feared for Bynes' well-being during her struggles, but lately she appears to be doing much better.
In February she was spotted looking healthy as she took a sunny stroll in Los Angeles.
As for social media, her posts have been less frequent – and less controversial. In February she shared her new haircut with fans, her only post since she wished fans "happy holidays!" in December while sharing a snap with her "bestie," makeup artist Troy Jensen.
Bynes continues to see life coach Joy Stevens, PEOPLE confirms, and the pair were spotted enjoying a low-key shopping trip in Venice on March 8.
"Amanda looked great," says a witness. "She seemed to like the outing."
Bynes and Stevens also shared a meal at West Hollywood hot spot Craig's last year, around the same time Bynes' lawyer told PEOPLE that the star was heartened by the support she'd been receiving.
"She appreciates all of the love and support she receives from family, friends and fans," Esquibias said.
