obey yourself

the weather this week has been all over the place. warm one day and freezing the next. sunday i was out running in shorts and a tank and tonight it was 30 degrees! i'm ready for the temps to even out so i can put away the heavy coats and tights. it's so much easier to stay positive and happy when there's sunshine. i know that sounds cliche, but for me, it's true. with daylight savings this week, i get home from work and the sun is still up!!! it's amazing. i've never been more thankful to have lost an hour of sleep in my whole life.

i'm most excited for spring because it'll get me outside running more often. i'm doing a 5k in may with my sister jessica and my only goal is to not suck-- i want to have a decent time and not do any walking. it's my first real race so i'm looking mostly to just have fun! it's one of those colorful ones where you throw all that colored powder all over the place and leave looking like a rainbow farted on you. ha! i can't wait.

as you probably know by now, i'm usually a fan of dresses and skirts, but every once in a while you just wanna dress cool and comfy. one of my favorite things are guys t-shirts! they can be so much more fun than girl t shirts. buying from the guy section gives you more leeway with finding a good fit for you. i don't always want something short and fitted. actually, that's exactly what i'm not looking for in a comfy shirt. so i highly recommend hanging out on your boyfriend's side of the store next time you want a fun oversized tee!

and speaking of boyfriends, check out this hottie! he just got a haircut this week and looks extra cute, if i do say so myself :) he's heading home to pittsburgh next week (he's on spring break) and i'm soo jealous that he gets to go back to visit. it's been so long since i've been there and i miss that city. we're in the midst of planning a weekend trip next month for my birthday! only a month until i'm 22! woot woot.

i wish everyone a very happy friday. enjoy your weekend and do something fun! 

xxoo,

n

outfit details

shirt: thrifted
sweater: urban outfitters
pants: tj maxx
shoes: groupon

mix and match

it was a beautiful and sunny weekend for the first time in what feels like forever! i spent the weekend at home with my family and it was so nice to be able to actually spend some time outdoors without being all bundled up. weekends at home are always my saving grace. it's nice to escape the daily routine of waking up, going to work, coming home, working out, and going to sleep. every once in a while you've gotta indulge in some extra sleep, yummy food, and lots of blue moon. and trust me, that's just what i did! :)

this floral dress from forever 21 is a current favorite piece in my closet. i love the pattern and the fit. it's loose and comfy, but i can still dress it up with a blazer for work. as i mentioned in my last 9-5 post, a key point for me when it comes to shopping lately has been whether or not i can wear something for fun and for work. it's so much easier than i thought to find pieces that can be styled for both! especially since i love dresses so much. dresses > pants. any day/every day.

i kinda love how much is going on in this look. the patterned dress, the colored tights, a studded bag, it's all a little over the top, and i looove it. and the icing on the cake? this cardigan has elbow pads!!! there's nothing in this world that a love more than a good elbow pad (well i'm sure there is, but you catch my drift. i love these things).

this outfit really makes me think of my best friend brittany. she gave me these tights for christmas (along with a green pair, very holiday spirited haha) and we both have a love for elbow pads (we're weird). when i visited her in seattle last year she wore my favorite sweater (featured here and here) the whole time i was there. she loved it so much i knew that i had to get an elbow padded sweater of her own for christmas. i found a similar one to mine and she was so happy! yay for christmas successes. it's always nice to have little reminders of each other even though we live on separate coasts.

i'm praying for the sunshine to stick around for as long as possible. but, we'll see how this week goes! sending you all warm vibes <3

xxoo,

n

outfit details
dress: forever 21
sweater: buffalo exchange
tights: h&m
shoes: urban outfitters
bag: studio c
sunnies: doubledutch boutique 

flower power

at this point i'm sure you all have entered the Adore Me contest because duh-- free lingerie for pinning. life doesn't get much easier than that, people! and i'm finally back with an outfit post. i'm sure i'm like the millionth person to proclaim that i'm "so over this snow," but dangit, i am so over this snow!! we got another few inches on sunday night, getting me out of work on monday, and half a day tuesday (which is always appreciated), but at this point i'd rather work a 500 hour week and never, ever see fluffy white stuff fall from the sky ever again. or at least until next winter. 

i ordered this gorgeous coat from romwe a few weeks back and was so excited when it came in the mail. i was getting tired of wearing the same jacket to work everyday (#firstworldproblems) and i wanted something fun and colorful. plus, it's light enough that it will easily transition to spring. i am more than ready for some pastel action in my life. who's with me?!

speaking of spring, this floral sweater is great for shining light into the darkness of winter. it keeps me warm and cozy, but on the outside it's fun and bright and i'm pretty sure these flowers are daisies (which happen to be my favorite) and if they aren't, well i'm just pretending they are anyway cause daisies rule.

i got this gorgeous layered necklace from anthony's aunt and uncle for christmas and i just love it. i'm not sure where they got it from, but they said it looked "so nikki" and they were right. it's great! i thought it would pair perfectly with my silver studded duo loafers. throw on some quirky glasses, and you have a casual, laid back look that helps you cope with these forever-lingering winter months. 

thanks for stopping by! i'm heading to my parents this weekend and couldn't be more excited to see my fam :) happy almost friday, y'all.

xxoo,
n

outfit details
sweater: forever 21
pants: tj maxx
coat: romwe
loafers: c/o duo
necklace: christmas gift
glasses: amazon

nine to five

so i realize i haven't done a nine to five post in forever. this feature focuses on what to wear in more professional setting. whether it's a full time job, an internship, or job interview, my goal is to show you that you can still showcase your personal style while dressing to impress. now that i'm graduated college, and working my first "real" job, i wear professional clothes more than i wear my regular clothes. i originally thought that i wouldn't be a big fan of this. but once i focused on incorporating pieces i already had in my wardrobe, with a few new items, i started having a lot of fun getting dressed in the mornings!

 if i wore black slacks and a button down everyday, it's safe to say i would be both bored and depressed. yes, it would meet the office dress code, but there are ways to be much more creative with your wardrobe. both target and tj maxx make it extremely easy and affordable to find fun pieces that can be styled for both work and outside of work. it definitely helps you stick to your budget when you can find items that are versatile. a fun skirt can spice up a simple sweater for work, but can also be paired with a plain tee for a night out with the girls. 

a key item that is more than 100% necessary for a working girl is a good bag. not a little clutch or a small purse, but more like a female version of a briefcase. i got this gray beauty from target and have literally carried it to work every single day. i can fit my lunch, my ipad, and all of my key necessities in it no problem. i can throw a binder in it if i'm heading to a meeting or fit my laptop in it if i'm working on something away from home. it has been such a staple since i started my job! i love the color because it's goes with anything, and the straps allow me to hold it in the crook of my arm or on my shoulder. you can find a very similar one here if you're interested.

you definitely don't want to over-accessorize, but don't be afraid to wear a statement necklace or fun earrings. it's these little things that can make you feel more like yourself and can spice up a simpler look. and, of course, you can never, ever go wrong with a pair of basic, and most importantly comfy, black pumps. they can give your outfit the necessary edge, as long as they aren't stilettos. because ow. nobody got time for that.  

i hope some of these tips can help keep you inspired when getting dressed for work in the morning. looking and feeling good can help keep you empowered and ready to conquer anything! happy wednesday!

xxoo,

n

outfit details

skirt + bag + watch: target

sweater: belk

pumps: payless

earrings: forever 21

hint of spring

saturday afternoons are my absolute favorite. today, i got to wake up after 10 am, make eggs and turkey bacon for breakfast, and go for a run. the sun was shining and the temps were in the 60s (!!!). can you believe it? i don't know if this is some kind of global warming situation happening right now, but it feels like spring and i am way more than okay with this. i've been experiencing extreme lack of inspiration with all of these dreary winter days and a dose of vitamin d made me feel a million times better.

it didn't hurt that i checked my mail yesterday and had a lovely package from my sponsors over at persunmall. when i picked out this emerald green dress from their site, it was hard not to order it in every color. the fit is perfect, and i love the three-quarter length sleeves. it can be dressed up for work or dressed down for a day out and about. and the best part-- the length! i have the hardest time finding dresses that don't become shirts after one wash (that's what being 5'8" does to ya). but this hits right above the knee. perfecto.

the also sent me this necklace. if you don't know by now, i'm obsessed with all things turquoise. and just a bonus-- it's only $2.99. i mean come on, you can't beat cute accessories for great prices. my jewelry collection is getting a little out of hand, but when you can find cute pieces like this for next to nothing, i just can't resist.

guess what i'm doing tonight? going to a ball. doesn't that sound fancy? it's a ball celebrating the founding of american university (where i work) and a bunch of girls in my office signed up to help out. we'll have to check people in, take coats, etc. but i'm guessing we will get some free time to eat yummy food and dance, not to mention we get to dress up! i'm really loving my new job so far. the first month has been great and i feel so lucky to enjoy what i spend most of my days doing.

hope everyone can get out this evening and have a fun saturday night! you deserve it. :)

xxoo,

n

outfit details

dress: c/o persunmall

necklace: c/o persunmall

bag: brandy mellville

boots: dwds 

tights: target

in living color

hellllooo! to say this week has been a hectic one would be the understatement of the year. my car is currently in the shop (again) and it's really throwing me off my groove! i need that thing to, ya know, get to my job and to the store and basically everywhere important in life. it all started on valentine's day. anthony and i were heading out for our date night, and after a few minutes in the car it made a very loud, unfortunate sound. the sound got worse and worse, but we were able to at least make it to the parking lot of the restaurant (thankfully). the only problem was we didn't know how we were going to leave the restaurant. as soon as we sat down for dinner, we started stressing about how we were going to get the car to the shop. after scarfing down a few crab cakes, we were out of there. 

so the closest mechanic was only a few minutes away, and we risked it and made the drive. if you ignored the BOOM BOOM BOOM everytime the tired rotated, the car seemed just fine. so despite a few startled looks from other drivers on the road, we made it to the shop relatively unscathed. we had to wait for some friends to come pick us up and take us home. safe to say, this holiday will noy go down in history as the most romantic evening because any night that ends up with you holding your heels while standing in gas station is probably one you want to forget. 

but on to brighter notes, i visited my family over the weekend and my mom was kind enough to let me borrow her car until mine is fixed (thanks, mama!) and i couldn't be more thankful. plus, it was awesome getting to see (most of) my siblings and have some good ol fashioned family time. and if you have ever met my family that means lots of card games and lots of margaritas, hehe :)

it's sad to say, but i'm already counting down days til the weekend. i need to catch up on some sleep (and blogging!!) and can't wait to just take a nap. i always feel guilty just wishing the rest of the week to disappear, but sometimes you just need friday afternoon so damn bad! 

i hope everyone's weeks are going slightly better than mine. happy two days til friday!

xxoo,

n

outfit details

tee: urban outfitters

pants: tj maxx

sweater: h&m

scarf: american apparel via buffalo exchange

beanie: forever 21

boots: target

valentines day: date night

happy valentine's day! i've been snowed in the past two days and have been getting into the holiday spirit with lots of baked goods, sprinkles, and chocolate. oh, and wine. lots of wine. there's nothing more romantic than laying in bed all day in comfy sweats and eating junkfood with your boyfriend. okay, well actually, i can think of many more things that are more romantic but for us this was pretty darn good!

tonight, we are doing the real valentine's day stuff. going out to dinner, grabbing a drink, etc. it's always fun to get dressed all fancy and go to a fancy restaurant and eat fancy food and so on. it's a given that wearing some combination of red or pink is necessary. but i thought a black/white/red combo would be perfect for a valentine's day night out. i usually gravitate towards a dress for a date night, but i wanted to do something different this time. so when i remembered these amazing trousers i bought at buffalo exchange in nyc a few weeks ago, i knew i had to wear them. the color is gorgeous and i love the way they fit.

i've been dying to wear this gorgeous necklace ever since i won it in a giveaway through the lovely chandra of modern day charm. it's just a bonus that it matches my pants and goes with the whole holiday of looove outfit theme i've got going on. this black + white peplum top from forever 21 is so fun and i'm a little bit crazy about the pattern. throw in some nude pumps and you are ready for a date night out on the town!

hope everyone has fun plans today! whether it's a day out and about with the girls or a night in with your special someone, remember to tell the important people in your life that you love them. <3

xxoo,

n

outfit details

pants: buffalo exchange

top: forever 21

shoes: famous footwear

necklace: giveaway via modern day charm

weekend wears

this weekend was a lazy one. anthony and i did a whole lot of nothing. and it was awesome. in between lounging on the couch and watching endless amounts of gilmore girls (we're almost done the fifth season!), we did manage to squeeze in time to go tour apartments. we're looking to move closer to dc this summer, so the apartment hunting has officially begun! it's so exciting look at potential places. we are trying to find somewhere in a nice area, that isn't too expensive, so we have our work cut out for us. already the first place we looked at was amazing! so i think we're off to a great start. 

friday night we stayed in, ordered pizza, and played monopoly (typical night for us, ha!) and it couldn't have been more relaxing. my weekend laziness made me want to escape the leggings and sweaters and put on a nice outfit for our apartment adventure. i ordered this new coat from h&m after seeing pale shadow wearing it in a post a few weeks back. it's just so pretty! and i love the fit. it was on major sale, so i only spent $30! not bad for a stylish winter(ish) coat.

these little booties are also new from a shoe shopping extravaganza i went on at charlotte russe a couple months ago. i hadn't worn them yet (oops!) and now i don't want to take them off! the heel is just right for a tall gal like me and they're just plain comfy. paired with my favorite denim cuffed skinnies i was ready for a fun day out and about.

i won this necklace through a giveaway delightfully tacky hosted a few weeks back and it's just so beautiful! it truly is a statement necklace, and i thought pairing it with dark, solid colors would make it the focal point of the outfit. sometimes, simplicity is key. i love the chic, preppy feel of this outfit. it's a little different than what i might normally wear, but i liked trying something new!

i hope everyone's monday is off to a great start. i'm eating korean bbq for dinner tonight so basically today is going to be awesome. thanks for checking in!

xxoo,

n

outfit details

top: forever 21

jacket: h&m 

jeans: tj maxx

booties: charlotte russe

necklace: juicy dealz via delightfully tacky giveaway

cobblestone streets

the weather was absolutely gorgeous over the weekend. and by gorgeous i mean above 40 degrees! that's almost unheard of in february. it was great to actually go outside and enjoy the sun without stomping through piles of snow. anthony and i try to pack as many fun outings and adventures as we can each weekend, because during the week our schedules are crazy. between my working full-time and him working and taking classes, it doesn't leave room for much else besides eating dinner and binge-watching gilmore girls on week nights. it makes me feel old, but i guess it's just a part of growing up! 

i find that i'm a lot happier if i find time to cook dinner or exercise after work. usually all i want to do is crash and take a nap, but if i do a work-out video as soon as i'm home-- i have a little bit more energy for the rest of the evening. and another benefit of healthy living is it makes me really into cooking! i've been all about the crock pot recipes lately. it's so convenient to make it one night and have soup or chili for the next day's lunch or dinner. one meal preparation that turns into multiple meals is too awesome to pass up. be sure to check out my 'be healthy' board on pinterest for some fun recipes!

so, i've been really trying to stick with my saving money resolution by doing a lot more thrifting. this amazing buffalo plaid jacket was found at goodwill. and i'm in love and it's perfect and i want to wear it everyday. i love finding such awesome and trendy pieces at such a good price. it reminds me of why i started going to thrift stores in the first place. it's so much more rewarding than buying the first thing you see on urban outfitter's website (and i mean that in the nicest way possible cause we all know i have their homepage saved in my bookmarks). all i mean is in order to expand my wardrobe, i can't drop $70+ dollars on jacket, when i could look a little harder and find something like this for $5.

speaking of urban outfitters, that's where this tee is from. and it's from the boy section. and it cost $9.99 on sale. so yes, shopping there can definitely be manageable. you've just got to be a bargain shopper! it's possible and very, very fun.  i thought my new black combat boots would finish off this look with the right edgy feel, and i think i was right. i got them through groupon. yes, they have groupons for SHOES. it's amazing, people. signing up for their weekly emails makes me feel like i need cooking classes, a trip to south america, and mani/pedi/massage every time i refresh my inbox. still haven't decided if that's a good or bad thing. ha!

well, i hope the first few days of february are treating you all marvelously. thanks for stopping by.

xxoo,

n

outfit details

tee: urban outfitters

plaid jacket/bag: thrifted

jewelry: forever 21

jeans: tj maxx

boots: carrini via groupon 

blue skies

alright people. i'm officially done with winter. no more of this "but the snow is so pretty!" or "layering is fun!" talk. i can't do it anymore!! lets just all take a vote and choose to skip ahead a few months to blue skies and sunshine. i'm not talking full blown summer, but just temperatures above the teens and no more frozen precipitation falling from the sky. who's in!? 

these photos weren't from that long ago, but it was a much happier time. the ground wasn't white and a chunky sweater was enough to keep me warm. this post is me looking back and reminiscing on the better days. the days when i could wear only one pair of tights (now i need to double up) and i could leave the house without a sweatshirt/jacket/hat/gloves/ski mask combo. okay the ski mask is a joke but i do hope february is when we say bye-bye to weekly snow dustings and wind chills of below zero (i know it's unlikely, but hey a girl can dream).

this is one of my most frequently worn sweaters and you've probably seen it before. the maroon and stripes are just my absolute favorite. you can see me style it with pants here but i decided to try something new and pair it with this great skirt i scored for $9.99 at tj maxx. the shape is perfect and i obviously bought it in a different color as well. i mean have you met me? how could i resist.

i know it's only wednesday but i'm already looking forward to the weekend. i see a lot of staying inside in my future. on friday, anthony and i are having a little get together in our apartment with some friends and i can't wait! i'm gonna make some fun snacks and drinks and it'll be a great way to kick off the weekend. saturday, we are heading downtown to try this new mexican restaurant that anthony's aunt and uncle got us a giftcard to for christmas! we've only heard good things and i love trying out new places to eat. are you already planning out your weekend or is it just me?

happy hump day to all. and stay warm!

xxoo,

n

outfit details

skirt: tj maxx

sweater: forever 21

tights/boots: target

let it snow

this snow is getting a little out of control. there's still snow everywhere from last week's snow storm and yesterday it decided to snow even more! it was a little annoying because we had to drive about an hour to my grandparents house, but we made it safe and sound. my whole family got together to celebrate my sister and my grandpa's birthday because they are monday + tuesday this week. it was a great day just sitting around talking, eating, and drinking wine. i'm very thankful that i live so close to my family. it's nice just to get together and catch up.

after leaving my grandparents, we had to head back to baltimore for another birthday celebration! one of anthony's coworkers had a fabulous little get together downtown. we had dim sum at this awesome little hole in the wall chinese restaurant and grabbed a few drinks after. it was nice to see everyone and eat yummy food. it was definitely a great day for birthdays. 

the key to staying warm in this crazy polar vortex is layering layering layering. i'm always wearing at least two or three shirts and/or sweaters at all time. i do not handle the cold very well, but am trying my best to survive in these single digit temps. one of my favorite layering techniques is pairing an old thrifted plaid under a fun sweater. it's warm and cute at the same time, which we all know is very, very difficult to come by.

the only other thing you need is a bold statement necklace. this gold plate necklace is the perfect length to complement the collar on the plaid shirt.  throw in some matching red nails and fun socks andyou have a complete winter ready look. what layering tips do you have to keep warm in the colder months?

i hope everyone is enjoying their lovely sunday afternoon. thanks for stopping by!

xxoo,

n

outfit details

plaid: thrifted

sweater: forever 21

jeans: tj maxx

booties: target

necklace: charlotte russe