I Didn't Know I'm Not Invincible

Happy Halloween! Unfortunately, today's not feeling very autumnal or Halloweeny in these parts. If it wasn't for the teeny costumed children knocking on the door I may have forgotten all about the holiday. I was originally going to wear this leather skirt with an orangey sweater, but I really wasn't in the mood for being overtly Halloween. So, I went with dark colors, mostly just because I felt like it, but partly as a nod to the holiday. Do you guys have any plans tonight? All I've got on deck is some quality time with Ovid's love poetry and a bag of candy, but I'm not complaining. Candy is delicious.

Top/Dress, Skirt, Sweater: H&M, Tights: We Love Colors, Shoes: Urban Outfitters

La di da, La di da

So, to be perfectly honest, I didn't do much this halloween weekend except carve pumpkins and make caramel apples (both good, Halloweeny things, though), and all I'm going to do in the next few days to celebrate is watch Vincent Price movies. But, I had an idea for a costume and figured I'd wear it around for a bit, because, you know, that's cool. So, if you didn't guess, and hopefully you have but if you haven't I understand, I decided to dress up as Annie Hall! I remember when I first saw this movie in my high school film history class, and how funny and wonderful and smart and real I thought (and still think) it was. I also remember loving Annie's outfits, even before I cared much about how I dressed (I was still in my tee shirts and skinnies phase). So, why not dress up as her for Halloween?











Cat pumpkin thats sitting on the table with a candle in it because it's too snowy to put it on the front porch!



Delicious caramel apples that we covered in cut up oreos, sprinkles, and candy bars





Also! The winner of my 300 followers giveaway, according to the Random Number Generator, is

#4, Chelsea!

Congratulations, Chelsea! I'll be emailing you shortly :)


Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Smells Like Wilderness

Do you ever put together an outfit that just feels really...right? There are days where I get dressed, and though the outfit looks fine, it just doesn't feel like I should be wearing it. Today's outfit came together surprisingly nicely. After hitting the snooze button for an hour due to the cool, dreary weather outside, I had about twenty minutes to get ready and leave the house. It was kind of like, "I like this dress. It's cold. What sweater matches? It's rainy. Boots for the mud. Still cold. Denim jacket. That hat looks cozy. Aaaaaaand, break!" I always talk about my style being pretty undefined, but I do know that I'm always trying to strike the middle ground between cute/girly and rugged/practical, and I feel like this is pretty close to that. Speaking of rugged, I may as well share my thoughts on men's deodorant (obvious connection, I know). I was in CVS to pick up some deodorant the other day, and since the lady products are right next to the men's, I thought I'd take a gander at the more "masculine scents": Smells like freedom! Smells like wilderness! Smells like pine trees and magic! Smells like awesome! And I couldn't help but think, "Hell, I'd much rather smell like a forest at dawn than a citrus fruit mixed with ginger." I did go with my usual boring deodorant, but am I wrong in thinking those sound so superior? I don't even care If I'm wrong. Or, if this is weird. I don't care SO MUCH that I'm going to go and make the title of this post a man deodorant scent. It's been a long week. I'm very tired. Pardon my tangential deodorantial ways.

Also, if you're somehow still reading, don't forget to enter my giveaway! It closes soon!

Dress: Pretty Penny in Oakland, Sweater: Forever 21, Jean Jacket: Salvation Army, Tights: Asos, Hat: Hot Topic, Boots: Famous Footwear










Also! I thought I'd share a little DIY I tried out today! Elsie, of A Beautiful Mess, posted this DIY a while back, about how to make song lyric art from a vintage paint by number kit. I couldn't find a paint by number kit, so I used heavy duty scrapbooking paper instead and I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. I actually made one with Shins lyrics ("I learned fast how to keep my head up") last Friday, but wanted to try another. So, this one has lyrics from one of my newest favorite songs, Come Here and Love Me by Doug Paisley (it's a beautiful, lovey dovey song that you should all hear). The paper had a vintage postcard print on it, which I loved. I can't wait to add this little DIY to my ecclectic wall of pretty things, which I may have to photograph in full for you soon






Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Mish Mosh

This outfit is a little bit of a mish mosh. Mush mosh? You get the idea. But I think it's at least a fun mush/mish mosh. I don't generally wear heels, but I saw this fun pair at Goodwill for a few bucks and thought they'd be a fun way to change up some pieces I already have. For some reason, I really wanted to pair them with more red tones, so I grabbed my maroon tights. I haven't worn this dress in a long time, partly because it's kind of Hooters-appropriate short on me. But, I ended up taking out the elastic in the waist, so now it falls a bit lower, and it's nice and loose. Huzzah!

Also, thank you, thank you, thank you for your encouragement on my last post. I'm pretty much just trying to stay focussed on the good and the positive. I find, for myself lately, that remembering the good things I have and that I'm doing really helps me deal with frustration and stress. I've been making a lot of changes lately, and it's been exciting. A little scary, but exciting. I'll be turning 20 next week, and I can't help but think of where I am, and where I want to be, and how possible things seem right now.


Oh, and don't forget to enter my giveaway if you haven't yet!

Dress: Forever 21, Cardigan: Zara, Tights: We Love Colors, Shoes: Goodwill, Hat: Modcloth





Giggling because I just almost fell right over. I'm really good at walking (standing?) in heels, clearly.





Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Looking on the Brighter Side

This weekend was, well, less than good. I won't get too into details, as I so often do, but in a nutshell, I've had to deal with some harsh words that have made me extremely sad, then angry, then sad again. I also worked a bunch this weekend and am trying to get ahead on school work in preparation for the next two weeks, which are looking to be kind of crazy town. I love my job, and I like my classes, and I'm trying very hard to look on the bright side and be happy, but there are just some times when things get hectic and sad and stressful, I guess. Hopefully I'll get to carve my pumpkin this week though (I found a cat face stencil!), and also have pumpkin lattes, because pumpkin makes everything better. Also, I got the components for my Halloween costume, which is really solely for blog world because I'm probably not going out since Halloween's on Monday, but it's cool, because I'm excited to dress up and eat peanut butter cups.

I wore this outfit to a reading at work yesterday. It was actually a really nice event, and these two wonderfully talented fiction writers (Stephanie Pintoff and Arthur Phillips, incase any of you are curious) read some excerpts from their new books. I rarely wear practical clothes to work, like this dress, which rides up incredibly easily, but despite that, I like how the outfit came together.

Dress: Tulle, Blouse: Urban Outfitters, Boots: Famous Footwear

300 Followers Giveaway!

So, I reached 300 followers a bit ago, and I've been looking for something to give away as a thank you to you guys. At the antiques sale last weekend, I found this little vintage purse and thought you guys would like it! I may even throw in some surprise accessories. So, if you're interested, enter!

To Enter:

1. Be a Follower of my blog on either Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin'

2. Leave a name and email address I can contact you at if you win!

Easy peasey! Good luck!

(This giveaway closes Saturday 10/29)





Until tomorrow,
Nicole

A Lion's Heart

So, I'm updating quite briefly considering I have to leave in about ten minutes for work. Do you guys ever buy articles of clothing together that just work super well with each other? Like I bought this dress and this sweater from H&M in the same shopping trip and have been wanting to pair them, but resisted because I thought it would be weird to wear two newish things together. But, since I didn't know what to wear today, this pre-planned pair was looking pretty good. That, and I technically wore the dress to work Tuesday as well (WHOOPS) though I didn't take pictures. Also, the dress has cats with bowties on it.

Dress, Sweater: H&M, Tights: Asos, Boots: Delia's









Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Private Eye

It's been a long time since I've worn my trench coat with its belt, and when I reunited the pair I have to say that the look made me feel like one of those stereotypical private eye detective types - not a bad way to feel, I think. Also, private eye is a pretty strange phrase. I mean, I know it's supposed to imply that you're hired to eye actions that are meant to be private, but I kind of like the idea of having a private eye, like an eye that no one else can see and that you keep hidden for your own personal use. I'm rambling, but it's mostly because I'm very tired and it's now "the weekend," but also because I'm in writing mode and am in the mood to look too closely at words. But yeah, I felt like a private eye in this outfit, and I can see this red skirt being a fun autumn and winter piece (definitely for CHRISTMAS!) as long as I can figure out how to style it.

Skirt, shoes: Urban Outfitters, Blouse: Forever 21, Trench: H&M, Bow: Bethany, Beautifully Regular











Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Who Would Be So Cruel to Someone Like You?

I got a haircut! I was not expecting to get such a haircut, and had no intention of walking out of the salon with this length of hair. Last night, I was caught in the predicament of whether to cut my hair super short (above my chin) or leave it long, and now I've got shoulder length hair. I'm really bad when it comes to my hair. I always have this compulsive need to change it. It's been long-ish since the spring time, and I just needed a change! It's funny. I always end up changing my hair when one of my relationships ends, so I guess we're right on track here? It's a subconscious thing, and it's actually pretty cathartic. Unfortunately the crazy wind-rain made my hair look kind of gross, so just trust that it's a kind of nice haircut.

About this outfit, I don't know where it even came from. All I knew this morning was that I wanted to wear these over the knee socks. I never ever color block, but here I am. COLOR BLOCKING.

Top, Skirt: Forever 21, Socks: Target, Boots: Famous Footwear, Trench: H&M









Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Reflections of a Jumping Grandpa Lumberjack

I wouldn't have normally taken photos on a casual day, but I decided today was a good day to post about some things that have been swirling about in my head for a while now. It's been a while since my last relationship and self-worth post, and I feel it's time for another one. I might as well start by saying that I am highly inclined to self-pity. Highly. If I'm sad, I like to wallow about in the muck of it. I like to be reminded that I'm not alone in feeling upset, and If I am upset, I want you tell me it's okay that I'm sad, that I have a right to be sad. Pathetic is a very easy thing to be, and it's an easy thing to get stuck in.

What really kick-started my thinking about self-pity was a tumblr post I came across. It one of those little text images that said something along the lines of "I hope I've crossed your mind at least once so I can feel less pathetic about all the times I think about you." I posted it to my site, thinking "Well, that's accurate!" and immediately this wave of...sadness? disgust? disappointment came over me. "Who am I?" I couldn't stop asking myself that question all night.

I just got out of a relationship that made me feel unsatisfied, weak, and dependent, and I was letting myself feel weak and dependent on a man I hardly even know. Who am I? I've said this before, but one of the big reasons I got out of that relationship is to build on who I want to be. I'm happy with who I am, but I want to be stronger and more confident in who I am. For years and years I've sunk into labels that I've given myself. "I'm shy and weak, so I'll just have to find a guy who doesn't mind that. Not all guys want confident, independent women." And that was it. I let myself live in that shell I built myself. But I don't want to be weak. I don't want to settle. I don't want to resign myself to the limits that only I'm placing on myself.

I'll often catch myself thinking, "Oh, I wonder what he's doing now" or "He wouldn't like a girl like me" and I stop the thought mid sentence. Comparing yourself to other people and belittling yourself gets you nothing but despair. I want to grow, and these aren't the thoughts that grow. They're the thoughts that keep you uncertain, that keep you insecure, that keep you in that shell you've built around yourself. I don't want to be the girl who is hopelessly pining over a guy she barely knows, hoping somehow she'll be able to prove her worth to him so he'll see just how wonderful a girlfriend I can be. I want to be the girl who can look at a guy, think he's cute, and move on from it until the right thing comes along. I want to be myself and grow as a person, not be constantly trying to desperately prove my worth to people. I want to see my own self-worth, and not expend any effort or thoughts or tears on those who don't. I'd like to think I'm on my way.



Uh, in regards to this outfit, I think I look like a grandpa lumberjack (hence the title). Maybe also a hipster. I was inside writing a paper all day. Think what you will.

Sweater, Jeans: Urban Outfitters, Boots: Famous Footwear, Top: Delia's











Until tomorrow,
Nicole