Being Silly

I know I've been not so present here in blog land, but it's for good (and bad) reason. The bad reason is that I'm trying to frantically finish up all of my spring break work that I was lazy and didn't complete when I had ample time to do so last week. Good going, self, that's what I say. The good reason is that my sister is visiting from California! I hadn't seen her since the summer, but now she's visiting New York for part of her book tour, since she just published her first book, which is amazing. The past few nights, we've been going to readings and interviews with her, and it's been a little bit of a blur, but an awesome blur. It's just really nice to be a part of my sister's life in this way, seeing her talk about what she's passionate about, seeing all she's accomplished, and seeing little NYU college students rush up to her saying "I love your videogames!" It's the best. My sister and her girlfriend are in most of these photos, being silly. And when they're absent, they're making me laugh like an unfortunate hyena.

Dress: Esprit, Sweater: Urban Outfitters, Boots: Nordstrom?, Jacket: Salvation Army











Until tomorrow,
Nicole

An Honest Heart

These photos are misleading, meaning that while I was trekking over to my grandma's backyard for outfit photos, I passed people bundled in winter coats giving me pitying looks as I scurried along in open shoes. It's alright though, because I like this outfit. And now that I've gotten a taste of delicious spring weather, there's no going back. I think it's supposed to be in the thirties tonight, but I don't care, because I am mentally in spring world and refuse to be fully clothed again until September. Smart decisions!

I was feeling a bit crafty today and decided to try my hand at making a nest necklace, based on a tutorial I found on pinterest. I'm pleased with how it turned out, though it certainly doesn't look as good as the one in the tutorial, which frankly was to be expected. I like it though! Maybe I'll make another and do a giveaway on the blog if you guys are interested?

Blouse: Goodwill, Jacket: Salvation Army, Skirt: Forever 21, Sandals: Urban Outfitters











Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Going Down the Rabbit Hole

I found this dress about a week ago while wandering around in a Delia's. I'm really not a fan of their clothes (though, time travel back three years and I was boasting a closet that looked like an actual Delia's store) but once I spotted this little number, covered in various zoo animals, I was sold. Not to mention I had a ye olde credit that I was surprisingly allowed to use. Anyway, it was so warm and breezy today, that I figured a flowy zoo themed dress was in order. I was quite pleased to be sent on a bunch of errands at work today, if only to be allowed a little bit more time in the sunshine, driving with the windows down, and click-clacking around on Tarrytown sidewalks. After work, I met up with an old pal, and we got some yummy dinner, reminisced about good (and bad) times, and went to an ARCADE. The five year old nature of my dress really came in handy while we were playing Mario Kart, a creepy multiplayer version of Pac-man (where the goal is to eat your competitors. uh.), and deal or no deal (which we were not very good at LET ME TELL YOU). Quite a fun spring day if you ask me. He even let me use up the tickets to get a (slightly off looking) Batman plush.

Dress: Delia's, Blouse: Cotton On, Boots: Vintage, Bag: Urban Outfitters








Hulk hands!



Until tomorrow,
Nicole

This Little Hope

Even before I realized how breezy and delicious today's weather intended to be, I made up my mind that I was going to try and take my own outfit photos today. So, after spending the afternoon at work (I just want to take this moment to document that there were horse stickers at work today. Someone sent us mail with two horse stickers on it. That is all), I set out to find the Tarrytown Reservoir. I've shown you guys this place once before on my blog, and even though I don't get to hang out here that often, it's really pretty wonderful. The little platform where I took these photos is right by the water, and if you look out, past the sea plants and garbage, there are ducks, swans, fish, tadpoles, and ribbeting frogs all hanging out. It's a nice little spot to take in the warm glow, and I wish I had the forethought to bring a book with me. As silly as it sounds, one of the things on my list of things to accomplish on my own is taking decent outfit photos. Considering that I have a blog, I think it's a good goal to have, a good step to take toward being more independent and being able to depend more on my own abilities. These photos aren't perfect, but I like them, and I liked trying out different angles and techniques until I found something that sort of worked.

Blouse: Nordstrom, Jeans: ESprit, Shoes: Urban Outfitters, Bag: JCPenney












Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Oh, Inverted World

These pictures are from Friday, after my spring break had just started. It's really weird having two weeks mostly to myself. I mean, sure I've got books stacked to the ceiling and a pile of papers waiting to be written, but having a break this long is a pretty odd feeling after pushing myself so hard in the past few weeks. Anyway, I've been thoroughly enjoying a lazy weekend of goose-sightings, macaroni eating, Ghost Adventures watching, blanket snuggling, too much napping, 1920's themed cross-stitching, The Shins listening, friend seeing, room cleaning, bus riding, ugly clothes try on-ing, farmers market exploring, fan dusting, stir fry cooking, private dance partying, and all around leisuring. Giving myself the weekend off was a good idea.

Jeans: H&M, Blouse: Urban Outfitters, Cardigan: Salvation Army, Hat&bag, JCPenney, Shoes: Ruche









Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Old Reliable

Once the weather hits sixty degrees, I lose the ability to not wear a denim jacket. That's just how it goes. All of my outfits revolve around my denim jacket. Example: "I like this look but do the proportions work with my DENIM JACKET?" Real life conversations I've had with myself in front of the mirror in the morning. This outfit is one I wore all the time last spring and summer. This same dress, this same jacket. It's my "old reliable" outfit. The outfit that both makes me feel happy and put together enough - which is really nice when you're two days away from spring break with a ton of work to do and hardly any energy/sanity left to complete it with. What're your go to outfits?

Dress, jacket: Salvation Army, Shoes: Ruche









Until tomorrow,
Nicole

A Walk In the Park

On Sunday, I hung out with Callie! She's staying in New York for a few days, and I was so happy we got a chance to see each other while she's here. After I mixed up the museums we had planned to meet up (she was at the museum of natural history and I was at the met. WHOOPS), we magically managed to find each other by a jazz band in the middle of Central Park. We spent most of the afternoon just walking around the park and talking about everything from blogging and clothes to The Tingler and her town's Pumpkin Fest (which I now really, really want to attend). We went on a quest to find her a knish (which was surprisingly difficult considering the amount of food carts we encountered) and then were all "We should probably take pictures." It was such a fun time. It makes me so happy to think about the friends I've made through this blog, like Callie. I'm hoping to visit her sometime soon now!










This is almost a picture of the both of us, right?

Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Back On My Feet Again

Well, here I am. As predicted, my blogging break was a short one, though an important one I'd like to think. One zillion thank you's for all of your kind and supportive words on my last post. I just find that for someone like me, who is not ultra confident yet and very concerned about pleasing other people, it's very easy to compare myself with other people - their appearances, their blog content, anything really. And it's not just in my little corner of the internet - it's in my life as well. It's one of the main things I'm working on - exuding an inner confidence rather than seeking it elsewhere. In fact, one of the reasons I started this daily style blog nearly two years ago was because I was just started to dress how I wanted to and thought it would be kind of a bold move for myself to say, "Here I am, here's how I dress, and here's what I think." I'm constantly in this battle with myself - need is simply my own approval of myself. The only person who really needs to like my outfits is me. The only person who has to like the poetry I talk about is me. If I don't have a confidence in and care for what I'm posting, it's likely that you guys will sense that, and unlikely that you're going to enjoy this blog. I know there are going to be ups and downs, and that I'm going to feel this way and have to take breathers like this in the future, just to re-screw my head on right (that's more of a gross image than I intended, but you get the idea). I know I feel good when I blog about how my outfit is like the Odyssey. I know I feel good when I take the time to explore a new place and take photos to show you guys. And I know I feel good when I share poetry that excites me and you guys get excited too. So, thanks for sticking with me, and here's to keeping to what makes you happy.


We had crazy super spring weather yesterday and I just KNEW that I had to go tightsless while the fleeting opportunity presented itself. I also really liked the idea of wearing a long, breezy skirt since the weather was just blustery enough to be delightful without being frustrating. I also also knew exactly where I wanted to take photos. There's this big park by my house (it claims to be bigger than Central Park on the website!) and when I filmed my blog video, I came across this spot. It's a little bit like Narnia, but without a wardrobe and fur coats. There's a gloomy, muddy path off the main paved road that leads to this beautiful, open, overgrown field that's just so bright. Sure, there's some garbage strewn about (most notably a whole package of ripped tortilla pieces. I know, WHAT?) but it's still a wonderful spot for unseasonably warm weather.

Skirt: Modcloth, Blouse: H&M, Jean Jacket: Salvation Army, Shoes: Dolce Vita via Marshall's















Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Break

Hey there. So, I've decided to try and take a break from blogging for the week. I've been feeling rather insecure, both physically and mentally, and until I can shake the nagging little "I'm not good/pretty/photogenic/smart/writerly enoughs" from my brain I figure I should take a step back. I'm only writing this here because I know that unless I say it, I'll be right back on here tomorrow writing up a post. But I think a breather is in order. Who knows - I may very well lose all resolve and show up here tomorrow, all talk. But, we shall see. Until then, here's a photo of me in a silly hat holding a good book.




Nicole

Across the Uniskirt

I like puns. I also like galaxy print. I don't however, enjoy thinking of the scale of the universe. While I acknowledge that it's awesome and cool that there's a whole gigantic universe outside of our world that we know basically nothing about, I also find it incredibly terrifying, and humbling in a way that makes me feel insignificant at times. Seriously, if I start thinking about the immensity of the universe, and asteroids hitting the earth, and black holes I start feeling a little bit nauseous. Even so, I still think it's beautiful and amazing - so much so that I wanted to wear this galaxy skirt. I wasn't a huge fan of these photos - I'm having a hair/"I look like an ugly boy" crisis, but I did like the outfit. And kind of wanted to ramble about galaxies for a little bit.

Sweater: Madewell, Skirt: Homemade, Shoes:Ruche, Trench: H&M


Baby jumps








Until tomorrow,
Nicole