All The Branches Burst A'Bloom

Hello there! So, today's been a bit of a lazy day for me. I spent the first half of the day doing some reading for class next week. I have to read ALL of Elizabeth Bishop's poems which is proving to be difficult since she's not quite my favorite. I'm almost done now, though (but I probably shouldn't mention it's taken me about three days...)! In the afternoon, I headed over to Zak's house. Since he so kindly agreed to take my bunny, I told him I would come over every week and clean the bunny cage for him. Unfortunately, bunny was being super difficult today! He took so long to get out of his cage, and after we were finished with the cleaning, he didn't want to get back in! Oh, bunny. Anyway, after the bunny extravaganza was over, we took a walk over to this big high school field down the block from Zak's house and took some pictures as the sun set!

Dress: UO
Blouse: Nordstrom Rack
Sweater: Zara
Belt, Boots: Delia's
Tights: Hue






Until tomorrow,
Nicole

A Touch Of Spring

Hello there! So, I wanted to thank you guys for your lovely supportive comments on my last post! You guys are truly wonderful (but I'm sure you knew that already!). Also, I got a new haircut today, as you can see! I basically told my hairdresser, who I trust dearly with my hair, to put some layers in and this is what I ended up with! I think it looks nice and sassy, kind of like a weird little bob, though I'm sure it'll look quite different once I wash it and it's not styled by a professional. It's funny, I took the time to grow out my hair from crazy layers all over the place to all one length, but once I got it all one length, I chopped it up again! I'm quite fickle.

Now, about my outfit. Today is kind of anti-spring. It's in the thirties and snow-raining, which sounds an awful lot more like winter than spring. I just couldn't help but dress for spring though! I knew I wanted to wear my lace top today, and I decided to pair it with a new shirt I got the other day at H&M. It's covered in daisies and the hem makes me feel like a ballerina!

Lace top: Forever 21
Daisy top: H&M
Jeans, Boots: Urban Outfitters





Until Tomorrow,
Nicole

In Which I Talk About Body Image For A While

Hello there! So, the title of this post is my way of saying that this post is going to get kind of personal, so feel free to back out while you still can. This post has kind of been a long time coming, and I feel like I just can't put it off any longer. So, I'll just say it. Hello, my name is Nicole, and I have body image issues. That's not surprising, since I'm sure we all have them, but I wanted to take time on my blog to talk about them, and what I'm dealing with. As most of you know, about a year and a half ago I started weight watchers, and since then I've lost about 38 pounds to date. I went from a size 14 to a size 8. I'm proud of myself, but not enough to be proud of my appearance. I was a chubby kid. I wore the biggest size in clothes, and was constantly told by my grandmother that I was too fat and needed to lose weight. I never listened to her. When I decided to lose weight, it was my own choice, and a good one for me at that. Now, though, I feel like the bigger battle is starting for me.

Now that I'm at a weight that I'm happy with, I have to maintain that weight. And the anxiety of possibly screwing up and gaining back what it took so long for me to get rid of is really getting to me. I'm constantly analyzing the size of my tummy to make sure it doesn't look any bigger than the day before, and trying on my smallest dresses to make sure they fit. This is quite the opposite of healthy, and I know that, which is why I've decided to write about it. Weight loss is supposed to make you feel better, happier and healthier. I have felt all of those things and do every day. But, I can't help but think of my childhood, my grandmother's harsh words (though I have an EXTREMELY supportive group of family and friends around me), and I just can't help but grow anxious at the possibility of failing. Once again, I'm not looking for sympathy or anything like that. But you guys have always been so warm and kind to me, and I feel comfortable sharing my struggles with you. I'm hoping that in time I'll be able to get a grip on my anxieties and fears of gaining weight back, get rid of the notion that weight gain is failure, and ultimately grow to absolutely love my body no matter what size it is. I know it won't be easy, but I'm looking forward to achieving those goals.

Dress, Hat: Modcloth
Sweater, Shoes: Urban Outfitters
Tights: Hue + DIY






Until Tomorrow,
Nicole

The Closest I Will Ever Get To Being An Astronaut

Moon shoes! So, you'll notice my footwear is particularly ninties-esque today. That's because I finally tried out my MOON SHOES. These things were the coolest back when I was a kid, but I never had a pair. A few birthdays ago (possibly my 16th?) I asked for a pair. Unfortunately, I soon learned I was over the weight limit (which was a surprising 180 pounds, considering they're for children). I remembered today, though, that I'm now below that (hooray!) and then determined that today was the day of Moon Shoes. So, I spent a half hour securing what seemed like a million rubber bands to the shoes, and then set out nearly tumbling down the stairs. But it was SO worth it. Seriously. I didn't get too much height because I'm a wimp and was afraid of falling and getting a concussion on the concrete sidewalk outside of my house, but it was still awesome! Unfortunately, since I got almost no height, all of these photos are me squatting with an elated expression on my face (my natural state) but who cares?! I'm wearing MOON SHOES.

Top: H&M
Jeans, Sweater: Urban Outfitters
Moon Shoes: The moon





ALSO! Some of you expressed an interest in me making a blog shop, so I did that! It's pretty small, since I don't have too many clothes that fit me at the moment and my closet really isn't as cramped as I thought (which is simultaneously a bummer AND a relief). If you would like to buy or swap something from my Blog Shop, just email me! Hooray!

Until Tomorrow,
Nicole

Until tomorrow

The Force Is Strong Within This One

Hello there! I hope you're all having swell weekends. Mine has been a bit bitter sweet. Yesterday, I brought my bunny over to Zak's house, where he's going to stay from now on. We found out a few months ago that my sister (who doesn't live with us, but visits frequently) is badly allergic to the bunny. We knew he couldn't stay with us anymore, and thankfully Zak being the sweetie that he is offered to keep the bunny at his house. I'm sad that he's not staying with us anymore, but at least I can still visit and see him as often as I want, right?

Anyway, as you've probably noticed, I'm wearing my super cool star wars tee shirt in these photos. After the great tee-shirt clean out of 2011, I uncovered a few of my favorite old graphic tees amongst my plethora of band tee shirts. I've actually been trying to style up tee shirts for the past few days, which I think has to do with the fact that most of my clothes are just not appealing to me at the moment. I know that sounds bad, but I think we all have those times when we just hate everything in our closets. Or maybe that's just me? Anyway, I'm kind of enjoying wearing tee shirts, though. It reminds me of my punky days! Ah, memories.

Tee: Probably Hot Topic or Delia's
Jean Jacket: Salvation Army
Skirt: Forever 21
Tights: Hue
Shoes: Mom's
Belt: Target





Until Tomorrow,
Nicole

Spring Picnic

So, today has been one of the loveliest days I've had in a while. The weather was absolutely beautiful today, so we decided to head out for a picnic in central park. I had such a wonderful time with Zak, reading David Sedaris stories (and laughing like fools), eating blueberry crumb bars, playing catch, and just relaxing. It was a really nice way to welcome in spring and just spend some time together. So, I took a few pictures during our picnic, and I figured I would post a few!

Top: Macy's
Skirt: Forver 21
Shoes: Urban Outfitters















Have a lovely weekend!
Nicole

We Get To Carry Each Other

Hello there. Well, I've been a bit anxious about today's post. No, it's not because I'm afraid you'll judge me and my denim vest. Rather, it's a bit more on the serious side today. I've been reading posts all week about "a blogger's place" when it comes to terrible real life situations, like the destruction in Japan. I've never thought that my "place" as a blogger was anything more than that. I have a responsibility to be corteous and caring to my fellow bloggers and to post honest content. I often try to keep this space an uplifting, fun one. Maybe that's silly of me, though. If my lack of mentioning Japan in my posts is indicative of my state of mind, then I should be mentioning it every day. The main thing I've had on my mind all week is Japan, as well as those who died in a terrifying bus crash on the side of a highway I drive nearly weekly. I was upset to hear that bloggers were being called out for a lack of action. But, a lack of action does not mean a lack of thought, or a lack of care. Like I said before, I try to keep my blog from being too personal, because when I go "too far," I get worried that I'm upsetting people or making them uncomfortable. And there was no impersonal way for me to talk about the tragedies I've had on my mind all week.

I've decided, though, that I have a voice, so I should use it. I have a blog, so I should express myself through it. I'm not going to tell you that you all should donate money to the Red Cross. But I am going to say that a kind thought can do wonders. The morning I learned about the earthquake, I thought to myself, well, it would be such a comfort to know people across the world were thinking and worrying about me, and my well being. You're all wonderful people, so I'm sure you've all done this already. Honestly, though, this is not me trying to nag anybody to do anything. It is, like all of my posts, an attempt to work through my feelings and thoughts. I have a hard time detaching myself. I know it's not good to be consumed with sadness over everything that's going on in the world, but this week, it's been so difficult not to. And if I stop feeling upset, I feel guilty. About how good my life is, about how many things are going wrong to people more deserving of good than I am. So, I thank you for bearing with me as I try to write out my feelings, and I hope this comes across as more than a jumbled mess.

Dress: Zara
Vest: Goodwill
Tights: Hue
Shoes: Mom's
Necklace: Gift





Until Tomorrow,
Nicole