Leftovers

Thanks to the terrible, early darkness, I didn't get a chance to take outfit photos today. I attempted indoor pictures (three separate times at that) but very quickly got frustrated and gave up. Then I remembered these photos from over the weekend! After hiking on Saturday we went out to dinner. And because I'm silly, I changed into a little dress I'd been wanting to wear again. It's definitely more of a summery dress, but I couldn't resist the fun, sherbet-ness of it! If you have any ideas about how to Fall-icize it, I'd love to hear them.

Dress: Asos, Sweater: Zara, Shoes: Goodwill









Until tomorrow,
Nicole

So It Goes

This morning, I was trudging, only half-awake, from the parking lot to class, when I heard the little squeaky voice of the most adorable little girl announce, "Mommy, look! That girl is fancy!" One of the best things about kids is that they have no filter. That little girl made my morning with her kind little words, and for the rest of the day I couldn't stop thinking about kindness. I tried harder to smile at the people around me, hold doors for more people, wish everyone I spoke to a good day, and just be a better person (as long as we disregard how angry I got at the people who cut me off while I was sitting in traffic today but YOU KNOW, it's only because they were being cruel and self-serving). I got to wondering about why we don't speak our minds more. There were so many times walking around campus today that I thought "Man, I love that girl's jacket! Dress! Shoes!" but didn't say anything, though if someone said that to me I would be so thrilled. There are a ton of people in my life, those I know well and those I know less well, that I appreciate for their humor, wit, happiness, and company, but I hardly ever tell them because "it would just be weird." Before I left work today, one of my bosses made sure to tell me that they really appreciate the work I'm doing for them, and that he's happy I'm on their team. And just like the kindness of that little girl in the parking lot, my spirits were immediately lifted. I want to throw this idea of "it's weird" out the window. It's not weird to tell someone that you appreciate them, that you like their shoes, that you're happy just to know them. Sure, it's uncommon, but it shouldn't be.


In regards to my outfit, this Slaughterhouse Five tee shirt was one of my birthday presents, and I'm so happy to have it. As I've mentioned, Kurt Vonnegut is one of my favorite authors and people, so this shirt is right up my alley. I almost paired it with jeans, but thought it would be just too egregious to wear both jeans AND a tee shirt to work (not that they care), so I paired it with a skirt.

Shirt: Out of Print Clothing, Skirt, shoes: Urban Outfitter, Jean Jacket: Goodwill








(Those pockets are real small, so I look mostly like a chicken)



Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Bear Mountain

Yesterday was the best. For my birthday, my family and I did a bit of hiking around Bear Mountain. My goodness, it was beautiful. The pictures I took don't even do it justice. We drove up to the very top, and the view was insane. All of the leaves on the trees were various shades of purple, orange, and yellow, and it was really like looking down on a sea of beautiful autumn colors. After last weekend's little snow storm, I was a little bummed out by the prospect of the leaves falling off the trees sooner than usual because of the crazy weather, but it was perfect. We did a bit of hiking around the various delightful trails, and even found ourselves, uh, in a few climbing related predicaments. It was fun, and terribly amusing climbing down (and back up after wimping out) super steep rocks. I may have tumbled once. Possibly. After some hiking, we accidentally found the wonderful park at the bottom of the mountain. There were so many fun things to do there. There was a huge grassy field I could have lay down in all day (and played frisbee in. Things for next time!) and a carousel where I got to ride a FOX - because now that I'm officially twenty, I'm acting even more mature than usual. There was also a nature trail and zoo, where I found myself in solidarity with a particularly contemplative-looking bear. I'm quite determined to drag my friends up to Bear Mountain soon enough! I'm sure I'm leaving out one million wonderful things. This birthday weekend has honestly been fantastic. The past few months of being nineteen were tumultuous, exciting, crazy, and held a lot of changes for me. So welcoming in a new year, a new decade of my life, is exciting, and I couldn't think of a better way to have spent my birthday.















Proving my newfound maturity:



Thoughtful bear, longing for something more:



The lake:



Throwing leaves and making dumb faces!



The aftermath, when it took me too long to figure out that leaf was stuck on my head:





Until tomorrow,
Nicole

They Say It's Your Birthday

So, today is my twentieth birthday! Hooray! I'll be spending the day with my family, going on a hike, eating delicious food, and just celebrating. These photos are from last night's pre-birthday birthday celebration. My friends and I met up at a lovely restaurant called Eatery in the city, and had some good food and a real good time. Seriously, when we all get together, I laugh like a maniac and embarrass myself and everyone at the table. But, that's okay because (usually) they're all laughing right along. It was a wonderfully immature and fantastic evening - the perfect way to welcome in being twenty. I didn't take too many photos, but I did get photos of my friends, and of my birthday pumpkin pie - they stuck a candle in it!

Blouse: Forever 21, Skirt: Goodwill, Tights: We Love Colors, Shoes: Urban Outfitters, Coat: Tag sale







We said the word "penis" a lot, and then laughed about it, because we're a very mature and proper bunch of ladies:






Until tomorrow,
Nicole

I Will Love You 'Till the Wheels Come Off

Last night was my job's annual gala fundraiser, so I took the opportunity to get a little bit more fancy (just a little!) than my usual daily wear. Goodness me, do I love this dress. I got it from Asos probably about a month ago for the gala (I know, whatever) and was so, so pleased when I tried it on. The color's so fun, and the cut in my opinion is super flattering. I had been waiting SO LONG to wear this dress! It even garnered a few compliments. Well, some older ladies I was working with said it was cute, my younger boss asked if it was "an old dress" (he clarified he meant "vintage" but COME ON), and my other boss called me a 60's gogo dancer. Wins all around, I think! Maybe. All in all, it was a fun night. I had a good time meeting people, getting hit on by creepy older waiters, seeing my bosses all dressed up, and dressing up myself. Oh, and eating delicious food. There's always that.

Dress: Asos, Heels: DSW







Awkward jump



And an awkward landing. I love it.



Until tomorrow,
Nicole

We Might Be Strangers

So, I wasn't planning on doing a post today. Well, really, I was planning on it, but then my pictures turned out, uh, terribly. Mostly because of my face. As you'll notice by the few passable ones, my face is a face of rage. I wasn't even feeling particularly wrathful today or anything! The problem is, when I think I'm smiling coyly, I'm apparently just making this terribly annoyed-looking face. That's a problem for a whole number of social and bloggy reasons. So, note to self - smile bigger, so that when you think you're smiling like an idiot, you'll really just be smiling coyly.

Anyway, I ended up finishing Slaughterhouse Five, and I know how a Vonnegut shaped hole in my universe. Whenever I finish a really good book, I go on for a few days after wishing there was another chapter, or a part two even, just to prolong the wonder. So, I'm currently in that state. Perhaps I'll have to treat myself to another of his books as a little early birthday present. Though, I don't even have enough time to do all of my school work, so, probably not the best idea. I honestly should be doing work right now since the next few days are looking to be super busy and whirlwindy, but frankly, I'd rather just relax for a bit and spend some time in blog world.

Dress: Thrift store, Sweater: Forever 21, Socks: Target, Boots: Famous Footwear, Jacket: Salvation Army, Bag: Urban Outfitters







Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Animal Farm

I found this big red coat at a tag sale a few weeks ago and never looked back. I'm a big fan of coats, but they're generally pretty expensive, so when I found this cute one for about ten dollars, I jumped at it. Not literally, of course, but I was probably more excited than the average person gets about finding a coat. The buttons even have little owls on them! And it's no big secret that I love animals and cute animal prints on my clothes. So, pair the coat with my cat print dress, and I'm practically a zoo. Practically.

On an unrelated note, are any of you Kurt Vonnegut fans? He's one of my absolute favorite authors and people. I've read some of his books (Cat's Cradle is one of my all time favorite books), and I've set a goal for myself to finish his novel Slaughterhouse Five before my birthday this weekend. I always seem to start his books, put them aside for a while, and come back. I've got a ton of school work this week, but I'm determined to take some time and read what I want. Not just Ovid and Fichte. Oh, Fichte. Oh boy.

Dress: H&M, Sweater: Forever 21, Coat: Tag Sale, Shoes: Urban Outfitters











Until tomorrow,
Nicole