School Days

Today, I'm heading out to pick up some super expensive books for my classes, which start this week (I only have class tuesday, wednesday, and thursday and feel extremely spoiled). But yay, I got the classes I wanted! I was so relieved when I found out I wouldn't have to interview again. I'm pretty excited for classes to start, since it's been a few months since I've legitimately been busy. At the same time, though I'm kind of nervous. Last year, I had a really rough first week. In a nutshell, I basically had a nervous breakdown about dorming and school in general and nearly transferred because of it. I just got so anxious and overwhelmed that I shut down and wouldn't listen to any one's common sense. When I was dorming, I hated it, but when I was home and commuting, I was so mad at myself because I thought that all kids were supposed to dorm, and that I was failing by not doing it. Obviously I got through it (I commute now), but it was one of the scariest, hardest things I've been through because I basically lost myself in my anxiety, which is a bad thing. I feel a lot better about everything this year, but still a little nervous. I'm happy to start learning things again though!



Dress: Ruche, Belt: NY&Co, Sweater: H&M, Boots: UO




On a lighter note (sorry that first paragraph was so heavy-ish), this weekend we celebrated my sister's, my sister's husband's, and my grandma's birthdays! It was chock full of delicious Italian foods, ice cream cake (which I've had more of since the party ended..), and stories about the "old days". Hearing my family talk about the milk man delivering glass bottles of milk to every house, the library cart loaning the local kids the books they asked for the week before, and men instead of huge trucks sweeping the streets to clean them made me a bit sad that I wasn't around to experience those simple times. I know every era has its pro's and con's, but hearing my grandma perpetually proclaiming that "even though we had very little, I think we were happier then," kind of makes me long for they simpler times they were all talking about. I'm not sure how I'd fare though, what with my penchant for clothes and the ease of technology.

How were your weekends? Lovely I hope!

Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Longing for Fall

So, how well am I hiding the fact that I'm completely ready for fall weather? Not well at all? Yeah, that's what I thought you guys would say. But seriously, my summer outfit ideas are simply all gone. I keep thinking of outfits I would love to put together and wear, but the whole ninety degree weather thing makes it kind of impossible.



Skirt/dress: Target, Top: H&M, Shoes: Steve Madden, Belt: Target



This skirt is actually a dress, and this dress actually has two holes in it. Yeah, I don't wear it all that much but I've been trying to take some pieces I hardly wear and come up with new ways to wear them. Also, I went to the salvation army today! I picked up three dresses that I'm excited to alter a bit and wear very soon!



By the way, are any of you going to the renegade blogger meetup on friday? Since I live in new york city, I was debating about going, but I'm kind of intimidated! I just wanted to know if any of you lovely ladies were planning on going.

Well, I'm off to panic for a few more hours. I'll find out around midnight if I got the classes I wanted. If not, it's back to school tomorrow for more interviews. WOOH. I hope you all have lovely weekends!

-Nicole

Little Socks

This morning when I walked downstairs and handed my mother my camera as a sleepy request to take my pictures, she took one look at me, laughed, and started to repeat in a sing song voice "little socks! little socks! little socks!". I cast her a sharp glare, and she just said "You're wearing little socks!". Oh goodness.



Dress: Thirfted, Socks: Target, Shoes: Mom's, Belt: Grandma's




Ankle socks are one of those trends that I've just been so hesitant to try. They look so lovely on so many girls, but sometimes I think they look just so silly on me. I knew I wanted to try some ankle socks with this dress though. I wear it so often, and I wanted to add something to it. Hence, the socks. I actually think they look alright, so much so that I went both to school and the mall wearing them. I'm happy I pushed myself out of my comfort zone, because I think it ended up looking pretty nice.



So, I went to the mall today and, shockingly, only walked away with two pairs of tights (in teal and mustard!) that I'm excited to wear once it stops being a million degrees out. I'm still on the hunt for some brown oxfords. I tried on a perfect pair in steve madden, but they were a bit pricey, so I'm going to keep looking.

I hope you're all doing well! :)

Until tomorrow,
Nicole

The sun, it rises slowly as you walk

Hello there! I'm sorry for my lack of outfits and updates, but I just headed back to school and have been pretty busy. My school is pretty strange. Instead of picking classes and making a schedule at the end of spring semester, we have a week at the beginning of the year (this week) where we have interviews with different teachers to pick our classes. So, I've been running around in the super heat wave, reading the class schedule, and trying to convince teachers - while sweating like a gross cow (do cows sweat?)- that they should want me in their class. OH BOY! It's really not so bad though. It's a good way to see if you get along with the teacher before you're stuck with them for a semester. My only problem is that I'm not sure exactly what I want to take. I know I want to take a literature class and a poetry writing class, but it's my third class that I'm puzzled by. Right now I'm looking at a philosophy class and a history class, so we'll see what happens.



Top, skirt, bag: UO, shoes: TOMS, belt: Target




So this is my campus! It's full of lovely lawns and cool, old buildings. I think it's a really pretty campus, so while I was there doing interviews, I asked Zak (he goes to the same school as me) to take some photos. I had to say, though, that I felt a bit insecure taking photos on campus. Besides the fact that I still feel a bit uncomfortable taking pictures in public places, practically everyone (girls AND boys) on my campus is so well dressed. Seriously, they could all (and should, really) have their own blogs full of cute outfits. While it's cool, because it's inspiring to see so many cute outfits, it also makes me feel kind of insecure, like maybe my outfits aren't good enough to blog about. I know, though, that at it's core my blog is just a way for me to be a part of a really great community who likes the same things as I do, not to make me feel like I'm the best dressed person in the world. Do any of you ever feel this way, though?

Oh, by the way, I got a new purse! I needed a smaller one, so I bought one from UO



Well, tomorrow I'm scheduled for a few more interviews, then I have to put my schedule together, and hopefully I'll be done for the week! I hope you all are having lovely weeks :)

Until tomorrow,
Nicole

I need to learn how to live my life as it's meant to be

Yesterday, I headed over to Zak's house. He lives in a lovely little area, way nicer than my super urban neighborhood, so I knew at some point I wanted to take some photos over by him. And honestly, I think he did an amazing job taking my pictures. He would never admit it himself, but he's so talented in everything creative and he never ceases to impress me :)



Top: Forever 21, Shorts: H&M, Sandals: Steve Madden





To be honest, we didn't do anything extravagant, but we didn't have to. He's been having some medical problems lately and we've been taking easy, but I like it that way. We took a walk, played some games, and played with his adorable cats Coco and Angel. Honestly, I've been enjoying spending my last few days of summer in a really simple, fun way. Some people like to have a big "last summer hurrah," but I'm content with just spending some time with someone I really care about.

Oh goodness, am I getting gushy in this post! Okay, I'll stop, but not before sharing a picture of my and my most favorite photographer



AND a picture of me with the cutest cats in the world



I hope you all had lovely weekends. Now, I'm off to prepare for my first (sort of) day back at school. Oh goodness!

Until tomorrow,
Nicole

And my head told my heart to let love grow

So, despite totally wanting to wear all things fall, it's simply not fall yet. And despite having three days of rainy cool-ness, it's simply not chilly out anymore. So even though I wanted to wear jeans, boots, and a cozy sweater, I decided to try and put together a very summery outfit. For some reason, blue and white feel, to me anyway, like the perfect warm weather color combination. Also, I apologize for my angsty facial expressions in these photos. It wasn't intentional, it's just that generally when unattended my facial expression comes off a bit... depressed, rather than the neutral it's meant to be. Oof!





Top: Delia's, Dress: UO, Belt: NY&Co, Shoes: Steve Madden, Bow: Claire's

So, counterproductively, I purchased the best ugly sweater ever (or it's close, at least). Seriously, it's way better fitted for the rug on the floor of a log cabin 10 years ago. In my (weak) defense, it was drastically reduced (I can't figure out who in their right or wrong mind would pay 65 dollars for it). I want so badly to wear it, so despite tomorrow's predicted eighty degree temperatures, I may just have to show it off, completely ignoring the first paragraph of this post. Oh well! Also, I got my Toms in the mail today! They're so comfortable and I can't wait to wear them all the time.



Now, I'm off to try and figure out my class schedule for next year and which teachers I want to interview with. Wish me luck!

Until tomorrow,
Nicole

You were like a walking compliment

I seriously can't get enough of these jeans. I know that I'm wearing them in my last post, but I've got my reasons. Lately it's been wonderfully chilly and stormy out, and I've really just had the urge to dress super cozy in jeans and a sweater. And while I greatly miss my tights, it's not quite cool enough out for them. Also, these jeans are amazing. I made my way into a Levi's store a few weeks ago with no intention of buying anything. I really just wanted to see what size I could fit into, since last time I went there about a year ago I couldn't fit into any of their jeans. I tried on this pair (not even the biggest size, which is a new experience!) and they fit like a dream. Seriously. It was as though two heavenly, denim-shaded clouds had wrapped themselves around my legs with no intention of leaving. So, while they were a bit more expensive than most of the jeans I have, they made me feel wonderful, so I figured that was a good incentive to purchase them :)



Shirt: Delia's, Cardigan: H&M, Jean's: Levi's, Belt: Delia's, Glasses: Claire's, Moccasins: Minnetonka



On my way home today, I stopped in CVS with my mom to pick up a few supplies for her classroom (I'm helping her decorate. She's chosen a purple and yellow color scheme which I think is working out swimmingly, despite her covering the walls with math related decorations, boo!). I ran into two people from grammar school/high school who were both working there. While I really wasn't ever close to either of them, and only exchanged brief hello's with one of them, I got to thinking. I've never had a job. A lot of people I know worked throughout their later high school years and continue to have jobs now. I was thinking about getting an on campus/work study job this semester at college, but I'm afraid I won't be able to handle it. I mean, I'm pretty diligent with my school work, but reading and writing papers has always been my focus. I'm worried that adding a job into the mix will overwhelm me. I know I sound like a big baby, I agree, and I know that tons of kids go to school and have jobs, but I've always put all of my efforts into school and am kind of worried about getting a job. Oof!




Thanks so much for reading, especially since a lot of this post wasn't quite fashion related.

Happy Wednesday,
Nicole :)