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