From Under a Pile of Final Papers

So, this easy-peasy outfit is what I would've worn if I went to work today instead of staying home, buried under piles of papers, Shakespeare, Byron and self-pity. Luckily, I'm just about done with work for the semester (I think). I really just want to hand everything in and be rid of it, 'cause I know I'll be antsy until I do.


Oh, and speaking of work, like a was a few sentences ago, at a poetry reading on Friday night, one of the readers came up to me and told me -guess what - that she reads my blog! How ridiculous is that? She's a lovely poet named Jamie, who read her wonderful poems, in which she transcribed Gossip Girl episodes. Yes, it's as fantastic as it sounds. I had a great time meeting and talking with her! (Hi Jamie, if you're reading!) The whole poetry reading Friday night was pretty wonderful, but meeting a blog reader made it extra special.

And before I forget, today's holiday question: What's your favorite holiday treat? I'm a big fan of sugar cookies lathered in colorful icing, these rosette cookies my grandmother bakes, and those big plastic candy canes full of reeses pieces.

Dress: Etsy store, Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft, Tights: Hue, Shoes: A Wild Tonic Vintage, Purse: Urban Outfitters









Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Cutesy-Tootsy

I'm guessing the less-attractive/more-naive version of hotsy-totsy is cutesy-tootsy. If this is inaccurate, well, I'm not too concerned with that. Every now and then I throw on an outfit that's an alright outfit, but that feels just a bit too girly for me. Like I need a leather jacket or to roll around in the dirt and scrape a knee in order for it to be more "me." This is probably partly because I really feel like dressing in an ultra-frumpy way today since I've been inside writing a final paper all day. However, I've got to go to work tonight, and I don't think anyone would be thrilled if I walked into the office in breakfast-stained footy pajamas.

Anyway, I loved hearing what your favorite Christmas songs are! So, I'm going to ask another holiday question in every post I do until Christmas. Or until I forget that I'm doing that. So,

Today's Holiday Question: Do you guys decorate for the holidays? My house is a beautiful Christmas mess, and you may have seen the post on my Christmas tree a few days back.

Dress/skirt: Zara, Blouse, cardigan: H&M, Tights: Asos, Shoes: Urban Outfitters











Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Baby, It's Cold Outside

If I had taken pictures yesterday and used this same post title, it would have been in a sarcastic way, considering the balmy December weather we've been having here. But today, it was legitimately cold, hence the wintery coat. As much as I don't love being cold, it's kind of nice to finally have a chilly December. Sixty degree temperatures in the same month a Christmas is just upsetting.

So, since I've had the song Baby, It's Cold Outside stuck in my head all day, I'll take this opportunity to ask a very important question: What's your favorite Christmas song? I absolutely love Christmas music, and the Christmas season in general. If I had to choose, I think I'd say my favorite is Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Frank Sinatra. I also love White Christmas by the Drifters (from the Home Alone Soundtrack), and every other Christmas song ever. I've also been listening to Winter Wooskie by Belle and Sebastian a ton lately, but that's more of a winter song than a Christmas song.

Coat: Urban Outfitters, Sweater, blouse: Forever 21, Skirt: Goodwill, Tights: Asos, Shoes: A Wild Tonic Vintage














Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Cranberry Bog

So, the title of this post functions on two levels. 1. I'm wearing cranberry-colored corduroy pants. And 2. I'm bogged down with school work. I wish that I was actually at a cranberry bog, hanging out with cranberries and such, but I'm not. I'm just wearing pants and going a little crazy. Today's been a real doozy. Not in a bad way or anything, though I do seem to be getting sick, in fact plenty of ridulous, slap-happy things happened today. It's just been a real doozy. So, excuse me while I end this blog post and eat my delicious dinner calzone.

Pants: Asos, Sweater: Topshop (gift), Shoes, bag: Urban Outfitter, Hat: JCPenney









Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Holiday Brain

I wore this the other day, when we put up and decorated our Christmas tree, so I'm thinking I subconsciously (or maybe consciously) had holiday-brain while getting dressed. It's not overtly Christmassy, but it is technically red and green, which are the most Christmassy colors. Also, I didn't notice it at first, but my high school's colors were maroon and gray when I attended, and navy and dark green when my sister attended, and my college's colors are green and white. I definitely have school on the brain right now, and it's apparently manifesting itself in my outfits. Swell!

Dress: Thrifted, Sweater: Urban Outfitters, Tights: We Love Colors, Boots: Lucky Brand, Brooch: Gift









Aaaaand, I thought you all deserved to see the graceful aftermath of this jumping shot, in which I look like a frog. I should really put together a super flattering "out-takes" post



Until tomorrow,
Nicole

O Christmas Tree

Today, we decorated the house for Christmas, and I'm in such a cheery mood! Every year, we put the tree up, listen to Christmas music, and laugh about the ridiculous old ornaments as we hang them up. We have so many ornaments that are adorable, that have silly stories attached to them, and some that are downright creepy (one-eyed Porky Pig, anyone?), and I thought it would be fin to share some of my favorites with you! So, heeeeeeeere we go!


This is a photo of Cheryl and I with Santa Claus! Or, at least, an unhappy looking man dressed up as Santa Claus. I think Cheryl looks adorable with that big bow in her hair, but I think I look like an oversized boy baby.


While I'm being both vain AND self-deprecating, I thought I'd share my favorite Santa and Me photo from the tree. When I was a kid, this is how I smiled. Really. Ask me to smile, and I bore my teeth like a jackal. Cute!


These are two little bundled up lovers. My parents picked this one up shortly after they got married, one million years ago, and it's really adorable. I love the shiny gold and metal vintage ornaments we have scattered about the tree.



This is a little, tiny book with that contains images and verses from Deck the Halls. It's one of my favorites because I love books, especially tiny ones, and that song.



The Campbell's Kids! This is one of my absolute favorite ornaments. My mom got it from Campbell's Soup by sending away for it back in 1986. I love the style of it, and how downright adorable it is.


I hadn't noticed this ornament until this year, but it's now one of my favorites. It's a beautiful little wooden violin that, according to my mother, was on her tree when she was a youngin'.


Horton! A few years back, I got way into Horton Hears a Who. We found this ornament on super clearance during the off-season, and every year I get really excited to hang Horton and little tiny baby Horton up on the tree. Because I'm a mature adult. Oh, and uh, don't mind the horrifying pasta angel amalgamation just to the left of little tiny baby Horton. The real pasta angel's head broke off, and when another ornament's head fell off, I uh took it upon myself to fix everything! The result was that. Beautiful, no? Speaking of which, let's end on two of the creepier ones!



Little One-eyed Raggedy Annie! She also has no arms. But boy, is she cute. My mom picked this one up years ago, not that you can tell. And now, everyone's favorite...



One-eyed Porky Pig! Now, I'm not sure why we have so many amputated, disintigrating, creepy ornaments on our tree, but I can say that I love it. Not only is Porky one-eyed, but he's also inexplicably not wearing any pants. Merry Christmas!



And there you have it! The busiest Christmas tree in all of Christmas land. Do you guys have any fun/weird ornaments that you love to hang up?

Until tomorrow,
Nicole

At The End Of The Day

My goodness, am I happy for this week to be over. Well, this weekend is going to be full of plenty of work, but it's nice to have a little time to just relax. I've only got two weeks left of school left, which is ridiculous, and I'm kind of in the final push of work and papers. I'm hoping to get most of, or at least half of, my writing done this weekend so I don't get TOO crazy by the end of the semester. Though, uh, I'll probably be pulling my hair out in two weeks anyway. But it's fine!

This sweater is super hairy. And a little itchy. But I liked how it looked with the rest of the outfit, so I stuck with it. Also, this "shirt" used to be one of my favorite dresses, but every time I wash it, it gets a little bit shorter. And, alas, it finally got inappropriately short, so now it's a long shirt. At least I can still wear it in some form, I guess!

Former Dress:H&M, Hairy Sweater: Forever 21, Comfiest Jeans: Levi's, Oxfords: Ruche, Silly Hat: Thrift store









In which my face embodies my feelings toward this week:



Until tomorrow,
Nicole