Beacon's Bacon

On Saturday, Elanor and I went to the lower east side to do some shopping! And by "shopping" I mostly mean weep over the beautiful, beautiful clothes and how expensive they were. First we headed to SoHo and popped into Topshop (weeping) and Madewell (so much weeping). To coax us out of what I will refer to as "the great depression," we got some delicious cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes. I got Olympic Red Velvet, obviously. They were so pretty, which you wouldn't know, considering I didn't take a photo of them. They were also delicious, which you also wouldn't know because you didn't eat them. Afterwards, we popped into some vintage and thrift stores, and Elanor almost bought a cheapy cheap Free People dress, but it was too big. Continue weeping. Then we took the train up to St. Marks, where people judged us in Trash & Vaudeville. I don't know why, we really fit in with those people. We went into a few other small shops in the area full of some decently cute stuff, but didn't find anything AMAZING.

Then, we were hungry again, and stumbled upon this Italian restaurant with a complicated name that only served paninis, so we got steaks. Just kidding, we got paninis. I was testing to see if you were paying attention. They quite hit the spot. Then, we were off again! Mostly in search of Beacon's closet. On the way though, I directed us down what ended up being the best. street. ever. It was ninth avenue, by the way. There were so man cute stores that we almost died. First was The Upper Rust, an antique store full of cool sketches and old clocks and jars and chairs. The next was Pink Olive - an amazing (and teeny, mind you) stationary store that we spent about 2 hours in. And didn't buy anything. More weeping. Then was Dusty Buttons, a cute little vintage store with a chatty but friendly cashier. And oh my god, finally was Cloak and Dagger, where the most weeping of the day occurred. Oh my god. Lauren Moffat. Dolce Vita. Swedish Hasbeens. We really died a little bit but then came back to life to weep more. Afterwards, we found a thrift store that we didn't even plan on going to, where we both FINALLY got a little something - and for cheap, thank goodness. We also finally found Beacon's Closet, which Elanor kept calling Beacon's Bacon because she is fantastic. We were both like UGH MY FEET HURT MY BACK IS SWEATING TIRED "FUH DAZE" so we didn't look too hard and gave up and then got Shake Shack and it was delicious and so delicious and very delicious. Then I took her to a house party in the Bronx and we drank water in red solo cups. The end. Writing these posts is bumming me out guys, but also making me laugh to myself like an idiot because we are funny.

Outfit photos by Elanor























"I don't know how to pose on a bench"








Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Bridgetown Giveaway Winner

Congratulations Elaine! I'll be emailing you soon about how to claim your prize!
Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Everyday I'm Shufflin'

This post should probably actually be titled "In which Elanor comes to visit for the weekend and I have the best time ever and ruin her internet-image of me as a twee normal person because I am not." But, that is a mouthful, and the title in place is a close second best. Last weekend, Elanor came to visit me, and it was honestly the best. THE BEST. It freaks me out so hard to think that I wouldn't even KNOW this girl if I didn't blog, as I count her among one of my closest friends. On Thursday, I picked her up from the airport, and at first we were all small-talky, like "how was your flight" but after about five minutes, our real weird, gross, awesome, super-cool personalities came out. When she told me about her small bladder, and she saw my awesome punch dance moves, I knew we were meant to be friends. Seriously, it's so weird how in-sync (N'sync) we are. She is so funny guys. So. Funny. I can't even deal with it. She's always talking about killing things with fire and I'm just like "WHAT?" We spent a lot of time doing this, and some time doing this and this also. We ate a lot, and laughed even more, and sweated just as much because it was so hot. We spent our first night just singing and watching youtube videos and going through our facebook friends to scope out cute guys. UGH, writing this post is just making me sad. COME BACK ELANOR.

I am the worst at taking photos, so I really only have some from our first day, and like, half from our second day. On Friday, we went to the top of Rockafellar center (top of the rock) for views of the skyline. We also went to times square and ate a lot. I think eating is the number one thing we did last weekend. No complaints here. So, here is an amalgamation of that.

*Last two photos by Elanor, obviously


























Party rockin' in the house tonight,
Nicole

Daydreaming About You

Do you ever have those days where nothing exceptional happens, but you just feel so good all day? Those days where you don't win a new dress, or go see the Shins in concert, or run a marathon or anything, but a lot of really nice small things happen to you that remind you that you're being really melodramatic when you say you're having the absolute worst week ever. I was in need of one of those days, and today, I got one. I woke myself up at 6:30 (6:40 officially, after I hit snooze), because I made up my mind that I needed to start jogging again. That, and, thanks to an Olympic-themed commercial, I really wanted to jog while listening to my Odyssey audiobook I just purchased. I am impressionable, but you guys know how deep my love for the Odyssey runs. As we were leaving the house, it began to drizzle, and by the time we reached the track, it was pouring. It was so wonderful though. Jogging, soaking wet, not quite able to see clearly, while Ian McKellen read the first chapter of the Odyssey to me, told me, appropriately, of Poseidon's wrath. Afterwards, I drove to work, blasting Delta Spirit along the way. I spent most of the work day catching up with and having ridiculous conversations with my coworker about the olympics, and beluga whales, and mario golf. I may have told him that I cried while watching the Olympic opening ceremony, and when I saw kittens in my backyard. May have. He laughed at me a lot, which made me feel exceptionally funny. It definitely wasn't the fact that he was loopy from 22 hours of plane travel, and was absolutely that I am just hilarious. I'm glad we're all in agreement.

One thing was missing, though. (One Direction side note: Youuuuu've got that oooooone thing). That one thing, was coffee. I didn't have a chance to make any this morning after my jog, so as soon as I got home, I embraced my coffee maker. After taking a sip, I realized I hadn't taken outfit photos yet. I couldn't bare to part with it, so I took it along with me. You see, this is a real life blog, and sometimes, in my real life, I am too addicted to coffee to part with it for more than three minutes. I also may have spilt some all over my skirt while walking to my photo spot. REAL LIFE.

Oh, and here's a friendly reminder to enter the Bridgetown Vintage Giveaway going on right now!

Top: Levi's, Skirt: Forever 21, Shoes: DSW












Until tomorrow,
Nicole

On the Church Steps

One of my favorite things about blogging, if not my absolute all time number one favorite, is the real life friendships I've made while doing it. Last weekend (and yesterday), I met up with Ellie, who used to have a fashion blog. I got to meet her last summer while we were both super into blogging, when I visited California. This summer, though, she's been doing an internship here in the city, and luckily we got to hang out a couple of times before she leaves this weekend. On Saturday, we trekked over to Brooklyn for the Brooklyn Flea, which was wonderful. I've been to the winter indoor market, but never the outdoor summer one, so it was nice sharing that experience with a good friend. Then, Ellie super wanted to traverse the Brooklyn Bridge, which I've never done because I am bad at being a New Yorker, so we did that as well. We did a little bit of shopping as well, obviously - which included Ellie finding two super cute skirts a block away from the Flea on someone's front-stoop sale. You're not a true New Yorker until you try on someone else's clothes right on the sidewalk, am I right? Of course, my camera died right after we reached the Flea Saturday, so you'll have to take my word for it. We met up again for dinner (SHAKE SHACK) and late night church step chats last night, and I had a great time talking with her about blogging, boys, and our love of the Shins. And taking blog photos, of course.

Every now and then, I stop and think about how big a part this blog has played in my life and relationships. I visited New Hampshire a few weeks ago to visit one of my best blog friends, Michal of North Country Girl - something I never would have done (and probably someone I never would have known, which is terrifying) if I didn't start this blog. This weekend, Elanor of Missing Lovebirds is coming to visit me so I can show her around New York. I've skyped and emailed and texted and met with so many blog friends who I consider real, true, friends, and some of the best people I know. It's pretty amazing, you know?


Blouse: Handmade, Jeans: J Brand via Buffalo Exchange ($22!), Necklace: Brooklyn Flea

"Oh, that was cute when you were laughing! DO IT AGAIN SO I CAN PHOTOGRAPH IT."


"Now hold the monocle up! Fashion blogging!"









"Now let's SHARE the monocle!"



Taking jumping shots on self timer...


...is not easy.







"Now look off into the distance, dramatically."






Until tomorrow,
Nicole

Bridgetown Vintage Giveaway

Hi there folks! Today I've got something extra special in store for you guys. Most of you probably know Sarah, from Just Take a Bow. And if you do know her (which you really should, she's wonderful), you probably also know that she recently launched an etsy shop called Bridgetown Vintage. As Sarah says, "Some of my favorite Portland shops sell vintage alongside eclectic local artisanship and surprising finds. Bridgetown Vintage aspires to be just that!" And it totally is. Not only is her vintage selection spot-on, but her handmade jewelry just blows me away. Seriously, it's beautiful. Lucky for you guys, Sarah is letting me give away an item to one of my readers! And it's really easy to enter, too. Simply visit Bridgetown Vintage, and leave a comment on this post telling me which item is your favorite! It'd be nice if you also were a follower of my blog, but I'm not going to be a stickler about it.

This Giveaway is open until Saturday, August 4th! Oh, and since Sarah's such a sweet gal, she's offering all of you guys free shipping with the code COCOMARIA.



   
Mint/Aquamarine Safety Pin & Bead Bracelet //  Playful 1980s Vintage Horchow Fish Sweater // Vintage Clam Shell Clasp Purse

All My Good Friends Call Me Wilderness

I am not very good at standing up for myself. See, right there. I could have said that I am exceptional, perhaps the best, at not standing up for myself. But I took the self-deprecating route. If I had to give myself a label, it would probably "pushover." Well, I'll give myself a little credit and say "cute pushover." Whether it's with my friends, or with a boyfriend, I'm generally the one who rolls over and gives in, who gives more than she receives. That's a role I've played for as long as I can remember. A few weeks ago, a boy I've known for a very long time invited me over to his house and attempted to have sex with me. Well, he wanted to attempt to have sex with me. I didn't really let him get that far. But, I digress. He did not try to woo me. He did nothing even mildly romantic. He did not slow dance with me, or even compliment me once. And I almost let him have sex with me.

This didn't hit me until a few days ago. I was talking about it, and relationships in general, with a friend, who said, "Until you appreciate yourself, until you demand things and act like you're worth something, you're going to have a hard time finding people who do." Like a sack of bricks to the chest. I felt disoriented, and more upset, and more empowered, than I'd felt in a while, amazed that I had stood up for myself, beating myself up over the fact that I nearly hadn't.

This guy has known me for years and years. Subsequently, he knows that I am very good (positive!) at taking care of the needs of others instead of my own. He knew he would not have to compliment me. He knew he would not have to slow dance with me, or light candles, or make me smile, or whatever it is people do when they're trying to get into someone else's pants, because I am a people pleaser, because I simply don't require wooing. Well, he thought he didn't have to do those things.

It is nice to surprise people - even nicer to surprise yourself. I didn't know it at the time, I'm sure, but somewhere inside of me that night was this tiny flicker of worthiness, a squeaky door-hinge of a voice trying to exclaim YOU ARE WORTH THE SLOWDANCE AND THE CANDLES. MAKE HIM WORK FOR IT, JUST A LITTLE. This is something I am working on - growing that voice into a roar, so loud that it is simply a constant beat in the background of all of my interactions. I am worth the time and effort and sweet gestures that I put into my relationships with other people, and I am not unworthy of asking for the same in return. It's hard for me to act upon these thoughts, but I'm hoping that writing and thinking and caring will soon enough transition seamlessly into confident action.


Dress: Asos, Shirt: Levi's, Sandals: Maddengirl via Marshalls









Until tomorrow,
Nicole