I'm Loving the Street

Today was a simple summer day. I went out to lunch with my mom and family friend to Panera bread. For the record, Panera bread is not the place to go when you're attempting to lose 6 (now 4, WOOH) pounds of vacation weight. Seriously. There are cinnamon crunch and chocolate chip bagels, ridiculous paninis, and tons of pastries. Oh my goodness. I attempted to be good, and my mom and I split a delicious turkey, cheddar, and bacon hot sandwich (each half was 7 WW points, not bad). Sorry if I'm boring you with my diet speak. Let me just show you what I wore for the occasion.




Dress: Thrifted/Crossroads Trading Compant, Belt: Delia's, Shoes: UO

I got this dress while I was in California, and it's become one of my favorites quite quickly! I really love the pattern. It has tons of pretty blue and pink flowers and a few doves scattered around. I'm going to be honest about my shoes, though. I didn't actually wear these lovelies out to lunch. I still feel awkward wearing heels when I'm not attending something casual/not semi-dressy. I so desperately want to get over this though. I thought these girly wedges looked cute with the dress, though, so I wore them for the photos.




Until tomorrow,
Nicole :)

Big Baby

Sorry for not updating yesterday. It was just one of those days. You know the kind. The kind where you find out you gained 6 (now five, WOOH) pounds on vacation and absolutely nothing looks good on what you are convinced is a bloated whale body. And the kind where you have to recount the details of your first car accident over and over to insurance companies to the point where you want to chuck the phone out of the window. The kind where nothing goes exceptionally wrong but a bunch of minor things do and it just puts you in a bad mood. You know, those kind. I did take photos, but like I said, whale body. So I figure I'll save them for another day. Anyway, on to better and brighter things, like today's outfit!




So, here is my romper in all its rompy glory. It's about, oh I don't know, one million degrees and humid here in New York and I'm pretty sure my romper is one of my lightest weight, most comfortable articles of clothing. So, I decided to wear it, and paired it with some red flats to make the colors pop a bit.




My mom took my photos today. While she was taking them, after each shot she would make this face that was an uncomfortable combination of amused and disgusted. So I said, "Mom, you're making me feel ugly." So she says, "You're not ugly. It's just...you look like...a big...baby!" And she laughed and I pouted. And she proceeded to take a picture of my pouty/enraged self.



In some exciting (for me) news, my sister has hired me as her personal shopper and stylist! I get to buy her clothes and put together outfits with things she already has. And she's even paying me a bit! I am so excited to begin. Maybe I'll even start a sister feature and showcase some things I put together for her.

Until tomorrow,
Nicole :)

We're coming home again

So, I'm back in New York, and boy am I missing the San Francisco weather! When I arrived last night at midnight it was still 86 out. I'm pretty sure 80 was the highest it got in Oakland. So crazy! I'm currently exhausted. Not only am I still dealing with the stress and business of yesterday, but I actually had to attend a party today as well. I liked my outfit today, but I stupidly forgot my camera at home since it was packed up in my backpack. So, I figured I would leave you with a few scattered photos of my last few days in California. I really miss it a whole lot and can't wait to return.

There were some awesome vintage shops on Height-Ashbury. Unfortunately, a lot of it was really expensive because the pieces were amazing and organized by decade. I saw a few lovely marching band jackets



And these amazing little shoes that I'm starting to regret not trying on



We also went to the Sutro Baths in San Francisco. They're these amazing ruins you can explore, and not to mention there's a beautiful beach





And we saw the Full House house!



And to top it all off, we accidentally found the Golden Gate Bridge! Even though we weren't making a point to see it, I think my whole family secretly wanted to, and the fact that we found it just driving around on our last day there made it even more special




We did a few other things, like visit Alcatraz and other places around Oakland and San Francisco, and I really love California. Visiting has made me realize that even though I'm not sure that I want to live my whole life in California, I know I want to explore the country more and decide where it is I would like to live and spend at least some time. I can't wait to visit again :)

(Romper as Shirt: Zara, Skirt: UO, Sweater: H&M, Sandals: Nordstrom, Belt: Target, Fake glasses: Claire's or Icing)

Until Tomorrow,
Nicole

Under the Boardwalk

I'm pretty sure that today has been my favorite day in California so far. It really was just about perfect. We headed out to the Santa Cruz boardwalk, where we rode some cool rides (including an awesome old wooden roller coaster) and played silly arcade games. After that, we headed to this wonderful little candy shop and got fudge and candied apples (yeah, I know. I'm going to gain 80 pounds on this vacation). After, we headed over to this amazing little secluded section of the beach called the natural bridges, and it was breathtaking. I got to dip my toes in the Pacific and watch the big waves crash over and over. There are few things more awe-inspiring to me than oceans. They're just so endless. It's breath taking. Today was just so lovely. Here are a few snapshots.


















-Nicole

Down by the Pier

Hello! Today's been such a busy day! We went down to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, and it was incredibly crowded. The whole pier was swarming with people and scents of delicious food. While I'm really not much for crowds, today was a lot of fun and I got to experience a lot of really cool things.

First, my boyfriend and I rented bikes and rode them up and down the Oakland Pier



Then we headed over to Fisherman's Wharf, where we went to the aquarium and saw some waving starfish



Then we walked along the boardwalk and saw a ton a seals. They were being silly and laying on top of each other



Then we headed to this old fashioned arcade with tons of cool things. We played a racing game



And took old fashioned photo booth pictures



Then we headed to boudin bakery to get some sourdough bread. We saw a few extra cute loaves...



Eventually we went to Ghiradelli Square where we bought chocolates and I took an outfit photo



Shorts: Levi's, Tights: Macy's, Shoes: Report, Shirt: H&M, Trench: H&M

Such a busy day! My feet are so achy, and I'm going to lay down and rest. Tomorrow is going to be a pretty calm day in comparison to this one. I'm pretty sure we're going to be doing some shopping, and I'm hoping to find a good pair of jeans since it's been much colder than I expected here.

Hope you're all having lovely weekends!

-Nicole :)

So Glad to Meet You, San Francisco

Hello! So, today was my first full day in San Francisco and it's absolutely amazing. Yesterday, we arrived here after an actually lovely flight. I wasn't as scared as I thought I would be, and surprisingly had a good time. Today was spent running around to a bunch of places in San Francisco. This city is so beautiful! I figured I would show you my day through pictures, since I'm a little exhausted at the moment. So,

First, we walked around by the Oakland Pier, which is close to our hotel. We saw some palm trees



and sat on a bench!



Then we headed into San Francisco, where we had some tea and then rode a carousel near the Metreon. I rode a giraffe, of course



Then we headed to Japan Town where we shopped in wonderful, cute stores. I even found this little guy



Found some adorable greeting cards



Then we headed over to the Castro, which was beautiful. I've always wanted to see it



We did a ton of driving around town trying to find Lombard Street (which we did eventually drive down and it was fantastic). I was so fascinated by the houses here, they're so beautiful!



We went to Haight Ashbury to do some shopping. There were some amazing boutiques and thrift stores that I didn't get to visit, but I believe we're going back there soon. We did, however, do some shopping in the Amoeba





We ended the day at a lovely Moroccan restaurant. It was dark and cozy, so I don't have any really good pictures. Tomorrow's going to be a bit more laid back I believe. I think we're going to do a bit of shopping, and maybe go to a museum. I'm excited!

PS: Dress: Urban Ourfitters, Sweater: H&M, Tights: Macy's, Shoes: Steve Madden, Belt: Target

-Nicole :)

Unexpected

Hey there, guys. I had planned to snap a few outfit photos yesterday to post today, but I actually ended up getting into a car accident. I'm okay, my arm was hurting a bit yesterday since the other driver hit right into my driver's side door, but I'm mostly just upset rather than physically hurt, thankfully. As I like to do in lame situations, I tried to find something positive in this experience, and I did. Tomorrow I'm flying on a plane for the first time, and I've been worrying for the last week. I worry about everything. Absolutely everything. Almost. I can honestly say that I did not worry about having a car accident. I'm a careful driver (which stems from my worrying ways), and the accident was not my fault. The fact that I didn't worry about this, but it still happened just shows me how useless worrying is. People always tell me not to worry, but this experience is actually helping those words sink in. I just want to say, or make a plea actually, please don't talk on your cell phones while driving. I never have and never will, but the woman who hit me was.

On a more positive note, I received this in the mail today:



(Image from Modcloth website)

It fits wonderfully, and it is my first two piece/bikini-ish swimsuit ever, which is exciting.

Anyway, I hope you guys have great weeks. I'm leaving for California tomorrow, but I am taking my computer and plan to update a few times while out there with some fun pictures. You may even get a post tomorrow with a photobooth photo of me on the plane looking terrified, if you're lucky.


<3 Nicole