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About Nikki
    Our DIY Wedding
Nikki by example - Just a girl trying to lead by example
  • Home
  • Style
  • Health
  • Motherhood
  • Travel
  • Extras
    • DIY
    • Food
    • Music
  • About Nikki
    • Our DIY Wedding
Fashion•Life

New Series: Work from Home Wardrobe!

April 1, 2020 by Nikki No Comments

Hi, everybody!

As I mentioned in my last post, I’m starting this new series called Work from Home Wardrobe (WFHW) to display the outfits I’m wearing while I try to get some work done at my house during the coronavirus pandemic stay-at-home orders while trying to take care of a three year old. My intention is for this to be a fun, but it’s also because I’ve discovered that I am *much* more productive if I get up and go through the usual motions each morning: style my hair, put on a little bit of make up, and get dressed. So, let’s kick this series off, shall we?!

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Fashion•Health•Life•Motherhood

Working Mama & Life Lately

July 30, 2018 by Nikki 2 Comments

Sometimes life hits you hard– even in a good way — and taking it one day at a time is the best way to handle it.

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, then you already know that I started a new job. I’m the Executive Coordinator at a local nonprofit here in Durham that focuses on teen health. I love it. I’d even go so far as to say that this is my dream organization because I’ve honestly been trying to get a job here for half a decade, AT LEAST. And I’m super passionate about the work the organization does and the impact they’re making for teens in my home state of NC.

Nikki by example | www.nikkibyexample.com

Already on the phone with IT

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Hobby•Life

Thankful Thursday: Health, Home, and Family

November 24, 2016 by Nikki 1 Comment

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all have a wonderful day full of family and food. Today I’m thankful for everything, as cliche as it sounds. My family, my home, my health, and all of the other good fortunes I’ve had. 2016 has been very rough on us and the world so I’m choosing to focus on all the positive things, no matter how small.

Thankful Thursday | NCsquared Life

Even though I was laid off from my nonprofit job this month, Nick’s work is still going strong and we still have our warm and happy home to shelter us everyday. We also still have a silly little dog that continues to light up our lives and make us laugh regularly. We still have it all together despite the hardships and for that I am thankful.

My health is in tip-top shape and my pregnancy is progressing along beautifully. I haven’t endured much of the sickness or pains that can often come along with being pregnant. I’m happy and healthy and for that I am thankful.

We have the most wonderful friends and family a person could ask for. Throughout everything we’ve been through, especially in the past year, they’ve been there for us and offered their help in any way they could. My community is the best and for that I am thankful.

Last but not least, I am very thankful to those of you who read my blog! I know the internet is inundated with life and style blogs, but you entertain my little hobby by reading and commenting and participating and for that I am thankful.

E coffee

The way I see it, things could be so much worse than they are right now. For all the good fortune I’ve had and for having the ability to put in the hard work to make it all possible is something for which I will be eternally thankful.

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Life

Working for a Nonprofit

March 9, 2016 by Nikki 2 Comments

I work for a nonprofit organization and I love it. It wasn’t something I set out to do but, once it happened, I was hooked. I’ve always wanted to spend my life doing something meaningful that helped people, and health is my jam. So it’s only natural that I ended up at an organization that specializes in women’s health and rights. My current role is grant writing so I’m responsible for writing and editing donor documents to raise and sustain funds needed to operate our programs. AND I get to work with our colleagues in Latin America. But I’m not here to give you my LinkedIn profile. I want to talk a little bit about what it’s like to work for a nonprofit.  Of course, every nonprofit is different but here a few of the things that I like most about mine:

Office Attire

As you can probably imagine, my office environment is very casual, so my work outfits seriously range from jeans and a t-shirt to a suit. Just kidding, I’ve never actually worn a suit to work – not even when I interviewed for both positions I’ve had there – but I could if I wanted! I do try to keep it business casual, though, so I usually try to include a blazer or trousers or nice blouse in each outfit. I do appreciate that on the mornings when I struggle to find my motivation, it is totally acceptable to throw on jeans and a sweatshirt. 

You’ll usually find me sitting at my desk in something like this:

Working for a Nonprofit | NCsquared Life

Or this:

Working for a Nonprofit | NCsquared Life

Overheard conversation from yesterday:

Coworker 1: “Look at you in your fancy dress and fancy shoes. What are you all dressed up for?”
Coworker 2: “Because it’s Tuesday!”

And she really was looking super cute in a floral shirt dress and thrifted mules!

Everyone Cares about the Same Thing

We’re very mission-driven and we’re all there to do our parts to make the world a better place. That doesn’t mean we don’t have our different (and sometimes clashing) personalities, difficult meetings, and office politics but we do have a common goal that reaches way beyond making money. It’s a great feeling to be surrounded by like-minded, intelligent people who are willing to fight the same fight that you are, and it’s comforting to know you’re doing it together.

Working for a Nonprofit | NCsquared Life

We save lives, people!

Big Cubicles

My cube has actually shrunk recently, but I’ve had pretty big spaces up until now. BUT I get a window with lots of natural light. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Working for a Nonprofit | NCsquared Life

I’ve since added a small bookcase so my space is super cozy and did I mention I get to sit next to a window? I almost forgot to mention that getting a cube next to a window is coveted by everyone who doesn’t sit near a window (except maybe those with offices and the higher ups who have offices WITH windows) and is a pretty big deal.

The Other Perks

Aside from saving and improving lives, I’m incredibly lucky to work for an organization that provides pretty good benefits. Health and dental insurance; a full kitchen that makes preparing lunch a breeze; 4 hours per month of time off that you can use for running errands, doctors appointments, or just going home early to nap; a committee that shows documentaries related to our cause once a month during lunch. It really is the best.

Working for a Nonprofit | NCsquared Life

I know there are plenty of for-profit companies that offer all of these things and more. Nick’s company gives employees amazing incentives like hockey tickets, lunches, and other cool things. But I get the satisfaction of knowing I’m making a difference! To be honest, I’m still not sure what my calling is in life but I do know I’ll find it in a nonprofit.

 

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy | Flashback Fashion Fridays

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House

Home Sweet Home

January 15, 2011 by Nikki 2 Comments

We have the most exciting news! As of today, we’re under contract to buy our first home!

We had been discussing houses for a while and, honestly, I never thought we would ever be in a place where we were financially ready to purchase. It was always “some day we’ll have saved up enough for a house”… or “some day when we have our house”… and I really doubted that “some day” even existed! But as it turns out, our “some day” for this journey is 2/21/11!

We knew even before we were officially engaged that we wanted a small, intimate ceremony and reception that took place in our own back yard. The only problem with that is in our current rental, there is no back yard. At least not one big enough and private enough to hold a wedding, even a small and intimate one. And as we looked at other rentals in the areas we liked, nothing seemed to be available that suited our needs. And I was tired of throwing away rent money every month on something that I couldn’t even claim as mine. We realized that the only way we would truly be happy (and be able to hold the wedding of our dreams) was to actually buy a house.

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About Me

Hi, I’m Nikki. This is where I blog about my life and personal style. I’m a wife and mom, public health professional, sushi lover, wine enthusiast, and coffee snob. Welcome to my little corner of the world where I try to lead by example!

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