I can’t get enough of this polka dot top! It’s perfect for an office setting, it’s great for a night out with friends, or it can be dressed down with some shorts or jeans. I wore this particular outfit to the office where I volunteer, giving me an opportunity to get dressed in something other than jeans or shorts and a t-shirt, which is what I wear when I’m babysitting.

Here is some of the thought process that went into putting this outfit together:

–I like wearing gray and navy together.
–The polka dots provide some interest to an all-neutral ensamble.
–A simple necklace will not overwhelm the outfit, since there are jewels/studs on my shoes.
–It’s too hot for real pants, let me wear crops instead… as if that really made much of a difference.
–I really need to figure out which exercises will slim down my thighs.
–Just kidding, I love my thighs! But seriously, I need to get to the gym and work on my fitness. Because being healthy is important!

How many of those did I get right? 🙂

I thought about wearing some dark navy blue pumps but sometimes you just need a good pair of flats to wear to the office, and I love that these provide some sparkle in the light. Also, these shoes were named after me: Nicole!

Polka Dot Top: Target | Trousers: Karen Kane via Stitch Fix | Shoes: Nicole via Ross | Necklace: Old Navy

Linking up with More Pieces of Me & Sincerely Jenna Maria | Walking in Memphis in High Heels | Tucker Up | The Pleated Poppy

I spent a little bit of time putting together a few outfits that I can wear this week, or sometime in the future. This first outfit will be best for wearing in the evening after the sun has gone down and it’s not quite as hot, since the top has long sleeves. Shorts will always be welcomed in the summer, though, especially in the North Carolina heat!  Other ways I’ve worn this top here and these shorts here.

Shirt: Tresic via ModCloth | Shorts: Gap | Sandals: Target | Necklace: Claire’s (old) | Clutch: Coach (gift)

You can’t see it in the photo but this blouse is also 3/4-length sleeve so it might be best worn when indoors (in the air conditioning) or after the sun goes down. Other ways  I’ve worn this abstract chevron blouse here.

Blouse:  41 Hawthorn via Stitch Fix | Shorts: Gap | Sandals: Target 

Purple is one of my favorite colors but I don’t have a lot of it so I couldn’t resist purchasing the dress and matchy cardigan. I can’t wait to wear this cute little outfit, hopefully this week.

Dress & Cardigan: Old Navy | Necklace: Claire’s (old) | Sandals: Target

What do you think of these outfits? Maybe you’ll see them on the blog again soon.

Linking up with More Pieces of Me & Sincerely Jenna Maria
 

Perhaps I was a little naive in thinking that I wouldn’t have any problems getting a job right after graduate school, but it’s been over 2 months and I haven’t found anything yet. I’ve heard stories of it taking 6 months, 9 months, a whole year for some people to find a job after getting a master’s degree so I’m only freaking out a little. However, I mentioned on Wednesday that I have gotten a few interviews lately, and after successfully completing a phone interview, I was invited to an in-person interview this past Friday with a local Girl Scouts office. If you know anything about me, it should be that I am extremely passionate about women’s empowerment and girls’ leadership development, and I would love to work for an organization like GS that does just that. Plus, those infamous cookies! It’s not exactly public health but I have many passions and this is just one of them. So anyway, this is what I wore to my interview.

I didn’t want to go ‘all-black suit’ because I read somewhere that it is intimidating or something ridiculous like that but I thought it looked great and I felt really confident, so I went with it! I followed my own advice about faking a suit when you don’t have one. Also, the second I laid eyes on this top I loved it. It feels so grown up to me, and the neutral colors in the floral print will go with both black and brown.

I’m pretty sure I crushed the interview questions and that it went very well. I should hear back within the next few weeks about whether I got the job or not. *Fingers still crossed*

 Blouse: Loft Outlet | Blazer & Trousers: Banana Repubic | Shoes: Brash via Payless | Jewelry: Old Navy | Sunglasses: Target

Linking up with Charming Friday | Walking in Memphis in High Heels | Tucker Up | Mix & Match Fashion | The Tiny Heart | Coffee Date wtih Gold & Bloom

It’s the middle of summer and I probably don’t have to tell you how hot it is. But, friends, it. is. hot. I wore this to an outing for a friend’s birthday where we had dinner and drinks at an outside bar/grill and I felt like I was melting, literally. I like wearing light colors in the summer; it’s about the only way to survive the heat. My favorite way to wear white bottoms must be with an orange/coral/peachy colored top because I’ve done it a lot lately. But that’s just peachy with me!

This is one of the purchases I made with my babysitting money (that I mentioned in my last life lately post), making me sound like I’m 15 again (half my age). I am happy to report, however, that I’ve been getting some interviews with a few organziations so I’m hoping one of them will lead to a full-time position. Fingers crossed!

By the way, look at the cool way I rolled my pants! I wanted to add some interested so I folded them up once to about the middle of my calf and then rolled the bottom of that roll up to the seam. Sometimes I’m so cleaver I can’t even! It works because they’re pretty long. Being short makes it really difficult to find really cute cropped pants because they’re either still too long or they cut me off in an area that makes me look even shorter. Fashion is so hard!

Oh, and I also wore this outfit to our weekly trivia night this past week. We did not win and it was sad (because winners get money) but better luck next time.

Here’s the blooper: I was adjusting the strap on my purse.

Top: Banana Republic Outlet | Denim: Old Navy | Shoes: Rack Room Shoes | Necklace: Claire’s (old) | Sunglasses and Handbag: Target

Linking up with Charming Friday | Tucker Up | Mix & Match Fashion | The Tiny Heart

Nick and I went out on a double date a few weeks ago for wine and cocktails, and this is what I wore. These coated denim jeans just scream “going out” to me… so much so that I rarely reach for them during the day. They also feel more appropriate for fall, probably because they *kind of* look like leather (if you squint your eyes really hard) so maybe I’ll wear them more during the day once the weather starts to cool down a bit.

Y’all, I bought these shoes on super sale at Banana Republic back when they were having their 50% off of the already 50% off sale. AND on top of that, we got an additional 10% off with Nick’s employee discount  and yet I still managed to pay $40 for them. I rarely purchase shoes from BR because they only carry my size online and we can’t use our discount online. Someone returned these beauties to the store so that’s how I was able to snatch them up. A sincere thank you to whomever did that!

I almost wrote that this is the first time I’ve ever worn snake skin print on my shoes but I just remembered a time in high school when I had a pair of red snake skin shoes very similar to these and I wore them with a shiny pleather skirt and a redish-purple sweater with feathers around the neck and sleeves. It was very Cher-esque from “Clueless” and I freakin’ loved that outfit!

This top is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I’ve worn it a bunch since I got it. In fact, you’ll see it again soon. I also bought it in green! I’m a big supporter of buying multiples when you find something you really like.

THESE SHOES THO!

Here’s the fun one: Say Cheese!

Blouse: Target | Jeans & Shoes: Banana Republic | Clutch: Nordstrom | Necklace: Old Navy

Linking up with Charming Friday | Tucker Up | Mix & Match Fashion | The Tiny Heart