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Nikki by example - Just a girl trying to lead by example
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  • Health
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  • Travel
  • Extras
    • DIY
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  • About Nikki
    • Our DIY Wedding
Fashion

Can’t Go Wrong With Neutrals

January 20, 2014 by Nikki 4 Comments

Can't Go Wrong With Neutrals | NCsquared Life

Outfit #4 for the 30 for 30 Challenge. These are coming along quite nicely now that I’ve given the rules a little breathing room.

I wore this to a meeting at school about our internship requirements. The bad news is I was in a car for three hours because I had to drive to campus and back but the good news is they gave us free lunch.  I had planned to wear a black pencil skirt but decided to go with the crop pants because it was a little chilly out this morning. The plaid blazer was a good choice because it added some interest, but I could have incorporated some more color. Although, you clearly can’t go wrong with neutrals!

Can't Go Wrong With Neutrals | NCsquared Life

I really like wearing crop pants, which can be a bit tricky when you’re as short as I am (5’1”) because you run the risk of them being too long and then they’re not cropped, they’re just cut off below the ankle. I stick to petite sizes because they’re prefect for us shorties, and that’s what I recommend. Otherwise you can get them hemmed.

Can't Go Wrong With Neutrals | NCsquared Life

Can't Go Wrong With Neutrals | NCsquared Life

Can't Go Wrong With Neutrals | NCsquared Life

Can't Go Wrong With Neutrals | NCsquared Life

Since Nick has become my photographer, my photo shoots have gotten much more fun! He makes me laugh a lot. It’s a quality I love about him, a good quality to have.

Can't Go Wrong With Neutrals | NCsquared Life

BONUS: The photographer becomes the photographed! Here are a few shots I snapped of Nick this afternoon. Look at that handsomeness!

Can't Go Wrong With Neutrals | NCsquared Life

Can't Go Wrong With Neutrals | NCsquared Life

UPDATE: I’ve linked up with Bri of Work Clothes, I Suppose and Bethany of Perfectly Coutured so be sure to head over there to check out all of the other amazing fashion bloggers who are linking up!

My Outfit
Sweater: Banana Republic (similar, similar, similar)
Pants: Banana Republic (similar, similar)
Blazer: Target (exact, similar, similar)
Shoes: Anne Klein via DSW (similar, similar)
Necklace: Hawthorne Collection online (similar, similar)
Earrings: gift
Bracelet: Old Navy
 
Nick’s Outfit:
Everything except the blazer is from Banana Republic
Blazer: JKT via Trunk Club
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Fashion•Life

Legally Blonde-ish

January 17, 2014 by Nikki No Comments

Pink and Navy | NCsquared Life

Outfit #3

I kind of felt like Elle Woods in this outfit, with all the pink. But pairing the pink with navy shoes and blazer toned it down a bit and made it feel professional. It works because the two pinks are different enough that it’s monochrome without being too matchy-matchy. As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I’m taking some creative liberties with my challenge. The top, skirt, and shoes are in the original 30 pieces list but I added the navy blazer and scarf.

Pink and Navy | NCsquared Life

Pink and Navy | NCsquared Life

Pink and Navy | NCsquared Life

Nick admitted that he didn’t love the scarf with the outfit so I took it off and you could better see the cute sequin detail on the pocket of the sweater. I would have added a nice necklace if I knew I wouldn’t be wearing the scarf. I’ll admit that isn’t one of my favorite outfits that I’ve ever worn, so this might be the first and last time it sees the light of day. You win some, you lose some.

Pink and Navy | NCsquared Life

Pink and Navy | NCsquared Life

Pink and Navy | NCsquared Life

Sweater: Banana Republic (similar, similar)
Skirt: Banana Republic (similar, similar)
Blazer: Banana Republic (similar, similar, similar)
Scarf: Target
Earrings: Target
Shoes: Anne Klein via DSW (similar, similar)
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Fashion

Foundation Pieces

January 16, 2014 by Nikki 7 Comments

foundation pieces | NCsquared Life

Official outfit #2.

I started the 30 for 30 Challenge because I was feeling a serious lack of creativity and wanted a reason to love the pieces in my closet again – without feeling the constant need to go shopping. The original rule of the challenge is to create 30 outfits using the 30 pieces, but I found that some of the items I chose are rather plain and that some of the outfits needed a little extra umph to make me truly enjoy wearing them. Based on this observation, I’ve decided to use the 30 pieces as “foundation pieces” and go from there. The result: this outfit! The top, pants, and shoes are on the list. When trying to figure out the best way to complete it, however, I felt all the cardigans and blazers in my list were too boring. When I paired with this blazer (which is new and therefore not in the list) I loved the outcome. It’s definitely a winner.

foundation pieces | NCsquared Life

foundation pieces | NCsquared Life

foundation pieces | NCsquared Life

The stripes on the blazer and shoes are the same color (navy).

foundation pieces | NCsquared Life

foundation pieces | NCsquared Life

foundation pieces | NCsquared Life

 

And just for fun!foundation pieces | NCsquared Life

UPDATE: Today I’m linking up with Stylin’ in St. Louis so be sure to head over there to check out all of the other amazing fashion bloggers who are linking up!
 
Top: Target (similar, similar)
Blazer: J. Crew Factory (exact, similar)
Pants: Banana Republic (similar, similar)
Shoes: Anne Klein via DSW (similar, similar)
Necklace: Claire’s (similar, similar)
Earrings: Target
Bracelet: Old Navy
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Fashion•Life

Red, White, and Blue in Winter

January 9, 2014 by Nikki 7 Comments

Red, White, and Blue in Winter | NCsquared Life

I present to you the first outfit of my 30 for 30 Challenge. It was fairly easy to put this look together, but then I figured it would be easy in the beginning. I wore this to run some errands and then to a small dinner party, and it was very comfortable. I didn’t realize, however, until I started writing this post that I’m wearing red, white, and blue so here’s to being patriotic in the winter!

Red, White, and Blue in Winter | NCsquared Life

These are fleece-lined tights. I got them from my auntie for Christmas and this is the first time I’m wearing them. Let me tell you, they are amazing. Where have these been all my life? These boot socks were also a Christmas gift from our housemate, Chris. He did a great job becaue these things are amazing, too. You should get definitely get some!

Red, White, and Blue in Winter | NCsquared Life

Red, White, and Blue in Winter | NCsquared Life

Sweater: Banana Republic (similar, similar)
Skirt: Banana Republic (exact, similar, similar)
Boots: Steve Madden (exact, similar)
Necklace and Bracelet: Old Navy
Earrings: Target 
Tights and Boot Socks: Gift
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Fashion•Life

30 for 30 Challenge

January 7, 2014 by Nikki 1 Comment

Pinterest is the best for fashion inspiration! I’ve found so many amazing fashion blogs with beautitful women sharing their super-smart and creative outfits and advice. And shoes I would have never considered purchasing because I didn’t know how to wear them suddenly make sense! Ever since I discovered Pinterest, fashion inspiration and fashion blogs, I’ve wanted to do a 30 for 30 challenge but I’ve always been too afraid… afraid that I would be too limited and wouldn’t be creative enough. But, it’s a new year and I’m trying to get serious about fashion blogging, so I’ve finally decided to do it!

The rules are almost too simple: Take 30 items from your closet and make 30 outfits. What I really like is that this isn’t necessarily a 30-day challenge as Kendi pointed out (because I’m not great at completing those) but it’s a 30-outfit challenge. So I don’t have to try to create something new EVERY day, just when I’m feeling inspired.  My own rule for the challenge is that I’m not counting accessories toward my pieces so things like scarves, belts, jewelry, etc. will be added to the outfits each day. I’m really looking forward to this challenge because it’ll get the creative choices flowing.

I’ve chosen the following 30 items:

30 for 30

 

9 tops
4 cardigans
1 vest
3 blazers
4 pants
2 dresses
3 skirts
4 pairs of shoes
 

Alright, 30 pieces from my closet to make 30 outfits. This is going to be fun!

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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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