This is the most comfortable outfit I’ve ever worn in my entire life. And I’ve worn it for everything: Christmas with my family; a surprise birthday house party for my friend where I swapped the boots for pumps and then to the club later that night; on my birthday to travel to DC, have dinner with friends, and then attend another house party; and I’ve worn it to work on several occasions. A funny coincidence is that I’ve seen Star Wars: The Force Awakens three times (thanks, nerdy husband) and it just so happened that each time I saw it, it was raining AND I wore this outfit. So that leads me to believe that the outfit is perfect for rainy weather, and for watching Star Wars in the theater. But, really, it’s just my new favorite outfit!

Cute story: this knit hat was the first thing Nick ever bought me when we started dating. He went to New York on New Year’s Eve, which was my 19th birthday, and brought back this hat, a matching scarf, and some confetti. I still have all three, and wear this hat mostly to walk the dogs on cold mornings. It means so much to me that I’ll never let it go!

Sweater and Blouse: Banana Republic | Leggings: BB Dakota via Le Tote | Ankle Boots: Old Navy | Scarf: Banana Republic | Necklace: Old Navy | Hat: Gap (really old)

Linking up with Flashback Fashion Friday

I made some amazing friends when I was in grad school. After graduation, I resumed my life here in Durham while many of my favorite ladies stayed in Greenville. We keep in touch and try to visit as often as possible, since we’re only about an hour away from each other, but unfortunately life tends to get in the way. A few weekends ago, however, a couple of my favorites came to visit me and we had a wonderful girls’ day out. We started with brunch & margaritas, then went to a wine tasting, then shopping, had “hipster” coffee, and ended the night at the best sushi place in town. And this is what I wore. It was much warmer that day, so I wore flats and changed into a cute pair of nude heels I purchased during our shopping spree, but since it’s cold and snowy now, I tried it with ankle boots and really like the outcome.

BTW, these friends convinced me to join Snapchat, so there’s that. I’ve used it a few times, but I feel like I’m an old dog trying to learn new tricks! We’ll see if I can stick with it long enough to master it.

Blouse: Gap | Blazer: Banana Republic | Jeans: Banana Republic | Ankle Boots: BP Trolley via Nordstrom | Jewelry: Old Navy 

Linking up with Hello Monday | Confident Twosday | Start the Week Stylish | The Pleated Poppy | Tucker Up

In the title of this post, cold refers to temperature in NC this week, and gray refers to my denim. On Monday I asked where’s winter because it was warm enough to wear a light blazer and, this week, winter came calling! I took these photos on a very cold day. So cold, in fact, that I wanted to get more/better photos but I just couldn’t handle it and ran back inside. Now, as I type this on Thursday night, we’re awaiting the snow. I’ll probably wake up tomorrow to snow before this post is even published.

Anyway, I wore this outfit mostly chilling – literally – around the house on MLK Day, watching Angie Tribeca. I did run out to get lunch so the only folks that saw me were the guys as Jimmy Johns. As for the jeans, they’re gray. Not really much to say about them except that the knee patch hits right below my knee instead of on it. #shortgirlproblems

Sweater: Old Navy | Scarf & Denim: Banana Republic | Shoes: Gap Outlet

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Happy Birthday to me tomorrow! I can’t believe another year has gone by and that it’s time for me to share with you a few of my favorite outfits from this past year. Nick and I are spending my birthday at our nation’s capitol, visiting an old friend. Not a bad way to welcome 31.

Looking back, I see that I wore more skirts, dresses, and non-blue denim, which tells me that I’m doing a good job not automatically reaching for my jeans. In May, I graduated from my master’s program and after 6 long months I rejoined the workforce. This coming year, I plan to show my many neglected pencil skirts some much-needed love. And according to my favorite outfits, I seem to be well on my way to creating more office-worthy looks.  I feel like I’m trying to get a good grasp on what my style really is while still trying out new looks and trends. Since things are going to calm down a lot in 2016 – meaning I’ll be finding and maintaining a better routine – I believe this will be the year I really find myself.  So, without further ado, here are my 15 favorite outfits from this year.

Original Post 1: One of the best Pinterest-inspired outfits I’ve created

Original Post 2: A warm breeze in February had me dreaming of warm sunshine.

Original Post 3: For Valentine’s, Nick surprised me with dinner and a show… and I had to decide which look to go with.

Original Post 4: Sunshine and 80 degrees give you shorts weather.

Original Post 5: A gorgeous beaded tank that also *slightly* feels like a suit of armor!

Original Post 6: On Saturday, May 9, 2015, I graduated with my Master of Public Health degree from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University!

Original Post 7: I loved everything about this fun, spring-y outfit.

Original Post 8: In an attempt to reassess my closet, I found that I’m drawn more and more to neutral colors.

Original Post 9: I found a floral tank that mataches almost every cardigan and balzer in my closet.

Original Post 10: Here, I found a way to use inspiration photos to make the outfit my own.

Original Post 11: This is what I wear for a double date that includes lots of wine and cocktails.

Original Post 12: LBD look for day (and for night!)

Original Post 13: The Grecian-inspired dress that I wore to my friend’s Muslim wedding.

Original Post 14:  A new part-time job allowed me to dress in my office attire.

Original Post 15: I love this shirt, as evidenced by it showing up twice in my list!

I believe that 2016 is going to be the best yearyet for me, and I hope everyone has a happy New Year full of love and fun and whatever else you desire!

<3,
NCsquared

Linking up with Start the Week Stylish | Hello Monday | Trend Spin | Confident Twosday | Garay Treasures Blog

I’m a scarf-draping fool lately! Did you notice that all of the colors in this outfit match perfectly? I was inspired by the colors in the scarf and the result was this light pink tee paired with chambray shorts.  I love that adding a scarf gives you an extra layer of interest without the added bulkiness of a vest or jacket, because when it’s this hot outside, bulkiness is the last thing you want. I’m also not entire sure these shorts are actually chambray but they look and feel like it so, that’s good enough for me.

I wore this outfit a few weekends ago while I was hanging out at my parents’ house and then on the ride back to Durham so unfortunately, no one saw it’s cuteness. Or it could be fortunate that no one really saw it because that means I can wear it again soon!

Tee: Old Navy | Shorts: Patagonia via Vert & Vogue | Shoes: Gap Outlet | Scarf: Loft Outlet | Necklace: Old Navy