One of my favorite things about this time of year is snow. I love snow! Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve looked forward to those big, fluffy flakes falling each winter. I remember the mornings of a fresh snow fall, racing to put on as many layers of clothing as I could to stay as warm as possible and running outside with my brother with our makeshift sleds and we would play for hours, feet and noses happily frozen. One time I decided to explore the snowy woods around my house. It was the most peaceful I’d ever felt, just walking around and looking at trees that were blanketed in soft white, the quiet stillness of the forest filling me with calm. It’s one of my favorite memories. And that’s why I’m always thankful for – and looking forward to – those sunny winter days.

Last week a snow storm dropped 8+ inches on our town and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy every minute of it! Even though I only went outside twice, I spent most of the first evening watching it quietly fall and most of the second evening cooking in my kitchen where I could watch it from the window. I did bundle Sebastian up so that he could experience his first snow. He didn’t seem to share my enthusiasm for the cold white stuff but we did manage to get a cute little smile out of him. I’m sure that as he gets older he will like the snow just as much as I do. But, if he doesn’t, that’s okay, too. He can sit inside, drinking hot cocoa with his dad while I’m outside enjoying the flakes.

Sunny winter days are perfect for bundling up in cute hats, scarves, and coats when venturing out into the snow snow; drinking hot cocoa in your mittens; and watching the bright, winter sun glitter. I really do love the bright sunshine cutting through the chill in the air. It’s alsoincredibly beautiful. The white snow provides the perfect backdrop for making the colors on anything pop. The blue sky is bluer, the evergreens are greener, the cardinals are redder. It’s absolutely stunning. And the snowy winter nights are made for wrapping up in soft blankets and drinking warm beverages by the fireplace, a good book in hand. These are the days I look forward to all summer long.

How do you feel about snow?

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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

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I don’t consider myself to be very artistic or creative. In fact, I was a very late to use Instagram because I didn’t feel creative enough to use it, but sometimes I surprise myself and take photos that turn out kind of nice. These are the best/my favorite Instagram photos that I took last year. Not only are these somewhat artistic, but most of them just give you a little glimpse into my life. Some of them I may have already posted so I apologize if you’re seeing them again but I do hope you enjoy!

Snow falling outside of my kitchen window.

Snow in the back yard.

The perfect Valentine’s date night includes ice cream.

Wild onions in the spring time.

Coffee!

Enjoying a sunny day in the hammock.

A beautiful night out.

Flowers on the beach.

My furbabies.

I really enjoy exploring old, beautiful, and peaceful cemeteries.

My gifts reflect my lifestyle: cooking, clothes, reading, and coffee!

Nick made me a sign for my birthday!

SUSHI! Tonight I had dinner with another one of my very dearest friends and we ate what we almost always eat: Sushi. It’s definitely one of my favorite meals ever so tonight I’m definitely thankful for sushi :-)\

I learned most of what I know about Sushi from jut eating it and paying attention to menus and poking around online but I also learned some interesting facts from Alton Brown, who I greatly admire and respect when it comes to food. From him I learned that it is thought that sushi was created about a thousand years go by a little old woman who lived in the woods of Japan. She was sitting down to eat a big pot of rice for dinner when she heard some bandits coming. She climbed into a tree and hid her rice in the nest of a large sea bird so the bandits wouldn’t steal it. When she finally went to retrieve her rice, it had partially fermented and had little bits of fish left by the sea bird. She tasted it, decided it was delicious, and that’s how Sushi was came to be! Cute little story, huh?