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About Nikki
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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

Recreating an Outfit #4: Neutrals

June 24, 2020 by Nikki No Comments

Some outfits are instant classics that can–and should–be worn over and over again. That’s what I’m sharing with you all today: a classic outfit I wore about five years ago that looks just as good, if not better, with a few little updates. While color is fun, I’ve never been afraid of neutrals or beige; in fact, I’m drawn to their simple, classic appearance. That’s one of the reasons I like this outfit so much! Recreating this outfit was a no-brainer when I realized that I had all of the necessary pieces in my closet.

Old outfit originally worn on May 18, 2015:

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Top & Cardigan: Target | Jeans & Flats: Old Navy | Hat & Necklace: Banana Republic | Sunnies: Target

I wore the original outfit to the farmers’ market and to run some errands. I no longer have these jeans or top because I traded them both in for an upgrade. What’s really funny is that I remember feeling like this shirt was “too boho” for me so I didn’t wear it very much. It was a really nice top but I think the crochet floral top in the photo below is way more of my style.

Today’s outfit: June 24, 2020

Nikki by example | www.nikkibyexample.com

Top: C. luce via Stitch Fix | Cardigan: Target | Jeans: Just Black via Stitch Fix | Hat: Banana Republic | Shoes: H&M

My new distressed denim fits so much better (the ON pair were too big and long while these are petite sized) and the crocheted top, in my opinion, has a more grown up elegance to it. And swapping out the flats for heels gives this outfit a fresh, modern feel. I didn’t really have anywhere to wear this new updated version so I just wore it while I was working from home. It’ll definitely be on the menu once things open back up and we venture out to more places.

What do you think of this update?

Nikki by example | www.nikkibyexample.com

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Fashion•Life

Then and Now: Recreating an Outfit #3

September 18, 2019 by Nikki No Comments

Fall officially begins on Monday but the weather was so nice this morning (in the 60s) that I’m hoping we convinced the season to come a few days early. And in my mind, that means it’s officially sweater weather. My little family kind of slept in this morning, and because I don’t plan my outfits in advance like a person who truly has their life together, I didn’t have a ton of time to think about what to wear, so I grabbed a light sweater and decided to recreate another outfit from falls past.

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Fashion•Life•Motherhood

Date Night with Baby

September 29, 2017 by Nikki 4 Comments

Nikki by example

In Durham, where I live, breweries and bottle shops are very dog and family friendly. Most of the breweries have areas separate from the bar where parents can gather with their friends and kids to have a beer and play a few board games. Some of them even have nice outdoor spaces where kids can run around while parents hang out with their pals. I’m thankful for this because it allows Nick and me to go out for a drink last-minute without having to find a babysitter. And after a ridiculously long week, that’s exactly what we did. We headed to a small bottle shop near our house with Sebastian in tow. And this is the outfit I wore!

Regardless of how family friendly it was, I still felt a little like this:

via GIPHY

Nikki by example

We weren’t out for very long, maybe an hour at most. I had one glass of wine, and Sebastian slept most of the time so I don’t feel bad about it. But I did want to feel like I was actually going out instead of having a drink at home in my pajamas so I grabbed this new pair of jeans I got from a recent Stitch Fix. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the frayed hemline of these jeans but I slowly warmed up to them. While these may not be the first pair of jeans I reach for, I definitely wear them a bunch. And I will probably wear them even more now that the weather is starting to cool down ever so slightly.

Nikki by example

A few weeks after Nick, Sebastian, and I went to the bottle shop together, we met up at the bottle shop with our neighbors who have a kid who is slightly older than Sebastian. It was a fun time all around. I’m sure the bottle shop won’t be the last crazy place we take our baby.

DSC_8949

True story:

via GIPHY

Where’s the craziest place you’ve taken your baby?

Nikki by example

Shirt: via Le Tote | Jeans: via Stitch Fix | Shoes: Banana Republic | Necklace: Old Navy | Watch: Target | Clutch: Nordstrom

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Life

Pink & Olive Dress

September 12, 2017 by Nikki 2 Comments

Nikki by example

I’m taking a break from the rain and gloom of today by sharing with you an outfit that I wore last week when we still had some beautiful sunshine. I picked up this faux wrap dress from Target as the Mossimo brand is being fizzled out. It has a satin weave and a breezy silhouette, giving it a style that is perfect to take me from a casual day or the office to fancy formal events. If it were the weekend, I would’ve kept it simple by pairing it with sandals, but since I wore it to the office, I decided to dress it up by slipping on my new open-toe booties.

Nikki by example

I love the pink and olive colors. For some reason, the colors, pattern and style of this dress reminds me of Miami. I’ve only been there once and I wasn’t really paying much attention to what folks were wearing, but it’s definitely what I picture Miami ladies wearing. Maybe I’m just imagining things!

Nikki by example

Real talk: I had this dress altered for a better fit. I asked to shorten both the shoulders and the bottom hem of the dress and I think it turned out pretty well. However, there is a snap in the front that allows you to choose how deep you want the front V to go. I love this feature but since having the shoulders altered, it’s very easy to snap open with even the slightest pull so I have to be careful, especially while at work! Next time I’ll wear a thin cami underneath, just in case.

Nikki by example

Nikki by example

Dress: Target | Cardigan: Banana Republic (old) | Shoes: via Rack Room | Necklace: Old Navy | Watch: Target

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Fashion

Wearing Shorts to Work

August 18, 2017 by Nikki 4 Comments

Nikki by example

I’m a little jealous of Nick because he gets to wear shorts to work. Like, every single day. And not just for his current job but the one before that, too. I guess I understand it. Their work is online so I suppose there’s no need to dress to impress… there’s no one to impress but each other.

Taking a page from his book, I decided to wear these shorts to my own office. I figured if any office would allow it, it would an awesome nonprofit and if any shorts would be appropriate, it would be these. They’re classy and fancy and about the same length as any skirt I would feel comfortable wearing. When you pair them with a bright top and heels, you get a nice, polished look. I think I look pretty darn cute, and no one at my office complained.

Nikki by example

Also, I got a haircut! I love this length and think I’ll stick to it for a while.

Nikki by example

Nikki by example

Anyway, happy Friday everyone! It’s been a long week and I’m ready for the freedom of the weekend. We’re thinking about painting our bathroom tomorrow – a project we’ve been meaning to do for years. I’m not even kidding, we’ve had two paint swatches on our bathroom wall for several years now. Here’s to hoping we can follow through this time.

Nikki by example

Shirt, Shorts, and Shoes: Banana Republic | Necklace & Bracelet: Old Navy | Watch: Target | Handbag: Anne Klein via Belk

P.S. I could be a walking ad for Banana Republic in this outfit. I didn’t plan it, but all the pieces are from BR. Hey Banana, please pay me to be your real-life model?

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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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