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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

Cream Sweater & Patterned Vest

January 25, 2017 by Nikki 7 Comments

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My fall and winter maternity formula has been sweater + jeans + boots. Completer pieces may vary.

Even though I don’t have an office to go to anymore, I feel that I’m more productive if I actually get dressed instead of staying in my pajamas all day. I wore this to run to the UPS store and to grab a quick lunch. It saw very little daylight but it did see me do some laundry, get some freelance work done, and prepare for a job interview, so I’d call it a win. Plus, I liked it enough to want to share it. I’ll be putting it on repeat for the next few weeks, at least until the sweater doesn’t fit over the bump anymore. You can see in some of the photos that I’m not too far from that. Also, I debated whether to wear this necklace because you can barely see it in the photos but in real life I think it looks nice, so no regrets.

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Here’s the evidence (below) that my bump is almost too big for this sweater. See how my tank top is showing underneath because it’s longer/fits over the bump better than the sweater? I won’t be able to wear it much longer. Le sigh.

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The weather has been very spring-like lately so it hasn’t even been that cold. If this keeps up, I might have to change up my formula to cute top + jeans + boots/flats sooner than expected. But, really, who am I to complain about beautiful sunshine and 60-degree weather?

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Sweater: J. Crew Outlet | Vest: Banana Republic | Necklace: Old Navy | Jeans: Liz Lange Maternity via Target | Boots: Steve Madden | Sunglasses: Target

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Fashion

Conscious Copy Cat

November 16, 2016 by Nikki 11 Comments

Conscious Copy Cat | NCsquared Life

This isn’t the first time I’ve copied an outfit from Audrey from Putting Me Together and it certainly won’t be the last. Her style is the most relatable for me because she keeps her pieces affordable and comfortable yet still in style with the times. When I saw her Comfortable Fall Outfit and realized  that I already had the same or similar pieces (but not on purpose this time; it’s just because my style is already very similar to hers), I knew I would be playing copycat again. However, I’m planning to wear my version for Thanksgiving dinner with my families — yes, I will most likely be wearing it twice to two separate dinners, sorry not sorry — so I wanted to dress it up a little. Of course I had to accentuate the bump by adding a belt around my waist. And even though you can’t see it very well in the photos, I added a sparkly necklace that looks really nice in person, which gives it a hint of sophistication. I also added a jeweled headband and a sparkly clutch. Voila, instant dinner outfit!

Conscious Copy Cat | NCsquared Life

Conscious Copy Cat | NCsquared Life

This is a great outfit to transition into winter as well, because as the temperature drops, I plan on wearing it with black tights and black ankle boots. Throw in a black scarf under my coat and I’ll be good to go. By the way, this isn’t a maternity dress, it’s a regular swing dress from Old Navy, but it is PERFECT for my bump. I’m considering purchasing, like, a million more of these bad boys.

Conscious Copy Cat | NCsquared Life

Conscious Copy Cat | NCsquared Life

Here’s the fun blooper: Eyes closed while adjusting my sleeves. This is probably what I look like most of the time in life. At least there’s still a smile on my face!

Blooper: Conscious Copy Cat | NCsquared Life

Dress, Cardigan, and Shoes: Old Navy | Necklace: Francesca’s | Belt: Target | Clutch: Nordstrom | Headband: J. Crew Outlet

Linkups:  WIWW Tucker Up

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Life

So Comfortable

January 29, 2016 by Nikki 2 Comments

So Comfortable | NCsquared Life

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!

So Comfortable | NCsquared Life

So Comfortable | NCsquared Life

So Comfortable | NCsquared Life

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!

So Comfortable | NCsquared Life

So Comfortable | NCsquared Life

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

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Fashion

Busy Weekend

August 11, 2014 by Nikki 9 Comments

Busy Weekend | NCsquared Life

My best friend got married on Saturday and I was a bridesmaid, so I had a very busy weekend. On Friday, all the bridesmaids met up for wine and mani/pedis in the afternoon and then the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner were later that night. Saturday was the wedding, so it was full of preparation and celebration with lots of love, good food, and plenty of wine! The wedding was absolutely beautiful, despite the rain we got, and my friends are now relaxing on a white, sandy beach in Mexico as huband and wife. And I couldn’t be happier for them!

On Sunday, we went for brunch with another friend. She’s moving across the country for school at the end of the month so we wanted to spend a little time with her before she leaves. We had a wonderful meal at Watt’s Grocery, a delicious little Durham favorite that prides itself on offering classic favorites and Carolina tradition with local and seasonal goods.

Busy Weekend | NCsquared Life

Watt’s Grocery restaurant in Durham, NC

I absolutely love the mural on the side of the building; it’s so beautiful!

Busy Weekend | NCsquared Life

Busy Weekend | NCsquared Life

The drizzly weather that morning meant my adorable trench was calling my name! I got this skirt in my latest Stitch Fix box, and it was the only item I kept because nothing else fit. I’m loving the pattern and the colors in it because it’s different from anything I probably would’ve picked out for myself. I’ve also been trying to figure out how to wear these shooties/booties in the summer because they’re slightly outside of my comfort zone. What do you all think; do these shoes go with this sweater/skirt combo?

Busy Weekend | NCsquared Life

Busy Weekend | NCsquared Life

Linking up with More Pieces of Me | Tucker Up | Because Shanna Said So | The Pleated Poppy

Sweater: Banana Republic
Skirt: Loveappella via Stitch Fix
Shoes: Fioni via Payless
Trench: Banana Republic
Pink & Beaded Braceletes: Old Navy
Blue Link Bracelet: Light Years
Handbag: Franco Sarto

Necklace: bridesmaid gift from my BFF

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Fashion

So Many Spring Colors

March 12, 2014 by Nikki No Comments

So many spring colors | NCsquared Life

Since Gretchen Weiner is supposed to stop trying to make fetch happen, I’ll just have to say that my new spring blouse and clutch are clutch. Or awesome/cool/amazing/etc. . But seriously, I LOVE this clutch; it has a removable chain strap so it can either be a clutch or crossbody bag. Perfection as a bag.

There are so many spring colors going on in this outfit: pink, orange, green, blue, yellow, purple… and you can never go wrong with pearls. What I’m most excited about is that I’m able to wear this top with so  many of my blazers. Here I’m wearing it with pink, but I can also wear it with coral, navy, and ivory blazers, as well – all of which I have. I have a lot of blazers. I wore this outfit to a meetingwith my professor about possible internships this summer. Fingers crossed that something turns up!

So many spring colors | NCsquared Life

So many spring colors | NCsquared Life

So many spring colors | NCsquared Life

This clutch is clutch!

So many spring colors | NCsquared Life

So many spring colors | NCsquared Life

And here’s the fun one:

So many spring colors | NCsquared Life

 Linking up with Living in Color Style | Stylin’ in St. Louis | White Coat Wardrobe

Blazer and Blouse: Banana Republic
Jeans: Loft
Shoes: Target
Necklace: Kohl’s (old)
Clutch: Francesca’s
Earrings and Sunglasses: Target
Pink Bracelet: Old Navy
Dainty Bracelet: Etsy

 

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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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