Welcome back to another outfit round up! This is the first round up I’ve had of outfits I’ve worn since starting my new job. Our dress code is about the same as any other nonprofit/academic institution which is business casual and jeans are fine. I’ve been trying to dress it up and get back into my professional style & mindset. These are a sampling of the outfits I’ve worn in the last few weeks that are trying to be *slightly* more business and less casual.

Loving these outfits.

Obviously bathroom lighting isn’t ideal for outfit photos and the lighting in the restroom at my new office is the worst. It’s really hard to get the color of my clothes in these photos. My navy blue pants, gray skirts, and brown tights all look darker than they actually are but hopefully you get the gist.

Sweater: ModCloth | Skirt: Ann Taylor | Loafers: Universal Threads via Target | Necklace: J. Crew Outlet

I’m back! Same cute photos, different bathroom mirror. I recently started a new job as a program coordinator at Duke University and so far I am loving it! My team is amazing, the office environment is bright and happy, and I’m excited about getting dressed each morning.

I wore a brown Tweed-esque blazer (complete with elbow patches) this morning but it was almost too much… cuteness! It’s maybe a little too soon for all those professor vibes ?

Sweater: Market & Spruce via Stitch Fix | Skirt: Lofe | Boots: Old Navy

It was a cold one when I wore this so I stayed cozy in a sweater and tights. This outfit was an attempt at me trying something trendy with a small skirt and large sweater. I like it, but I think it would have looked better if the skirt was a pencil skirt and more fitted instead of an A-line shape.

Sweater: ModCloth | Blazer: Banana Republic | Skirt: LOFT | Boots: Banana Republic | Necklace: J. Crew Outlet

I was feeling super cute on this day! New hair, new skirt, and dusting off some old boots to complete this awesome office look.

Blouse: Target | Cardigan: Croft & Borrow | Trousers: Banana Republic | Heels: via Amazon

It was almost 70 degrees in Durham the day I wore this, whereas one year ago we had 7 inches of snow. NC can never make up its mind about the weather so I wore this cute outfit with cropped trousers and new heels.

I’m hoping to keep the outfit photos coming but would love to find a way to get better lighting. Thanks for sticking with me!

Xo, Nikki

It seems that I’ve been gravitating toward this sweater a lot lately. I’ve been wearing it with dark pants (see here and here) but I switched it up a little  this time and paired it with my Fall-approved burgundy skirt. The inspiration for this outfit came from a mannequin that was styled similarly in the store – this same skirt was paired with a bulky sweater and a cute jacket. A few years ago, I probably never would have thought to wear a looser top with a flowy skirt, but I’m really loving the shape. I wore this outfit on a Starbucks and breakfast run over the weekend. I would say that it’s another one of those outfits that I really like because I took a lot of outfit photos of it AND I plan to wear it again this week (but probably with flats).

Also, I can’t get over how much I love this burgundy/wine color!

Here’s the fun one: Another blooper photo. I think I was telling Nick what angle to take the next photo!

Sweater & Skirt: Banana Republic
Shoes: Target
Long pearl necklace: Kohl’s
Short pearl necklace: Francesca’s
Bracelets: Old Navy

I think this outfit is full of fall trends: stripes, burgundy, and leopard. The weather is still warm so we don’t have to put away the short sleeves and bare legs just yet. In full disclosure, I haven’t worn this outfit yet but it’s on the lineup for this next week. I purchased the top and skirt on my mini shopping spree earlier this month and this is one of the outfits I put together in the dressing room. I think I’ll add a scarf when I wear it for real this week, since it’s technically fall now and scarves are another awesome fall trend.

Top & Skirt: Banana Republic
Belt: Target
Shoes: Christian Siriano via Payless
Necklace: Target
Bracelets: Old Navy
Earrings: Wal-Mart

Like any good college student, as soon as I received my loan reimbursement, I went on a little shipping spree. I stocked up on a few Fall things from Banana Republic, including this chambray top and burgundy box pleat skirt. I imagined wearing this outfit with black tights but it’s still too hot for tights, so this will just have to be a little Fall preview. I’ve been looking for a new chambray because the only one I had previously had polka dots on it, which is cute, but I wanted a plain one. And I love that this skirt has pockets. I’m not sure how I feel about wearing this with ankle boots without tights; it feels like something is off or missing. What do you think? Are there other shoes I could pair this with to make it look better? Or are the boots on point? Internet friends, please help me dress myself! 🙂

I knew I had to have both of these pieces when I tried them on together in the dressing room and they looked so good together. Also, it was such a gray day out when we took these photos that this dressing room photo has better color:

Top & Skirt: Banana Republic
Shoes: Old Navy
Necklace: Target
Bracelets: Old Navy
Earrings: Wal-Mart

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.

Watt’s Grocery restaurant in Durham, NC

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

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?

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