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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

My Business Casual

July 24, 2017 by Nikki 8 Comments

Nikki by example

For the majority of my career, I’ve worked for nonprofit organizations. I love the work and I love that I feel good about what I do because I know we’re making a difference in the community. I also appreciate that I’ve never really had a hard dress code. Mostly, it’s always been wear whatever you want as long as you didn’t sleep in it (you know, pajamas). My current office is business casual which roughly translates to “anything but regular blue jeans” except on casual Fridays. And I really like this because it forces me to put some thought into my work wear without having to follow guidelines that are too rigid. Some days I feel like dressing up a little more than others and our business casual allows for that.

Nikki by example

In my office, it’s not uncommon to see anything from skirt/pant suits to pretty skirts to chinos and a nice blouse. And I’ve worn them all. This is an outfit I work to work last week and it fit quite nicely. It could easily be a drab gray and white number but all of the little details take it up a notch. The tied belt and pleats add visual interest to the trousers while the sparkle of the shoe adds a little pep in my step 🙂

Nikki by example

Who says you can’t look cute and fun even when you sit at a desk, entering data?! Now I just have to do something about that hair.

Nikki by example

Top: Belk, I think | Trousers: Banana Republic | Shoes: Fioni via Payless | Necklace: Old Navy | Watch & Sunnies: Target

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Fashion

Gray & Tulle

November 8, 2016 by Nikki 8 Comments
Gray & Tulle | NCsquared Life

20-week baby bump!

Sweater: Banana Republic | Skirt: Modcloth | Shoes: Fioni via Payless | Necklace: Francesca’s 

I was not camera shy as a kid. If there was a camera around, I was jumping in front of it with my cute little poses and my big smile. Like, there are a lot of photos of me as a kid and teen at birthday parties, holiday celebrations, etc. Needless to say, I always looked forward to picture day at school and getting to pick out my cutest outfit to wear. This outfit is the adult version of choosing an outfit for picture day because I wore it for our annual family photos for this year’s Christmas card.

Gray & Tulle | NCsquared Life

I bought this skirt because I love the tulle look without the fluffy tutu/ballerina vibe. It feels too fancy to wear in my every day life — I mean, not many people successfully get away with wearing tulle to the office — so I put it away for a special occasion. But it’s perfect for photo opps, so it was my first choice for photos this year. I would love to wear it for Thanksgiving Dinner and Christmas Eve. Right now it fits over the bump but I’m not so sure it will in a few weeks. I guess we’ll see.

Gray & Tulle | NCsquared Life

Gray & Tulle | NCsquared Life

I must admit, I’m delighted that this is the first outfit I’m posting since returning to blogging because I really do love this skirt so much! And this outfit feels very much like me, so I know I’m doing something right.

 

Gray & Tulle | NCsquared Life

20-week baby bump!

Linkups: Hello Monday | Weekend Wear | Linkup on the Edge | Thursday Moda | Thursday Fashion Files | Spotlight Weekly Linkup | WIWW Linkup | What I Wore to Work 

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Fashion

Polka Dot Top

July 28, 2015 by Nikki 2 Comments

Polka Dot Top | NCsquared Life

I can’t get enough of this polka dot top! It’s perfect for an office setting, it’s great for a night out with friends, or it can be dressed down with some shorts or jeans. I wore this particular outfit to the office where I volunteer, giving me an opportunity to get dressed in something other than jeans or shorts and a t-shirt, which is what I wear when I’m babysitting.

Polka Dot Top | NCsquared Life

Here is some of the thought process that went into putting this outfit together:

–I like wearing gray and navy together.
–The polka dots provide some interest to an all-neutral ensamble.
–A simple necklace will not overwhelm the outfit, since there are jewels/studs on my shoes.
–It’s too hot for real pants, let me wear crops instead… as if that really made much of a difference.
–I really need to figure out which exercises will slim down my thighs.
–Just kidding, I love my thighs! But seriously, I need to get to the gym and work on my fitness. Because being healthy is important!

How many of those did I get right? 🙂

Polka Dot Top | NCsquared Life

Polka Dot Top | NCsquared Life

I thought about wearing some dark navy blue pumps but sometimes you just need a good pair of flats to wear to the office, and I love that these provide some sparkle in the light. Also, these shoes were named after me: Nicole!

Polka Dot Top | NCsquared Life

Polka Dot Top: Target | Trousers: Karen Kane via Stitch Fix | Shoes: Nicole via Ross | Necklace: Old Navy

Linking up with More Pieces of Me & Sincerely Jenna Maria | Walking in Memphis in High Heels | Tucker Up | The Pleated Poppy

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Fashion

A Dress to Honor Friends

June 23, 2015 by Nikki No Comments

A Dress to Honor Friends | NCsquared Life

2008 was a really good year for me: I had graduated from college, got a pretty good job, and met & moved in with a girl that would become one of my best friends. She taught me to a lot of awesome things like how to appreciate a glass of wine, the importance of quality friendships, and being brave enough to follow your dreams. I’ve always planned to go graduate school, but it wasn’t until I watched Maria face all of her fears and complete a graduate program that I was inspired to finally achieve my own goals of earning a higher degree. Now that I’m all finished, our other friend, Karen, is starting her journey through graduate school.

A Dress to Honor Friends | NCsquared Life

All of that to say that I wore this dress to a party in honor of Karen starting graduate school. It was hot as all get out that day so I wanted to be covered as little as possible, so I wore this cute little dress. I can’t believe I haven’t shared it on the blog before because it’s a nice go-to. It’s casual enough to wear to a party but it’s nice enough to wear to a nice event (which I did several summers ago: I wore it to an anniversary event for the organization I worked for). The only problem I have is it often feels shorter than it looks, so I get a little self-conscious.

The dress is from Ross, which I find to be less expensive than TJ Maxx or Marshall’s. Even so, I don’t shop there very often because I like to take my time to look everything over and I rarely have that kind of time. But I got it a long time ago (at least 6 years ago) and it’s still one of my favorites.

A Dress to Honor Friends | NCsquared Life

A Dress to Honor Friends | NCsquared Life

Here’s the fun blooper: Cleaning off my sunnies is hilarious!

Blooper: A Dress to Honor Friends | NCsquared Life

Dress: BeBop via Ross | Hat: Banana Republic | Shoes, Necklace, & Sunnies: Target 

By the way, I’d like to wish my mother a very happy birthday today! She’s the best and I love her very much. Happy Birthday, Denise (aka mom)!

Linking up with Mix & Match Fashion | The Tiny Heart | Tucker Up | Walking in Memphis in High Heels | I do deClaire | The Pleated Poppy

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Fashion

Sparkle Sweater Again

January 29, 2015 by Nikki 2 Comments

Sparkle Sweater Again | NCsquared Life

Oh, look, I’m wearing my sparkle sweater again. Sometimes I’m not really sure about a clothing purchase I make, meaning I have ideas about how I’ll wear it but, in the back of my mind, I worry that it’s far enough out of my comfort zone that I won’t really wear it as often as I plan. I felt that way about this sweater when I first bought it. Don’t get me wrong, I was excited about it and thought it was really cool and looked great, but at the same time, the open back  scared me. However, quite the opposite has happened: it has become my go-to when the whether is cold. I love that I can dress it up or down and wear practically anything under it. This is one of my favorite ways I’ve worn it so far. It’s cool and casual, and edgy. And I like it a lot! I wore this outfit to lunch with Nick and to run errands and to the grocery store.

Sparkle Sweater Again | NCsquared Life

Sparkle Sweater Again | NCsquared Life

Sparkle Sweater Again | NCsquared Life

Sparkle Sweater Again | NCsquared Life

Sparkle Sweater Again | NCsquared Life

Sparkle Sweater Again | NCsquared Life

Sweater: Banana Republic | Blouse, Denim, & Boots: Old Navy | Earrings: Old Navy

Linking up (a little late) with InDUFFinitely Me | Penniless Socialite | Lauryn Cakes

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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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