This is a slight variation on this outfit I wore a few weeks ago: same shorts, same sandals, different shirt but still with stripes. I wanted something comfy to wear home for the weekend while still looking stylish for a family get-together, so this was it. I added the flower clip for a pop of color, and because it’s just super cute.

I love visiting my family, especially when we have so much to celebrate. During this trip, we celebrated a few birthdays, my baby cousin’s graduation from college AND his engagement to his girlfriend (welcome to the family!), and best of all, I got to spend quality time with everyone. I spent the last few years commuting to the eastern part of the state for school so I never had a lot of time to travel to the western part of the state to visit my family. I’m so glad that I can go visit them more often now that I’ve completed school. I try to make it home about once a month or so because my family is very important to me. I also love it when they come visit me and I can take them to all my favorite restaurants, or go a Durham Bulls baseball game, visit one of the many museums, or to the Duke Gardens (my mom is a horticulturist so she LOVES plants), or shopping at the mall or the many boutique stores we have. One thing is for sure: it’s always a good time!

Maybe this a blooper? I dont know, I actually think it looks fine!

Top: Banana Republic | Shorts: Gap | Shoes: X-Appeal | Sunnies, Necklace, Flower Clip, and Handbag: Target

What I like most about this top is that it’s knotted in the middle, hiding my “problem area” (my tummy).  I try really hard to practice self love and appreciate my body for what it is and all of the amazing things it can do, but I am only human; I fall victim to society’s often unrealistic standards of beauty from time to time. It doesn’t help that I’ve gained some weight over the past year or so when I was in grad school, so most of my pants are a little snug. A knotted top like this one lets me to take my mind off of my body while I work on my fitness. I also really like that there are both horizontal and vertical stripes in one shirt. That makes it so much more fun!

I see this outfit as being a good base because there are a lot of ways to wear it for every occassion. I can wear it with heels and a cute clutch for a night out; I can switch out the pants for shorts and a hat and wear it to the farmers’ market or a daytime festival; I can wear it with black trousers and a blazer for a more polished look; it’s basically perfect!

I’ve already worn this outfit several times, most recently on a friend date to dinner/drinks and a movie. Two of my friends and I have a tradition where we get together at least once a year to watch a horror movie, a tradition that started with the Paranormal Activity movies. We went to see Poltergeist and, to be honest, we werent impressed.

Here’s the fun blooper: I don’t know what I’m doing but it looks like a move from my BodyFlow class during the Tai Chi portion, where we hold our energy ball in front of us.

Top: Gap | Jeans: Banana Republic | Shoes: Old Navy | Vest: Ross | Sunnies: Target

Linking up with Fizz & Frosting | Still Being Molly | More Pieces of Me | Trend Spin Linkup | Not Fancy, Just Life

It doesn’t get any easier than putting on a pair of shorts and a comfy tee. It’s even easier when you stick to the same colors! I’m continuing my neutrals obsession with simple black and white, and a pop of cobalt. It’s getting hotter outside so I’m trying to avoid jeans and anything that will make me sweat even more than I already do. I’ve gained a few pesky pounds these past few years during grad school with all of the driving and fast-food eating I did so I’m slightly limited on what bottoms I can wear. I haven’t gained a lot of weight, just enough to make my jeans and skirts feel uncomfortably snug. Anyway, these shorts feel great and I purchased a white and navy pair as well, so you’ll probably see them a lot more often.

I wore this outfit to officially meet the babies I’ll be babysitting for the next few weeks. They’re one-year-old twins and absolutely adorable. I worked with their mom for several years before quitting my job and going to grad school and I’m happy to be helping her out. Plus, I’m earning some extra cash until I can find a full-time gig.

Nick got me a Fitbit Charge HR as a graduation gift. I’ve been wearing it for about two full weeks now and I. AM. LOVING. IT. Seriously, I’ve never been more obsessed with meeting my steps goal, monitoring my heart rate, observing my sleep patterns, and tracking how many calories I’ve burned. It’s the best thing ever. I would totally recommend one.

Also, is it just me or does my hat look funny in these photos? A little misshapen perhaps? I can’t tell!

Tee: Banana Republic | Shorts: Gap | Shoes: X-Appeal | Hat: Banana Republic | Hat, Sunnies, & Necklace: Target

Linking up with Third Thursday Threads @ Work Clothes, I Suppose

Dear readers, life lately has been somewhat of a whirlwind! School has taken up ALL of my time but I’m so close to finishing up my program and earning my Masters’ degree that the light at the end of the tunnel is shining brighter every day. I finished my presentation (photo below) and I’m making a few edits to my Professional Paper/thesis so that I can turn it in next week. Then I’ll only have two finals that stand between me and that degree.

This is a photo that my amazingly awesome content advisor took of me during my presentation.

She uploaded it to Facebook with the most touching caption ever, saying that I was “one of the brightest new professionals who is so passionate about sexuality education” and that I “hit it out of the park today.” She went on to say,”Thank you for all your hard work, professionalism and dedication. It is students like you that make this all worthwhile. Congratulations on your awesome research and MPH!!” [Monica, if you’re reading this, I hope you don’t mind me sharing your words; I just really wanted to toot my own horn a little :-)] Also, if anyone is interested in learning more about my research, which is a look at the barriers of implementing the Healthy Youth Act in NC schools, let me know. I’m happy to talk to you about it 🙂

If you’re a new reader and unfamiliar with my situation, allow me to briefly recap: Two years ago, I started a graduate program that is not distance education BUT at a school that is 1.5 hours from my home. So, I’ve spent the last two years commuting to school at least 4 counties away and staying at various places in town so I didn’t have to make that drive every. single. day. I would stay with my mother-in-law, crash at friends’ apartments, and at one point I rented a small studio (that I ended up hating!) and went back to commuting every day. But all of that is over on May 9, when I’m finished for good and walk across that stage!

As a little reward for a job well done, I treated myself with a trip to Target.

I had a hard time deciding which purse to choose but ultimately went with the blue one!

I loved the back of this sweater and have worn it several times already!

Then on Sunday, we celebrated Nick’s birthday with tapas at our favorite restaurant, Mateo’s bar de tapas, and I enjoyed a Cheerwine Sangria.

Cheerwine is a soft drink that was created here in North Carolina and is one of the most delicious beverages that ever existed. I don’t drink sodas very often, but when I do, it’s usually a Cheerwine. So you can imagine how yummy a beverage would be when it’s Cheerwine, wine, and fruit. Yum!

That’s about it for now. I’ll definitely have more time to post outfit photos once my finals are over. I’ve created some really cute outfits these past few weeks that I will no doubt be wearing again so I’ll be sure to get photos to post. Thanks for hanging in there with me, everyone. You’re amazing!

Talk soon,
Nikki

Is there any better color combination than coral and blue? Maybe there is, but I sure like this one. I wanted more loose, flowy tops and I automatically paired it with this coral and blue scarf. Then I realized I wore this color combo with the same scarf here. This top looks great with other colors, too. I’ve also worn it with a floral scarf and cognac flats but I don’t have photos of that one yet. The weather has been so nice lately that I’ve worn this outfit to school, and out to lunch, and to the grocery store. I’ll probably even wear it again soon!

Can we talk about these flats for a minute? I wear them with everything because they look great, and I get really sad when it rains because I don’t want to get them wet. But they’re pretty much perfect. PERFECT!

And here’s the fun Blooper: Nick always takes pictures of me fixing my pants/shoes/something on my outfit!

Top: Tresic via ModCloth | Jeans: Old Navy | Scarf: Target | Shoes: Old Navy | Earrings: Old Navy