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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
Life

WFHW: Culottes

July 2, 2020 by Nikki No Comments

Here’s the next outfit in my Work From Home Wardrobe Series where I display the cute outfits I’m wearing while working from home during the coronavirus pandemic.

I remember wearing cheap cotton culottes/gauchos in undergrad. They were comfortable, like pajamas, and easy to style so wearing them to class was a no-brainer. I like no-brainers! While culottes are nice, much like midi skirts, they’re very hard for a short girl like me to pull off. But I decided to give these a try because they came sized in petite, which means they should have a shorter inseam. I asked Nick if I should get them hemmed and he said, no. I thought they looked just a tad too long in the photos (and my mirror, apparently), but when I saw my reflection in another mirror, they looked pretty good.

Nikki by example | www.nikkibyexample.com

Blouse: Loft (old) | Culottes: Loft (new) | Heels: H&M | Espadrilles: Old Navy

I think they look best with heels because the heels help to elongate my legs a bit, as you can see from the first two photos. But they also look pretty cute with my cute espadrilles or gold slides.

Nikki by example | www.nikkibyexample.com

When I first pulled these pants out of the shipping bag and tried them on, I thought the legs were a bit too wide. But after reading about the design aesthetic of culottes and learning that they are supposed to have a full cut to resemble a skirt, I realize that do look really good. I’m definitely starting to get a little more bold in my style choices. There was a time not long ago that I would have put these on and thought I looked dumpy and sent them back. But I like them so I’m letting go of any self-conscious worries I might have and embracing what I like. And man does it feel good!

Nikki by example | www.nikkibyexample.com

What do you think of culottes? Would you ever wear them?

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Fashion•Life•Motherhood

Memorial Day Weekend

June 7, 2018 by Nikki 5 Comments

Memorial Day Weekend came and went without much fuss. It was the one year anniversary of my heart attack and, because I was afraid that would trigger my anxiety, my therapist suggested I make plans to help keep my mind off of it. We decided to go on a little picnic, head over to the Museum of Life and Science, and then go to a cookout/BBQ at our neighbor’s house. MLS is one of my favorite places to take Sebastian because there’s so much for him to do and see, and every time we go, he’s a little bit older and a little more aware of the things around him. This is what I wore for our outing. I’ve been wanting a pair of scallop shorts for a while now, and J. Crew did not disappoint. These are great!

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Fashion

Quintessentially Me

July 31, 2017 by Nikki 12 Comments

Nikki by example

While everything I wear is a reflection of the style I like, this outfit is one of those that feels so quintessentially me. The cute top, the comfortable pants, mostly neutral with a pop of color in the shoes… these are the things that make me feel happy and confident in an outfit. Of course, happy and confident are the main feelings I try to achieve with any outfit (as well as comfortable!) but this one really hits the mark.

Nikki by example

For all of my adult career, I’ve enjoyed dressing business casual. I’ve never really been the jeans and tee kind of girl because that’s just me. Once, in middle school, my gym/health teacher asked me why I was always so dressed up. I think I told him I just liked to look nice. Nothing wrong with that! And this outfit looks really nice. It’s simple yet elegant. The only thing missing in this whole ensemble is some color on my lips!

Nikki by example

I mentioned in one of my posts last week that Target is retiring its Mossimo and Merona brands but will continue with its Who What Wear line (along with several new lines). This shirt is from that line and one of the reasons I ain’t mad about Target’s decision. It’s a great shirt! It’s cute and interesting, it can be dressed up (like here, or with a skirt) or down (with jeans), and it can be worn with just about any other color. That’s a win in my book.

Nikki by example

Nikki by example

Top: Who What Wear via Target | Trousers: Banana Republic | Shoes: Old Navy | Sunnies & Watch: Target

What outfit combinations or qualities make you feel happy and confident?

Linkup: Spread the Kindness Linkup | Confident Twosday | Trend Spin Linkup

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Fashion

Green Top & Chopping Block

August 18, 2015 by Nikki 9 Comments

Green Top & Chopping Block | NCsquared Life

You know what’s delicious? Indian buffets! You know what skirt isn’t a good choice to wear to one? This one! I wore it to lunch with Nick where we went to our favorite Indian restaurant/buffet near his office, and I left with a food baby that this skirt didn’t conceal very well. So, I think this is an adorable outfit but the skirt is on the chopping block, meaning I’m thinking about donating it. It’s slightly too big and doesn’t fit exactly where I want it around my waist and because of that, it makes me feel like I lose what little bit of an hourglass shape that I have. Nick said it looked fine and these pictures look great, so I can’t decide if I want to keep the skirt or not.

Green Top & Chopping Block | NCsquared Life

This top is the same as my gray polka dot top but in solid green. I’m a big fan of buying multiples when you find something you really like, so I got this top in the two colors and I love wearing both.

Green Top & Chopping Block | NCsquared Life

Green Top & Chopping Block | NCsquared Life

Green Top & Chopping Block | NCsquared Life

 

Blouse: Target | Skirt: Loft | Belt: Target | Shoes: Gap Outlet | Necklace: Old Navy

So, here’s my question for you, my fellow fashionistas: How do you decide whether to keep or donate an item? I still wear the skirt every now and then but I find that I don’t reach for it as often because I don’t feel great in it. But I do wear it. I just can’t decide!

Linking up with:
Garay Treasures
Trend Spend

I do deClaire
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Fashion•Life

Summer Couple Style

June 30, 2014 by Nikki 6 Comments

Summer Couple Style | NCsquared Life

We have a treat for you! Our favorite photographers, Thad and Sarah of  2 & 3 Photography, held an event where we had some portraits taken! We haven’t had any professional photos of just the two of us since our wedding photos; we usually take family photos with the furbabies in the fall for holiday cards but when this event rolled around, we decided we wanted to get some photos of just us for fun. We had so much fun running around the farm and catching up with our friends!

Summer Couple Style | NCsquared Life

Summer Couple Style | NCsquared Life

Summer Couple Style | NCsquared Life

Summer Couple Style | NCsquared Life

Summer Couple Style | NCsquared Life

Summer Couple Style | NCsquared Life

We were even able to recreate one of our engagement photos (which you can see on our About Us page) that so nicely depicts our personality differences:

Summer Couple Style | NCsquared Life

P.S. I’ve been at the beach all weekend and haven’t decided yet if I want to post about it so today you’re getting our photos from a few weeks ago. I do hope you’ve enjoyed 🙂

All photos taken by 2 & 3 Photography. 

Linking up with More Pieces of Me | Monday Funday

Nikki:
Dress: Old Navy
Belt: Francesca’s
Shoes & Bracelet: Old Navy
Necklace: Target

 

Nick:
Top & Shorts: Banana Republic 
Belt: York Street via Trunk Club
Shoes: Tretorn via Trunk Club

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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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