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Nikki by example - Just a girl trying to lead by example
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  • Travel
  • Extras
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  • About Nikki
    • Our DIY Wedding
Life

The Best of 2020

January 4, 2021 by Nikki No Comments

There’s no need for me to talk about 2020 and how much of a dumpster fire it was. We all experienced it and hopefully came out relatively unscathed on the other side. But for all of the things that went wrong and sucked, there were oh so many that went right. For me, I enjoyed getting to spend some extra time in our old house before we sold it, as well as spending the extra time with Nick and Sebastian as we worked and learned from home, and creating our new traditions while making the best of crappy situations.

In November, I started a daily practice of gratitude that I’ve worked to continue into this new year.  Then a colleague & friend of mine on Facebook gave me the wonderful idea for this blog post: She posted one photo from each month of 2020 that captured joy and I wanted to do this same.

And honestly, the best part of this little project was realizing how hard it was to pick just ONE photo!

I’m so grateful that I had so many happy moments that I can cherish and remember when I look back on one the worst years ever.

So, here are my best parts of 2020.

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Fashion

All-Time Favorites for 2016

December 31, 2016 by Nikki 4 Comments

All-Time Favorites for 2016: Outfits | NCsquared Life1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15

Happy birthday to me! I’m 32 years old today and I think I’m looking & feeling pretty good. Also, I hope everyone has a very happy new year!

For the past few years I’ve written a review post featuring my favorite outfits from that year. Since I took a six-month break this year and haven’t posted many outfits in 2016, I decided to instead share my favorite outfits since I started documenting my outfits. I technically started blogging in 2010 but it was just an ‘every now and then, when I felt like it’ sort of thing. I started blogging my outfits in 2013 when I started graduate school. So the outfits outlined above and detailed below are from the past three years. The majority of my favorites are from 2014, when I was finally hitting my stride in blogging. And the outfits I chose are the ones I’ve worn the most in real life and would totally (read: will most likely) wear again in the coming year.

All-Time Favorites for 2016: Outfits | NCsquared LifeOriginal post 1: Plum is one of my favorite colors. Even in 2013 when this was taken.

All-Time Favorites for 2016: Outfits | NCsquared LifeOriginal post 2:  I was figuring out how to dress like a graduate student and succeeding.

All-Time Favorites for 2016: Outfits | NCsquared LifeOriginal post 3: Weekend layers are perfect for any backyard bbq.

All-Time Favorites for 2016: Outfits | NCsquared LifeOriginal post 4: Wearing sweaters in the summer because of office air conditioning.

All-Time Favorites for 2016: Outfits | NCsquared LifeOriginal post 5: When a short girl is able to successfully pull off a midi skirt — it’s not too long!

All-Time Favorites for 2016: Outfits | NCsquared LifeOriginal post 6: I have a lot of little green dresses but this is one of my favorites. Perfect for holiday parties.

All-Time Favorites for 2016: Outfits | NCsquared LifeOriginal post 7: Sequins are perfect for any party, but especially a holiday party.

All-Time Favorites for 2016: Outfits | NCsquared LifeOriginal post 8: A fuzzy sweater, boots, and a knit hat to keep me warm and cozy in the winter.

All-Time Favorites for 2016: Outfits | NCsquared LifeOriginal post 9: Warm breezes in the middle of February make you dream of warm sunshine.

All-Time Favorites for 2016: Outfits | NCsquared LifeOriginal post 10: I’m drawn to neutral colors, especially white, with maybe a splash of color in the form of an accessory or blazer/jacket.

All-Time Favorites for 2016: Outfits | NCsquared LifeOriginal post 11: My favorite little black dress that can be worn for day and night.

All-Time Favorites for 2016: Outfits | NCsquared LifeOriginal post 12: I finally found a job after grad school and got to wear cute outfits like this again.

All-Time Favorites for 2016: Outfits | NCsquared LifeOriginal post 13: That one piece of clothing that I love more than anything but I’m afraid to wear, even though it has shown up twice in this list.

All-Time Favorites for 2016: Outfits | NCsquared LifeOriginal post 14: Adding some color to my collection of jeans/bottoms with these purple pants. And rocking a cute baby bump.

All-Time Favorites for 2016: Outfits | NCsquared LifeOriginal post 15: When a short girl is able to successfully pull off a blanket scarf and it doesn’t swallow her whole.

I’m hoping that 2017 is a much better year than 2017. Also, one last time:

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photo source

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Fashion

2015 Favorites

December 30, 2015 by Nikki 1 Comment

2015 favorites1

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15

Happy Birthday to me tomorrow! I can’t believe another year has gone by and that it’s time for me to share with you a few of my favorite outfits from this past year. Nick and I are spending my birthday at our nation’s capitol, visiting an old friend. Not a bad way to welcome 31.

Looking back, I see that I wore more skirts, dresses, and non-blue denim, which tells me that I’m doing a good job not automatically reaching for my jeans. In May, I graduated from my master’s program and after 6 long months I rejoined the workforce. This coming year, I plan to show my many neglected pencil skirts some much-needed love. And according to my favorite outfits, I seem to be well on my way to creating more office-worthy looks.  I feel like I’m trying to get a good grasp on what my style really is while still trying out new looks and trends. Since things are going to calm down a lot in 2016 – meaning I’ll be finding and maintaining a better routine – I believe this will be the year I really find myself.  So, without further ado, here are my 15 favorite outfits from this year.

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Original Post 1: One of the best Pinterest-inspired outfits I’ve created

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Original Post 2: A warm breeze in February had me dreaming of warm sunshine.

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Original Post 3: For Valentine’s, Nick surprised me with dinner and a show… and I had to decide which look to go with.

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Original Post 4: Sunshine and 80 degrees give you shorts weather.

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Original Post 5: A gorgeous beaded tank that also *slightly* feels like a suit of armor!

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Original Post 6: On Saturday, May 9, 2015, I graduated with my Master of Public Health degree from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University!

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Original Post 7: I loved everything about this fun, spring-y outfit.

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Original Post 8: In an attempt to reassess my closet, I found that I’m drawn more and more to neutral colors.

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Original Post 9: I found a floral tank that mataches almost every cardigan and balzer in my closet.

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Original Post 10: Here, I found a way to use inspiration photos to make the outfit my own.

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Original Post 11: This is what I wear for a double date that includes lots of wine and cocktails.

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Original Post 12: LBD look for day (and for night!)

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Original Post 13: The Grecian-inspired dress that I wore to my friend’s Muslim wedding.

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Original Post 14:  A new part-time job allowed me to dress in my office attire.

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Original Post 15: I love this shirt, as evidenced by it showing up twice in my list!

I believe that 2016 is going to be the best yearyet for me, and I hope everyone has a happy New Year full of love and fun and whatever else you desire!

<3,
NCsquared

Linking up with Start the Week Stylish | Hello Monday | Trend Spin | Confident Twosday | Garay Treasures Blog

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Fashion•Life

2014 Favorites

December 31, 2014 by Nikki 1 Comment

2014 Favorites | NCsquared Life

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5  / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11/ 12 / 13 / 14 / 15

Happy 30th Birthday to me! I can’t believe I’ve finally hit the big 3-0, but here it is. I don’t really feel that much older, and I just asked Nick the other night what he thought it meant to “feel like an adult.” We still haven’t figured it out yet 😉 On the agenda today is fun birthday activities like manicures/pedicures, some shopping, and a fancy dinner tonight. I can’t wait!

I’ve been blogging long enough now that I can participate in a year in review so I decided to do it on my birthday, which just happens to be the last day of the year. So, most people would choose their favorite outfit from each month, but I decided to choose my favorites based on either how much I liked it or how often I wore it (which are often positively correlated). Looking back, I see that I wore rolled denim and scarves a lot, which tells me that I’ve learned how to do casual pretty well. In May, I will graduate from grad school, rejoin the workforce (*fingers crossed* that it won’t take too long), and can show my very-neglected pencil skirts some love! Until then, here are my 15 favorite outfits from this year.

2014 Favorites | NCsquared LifeOriginal Post 1: It was one of the coldest days we experienced in NC.

2014 Favorites | NCsquared Life

Original post 2: The secret to wearing maxis in the winter is ankle boots!

2014 Favorites | NCsquared Life

Original post 3: Figuring out how to dress casually as a graduate student.

2014 Favorites | NCsquared Life

Original post 4: What I wore on the first day of my summer internship.

2014 Favorites | NCsquared Life

Original post 5: The perfect backyard barbeque outfit.

2014 Favorites | NCsquared Life

Original post 6: Wearing sweaters in the summer because of office air conditioning.

2014 Favorites | NCsquared Life

Original post 7: I’m hoping utility vests never go out of style.

2014 Favorites | NCsquared Life

Original post 8: Sunday Brunch after my best friend’s wedding.

2014 Favorites | NCsquared Life

Original post 9: A short girl wears a midi skirt and it actually looks good!

2014 Favorites | NCsquared Life

Original post 10: Loving the plum/turquoise combo in my new favorite outfit.

2014 Favorites | NCsquared Life

Original post 11: I love wearing Halloween colors together, and I got a TON of compliments on this blazer.

2014 Favorites | NCsquared Life

Original post 12 : This outfit has all of my autumn favorites: the colors, the stripes, and leopard print.

2014 Favorites | NCsquared Life

Original post 13: Date night outfit that got the most wear while watching a movie on my couch!

2014 Favorites | NCsquared Life

Original Post 14: The outfit that made me look like I stepped straight off of a Pinterest board.

2014 Favorites | NCsquared Life

Original post 15: Holiday sequins that are perfect for any holiday or New Year’s Eve party.

I’m looking forward to 2015. I hope everyone has a happy New Year full of love and fun and whatever else you desire!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy

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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, sushi lover, wine drinker, and coffee enthusiast. Welcome to my little corner of the world where I try to lead by example!

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Wordless Wednesday

January 20, 2021
The Best of 2020

The Best of 2020

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