red, stripes and denim

I’ve decided.

My favorite time of the year is not October (#basic) but is the time between Halloween and Thanksgiving. The temperatures drop just a smidge during the first few days of November which I like to think is the universe’s way of reminding me to make most out of the comfort of fall before winter comes. Time also seems to slow down a bit in anticipation of the holidays but there is an excitement brewing for what is to come.  This time between Halloween and Thanksgiving serves as an opportunity for me to focus and be present before the madness –which I enjoy—of the holiday season. I feel like it’s the last 3-4 weeks of the year to be constructive, productive, catch up. Once Thanksgiving hits, I can’t help but focus on the holidays and wrapping up the year.

So cheers to the “end of the year!” Make the most of it!

PS- I am obsessed with this bag -- it literally matches everything in my closet. *picture the heart eye emoji here* Get ready to see a lot of it here!

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Hat- Eastern Market (similar)
Jacket- J.Crew Factory

Shirt- Zara

Jeans- Old Navy (DIY distressed)

Necklace- BaubleBar

Bag- vintage Coach (current version)

home

Hi.

Remember me? The worst blogger in the world. The one who didn’t mention anything about Labor Day Sales and is posting midday on a Tuesday?  Side note: I hope you found some great deals this past weekend.  I had every intention of skipping the Labor Day sales and then found myself driving past the outlets on the way home from West Virginia. Bless Aaron’s heart for putting up with my “I’m only going to check to see if they have one thing!” at 6 different stores. It’s not the first time he’s heard it and I wish I could say it was the last.

We spent two days in Shepherdstown, West Virginia this weekend and really soaked in the quiet. I had been in NYC for three days prior to that and to sound like a cliché, quiet was exactly what I needed. I’ve been feeling claustrophobic in DC lately like there is a pile of bricks on my chest or my shoulders are permanently hunched. I’ve always prided myself on being a city girl and while I really do love living in an urban environment, I’m not sure the heart of the city is for me. I’m torn because there is a part of me that loves being around so many different types of people, hearing different languages and seeing something new every day.   But the other part of me longs for quiet and simple. And you just don’t get that living half a block from the metro station like I do now. Being in San Francisco was incredibly grounding and reminded me of what home feels like and solidified my need for creating it in DC. So that’s what I’m doing. Aaron and I moving in together (squeal!) and we’re moving to a quieter part of town.  We’ll still be in the city but just not in the heart of the hustle and bustle and I am 100% okay with because it feels right. Man, that feels good to say out loud.

We move in a few weeks so until then, I’ll be procrastinating packing by pinning up a home inspiration storm. 

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Sweater- Madewell, old (similar)
Jacket- H&M, last season (similar)
Hat- Urban Outfitters
DIY distressed Jeans- Old Navy

stripes, denim and leopard

These pictures are from last weekend when my dad was in town for a long weekend. My dad has been to DC a number of times so its always extra nice when he comes that I'm able to share with him what my life is like here rather than play tourist. While we love to check out a new exhibit or spend some time outside on the mall, there isn't the urgency to do all the touristy things DC offers. Rather, we are able to relax a bit, try new restaurants or go to a concert at a winery like we did this past weekend while he was here. Since he lives in LA, we don't get to see each other as often as we'd like which is why it means so much to me that we're able to spend quality time together rather that feeling obligated to play DC hostess. 

Anywho, I hope you have a nice weekend! I'm headed to SF for a week for a little work and a lot of play. *squeal* I can't wait!

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Jacket- J.Crew Factory

Tee- J.Crew

Shorts- Loft

Shoes- Target, old
Hat- Target, old (similar)

Bag- Madewell

stripes and leopard

A quick hello from New Jersey! It's my first time in New Jersey-- aside from taking the train through to NYC-- and I'll admit that I had no idea it was so beautiful. The more you know.... I've also been told I have to try a real Jersey bagel and get a slice of pizza before I leave. Any excuse to try a bagel and or pizza is a fine excuse to me.

The next stop on my trip is Philadelphia and obviously have to have a cheese steak before I leave, right?

Oy. I think I need to start a juice cleanse on Friday.

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Cardigan- Forever 21

Top- Target
Skirt- Banana Republic
Shoes- J.Crew Factory

stars and stripes

One of my biggest challenges blogging is actually doing the blogging. Taking a quick 10 minutes to take outfit pictures or perusing the interwebz in search of the best deal on a faux leather jacket is fun and easy. Sitting down in front of my computer to write? Now that’s the hard part.

It’s hard for a few reasons. One of which is that I have a hard time balancing all the things I want to do with my limited free time. As my mother would say, I have a lot of strengths but time management is not one of them.  Work keeps me busy and ironically one of my biggest strengths professionally is time management and managing conflicting priorities. But apparently, I leave that strength at the office. When I get home, I would love to sit down to blog but I also want to spend time with Aaron, work out, have a glass of wine (or 3) with my roommates, binge watch Homeland, FaceTime with my family, etc. You get the picture.  

More challenging though is finding relevant and personal anecdotes to share without violating the privacy of those around me who didn't sign up to be written about. Perhaps this will start to come more easily the more I blog but for now I'm feeling a bit of writers block.  My professional career is a huge part of who I am and what my life is about right now. I work in volunteer and event management and I love it. I love my coworkers, I love the volunteers I meet and I’m proud of the events I work on. But does my employer want me to write about them on the internet? Probably not.  The same can be said for my family and personal relationships. Those are a huge part of my life but does my boyfriend want me to write about the tiff we got in over overpriced coffee last weekend? Probably Definitely not. What I’m saying is there are parts of my life that aren't only mine to share. So where is the middle ground? I’m not sure; I’m still working on it. Bear with me here J

& while I think about it, you should hurry your cute little booty over to Target before the 4th and get this scarf since it is sold out online.  Full disclosure: it is entirely too hot in DC to be wearing a scarf but I couldn't help it. It was the perfect way to show a bit of patriotism in the office during yesterday’s World Cup match. #Howardforpresident

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Scarf-Target
Shirt- J.Crew (similar and 30% off with the code JULY)
Skirt- Banana Republic (sold online in black and 40% off with the code BRJULY)
Clutch-Kate Spade "Horseshoe Cove"
Shoes- J.Crew Factory
Sunglasses- Anthropologie

Pictures by Danielle of The Ephemeral Market

stripes and florals and coffee talk

Let's imagine we're grabbing coffee. We're at Starbucks and I'm drinking iced Oprah chai (duh). I have so much to share! I would probably start with....

.....how much I love my new job. I'm obsessed with it. I am absolutely head over heels in love with it. I am challenged, motivated, and proud of the work that I'm doing. It is a really fantastic fit for me right now and I am so excited to come to work every day. I start traveling later this month and I'm super jazzed. Yes, I said jazzed.

.....how I can't help but dance when Love Never Felt So Good comes on at work. I mean MJ and JT, it couldn't get better. Side note: I met someone in Kentucky who said that Justin Timberlake was his inspiration. I had never heard that before. Is that a thing? 

.....how I rediscovered Twirl by Kate Spade and its my go to scent again. The rollerball is the perfect size to leave in my purse!

......how I recently started following P.Diddy on instagram. The best decision I've made in a long time.

.....how I've actually fallen in love with running. I've wanted to be a runner so bad for so long but never stuck with it. I could never get past that first 10 minutes but now I've really enjoyed the challenge of running, pushing myself to commit to something and the feeling of accomplishment afterwards. An added bonus is finding new motivating music. When Rather Be comes on, I imagine I look a bit like Phoebe.

.....how Aaron and I need weekend vacation suggestions. We dropped the ball on Memorial Day weekend trips. Any local suggestions? Side note: MAN does that boy make me smile :)

.....how these flats from Aeropostale have become my go-to commuter shoe. I wasn't sure I loved d'orsay sandals but I do now! I'm obsessed. I think these guys in pink are up next for me.

.....how I had such a fantastic customer service experience with BR this week. I've been waiting for a flash sale code that could be applied these sandals and when it finally happened, my size was sold out online! Luckily a local store had a pair in my size and overnighted them to my office so I didn't have to pick them up in store. Oh and shipping was free with my Banana Republic Luxe Card. If you frequently shop at Gap, Banana Republic or Old Navy, its a great card! The rewards and perks are fantastic.

Should we get another cup of coffee now?

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Jacket- J.Crew Factory
Top- J.Crew Factory
Skirt- Gap (old)
Flats- c/o Aeropostale
Sunnies- Anthropolgie
Tote- Madewell

stripes and aviators

Hello from Kentucky! Although these pictures were taken before  I left, I'm here now and that's what counts! And if you think there is time to take outfit pictures on a work trip....you're mistaken. Or maybe you're a better time manager than I am!

Lexington is adorable! I had a bit of down time yesterday after we arrived so I went for a run through the downtown and campus areas. It is really cute, well laid out and everyone is SO NICE. Some places *cough DC cough* could take a cue from these locals. 

Despite being an hour and a half away from Churchill Downs, everyone is in full Derby spirit here and its really contagious. Don't get me wrong, I was excited for this weekend but coming down here and hearing people tell stories of their first Derby gives me chills. I cannot wait for Saturday!

Follow along on Instagram for more of my trip. Hoping to have a better recap for you next week!...and possibly some outfit pictures :)

Have a wonderful weekend, amigas!

XO, Nicole

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blazer- Banana Republic
shirt- J.Crew
Jeans. J.Crew Factory
Purse- Banana Republic
Shoes- J.Crew Factory
Sunnies- Rayban

stripes + mint

Happy Monday! Hope you had a nice weekend!

My weekend was full of Mom time (woop!), eating, drinking (lots of sangria!) shopping and basketball. Lots and lots of basketball. I'm not a basketball fanatic by any means nor did my alma mater have a big basketball program so March Madness shouldn't really be my thing. But I was on the starting five of my middle school basketball team back in the day so I'm pretty much an expert on basketball and bracketology. (I hope my saracasm is translating....) The truth is that that I'm actually crazy competitive about things that don't really matter. So every year I get fired up and am convinced I can beat Aaron in a bracket and every year I lose vowing never to play again. Something we all know is a bold faced lie :)

And in case you're wondering... I'm already losing in this year.

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Jacket- J. Crew Factory
Tee- J.Crew
Pants- Loft, old (similar)
Shoes- Target
Bag- Madewell
Belt- Gap (similar)

leopard print + stripes

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a nice weekend. It was seriously beautiful in DC this weekend and while it may not have reached spring-like temperatures, the sunshine was such a nice break from all this grey, dark and snowy winter we've been having. I am instantly in a better mood when it's sunny out. Spoken like a true California native...

This is really sappy (and might make your eyes roll) but Aaron is headed to New York this week for a father/sons trip with his best friend and their dads (cute, right?) and I'm feeling a bit selfish by being pretty bummed I won't see him this week. I'm trying not to be and focus instead on being grateful for being able to spend time with both him and his dad this past weekend. It's tough not seeing family as often as we would like, being as how most of our family is out west, so weekend visits are all the more special. My mama is coming next week for a week long visit  and I might explode with excitement!

Hope you have a good week!

xo

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coat- ASOS, old (similar)
sweater- Madewell via Current Boutique (similar)
Chambray- Gap
Necklace- Etsy
Pants- Ambiance SF
Booties- Target, old