What Nicole Wore

Blue Geo Blazer with Lookbook Store

December 9, 2015

Super excited to show you my second look with Lookbook Store. This blue open front blazer pretty much called my name; y’all know I love some royal blue and the fun geometric pattern + tassels made it official for me. Yet somehow when it arrived, I was stumped. And annoyed with myself. “Nicole why would you order a piece that screams summer when you have to style it in a way that’s seasonally appropriate?!” Add expletives and you have my exact berating of myself.

Luckily, over the span of a couple days I made some progress in the outfit brainstorming and came up with this look that lets the blazer’s design speak for itself and still doesn’t seem out of season.

What Nicole Wore: Blue Geo Blazer — shop the post: blue geometric open-front blazer c/o lookbook store + ivory sweatshirt tee {similar | also seen here} + olive skinny jeans {also seen here} + blue beaded tassel necklace {similar, also seen here} + cobalt flats {also seen here} + wool hat {also seen here} + nail polish + lip color + blush + mascara + eyebrow filler

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I opted to go with a simple white tee, but added a little bit of mix by choosing a white tee that has a textured front and provides a little more warmth since it’s sweatshirt material. So good. If you don’t have a sweatshirt tee in your closet, you need one. This one features a 2.5″ split in each side, which honestly I normally don’t like, but this tee is long enough where everything is still covered and I don’t have to constantly worry that my stretch marks and skin are exposed. #PraiseBe

I opted for olive skinny jeans; I’m not sure why I avoided colored denim for so long, but I’m glad that fall 2015 brought us back together in stylish harmony. When everything olive started popping up, I wasn’t sure it was for me, but I really do like how, similar to my beloved navy, olive acts as a neutral but still provides color.

The cobalt in this printed blazer led me directly to my cobalt and tortoise flats; while they run a little more than I typically like to spend on flats, Clarks is my go to brand for comfort. There’s nothing worse than not being comfortable and having achy feet. I usually splurge on a new pair each fall and then keep my eye on eBay and Amazon for new pairs being resold; you can find usually find floor models and last season’s shoes at a reasonable {under $50} price.

This hat has been my fave since I bought it, I still don’t consider myself a “hat person” so I have to admit, that I’m a little lost on when and where you’re supposed to wear these. Do I just throw this on to go to Target? Can I go through racks at Goodwill with this on? I’m not quite there with the confidence level yet so it remains an around the house and occasionally to work item.

Thank you Lookbook Store for sponsoring this post! I love being able to work with brands that help me keep What Nicole Wore filled with fresh, new content. As always, all opinions are my own.

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Travel Attire with Lookbook Store

December 7, 2015

While I’m (way up) blessed to not have to travel this holiday season, I did get to spend 12 consecutive hours at Midway airport in Chicago last month in the midst of my real life travel nightmare. Following this ordeal, I can tell you that a comfortable travel outfit is so necessary to get through the unexpected situations that inevitably occur from time to time.

However, I do like to feel good about how I look so while I love being in sweats, a lot of the time I find myself not wearing them for fear of looking like a slob for hours at a time. So what’s a girl to do?

What Nicole Wore: Travel Attire with Lookbook Store — shop the post: gray chiffon-layered blouse c/o lookbook store {exact top is sold out, check out this similar style} + distressed leggings with mesh inserts {old, love these liquid leggings} + riding boots + tortoise & crystal necklace {also seen here} + nail polish + foundation + mascara + blush + lip color {layered over this}

This top from Lookbook Store is my new favorite because it’s so comfortable, loose but still flattering and major bonus: long enough to wear with your leggings as pants. While I’m not normally a fan of high-low pieces, I do like that this one makes it possible to feel comfortable wearing leggings. The layers of this top are A+, the gray layer is super soft while the white chiffon gives a very feminine feel. The split in the back is such a fun and flirty touch. I’m wearing a US 2 and find it to be the perfect fit.

Shop my favorite travel pieces:

When I travel, I like to have shoes that are easy to remove so that if I’m flying, I can quickly pull my shoes off for security checks or so that I can take my shoes off if I’m going to be riding in the car for a long period of time. These boots feature an inside zipper that does just this.

I went with neutral colors, so often when I’m traveling alone, I end up changing on the fly: airport restrooms, trucker rest stops, McDonald’s bathroom, you name it and I’ve probably done it. This shirt can easily be paired with blue jeans so that you can travel in complete comfort and switch to “real” pants once you’re closer to your destination.

To break up all of the solid color, a real rarity for me, I brought out some fun leggings {I love the idea of this look with liquid or patterned leggings} and just one accessory. No one wants to be the person that holds up the TSA line, am I right? This tortoise and crystal necklace is one of my very favorites; it goes with everything, isn’t too heavy and is easy to pack. I try to not take a million accessories with me when I’m on the go. I’ll wear a scarf and pack another and maybe bring 2-3 necklace plus my watch. Owning pieces that are versatile is important for this reason.

This post was sponsored by Lookbook Store! I love being able to work with brands that help keep What Nicole Wore filled with fresh, new content. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.

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Mad for Plaid with SheIn

December 4, 2015

I’d like to apologize in advanced for all the plaid you’re about to be exposed to on What Nicole Wore this month. When I think about the holidays and getting dressed, my mind immediately goes to plaid.

What Nicole Wore: Mad For Plaid with SheIn — shop the post: bow headband {similar} + necklace {old, similar} + striped & sequined tee {also seen here} + plaid flare skirt c/o shein + tights + ankle boots + nail polish + lip color {applied over this} + blush + mascara + foundation + eyebrows

When SheIn (formerly known as She Inside), first reached out to me about doing a post with them, I knew that I had to have this red plaid skirt for a holiday style look. It also comes in a green and navy plaid (I die) and a beautiful black and gray; at just $20 with free shipping the price is just right as well.

Shop some of my current faves from SheIn:

When this skirt arrived, I was pleasantly surprised with the weight of the fabric; it’s very thick (yaaaasssss) and lined, which isn’t necessary, but helps prevent those Marilyn moments that inevitably happen when you wear a flared skirt. Be sure to pull out your measuring tape for this piece, I sized up to a medium off the waist measurements and the fit is just right plus I like this length. I’ve placed orders from online retailers before without measuring and it never goes well. Measure that waist! (And the length if you’re worried about keeping the booty covered like me.)

I knew that my new long sleeved tee from J Crew Factory was the piece I wanted to attempt to style with this skirt before it even arrived so I had to do a little celebration dance after it arrived and the two pieces matched up well. Sequins + plaid = holiday party y’all. Don’t fight it. Let it happen. Embrace it.

I’ve heard others complain about this tee being itchy and while I haven’t had that problem, I have suffered from the sequins getting caught on each other. This mostly happens between the sides and my inner arms. I wouldn’t recommend wearing this shirt to work or to decorate your tree, but for a holiday party or somewhere that isn’t going to have you doing a ton of moving around, I think it’s fine. I’d also think about sizing down; I usually wear a small in J Crew’s knit tees, but this one is slightly oversized. I’m hoping after the first wash to have it shrink down a bit.

I went pretty minimal with make up and accessories since both of these pieces make a statement on their own. I brought out my multi metal statement necklace from Charming Charlie and went with simple makeup with a red lip.

I really thought long and hard about wrapping up an empty box as a photo prop, but if we’re being honest the real holiday prompt I wanted for this shoot was the Electric Reindeer wine I picked up this week. I wasn’t so sure my neighbors would approve of me prancing around outside with said bottle, so no props haha.

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Thank you so much to SheIn for sponsoring this post! I love being able to work with brands that help me keep What Nicole Wore filled with fresh, new content. As always, all opinions are my own.

Buffalo Plaid + Herringbone

December 2, 2015

Is there any combo more “Pinterest inspired” than a buffalo plaid shirt and herringbone vest? My vote’s no, but let me know what your favorite Pinspired combos are.

The cooler weather means I’m spending little to no time outside, but the little time that I do spend outdoors requires me being wrapped up. I finally broke down and dragged my coats out of storage this past weekend, however I’m mostly still in denial and wearing my vests for warmth.

What Nicole Wore: Buffalo Plaid + Herringbone — shop the post: buffalo plaid shirt {similar | also seen here} + herringbone vest {similar | also seen here} + black skinny jeans + watch {similar} + black boots {similar} + foundation + blush + setting spray + mascara + eyebrow filler + lip color from this set {great gift idea!}

I love this down-filled vest, because of how warm it is, the large pockets (perfect for car keys when I don’t want to bring a purse with me and/or snacks), and the print. My exact vest is currently sold out, but I’ve linked a similar herringbone vest that’s currently on sale for $40 as an added bonus, this seller is offering a free pair of touch screen gloves with your order.

This flannel was a must have item for me last year because of the fun polka dots on the inside of the cuffs and collar, but the fit is a little strange on me. It’s much larger in the chest than most smalls run.

I don’t know how everyone else’s Thanksgiving weekend went, but I came through the weekend feeling so burnt out and spent most of my Sunday recovering from working on Black Friday + Saturday. As tired as I was I still found the energy to go out for Mexican + margs with my co-workers which ended with me getting carded in the most humiliating way possible (“you want a daiquiri….with alcohol? Miss, I’m going to need to see your ID.” #k) and having a very strange restaurant experience. How often do you see people bring their pet bird to a restaurant, order it a taco salad and feed it while it’s sitting in a booster seat? Never.

I also, Lord only knows how, worked up the energy to go to the gym. When I actually manage to get in a regular gym routine, I usually treat myself for making so many regular visits a week. So right now, in the midst of all the holiday craziness, I’m trying to work off the undeniable holiday calories (I’ll never turn down pumpkin pie, buckeyes, chocolate chip cookies, advent calendar candies, etc) and motivate myself with fun new items. I love this S’Well bottle, a Fitbit Flex (although I did put this one on my Christmas list), and fun new long sleeved workout tops like this one, because wearing a jacket to the gym is overrated.

I did manage to sneak some (online) shopping in during all of this craziness and am feeling so much better as I’m able to cross out some of the names on my Christmas list. I’m definitely not done by any means; I tend to be the gift giver that somehow keeps accumulating items during the course of November and December, but making progress always makes me feel better.

If you’re still kind of metaphorically stumbling around, be sure to check out Macy’s Friends and Family Sale that starts today. This 25% off sale (free shipping when you spend $99) includes lots of brands and items that are usually excluded and features 10% off select home items with code FRIEND. I love this coffee, tea and cocoa gift set (on sale for $5 with code FRIEND) that includes mugs and could easily be split up to knock out a stocking stuffer, co-worker gift AND act as part of your Secret Santa gift for your friend. Gotta get some mileage out of your money, right? This black and gold Michael Kors watch is another sale fave at just $140.

SHOP MY MACY’S FRIENDS AND FAMILY FAVORITES

The gift guide has lots of good ideas of where to start as well as gifts under $25, $50 and $100. Also if you’re having any “why didn’t I buy that this weekend while it was on sale” remorse, J Crew Factory is offering 40-60% off today!

All of my packages showed up last night, major shoutout to my postman for coming by at 8:30 at night #YouTheRealMVP, so I’m looking forward to putting up my mini tree this weekend and hopefully knocking out some wrapping. I’ll have to decide on some wrapping paper first, obviously, which is consistently one of the toughest decisions I make every holiday season. Do I go classic with red paper with gold foil dots accompanied with white and gold foil striped paper? A trendy buffalo plaid so that I can match my packages? Fa la la llamas? Do I bring back the gold glitter paper from last year? <– Very Nicole-esque but probably not appreciated by all my friends and family when their homes were covered with the residue. My bad, y’all. Do you all use wrapping paper themes or just go wild and use a little bit of everything?

Hope your Wednesday is stress-free, easy and maybe even a little magical 🙂

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IG Roundup

November 30, 2015

Happy (almost) December! I’m attempting to take a new approach on holiday stress and just go with the flow. Life will happen. I’ve luckily been slowly but surely stocking up on stocking stuffer and gift type items as I see them at a good price over the past month and it’s been super helpful. So – here’s what you (maybe) missed over on Instagram. Lots of the items in this roundup are on sale today with it being Cyber Monday; if you have any colors about size or fit, please feel free to leave a comment or send me an email, I’ll be sure to get back to you today!

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