Off to a Great Start!

Happy weekend everyone! I hope yours is off to a great start. My mom and I are headed to breakfast and then to Bed, Bath & Beyond to finish up the wedding registry. But before I go, I just wanted to quickly share somethings with you.

Yesterday, something really made me smile! I've been following blogger and thrifting guru, in my opinion, Mr. Goodwill Hunting for sometime now and a few days ago, I emailed him a few pics of my recent outfit. It was the first one I've worn that was completely thrifted head to toe. When I turned on the computer Friday morning and when to my Facebook page, I saw my pic on my news feed. Mr. Goodwill hunting posted my outfit (see HERE)! Now to some of you it may not be a huge deal but to me, it def is! When you admire someones work and they take the time to communicate with you, and even showcase your outfits, talents, or whatever, its a good thing. It made me feel good and I definitely appreciate it! So huge thanks to him and as an avid thrifter, I hope to continue to make you proud! ;-)

{this is the shot used I sent...click photo for the link}



Now onto more exciting news...my blog anniversary is coming up!! I am super duper excited about this. Long ago, I created a blog that was more geared towards the poetry and my creative writing, but I didn't stick with it. When I started this blog, I was a bit skeptical because although a lot of people were inquiring about where I shopped or got certain items from, I didn't know if I wanted to put myself out there to be 'judged' so to speak. Well, I quickly got over that fear and just went for it. Boy am I glad I did! Since I've been blogging, I've met amazing people, challenged myself in ways you can't imagine, and blogging has actually brought me and my fiance' closer. He takes about 90% of my photos and is just the biggest supporter, ever. He dreams just as big as I do and I love him for that. And of course, my followers....THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I feel like all of you are friends in my head (like Wendy Williams, LOL). Your support has been amazing and I love you all for that!

With that being said, I am hosting a HUGE giveaway to celebrate my 1 year of blogging. I am still in the process of putting together this awesome gift bag but trust me, you WILL want to enter to win!! I am also hosting a blog celebration. Not 100% sure if I am going to do something with just me and my family, or plan something a tad bigger. Either way, I will be celebrating ;-) I truly believe that everything should be celebrated...I throw parties and get togethers for any and every reason. Life is too short, why not? So stay tuned to the blog and my Facebook page for more giveaway details!

I leave you with a few Instagram photos of some of my 'happenings' this week. Take care & be blessed! XXOO!!

~Nic

*I got my hair cut, and I LOVE it!...so much fuller and healthier!*

 *snippet of what I wore one day this week; sweater is from Lord & Taylor*

 *my fav ring & bracelet...this pic is older but I try to wear them at least once a week*

Something with Plaid

Hey friends!! Hope everyone is well. Sorry in advance for the pics, once again; I am hoping Santa brings me a battery for my Nikon D70 for Christmas ;-) In the mean time I am using my backup camera, my older Nikon Coolpix. Pics aren't coming off how I want but, I must keep posting!! LOL.

Anyway, this is just an outfit I put on last night when the babe and I hung out. The shirt was my grandfathers :-) As I have said before, I always LOVE wearing his clothes. I feel so close to him when I do. The brown cape I purchased in Greece is one of my favorite purchases .It can also be seen HERE. Lastly, I wore layered necklaces from F21. Funny because in my Santa Baby post, I posted a Love necklace that I wanted. I found this silver one hiding in my jewelery box last night; how awesome!! I already had one and didn't even know ;-)

Also, below is a drawing that was done by, The Cherry on Top, blogger. Its based on the outfit I wore HERE. Don't you just love it! I have seen other bloggers with their drawings and knew I had to have one. what talent! Click the picture to visit the page, or the blog name above.

Until next time, be blessed and enjoy the post!

~Nic

________

Brown Cape: Purchased in Greece

{better pic of the cape HERE}

Shirt: My Fafa's (Grandfather)

Jeans: Marshalls

Shoes: Marshalls (Fergie)

Clutch: Thrifted

Necklaces: Forever21

Earrings: Bakers

Vacation Memories

So in my previous post, I mentioned that I traveled to  the Mediterrian with my family. We were away for 14 days and it was the most amazing trip I've been on, ever. I still cannot get some of the sites out of my head. I have been blessed to travel to different places, but none such as these (Greece, Egypt, Italy, Malta & Spain).
I learned something from each country and not to sound like Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love, (lol) i wianted to share some memories with you.

In Spain, I learned to live. The city of Barcelona was lovely and i felt a spirit of freedom that made me want to just dance and enjoy LIFE.

In Italy, i learned how to eat and savor each bite!! Like the movie Eat, Pray Love, I ate the Italian cuisine and OMG…the food was just so rich and so GOOD! I didn’t worry about how much, or how many calories, lol…I just ate, I enjoyed every bit.

When in Greece, I was amazed by the Parthenon and the city of Athens; so much history. I think it Greece, I really learned how to take an experience and capture it. in my case, I captured the experience on film. I think some of my greatest photos were taken in both Athens and Rhodes, Greece.

In Malta, a country I wasn’t familiar with, I learned to explore. I saw some of the most beautiful churches ever built, I saw some of the most unique jewelry, and rode down the most quaint streets.

Last but not least, Egypt. To be in Africa was just amazing to begin with. But to touch the pyramids, to learn about the culture and the people, my people…was something I will NEVER forget. In Egypt, I learned to appreciate, I learned another side to myself I never knew was there. Our tour guide explained so much to us during or 2 day stay, and from her wealth of knowledge, I took soo much from it. I got in touch with my emotional side as I teared up when i first arrived to the pyramid and when I entered the catacombs. I felt proud when I heard her speak of Nefertiti, and I felt at home when I walked the streets and bought items from the local vendors. The people there were very poor, yet they welcomed me made me feel comfortable. I wasn’t scared to learn a bit of the language; it was just simply amazing.

With all that said, I plan to take a trip back to each country one day soon. I also want to share the experience with my family, as mine did with me (and my sister). I am forever grateful and I am so thankful for the memories and things learned….and pleased with the purchases I made ;-)

Enjoy the pictures :-)

~Nic

My family & I in Rhodes, Greece 

 The sights in Malta



 Me in Egypt

 Sightseeing in Sicily, Italy

 My little sister & I

A ring I bought in Rhodes 

Nefertiti ring I bought in Egypt

My Egyptian Kartush (it's my name in hieroglyphics)

Rain & Tan

Well, I woke up the a.m. and it was raining. UGH! And on top of that, I overslept. So I decided to throw ona pair of comfy jeans, a sweater a piece I bought from my Mediterranean Trip this past November. The cape I am wearing is from Rhodes, Greece. When I saw it, I HAD to have it. I hadn't seen anything like it so it was a must. Needless to say, I am pleased with the purchase.

I will post some other outfits this weekend. I have a bday dinner for a friend tomorrow, then dinner with the bf on Sunday. Speaking of which, my bf is featured in this post. He takes all of my photos and I really appreciate his support as I continue to build my blog. He too has a blog that is in the beginning stages. If you like to travel and if you are a foodie (like he and I are), this blog is sure to be a great read for you. Check it out and follow. The site is, http://dwestfoodandtravel.blogspot.com/.

Lastly, I plan on doing some thrifting this weekend, along with studying and working on my final project. A lot, I know. But it must be done. Talk to you all later.

~Nic

Jeans: Target

Sweater: American Rag

Cape: Purchased in Rhodes, Greece

Shoes: Target
Scarf: Gifted

Ring: Purchased at a Summer Festival in Maryland
Bangles: Macy's

Watch: Gifted

Earrings: (can't remember, lol)