Growth...{26}

Well, hello! I didn't get a chance to get into my birthday weekend, so here goes!

Whenever my birthday rolls around, I get super excited because I was raised in a household where we celebrated everything! Be it a birthday, anniversary, new job, good grade on a test...it was always a celebration. As a child, I was always expected to do well and be successful, so the celebrations were a bonus ;-)

This year was no different. I decided to spend the Saturday with my love and we went thrifitng, shopped some more and had a nice lunch. Then, we met up with my family and headed to Reston, VA for dinner. While there, we attended a pageant to support a few of my sisters friends and their families. All in all, it was a very nice day. I've said it many times on my blog before but, I am a simple girl. I adore my family and my fiance' so any chance I get to just be around them is fine with me.

Sunday, I took time to sit back and think of all the GREAT things that are coming up this year. I haven't shared this with my blog family but, I've made the decision to complete my B.A. degree at Morgan State University before I get married. The original date of the wedding was scheduled for December 30, 2012 but after much prayer and talking to my fiance', we've changed the date to May 26, 2013. This date is a week after my graduation which is so ironic. To close one chapter in my life one week and then begin another the next week seems crazy! But I honestly feel that this decision is the right one. Graduating and finishing undergrad before I say "I do" is something I am doing for me. And the fact that Darrius understands that and is motivating me makes me love him even more.

Not only will this give me a chance to finish what I've started, but it will allow Darrius and I to grow even more. Marriage is not something we plan on entering into lightly---the union of marriage is important to us. And I feel that once I have achieved my accomplishments, I can then focus on being married. I've seen too many people rush to get married because they're in love and in the end, they're unhappy and wish they'd taken more time to think things through. I don't want to end up like that. Yes, there will be issues and problems that we'll have to face; that's life. But if we work out the kinks and take our time now, a lot of issues will already be avoided.

With all that being said, I want to close by sharing my list of 10 goals I have for this year. Last year I did 25 things I wanted to do, but I realize that quality is more important than quantity. Also narrowing it down to 10 goals will give me a better chance to really focus of one goal at a time. After glancing at my list from last year (HERE), I can smile knowing that I can cross of a lot of things! 

1. Improve my Relationship with God

2. Receive my Undergrad Degree

3. Have a WONDERFUL and FUN time at our wedding

4. Save $$$ for our home

5. Focus on  Starting My Business 

6. Expand my Blog 

7.Live a Healthy Life

8. Take a Dance Class 

(I've always wanted to take a hip-hop class, LOL)

9. Give back to my community

10. Continue Living a PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE

Be blessed and TTYS!! 

Insta-Week & Weekend

Well another weekend has come to an end....where does the time go?? Sigh, well I can say this weekend was pretty chill. I planned to just relax and for the most part I did. Now let me explain, relaxing to me is hanging with my fiance', maybe catching a movie or going to dinner and maybe some thrifing. {Side note: I will be showing my thrifty finds in one of my upcoming posts; I can't wait!} Anywho, I pretty much spent my weekend doing those activities (except the movie). We also rented 3 movies from the Red Box and chilled out at his place Saturday evening. I seriously feel like the weekend escaped me but, I am always thankful for the time we spend together.

My fiance' is usually my photographer but lately, we've been focusing our 'alone time' mainly lounging/chilling so I've been doing my best to click a few pics of my outfits from the week with my phone. I upload them on Instagram and Facebook (sometimes) so for now, I hope those pics will do. I still want to show my thrifted looks so I always make sure I am connected with you all in one way or another. Thank goodness for the MANY social media networks out there ;-) As I've said in my recent posts, my life has been really all over the place lately so I am doing my best to keep up with all that I have going on. Thanks SO much for the continued support and thanks to my new followers. Every time I log on I realize I have a few new followers...I truly thank you for taking this journey with me!

So until next time, enjoy the pics and don't forget to follow me HERE & HERE! Be blessed and be a blessing to someone...TTYS!!!

PS My Instagram name is msnicjames ;-)

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Insta-Outfits

Insta-Weekend

*my weekend: new hair (it sweated out thanks to the humidity, LOL), dinner and drinks with my love, and a thrifitng trip*

*DMV thrifters, take advantage of this; i did and got 9 items for $950...yes, $9.50!!!!

CLICK PIC FOR LINK*

Mother's Day Weekend in Pictures

Hey everyone!! How was your Mother's Day Weekend?? I hope you were able to spend time with your mother's, grandmother's and/or any woman in your life whom you love & adore.

As I said in my last post, my weekend was pretty busy. Between a business breakfast/trade-show, lil sis' pageant, a graduation party, Mother's Day, ...I was just all over the  place. I'm sure if you follow me through other social media outlets, you can tell, LOL. Also, if you follow me on those other places, you know that my little sister walked away this weekend with another crown & title. She is the 1st Miss Miracles Sweetheart!!! I  tell ya, she is on a roll---she also won Best Resume. We are just so proud of her dedication and perseverance since she starting doing pageants last August. This title (Miss Miracles Sweetheart) was so important to her because it was a charity pageant. Taylor is so passionate about helping people, especially the senior citizens, that earning this title will allow her to help even MORE people in her community. Needless to say my mother was tickled pink that all this happen on Mother's Day Weekend. That was one of her fave gifts---seeing her daughter earn another title that she'd worked so hard for. (You can see more pageant goodies, HERE)

Speaking of Mother's Day, the fam and I enjoyed a DELICIOUS brunch and then went home and relaxed the rest of the afternoon/evening. That's exactly what Mom wanted to do so that's what we did ;-)

Enjoy the pics and I will be back to posting some outfits and whatnot later on in the week. Be blessed!!

PS Don't forget you can keep up with me via-Facebook, Twitter & Instagram too ;-)

Lil Sis receiving her certificate for the Best Resume

The "crowning moment"...isn't that crown GORGEOUS???!!

Smiles with the  hostess, Miss Baltimore (in red)

The lovely judges & the Miss Miracles "Sister-Queens" (winners)

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Mother's Day Collage....My Ace, BFF, my Rock, My Mommy!!!

Ma James (grandmother) looking fllyyy in that (thrifted) hat...me, lil sis, and the fiance' purchased it for her b-day a few weeks ago :-)

Insta-Recap

Hey there! Did we make it through another Monday?? I hope we all did and hope you're ready to continue this week :-) Just wanted to share my weekend recap, via-instagram pics, as usual. Some are from later last week (Thurs/Fri) but I still wanted to share.  Don't forget to find me on Instagram, @msnicjames. 

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The first pics are a 2 of my outfits form last week. I am just so smitten by my pink (thrifted pants) seen many times on my blog. I just LOVE styling them. I pulled out my fave bakers sandals the other day and paired it with some ethnic jewelry and fell in love with the look. Even at work, I felt super comfy and cute. 

This outfit is a remake (lol) of a previous one (see HERE). This day I wanted a polished looked, but wanted to wear flats because my feet just couldn't take the heels. How'd I do?? ;-)

As far as my weekend, I spent it with family as usual. We went to the Bowie Baysox game with lil sis. She went for her school, as well as for a "royalty appearance" as they call it. Now I am NOT a huge baseball fan due to my awful allergies and phobia of getting hit by a ball, but I must admit I had a ball! We ate ballpark food, laughed, and just had good fun!

*these are some sketches lil sis created for her big cousin Terrence and Lady Gaga; which one would YOU like to wear?? LOL...*

* mom got a new hairstyle this weekend and I am LOVING my moms new haircut; the back is flawless!!*

*my cousin Nicole is the most fabulous and newest member of the Delta Sigma Theta Soroity, Inc. and this was her homemade, congratulatory cake; it included her line name, the Dream Girl *

*...& what better way to end the weekend than with my honey...*

30 for 30 Wrap Up!

As I wrap up this 30 for 30 challenge, I must thank The Seventh District for the idea. I know I haven't been consistent but nonetheless, I finished. I hope you've enjoyed getting to know me a little better. Thanks as always for reading and for the comments during this photo challenge...be blessed!

~Nic

Day 26: A photo of somewhere I've Been
Rhodes, Greece - the best shopping and the bluest water I've ever seen...

Day 27: Pic of myself last year & How I've grown

This picture is actually one of my favs. Last year, I was in a place of uncertainty; I was all over the place. I was unsure of how I was going to put my dreams and goals into action, I was unsure of what I wanted to do as a career, as well as some other things. I've always known I was going to be successful, and I've always known that I was going to be great at whatever I did. I just needed direction. Thankfully and prayerfully, I've found my purpose, found my desired career path, and I am steadily headed in the right direction. I have a clear vision of what I want to do and what I need to do in order to accomplish my goals. I am more driven, more confident, and I've never been as happy as I am now. The best is yet to come, for sure...

Day 28: Fav Movie(s)

Ok, did you really think I was going to pick just one?? LOL. There are SOO many movies I can watch over and over, and I have shared some of them in my posts before. However, these are some I have recently watched. I can go word for word with every movie listed below, LOL!

 {Love Jones, Crooklyn, The Best Man, Sex & the City 2,  My Best Friends Wedding, and Houseguest}

Day 29: Something I Never get tired of Doing

I will never get tired of (1) spending time with my family, (2) my fiance', (3) my friends, and (4) meeting new people. Simply put, those are the things in life that keep me going and those are the things that make me happy. Family is always #1 & they keep me grounded, the love my fiance' and I share is constant, my friends keep me motivated, and meeting new people just warms my heart---good people in this world are hard to come by.

Day 30: Photo of me Today and 3 good things that happen to me in the past 30 Days

*i'm glowing, lol*

1. I got a bonus at work :-)

2. I spent time with friends

3. We're almost finished registering for our wedding gifts :-)

30 for 30; Days 21-25

Sooo, as most of you know I have been participating in the 30 for 30 challenge. It's been a great way to get to know other bloggers, and I hope you all have gotten to know me a little better as well. Thanks to The Seventh District for starting the challenge; it's been so much fun! I am almost done with the days, so enjoy this post and stay tuned for the last 30 for 30 post (Days 26-30). Take care and be blessed!

~Nic

Day 21: Photo of Something that Makes You Happy

-Random "I love you gifts" from my babe 

-My family

-Being at the beach or near the water

Day 22: My Favorite Hideaway

My bedroom; I love being in my room, door closed, music playing...I'm in my zone when I'm there.
{the 2nd photo was my room inspiration photo}

Day 23: Childhood Photo and 15 Facts

{taken in Annapolis on a day trip with my grandad}

1. I'm 25

2. I love my job/career

3. I drive a Nissan Altima

4. I live with my mom, dad, sis and grandma

5. Fav movie is Love Jones & The Jackson: An American Dream

6. I love 2Pac music/poetry

7. I was the Editor-in-Cheif of my H.S. newspaper

8. I love to bake

9. I wore my hair natural for 2 years

10. My room is painted orange

11. My mother is my boss

12. I once had a pet rabbit

13. I've been to Egypt

14. I listen to music everyday as I get dresses--no TV

15. I read a lot

Day 24: Something that Means A lot to Me
This is a letter my mother wrote me the first time I stayed away from home. I won a Journalism Scholarship through University of Maryland, College Park one summer and stayed on campus for a few weeks to learn all things Journalism. While it was one of the greatest experiences, I was so nervous to be away from my family. I was in the 10th grade and my family was so happy and proud of me. Before I left, my mom gave me the letter and told me to open it when my first night. She is the best and always knows exactly what to say to get me through any and every situation.

Day 25: What's in my Purse??
1. Phone
2. Cosmetic Bag
3. Nook
4. Pen
5. Business Card Holder (not shown bc idk where it is, LOL)
6. Water
7. Headphones
8.Flash drive (Work)
9. Reese's Pieces ;-)

*if you asked to see my work bag, whew!...i wouldn't be able to name everything i keep in that thing, LOL*

The Blue Dress, the Purse, & the WINNER!!

Happy Valentines Day to you all! This day is super special to me because it's my first Valentines Day with my fiance', it's my Mommy's birthday, and my parents anniversary. WHEW! And, I recently found out that my blogger friend and handbag creator extraordinaire, Cortnie from, StyleLust Pages & Love, Cortnie has a birthday today as well. Special Happy Birthday to her as well :-*

Now onto my outfit....I was so happy that I got to wear my latest purchase yesterday; my brown, leather purse! It was perfect for my planned outfit. I've been wanting to wear this blazer/top for sooo long. I thrifted this months ago but never wore it. But as I have stated before, with this whole shopping my closet thing I'm doing, I get so excited when creating and putting together outfits. I really do have a lot of good stuff, lol.
I paired the purse with a cobalt blue dress which I LOVE (I have the same dress in Green), and brown tights...along with some comfy flats. Perfect for a day at the office ;-)

Lastly, I want to congratulate Lynn for winning my Valentines Day Giveaway!!! {see her page, HERE}  She is such a sweetheart and it is an honor to have her win my 1st giveaway of the new year :-) Another giveaway will be coming next month so no worries; more goodies in store ;-) Congrats again and enjoy!!! Be blessed everyone...

~Nic

Dress: Marshalls

Blazer/Top: Thrifted

Purse: Thrifted

Flats: Aldo

Tights: Target (Spanxx Brand)

Watch: Kenneth Cole

Bangles: Random

Necklace: ATL Museum Gift Shop

Congrats to you Lynn!!!

True Random Number Generator

Min: 1

Max: 7

Result: 5

~XXOO

Engagement Party Recap

HAPPY MONDAY!!! Hope everyone is doing great :-) As you know, my weekend was filled with fun, love and excitement. Our engagement party was on Saturday and it was a huge success. Darrius and I were so overwhelmed with the love form our family and friends. We were also so busy hosting and talking to everyone, we didn't even get to eat!! LOL.We did take a few pics but honestly, it was cool. Our guests had a wonderful time. As far as my outfit, I opted for all black at the last minute and did some great accessories. To be honest, I was so excited and happy, my outfit didn't count as much as I thought it would. I was comfy, cute and that was what I wanted :-)

The theme was, "Their Favorite Things", so we had a mixture of our fav foods (sushi, pizza, Famous Daves & Olive Garden), a Sweet Shoppe (brownies and an ice cream sundae station), our fav music (Badu, Ledisi, Kindred, etc.), and our pictures were strategically placed as decoration. Also, my mom bought two bunches of orange roses, my fave ;-)

All in all, the event was just the most humbling experience. As we were saying our thank yous, I got so emotional (as I am now while typing this post). Looking around the room, taking it all in, and realizing how blessed Darrius and I are to have such a solid support system just made my heart overflow (and my tears, LoL). I mean, my parents allowed us to have more than 40 people in their home and spent their time and money to make the party happen.While his family took the time out of their weekend to drive (and stay) to where we were to share in this moment with us. Our friends also took the time out of their schedules to come as well and it was SOOO good to see each and every one of them. All I can say is that I am forever grateful for everything...I love my man, my family, and my friends and will never forget that day! #BLESSED

~Nic

{Me & My Love...our smiles say it all}

 

{Me & Danyelle - My Best Friend of 14 years...also my Maid of Honor}

{Nikki & Lauren - 2 of My Brides Attendants & the Sweetest Ladies I know...I LOVE them!}

{My Little Sister/Junior Maid of Honor, My Little Couisn JoJo & Little Harlynn}

{My Cousin/Groomsmen/Soloist Terrence & Bestie Danyelle}

{My Cousin/Usher Terrell & His Brother}

{Me & My Cousin/Godsister/Ride or Die, Ashley...she is also one of my Brides Attendants}

"The Del State Crew"

{Me, Danyelle, and my favorite Twins, Jess & Jen - Brides Attendants}

{Me & My homie, Jamal}

"My Bakers Crew"

{Kamielle/Brides Attendant & the 2 Hostesses, Maryann & Bre}

{Darrius & His Brother/Best Man with his lovely family}

{My Ma James, Darrius' Godmother, and my future Father-in-law}

 

{Darrius' Grandparents}

{My Mama, Godmother, and 2 Great Aunts}