FBF: Chic & Simple

Let's here it for another Friday!! What a week this has been. It's been productive, but I am so exhausted. I've been working out and getting back to my workout routine so my body is still trying to adjust. I've also been studying a lot so that's a factor as well. Oh and I must tell you; the most random thing happen to me. I was eating dinner the other night and all of a sudden, I felt something weird. I broke my tooth!!! Yep, broke a tooth. SMH, how random. The only good thing is you can't really see it but I know it's there!...or half there, LOL! Anyway, pray for me y'all; I have to get oral surgery and I absolutely HATE the dentist!

Now onto today's post. This FBF is all about chic and poised fashionistas. The first look I recreated is from the lovely Jillian of Nusopisticate. I've been a follower of her blog for a while and I always love her use of patterns, color and accessories. In the look below, I like how she mixed patterns so perfectly. So, when I did my version I used a print for the bottom, but kept the top basic. It's still a great use of print, but the denim top adds a casual feel to it. I decided to pick up the color in the skirt by adding a color block heel.

The next look is the forever fashionable, Kim Kardashian. While I am not a huge fan of the boots she's been wearing lately, I do LOVE a good sweater dress. And black and white is such a classic, simple color combo that is always in style. I recreated the black and white dress because I can see myself wearing a look similar to this. I love the flats with the sweater dress; it's unexpected but still chic. The knee boots are sexy and very "night on the town". I have worn knee boots before and I must say they are SO comfortable. More comfortable to me than heels.

So, what look do YOU like better? Can you see yourself wearing either look this season? Let me know. Have a great day and talk to ya soon!

P.S. I will announce the winner of my giveaway this afternoon via Twitter (@wnicjames) & my Facebook page.

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Blogger Inspired by nicjames featuring amrita singh

Black & White - Kim K. Inspired by nicjames featuring sweater dresses

Thrifty Monday

Welcome to a new week friends!!!

I hope you've all had a GREAT weekend. Mine was pretty good. I spent the majority of it with my family, then spend a few hours with my babe thrifting on Saturday. We stopped by to see a few friends, grabbed a bite and were in the house relaxing by 9:30, LOL! Sunday, we went to church and as usual, the message was uplifting and relateable. 

I decided to wear two of my favorite thrifted pieces. My maroon, Coldwater Creek dress ($2.50) was purchased on a thrifting trip in Laurel, MD one weekend. I LOVE the slits in the dress, as well as the fit. It hugs my body just right! The leopard jacket (which is very lightweight) is form 2nd Avenue in Columbia. As you already know, I am a sucker for anything animal print ;-) I added my thrifted necklace and glasses (99 cents) to complete the look. 

My next look is from last weekend. My fiance' and I were asked by our good friends to host their wedding reception. With pleasure, we accepted and I immediately was on a hunt for a lavender/purple dress, per her request. I could not find anything lavender but I remembered I had a purple dress hanging in my closet. I purchased this dress form 2nd Avenue months ago for $3.50 and have been wanting to wear it for quite sometime now. The shoes were $14.99 from Marshalls and the earrings are my moms. Perfect look, huh?

Dress: Thrifted

Shoes: Marshalls

Earrings: Borrowed (Mommy)

Clutch: F21

As always, thanks for reading and I will speak with you soon. My next post is all about my 50,000 view giveaway so STAY TUNED!!! Be blessed! 

PS Don't forget to get your tickets for the upcoming Swap & Shop Event. Plus size clothing  (14-24) will be on sale at the event...hope to see YOU there!!!

(click photo for tickets)

Nic's Picks: Fall Line-up

Hey there!!! Here we are....another Friday. Can you say, "WHOOO HOOO!!!" I am super excited to get this weekend started. If you follow me over on Facebook, I'm sure you've seen me post several things about the Secondhand Shopping event that's happening TOMORROW! If you haven't, check HERE for more details. This is the first fashion event that I am going to be apart of and I am so honored and thankful for Patrice (the director of the event). She has been great so far, and I know tomorrow's event is going to be a HUGE success!

Now let's get on with today's post. While I usually do Facebook Friday's, today I am doing something different. I wanted to share with you some of my Fall inspired looks. I hate to think about fall because I don't like to rush the time/seasons, but it will be here before we know it. Also, I made a promise to myself that this fall I was going to plan ahead. I want to already have in my mind the look(s) I plan to achieve and I want to start looking for certain items now. Because I will be back and forth to class, work and running around doing pageant activities with the lil sis, I plan to dress comfy, yet cute. I plan to hit up the thrift stores, Macy's and maybe try a few online sites this year. I must say, fall is one of my favorite seasons; I LOVE boots, sweaters, leather, and scarves. Am I alone??? Who else loves the fall??

The looks below are again just ideas of the direction I'm going in. Am I going to purchase these exact looks? I don't know---doubt it. BUT, it'a always good to have visuals so that you can refer back to. I DO know that I will be purchasing a wrap dress, biker like boots, and a comfy fall coat. Something similar to the grey one below. As a HUGE fan of print, I also plan to incorporate my love for animal print into my fall wardrobe. Lastly, I have quite a few pieces that I am wearing now that can easily transition to fall. That's always a plus!

So tell me, which is your fave look? And what are YOU looking froward to this fall, fashion wise? Where are you planning to shop??

Be blessed and have a wonderful Friday :-)

PS HUGE thanks to Christina over at, Love Brown Sugar and Simply Be; I won this AMAZING fall coat (below) from Christina's 3 Year Anniversary Giveaway. Can you say  #WINNING!!! I cannot WAIT to rock this during the fall!! 

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Fall Perfection by nicjames featuring tote handbags

Green & Yello by nicjames featuring stud earrings

Fall Ready by nicjames featuring a striped shirt

Plaid Fall by nicjames featuring plaid tops

Curves Rock!

Hey beautiful people! As promsied, this post is all about my Curves Rock Weekend, Runway Show experience. Most of you know that I won the tickets, thank to Kim over at Curvy CEO. I was SUPER excited to attend, seeing as how this was the first runway show I've been to that caters to women my size. The founders, Tykesha "Ms. Diva Doll" Reed and Chanell "Stallion N' Stilettos" Jones are both plus size models. The ladies brought this Curves Rock Weekend to the DMV and their 1st event was a huge success, to say the least. Both ladies are involved in the community and from what I have read/seen, they're ambitious and extremely talented young ladies. 

(click pic for more info)

Thinking about the event, the first thing that came to my mind was, of course, what am I going to wear??? I turned to my mother and little sister, fashion diva in training, and they gave me a few suggestions. I knew what look I was going for and when I saw this one-shouldered, maxi dress, I just KNEW it was the one for me! I wanted soemthing to accentuate my curves, but above all I wanted to be comfortable. This Allen B. dress fit all the criteria. I borrowed my mom's jewelry, bag and did my own make up. I felt like a million bucks ;-)

So outfit, done! Now onto the event...it took place at the BWI Hilton, which also happens to be the place where I will be getting married :-) I walked in and there were several vendors, participants and fabolous women! I knew I was going to have a great time. As I was eyeing some nice items on a accessory table, I glanced up and saw a gorgeous woman with a head full of hair. I looked again, and realized it was Shanda from the popular YouTube show, Shanda Says! She was so sweet when I introduced myself, she was kind enough to take this photo with me....talk about starstruck ;-) Check out her YouTube channel, HERE. She also has her own clothing line coming out, the Gemini Collection, which she will showcase at Maryland Fashion Week on August 12th. The dress in the picture is a piece from her line. Yes, it looks just as fabulous in person ;-)

These are some of the accessories I saw while browsing the table(s). I ended up purchasing a pair of earrings and they are SO unique. I can't wait to wear them!

The earrings, and the jewelry seen above, are from the House of Mimi. She has some VERY unique and stylish pieces and I can't wait to shop for some more items very soon.

Now onto the show...the show consisted of several designers but my favorite collections were from Baltimore's own Couture Queen, Tru Diva, and the featured designer, Qristyl Fraiser. Fraiser, who has been on Project Runway, had some great designs. I did not get pictures of her looks (unfortunately) but there is a swim suit HERE that I am dying for!! I also  LOVED the bustiers that were showcased. The designer, Alter Ego Clothing, did a great job and my favorite is the animal print on pictured below. I can do some thangs with that right there!!! LOL. Below are other looks from different designers that really caught my eye. Let's just say I can't wait to go birthday shopping in a few weeks!

The hosts of the events, Liris Crosse (more info, HERE) and Chenese Lewis (more info, HERE), were great and really kept the audience engaged. Both ladies who are very active in the plus-size industry and looked great every time they an outfit change throughout the show. 

All in all, the event was one I won't forget. I met a lot of great people, was able to network, and I gained even more confidence. Being a curvy woman in today's society may not be the 'norm' but it sure is A-OK with me. Curves Rock and I intend to flaunt them every chance I get ;-)

The (forgotten) Printed Love

Hey there!! I actually forgot to post this look a while ago. But I figured, better late that never ;-) This outfit has to be one of my FAVES! How many times have I said that on my blog???? LOL I just love this dress to pieces. So much so that I have 2 more different patterns! I've already shared with you that when I see something I like, I get them in every color/print. This dress is no different ;-) It's super comfy and can be worn so many ways. Here, I decided to wear it with my Aldo sandals, which were a gift from my friend Kamille. She gave me a giftcard last year for my birthday and I bought these shoes and another pair. I actually did a post on them...see it HERE! 

When I wore this, the weather in was in the low to mid 70 degree range so it was a perfect look. Have you ever forgotten to post an outfit? LOL...take care and enjoy the pics! And don't forget FBF (Facebook Friday) tomorrow!! Be blessed!

~Nic

*worn out with my babe*

Dress: NY&Co.

Shoes: Aldo (also seen HERE)

Jacket: Calvin Klein 

Clutch: Bakers 

Bracelet: Bakers

Shoes: Aldo (also seen, HERE)

Spotted!

Happy Sunday!! I've had a busy and fun weekend, but I did want to share a quick outfit post with you. Today, I went to church (as I do every Sunday) and had a great time. The sermon was right on point, and I felt as if the Pastor was speaking directly to me. I truly feel blessed and ready to start the week with a great attitude! Enjoy the outfit and have a wonderful rest of the evening and a productive week! XXOO...

~Nic

PS Thanks to my fiance' for being such a wonderful photographer :-*

*Worn To Church*

Dress: Macy's (I.N.C)

Watch: Thrifted

Cuff: Bakers

Shoes: Ellen Tracy