Nic's Picks in DC

Hello friends!!! 

I am super excited to share this post! This weekend, I was a vendor at Dewdrop's Swap & Shop. The event was an intimate get together full of bloggers, shoppers, swappers, and beautiful people! I had the pleasure of meeting some great people but most importantly, I was able to showcase my vintage goodies! While it was my first time as a vendor, I felt totally comfortable and in my element. My little sister Taylor and my boo came with me and were the greatest helpers! Taylor manned the table as I spoke with customers, and Darrius snapped pics throughout the event. 

When I got there, I first met Kyrstin form Be Loud Be You. I felt like I'd already known her because I've been a huge fan of her blog for a while now. I also saw my blogger sis Nae (whom I forgot to snap a pic with), Waverly, and Emily (click on their names to see their blogs). Below are some more pics, as well as a quick video of the vintage items I had for sale! The remaining items will be for sale by the end of the week, via my Facebook page! 

During the fashion show, the bloggers/models rocked items from my rack. I was so honored that they decided to wear my items. I think they all looked GREAT and made each look their own! They worked the  items so well that the blazer, (gold) necklace, AND the tiger jacket sold immediately following the show. Krystin wore my greenish/blue blazer and one of the fabulous bloggers form Spicy Candy DC wore my vintage pink dress. The other items from my collection were the shrug and gold necklace (3rd photo) and tiger jacket (last photo). 

Afterwards, these lovely ladies came over to purchase some runway items. I cannot wait to see how they style their newly purchased goodies! Journalist/blogger, and my new thrifting buddy, Kirstin from This is my so-called life is in the blazer, blogger Nakia from Vouge & Vintage is rocking the tiger jacket, and swapper Amanda is wearing her new red & black blazer. I LOVE those smiles ladies :-)

Here are some more event shots!

The rooftop is where the swapping went down. Check out the tables full of GREAT items!

All in all, the event was a huge success and I really enjoyed the experience! I would like to thank Dewdrop once again for the opportunity, and thanks to those who purchased items form me. As I said before, I WILL be selling the remainder of the items on Facebook so I will keep you updated. Be blessed and have a great evening! 

Facebook Friday: Olivia Wilde & Curves

It's finally here...FRIDAY!!! Boy has it been a long, crazy, off and all of the place kind of week. However, I am happy and blessed to have seen it through. I haven't shared all of my happenings here on the blog lately, but I do however update my Twitter and Facebook accounts regularly so if you'd like to know what I'm up when I'm not blogging, feel free to follow me there.

I will share one thing though---this week, my mother sister and I had a 6am call time for a movie, coming out in 2013. My sister, who is a budding actress ;-) had her first on set experience and of course, my mom and I joined her. And who was on the set??? None other than Oliva Wilde and Sam Rockwell! It's funny because I thought I'd be more starstruck, but I was actually really cool. Okay, when I first realized it was them, I did get a bit taken aback but after being on the set all day (11 hours) with them, the fanatical side of me calmed down, LOL. The other actors, extras, directors and producers were EXTREMELY nice and helpful. Not only did the crew provide (hot) breakfast and lunch, but they also had a lavish spread of GOOD snacks!! I'm talking veggie straws, donuts, chips, pretzels, Twizzlers, cracker packs, water, tea, candy...ENDLESS! I can honestly see how "stars" struggle to stay fit while filming. The food choices are just insane, lol! And I did see Miss Wilde sneak back a few times to the snack table herself---but hey, we're all human right?? ;-)

Anyway, I thought it was only right to recreate one of Olivia's looks for FBF today. This is my second look I've seen with her wearing a relaxed maxi look and I am loving it (see another maxi look, HERE). I added my own little twists, of course, and I am actually hoping to literally recreate my look once I look through my closet. I think I have a few of the pieces...we shall see. 


The last look is A Girl with Curves, Tanesha. I featured her HERE before as well. As a curvy blogger, I love the way she dresses her body and I admire the way she wears the latest trends. Her looks are always very practical and well put together---truly inspiring! I hope you enjoy my recreation of her look! 


Enjoy the pics and feel free to let me know which look is you fave. Have a great (4 day) weekend :-)

Olivia Wilde Inspired by nicjames featuring chain jewelry

Simple Nude by nicjames featuring monogrammed tote bags

According to Nic: Thrifting 101

Hey there! I am really excited about this post because its about a topic I am very passionate about...THRIFTING!!! It's funny because as a young girl, I remember my Fafa (grandfather) always talked about the Goodwill and Salvation Army. I didn't get why he would go there to get clothes that once belonged to other people. In my young little mind, I thought the idea was gross. I didn't see it as an art. Fast forward years later, I am beginning to follow in his footsteps more and more! I now appreciate thrifting and I really feel that it's the best way to find/add unique pieces to your wardrobe.

I know many people thrift and find it to be a great experience. For example, I am completely taken by the dedication and skills that Mr. Goodwill Hunting, Looking Fly on a Dime, and Virtuous Styls (just to name a few) encompass when it comes to thrifting. They have, in my opinion, taken thrifitng to a new level and they've really made me examine my thrifting techniques. They've also made thrifting 'cool' to other bloggers.

So what can I bring to the thrifting table?? Well, just some basic tips that I use before, during and after my thrifting excursions. Below are my 5 easy tips, a few of my fave thrifted looks, as well as the links to some thrift stores in the MD area. I hope you find this helpful and I hope to have opened your eyes to the great world of thrifting ;-) Feedback on this post would be GREAT so feel free to leave a comment/message. I really hope this can help someone and maybe urge others to get out there and try thrifting :-) Be blessed and take care!

How do I begin?
1. Scan your closet (what do you have / what do you need??)


2. Make a list (needs/wants)


3. Decide on a budget
-it is so easy to overspend b/c thrifted items are inexpensive; however, budgeting is key...decide what you really need based on season, event, etc.


4. Have a plan (a good thrifting trip for me takes anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours... depending on the size of the store and the size of my list, LOL)
-when you enter the thrift store, do a walk through...make a note of where everything is before you start to shop; this will help increase implosive spending too ;-)


5. GRAB IT & TRY IT! (once you get in the store, it's every man.woman for themselves, LOL) 
-if you see something that you like, grab it! try it on over your clothes, if possible, then decide...i usually wear something comfy while thrifting so i won't have to go in the dressing room to try things on...saves a lot of time1


Nic's Top 5 Thrifting Staple Items
1. Handbags & Clutches


2. (Seasonal) Jackets & Capes


3. Blazers


4. ACCESSORIES (my fave!)


5. Vintage dresses (perfect for special events, or to wear just b/c!)


Purchased some great items...Now what???
1. Dry Clean (certain items) and wash the clothes (READ THE LABELS)


2. Tailor certain items
-you're only spending a few bucks on the item anyway; if its a little too big, buy it anyway and have it tailored to fit you body!


3. Sanitize Accessories & Handbags 
-when purchasing jewelry, i usually use alcohol to wipe them down, or i freeze the items (a tip i learned form Looking Fly on a Dime on the Nate Berkus show)
-with handbags, i use a Lysol wipe to wipe the inside (depending on the material), and i use alcohol to wipe off the hardware on the bag (i.e. zipper, buttons, studs, etc.)
-when i purchase shoes, i do the same thing... Lysol wipes (depending on the material)/or alcohol...i even use foot powder or something like that (LOL)


Other Helpful/Fun tips
-Find & clip inspirational items from Magazines and take them with you!

-Use the Pintrest app on your phone and have it handy when thrifting---it's great!
-Go with friends!---everything is better with your girlfriends :-)
-Plan your visits (bi-weekly, monthly, seasonally) depending on what you need and your budget!
-HAVE FUN :-)

My fave Thrift Stores in MD

(click on store name for information)

1. 2nd Avenue (Columbia, MD)

2. The Goodwill Super Store (Jessup, MD)

3. Village thrift Store (Laurel, MD)

4. The Goodwill (Rockville, MD)

5. The Goodwill of Greater Washington 

(haven't been here yet but i've heard nothing but GREAT things!)

Some of my Fave Thrifty Finds 

(click on pictures for the blog link)

*thrifted suit, eBay (BCBG) heels*

*thrifted tunic (so soft & comfortable)*

*blazer & sheer cardigan type thing, LOL*

*thrifted dress, free booties (from  a shop & swap event)*

*thrifted purse*

*brand new, thrifted men's shoes*

*all thrifted accessories*

*thrifted necklace*

*sun and the moon*

*accessories, make-up bag & jacket*

*clothes form goodwill & salvation army*

FBF: The Urkel & Green Edition

HAPPY FRIDAY!!! I am so so SO happy that this week is coming to a close. While I am thankful to have made it through another week, boy am I exhausted! I was a bit under the weather the earlier part of the week but thankfully, I am feeling like myself again. I want to give a HUGE thank you to Kirsten from, Triple Max Tons for creating my brand new page (see her designs HERE). She did a great job and its exactly how I pictured it...THANK YOU!! Also, thanks for all the kind comments on my last few posts. You all are really great and I appreciate you following! Shout out to my mew followers as well...WELCOME and I hope you enjoy :-)

This Friday, I decided to to my looks based on Jaleel White (Steve Urkel) and the lovely Fergie. Both looks, totally opposite. But it was a lot of fun creating. When I saw Jaleel's look, it made me think of something my fiance' would wear. He love plaid. So, I decided to make a female version of the outfit. Fergie's outfit was just the bomb.com in my opinion. I LOVED the all green, the minimal accessories she wore, and the nude lip. She look very well put together and classic. Hope you enjoy my spin on her look! Which one would YOU wear?

Enjoy and thanks again for the continued support! Until next time, be blessed and stay positive!

A Little Bit Country...With a Twist! by nicjames featuring slim jeans

Green & Nude by nicjames featuring gold hoop earrings

Pin-spirations

Morning loves, rise & shine :-) I hope you had a good Monday! Below are pics that I've gathered, thanks to Pinterest, that I've seen and 'pinned' over the past few weeks. I am quickly becoming addicted to pinning, as are most of my fellow blogger and friends. It's the best! Are any of YOU on Pinterest? What are some of you fave pins?? I find myself pulling out my phone to see what I pinned while I'm shopping...it's wonderful inspiration while on-the-go! I separated the pics into categories and for one reason or another, when I saw the pics, I was instantly inspired. Feel free to follow me on Pinterest, HERE. I also share some of my pins HERE as well so take you pick or follow me both places ;-) Enjoy and have a blessed day ;-)

~Nic

*Home-spiration *

*Shoe-spiration* 

*Food-spiration*

*Style-spiration*

*Random-spiration* 

I Love Weekends Like This...

Happy Sunday to you all. Hope your weekend was a great one! While busy, I did enjoy mine. I must share with you some good news before I get into my weekend happenings. To my surprised, when I turned on my phone after church I received an email that I was featured on The Looks for Less website. I submitted my outfit awhile ago and kinda forgot I did it so it was such a joy to see that I was indeed featured! See the link, HERE, or click on the picture. Also, a huge shout out to Cortnie over at, StyleLust pages for her beautiful bag. It's definitely one of my faves from her collection. Check out her other clutches, HERE.

Now onto the what I was up to this weekend. I attended the Style Tour, featuring Stacy London, at the Montgomery Mall here in MD. My mother and sister joined me and it was such a fun experience. While we weren't able to meet Stacy, I did take a few pics of her. She is really tiny in person...and she died her hair like a dark brown and I could barley recognize her. LOL. However, she looked well put together and seemed very warm and kind as she talked to her fans. I also LOVED her shoes...wish I would've taken a pic of those, LOL! 

After we took pictures, my mom and I made our appointments for our mini-makeover and 1-on-1 style consultation. The mini-makeover was great and rather educational, due to the fact that I don't wear much make-up to begin with, lol. I LOVED my eyes, which I took a picture of below. The Sephora make-up artist and I really hit it off and she was such a sweetheart. She gave me some great tips! Then, once I finished my mom and I went for our consultations. They style-for-hire stylist was great! I told her a few things about myself in about a minute or less and she came back with clothes that fit my sense of style to almost perfectly! She suggested certain colors for my skin tone, as well as styles for me to wear to work and then for casual. Also, they gave my mom and I a print out as far as certain items to purchase with the prices, and store locations included! I have the print out and plan on keeping it for my future shopping trips. 

{a look similar to one the stylist suggested for me}

To conclude everything, we looked for dresses for lil sis for her upcoming appearances and events. She was quite a handful while trying on different dresses. Miss Taylor is the ultimate mini fashionista; has an opinion about everything as far as the color, the bow, the cut and style of a dress...EVERYTHING! LOL...that girl is something else. I also went to the Washington Wizards game Saturday with the hubby. He and I had a blast! This was a late b-day gift to him, thanks to my cousin who has season tickets ;-) We enjoyed good food, good times most importantly enjoyed one another. Today, we went to church and ate and our favorite diner afterwards. I was craving one of their delicious waffles! LOL. The rest of the day, we pretty much chilled, meaning we watched movies and took a nap, lol. 

WHEW! Well I suppose that about sums up my weekend. Thanks, as always, for reading and be sure to check me out on Instagram (@msnicjames) and Facebook. XXOO & be blessed!

~Nic