dots and stripes.

time certainly flies when you're having fun.

it also flies when you're working full time and an additional part-time job, taking an intensive course, and looking for a new place to live

(am I really doing that again??)

In the midst of all that I thought I'd spend some time in my favorite nostalgic gma skirt.

I really love the mix of small polka dots and larger stripes, both in the same palette.

the red leather belt detail was just screaming to be paired with a nautical scarf.

shirt [joe] skirt [gma] scarf [thrifted] earrings [aldo]

so I'm on the hunt for more mixed-pattern combos in my wardrobe.

just working on the courage to put them together.

and the right occasion to wear them

(other than in the presence of very eclectically dressed children)

Nik.

tuck&roll.

I'm a big fan of quick&easy hairstyles in the morning.

really, anything that will give me 15 extra minutes of sleep in the morning is a win in my book.

especially if it looks as cute as this renaissance-meets-boho doo.

It's really as simple as tucking, and then continuing to tuck (or shove) your hair into the headband all around your crown.

pull on the headband if you want it a little looser and keep tucking if you want it tighter.

I put my hair in this headband right out of the shower wet, and when it dried throughout the day I let it down to reveal natural waves.

may this save you precious minutes of blowdrying, curling, flat-ironing, or my personal favourite, sleeping.

Nik.

love letter.

there are many ways that we, as humans, give and receive love.

time, touch, words, service, gifts.

(I listed them in the order of my own personal preference)

I grew up with a sister whose list was the exact reverse, 

which made for not only an interesting journey getting to know one another as people,

but was also training for me, since the people closest to me now are similarly wired.

so when I received this adorable, hilarious and totally awesome clutch as a gift from my sister

I knew it was more than a bag disguised as an envelope,

but rather a very true and deep love letter from her to me.

I, of course, was thrilled to accept it,

and paired it with mailwoman-inspired clothing with a hint of peplum.

skirt [F21] shirt [HMD] watch [target] sunglasses [thrifted] clutch [KateSpade]

so I am learning, more and more, to keep my love-eyes open 

in order to not miss anything that just might come in foreign, yet beautiful, packaging.

Nik.

organized chaos.

there are days that I look at my closet and say to myself,

"self, you are not an angry teenager. why then, does your closet look like this?"

clothes littering the floor, drawers open and spilling over, and accessories lost 

or hidden beneath the mountainous tower that is my lack of organization.

So this weekend, I buckled down and did some much needed spring cleaning.

the only problem with tidying is that I have to be realistic. 

Ryan is the neat one in this household, so I can't pretend to have standards as high as his.

My goal was simply to make sure everything had it's place so that in my frequent throw this over there mood, 

my closet will stand a chance.

Here are some of the organizational choices I made that really help my day to day:

Uniform Hangers

Not only is this appealing to the eye, but my clothes fit and slide better.

I prefer the skinny velvet ones, since they give more room, and prevent your blouses from slipping to the floor.

Sliding Hooks

This ikea bar is not just for mugs.

scarves, belts, and bags that easily loose their shape will all benefit from being thrown over a few casual  hooks.

Top-of-the-Closet Dividers

whether you're piling bags, sweatshirts, or hats, these easy slip-on dividers give some structure to a giant shelf.

as a shorter person who is known to jump and throw, these designated spaces help to at least contain any possible, future mess.

Baskets

The un-used space under hanging clothes is great for containing baskets of things you might not wear everyday, 

like bathing suits, beach coverups, or sweatshirts

(which are all things I would never in a million years fold)

Clear, Stackable Shoe Bins

I've never been able to keep a shoe rack neat. ever.

but this allows me to organize my shoes in as aesthetically pleasing way that also allows for quick finding.

Jewelry Hooks

Sure, it may not be the neatest array of jewelry, but like I said, the goal is to be realistic.

by trying to add short and long together on a variety of hooks, 

I can still see all the necklaces without trying to pretend I'm going for display cabinet clean.

So if you're not the neatest person, not to worry.

a little organized chaos might be just what you need to feel like you.

Nik.

pyjama day.

Ryan: "Didn't you wear that tank top to bed?"

Me: "Yeah...so?"

Ryan: (silent judgment) 

there is something about a soft, cotton tank top that makes it a necessary part of my wardrobe.

It's perfect for sleeping, and is casual chic when paired with jeans 

and simple pieces like mary janes, gold-crowned pearls, and my most favourite chanel-inspired blazer.
and on days where a side pony-tail is just about all I can muster up,
it makes getting dressed in the morning relatively seamless.

blazer [zara] necklace [HMD] shoes [ninewest] 

so even if you can't sleep in this Monday morning,
you can carry a little piece of the idea with you.


Nik.

the rock ballet.

kids have a great way of mixing and matching.

converse sneakers and a tutu.

tailored vest and a baseball hat.

sparkly flats and ripped jeans.

tiara and a dora tshirt.

so I mixed my favourite ballerina-inspired pieces like a creamy pleated skirt and high bun,

with some comfy-casual and rock-edge bits.

I felt like I could take on the world...

gracefully, of course.

sweater [gap] skirt [suzy shier] boots [zara] earring [nordstrom] belt [thrifted] 

those kids are definitely onto something.

perhaps that Dora t-shirt comes in a larger size.

Nik.

time out.

One of the goodbye letters that my students wrote me contained this phrase:

Dear Nikki, I hope you enjoy your time out.

Indeed I am.

 re-decorating 

re-organizing

DIY-ing

 long-overdue framing

 and spring baking.

I'll do this kind of time out any day.

Nik.