What Nicole Wore

Thick Skin and an Elastic Heart

March 14, 2016

I’ve been loving graphic tees lately which is a bit of a change for me. For a long time, graphic tees made me think back to middle school when everyone wanted to wear the ‘brunettes have more fun’ tees from Hollister/Abercrombie…. I’m glad to be far away from the days of popped collars and overly strong wafting cologne.

What Nicole Wore: Thick Skin and an Elastic Heart — shop the post: karen walker sunglasses c/o DITTO {sign up to rent designer frames with code whatnicolewore to get your first month free, similar style for $12} + heart print graphic tee {on sale, I’m wearing a girls XL, typically I wear a women’s XS | also seen here} + olive field jacket {on sale, also available in twill, similar options here, here and here} + distressed skinny jeans {also seen here} + nude lace up flats {sold out, similar linked and here | also seen here} + ring {also seen here} + cognac carryall tote {similar under $50 | also seen here} + lipstick {also seen here}

I’ve been eyeing this tote for awhile, but finally pulled the trigger because the size was really what I was looking for; I mentioned in a recent post that I’d been considering the Tory Burch York tote, after seeing what the handles on some of the used totes looked like, I wanted to look at some different alternatives that may wear better. I was really surprised to find that Kate Spade doesn’t currently make a large tote in tan. While the company is known for their ‘live colorfully,’ motto, it seems like they may be missing out by not selling any classic tan pieces.

This tote is available in a few different shades and can be monogramed as well. I’ll be sure to write a review after I’ve had a few more weeks to carry it, but so far I like the size of the small zipper pocket for keeping my work, house and car keys in easy reach, and the large open size makes it easy for me to throw everything I need in: a small cosmetic bag with lotion, lip balm, medicine, a notebook, my planner, snacks {most important item in my bag at any given time, obviously}, sunglasses and all the other random things I like to tote around.

Some of my favorite reads from last week:

These milkshake recipes from Aww, Sam. I need that donut shake in my life like….yesterday.
Krista’s gorgeous post in front of this wall art makes me want to face my fear of shooting in front of strangers and get out there ASAP.
Kayla’s been eyeing the same Rebecca Minkoff tassel clutch and crossbody that I have and posted her DIY version. In love!
I always giggle while reading Courtney‘s posts and she looks absolutely beautiful in this lilac coat and polka dot dress.

Currently crushing on:

These adorable one pieces from Aerie! I love that they offer more coverage than a bikini and come in fun prints! {Extra bonus: free shipping and returns!} 1 2 3
This pineapple pool float is a pool essential {I spent most of last summer lounging on my donut, pretzel and popsicle floats} as well as these designer dupe shades that are under $15.
Love love love the scalloped, high neckline on this bodysuit.
I think this white dress from Ashley Graham’s collection for Dressbarn would be absolutely stunning for a bride to be.
The Local Pride by Todd Snyder collection for Target. Sassy graphic tees to support your hometown {or state} in? Sign me up. Sadly, they just have California, San Diego, San Francisco, Chicago and Minnesota ones, but if you’re from one of these there’s definitely one for you. Holding out hope that DC maybe gets included in the next go round.

So grateful for spring weather finally gracing Louisville. While I love boot weather, being able to free my {pasty} feet and let them breathe and see sunshine makes me super happy. I’ve been loving this olive jacket the past couple weeks. It has a soft shell that you can put it in for cooler days, but I’m wearing just the shell here.

Also how cute are these Karen Walker shades? I’m loving the unique shape.

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Double Gingham

March 11, 2016

Gingham is one of those classic patterns that I love! {Not enough to don a head to toe gingham suit a la J. Crew’s latest style guide….}

I’m constantly pulling out my gingham button down shirts as a go to piece when I don’t know what to wear. So of course, it makes sense that with spring on the brain, I’m dreaming of gingham in more than just my normal neutral hues.

What Nicole Wore: Double Gingham — shop the post: blue gingham shirt {old, similar linked and also here and here | also seen here} + navy linen skirt c/o thredUP {also seen here} + pink wellies {under $40 | also seen here} + pink crossbody purse {also seen here} + fieldcrest watch c/o {on sale! use code 29BLOOM15 for 15% off and whatnicoleworeFS for free sizing | also seen here} + mint wrap bracelet {linked in blush} + ring c/o {sold out, similar on sale} + pink gingham umbrella {old, similar linked and here, this year’s vera bradley umbrellas} + nail polish + eyeshadow + eyeliner + lipstick

If you’re new to What Nicole Wore, welcome — I try to always share an ‘also seen here’ link for items that are not new to my closet. It’s an awesome ‘two birds, one stone’ move; I’m able to hold myself accountable as far as remixing items and getting my money’s worth out of my closet and it allows you, the reader, to see different ways I’ve styled an item if it’s something you’re not sure about. When I went looking for a link for my blue gingham shirt I knew I’d have quite a few bit, here’s a handful of different ways I’ve styled mine: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. If you don’t have one in your closet, you need one!

I love this time of year because of how many fun, bright accessories start coming out. To go with my pink gingham umbrella, I pulled out my pink Kate Spade. I love this bag because the cross body strap is removable so you can also carry it as a clutch.

This skirt was another thredUP find; unfortunately this one will not lose the wrinkles. Seriously. I’ve tried steaming, I’ve tried ironing, and I may be reaching the super rare ‘take it to the dry cleaners’ level of desperation soon. If you have any tips or tricks for getting wrinkles out of linen-cotton blends, please leave a comment below or email me!

Rain boots are pretty much a necessity this time of year; while I love my Hunter boots, this pair is under $50 and come in a wide variety of colors. These also have a wider calf, a complaint you’ll see from some ladies about the Hunter boots.

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It’s a Plaid, Plaid World

March 9, 2016

Writing this while watching basketball on League Pass {as always} and sipping on my new favorite tea, Peach Melba. While I’m so happy for warmer weather, my allergies are less than thrilled. I’m trying to be optimistic and convince myself that it’s actually just from the dust at work still….I’ll let you know how that wishful thinking goes.

What Nicole Wore: It's a Plaid, Plaid World — shop the post: black shirt with plaid elbow patches c/o shein {under $10 | also seen here} + jean vest {also seen here} + tassel necklace c/o {also seen here} + white skinny jeans {also seen here} + leopard print loafers {old, similar | also seen here} + blue mirrored aviators {similar, under $15} + lipstick + lip liner {in thirsty}

I’ve talked about my love for my denim vest before, but just wanted to share once again how big of a wardrobe staple it is for me. During the warmer months, I seem to rotate back and forth between my denim vest and my utility vest. Both are super versatile, easy to tuck away and great pieces during the transition between seasons.

It was pretty much love at first sight with this black shirt from SheIn; I mean hello???? a plaid layer in the back and plaid elbow patches? Sold! I would highly recommend sizing up in this top; I ordered a small and the first time I went to put it on, for these photos, realized that it was seriously tight. Had I sized up to a medium, the placement of the elbow patches would be more of what I envisioned, the low layer in the back would be a little more flowy and overall I’d have more of the tunic look I expected. Size consistency is one thing that can get you when shopping through SheIn so make sure to check the measurements of every item as a small is not always the same small you ordered last month.

Current SheIn Favorites:

The Eiffel Tower detailing on the back of that white top is seriously swoon worthy.

I love the bright red plaid and immediately knew I wanted to pair it with blue or white denim….so I went with both options here. I love how my denim vest looks against the black tee; definitely something I see myself coming back to in the future.

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Denim Days

March 7, 2016

No time like Monday to rock the Canadian tuxedo. Double denim always makes me think of Rosie the Riveter; this outfit would be perfect for tomorrow with it being International Women’s Day, wouldn’t it?

What Nicole Wore: Denim Days — shop the post: polka dot chambray shirt {old, similar | also seen here} + mid rise skinny blue jeans {also seen here} + nude and black flats {also seen here} + black floppy hat via francesca’s {sold out, similar | also seen here} + prada sunglasses c/o DITTO eyewear {use code whatnicolewore to rent designer frames free for the first month | budget friendly version} + stella dot inspired necklace {original here} + ring c/o the peach box {sold out, similar linked} + wood watch c/o jord wood watches {currently on sale! get 15% off with code 29BLOOM15 and free sizing with whatnicoleworeFS } + druzy bracelet via shop versona + foundation + powder + eyebrow pencil + eyebrow gel + bronzer {for contouring cheeks and nose} + highlighter {in opal} + blush + setting spray + eyeliner + eyelash primer + mascara + colourpop ultra satin liquid lipstick in lyin’ king

Finally some warm weather -insert praise hands emoji- Transitional weather is so strange because you’re wearing clothes from all kinds of seasons, layering and hoping it all works. I love this chambray shirt because it’s heavier than my other button down shirts and can act as a neutral piece even with it’s polka dots.

I kept my accessories somewhat neutral; these black Prada shades are super fun with the double bridge and I always love wearing my Fieldcrest wood watch. While it features a larger face, the light wood adds a feminine touch. It’s on sale right now and there’s also a code for free sizing above!

I love these jeans because they’re a higher mid rise that keeps everything covered {I’ll never go back to low rise jeans}, but to emphasize the waist a little more and keep my shirt tucked in, I threw on an adjustable belt from New York and Company. I went with my navy one to maintain a monochromatic look.

My necklace is a Stella Dot inspired piece; I like to look through eBay every once in awhile for “inspired necklaces” to see what trendy pieces are floating out there for less. For example, this necklace retails for $100 from Stella Dot but was $15 with free shipping. Here is the item page, if you’re interested in snagging one for yourself {or a gift!}

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Rain Rain Go Away

March 4, 2016

Happy Friday! I am 100% looking forward to a weekend off after not getting enough sleep and being a cranky b most of the week {just keeping it real.} Aside from sleeping in, I’m super excited to attend Fryberger, the University of Louisville’s Greek Sing competition.

What Nicole Wore: Rain Rain Go Away — shop the post: old navy striped tunic tee {wearing a girls XL, I’m normally a ladies XS for reference} + white skinny jeans {also seen here} + orange rain jacket {similar} + hunter rain boots {on sale here in different colors | also seen here} + silver druzy necklace {also seen here} + short turquoise pendant necklace {old, similar} + watch {similar, part of a buy more, save more sale} + nail polish + foundation + eyebrow pencil {I outline my brow first with this for a bolder brow} + eyebrow filler + blush + mascara + highlighter + liquid lipstick {$6} + lip pencil + bronzer {used to contour}

This week went from sunny and 60 to snowy and 30 so I feel like I’m still genuinely not sure what to wear on any given day, but this outfit was perfect for a rainy day.

I love how bright and lightweight this rain jacket is; I snagged it in Paris while I was on vacation a couple years ago and love that the hood can be folded up and tucked back away. A bright rain coat is a must for me this time of year as we leave behind the cold-cold months and enter the unexpected rain-cold months.

I have to talk about this lipstick; I love ColourPop’s Ultra Matte Liquid Lipsticks so I wanted to try the newest addition to their lip line, but wasn’t sure how much I’d love a “satin” lip. I ordered three different colors so I could try it out and see what I thought — Y’all. It is SO good. While I love the color payoff and pigmentation that the matte lipstick offers, I hate how dried out my lips get. I typically will throw on one of my matte lipsticks if I’m going to dinner with friends, heading into work for a short four to five hour shift or {of course} taking pictures. I never try to wear them for a crazy long amount of time because they are very drying, can’t be reapplied {they get crumbly on your lips if you try to apply a second coat} and while they are very good at not smearing or transferring – they do start to fade a bit after eating or drinking.

My routine for staying “lip ready” with the Ultra Mattes includes: exfoliating the night before, smothering my lips in Vaseline overnight, exfoliating again in the morning, waiting until after I eat and drink to line and apply lipstick and then being super conscientious while wearing the matte lipstick – drinking with a straw, not eating anything greasy, etc. This can be a bit obnoxious — I always have a drink in my bag and I don’t like having to plan out when I’m going to put lipstick on.

The new Satin formula has a very comparable level of pigmentation but applies very smoothly, can be reapplied throughout the day and feels so good on the lips. For my first spin with the new formula, I opted for a natural looking shade in case it was one that wore off. While this liquid lipstick is much more moveable/transferable than the Ultra Matte, I love that it feels moisturizing on the lips versus the super dry feeling I get when my matte lipstick sets in.

One of the other things that I love love love about ColourPop, is that they show swatches on multiple skin tones. I could write an entire blog post about products I’ve ordered after seeing photos only to be disappointed with how they look on me. CP also has a huge variety in color from the naturals, bolds, traditional and fun. The fact that their lipsticks are just $6 is a major plus too.

On a non makeup note — I got some extra blogging income last week and the money is burning a hole in my pocket! Anyone else, immediately see a dollar amount and start plotting out all the things they could buy in their head? I’ve been good and avoided making any online orders so far but the ShopBop sale that ends tomorrow has some serious temptations. Here’s what I’m eyeing right now:

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