Reverb 10: Day 21 + 22

December 21 – Future Self. Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead?

1. You cannot control other people's actions or feelings.

2. Forget what you cannot change.  

3. Let go.

4. Friends are always there for you.

5. Focus on yourself.

6. Taylor Swift always understands how you are feeling.

7.  You can do anything you want. 

8. Stepping out of your comfort zone always leads to good things.

9. Don't forget to accessorize everyday--accessories make the outfit.
10. Don't forget to laugh at yourself.

(one of the more attractive pictures I've taken of myself I think)

December 22 – Travel. How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year? (Author: Tara Hunt) 

In 2010 I did do some travel within the mighty U.S. I was able to visit the exciting states of Ohio and Kentucky (they really are very nice places regardless of the stereotypes). I was also able to go to Baltimore, MD for a communication conference. Unfortunately, that's about as extensive as my traveling got....well unless you count many trips throughout New York State. If I had my way, 2011 would bring me going back to Europe. I was there in 2009 studying abroad and I would do almost anything to get back there and explore the cities and countries I wasn't able to cross off my list. Sigh, please 2011?!?

Reverb10: Day 17

I'm skipping to this one because I really like it. I've decided that while I haven't adhered to this challenge like I originally wanted to, it's simply better, and more practical for me to answer just the prompts that I really like :-) My intention wasn't to have this blog all about my life anyway...so I'm going to stick with my method of not doing all of them.

December 17 – Lesson Learned What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward? (Author: Tara Weaver)

This year has been so crazy and has changed so dramatically that I couldn't possibly name one "best" thing that I learned this year. The first half of the 2010 was spent at Geneseo, with my closest friends in my complete comfort zone. My life the second part of the year did a 360 and is completely different. So instead, i'll list a few things I have learned this year:

-I CAN live by myself. It's actually  nice most of the time.
-If you're in the right type of workplace environment...the real world isn't quite as bad as you may think.
-Having a paycheck is nice.
-Paying bills to live outside NYC is not quite as nice.
-Letting go of something or someone is one of the hardest things to do.
-Having friends that let you talk about the same subject over and over again is a must.
-Having co-workers that like to recap Jersey Shore with you the day after each new episode, is simply awesome.
-I like being independent.
-I want to go back to school sometime soon.
-Reading fashion blogs is my new hobby.
-I eat too much canned soup, sushi and chocolate...but i'm ok with it.

Those are the first things that came to my head. Probably not the most insightful or meaningful list I could have come up with...but all important things to remember nonetheless. 

Tis the Season...

Merry Christmas everyone!

I'm not ready for Christmas to end quite yet so here are some pictures taken during my holiday season this year...

Nothing tells me it's Christmas time quite like when Starbuck breaks out the red cups!

Rockefeller Center!

Home on Christmas morning.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas spent with family and friends!

I have a new obsession...

...and it's called Urban Outfitters.

Yes I know, this store is probably nothing new to many people, but I have just discovered it. It was love at first sight. I literally could have gone crazy and spent my entire bank account this weekend when I stumbled upon a ginormous store in NYC. Sigh, I need to be rich.  While I work on becoming wealthy, I have to resort to window-shopping/online-browsing. It's torture but it will have to do. Here are just a handful of items that i'm drooling over right now:

1. Staring at Stars Drummers Dress
2. Sparkle & Fade Lurex Skirt
3. Pins and Needles Crochet Slouchy Beanie
4. Pearl Cluster Post Earring
5. Lace Rhinestone Headwrap
6. Kimchi Blue Wooden Heel Oxford
7. Kimchi Blue Wingtip Heel
8. byCORPUS Polkadot Dress
9. Intarsia Illusion Eternity Scarf
10. Double Strand Rhinestone Headwrap

If anyone out there loves me and wants to get me 1, 2 or 7 especially...i'd love you forever. Hm, maybe this would be the time to let my parents know I have a blog...

Sunscreen.

I love this video. Every few months I watch it to give myself some perspective and get a reminder of a few "simple" life lessons. Plus, it makes me smile.

Some of my favorite lessons:
1.) You are not as fat as you imagine
2.) Know that worrying about the future is as effective as trying to solve an equation by chewing bubblegum.
3.) Don't be reckless with other people's hearts, don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
4.) Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know what they wanted to do at 22.
5.) Your choices are half chance...so are everyone else's.

6.) Enjoy your body. Don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it.
7.) Dance. Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
8.) Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
9.) Don't expect anyone else to support you.
10.) Wear sunscreen.

Brilliant guy this sunscreen man. 

Reverb10: Day 10 + 14

So as I'm trying to catch up on this challenge, I have decided to skip a few that don't exactly pertain to me or that I can't seem to write about. (I know this is cheating but...oh well!). 

December 10 – Wisdom Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? (Author: Susannah Conway)

Easy: taking my job at House Party Inc. Though it required a move and was quite the decision and transition, I couldn't have asked for it to play out any better. I'm loving my job and the company I work for...simple as that!

December 14 – Appreciate What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it? (Author: Victoria Klein)

I have come to appreciate my friends so much in the past year. Through stressful times during my senior year of college, to stressful times moving, starting a new job and "losing" someone close to me, I never realized how necessary it is to vent to someone. I have leaned on them more than I wish I had, but without their ability to listen to all that I was going through and having their advice and words of encouragement, I don't know if I would have been able to get through this Fall. I hope they know how much I love them and appreciate them. If they don't, then maybe this post will tell them. Thank you.

I've taken the plunge!

Hi all,

Well it's official, I have taken the plunge into the Mac world. I've wiped out my bank account but I must say, so far it has been well worth it. I had been thinking about getting a new computer since graduation but with moving and starting a new job, it just hasn't made sense. Though it still probably didn't make too much sense, I did it anyway (what's the point of doing all of this working if I don't buy things...right?! Say yes.).

So it is finally time to put my dear old Dell to rest. It has been good to me. Through 4 years of college and many, many, many late nights writing papers. But alas, the switch has been made. Woohoo!

And oh yea....I also took the plunge and chopped off my hair!

I'm going crazy with changes lately! New Nicole all around!

Just a little photo-booth picture-taking fun!

Pretty Things

Just some pretty things that i've been adding to my ever-growing wish list...

pretty dress from a new favorite, LuLus

loving the new trend of pretty, vintage brooch wedding bouquets. See more here.

pretty print that would look great in my bedroom

pretty nail polish (simmer and shimmer) with some perfect sparkle for New Years Eve 

pretty, pretty, perfectttt Liam Fahy high heels. Look at them. Need I say more?

(via the neo-traditionalist)

I'm lusting over each and every one of these. Don't pretty things just make you smile?

Reverb10: Day 7 + 8

Back again! Phew I know this is a lot Reverb10 at once but I'm determined to do all of the prompts this month! I'll slow it down a bit after this week, I promise.

December 7 – Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? (Author: Cali Harris)

The second half of 2010 was eye-opening for me in regards to the vast online community for recent grads and young professionals. As I started to think seriously at the end of my senior year about my professional future, my interest in social media started to grow. I wasn't quite sure how to go about learning more about this industry until a chance encounter last April. I met David Spinks, a Geneseo grad back for alumni weekend. He told me about what he had been up to in his year after graduation and encouraged me to check out the twitter chat he had co-founded for young professionals, #u30pro. This community was definitely my jumping off point for getting more involved online. I started becoming more active with twitter, reading blogs, and networking with other recent grads. It has been eye-opening, educational, and more interactive than I could ever imagine. With the creation of the u30pro facebook group, new thought-provoking industry discussions are popping up everyday. u30pro has definitely been the community that I am most grateful for discovering in 2010. In 2011, I hope to become even more involved, and step up my weekly chat participation :-)

December 8 – Beautifully Different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful. (Author: Karen Walrond)


To be honest, I'm not really feeling this prompt. I was hoping I would get more in the mood to write about it over the last few days...but it hasn't happened so i'm skipping it. Shh, don't tell. 

Reverb 10: Day 5 + 6

I'm back again playing catch up with the Reverb 10 challenge!


December 5 – Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)


I am not one for sharing too many personal details on this blog but I do have a clear answer for this prompt in my mind. However, the details are going to stay in my mind. Here I am just going to say 2011 will be about me letting go of someone I care deeply about. The why, is simply one of circumstance and timing. 2011 is about moving on.


December 6 – Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? (Author: Gretchen Rubin)

Now this prompt is up my alley. I LOVE making things, I'm just pretty bad with the follow-through (ahh the life of a procrastinator). I always have these big, crafty, nifty ideas of things to make, and hardly do they ever happen. However, I'm working on changing that. One thing that I recently transformed, more than made, was for my apartment. Because this is my first apartment by myself where I had total control of the decor, I was very excited...well except for the budget I was on. The budget led me go down to my parents basement where I found many treasures. My favorite was an old end table that my mom had bought 10+ years ago at a garage sale for $2. She had then painted it white and stenciled it (very early 90's). After I convinced her to let me take it off her hands, I bought a can of shiny black spray paint and turned it into the perfect table for my hallway! Gotta love it. 

My next decor project that I would like to tackle is making something similar to this awesome wreath to hang above my bed:

found on Creature Comforts blog

Hopefully I will follow through with this project and a blog post will be up soon to prove it!

Reverb 10: Day 3 + 4

Hey all,

I have been slacking on my Reverb10 challenge (busy weekend/week so far... but still no excuse I know). This is my attempt to get back on the bandwagon. So, from here one out I'm going to combine a few everyday until I catch up. So here goes...

December 3rd: Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)

Well, to be honest I read this prompt on December 3rd and have just been putting it off because I've had a hard time picking a moment like that. I'd have to pick the night of my graduation from college. Not the actual ceremony. Not sitting waiting for my diploma. Not crossing the stage and shaking the college President's hand. The moment I will forever have etched in my brain is from later that night, at 2am. There is a bar in town that is practically on campus. It's infamous, and is where everyone ends every Friday and Saturday night, so it was obvious that we would ultimately end our 4 years at this bar. This is the moment I picked because for me, it culminated my college experience. As it neared 2:00am, the closing time of the bar, they played the song "closing time" (fitting I know). I will never forget that moment. I stood in a circle of my closest friends. The girls I had lived with for the last four years straight, the people that now knew me best, and we sobbed. It wasn't just us crying though. Everywhere I looked, people stood in circles with their closest friends and held each other as they realized that this was it. It was in that moment that I undoubtedly knew I had picked the perfect college, and had been lucky enough to have the perfect college experience. I will never forget those four years, or that night.

December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)

Another hard one. I think I cultivated a sense of wonder this year with my curiosity into what I was going to do with myself post-grad. I spent the second semester of my senior year trying to fully understand what kind of job and career I would like as I entered the real world. This led me to a lot of online research, article-reading, twitter-chat participating, and just a lot of thinking. Though I have my first job...have I ended that sense of wonder in my career search? Nope, not even close. 

Reverb 10: Day 2

Back again for Day 2!

December 2 Writing.
What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?
(Author: Leo Babauta)

Considering lately my days consist of working (which involves me writing all day), reading blogs, working out and watching television, I'm going to say my choice is fairly obvious. I can most definitely cut down on the amount of television I watch, and by starting this blog I actually have been. Maybe I'll try to limit my tv time even more. 

But...lets be honest, there are some seriously addicting shows out there that just need to be watched every week! (especially when you live alone...)

Love in Thursdays kick-ass tv line-up (it's a work in progress obviously),
-N

Reverb 10

Hey all,

So I've really wanted to make a conscious effort to blog more frequently and consistently. Unfortunately, the holiday threw me off (it doesn't take much to rock my routine obviously). So as an effort to try and step up my blogging game and give myself a daily goal, I've joined the Reverb 10 movement (you'll see a new badge to the right reflecting my reverb10 participation).

The Reverb 10 movement is "an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. The end of the year is an opportunity to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead. With Reverb 10, we'll do both."

Everyday the website gives a different prompt to answer on your blog. I'm hoping by participating in this challenge for the month of December I'll not only get a better feel for what I want my blog to become, but it will also force me to work on the technical aspects of it, as well as reflect on the past (absolutely crazy) year, and manifest the upcoming year.

So, without further ado...here goes day 1!
December 1 One Word.
Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?
(Author: Gwen Bell)

I've been thinking and thinking how I could describe this past year of my life. Several words immediately come to my mind, and while i've been trying to search for something upbeat and positive, I simply keep coming back to this one word: terrifying. The year started with my last semester of college and me having no idea what the hell I was doing when I graduated. The summer started and continued with that same feeling of terror and the unknown when every job application proved to be a dead end. The terrifying thought that I wouldn't be able to get a job, combined with the fact that I wasn't positive where I wanted to end up, and a personal relationship hanging on these very factors, led it to be a confusing time to say the least.

With the end of summer came my first job offer. Taking it meant I was moving to a new area, knowing no one, and living by myself. All of this was also on top of the sheer terror associated with starting my first job! Hello terror, my name is Nicole. When are you going to leave me alone?

As the year is coming to a close and I start to think ahead to 2011 I think the word I want to capture my future with is: confidence. 2010 was all about the confusion in finding myself and stepping out on my own. 2011 needs to be about me embracing all of these new changes in my life and facing them head on with everything i've got!

What do you think about this reverb10 challenge? What are your words to describe 2010 and 2011?

Here's to the end of a confusing year, and looking ahead to one full of confidence,
-N