Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Having It All: Can Women Have It All?







“But I thought you were the career woman!,” my friend exclaimed with surprise. I had just told her that I could not wait to have my own family – the husband, the babies, the dog and the picket fence. I was (and still am) looking forward to that.  This conversation occurred a few years ago. At the time I was in my early twenties, a recent college graduate working at a firm in Manhattan.

Since I was a young girl, I dreamt of a successful career. While the exact career transformed from year-to-year, the dream was always there. Yet, I also dreamt of having a family. The early romantic in me wanted the big beautiful wedding, the doting husband, a son and twin daughters.  As you can see, I had it all down to the details. I never felt or thought that I would have to choose family or career. Not once did I believe that I would have to give up one for the other. I believed both could happen simultaneously.

Thus, my friend’s reaction to my spoken desires shocked and perturbed me. I paused wondering if I had to choose. I wanted to know if pursuing my career goals meant that I had to put my dreams of having a family on hold. Most importantly, I wondered if the people in my world saw me as “the career woman” and only that.

I do not have dreams of being superwoman. I know that women everywhere juggle career and family all the time, and I can imagine it’s demanding and difficult (even if  fulfilling) at times.  I can also imagine that the scale is often unbalanced.  Having a career and family means that I must be comfortable with accepting help in many different forms. I do not fool myself into thinking that I can go about my dreams alone (see note about superwoman). Yet as I did as a child, I still believe I can have both the career and the family. Like so many women, I look forward to adding the family hat to various other hats that I wear. Am I a career woman? Yes. But, I’m also a whole lot of other types of woman.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Personal Style: Thanksgiving Recap

I had the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with friends in Las Vegas. It was my first trip to Vegas, and all I can say is that the city definitely lived up to my expectations. I enjoyed a meal of traditional Guyanese and American dishes at my friend's apartment, which is located on the outskirts of the city. I followed my own advice from this post and chose to wear leggings and a flowy top.



After dinner, we went sightseeing in the city. We also stop at a cute cafe where we each enjoyed mugs of Irish coffee. Yum!


So, how was your Thanksgiving?

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Giving Thanks: Determined Praise




                I call it determined praise. You know that kind of praise where you make up your mind to give thanks despite the circumstances?  You look around you, and in the natural things look pretty dismal. Maybe a loved one falls ill, the bills are piling up with no financial recourse in sight, the children are causing you stress and the list of other possible life stressors seem endless. It can get dismal, you will sometimes feel despondent, but as we celebrate Thanksgiving, I challenge you to practice determined praise.

In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Despite what many self-help gurus say, some troubles in life are unavoidable. Like we have storms in the natural physical world, we will also face storms in our lives. There is a season and time for everything, and we enjoy some seasons better than others, because they’re more pleasing to us.  Whatever season it is you are facing in life give thanks. Even if it’s difficult, try to remind yourself of three things that you can be thankful for, press forward with determination to find the silver lining in those clouds. As my sister would say, “the storm must pass.” Giving thanks might not be a remedy to your problems, but it can help you keep a healthy perspective during the storm. You may not be able to control what goes on around you, but you can control your response to the circumstances.

Happy Thanksgiving Lovelies!

~Nika

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Looking Chic During Thanksgiving Dinner


Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and many of us are still trying to decide on what to wear for Thanksgiving dinner. It's an impression making time of year, whether it's going home to meet the beau's parents for the first time or spending time with family/friends you haven't seen in months or years looking good is apart of making that impression. So here are a few dinner outfit ideas to help you start out on the right foot. 

Casually Chic

If you are going for a look that's casual and chic, you can never go wrong with a blazer and tights/jeans. I chose tights, because it's a lot more forgiving on the waistline when it begins to expand ;). A blazer is a great way to upgrade a casual outfit with a touch of sophistication. Complete the look with boots, heels or ballet flats and you're good to go.
Burgundy


All Dressed Up

If you're going for a look that's all dressed up and lovely, a flattering dress in a jewel toned color is a great and festive option. Jewel toned colors will look great a against your skin and this dress is sophisticated and classy. Further, because it's not fitted it gives you enough room to enjoy your meal without the added discomfort a tighter dress could create.

After the beach, outfit to dinner out!


Funky Fresh


For those of you who prefer a look that's more funky and avant garde at Thanksgiving, mixing prints, colors, patterns and fabric is a good place to start. It's also great way to express your individual style .

Tricky Trend: Mix of prints and colors

Have a Fabulous Thanksgiving!
~Nika

Saturday, November 10, 2012

New Yorker in L.A.


Everyone who knows me well, knows that I am a true blue New Yorker. I love New York City, the lifestyle, the culture, the food and the people. It is the city where I came of age, a city that holds my heart dear. So when I said goodbye to D.C. after law school and headed to New York, I thought that I would be starting my legal career there. In my city, the big apple of my eye. 

But life sometimes throws you other plans, as they say, we make plans and God laughs. In the last couple of weeks, I have been busy getting ready for my big move. This true blue New Yorker moved across the country to L.A.!!!!! I still pinch myself sometimes, I did not see this coming at all.  Yet when I got an offer to move to L.A. for a year, I jumped at the opportunity. Why not?, I thought, this is the opportune time in my life to do it. So far, I like L.A. I've already checked out the fashion district and the weather is awesome! This is me yesterday in Griffith Park yesterday, I can't believe it's November and I'm not bundled up in a coat.



So I thought it would be great to take you guys on this L.A. journey with me on the blog; thus I created a New Yorker in L.A. category to share my experiences for the year (or more, who knows right?)

So here's to being a New Yorker in L.A.

Cheers,
Nika


Sunday, November 4, 2012

Head Over Heels

 

Hey Chicstars!
Have you ever just fallen completely and utterly in love?? Well that's what happened to me and let's call her "Blue." Our story began in September, I saw this really pretty coral peplum dress online and I thought this would be the perfect dress for my hubby’s birthday. I decided I wanted to pair it blue heels. So I went to the mall and the second store I went to...I saw her she was suede, royal blue with a silver platform and 5inch heel. Even without trying on Blue, I knew that she was the one. I took her home anticipating her debut in October.



The day finally arrives and I am getting ready and I slip her on, I go prancing around and I start to wobble a little and I think “Nicole seriously you can’t walk in 5inches?”Because the alternative would be something is wrong with my shoes and I refused to accept the possibility, not only was I not home but Blue was it… my heart was set on wearing her! So I finished getting ready looking real cute and literally a step away from falling on my butt. I was angry by this time I felt so betrayed but my hubby finally convinced me to change shoes, so I slipped on the only other pair that I had with me...my gray pumps. Well “Gray” stepped up to the plate and we had a blast!!!


Unfortunately Blue and I had to part she is now back at the store..well probably in the garbage somewhere,she had me completely googoogaga over her. As of right now I still haven't found her replacement...guess there is such a thing as irreplaceable.


Dress:Online/ Clutch:Forever 21/Shoes:Gifted


Remember He Makes Beautiful Things
Nicole