Bedroom Decoration: Simple, Soft and Feminine

In a few weeks, I will be decorating my bedroom.  I want my bedroom to reflect warmth and comfort, a place for me to relax and rejuvenate after a long day at work. As a result, I am going for elegant, simple and feminine.

While I love bright colors, I  have decided on a neutrals soft pastel palette to go with the relaxing vibe I want to create.

I may incorporate key accent pieces to add splashes of color like the yellow chair in this photo.

I've always liked the look of crisp white furniture and bedding n the bedroom. 

 I'll definitely let you guys know what I decided to do once I'm all done.

Best,
~Nika

Thanks so much for reading. Please subscribe and like our Facebook Page for updates!

Plums & Berries

If there is one thing that people who are friends or even just slightly acquainted with me know, is the fact that  I am just a little bit on the serious side(shhh...maybe a germaphobe) about being clean. However, unless I live in a bubble with this being the flu season and all I thought that I would use the vibrant colors of this outfit to remind everyone to eat their plums and berries to help strengthen our immune system ...since I can't walk around with a poratble sink 24hrs. These fruits are packed with anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals. I also wore this top here...I tend to stick with fabrics that require little to no ironing:) So gobble up Chicstars and we'll beat this flu season together!!!

Pearls are a staple for me...timeless and classy

 

I love clutches!!! this is one of my favorite because I can stuff
 everything I own in there lol

Top:Express/Skirt:Express/Clutch:Asos/Shoes:Bakers

  

He Makes Beautiful Things,
Nicole

Let Yourself Be Great

It all started with a picture.  I was standing tall with head and back straight and a big smile on my face. It was a picture taken in a happy moment, a moment I wanted to cherish. In that moment I felt carefree, confident and happy, and the photo reflected those feelings.  Yet that picture caused a stir in someone. She wanted to know why I looked so confident in the picture, why I looked like I thought I was “all that.” Unfortunately she had interpreted my happiness for something else, and I did not and could not understand her disapproval. In fact, what was so wrong about looking happy and confident in a picture? Or even in real life?

In my late teenage years, I read the above quote and it deeply resonated and still resonates with me today. All of us have been blessed with gifts and talents that we sometimes hide, cover, or try to avoid. Often times we hold ourselves back so that we can maintain the status quo. We are afraid to ruffle feathers or make others uncomfortable. It is deeply human to yearn to be loved and/or liked, and sometimes to fulfill that yearning we wear masks. We downplay our gifts, talents and insights, erroneously believing that it’s arrogance to use, display and develop them. Over time we stifle those very gifts and talents, cripple our potential or even throw away our destinies.

Most of us are guilty of it. Women especially have been taught to downplay their gifts. While I do not advocate that any of us walk around in arrogance and that humility is truly a virtue, humility does not demand that we dumb down or ignore our God given talents all in the name of human acceptance. In actuality, it is far better to bring our Creator glory by using the talents He gifted us.

In fact, anyone who demands that you dim your light does not have your best interests at heart, and dimming your light for that person’s approval is not a worthy cause. So I challenge you to let your light so shine, to use your talents, your gifts and your voice.  Do not rob the world of your gifts. You will be surprised by how much you sharing your talents will open up the door for others to do the same. How many times have we been inspired by those who refused to play it safe?

The commenter did not know that the picture reflected the person I was working on becoming. She only inspired me to continue the journey of allowing myself to blossom in the woman God created me to be. Everyone will not be on board when you walk with your head held high smiling, confident that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. I know I want to use my gifts and talents so that He can say to me “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Be Blessed,

Nika

Celebrating Dr. King

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” ~Honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968)

Cobalt on My Feet

I am not a fan of sneakers. I much prefer ballet flats. Yet when I saw these sneakers while shopping in L.A.'s Fashion District. I had to get them! The color and style jumped out at me immediately.

I love statement making funky pieces in my closet, I thought they would fit right in. 

They are the perfect stylish but casual weekend accessory!

Leggings: Necessary Clothing

Shirt: H&M

Cropped Jean Jacket: Gift

Sneakers: via L.A.'s Fashion District

Intentional Acts of Kindness

I would love to say that I do random acts of kindness on a daily basis. However, it doesn't happen often enough so I endeavor to start planning ways to show the heart of God. The great thing about kindness is that it can be shown and given in many different forms. There are tremendous opportunities all around us every day that we can fill to uplift someone. No matter our financial standing everyone can serve. Here are a few suggestions.

1. Putting aside one day each week to volunteer at a local community center, food bank, etc.

2. Look around your neighborhood and find out if there is a family that could use some help (babysitting, making/buying dinner)

3. At your church is there an elderly person you can minister to by volunteering to go to the supermarket for or cleaning their house

4. Just lending a listening ear, I know of a mom with two kids who was feeling A bit overwhelmed she just told me she needed another female to speak to just to unwind...maybe you can fill that gap

5. I know that some of us may be going through a really busy/ financially stressful season but even then you can put away $20.00 a month to donate to a charity of your choosing or to someone you know that is in need. Maybe it is a sacrifice of eating out one day less a week, one less pair of shoe, one less coffee, etc

6. Appreciating those providing a service for you ex: baggers at the grocery stores, leaving a tip for housekeeping at a hotel, etc.

There are so many ways we can give a little more of ourselves, when we do we are more grateful and fulfilled individuals. Let’s be his hands, feet, eyes, and ears. What are some intentional acts of kindness you are doing or preparing to do? 

Here are some organizations you can make a difference in:
Give A Beautiful Gift 
Safe Haven For Kids 
Lets Puts A Stop To Human Trafficking

Doing The Most Good
 
Feel free to add any organization/charities your involved in

He Makes Beautiful Things,

Nicole

What's So Wrong About Checking the "Single" Box?

If you’re single and a woman, you’re used to it - the I/We know best phenomena on how you (the single woman) should go about getting a man. It is there in your face on almost every magazine cover, woman-centered website and the best-sellers section of your favorite bookstore. Everywhere you turn it seems like someone is telling you how to better attract “the one.” Never mind your input, real life experiences, preferences insights and struggles – “listen up” they seem to say, “because we know best.”

While I do understand that finding love can be trying for a lot of people –men and women- I wonder about the overemphasis on placing that onus on women. When single women constantly hear that something that they are doing or something about who they are is wrong, I worry. I worry because women are already constantly bombarded by messages that they aren’t good enough, thin enough or pretty enough. They are constantly sandwiched by the words “not enough.” How much do we damage the psyche and self-esteem of a single woman by constantly using her single status as an affront against her worth and value in thinly veiled criticisms titled “Why you’re single” or “You’re Single Because…”

I find it completely unhealthy that so much of a woman’s worth is tied up in her marital status. Her achievements, her talents and her gifts are secondary often because “those things don’t matter to men.”  As if the measure of her worth is calculated only by the value men place on the qualities she brings to the table instead of the value she brings to the world.

Then there’s the unspoken comparison between women who are single and women who are not. The latter did and are doing “something right. ” They are somehow more whole, together, and complete. The opposite is true of the former according to the underlying message.  This group –single women- needs guidance and advice that so many willingly offer. Even to the women who try to avoid the mayhem, the messages are still there. Yet the only wrong I see is that message and that implication, because as human beings we are all flawed. One of the great things about love is finding someone who accept you AND your flaws. True love never demands perfection. Despite the facts, it is still a reality that  as a woman your marital status deeply defines you, and if you're single, you are on the wrong side of the tracks. 

We all can benefit from sound wisdom. We all want to love and to be loved.Those are givens.  But how far have we truly come as a society when women are still measured, evaluated, and defined by their marital status? How much advice do single women truly need? Is the overemphasis on getting from "single" to "married" or "taken" truly necessary? Or is it simply damaging? 

Professional Look With a Pencil Skirt

Three ways to look professional in a pencil skirt. 

1. Make sure your skirt falls right above or right at the knee.

2. Wear closed toe shoes, you can always wear those cute open toe sandals for an after work event.

3. Keep the rest of your outfit conservative.  Opt for a blazer, cardigan or have fun layering sweaters. 

Skirt: Express

Sweaters: Zara and Old Navy

Shoes: Nine West

You're The One That I Want

Jacket: Macy's/ Leggings: PINK/ Top: Forever 21/ Wedges: Gifted via Nika/ Necklace: Macy's

One of the benefits of having a older sister who LOVES all things fashion are all the great pieces I get from her:) I'll probably post many outfits that incorporates something from her (keep the gifts coming Nika) These lovely wedges are a gift from her and I actually worked my outfit around it. I always wanted a motorcycle jacket and I was so happy that I got it on sale in the exact color of my wedges. So I knew they were destined to be together. 

 

I am a big fan of 70s and 80s movies so when I put this outfit together I immediately thought of  Sandy from Grease when she transformed into the bombshell at the end of the movie. Then I proceeded to get into full character and "serenade" my hubby with my favorite song off the soundtrack "You're the One That I Want" lol...I'm so silly I tend to goof around alot:)

 

 

He Makes Beautiful Things,

Nicole

Happy New Year: Hello 2013!

Happy New Year Chicsters!!!!

I am so excited for 2013.  I am looking forward for God's leading in my life in all areas of my life. I just want to see His will unfold in our lives and for this blog. I will be embraking on new journies, and I'm happy that I read my sister's post about enjoying the journey called life.  Sometimes we can be so focused on the destination that we lose sight of the many key lessons we can learn during the process .  Thanks for the reminder Nicole!

While I didn't make any resolutions per se, there are lifestyle changes I am making to create "My Best Life Now" as Joel Osteen would say. Below I am sharing five of those journies with you.

Consistent Quiet Time with God: My relationship with God is my foundation, and I must do my part to keep that foundation strong.

Career: In 2012 I graduated from law school and embarked on my career. I will continue to learn, grow and develop as I trust God to fulfill His purpose in my life.

Discipline: Self-discipline is extremely important and it's difficult to truly be our best selves and do our best work without it.  It is a quality I have in some areas but that I want it in all areas. I am reading the widely acclaimed Seven Habits of Highly Effective People to help me develop a strategy to grow stronger in this area.

Health: Our health is a gift that we should cherish, but too often we neglect it. One of the benefits about moving to L.A. is that it affords me the opportunity to enjoy an old favorite pasttime - running  outdoors - year long.  There's also the benefit of living in a neighborhood where it appears that everyone runs outdoors. I'll be joining them!

Hair Journey: After wearing my hair either in short cuts or in extensions for the past couple of years, I am embraking on a journey to grow my own hair. I will be learning my hair along the way and will make sure to check in and update with you guys as I go along.


 Will you be starting any new journies for 2013? What are they?

~Cheers,
Nika