Instagram Overload

This summer has been jam packed and full of trips, BBQs, and soul-searching. 

Well more like job searching. 

But it still has been fun. 

I wanted to write multiple posts about all my weekends and misadventures, but I need to be realistic and my posts are going to be very few and far between since I haven't really had the motivation to write since I still haven't got my life in "order".

But that still doesn't mean I cant post some pics about my antics lately.

Bigger for your viewing enjoyment.

So Enjoy!

(Left to Right)

1. Food Truck Friday on the South End of Charlotte. Last time I tried a Shawarma from the Herban Legend. It was delicious!

2. Jack Honey is a regular staple in the house. Along with Hookah nights.

3. Great nights with my friends. Orlando was a blast. #TeamSpicy was reunited again.

4. Summer Food! Hotdogs, Watermelon, Assorted Desserts and Chips. All bad (except maybe the Watermelon) but ALL so tasty!

1. More great BBQ essentials; Meat to grill, Adobo seasoning and beer!

2. Fireworks! Definitely still hearing random fireworks being set off around our neighborhood.

3. Guacamole master in the house! Ask me about my recipe if you want to have an amazing food-gasm!

4. The Shoe Addiction is real! My latest pair from ShoeDazzle. Feena is beautiful and colorful! Perfect for the summer!

XOXO

Liebster Award!

I was nominated for a Liebster Award!

It's my first award so I thought that was pretty cool!

Krystal at Spunkee Belle nominated me!

Rules:

Link back to the blogger who nominated you.

List 10 facts about yourself.

Nominate up to 11 bloggers with under 200 followers and notify them that they have been nominated.

Ask the nominees 10 questions for them to answer on their own blog.

I just did a post of A-Z facts so i don't really want to do the 10 facts about myself.

Check it out to know more about me.

Questions from Krystal:

• What is your biggest fear? Frogs. I will not say anymore.
• If you could have a private dinner with ANY 5 people, who would it be? I would have to say Michelle Obama, Oprah, Columbus Short, Melanie Fiona, Rihanna. Random but I think it would be fun.
• What is 1 thing you regret from your past and why? I don't regret anything that has happened in my life. But i do wish i had stuck with gymnastics longer or gotten my degree in Education.
• What's your favorite holiday? Halloween, its not really a holiday but I love dressing up in costume.
  
• What is your dream job? A Wedding Planner
• If you could date any celebrity, who would it be? Pharrell. I absolutely LOVE him.
  
• What is 1 bad habit you would change? I need to stop procrastinating so much.
• Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla. You can always add things to it.
• If you could eat 1 thing for the rest of your life what would it be? Anything with cheese. I love it!
• What is one thing your readers may not know about you? I love to sing Karaoke! By myself. In the car. Does that really count as Karaoke? lol

Questions for Nominees:

1. Whats your least favorite season and why?

2. Are you superstitious?

3. What was your favorite cartoon growing up?

4. How would you describe your personal style?

5. If you could take a vacation right now anywhere in the world where would you go?

6. What has been your greatest achievement in life so far?

7. What are your favorite smells?

8. Do you prefer to text or to call?

9. What is your favorite thing that you own?

10. If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Bloggers I'm tagging:

Jennifer @ Bubbly and Buttercream
Kierra @ So Sophisticated.1992
Sara @ Short and (Sometimes) Sweet
Lisa @ Nowak Notes
Holly @ Her 27th Year
Joanna @ Jaybird's Flight
Mallory @ Memoirs of a Missouri Girl

XOXO

Sunday Currently #3

I'm starting to like the summer more!! 

BBQs, pool times, and warm weather!!

Except for these past 2 weeks....the rain is everyday :(

the last time we went to the pool...it was a beautiful day!

CURRENTLY

R E A D I N G Entwined with You by Silvia Day. This Crossfire Series is actually pretty good. Very similar to 50 Shades of Grey in ways of erotica content, and yet the plot kind of takes a different turn to make them very different.

W R I T I N G new blog posts. I'm wanting to catch up my ideas with actual posts. So keep coming back because there will be some good stuff coming!

L I S T E N I N G to Jay-Z "Magna Carta Holy Grail" His album is awesome!!! If you are into Hip Hop definitely buy it tomorrow when it is officially out!

T H I N K I N G that it will be nice to get back to work on Monday.

S M E L L I N G Pancakes. My roommate rocks and cooked breakfast. Pancakes, Bacon, and eggs. I loved it and it was nice to wake up to that.

H O P I N G that I get to talk to a very special someone on the phone today. I can't believe that's it only a couple days but I miss getting texts and emails from him.

W A N T I N G to hear back from the job I interviewed for. *crosses fingers*

N E E D I N G a hug from my parents. They are coming to visit next month and I am very excited!

F E E L I N G really excited about my trip to Myrtle Beach this weekend for my girl Lauren's birthday!!!

C L I C K I N G trying to catch up on my blogs and reality TV.

Check out Lauren's link-up for Sunday Currently

XOXO

Amateur Fire Work Pics...and a Fashion post

So I hope everyone had a great 4th of July....

I definitely did.

It was very low key. 

My friend Nicole and I went over to my other friend BJ's house where he put a bunch of meat on the grill and we just drank and chilled (not bad at all!) 

My buddy Craig also came along for the ride. 

Then we headed uptown to catch a huge fireworks show.

Its crazy how every year people sit in traffic and do all this preparation for MAYBE a 20 min show.

::shrugs:: its all part of the holiday i guess.

Usually we always have big gatherings with friends and music and food,

 but this year a lot of people were out of town so we kept it small.

Plus next week I am heading to Myrtle Beach with the ladies!!!!

The ongoing theme last night on social media was the posting of pictures of fireworks.

I love fireworks; anytime, anyplace. I think they are so cool. 

Of course everyone makes their attempt to capture amazing shots with the sky filled with lights.

Most of us end up with normal phone camera shots like this:

I love that I was able to get the Charlotte skyline

I wish I had thought about getting closer lol

My favorite type of fireworks!

I had a very boring week since I was not scheduled to work at all (against my will) so when it was time to celebrate I was super excited! I woke up in a really good mood and started the party early. 

2pm isn't too early right?

Well I made sure that Nicole and I were dressed in festive attire.

I wanted to be comfy yet stylish.

I decided this would be a great time to bring my flower back. I used to wear them EVERY day, but now I've toned it down to special occasions.

Please excuse my "made up" bed in the back 

Stripes make me nervous..but I loved this dress!

Rizzo decided she wanted to be in the pic too!

Earrings/Necklace/Jean Vest: Forever 21

Dress: Burlington Coat Factory

Shoes: Converse

Watch: Express

Flower: Icing

Me from Z to A

Basic blogging is happening again today....im really trying to catch up on a punch of posts so bare with me. Since Google Reader is no more I hope my followers transitioned over to BlogLovin and are able to still see my lovely face whenever I remember to post. If not thats okay too. I did one of these about a year ago when I first started blogging. I decided it would be nice to do it again but I found a new one with different questions. And its backwards lol 

Enjoy!

Z. Zodiac sign? Full blown Libra. I'm talking  very charming, easygoing, balanced and artsy yet sometimes indecisive, lazy, and selfish. (guilty). I pay attention to astrology only because I fit the description to a T.

Y. Your favorite food? Okay here comes the judgement. I've narrowed it down to Cheese and Mexican Food. If i made a list of some of the foods I could eat all the time 98% have cheese as an ingredient. Smh. And most Mexican food has cheese on/in it so I guess my answer will still be cheese as the number one answer. But i also would love to jump into a giant tub of guacamole. Just sayin.

X. Xray or Ultrasound? I guess Ultrasound. There really aren't many words that start with X so this is kind of a stretch lol. I've also never broken any bones so I have never had any really cool X Rays to look at. Just my teeth when they were being fixed during my time of braces imprisonment.

W. Worst habit? Hmmm this is setting me up to give all my stuff away. My worst habit is probably i tend to procrastinate. A LOT. I also don't like to wash dishes. Is that considered a bad habit? Well my roommates tend to think so...

V. Vegetable? I remember the days when I hated them. Now that I'm older they are necessary for life and I enjoy them and even cook them on the regular. But I will say that the world would be a better place without peas. For Real.

U. Unknown fact about me? When I was in the 4th grade I was in a musical where I played a singing clown (i know) Our first performance was during the school day, and before we went on in front of my peers I had a full blown asthma attack and had to be rushed to the hospital. I was also dressed in my costume full clown make-up and all. I was mortified, but of course since it was involving my health, no one else cared that I wanted to remove my make-up before the doctor took care of me. I wish I had a picture of the whole clown get-up.

T. Treat Well a good treat would be anything sweet of course. I do have an incredible sweet tooth so holidays involving baked goods or candy is always a favorite. But a nice treat would be flowers. I like the gesture and how sweet it is for someone to remember your favorite flower and put a smile on your face; even for a day.

S. Season of choice? Fall. Always. Summer is cruel and Winter is evil. I am most fashionable in the Fall. And covered up. And not sweating.

R. Reasons to smile? I have a roof over my head, a job, a family that loves me, and I'm alive to see another day!

Q. Quotes?  "Everything Happens for a Reason"  I have the quote tattooed in between my shoulders and I really believe it but also struggle with it. Things of course happen for a reason but its so frustrating when you don't get to know what the reason is right away.

P. Phobias? Frogs. Don't mess with them. At all.

O. Oranges or Apples? Apples. Pie. Sauce. Fritters. Butter. I love it all.

N. Number of brothers/sisters? I am an only child!!!!

M. Marriage date? I am not married. One day. But not today.

L. Life isn’t complete without? Love. Someone to love you and you love them back. It doesn't matter who it is. It could be family, friends, or a significant other.

K. Kids? My baby fever comes and comes at my ripe old age of 26. I am back and forth about it right now. I'm sure that when I find the right person the fever will be at an all time high! 

J. January or July? January. Its winter. But I would rather wear a cute outfit with boots and a jacket than sweat my butt off in shorts. Boob sweat is not cute.

I. Favorite Indulgence? Reality TV! I am not ashamed and I am literally sitting here writing this while watching "Keeping up with the Kardashians" ::shrugs:: Its all awesome. Especially the Bad Girls Club. Its a masterpiece.

H. Home town? Born in Chapel Hill, NC and raised all over the USA!

G. Gummy bears or worms? Gummi Bears are a classic and will always be my favorite. But Gummi Sharks are now coming in a close second!

F. Favorite color? Purple and Turquoise. See how nothing can ever be one thing for me? Yes...I am a Libra.

E. Essential Item? My iPhone. Say whatever you want. I love it in my life. I have it under my pillow when I sleep. Its my current child and my connection to the world.

D. Day of choice? Friday. A hard day at work, heading to happy hour, and then a night out whether its a date or out dancing. Then Saturday you can sleep in and still have fun because the weekend isn't over yet!

C. Cake or pie? Lets go with Cake Pops. Or Cup Cakes. Both have the word cake in it so I guess that's my choice.

B. Best Friend? I have 1 bestest friend. She happens to have the same name as me. Nicole was such a popular name in 1986. I wish I only had friends named Nicole. That would be really weird and cool at the same time. Could you imagine 6 girls all named Nicole at a party?

A. Attached or Single? I am newly single. Its scary, but it needed to happen and now I am going to be exploring the world of dating. Again. Ugh.

XOXO

Food Adventures: Thai

I love trying new places...awhile back I was able to try a place called Thai Thai Cafe.

Its really small and very cozy.

The food was delicious and I realized that Charlotte/Huntersville/Mooresville has a lot of little places like that I can explore.

So hopefully I will get the chance to soon.

all meals came with a side of white rice....who could be unhappy with that!

my teriyaki stir fry was amazing! I had to take leftovers because there was so much!

I still can't decide however what my favorite Asian cuisine is. 

I think Japanese wins because sushi is my go to meal most of the time.

But I can safely say that I love it all. 

I have never had Vietnamese though. So that is my next food mission.

XOXO

10 Questions About Me...

I've been so excited about getting new followers! 

So since I am slowly building up my readers I thought I would spend my next couple posts doing some introductory posts that I have found from other bloggers.

I do have an About Me page, but there is something about random Q&A that sparks fun conversation.

I just love it!

Todays is 10 Random Questions About Me (how original LOL)

1. My childhood nickname was and still is Nikki. There are other variations, and my father calls me Nik, but Nikki has stood strong since I was a kid.

2. If you want to spoil me rotten, buy me shoes! I am an addict (shopaholic overall) but shoes are my favorite. There are so many styles and colors and you can pretty much shape an outfit based on shoes. Also when it comes to shopping for clothes I need to be in a happy mood with how my body is. But shoes ALWAYS fit no matter what. So if you are having a "bloated" day because of your period, or you aren't liking how your hair looks so you don't want to stare at a mirror all day, try on some shoes. They definitely improve my mood.

3. The television character I most identify with is Lauren from "The Hills" Yes it is reality TV, and yes some of it is scripted, but most of the situations that she dealt with on the show with friends and guys I have definitely been through or I am currently dealing with it now. Being in your 20s is harder than it used to be and the evolution of people and culture has factored into so many things being a hot mess. But yeah Lauren Conrad i feel you on a lot of stuff boo.

4. If I had a whole day to go shopping and money to spend, I would probably update my wardrobe. I spend a majority of my money on shoes, but now is the time that I think my clothes need to catch up and be just as fabulous! And I wouldn't want to go to the mall either. I would definitely hit specific stores I know that cater to my body type and get what I truly want. I change my style up a lot depending on my mood so I would love my closet to reflect that.

5. The most wild and crazy thing I have ever done (that I can admit to publicly) Dancing on top of a bar in Tampa. It is not in my normal mind to do so, but it was kind of fun to really just not care what anyone thought and get up there and dance the night away. It happened to be a part of the bar that no one was trying to order drinks from so I think that was very considerate of us.lol I will say it is not an easy feat in stilettos!

6. The one thing on my bucket list that I am most eager to do is hmm probably a tie between go to a shooting range or finish my list of tattoos I want done. I am still working on my 101 in 1001 list, and those 2 things are on it. I think it will kind of exhilarating to try using a gun. I don't think I would ever want to own one or do it regularly, but Ive heard its a great way to safely blow off some steam of stress. And I am addicted to tattoos (i already have 3) and I would like 5 more. I already have a list of them, but money is always the issue in order to get them and these will take time. My shoulder piece is next up, which will probably be the most expensive and the most time consuming, but it will mean the most to me.

7. My family will always be loyal to me. I am an only child and I find my family to be relatively small compared to most of my friends. But speaking generally with my parents, they have my back and vice versa. My mom and dad are there for me no matter what. Over the last 3 years i have gone through some rough stuff, but I know that they are able to give me a shoulder to cry on, words of advice, or encouragement, or even to yell. I need that kick in the pants sometimes and they will do it even when I'm older and have a family of my own.

8. If I could spend a day with a celebrity I would choose probably Rihanna. It would be the most outrageous and eventful day of my life! She is such a chameleon and I love that about her. She also doesn't really care what anyone thinks and lives her life to the fullest. In my opinion anyway. Most people don't really like her, just her fun music.

9. In my opinion, the best invention in the history of the world is electricity. Its such a broad one but honestly so many things go back to needing power to have it. Seriously. Pretty much everything.

10. When life hands me lemons, I take shots! lol Yeah you should make lemonade and make the most of a situation, but when I'm going through something hard I like to have a distraction. Going out with my friends and drinking is definitely a distraction. I'm young and I still like to have fun so that is my answer right now.

XOXO

Break Up

I needed to have a moment and write a post about how I'm feeling right now...

My original intent for my blog has always been to write out my feelings and thoughts in order to have an outlet so my brain isn't always cluttered. That hasn't happened in awhile, but that is because I tend to distract my feelings with fun things. But its only right that since I'm going through a tough time that I should be able to really let it out in order to gain "clarity" of the whole situation. Its still fresh so right now I am in the "shock" phase.

I feel like there are 3 parts to a breakup:
1. Shock/Pain: Its going to hurt and not put you in a good place
2. Regret: Maybe this wasnt such a good idea.
3. Acceptance: This was something that happened for a reason. Now is the time to let it be.

Going through a break up is never easy and I certainly don't make it any easier on myself when I am the one doing the "breaking". Mainly because I don't want to hurt anyone in the process. But i feel like when you try to make sure no ones feelings are hurt, it makes things worse. Or is that just me?

I'm at a point in my life where I need to work on my #1 flaw in a relationship; selfishness. Its hard for me to admit and even harder to work though. But I want to try. For now, that means I cant be in a relationship. I guess I'm not ready to share my life. Or the right person hasn't come along. How many soul mates or true loves do we get in a lifetime? I might have reached my quota/capacity and that's not a very good thought.

This relationship that just ended I wanted so badly to have a different turnout. But everything happens for a reason and because of that I have to deal with whatever comes next. I badly wanted a friendship to come out of this, but it looks like that's not going to happen.

I found this poem and it sort of explains my thought process for the break up...even though it didnt entirely come out that way. Things are still fresh so maybe things will change over time....who knows.

Letting Go

by Judy Burnette

How do you walk away from someone you love

And take the road of friend;

Can you reroute the course you have taken

And start over once again?

I don't really want to let you go

But inside me I know I must;

The times we've loved . . . the times you've left

My heart says stay . . . but it's my mind I must trust.

We have shared so much together

Laughter . . . fun times . . . tears;

Yet sometimes we can't turn back time

We must walk away, and allow ourselves to heal.

I know one day you will be happy

And your soul mate you will find;

I know we each have one out there

Even if for now . . . only in our minds.

May life be gentle with you

May God's best come your way;

And on some quiet tomorrow

You will realize things were better this way.

Are there any things that I can do to help lessen the shock/pain I am currently feeling?

XOXO

Real Love...I'm searching for that real Love...

If there was anyone that made me feel like soul mates and real true love exists, 

its my friend Tiffany and her husband Lex. After 6 years they finally tied the knot! 

I have known Tiffany since college and I love how happy Lex makes her!

Their wedding was amazing and very "them"!

This cake was so beautiful! I'm obsessed with it!

It was simple, elegant, and very classy!

Tiffany and her family planned the whole thing and it came out awesome!

Grey and light green (I don't know the correct color name) are such great colors together.

It was all way beyond my thoughts and expectations!

Her dress was custom made!

Tiffany walked down the aisle to a live version of  "When I First Saw You" and I definitely teared up. 

It was sung beautifully and of course the bride looked gorgeous!

Sunglasses were the wedding favors with the wedding date. So cute!

Our table had the all the ladies who have known Tiff and Lex for a long time!

The best part of the night was the dancing. 

The DJ played everything and we stayed on the dance floor for awhile. 

A Sunday afternoon wedding is definitely different, but it was still nice and intimate.

I wish Tiff and Lex all the best and it will be great to see their marriage bloom from the very beginning!

XOXO

May Carabox

Yes it is June.

Yes I am doing a post for my May Carabox.

But i wanted to make sure it happened.

My box this month was from the lovely Tanya of The Baksha Five and I really enjoyed chatting and getting to know her! She is such a sweetheart and I really loved everything in my package.

She really paid attention to all the things that I liked and she definitely stayed with the theme better than I did!

1. How to make a Chicago Hot Dog: I thought this was so cute! She gave me an idea to throw a party with a hot dog bar! I want to be an event planner and I love having gatherings especially in the summer so I hope to get to try this out!

2. Chicago Postcard

3. Zebra Nail File: She knew I liked animal print and you definitely can never have too many of these. I keep this one in my purse.

4. EOS. The best ever. Enough said.

5. Cracker Jack. I love Garretts popcorn from Chicago, but she couldnt get me any. But she still got me popcorn and Cracker Jacks are awesome too!

6. Chicago Bulls Headbands: I am a Derrick Rose fan, but Lebron James is my man!!! But i still will rock these next season when the Bulls play!

7. Lemonheads. All the candy Tanya sent was made in Illinois. So cool. This includes the Skittles and Starburst.

Not pictured:
Skittles (ate them the same day lol)
 Starburst  (devoured as soon as I opened the package)
Chipotle Gift Card: I LOVE Chipotle and i used my gift card the DAY that i got it!

My box rocked!!!

XOXO