Warby Parker: Why The Heck Not

When something says "try for free for five days," odds are, I'm going to say "why the heck not?" Especially when I've been lusting over Warby Parker glasses for so dang long.

You know how when things are "free," they somehow don't end up actually being free? Well, much to my surprise, that was actually not the case here {for once}. The process couldn't have been easier - or free'er {is that a word? It is now.}. You can take this quick little quiz and they'll present you with some options to choose from, or, you can sift through the tons and tons of styles they have to offer and pick your own. {Hint: turn on the "Available for Home Try-On" button in the upper left-hand corner to avoid the "dangit!" moment of wanting ones that aren't available. #beentheredonethat}

You pick your fabulous five, they arrive in a neat little package at the door within days, you get five days to try them on {a pair a day—as it were}, and then you drop them in your mailbox {or at the local post office} with the return slip that was included in your package - and that's it. No charges, no tricks, no requirements to buy. Unless, of course, you fall truly, madly, deeply in love with a pair {or two} and you're forced to buy—forced, I tell ya! But, at least it's at your own will.

Now, the real challenge—narrowing my picks! 

{Laurel 17 - Rose Quartz} 

 

 

{Laurel 17 - Espresso Tortoise}

 

 {Percey - Crystal}

 

 {Vaughan - Eastern Bluebird Fade}

 

 {Chamberlain - Whiskey Tortoise}

 

{And the winner is...}

Laurel 17 in Espresso Tortoise! Even though I also adore Laurel in Rose Quartz... Oh, now I see - this is how they get you. You're such a tease, Warby Parker. 

XO,

Nik

 Psst...More of my latest obsessions:

Rosé, All Day, Every Way

 The Slimming Effect: Black & Bodysuits

Rosé, All Day, Every Way

Rosé is having its moment—in ALL the ways. Sure, the summer-esque pink wine {which, spoiler alert: is not sweet, as previously perceived} is gracing all the shelves, cookouts, and girls' nights in. But, rosé is popping up in other forms, too—like in Guy Tang's rose gold hair line {if you're not familiar with the hair GOD, Guy Tang, you need to be}, and in this flowy romantic number from Tobi.

Booze, hair, and clothes—all in the form of rosé. Proof that there is a god. 

 

 

 

I'm no wine snob—I almost always go for the "chipper chicken," like this Lab Rosé that's become a fav!

 

Dress: Tobi {size medium} // Shoes: Melrose & Market at Nordstrom Rack // Sunnies: Nordstrom - no longer available, but Similar & Similar // Earrings: Quartz drop earrings from Stella and Dot - no longer available; Similar & LOVE // Ring: Nordstrom Rack - sale, no longer available; Similar options

 

Kissed by a rosé hair brought to you by Guy Tang's #mydentity line {7RG}.

Photo cred to one of my favorite creatives & duck tamers {no kidding—shoot at a pond and quack happens}: Erin Michelle Photography

XO,

Nik

 Psst...another trend-obsession:

The Slimming Effect: Black and Bodysuits

The Slimming Effect: Black & Bodysuits

Black as a slimming trick - groundbreaking, right? We're not recreating the fashion wheel here - we all know black is a go-to slimmer. I pretty much lived in black {leggings} postpartum. And even now that I'm feeling much more fit-mom-ish and less frumpy-mom-ish, I've kind of become accustomed to my black. Colorful me - accustomed to black. Motherhood does things to you.

 

 

Now, pair black with a bodysuit, and you're in the double-slimming business. In the right fabric, a bodysuit can be like a one-piece that's sucking & tucking you in all the right places. Bonus: it's not a bathing suit, and you're not on the beach feeling all sorts of body-conscious. Trust me, bodysuits {or, as they appear in my new-mom head - adult onesies} are where it's at!

 

{Oh, hey babe!}

Not quite as slimming, but equally as appealing to me these days: mom jeans. I am, afterall, a mom. Not that this stopped me from rocking high-waisted mom-jeans pre-twinlets. Rebel that I am.

 

  

Bodysuit: Tobi {size medium} // Cropped pants: Old Navy - no longer available online {check in-store!}; Super similar // Shoes: Nordstrom Rack - last season; Similar & Similar {and also, I'll trade you - because that chunkyheel!} // Sunnies: Quay Australia - no longer available {but they sometimes come back in stock!}; Similar

 

Last random thought from my recent fashion files - let's talk about Tobi. I've long shied away from buying from Tobi because - well, models be fiercely fit. Which always begged the question - how is that going to fit this shorter & stouter bod. Slowly but surely, Tobi's endless sales broke me down - and now I can officially tell you that any ol' average girl can rock it like their gorgeous amazon models.

 

 

Fabrics are quality, fit is on par, fashions are trending, AND prices are enticing. Like, annoyingly enticing. Enter my newest shopping obsession—and my latest apology, for turning you into a Tobi fiend like me. 

Top: Tobi {size small} // Pants: Anthropologie - sale, no longer available; Similar & Similar // Shoes: Oldies from god-knows-where; Similar & Similar // Head scarf: Ancient; Similar // Earrings: Francescas: Oldies; Similar & Oh-so-boho

Photo cred: Instagram & Blog Husband {Thanks, Babuh!}

XO,

Nik

Psst...more fashion obsessions: 

That 70's Style: Two ways

Cool for Culottes

New-Mom Must Have: The Undercover Baby

As a new mom, you quickly find out that there are like 80,000 "must-haves." It can be so overwhelming to figure out what you actually need—and what's just going to collect dust.

If you're teetering on whether you need a car seat cover, or not - let me save you the headache of deciding: you do. I know, another mom telling you another thing you have to have. But, trust me on this one. 

Top three reasons why:

1. People LOVE babies. Love them. But people are...well...gross, sometimes. Whether that means they're sick, covered in germs, smell like smoke, or worse—you don't want your baby exposed to them. This cover is a surefire way to keep them and their germs out of your baby's face. 
2. The cover can shield your baby from the elements like wind, a little rain, and let's face it - light. When you have a happy sleeping baby, you want to keep it that way. Not to mention, if they have a skin condition and need to be shielded from direct heat and the sun - it's a life saver. 
3. It's versatile! Not only does it work for covering your baby's car seat, it will also cover you when you're nursing, cover the germ-laden cart at the grocery store, and—get this—it can be worn as an infinity scarf! 

**Bonus: It's an insta-accessory for you and your babe! 

I fell in love with The UnderCover Baby's covers because they are super stylish {case in point - above}, really really soft and stretchy {which helps them work with any car seat, cart, or breastfeeding situation}, and affordable {which comes in handy when you need two}.

 

{Another bonus: you don't have to take the cover off to get the car seat snapped into the base in the car...or the stroller.}

How about, instead of just telling you all about my must-have cover, I actually let you check it out for yourself, yea? Consider it a gift from one mama to another. Head over to my Instagram for an Undercover Baby giveaway!

 

XO,

Nik 

Psst...more pregnancy & baby must-haves:

Best Non-maternity Brands for Pregnancy

   

My Newest Obsession: Actual Hardcopy, Hold-in-Your-Hand, Pictures

 

Best Non-Maternity Brands for Pregnancy

Okay, so, yes, maternity pants with their big stretchy belly band and all the room to breathe are amazing. I invested in two whole pairs and despite their comfiness, it still pained me to shell out money on clothes I will never, ever, wear again. Which is why I made it my mission to seek out maternity-friendly clothes that weren't actually maternity. Simply put - give me all the stretch and flow.

Here's a breakdown of my maternity wardrobe staples - and by staples, I mean, stalk every sale, stock up on every color, and rock nearly every day for nine months. Best part? Instead of packing them away for a friend when they get bumpin', I am still rocking them, because they are bump and postpartum-friendly!

{Lularoe}

Are we surprised? We shouldn't be. My go-to Lula staples were as follows: OS leggings, TC leggings {which kind of were like maternity pants with their big belly bands}, Perfect tees {also great for nursing!}, Carly's {and all their flow}, Irmas, Cassies, Julias...wait, I'm sensing a theme. I probably should have just said: ALL the Lula. 

 {Leggings, leggings, leggings: OS; TC; OS}

 {Lula head-to-toe: Carly; Irma & OS leggings; Perfect Tee & OS leggings}

 {Love a stretchy bodycon dress for bumps! Lula Julia.}

Psst - shop with one of my fav consultants {with a killer inventory}: Meagan Marshall!

{Old Navy}

Boyfriend. Plaid. Shirts. Need I say more? Really helps that flow and comfort are on trend when you're preggers!

 

{Boyfriend plaid shirt in medium. Bodycon dress in XS - NOT maternity!}

 

{Okay, fine, I caved on one Old Navy maternity dress, because SO cute, and it was generous with my bump growth #thanksforthat.}

{American Eagle}

Specifically, something they call "soft pants" on their website. I don't know how I came across them, but when I did - I thanked my lucky stars...and then bought them in every pattern, style and color available. They have major sales on these puppies!

 

{I felt like the flare balanced my belly - no?}

{PinkBlush}

If you've been around, you already know about my love of PinkBlush. They make clothes specifically to stretch with you when pregnant - but shrink back with you postpartum. There is no ruching, no belly bands, nothing making it "maternity," other than heaven-ness stretch.  

{Dress & kimono from PinkBlush! I also did my maternity shoot in my favorite PinkBlush dress of all time.}

{SheIn} 

Pros about SheIn: CHEAP. Cons: takes a while to ship. If you're not in a hurry I highly recommend ordering from SheIn. Their bodycon dresses are like stretchy t-shirts that grow with your bump. And did I mention it's CHEAP!? #score

 {Left & middle: same dress at 19 weeks and 29 weeks! Right: another comfy stretchy number.}

{Target}

A fellow-preggo turned me on to Merona tanks because they are insanely long and perfectly cup over the bumpage. They are almost always on sale, so, I mean, why not buy them in every color!?

 

{All tanks in Medium!}

{Kiki LaRue}

I already had some Kiki in my closet, and dreamt of the day it would adorn a bump. Dreams majorly came true, people. 

{Dress, palazzo pants & dress = soft flowy goodness!}

There's also something really nostalgic about wearing something later down the line and knowing it dressed my bump, too. Win-win wears!

XO,

Nik

Psst...More maternity stuffs: 

Twin Bump Through the Months

 Second Trimester Fitness: Weekly Workout Schedule