Whitney Nic James

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Personal Style | Creating a Signature Style

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As you know, I’m all about comfort when it comes to clothing. I’ve documented my personal style for years, and the one thing that remains consistent is my need for comfort and functionality. I love to look good and I’m all about being chic and fashion-forward. However, you don’t have to compromise comfort to accomplish those things. So, how do I achieve my signature comfy, yet chic and fashion-forward style? It’s all about the 3 F’s; Fabric, Fit, and Function.

See Also: Tips on Stretching Your Wardrobe
Creating a Signature Style

 Sweatshirt: Marshalls // Denim: Wit & Wisdom, Nordstrom Rack (same) // Sandals: Birkenstock Essetials, DSW (same) // Tote Bag: Marc Jacobs, Marshalls (similar)

Creating a Signature Style

  1. Fabric
    • Knowing how certain fabrics fit your body is something every woman should know. This will help make curating your closet such an easy process. 9 times out of 10 I can tell if I’m even going try something on just by feeling the item and examining the fabric. For bottoms, I prefer a soft cotton with a little stretch (i.e. rayon, spandex, or both). When it comes to tops, the more flowy and forgiving the better. Depending on the brand, I can do a stiffer cotton, like the sweatshirt worn here, but my preference is a fabric that moves with me (i.e. polyester, rayon/spandex blend)
  2. Fit
    • If it doesn’t fit, don’t buy it. Period. Why would you want to wear something that’s uncomfortable and unflattering? If a garment is ill-fitting save your money and find something else. Now, if you really LOVE the item and you honestly think having the piece altered will make the fit more comfortable, by all means, purchase it. However, if the alterations are going to cost more than the item, is it really worth it?
  3. Function 
    • Being able to function in your clothing is very important. Think about your daily lifestyle and figure out what kind of items are ideal for your day-to-day activities. Purchase items that cater to your lifestyle (and budget), not the latest trends.
The 3 F’s to Creating Your Signature Style #wnjstyle

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Creating a Signature Style

So tell me, what tips do you have when it comes to creating a signature style? Let me know!

Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting and until next time, be blessed and stay safe.

Love & light…xo!

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* Linkups: Visible Moday, Trend Spin, Style on the Daily, Fabulous Friday *

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Personal Style | Blue Floral Kimono and Converses

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I’ve been on the hunt for a few spring and summer kimonos. During a recent trip to Nordstrom Rack, I found just what I was looking for! Kimonos are one of the most versatile wardrobe staples, and I think every woman should own at least 3; one for casual wear, one that’s a bit fancier, and one that’s a solid color. During my shopping trip, I actually purchased 2 solid kimonos, a black and a tan, and then this blue floral one. I immediately thought of 3  different ways to wear it, so I knew it was a solid purchase.

See Also: 3 Tips to Help Find Your Personal Style
Blue Floral Kimono OOTD

Kimono: Bobeau, Nordstrom Rack // Denim: Wit & Wisdom, Nordstrom Rack (same)

Blue Floral Kimono OOTD

Blue Floral Kimono OOTD

Styling this kimono with converse sneakers and fashion glasses was fun! The glasses were a last minute addition, but they definitely worked! I love playing with accessories and styling sneakers with certain looks. I think converses, especially the black low tops, give an outfit a more laidback look. Adding certain accessories, like the glasses and floral kimono, make an outfit like this a bit more polished and chic. It’s the perfect blend, and I can see making this a definite go-to look, especially for the weekends and casual date nights.

How to Wear a Kimono and a Pair of Sneakers ft. @Converse #wnjstyle

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Blue Floral Kimono OOTD

Glasses: Local Beauty Supply Store (same as sunglasses) // Sneakers: Converse (same) 

Blue Floral Kimono OOTD

Blue Floral Kimono OOTD

So tell me, what do you think about my new blue floral kimono? Have you stocked up on kimonos for the season? Let me know!

Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting and until next time, be blessed and stay safe.

Love & light…xo!

KEEP UP WITH ME

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Travel | Our Trip to Los Angeles, Part I

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Darrius and I celebrated our 5th year wedding anniversary in Los Angeles, California. Although we’ve both been to California before, we’ve never been as a couple. So, we decided to head to the West Coast for 6 days. While there, we explored the city, visited family, and most importantly, enjoyed one another’s company. The trip was absolutely wonderful, and we’ve decided to make visiting California a once a year trip.

See Also: Our Trip to Punta Cana

I was excited to take A LOT of pictures, and I was also looking forward to filming my first vlog in LA. I guess God had other plans because right after we went through security at the airport, I realized that I forgot the camera. I was upset for about 20 minutes, then I got over it. I took it as a sign that I needed to be fully present during our trip. I didn’t need to worry about shooting several outfit pictures, nor did I need to stress about filming the “perfect” vlog. Whatever I needed to capture would be done using my iPhone 8 plus. That said, enjoy my LA vlog (shot using my iPhone), as well as a few of my favorite (iPhone) pics from the trip!

Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier

I plan to post Part II of our LA trip very soon. Part II will include specific details about some of the places seen in my vlog, as well as provide more info on our hotel stay. I also want to talk about the Studio City area, which my husband and I absolutely LOVE.

Places to Go While Visiting LA #wnjtravels

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Trip to Los Angeles

Me & Hubs at the Universal Studios Metro Stop

The Last Bookstore in LA

The Last Bookstore in Downtown LA

So tell me, have you ever been to LA? If so, what are some of your favorite places to visit? Also, what’d you think about my first vlog? Let me know! 

Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting and until next time, be blessed and stay safe.

Love & light…xo!

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Music | 5 Underrated Female Albums & EP’s

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I can’t live without is music. Take away television, social media, even books (just not the Bible). As long as I have access to music, I’m good. Thanks to my Mom, ever since I was younger, music has been a huge part of my life. In middle school, I would rush home to watch 106 & Park, TRL, and The Box Music Television. I would get in so much trouble ordering music videos on The Box. I also used to save up my ALL of my allowance just to purchase CDs and cassette tapes from Sam Goody. Talk about the good ol’ days.

See Also: 23 Songs You Need on Your Workout Playlist

Fast forward many years, and my love for music still remains. While I can listen to just about any genre, my preferred genres are R&B, Smooth Jazz, and NeoSoul. These days I don’t listen to the radio much, but I do get a healthy dose of my favorite genres thanks to Spotify and Apple Music. I’ve been listening to a lot of female artists more and more, and there are 5 albums and EP’s that I have on heavy rotation. I believe these are currently some of the most underrated female albums & EP’s. I can easily listen to each album or EP straight through, no skips. Granted some of their singles can (finally) be heard on the radio, but these artists deserve more play than just a 1 or 2 of their singles. Their work deserves to be celebrated and recognized.

Underrated Female Albums & EP's

1. (2014) VII (Delux) – Teyana Taylor

  • The album itself is very grown and sexy and I’m here for it! Teyana’s velvety soft and sultry voice has incredible range. The beats on this album are SICK, she delivers each song beautifully, and they each tell a story.

2. (2016) Change – Ella Mai

  • I was first introduced to this British singer about a year ago, thanks to Sirius XM Radio. Signed to DJ Mustard’s label, Ella Mai is another songstress who knows how to tell a story with her simple and memorable lyrics. Her sound is reminiscent of the classic 90’s R&B days. So, of course, I’m a fan!

3. (2016) Lauren – Keke Palmer

  • I’ve always been a fan of Keke, but when she dropped this EP I saw her in a different light. Gone are the Akeelah and the Bee days! Keke is all grown up, and she proves this to be true with each song. The songs are all different and like a true artist, Keke knows how to paint a picture through her vulnerable, fearless, and sometimes playful, lyrics. I also thoroughly enjoyed the visual EP, Lauren.

Lauren (Official Video, Explicit) by Keke Palmer on VEVO.

5 Underrated Female Albums and EP’s #wnjplaylist

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4. (2017) H.E.R. – H.E.R. Vol. 2– The B Side

  •  A little sultry, a little neo-soul, this album, from start to finish, is superb! This singer-songwriter delivers her soft and breathy lyrics effortlessly. It’s very easy to get lost in her soothing voice.

5. (2018) Fate – Tammy Rivera

  • Tammy teamed up with Executive Producer Rico Love to create this transparent and very well-produced EP. You can hear every emotion in Tammy’s voice, and with each song comes a catchy hook. Her lyrics are honest and relatable, and while the beats are mostly slow to mid-tempo, they will definitely have you nodding your head back and forth.

Listen to some of these albums and EP’s, plus a few other underrated female artists below.

So tell me, what do you think about these albums and EP’s? Which female artists do you think are underrated? Let me know!

Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting and until next time, be blessed and stay safe.

Love & light…xo!

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Lifestyle | 7 Things to Always Keep in Your Gym Bag

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If you follow me on Instagram then you know at least 2-3 mornings out of the week, I’m headed out the door for a 5 or 6 AM workout. Waking up extra early is NOT something I particularly look forward to, but the benefits of working out are paying off big time. Before heading out, I usually grab a banana and a bottle of water for my husband and me for the car ride. My gym bag stays in the trunk throughout the week, so I don’t have to worry about lugging that back and forth.

See Also: Life Updated + Word of the Year

Keeping a gym bag in the car, or carrying one, is something I haven’t always done. However, now that working out has become part of my lifestyle, a fully loaded gym bag is a must-have. Read ahead to find out what 7 things I always keep in my gym bag.

7 Things to Always Keep in Your Gym Bag

  1. Water Bottle 
    • staying hydrated before, during and after workouts is crucial, so be sure to keep a water bottle in your gym bag
    • NOTE: you can also keep an empty water bottle in the car and fill it up once you get to the gym if your gym has that option
  2. Facewipes
    • keep your face blemish and sweat free after a workout by keeping a pack face wipes in your gym bag at all times; my favorites are the Burt’s Bees Sensitive Facial Wipes
    • NOTE: if you keep your gym bag in the car, don’t leave your wipes in your bag because they may dry out
  3. Gum or Altoids
    • during workouts, your mouth has a tendency to get try so be sure to pop a mint or piece of gum in your mouth before you start; you’ll thank me later
  4. Workout Gloves
    • protect your hands with workout gloves when lifting weights, or doing floor exercises like pushups or planks; I purchased these and I LOVE them
  5. Lip Balm 
    • just because you’re working out doesn’t mean you’re lipgloss can’t be poppin’, so be sure to have Blistex or Chapstick on deck
  6. Extra T-Shirt 
    • just in case you have to run a quick errand after a workout, it’s always smart to have an extra t-shirt in your bag
  7.  Deodorant
    • before you put on that extra t-shirt to run some errands, make sure to freshen up by adding some more deodorant
7 Things to Always Keep in Your Gym Bag

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Things to Always Keep in Your Gym Bag

So tell me, what do you always keep in your gym bag? Let me know below! 

Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting and until next time, be blessed and stay safe.

Love & light…xo!

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Auto Review | 2018 Mazda3 Grand Touring

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I drive and review a lot of cars. Some I like, some not so much. However, when I’m able to test drive a Mazda I know I won’t be disappointed. So, when this 2018 Mazda3 Grand Touring pulled up outside my house I was thrilled! At first glance, I noticed this “Snowflake White Pearl” 4-door vehicle was super sporty. The lines and curves also made the car extremely chic, and the smooth, buttery parchment interior was the cherry on top!

Related: 2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring 
2018 Mazda3 Grand Touring

2018 Mazda3 Grand Touring

2018 Mazda3 Grand Touring

During the week, I drove the 2018 Mazda3 back and forth from Columbia to Baltimore, twice. I also drove my regular routes around my neighborhood. On the highway, I gave it a little gas and quickly found out this car gets OUT! Despite the elevated speed, I still felt in control of the car. Major plus! With all the highway driving, the blind-spot monitoring feature came in very handy.

Looking for a sporty car with awesome safety features? Check out the 2018 Mazda3 ( @ MazdaUSA )!

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Navigating my way in and around parking lots was a breeze. Because the body of the car is on the smaller side, I was able to zip in and out of parking spaces effortlessly. Thanks to the rearview camera feature, I opted to back into most parking spaces without hesitation. Check out a few more of my favorite features below!

Total MSRP: $28,470

*MSRP (Manufactured Suggested Retail Price) *

Fuel Economy: 30 Miles Per Gallon (27 City & 36 Highway) 

Exterior

  • Rearview Cameras
  • Rain-Sensing Wipers
  • 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
  • LED Daytime Running Lights
  • Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers
  • Power Sliding-Glass One-Touch Moonroof

Interior 

  • 7-inch Display Touchscreen
  • Variable Heated Front Seats
  • Leather Trimmed Sport Seats
  • 60/40 Split Fold-Down Rear Seat
  • Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone and Audio Streaming
  • SiriusXM Satellite, Aha™, HD Radio™, and Pandora® Radio

Safety & Security Features 

  • Rearview Camera
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring
  • Front Side-Impact Airbags
  • Front & Rear Side Air Curtains
  • SMS Text Message Audio Delivery and Reply
  • Blind Spot Detection with Rear-Cross Traffic Alert
Check out this ( @MazdaUSA ) 2018 Mazda3 Grand Touring Auto Review! #DriveMazda

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2018 Mazda3

2018 Mazda3 Grand Touring

2018 Mazda3 Grand Touring

So tell me, what do you think about the 2018 Mazda3 Grand Touring? Let me know!

Thanks for reading and commenting and until next time, be blessed and stay safe.

Love & light…xo!

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Events | Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley’s 2nd Runway Fashion & Awards Show

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I may not talk about it much anymore, but thrifting will always have a special place in my heart. Thanks to my late grandfather, I caught the thrifting bug when I was about 10 or 11. I still remember perusing the Goodwill aisles with Fafa (my grandfather) looking for ties and various vintage knick-knacks. As I grew older, I started shopping on my own at my local Goodwill and really fell in love with the art of thrifting. I actually parlayed my passion for thrifting into a successful vintage resale business, Nic’s Picks.

See Also, The Fashion of Goodwill – Greater Washington Goodwill Fashion Show 2014

Although I no longer sell vintage items, nor do I thrift as much as I use to, I’m still and will always be HUGE Goodwill supporter. I’ve always admired how the company gives back so much to its community, and their runway shows are always enjoyable and of course, fashion-forward. So, imagine my excitement when the Goodwill of Monocacy Valley reached out to inquire if I’d be one of their stylists for their upcoming runway show! Uh, yes. Sign me up, please and thank you!

GOODWILL MONOCACY VALLEY FASHION SHOW

GOODWILL MONOCACY VALLEY FASHION SHOW

After agreeing to join the FABULOUS team of stylists, I met the Marketing Coordinator at the Goodwill store in Westminster to pull my looks. The store was massive, which was a bit intimidating at first, but once I got going I was on a roll! My rack is filled with lots of prints, unique pieces, and fun accessories. The looks flow very well, and I can’t wait to see them on the runway!

Come out and support the @GoodwillMV fashion show on May 10th, from 5-8 p.m., at @DrinkMcClintock!

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List of Stylists

  1. Whitney Nic James
  2. Gina Cangemi
  3. Housewives of Frederick County
  4. Styled by Whit
  5. Lauren B.
  6. Melissa DiMercurio

Purchase Tickets HERE

GOODWILL MONOCACY VALLEY FASHION SHOW

GOODWILL MONOCACY VALLEY FASHION SHOW

So tell me, are you an avid thrift shopper? Have you ever been to a Goodwill Fashion Show? Let me know! 

If you’re in the Maryland area, I’d love to see you there! You can purchase your tickets HERE, and if you want to volunteer at the event, feel free to contact me so I can put you in touch with the right person. Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting and until next time, be blessed and stay safe.

Love & light…xo!

KEEP UP WITH ME

Personal Style | Tunic Dress and Distressed Denim + Tips on Stretching Your Wardrobe

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I’m not sure about you, but I love a good tunic dress over a pair of denim moment. When styled well, there’s just something about the look that screams “CHIC” without trying too hard. With an active lifestyle and a minimal wardrobe, I also find that paring a tunic dress over a pair of denim (or a pair of leggings)  is one of the easiest ways to stretch your wardrobe.

See Also: How to Style Some of Your Winter Items this Spring

I decided to style this look a few weeks back for a weekday date night. I wore the tunic dress earlier that day over a pair of black leggings, but I wanted to do something different for a casual evening out. So, distressed denim it was. I’d like to add that I wore this pair of denim AND the mules (and turban) 2 days earlier while running errands. If that’s not stretching your wardrobe, I don’t know what is!

Tunic Dress: Nordstrom Rack (another option) // Denim: Torrid (another option) // Mules: Catherine Malandrino, Nordstrom Rack (similar pair)

A Chic Way to Style a Tunic Dress with a Pair of Distressed Denim #wnjstyle

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Stretching my wardrobe has become second nature, especially since I’ve adopted a minimal personal style. I love rotating the same top or pair of pants around to come up with different outfits. It’s not rocket science, but I do keep the 3 P’s in mind when it comes to stretching my wardrobe. It helps make the process even more simple.

  1. Purchase 
    • purchase clothing items that can be worn more ways than one
    • ex. tunic dresses, maxi dresses, cardigans, men’s dress shirts, etc.  
  2. Plan 
    • figure out what your week “looks like” and decide which items can be mixed and matched to create at least 2 different outfits
    • ex. a tunic dress over denim and just the tunic dress by itself, a cardigan as a layering piece and as a button down shirt, a men’s shirt as a dress and as a layering piece, etc. 
  3. Place
    • make your weekly wardrobe visible
    • ex. place your outfits on a clothing rack, or hang the outfits towards the front of your closet (accessories included, if possible) 
The 3 “P’s” of Stretching Your Wardrobe #wnjstyle

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Drop Earrings: Nordstrom Rack (another option) // Turban: Amazon (same) // Tote Bag: Marc Jacobs, Nordstrom Rack (another style)

So tell me, what are some of your tips for stretching a wardrobe? Do you like styling dresses over denim? Let me know! 

Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting and until next time, be blessed and stay safe.

Love & light…xo!

KEEP UP WITH ME

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