It's 'OK' Guys

Oh happy day! I'm in a great mood this week and even though my lack of sleep and crazy schedule should show me in a less than stellar mood, I just can't help being all smiles when I look at this precious face.

If you missed it yesterday, this is my brand new nephew, Devan, who was born on Jan 29th. I cannot get over how peaceful he looks and cannot wait to officially meet the little guy in 3 months. 

Anyway, I'm linking up with Neely and Amber for It's OK Thursday!

It's ok...

...to want to send the following onesie to my cousin to have her new baby wear, how stinkin' cute is it!

...to feel like an old lady going to sleep at 10:30 pm every night, I used to be able to stay up into the wee hours of the night and wake up the next morning just fine, now I'm a grumpy mess if I don't get enough sleep.

...to be frustrated when a coworker talks down to me when she has no right to. I may be younger than her, but unfortunately for her, she is not the queen of the world and cannot say whatever she wants to people.

...to be so excited for Super Bowl Sunday, my good friend is going to New Orleans for the big game, but it's me and my girls watching the game and I couldn't be more excited {especially if the 49ers win}

Yes that is handmade by yours truly!

...to feel proud of myself for staying on top of my assignments for class and even doing a little more than expected.

...to be almost finished with all my health requirements for clinicals and looking forward to finally getting in an office and apply what we've been learning!

I love lists!!

...that this is all my brain is allowing me to spew out!

Welcome To The World

This morning when I woke up, I got the best text ever. My older cousin {whom I consider like a sister to me} have birth to her 2nd baby boy!

His name is Devan and be was born in the wee hours of the evening on Jan 29th {11:43 pm to be exact} weighing in at 7 lbs, 7 oz.

He looks perfect and peaceful and I wish I were in Colorado holding his precious self in my arms. It won't be too long before I see him {exactly 3 months from today!!}

Extra, Extra, Read All About It

Is it just me or is the opening line for posts the hardest thing to come up with? Well now that I got that out of the way, how are all you lovelies? I have a full day with a 2 hour meeting at work this AM and a tooth extraction at my favorite place, the dentist! I bet you couldn't top my awesome day {insert sarcastic tone here}. I wanted to discuss some important news happening in our world today. The world I'm talking about is the wonderful world of celebrities! Come on now, you didn't expect me to get all CNN on you did you? I absolutely love reading about the exciting lives of celebs and it's one of my many guilty pleasures in life. Before the days of wasting time on Pinterest, I frequented Perez Hilton regularly.  I would rack my brain with all things celebrity news and spew it on anyone who would hear; friends, coworkers, random strangers at the grocery store ok maybe I didn't do this, but in my head I was always telling them what was new in the celebrity world, they appreciated it a lot. Let's get to some hard-hitting news stories gracing the headlines of magazines!

1. Tom Brady & Gisele Bundchen have finally completed work on their $20 million mansion!

Yippeeeeeeee! Now Tom has a new place to comfortably wear his UGG boots and cry about not going to the Super Bowl this year. I'm not gonna lie, this mansion looks awesome, and they even have a custom playground for their 3 children, I wouldn't mind moving in!

2. Kanye West gifts $65,000 in jewelry to Kim Kardashian. 

Is this his way of thanking her for sticking with him through this "pregnancy". I still think them as a couple is a joke and in a world where there is still poverty and sickness, to be spending frivolous amounts on jewelry is just disgusting. Oh and in these pictures below, the "in-love" couple are probably wearing a couple thousand dollars worth of clothing/accessories, gross.

3. Vanessa Hudgens chops off her hair, and doesn't care apparently!

Oh V.Hudge, when are you going to learn that you're irrelevant. If this is one of the top stories in entertainment, they must have had a slow news week. She posted the picture of her new, shorter locks quoting, "Short hair, don't care!" and even though she may appear to not care, she clearly does since she bothered to ask her fan, "What do you guys think of my new do?"

4. Miley Cyrus is nearly topless for cover of Cosmopolitan Magazine.

In other news, Miley Cyrus is still showing the world that she is a rebel and doesn't give a crap what people think of her. Girlfriend looks hot and she's young so why shouldn't she show off what she has?! Plus with the cover saying provocative things such as "Your best sex ever", she should be looking hot on the cover.

I think this has been pretty jam packed with some breaking news from the entertainment headlines and now you all can go repeat these interesting news stories to all your friends & loved ones! 

5 for Five

Happy Monday folks {if such a thing exists}. Today I am linking up with one of my favorite bloggers, Jenn @ Party of One for 5 for Five. I haven't linked up regularly with her and this link up, but kept telling myself I would next week and sure enough next week would creep up and I just kept pushing it off. Well that ends today! I think this is the perfect way to stay organized with my goals for the week and then also be accountable for them the following Monday.

1. Drink at least 64 oz {8 cups} of water daily. My water bottle has a measure line so this should help me track and reach my daily intake.

2. Pack a lunch every day for work and class. This is mainly because I've realized I'm spending way too much on crappy and unhealthy cafeteria food and in order to eat healthy, I need to pack a lunch for myself and stick to it.

3. Finish 2 critical thinking essay questions and at least 2 chapter review quizzes for class. I learned my lesson from last semester that i need to stay on top of making my own deadlines because unfortunately, this semester is jam packed and with my crazy work schedule I don't have much free time available.

4. Stay on top of my blog emails and take the time to read and comment on blogs. This is pretty self-explanatory, but frankly I've been slacking when it comes to commenting and keeping up with blogs on the regular.

5. Start up Jillian Michaels 30 day shred again. I'm hoping to stay consistent with this because I have way too many things coming up in the coming months and I want to look and feel great; bachelorette parties, weddings, and engagement parties galore!

So I think my 5 goals for this week are pretty simple to keep up with and I hope to come back next Monday with all greens on these and some brand new goals!! 

Sunday Social {Week 34}

Happy Sunday everyone! I'm linking up with the fabulous ladies Ashley & Neely for a little Sunday Social fun! 

1. What is your ideal way to relax? I love just being in my sweats, watching TV. Knowing I have nothing to do is such a great and relaxing feeling. Every now and then I'll go out for a mani-pedi or massage and those are fantastic ways to relax as well, but get to be expensive with the number of times I would need it!
2. Where is your favorite place to be? Is my bed a fair answer? In a bigger spectrum, probably anywhere my friends are. We have such a blast with each other even if we are just hanging out at someones place talking, those turn out to be the best nights and I cherish them so much. So I suppose anywhere where my loved ones are!
3. Who do you consider your biggest role model? This answer is two-fold for me because I consider my mom my biggest role model, but also consider my grandmother {her mother} to be another role model for me. They are so similar in the way they are so it only makes sense for me to include both of them in this category. I know I can count on my mom for anything and she is there to listen. Although, she gets frustrated with me at times, we love each other and I don't know how my life would be without her in it.

4. What does your life look like in 3 years? In 3 years I would be 27-28 so I see myself definitely married and enjoying life, hopefully traveling with my husband and having babies on our mind! I also see myself moving somewhere other than Chicago, love it here, but I feel like I belong somewhere else. *Preferably, with this pretty on my finger*

5. If you could go back and change one decision, what would it be? My relationship with an ex. He was a great guy, but I knew it was headed nowhere and I still decided to stick around and let myself fall harder than I should have. I ended up getting hurt in the end and decided to break all ties with the guy. He still tries to reach out to me through Facebook, texts, etc, but I realize I don't need him in my life anymore and I am so much happier with that!

6. What is your biggest accomplishment in life so far? Making it this far. Life has thrown me so many curve balls and it's gotten really tough at times, but I know I am in a happy place and the people i am surrounded with are incredible. Unfortunately I don't have anything major like a wedding or baby to be proud of quite yet, but being happy right now is great! Sorry for the lame answer, this one was hard for me.

Join in on the fun and link up!

Weekly What?

Hey girl {and potential guys} hey! I know you all must be thinking, what the heck is this girl doing posting on a Saturday, that's a big blogging no-no. Today is different because one of my bloggy bff's and 2 other awesome co-hosts are rolling out their brand spankin' new link-up called Weekly What? The idea behind this is basically to recap all of your posts from the week to make it easier for your readers to catch up from a one stop shop of sorts. I am in love with this idea and know that I will utilize this with other blogs because there are times during the week that I just can't catch up with blogging. I am so glad there is finally a link up where this is possible so thanks to the wonderful hosts, Jenn @ Party of One, Allie @ Tales of a Twenty Something and Ricci @ A Beautiful Mess.

I suggest all you pretties go type up a post and link up because before you know it, this is going to be a hot link up in the blogging world! Here is the recap of my week in blogging!

Sunday
Sunday Social Post : All about 3's, such as favorite 3 foods, shows, places to visit, etc.

Monday
No post, womp womp

Tuesday
Facts of Life: Nikki's Edition : I joined Whitney on this one day link up stating interesting {or not} factoids about me!

Wednesday
If I Were A Boy... : I linked up with Erin for this fun prompt on what I would do if I were a boy, very interesting perspective, but I found out in the end I love being a girl!

Thursday
Nikki Lately : I haven't done a post on what's been going on in my life so far, so I decided to let you guys in a bit, check out what I've been up to!

Friday
Nail Files : I linked up with Tara & Vicki for my weekly Nail Files report, this week I went into spring mode a bit early, check it out! 

So what have you lovers been up to this week, get your post up and ready to link up with these fabulous ladies. If I haven't convinced you enough, maybe them giving one lucky {random} winner a $30 paypal cash or gift card {of the winner's choosing} will sweeten the deal, you know how much damage can be done with $30!!! 

Nail File {1/25/13}

Happy Friday loves! Today will be a quick post, so let's get straight to it. I haven't gotten my new camera yet, been crazy busy with work and school, but hoping to check out some new ones this weekend! I'm linking up today with Vicki & Tara for Nail Files! Since I don't have a camera, I took this weeks nail picture with my crappy iTouch.

I decided to go bright and spring colored in the midst of dropping temperatures here in Chicago. I have gotten so many compliments on this color in just the week I've had it on and I know it's because everyone is dreaming of it to be spring time already! 

This beautiful color is just not captured so well with the  iTouch camera, but it's a buttery lilac color and I am obsessed with how it looks with my skin tone! It's a Sally Hansen polish in Lacey Lilac and I can't wait to do some fun accent nails when Easter rolls around!! 

Later lovers!

Nikki Lately

Hey lovers & friends! Life has been so hectic lately that I just find it easy to get caught up in link-up after link-up, but don't get me wrong they are all such a blast to be a part of. I feel like I need to give you guys a real post. So here's what's going on in Nikki land as of late...

{} Work has been crazy. It is usually our slower time of year, but with coworkers on vacation and the nasty flu going around, the hospital has been super busy. I guess it's good on the paycheck! 

{} It has officially been a week since classes started this semester and to say that I'm overwhelmed is an understatement. The first day of class was horrendous and I wasn't sure if I would survive the semester, but now that I have lists made out and deadlines set up for myself, I'm hoping it'll get easier. Speaking of class, I have a million and one things to get done before my clinical rotations being in less than 2 months! 

^These are my massive books for class, my shoulders r bruised after every class from hauling all this crap around! 

{} I haven't really mentioned the boy on the blog lately because quite frankly, even though we still are talking on the reg, we are both becoming so consumed with life. He is prepping to take his boards and with class & work for me, I barely get time to relax. I'm hoping we can get back to some sort of normal, but being long distance can be really tough on doing so.

{} My 2nd nephew is supposed to be born any day now and I cannot wait to get the phone call from my cousin telling me everything is a-okay! 

{} To think it is ridiculous that it was in the negative degrees outside, I know I live in Chicago and should be used to it, but seriously nose hairs were frozen!

{} I'm obsessed with some new TV shows, more specifically; The Carrie Diaries & Deception! I barely get a chance to sit and really enjoy TV anymore, but Mondays are filled with those shows and of course The Bachelor {which I still haven't seen, but love all the recaps going around so I can catch myself up on what happened}.

{} My internet went out 3 times during the span of this blog post {which honestly didn't take so long to type up}. I really should call Comcast and give them a piece of my mind, but that requires too much work, so I'd rather not. Instead I will continue to be un-impressed with their services.

{} I'm all out of my Neutrogena makeup remover wipes. I swear these are this lazy girls life saver. Who wants to get up after you're all snuggled up in bed with laptop in tow to realize you haven't taken off your makeup yet, in comes the handy dandy makeup remover wipes on the nightstand. I'm not getting any compensation for saying they're amazing wipes, but if Neutrogena wants to send a few packets my way I wouldn't say no! 

{} I have decided to really limit my spending this year which I already know is going to be hard. I'm more concerned with the small spending I was doing during the week on lunches, random Target trips, fast food, etc. I have severely cut down on all these expenses. I've gotten pretty good at bringing a lunch to work and class, have limited my trips to Target {going to get my makeup remover wipes tomorrow doesn't count!} and have been trying to really curb my fast food intake.

{} With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I have NO clue what to get N. I always stress about gifts because I aim to please and want to get something that the other person will love. I don't think I'm going to go crazy with getting anything for him besides a nice card and maybe a giftcard to Dunkin Donuts {I'm working on converting him to Starbucks, but it's a lot harder than I thought}. I found this cute printable from Pinterest and I may get creative with making a card for him. I wanted something simple and not overly mushy because we aren't quite at that stage yet, so this printable spoke to me, what do you guys think? Any other suggestions?

{} Ok, final thing, there are 2 songs that I am absolutely, utterly, obsessed with. Without sounding like a 13 year old girl, this first song by One Direction is the sweetest thing since apple pie. O.b.s.e.s.s.e.d. 

One Direction-Little Things

This second song needs to be played on the radio more because I cannot help but jam out to it when I do hear it. I think I'm a little late on this bandwagon because apparently it's been out for some time now...clearly I'm behind.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis-Thrift Store

and just because 2 songs aren't enough and everyone pretty much knows this news already, but JT is back in the studio and I cannot wait to see what he comes up with!! His first single Suit & Tie is already a hit, can't wait for more. Biebs better want to take some notes on how it's really done in the music biz!

Ok I can add about 30 more things to this list, but I think I've bored you all enough. Hope you enjoyed reading the happenings of my life so far, talk to you lovelies soon!

If I Were A Boy...

...even just for a day. Oh Beyonce, she'd make one hell of a guy! The lovely Erin @ Living In Yellow hardly needs an introduction and you've probably already saw this on her blog, but in case you haven't she posed the question to fellow bloggers, what would you do if you were a boy? This was pretty easy to think of because let's face it, boys have it wayyyy easy. 

So, if I were a boy...

{} I would roll out of bed 15 minutes before having to go to work.

{} I could wash my hair without having to worry about blow-drying/flat-ironing it.

{} I wouldn't have to waste money on expensive makeup, which quite frankly takes up precious minutes of sleep in the morning.

{} I wouldn't have to shave every day, scruff looks good on a guy, especially in the cold seasons!

{} I would walk around in my boxer briefs without having to worry about being indecent.

{} I would lounge around wearing those super comfy over-sized sweats and a hoodie.

{} I would go to the gym and actually know what I was doing around all the confusing machines.

{} I wouldn't have to worry about getting my monthly gift from mother nature, unless that gift happened to be a dose of sexy every month, then I'll take it!

{} I would drink as much beer and eat as many carbs as possibly without worrying about counting calories because I know I could just go run for 20 mins and get back to my skinny self.

{} I would aim to look like any of these delicious guys:

Source: 25.media.tumblr.com via nikki on Pinterest

Source: laurendane.tumblr.com via nikki on Pinterest

Source: imgfave.com via nikki on Pinterest

Source: dailystab.com via nikki on Pinterest

{} I would most importantly, respect women, listen to my girlfriend/significant other, clean up after myself, put the toilet seat down, buy my girl 'just because' flowers, and always tell her she's beautiful {and mean it!}

Let's just face it, I am way too girly to even consider being a boy. Although life may seem easy for boys in certain circumstances, being a girl is just way too much fun! 

Yup that's me in my fru-fru pink dress combing my mermaid barbie's hair, such a girly girl

What would you do if you were a boy?

The Facts of Life: Nikki's Edition

Hey girl heeeeey! Did the interesting title reel you in today? Were you expecting to find the lovely ladies from the Facts of Life on this here blog? Well, sorry to burst your 70's balloon, but all you get today is little ol' me. Just for shits & giggles, here's a picture of the cast so you don't feel like you completely wasted your Google search of Facts of Life cast!

Oh Tootie, she was always my favorite! Well moving onto what the blog post is actually about. I saw a few days ago on Whitney's blog that she was going to have a one day link up {today so hurry up} presenting to all her readers the facts of her. She is giving everyone the opportunity to crank out a facts of me type post and link up with her. I highly suggest doing so because let's be realistic, she's pretty awesome and not to mention popular, so do as the popular blogs do! I jokes {about the doing as they do, not about her being awesome and popular}, but this was a really fun post to write about and I've noticed the posts I am the most real with you guys on, seem to have the most traffic. 

At first I had no clue what I was going to write about, I am not creative in the least bit, so I turned to an old post I did, here for inspiration. Here is what would be said about me if you came to Nikki's Theme Park {look at Whitney's post for this to make sense}:

{} I am a complete girly girl, but I love to watch football or basketball with the guys and throw back a few beers.

{} I've never really been a liquor fan {gasp, I know}, it tastes pretty gross. I do drink it, but nowhere near how much I drank a few years ago in my prime. Nowadays I'm more of a white wine lover.

{} I love to dress up, even if it's just jeans, boots and a cute top. I never get the chance to wear cute stuff to work since I'm in scrubs all day long, so when I go out for drinks with friends I get extra dolled up.

{} I like to write things out before typing them up. This includes, but isn't limited to, blog posts {like this one}, papers, etc. I guess I'm old school when it comes to that, but I like having a rough draft so that when I type my mind doesn't wander and thoughts don't get confused.

{} I've only ever traveled to 1 country besides America and that is India. I talked about my trip there a few times on the blog, but if you want a bunch of pictures, go here!

{} I've never had a fairy tale romance, you know the ones you read about on fellow bloggers blogs, magazines, books, etc. I've felt like I've been in love a few times, but never the heart-flipping, body consuming love that we all aim for or is that just me.

{} That leads me to my next point, I'm a complete and utter hopeless romantic. I love everything about romance and can't wait to truly experience a lifetime romance. For now, I will live vicariously through Rom-com's.

{} I am also a Pinterest addict. I fully admit it and am comfortable with my admission of being an addict. I suppose it's better than being addicted to drugs or alcohol?! 

{} I currently live in the beautiful city of Chicago; however, I truly believe I am meant to live on the east coast {even if it means living in New Jersey, the butthole of America, no offense to anyone who lives here, I actually love the state}.

{} Music is my drug. I love it all ranging from pop, top 40, country, r&b, rap, and 90's music has a special place in my heart!

{} I have way too many nail polishes for a normal person. Anytime I have family or friends over they just go to my stash, pick out a polish and I paint their nails for them. They like to think I'm really good, but I enjoy painting their nails!

{} When people give me compliments I never know how to respond, so I just get reeeeal awkward.

Source: imgfave.com via nikki on Pinterest

{} I swear meme's are based off my life, here are a couple examples, when I look at them I'm like hmm, these meme creators must have been peeking into my life and got these ideas because these are entirely too true!

Source: memegenerator.net via nikki on Pinterest

Source: so-relatable.tumblr.com via nikki on Pinterest

Source: us.mg5.mail.yahoo.com via nikki on Pinterest

Source: imgfave.com via nikki on Pinterest

Source: dafuq-posts.tumblr.com via nikki on Pinterest

Source: lolsotrue.com via nikki on Pinterest

Source: lolsnaps.com via nikki on Pinterest

Source: weknowmemes.com via nikki on Pinterest

Source: memegenerator.net via nikki on Pinterest

Hope you all enjoyed touring through my life and although I could come up with another 1000, I think I'll spare you. Plus I'm hungry and I don't want to wait to get hangry.

Toodles lovers!