Favorite Jeans: These jeans have been my favorite for a few years now. I think they are totally worth the investment. You really can’t find a pair of jeans that fits as well to your body and is just as comfortable. I do size down a size in these jeans for reference.
Favorite Boots: Not only are they my favorite boots I bought this year, but they are the most loved item from the blog by y’all! I have heard nothing but positive feedback from y’all when you buy them and I have to force myself to not wear them with everything, because I love them that much! They are so flattering on your legs and the detailed stitching is extra cute. Not to mention the heel height is just enough for us tall ladies.
I also LOVE these black OTK boots that you probably notice I wear all the time too.
Favorite Sweater: The most affordable sweater I bought this year is my favorite as well. I love that you can wear it so many different ways– off the shoulder, v-neck, with scarfs, etc. I would highly recommend it to everyone if you don’t already have it! I believe it is on sale right now too!
Favorite Pullover: I have only had it for a few days and without a doubt it is my favorite jacket/pullover. I don’t really feel like I need to explain too much on this pullover, because if you have it, you understand how unbelievable soft and comfortable it is. Definitely worth every penny and it is discounted right now. Jacket version is here.
Favorite Sneakers: The reason I really like these sneakers are because they go with everything. You can wear them to workout or you can wear them casually out and about. They are currently 20% off.
::BEAUTY::
Favorite Brush: By far, the best makeup tool I have invested in was this brush. The flat kabuki puts your foundation on so smoothly that I honestly don’t think I would ever settle for a different brush to put my foundation on with. It is also great for applying your under-eye concealer with. The brush ensures total and consistent coverage, which is important for someone like me that doesn’t have the best skin.
Favorite Brush Cleaner: Next to having good brushes, you must have a good tool to clean your brushes with. This mat not only cleans my brushes thoroughly, it does it quickly. If you are not familiar with the mat, each section of the mat is designated for a different section (eye, face, etc.), so the cleaning techniques are specific to that brush. If you are looking to invest in anything for your beauty routine, I would most definitely put this at the top of your list.
Favorite Blush: I honestly have not been the biggest blush person, but this blush is a game changer. After I started dancing on the Ice Angels, I knew I needed to incorporate a blush into my makeup routine, rather than just using bronzer on my cheeks. This blush is very pigmented and the perfect amount of color to add to your cheek.
Favorite Shower Product: For over a year now, I have been just raving about this product, which is why I feel like it deserves to be part of me best of beauty for 2017. This shower oil is AMAZING. I like to use it specifically for shaving. However, I will use it on the drier parts of my body when needed and I notice a huge difference. Not to mention, it makes your entire shower smell amazing when you use it.
Favorite Eye Shadow Primer: If you have never tried an eye shadow primer. this may seem like a silly category—- BUT i promise that used to be me. This primer, I swear, keeps my eyeshadow on, until I rub it off. What I also love about it, is that a little bit goes a long way. I have tried a few other eye shadow primers and not understood the big deal, but this primer is a necessary add to your makeup bag.
Favorite Eye Shadow Pallet: I personally think that every girl needs a really nice, versatile eye shadow pallet that coordinates with their every day routine. I came across this pallet when I was out shopping one day and just instantly fell in love. What I love most about it is that there is a color and shade for every girl and every skin type. This pallet is definitely a steal for all the colors you get. I also really love THIS pallet, if you want every color under the rainbow in one pallet!
Favorite Foundation: Hands down the best foundation that I have ever personally come across. I have very troublesome skin that decides it wants to flare up and be red one second and then the next decides to try up. This foundation has been my lifesaver for full fave coverage and making sure that my complexion is clear and consistent. If I were to recommend one beauty product on this entire post, it would most definitely be this one. ( I wear shade N2 for reference).
Favorite Dry Shampoo: If there is one thing I love, it is dry shampoo. I mean really, girls only wash their hair once a week LOL. I like this dry shampoo in particular because it doesn’t dry out my hair or leave a white residue. This shampoo has been saving my hair day by day for almost six months now.
Favorite Eye Cream: The best advice my mom ever gave me was to start using eye cream as soon as possible, and boy was she right! This eye cream is my particular favorite because it keeps my under eye area smooth and hydrated for much longer than any other eye cream I have ever used. I have also noticed a reduction in my dry skin and wrinkles around my eye area since using this cream!
Favorite Hand Cream: I have never been the biggest hand cream person until I noticed my hands becoming extremely dry within the past year. This hand cream is hands down my favorite because it keeps my hands extremely soft for hours and smells amazing.
Favorite Bed Accessory: I have heard nothing but rave reviews about this pillowcase and thought there is no way a pillowcase could really be that big of a difference, but I stand completely corrected. After getting one for myself, I have not only noticed a difference in my ‘bed head’, but I have also noticed my face does not get wrinkled while I am sleeping, Reduction of wrinkles and less hair creases is a win in my book.
Favorite Curling Tool: If you were to invest in your hair styling in any kind of way, this is the way I would tell you to do so. This wand has helped my curls hold and stay full all day long. I love that you can interchange the barrels as well.
Favorite Cleanser: After being introduced to this cleanser, I realized that what I was using just was not doing the trick. Not only does the cleanser deeply clean your skin, my skin instantly felt more refreshed and hydrated after only a few uses. For someone with very dry skin, this is definitely a win!
::LIFE::
2017 has been a crazy, amazing rollercoaster for me.
I started my blog this year, Jon and I moved in together, I continued to pursue my professional dance dreams and made the Ice Angels, and we got Teddy!
I started my blog in February of this year (the day after Valentine’s Day, to be exact) and I just remember feeling so incredibly nervous. How was it going to go? Was anyone even going to look at what I was writing? Were people going to laugh at me? Every thought that could have held me back from launching With Love, Nikki– I was thinking about, but I didn’t for one second let it hold me back from this dream of blogging that I have had for a few years now. I am so happy I did because it has led me to meeting some of the sweetest women all over the country and even outside of the US too! Every day I get to share my love for fashion, beauty, and fitness with y’all and it is truly the best outlet and job I could ask for. This blogging community that has formed is my second home and I really do not know what I would do without y’all, so thank you from the bottom of my heart for following along and being so supportive with me in my first year of blogging.
Jon and I moved in together to our first place, which was a big step for our relationship. Just a little background on our relationship– we met at my first job out of college. He sat next to me and we were really good friends for a long time. After both of us were in an emotionally available situation in our lives, we realized that we liked each other more than just friends and began dating in June of 2016. From there, our relationship just continued to grow and grow into the amazingly strong and supportive relationship we have today. Now, we are not perfect in any way (duh–we fight and bicker like every couple LOL), but I have never been in a relationship that is so healthy and helps one another grow every day into a better person. I couldn’t imagine my life without Jon in it now and could not ask for someone who is more supportive or loving of me and my/our life. It takes a very special person to date someone who is busy 24/7 like me and asking for help with blog pictures😂 . Any who, all this to say that I cannot wait for 2018 to see our relationship grow and move into our second home together!
Dance is a very big part of my life and this year I decided it was time to get back into the professional dancing game. I was a competitive dancer my entire life and briefly cheered for OU my freshman year in college. After that I decided to just take a little break and really focus on my studies and my career. After graduating though, I just felt like there was a void in my life and something was missing. This year everything fell into place and it led me to the amazing opportunity of becoming an Allen Americans Ice Angel. That void is definitely filled and I will never give up dance again because it makes me who I am. I am so happy to be back dancing and am looking forward to this next year to see where my dreams lead me.
TEDDY! Y’all know how obsessed I am with my puppy, Teddy. He was a split second decision when I was at trade days and I am so happy I never put him back in his playpen. Teddy is quite the handful sometimes, as all puppies are, but Jon and I just absolutely adore him. I think Piper (my cat) is starting to finally grow to love him too LOL.
Cheers to 2017 and HELLLOOOO 2018!
