Living a fashionable life

New in: "Ladurée keychain"

2012-02-14T15:01:00.001+01:00

une Saint Valentine Parisien

This Valentine I got a very, very sweet and pretty present from my boyfriend.

Je t'aime, chéri. Tu sais.

♥N

Pictures by: me

Trips: "The windy city"

2012-02-07T10:48:00.002+01:00

Chicago

I've been wanting to go back to the United States for a very long time now. In 2005 I did a road trip with my family through California, and in 2009 we went to New York and Florida. I guess it's safe to say that these were two of my favorite holidays of all times. There is just something about the USA that captures every European's attention and triggers the imagination. So, I'm very happy to tell you that in somewhat more than two months, I'll be visiting again! This time we're going on a five day trip to "the windy city": Chicago. If you have any tips for me when it comes to dining, shopping, sight seeing whatsoever, don't hesitate to let me know! In the mean time, I'll be counting down the days ;)

♥N

Outfit of the day: "Creamy"

2012-01-31T21:03:00.004+01:00

Let's get lifted

Today's weather was my favorite kind. Cold, a few snowflakes, followed by a clear blue sky and a few rays of sun. Perfect for taking a walk, followed by a big cup of coffee and a movie (and a quick change of clothes as I was freezing my behind off; cozy sweater it is..). I have to say though, it's a little confusing. I caught myself humming Christmas songs, but then I looked at my iPhone and realized it's almost February. Oops...

♥N

Photos by: Nick Zijlstra
Shirt, blazer + jeans: H&M

Get Inspired: "290112"

2012-01-29T22:53:00.001+01:00

290112

Hopefully these pics will inspire me, because I have to that for the last few days, my good spirits have been letting me down a bit. Maybe it's the cold, maybe I'm just tired, I don't know. All I know is that there's no need for panic, I just have to clear my head and make a fresh start.

♥N

Source: Paintmarker, unknown

Outfit of the day: "Casual red"

2012-01-24T10:45:00.002+01:00

Unwritten

Spending my morning in bed watching old episodes of "The Hills", accompanied by a big cup of green tea. Couldn't think of anything better right now!

♥N

Photos by: Nick Zijlstra
Burgundy jeans: Bershka, Blazer + Jumper: H&M, Sneakers: Converse

Editorial: "French ELLE magazine"

2012-01-19T19:56:00.003+01:00

ELLE goes Disney

Recently ran into this editorial from the French ELLE and I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself... I had to share it with you! YSL, Stella McCartney, Miu Miu, Chanel AND Disneyland Paris? To speak in Rachel Zoe's famous words: I DIE!

♥N

Source: Fashion Gone Rogue

Outfit of the day: "Faux leather pants + pink sweater"

2012-01-17T08:59:00.004+01:00

Turn it back around

Still in the middle of the "exam madness", can't wait for it all to be over and actually have a social life again. The staying in, studying day after day, buckets and buckets of coffee, lack of sleep... Not really my fav's. Hang on, Nikita, hang on! ;)

I got the sweater a few days ago and it's by far the most comfortable piece of clothing I have ever owned. It's soft, warm, cosy and... pink! What more could a girl ask for, right? All I know is, it made my day a lot brighter and it might be my lucky sweater, because my exam went very, very well :)

♥N

Photos by: Nick Zijlstra
Pink sweater: Mauro Grifoni, Faux leather pants: Nelly, Ring: River Island, Shoes: Converse, Parka: Mango

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIVING A FASHIONABLE LIFE!

2012-01-14T11:36:00.003+01:00

3rd Anniversary

I can't believe today is Living A Fashionable Life's 3rd birthday already! It was exactly today around this time in 2009 that I decided (in a split second, that is) that I wanted to start a blog, to express myself and to show my view on fashion and personal style. I randomly started posting pictures and small texts, and slowly it evolved into what my blog is today, though the thought behind it all never changed. I still want to show the world who I am, what I stand for, my view on fashion and my dreams So far, I enjoyed every second of it.

A big thank you to all of you for reading my blog. I really appreciate all of you taking the time to read my posts and even comment on them.

I'm currently working on some big changes for Living A Fashionable Life, because I think after three years, it's time for a new start. I'll keep you updated ;)

For now, here's to another year of blogging and taking another babystep closer to my dreams!

♥N

Photos by: Me

Get Inspired: "Interior inspiration"

2012-01-10T18:00:00.000+01:00

Estee Stanley @ The Coveteur

I don't think there are a lot of people out there who have never heard of The Coveteur, but if you are one of them, please please please go check it out. In my opinion, it's one of the most inspiring websites ever. Looking inside ones house and interior is like looking inside ones head and mind. I think the way you decorate your house says so much about you as a person and your way of life. And, when I look at these photos, I believe (that is, if I were a cool California girl in shorts and cropped tops and vintage sunglasses with beachy hair etc. etc.) I would be BFF's with Estee Stanley.

Being a celebrity stylist who dresses people like Ashley Olsen and being interior designer on the side, it's no wonder that her home is GORGEOUS, to say the least. With very desirable items from Fendi, Isabel Marant and Oscar de la Renta(!) casually lying around the house, crisp white walls and wooden accents, it's practically everything I ever dreamed of. Not to mention the amazing (self made) walk-in closet, full of Manolo's and Jimmy Choo's, which is like a big wooden treasure chest.

Estee, I'll talk to you as soon as I get my own place! ;)

♥N

Photos by: The Coveteur

Outfit of the day: "Lace dress + biker boots"

2012-01-07T14:58:00.000+01:00

When darkness falls

I'm having exams and a lot of deadlines next week, so I'm studying like a crazy person right now. Wish I could watch 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' in bed with a soy vanilla latte, though....

♥N

Photos by: Nick Zijlstra
Lace dress: Monki,Parka+Boots: H&M, Bag: Zara, Watch: Casio

Personal: "Paris"

2012-01-05T13:52:00.002+01:00

Home is where the heart is

I know it's no secret that Paris is my favorite city and that I'd love to go there very soon, but lately I have been feeling extremely drawn to this place. I guess you could even say that I'm a little homesick. Odd, because I was born and raised in Amsterdam, so technically that's 'home'. And in some ways it's true. Most of my friends and family live here, I found the love of my life here, I have a house - thus a home - here, I know the city inside out, I went to school here all my life, I work here, breath here, sleep here... And don't get me wrong, I love Amsterdam. But sometimes I have this very strange feeling that I'm not ment to be here. No, let me rephrase that, that I'm not ment to stay here, grow old here. And lately this feeling has been taken over.

I daydream about waking up in my apartment, (sleep)walk to the window and see the Seine sparkle in the early sunlight. I quickly get dressed in an Isabel Marant jacket, tee and jeans and go to the nearest kiosk to get the latest issue of the French Vogue. And, while I smile to my nextdoor neighbor and mumble a tiny 'bonjour', I walk straight towards my favorite cafe. A few rays of sun gently caress my face, as I sit down on the terrace. I order a 'grande latte' and a 'pain au chocolat' and sigh. I soak up everything around me. I watch the little streets, the cars, the effortlessly dressed people, the buildings, the Eiffel Tower. Thinking about what I will do tomorrow. Go for a stroll in Jardin du Luxembourg? Go shopping at YSL and Colette? Get some macaroons at Laduree? Or just stay in with my Vogue?

And than I'm back in my room in Amsterdam. With a big sigh, I look at these pictures from previous trips to Paris. But than I smile. Because I know, if I keep dreaming about this, if I really want this, it will happen someday. Home is not where you happen to be born or where you are living now, home is where the heart is.

♥N

Photos by: Nick Zijlstra and me
(From previous trips to Paris)

Personal: "2011 Stylefile"

2012-01-02T14:32:00.001+01:00

2011 Favorites

When a brand new year starts, it's habit to look back at the one that just passed. I thought it would be fun to show you some of my favorite things of 2011.

1. My favorite... outfit. Didn't appear on the blog just yet, but I'm sure it will this year.
2. My favorite... piece of jewelry, a "Fantasy" necklace from Disney Couture. Besides the fact that it's extremely pretty, it also reminds me to always make the best of life, never give up on my dreams and that fantasies do come true.
3. My favorite... designer of 2011: Chanel. The "Paris-Bombay '11/12" show was by far the most beautiful one I have ever seen. It's amazing how Chanel keeps on being innovative and leave us in "aw" every single season.
4. My favorite... perfume. Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb has everything I want: it's classic, elegant and timeless. When I buy my first house, I want it to smell like Flowerbomb, to go to bed AND wake up to that scent.. Heaven.
5. My favorite... song: A team by Ed Sheeran. I had never heard of this amazing artist before, but since a month or two, I'm totally hooked on this song. Can't wait to hear more of him.
6. My favorite... gadgets, my Macbook Pro and my iPhone. Now, I cheated a little on this one, because 1. There are two gadgets in this picture and 2. I got them both in 2010, but I still thought they deserved a little credit. I use these babies every. single. day and I can't imagine living without them.
7. My favorite... food, which after all those years is still the same: Sushi. Preferably at Tokyo Cafe in Amsterdam, accompanied by my boyfriend and best friend.
8. My favorite... movie. Yeah, what can I say... I'm geeky like that.

♥N

Photos by: Me.

Chanel photo: Purple.fr, Harry Potter promo: Warner Bros

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-12-31T15:16:00.002+01:00

Sparkle, Sparkle

Today is the last day of 2011. Always a bit bittersweet, on one hand I don't want to say goodbye to this amazing year yet, on the other I'm very excited for this fresh new start!

If I had to describe 2011 in one word I'd have to say: hectic. So many ups, so many downs, a lot of lessons learned. I've been extremely busy with school and the blog, took a lot of steps that made me come closer to my dreams. I've travelled to amazing places (Paris, Madrid, Barcelona and twice to Disneyland, just to name a few), met some great new people, rediscovered old friendships, went to a lot of (fashion)events, got a new job, worked my butt off, laughed, cried and I couldn't be more grateful for it all.

I don't want to make this into an over-the-top sentimental post, but I do wanna say thank you. Thank you so much for visiting and following my blog, commenting and just overall supporting me.

Thanks to my parents and my friends, for believing in me and my dreams and a few of my closest friends for making this year extra special. And a big, big, HUGE thank you to my sweet boyfriend, the love of my life, for helping me out with the blog and for all the amazing things he does.

I hope you have great plans for tonight, I know I have! I'll go out to dinner with the boyfriend and my best friend, celebrate 0:00 there and go to an amazing (costumed) party afterwards! Can't wait. And as you can see, my nails are all ready to party ;)

For now I leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the most inspiring person that ever lived to end 2011 and start 2012 with. Happy new year lovelies, may all your dreams come true!

"When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable."

–Walt Disney

♥N

Photos by: Me.

Nailpolish by OPI: Excuse moi! (Lmtd edition from "The Muppets")

(Christmas gift from my brother)

Diary: "Impressions of a Christmas morning"

2011-12-27T13:36:00.000+01:00

261211

It's crazy how time flies. Christmas is already over and before we know it, we'll be starting a new year. Can't believe how quickly 2011 has gone by, but I'm also very curious to see what 2012 holds for me :)

I hope you had a great Christmas. Mine was very nice, it was the first time in over six years that me and the boyfriend celebrated together, best present ever :)

But, I have to say, my favorite part of Christmas is the morning of the 26th of December. Sleeping in, putting presents underneath the tree and having breakfast with my parents and brother, just like the old days.

♥N

Photos by: Me.

Outfit of the day: "Green dotted skirt"

2011-12-25T15:56:00.000+01:00

Merry Christmas!

I want to wish you all a very merry Christmas, may you spend it with all your loved ones, good food and nice presents!

♥N

Photos by: Nick Zijlstra

Blouse + skirt: Monki, Shoes: Stradivarius

Diary: "Follow me on Instagram"

2011-12-21T09:37:00.001+01:00

Living A Fashionable Life ♥ Instagram

Yes, I have finally fallen for it. Can't believe I've had an iPhone for over a year now and never tried this app before. I'm a big believer in 'sometimes a picture says more than a thousand words' and with Instagram I can practice what I preach ;)

My Instagram username is NikitaAshley, so follow me to keep up to date!

♥N

Photos by: Me (iPhone)

Get Inspired: "151211"

2011-12-15T09:00:00.004+01:00

Never ending story

I know it's not a secret anymore that I adore Miroslava Mikheeva Duma. Ever since I laid eyes on her a few years ago, I've been obsessing over her amazingly well put together outfits. Over and over again. And even though you may have seen this outfit already, I couldn't help but share it with you. The amazing floor length blue pants, the blouse with that classic necklace, not to mention the gorgeous jacket... What's not to love?

♥N

Outfit of the day: "Burgundy pants + knitted cardigan"

2011-12-13T12:27:00.003+01:00

Once upon a dream

So now that the Christmas tree was up, it was time to do some gift shopping. It's getting colder and colder by the day, so I decided to wear my über warm and cosy knitted cardi (still had to put on a winter coat over it to stay warm, unfortunately). Me and le boyfriend strolled around the city, a Starbucks classic hot chocolate in hand, but sadly we didn't find anything we liked. But, that means we're getting a second shot this weekend! Sounds like the perfect excuse to spend a whole day (window-)shopping and shamelessly listening to Christmas songs together! ;)

♥N

Photos by: Nick Zijlstra

Burgundy pants: Bershka, Blouse + Cardigan: H&M, Ring: Cartier, Chuck Taylor All Stars

Outfit of the day: "Earthy colors"

2011-12-11T13:28:00.001+01:00

Sunny skies

I don't know about you, but here we're putting up the Christmas tree and decorations! Can't wait for the festive season to begin.

♥N

Photos by: Nick Zijlstra

Printed shirt: Pull and Bear, Jeans: H&M, Jacket: Goosecraft, Chuck Taylor All Stars

Feature: "Style interview at AIFW '11"

2011-11-30T13:33:00.002+01:00

TreetsTV interview

The ones who are following me on my Facebook page might have seen this video already. It has already been a while since this interview was recorded (July), but it recently aired on the website TreetsTV and I thought it would be fun to share it with you :)

♥N

Event: "7 For All Mankind store opening"

2011-11-28T13:48:00.002+01:00

7 For All Mankind

Last thursday I attended the 7 For All Mankind store opening in Amsterdam. It was a great evening with the perfect combination of cocktails, jummy bites, luxurious jeans and lovely company :)

7 For All Mankind flagship store

PC Hooftstraat 52, Amsterdam

♥N

Photos by: Gitte and Nadja

Trips: "Disneyland Paris"

2011-11-23T09:29:00.001+01:00

Where dreams come true

Last week me and le boyfriend celebrated an early Christmas vacay in our favorite place in the whole world. I could write a book about it and how much I love it, but (for now ;)) I won't do that to you and leave you with these snapshots from one of the most perfect weeks ever. In this case, 'a picture says more than a thousand words' is more true than ever.

♥N

Photos by: Nick Zijlstra and me

Event: "Nelly High Heels Tour"

2011-11-20T23:52:00.001+01:00

Nelly.com takes Utrecht

Guess who's back from the happiest place on earth? Had the best time of my life (as usual), will show you my photo diary soon.

Just two days after I got snapped back into reality, I hosted the Nelly High Heels event with five other bloggers and the lovely Carolien in Utrecht. The Nelly High Heels Tour is a returning event in Europe and travels to different countries and cities. It's a fun night with drinks and bites and the best part is: the first 100 girls who get in will receive a goodiebag, and the first 150 get to choose a pair of free Nelly shoes! And, what girl says no to free shoes huh ;)

It was a very fun night, so special thanks to the people from Nelly and all of the girls who joined us last night!

If you want to know if and when Nelly is coming to your city, check out the event's website :)

♥N

Photos by: David from Nelly.com

Outfit of the day: "Big knit"

2011-11-11T19:06:00.003+01:00

Baby, it's cold outside

You bet it's cold outside! Seems like fall swiftly made place for winter and that means: big knits. This is one of the biggest... No, let me rephrase that. This is THE biggest knit I own and it's oh so comfortable, feels like I'm still covered in my bedsheets.

In just three days I'll be off to my favorite place in the world again, where they are celebrating Christmas already. Seriously can't wait to have a 'jolly holiday' there and have hot coco underneath the giant tree. Yup, sir Mickey M. agrees with me, it's never too early for Christmas ;)

♥N

Photos by: Nick Zijlstra

Big knit: DiDi, Blouse: Bershka, Jeans: H&M, Converse All Stars, Ring: Sfera (gift from my sweet friend Vivianne)