Fashion – Page 9 – Nicole Ballardini

SPRING WARDROBE: 3 MUST-HAVE PIECES

Written by nickyinsideout on March 26, 2017. Posted in 2, Fashion. 14 Comments on SPRING WARDROBE: 3 MUST-HAVE PIECES

Looking forward to spring is about the only thing keeping us sane those never-ending dark winter days. Sartorially speaking, we all know spring wardrobe brings the needs of new dresses, sandals and maybe a new bag that works with the light colours of the season, right?

But what about those staples you want to invest in? Spring pieces we can wear again and again, mixing and matching to those temporary fashion trend? With Opus, I found all my answers on how to combine the two: staples and trends!

I am not talking trends today, instead those must-have pieces that will provide you a basic foundation of your spring wardrobe:

Oversized white shirt. This is absolutely an essential! Investing in a quality white shirt that you can wear alone with great accessories or layer like I did in this outfit. I prefer a loose one rather than fitted, I find it more flattering and gives you more room to play with the styling.

2. Trench coat. It’s just great to have a good quality trench coat in your spring wardrobe, being the perfect chic layering piece. I love how a sand colour trench coat looks over a casual outfit to make the look more dressy. It looks great over a white shirt and white jeans for a chic summer vibe. Literally every woman should own a good trench coat! Without the need of totally splurge, the one I am wearing from Opus is great quality and finishing and below 200€!!

3. Hoodie. This is a great alternative to a denim jacket and very trending this season! If you live a super casual lifestyle, you may want one in each colour! I am wearing mine a ton! I love this one in white because even being a very casual piece, the the light colour maintain it very chic!

Would love to hear how’s your spring wardrobe coming together! What are the pieces you can’t live without?

Created in collaboration with Opus. Story, styling, photograpy and creative direction my own.

TOP 5 GINGHAM PIECES FOR SPRING

Written by nickyinsideout on March 19, 2017. Posted in 2, Fashion. 11 Comments on TOP 5 GINGHAM PIECES FOR SPRING

Happy Sunday! Just ten days left before our holiday to the Canary Islands and I am going to have a very packed week in Amsterdam filled with meetings and deadlines. I just can’t wait to be enjoying the warm weather and the beach!

It’s been warmer the past week and I can’t wait to put away my winter coats! Honestly, I can only think of spring/summer trends at the moment. Gingham is a very big trend this spring and I have already worn this top in February during a party at London fashion week and I am still in love with it. I have lined up for you my favourite top 5 pieces!

These are my top 5 gingham picks:

RIVER ISLAND: This is the top I am wearing. Loving the ruffle sleeves and the front bow.
MADEWELL: Loving the voluminous off-shoulder cut of this top, and the ruffled elastic neckline.
VETIVER: Gingham is a big trend in dresses and skirts this season too and I am definitely falling for these! Both pieces from Madewell and Vetiver are from Shopbop, they have quite a good gingham selection! Some pieces even on sale!
TOPSHOP: Gingham trousers are becoming a must have for spring. These ones with the frill hem are way too cute! Just make sure to wear them with something not too girly or it might be difficult to pull out a good look. I would opt for a grey sweater or a plain white t-shirt.
ASOS: Since my mind is already on a sunny holiday mood, I must take a look to gingham bikinis of course! This bardot one is perfection!

Inside Out the Look:

TOP 5 SPRING COLOUR SWEATERS

Written by nickyinsideout on March 4, 2017. Posted in 2, Fashion. 13 Comments on TOP 5 SPRING COLOUR SWEATERS

Happy Weekend!! Spring is in full swing on my mind as it is our upcoming holiday, in case you saw it on Instagram stories this week.. However, the weather in Amsterdam is everything else but warm and sunny. So, I though of rounding up a selection of spring colour sweaters that can keep up the spring mood, at the same time still keeping us warm.

I have a few spring colour sweaters in particular I am seriously loving at the moment! Here are my top 5 favourites:

ACNE STUDIOS: The one I am wearing in the photos and actually wearing it on repeat these days. Mine is from Shopbop. I love the combination of subtle colours, the oversized silhouette and loose long sleeves. I wear it layered with this Alexander Wang white jersey top, also I found on Shopbop. A true statement piece!
ENGLISH FACTORY: The Off White colour will make you leave winter feeling behind for sure! The contrast banding is trending at the moment, same as the loose long sleeves styled with extended vents and tie closures at the cuff. This is a winner, also the price is very ‘friendly’! 😉
FREE PEOPLE: Stripes always gives us that ‘I-am-on-a-boat’ holiday feeling which we dream on all year long, right? This season the more colours stripes the best! Love the deconstructed look of this one, dropped shoulders and super long sleeves.
TOPSHOP: Normally I am not a big fun of pink.. but love this very soft shade and the twist wrapped front. A good one to play with different stylings!
ASOS: I keep being attracted by yellow pieces this season, even if I don’t own any yet.. Love how this one is colour block paired with grey. The ties add a feminine look to the man cut. Adorable one!

Inside Out the Look:

The necklaces and rings are from PDPAOLA and WILDTHINGS.

THE ‘NICKY RING’ BY LUCKY EYES IS OUT!

Written by nickyinsideout on February 25, 2017. Posted in 2, Fashion. 14 Comments on THE ‘NICKY RING’ BY LUCKY EYES IS OUT!

If you follow me on Instagram you might have seen me wearing a lot of Lucky Eyes jewellery over the past year. I am so happy to finally share with you they created a beyond beautiful diamond T bar ring inspired by my style and named after me, the ‘Nicky ring‘!

I am a jewellery obsessive so Lucky Eyes feels like the perfect fit for me. Especially for the wide range of gold, rose gold and silver pieces in a dainty and chic design. Since I always layer my jewellery, both rings and necklaces, I love a brand that offers so many options that you do not need to drive yourself crazy looking over several websites or shops to create your own stuck.

We shoot the ‘Nicky ring’ and necklaces in London, over fashion week, and I loved styling them with my daily outfits, with what I was actually wearing for the shows, presentations and meetings. After living so many years in London I feel very proud to be working closely with a London mayfair based jewellery brand which truly reflects my style, who I am and the city which still feels like home.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you guys! I wouldn’t be able to do stuff like this if it wasn’t for you reading my blog and being so active on my Instagram so I really want to thank you for all your support over the past 3 years! This has been a total passion project for me and I plan on keep wearing Lucky Eyes jewellery for many, many years to come, with loads of the chains already glued to my neck and rings to my hands. I really hope you love the ‘Nicky ring’ as much as I do.

Inside Out the Look:

All the jewellery is from Lucky Eyes: Nicky ring, short chains and long chains gold and silver.

Look 1:

Look 2:

Look 3:

Created in collaboration with Lucky Eyes. Story, styling, photograpy and creative direction my own.

THE PERFECT VALENTINE’S GIFT FROM OTTERBOX

Written by nickyinsideout on February 13, 2017. Posted in 2, Fashion. 3 Comments on THE PERFECT VALENTINE’S GIFT FROM OTTERBOX

Every year coming up with a Valentine’s gift idea for my boyfriend it’s a mission! Even if we never do big celebrations on this day, I don’t like to come home empty handed. At the same time, I think it’s very hard to find that little something special for a man.. How lucky are they just getting away with a big bunch of roses?! 😉

Last week I was invited by Otterbox to the ‘Perfect Match’ event in the heart of Amsterdam, at the Singel 80, a very pretty location! Seeing many tech brands showcasing their latest items made me think how nowadays technology has become fashionable and of course, enriches every moment of our lives. Smart watches, headsets, fancy phone covers and other smart gadgets. The latest collection from Otterbox was presented during the event too. There are so many new pretty models that no wonder it’s the most popular case in the mobile world protection!

After the event, I realised what men like the most.. Technology and Gadgets! So, my Valentine’s gift was sorted! A new sleek leather phone cover which doesn’t brake the bank, it’s stylish, it offers great protection (much needed with a toddler around!!) and it’s something he can carry with him every single day. Score!