Get REAL with Nicolette Flaherty, Aerie’s Graphic Designer! Read on to learn more about how she helps to create Aerie’s marketing for each season, her must-have gift for Holiday and what #AerieREAL means to her.
What’s a typical morning for you like?
While the first thought that runs through my mind when I hear my alarm is usually “MORE SLEEP!,” “MUST EAT” is a close second and always wins. I like to start my day with a hearty breakfast and loud music. My morning routine of selecting my outfit (which takes several attempts) and styling my messy hair is usually accompanied by a solo dance party, plenty of water and a number of humorous text messages from my friends.
What’s your favorite design that you’ve worked on for Holiday?
This holiday has been one of my favorite seasons to work on. The photography and product are gorgeous and easily helped to provide me inspiration during my designing, so its hard to narrow it down to just one project. I had a lot of fun designing our holiday gift guide mailer that will be mailed to customers across the country (look for it!) and I can’t wait to start shopping for everything featured.
What Aerie item do you have on your Holiday wish list?
I definitely have my eye on the lace bralettes – I love showing off the straps & details under a low back shirt or a sweater. I feel as though that little pop can complete my outfit and I always get compliments. The new holiday colors are perfect for the season, too.
Do you have any favorite Holiday recipes? Do share!
I love cooking around the holidays as much as I love giving gifts, so I like to combine the two. My favorite little gift to give to friends or family or to take with me to a party as a “thank you” are Sweet & Spicy Rosemary Nuts. And I’m always sure to make a little (a lot) extra for myself.
Sweet & Spicy Rosemary Nuts Recipe
• 4 cups raw, unsalted mixed nuts (I like to use cashews, pecans, almonds and walnuts)
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 4 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons course salt
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roast the nuts as-is for ten minutes.
Mix together in a bowl the melted butter, rosemary, brown sugar, salt and cayenne pepper. Add in the warm nuts and toss to combine.
These can be served warm after making, or saved in an airtight container and set out at room temperature.
Describe your personal style in 3 words:
This is tough. I have a plethora of random interests and with that I tend to transform my style based on what I feel like doing that day. Sometimes I’m super chic, other times I’m boho or sporty. One minute I am dressed like a motorcycle chick and the next I am snazzed up in a dress and heels. And if you catch me when I’m going grocery shopping, my clothes don’t even match. So with that, I guess my three words would be: eccentric, adventurous, individualistic.
What does #AerieREAL mean to you?
#AerieREAL is about recognizing your own unique beauty and embracing it. But to me, it goes beyond appearance. You are more than just your hair or smile or your curves or lack of curves. Being real is being yourself. It’s about finding what makes your soul happy and allowing that to help mold who you are. Its about setting goals for yourself, learning, losing & winning. Feeling sadness and feeling happiness. Being real isn’t about being perfect. All the imperfections you are given in life, whether they may be scars and marks or struggles and challenges – all in one way or another make you exactly who you are. And when you remain unapologetic for these things because without them, you wouldn’t be you – then that’s what makes you #AerieREAL.
Thank you Nikki for sitting down with us!
Tune in to our Snapchat today (handle: aerie) as Nikki gives us a behind-the-scenes look into her day at Aerie!
