Crown me already!

O.P.I's glitter galore polish in Crown Me Already!

As usual, my camera doesn't capture how reflective it truly is.

The polish caught my eyes one day while browsing Ulta. I'm not generally a huge fan of glitter, mostly because it is so difficult to remove. I'm sure this one will be no different, but I love the sparkle factor and I couldn't resist. Perfect for the upcoming holiday festivities, don't be surprised if this is on my fingers for New Years Eve. Okay, I'm getting a little ahead of myself, aren't I?

♥ Noelle

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Current Fall Favorites

There are so many Fall lists going around, that I decided to do my own. Here are just a few things that are inspiring major wear time for me this season.



1.

Colorful bib necklaces

Purple: F21  Orange: H&M  White & Cream: Francescas Collections

2.

Nail colors that serve as conversation starters

Chanel: Graphite   OPI: Crown Me Already  OPI: Dating a Royal

3. 

Snagging this gorgeous Missoni for Target scarf.

4.

Bellatrix Tie Front Blouse

My friend wore a beautiful burnt orange blouse by Gibson last weekend. I wanted it so badly!

I went to Nordstrom to try it on earlier this week, but it wasn't very petite friendly so the SA suggested this one by Bellatrix.

I am in L-O-V-E with all of the big pussybow blouses this season.

5.

Of course this is my absolute favorite :)

What are your Fall favorites? Please tell me!

♥ Noelle







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No More Waity, Katie

I wanted to love Butter London's nail polish. It is aptly named No More Waity Katie after the royal Kate Middleton. However, I don't love it. The color looks gorgeous in the bottle, a rich swirl of purple with tiny flecks of pure silver glitter. My problem is that it applies very sheerly. I normally don't mind that, but I guess I had really high hopes for this. The above picture shows the color on my nails after three thick coats. Maybe even four actually. I was expecting it to be much more dazzling, a showstopper. In my opinion, it's not. It is pretty, and I did wear it for about five days. However, I won't even tell you what a pain in the a** it was to remove, and I always take off my polish with 100% acetone. This one was tricky!

I don't necessarily regret the purchase, and I am sure it will get more love in the winter months. I'm not yet finished with my bright corals, ocean blues, and neon pinks.

But I just can't in good faith recommend it to you readers. I think there are far better purples out there.

 Do any of you own this? How do you like it?

~Noelle

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Zara Dress {Love}

Simple makeup, just a taupe eyeshadow (Mac Smoke & Diamonds) and pink lips (NYX Soft Matte Lip Creme in Istanbul)

With such a simple dress, it's always about the accessories

Nails - Essie Meet me at sunset, Ring - YSL arty ovale

Bag - MNG by Mango, Shoes - Guess (old)

This dress is by far a favorite in my closet. Soft cotton lace, and a great fit.

Thank you Zara.

~Noelle

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pink POP

When it comes to Summer, there is nothing I love more than hot pink. Saturated, bright, lift your spirits pink. Nothing better!

Two of my favorites. Opaque and easy to work with.

On my fingers: Orly in Fancy Fuchsia.

I love the Barbie Mattel pink with my YSL Lapis ring.

This is quite possibly the most unique lip product I've ever tried. A cross between a gloss, lipstick, and a stain! Love it! It applies like a gloss or liquid lipstick, then dries to a matte finish. I recommend topping it off with a good lip balm.

~Noelle

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Chanel Nails (Fall 2011)

I first heard about Chanel's stunning Fall collection while casually flipping through Allure magazine the last time I payed a visit to my hair salon. I wanted to cut the page out and save it, but instead I made note of the July release date. I only own Chanel's Black Pearl, one of my favorite nail colors to wear. I also won Riva, a pale baby blue, through a blog giveaway.

The price tag of a Chanel polish pushes me away, but I knew I wasn't going to even try to resist this time.

So I went to Bloomingdales last Friday. They didn't have the collection in yet. I went to Macy's. They didn't have it either. I went to Saks and they didn't have it. Ugh.......


Then I went to Nordstrom, where lo and behold...they did have the collection. *Smiles all around.*

Graphite was the color I coveted most.

A unique mix of silver, gold. I can't quite explain it.

It is amazing!

Peridot is what I've always wanted from the trendy duochrome polishes.

It's a mix of stark, tarnished gold with hints of turquoise and green.

Trendy, but still chic and sophisticated.

With flash

Without flash

Of course my camera doesn't do them justice, which is heartbreaking for me as a beauty blogger. I really hope you will check them out in person.

My new obsessions for the upcoming Fall season.

What do you think?

~Noelle

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Weekend Shopping & Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July everyone! And, happy birthday, America!

I hope everyone is loving the long holiday weekend as much as I am. It is definitely needed. I did a little bit of shopping on Friday and I wanted to share the things I got. I don't do these posts as often as I used to, mainly because I think showing new clothes in outfits or doing reviews about the makeup I buy is more useful to you as readers. But, sometimes it's fun to just do a shopping post.

The obligatory "haul".

Gorgeous, flattering dress from Zara. It's part of their new collection and it was the last one in my size (small). I love the pretty lace. The cotton is extemely soft and it's so comfortable I could sleep in it. Don't worry girls - I won't.

I love the little keyhole in the back. The tiny button looks like an abalone shell. Can't wait to wear this. It's such a soft nude that I think I could pair it with just about anything.

How would you wear it? What colors/shoes/accessories?

 I'm thinking brights! Then with other neutrals come Fall.

This flowy chiffon top is from Nordstrom. Notice a nude theme?

Again, I'm all about the details.

From Ulta: China Glaze Shocking Pink (neon). Remember this post? Yup, still into the whole dayglo thing. I've been searching for Essie's Pink Parka, but can't find it. I think the China Glaze is close enough!

I also got one of NYX's new Soft Matte Lip Cremes and a trial size of Living Proof's No Frizz Wave Styling Creme. My hair is a frizzy bleeping mess this time of year and I am so tired of blowdrying it. Hopefully this is a miracle, but I'm very skeptical.

Reviews/swatches of everything to come!

I also picked up a couple more polishes, two very very special nail polishes. That will be my next post.

~Noelle

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Days Of Summer

Top - Longwing Pullover - Anthro, Nude cami (underneath) - F21, Denim shorts - AE, Sandals - Target, Clutch w/ chain - Aldo, Rose gold watch - Francescas, Coral ring - H&M, Long chain necklace - Lisa Taubes, Nails - Essie Mint Candy Apple

Enjoying Summer. I hope you are too, because it goes by so fast! Soak it in while you can sisters!

As always, thank you for reading,

♥ Noelle

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Beauty Shopping

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed, Dior Amber Diamond SkinShimmer, NYX Bronzing Stick in Tango and Highlight, Essie Nail Polish in Topless and Barefoot, and Orly Polishes in Fancy Fushia and Pixy Stix

I went on a little shopping rampage after holding myself back from buying too much makeup. I have been lusting after the Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes since they were released, the color Exposed in particular. I don't own any tawny/bronze blush in my collection and since I have countless corals and pinks, I think a more natural option will be great to layer this Summer.

What's not to adore about Dior? I have never purchased Dior anything. Amber Diamond is gorgeous. It came with a lux velvety pouch that I plan on traveling with. I love this powder because it leaves behind a candlelit sheen, more of a glow really. I can't explain the texture. It looks shimmery in the pan, but it isn't shimmery on the skin. It's oddly fascinating and I recommend swiping one at Sephora the next time you can. I'm amazed by it!

I'm also excited that I finally found Essie's Topless and Barefoot. Beauty Gurus promise that this is THE PERFECT nude. I'm skeptical, but hopefully it's as pretty as it is in the bottle.



P.S. - My boyfriend and I are going to Las Vegas for my birthday in September! I know it's still a ways out, but since we are saving for more important things, we aren't planning a big vacation this year like we normally do. Instead, the Aria will be our mini vacay destination for 2011. Vegas is a wonderful birthday spot, although I've never been on my own birthday. I'm already planning my outfits. Yeah, I'm OCD like that.

Do you own any of the products I bought? Let me know! Oh and if anyone has stayed at the Aria, do tell me your experience :)

~Noelle

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Reader Request: Rose Gold Nails

Rose gold fingertips!

Rage by Orly.

 I bought this bottle at Target, a surprise encounter.

Orly can also be found at Sally's Beauty Supply, Ulta, and in many salons.

~Indoors~

And since it's Spring and my garden is a bloom with roses...

I'm quite the photographer, aren't I? (sarcasm my dears)

What I love about rose gold nails is that the effect is almost like foiling. There's so much dimension depending on what the lighting is like around you. I find that this shade is soft. It's metallic, but it isn't as stark as true yellow gold or copper, which I find too harsh at times. It's a lovely gilded shade that I know will enhance many skintones. What a great way to get in on the blush gold trend .

Happy Wednesday!

♥ Noelle

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Target Trip

In keeping with my Target theme from my Friday outfit, I decided to go to one of my favorite stores again. I had success with my last shopping trip, so I thought I would check out the dress selection. I only found one that caught my eye.

It was cute with the cascading ruffles, and I liked the overall feel of it. However, the size small was just a tiny bit too roomy in the chest area, while the extra small was too tight in the hips. I also wasn't completely sold on the print. Great for Summer, but I passed instead of purchased. I'm still thinking about it though...

Here is my comfortable "running around" outfit of the day: Coral tank - Nordstrom, Nude cardigan - H&M, Shorts - American Eagle "Boyfriend" style, Gold flip-flops - Reef, Necklace - Lisa Taubes, Ring - H&M, Nails - Chanel's Riva


So I failed in the clothing department. I browsed through the new Calypso for Target stuff, but wasn't really into anything. There were some cute tunics that would look great paired with shorts or just worn over a bathing suit. I still might go back and give it another try. I'm OCD like that ;)

However, the makeup section never ever fails me, and I found some great polishes I have been admiring from Orly. I also got another concealer palette from Sonia Kashuk and I was ecstatic because I have a difficult time finding them these days. I hope they aren't discontinuing them!

L to R: Rage (rose gold!), Cotton Candy, Lollipop, and Kiss the Bride.

Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette

As happy as I am that it's officially May, my allergies are killing me! My eyes have been watering nonstop for the past two days and I'm constantly itchy. Is anyone else having problems with the season? My boyfriend went to the doctor for his allergies, and the doc told him this is the worst season he's ever seen. His office is flooded with people who are miserable right now.

I'm taking Claritin and calling it a day!

♥ Noelle

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The Manicurist

My mother used to be a manicurist. I was around ten years old, and I distinctly remember going with her some days to the salon where she worked. I even gave a little old lady a foot massage once, where she proceeded to give me a five dollar tip! Big bucks when you're ten! I loved watching my mom work on nails. She even did a house call to my second grade teacher, who became one of her regular clients. I was mesmerized by the pretty, shiny nail lacquers that littered the floors of our house while she practiced different techniques. Mannequin hands and nail tools strewn about the kitchen table. Bottles and bottles of nail polish remover, cuticle oils, and nail files. To this day, when I pass a salon and smell the acetone, it brings back fond, happy memories of my mom's days as a manicurist.

Yes, I believe this contributed to my love affair with nail polish. I'm an addict. Thanks, Mom.

This is my little nail station. I recently bought the storage container from Wal-Mart. It was around five dollars. I love that it has three roomy drawers, perfect for separating and sorting by color.

First drawer: Reds, Corals, Peaches, and Wines

Second drawer: Nudes, Pinks, Purples, and Lilacs

Third drawer: Blues, Greens, Greys, Taupes, and other miscellaneous shades that are more unique in my collection.

I love all brands, but I actually own more Essie than any other.  I have to say that Zoya is my new obsession.

I also keep my tools, base coats, top coats, and cuticle softeners right next to my nail polish stash.

How and where do you store your nail polish? Although my collection is large, I don't feel overwhelmed by it as I did when I stored my polish in a small bin a couple months back. However, I do need to downsize and stop buying more. But just as any addiction is difficult to break, so is mine!

♥ Noelle

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