Thank you...

I was awarded/tagged by the lovely bloggers Ashley from A Fashion Fixation and Lilly from Lilly's Style.

Thank you so much girls! I haven't done this in a really long time so I am grateful that you thought of me.

Here are 7 things you may not know about me:



1) I was 16 years old when I experienced my "first kiss." It was sort of mortifying. And fun ;) Not the boy, just the actual kiss.

2) All of the dogs my mom and I have ever owned have come from a shelter or pound.

3) I am allergic to cats. My eyes get super itchy and so does my nose. Bummer.

4) I have had anxiety problems my entire life. It gets worse during big changes and stressful times. I'm not ashamed at all to admit this, even though it's very personal to me and only a couple of my closest friends know. I have seen therapists off and on about it, and am currently seeing one now, just a couple times a month.

5) I can't use chopsticks! I have to get those little trainers that connect them everytime the bf and I go to sushi ;) I've tried and I just can't get it down!

6) I'm looking into doing freelance writing, but have no clue how to come about it. This blog is a great outlet for me, but I want to take it further one day if I possibly can. I would love to have my own column!

7) I get this question asked extremely often: My heritage - my mother was born in Mexico, but she's been a U.S. citizen for forty years. My dad is Irish, German, Scottish, and English. Put it all together and whadya get? Me!

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Getting Into The Swing of Things

I will preface by saying that once upon a time, I was very much anti-cape. They just didn't seem practical to me and I didn't think they flattered my body type. I love big winter coats and jackets, but I have an extremely hard time finding the perfect fit. I'm petite, but I also have curves and so coats are either too long, too fitted throughout the arms, and too loose in the waist. *Frustration!* Enter capes and swingy coats, the best alternative to my dilemma. They aren't tight at all in the arms, and they are supposed to be loose in the waist! Why didn't I give them a chance before? It amazes me how picky and unwilling I once was to trying things on and giving them a fair shot before making up my mind. I did some shopping a few days ago and found so many cute capes and fun swing coats.

I would be thrilled to own this by Juicy Couture. I tried one on and I fell in love, but the price was too high. I even debated buying online using Juicy's 30% off Cyber Monday discount, but it was still too much for my little wallet. I hope to one day have it in my posession, or at least a version of it. Does anyone have any recommendations?

I did manage to bring this home with me and I can't wait to wear it!

I had my reservations because of the overall shape. I thought it might overwhelm my small frame and make me look bigger and shorter, but it actually is quite flattering (I think). I tried it on with my Banana Republic super skinnies and black suede pumps and the effect is really cute. I have to be careful with it though. Any form of bagginess on my lower half and I'll absolutely look like a slob. Or a teal sack of potatos. But playing with proportions is fun, and come to think of it, I don't own any jeans that aren't skinny so I'm set. The boyfriend probably won't get it, but I'm ok with that =)

Have you found your perfect coat this year?

♥ Noelle

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Fall Favorites

As November draws to an end, I can feel Winter looming just around the corner. It has been blustery here in California, and I mean blustery! I find myself reaching for anything warm, and have decided that if Fall has been a predictor of things to come then I need a real winter coat. Stat! My trench coats and my little quarter-sleeve jackets, perfectly acceptable in years past, are now looking more like Summer garb. I need something more substantial for freezing temps.

I'll be sad to see Fall go. I love Fall! It's the happy medium between cold and hot, at least it was until this year. Instead of doing monthly favorites, I'm going to switch things up and do seasonal favorites i.e. Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring. I think it will be far more relevant and truthful than struggling to come up with a new list each month. Sound good? Good! Here are my favorites for the Fall season:

In case anyone has wondered if I still love MUFE Mat Velvet +, the answer is a resounding yes! I have used it ever since I reviewed it, and I am about to purchase my third bottle. I don't really use anything else, maybe just my Korres tinted moisturizer on lazy days. This stuff is amazing.

Once strictly a natural kinda girl, I've changed my ways this Fall and delved right into color on my lips. The effect is pretty and glam, yet still modern and fresh. I think because nude lips have been so popular for so long, color has come back to spice things up a bit. I'm addicted.

Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette. This pic was taken when I first bought it, and now I've hit pan. I must admit I don't use the darkest color, but three out of four isn't bad for the price. This is creamy, smooth, and perfect for covering my undereye circles, as well as the blemishes I've been dealing with for the past year.

You can take away all of my other palettes, quads, and shadows but you can't take away my UD Naked Palette. I'm telling you girls, if you don't already have this please do yourselves a giant favor and go get one. They are permanent thank goodness, and even if you aren't a beauty junkie like myself, this palette is really all the makeup you need. Best beauty purchase I've ever made, and I use it every day!

Flowerbomb La Vie En Rose. The delicate balance between floral, citrus, and vanilla.

Phytocitrus Restructuring Mask. I use this deep conditioner about twice a week, and I see a difference each time. It is pricey, but I've had it for a few months now and most of the product is still left. It was a nice splurge.

Now onto some Fashion:

Cardigans are always a staple for me, pretty much any time of year but I especially wear the heck out of them come Fall. This year, I'm really into cardis with pockets and detailed buttons. They have to be super soft as well. I swear I own around 15!

Nudes, blush, cremes, soft greys, and leopard print galore! Colors I will carry with me into Winter. I couldn't be happier that animal prints are on trend, although aren't they always?

These flats are amongst my favorites (I am wearing them now actually). Flats, flats, flats. I can't get enough.

What have been your favorites this season? What trends will you carry into Winter? I need some help girls because when it comes to Winter - let's just say I'm not a fan.
♥ Noelle

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Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

Well for me, it was Cyber Friday and it will be Black Monday! You girls know I don't really like to follow the rules that closely, and so instead of battling the crowds yesterday (which I actually did for a couple hours and quickly retreated back home like a scared puppy), I ordered just a couple of things online. Beauty related of course!

I have been dying, literally almost loading up my shopping cart on the Kiehl's website but instead of placing an order, I would just click the x on the screen and forget about it. Through the 30th, use code FAMILY10 and get 20% off your order. This is what is finally coming my way:

Creme de Corps

Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

I have wanted to try these products for months, if not years so I'm happy I decided to give in. Have you tried either of them?

Not a very exciting Black Friday, but I do plan on going shopping this Monday since I have the day off. We will see what I come home with, but gifts for friends and family are a priority. I hope you all are enjoying the weekend!

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