2.04.2013







Bag - Kate Spade
Necklace - F21, recent so check stores (Similar)
Earrings - H&M (Similar)
Nails - LC by Zoya




It felt like Spring yesterday! What better way to celebrate the gorgeous weather then with a neon sweater (this baby is BRIGHT in person), and accented by nude accessories. It's my favorite way to do neon without feeling over the top. I think if you're weary of this trend, pairing it down with neutrals is the safest way to go. Oh, and how pretty is my new necklace? Browsing aimlessly through Forever 21 isn't always a bad thing ;) If I can't be dripping in diamonds, I like to be dripping in pearls (even if they're faux).
♥ Noelle

2.01.2013

Happy love month ladies! I adore the month of February, although I'm not completely sure why. I think the main reason is that I met my fiance close to Valentines day, and so we deemed February 14th our anniversary.
Question of the month: (it comes from one of my favorite beauties who sadly doesn't blog anymore). How often do you work out? What's your preferred method of exercise?
I will be totally honest and say that my main reasoning for health and fitness these days stems from my wedding. I spent all of last year slacking off, and my body has definitely changed because of it. My fault, no excuses.
Now that my wedding is a few short months away, I'm feeling a bit more insecure and vain. It's normal, right?
I try to work out three to four times a week, and for a period of 30 minutes to an hour each session. I enjoy working out in the evenings. For those that have read my blog for awhile, then I think you know that I suffer from generalized anxiety. I don't talk about it on here often, but I'm not ashamed of it either. I don't take medication, but I do try to manage it with the help of a therapist. She has always recommended exercise as a means of coping. It's a huge endorphin release, thus you feel more relaxed and happy after a good work-out, and less anxious or stressed. So bottom line - I work out because I want to look toned and feel healthy, but I also have to do it because it's important for my overall wellness.
I usually do 25 minutes of cardio. I prefer fast walking or jogging because I hate running! We own an eliptical, so that's great because I feel like I work my entire body. Then I follow it up by targeting certain areas of my body. One night I'll lift weights and attempt to tone my arms (my weak point). Another night I'll do abs; the next night I'll target legs, and so forth.
I've tried Yoga, and honestly, I really want to get back into it. I've also thought about getting a trainer or taking a boot camp style class a couple of months before the wedding. If I do, I'll let you know how that goes.
What do you do for exercise?





♥ Noelle

1.30.2013

Now that we are all moved in, I thought I'd share my closet! Please keep in mind that I'm new to the condo/apartment life! I'm still trying to figure out where I want everything to go, and I'm doing my very best to utilize the closet I have now, and not the closet of my future dreams. Space is limited so organization and neatness are a must. Otherwise, my wardrobe won't be functional, and that's really the most important part of getting dressed every day.

I like to keep my favorite pieces or outfits that I'm planning on wearing within the next few days, front and center! That way, they are easy to find and I can use part of my closet bar to essentially "style" a look. I still have my rolling clothing rack, but I've honestly been using the bar in my closet a bit more. Both are great tools for me.


I have shoe dividers (purchased from Target about two years ago). They are a very durable plastic, and are easy to put together or disassemble. My shoe collection is quite basic, and I truly love to keep it that way. I'm sure you shoe addicts are cringing! I have a couple pairs of fun heels (like my raspberry J.Crew pumps) but I have spent my early adult years trying to build a decent shoe collection that will stand the test of time.

I think every woman should have:
* Classic pumps in black and nude.
* Comfortable ballet flats. Stick to neutrals, but play with embellishments.
* A pair of flat boots, and a more feminine pair (heeled or wedges). Rain boots are always important if you live in cold, wet climates.
* A couple "fun" pairs that can elevate your outfit! Bright colors, bows, sequins, studs, glitter. They can be heels or flats, but make sure they are showstoppers.
* I live in California, so obviously I think everyone needs a pair of flip-flops and strappy sandals.


I have shelving that runs along the top of the closet. At first I wasn't sure how to use it, but I think my bags (also front and center) are perfect to store on a shelf. I must confess that I'm a total bag lady, and if left to my own devices, I would have an obnoxiously large collection. However, I also prefer to go for quality these days instead of quantity, so the bags that I amassed in my teens and early twenties are now completely gone. I have a few clutches, my RM crossbody, a nude shoulder bag by Kate Spade and of course, my dream bag (safely tucked away in her Chanel box in the corner). My next purchase? A structured satchel as well as a tote, not necessarily in that order.


My future mother in-law gave me these scarf hangers for Christmas, and I really find them useful. I like hanging them instead of keeping them folded. It's a great space saver too.


This is the one area of my closet that I really don't like, and if you have any tips I'd be grateful! These are little storage containers that I found at Target a few months ago. I love the compartments and I definitely love the color, but I just don't have the room for them. Currently sitting on shelves, they work because I can easily access everything, but I'm more into the idea of getting a big jewelry box instead.


One thing I've really learned over the years: Get rid of junk! If you haven't worn something in months, give it away. Re-evaluate your wardrobe every single month, and toss anything that you don't love anymore. Keep track of what you are lacking in your closet so that you don't buy more of what you don't need. As a fashion/beauty blogger, this is one of those cases of "do as I say, not as I do"... Think streamlined!

Any tips or tricks for your closet that you'd like to share?
♥ Noelle

1.28.2013




Skirt - Halogen (very similar!)
Watch - Fossil
Sunnies - F21



Well, hello there. I have a blog, really? You don't say. I missed you guys! Not that I was gone for very long, but it seriously felt like an eternity. As I joked with my best friend last week, remind me never to move and plan a wedding all in the same year. It's bad for your brain. Especially when your internet and cable isn't working and the repair man has to come by at least once day, and then when the problem isn't resolved, it's really unnerving listening to your fiance yell into the phone while the other end of the line is playing elevator music. That's really bad for your brain! I'd like to think that the past week or so has taught me a lot about myself. It was nice to get organized and get our new condo in order. It was also nice to "unplug", and to take more time for myself rather then coming home from work and hopping straight onto the computer for hours on end. But I'm glad things are back to normal. I think taking pictures will be a challenge for awhile, at least until I figure out better lighting in our place because I'm not completely fond of having to ask the boy to take outfit shots all the time. I'm accustomed to the mirror ;)
Our condo is definitely coming along, but we by no means have it decorated yet. Our little outside balcony is empty, and the giant tree that grows directly beside us sheds like crazy so it's a little distracting in photos. Bear with me guys! I've been feeling so frazzled. The cure? A bright coral skirt and raspberry pumps!

♥ Noelle