Snapshots

I love seeing posts where you fabulous ladies share mini moments from your week. I decided it was high time I do my own.

THE most beautiful flowers I've ever bought. Peonies from Trader Joe's. Go get some while they are in season (blink and you'll miss them). I keep seeing everyone's on Instagram and I don't mind one bit. I think every girl can appreciate their beauty.

I've always wanted a Voluspa candle. Everytime I walk into Anthropologie, I am bombarded by the amazing scents! This one in Laguna is unbelievable (and very hard to describe). It smells like the store is all I can say!

Speaking of Anthro, I also picked up this oceanic blue scalloped bowl to keep some of my daily jewelry in. These bracelets I picked out (reminiscent of this by S&D) will definitely make their way onto my wrists and into this beautiful little bowl :)

Current view from my kitchen, Chloe Bear looking at me like I'm crazy. "Play with ME auntie, STOP taking pictures for your blog!" But I love peonies, Chloe.

Have a great weekend!

♥ Noelle

Continue the post

What I've Been Reading {May 2013}

Happy June everyone! I apologize that this post is a little late, but as the saying goes...better late then never. This month's question comes from Kristen: What's your go-to recipe? Drink, dinner, dessert, whatever!

My go-to recipes are extremely boring. Yawn-inducing, really. We eat a lot of grilled chicken around here, coupled with asparagus, mushrooms, green beans, and other grilled or sauteed vegetables. We usually just put a little garlic salt on the chicken and then throw it on our outdoor grill that my mom gave us as a housewarming present. Other go-to's include salmon (also grilled with some olive oil and lemon) and whole wheat Spaghetti. Nothing ground breaking.



The one recipe I do want to share with you guys is something that my fiance's mom taught me. The recipe is actually from Pepperidge Farms so I cant take any credit. It's a delicious appetizer to serve for a dinner party. She usually makes it during the holidays, but I love it year round because it contains my ultimate guilty pleasure - cheese :)

Baked Brie

Ingredients:

1/2 of a 17.3-ounce package Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets (1 sheet), thawed according to package directions

1 (8-ounce) Brie cheese round

1 egg

1 tbsp. water

Directions: 

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Place the cheese in the center. Fold the pastry up over the cheese to cover. Trim the excess pastry and press to seal. Reserve the pastry scraps for decoration (you can also skip this if you like). 

Beat the egg and water in a small bowl with a fork or whisk. Brush the seam of the pastry with egg mixture. Place seam side down on a baking sheet. Decorate with pastry scraps if desired. Brush with the egg mixture. 

Bake for 25 minutes until the pastry is golden brown. Let stand for 20 minutes before serving. I like to enjoy a slice with a glass of wine. Super easy to make, even for a beginner like me! You can drizzle honey for a sweet taste.

• Alison*Elle - Alison is giving white denim another go this season
• Beautygirl24 - Target did it again - Noelle found the perfect Summer wedges from the Sam & Libby collection.
• Ella Pretty - Ella's got a brand new bag!
• Love, Lipstick & Pearls - Kristen is all ready for baby's arrival and shared her nursery with us.
• Schnelle Couture - Danielle talks makeup and highlights where to save and where to splurge.
• Sequins and Stilettos - Skylette has finally found her perfect striped skirt!
• The Currently Obsessed - Mehreen organized Makeup drawers.

♥ Noelle

Continue the post

Floral & Fuchsia

Shorts - Loft

Blouse - Express  (comes in so many colors and prints! I snagged one in polka dot too)

Pumps - J Crew

Bag - Juicy (old)

Necklace - Lisa Taubes via The Current Custom

Ring - Family heirloom from my great grandmother :)

Nails - Essie Lights, Lips - See Sheer by MAC

I think this is my new Summer uniform you guys. An easy breezy button down adds polish to otherwise basic shorts. Except, these are anything but basic! The floral print is such a standout, and paired with my favorite raspberry pumps, the look goes from beach to dinner with hardly any effort at all. I've noticed that this season, I'm either wearing black and white or tons of vibrant colors! What can I say? It's all a balancing act.

What's you Summer 2013 uniform?

More on my upcoming Summer next week!

♥ Noelle

Continue the post

Little Luxuries

 I've always said that there's no better pick-me-up than treating yourself to some pretty beauty products. They must be completely unnecessary too, and the more spontaneous the purchase, the better :)

Stila Countless Color Pigments in Lyric - At first I wasn't sure what to do with this until I realized what a gorgeous shade of hot pink it would produce on the cheeks. I take a big fluffy brush, swirl it in the pan and apply it generously to my face. The warmth it brings is beautiful, and it really lights up my complexion. Other pigments in the line I think would be great as eye shadow, but lyric in particular caught my eye as a blush. 

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in # 6 (Pink in Devotion) - This is my first YSL lipstick in this famously luxurious tube. The color is so vibrant in person, but the glossy stain-like formula makes it a bit more wearable. It literally glides on the lips and the outcome? Well, just beautiful, especially for Summertime. Last worn here.

Fekkai Glossing Cream - I swore by this when I was in my late teens and early twenties, and I have no clue why I ever stopped! One little drop and my frizzy hair is transformed into brilliant shine. I found mine at Target, but I've seen it at Ulta, Sephora, and online. 

What little luxuries do you treat yourself to?

♥ Noelle

Continue the post