Bahama Mama!

I was looking through my posts the other night and discovered that it's been awhile since I last featured a nail polish I love. I'm such a polish addict, how could this be?

For my friend's wedding, I decided on an old-standby: Essie's Bahama Mama. It is a beautiful creamy wine color. Nothing too incredibly unique, but this is definitely a prime example of "good Essie." Two opaque coats is all you need to achieve a beautiful crimson look. In fact, nine times out of ten Bahama Mama was on my toes last Fall and Winter. On the rare occasion I got a salon pedicure, I still was sure to bring my own bottle with me for the nail tech to apply. I have Bahama Mama to blame for my Essie obsession because it was one of the first polishes I ever purchased from the brand. I wish all of their colors could be this easy to work with!

I highly recommend this particular shade.

On another note, I was super excited and humbled when Andi of Saltwater Dreams asked me to do a guest post for her. She asked some of her fellow bloggers to write about their Holiday wish lists to be featured on her blog for the month of November while she participates in National Novel Writing Month. I love her blog as well as her writing and I wish her all the best!

♥ Noelle

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"Going to the chapel and we're gonna get married..."

That song is stuck in my head! The time changed early this morning and instead of sleeping in on this beautiful Sunday, I'm awake! This is going to be a very long day, I just know it.

No matter because I saw one of my good friends marry her long-time love last night under the oak trees at her family's ranch in the mountains. The night was a bit chilly but I had the worst case of nerves for her so I couldn't feel how frozen my hands were until the reception that followed. It was truly a gorgeous wedding and it fit the bride and groom's personalities to a T. It was small and intimate, with red roses and candles lit everywhere. The boyfriend and I had a great time and we couldn't be any happier for our friends.

My dress was black and lace (of course). I received lots of compliments on it and aside from the fact that I forgot to bring a sweater to the reception (it really was cold), I had a fun time wearing it.

What I Wore:

Black lace strapless dress: Express

Black round-toe pumps: Jessica Simpson

Earrings: Forever 21

Rings: Tiffany&Co and H&M

I love the way my hair was curled. I didn't do it myself but I am finally convinced I need to practice and practice until I can. It's not rocket science!

Now onto some pictures from the wedding!

The glowing bride and her dad ;)

The newlywed happy couple. The smile on their faces says it all!

My friend Anne and I at the reception. We wore similar dresses! Kind of a no-no

The love of MY life

I just love...love.

♥ Noelle

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I'm a Bag Lady! Plus I'm starting to ♥ Anthro

When I was in high school, I used to change my purse every week. Sometimes every day! I look back at some of my fashion faux pas from those angsty teen years and laugh. I can't believe some of the purses I carried. They were all teeny-tiny and of course matched my outfits perfectly, color and all. Yuck. I'm happy I got rid of all of them a couple years ago when I was sifting through my closet and realized that so much of my old wardrobe needed to go. These days, I don't really switch bags very often. Occasionally yes, especially if I feel like I'm neglecting one but generally I carry the same one. All of my bags are neutral in color and so they can all interchange and mesh effortlessly with everything I wear. If you read this little blog AT ALL, you know that one of my goals in life is to own a Chanel. Silly goal to have according to some of my male friends, but this coming from guys who are coveting toy helicopters. Hmmmmm. Right. Since I can't yet afford a Chanel, I have tried desperately to not purchase anymore hand bags. Save up for a really amazing one! I was doing so well Readers (minus the Mulberry for Target bag, which my mom has stolen from me. I let her keep it). Then I walked into Zara yesterday and spied this:

I love her. Soft AND quilted AND Charcoal? I had to.

The best part is that it's completely practical. There are pockets everywhere to hold all of my things.

I've already made the switch. My Michael Kors and H&M bags are retiring for a bit.

On another note, I also walked into Anthro yesterday and became deliriously happy with the scent of voluspa candles wafting everywhere. I recently started following Anthroholic's Blog as well as a few other girls who have inspired me to jump on the Anthro bandwagon whole-heartedly. Don't get me wrong, I've always liked Anthropologie but it was never that accessible to me. Now a bunch of new stores have cropped up around me so I have no more excuses not to go.

I walked out with two more grey pieces. Hey, grey is the IT color of the season is it not?

Anthropologie Volante Tee.

I got this in a Size S. I've seen tons of other bloggers in this, and I knew I had to have it. Looks great with jeans!

Anthropologie Fancy Clad Hoodie

I know. It's a hoodie. But this looks so cute on! The ruffle down the front is adorable. Plus, I don't own a single hoodie anymore and I needed one for work. Ha, that makes me smile. The fact that I need a hoodie to wear to work is hilarious to me =)

I hope you all have a wonderful Friday! One of my good friends is getting married tomorrow and I'm so happy for her! I'll have pictures up hopefully on Sunday before I have to go to work...

♥ Noelle

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Leopard & Blush

Anyone who knows me well will say that I am all about the details. If there's one thing I love most about getting dressed, it's definitely the accessories. I tend to wear a lot of neutral colors and simple lines so a great cocktail ring or a fun pair of shoes allows for a more playful touch. Now that I work at a school where "sneakers are encouraged", I find myself wanting to dress up a little more even when the plans for the day just include getting groceries and gas.

This season, I have completely fallen in love with leopard and creamy blush colors. Although I still wear a lot of black, grey, and navy, I've also been mixing in some softer hues. Typically associated with Springtime, I think nudes, cremes, camels, soft pinks and dove greys make for a more sophisticated palette than in years passed. Throw in some surprisingly go-with-everything leopard and you've got a perfect look that's both sultry and sweet.

Nick and Mo Collarless Ruffle Jacket: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

White Cami (underneath): H&M

Jeans: Express from about three years ago

My Accessories:

Bag and Scarf: H&M

Shoes: Guess, purchased a long time ago

Looking at this picture, I realize I need to get my hair done again. It's been so dry where I live that my hair has been a static-y, flat mess!

♥ Noelle

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Flapper Girl

Happy November Readers! I can't believe the month of October has already come and gone so quickly. I'm a little sad because I just love October so much. Halloween is the best part!

I hope you all had a great weekend, filled with crazy get-ups and lots of candy to munch on. The bf and I went to a friend's Halloween party on Saturday night and we had a great time. I just wanted to share my 1920's flapper costume. It was sort of last minute but I liked the effect anyway. The 20's are one of my favorite time periods in terms of the fashion. I couldn't stop dancing in my little fringe dress that night, a far departure from my personality! There's just something about it that makes me smile.

What did you dress up as? Or did you?

♥ Noelle

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Sephora F&F Order, MAC Blush, and OOTD

Thursday I posted some recent purchases, and I desperately needed your help with a pair of boots I was very iffy about. I got mixed reviews on them: some said I should keep them, others said the color or style was a bit off, and yet another lovely girl said they looked like pirate boots! No offense taken Natalia =) I adore Johnny Depp in Pirates of The Caribbean but I don't want to resemble him. I decided to return them yesterday morning. I mulled the boots over, and although I orginally loved their appearance on the shelf in the store, once I got them home and tried them on I was certain they weren't for me. I just needed some opinions to confirm my own thoughts. Thank you for the feedback, I really loved hearing what you girls all had to say. Your honesty was just what I needed!

My Sephora Friends and Family goodies arrived yesterday as well. I strayed quite a bit from my original wishlist. I skipped the NARS blush because I wanted to buy some from MAC instead. I also decided to forgo Benefit's Skinny Jeans creme shadow, although I'm sure I'll want it again in the future. Here's what I got:

Lancome Artliner in Noir, BE Buxom Mascara, UDPP in the LE Pro Tube, and Smith's Rosebud Salve. Three random samples were also included.

I stopped into the MAC counter to purchase two blushes. One is part of the Tartan Tale collection called My Highland Honey. It has no shimmer and is the perfect peachy-orange. The second blush has a cult following - Pink Swoon (permanent). Kardashian cheeks, here I come!

They are much more color saturated in person. The camera reads them as being muted, but they are not. Expect swatches and or reviews coming soon!

My OOTD (Friday)

Striped top with puffy shoulders - Forever 21

Chain necklaces - American Eagle

Jeans - Express. Please bring this style back! I don't like the new styles and washes

Green flats - Zara

Have I ever mentioned I have a ballet flat obsession? These are quite possibly my favorite. I love the combination of the green with the navy stripes in my top.

I am going to a Halloween party tonight! What are your plans?

♥ Noelle

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