Date Night With Gatsby

Tank - Express

Blazer - Frenchi (old)

Skirt - LOFT

Pumps - Zara

Bag - Michael Kors

Necklace - House of Harlow

Watch - Fossil

Lips - YSL Le Orange

I saw The Great Gatsby Friday night. I knew I would love it. It's one of my all-time favorite novels. I distinctly remember reading it in high school, and while most of my classmates looked bored to tears during our discussions about the book, I was completely enthralled by the characters. That whole 1920's period just fascinates me. The movie was breathtaking in its beauty. The costumes were gorgeous, and I want to wear every single dress Daisy (played by Carey Mulligan) wore. Leo looked like an old Hollywood star, very handsome. That man gets better with age. I definitely recommend it! I'm not sure the boyfriends or hubands will quite appreciate it, but many of you will.

♥ Noelle

P.S. The May giveaway winner is Lisa (Imc1971). I will email you shortly, congrats!

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Sweet Layers

Skirt - Express

Blouse - Forever 21 (old)

Pumps - Zara (similar)

Bag - Michael Kors

Watch - Fossil

Last Saturday, my fiance and I decided to tackle our wedding cake. We went to a little bakery aptly named Sweet Layers. Just up the street from our place, it was honestly some of the best cake we have ever tried! Buttery, decadent, and probably way too many calories! But, we have our perfect cake all set to go for September (if you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw it). Everything is really starting to come together, and I can literally feel the stress slowly lifting away. I think now's the time when I'm finally going to enjoy the rest of the wedding process, and although I know I'm going to be a nervous wreck as the date gets closer, I'm soaking in all of the happy, carefree moments when I can.

♥ Noelle

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What I've Been Reading {April 2013}

Now that we are on our way in May, it's time for monthly must-reads and the question for April (courtesy of Skylette): What is blogging etiquette to you? For example, do you comment on everyone's blog that comments on yours? Do you follow everyone with a blog that reaches out to you? Great questions!

For me, blogging has always been about connecting with others. I think anyone can post pretty pictures on the internet and have their own space in the blogging community, but what purpose does that serve unless you are connecting with an audience? I love reading blogs, and I love commenting on them because I genuinely have a passion for it. I don't see blogging as a chore. If I did, I wouldn't blog, plain and simple. I don't see blogging as a popularity contest either. I still can't believe that anyone reads what I have to say, or takes inspiration from the photos I post. I don't expect anyone to leave me a comment, but I do love them! I try to show the same kindness and respect on the internet as I show to everyone I meet in "real life". I view many of you as friends, even though we've never actually "met". If someone takes the time to leave me a sweet comment or email me an equally sweet message, I do my best to respond. I unfortunately don't have as much time right now to devote to blogging, but I try to post at least two or three times per week. I love reading and discovering new blogs, so when someone wants me to check out their's, I always take a peek. I do admit that sometimes the whole "lets follow each other" thing can seem obnoxious. It just doesn't feel organic to me, so I usually pass on responding to a generic comment where I can tell the person didn't even read my post. Just like any relationship, there has to be a certain level of respect. After blogging for almost four years, I can usually tell when someone is being genuine as opposed to someone who just wants to amass a large blog following (for whatever reason). Overall, I treat you guys like friends and that's the only way I know how. I read and comment on as many blogs as I can because I love it! I follow more blogs than I can even count! And I'm always, always open to more :)

Thoughts? I would love a discussion on this!



• Beautygirl24 - Noelle has a serious sweet tooth this Spring. See what jewelry she likes to call her rock candy!
• Ella Pretty - Check out Ella's Mall Haul: Forever 21, Coach & Camo Pants
• Lindsay J Everyday - Lindsay has some exciting news.
• Love, Lipstick & Pearls - Kristen shared her Favorite Home Items that she can't live without.
• Schnelle Couture - Danielle joined the ombre party.
• Sequins and Stilettos - Skylette plays with the black & white trend here.

♥ Noelle

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A Hint Of Sparkle

Lace top - Charlotte Russe (old)

Skirt - J Crew

Pumps - Zara

Bag - Michael Kors

Belt - LOFT

Bracelet - TJMaxx (check stores for similar options)

It's amazing what a couple hours at the salon can do for a girl. A trim, a dose of fresh color, some sassy curls, and I skipped outta there feeling like an entirely new person!

My new sash from Loft also did the trick. I'm really not much of a belt lover because I can never find one that fits correctly. They are either too loose or too tight. This one, complete with gunmetal gems that sparkle and shine was the last one in the store, and I had to ask the SA to kindly remove it from the mannequin. Thank goodness she sold it to me. I'm one happy customer.

♥ Noelle

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Happy May {Giveaway} CLOSED

I love the month of May! It gets brutally hot here for most of Summer and part of Fall, so Spring is the perfect in-between phase. May is especially lovely because it starts warming up, but it's still bearable enough to venture outside in my go-to uniform of jeans and flats. It's one of the perfect months.

In celebration, I decided it was high time to do something special for you guys! I appreciate and love each and every one of you, and I'm not sure I show my gratitude quite enough. I went to two of my favorite shop spots and walked out with gift cards to giveaway to one of my beautiful readers.

 Rules:

Open to U.S. and Canada readers only

Only one reader will win both $25 gift cards

Winner will be chosen using random.org.

 

 

All you have to do to enter is:

Make sure you follow my blog via GFC and Bloglovin'

Leave me one comment with your email address so that I may contact you if you win.

 

 

This giveaway will run through next Friday, May 10th. You have until Midnight PST.

 

*These gift cards were purchased with my own money, and this is not sponsored in any way.

 

 Good Luck!

♥ Noelle

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Current beauty favorites for Spring

My current Springtime essentials:

1. Make Up For Ever HD Foundation - After testing it out for a couple of weeks, this foundation has really grown on me. I wasn't impressed at first, mainly because I am so in love with my Mat Velvet +. I like a nice, medium coverage to conceal the patches of discoloration I have. However, after a few days, my bias changed and I now love how natural it looks. I still prefer the overall coverage and lasting power of Mat Velvet. That foundation will always be my favorite, but the HD is beautiful for this time of year when I want a more dewy complexion. I think of it as a kicked up tinted moisturizer!
2. UNITE 7 seconds detangler - My soon to be sister-in-law/hair stylist swears by this leave in conditioner at the salon she works in. She got me hooked on UNITE products, and 7 seconds leaves my dry ends looking and feeling much softer and more manageable. I use this right before I blow-dry my hair.
3. Hourglass Ambient Powder - The much raved about face powder on YouTube intrigued me to the point that I had to see what all the fuss was about. Hourglass has a few shades, but I got mine in Dim Light. I sweep this all over my face as a setting powder. It's very finely milled so it doesn't leave me looking powdery or dry, just very natural.
4. Revlon Lip Butters in Juicy Papaya and Pink Lemonade - ADDICTED to these two shades. I wrote a post about juicy papaya here. Pink lemonade is a light peachy pink that's great for everyday.
5. Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer - Let me confess something guys...I tend to get really lazy about applying lotion once the weather heats up. My skin is extremely (and I mean extremely) dry in Winter, but as Spring and Summer come around, my skin becomes more normal. This spray - on lotion is great because it absorbs quickly and has a soft scent. Fast, easy, and it really does moisturize without leaving behind a film.

What are your current Spring beauty favorites?

♥ Noelle

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