Weekend in San Diego

I spent a deliriously happy (girls) weekend in downtown San Diego. My best friend and her boyfriend recently moved to the Little Italy area, a quaint neighborhood filled with Italian eateries and fun boutiques. I've never been much of a city girl, but visiting the big apple last year changed my mind completely. I think I've always been leery of the hustle and bustle of living in a city. Too many people inhabiting a small space, too many loud noises that would undoubtedly fray my nerves. But with that comes excitement, and an energy that pulls me outside my nervous little comfort zone. It's good for me!

Farmer's Market on Saturday, around the corner from her apartment.

Blogger favorites: French macaroons and fresh flowers

San Diego harbor

My BFF. We enjoyed Bloody Marys on Sunday afternoon.

I've been trying to hunt down a pair of Steve Madden bow flip flops, first seen here on Veronika's blog. I tried to find the ones she has, but learned they were sold out everywhere I went.

These are by Michael Kors, and I spotted them at DSW! I suggest checking them out if you can! Pretty similar.

Just a quick post that i wanted to share =)

Happy Tuesday!

♥ Noelle

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Thoughts & Impressions # 2

Hey everyone! I'm back with another edition of my thoughts and impressions of  beauty products I've recently purchased. On a side note, I was so frustrated with Blogger last week! It ate some of my comments and my last post was lost...and then it magically reappeared. I'm sure you all felt the same way. Hopefully it doesn't happen again anytime soon.

Now to my mini reviews:

I finally bought a lipstick that gets a lot of hype: Rimmel's Airy Fairy

The color is beautiful. It's a wearable mid tone pink with hints of lilac. It also has some golden shimmer, but I don't find the shimmer transfers when applied to my lips.

The formula is creamy and quite moisturizing actually. I don't find it to be drying at all. I also love the fruity scent. At around four dollars, I think this is the best neutral pink I've ever tried.

Verdict: Recommend

On the same trip to the drugstore, I also picked up one of the new Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Balms. This one is called Peach Crystal. I love Revlon's Super Lustrous lip glosses and lipsticks so I had high hopes.

If you've tried MAC's Tender Tones, than you will remember that jolly rancher scent. This has the same smell, which I love! It also has an SPF of 15, so it will be perfect for trips to the beach this Summer. The color is very sheer, but this shade does give my lips that "juicy" look.

Pretty right? The formula is a bit sticky, so if you dislike that then you won't like this balm. However, I find it to be really moisturizing and I would absolutely repurchase.

Verdict: Recommend

During Sephora's VIB discount week, I bought this Urban Decay Liquid Liner in Smog. It's a gorgeous tarnished olive color. I love wearing green on my lids, as they complement my brown eyes and bring out the golden flecks in them.

I'm a mess with liquid liner, but the brush is so fine that it makes a perfect line without any effort at all. The brush is very flimsy, but I think that's what makes the application so easy. I still love my Lancome Artliner, but this definitely comes in a close second. I love the fun color range, the sole reason why I bought Smog in the first place.

Verdict: Recommend

So as you can see, I really love all three products and am very happy I have them in my collection.

Have you tried any of them?

♥ Noelle

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Rave: UNITE Shampoo & Conditioner

About two years ago, my favorite hairstylist in the whole world moved to a salon where they used a haircare line called UNITE. I had never heard of the brand before, but my hair girl raved that it was the best shampoo and conditioner she had ever tried on her clients. I was a bit skeptical, because let's face it, even our trusted hair stylists want to make commision on selling products.

As soon as I smelled the shampoo, I was hooked! I love using products that make my hair smell delicious long after I get out of the shower, and this shampoo reminds me of Summertime. It's very tropical, but not too saccharin sweet. It's fruit scented for grown-ups. The conditioner carries the same notes, but is a bit different (although I can't really say what that difference is).

 I had a hard time finding UNITE in stores. Even a local beauty supply mecca that carries everything didn't carry it.  From then onward, I looked forward to going to her salon just so she could use those products. Until she quit hairdressing and became a nurse. ?????? I was so sad.

Fast forward two years later and my boyfriend's sister now does my hair. And, she happens to work in another salon that uses UNITE as their main products. Score!

I use the Volumizing shampoo and the Moisturizing conditioner. The shampoo gives my limp locks a boost without weighing them down. It isn't a heavy feeling shampoo, and neither is the conditioner. They are amazingly light, and I don't get an oily residue that some other products have left behind in my hair. All  UNITE products are "proudly free" of: sulfates, parabens, gluten, sodium chloride, dea, mea, and is 100% vegan and color safe.

I always like to do research before buying a hair product, and UNITE has a great website. They even have videos explaining certain ingredients.

Clickity Click

I will say that the shampoos and conditioners are pricey. They are comparable to Pureology, Phyto, and other brands I've splurged on over the years. But if you struggle with your hair like I do, I highly recommend it. I'll be using this for a long time to come. Oh, and this isn't sponsored or anything. I just love the way my hair has been managing ever since I bought the shampoo and conditioner again.

Have you heard of the brand before? Let me know!

I'm off to San Diego again for the weekend tomorrow after work, so I will catch up with you all next week.

♥ Noelle



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~Current (happy) things~

Stacking bracelets 

A lovely package from Ella Pretty. It smells amazing! Thank you!

My rainbow colored necklaces hanging in my closet. My most recent additons front and center, begging to be played with.

A cute top from one of my favorite boutiques.

Hold the phone - a leopard print maxi? I've never even worn a maxi dress, let alone a printed version. I'm coming out of my shell =) Picture it with beaded sandals. Now I just need to have it hemmed a bit.

A find at JCPenny, MNG by Mango. Very speedy-esque.

Just some things that are making me giddy with glee. Summer is fastly approaching, and at this time last year I was just getting ready to graduate from college. I keep thinking about how much things have changed. For some reason, I can't completely process it all. Even my style is evolving. I used to be fearful of color, maxi ANYTHING on my short stature, and I'm just now trying out the stackable bracelets that I see on so many girls around California.

I hope you all are having a wonderful week! Thank you so much for reading.

♥ Noelle

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