Past & Present Favorites

Black babydoll dress - Charlotte Russe(old), Cobalt cardigan - Nordstrom (Halogen), Peep toe wedges - Boutique 9(old), Bag - MNG Mango (JCPenney), Necklace - Lisa Taubes, Ring - YSL Arty, Earrings - Chanel

Past closet favorites: the Charlotte Russe babydoll dress, worn in Maui when I went there three years ago. I actually considered tossing it a few months back, but something told me to hang on to it. When I put it on again Friday night for a date with the boyfriend, I was instantly transported to that happy vacation. I also used to love the wedges, and I still do. They are just a bit uncomfortable to walk in, so I don't reach for them very often. One plus is that they make me taller - a whopping 5'6 ;)

New favorites: My YSL arty rings, this one in lapis. They really make an outfit look more special and are surprisingly versatile. My Lisa Taubes necklace has been a staple lately, as I can't seem to take it off. I wore it doubled for the first time, and I liked the way the light catches the gold around my neck.

What are your closet favorites?

~Noelle

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pink POP

When it comes to Summer, there is nothing I love more than hot pink. Saturated, bright, lift your spirits pink. Nothing better!

Two of my favorites. Opaque and easy to work with.

On my fingers: Orly in Fancy Fuchsia.

I love the Barbie Mattel pink with my YSL Lapis ring.

This is quite possibly the most unique lip product I've ever tried. A cross between a gloss, lipstick, and a stain! Love it! It applies like a gloss or liquid lipstick, then dries to a matte finish. I recommend topping it off with a good lip balm.

~Noelle

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Summer Grace

I needed a light fragrance for Summer and the boyfriend was sweet enough to get this for me:

It's a limited edition fragrance by Philosophy, sold only during Summer. Here is how it's described on Sephora:

"Inspired by the sunny, carefree spirit of summer, Philosophy's Summer Grace spray fragrance refreshes the spirit and opens the heart. Like a bottle of sunshine, this warm and bright floral fragrance was created to make a woman feel the lighthearted happiness and ease of summer."

Notes: "Blooming flowers, sun ripened fruits."

I will say that overall, I'm a big Philosophy fan. I love their message as a brand. I've tried other fragrances such as Falling in Love and Unconditional Love, both of which I really liked.

My only gripe is that the scent fades rather quickly, so you have to keep applying or at least you might be tempted to. I try to avoid that temptation, as I think people often make this mistake and over-apply. Just because you can't smell it on yourself, doesn't mean others can't ;)

This scent is perfect for Summer. It's floral, but not so much that you feel overwhelmed. It settles very nicely on my skin. I actually prefer the way it develops on me over time than at first spray. It's a happy scent, and instantly puts me in a better mood.

What's your Summer fragrance?

~Noelle

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Odds and Ends

In my last post, I had a reader request to see a more detailed look of my natural hair using only the Living Proof Wave Styling Creme. Well of course I can!

I took a shower, put my hair in a towel for about ten minutes, combed it through, and then dispersed a nickel sized amount of creme, focusing on the middle of my hair and going down through the ends. I didn't put any near my roots, although I did use a tiny amount left over on my hand to run through the shorter layers of hair around my face. Then, I air dried. Fan blasting in my room, my hair was dry in no time flat.

I think it looks much better than it normally does without the Living Proof product. It isn't perfect by any means. But I don't think naturally wavy or curly hair ever is perfect. If I want a more polished look, I have to pick up a heating appliance, bottom line. But I really love the creme's control. It can be a bit crunchy, but only use a small amount and you should be ok.

The sole reason I bought this was to wear my hair as is, and I feel confident enough that I can. Do I still  prefer my hair straight, or curled with an iron? Yup! But because it's a million (ok, 100) degrees where I live during Summer, I needed something to tame my frizz and let me be free.

I hope this photo helped my reader =)

PS - taking a close up pic is a leeettle bit strange for me. The old days of taking gratuitous self shots for MySpace are long gone my friends. Long gone!

If all else fails, and my hair just won't cooperate no matter what, then I use this:

There, that'll do it. Fedoras are great.

On another note, GO BUY THIS BOOK!

I love Bethenny, I think she's a riot and incredibly savvy. But even if you aren't a huge fan of hers, I highly, highly recommend this book. Hate your job, your relationship, your food habits, your life? Or just need a quick boost? This is life-changing, no joke. I read it cover to cover in one day!

I sound like a walking infomercial.

~ Noelle

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