just a splash

Leopard blouse - F21, Black Cardigan - Nordstrom, Scarf - F21, Jeans - BR, Pumps - Nine West, Jewelry - YSL and J. Crew, Lips - Hourglass lip stain in Petal with MAC Check This Out lipglass, Nails - Essie Watermelon

Just a splash...of color, that is. Sometimes I think of getting dressed the way I do when I make a cocktail. Nothing too overpowering, otherwise the whole thing is thrown off balance. But, sometimes a little something extra makes a world of difference.

Happy Friday!

♥ Noelle

Continue the post

Birds of a Feather

Blouse - Target, Cami - F21, Jeans - BR, Pumps - Anne Michelle, Bracelet - TJ Maxx, Belt - H&M, Lips - See Sheer by MAC

My best friend and I have a thing for birds. She calls people she loves "goose" and I quickly caught on and followed suit. I don't know, there's just something about that word we enjoy saying. Goose. Goooose.

I found this casual top on a Target trip where I was returning a concealer. Good sense told me to just return the item and dart on outta there, but I couldn't help it and I looked through the clothes section. I like this flowy tunic top I found. It has character, what with the birdies and all. The color is also a pretty teal/green and it makes for a nice combo with jeans. Shades of green and blue are huge for Spring.

P.S.     After almost six years of dating, I  finally moved in with my fiance on Sunday! So if the background looks a bit different, that's the reason why (although the rooms are painted the same color as they were in my old house). We are in the process of buying our own condo or small home, so until then, this is where I'll be. Yup! Just me, my fiance, and three roommates. Oh, and two dogs :) It's a full house. I close the door to my little room that serves as my big closet. It's a room that's adjacent to the one I share with my fiance. His room doesn't have enough space for my stuff, so the room next to it serves as my powder room. It has my vanity where I do my makeup and hair, and a walk-in closet.
I keep the door closed while I'm getting ready and blogging. I think the roommates would judge me if they really knew what I do: behavioral specialist by trade (I guess?) but beauty and fashion blogger by heart. I may not do this for a living, but I love it a lot more then I ever dreamed I would.

♥ Noelle

Continue the post

Bouncy Blush

There has been a slew of new products hitting drugstore shelves recently. From Revlon to L'oreal to Maybelline, it seems like every drugstore cosmetic brand is amping up their lines with inventive looking products. The one that caught my eye is the bouncy blush from Maybelline. I love cream blush, and although I don't really understand the purpose of these "bouncy" blushes, they are so pretty! I just had to try one and see what all the hype was about.

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Peach Satin

It is honestly one of the oddest products I've ever tried. It has the consistency of putty. I was expecting a sponge or some sort of foam underneath the product to give it that "bounce" but I don't believe that there is. The product itself provides the texture, not the packaging as I had previously thought. I hope this is making sense! It really is very diffcult to properly describe.

This shade in particular is more coral than peach. I love the glow that it gives. I think overall, these blushes are sheer. They don't give off a lot of pigment, they are much more of a natural looking flush. In fact, Peach Satin gives me that color I naturally get after a good workout. I like that! This will be beautiful in the Summer, when I wear nothing but cream products. If you are going to try one of these for yourself, I would definitely recommend going for one of the brighter shades, as I think the lighter colors won't show up at all.

I do recommend the Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blushes. They may seem a little gimmicky, but I can assure you that they are more reliable than that. I would purchase it again.

Next, I want to try the  Maybelline Tattoo cream eye shadow in the taupe color. Have you tried any of the new drugstore products?

♥ Noelle

Continue the post

Saturday Shopping

Cardigan - Halogen via Nordstrom, Sequin sweater top - LOFT, Cami - F21, Jeans - BR, Leopard Flats - Steve Madden, Bag - Old Navy, Bracelet - J. Crew, Nails - Rare by Illamasqua

I always imagined that if I were to get my dream bag (my Chanel flap) that I would immediately stop dreaming about other handbags. After all, what's the need for more when you own your dream bag? But here's the thing: although I adore my Chanel, I am extremely OCD about it. I can't carry it to work with me. I can't carry it out when it's raining or even when I go out with friends for fear that someone might spill something on it. Or it might accidentally get scuffed or scratched. I don't know if it's my anxiety or my Virgo instincts kicking in, but I am very very careful with my Chanel. Too careful.

So for the past month, I've been on the hunt for a real leather bag that I can carry everyday. It had to meet certain criteria: practical and functional. Not too big nor too small. I also wanted one in a lighter color.  Spring and Summer are right around the corner, and I already own a black Chanel, so no use it getting another black bag. But most importantly, I wanted a bag that I wouldn't have to baby! If it gets scratched, fine!

So Saturday when I went shopping, I brought this home with me:

"She tucked her coral lipstick away and floated back to the party."

Kate Spade

Ta-Da!

LINK!

I know. It is a total replica of the Chanel GST. I know! But I love quilted bags, and this one is so incredibly well made. The leather, although not as luxurious as my Chanel, is really beautiful quality. Soft and pillowy. And just look at the gorgeous nude color. The size is perfect for a petite girl, I don't feel at all overwhelmed by it. Plus, I feel that the price was right for such a bag.

Well done Kate Spade. I've never noticed your bags much before, but now I have!

I already put all my loot in it.

♥ Noelle

Continue the post