Black & White

Lace skirt - Express, Blouse - Nordstrom, Cami - F21, Pumps - Nine West, Bracelets - J. Crew and Tiffany&Co, Rings - H&M and Engagement, Earrings - F21

As much as I love color these days, there is nothing as simple and understated as black and white. I've also been wearing my J. Crew chain bracelet non-stop. I decided to pair it with a silver bracelet from Tiffany's that my mom gave me for my birthday a few years ago. Sometimes, I wish I could be 21 again! Especially when I notice little lines forming on my face that didn't used to be there, say, a few weeks ago. Funny how that happens!

♥ Noelle

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{Colorful} Girls Night Out

Blazer - Nordstrom, Coral top - Anthropologie, Jeans - Banana Republic, Berry pumps - J. Crew, Bag - Kate Spade, Jewelry - J. Crew, Lisa Taubes, Chanel, Charlene K, Engagement, Flower pin - F21

I feel very much like Carrie Bradshaw in this outfit, mainly due to the large flower pin I found. I've always wanted a giant flower to add to the lapel of a jacket or blazer, but I could never find one that I loved. Leave it to Forever 21. This evening, I'm going to have dinner with two of my girlfriends. One knows she will be a bridesmaid in my wedding, and the other doesn't...yet!

Cheers to the weekend,

♥ Noelle

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Maybelline Color Tattoo

I can't remember the last time I was so excited to run over to the drugstore. As soon as I told you about how happy I am with the Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush, I decided to pick up the 24 hour shadow in Tough as Taupe. I wore it all weekend, and was so impressed by it that I picked up another shade with a CVS coupon.

The glass jars make them appear more expensive than they actually are. For reference, they retail for $6.99. I got Bad to the Bronze for half that because I acquired a coupon. 

These shades are extremely creamy, smooth, and pigmented. Bad to the Bronze is a shimmery golden shade, similar to MAC's woodwinked. It leans warm, but I'm sure it would look great on everyone. Tough as Taupe is a matte shade that leans more on the cooler/grey/mocha side. In the pot, Tough as Taupe looks lighter, and almost milky. Once you start using it, the color is much darker. It's a beautiful taupe!  

I have only worn both with my Urban Decay primer, as I always wear a primer, even with cream shadows. These lasted all day! No joke, no creasing or smearing. I didn't even top these off with a powder. If you do top these with a matching powder eyeshadow, there isn't a doubt in my mind that they will last forever (or until you take your makeup off).

I can't rave enough about them and I highly suggest giving one a try. I think I'm satisfied with the colors I have so I will not be buying anymore, at least for the time being.

Aren't they pretty?!

♥ Noelle

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Hana Air Review

Hey everyone, I hope you are all doing well! I've been busy with work and appointments, hence the slight lack in posting so far this week.

About a month or so ago (time has been pretty blurry lately), I was contacted by someone from Misikko.com. They asked if I would review one of their blowdryers, the HANAair Professional. I normally am quite hestitant when a PR person emails me. This may sound strange, as I realize that the nature of beauty and fashion blogging involves direct contact with companies. I'm discerning because I want my blog to be authentically me. I will never post something here that I don't feel genuine about. But you know, I am pretty hopeless with my hair. And I have never, ever owned a nice professional hair dryer before, only drugstore brands that I can admit aren't the best quality. So when Misikko contacted me, I was thrilled! I've been using the dryer every time I wash my hair, which is every other day. I have been using it consistently for the past two weeks.

I love that it's a sleek black color. It is light-weight, easy to manuever, and easy to hold while I blow out my hair with both a round brush and a flat paddle brush.

It also comes with a detachable nozzle. I've never used one before, and I can't believe what a humongous difference it can make! The air is concentrated down the hair shaft, allowing for better control of styling. I point the dryer downwards as I straighten, section by section. My hair dries quickly, more smoothly, and with less frizz.

I love all of the settings that the HANAair has. I usually use the HOT/HIGH setting to blow my hair out, then switch on the COOL button to set it in place and help seal the cuticle.

Overall, I would give my experience with this blow dryer a solid A! I left my Revlon dryer behind at my old house, but I have no desire to go back. This is hands down the best hair dryer I've tried. You girls know I just received a GHD for Christmas from my fiance, but if you are interested in hair straighteners, I'm sure the ones on the Misikko website are great too. If you girls have any further questions, please feel free to ask!

♥ Noelle

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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

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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

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