Desert Vacation Style

 This past weekend, Nate and I finally went back to Palm Springs for a mini getaway. After a long hiatus due to restrictions during the height of the pandemic, it felt so good to be back. I really missed the colorful desert oasis! It's the one place where I feel compelled to do absolutely nothing but relax by a pool, enjoy the sun and beautiful views, and just escape. 

I brought three dresses with me on this trip, but the one I'm wearing below was by far my favorite. I love a halter style maxi dress. It may be hard to tell, but the background of it is a dark green with large blush and white flowers. It also has a keyhole that's fun without being too revealing. It really combines two trends I am living for at the moment: bright colors and sexy cut-out dresses. You'll be seeing them everywhere!

Wearing // Abercrombie & Fitch dress, Sezane shoes and bag, Gorjana bracelets, rings, and coin necklace

I plan on getting a ton of wear out of it in the coming months. I'm getting so excited because we are entering into my favorite time of year. More day trips, more road trips, and hopefully more time with family and friends. Even just a couple days away can be enough to recharge. 

Do you have any little getaways planned, or perhaps a big trip coming up? I hope you all are doing well! 

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Express Flexx Jeans

 I've been on the hunt for a great fitting pair of jeans since last year. Like probably most of you, I struggle to find a brand that I can stick with because styles and sizing vary so differently. I do love the last pair I bought, but I had been wanting something more basic that I could wear with everything. I tried Good American, Abercrombie & Fitch, Kut From The Cloth, and Target but I wasn't really thrilled with any of them. It was a game of "too much stretch" or "not enough." 

Linking what's available // Express jeans, Sezane bag, Similar flats

Linking what's available// Express jeans, Express bodysuit, Sezane bag and shoes

Before giving up on my quest, I decided to give Express jeans another try. Express has long been one of my favorite retailers, and they've definitely made a bit of a comeback for me after a few years of disappointment. Totally on a whim, I ordered their new Flexx jeans. Super high waist, the perfect shade of medium blue, short length to ensure I don't need to hem them, and just the right amount of stretch. Meet my new favorite skinny jeans! I know skinny styles are out, but I still prefer them over wide leg silhouettes. I'm obviously a creature of habit in that way, but I just find them to be more flattering. So why are they called Flexx? They move with your body, and come in sizes XS - XL instead of the usual standard sizing. For example, I am usually a size 8 or 29 in denim. I took a medium which is meant for sizes 6-10. I was skeptical of that amount of range, but once on my body, they hugged my curves perfectly without feeling loose nor restrictive. Basically, they feel like leggings. No gap in the waistband, but not tight in the legs either. I want them in every wash. I highly recommend giving them a try if you're shopping for jeans this Spring! 

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What I'm Wearing This Holiday Season

 I never in a million years thought that I'd be into bodysuits. They look great with high waisted jeans and skirts, but are they really even comfortable? I decided to test one out a few months ago and was pleasantly surprised! Yes, bodysuits can be supremely wearable. Now I have four, including this long sleeve version from one of my all-time favorite retailers. Express does it again. This is what I plan on wearing for this holiday season. 

Wearing // Express bodysuit, Jen7 jeans (also love these), Sezane sandals and similar bag, Gorjana necklace and rings

I told my best friend that it feels like second skin. It's soft as can be and can be dressed up or down depending on what you pair with it. This holiday season, I like the in-between of wearing such an outfit. Not as casual as leggings, but not quite as glam as a dress. The in-between seems apt after almost two years of not knowing what the hell what to wear! Express has always been a go-to for chic basics but they have really stepped things up with their body contour line. I highly recommend giving them a try. 

This is my last post of the month. I'm going on a family trip to Maui on the 29th to celebrate my brother-in-law becoming a nurse. It's my first real family vacation and I can't wait to tell you all about it when I get back! You can keep up with me on Instagram of course ( Noelleengel). 

Happy Thanksgiving to those of you in the U.S. <3

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Sephora Holiday Savings Event 2021

 Sephora's annual holiday savings event begins today for all rouge members, with VIB and insiders shopping the sale next week. The tiers for members are as follows: rouge gets 20% off their entire purchase, VIB's get 15% off, and insiders get 10%. I did a little more damage this year so I'm officially back to VIB status. I look forward to this event every year because it's the perfect time to either stock up on my favorite products or try something new at a discount. The code is YAYHOLIDAY

What I'm Buying:

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Liner in Iconic Nude: I absolutely love Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk lip liner (I wear it every day), but I want to try a more nude shade. It seems just as wearable and a lot of people I know swear by it. 

Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidity Hair Spray: This is holy grail for me. My hair gets frizzy no matter what time of year it is, and this spray provides incredible shine and smoothness without it being stiff, sticky, or weighing my hair down. Plus it smells so luxurious, and the scent lasts until the next wash! 

Farmacy Honey Harvest Hydration Kit: Farmacy has quickly become my go-to skincare brand. Not only is it clean, but it is also effective. I have the honeymoon glow serum already, in fact, I'm on my third bottle! This set includes that, along with their newest plumping serum and their hydration mask that feels so good to use at night. It warms up as you apply it to the skin and leaves it soft and hydrated. If you haven't tried Farmacy beauty, this is a great way to start. 

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Vanilla Beige: I used Summer Fridays coconut body lotion all Summer long and loved it. I've been curious about their butter lip balm after seeing so many positive reviews of it so I'm giving it a try. Overall I just appreciate the aesthetic of the brand. 

Sephora Collection Ultra Glow Serum: I need a new vitamin C serum but they are all quite expensive. I like the one that Drunk Elephant makes but I just don't feel like spending the money (even with a discount). I'm hoping this serum will be a cheaper alternative! I'll keep you guys posted. 

Other products I would highly recommend are: 

Necessaire Body Lotion: Works like a charm on dry, sensitive skin (and I have problems with eczema)

Sunday Riley Good Genes: I use this on the nights that I don't use the Farmacy Honeymoon glow. Instantly leaves skin looking more plump and bright.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask: This is also holy grail. My husband uses it too and often steals it from my nightstand. Best moisturizer I've tried for chapped, cracked lips. 

Charlotte Tilbury ANYTHING. Really though, it's my favorite makeup brand for a reason. Treat yourself!

Will you be shopping the Sephora sale this year? 

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Cropped Button Cardigan and Shorts

 I have to admit, this is probably one of my favorite transitonal Fall outfits I've ever worn. It's hard to explain why really, but I just feel so put together and chic without sacrificing comfort. I did also receive some compliments and let's face it, that's always a nice feeling! Living in sunny southern California, Fall weather is much warmer than say, New York. It's more of a wish than an actual season here, so it takes a little creativity to incorporate trends in a way that works for me. 

(Don't mind that little string on my shorts in these pics. I had no idea it was there the whole time! Hey, it's life. No fancy photographer here.)

Wearing // H&M cropped button up cardigan, Abercrombie shorts, Similar sandals, Similar bag

For the past few seasons, longer length or duster cardigans have been all the rage and while I love those and own a few, I'm actually really happy that shorter cropped cardigans are trendy right now. Cropped anything can be tricky to pull off, especially if you're a more modest dresser like me. But pair one with high waisted bottoms and any hesitation disappears! The best of both worlds. I love the juxtaposition, and ultimately I find the combination flattering. The cardigan can be worn open over a tank or bodysuit, but I prefer wearing it buttoned as a shirt itself. I wore these linen blend shorts a lot over the Summer, and because they are black, what better way to transition them into Fall than with a cozy, soft-as-can-be cardigan? This whole look is fun for a night out, or switch out the heels for some ankle boots or flats for a casual day. 

What's the weather like where you live? I hope you all have a fantastic Halloween weekend! 

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Gibsonlook x Hey Nasreen Blouson Floral Dress

I've shopped Gibsonlook at Nordstrom for a few years and have loved their soft, comfortable, elevated basics. When I found out that one of my favorite petite bloggers Nasreen was doing a collaboration with the brand, I knew I wanted to try one of their pieces. I was drawn to a few of the styles, but instantly fell in love with this beautiful blouson sleeve burgundy floral dress. It's perfect for Fall and the upcoming holidays. 

Wearing // Gibsonlook x Hey Nasreen dress, Sezane sandals, Similar Sezane bag, Gorjana necklace and ring set

I find that Gibsonlook runs large so I went down to a small in the dress and it fits just how I want it to.  It's a pull-on style with lining in the body and sheer billowy sleeves that cuff at the wrists. I absolutely love the print! You can't tell from these photos but there is a really pretty metallic gold threading throughout. Nate and I have only done family photos for the holidays once, but if we were to do them again I would definitely wear this! I highly recommend it for so many different types of occasions this Fall and Winter. 

I also wanted to briefly mention that Nasreen shared some heartbreaking news recently on her social media. She has breast cancer. Because October is national breast cancer awareness month and because Nasreen is making it her mission to help other women, I too would like to remind you ladies to please please make those annual appointments with your gynecologists. I actually had my first mammogram a few months ago when I found a rather large, incredibly painful lump. I first did the mammogram (which was definitely awkward but not painful) followed by an ultrasound. I had tears in my eyes while the nurse had me shift in various positions. I kept thinking of the ways in which my life would change if if she told me it was cancer. Thankfully, it wasn't cancer (just my hormones run amuck). There is no family history of breast cancer, but you still can't be complacent. That experience has shown me just how important self breast exams are, as well as making sure you see your doctor for those annual exams. I hope if you don't already follow Nasreen that you will do so now! Let's lift her and other women up in prayer and allow them to share their stories in hopes of preventing more people from going through the same thing. 

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