Beautygirl24

Short Story

2013-05-20T06:01:00.000-07:00

Blouse - Express

Shorts - LOFT

Flats - Ivanka Trump (similar)

Bag - Juicy (old)

How adorable are these shorts?! The pretty lilac color and of course, the lace. Sold! Like a moth to a flame, I was drawn to these immediately while browsing through Loft. I also ordered two more pairs - one in mint and one in a coral/floral print. They are really comfortable and the 4" rise is great.

I hope you all had a beautiful weekend

♥ Noelle

Summer Shades

2013-05-16T07:01:00.000-07:00

Summer is right around the corner. Are you ready?! I'm pretty close. I would like a new bathing suit, maybe something super bright and tropical for my honeymoon in Maui. But, what I've really been eyeing lately are sunglasses. I've had my trusty Forever 21 shades (in black and tortoise) for years now. I can't believe they've lasted me. The best $5.80 I've ever spent! I'm not one to splurge on designer pairs because what if I lose them? Or they get scratched in my bags? Shelling out a lot of money has never interested me, but lately I really am re-thinking my stance. There are so many gorgeous options and at all different price points.

Tom Ford makes my favorite

C/O Elle

C/O Pinterest

Summer Shades by beautygirl24 featuring baroque sunglasses

Which pair would you choose?

♥ Noelle

Date Night With Gatsby

2013-05-14T06:19:00.000-07:00

Tank - Express

Blazer - Frenchi (old)

Skirt - LOFT

Pumps - Zara

Bag - Michael Kors

Necklace - House of Harlow

Watch - Fossil

Lips - YSL Le Orange

I saw The Great Gatsby Friday night. I knew I would love it. It's one of my all-time favorite novels. I distinctly remember reading it in high school, and while most of my classmates looked bored to tears during our discussions about the book, I was completely enthralled by the characters. That whole 1920's period just fascinates me. The movie was breathtaking in its beauty. The costumes were gorgeous, and I want to wear every single dress Daisy (played by Carey Mulligan) wore. Leo looked like an old Hollywood star, very handsome. That man gets better with age. I definitely recommend it! I'm not sure the boyfriends or hubands will quite appreciate it, but many of you will.

♥ Noelle

P.S. The May giveaway winner is Lisa (Imc1971). I will email you shortly, congrats!

Sweet Layers

2013-05-09T06:06:00.000-07:00

Skirt - Express

Blouse - Forever 21 (old)

Pumps - Zara (similar)

Bag - Michael Kors

Watch - Fossil

Last Saturday, my fiance and I decided to tackle our wedding cake. We went to a little bakery aptly named Sweet Layers. Just up the street from our place, it was honestly some of the best cake we have ever tried! Buttery, decadent, and probably way too many calories! But, we have our perfect cake all set to go for September (if you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw it). Everything is really starting to come together, and I can literally feel the stress slowly lifting away. I think now's the time when I'm finally going to enjoy the rest of the wedding process, and although I know I'm going to be a nervous wreck as the date gets closer, I'm soaking in all of the happy, carefree moments when I can.

♥ Noelle

What I've Been Reading {April 2013}

2013-05-07T09:16:00.000-07:00

Now that we are on our way in May, it's time for monthly must-reads and the question for April (courtesy of Skylette): What is blogging etiquette to you? For example, do you comment on everyone's blog that comments on yours? Do you follow everyone with a blog that reaches out to you? Great questions!

For me, blogging has always been about connecting with others. I think anyone can post pretty pictures on the internet and have their own space in the blogging community, but what purpose does that serve unless you are connecting with an audience? I love reading blogs, and I love commenting on them because I genuinely have a passion for it. I don't see blogging as a chore. If I did, I wouldn't blog, plain and simple. I don't see blogging as a popularity contest either. I still can't believe that anyone reads what I have to say, or takes inspiration from the photos I post. I don't expect anyone to leave me a comment, but I do love them! I try to show the same kindness and respect on the internet as I show to everyone I meet in "real life". I view many of you as friends, even though we've never actually "met". If someone takes the time to leave me a sweet comment or email me an equally sweet message, I do my best to respond. I unfortunately don't have as much time right now to devote to blogging, but I try to post at least two or three times per week. I love reading and discovering new blogs, so when someone wants me to check out their's, I always take a peek. I do admit that sometimes the whole "lets follow each other" thing can seem obnoxious. It just doesn't feel organic to me, so I usually pass on responding to a generic comment where I can tell the person didn't even read my post. Just like any relationship, there has to be a certain level of respect. After blogging for almost four years, I can usually tell when someone is being genuine as opposed to someone who just wants to amass a large blog following (for whatever reason). Overall, I treat you guys like friends and that's the only way I know how. I read and comment on as many blogs as I can because I love it! I follow more blogs than I can even count! And I'm always, always open to more :)

Thoughts? I would love a discussion on this!

Beautygirl24 - Noelle has a serious sweet tooth this Spring. See what jewelry she likes to call her rock candy!
Ella Pretty - Check out Ella's Mall Haul: Forever 21, Coach & Camo Pants
Lindsay J Everyday - Lindsay has some exciting news.
Love, Lipstick & Pearls - Kristen shared her Favorite Home Items that she can't live without.
Schnelle Couture - Danielle joined the ombre party.
Sequins and Stilettos - Skylette plays with the black & white trend here.

♥ Noelle

A Hint Of Sparkle

2013-05-06T09:37:00.000-07:00

Lace top - Charlotte Russe (old)

Skirt - J Crew

Pumps - Zara

Bag - Michael Kors

Belt - LOFT

Bracelet - TJMaxx (check stores for similar options)

It's amazing what a couple hours at the salon can do for a girl. A trim, a dose of fresh color, some sassy curls, and I skipped outta there feeling like an entirely new person!

My new sash from Loft also did the trick. I'm really not much of a belt lover because I can never find one that fits correctly. They are either too loose or too tight. This one, complete with gunmetal gems that sparkle and shine was the last one in the store, and I had to ask the SA to kindly remove it from the mannequin. Thank goodness she sold it to me. I'm one happy customer.

♥ Noelle

Happy May {Giveaway} CLOSED

2013-05-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

I love the month of May! It gets brutally hot here for most of Summer and part of Fall, so Spring is the perfect in-between phase. May is especially lovely because it starts warming up, but it's still bearable enough to venture outside in my go-to uniform of jeans and flats. It's one of the perfect months.

In celebration, I decided it was high time to do something special for you guys! I appreciate and love each and every one of you, and I'm not sure I show my gratitude quite enough. I went to two of my favorite shop spots and walked out with gift cards to giveaway to one of my beautiful readers.

Rules:

Open to U.S. and Canada readers only

Only one reader will win both $25 gift cards

Winner will be chosen using random.org.

All you have to do to enter is:

Make sure you follow my blog via GFC and Bloglovin'

Leave me one comment with your email address so that I may contact you if you win.

This giveaway will run through next Friday, May 10th. You have until Midnight PST.

*These gift cards were purchased with my own money, and this is not sponsored in any way.

Good Luck!

♥ Noelle

Current beauty favorites for Spring

2013-04-30T06:25:00.000-07:00

My current Springtime essentials:

Make Up For Ever HD Foundation - After testing it out for a couple of weeks, this foundation has really grown on me. I wasn't impressed at first, mainly because I am so in love with my Mat Velvet +. I like a nice, medium coverage to conceal the patches of discoloration I have. However, after a few days, my bias changed and I now love how natural it looks. I still prefer the overall coverage and lasting power of Mat Velvet. That foundation will always be my favorite, but the HD is beautiful for this time of year when I want a more dewy complexion. I think of it as a kicked up tinted moisturizer!
UNITE 7 seconds detangler - My soon to be sister-in-law/hair stylist swears by this leave in conditioner at the salon she works in. She got me hooked on UNITE products, and 7 seconds leaves my dry ends looking and feeling much softer and more manageable. I use this right before I blow-dry my hair.
Hourglass Ambient Powder - The much raved about face powder on YouTube intrigued me to the point that I had to see what all the fuss was about. Hourglass has a few shades, but I got mine in Dim Light. I sweep this all over my face as a setting powder. It's very finely milled so it doesn't leave me looking powdery or dry, just very natural.
Revlon Lip Butters in Juicy Papaya and Pink Lemonade - ADDICTED to these two shades. I wrote a post about juicy papaya here. Pink lemonade is a light peachy pink that's great for everyday.
Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer - Let me confess something guys...I tend to get really lazy about applying lotion once the weather heats up. My skin is extremely (and I mean extremely) dry in Winter, but as Spring and Summer come around, my skin becomes more normal. This spray - on lotion is great because it absorbs quickly and has a soft scent. Fast, easy, and it really does moisturize without leaving behind a film.

What are your current Spring beauty favorites?

♥ Noelle

"Big Girl" Bag

2013-04-26T05:57:00.000-07:00

I did it. I bought what I proudly like to refer to as my first "big girl" or grown-up handbag. The Michael Kors selma satchel is everything I knew it would be:

Gorgeous saffiano leather that feels sturdy.
A roomy interior.
Luxurious gold tone hardware.
And one of the best and most practical features...an adjustable/completely removeable shoulder strap!

Genius.

I would dare to even say that it's a cross between this Prada, as well as the IT bag of the year. I got it on presale two weeks ago, when the SA at Macy's caught me staring at myself in the mirror, grinning like a fool from ear to ear, the bag dangling from my arm. She told me about the friends and family sale. 100 dollars off the retail price?! Yes, please! Before I knew it, I had her put the last black selma away for me in the back room. I picked it up yesterday and the rest is history. I strongly suggest going to your Macy's this weekend if you're interested. The F&F sale ends on the 28th.

If you want any details on this bag, let me know :)

♥ Noelle

Wedding Details: The Makeup

2013-04-24T05:51:00.000-07:00

I went for a makeup consultation last weekend and the artist did such a beautiful job :) She came highly recommended by a good friend who also used her for her wedding. I had a few key requests in mind:

I want my wedding makeup to be dewy and glowy - that "lit from within" look. Of course, I don't want to shine like a disco queen but I think that natural makeup will be perfect for the beach. It will also photograph well.
I definitely want to play up my eyes for a slightly smokey look.
I want an overall natural and neutral look, but I still want to appear a bit glam. It is my wedding day after all! I want to look like my best possible self.

Here are the pictures I brought to the consultation:

C/O Pinterest

I was pretty set on using a lot of my own makeup products, especially my Makeup Forever foundations and Nars Orgasm blush. However, after looking through the artist's work and just by meeting her in person, I instantly felt comfortable with letting her do her thing. She has a lot of experience and does weddings on a regular basis. She mainly works with MAC cosmetics.

I can't list all of the products she used on me, but I can let you in on some.

She did airbrushing not only on the face, but also on the chest area. She also used it to contour the planes of my face. I am not sure what foundation she used, but I believe it might have been MAC face and body.
She lightly filled in my brows with a shadow.
She used colors like Espresso and Girlie on my eyes. She started light, and then allowed me to check it out in a giant mirror. She gradually went a bit darker until I was happy with the level of shadow. She also used Espresso to line them instead of black.
Lots of mascara and false lashes, although the lashes she used will not be the same kind as on my wedding day.
For lips, she lined them in Soar and then used Viva Glam 5. I'm still unsure if that's the lipstick I want to use. I'm skipping gloss because the beach will undoubtedly be windy and I don't want a sandy mess! My friend suggested using a lip stain underneath the liner and lipstick.

It was such a fun but unexpected experience because there was a bridal expo taking place and we had an audience! I was definitely shy, but everyone was so sweet and most of the girls there were also getting married and wanted to use her for the big day.

What do you girls think? I appreciate any input!

♥ Noelle

Cobalt Crush

2013-04-22T09:39:00.000-07:00

Blouse - Express (old)

Jeans - Loft

Pumps - J.Crew

Bag - Juicy Couture (old)

Necklace - Sonya Renee

I hope you all had a beautiful weekend! Mine was actually pretty awful. Literally an hour after this picture was taken, I started feeling really sick. I'll spare you the gruesome details. I went to urgent care at 2am and the doctor confirmed my suspicions - I had a bad case of food poisoning. I spent the rest of the weekend in bed, while the warm sunny weather taunted me from my window. Oh well, what can you do? At least these cobalt beauties managed to make it out of their box, even if only for an hour. After crushing on them for over a month, I decided to treat myself. Cobalt is one of my favorite colors and I know these will get a lot of wear. I also treated myself to another gorgeous item I've been crushing on, but that will have to wait until another post ;)

♥ Noelle

Currently Loving ---> Delicate Stone Necklaces

2013-04-17T07:25:00.001-07:00

My obsession with stone jewelry (as evidenced here and here) is going strong! I'm not entirely sure where it all started, but now that I think back, my favorite companies like Stella & Dot, Sonya Renee, and Oia Jules are known for their beautiful creations using colorful gems. The natural, earthy beauty of a stone necklace has quite an impact around the neck.

Here are some options in case you're just as obsessed as I am

Stella & Dot

Oia Jules

This was the necklace I wore in my last post. Love it.

Sonya Renee

Delezhen

Etsy has a ton of stone pendants, so I would encourage you to look there! But whatever you choose, you can't go wrong. There is nothing as beautiful as nature's own jewelry.

♥ Noelle

Rock Candy

2013-04-15T08:16:00.000-07:00

Blazer - H&M (similar)

Tank - American Eagle

Jeans - Old Navy

Heels - Zara (old)

Bag - Juicy Couture (ages old, my first real leather bag!)

Ring - YSL

Necklace - Oia Jules

Lips - Revlon Balm Stain in Lovesick / Nails - Essie Peach Daquiri

My friend wore a similar outfit the last time I saw her. She had on a peach colored tank top from Forever 21, along with a crisp white blazer. The combo had me longing for Summer! I looked for the same top she purchased from F21, but I couldn't locate it. The one I eventually found was on sale at American Eagle. I wasn't sure what jewelry to wear, but decided it was time to give my lapis ring some love again. The necklace from Oia Jules complemented it really well. Now I like to call these pieces my rock candy...cue the boy laughing :) You should hear our conversations over dinner. He officially knows a lot about fashion these days!

♥ Noelle

Revlon {Juicy Papaya} & My Love For Lip Color

2013-04-11T06:06:00.000-07:00

Although Revlon's Lip Butters have been around for quite some time, they have come out with a new shade that I am absolutely wild about. Juicy Papaya is a must-have my friends. A must-have!

I'm not sure why it caught my eye because I haven't purchased a lip butter by Revlon in months. That's what happens when you have too much time to kill on a lunch break. Meandering around Target always ends up in a frivilous purchase of some kind, and for me, that usually means makeup. Juicy Papaya is exactly that on my lips - juicy. The prettiest wash of orange-coral that makes me long for Summer breezes on the beach. Love.

My nudes never get any attention anymore. I simply can't bear to go bare when I have so many colorful choices. I think lipstick can also be used as an accessory to complete your overall look.

Just some examples, but I've noticed that in most of my pictures I have on a bright lip :)

What's your favorite lip color?

♥ Noelle

Saturday & Sephora

2013-04-09T05:59:00.000-07:00

While the boy was away for his bachelor weekend, I enjoyed the most luxurious Saturday. The luxurious part? Having no plans whatsoever. Lazily waking up and taking the dog for a walk, grabbing coffee, stopping by my mom's house for a quick catch-up, and then doing some beauty shopping at Sephora. A winery trip later that afternoon may or may not have been involved as well ;)

Mint (yes MINT, my camera loves to wash the color out) blazer - H&M (similar)

Dress - Zara (old) (similar)

Necklaces - Lisa Taubes and Kate Spade

Bag - MNG Mango (love this by Solesociety)

Nails - Lacey Lilac by L'oreal

P.S. - I'm very happy with the L'oreal polishes I mentioned last week. They are really opaque. The formula is thick, which makes it a little difficult to apply but the color payoff is worth it and only two coats are needed.

At Sephora, I picked up three skin products:

1) Make Up For Ever HD Foundation - I got this in the shade 120 which is soft sand. It actually looks a bit dark in the bottle but the MUA color matched me so I'm hoping it's the correct shade. I bought this specifically to test out for my wedding. I will report back :)

2) Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + - My favorite! I've used it and loved it for years now. I'm thinking of mixing it with the HD and seeing how I like the combination. I'm in contact with a makeup artist who did my friend's wedding, and I plan on bringing both foundations to show her. She does airbrushing, but I may be more confident in wearing foundations on my wedding day that I know work well for my skin.

3) Origins GinZing Eye Cream - I picked up this eye cream because my beloved Kiehl's is completely gone and I don't have access to a stand-alone location or even a department store that carries the line. I picked up the Origins because not only does it get great reviews, but also because it's free of parabens and other harsh chemicals I'm trying to stay away from. I don't know if it'll replace my Kiehl's, but so far so good.

Be on the look-out for more wedding makeup talk within the next week or two :)

Thank you for reading,

♥ Noelle

White Eyelet

2013-04-04T08:38:00.000-07:00

Dress - American Eagle

Cardigan - Loft (similar)

Pumps - Zara (similar)

Bag - J.Crew Factory

Necklace - Boutique (identical by S&D)

Ring - Henri Bendel

Although the LBD is the dress du jour, I think the LWD is just as versatile in your wardrobe especially come Spring and Summer. The white Zara dress I had high hopes for was a total fail. It was all wrong - bad fit, bad fabric, a faulty zipper. Then came along this little number, complete with the same cut-outs on the sides as the Zara. Although I won't be wearing this for my bachlorette (too casual), I did wear it for our save the date pictures on the beach last weekend. The full skirt and soft cotton eyelet make it ultra comfortable in the heat. I'm sure it will get a ton of use the next few months. I already have plans to wear it on our honeymoon in Hawaii.

Makes me wanna do a twirl :)

♥ Noelle

Mint + Gray + Pink

2013-04-02T13:25:00.000-07:00

Sweater - Old Navy

Jeans - Loft

Pumps - J.Crew (I want these!)

Necklace - Baublebar, given to me by Lilly :)

Bag - Mango by JCP (old)

Nails - L'oreal Creme Puffs (seen here)

After seeing this adorable sweater on two of my favorite girls (Danielle and Lindsay), I knew it had to be mine one day. Although I own this in the Fall version, I love Spring's mint and gray even more. For some reason, the sweaters Old Navy has come out with for Spring feel softer and a bit thicker then the ones popular back in Fall. Paired with a statement necklace and a fun pop from raspberry heels, I felt happy and colorful for a date night with the boy.

P.S. - I want another pair of J.Crew heels. I could go for one in every color.

♥ Noelle

What I've Been Reading {March 2013}

2013-04-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

Happy April everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter yesterday! Question of the month: How would you describe your own personal style? How has it evolved over the years?

This question comes from myself as well as Alison, and it has definitely taken some thought!

I would describe my personal style as practical and comfortable above anything else. I love getting dressed up and feeling glamourous, but I think everyone has their own definition of what glamour looks like. I love the classics - a great fitting pair of jeans that can transition from day to night, a little tweed jacket to throw on over everything, a great pair of shiny black pumps that look smart in any situation. Versatility is key in my wardobe. I also value looking put-together and timeless. I love following a trend just as much as the next girl, but I don't ever want to look back on a picture when I'm older and think, "God, who was I trying to be?" I don't ever want to feel like I'm getting dressed for someone else. I like neutrals with splashes of color. I love wearing basic pieces and then adding accessories to really complete a look. I love looking feminine, and I don't feel the need to "edge" things up (although I do love that sort of tough-girl look on others). I think I just know myself these days. My style has evolved in the sense that I know more about what I like and what I don't like. Fitting in was a huge part of my style when I was younger. I just wanted to look like everyone else, to blend in with the crowd. I've always loved fashion, and that's something I get from my mom. But I was always very confused about what looked "good" on me. Being petite at 5'2 and having some curves is difficult. It took me a long time to realize that my body is fine just the way it is, and a tailor can take care of a lot of it! I know this is something I still struggle with as a woman. But I do believe that essentially, even if and when my body changes throughout life, my personal sense of style will still remain. I'll still always gravitate towards the classic, lady-like look. I'm pretty sure that Coco Chanel will always be my icon :)

Here are some looks that sum up my style:

What does your personal style look like? Please share your thoughts in the comments section, I'm really interested in this month's topic!

Alison*Elle - Alison is keeping it weekend-casual in an asymmetrical sweater and boyfriend jeans.
Beautygirl24 - Noelle took a stroll through the park and enjoyed the Spring flowers. Her green dress matched the scenery.
Ella Pretty - See Ella's Target & Outlet-shopping haul from her US vacation.
Lindsay J Everyday - Lindsay shares 5 Things about herself, now it's your turn.
Love, Lipstick & Pearls - Kristen is dreaming of warm weather and summer BBQs with her Spring Wishlist.
Schnelle Couture - Danielle shows off her first postpartum OOTD.
Sequins and Stilettos - Skylette is playing up the yellow and cobalt trend.
The Currently Obsessed - Mehreen shares her inspiration for her baby girls nursery.

♥ Noelle

Little pick-me-ups

2013-03-28T07:50:00.000-07:00

A little retail therapy never hurt anyone, right? As long as you don't go overboard, little pick-me-ups can be a perfect solution to the doldrums. I think treating yourself to a bottle of nail polish or a new lipstick can be just as satisfying (if not more) than saving money for a big item.

Pretty Spring polishes

L'oreal has a new limited edition collection, and I had to have some! I got Creme Puffs and Lacey Lilac.

I also picked up Tart Deco and Maximillion Strasse Her by Essie.

Any of these colors would be great for Easter. I have yet to actually paint my nails with them, but I plan on wearing Creme Puffs this weekend. I'll report back on the opacity, and I have high hopes for all four.

Nivea Lip Butter in Raspberry Rose Kiss. I've heard great reviews about these new lip butters, and seeing as I'm a sucker for both raspberries and anything rose, I decided to try it. It has a soft, fruity scent and is really moisturizing.

NYX Butter Gloss in Vanilla Cream Pie is great! Non-sticky, very lightly scented (unlike most other NYX lip products) and smooth coverage. This shade is really natural so if you want more color, I'd go for a darker or brighter shade.

I finally plopped down for the Sephora 55 airbrush. I've been wanting this for what seems like ages, but I've never spent a lot of money on makeup brushes. I love my Sigma, Kirkland, and Eco Tools. However, I am so happy with this brush. I use it for blush, bronzer, and powder. Ultra soft and applies everything like a dream. I haven't washed it just yet, so I'm hoping the bristles flare out. Right now they are quite tapered and I'd actually prefer a little fullness.

These delicate stone necklaces are so beautiful! I picked them up at a tiny boutique while in San Diego this past weekend and I'm just in love. Pretty layered or on their own, expect to see them appear in outfit posts very soon. I love my statement jewelry, but nothing is as sweet or as feminine as a dainty necklace around your neck.

What little pick-me-ups have you treated yourself to lately?

♥ Noelle

Neon & Neutral

2013-03-25T06:08:00.000-07:00

Bag - J Crew Factory

Necklace - Target (recent, check stores) (pretty option)

Shoes - Ivanka Trump (love)

Blouse - Target (similar)

Cardigan - LOFT (similar)

Watch - Fossil

Bracelet - Stella & Dot

One of my favorite things to do on a beautiful, sunny weekend is visit my favorite person in San Diego. My best friend and I spent the day getting our hair done, walking around downtown, and visiting Hotel Palomar. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend making a stop there. The place is stunning! Great food and drinks too :)

I decided to spice up my neutral outfit by carrying my newest love - the neon envelope clutch. Something tells me that she will get lots of play time this Spring and Summer.

♥ Noelle

The J.Crew {Factory} Envelope Clutch

2013-03-22T08:37:00.000-07:00

J.Crew is one of my favorite shop spots. They do color so effortlessly, and the polished, preppy, ultra feminine look is right up my alley. My only complaint are the prices. The quality is high and I'm a strong believer that you ultimately get what you pay for. But when I discovered J.Crew factory a few months ago, I became addicted. The same beautiful, colorful clothes and accessories that the company is known for, but for a fraction of the cost.

The envelope clutch has been my favorite not-so-secret find. It started with one in a vibrant raspberry suede. I've literally worn it to pieces, as the edges are beginning to look worn, discolored in some areas, and a little frayed.

Now I have these to add to the collection.

J.Crew Factory Envelope Clutch

The quality of these leather clutches is amazing. Soft and smooth, and the color is extremely saturated. I think these will hold up a bit better then my suede version.

I love the versatility too. You can carry it as a clutch with the chain tucked inside, or use the chain and throw it over your shoulder. The burnished gold chain itself has a nice weight to it. It feels substantial, and not at all like an afterthought. I got black because every girls needs a classic black clutch, but I'm most excited to carry the neon. It will add so much to my neutral outfits. Note - the color is super bright in person.

My little factory family :)

This is a very positive review, and I hope you give one a try!

Have a great weekend!

♥ Noelle

The little gray sweatshirt

2013-03-20T05:31:00.000-07:00

Sweatshirt - Angl (very similar)

Skirt - J Crew

Pumps - Nine West

Earrings - Anthropologie (similar by Sonya Renee)

I'm always on the lookout for new ways to style the pieces I already have in my closet. People Style Watch is probably my favorite magazine to gather inspiration from. I purchased an adorable grey sweatshirt/top with lace about a month ago. I orginally bought it just to lounge around the house in, but as soon as I tried it with jeans, I figured it was decent enough to wear on the weekends when it's a bit chilly. I had no clue what else to pair it with until I saw the above page in the April issue of Style Watch. Hello! How cute do these girls look? I especially loved Olivia and Dree Hemingway's take, and decided I'd re-create something similar over the weekend. Cute, comfortable, and a great way to spice up a little sweatshirt.

♥ Noelle

In Bloom

2013-03-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

Blazer - H&M (recent, check stores) (similar from Banana Republic)

Dress - BP Nordstrom, old (cute option)

Bag - Kate Spade

Heels - Guess, old (love these)

Necklace - Stella & Dot

Beaded bracelet - Etsy

Watch - Fossil

Labradorite bracelet - Oia Jules

Spring is in full bloom around my area. The grass has never looked greener, and it seems like everywhere I go, flowers are in full bloom. My fiance and I celebrated the weekend by having lunch at the park by our house. My green dress matched the scenery (and St. Patty's) perfectly :)

♥ Noelle

Michael Kors Selma Satchel

2013-03-13T17:53:00.000-07:00

Michael Kors Selma Satchel

As I can't afford a Celine, nor anything near that price range, I have been on a quest to find a satchel that is not only beautiful and well-made, but also budget friendly. I've considered Kate Spade, Tory Burch, and J.Crew. However, this one by Michael Kors definitely fits the bill! Made of saffiano leather, it won't show marks or get scuffed up quite so easily. I haven't pulled the trigger yet, just looking around really. But isn't she lovely?

♥ Noelle

Spring Forward

2013-03-10T21:01:00.001-07:00

Blazer - H&M (recent)

Blouse - F21

Jeans - Loft

Pumps - Zara

This is another H&M find from my latest Spring shopping trip. H&M is often hit or miss for me, but their new styles have been well done and the two blazers I've purchased are already on heavy rotation. The sleeves fit well, and I love the little peplum hem. I like wearing my blazers open, although this looks really cute buttoned because the peplum is accentuated. I'm enjoying the last of my "Winter" wardrobe by pairing darker colors together, but I'm really looking forward to Spring's color palette.

♥ Noelle