Sunny Seoul & Summer of Love

I can't contain my excitement! I know I've been raving about many lipsticks on this blog as of late, and so you might be rolling your eyes at yet another "must-have" product of mine. I change lipsticks as often as...well you know. But once I find one that I really love, I keep it in heavy, heavy rotation. This one, gifted to me by my best friend is definitely one of them.

Sunny Seoul

Not only is it a creamsheen so it's pigmented and ultra smooth, but it also has just the right amount of pink and peach undertones. I think many people can wear it comfortably. It's beautiful for Summer.

I wanted to take the time to quickly update you guys on my Summer. I'm deeming it, "my Summer of love." Cheesy as it sounds, it's a pretty accurate description!

 

 

July:

* My best friend's bridal shower in Orange County.

*My bridal shower at one of our local wineries. It happens to also be my favorite.

*My second wedding dress fitting is on the 24th. Fingers crossed it fits me like a glove!

August:

*My soon to be sister in law is having a little girl. I'm so happy for her! She already has two amazing sons, and now her baby girl will complete the family. Her baby is due in October, but the baby shower is this month.

* My best friend will get married on August 16th! I can't wait to be her proud maid of honor. I'm an only child, so being in her wedding is extremely special to me :)

* Nate and I are planning a little trip to Catalina to do some snorkeling and prepare for our honeymoon in Hawaii.

September:

*I'm getting married! Lots of last minute planning will undoubtedly take up most of my time. We are also having our rehearsal on September 12th (which also happens to be my 29th birthday).

*Honeymoon in paradise to follow :)

I'm taking the rest of this week off to enjoy the holiday. Happy Fourth to my fellow Americans :)

See you next week!

Photos c/o Pinterest
 

♥ Noelle

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Wedding Details: The Makeup

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

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In with the new

Out with the old? Well, not exactly. But I have acquired a few new things recently that are making me very, very happy.

Too Faced Milk Chocolate Bronzing Powder

On the quest for a bronzer that didn't make me look orange, muddy, or shiny, I decided to give this one by Too Faced a try. Its more famous cousin is darker then I need this time of year, but the milk chocolate version is perfect for my pale skin. No sheen, purely matte. It's extremely natural, so those seeking a bronzed goddess look might want to go elsewhere. The great thing is I can swirl a giant brush into this and slap it everywhere on my face. I can almost use it like a regular powder. I personally love that in the Wintertime. If you are ghostly this time of year like I am, you will definitely appreciate it. And yes, it absolutely does smell like chocolate :)

 

 

Maybelline Color Whisper Lipstick (here in Lust for Blush and Pin up Peach) MAC creamsheen in Peach Blossom

I compare the Maybelline to the Revlon Lip Butters, except I actually prefer the feel of these on my lips a lot more. They perform like a balm, but they have a hint of color that makes them perfect for daily use. I'd give them a try, especially when they're on sale at CVS or Rite-Aid.

Peach Blossom by MAC is my new favorite. Similar to my beloved Shy Girl, but more pink then peach. How did I not know about this color before?! It's a must-have now.  

 

 

After Christmas, my fiance and I practically ran to the store and picked up iphones (our contracts were up). I always loved my android, and really had no issues with it. But all of our friends kept pushing us towards getting iphones. I'll admit they were a snobby bunch about it. I think that's why I resisted for as long as I did. But they were all right. I LOVE my new toy :)

What new item are you loving lately?

♥ Noelle

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Products I'm Loving

 I feel like it's been such a long time since I last featured a few products that I can't put down. It's one thing to show you what I've been buying lately. The true test comes from what I'm using on a daily basis.

This Fall, I've been all about berry toned blush with a satin finish. I love coral when I'm tanned, but once my color fades, I like a beautiful berry pop right onto the apples of my cheeks. Nothing perks up my complexion more. These are surprisingly easy to wear. They can go on sheer, or packed on! I like somewhere in between. The MAC shades are no longer available, but the LORAC blush is beautiful. There are so many pretty berries out on the market, I'm sure you can find the perfect one for you.

This Chanel quad in Prelude is a gift from my best girl. I'm loving a plum smokey eye, and this lets you go light and natural, or dark and sultry. All four shades are incredibly flattering. I like to use my Sephora smudge brush in number 29 to line my eyes in the darkest shade. It lasts all day.

What is this flourescent pink blob you may ask? It's called a tangle teezer! Apparently it's very popular in the U.K. I got mine at Sally's Beauty and I've been using it every single day since. It's the perfect shape for the palm of your hand, and it glides along the hair easily to comb out tangles - minus the pain.



These three scented candles from Bath & Body Works make me so happy. I light them primarily at night after a long day. The Vanilla Bean Noel has been my favorite for years now.

What products are you loving this Fall?

♥ Noelle

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MAC Holiday & Sephora VIB Sale

Just a quick post for today, as I'm leaving in a bit to go camping. We are taking a trailer, courtesy of the boy's parents so I guess I can't truly call it camping. With a queen sized bed, a stove, and a bathroom, we aren't really going to be roughing it! Nope, just relaxing.

Here are my buys from Sephora's VIB sale yesterday! I also stopped by MAC and picked up two things from their Holiday collection.

1. Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara Collection - Such a great value! You get a full size mascara, artliner (my favorite liquid liner), a mascara base, and eye makeup remover. I can't wait to try the mascara, I've heard great things :)

2. Sephora Super Stars - I think the name says it all. Again, you can't go wrong by purchasing a kit like this. You can try so many things for a great deal. I wanted the Hourglass primer, and this kit contains it. I also needed another Benefit They're Real mascara, and I've been meaning to purchase the Chloe fragrance for months now. Everything else looks amazing!

3. Makeup Forever Mat Velvet + - I had to replenish. I'm tempted to try the HD foundation, especially for my wedding. That one remains on my list!

4. MAC Glamour Daze blush in easy manner, eyeshadow in stolen moment. Gorgeous, and definitely in line with my plum/taupe makeup obsession.

If you would like to see any swatches or reviews on anything, please let me know. Just give me about a week or so to test these beauties out!

Use code CELEBRATE at checkout for 20% off your entire purchase at Sephora. Happy shopping!

♥ Noelle

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Retail Therapy

This is a shopping post. It doesn't get much deeper than that. I suppose no apologies are needed as I'm preaching to the choir ;)

Essie nail polish in: Bikini so Teeny, Bazooka, and Lights

Much brighter in person

M.A.C blush in full of joy
I had to try it after Laura's recommendation. Sadly, it is limited edition which reminds me why I don't even bother with collections anymore.

From the Nordstrom anniversary sale:

Frenchi Vanity Tweed Jacket
Doesn't have much hanger appeal. In fact, it looks sort of pathetic here. But it's very sweet in person, and I'm always a sucker for a little tweed jacket in the Fall. Paired with denim, it looks instantly pulled together. I was joking with my friend that this won't see the light of day until November.

Lily White Lace Shorts in Taupe
After lusting after lace shorts on countless bloggers (including this favorite ), I wanted to give them a try.

Ivanka Trump Abello Flat in Light Beige (Nordstrom Exclusive)

Chic and versatile.

Rose Oversized Link Strand - Baublebar

Beautiful statement necklace that doesn't need anything else!

Did you pick anything up from the anniversary sale? Share in the comments!

♥ Noelle

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Weekend Beauty

I did some beauty shopping this weekend at Sephora and MAC. This is what came home with me:

1) Viktor & Rolf La Vie En Rose (Sephora exclusive). Okay, I thought that this perfume had been discontinued. When I finished my previous bottle, my fiance searched high and low for it. It is his favorite scent on me, and I wore it when we got engaged so it holds a special place in our memories. Funny how powerful a certain scent can be! Although I love my Prada Candy, nothing can compare to La Vie En Rose. I thought I would never find it again, so I was shocked when I walked into Sephora and it was right there on a display! Sephora must have repromoted it because the bottle looks a bit different. However, it is definitely the same scent. I want to wear it when we get married next year.

2) MAC Fix + is a product I've mentioned on the blog numerous times. I like to use it before bed after applying my moisturizer and eye cream, as well as when I want a quick pick-me-up during the day. I don't use it to set makeup, as I prefer Urban Decay All Nighter for that purpose. But nothing is as refreshing as Fix +.

3) Buxom Lip Creme in White Russian. I used this as soon as I bought it! Best nude ever! It's everything I've looked for in a nude. It doesn't wash me out, it actually brightens my face and makes my lips look fuller (although I don't need much help in that department). I highly recommend it. I wouldn't say it tingles, just feels very cooling on the lips. If you're a fan of the Kim Kardashian nude lip, I think you'll find this one to be supremely wearable, especially if you have lighter skin.

4) DiorSkin Nude Hydrating Concealer. I haven't tried this just yet, but am looking forward to testing it out. I've read great reviews. I will update very soon!




While we are on the subject of beauty, I am quite pleased with the Color Club polish I picked up last week in Modern Pink. It's such a beautiful neon. It isn't too outlandish, if that makes any sense. It stands out, but still walks the fine line between trendy and chic.

♥  Noelle

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Current Skincare Loves

Left to Right:

1. Pond's Wet Cleansing Towelettes in Evening Soothe. These have been my go-to makeup remover wipes for the past few months now. The quilted texture gets every trace of makeup, and the scent is relaxing for nighttime use. I've come to realize that many brands make great wipes (I still love Yes to Cucumbers and Neutrogena). However, I can always find Pond's on sale so I keep repurchasing.

2. Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. This works wonders on heavy duty mascara, especially my Benefit "They're Real" which is known for being difficult to remove.

3. Josie Maran Argan Oil. This has been raved about from so many bloggers. This is my newest skincare addition, as I just added it to my nightly routine two weeks ago. I already love it, and can't believe how soft and supple my skin looks and feels when I get out of bed in the morning. I slather it everywhere. I concentrate on my skin, but it can also be used on cuticles, hair, and anywhere that needs a serious dose of moisture.

4. Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment With Avocado. Now that I'm in my late 20's, I notice just how sensitive the delicate skin around my eyes are.  I don't have any lines yet, but I do need moisture. This eye cream is amazing. This is my second jar, but it lasts forever. A little goes a long way. I use it not only before bed, but also in the morning underneath my concealer. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it!

5. ROC Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. I mainly use this for preventative measures. I'm still fairly young ;) But I've said before that I do have little lines between my brows. I don't use it every night because it does irritate my skin slightly, but I try to apply a bit at least four times a week.

6. MAC Fix+. This is the travel size that came out with some collection I'm sure. I spray this on after applying my makeup, as well as right before bed. No reason why really, it just feels so refreshing and I love that scent. I didn't think it set my makeup well until I started spraying some on before using my MUFE HD powder. That does the trick, and my makeup stays on a few hours longer.

* I completely forgot to include my Cetaphil cleanser. It's gentle, it's soothing. It's perfect.

I'm always curious about skincare products, so there are a few things I want to try. I've heard some of you girls rave about Peter Thomas Roth. His correction pads are on my wishlist. I also have a friend that is sending me some goodies to test out ;)

What are your current skincare loves?

♥ Noelle

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M.A.C. Attack

Every so often, I get a craving. A really good, strong one. I try to talk myself out of it, but the feeling overtakes me, and before I know it, I'm pulling up to the mall parking lot. Handbag over the shoulder, keys in hand, I head into Macy's and make a beeline for the M.A.C. counter. This recent trip consisted of eyeshadows and lip products, the best kind of makeup shopping in my opinion. At least the most enjoyable.

Innocence Beware and Dish it Up came out with the most recent collection. The first is a creamy pink/nude, the latter a gorgeous pinky plum. Innocence Beware has a creamsheen finish, while Dish it Up is a lustre. Both are opaque.

I was curious to try a plushglass that I kept hearing so much about.

Besides the cutesy name, Fashion Fanatic is a delicious shade of baby pink. It looks gorgeous layered on top of Innocence Beware, and that is the combination I have favored most lately. It feels minty, which I like. I've never been much of a lip plumping fan, as they sit uncomfortably on my lips. I become panicked seconds later, wondering why anyone would deliberately PAY to feel as if they've poured a bottle of hot sauce on their mouth.
No worries here. This one only tingles slightly.

I showed my new eyeshadows last week, but here they are with the rest of my palette. For reference -

 Top Row: Naked Lunch, Dazzlelight, Woodwinked, Soba, Sable

Middle Row: Twinks, Sketch, Copperplate, Jest, Grain

Bottom Row: Phloof

I still have four coveted slots left! What other shades must I get? Do share in the comments!

Obviously I'm a neutral girl. Just in case you had any doubts :)

♥ Noelle

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Favorite {Current} Lip Colors & OOTD

Nudes:



L'oreal Fairest Nude, MAC Shy Girl, MAC Mattene in Naked Bliss, Revlon Lip Butter in Creme Brulee

Revlon Glosses in Eggnog and Cocktail Dress

Reds:

MAC See Sheer, Revlon Lip Butters in Sugar Plum and Red Velvet, Tarte 24/7 Lip Stain, Stila Paramour

These are all lip products on heavy rotation this Fall. The question is...Which shall I wear today?

What are your favorite lip products this season?



I hope you are enjoying a long weekend off! Due to a sudden change in plans, the fiance and I are staying in Carlsbad tonight. We both need some R&R, and this gorgeous beach town is the perfect place to do it.

Cream lace top, mustard skirt, and necklace - F21, Gray jacket & pumps - Nordstrom Rack, Earrings - Sonya Renee, Bag - Chanel, Nails - China Glaze Lubu heels

I love you guys!

♥ Noelle

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Lightscapade

Mac's limited edition MSF in Lightscapade is gorgeous! I missed out on Moon River mineralized blush a long time ago, and this reminds me of that. It is very finely milled, and when swirled with a big fluffy brush, it goes on smoothly. I love that it creates a sheen on the skin and not a glittery, chunky mess. When the light catches it just right, the effect is like candlelight. If you can find one and are in need of a subtle highlight powder, I highly suggest grabbing it.

♥ Noelle

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Thoughts & Impressions #1

When I first started my blog, I was very connected to the beauty channels on Youtube. The makeup hauls, tutorials, and reviews kept me glued to my computer for hours on end. To a certain extent, I still watch those videos but I realize that fashion has become my greatest love. In order to rejuvenate the beauty product fanatic within me, I have decided to do mini reviews on this blog as often as possible. I don't want to neglect the original reason I started Beautygirl24. I still love to try new things, and lately I have been shopping for beauty products on a regular basis. Here are my overall thoughts and impressions on three products.

1) MAC Cremeblend Blush

As many of you know, MAC reformulated their blushcremes and they are now called Cremeblend blushes. The color I have is a soft, muted coral (Something Special). I don't own any of MAC's former creme blushes so I really can't compare the old version to the new one. I can say without a doubt that I love Something Special. The color is very flattering on my light skin tone, and it blends very easily. I use mine with a synthetic stippling brush so that stray hairs don't get into the product. I like to top mine with a powder blush, typically with Benefit's Coralista. The lasting power when paired with a powder is about eight hours. I don't think that any creme blush lasts for the same amount of time when worn on its own, so I recommend using either a powder blush or even just a setting powder to ensure it lasts all day. Keep in mind that I have combination to oily skin. Those with dry skin may find the wear to be even better!

Verdict: Recommend!

2) Physicians Formula Organic Wear Jumbo Lash Mascara

This mascara is comparable to my beloved Cover Girl LashBlast. Yup, you read that correctly. This is amazing! In fact, the tube you see above is my second. I seldom repurchase a mascara because I am almost always let down by the results. Not this one. The wand is even similar to the Lashblast:

I have unfortunate stubby lashes. You can't detect that I have any without mascara. I love the volume that this gives my lashes. Two coats and I'm satisfied with the overall appearance it gives. I would also say that my lashes are noticeably longer as well. And you know the best part? The formula is free of any parabens and harsh chemicals so you don't get that crunchy feeling when you touch your lashes. They remain soft and conditioned. I will contine to repurchase.

Verdict: Recommend!



3) Redken Spray Starch Heat Protectant



I have long used the Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray before blowdrying my hair straight. I really had no complaints with it either. It smelled incredible, the price was slight, and it did protect my hair against heat. I was just getting bored with it and wanted to try something different. Enter Redken's Spray Starch. I picked this up at Ulta about three weeks ago for 14 dollars. My initial thoughts: this is a bit more pricey than the Tresemme. It smells horrible! I can't quite describe the scent, but it isn't pleasant. It works just fine at protecting my hair from my blowdryer and flat iron. It also provides a bit of volume, which is something I didn't get with my previous thermal protectant. I do appreciate that. However, the smell really kills it for me. I know that may be a silly reason to dislike a product, but it's a reason nonetheless. I will most likely go back to the Tresemme once this is gone.

Verdict: Pass

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know your own thoughts and impressions!

♥ Noelle



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Colorful Kisser, Take Two

You girls all know that I'm obsessed with bright, colorful lips (mentioned here and here). It's grown quite a bit since I first dipped my feet into the color pool. To prove this point further, I set up my little stash of lipsticks and took some pictures.

L to R: See Sheer by MAC, Viva Glam Cyndi by MAC, Strawberry Suede by Revlon (matte), Raspberry by Revlon (colorburst).

Swatched, same order as above.

L to R: Crosswires by MAC, Ultra Darling by MAC, Fuchsia by Revlon, Blase' Apricot by Revlon.

Swatched, same order as above.

I think it is safe to say that my go-to brands are MAC and Revlon. I find that they are affordable and offer a wide range of finishes and colors. Some of them are rather sheer, while others I actually have to dab on for fear of going overboard. I recommend keeping the rest of the face clean and simple if you are doing a neon, rainbow bright lip. The overall look is fresh, young, and most importantly, fun! Pair a bright lip with more neutral clothing and it almost acts as an accessory! Or, you can go all out with colorful clothing AND lipstick. I still love my natural nudes when I do a smokey eye, but colorful lips are here to stay. Hey, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Here's to happy lips,

♥ Noelle

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~Beauty Buys~

*Click on the picture to see it larger*

Here are some recent beauty products that I have admired and acquired over the past couple of weeks:

1. Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in Pink Ice
2. MAC Mega Metal Shadow in Dalliance
3. MAC Viva Glam Cyndi Lipstick
4. MAC Shy Girl Lipstick (repurchase)
5. Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer
6. Essie Polish in Chinchilly
7. Essie Polish in Over the Edge
8. ELF Facial Whip in Lilac Shimmer ($1.00!)


~If you would like a closer look at anything or have any specific questions, feel free to leave a comment!~

Happy February Loves

♥ Noelle

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Mini Product Reviews

I received my Sephora Friends & Family order about two weeks ago and I have been playing around with the products I bought ever since. I thought it might be helpful to some of you if I let you know my initial impressions. I'll call these "mini" reviews. I am still testing things out and deciding if I will re-purchase certain items and keep them as staples in my beauty aresenal or if I can live without them.

First up, a total must-have in my beauty drawer: Urban Decay Primer Potion. I fell in love with this eyeshadow primer about two years ago and I have re-purchased it several times now. The one complaint many have about the product is the packaging. The little genie type tube is cute, but the wand applicator can be difficult to maneuver all the way down the tube. Enter UDPP Pro, which comes in a massive sqeeze tube and will hopefully last me eons. So far, so good! Same wonderful product that keeps my oily lids from sabotaging my shadow throughout the day. My only concern is that it will dry up before I get a chance to use every last drop. Oh, and it's limited edition for some unknown reason.

I have to rave about the next product, Lancome's ArtLiner. Let me preface this by saying that I am a mess with liquid liner. I blink and the next thing I know I look like Tammy Faye. I don't mean to be rude, but you get the picture. I remember when I was in the midst of my Lauren Conrad obsession, I tried and tried to recreate her gorgeous subtle cat-eye. I failed miserably each try. I wish I had known about ArtLiner sooner. The wand offers so much control and the liquid applies so smoothly and evenly. I have been wearing this constantly on my upper lash line and I have received many compliments on how thick my lashes look (something I have never been told before!) I know it's because of this liner.

I also ordered Bare Escentuals Buxom mascara and I am still on the fence about it. I love the plastic wand. Plastic wands are my favorite because I feel they grab my lashes a lot better than typical mascara wands. The only thing is, I still would take my Holy Grail CoverGirl LashBlast over this, and LashBlast is half the price! I do like Buxom, but I don't know if I'll be re-purchasing it once I run out. It just doesn't live up to it's name. It does thicken, but you have to apply several coats to get the full effect. Maybe once the formula dries out a bit I will appreciate it more. Have any of you tried Buxom? What are your thoughts?

The last thing I purchased from the sale is a tube of Smith's Rosebud Salve. When I was in high school, the first thing I ever bought from Sephora was Smith's Rosebud in a tin. First Sephora purchase ever! I think I just bought this again purely for nostalgia. I love that it smells like roses. I love that it's in a tube so I can carry it in my bag and whip it out whenever. But I personally don't think it's all that moisturizing and the formula is incredibly thin.

I have to include a couple of swatches of my new MAC blushes. I am in love with both colors and have them on rotation - one day I use Pink Swoon, the next My Highland Honey. They look very bright in their pans but apply a lot more sheerly. Of course, they can also be built up to intensity very easily if that's what your going for. I have lighter skin these days and I think both colors could work on lighter skin like mine as well as darker skin tones. I also like the fact that they are pretty matte and not shimmery at all.

Pink Swoon (permanent)

My Highland Honey (part of the Tartan Tale collection and LE)

I hope this was somewhat useful! If you have any questions about anything, please let me know. Happy Friday !

♥ Noelle

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