On my Mind...

A lot of things are on my mind lately, mostly good. I've been battling a bug for the majority of this week, so I have had plenty of time to think. It's been nice actually (aside from the feeling terrible part). I've been sitting in my pajamas all day and drinking nothing but water and ginger ale. Isolation can do funny things to people, but as an only child, solitude is a pleasure for me.  Another year is winding to an end, and it's my typical MO to get a little introspective about things...or not! Don't worry, I'm not getting all serious on you. This is still the land of frivolity. While I'm on the mend from whatever this cold or flu is, I'll leave you with some things that I wanted to mention last week.

1) Sheet Masks

See, I told you this wouldn't be deep.
I've been seeing this beauty trend all over snapchat, and when I walked into my Sephora a couple of weeks ago, lo and behold right smack in the front entrance was a big display of sheet masks from different brands. I decided to give these two a go, without really knowing anything about them. I must say, although I'm old fashioned and prefer my face covered in green clay rather than say...snail mucin, I really love both of these! They both made my skin look brighter and more refreshed after, and I like the easy application and clean-up. Simply throw away the mask and don't rinse your face.  Rub the leftover gel into your skin and it continues to do its magic. My only gripe is that these masks are wasteful since you can't re-use them. I don't know how often I'll be purchasing, although this leads me to my next thing.




2) Sephora VIB  sale (November 13th - November 16th)

Not to be confused with the sale that just happened, I will be participating in this one and plan on just placing a small order online. I'll share what I get once the goods arrive, but so far my list includes another tube of Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara. Did you ladies get anything?


3) My blog is getting a new look!
Yes, for the third time. But I'm very excited about this one because I just think it's ready for an upgrade. I love working with a blog designer. It's kind of like planning your wedding, but much less stressful! I do have a few things in mind, but I'm also going to be much more open about fonts and colors. I just want to make sure that as usual, it is easy to navigate and user friendly. I'm a tech dummy, so when I see a blog that looks like it needs an instruction manual, forget it. We begin working the first week of December so I hope to have it done by the new year :)


4) Last not but not least for this random post is that I've decided to become a Stella & Dot stylist!

I can't really believe it either. I've been a huge fan of the company and their jewelry since they began, and my fellow stylist has encouraged me to get involved for a couple of years now. I never really saw it as a fit, but she's finally convinced me to dive in. I'm spending most of the weekend getting started and trying to get situated, but I would really appreciate your support if you ladies need any pretty jewels in the future. I'm your girl!

You can shop here or just type in Noelle Engel under "Find your hostess".



Enough about me, what's on your mind these days?

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Current Favorites

I haven't done a post like this in a few months and since it's one of my favorites to compile, I figured today would be the perfect time. In all honesty, I don't have any outfit photos for the remainder of this week either so...full disclosure guys!

Let's begin with fragrance.

After popping into Anthropologie last week, I finally gave into the hype (and my nose) and purchased the infamous and much beloved "Volcano" candle. One of the greatest pleasures of walking into that store is the way that it smells, and with these candles lit in almost every corner, it's definitely a smart marketing strategy! I lit it as soon as I came home and it's been in our bedroom ever since.

Another raved about fragrance is Bobbi Brown's "Beach". I remember testing it last Summer, and I just couldn't wrap my head around why someone would want to smell like suntan oil mixed with sweat. I must have been in a bad mood that time around, because when I saw it on display at Sephora last week and tried it again, I decided that it really does smell like a day at the beach. I've also decided I need to smell that way at all times now. I didn't want to invest in an entire bottle of it however, so a rollerball will do just fine. Bonus - I can throw it in my bag.

I'll list these products below and simply say that I'm continuing my mostly nude face kick, using subtle products that make me look fresh but aren't fussy to apply. "Slap it on and go" seems to be my motto this Summer. Call it laziness if you will, but I think using proper skincare is key to this. I once was embarrassed to leave the house without a full face, but now that I'm sticking to a nightly routine that cleanses and moisturizers my face, I've seen a vast improvement in overall texture.

Stila Kitten Highlighter (used on cheeks and corners of my eyes)
Bite Beauty fruit gloss in Strawberry (slicked on lips)
M.A.C. pigment in naked (one sweep over my lids)

My highlighter obsession continues with this Jaclyn Hill for Becca Cosmetics in "Pop Champagne". It was the last one left at my Sephora, and I'll admit that always suckers me into buying something. I know I didn't need it (as shown above with the Stila Kitten) but I'm happy I did because I would have regretted passing on it. It's the most gorgeous peach sheen. If you're on the fence, I would go ahead and get it especially if you are in the market for one that really adds warmth to the face. I will say, it's much more shimmery than the Stila though so be aware of that.



I'm also really loving this new necklace as worn in my last post. I plan on wearing it next with black and white tops so that the color of this stone really stands out. The picture doesn't do it justice.

Lastly, I must mention Snapchat. Are you guys doing it? I'm still getting the hang of it, but I think it's slowly replacing my Instagram obsession, if that's even possible. Add me if you care to see my daily life which mostly consists of work, casual outfits, my dog and husband, friends, and other real-life moments that are definitely not blog-worthy.

My username is noelleengel. Leave yours below so I can add you!

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Snapshots

I love seeing posts where you fabulous ladies share mini moments from your week. I decided it was high time I do my own.

THE most beautiful flowers I've ever bought. Peonies from Trader Joe's. Go get some while they are in season (blink and you'll miss them). I keep seeing everyone's on Instagram and I don't mind one bit. I think every girl can appreciate their beauty.

I've always wanted a Voluspa candle. Everytime I walk into Anthropologie, I am bombarded by the amazing scents! This one in Laguna is unbelievable (and very hard to describe). It smells like the store is all I can say!

Speaking of Anthro, I also picked up this oceanic blue scalloped bowl to keep some of my daily jewelry in. These bracelets I picked out (reminiscent of this by S&D) will definitely make their way onto my wrists and into this beautiful little bowl :)

Current view from my kitchen, Chloe Bear looking at me like I'm crazy. "Play with ME auntie, STOP taking pictures for your blog!" But I love peonies, Chloe.

Have a great weekend!

♥ Noelle

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Saturday & Sephora

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

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What I've Been Reading {January 2013}

Happy love month ladies! I adore the month of February, although I'm not completely sure why. I think the main reason is that I met my fiance close to Valentines day, and so we deemed February 14th our anniversary.
Question of the month: (it comes from one of my favorite beauties who sadly doesn't blog anymore). How often do you work out? What's your preferred method of exercise?

I will be totally honest and say that my main reasoning for health and fitness these days stems from my wedding. I spent all of last year slacking off, and my body has definitely changed because of it. My fault, no excuses.

Now that my wedding is a few short months away, I'm feeling a bit more insecure and vain. It's normal, right?

I try to work out three to four times a week, and for a period of 30 minutes to an hour each session. I enjoy working out in the evenings. For those that have read my blog for awhile, then I think you know that I suffer from generalized anxiety. I don't talk about it on here often, but I'm not ashamed of it either. I don't take medication, but I do try to manage it with the help of a therapist. She has always recommended exercise as a means of coping. It's a huge endorphin release, thus you feel more relaxed and happy after a good work-out, and less anxious or stressed. So bottom line - I work out because I want to look toned and feel healthy, but I also have to do it because it's important for my overall wellness.

I usually do 25 minutes of cardio. I prefer fast walking or jogging because I hate running! We own an eliptical, so that's great because I feel like I work my entire body. Then I follow it up by targeting certain areas of my body. One night I'll lift weights and attempt to tone my arms (my weak point). Another night I'll do abs; the next night I'll target legs, and so forth.

I've tried Yoga, and honestly, I really want to get back into it. I've also thought about getting a trainer or taking a boot camp style class a couple of months before the wedding. If I do, I'll let you know how that goes.

What do you do for exercise?



• Alison*Elle - Alison is branching out into bright colours with a new favourite coat.
• Beautygirl24 - Noelle kicked off the new year in her favorite glittering skirt.
• Ella Pretty - Check out Ella's Forever21 haul: Statement necklaces & a quilted bag!
• Lilly's Style - Lilly's striped out!
  
• Lindsay J Everyday - Lindsay got a big girl camera for her birthday & is polka dot obsessed.
• Love, Lipstick & Pearls - Kristen found out if she's having a Lil Miss or Lil Man with her gender reveal party.
• Schnelle Couture - Danielle is about to finally meet her little girl, check out what she has packed in her hospital bag.
• Sequins and Stilettos - Skylette splurged just a bit on a little accessory - see it here!
• The Currently Obsessed - Mehreen organized her makeup and gives us a peek into her collection!

♥ Noelle

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Closet Space

Now that we are all moved in, I thought I'd share my closet! Please keep in mind that I'm new to the condo/apartment life! I'm still trying to figure out where I want everything to go, and I'm doing my very best to utilize the closet I have now, and not the closet of my future dreams. Space is limited so organization and neatness are a must. Otherwise, my wardrobe won't be functional, and that's really the most important part of getting dressed every day.

I like to keep my favorite pieces or outfits that I'm planning on wearing within the next few days, front and center! That way, they are easy to find and I can use part of my closet bar to essentially "style" a look. I still have my rolling clothing rack, but I've honestly been using the bar in my closet a bit more. Both are great tools for me.

I have shoe dividers (purchased from Target about two years ago). They are a very durable plastic, and are easy to put together or disassemble. My shoe collection is quite basic, and I truly love to keep it that way. I'm sure you shoe addicts are cringing! I have a couple pairs of fun heels (like my raspberry J.Crew pumps) but I have spent my early adult years trying to build a decent shoe collection that will stand the test of time.

I think every woman should have:
* Classic pumps in black and nude.
* Comfortable ballet flats. Stick to neutrals, but play with embellishments.
* A pair of flat boots, and a more feminine pair (heeled or wedges). Rain boots are always important if you live in cold, wet climates.
* A couple "fun" pairs that can elevate your outfit! Bright colors, bows, sequins, studs, glitter. They can be heels or flats, but make sure they are showstoppers.
* I live in California, so obviously I think everyone needs a pair of flip-flops and strappy sandals.

I have shelving that runs along the top of the closet. At first I wasn't sure how to use it, but I think my bags (also front and center) are perfect to store on a shelf. I must confess that I'm a total bag lady, and if left to my own devices, I would have an obnoxiously large collection. However, I also prefer to go for quality these days instead of quantity, so the bags that I amassed in my teens and early twenties are now completely gone. I have a few clutches, my RM crossbody, a nude shoulder bag by Kate Spade and of course, my dream bag (safely tucked away in her Chanel box in the corner). My next purchase? A structured satchel as well as a tote, not necessarily in that order.

My future mother in-law gave me these scarf hangers for Christmas, and I really find them useful. I like hanging them instead of keeping them folded. It's a great space saver too.

This is the one area of my closet that I really don't like, and if you have any tips I'd be grateful! These are little storage containers that I found at Target a few months ago. I love the compartments and I definitely love the color, but I just don't have the room for them. Currently sitting on shelves, they work because I can easily access everything, but I'm more into the idea of getting a big jewelry box instead.


One thing I've really learned over the years: Get rid of junk! If you haven't worn something in months, give it away. Re-evaluate your wardrobe every single month, and toss anything that you don't love anymore. Keep track of what you are lacking in your closet so that you don't buy more of what you don't need. As a fashion/beauty blogger, this is one of those cases of "do as I say, not as I do"... Think streamlined!

Any tips or tricks for your closet that you'd like to share?

♥ 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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{Black, White, Sparkle, Denim}

Blouse - Target (got it in the light cream too), Jacket - Halogen (love this one), Jeans - Old Navy, Heels - Zara, Necklace - F21, Bracelets - Club Monaco and boutique, Watch - Michael Kors, Bag - Chanel, Lips - YSL Le Orange (dabbed on to create a stain)

It took every last bit of strength. I was so tempted to add a dose of color to this look! While reading one of the new Spring style magazines, I noticed a ton of black and white combinations. I think they titled one layout 60's mod, and it's definitely going to be a major trend this year. But don't worry my neon loving friends. Color is still big, and in my opinion, always will be.

On another note, I'm on week two of operation eating-healthy-let's-get-fit-and-lose-some-weight-so-I-can-squeeze-into-a-wedding-dress. It's fun, really fun ;) Although I haven't yet seen any results, I am really proud of myself for finally changing my bad habits (moving in with my fiance and his best friend has killed all of my good sense when it comes to eating and exercising. Silly boys. Good thing we are moving so I'll only have to live with one boy. He's trying to get back in shape too).

 Happy Wednesday!

♥ Noelle

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Here comes the bride

If you follow me on Instagram, then you know I finally started shopping around for wedding dresses. I've avoided it for so long because the whole process completely overwhelms me. You'd think I'd be over the moon trying on beautiful gowns and playing dress-up. So many of us have dreamed about the perfect dress for that momentous day. I think I did too when I was a little girl, but then I let the fantasy slip away as I became older and actually realized how expensive weddings are. But I have to admit that when I was trying on one particular dress, a feeling came over me that I can't even describe. It was surreal. I wanted so badly to take pictures, but there was a strict no photography rule in the showroom my mom and I visited. The dress that made my heart flutter was gorgeous, and perfect for the beach wedding my fiance and I are planning. I'm going to keep looking around, but it is a strong contender. Our official date is September 21st of this year :)

Just to give you an idea of some dresses I love:

This would be so adorable for a bachelorette!

photos c/o Pinterest

♥ Noelle

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2013 {My year of happiness}

 c/o Pinterest

I've never been a huge fan of new year's resolutions. For one, I never seem to keep mine going for more then a few weeks. I love the idea of a clean slate; the opportunity to start fresh, and change things in your life that perhaps aren't going your way, or aren't what you had previously planned for yourself. Every year, I think many of us resolve to change the same things: lose weight, eat healthier, work out regularly, stress less, conquer fears, work on relationships, become more organized. Sound familiar? I make these same resolutions every single year, and without fail, I never keep my promises to myself for very long. This then puts me into a spiral that drives a feeling of defeat and hopelessness that I'll never have the life I truly want.

This year, I have one simple resolution. I want to be happier. That's it. Yes, I'd love to get into better shape for my wedding, and I'd love to manage my stress and anxiety more effectively. I'd also like to be more outgoing, maybe find a more personally satisfying job. But really, all I truly want is for 2013 to be my year of happiness. Of gratitiude and appreciation. No matter what hurdles lay ahead, I want to enter into everything I do with a more positive outlook. That's my wish for all of us.

♥ Noelle

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~ CELEBRATION ~

Happy New Year friends! I hope you all had an amazing time, whether you hit the town or stayed home for a cozy night in :)

My fiance and I went to San Diego (of course). I feel like we just need to move there, we have been going so often! We had a beautiful dinner at Bali Hai, and then went to a bar called El Camino to dance the night away and ring in 2013. We loved every minute of it.

Cue obligatory outfit of the night...

Blouse - Bellatrix (pretty option)

Skirt - Zara (gorgeous!)

Pumps - Nine West

Bag - J Crew Factory (similar)

Earrings - Forever 21

Watch - Fossil

Bracelet - Derng

Up to no good ;)

What did you do for New Year's?! More importantly, what did you wear?

♥ Noelle

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It's all in the details

I think when it comes to fashion and beauty, the little details are just as important as the bigger picture. Whether it's an accessory that acts as the finishing touch to your outfit or that spritz of perfume before walking out the front door, I have been paying close attention to the details that make me feel complete on a daily basis.

J.Crew, Forever 21 (recent, check stores)

I'm loving jewelry with crystals. Even if I'm wearing a sweater, I love to throw on some sparkle. Pearls are also topping my outfits!

 

 

Buxom lip gloss in Dolly, MAC lipstick in Syrup

This has been my favorite lip combination! The perfect sexy, plummy lip. It's great because it strikes a nice balance between natural and bold. Last year was all about red for me, but this year has been all about plum. I blame it on the burgundy/bordeaux trend.

 

 

Jimmy Choo, Chloe, (This looks beautiful and would make a great gift)

I love perfume, and I think it's the ultimate way to alter your mood and make you feel more feminine. These little rollerballs are not only great for taking with you in your bag, but they are also a less expensive way to try out a new fragrance.

 

 

 

Speaking of keeping track of details, I went into Target last week and picked up this new 2013 planner:

Pretty! I love a good metallic! I also spotted these in gold and rose gold as well. I can't find this on the site, but if you go to the store, look in the cubicles around the women's clothing section.

 

♥ Noelle



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