Heat Wave

I hate saying goodbye to summer, and thank goodness I don't have to quite yet. It's a veritable heat wave in SoCal this past week and I'm trying to soak up every last bit of it!

I'm excited to get some use out of my new/old handbag score. With fall colors underway, I can pair it with shorts now, sweaters down the road...

Shorts: Sanctuary, Booties: 7 For All Mankind, Tee-H&M, Bag and bracelets: Vintage, Jewels: Bedouin

Saying goodbye to summer is a bummer, but I can't wait to start layering fall goodies. Leggings, light sweaters, knee socks, all coming soon...

(And congratulations to Dani, the winner of the Celtic Complexion Giveaway! Keep reading for your chance to win my next item)!

With Love,

Noa B

Chain Gang: Farewell to Summer

Once again, I'm excited to bring you all a great little find from "The Chain Gang".

The Chain Gang is a collective of blogging gals who exchange a single piece of vintage clothing in order to showcase multiple ways of rocking it. This week, we pay a salute to summer's end with this floral confection discovered by our good friend Jen, at Belle de Couture.

I was both excited and, (let's be honest) a little puzzled when I received this girlish top as my chain gang item for this next blogging round. But once I tried it on I was pleasantly surprised at the easy and flattering fit and color. To counteract the sweetness of the puff sleeves and bright print, I went straight to my fall-back black to rough it up with a bustier and booties.

It's a little "Road Warrior" meets "Ashley Stewart".

 Distressed bustier: Fredericks of Hollywood, Riding pants: BCBG, Heels: Vince Camuto, Top: Chain Gang

And now for the good part. You can enter for a chance to win this awesome, retro item. For an entry and official rules, head on over to Belle de Couture to see how, and be sure to visit all of these blogs to see the different ways each member of the Chain Gang rocked it!

Jen from Belle de Couture 

Devon from Devon Rachel 

Tanya from November Grey

And don't forget to enter my Celtic Complexion, skincare giveaway. All entries must be received by tomorrow night!

With Love,

Noa B

Rockin' the "Jessa" look: Dinner out

Back in June I posted one of my favorite, TV inspired looks of the summer, where I discussed how to build the "Jessa" character's wedding look, taken from the hit HBO series, "Girls".

Shortly before completing that blog I found a somewhat similar take on the character's boho-fabulous dress. The costume designer for "Girls" actually created the wedding shift from a vintage piece which she altered to fit the actress/character. (I was going to be hunting for a long time if I was going to stay true to vintage fabrics)...

 

On a shoestring budget I stumbled upon this "mock" version, at an insane, closeout price. The only catch? It was about 2 sizes too big. But here's the thing about A-line shifts. If you just take in the armpits and side-seams up through the ribcage, you can leave the rest loose and open and still create a slimming look.

 

So I got to work and took in the area between the shoulder, through the armpit, all the way to the middle of the ribcage, and then let the dress flare out. Voila. A basic, babydoll, 60's style shift.

Jessa's look called for stunning, blue suede pumps but as it's still summer, I opted for these great, MIA wedges I found on clearance at Nordstrom rack.

The jewelry is my latest JewelMint score combined with a few other bits, and the hair is achieved using my favorite, cheap-o tool. The Vidal Sassoon crimping iron purchased on set some 6 years ago. This item is also called a deep-head waver and gives large, braid-like waves, very quickly and efficiently. I swept through my whole head in about 7 minutes.

 

And that's it! A 12$ clearance dress. 30$ clearance wedges in the most supple leather, Jewelmint items on summer sale, and a little will to emulate a fashion/TV style-icon.

Have a great weekend!

With Love,

Noa B

Celtic Complexion Giveaway!

Happy Wednesday All!

It's been a challenge during this last week to document anything, but I hope to be back up and running very soon! Between some very big changes and some insanely packed scheduling, I haven't been able to get much shooting in. With that said, what better way to get back into the swing of things than another, beauty based giveaway?

I'm very excited to introduce you all to Celtic Complexion. A beautiful, home grown line created by a fellow makeup artist. Jennifer Devlin has worked in the beauty business for two decades, and I recently was treated to a sampling of her skin care line which I found to be beautiful, calming, and restorative! Her skincare secret? A bevy of perfectly mixed, organic ingredients designed to remove signs of aging, redness, rosacea, and skin irritation derived from using commercial products.

I'm delighted to be able to bring you the same, wonderful array of products Jennifer gave me. This includes:

The Celtic Complexion Creme, made with all organic ingredients and a healthy dose of Shea Butter. This rich, buttery creme really lasts, as a small, finger tap is all you need to smooth across your whole face. Retail value, $52.00. I love the combo of jojoba, tea-tree oil and grapefruit in this awesome, every day fix!

Organic Tinted Suncreen. What's to explain? It's dewy and brightening and lovely! Best of all, it retains 25% zinc oxide, so your screen gets treated to a real shield, rather than a chemical screen. Retail value, $29.00.

Celtic Complexion Calming Serum. The weapon of choice for sensitive skin. This amazing serum reduces redness, irritation, and burns with a proprietary blend of "fractionated coconut oil, German chamomile oil, neroli oil, lavender oil, evening primrose oil, and borage seed oil." You just can't go wrong having these key elements on your skin! Normally, a $60.00 retail but free to one lucky reader!

And now for the giveaway rules:

Official entry rules:

1: You must become a follower of Sunsetand5th via Google friend connect, (found on the upper, right hand corner of my blog).

2: Once you have, (or if you already are) comment back here and tell me why you'd love to try this exciting skincare line. Be sure to include your email address.

3: For an additional entry, visit Celtic Complexion or "Like" the brand at their Facebook page.

Entries are open for US and Canada submissions.

Deadline is 9/15/2012, 11PM PCT.
 

Good luck and have a great week!! And congratulations to Stefanie, the winner of the Becca Cosmetics Giveaway! Keep reading for your chance to win more items coming up soon!

With Love,

Noa B

Happy Holiday Weekend!

Happy weekend Friends!

I've been traveling these past several days and constantly on the go with a large scale, renovation project I'll be sharing soon. In the meantime, (and in anticipation of fall's upcoming trends) here are a few rad items to help build up your September closet. Take advantage of those Labor Day, online sales now while they're hot! Here are a few, personal picks to help you get started.

The Jovanna dress on major sale now at Asos here. How swishy and perfect for a warm, transitional fall? Paired with lace up booties and a light cardi, it's the perfect, day to night number.

The Vila Tea dress, on sale for $37! It comes in a red tone as well, but I love this darker, semi-retro print for fall. Get it here and now.

Go to Lulu's on FB and "like" their page, (right here ) to get additional coupons for their weekend sale event. I love these wacky leggings paired with some creamy, boho pieces like this one on MAJOR reduction from Zara. Buy the leggings here, and the top here, for a whopping $15!

 

And everyone needs a statement jacket for the new season. Here's my pick from BB Dakota, which you can also buy at Lulu's here, for $90.00.

 

Last but not least, everyone should be updating their shoes with a good, walkable, fall bootie. Here's my new lust, on sale at Freepeople.com. The Hacienda Boot, on sale here, down from $250 to $90!

 

Enjoy the shopping, the holidays, and Happy Labor Day weekend to all! And don't forget to enter my makeup giveaway here, and stay tuned for another one coming up next week!

With Love,

Noa B

Inspiration: My friend.

This is my dear friend Tanya. Tanya and I have known each other for nearly a decade, and I've had the privilege not only to be her friend, (and at times her makeup artist) but to be there for some of the big, key moments in her life.

This week Tanya has been awaiting the big "go", the delivery of her second child, due today, August 28th! In thinking about my history with Tanya and all our times together, I recalled our very first meetings, the early photo shoots, (as seen above) and all the fun we've had playing, supporting, consoling, laughing, crying, and being there for one another with love and friendship over the last ten years.

Now with the newest addition to her family on the way, things are changing once again, in the best possible way! In the spirit of love and good wishes for all things future, here's a look back on ten years of friendship past and present, and all the love and creativity that's gone with it.

We got to make art and dreams together. Thanks for ten great years T, and here's to many, many more!

 

May you all have friends who inspire you the way mine do!

With Love,

Noa B

Be-jeweled, on sale!

I love jewelry. I really do. I LOVE mixing high and low, ethnic and classic and street, all in one shot. So it's no surprise that the online, membership brand of JewelMint.com, has been my regular, monthly indulgence. Their range of products and designs range from the hip and chic, to the trendy and vibrant.

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, they decided to have a big, fat, summer sale! Since I've been getting so many compliments on my jewelry lately, I thought I'd let you in on a few of my favorite items that you can order today for the fractional figure of $9.00 per piece! (At least, while they last)... Here are my top picks!

The Gabrielle Earrings, (I just ordered them last night)!

The Nordic Treasure Necklace, (another one I scooped up).

The Massai Tribal Bangle

 Thunderbird Earrings: I paid full freight, you pay 9 bucks!

 

 Ooh, cuffs! The Rodeo Drive Bracelet and the Silver Gehry Cuff! Gorgeous, 9$ splurges!

 
And you can grab these beauties simply by becoming a member at JewelMint here, and there's no obligation to buy. Simply "opt out" within the first 5 days of each month and you'll never get charged the membership, monthly fee. But if you're like me, you'll find a way to want to buy a thing or two just about every month!

With Love,

Noa B