Romper = P.J.'s

Last year in preparing for a trip to an island, I picked up this uber, lightweight, cotton romper.

It came with a tasseled belt, but I prefer to add my own. I found this one at a thrift store around the corner for $3.00!

I love the hardware as well as the stretchy, rafia-like texture of the sides. Since this romper is high-waisted, I wore it just under the ribcage to cover the loops.

...Requisite, gladiator flats.

Romper: H&M 2011, belt: thrift score, "Bracelet": vintage necklace wrapped at wrist, flats: Zara last season

Some days it's really easy. Just pull on a single piece and be out the door. One thing I love about a romper with a print? It feels like you're wearing the most comfortable pajamas on earth to go to work!

With Love,

Noa B

Emerald Green Liner

Who's afraid of bright, green eyeliner? Not me!

In all fairness, I have been a working makeup artist for well over a dozen years. Being afraid  of colored pencils isn't really the stock of my trade. But I know some of you out there are. So here are some tips for fun with jewel tones!

• First, notice how I've kept my brows and my lips bare? It's important to maintain balance in your face.
• If you're going for a pop of color, keep other areas of your face at a minimum. I don't mean to imply that you shouldn't use any other products. Brow gels and lip glosses are all great. But you can lighten the load elsewhere if you want to strengthen your eyes. 
• Also, my brows could go either way. I could add some gel and color, but I'm going for a neo-70's approach, which favors a barely-there, thinly groomed eyebrow.

When it comes to jewel tones, (in this case emerald green) I like to utilize a contrast color to help diffuse the brightness and to keep my iris from blending away into the shadow. You'll notice my eye color is almost identical to the liner tone. When adding a color that is very nearly the same as your own, there's a tendency for the eye to recede. To prevent that, I've used a warm, golden, yellow-bronze shadow in my crease and inner eye. This gives the green tone something to "pop" against, and results in greater contrast and vividness. Rule of thumb? Use a contrasting color to your iris on at least one area of the eye to keep colors from fading into each other. My gold is swept through the lid as well as the crease.

With that said, here's a preview of next week's blog and how I softened up that green!

Emerald green liner: Becca Jewel Dust in Feorin.

 With Love,

Noa B

Crochet Pencil Skirt

I was having a conversation recently with a close friend. Actually, it was really more of an "intervention" with her regarding her closet. When I went to clean it out last week, I found that she had over 25 black, pencil skirts! All more or less the same too! I called for an immediate closet overhaul and a temporary ban on any further expenditures before we could do a little sorting and re-jiggering. (More on that in the coming weeks)...

I'm the first to admit that I adore pencil skirts, and I've been known to have a few black ones as a good staple in my closet too. But the best way to break a fashion habit or rut is just to turn it upsidown. So for all of you with too many black pencil skirts, (or whatever your fashion vice may be) here's a bit of advice:

Flip it! My solution to charging another black skirt on that credit card? Try your favorite silhouette in white!

You can make hard and soft meet with leather and lace. And mesh/leather booties further edge it up.

Skirt: H&M, Lace up Heels: Dior, Vest: Wow Couture

...Nicci, I'm coming for those two dozen skirts with a donation bag and an iron fist!

With Love,

Noa B

Healthy Hair!

Last week I returned to my favorite hair wizard/guru, Shiri Gornicki over at the illustrious, Chaz Dean Salon in Hollywood. Once again, she transformed my hair through patience, TLC and NO BLEACH, from my rather dire roots and faded color, to the soft mane I have now, leaving it fresh and color bouncy for summer.

She then proceeded to work her magic on my husband, who's become enamored of her cuts. My husband has the most beautiful head of hair. Think, super lush and wavy, (we jokingly call it "Jew-Fro") but it takes a certain expertise to cut it without accidentally achieving a "mushroom" effect.

But as always, Shiri worked her magic, and the result was fantastic!

Great cuts, great color, no bleach. No harsh chemicals. Just good, clean, happy hair for the two of us!

We love you Shiri! And we'll be back soon, for more cuts and color! 

For more on my experience with Shiri at Chaz Dean, see my Yelp review here! For information on the salon and to book an appointment, log onto Chaz's website here. And be sure to mention Noa sent you when you ask for Shiri! You won't regret it.

Weekend Warrior Part II

So it's officially spring but there's a chill in the air. The temperature is supposed to rise throughout the day but so far, brrrrr! I've been wanting to wear this light, silk blouse, but it needs layers once again to keep me from freezing.

Yup, it's mid-April and still in the 50's in LA. So I've pulled out my fuzzy vest to add some warmth.  Between the cold and the rain one needs a little bit of (faux), furry goodness.

Blouse: Ella Moss, Vest: Loft, Jeans: Just USA, Sandals: BCBG, Necklace: Israel, Bracelets: Vintage, Clutch: Jewelmint

I want it to be 80 so I can put aside winter clothing and start re-organizing my closet for the season. 'Til then, I'll keep pulling out the warm and cozy staples.

With Love,

Noa B

Weekend Warrior

I'm always a little stumped by dressing for the movies. I'm perpetually cold in the theater and want my whole body covered from head to toe, but it's nearly 80 degree outside. What to layer...?

In this case, the thinnest possible denim for breath-ability, and an equally thin button down. The addition of booties and leather jacket were my warmest assets. 

I've been making more and more use out of my All Saints, Damray jacket. The cowl has an amazing drape that opens just enough to allow for an under collar.

 More jewelry from Israel including earrings and bracelets.

Jacket: All Saints, Shirt: Romeo and Juliet Couture, Jeans: Just USA, Booties: Sam Edelmann, Silver earrings and cuffs:Israeli designers

And it's off to the "flickers".

With Love,

Noa B

Tank Dress Steal

Remember when Marc Jacobs did these adorable, sun striped dresses? And then a wave of copycats followed?

Well I was trolling the net for a cute knock-off, (Sans the Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, and French Connection price tags) when I found this.

This little spring fresh tank is available at Ruched Boutique, an independent, online venture newly launched. It was the first thing that caught my eye, and for $25, (along with an assortment of great jewelry selling for as little as $6) I couldn't resist placing an order.

Currently this tank dress is available with free shipping, and for Sunset and 5th readers, there's an additional 10% off. Just use the promo code: SUNSET10 when you log in at ruched-boutique.com. That makes this darling little sundress just $22.50!

So if you're looking for some new pieces to kick off the summer, check out Ruched Boutique for weekly specials, sales, and unique items. I know I will.

With Love,

Noa B

Beauty Must Haves!

Being a somewhat frequent traveler, I've developed a love/hate relationship with the TSA, the weather, and all things airport, commuting, and temperature concerned.

I'm currently planning another couple of trips in the course of the next month and my skin will be begging for forgiveness. If you're a traveler as well, here are some of my favorite items for travel, and for cutting beauty regiments in half!

1: Becca Resurfacing Primer: A great, all over moisturizer leaving skin demi-matte and pore-less. You can wear this base for hours on end and makeup will still appear smooth.

2: Rosebud Salve. The best lip treatment for consistent use and chapped smackers.

3: NARS Limited Edition palette in Danmari. Still available on Ebay! A phenomenal selection of blush, bronzer and highlighter. It's my current, go-to palette and keeps everything portable and small.

4: Tan Towels. They'll give you a natural glow and prolong a vacation tan for weeks on end! No streaks, no orange-y finish, no mess.

5: Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara in Black. The FAVE!  After a little morning sun, two coats is all you'll need to brighten up!

6: Hai 1.5 inch wide barrel straightener. Perfect for those larger, beachy waves and quick straightening on the go. Heats to 400 in about 30 seconds flat.

7: Peter Thomas Roth Mega Rich Body Lotion with Vitamin C. The only thing that seems to heal my dry hands and cuticles. A quick absorbing and lightweight, travel item.

8: Lather Shampoo and Condition in Mint Thyme Wash and Yuzu Bergamot Detangler. Seriously, my hair has never looked or felt better and it really gets chlorine and sea salt out!

9: Skincare Member Restorative Marine Moisturizer. The Creme de la Mer "knock off" rules for dry, travel thirsty skin, and at a tenth of the price, it's hard to beat! (See my previous review of the line here).

10: Stella McCartney Rollerball portable perfume. In TSA approved and purse friendly size. I've lived with this scent since it first appeared on the market and will never stop dabbing it lavishly.

11: Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Rosewater. Relief for parched skin, and those wanting a makeup perk-up.

Happy, healthy travels to all!

With Love!

Noa B

Jumpsuit Mania

Jumpsuits have been dominating the runway for the past 4 seasons. We saw them venturing out last winter, then coming into their own in the spring and summer. From rich color, to neutrals, to print, everybody's been doing it.

This past fall brought even more, vintage style one pieces, from jumpers, to rompers to everything in between. 

 But my favorite style is the revival, 70's jumpsuit with the bell sleeve.

This return to full-on, 70's glam, vintage pantsuits recalls the days of Halston and Studio 54. Here are some of the styles hot in the market right now, all evincing sheer glamor.

Drop dead! Jumpsuits by Gucci, Chloe and Edun. This Chloe below retails for $2700. I paid a little less for mine...

Same for this couture puppy above. However,  my take on it comes from the actual 70's, polyester and all.

 Call in some bronzer and a wine stained lip...

Jumpsuit: Vintage, Necklace: Indian street vendor, Jewelry: Family and vintage, Wedges: BCBG, Sunnies: Rough Justice

And it's on. Oh, the best part? This suit was $11.00.


With Love,

Noa B