Fun/Quick: Brow Bleaching!

Lately I've been playing with the notion of trying to grow my brows ever so slightly thicker. While I love my thin arches, I wouldn't mind just a hair's worth of additional width. But every time I  leave my tweezers out of the mix for a couple of weeks, when my brows begin to thicken they look dark and overwhelming to me.

Enter a little brow-bleaching test. I figured, if my brows become lighter and softer, they'll look more subtle in the growing out stage. (Also, I've been obsessed lately by the look Madonna cultivated in the late 90's with her "Deeper and Deeper" video--a personal fave. I love her naked brows and had something not quite as radical, but inspired by this in mind).

All I needed was a little creme bleach from the local beauty supplier. (A minor P.S.: had I left the above mixture on any longer than the prescribed time, they would've gone white blond as the ends were literally almost transparent).

Here we go!

It's important to make sure that even if your brows are sparse like mine, you should take care to cover them thoroughly. You'll want to avoid having stray hairs peeking through! Let the mixture sit for no more than ten minutes. Then check to make sure you've achieved the desired lightness.

Voila! Soft, fair brows that should help me in two areas: they'll match my upcoming, honey-blond highlights which I should be doing sometime next week, AND they'll allow me to grow in my brows without feeling as though they're becoming too heavy for my bone structure.

An easy one to try on a lazy, weekend afternoon. And remember, if you don't like the result, you can immediately dye them back with some over-the-counter hair dye, or just wait about 2 weeks for your roots to "come in"!

With Love!

Noa B

Some Crave-a-licious Items that Won't Break Your Bank

Now that spring is really upon us, I think we're all itching to purchase, purchase, purchase. But the reckoning always comes with that monthly credit card statement. Here are some great, Friday morning picks that will have you shopping on a dime from the privacy of your laptop!

 

I bought this striped blazer at F21 last month, and I think it's even cheaper now than when I purchased it in store. Grab it here for $29 at Forever 21.com. It's incredibly current and very flattering. In fact a dear friend of mine blogged about a similar find about a week after I bought it over at November Grey. (See her video here. Great minds think alike and it's always fun to see how different bloggers have multiple approaches to the same garment. Personally I LOVE her take with the black blouse)!

This adorable, spring ready dress is on sale for 20$ at Old Navy online HERE. If you're getting ready to ditch your tall booties and jegging for the warm weather, what could be easier? It's like transitioning your jeans to dresses without even feeling it!

If you love the idea of diving back into flowing, maxi dresses I recommend a style like this one. This black shift screams spring and yet it works for evening as well as day, as it still falls into the LBD category. Find it for $90 at ASOS. It's already in my cart!

 

Want a romantic, beaded and scalloped top? This one normally retails for $129, but it's on HARDCORE sale for $29 at Freepeople.com. Grab one before they're all gone!

And if you're still having trouble letting go of those wintery leggings, how about these incredibly hip, high waisted pants on sale for $58 from ASOS? They're gorgeous, transitional, and chic. You can tuck in a little, white tee or pair them with the above, scalloped top for a relaxed but still tailored finish.

As for color, a gal's gotta have a little splash. Try this slightly quilted, retro finish jacket from Pim and Larkin in Blazing Yellow Here. It's on sale for $59! (Feeling nervous about brights? Then check out how I rocked bright yellow last year at my other co-authored blog SecondhandStar here ).

Happy hunting, happy weekend. Happy Everything!

With Love!

Noa B

Hot Dogs for Dinner

Last night I met a friend for an impromptu happy hour at a sausage joint. Hot dogs usually equal jeans, but I went for a little twist with this patterned, leaf denim instead. Still casual, but a little more "evening" appropriate. (I joyfully mention that Wurstkuche in Venice also has three kinds of veggie dogs for us non-meat eaters. Hooray)!

 

My favorite Bird of Peace, vintage necklace, spiky heels, some dangling earrings, and a quilted top completed the mix.

Pants: Polka Dots and Moonbeams, Heels: NYLA, Jacket: Tahari, Blouse: Zara, Neck;ace: Vintage, Clutch: Target

What will you wear for your evening out to a hotdog fest?

With Love,

Noa B

Lazy LACMA Lounging

I love art. I've always dreamed of collecting. I've even got a original canvas I purchased years ago from a gallery in Bergamot Station that is my pride and joy. Long before I attended a fine arts college I loved museums. As a child it would've been hard to drag me out of them in a timely fashion. Today the LA County Museum is at the top of my list for lovely, ingenious spaces filled with amazing, rotating collections and exhibits.

I went back recently for a second viewing of LACMA's Kubrick exhibit. It was one of those perfect, LA afternoons that seemed made for looking at fascinating and beautiful things, (and just hanging out). And what could be easier to wear than a flowy, linen tunic while meandering around?

Bliss...

Dress: Calypso St Barts, Heels: Boutique 9, Beads: Vintage, (Grandma), Jacket: Charlotte Russe, Bag: Big Buddah

What will you do on your day off?

With Love,

Noa B

A Walk in the Hood

 Last week I had an amazing time entertaining my parents who had flown in from NYC. (The hardest part of any family visit is saying goodbye when the week has run out). One of my folks' favorite LA pastimes, (besides getting away from the snow) is walking the neighborhoods and doing everything on foot.

So we walked everywhere! (Plays, restaurants, hikes, performances, bookstores, shopping). You name it, we walked to it.

This was yet another "quickie" outfit I put together for a walk in Westwood when it was sunny but still a little brisk. (I come from a family of early risers).

How cute are these heels, (a gift from Mom)! So retro and yet so current. I love the flat toe and the chunky heel. An infinitely walkable shoe which I was happy to stomp around in and still feel cute!

I love how aside from the flat cut, the tone of the shoe is literally naked.

Heels: Nine West, Pants: F21, Bag: Mango, (OLD)!, Top: Crossroads, Vest: PolkaDots and Moonbeams

Well, you all know by now what a shoe fetishist I am. If you are too, keep reading for some fun with shoes and a heel/fetish/shoe/lover giveaway coming soon!

(And congrats to Amber and Emily, the winners of the BB Dakota sizes 4 and 6 dresses. Your goodies are on their way)!

With Love,

Noa B

L.A.M.B. and the Importance of Being Thrifty!

I'm a confessed shoe nut, whore, lunatic, lover. I just can't get enough boots and heels. Truthfully, part of this stems from having trouble finding shoes that don't hurt after an hour.  But the other aspect of this insatiable desire to shop the shoe racks comes from knowing that nothing completes an outfit faster than a great set of kicks, (and nothing will give you away faster than bad shoes)....

On the prowl yesterday at my favorite thrift store I scored these! L.A.M.B. Navigator boots in leather and suede. Their retail price? $525! But I snagged them brand, spanking new, (as in unworn) for $25.00!!!

Yup. That is love and joy and delight all wrapped up in one, spectacular bow. And that's why I love thrifting, bargain hunting, and all the savings that go with it! Because a shoe purchased for $525 will be beautifully crafted and wonderful to the touch, but that same shoe bought for 1/20th it's original cost might become the most gorgeous thing you've ever put on your feet.

(Stay tuned to see how I rocked it with a fab, vintage I found on the same hunt)! Happy Friday!

With Love,

Noa B

Quick and Dirty

I had a dinner date with a buddy in Culver city and I had just gotten home from a strenuous hike when she texted to say she'd be over half an hour early to pick me up. I raced into/out of the shower and grabbed the first thing that was in my cleanly folded pile of laundry.  It was this maxi dress from F21 I'd just bought for a dollar the previous afternoon. Threw it on with a quick blazer and basketweave heels and was ready in 5!

Dress: F21 via Thrift, Heels: Sigersen Morrison, Bag: Boutique, Jacket: Ovi

Is there anything better than the dollar dress that just saves you in a pinch?

With Love,

Noa B

Open Backed Tunic

Cloudy days don't bum me out. Not when it's snowing on the east coast and the birds are singing in the 65 degree morning here on the west coast.

Running out to Home Depot with the 'Rents' to grab some gardening equipment, I got all excited about pruning and landscaping. I seriously can't wait to get a handle on my trees and shrubs. (A phrase I never thought would escape my lips)...

I'm opting for practical clothing for a practical day.

 (Almost) all practical anyway. There's something great about a reverse v-neck.

These booties are ridiculously comfortable. I can't believe the deal I scored on them, (a wacky 20$)! You can nab a similar pair for 38$ plus an additional 20% off at Charlotte Russe.

I've also gone nuts over this great MAC blush called Pink Shock I discovered last week. Hot pink becomes soft and delicate when blended with a buffing brush. I dab a bit on the lips too. For those days when you look and feel tired, this is a great "pop" item for sallow skin. Don't be afraid of the hot pink. It looks subtly fresh for spring when applied correctly.

 Tunic: 2 Hearts, Heels: CA Collection, Jeans: H&M, Kerchief: Vintage, Bag: Donald J Pliner

With Love,

Noa B  

Vintage Sweater

Happy Monday All!

I've been having a wonderful time hosting my parents who've flown in from NYC to be with me and "the Hubs" this week. Amongst our activities, a TON of walking in both SB and LA. The trick to comfortably starting early in the Central Coast is layering warmly for those morning hikes, and then shedding layers as the sun comes out to play. Currently I'm loving this vintage top I found at the thrift store which straddles the line between sweater and poncho.

The cut is tiny, (perhaps even intended as child size) and sits like a cropped sweater but is open at the hem like a poncho.

To this, I added a fringe bag and earrings for a walk down to State Street...

 Boots: 9 West, Bag: boutique, Sweater: Vintage, Tee: Old Navy, Earrings: Gift, Jeans: Goldsign

...Where I did some serious, shopping damage, (I actually saw a Tee-Shirt that read "Shopping is my cardio" and was sorely tempted to buy it).

With Love,

Noa B

I Wore This...

Sometimes my favorite outfit combos are truly the simplest and more unadorned ones. (I know, for bloggers not to over-accessorize and shoot every detail from collar to cuff is a sin). But I work in production and lead a life that is in constant motion so I often don't shoot what I wear. 

I attended a restoration screening of Wild River this week and really liked the outfit I threw together. Unfortunately it was too late and dark to try to capture it.  

 

But I figured, what the heck? What's a few grainy pix between friends?

 

Heels: BCBG, Pants: ASOS, Blouse: Ella Moss, Leather Jacket: ASOS, Camo Coat: Tulle, Necklace: JewelMint

This simple combo of loose, crop pants, silk shirt, comfy heels and jackets in layers is a staple favorite with me. It's what I mostly wear on set. Sometimes underthinking your wardrobe is a good thing.

Happy weekend and don't forget to enter my BB Dakota dress giveaway which ends tonight at 11PM PCT!

With Love,

Noa B