Happy Friday: Contest Ending!

Happy Friday Ladies,

I've been away shooting for most of the month, but I'll be back on the blog with some exciting new products to share and goodies to give away starting next week. In the meantime don't forget to enter to win this dress from TBDress! Today marks the end of this month's giveaway, so be sure to check out this fantastic website here and enter for your chance to win!

Find details of entry here!

With Love,

Noa B

Inspiration: The Grammy's

Happy Monday All!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of making up the amazingly talented Nikki Yanofsky for the Grammys. Following the events of the red carpet, I was browsing editorial's top looks from our favorite chanteuses and came across this simple but stunning column by Christian Siriano, worn by Natasha Bedingfield. All I can say is "Wow". In a moment where everyone was draped in sequins, paillettes and cleavage baring, plummeting necklines, Natasha rocked this simple, elegant frock, proving that just now "Orange really IS the new black".

 

Happily, I've been collecting orange for some time in my search for vintage. (Orange is also the pop, accent color in my home decor). Based on this winner, I should really start wearing these babies more, but for the moment they're available at my Etsy store here and here.

Hope your Monday is off to a great start! Stay tuned for some killer giveaways and makeup tutorials, coming soon!

With Love,

Noa B

Resort's Floral Warm up for Winter

Happy Wednesday All!

I've been perusing the latest resort/spring trends this week while traveling. Amongst the winners, floral and patterned trends emerging at BCBG, Chanel, and so many others. Granted, I'm snowed in right now in a place where the weather is at about 7', but a girl can dream of warmer days to come...

 

On the prowl for springier jackets to mix over layers I found an adorable Mossimo score, (my frugal answer to the question of wardrobe updates that are seasonal, but still affordable).

Mossimo floral jacket: $34.00, Target, (on clearance for $10)!
 

We all have our budgets to think of, but being on trend can cost as little as $10-$20 for a statement piece that puts you right on track for the season. Right now spring/resort is heralding a lot of florals mixed with black and white backgrounds. While I turned to Target to snag a deal, here are some pieces you may like!

                     Nasty Gal: $58                                         Versace: $2,000

                     Asos: $648                                                    F21: $29

              House of Fraser: $130                                             River Island: $82

Here's my next bargain: Target's Xhilaration Moto jacket with floral patterning: $33

How would you "steal" this look?

With Love,

Noa B

Post Birthday Drinks: What I Wore

This past Monday I turned 38. Amid a swirl of celeb bookings, (Golden Globe clients) jobs, prep, and commercial shoots, I found myself working before, during, and after my birthday. But my wonderful and generous husband surprised me at 3AM when my job, (and my birthday) wrapped with a gift I've been coveting for ages, my very first portrait lens!

Forgive me if these pix are a bit rudimentary. I just began playing with it before heading out for a belated cocktail evening with a few, close girlfriends, but I'm really excited to take the next step in shooting more detailed versions of makeup tutorials, fashion, and ongoing interests!

Dress: Sandro, Heels: Sole Society, Jacket: Guess, Earrings: BDay Gift!

Here's to doing it with grace and a little humor!

With Love,

Noa B

TBDress Giveaway!

Happy Friday All! I'm so excited to bring you my latest giveaway: this maxi by TBDress which I've had the pleasure of styling for both day and night this past week!

 

Last Saturday I had augmented the crisp white of my maxi dress with browns and taupes here. For the following Sunday dinner I went monochromatic. Black, white, and bronze.

I paired snakeskin patterned heels with bronze chandelier earrings, and a black and white bag and blazer to round it out. (I've been loving the frayed, messy pony as a quick, deconstructed look to offset tailored garments. To achieve this, use hot rollers to add a quick bit of volume. Then pull the hair up towards the top of your head. Secure with elastic and then fray the edges with a teasing brush or comb. The softer and more frayed, the better it looks). 

Dress: C/O TBDress, Heels: Calvin Klein, Jacket: Topshop, Clutch: Sandro

But enough about my pony tail! If you want to recreate this look read below for a shot at snagging this baby from TBDress:

Official Rules:

1: You must become a follower of Sunsetand5th. To do so, click the Bloglovin' box in the upper, right hand corner. 

2: Head over to tbdress.com to check out their latest styles. Comment back here with your favorite piece to kick off the new year. Make sure to leave your email address.

3: For an additional entry, join tbdress's online store site and let me know.

4: For another entry, twitter this giveaway and let me know.

This giveaway ends 1/31/14

Open internationally
Bonne Chance! 

With Love,

Noa B

Neutral's Up

How do you take coppery, shiny jeans and neutralize them? With neutrals,of course!

 

I was looking for a way to take these disco-esque jeans from night to day. For me, the key was to offset their shiny finish with soft, beige tones.

Silk and cotton fabrics help minimize the hyper reflective finish on these babies. So they stay groovy...quietly.

Wearable, wearable, wearable.

Trench: , Bag: L.A.M.B., Jeans: Rich and Skinny, Top: Ella Moss, Scarf: H&M, Boots: Pour La Victoire

With Love,

Noa B

Old Boots, New Vibe

Are we loving the over-the-knee boot trend this season? I am, and I'm glad I've been investing in this shape for a number of years now, (I've got at least three that reach to my thigh at present).

The easiest of outfits for a day on set, comfy with a little groove. I can scrunch these babies all the way down, or straighten them all the way up.

Boots: MIA, Jeans: F21, Clutch: Etsy, Flannel: Marshall's

And although my husband tells me repeatedly that I look like a pirate, I think I'll keep working the tall, tall boots. After all, last night my client told me I "rocked" a Kanye shirt. Not bad for an old dame...

How do you "rock" your thigh highs?

With Love,

Noa B

TBDress: A Sonnet in White

Happy Monday Ladies! I'm excited to share with you my recently discovered new gem, TBDress. What a find! Everything on this site is current, trend oriented, and downright affordable, (dare I say... cheap chic for all us budget oriented fashionistas)?

Naturally I was delighted when they offered to send me a dress to style. Having abandoned my traditional black for a moment, I've been engaged in a love affair with crisp whites and creamy off whites. My passion right now? Sleeved, maxi dresses.They're incredibly easy to style both casually and for night.

This weekend I wore this maxi to brunch with friends, adding a faux fur vest and boots for the crisp, autumnal weather.

The cut of the bust has a cool, almost empire style banding, and the button front allows you to wear it slit open, or even kimono style.

Dress: C/O TBDress, Boots: Sam Edelman, Vest: Love21, Earrings; Tres Jolie, Cuff: Boutique

Tune in this Friday to see how I swapped it for night, and for a chance to win it!

With Love,

Noa B

Year In Review

Happy New Year Everyone! 2013 sped by in the blink of an eye, and looking back it was filled with some really exciting and pivotal moments for me. In 2013:

I diligently worked on the house we bought in Santa Barbara while maintaining my life and apartment in LA. (No mere feat)... I worked part time on two, network sit-coms. I went back to Europe for a real, week off in August. I taught my cat, (temporarily) how to use a human toilet. (True story). Most of all, I worked full time in television and commercials, celebrated 5 years of marriage, and somehow, still managed to blog. In the spirit of reflection, here are some of my favorite blogging moments of the past year. Thank you for reading and have an amazing, new year!

Favorite vintage dresses included a real, St John knitwear piece.

Favorite dresses: Black Halo and Diane Von Furstenberg.

Vintage leather included a mini and a midi.

 Best denim was printed and waxed.

 Best investment shorts in soft leather worked seasonally throughout spring and fall.

 Fave skirts included below and above the knee.

 Favorite casual attire was polished off with tuxedo jackets in white and black.

Favorite layering pieces included swing coats and trenches.

 Babydolls came back in a big way, as did plaid.

And in my beauty roundups...

 ...We talked turkey on the most natural BB Creams.

 Played "guess which face is drugstore vs. department store" products.

 Taught smokey and pastel eyed, makeup techniques.

And most  truly, shared a little piece of myself.

I hope you all have a magnificent 2014!

With Love,

Noa B