Monday, June 30, 2014

La Dolce Vita

Last week while traveling in northern Italy Ross and I took a day trip with friends to Lake Como. Although the train schedule limited our touring time, we managed to land at Bellagio and have a blissfully bucolic lunch nestled in the hills and overlooking the water.
I was feeling very Dolce Vita and the weather was sweltering, so I opted for a lace crop top with a neon bandeau for a pop of color as well as ventilation.
The location was gorgeous, the scenery was amazing, and of course the cheese plates were... well, what else can you say about a plate of good, Italian cheese? A glass of Prosecco, some amazing appetizers, and a view of the rolling hills. It was bliss.
Skirt: Free People, Top: Tilden, Sandals: Sam Edelman, Bag: Hammitt

I'll make it a goal to get back to Italy with a longer stay in Como, because half the fun of travel is dreaming of the places you'll return to!

With Love,

Noa B

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Milano, Ciao!

Last week I flew to Milan for a brief, 5 day visit. I loved the city, which among other things is known for its fashion and design. On top of that, I arrived during Fashion Week, which turned out to be an unexpected bonus!
On one of my first days walking the city I strolled to the Duomo to visit the Museum of the 900, as well as take in a Klimt exhibit going on at the Palazzo Reale. It was a day simply packed with art, and I think I subconsciously donned a long, Kimono cover in homage to Klimt's women.
The weather was extremely humid, and I abandoned any idea of wearing pants 24 hours into the trip. Thank goodness I loaded up with sundresses when packing!
  Dress: Final Touch, Kimono: Mono B,  Necklace: Boutique, Bag: L.A.M.B., Sandals: Zara


It was a week filled with art, day trips, fashion, and parties. More to come soon!

With Love,

Noa B

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Free People Cozy

Last Friday I got up the guts to hack off about 4/5 inches of my rapidly, end-splitting mane. I wasn't happy about it. Like so many women I've been attempting unsuccessfully to grow length for about 4 years. But my hair had "had it". So I figured I'd shoot something with long hair one last time...
This Free People combo was the coziest thing I put on right before I left for the cut. It's a shift dress made of a muslin-esque cotton, and the FP sweatshirt I layered over it feels like fleece despite the paillettes. I needed the emotional equivalent of pajamas to be able to face the oncoming scissors.
 
Sigh. Bye, bye longer hair. I hope you return to me in 6-12 months...
 Dress and Sweatshirt: FreePeople, Heels: Shoe Mint


With Love,

Noa B

Monday, June 16, 2014

Graduating Hemlines

This past weekend I attended a graduation ceremony for several friends receiving their doctoral degrees at UCLA. After a couple of fits and starts deciding what to wear my adorable hubby asked me why I wasn't making use of all the pretty dresses hanging limply in my closet. He was right of course. I fall into the habit of saving clothing for various "occasions" and then I forget to make use of them.
So I pulled this maxi number I'd only worn on NYE and it turned out to be perfectly suited to the weather, as well as the occasion.
Admittedly, my leg seems a bit pale, but I do love the front opening, that adjusts as you walk.
 Dress: ALC, Sandals: ShoeMint, Necklace: JewelMint Collective, Hat: Target. Earrings: Tres Jolie

I think that one of the keys to happiness in life is in making everything and anything an "occasion". There's a lot to celebrate, and it's good to remember why we mark moments and commemorate people and things.

With Love,
Noa B

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Free People Rerun

I'm such a Free People addict, so naturally I tend to repeat my favorite dresses. This one is a dual offender on the blog, but I love the combination of gauzy cotton and crocheted lace. It's super versatile!
The last time I wore it I paired it with a boho hairband and booties. This time it's biker boots and a fedora. Although the dress is girly and feminine a little black leather works just as well as dainty sandals or little heels.

Dress: Free People, Hat: Target, Necklace: Boutique, Boots: BCBG


How do you rock your Boho?

With Love,

Noa B

Monday, June 9, 2014

Beachtime Dressing

Yesterday was a perfect, summer day and what better way to spend it then supping directly on the sand at "Back on the Beach" CafĂ©. A place to go when you prefer your food served with both feet planted firmly in warm, white sand.
This strapless cotton sheath was the perfect choice for fun in the sun. Breathable and lightweight, I paired it with a little denim jacket, vintage jewels and gladiators.
Dress: From a fashion truck, Jacket: Thrifted, Necklace: Vintage, Sandals: Zara

I love easy, Sunday styling. A little sun dress with a twist makes it so simple.

With Love,

Noa B

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Rouge Bunny Rouge: Summer Color Review

My very dear friend Kacey set me on a task last week. She challenged me to use every available product in the Rouge Bunny Rouge line to create a fun and wearable, summer look. The test was to use one of everything while still looking natural. Having reviewed the line's incredible foundation in a previous blog here, I knew I was in for a treat!
The trick with most product is in knowing key elements of their application. So I began by priming my skin with RBR's original Primer, to which I added their Time Defying Foundation in Wheat Cream. I'm not a big foundation wearer by day, but RBR's liquid is so creamy and dreamy that it feels like applying liquid silk to one's skin. The result once blended is unbelievably poreless.
After dotting on the base where it was needed, I blended it into a seamless finish using a kabuki brush and a swirling motion.
 
Next I applied the finely milled, Flawless Face Powder in Piano. I love this product because it adds a warming element to the skin. I topped it with a highlighter powder across the t-zone and upper cheekbones, in Sweet to the Touch. This gave my skin a slightly glossy effect.
For eyes, I chose this summery, pastel duo to highlight with a wash of color. What could be more fun in June than pastels?
I swept the lilac base from lid to crease. The pigments are incredibly velvety and practically blend themselves. Next I added a plum colored liner along my upper lash line to enhance the color tone.
I added the mint green shadow from the eye duo to my lower lash-line and smudged a hint of black eyeliner into the inner water line to seal the deal.
Next came the shimmer pigments. I chose a beige coupled with a hint of gold to give the shadows some subtle, but extra highlighting. RBR's pigments are finely milled and because they come with an applicator, you don't get messy bits of glitter falling across your face as you apply. It's a great system for enhancing depth without creating mess.
I swept the applicator wand through my crease and tapped the color lightly into my inner eye corner. This added shine and additional highlight. 
Then came lips. I used RBR's extraordinary array of pink liners, lipsticks, and glosses for a bright and modern, pink tone. I wanted a pink that wouldn't look specifically "mod" or "60's". The key to a modern, pink lip is not to go too matte or chalky. I  filled in my lips top to bottom with the Long Lasting Lip Pencil in Vasco.
I also bulked up my upper lashes with black mascara but tipped my lower ones with RBR's burgundy mascara, which really brought out all the plum tones and added another layer of color depth. For anyone with blue or green eyes, this is a great trick to dramatically enhance lashes without feeling too dark and heavy.
After applying Sheer Lipstick in Fluttering Sighs and Angel's Play gloss, I polished off my skin with RBR's Original Skin Blush in Habanera. Just a swipe across the cheekbones gave me a flush of natural color. When creating a makeup look it's important to achieve balance. This look was all about summer eyes and shimmer. So blush and lips remained subtly soft.
RBR also makes a variety of glitter liners, called Quartz Liners. I pulled the Amethyst pen and ran it lightly under my lashes. 
 And topped it off with a subtle swish of black, liquid liner on my upper, lash line.
Just a narrow line at the eye's edge gave my lash line a framing effect.
And voila...
 The challenge was to create summer style, and find the balance with a variety of products. Here's my take.
You can find Rouge Bunny Rouge at their online boutique here.

With Love,

Noa B