Prepping Fall

For some of you, the idea of fall being around the corner may seem too early. After all who wants to say goodbye to summer? But living near the ocean is great prep for the layers and heavier weight fabrics that are to come.

One easy way to begin the transition to your fall closet is to pair heavier textiles with a thick soled sandal. In this case, a rocker, Birkenstock inspired, wedge mixed with pleather and fleece. It's a nod to summer on the shoe front, but it's weighty and hearty for fall.

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell Circus, Skirt: Zara, Clutch: Paul & Joe Sister, Top: RD Style

And that's how I begin to adjust. Out with the sheer fabrics, in with the sweaters and fleece. And if you're interested in a good sale and you live in NY, CA, MA, TX, or FL, check out your neighborhood LF boutiques. LF is hosting an "end of the summer" liquidation sale, which is where I picked up these flats for a steal!

With Love,

Noa B

Skincare Giveaway: AuraVie!

 It's that time of year again, time to give away some free skin care!

 As a makeup artist I'm always testing out new products and new lines, and nothing beats finding amazing skincare. This week I'm giving away my new "best friend", this beautiful set by AuraVie. AuraVie is known for products that pack Omega 3, 6 & 9 and Vitamin A, E, C & D, all of which promote healthy skin renewal as well as nature’s most powerful antioxidants; Resveratrol & Acai Berry. The combined ingredients result in treatments that renew, revive, and replenish your skin for lasting beauty. The giveaway set includes:

1: AuraVie's  RENEW Facial Toner/Cleanser, designed to gently remove skin impurities including make-up, dirt and surface oils, without stripping precious lipids.

2: AuraVie's REVIVE Age-Defying Serum, an all-in-one serum that lifts and firms the eye area, face and neck, improving elasticity while diminishing dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles.

3: AuraVie's REPLENISH Day/Night Moisturizer, formulated to increase moisture retention, smooth skin texture, and encourage natural cell regeneration

The line is absolutely beautiful and truly a one-stop-shop for those needing a pared down yet effective regiment for their skin. This combo, the Skin Rejuvenation Regimen, is valued at $329.99 but I'm giving it away to one, lucky, contestant this month! Here's how to enter:

All you have to do!

1: Become a follower of Sunsetand5th via Bloglovin or GFC, (if you already are, let me know)!

2: Comment back here with your email address and why you'd like to try this amazing bevy of products. (If you already have a favorite, let me know)!

3: For a second entry, tweet this contest and let me know in an additional comment line.

4: For a 3rd entry, Instagram the contest and let me know in an additional comment line.

5: For a 4th entry, facebook or blog this contest and let me know in an additional comment line.

Entries are open worldwide.
Contest ends 9/13/14
Bonne Chance!

With Love,

Noa B

Ladylike, and Oh So 60's...

Finding a perfect, gem of a vintage dress is literally one of the best feelings in the world! If you love vintage it's a fairly easy process to track down a unique item at a specialty store. But the truth is you will pay specialty prices. My knack is for finding a great garment at a great price!

Like this hand-painted, Italian, 1960's mini dress. Adorable, and infinitely wearable, I can rock this with nude heels, but it will also look great with a cashmere sweater layered for fall, or a leather jacket and biker boots in the winter.

 Right now all it needs is the right bag, and a little bit of volume in the hair...

 Oh, and some NARS pink lips...

Dress: Italian, hand painted vintage, Bag: Heavenly Couture, Heels: ShoeMint, Headband: F21, Bracelet: Boutique

What a score. How do you rock your "Mod"?

With Love,

Noa B

Manhattan and Jeff Koons

One of the best things about visiting New York is that no matter when you go, there's always a special exhibit in at least of of the major museums. This week it was Jeff Koons at the Whitney.

In addition to the three floor, massive retrospective, there was also a giant, "Split Rocker" made entirely of flowering plants at Rockefeller Center. The scale was enormous. It must've stood at least three stories in height.

An incredibly impressive feat, and having read about the complex, fabrication processes Koons traditionally used, I couldn't begin to imagine the planning that would go into this giant, flowering art piece.

Some highlights from the show included, Boy with a pony, the Venus of Wilendorf rendered in balloon doggie form, the racy Cicciolina photo series, and so much more...

I kept my wardrobe very minimal during my 5 days away. It was too hot and humid to layer anything so  I threw on a dress and sandals daily. This bag was an amazing deal from Heavenly Couture. At under 20$ per purse I bought it in two colors to use as a basic, travel bag and it held everything, including my camera.

Dress: Winter Kate, Bag: Heavenly Couture, Shoes: Report

With Love,

Noa B

Gearing Up to Fly

Every time I travel I end up writing something about the necessity of light packing and strategic layering for plane rides. For my trip to NYC last week I packed only what I could fit inside a small, 12" by 15" roll-aboard, which also included a camera and reading material. Here are my tried and true tricks for maximizing suitcase space  for a 5/6 day jaunt:

1: Wear your heaviest boots/jacket on board. In my case I chose a leather, AllSaints biker jacket and booties with intensive hardware. These items take up the most space in a carry on, but they're great for trekking through the airport and wearing on board a plane when the AC is cranking.

 

2: Don't wear any delicate baubles. Stick with a large necklace you can take off for security without undoing clasps or earring backs. (You'd be surprised at how easy it is to lose small studs between the metal detectors and bins).

3: Wear your heaviest boots on board. In summer, consider booties like these with cutaway details to stay cool, and a large, structured bag you can still slip a clutch into for night. Remember, you only get these two, small bags for carry on, so make them count!

 

4: It's summer, you don't need to pack jeans! But a comfy pair of mens baggies will do nicely for plane rides and slouchy comfort. Wear these to travel "there", and "back", and save your dresses for the suitcase.

4: Prep your hair with a little product and then twist it upwards in a clip. Leave it that way for your journey. Loosen the clip when you land and you'll have body and waves upon arrival.

 

 Jeans: Vintage Levis 501 Mens, Boots: ShoeMint, Bag: Heavenly Couture, Necklace: JewelMint, Jacket: AllSaints, T-Shirt: Gap

With love,

Noa B

Caftans and Snaps

Pardon the low quality snaps, but I just returned from a long weekend in NYC, which flew by too quickly to even take photos!

Although my camera was with me the whole time, I was having too much fun to remember to take it out of my purse. The whole, long weekend was a blur.

I checked out the Jeff Koons retrospective, visited with family and friends, ate top notch, French fare, swooned over my sister's new flat high atop the 28th floor of East 72nd street, and even managed to do some major redecorating at my parents' apartment, all while running from place to place in the Manhattan, August humidity!

Fortunately I'm a very good, light packer. 6 dresses, three pairs of sandals, and two zip locked bags of mini products were all I needed. I left for a few days with the world's tiniest roll-aboard. (But I did manage to get a makeup kit, two hair irons, PJ's, two jackets, dresses, a kimono, shoes, toiletries, skin care, a book, and a camera all into a bag that was about 12"by 12"! The key to traveling light in hot weather is not packing a ton of separates).

Dress: Calypso St Barts, Bag: Heavenly Couture, Sandals: Report, Choker: Boutique

Stay tuned for some peeks at the Koons, coming soon!

With Love

Noa B

My Favorite Way to Flat

I'm a big fan of heels. I feel sexy and powerful and statuesque in a pair of three inch pumps. But the pragmatist in me is getting older and wiser, and realizing that the safest way to still love fashion and work on my feet all day is to embrace flats. That's easy in the fall and winter, when riding boots and motorcycle heels are always big, but in the summer a girl wants a sexy sandal. My cure? Gladiator flats!

 

I bought my first pair over 20 years ago, and I've been accruing them ever since. You can feel sultry and rocker and Bohemian all in one. Plus, you can walk anywhere in comfort. (I actually think these blowsy, baby-doll dresses look more appropriate and appealing in flats anyway).

 Yup, fringe and flats make for a pretty easy, no-fail combo.

These babies are Report, and I found them at my local LF Boutique. But they're available at Lulu's here for $103, and if you sign up for their site, you can save 10% right away! For the budget conscious, TJ Maxx is offering some fantastic options online right now, as shown below.

These babies which are all leather, are from Modern Rebel and are available at TJMaxx.com here, for only $49, a steal!

These Yoki's are pleather, but at $20 it's hard to argue with how cute they are. Available here!

If you're thinking of going a little avant-garde, try these Vincenzas for $59. The snakeskin print adds a flourish. Available here.

If you like a lower body, these Joe's are a cross between a Roman Sandal and a Birkenstock. Gladiator meets Birk? Yes please. Available here for only $39! Joe's shoes for under 40$? A must.

 Dress: FreePeople, Purse: ElliottLucca, Sandals: Report, Necklace: Boutique

Whatever your preference, there's a sexy flat out there for you.

Happy Friday!

With Love,

Noa B