Dollar Delight

Just a quick reminder to myself about the usefulness and enjoyment of thrift shopping, (which is still a totally different animal from bargain hunting). This Jones NY pea-coat was a buck, as was the vintage blouse beneath. The only real cost? Dry cleaning.

 

(How great are these ruffles in the back of the shirt? So prairie girl)!

Shirt and Jacket: Vintage and Thrift, Heels: Marc Fisher, Twill Pants: ASOS, Earrings: Boutique

With Love,

Noa B

Little "Grey" Dress and a Fun Giveaway!

I'm a fan of the clothing line Tart. I've rocked their leather shorts, cute minis and dresses a time or two, and I was delighted to get my hands on this rad, slightly retro feeling, ruched dress, called "The Veronica". (Ooh, lala, you can see multiple versions of it at their site here), along with images of celebs spotted in their dresses and rompers.

The Hubs and I went out for a casual dinner over the weekend, and I threw on this latest find with a wooly, cropped jacket and tights for warmth, (although this tricot is actually very soft and snuggly).

It was so comfy and forgiving that I pulled it back on again yesterday for a spontaneous lunch date...

I love reworking the basics: Tights and lots of black for night, a simple sweater vest and nude heels for day. And now I'd love to give you a chance to wear it too. Read on to see how you can snag this little number in either a size Small or Medium.

Official entry rules:

1: You must become a follower of Sunsetand5th via Google friend connect, (found on the upper, right hand corner of my blog).

2: Once you have, (or if you already are) comment back here about how you would dress this little number "up, or down", either for day or night.

3: For an additional entry, tweet this giveaway and let me know about it in your comment line. Make sure to include your email address.

4: For a third entry, follow me on Twitter.

Entries are open worldwide.

Deadline is Friday, 2/22/2013, 11PM PCT.

T-Shirt Peplums

I've decided to embrace the peplum. Not that I wasn't all for it several seasons ago. In my previous design career I came to love all things 1920's-1950's. I had a blast designing with reverse pleats, boned corsets, loads of godets and darts, and a spectrum of oddly engineered tailoring. But the peplum is one easy, fun shape that looks more architectural than it really is.

Now that the structured peplum is giving way to softer fabrics. I couldn't resist nabbing this one in the fuzziest, coziest, stretch tricot.

I'm really short these days on jackets, (the result of having swapped or re-sold all my blazers). But I just nabbed this adorable H&M one for 7$ at my local thrift store. It reminds me of an old, Bedouin jacket I had as a kid.

 Top: Boutique Brand, Bag: LAMB, Pants: ASOS, Heels: Vince Camuto, Earrings: Tres Jolie, Jacket: H&M

Cropped boleros can be really versatile. They look great whenever there's a waist/hip detail you want to highlight. But they also layer beautifully over tunics. I'll be on the lookout for more like this one on future thrift runs.

With Love,

Noa B

Dinner with my Honey

Some days I lazily reach for "last nights" jewelry or heels for the next outfit.

Case in point: the choker, earrings and heels from Wednesday's apartment hunting spree. They were an easy pairing with this quilted top and mini I've been waiting to wear.

 Still, if it works, more time with my guy, less time spent rummaging my closet...

Blouse: Zara, Bag: LAMB, Heels: Donald J Pliner, Choker: JewelMint, Earrings: F21, Skirt: One Clothing

Paired with black and more black, it's pretty easy to make these pieces fit and be able to enjoy a meal out on the fly.

With Love,

Noa B

Apt Hunting: Kicking up my Heels

I've been on the hunt for a new apartment for about three months, and I'll be out again in the wilds of LA trying again this afternoon.

It's a tiring task so I keep flip flops in the trunk of my car, but even when casual, I like to throw on a pair of heels when I have to meet building managers. I find a nice clutch and some decent shoes make a better impression in this insane market.

Jeans: Golddesign, Heels: Donald J Pliner, Sweater: Kersh, Scarf: Boutique, Hat: H&M

There's one good thing about knowing you'll move soon, and that's getting to mentally plan all the changes in decor and space that you'll implement. Now that I've done it for the second time on a house, I'm turning my attention to the all encompassing task of the next apartment! FUN!

With Love,

Noa B

Off Label: New Ways to Rock Your Bathroom Cabinet

In getting ready this morning I realized I use a lot of products in a manner sometimes referred to as "off label". This term is often bandied around for medical products, but it refers to using items for a different purpose than their label expresses. Here are a few favorites I've started using religiously off label with excellent results:

Wen Sweet Almond Mint Conditioner:
Here's an interesting fact I didn't know. Protein is actually bad for color treated hair and can produce more frizz. So adding keratin products, protein shampoos, and even Argon or Moroccan oil can damage colored hair more. Solution? Use a basic shampoo and conditioner, but follow up with 2/3 pumps of Wen Sweet Almond Mint Conditioner after showering and towel drying. Blow-dry hair and then add another pump all over ends as a styling creme. The result is unusually smooth hair for anyone with frizz. I've used this trick for a week now with excellent results!

MAC Well Dressed: 
Known as a blush for fair skin, this product is also an excellent, last touch after base or powder for anyone with yellow/olive/sallow skin. (I recently learned this trick from an amazing department head and boy, does it look fab on TV)! Grab a fan brush and swipe all over the face as you would a bronzer, and you'll notice yellowish undertones simply melt away! Another plus with this item is that it's demi-matte, so you won't sparkle or look shiny.

Olive Oil:
Simple. Add to lashes every other night for true conditioning and to reduce breakage.

 

You'd be surprised at how many things can be used off label with staggeringly good results! You can mix olive oil with a bit of course sea salt and add it as a foot scrub while in the tub for silky heels. You can use a tiny bit of fresh lemon cut cross section-wise as a natural, morning peel. Toothpaste makes an excellent zit dryer, and Argan hair oil makes for a lovely, leg moisturizer. Mix it with a little bronzing powder and apply liberally for shiny, gorgeous gams! I use the following brands below:

Argan and Physicians Formula:

The best place to buy Argan is on Amazon, where I've seen it listed at 1/2 price. Physicians can be grabbed at any drug store.

 Mix em, blend em, and show off those legs!

With Love,

Noa B

High Waisted Denim: Swinging Back Around

Sunday morning we woke up extremely early and decided to make the most of the day by jumping out of bed and into our local Starbucks all before 7:30AM.

 

 

I was up and out of bed so early I hadn't the patience to slick or style my hair, but a quick elastic to the top of the head and I was out the door.

I threw on denim as we also went to visit my brother-in-law and his family. (Visits with a 2 year old require clothes that are ok to dirty up. But I couldn't resist some practical heels)...

I've been cycling through jeans a TON lately. I know it's repetitive, but I truly love this old pair because it's high waisted and quilted, (basically everything Jessica Simpson taught us not to wear). So why does it feel so rad?

My hair tends towards a natural crimp, so laziness allowed me to leave it that way for a "Dazed and Confused" look to complement  the retro-70's jeans. Stay tuned tomorrow for my tips on quickie products that will do you in a pinch!

 Jeans: 7 For All Mankind, Boots: Kelsi Dagger, Clutch: Mossimo, Belt and Bangles: Vintage, Choker: Jewelmint: Blouse: Re-sale

With Love,

Noa B

Film Fest Duds: Day 5

I've been out again for another screening in downtown Santa Barbara and the weather is amazing! It'll cool down by dinner tonight and I'll have to go home to change, but for now it's held at about 70 and I'm off to "Sister", a beautiful drama set in a Swiss ski resort, with appearances by the gorgeous Gillian Andersen and Lea Seydoux.

Top and jacket: Lush, Skirt: Random boutique brand, Heels: ShoeMint

I'm enjoying pairing some lighter layers, at least until the sun sets. Have a great Wednesday!

With Love,

Noa B

Fuzzy...

It's day 4 for me of the Santa Barbara Independent Film Festival and I'm having a blast seeing a ton of great films, several of which originate from my place of birth, Israel. (In particular, I highly recommend this heartbreaking love story about two young men, one Israeli, one Palestinian who fall in love under extremely precarious circumstances). Check it out on IMDB for more information here.

I'm staying comfy and cozy in my "fuzzies" while walking the downtown, going in and out of screenings, and pausing for the odd hot chocolate between showtimes.

 

Blazer: Brooks Brothers, Jeans: Golddesign, Hat & Sweater: H&M, Necklaces: Vintage

Walking festival circuits is an exercise in stamina, but so worth the wait!

With Love,

Noa B

SBIFF: Ready to Roll

It's the weekend of the Santa Barbara Independent Film Festival, and I'm ready to hoof it downtown to a couple of screenings tonight, (a small, Israeli film and a series of selected, animated shorts to kick things off).

Lots of standing on line and waiting endlessly to see what seating is still left. I'm taking some flats as a back up option: something I HIGHLY recommend if you're not sure how long you might be standing. (I find ballet slippers or flops are the easiest to throw in a larger purse when necessary).

This morning was chilly, but now the sun is simply streaming through our front yard, and I'm dressing lightly and effectively for walking the crowds. Black jeans, comfy tee, light wool blazer.

Jeans: H&M, Boots: Michael Kors, Blazer: Charlotte Russe, Skeletal tee: Zara

And we're off! Can't wait to check out the international submissions!

With Love,

Noa B