The holidays are looking very different this year, there are no Christmas parties to attend, dinners to host or cocktails with friends. But even with the lack of face-to-face social interaction I still feel inspired to get fully ready most days. As you have probably noticed I typically keep my make up pretty simple and light and mostly play with my hair {and a few hair accessories!} to change my look.

Whether straightened out with a smooth blow out or curled in beachy waves, long loose hair is my preferred style. I was very excited when Wal Mart reached out for a collaboration with Remington’s new hair tools, the Pro Wet2Style collection. I had not used this brand before and was blown away by the results. 

Typically I let my hair air dry after my shower for a bit. After applying a heat protecting cream I then blow dry quickly while combining it with my hand. This is to ensure the low part of my head is dry before I bring in other hot tools. It is a bit time consuming but regular curling irons require it. Luckily the Wet2Style collection works with damp hair! Saves so much time. Remington's Wet2Style tools are made with ceramic and ionic technology to protect against damage and frizz. 

The blow dryer is the perfect size for the job. It is very light and powerful without getting too hot.

Presentation and packaging are huge for me, and that includes my hair tools. Loved the soft lavender color of this collection along with the clean modern look. 

This hot air curling iron is the tool I was the most excited about. I had seen the high-end version {that comes with a prohibiting price} and was very curious about the results. It curls the hair just like a regular hot tool but provides a smooth bouncy result that lasts all day.  It was surprisingly fast to do my entire head!

To curl my hair evenly I divide my head into three sections and star curling in layers {bottom, closest to my neck. Then middle section then the top of my head}. Once my head is fully done and the curls are cool to touch I give it a good shake so they loosen up and provide a soft beach wave look. 

Finish off with a glossing cream and cute hair accessories and I'm done.

Blow dryer comes with a range of great accessories. You can purchase the tools here, here and here. 

It's been ages since I last owned a flat iron but I really loved this one. The ceramic plates were very gentle to my hair. I was able to get soft smooth straight hair in no time. Make sure to always use heat protecting spray!

Thanks for reading, until next time!

xx, 

N.

Thank you Wal Mart for sponsoring this post. 

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Fall Wishlist

Dress // Earrings // Bag // Lipstick

Sunglasses // Shoes // Jeans // Sweater

Fall might still be three weeks away but it is currently all I can think of. While we are still dealing with 80 degree days in Austin, I have been able to incorporate light sweaters and loafers into my wardrobe thanks to the cooling rains we’ve been getting {and crazy office AC!}. I have not put my linen away just yet but I am already dreaming of dark rich colors, like this pine green dress from Madewell, toss a chunky cardigan and booties and I’m all set for date night. Loving the gold dot earrings because lately I’ve been all about simple jewelry. So much so I’m even thinking about swapping my wedding band for a simple yellow gold ring, very minimal and clean. I’ve been also eyeing this bag since it came out. Need a black tote for work STAT and I love the caramel interior in this one {and monogramming option!}. Small make up update for cooler months with this berry lipstick from MAC. Toss a coat of mascara, some bronzer and you’re ready for the office. Sunglasses have been on my wish list for about a year now, maybe it will be my Christmas present from my husband. I also need new dark skinny jeans and these one from Mother Jeans fit like a dream. The peach sweater is perfect with cream pants for work and boyfriend jeans for the weekend. And last but not least, the loafers I’ve been coveting for over a year, these Gucci beauties that can be worn year round. This shoe is quite an investment but will never go out of style. All items linked above. 

What’s on your fall wish list?

xx, Nicole

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Beach Vacation Essentials

Are your heading to the beach for a few days? If so, this post is for you. These are the items I always pack when I'm heading on vacation. Hope these suggestions help! 

1. Eliza Gran Beach Bag- I know this is kind of a no brainier but I have traveled with girls before who don't bring a proper roomy bag to the beach and they struggle carrying everything they need. Make sure it fits all of your daily essentials. If it's straw, I recommend you carry it as your purse on the plane. Don't fold or smash that baby up inside your luggage! Budget friendly options here and here. 

2. The Lip Slip Lipbalm - I slather this on at night, not just when I'm at the beach but at home. This makes my slips soooo soft and moisturizes them so nicely. Of course, you should be wearing a lip balm with SPF during the day, but this is the perfect cherry on top to finish off your night-time skincare routine. 

3. Benefit High Beam Highlighter - You're on vacation, so keep your make up simple. My favorite way to update my make up for the beach is by using highlighter and keeping the rest of my face light. This one from Benefit is one of my favorite ones. If you like a powder one I recommend this palette. 

I will be doing a separate post on my favorite make up products to bring to the beach soon :) 

4. Moroccan Oil - I love this stuff! I put a little bit in my hair after I shower and before I put my hair up in a bun. It smells so good and makes my hair soft and shiny. 

5. Wide Tooth Comb - Keep it in your beach bag. It will help you detangle your pretty hair after a dip in the ocean. 

6. Love Binetti Cross-body Bag - This one is very important ladies! You don't wanna be stuck with your gigantic beach bag or hand held clutch on a night out. I always pack a cross-body bag whenever I go on vacation {in addition to other options}. You want to have free hands to eat, dance and hold hands with that special someone. How adorable is this rose gold one from ShopBop?

7. Cocoa Butter Body Lotion - The best way to keep your skin healthy and extend your tan is to make sure you are always moisturized. Slather on this lotion after you shower and your skin will feel ridiculously soft. Warning: the chocolate smell is addictive! You might be craving it after a while. 

8. Aussie Deep Conditioner Treatment - This is by far the one thing YOU MUST pack. A deep conditioning treatment for your hair that your will use every day you are at the beach. The sun, sand and salty water really dry out your strands. Put this on after your rinse and shampoo your hair and let it sit while you finish your shower...your hair will thank you. It will be so soft you'll want to keep doing it even after vacation is over. I also love this option {a bit pricier} from Kerastase. 

9. Karen Walker Sunglasses - Protect your eyes from UV rays and wrinkles while your look fab! I'm obviously biased to this style since I just got them, but I also love this and this. 

10. Nordstrom Sun Hat - This is just as important as the beach bag yet girls still forget it. I'm all about getting some sun, just not on my face. I have a couple hats I always pack but a big large one is a must have for me, it protects shoulders and face. 

Happy Friday!

Xo, 

N. 

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Chambray Spring Dress

I'm sure you have seen this dress over and over all over blogs and Instagram, and there is a good reason for it...IT GOES WITH EVERYTHING! I have worn this with heels and statement earrings to nice dinner, with my white converse and a baseball hat to brunch and with summery accessories -like on this post - for the weekend.

This is the Katie Fisherman bag from Tory Burch from her Spring 2013 collection. It was a birthday gift from my sister a couple years ago and I LOVE IT. It fits a decent amount of items and gives so much color and personality to any outfit. 

These wedges are also incredibly versatile, I also wore them on this post. They are a very comfortable all-day shoe. I added a pop of color to my fave with Nars Heat Weave over my Caudalie lip conditioner. Heat Wave is a little bit on the dryer side so I always apply a lip balm before to make it smoother. 

Outfit Details
Dress - Lulu's Similar Here
Bag - Rebecca Minkoff Similar Here
Shoes - Ralph Lauren Similar Here

Happy Wednesday!

Xo,
N.

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Ipsy vs. Birchbox

Images via Birchbox, Ipsy and Sephora

I'm utterly obsessed with getting things in the mail {with the exception of bills of course} which is the reason why I have tons of magazine subscriptions and buy things online often. There is something so exciting about opening the little mailbox and seeing pretty new things to read, use or wear, even if I knew they were coming.

Beauty boxes are one of my favorite inventions. I have tried both of the main brands most people know: Birchbox and Ipsy and recently got an email from Sephora to subscribe to their luxe-sample service; all the boxes discussed below have a monthly flat fee of $10.00 which includes shipping.  Every box has their pros and cons so I listed them below with my thoughts and reviews...can you guess which one I decided to keep coming?

1. Birchbox
Pros: The samples come impeccably packed in the most adorable box ever,  I have a little stack in my closet because I can'r bring myself to trash them, they are so cute! {I will probably use them to style a shelf at some point}. As far as the products, the selection is nice, sizes are reasonable for make up and they have a good selection of products. I found a great shade of lipstick from a relatively unknown brand that I would have never consider buying {and get SO MANY compliments on}.

Cons:
A lot of skin care and hair product in every box. Even after I went back and selected I wanted less of it. I'm a firm believer that you must give skin care a full jar of a chance before you decide on it so having these mini containers did nothing for me. Although some of the products seemed nice I didn't have enough to make a decision on whether or not I needed to purchase it.


2. Ipsy
Pros: The products come in these great little make up bags. I love switching purses almost every other day and having all these little extra bags allows me to change make up bags as well. They are also great for keeping things organized when you travel, I usually carry one for snacks, another one for chargers and headphones, etc. As far as product, I love the amount of make up they send! There's usually a little skin care product but the core of the bag is make up. Exactly what I was looking for.

Cons:
There was a waiting list to get in. If you want to gain immediate access you must announce it on social media and private message people on Facebook. On top of that, the terms for allowing them to post on Twitter for you are kind of insane. Just be aware or wait.

3. Play! by Sephora
I will not do a pros and cons for this one since I decided I did not need a subscription to their services, the main reasons being:

-I already get free samples from them every time I shop online . They are small but I usually pick things I don't need a lot of, like perfume or primer.

-They do free luxe-size samples bags anyway. The image above is actually a bag I received with all of their products back in January. I always open their emails because if what they are offering is good enough I will place an order, even if it's just to stuck up on moisturizer.

-You can get free samples at the store of ANYTHING {withing reason of course, don't go in there asking for a sample of a flat iron}. I usually request a free sample when I'll be buying something, my go to's are masks and foundations. They will give you enough for a couple applications. That's how I fell in love with my favorite Origins Out of Trouble.

Our of these options I decided to stick with Ipsy and canceled my Birchbox subscription. I'm going to miss the cute box designs :(

Happy March!

Xo,
N.

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