New Chapter, New Blog.

For those of you reading this, this will probably be my last-ever post on this blog. But that's only because i've created a new blog, just a click away! It's called Pearls and Curls, feel free to check it out at http://pearlsandcurlsblog.blogspot.com/ for posts about fashion and style, life, and all things preppy. If you're a follower of this blog, please feel free to follow my new one! I already have a few great posts for you to check out when you visit! :) Thanks!
- Haley!

OOTD: Stripes and Sparkles

Hey everyone! Hope you all had an awesome Tuesday! :)
Here's an updated outfit of the day from today; I wanted to jump back into things by showing you one of my favorite styles for fall: boots and tights with a dress! Fall is the perfect time for the layering, so take advantage of it. You can even pull off this style by using your dresses from summer and layering it with tights or leggings, a sweater, and riding boots. My style is also pretty neutral, which is yet another reason why I love dressing for fall! This time of the year is the perfect time for browns, blacks, creams, and grays; but don't be afraid to throw in a splash of color or sparkle in order to keep your outfits interesting! Anyways, I hope you like it! Enjoy!

Dress: H&M, Jacket: Abercrombie & Fitch, Boots: Famous Footwear (XOXO), Tights: Target, Necklace: Charlotte Russe

Long Time, No See!

Hey everyone!
So I have finally returned to the blogging world, and to be perfectly honest, it feels great! :) I've been working on changing things around a bit, I hope you like it! Although I will be back to my usual posts as soon as possible, quite a few things have happened since January, so I thought, why not reintroduce myself by showing you all a few things that you have missed:

My dance team made it to STATE! :) It was an incredible experience and we were all so proud of all of our accomplishments!

I also got to go to my first Junior Prom! It was incredibly amazing, and I spent my night with my best friends and the love of my life! Needless to say, I can't wait for this year's Prom! Dressing up is definitely my favorite part.. :)

This summer, my family and I went to Disney World in Orlando, Florida! It was by far the best vacation i've ever taken, and we made so many memories that will truly last a lifetime!

And finally! A few weeks ago, I had my final Senior Homecoming! It was by far the best one yet! (the first picture is from the senior flash mob we did earlier in the week!!)

And if you haven't noticed, I said "Goodbye!" to blonde hair and reverted to my natural hair color! :D I'm loving it so much more. Well, thanks for checking in! Hopefully I can get back into the swing of things here soon! My birthday is next week so hopefully by then i'll have another post :) But until then!

XOXO,

OOTD: Out Shopping

Hey everyone! :)
Here's another quick outfit of the day from a few days ago! My family and I went shopping all day, so I wanted to wear something cute but not too impractical for the busy day we would later be having. I opted for a pair of my favorite dark wash jeans, riding boots, a really great sweater, and my quilted pink cross-body bag. This turned out to be a great choice, because I was pretty comfortable all day while still looking cute, and having a cross-body bag while I shopped made my life a little bit easier! I'd definitely recommend something like this for a shopping day or other outing; an adorable outfit that's not overly fancy is the perfect way to go for these kinds of situations.
Just as a disclaimer, we were rushing to get out the door, so the pictures aren't really my favorite, but I really wanted to share the outfit with you all anways! I actually got the sweater for Christmas from my wonderful mother, so thank you Mommy! ;)

The picture didn't turn out very well, but this is my new bag! It's a quilted, baby pink cross-body bag from Asos. I love the gold details on it, as well as the chain and leather strap. Plus, it's just large enough to fit everything I need; no need to lug around a huge tote!





I loved the detailing on the back of the sweater; the bow added the perfect touch, it made an ordinary outfit just a little bit better!



Sweater: Forever 21 / Jeans: AE / Boots: White Mountain / Bag: Asos

OOTD: Christmas Day

Shown below are photos of my outfit of the day for Christmas Day.. I struggled a little trying to decide what to wear, but I finally ended up layering a really cute lace dress under a metallic sweater, and it turned out great! Hope you all like it! :)

Dress: Windsor / Sweater: H&M /Tights: Target / Flats: Charlotte Russe / Necklace: Windsor / Bag: Coach <3

Think you can find my new Christmas present?? :) I'm in love with it, and was really excited to use it yesterday! Merry Christmas to you all, more posts coming soon!
Love, Haley Noel.

OOTD: Christmas Eve

Here's a quick out of the day for Christmas Eve! :) Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, I know I did!

Red Jeans: Target / Black T-shirt: Target / Sparkle Sweater: Charlotte Russe / Flats: Charlotte Russe / Silver Belt: Old / Clutch: Old / Hair: Conair Infinity You-Curl Curling Wand


Here's one of my beautiful mother (i have her to thank for my fashion obsession):

Be sure to check out her blog here: thevillagecottage.blogspot.com She's an incredible blogger, and her blog includes fashion and decor!

How was everyone else's Christmas?? Hope they were great! :)
- Haley.

Shoes That Every Girl Should Own. [Fall/Winter Edition]

In my opinion, there are certain shoes that are must-haves for Fall and Winter. These are not necessarily the shoes you use once in a lifetime (such as heels, etc), but more the shoes that are very versatile and that you'll definitely find are a great piece to be able to fall back on. These shoes are some of my personal favorites, as well as shoes I recommend or just see as a great piece for your closet:

1. Riding Boots



These babies are my foundation for Fall. Seriously. If you don't already have a pair, you definitely should look into getting some! They come in a ton of different colored leathers, with different buckles, etc, on them. Riding boots go really well with any pair of skinny jeans, a sweater, or a dress. Tights, Leggings, and Jeans all look great with these boots. Also, try wearing boot socks or legwarmers inside of them so that they peek out a little from the top, as in the picture. (Not only does that help to keep you warmer, but with the right thing, it's adorable!)

2. Ugg Boots



Uggs are great for Fall and Winter. They come in a ton of different styles, heights, colors, and designs, so anyone can find at least one pair that suits their style and personality! I own the black sequined Uggs (shown above), as well as plain gray Uggs, which are great when you want something comfortable that goes with pretty much everything. Most Uggs also include a super-plush fur lining inside, which adds to the comfort and warmth of the shoes. They also have a decent tread on the soles, so tackling icy winter days usually isn't too much of a challenge here! Also, I do know that there are a lot of Ugg knock-offs, but if you have the opportunity to opt for the real deal, definitely do! They hold up much better than the fake brands, and they are of a much higher quality.
(By the way, I am not payed to promote any of these brands. My thoughts are from personal experience and I only want to share what I know!)

3. Rain Boots



Seeing this, you may be rolling your eyes. Rain Boots? Seriously?! Yes. Rain boots may not always be the most fashionable thing, but if you can find the right pair,  you're as good as gold. For example, look at the photo above. The glossy red boots accented with adorable red ribbons on the back will automatically brighten up any outfit. Of course, these would be best with a more neutral outfit, since too many colors in one outfit is NEVER a good thing, unless done correctly. Wear rain boots on the days with the worst weather; the weather may be trying to get you down, but with these boots, not only will your feet stay perfectly dry, but you will also look upbeat and cute in these boots. One brand I really recommend checking out is Hunter. Their rain boots are great, the quality is amazing, and they come in a bunch of styles and colors. Whether it's purple, yellow, red, or blue, pick the boot that best fits you! :D Haha, yes, I went there.

4. Mocassins



Mocassins are a great in-between shoe to wear during the cooler days of fall and the warmer days of winter. They come in a huge variety of colors (whether you're looking for a bright color, a metallic, or a more traditional neutral) and styles. They can be plush and warm, or simplistic and cooler. This is a great shoe for anyone, because mocassins are so widely popular, and they're made to tailer to both men and women of any age group. Once again, these aren't probably the shoe you should choose to wear with your little black dress or your designer skirt, but mocassins are a great shoe to have in your closet for more laid-back fashion days.

5. Sorel Boots



Sorel boots are a great piece to have in your closet for when the weather turns bad. They resemble a more-fashionable snow boot, but the company designs a wide variety of styles, fabrics, and colors for you to choose from. They are very waterproof, so rain, snow, and ice is never a problem. Plus, a great tread on the bottom of the shoe allows you to walk easily without slipping. You are able to choose Sorels with unique patterns, colors, etc (top left), or opt for a more traditional version that will still look fashion-forward for winter. Whatever you pick, Sorels will allow you to stay warm and dry while still looking cute on those aweful winter days.

That's all for now! Hope you enjoyed today's post!
Much Love, Haley Noel. :)
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Outfit of the Day: Out to Dinner

Hey everyone!
For today's post, I wanted to do an Outfit of the Day to give you all a little inspiration for what to wear when you have to dress nicer or even a little formally for a dinner, party, or dance! I wore this outfit out to dinner with some friends for my birthday, and I got a ton of compliments from friends, etc. Of course, it was a little cold when I wore this, so I paired the outfit with a black sweater just for when I was outdoors.
I loved the dress; it had a keyhole cutout in the middle, and because it's a simple black and white, I can always reuse it another time and still change up the rest of the outfit! It's a great piece to have in your closet because it's so versatile. Also, I'm not usually a huge fan of "classic" color schemes that are so often used, but the black/white/red of this outfit really worked well, so I didn't mind afterall! I paired the dress and shoes with a chunky statement necklace, and that was all the jewelry I needed!
Hope you enjoy! :)

Dress: Macy's / Shoes: DSW / Necklace: Windsor.

Outfit of the Day! December 21, 2011

Today was a pretty long day full of shopping, but before I left for the day, I wanted to take a few shots of my outfit to share with you all! Enjoy! :)

Sweater: Hollister / Jeans: Abercrombie / Boots: White Mountain / Top: American Eagle / Belt: American Eagle / Necklace : American Eagle

Product Review/How-to: The Conair Infinity You-Curl Curling Wand!

Hey everyone! Hope you are all having a great morning!
For this post, i'll be doing what I like to call a "Product Review". Basically, within each post with that title, i'll choose one product, whether it's a hair product, makeup, fashion item, etc, and i'll describe it and rate whether it's a good product or a product worth leaving on the shelf. Also, towards the end of the post, i'll be including step by step instructions on how to use this product.
So, for today's Review, I have chosen the Conair Infinity You-Curl Curling Wand. The product looks like this:


You can find this product at any Walmart for about $30, which is a great deal considering how well it works. And basically, the curling wand (if you've never used one before) is a curling iron that does not have a clamp to hold your hair in place. All you have to do is section your hair off, wrap around the wand, release, and Hooray! you have the perfect curls. The curling wand is also great because it allows your hair to be curled in a variety of ways, whether you want tight ringlets or loose waves, and the hold lasts all day. It does take a bit of practice and experimenting to find out what heat setting works for you, and how to properly curl your hair with it, but it's pretty user friendly, and anyone can learn to use it (I find it much easier to use than a normal curling iron).
The only downfall to this product is that it is much easier to burn yourself, as compared to a regular curling iron. This iron does come with a glove, but I didn't find it very helpful, and it made handling your hair a huge hassle. With a little practice, this isn't usually a problem.
The iron includes five different heat settings that range up to 400 degrees, so I recommend trying a lower setting before you attempt the top heat level. Also, whether you choose the lowest setting or the highest, I definitely recommend that you use some sort of heat protectant product in your hair before you start curling. This will keep hair hair from getting burnt or damaged, and I think it can actually help hold your curls better. Hairspray is also a must have in order to keep your curls all day long. So, overall, i'd rate this product a 10! :)

Here's my Tutorial on how to curl your hair:

1. Plug in the curling iron, and set it to the heat that you will be using (I recommend starting with the 2nd or 3rd heat).

2. While your iron is heating up, spray a generous amount of heat protectant throughout your hair. If you need an example of a great heat protectant, I use the "Curl Activator Spray" by Tresemme Thermal Creations. Not only does the product guard your hair from heat, but it also helps to hold the curls! This product looks like this:


3. When your iron is ready to go, section your hair off by running a horizontal line with your thumbs right above your ears. Pin the rest of the hair out of the way, leaving you with only the very bottom section of hair.

4. Divide the hair into 1-inch sections, choose one section, and wrap the hair around the wand. Hold for a few seconds, and release. Repeat the processes 3-4 until all of your hair is curled. Also, if your hair does not usually hold curls well, use a little hairspray on each curl to strengthen them!

5. When you are finished, you might end up with tight ringlets. If this is the case, and you prefer the look of softer waves or loosened curls, simply comb your fingers through your hair until you have the desired look! This takes a little practice, since you have to know which heat setting works best for you in order to get the desired effect.

**Here is a video of a tutorial that shows how to use the Conair Infinity You-Curl Curling Wand: (Warning: The girl in the video uses her iron on the highest heat setting, and holds her hair for 15 seconds. DON'T do this!! You will fry your hair and damage it forever. Try lower settings first!)

Hope you liked this post! :) More to come soon!

Have a great day!

Much Love, Haley.



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Accessory Must-Haves, part 1

Happy Monday! :)
Let's keep this sweet and to the point! The Following items (listed below) are the accessories that I feel every girl should own:
(**I will be doing a separate post on Shoes that every girl should own soon!**)

1. Brown leather, braided belt.


This belt makes my list, because it can be worn in a million ways. You can simply use it as a belt with your favorite pair of jeans, or use it to belt a dress of longer sweater. Any way you use it, it's a simple piece that helps to add something to your outfit. I recommend a brown leather, because it tends to go with a lot of different fashion pieces, such as a neutral sweater, or a bright dress. If you don't already have one, I really recommend this!

2. Diamand Stud Earrings


This type of earrings are my ultimate favorite! Obviously, they don't actually have to be diamond. But any "diamond" stud with silver backings is the perfect jewelry piece that automatically helps to boost your look, and make you feel more confident. No matter what you wear, these will help you feel a little bit nicer. They go with practically everything, and even thought they're understated, sometimes that is much better than a giant pair of hoops or dramatic dangle earrings. Three words: Keep it simple!

3. Statement Handbag:



Choose a bag that comes in a bright color! It's a great piece to have when you want to include a pop of color and interest in your outfit. I recommend finding a color such as this green, teal, or a coral color (my favorite!). Don't go for the brightest purple or orange you can; you don't want to look like a can of neon paint exploded onto your purse. It's better to pick a more unique color that looks less tacky. It's also best when the bag has some silver or gold details on it, as shown above. The best statement bags are usually leather, since they tend to look a bit more expensive, even if you did find it on sale ;) Just remember, only use this piece if your outfit doesn't already include a lot of other bright colors. You NEVER want to walk out of the house looking like rainbow bright.

4. Fabric Scarves


Fabric scarves are a great way to spice up a dull outfit. (Knitted ones are also great, but those are usually only for colder weather, and they are sometimes work a different way anyways.) I recommend having at least one neutral (gray, cream, navy, or black) and one bright colored (yellow, blue, etc) scarf. Only wear brights with neutral outfits (remember, looking like rainbow bright is a VERY BAD thing.. usually, one interest piece in an outfit is enough.), but you can use neutral scarves with various outfit types. Plus, scarves are pretty much a year-round accessory, if you know how to use them correctly!

Well, that's all for now. I hope you enjoyed today's post! Have a great day!
Much Love, Haley Noel.
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The Beginning.

Well well well! I've only been dreaming about starting my own blog since forever, but today's the day! My first post! :) I just want to welcome you all to my blog, "Fashion: A love story", and I hope you stay tuned for what's coming. I don't have much yet, but in the future, i'll be blogging about things such as style advice and tips, reviews on products, and tutorials on all sorts of things! Please keep in mind that anything I blog about embodies MY style, so if you don't like it, I won't be offended! I do think that I have a lot to offer, and i'd love to also get to know other bloggers and what their opinions are as well! I hope you enjoy my blog, I can't wait to get posting!! :)
Much Love, Haley.