Natalie - Natalie Wise Blog

Cold Hands Warm Heart Swap

The Cold Hands Warm Hearts blogger swap hosted by Sandy a la Mode and Much Love Illy was so much fun!!! I was partnered up with the super adorable Mrs. Stephanie T. She is so sweet and sent me such a great package! Also, her handwriting on the address label was perfect. Like, better-than-Kindergarten-teacher-perfect.

Stephanie sent me these great wine-colored fingerless gloves and cute beret. Funniest thing is: I sent her the exact same fingerless gloves (but in yellow), and the matching legwarmers (oops, sorry Stephanie, I thought it was a scarf). Second funniest thing: I immediately left these at the ice skating rink. Sad face! I’m going by tomorrow to pick them up. I need them!!!! She also sent me that amazing ring you see in the last photo. So statement-y and cool.

This is the last super fun thing she sent me! An Archie Grand for J.Crew journal. I love it!! Haha.

Thank you so much, Stephanie! It was great to swap with you and get to know you. I hope you liked your goodies 🙂

Did ya’ll jump over and say hello to Stephanie? I bet she’ll be posting what I sent her soon.

Style Secrets

Beret: swap from Stephanie

Scarf: Hand-me-over

Fingerless Gloves: swap from Stephanie

Ring: swap from Stephanie

Button-down: Vintage

Cami: ?

Belt: Thrifted

Cords: AG

Boots: Thrifted

Tutorial! False Eyelashes

{no it’s not a coffee tutorial. but coffee makes everything better. so get some coffee while you read, k? also, if you listen to this song while you read, it will make me seem cooler. glad we got those two important things settled}

After my photoshoot a few weeks back, I have been totally smitten with false eyelashes. I just cannot get enough of them! I’ve picked up a few pair, and some tips along the way. False eyelashes don’t have to be over-the-top unless you want them to be–and most of the time, I just want them because my natural lashes are, well, puny. So here, I’ll show you step-by-step how to do everyday wear false eyelashes for a beautiful, classically pretty finished look.

First: The Lashes.

#1: Forever21, $1

#2: Photoshoot, ?

#3: Andrea #53, $6

For the tutorial, I’m wearing #3, the Andrea lashes.

1.): Great Lash BIG mascara. Love the bigger brush.

2.) Brushes (both are BareMinerals), Wide Tip Angle brushe, and Dual Shadow Brush

3.) Eyelash Glue (the one with the pink ribbon is sold with the Andrea lashes, and is much better than the clear glue that comes with the F21 lashes)

4.) E.L.F. Cream eyeliner in black or cocoa (I have Cocoa)

5.) BareMinerals “Retro” eyeliner

6.) Eyelash Remover

7.) Cute bow, because it’s cute

8.) Normal eyeshadow you plan to wear

9.) Tweezers if you want them to apply the lashes (not necessary)

Then start with a clean, happy, overeager face.

{it’s my first tutorial!!!!}

Apply a THIN line of glue on the top edge of the ‘band’ of the eyelash. This white glue dries clear, so don’t worry. Let it get tacky for about 30 seconds.

Then carefully use your fingers or the tweezers to place the eyelash band as close to your own lashline as you can. Take your fingers and smooth it from one end to the other, pushing down so it is right on the lash line and even. Blink a whole bunch of times because it will feel weird at first! Proceed to apply the second eyelash on your other eye.

Two false eyelashes, applied.If there’s a glop of glue somewhere, dip a Q-tip into some makeup remover and swipe it off, so your makeup will apply smoothly.

Then, pick your eyeliner and line those lashes real good! Wiggle the brush and get it in there so it covers the ‘band’ of the lashes. I LOVE the BareMinerals stuff, it’s so quick, easy, and natural. My boyfriend’s sister-in-law turned me on to the cream eyeliner, and it’s pretty amazing and super easy, too. Apply a few coats of mascara to “stick” your own lashes to the falsies.

I did one of each so you could see the difference. Looking at the picture, the left is the cream eyeliner, and the right is the bareMinerals. Don’t they look great so far?

Then finish up your regular makeup and get your smile on.

‘Cause you are lookin’ gorgeous, I’m sure of it!

.**To remove your eyelashes, you can just pull em off like a bandaid. But I think that might be bad for your skin, so I like the remover. Just put a drop in the lid, dip a brush in the lid, hold that on the lashes for a second, and work the lashes off gently. Use a little eye makeup remover if they get gunky from the glue and mascara, and reuse until they get misshapen or too gunky.

I posted this on a Thursday on purpose–you have tonight to practice, and all weekend to wear your lovely new lashes! Let me know if you’re smitten, too…oh, and share the love by linking, Tweeting, or Pinning. Thanks, dears!

I’ll Be Aunt Mildred

No big deal, guys. I’ll just be the quintessential “Aunt Mildred” in all of the family photos with the crazy big hair and the handful of cocktail rings. You know, we all had one, right? Back in the 60s, in all the family photos? That’s me, and I’m OK with it. Also, I got this ring at H&M on Black Friday and the earrings many months ago at a little boutique in the Midwest. I thought it was crazy how well they coordinate!

In related news, this dress DOES fit the fingertip rule; my hair is not really off-center, I just couldn’t get the other side to stay UP; and I think that sweater makes me look vaguely pregnant (not, duh). And my elderly neighbor thought I looked “SO cute!” Guess she was an Aunt Mildred in her day 😉

Style Secrets

Sunnies: Oooo, you’ll have to wait and see next week on Suze’s blog {suspenseful music}

Earrings: Boutique

Dress: Boutique

Tank: hand-me-over

Sweater coat: TJ Maxx

Ring: H&M

Tights: TJ Maxx

Heels: TJ Maxx, Elie Tahari

Her Favorite Find: Suze

I’m so excited to introduce a new feature: Her Favorite Find. I’m asking some stylish ladies to share with me their favorite finds: clearance, thrifted, tag sale’d, hand-me-overs. Their best & most favorite ‘scores’! I can’t wait to see what these ladies share! Aren’t you excited? First up is my blog friend Suze.

Suze shares with us her favorite find:

Hey Guys! My name is Suze and this is my husband, Ben. Natalie was kind enough to let me on here and show you my Best Budget Score Ever!

So, raised in Chicago, I am a rootin’ tootin’ Midwest girl, who lives in Texas and says things like “rootin’ tootin’.” Yikes. I blog all about our budgeted life and fashion on a budget (a real budget, we are paying off our $36K of school debt by living on one salary! whew!). On a recent trip home, mom took me garage sailing and we found these awesome loafer wedges that I am in love with. The best part? $3. The second best part? my size. She had another pair in navy that I kick myself each day for not buying. I love these shoes and although I am already (barefooted) 4 inches taller than my husband, I rock them anyway, because he likes it. I would like to think now, that you are reconsidering buying clothes at garage sales now. Because some of my best items are from there.

So that’s it, you know the secret of my best budget score ever. Thanks, Natalie! Hearts.

Suze, can we be friends in real life, too? Hehe. Those shoes are so fun and I just love going to garage sales! Being a Midwestern girl myself, I grew up going to them, too! Thanks for taking the time to share, Suze. Everyone else, go follow Suze and her hubby! (but not in real life, cause that’d be super sketchy)

Sunday

Loving this live version of Ben Rector’s “She Is”–reminds me of the myself 😀

“She hates the sound that goodbyes make, she loves Sundays and champagne. She can’t stand the winter, she can’t stand anything that she can’t change…”

It’s perfect happy music to listen to during chores….but I don’t really mind chores. ‘Cause you just gotta make ’em pretty!

{laundry}

{dishes}

{I think they looks so pretty, all color-coordinated like that. Happy-like!}

Enjoy your Sunday afternoon, my dears!

P.S.> Still not a fan of my new title font, but haven’t had time to fiddle and change it. See, thing is, I love it on the sidebars, small, but not on the post titles, and I don’t think I can do two fonts like that. Sigh!

Sunlight in November

The sunlight in autumn just gets me. It is so incredibly gorgeous—but we must take delight in its temporality, for it is dark before dinner time, and for many months. We cannot get mad–sometimes, we, too, say goodbyes before we should. Sometimes we tuck into bed a little too early. Sometimes we wish the days away. No, we cannot be angry with the sun for hiding away from us for a bit.

For some reason, the warmth of the sun on my hair makes me think of bittersweet things, like sunlight in late autumn.

But no matter. I’m rather fond of this outfit. Can you ever imagine why? The color, of course! I just love it! The sheerness of the silk blouse and the sunlight–gah! Lovely.

Style Secrets

Sunnies: Local store

Necklace: Vintage

Blouse: Thrifted

Bangles: Walmart and ??

Belt: Thrifted

Jeans: American Eagle

Heels: Aldo

Thanksgiving Outfit

This outfit is so much fun! I just love all of the elements, and can’t wait to wear it again. Also–what do you all think of my new red lipstick? Love it or hate it?

Style Secrets

Hairclip: Goody

Necklace: Von Maur

Shirt: Thrifted

Skirt: Vintage

Hose: J.Crew

Heels: Target

Sunday Afternoon

Ahh, the Sunday afternoon after a nice long weekend. I’m enjoying a great day, and hope you are too. Are you catching up like I am?

{enjoying a nice cup of hot cocoa while reading the sweetest note from my dear grandma}

{my new bathroom rug makes my bathroom much more cheerful! love it for $5}

{I’m so behind on my reading of magazines. This is my to-read pile, and after I took the pic I found an InStyle, another WholeLiving, and another Natural Health to add to the pile. There’s already a Natural Health or two stuck in there. I love all of these magazines, but sometimes I get behind. Don’t you?}

I hope you enjoy the last bits of your weekend!

Introducing: My New Coat!

My new down coat was an extra special treat….something I’ve been eyeing for over a year. When the special opportunity arose to treat myself, I knew this was what I wanted! I feel so carefree—so J.Crew catalogue or Kate Spade model-esque in this outfit and combination. I just love it! It’s a happy sort of day–and I went for a walk to get a pumpkin spice latte.

{windy}

Have a great Thanksgiving if I don’t catch you before then, my loves!

Style Secrets

Sunnies: Vintage

Scarf: Souvenir from Ecuador

Coat: J.Crew

Pants: Tag sale

Socks: American Eagle

Shoes: ? So old!

Great Gift

{New coffee tumbler, because the lid on my hot pink one broke. Sad face for old one, happy face for new one!}

OoooooOOooooo! My brother did an AMAZING job bringing me a souvenir from India. Bro, go to India wheneevvveerrrrr you like {and bring me more souvenirs, hehe}. I am in LOVE with this STUNNING scarf he brought me {it deserves three capitalized words and two parentheticals, it’s so amazing}

{oh you have sharp eyes! yes I did switch boots for awhile}

Gah! Thank you, Brother! I am so glad you had an amazing trip to India and I still want to hear more about it and see the pictures!

This post was going to be a Work to Weekend post, but I just loved both outfits too much, and wanted to give them their own posts. So you’ll see a similar outfit later 🙂 Hope you don’t mind!

Pssst….those are capris in the boots. Didja catch that? Sometimes I think I’m so clever.

Style Secrets:

Coffee Tumbler: Whole Foods

Tank: Charlotte Russe

Jacket: BCBGirls, Thrifted

Scarf: Gift from India

Bracelets: ?

Capris: Gap, thrifted

Boots: Walmart & Consignment