Author

Shalice Noel

Q & A

Q and A

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

leggings // earrings // bra similar // shoes // jacket // Chanel cocoon bag and similar quilted black bag by MZ Wallace

I recently asked my readers what were some of their style questions. I got so many fun questions from what to wear to a black tie wedding to can I please have a similar boot to the Chloe boot?! I did some digging around the wide world web and I’m excited to share them below. If I left any out, feel free to email me, shalice@shalicenoel.com

What do I wear to a Black tie wedding?

I love this and this gown worn with these shoes, earrings and clutch.

What are some of your favorite designer pieces?

F headband, Chloe Susanna boots, and see below for more!

Where’s the review of your Fendi flip bag?

The link to that post is here!

What are some of your favorite Amazon buys, etc?

These wash clothes, I have this Magnesium powder on autobuy, these barely there socks, and Lavazza coffee pods, are the bomb! Shop my Amazon page HERE!

Any good Snow Outfits?

See my post on what I brought to Vail HERE.

Any shoes you recommend under $150

Vince Camuto Gigietta bootie. Be prepared to get tons of compliments on them! They’re on sale under $100.

Cute Cardigans?

Try this cardigan as a dress, long cardigan, fancy cardigan, warm fuzzy cardigan, wrap front cardigan

Good buys

Here are some leggings similar to lululemon legging, similar lululemon jacket, similar to Chloe Susanna boots, FF headbands, GG sneakers similar, sneakers for kids, and black studded sandals.

Interior Design – a couple pieces that give a lot of bang for the buck. I’m loving acrylic tables and chairs, good b/w art, and simple vases.

Super comfy joggers/hoodie sets

[

Cute Combat boots, affordable, stylish warm

Nordstrom Rack has so many combat boots at affordable options!

Shoes for weekend in NYC, cute comfy, stylish and warm?

Quality jeans, under $125?

How about $128? These from Madewell are flattering and good quality. You know I’m crazy for denim so here’s a shortlist of faves under $100. And don’t miss these 501 skinny’s under $100.

As always, my shop page is open 24/7, and sign up for my newsletter for exclusive content. Happy Friday!

Home

5 Things to Consider When Picking out a Couch

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Our sectional: Cantoni Versa Grand Sectional // A cute one that is smaller scale HERE

Not sure if you got the news, but we bought a house!! We didn’t go too far from our rental but loving the new space! We’ve been here for 2 weeks and the sectional we saw in a show room in Irvine is now in our living room. Hooray! While this room is still coming together, it is finally looking like more of our interior design preferences. Reid and I discussed below what are some tips to scoring your next couch. I made a mistake once, buying a sectional online. Once it arrived, I didn’t like the scale of it and it was final sale. I was bummed. Don’t make my mistake. If the brand of couch you like has a local showroom, go ahead and visit it. We had a sectional in mind when we visited the Irvine Cantoni showroom but quickly upon seeing it, we changed our minds. Word of advice: see it in person first. It’s a big purchase, so be picky!

  1. Scale – the couch should fit the scale of the room.  Small spaces are great for mid-century modern looks.  Large spaces are great for big, extra sized sectionals.
  2. Firmness – do you want to sink into the couch and take a nap or have a conversation with some one?  A firm couch is much more formal while a slouchy coach is more restful and casual.
  3. Color – Pick a color that will survive the trends.  I suggest a solid and neutral.  A couch is a big investment and should last you years.
  4. Texture –  For large spaces, don’t be afraid of texture.  Thick woven, suede, ribbed or slouchy velvet.  For smaller spaces, pick smaller scale textures with tighter weave.  Velvet is always a good choice if you can stand the dull vs. shiny marks.
  5. Legs –  For smaller spaces it’s good to have long slender legs .  You want to see the floor running below the couch.  For larger spaces you can pick a couch that has a platform or one that meets the floor.  This gives the couch weight in the large space.

Enjoy shopping around!  Here are my go to couch websites at the moment.

Cantoni, Burke Decor, Rove Concepts, Article

FoodRecipes

Easy (Healthy) Family Dinner: Chickpea and Kale Curry

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

This is one of my favorite recipes as of late. It was originally featured on the Goop website. I made a couple changes and note that even Levi likes it. Guess what? It is healthy for you. I love the creamy texture of the coconut milk, chewy texture of the kale, and slight spice of the curry. Note, this is not spicy. It tastes better the next day so save the leftovers.

Enjoy!

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium yellow onion

4 large cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons minced ginger

1 teaspoon garam masala (I forgot this, and it still tasted good)

2 teaspoons curry powder

½ teaspoon ground coriander

1 small pinch cayenne pepper

2 (14.5-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed

1 cup chicken stock

1 cup light coconut milk

2 packed cups finely chopped kale leaves (about ½ bunch)

salt and pepper to taste

lemon juice to taste

1. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and a pinch of salt and cook for 7 minutes, or until it begins to soften. Add garlic, ginger, and spices and cook for another 2 minutes.

2. Add chickpeas, stock, and coconut milk and bring the mixture to a boil.

3. Reduce to a simmer and cook gently for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

4. Add the kale and another pinch of salt and simmer gently for 10 more minutes.

5. Season to taste with salt and pepper and finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving.

CHRISTMAS

Boxing Day

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Dress worn in small // Boots by Topshop, see here for similar // Camel coat similar // Chandelier earrings similar on sale //

Love this time of year when the tree is up, kids are still playing with their Legos and Reid and I have just enough peace and quiet for a coffee on the patio.

Boxing Day is traditionally celebrated by the servants of the house who have the day off and can go home on ‘Boxing Day’ and give Christmas boxes to their families. We American’s celebrate Boxing Day as a day off for some (like Reid) and a day to make returns. We will spend it playing checkers, working, taking a walk, and eating lots of leftover breakfast casserole.

If you haven’t heard, lululemon is having a huge sale and Nordstrom is having their half yearly sale, so if you have a gift card or want to get what you REALLY wanted, see my picks below:

Shoes:

Tops and Coats:

Hope you had a lovely Christmas day! The Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale Ends January 3!

lululemon sale

Fall Fashion

Baby it’s Cold Outside, 2 Boots I’m loving

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Frye Boots fit is TTS // Jeans // One Shoulder Top // Fur Jacket // Similar Sunglasses

Check my latest Instagram post for a special giveaway with FRYE boots! I’m so happy to partner with them. In real life, I saved up my babysitting money while in high school and found them used so I could get a pair of used Chelsea tall FRYE boots. They were and still are my favorite quality leather chic boots.

They just may be the perfect gift to yourself. Which boots are your favorites?

Home

Why We Sold Arrowhead

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Our pj’s are on sale!

12.16.19 We closed on our beloved arrowhead home.

When we moved from Chicago to LA, we anticipated giving up the opportunity for homeownership. We knew it would be crazy out here, so we decided to rent until we really knew the area. While renting, we were longing to sink our teeth into a house. We looked for houses all over, made offers, waited and prayed. The doors kept closing. 

Out of frustration, we decided to rethink homeownership. There are many benefits to renting, but wow, we really wanted to sink our teeth into a house. That’s when we made a unique decision. We decided to buy a cabin in the mountains with the potential to rent it out. Reid was once told, “rent where you live and rent what you own.” As Reid obsessively searched the real estate listings in Lake Arrowhead, he finally came across some doable options. Our A-Frame was a diamond in the rough and we knew it had SO much potential. We leaped on it and didn’t turn back. After 6 months of design and countless trips up and down the mountain, the place looked pretty special and we loved it. 

How did we find the A-Frame?

Reid kept his eye on the real estate listings for Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead. I think he looked at every house listed for a month straight. We knew how much we were willing to spend and we did our research and looked at Airbnb listings to find daily rates and how often they booked. That way we knew if we rented the A-Frame for a minimum of 10 nights a month we would cover our cost. It’s all about timing and seeing potential in what seems unlikely – don’t be afraid to jump on something you don’t exactly want. 

What did you learn from renting it out?

Renting the A-Frame on Airbnb was a great experience and helped offset our remodel expenses. Our guests were super polite and we received great comments. Although, of course, there was one funny thing that happened in our year of short-term renting. Our oven knob kept braking. We have no idea why, but we went through four knobs in two months! Reid finally made a video of how to turn the oven on and would text it to the guest when they arrived. That seemed to do the trick.

The grand finale of our rental was the 24” snowstorm over Thanksgiving of 2019. Our guests lost power for the entire day, ran out of firewood and their phones died. Needless to say, they loved their snowed-in experience and their kids thought we “staged” the snow. A great ending to a year of hosting guests.

What does it take to be an Airbnb Superhost?

Communicate clearly

Touch base with the renters, but don’t act like you are babysitting them.

Make your guests feel welcome

Clean

Comfy beds (thanks Lull Mattress! We got so many compliments on our comfy mattresses)

Respond quickly

Why did you sell?

The decision to sell was easy for me but hard for Reid. While I loved going up to the mountains as an escape from the LA grind, I still found the trip exhausting. Packing the family up for a couple nights was a lot of work. The kids also started soccer and our free weekends became not so free. We found it more difficult to spend time up there. I decided I would rather invest in our primary home. I wanted a house we could live in, design and make a home. Reid, on the other hand, was a little more emotionally attached. This was his vision and a great experience for him to see his drawings come to life. He loved the quiet of the mountains and the architecture of the A-Frame. But in the end, we both agreed that we would rather have a permanent home of our own. Thus, we decided to list the A-Frame on the MLS with Christine Williams who was referred to me by a friend. 

With the sale of Arrowhead, we were able to have a down payment for our new house and super thankful. While we are sad to see it go, we are overjoyed for the lasting memories we made there.

See more about the renovation, inspiration, and links to products we use, HERE.

HomeUncategorized

We’re Moving! (Plus sneak peek of the new home!)

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

After 4 years of renting, numerous offers, and bidding wars, WE BOUGHT A HOUSE. Even crazier, we’re moving 5 days before Christmas! Never a dull moment around here. We laugh because every Christmas we do something crazy like travel or move and we have a less than normal Christmas. I’m super excited to show you more of the house, our plans for it and interior design. Yesterday, we took a video tour of the house with Tim & co, and I can’t wait to show you more! I’ll admit, it was a little daunting talking into the camera so long, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy the home tour.

We plan to clean carpets and the house before we move in, as well as pack up 7 people after settling 4 years in this rental house.

If you think we are crazy, you are probably right but I can’t think of another Christmas and birthday gift I would rather have. I’ve been dreaming about home content for ages and so happy to finally have a home to renovate and decorate. Unlike a rental, I can actually pick all the light fixtures, YAY! Are you ready for some home content?

In the meantime, here is a major SNEAK PEEK to get an idea of what the new house looks like:

Here are some home items that I am loving!

Family

Family in Plaid

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Boys shirt with bow tie // Boys Blazers // Boys Chinos (runs small, size up)// My plaid pants in size 4 // My taupe sandals // Cotton shirt

Reid’s sneakers // Reid’s jeans // Girl’s sneakers // Red Beret // Girl’s faux leather jacket // Girls Dresses from zara here are SIMILAR

My kids don’t love family pictures, but here are some ways we make it easier.

Since I get asked often what are some tips to styling a great family photo:

1. Pick one print (here I chose black watch plaid)

2. Pair that print with neutrals for example khaki pants, white shirts, white dresses, and neutral footwear.

3. Add a pop of red!

4. Don’t forget some prizes! I bring meringue cookies, lollipops, whatever sweets I have on hand to keep the smiles up. A little bribery goes far!

Family

What to keep and What to buy in 2020

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Jeans similar // Necklace // Similar ring // Small boots // My boots // Tee shirt in XS // Girls jeans // Girls tee //

I often come to this question at the close of a year and reflect on trends to ditch, and trends to try. But above all, I consider smart investment buys that are always worth it. This week, I noticed that after writing this article, it helped me purge my closet. I began to think A. Have I worn this at all in a year, yes or no? and B. bucket hats and over the shoulder are done. Good to know! I started to see the rows of clothing and shoes in two categories, what to store, and what to donate. When was the last time you purged your closet? Keep reading for trends to ditch and what trends to invest in! Let me know what you think! Good bye Dad sneakers!

TRENDS TO DITCH

DAD SNEAKERS aka CHUNKY SNEAKERS (I never liked them to begin with)

BUCKET HATS

OFF THE SHOULDER has been overdone

LETTER NECKLACES

OUT: leopard slip skirts

BOILER SUITS – It takes a few number of girls who can pull these suits off.

BIKER SHORTS. Sorry girls, I was never a huge fan of these.

TRENDS TO TRY

BIG BOLD EARRINGS

FRINGE BABY! Love the movement and texture it adds to an outfit!

COLORFUL LEATHER LOOKS

THONG STRAPPY SANDALS

SPLIT LEG TROUSERS

QUILTED BAGS AND COATS

FULL ON NEUTRAL. Neutrality is always in. Soft wearable neutrals in complimenting shades were never really trendy, just classic.

If you’re still curious, these are the best sellers from the rewardstyle analytics:

As always, my shop page is open 24/7 and 2019 gift guides are live. Let me know what you think!

Fall Fashion

Best Under $100 Coat and Fendi review

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Puffer Coat 55% off! (wearing a size small) // Turtleneck sweater (on sale. Wearing a size medium)// Fendi bag // Jeans (my jeans on sale!)// His coat // Our shoes (they’re unisex) // Similar sunglasses and here //

I first saw this bag in a Fendi store in Florence, Italy. I was looking for a bag similar to the Fendi Peekaboo bag that a fellow blogger, 9 to 5 Chic always wore. I wanted a bag to bring home from Italy that was versatile and went with EVERY outfit. Well, I’m happy to report that I found that bag!! The first thing I noticed was it had a removable strap. I love to have options. The associate showed me the three ways to wear this bag: as a cross body bag, as a tote, and finally as a clutch. If I was feeling adventurous, I could also remove the strap and attach it to another bag. How cool is that? While I was deciding on color (do I get black or camel?), shape, and discussing all the things with the attendant, Reid was wrangling a tired Levi. Shout out to Reid who gave me the credit card and walked out the store to rock Levi to sleep. I mean, what a champ!

Pro’s: the bag can be worn multiple ways that work with many outfits. The leather is luxe and buttery soft. The camel color is very versatile and can go with virtually any outfit!

Con’s: the price. It’s a luxury item, so the price is steep, but cost per wear is good.

Details on the bag:

Outer: Gold Plated Metal 100%, Calf Leather 100%, Polyester 100%. Lining: Polyamide 60%, Polyurethane 40%, Made in Italy.

Dimensions of the Fendi Flap Bag W: 11.8″ H: 9.3″ D: 5.1″

My shop page is open 24/7, and let me know if you have any questions!

Newer Posts
Older Posts
@2025 Shalicenoel.com