Showing posts with label monthly must-reads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label monthly must-reads. Show all posts

4.08.2015


Wearing all white is probably my absolute favorite "trend" for Spring. Once afraid that I would look like a giant sack in this ethereal hue, I now am crazy about it. I really blame my wedding for this love affair. I felt so special that day in my gown, that I think it's carried over into my daily wardrobe. It brightens my complexion, lifts my spirits, and is the perfect canvas for jewelry. I like to use it just as I do with black, meaning I let my accessories be the stand-out, or I just go with it and keep everything very simple and understated. The look is crisp, youthful, and chic. You'll be seeing me in similar outfits all season long. Light and bright! The epitome of my Spring wardrobe.




Wearing //
Express druzy necklace, check stores



And now for something exciting, something I've been itching for! Once upon a time, I used to participate in a monthly must-reads series. If you've been following me from the beginning, then you have undoubtedly read those, and if you are new to my blog, just type in "monthly must-reads" in my search category and they will pop up. I started blogging in 2009 and during this time, I met some of my best blogger friends. It feels amazing to do this once again with them! I love them to pieces. If you haven't checked their blogs out, I suggest you exit this page and do so immediately.


A warm hug to Zeba for putting this together, as she did back then :)












11.08.2013

Happy Friday friends! I'm sorry this post is so late, but instead of making excuses, I'll just go ahead with it :) I haven't participated in a question of the month collaboration since July! Now that's awful, and I hope to stay on track with these because I love doing them and I adore the ladies I do them with. So here goes: The question for October is actually a tag, and a series of questions about my favorite subject - shopping!

1. Would you consider yourself a shopaholic?
Yes I would! Not in the sense that I blindly purchase things and certainly not to the point where it's out of control. I make sure to stick to my budget, and I usually muddle over a big purchase for awhile before going ahead with it. But I do love shopping. I even have a fashion and beauty blog to prove it :)

2. How would you classify your style?
I love classic pieces, things that I can wear over and over again and that will hopefully look timeless. Coats are probably my favorite, which is unfortunate given where I live! I love feminine details and shapes - lace, a smattering of sequins, stripes, polka dots, sparkly jewels. I do follow trends, but I choose wisely. I splurge on classic pieces, and save on trendy items. Oh, and I live in skinny jeans.

3. What store can you not leave without buying at least one thing? 
This is tricky! My initial thought was Forever 21, but I would say Nordstrom in reality. I honestly can't set foot in there without at least getting a pair of studs from the BP section, or a MAC lipstick. Nordstrom can be pricey, but it also has a ton of really affordable finds.

4. Where do you find the best deals?
Loft, Express, and Old Navy! All three stores are comprised of clothes that appeal to my style, and they all offer coupons that make shopping there really easy. I rarely buy anything full-price at these little gems, and you shouldn't either! Join their email list so you can keep up with all of their sales and promotions. They have them constantly.

5. What designer are you willing to splurge for?
Um, Chanel? I wish! I would say any designer that makes a fabulous handbag. Hey, some ladies love shoes, I love bags.

6. Do you have a go-to shopping outfit?
Definitely! Comfort is key. I don't want to be struggling with crazy layers, buttons, or massive amounts of jewelry when I am trying things on in a dressing room. I like to wear a sweater or top that I can easily get in and out of, minimal jewelry, comfy jeans, and flats. Still put-together, but also practical.

7. What is your guilty pleasure?
Jewelry. I am such an addict. I am especially drawn to necklaces. I am currently trying to down-size my collection, mainly because I don't have room for it. But I have several baubles on my wish list as we speak, so I feel very guilty about that :)

8. What is one staple clothing piece you cannot live without?
Skinny jeans. How would I function without them? I wear them almost every day to work, and now that it's Fall, I wear them a lot on weekends too. Plus, husband loves them.

9. What is a trend you hope never goes out of style? 
Um, skinny jeans. Are they a trend anymore? I thought they were at one point, but I think they are here to stay. Oh, and can I just be controversial for once on my blog and say that one trend I do want to quickly go away are wedge sneakers. I just can't get behind them. Yes, they may be comfy but how about just wearing regular classic sneakers instead? Converse, vans...wedge sneakers, go away.

10. What trend did you love that passed too quickly?
I've been racking my brain for minutes staring at this question, and I still have no answer. I'm not sure!

11. Who is your fashion icon?
My best friend and husband will roll their eyes but my fashion icon is Lauren Conrad. California beach girl meets classy sophisticate. Casual glam at its best.

Here are a couple looks from previous posts that really show my style:







   

Have a wonderful weekend!
♥ Noelle

8.03.2013

Happy August! I can't believe how fast time flies, my best friend's wedding is in two weeks! I'm really excited about all of the fun events coming up this month, and I hope you all have something special planned too.

I am happy to be back for this month's question (I wasn't able to participate last month). The question comes from Mehreen, and it's one of my favorite topics: What are your top ten favorite lip products?

It's so difficult for a lip product junkie like myself to narrow it down to ten favorites, but this actually forced me to clean out my vanity and it feels great to have more organization. I grouped things by category for you. If you have any questions on specific products, feel free to ask.

Lipsticks
{from left to right}
1. M.A.C. lustre in See Sheer
2. M.A.C. creamsheen in Peach Blossom
3. M.A.C. Lustre in Viva Glam V
4. M.A.C. creamsheen in Shy Girl
5. Revlon Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya
6. YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in #6 


Lipgloss
7. Buxom lip cream in White Russian
8. NYX butter gloss (this shade is in Apple Strudel, but the formula is what tops my list)
9. Revlon colorburst gloss in Pink Ice


 Balms/Conditioners
10. Nivea A Kiss of Milk & Honey. If I could only own one lip balm, this would be it. It really helps dryness.


So tell me, what are your favorite lip products? Do we share a favorite, is there one I have to try?

Have a great weekend!
♥ Noelle

6.05.2013

Happy June everyone! I apologize that this post is a little late, but as the saying goes...better late then never. This month's question comes from Kristen: What's your go-to recipe? Drink, dinner, dessert, whatever!

My go-to recipes are extremely boring. Yawn-inducing, really. We eat a lot of grilled chicken around here, coupled with asparagus, mushrooms, green beans, and other grilled or sauteed vegetables. We usually just put a little garlic salt on the chicken and then throw it on our outdoor grill that my mom gave us as a housewarming present. Other go-to's include salmon (also grilled with some olive oil and lemon) and whole wheat Spaghetti. Nothing ground breaking.



The one recipe I do want to share with you guys is something that my fiance's mom taught me. The recipe is actually from Pepperidge Farms so I cant take any credit. It's a delicious appetizer to serve for a dinner party. She usually makes it during the holidays, but I love it year round because it contains my ultimate guilty pleasure - cheese :)

Baked Brie

Ingredients:
1/2 of a 17.3-ounce package Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets (1 sheet), thawed according to package directions
1 (8-ounce) Brie cheese round
1 egg
1 tbsp. water

Directions: 
Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Place the cheese in the center. Fold the pastry up over the cheese to cover. Trim the excess pastry and press to seal. Reserve the pastry scraps for decoration (you can also skip this if you like). 

Beat the egg and water in a small bowl with a fork or whisk. Brush the seam of the pastry with egg mixture. Place seam side down on a baking sheet. Decorate with pastry scraps if desired. Brush with the egg mixture. 

Bake for 25 minutes until the pastry is golden brown. Let stand for 20 minutes before serving. I like to enjoy a slice with a glass of wine. Super easy to make, even for a beginner like me! You can drizzle honey for a sweet taste.














♥ Noelle

5.07.2013

Now that we are on our way in May, it's time for monthly must-reads and the question for April (courtesy of Skylette): What is blogging etiquette to you? For example, do you comment on everyone's blog that comments on yours? Do you follow everyone with a blog that reaches out to you? Great questions!



For me, blogging has always been about connecting with others. I think anyone can post pretty pictures on the internet and have their own space in the blogging community, but what purpose does that serve unless you are connecting with an audience? I love reading blogs, and I love commenting on them because I genuinely have a passion for it. I don't see blogging as a chore. If I did, I wouldn't blog, plain and simple. I don't see blogging as a popularity contest either. I still can't believe that anyone reads what I have to say, or takes inspiration from the photos I post. I don't expect anyone to leave me a comment, but I do love them! I try to show the same kindness and respect on the internet as I show to everyone I meet in "real life". I view many of you as friends, even though we've never actually "met". If someone takes the time to leave me a sweet comment or email me an equally sweet message, I do my best to respond. I unfortunately don't have as much time right now to devote to blogging, but I try to post at least two or three times per week. I love reading and discovering new blogs, so when someone wants me to check out their's, I always take a peek. I do admit that sometimes the whole "lets follow each other" thing can seem obnoxious. It just doesn't feel organic to me, so I usually pass on responding to a generic comment where I can tell the person didn't even read my post. Just like any relationship, there has to be a certain level of respect. After blogging for almost four years, I can usually tell when someone is being genuine as opposed to someone who just wants to amass a large blog following (for whatever reason). Overall, I treat you guys like friends and that's the only way I know how. I read and comment on as many blogs as I can because I love it! I follow more blogs than I can even count! And I'm always, always open to more :)

Thoughts? I would love a discussion on this!





♥ Noelle

4.01.2013

Happy April everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter yesterday! Question of the month: How would you describe your own personal style? How has it evolved over the years?

This question comes from myself as well as Alison, and it has definitely taken some thought!

I would describe my personal style as practical and comfortable above anything else. I love getting dressed up and feeling glamourous, but I think everyone has their own definition of what glamour looks like. I love the classics - a great fitting pair of jeans that can transition from day to night, a little tweed jacket to throw on over everything, a great pair of shiny black pumps that look smart in any situation. Versatility is key in my wardobe. I also value looking put-together and timeless. I love following a trend just as much as the next girl, but I don't ever want to look back on a picture when I'm older and think, "God, who was I trying to be?" I don't ever want to feel like I'm getting dressed for someone else. I like neutrals with splashes of color. I love wearing basic pieces and then adding accessories to really complete a look. I love looking feminine, and I don't feel the need to "edge" things up (although I do love that sort of tough-girl look on others). I think I just know myself these days. My style has evolved in the sense that I know more about what I like and what I don't like. Fitting in was a huge part of my style when I was younger. I just wanted to look like everyone else, to blend in with the crowd. I've always loved fashion, and that's something I get from my mom. But I was always very confused about what looked "good" on me. Being petite at 5'2 and having some curves is difficult. It took me a long time to realize that my body is fine just the way it is, and a tailor can take care of a lot of it! I know this is something I still struggle with as a woman. But I do believe that essentially, even if and when my body changes throughout life, my personal sense of style will still remain. I'll still always gravitate towards the classic, lady-like look. I'm pretty sure that Coco Chanel will always be my icon :)

Here are some looks that sum up my style:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
What does your personal style look like? Please share your thoughts in the comments section, I'm really interested in this month's topic!
 
 

♥ Noelle

3.04.2013



February's question of the month is inspired by Valentine's Day: "What are your favorite pink items?"

Once opposed to it, I now love pink! Well, hot pink and a soft peachy blush in particular.
 
 
Beauty
 

 
1. Viktor & Rolf La Vie En Rose - More citrus and in my opinion, much softer than the original scent. This is my second bottle and I really hope I'm never without it. This will be my wedding day perfume.
 
2. Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Fuchsia - Bright and bold, but very pretty if you want a statement lip and bare face.
 
3. MAC Hot Gossip lipstick - I wear this on a regular basis and highly recommend it! It's a very flattering, neutral pink.
 
4. Orly Fancy Fuchsia nail polish - My absolute favorite nail color for hands and feet. Ever.
 
5. China Glaze in Shocking Pink - The ultimate neon for Summer.
 
6. Essie Cascade Cool - One of my favorite bloggers introduced this shade to me. It's a cool-toned pink with hints of lilac. It's very wearable.
 
 
Fashion
 

 
1. J.Crew Factory Bag - I love this for a pop of color. It's starting to get a bit stained and the natural suede does discolor after wear, but I'm still in love with it. So much so that I want another one in a different color!
 
2. J.Crew Mona Suede Pumps - They are an identical shade to the factory bag, but you do get what you pay for. The suede is much better quality. I've never worn the two items together, but maybe I will this Spring :)
 
 
Are any of you obsessed with pink? What are your favorite pink items?
 
 



 
♥ Noelle

2.01.2013

Happy love month ladies! I adore the month of February, although I'm not completely sure why. I think the main reason is that I met my fiance close to Valentines day, and so we deemed February 14th our anniversary.
Question of the month: (it comes from one of my favorite beauties who sadly doesn't blog anymore). How often do you work out? What's your preferred method of exercise?
I will be totally honest and say that my main reasoning for health and fitness these days stems from my wedding. I spent all of last year slacking off, and my body has definitely changed because of it. My fault, no excuses.
Now that my wedding is a few short months away, I'm feeling a bit more insecure and vain. It's normal, right?
I try to work out three to four times a week, and for a period of 30 minutes to an hour each session. I enjoy working out in the evenings. For those that have read my blog for awhile, then I think you know that I suffer from generalized anxiety. I don't talk about it on here often, but I'm not ashamed of it either. I don't take medication, but I do try to manage it with the help of a therapist. She has always recommended exercise as a means of coping. It's a huge endorphin release, thus you feel more relaxed and happy after a good work-out, and less anxious or stressed. So bottom line - I work out because I want to look toned and feel healthy, but I also have to do it because it's important for my overall wellness.
I usually do 25 minutes of cardio. I prefer fast walking or jogging because I hate running! We own an eliptical, so that's great because I feel like I work my entire body. Then I follow it up by targeting certain areas of my body. One night I'll lift weights and attempt to tone my arms (my weak point). Another night I'll do abs; the next night I'll target legs, and so forth.
I've tried Yoga, and honestly, I really want to get back into it. I've also thought about getting a trainer or taking a boot camp style class a couple of months before the wedding. If I do, I'll let you know how that goes.
What do you do for exercise?





♥ Noelle

12.01.2012

Now that our bellies have settled from stuffing ourselves silly over Thanksgiving, we look toward Christmas and the holidays. That means it's time for November's monthly round-up and question: What are your favorite three things that you have learned from other blogs/YouTube?

These bloggers have taught me how to incorporate color into my wardrobe. I was fairly bland before I got a clue that color is fabulous! Unusual color combinations, prints, and mixing casual with dressy is something I've really been able to achieve using their ideas and inspiration: The Chloe Conspiracy, Mix and Match Fashion, Lilly's Style, and Bows & Sequins. Other fashion bloggers that have taught me so much about personal style include: Veronika's Blushing, The Honeybee, and Ella Pretty. It's so difficult to put together a list because I follow so many wonderful girls who inspire me everyday. I have followed many of you since I started this blog over three years ago, but a new crop of girls are also teaching me how to cultivate my true style. If I could list everyone, I would!

My best friend Katie has beautiful style. She always looks put together, and she looks amazing in chunky jewelry and bold makeup. She's a girl's girl, and she has definitely taught me how to be glamourous no matter what the occasion.

Some of her favorite things. She loves lashes (unlike myself). Even on casual days, she looks so chic.

Always glam ♥




As for YouTube, These three girls are my go-to's for hair, makeup, and style. Michele1218 is my favorite. She is so incredibly sweet, articulate, and down-to-earth. I love her effortless style. She uses a lot of vegan products, and has taught me so much about good skincare without using harsh chemicals. She is also the one who taught me about dry shampoo. Sonia is great at makeup tutorials. She loves (and resembles) the Kardashians, so if you love that look, then she is a great girl to follow. She taught me how to apply liquid eyeliner. I was a mess until I started watching her videos. And of course, there's also Alex. She showed me how to mix metals and layer bold chain jewelry. She has her own line, very popular on bloggers :)


That was more than three, wasn't it? This was a hard question for me to answer!


♥ Noelle

10.31.2012

Happy Halloween! I hope everyone is looking forward to dressing up or handing out treats tonight (although I'm sure all of the parties already happened over the weekend). Also, I just wanted to express that my thoughts are with those of you on the east coast. I've been watching some of the news coverage on hurricane Sandy, and it looks pretty intense. Stay safe and warm :)

Question of the month: What did you eat today? You can pick any day or an average day.

I decided to pick an average day, since that is probably the easiest - and the most telling. I will preface this by saying that I'm not perfect. I try to eat as healthy and as well balanced as possible, but I'm no Jillian Michaels. Lately, I've been really attempting to cut some extra calories because I'm looking ahead to my wedding next year. We all want to look (and feel) our best on our big day. I do indulge and give in to some cravings, but I try to pick up where I left off and go back to healthy eating again. However, I'm not consumed by it, and there are a lot of improvements to be made. Suggestions are welcomed :)



Typical Breakfast:
Bowl of whole grain cereal
or
Whole wheat toast with nutella
or
Starbucks spinach wrap
Starbucks iced soy chai

Typical Snacks:
A cup of Greek yogurt, string cheese, some fruit, veggies with hummus

Typical Lunch:
Half of a turkey and swiss sandwich
or
Greek salad with low fat dressing

Typical Dinner:
Chicken and mixed veggies. I also love to eat salads for dinner.
Dinner is tricky for me, because that's when I'm tempted to eat the most. When I go out, I try to order fish. But sometimes I throw in some steak, potatoes, Mexican food, sushi, and pasta into the mix!


I wish I had some pictures to show, but I just haven't been instagraming my food lately! I think you get the idea though!

What does your typical day look like? Any tips for healthy eating on the go? I drive a lot for work, so my food has to be portable.



♥ Noelle

9.01.2012

This edition of monthly reads involves a question that every girl gets asked at some point in her life! "Please share a pic of your engagement ring and tell us the story behind it." I smiled when I read this, as it was September 13th last year when my fiance popped the question. It's almost the first year anniversary of our engagement! We are getting married September 21st, 2013.





He proposed when we went to vegas for my birthday. I had no clue. After 5 years of (mostly) blissful coupledom, I was quite comfortable with our relationship status. Of course, everyone around us started to get itchy, asking questions about when we were planning on finally making things official. I was getting itchy too.

Apparently, my friends and family are much better secret keepers then I had previously thought. I give them credit! Especially my best friend. We always promised each other that when the time came, we would "steer" our guys into the right direction. Meaning, we would help them go ring shopping! Who knows your taste better then your best girlfriend? Or guyfriend.

So everyone knew that he was planning on proposing and I had no clue. He proposed in the Mirage Casino, right after a fancy dinner in which I didn't eat much because I was in the midst of a panic attack. I know I've mentioned this before, but I suffer from terrible generalized anxiety. I've been struggling with it since I was a little kid. It was pretty severe last year, and when we were eating dinner that night, I had a full-blown melt down at the table. He rubbed my back and tried to relax me as we walked out of the restaurant and made our way to the garden area that stands in the center of the casino. He proposed to settle my nerves I guess :)

It was beautiful. Totally ridiculous in some ways, and definitely a bit awkward. I always envisioned we would be alone. Instead, we had a huge crowd around us as he got down on one knee. I was shaking. He was tearing up. Strangers oohed and ahhed.

It was perfect :)

So...I'm looking forward to reading everyone's story! If you are engaged or married, feel free to share your story in the comments below!


:



♥ Noelle

7.30.2012

Hey girls, I hope you had a wonderful weekend! The weather was incredibly gorgeous by the beach, I didn't want to leave. It's much much hotter inland :(

Anyway, this month's question comes from the beautiful Andi: If you were stranded on an island--which one album and which one book would you want to have with you?


I'm embarassed to admit that I'm not as avid a reader as I once was. Growing up, my parents teased me and called me Belle from Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Belle always had her nose planted into a book. That was me. Throughout high school and early college, I continued my love of reading and writing. There is something so much more powerful about the written word. I tend to stutter or get flustered when I speak, but that never happens with my writing. Anyway, I've lost a bit of interest in reading novels, which makes me sick to my core! I think reading is so important for everyone! All of this new technology is distracting, and I fear that reading will one day become obsolete. Let's all motivate each other to pick up a great book!


I read White Oleander in high school, and have read it numerous times since. Please don't see the movie! It took away so much of the emotion. I even wrote a paper about the characters in one of my Psychology courses.


From Barnes & Noble: "Everywhere hailed as a novel of rare beauty and power, White Oleander tells the unforgettable story of Ingrid, a brilliant poet imprisoned for murder, and her daughter, Astrid, whose odyssey through a series of Los Angeles foster homes-each its own universe, with its own laws, its own dangers, its own hard lessons to be learned-becomes a redeeming and surprising journey of self-discovery."
It's sad, breath-taking, and it makes me cry. But I highly recommend it, even though it's quite meloncholy.


As for one album I'd be "stuck" with. It's Jack Johnson all the way! He makes any day a vacation in paradise.
Album: In Between Dreams


Favorite Song: Better Together. Look it up!

What one book and one album would you bring? Share!






♥ Noelle

6.29.2012

Hi everyone, happy Friday! I couldn't be happier that the weekend is here, lots of fun plans ahead. To close out June, here is the monthly question: Why do you blog? Has the reason changed over time, and if so, in what ways?

For me, blogging isn't about how many followers I get (although I appreciate every single one!) or how many companies contact me. I rarely get sent anything for free. I don't have a photographer to take my pictures, nor do I even have an awesome professional camera. I don't use this platform to share too much of my personal life, and honestly, that's the way I prefer it. Now, that's not to say that every little thing I blog about isn't autentically me. Anyone that knows me in real life would surely attest to that. I share the part of myself that makes me the happiest, and that's my love for beauty and fashion. As much as I enjoy writing and taking pictures for Beautygirl24, I enjoy reading your blogs even more! You inspire me to try new products, steer me clear of bad purchases, and put a smile on my face when I need a good pick-me-up throughout the day. I only hope I do the same for you.

So...I blog because I love reading and writing. I want to share my passion for pretty things (as frivolous as that may seem). I blog because it serves as an escape. But mainly, I blog because I love it, and because I love connecting with you. That has never changed, and it never will.









Now I ask my readers: Those of you with your own blogs, why do you do it?

Thank you for reading :)

♥ Noelle

    5.30.2012

    Hi girls, happy Wednesday to you. This month (and this week really) is almost over so it's time for the monthly question I do with some of my favorite fellow bloggers. This month's question comes from Andi: "What is your favorite holiday, and why?"

    This one is super easy for me. Hands-down my favorite holiday is Halloween! It's funny because I actually don't care for dressing up. I do enjoy the costumes, but I'm never creative with mine. I know friends who literally slave over their costumes, painstakingly putting together every single aspect of their "character" for the night. Me? I just wear what I've already got hanging in my closet! Or my fiance and I come up with some half-brained idea at the last minute. Either way, I think the reason I love Halloween is because of the start of Fall. The weather is usually still warm here, but the leaves are changing colors and the nights get chilly. The smell of Fall is in the air, and I love that smell! I don't know, there's just something about it. And Halloween is the catalyst.

    Here I am three years ago as a sailor girl. Generic, but still cute right?!


    So, what is your favorite Holiday? It can be a vacation too. I was going to write about that, but this post would have been very lengthy :)







    • Beautygirl24 - Noelle wore denim shorts for the first time this year. See how she has worn them in the past, and how she wears them now.
    • Ella Pretty - Ella's been decorating - come and take a house tour!
    • Lilly's Style - Lilly's wearing a colorful lace skirt from H&M.
    • Saltwater Dreams - Andi learned a new technique for creating a flawless foundation finish, check out the easy steps here!
    • Schnelle Couture - Danielle is brightening things up this summer with her new favorite color- yellow.
    • Sequins and Stilettos - Skylette is playing with the colorblock trend with a silk top and a navy skirt.

    4.30.2012

    Hi ladies, happy Monday to you all. I hope you enjoyed your weekend and are having a good morning. I can't believe how quickly the month of April went by! That means it's time for monthly must-reads. April's question is: What's your best beauty tip/secret (aside from: drinking lots of water, wearing sunscreen and taking off your make-up at night).

    For me, it's all about moisturizing, moisturizing, moisturizing! I think I look and feel my best when my skin is fresh and dewy. Although I use Makeup For Ever's HD Powder to set my makeup, I finish off with a good spray of Urban Decay's All Nighter or MAC Fix+. Not only does my makeup last longer throughout the day, but it also gives me a dose of hydration that leaves my face glowing. I don't like looking shiny, but I also hate looking dry. Taking good care of your skin and moisturizing every morning and evening is so important to me now that I'm in my late twenties.


    Clinique Moisturizing Gel, MAC Fix+, and Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado



    Now for this month's must-reads:







      What are some of your beauty tips?
      ♥ Noelle