Saturday, December 31, 2011

Bring It, 2012!

A little liquor store run to pick up New Years necessities.

This year, we're going low key and heading to a friends place for a small gathering. So excited to spend the night with some of my favorite people. Can't wait for bubbly and chocolate covered strawberries!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Chevron Nails: Take 2

Let's try this again!

I'm SO glad I decided to redo the Chevron, this is more of what I had in mind when I first started this project. Swapping out the middle color to black makes the pattern more noticeable. I can't wait to try this with other color themes in the future!

Essie - Merino Cool, Sally Hansen - Black Out, Essie - Nice is Nice topped with Sinful Colors - Pearl Harbor

Chevron Nails

Ok, so they didn't turn out as awesome as I wanted, but I think it's due to the colors I used. I wanted it to be more dramatic and two of the colors I picked were too similar in shades to get that "pop". I'm probably going to end up doing it again...ahh the joys of being a perfectionist!

Love using Scotch Tape to create different designs...it's a bit tedious, but the end result is well worth the time!

Essie - Merino Cool, Sephora by OPI - Stop Stocking Me!, Essie - Nice is Nice with Sinful Colors - Pearl Harbor

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Really could have used one more day off...or how about until after New Year!

Back to the grind!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas Eve!

Bokeh awesomeness! Check out this trick I recently discovered...of course I had to make the lights in the shapes of stars!

Christmas is ALMOST here!!! Weeeeeeee!

Christmas Pups!

Nothing says getting into the Holiday cheer like putting Christmas bowtie collars on your dogs. I'm sure they're totally annoyed thrilled by the added Jingle Bells.

I actually made these in no time. Super easy and I didn't even need a pattern. I had to get a pretty heavy interface for the fabric because the plaid was flimsy and wouldn't hold the shape of the bow. I made the bow for Dallas a little smaller than Lunas to make it a little more masculine.  All in all, I'm very pleased with how they turned out. I think it's adorable to hear the bells as they run around the house! :)

You're very welcome, Luna & Dallas! Haha

Dallas
Luna bear

Friday, December 23, 2011

Hello Christmas nails! Had to go with my favorite red and a simple sparkle statement nail for the perfect holiday look.

OPI - I'm Not Really A Waitress & OPI by Sephora - Flurry Up!
Last night we went to Rockville to see Ashley and Drew's new place. We finally got the boyfriends back together...bro-mance reunited! Their place is super cozy and ready for Christmas! While I was there, I gave Ash a mini-mani. Red and white houndstooth was the perfect festive design.
OPI - I'm Not Really A Waitress & Konad Special Polish in White

Sunday, December 18, 2011

So much fun Saturday night at the B's Christmas party! Thanks again for being such wonderful hosts.

I spy on the ornament...

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Buns

I'm wearing a sock...in my hair. Things could get weird tonight. Hahaha

A sock bun, that is! Off to a Christmas party!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Holiday Leopard Nails

Who doesn't love animal print?! Now how about animal print WITH a little sparkle! This time I decided to start with a sparkle base and use my Konad stamper to get a lil leopard action. I finished off my mani with black french tips! Perfect for the holiday festivities this weekend!

OPI - Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous, Konad Special Polish - Black, Sally Hansen - Black Out
For the first time in probably my whole history, I have sent out all Christmas cards, finished shopping, and wrapped every single present way ahead of Christmas! Why haven't I done this before? The holidays are WAY less stressful!

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Holiday Party Nails

Who knew I'd still be digging around for reinforcements?! You know, the little adhesive ring hole thingys that were oh-so-useful in keeping all your papers IN your binder. Well, I have found a better use for reinforcements...crescent manicures! This was my first time using the sticky things and I've definitely come up with a few pointers to make this less tedious. All in all, love the look and threw in the statement sparkly ring finger to give the manicure something special.

Pointers:
1. Put a coat of Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat after putting on your base color and WAIT at least 15 minutes before putting on the sticker.
2. Cut one side of the reinforcement before putting it on your nail. It makes the sticker less rigid and allows you to get the sticker down flush with the corners of your nail bed. This made the line super sharp.
3. Get rid of some of the tacky-ness of the sticker by sticking it to your palm a 3-4 times. If you don't do this, it will end up ripping up your base color when taking the sticker off.
4. Do one nail at a time. As soon as you paint your dark color, remove the reinforcement.

Good luck!

Sally Hansen - Guilty Pleasure, OPI - Black Cherry Chutney, OPI by Sephora - Only Gold For Me

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

A woman armed with a Christmas list and 2 free hours on her day off = shopping DONE. Mission accomplished! Can't wait to sit back and relax the rest of the holiday season. All that's left is wrapping and sending out Christmas cards. I am SO on it this year!

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Soup Dumplings!

Anytime I come up to NY, I always make time to go to Joe's Shanghai in Flushing. They are best known for their soup dumplings...little pockets of dough with pork and broth inside. They're a little tricky to eat at first, but it's definitely worth it! Soooooo amazing!!!

Documenting Josh's first experience. He loved them!
A trip to NYC to see Rockefeller Plaza beautifully decorated means Christmas is officially on it's way!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Today is my Friday!

For the first time since July, I'm taking 2 much needed days off to have a nice looong weekend. I'm so excited because me, Josh, and my parents are going up to New York. We're staying with my relatives and spending a few days in the city to check out all the Christmas decorations and chow down on some serious food! It's been quite a while since I've seen the big apple, and even longer since I've seen it during the Christmas season. It's easily my favorite time of year and I can't wait to soak in all of the holiday spirit!

To get myself ready for all the lights and decorations, I went for a ink-like blue base and a foil infused polish on top. It reminds me of the city at night with all the different lights illuminating the streets!

OPI - Russian Navy @ Color Club - Covered in Diamonds

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Turkey Hangover

Holy amazing marathon feast! I ate everything under the sun and then some! It was a great weekend full of food, laughter, and a few rounds of Trivial Pursuit. It's not just a normal game night when we all play...it's downright m a d n e s s. If you play, you must have a good sense of humor and/or thick skin and a set of ear plugs. Nobody is safe! ;)

Since ombre is so huge right now, I decided to try ombre nails. It's actually quite easy to create, however I found that the gradual fade from one color to another isn't as dramatic when you have shorter nails. All in all, I'm a big fan of this look!

Essie - Foot Loose & Sally Hansen - Black Out

Thursday, November 24, 2011

So Thankful!

Thankful. This year, every year, every moment. Can't wait to spend Thanksgiving and the rest of this holiday weekend surrounded by my most favorite people. Soon all our guests will arrive and we will be chowing down on some serious food! Stretchy pants, here I come!

Mom put me in charge of creating the centerpiece. I happily took on the challenge and searched EVERYWHERE for a real live pumpkin to carve out and make the stand for my flower arrangement. Little did I know there wasn't a single pumpkin to be found at any grocery store, farm stand, or garden store within a 10 mile radius. Because the weather was so rainy during September, it ruined a lot of the crop and yielded low numbers. Almost defeated, I stopped by a florist on my way home and found the perfect ceramic pumpkin! Score!

Proof that anything can go wrong, even on Thanksgiving...a loud "pop" came from the oven while the turkey was in it and only 1 hour into cooking. That's right, it bit the dust ~ Oven - 1, us 0. No worries, my Mom's best friend that lives across the street was done cooking and let us use her oven. Whew, Thanksgiving is saved!

And here's the finished centerpiece...Martha Stewart eat your heart out!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Here we go!

My very first post on my very first blog! A friend actually encouraged me to start this blog. Partly because of my obsession with nail polish designs, and a big part is because I'm at a point in my life where there are hopefully going to be a lot of changes. Not to mention this girl is turning 30 in less than 7 months! This blog is a way to start documenting everything big, small, and the little gaps in between.

Here is a nail design that I am in love with. Every nail is different, but it all works somehow. I will definitely do another version of this for Christmas.

And Thanksgiving is tomorrow?! Where did that cone from? Whew, this year has flown by!

Sally Hansen - Black Out & Guilty Pleasure, OPI by Sephora - Only Gold for me