Tuesday, January 31, 2012

I'm posting this a little late. The pictures were taken a few days ago on the way to the airport. I haven't even had time to watermark or crop the photos since I've arrived in Naples. It's been meeting after meeting and when I'm not in meetings, I'm trying to find food and studying for the next day.

Anyways, this mani was inspired by another Pinterest post. I was strapped for time and wanted to do something simple yet appeared a bit fancy.

I've been obsessed with this "Tiffany blue" color since I came across it a few weeks back and finally found it at an Ulta.

Monday, January 30, 2012

This Week

This week I am in Naples, FL for work training. It's a serious shame I'm in classrooms from 7am-5pm, Monday - Friday, and its sunny and a breezy 80 outside. It just reminds me I need to schedule a mini vacation somewhere that's warm and on the beach. I hate being cold!

J - if you're reading this...get on it! ;)

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Anchors Away!

Nautical inspired mani complete with a little anchor detail on my ring fingers! This was actually very easy using SinfulColors Nail Art polish.  It uses a super thin brush that helps with details and fine lines.  Best part about that polish is it's $1.99.  Yep, just $1.99! Get some for yourself :)

OPI - Russian Navy & SinfulColors - Flower Girl

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

You know too much time has passed between manis when you show up at work and several people tell you they're disappointed to see the same design from the end of last week.  Eeek!  It's been a little busy around here...I hate to disappoint!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Lucky Charm

I have had this "evil eye" charm since high school. It was given to me by a friend who brought it back as a souvenir from her recent trip to Turkey. It used to be a keychain but has since broken off. I have always kept it in the car with me as a lucky charm. I came across it today and gave it a little squeeze then placed it back in its special spot. Never hurts to keep a little luck around!

Happy Friday!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Gradient Polka Dots

I am not a cold weather person so this 30 degree, dry, windy stuff has got to go! In the mean time, I'm willing an early spring with this latest mani! I used to use a toothpick for all my dots, but it didn't allow much control for size and round-ness of the dots. I have now discovered using a dotter, or as Martha Stewart labels them, etching tools. It makes perfect dots and I have 5 different sizes to pick from!

Essie - Chinchilly, Nice is Nice, Raise Awareness, Revlon - Blue Lagoon, Sally Hansen - Mint Sorbet
5am is still a little too early for him...

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Ahh Pinterest, you never leave me with a lack of ideas for manis when I'm feeling un-inspired!

This mani was a copy of a picture I saw this week on Pinterest. It looked a bit challenging, but I'm always up for something different!

I used no less than 9 polishes (yes NINE), and a nail art pen for this one...that's including a base coat and a top coat. Quite an impressive assortment, so much so that I needed to take a pic of the spread. I'm not sure whether to be proud that I didn't have to go out and buy new polish for this...or slightly alarmed that my collection is at the point where I have everything I need most times to create the look I want. Let's go with proud :)

Seche Vite - Dry Fast Top Coat, SinfulColors - Flower Girl & Bad Chick, Sally Hansen - White On & Black Out, Sephora by OPI - Under My Trench Coat & Only Gold For Me, Sally Hansen - Guilty Pleasure, Seche Vite - Base Coat, and finally Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen - Black.  WHEW!

It honestly wasn't as hard as I thought. It just took a bit a patience to wait for all the colors to dry before I used the nail art pen.  Oh, and the nail art pen isn't the best over a top coat...you have to go over the same line a few times for it to actually stick.

The only thing I would change is to do more nails like my thumb, very detailed. I'm in love with the tribal-esque look!

Can't wait to try this again with different colors!

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Chevron Striped Nails

Ok, I promise this will be my last Chevron design for a while!

This look was another scotch tape mani using pinking scissors.  I basically cut tiny strips of zig zags and put them on after painting a base color.  Yes it was tedious, but the end result is always worth it!

Sally Hansen - White On, Essie - Raise Awareness, OPI - Ski Teal We Drop

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Slutty Brownies

Let's talk brownies for a minute...SLUTTY BROWNIES!  Recipe found on Pinterest and I decided to give it a shot because the pictures were mouth watering.  I knew they would be good, just not how good.  They're super moist and have the perfect amount of chocolate.  Heaven all in one bite.  I shared these with everyone around me, they were devoured in no time. 

The recipe is so simple.  Preheat oven to 350. Grab a bag of Betty Crocker chocolate chip cookie mix, a box of brownie mix, and a package of Oreos. 

Mix the cookies and brownies per instructions on the back of the packaging.  Line a baking dish with parchment paper.  The parchment paper allows for super easy clean up and brownies come right off of the paper so none of the goodness is lost!  Press cookie dough on the bottom covering the whole pan. 

Put whole Oreos on top of dough creating an even layer.  Then spread all of the brownie mixture on top making sure to get in all the cracks between Oreos. 

Pop in the oven for 30-35 mins.  Pull brownies out of pan using parchment paper.  Wait to cool before cutting.  ENJOY.  Ahhhhhh-mazing! :)

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Such a great quote, I just HAD to share!
“Whatever it is, if it doesn’t make you happy, walk away, give it away to someone else who wants it. Let it be their next dream; let it flee from you. You’re emptying out your limitations when you do that. Then you have room to grow, to allow magnificent things to fill the vacuum of those seemingly empty places. When you hold onto yesterday, when you hold onto dead and dying adventures, you have no room in your box for greatness.” --Ramtha

Monday, January 9, 2012

New Bowling Kicks

Yes, YES I'm in a bowling league...so what?!
This pic cracks me up! A bit tipsy from Irish beer, a bit blinded by the flash. A whole lotta fun was had with my fave.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Homemade Protein Bars

To help with the goal for my 30th Birthday, I have taken up making my own protein bars.  Unfortunately, buying protein bars can get expensive and you don't always know what goes into them.  Lastly, they're usually packed with sugar to taste good.  Sounds like a protein packed candy bar to me. As much as I love candy bars, it's not going to help me reach my goal.  So on came a challenge to make a healthy, yet delicious protein bar.
I have played around with a few ingredients to make my own bar and they're actually a hit!  They even get the stamp of approval from the boyfriend and friends. I am by no means a nutritionist, I'm just a girl trying to save a bit of money and eat better in the process!
This is not an exact recipe but more of a base, I tweak it according to consistency and taste. This is no-bake and contains a raw egg. 
What you need:

- 2C. Old Fashioned Oats
- Handful and a half of Raw Almonds
- 2 Tbsp Flax Seed
- 2 scoops of Chocolate Protein Whey
- 1/3-1/2C Peanut Butter
- 1-2 Tbsp Honey according to how sweet you want it
- 1 Tsp Cinnamon
- 1 Egg
- 1 Tbsp Milk

Sorry about the quality of the photos...I didn't have my nice camera on me so the iPhone had to do!
In a food processor, blend oats, almonds and flax seed until it's a powder-like consistency.
Transfer this mixture into a large bowl.  Add whey protein and cinnamon, mix together.  Then add egg, peanut butter, milk, honey and blend with your hands.  It takes a bit for the mixture to start sticking together. This is where you can tweak the consistency to your liking.  I usually try to keep it like a "powerbar" and not too dry.  You want the ingredients to stick together in a stiff dough-ish form. 

Line a shallow baking pan with wax paper.  Press your mixture out into the pan until it's flat and even in the pan.  I try to keep the thickness around a 1/2".  If it doesn't fill your pan, it's ok, I just use it for shape.  Put in fridge for about an hour or until it's firm to the touch.  Take out and cut into bars.  Store in the fridge until you're ready to eat! 

They don't look as pretty and chocolate covered like the ones you buy in the store, but they're just as delicious!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

More Chevron!

I may be a little obsessed with Chevron nails right now. This patter/color theme came from Pinterest. Im getting really good at this design. You like?

Sally Hansen - White On, Guilty Pleasure, and Black Out

Friday, January 6, 2012

Once in a while I have to make the long drive to one of the furthest points of the territory. Normally, getting up an extra 30 minutes early when I already wake up at 5:15 would summon a super cranky beast. However, this drive is actually soothing. The sun comes up just as you take the east exit onto 272 (appropriately named Sunrise East). The view never disappoints. I always make a point to take a picture, and I admit, it's while behind the wheel. It's just the best view and makes that butt-crack-of-dawn drive totally worth it.

Happy Friday!

Here's proof:

Monday, January 2, 2012

My Goal, A Promise to Myself

My goal for my 30th birthday (eeeek) is to be in the best shape of my LIFE, and keep it up.  I don't go to the gym as regularly as I'd like because it's seriously hard to find the time or the energy to hit the gym when I get up at 5am every day.  It's no excuse.  I am making a promise to myself to make more of an effort to go to the gym and train hard.  I want to make every minute count.  It's not about a "number" I want to be at, it's about being FIT.

I've already signed up for two races this year to help me stick to my goal...Cherry Blossom Ten Miler in April and Iron Girl Sprint Triathlon in August.

BRING IT!

A little motivation I have found on Pinterest...

BOOM!