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!

Date Night...

Irish Style :)

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

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

Back to the grind!

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

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

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

I spy on the ornament...

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!

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!

Pretty much the best nap buddy. Ever.

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

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!

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!

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