A Girl Can Dream, Can't She? My Top 5 for Christmas 2011

Giving gifts for the Holiday season can be tired some, annoying and sometimes just plain tricky. There is always a chance that someone won't like what you've picked out. I know it is rude to complain about what gifts you get but face it, we've all gotten the crappy end of the deal at one time or another.

I'm not saying that just because I don't like a gift that the other person didn't spend time or effort on it. What really bugs me is the person who intentionally buys you a gift because they are forced to and randomly puts together a whole bunch of junk that not even THEY want. ::COUGH COUGH::. That's what really irks me.

I also noticed that there is always that one person from your Secret Santa who puts their name in knowing that they will get a great gift no matter. Then they totally flop on their end of the bargain. Aren't there rules about that? I say if you don't want it, chances are they don't either. Unless of course you know for a fact, and without a doubt they are into that kind of stuff. Whatever that "stuff" might be. 

I know it's a little late to beg and plead for a say in what my gifts are this year but it doesn't hurt to share either. Maybe my list is similar to yours? What do you have on your Top 5? Obviously not all of mine are realistic but a girl can dream can't she?

1. Bundle Monster Pro 20pc Nail Art Set - $14.99 @ Amazon.com

2. Picture Polish Nail Polish - $15.00 @ Harlowandco.org

3. Tasha Black Suede Over the Knee Black Boot - $68.50 @ Torrid.com


4. iPad 2 - Starting at $499 @ store.apple.com

5. 2012 Subaru Legacy - Starting at $19,995 @ subaru.com

Black & Yellow!

Just wanted to quickly share with you all my latest nail creation!

In honor of the MITCH launch for Paul Mitchell the School in Danbury I wore yellow and black and even decked out my nails to match. I love the way they came out. I used "Smash Hit" by Color Club and "Mellow Yellow" by Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear.

I have several crackle/shatter polishes. I have two by O.P.I and one by Color Club. Usually everyone swears by O.P.I brand but honestly I am really feeling the Color Club crackle collection. Once applied it spreads evenly and nicely. The O.P.I isn't horrible but doesn't spread as nicely.

Just for fun here is my outfit that I wore for the MITCH launch too! I won 'Staff Member of the Month' for the second time in a row. Small victory but it makes me feel good that I am liked by the students. They are a big part of the reason why I go to work everyday. Such vibrant personalities under one roof. So much inspiration and you get to seem them really grow as a stylist. It's bittersweet when they leave!

In closing I have been looking at blogs that feature nail polish addicts like myself for the past hour. I honestly think I have an addiction. I have plenty of polishes (around 50 to be exact) but the other day at Target I found myself putting back 5 nail polishes that I almost bought. I haven't even used all the colors in my stash at home. Why would I need more? Well, at least I stopped myself. Stay tuned on my nail addition. I might end up on hoarders at the rate that i'm going! :) Thanks everyone!

'Lisa Frank' Inspired Nails

For some reason I have been obsessed with doing my nails this year! First it started off simple. Then it became more elaborate by the mani! I can't resist posting my mini masterpieces on here!

Today I was posting some stuff for work and came across this sweet tutorial on YouTube for 'Lisa Frank' inspired nails. Remember 'Lisa Frank'? We all would scramble every year around the month of September right before school started back up again to get the brightly colored folders, stickers, binders, pencils, and pencils so we could be "cool" for back to school.

FLASHBACK! I bet you feel old now don't you?
I know I do!

During the process....

End result!

Here is the tutorial I followed:

She also has some other great ones too that are worth checking out!

I am really happy with my end result although my only complaint is that I need a better camera! : /

Hey, MAC Me Over Danbury, CT!

As I was sitting at work thinking of all the things I had to purchase that night in preparation of the upcoming and so called Hurricane Irene, I suddenly remembered that I did not have anymore Foundation Powder that I use during my makeup routine every morning. I realized I would have to go all the way across town to MAC at the Mall. Really? It was either that or look like a hot mess tomorrow for work. I opted to drag my lazy ass out to get it after all. I was just going to get the groceries, drop them off home and then head to the mall to quickly go in and grab what I needed and leave. Or so I thought.

The grocery store was a horrible tiny little hell hole. Thankfully I only went to Stop & Shop and a quick stop to CVS to purchase my items. According to some people my places of attendance was a field day compared to some stores like Costco. Apparently people were at each others throats for the last of the water and non-perishable items. I understand the whole survivor instincts but GEESH PEOPLE! Get a grip!

Here is my experience at Stop & Shop. I should be so lucky!

Two cases of bottled water, a box of granola bars, strawberry eggos, capri suns, hummus and a bag of chips later I was finally done! Yippie! Sounds like i'm a real survivor huh? DON'T BE JEALOUS! I saved a lot of money by not going overboard with all this non-sense that everyone is scrambling to buy. Pfftt... puh lease. I get home, drop off the stuff and drive across town to the mall solely to go to MAC, buy my product and bounce. The whole way over the traffic was so ridiculous. You might have thought the whole world was coming to an end. Didn't help that it was a Friday either.

I finally arrived at the mall after fighting through the traffic in town. Hallelujah baby Jesus! I power walked to Macy's and headed straight for the MAC counter. I asked one of the girls at the counter for help and she got me exactly what I was looking for. She asked if I needed anymore help, and I politely said no. I was not about to stay at the mall any longer than I had to. I wanted to get in and out. I don't always like being at the mall. Especially after a long day at work. All I wanted was to go home and unwind.

I approached the front to purchase my foundation. I glanced down and peeped the shirt the associate was wearing. I noticed it had big bold white lettering on it that said "MAC Me Over". I remembered getting a postcard in the mail from MAC a few weeks back about free Makeovers that they were going to be doing. I asked the girl who was ringing me up at the register about the event and she told me it would unfortunately be ending tomorrow. She asked if I would like to do one right then but I shook my head no. At first I didn't want to because I figured it would be a waste of makeup. I thought about it for a second and decided it might not be a bad idea after all. If big bad Irene is "supposedly" starting tomorrow I probably wouldn't be able to make it over that way anyway. I quickly changed my mind and decided to give it a go just for fun.

I sat down in the chair, was handed a makeup remover wipe, and was instructed to remove all of my makeup that I had applied earlier on in the day. Upon removal I took one look in the mirror and realized how scary I must have looked. AHHH! How embarrassing. Oh well, ::shrugs:: she was going to make me look fabulous anyway. Right?

Just so you all know, the whole ordeal and experience was awesome. I felt completely pampered and at the same time I felt like I totally knew her for what seemed to be forever. She explained everything she was doing, she showed me everything she used and most importantly she picked products and colors that flattered my face. It was a great experience. I am definitely heading over there on payday to scope out the products she recommended they really looked great on me. I felt so pretty!

Here is the end result! Au' Natural. Ooh la la :)

Brow - Wedge & Bevile
Shadow - Seaside Cream Colour Base
Brow Highlighter - Creamy Bisque
Crease - Brown Script & Carbonized
Outer Lid - Arenre
Mascara - False Lashes
Liquid Foundation - NC15 Studio Fix Fluid
Concealer - NW20 Studio Finish
Powder Foundation - Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Medium
Blush - Melba
Bronzer - Mineralize Skinfinish in Medium Dark
Lipstick - Bare Again
Lipgloss - Pinkarat


After the MAC Makeover was finished I was talking with her and her co-worker about all sorts of things. It was cool to be able to connect and nice that we both stemmed from the Fashion & Beauty industry. Her name was Liz by the way. She was an outgoing, personable, and knowledgeable girl that really knew her stuff inside and out. Not only that but she made me feel very comfortable through out the makeover.

What I thought was really cool was that she was really into coming in for a Guest Artist spot where I work. Paul Mitchell the School has people from outside companies come in to demonstrate different techniques to give the Future Professionals a taste of something other than Paul Mitchell. There is a big talented world out there. It's only right we give them other opportunities as well.

Over all it was an awesome night! I gave her my blog address and hopefully she come to check out this rave review. HEY LIZ!

Colors of the Rainbow: A Polish Timeline

I have recently been addicted to painting my nails. I picked up the "past time" when I was just sick and tired of having to rely on the Nail Salon to do my nails even if I wanted a simple color change.


I don't know about you but im strapped for cash and can't afford $20 to $40 dollars every other week.
(I still however get my pedicures at the nail salon because I have yet to master doing my own toes!)


Here is my little compilation of some of the colors and designs I have done on myself. I also did have to throw in two pictures of when I got them done at the salon because face it, they were too dam pretty to not include them.


TIP: It's not about the brand of nail polish. I have a large collection of nail polish but I use the less expensive brands like NYC, Sinful Colors, Confetti, N.Y.X, Wet & Wild. I do however splurge every once in awhile if I REALLY like a color. Other than that I don't stretch too far from these brands. I find it's more important to have a great base coat and and even better top coat. I recommend Seche Vita for the top and base! I also am obsessed with Sally Hansen Nail Strips. They are amazing and I did I post on them and reviewed them here.

Enjoy, and hopefully I can get YOUR creative juices flowing and inspire you to do your own nails.

The following is not my work . . .

If you want to know the names of any of the polishes that I used please feel free to leave a comment below. I'd love to share!

REVIEW: Sally Hansen Salon Effects

#250 Bling It On....

When it comes to painting my nails I leave it to the professionals.
I wasn't even going to bother to try these because I am so hopeless in this area but I decided to give it a try just for kicks!

I was doing a haul in Walmart and browsing in the Beauty section when I came across "Bling It On". Sparkly and pink? HECK YAH! Count me in. ;)

The one I originally wanted was the Zebra Print strips in "Wild Child" but they ran out. The next best one was this one "Bling It On" and to be honest this was probably the best option for my first try with the nail strips.

I really ended up liking this product and was pretty impressed. For a nail dummy like myself these were simple, easy and the end result was very professional looking.

I didn't have to wait to have my nails dry (except for the top coat which I voluntarily applied) and the application was effortless. I thought it was going to be a pain and they weren't going to stick but they went right on.

PROS:

- They have a good variety of designs & colors

- They are cheaper than Minx

- They are easy to apply yourself

- No dry time (Unless you opt for a Top Coat)

- The instructions that came with them are easy to follow

- Good for people who aren't great at doing nails

- They last a long time and are durable

- If you have short nails you can get 2 uses

(by cutting them in half)

CONS:

- They are pricey compared to a bottle of polish

- The sizing of the strips is a little weird

- They take awhile to apply. Set some time aside

- You have to get past the learning curve

- You probably should put on a Top Coat

Overall I was very happy with my $8 purchase from Walmart. I definitely want to try them again. This might be a regular occurrence. It's definitely cheaper than splurging on a Mani or Minx.

SIDE NOTE:

I also was able to get a "Pedicure" out of one box. I technically got a Mani/Pedi.

I was curious so I tried...

Not bad at all but please excuse my sock imprint!

Foot looks all bumpy on the right side doesn't it?

Have you tried any of the Sally Hansen Salon Effects yet?
If so let me know what you think!

OOTD: 90's Floral Print Flashback