Curating my love of travel, design, reading and style
A close friend of mine in Chicago, Olivia, wears Essie’s Fiji always. And I always think it looks amazing on her. Super classic, feminine and crisp. I finally found it while shopping (at Bed Bath & Beyond of all places) and made sure it came home with me.
Light pink is usually a bit too demure for me, but there are times when you need a classic, whether its for work, weddings or just a pretty girly nail, Fiji wins.
After seeing metallic ombre nails all over Pinterest, I knew I wanted to try but found myself lacking the colors. Due to a self-imposed nail polish purchasing ban, I had to improvise. I used OPIs Warm and Fozzie, Glitzerland and Kyoto Pearl with China Glaze I’m Not Lion over it.
I used Essie No Chips Ahead as the top coat, but have quickly decided this is not a good topcoat. Sure, it doesn’t chip, but I get bubbles in my nails whenever I use it! Learning toward OPI RapidDry Topcoat as my top pick.
I think it came out pretty solid, what about you? What’s your favorite must-try fall fashion trend?
After a very long hiatus from my silly hobby of painting my nails and putting them up here…I’m back! I love nail polish and traveling. Combining the two today. A manicure inspired by Caribbean white sand beaches and turquoise waters. I’ve never been, but its on the travel bucket list.
Pretty pictures of where I’d love to go:
Source: sniqueaway.com via Eliza on Pinterest
Source: pinksandsresort.com via Eliza on Pinterest
The manicure that’s going to keep me dreaming about the beach all week and leading into my California vacation:
Essie: Turquoise and Caicos
OPI: Skull and Glossboness
Topcoat: Essie, No Chips Aheads
Source: pinterestschunt125.blogspot.com via Colette on Pinterest
Well, what the heck else is a girl supposed to do when her boyfriend is out of town?? On Saturday, my friend Heather invited me to the mall at Cherry Creek. This is a damn nice mall, and is a pure luxury to shop out. The nicest sales stuff exists at every store! Coming from Chicago, this is pure joy. Shopping is a completely enjoyable experience, which in my experience was not the case In Chicago. Only two purchases for me: new unmentionables from VS – love the PINK collection lace side ones, no panty lines, 5 for $26, and fun colors! I’m disappointed that they only had these in The PINK collection though…sometimes nude is necessary, but I love the cut so no nude, only neon.
And makeup brush cleaner! I didn’t even know this was a thing, but thanks to my instagram stream, I learned that your are supposed to wash these little things. Yup – had no idea. But washing them was so fun and afterwards my makeup applied way smoother than before. Could’ve been in my head? Whatever for $12 spent, I felt better. That’s a win. I bought the shampoo and daily brush cleaner which will last ages considering I only wear makeup on the weekends.
That brings me to my next new item. While not purchased this week, I finally opened up my new mascara – Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara. The name is deceiving as my lashes weren’t doubled but this is a good night mascara. I typically prefer really fluffy, natural looking lashes, but this separates and makes ’em stand out. But, you look like you have mascara on with it. Full and Soft is my preferred mascara, but for the time being, I’m going to enjoy my vampy lashes.
Last new item of the week, which rounded out my girly Saturday festivities was Essie’s No Chips Ahead. A great clear coat – blows the drugstore brands out the water. I suppose Essie now is a drugstore brand as you can purchase it at Walgreens and CVS now? Wo cares, all that matters is that this is a capable top coat. Day two on the mani and it looks crisp, shiny and no chips! That name isn’t lying.
We rounded out the Saturday night with a bottle of wine, board games, cheesy movies and some pizza. What do you indulge in for the ultimate girly weekend?
After moving across the country, I’m back! And man did I need to take care of the digits. No love for three weeks is bad for the little suckers. I wanted something bright for spring and wanted to take care of a myself for a few hours. Here’s the result!
Exotic Liras, Braziliant and Ole Caliente. A couple great bright shades from Essie!
Y’all know I can’t paint in the lines, everybody needs help with that off-hand.
A bit of oil to attempt to save my poor move-torn cuticles. Didn’t do much, but it felt great while it was on there.
Leo thinks multicolored nails are crazy. Thoughts?
Lastly some toes to prep for the warmer months ahead. Leo mentioned that from far away I look like I have a bruised toe tip.I think I just wanted to wear some stripes for a few days. What do y’all think? Toes a good place to get crazy?
On the nails – Go Overboard by Essie from the new spring collection. It is on my toes and fingers and it is totally prepping me for the spring. Saturated hues are great on the nails and look so good with a tan. (Need to work on that last part). I even managed to capture me giving it a thumbs up, totally accidental.
President’s Day meant no work for me today! I relaxed at my apartment ad loved sitting by the heater with the sun beating in through the sun porch at my apartment. Since meeting Charlie, I’ve been on a baking spree! For breakfast I ate a tasty slice of banana bread with french vanilla coffee – heaven. I thought about putting dress-up stuff away from the weekend like sparkly purses, but the sun looked too pretty hitting the sparkles! Then I tried to think of a good place for my favorite piece of furniture – vintage chest. Didn’t get very far because I just kept looking at it and loving it right where it is. I did around the design of the blog a bit, let me know what y’all think. What is your favorite thing to do on a mid-winter day off? ❤ Eliza
One day before Valentine’s Day! A little pink, purple and gold plaid on the nails and a big smile on my face. I’m making cookies for Leo for Valentine’s Day, reading magazines and relaxing. That leads me to two of the things that I love a ton – nail polish and printed material (books, magazines, heck, I even love maps). I stopped in to my local nail polish supplier and picked up a few new colors for late winter and into the start of spring, but the main goal was a fun magenta base for v-day nails. You’ll note these pretty bottles sitting a top a very pretty Harry Potter book. See how I’m combining two loves into one Manic(ure) Monday?
My favorite magazines include all the fashion glossies, some women’s lifestyle, cooking and home decor with a dash of history/culture with the Smithsonian. In the book arena, I love all things popular and have no qualms about reading enjoyable literature – romance novels, textbooks (history), biographies, young adult (Potter anyone? What about The Hunger Games?), the list goes on. If it feels like a book and smells like a book and barks like a book, I love it. I’m even liking books on my iPad, but shhhhh, don’t tell my English Lit lover of a grandma. She’d be heartbroken. Off to eat my dad’s Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and then to bed! And yes, that’s a hint for Wednesday’s post. Hope you lovelies have a wonderful Valentine’s Day and don’t forget to tell someone and some more ones that you love them! Everyone needs a little more love, that’s why holidays like tomorrow exist! xoxo,
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