Stripes

I even have striped nails today.

 

Picked up this top at Ann Taylor LOFT the other day for only $4.88. It will be a great summer maternity top. Very lightweight and very voluminous.

 

Top - Loft - $4.88

Jeggings - Target - $5

Espadrilles - Nine West - gifted

Necklace - Charlotte Russe - $8.50

Teal Accents

The day I chose to wear this pencil skirt and these sky-high leopard print wedges, was a day I stayed home all day and never left my front porch step. Yeah, I felt a little foolish for dressing like this for no purpose but to satisfy my own sartorial taste for the day. But I also felt a little empowered because I did something just for myself and didn't care what anyone else would think.

 

Nail polish to match my earrings.

 

 Skirt - Target - $4

Top - Banan Republic - $3 (thrifted)

Jacket - gifted

Leopard wedges - Michael Antonio - $9

Earrings - Kohl's - $1

Outfit Post: Happy Valentine's Day!

I usually like to wear red or pink on Valentine's Day...but looking in my closet, I realized I don't have anything that fits in those colors! So black and gray it is...
At least I have one touch of red - I actually painted my toe nails last night. It was quite the ordeal, too, let me tell ya!

Unfortunately, I'm in the middle of a shoe dilemma. The shoes I'm in right now were always too big on me before, which is why I was able to fit into them today - but my feet are already swelling out of these so they aren't going to last long. I'll have to dig for something or else I'm going to end up in jeans and tennis shoes just for my poor swollen feet!

Sweater - F21 - Hand-me-down

Necklace - F21 - gifted

Leggings - Kohl's - $5

Pumps - Aerosoles - $29

Bangle bracelets - F21 - gifted

Nailene Acrylic Strong Topcoat

One of my biggest problems about painting my nails is how often I have to reapply due to all the chipping. I've finally learned that it is imperative to use a strong topcoat that you reapply every few days in order to keep your nails from chipping. My favorite is Acrylic Strong by Nailene. You can find it at any drugstore and it is completely worth the $3 or so that it will cost you.

I used it a week ago and my toenail polish has yet to chip. The box recommends that you reapply it everyday, so I can't imagine how much stronger my nail polish would be if I kept reapplying it!

Nailene product review

I was recently sent some products by Nailene. Looking through all of the products they sent, I decided to try the most impractical set of nails to "practice" on. My brother was nearby when I applied them, and exclaimed the style (black/silver/diamond tipped) to be hideous! Once on, however, he said they weren't so bad, and my husband thought they were sexy.


The application was incredibly simple. After pushing my cuticles back, I sanded down the nailbeds with the nailfile that the set came with, and then applied the glue to both the fake nail, and my nailbed before pressing the fake nail firmly onto each nailbed.

Unfortunately, I used a couple of nails that were too large for my nail beds, so they didn't stick all the way. Since the two nails popped off due to their size, I ended up pulling all the rest off after only 24 hours of wear. During that 24 hours I got several compliments, and felt ultra-feminine with my sparkly tipped nails!

While I really can't recommend fake nails for the on-the-go-mom, I would certainly suggest some of you gals out there who don't have the time or money to go to a nail salon, to try out these fab nail sets, which are very reasonably priced at your local Wal-Mart or drugstore. It may be just the icing you need to make your look more glamorous for a special night out.

Nic's Sticks by OPI

One of my awesome Christmas gifts was this handy little nail polish tool. They are called "Nic's Sticks" by OPI. Missi bought it for me since the brand is named after me!

Anyway, all you do is shake the stick, pump it a few times, and then paint your nails. I've been carrying it in my purse so I can touch up my nails while I'm in the car (while my husband is driving, of course!). Missi got me a sheer pink color, which is perfect, since sheer colors don't show mistakes as well, and the color goes with everything. So far I've had absolutely no drips with it!

This new little stick makes it so easy to keep my nails polished - I'd definitely recommend it!

I love nail polish

I love nail polish! Right now I'm growing out my nails (because every few months or so I cut my nails all the way down, not sure why) and whenever I grow my nails out I have to keep polish on them to keep myself from biting them or picking at them.

Right now I'm in love with the OPI La Collection De France. I keep saying how much I adore the various shades but I have yet to actually purchase one. I have narrowed it down and I'm pretty sure I'll get the "We'll always have Paris" rich coffee shade.

To check out all the colors click on here

I love my fake nails!

Before leaving for my cruise last week, I went with a friend to get a pedicure and manicure. I opted to try fake nails for the first time. Doing the French manicure , as you see. I LOVE them! My nails are perfect and long all the time. lol! Granted, I doubt I'll keep them, since the cost would get to me after awhile, but I defiantly recommend for special occasions or times when you'd love to just have great looking nails 24/7.

On Traveling

I've been away for a few days (hence the lack of posting), but have discovered a few things while walking through airports...

One thing I saw that I loved is the Spring scarf. The scarf is a very cost effective and versatile way to add a new look to your wardrobe. You can use it to make jeans and a white t-shirt look fab, or use it to add a bit of comfort and warmth during the morning and evening hours. You can use it as a belt, a head band, in place of necklace, or to make a drab bag look exciting. The girl in the seat next to me had on a bright pink and lime green scarf with jeans, a jean jacket, white button down shirt, and flip flops. On first glance, I thought she looked so fun and stylish, but upon closer inspection, realized that she was wearing nothing unusual or fun except for that scarf.

This scarf is from the Gap for only $19.50:

Here are some other great scarves from Lord & Taylor:



Another observation is that a very comfortable way to travel is by pairing calf length leggings with a knit tunic and flip flops instead of jeans. Your legs stay warm, but there is nothing more comfortable than soft knit around your legs and waist. I tried this look on the way to my destination and found that the only drawback was that the knit tunic tended to cling to the leggings some when I walked, causing me to keep yanking the tunic down while I walked. They were perfect for sitting on the plane, though, and I was glad to be wearing something other than jeans, as comfortable as a velour track suit, but with just a tad more style.
A couple of days before I left I gave myself a manicure and pedicure thinking that it wouldn't last for more than a few hours as I tend to be a klutz (especially when I travel) and my nail polish of the past never lasted very long without chipping or peeling off. I tried a new product this time, though, that has lasted still! I purchased the Sally Hensen Diamond Strength in "I Do" for only $4.75 and it has lasted longer than my salon quality OPI nail polish that costs twice as much!

I'm in love

I recently bought L'oreal Paris Manicure nail polish in Satin Sheets. I LOVE IT! Not only does it give an amazing pinky gloss without looking to "done up". But it is also doesn't chip easily. I put it on Thursday and then spent a weekend vacationing on a beach and being out doors and getting icky. But my nails...they look fablous, as though I just got home from a manicure.

I think I'll be buying more colors in this brand now. I love having my nails manicured but I always hate the fact that my nails usually look bad after only one day because of washing dishes, working, etc.

All dressed up and staying at home

As a stay-at-home-working mom I often find I never have any reason to dress up. But some days I just can't help myself. I need to have an excuse to style my hair, put on my make-up, and slip into some sexy heels.

This season I'm in love with the peep toe pumps and sandals. Chunky heel, no chunky heel...all of them are adorable. The sling backs (which I normally hate) are super cute as well.

Another thing I love about the peep toe is it is a fun way to show off a pedicure that actually makes your toes look like you spent a million bucks on them. Flip flops just don't give your pedicure justice.

For bright summer toes my all time favorite colors are pinks and reds. I'm talking Barbie pink and deep ruby reds.

What are some of your favorite summer accessories this year?