Nailed it: Pink Polka

I used my new Konad stamper kit for these!!

Nailcolor:
Base: Sally Hansen Cafe au Lait
Polka Dots: Kiss Nail Art Paint Bikini Pink

Nailed it: You crack me up...

Really, you do.

Sally Hansen Xtreme wear Black out under Sally Hansen Crackle Snow Blast

Nail Fail

I did this last weekend, and immediately wanted to get out the polish remover. But before I went to town with the acetone police, I decided to snap a few pics for my first (virtual) nail fail. I'm sure I will make this a regular part of my posts, as I really do have nail fails. I'm not all rainbows and butterflies and I know it's hard to fathom, but I too make mistakes. Even with my nails.

Though, now that I'm looking at these photos I'm not sure it really was a fail. What do you think?

Nail Stamps: The Verdict is In...

So the nail stamp, scraper and plates that I ordered came in! (Read about it here.) I was so excited to try them that I recorded my first experience with them for your viewing pleasure.....



Without reading any directions and pretty-much not knowing much at all about the process, I did a pretty good job. This process couldn't be easier.

Although I have to say, maybe I'm a snob but something kind of doesn't feel right about this. Doesn't it seem like cheating? I mean, it's SO EASY. Perhaps it's the artist in me, but for some reason there's a part of me that still thinks I should be attempting to make all these teeny tiny nail designs by hand. I Know, I know. I'm being impossible.

Nailed It: All Laced Up.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects aren't as easy to use as I thought, but the results are nice.

OMG. CVS is Dangerous.

Case in Point.

In Honor of Hump Day...

Sparkle Motion: Nailed It!

I was inspired by Sparkle Motion from Donny Darko.

Carblovers- Week One Review

Today officially marks the day I've been on Carblover's for exactly one week. (If you don't already know, I've been doing the Carblover's Diet since last Monday.)

I have to say, the diet is not it's all cracked up to be. I feel a bit naive, but this diet is really just a low calorie diet. Not that it's bad- it's just not some "revolutionary" idea. I was hoping (or rather dreaming?) that with a title like Carblovers, I'd get to eat all of the pizza and tortilla chips I wanted, and lose weight! Wouldn't that be awesome. heh.

The first week of the diet has me eating a 1200 calorie diet. And despite the claims of the book that "you'll never be hungry!", I'm hungry all of the time. All. Of. The. Time.

But, I will say, I like the food and the recipes and it seems like I'm getting some good results. So all-in-all, I'm happy with the diet. I just wish I wasn't hungry. But, hey- losing weight isn't easy. At least I get to eat bananas. I'm bananas for bananas.

Here's a sampling of some of the food I've been eating this week.


Starting weight: 136
Current Weight: 131

Food:
Day 1
Breakfast: Banana Shake
Lunch: Big Chopped Salad
Dinner: Cuban Chicken (cheat)
Snack: Greek Yogurt + Honey + Rolled Oats
Cheat: One LARGE sweet tea Mojito (Hey... I was out with my good friend who I haven't seen in months. It was warranted.) Cuban Chicken from Mixto.

Day 2
Breakfast: Banana + Oatmeal +Walnuts
Lunch: Grilled Chicken + Pepper Pita
Dinner: Salmon, Potato + Salad
Snack: Cornflakes, Dried Cranberries + Almond trail mix
Cheat: None

Day 3
Breakfast: Banana Shake
Lunch: Express Lunch Plate (One Hard-Boiled Egg, One Apple, Cheddar Cheese Slices)
Dinner: Black Bean Tacos
Snack: Cornflakes, Dried Cranberries + Almond trail mix
Cheat: None

Day 4
Breakfast: Banana + Kellogs Special K Bar
Lunch: Tuna Melt on Rye
Dinner: Big Chopped Salad
Snack: Cornflakes, Dried Cranberries + Almond trail mix
Cheat: None

Day 5
Breakfast: Banana + Oatmeal +Walnuts
Lunch: Big Chopped Salad
Dinner: Pasta with Veggies + Feta
Snack: White Bean Dip + Crudites
Cheat: About 5 Fried Pickles, Half of a Regular Margarita from Jose Pistola's + One small Skinny Girl Margarita

Day 6
Breakfast: Banana Shake
Lunch: Express Lunch Plate (One Hard-Boiled Egg, One Apple, Cheddar Cheese Slices)
Dinner: Chicken Pasta Primavera
Snack: Tortilla Chips + Black Beans + Salsa
Cheat: None

Day 7
Breakfast: Banana + Almond Butter on Rye Toast
Lunch: Progresso High Fiber Minestrone Soup + Melba Rye Toast
Dinner: Burger on Wheat Bun + Three Bean Salad
Snack: Cornflakes, Dried Cranberries + Almond trail mix
Cheats: None

As you can see, I cheated a little bit. But I still lost, which is good. I was miserable for a better part of the week, due to the hunger.

On to phase two: The 21 Day Immersion!

Nailed It: So Excited!!!

So yesterday evening, a friend of mine let me know about the nailasaurus- a blog solely dedicated to nail art. Um? hello. Yes. How do I not know about this? I admit I'm feeling very uncool that I don't already follow this blog!

Take a minute to check it out.

Go ahead. I'll wait.

Awesome, right?

You probably noticed that most of these designs (if not all?) are done using a nail stamper... something I've debated buying before, but never thought there was a real need.... until I saw the nailasaurus.


So......

Guess what? I just bought a nail stamper and a bundle of nail plates! Yes! If you have no clue what I'm talking about, here's some reference:

Goodbye to my good friend...

... diet coke.

(Source)

Yeah.

I started the Carb Lovers Diet today and I have to say goodbye to my much-loved drink of choice.

Sad. You'll be missed my friend.

Don't be surprised if I turn into a werewolf by noon tomorrow. I love it that much.

(Source)

Spring: Nailed It!

You know how beautiful the cheery blossoms look in Philly in spring?




Well they totally inspired me.

Worn: Flor(ed)

(Yes. You guessed it, "flor" is the word for flower in Portuguese- hence the silly title.)

I love to wear this LBD lots of different ways depending on the weather. Well it's May and what better to pair it with than beautiful May flowers... garment style of course.

For chillier spring days (when a sweater is necessary):









For sunnier spring days (no sweater necessary):










As I mentioned in another post, I snagged this Valentino scarf for $35 at a silent auction. $35! What! I just needed to say that again because I'm proud. Very proud.







Dress: Vintage
Sweater: Target
Belt: Target
Shoes: Payless (Can you believe it?!)
Scarf: Valentino
Bag: Purchased at Decade in Denver


Um..... can we get a shot of those Payless shoes again?


Thanks.

And speaking of Payless shoes, what do you think about these wedges?? I love them.


This post was submitted on:

Navajo: Nailed it!

White nail color: Sally Hansen Whirlwind White.
Design made with Black Sally Hansen Nail Art Pens.

Rag Necklaces

I've been noticing that these necklaces have become very popular. I made these pictured in 2009 after I saw some in Portugal. I love the look and I love making them. I originally anticipated getting them up on Etsy, but shortly after making them we bought our house and with all of the home renovations, I didn't have much time.

I saw some awesome jewelry on the bleubirdvintage blog.... I love the Navajo inspired bracelets and necklaces at thief&bandit. The prints are amazing and her color choices are SO GOOD. I love jewelry that is artful and simple at the same time. I just ordered a bracelet from etsy!

Here is a sampling of the necklaces I made a couple of years ago...



(Not to be "that girl" but look how skinny I was two years ago! I need to get on South Beach again!)

Feeling Blue: Nailed It!

Today I was feeling blue.



Nail Color: Sally Hansen HD High Definition Nail Color in Blu
Checkers: Sally Hansen Nail Art Pens in White

The Irony? I'm listening to this...