Weekly Manicure: Lilac Polish, Silver Accent Nail

Guys, I have to be super honest. I am in LOVE with my manicure this week; Every time I move my hand it catches my eye. Lilac is one my favorite warm weather manicure colors and this particular shade (Revlon Colorstay Provence) is absolutely perfect. While it would have been ok to rock the pseudo neutral lilac manicure I thought it best to spice it up with an accent nail, that really pulled the whole thing together. Although, I think next week I am going to skip the polish and try nail strips again... decisions, decisions. Which one do you prefer for your own manicures?

April 10, 2012: Everybody, Everywhere Is In Pastels

I didn't forget about you yesterday. I was actually feeling a little under the weather and didn't make it into the office. Easter was a great day full of fun with friends and family and unnecessary amount of food... let me stress the unnecessary part. I ate until I was about to explode and was feeling pretty under the weather yesterday. In the future I need to remember to eat with my tummy not with my eyes, life lessons people...

On another note, I know pastels are one of the things that I can be wearing next week but, all the cool kids are rocking this trend and I don't want to be left out. Pastels are one of those things, on trend or not, that always remind me of spring, warmer weather, and all around good times. 

• Top: purple scoopneck sweater, GAP outlet (same shirt different color here, here, and here) with a tank top underneath for the modesty; black blazer, Ann Taylor via Melissa
• Bottom: gray, black, and white skirt (with pockets), Mossimo for Target
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, Nine West; Amelia Earrings, Stella & Dot; silver watch, Fossil; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF

Items from this outfit are previously seen here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here:

Weekend Wear: International Gem & Jewelry Show

Today I took my mother to the International Gem and Jewelry Show in White Plains. We had a great time! If you have nothing going on tomorrow you should totally head to the Westchester County Center and check it out. With prices starting as low as $2.00 there is something for everyone! You can also come across some fantastic one of a kind pieces like the ring my mother got me, love it! 

After we went to the jewelry show we grabbed lunch at one of my fav spots, Panera. I can't get enough of the creamy tomato soup. Mom took the outfit pictures today, it was an interesting process. She is half a foot shorter than me so the first few pictures were from completely different than BF who is taller than me. We worked it out! Have you done anything fun this weekend so far?

• Top:  lilac and white striped t-shirt, LOFT; khaki green blazer, GAP
• Bottom: denim pencil skirt, Torrid
• Shoes & Accessories: brown topsiders, Kimmie Smith for Sebago courtesy of Sebago via Robert Verdi's Luxe Lab; mother of pearl earrings, Elizabeth Showers Vintage; gray scarf, H&M; mockingjay pin, NECA via eBay; citrine and sterling silver ring, Designs by Terra via International Gem and Jewelry Show/gift from Mom; purple patent leather tote, Coach

Weekly Manicure: Ombre

According to one of my fab friends who works in the magazine industry at very well know beauty/fashion publication nail polish is the new lipstick! What do I mean by that? Well, back in earlier recessions Leonard Lauder (chairman of Estee Lauder), consistently found that during tough economic times, his lipstick sales went up. Basically, we as consumers turn to less expensive indulgences, such as lipstick, when we feel less than confident about the future. Therefore, lipstick sales tend to increase during times of economic uncertainty or a recession. It has been a reliable measure over the years but, in this current economic mess that we find ourselves in it’s not lipstick that we are splurging on it’s nail polish and other manicure tools AKA the "lipstick effect" Do you think you are part of this phenomenon?

I can say that I am part of this trend without even realizing it. More recently I have been putting time and a little monies into my own mani/pedi fun. I am consistently disappointed when I splurge on a manicure at the salon only to have it chip within a day or two. Why bother spending the money on that when I can do it myself? And why not share it with you? I am always trying to spice it up so there will hopefully be some things that help/inspire your own manicure fun.

This week, I decided to take some inspiration from the official start of spring and do a manicure with one of my new fav warm weather colors, lilac! This is also in keeping with what my mother had planned for the family’s Easter ensembles, more on that later... I wasn’t sure if I should keep it simple or try something fun with it… I decided to try something new and attempt an ombre manicure. As I’m sure you know ombre is one of my favorite things and I’ve been watching video after video on how people make it happen… why can’t I? I used this ombre manicure tutorial from lizzypunch, it was the simplest to follow in my opinion and didn't require lots of polishes, sponges, etc.

The first step to a good long lasting manicure (ombre or otherwise) is starting with a very clean slate. It helps the polish to adhere to your nail.

I followed the steps that had been lined out in the tutorial but, there were a few tweaks that I would definitely stress. One of two drops of clear nail polish with a little color will work for every two/three nails but, I had to mix up a a few batches while I was in the process of doing the manicure. Also, a piece of aluminum foil works just as well as a small plastic container for your palette. 

This is the first layer which is 4/5 drops of clear nail polish mixed with 3/4 drops of color polish. One of the reasons why I might have had some challenges with this was because the polish is already a little sheer. You have to play around with your polish until you find the level of translucency/lightens that works for you.

 

For the next layer I used a few more drops of the lilac polish to deepen the color on top of what I had used for the first layer. I only painted that shade on half of each nail to give the fading ombre effect. It didn't really come out as definitively in this picture but, you can definitely make it out in the right light.

This is the finished product. I just used the lilac color without any additional clear nail polish for the tips. I also put a top coat which really helped smooth everything out but, only for the nails where I was able to go through the process quickly.What do you think of my ombre manicure?

Some nails came out more blended than others but, this was my first attempt at the ombre manicure. Have you tried it before, how did it work for you?  What do you think of my end results? Yes, I also did my toesies but, not in the ombre fashion. I don't think there is enough "canvas" to work with for that. They had to settle for a coat of Dr. Remedy's Lively Lilac.

April 12, 2011: One Minute To Midnight

It wasn't that late when I got home yesterday but, it was late enough. There were a few last minute details that I had to work out for an event today. Hopefully it will be a success! Wish me luck...

• Top: lilac and white striped t-shirt, LOFT ; black safari jacket, LOFT (same jacket different color here, here, and here)
• Bottom: black, gray, black, and white skirt (with pockets), Target
• Shoes & Accessories: black ruffle embellished flats, Audrey Brooke via DSW; silver bead earrings, Tiffany & Co.; gray le-dix/motorcycle bag, Balenciaga (not pictured)  

Items from this outfit have been previously seen and remixed here, here, here, here, and here.

July 1, 2010: Out Of It

I am so burnt out this week and I don't know why. Today for example I stood in front of my closet completely incapable of putting an outfit together. I am pretty satisfied with what I came up with but, it took twice as long as it normally would and the bedroom floor is now covered in rejects from the process. It's extra frustrating because I just got back from vacation for cripes sake! Either way, I have been waking up every morning feeling really out of it and have been fighting the urge/need to call in sick... tomorrow might be the day.

On another note, the roundup is taking longer than I thought it would. My new laptop crashing definitely set me back in terms of tracking and pictures so, I'm still working on it but, when I'm done I will (hopefully) have a really comprehensive look at what has been happening so far! Also, to celebrate the three month mark there might be some giveaway action, we shall see...

• Top: lilac short sleeved sweater, GAP outlet (same shirt different color here and here) with a tank top underneath for the modesty
• Bottom: gray cropped pants, Bitten via Steve & Barry's
• Shoes & Accessories: nude snake print sandals, Bandolino via Unique Thrift; labradorite earrings (which I had loaned to a friend and recently got back YAY) Pennyweights; black Fendi Spy Bag, Saks Fifth Avenue

Items from this outfit are previously seen here:

May 7, 2010

Yesterday I got SO many compliments on my dress! I love when something so simple and classic can be such cause for conversation!

Today I am not feeling the standard Friday theme. Maybe it's because I had a break mid-week, or because I have alot of work to do, or perhaps it's some other unknown reason... I just can't put my finger on it! Don't get me wrong I love the weekends but, I have a feeling that this one will come and go pretty quickly without that satisfying sense of rest.

• Top: lilac vintage Lacoste polo, via mom/thrifted
• Bottom: dark denim capris, random brand that fit via Macy's
• Shoes & Accessories: black Rocket Dog sneakers; handmade silkscreened scarf from Lyon, France via Little Brother during his study abroad tied as a headscarf for a vintage feel; swarovski crystal earrings, Pennyweights; silver L.A.M.B bag via Loehmann's

Happy Easter

So, I had mentioned that I was going to try to shop in my closet for the perfect Easter outfit as opposed to going to the store and purchasing a new one. I am sorry to say that this was not a overwhelming success.

It all started with the shoes. I have this gorgeous pair of Due Farina pale lilac sandals and was (still am) dead set on wearing them for the Easter events I have planned today. I proceeded to go through all the dresses I had in my closet that might match and while doing so I hit a few figurative snags. First of all they were all sleeveless and while the weather is going to be gorgeous today that is not entirely appropriate for church. Secondly they all showed an extreme amount of cleavage which is also inappropriate for church, as well as, life in general. Lastly, the one that I had settled on (black and white polka dot spaghetti strap sundress) encompassed my first two problems but, is also a little big so I had to wear a tank top under and a jacket over with some safety pins placed here and there... too much work.

You can now understand why when my mom mentioned that she was going to Loehmann's because she needed a shirt/dress/outfit to go with a jacket she had selected in her closet I seized the opportunity to accompany and find something for myself plus, she had asked me to give her a ride. Regardless, we made a killing there each getting outfits for Easter and my mom picked up some other items most of which will come to me after she wears them *thanks Mom*.

• Top: Calvin Klein khaki dress (via Loehmann's) wrinkled from sitting in the car for a while.
• Shoes & Accesories: Due Farina lilac sandals, Louis Vuitton Murakami Alma, V'ta watermelon tourmaline chip necklace, Tiffany silver earrings.

After that we went home and she was inspired to start clearing out her closet purging what she doesn't need, want, or wear anymore.Three shopping bags from one shelf in her closet plus some shoes (you no longer need to wonder where I got my love of clothes) and one for me *go Mom!!*. I made out like a bandit because some of the things that didn't work for her were classic enough and perfectly sized for me. Yay purge!! More items from that treasure hunt to come throughout the following weeks. If you are inspired to purge your closet and need a little help shoot me an email my keen eye, practicality, and honesty when it comes to clothes are just a few of the things I am known for amongst friends and acquaintances...

From: SheSpysTheBuys
To: You and Yours