Spring Time Manicure

 

One thing I love about the Spring season is when nail polish companies start coming out with fun new pastel polishes. I love a great bright varnish, but there's something about those pastels that is so perfect for when the weather starts heating up & the sun comes out to play. OPI recently came out with their Ballet collection which is a compilation of (mostly) pale pinks and purples to capture the essence of a ballerina. Likewise, the Nicki Minaj collection and Holland collection have both been very popular and full of punchy hues that will add a nice splash of colour to your wardrobe without having to pay the big bucks for a new outfit.

What to look for:
Mint green/softer olive tones, pale pink,
periwinkle blue (China Glaze has a gorgeous periwinkle colour),
light purple, pinkish nudes, and soft rose tones.

I have always been a fan of having a statement finger with polish, too. This is especially fun when it is done with glitter, a matte top coat or something extra sparkly - like a metallic. Not only do you get your dose of spring time pastels, but you kill two birds with one stone with a shot of bling!

Now, I leave you with some wise words from my poodle friend. Lunch, or OPI collection?

Hand & Nails

I never used to be such a nail polish fiend, but over the last year or so, I have gathered quite the collection. I generally gravitate towards bright, bold colours, as well as pinks & some glittery hues as well. What's more fun than a pop of sparkly red on your toes or bright yellow on your nails? For me, nail polish is treated like an accessory. It's a small, largely available luxury for women, and can add interest & a pop of colour to any outfit. However, it's always important to keep your hands and nails in great condition. As we all know, excessive use of polish can cause staining (and that's never a good look on anyone!)

My recommendations for nail care? Nail Envy by OPI and a good moisturizer/cuticle oil! I keep a small body butter in my purse at all times, as well as in the console of my car & in countless spots in the bathroom/bedroom. Bonus? Your hands will remain super soft & your nails will be moisturized and healthy!

Lazy Days

Thursday, Thursday - nearly the end of the week, but not quite. There are still two days I need to power through until it's MY end of the week. However, I was lucky enough to have this lovely Thursday off. I made myself a to-do list to complete, and I can confidently say I only have one more thing to check off. The pictures above show what my day has been (and I'll tell you other parts that went unpictured).

I started off my day with an Irish Creme latte at my mom's work. I nestled in at the back of the cafe, found a newspaper and began reading. Have you ever taken the time to actually read the newspaper? It's amazing, yet sad, what happens in this world. In addition, I also got to taste test some gummy bears and a few jelly beans. That was great fuel for a quick 4K run!

After running a couple errands (such as grabbing the BF and I an iced coffee from McDonalds - don't knock it till you try it, $1.00 any size, all summer -  pumping up my tires, where I accidentally slammed the ends of a few strands of hair in the door - it wasn't ridiculously painful, but still a little ouchy!, dropping clothing off at the thrift store, things like that), I made my younger cousin Owen a birthday card, conjured up a giant salad (unpictured), and curled up in bed to blog, paint my fingers & toes, burn cd's & take a break for some cantaloupe and banana. Delicious, and I am sufficiently full from all the nutrients today! That book there is the last thing I have to check off my to-do list. I plan on puttering away at it some more!

Not too exciting, but not too shabby either. It's sunny and pretty clear outside, so that makes it all better too.

How's your Thursday been?

Recent Shots

1. Goals, To-Do List, and an outline of my work out routine that I will be starting today! I have decided to run a race this June, so I have two months to train. It's not a long distance by any means, and I'm not doing it to be competitive, but I thought it would be one of those things where I could honestly (and proudly) say, "Yeah, I did that!"

2. Baking some cookies! I found the recipe on Carrotsncake.com - they are called Matt Damon cookies, for any of you treat fiends out there!

3. Seeds, seeds, seeds! If you know me, I love me some seeds in ANYTHING - yogurt, oatmeal, cookies, sprinkled on roasted veggies, in the palm of my hand... I added hemp seeds and sunflower to these cookies for some added chew! Oh, and some chocolate chips so my dad & Brandon wouldn't be totally freaked out by oats + seeds.

4. Om nom nom! I devoured a small one (I made smaller ones for myself so I could still get a sweet treat without having one half the size of my face) last night.

5. Plate o' goodies!

6. Me lookin' fly for all you readers. Yeah, my shirt says Trees Are For Hugging, and yes, I have a pony tail bump in my hair from my day at work, and YES, I am not wearing make up!

7. Painting my nails. I also took a picture of my toenails, but it didn't turn out that well. Ah well. Another day.

8. I used OPI's Tickle My France-y. It's usually my go to colour for my nails, as it's work appropriate (for the restaurant anyway) and fits in well with the whole nude/neutral infatuation that's been happenin' these days.

Happy Monday everyone! I'll be spending the afternoon at work, but I have a couple things I want to check off my To - Do list, like buying new runners and a food processor. Perhaps today will be the day!

Recent Shots

1. Three pink polishes I'm currently in love with at the moment. Rimmel London's Sweet Heart, OPI's Pink-a-doodle & Pinking of you.

2. Yeah, I made myself a bookshelf out of a tomato box. Savvy.

3. Close up of some of my favourite books!

4. Close up on the magazines.

5. My favourite green tea brand (Yogi) always has these sweet sayings on their tea bag tags.

Happy Sunday everyone! Are you watching the Oscars tonight?

Polyvore Collage: Shoes!

Pretty in Pink

1. Rose Flats: Forever 21, $16.80 2. Zara flared dress: $49.90 3. Zara button up cardigan: $35.90 4. O.P.I. Nail Polish: Pink-ing of You, approx. $11.00 5. O.P.I. Nail Polish: Pinkadoodle, approx. $11.00 6. Metallic banded dress: Forever 21, $22.80

What will YOU be wearing for Valentine's Day?

Polish Collection

L-R: Sally Hansen Sugar Bare, Rimmel London Champagne, OPI Pink-ing of You, OPI Infatuation


L-R: Sally Hansen Silver Slingblade, Sally Hansen Rockstar Pink, Sally Hansen Plum Power, Sally Hansen Iced Mauve


L-R: Sally Hansen Midnight Navy, NYC Pier 17, NYC Flat Iron Green, Sally Hansen Gunmetal, Sally Hansen Flirt


L-R: Sally Hansen Fairy Nice, Sally Hansen Lively Lilac, Sally Hansen Purple Potion, Zoya Blyss, Sally Hansen Deep Purple


L-R: Sally Hansen Caribbean Coral, Sally Hansen Hot Magenta, Creative Chilled Champagne, Zoya ViVi, Sally Hansen Tangerine


L-R: Sally Hansen Ivy League, Sally Hansen Lime Lights, Sally Hansen Mellow Yellow, Sally Hansen Marine Scene, Sally Hansen Turquoise, Sally Hansen Ocean View (2 of these actually! One was part of a Christmas gift our relative never knew we already had!)


OPI Bastille My Heart, Zoya Davincia, Sally Hansen Cherry Red, NYC Imperial Red, Sally Hansen Crushed


L-R: Sally Hansen Twisted Pink, OPI Baguette Me Not, Revlon Love Her Madly, Sally Hansen Ice Coffee, OPI Melon of Troy, Rimmel London Sweetheart


L-R: OPI Curry Up! Don't Be Late!, Zoya Richelle, Rimmel London Desert Beauty, NYC Mulberry Street, Creative Bisou De LuLu

As you can see, I have a giant nail polish collection! The sad thing is that there are some polishes missing in these pictures. I was going to save this post for tomorrow to give me something to do while I passed time, but I knew that if I uploaded the pictures & didn't have the polishes beside me for names, it would be a little tricky. So! You guys get the post now. I hope you all had a good Monday! My Monday (slash Thursday, as it's almost my weekend) consisted of working for four and a half hours, coming home & having dinner, and getting cozy on the couch. Not bad, but not the best night I've ever had! Oh well. Fun will come soon enough.

Perfectly Polished

If you've ever been in my room, you'll notice that I am obsessed with the colour pink, nail polish, and accessories. I decided to do a post on four nail polish colours I have been eyeing up lately. Sure, I probably have these in a different brand, but not every colour is the same! Usually when I buy nail polish, I go towards the same things. It's either something bright that stands out, or a neutral that works with anything. I strongly feel that nail polish can be an accessory. Sometimes it's just the right amount of pop you need to an outfit!

1. Jade is the New Black by OPI. This reminds me of what the colour emerald's sister would look like. Weird comparison, I know, but it's so similar! They're practically twins. When I think of jade, I don't think of something this dark, but I love this colour nonetheless!

2. Done out in Deco by OPI. If you are searching for the perfect matte lilac polish, this is the colour for you! I have a polish by Sally Hansen (mentioned in another post - Lively Lilac) and it is a couple shades darker, and another one that is almost light as this one. However, it doesn't have the same blue undertones that makes this one perfect!

3. Jade by Chanel. LOTS of celebrities have been wearing this lately. It's a subtle punch of colour to an all black outfit or the minimalistic neutral trend.

4. Vanity by Chanel. A hot pink polish is perfect for those hot days in the summer when your tan is looking its best. However, it's also fitting for those dreary days when all you want to do is curl up with a book and a cappuccino. It gives a bright burst of cheery colour in an irresistible hue.

What is the most you have ever spent on ONE bottle of nail polish? I am debating whether I want to go out and buy a Chanel polish. I have heard tremendous things about the quality, and I love their colours! They change from season to season just like their clothes.

Are Chanel polishes worth the $20.00 + price tag? What do you think?

Holly xoxo