#DearMe, Champagne and Best Friend Time!

What a great couple of days it has been.  I honestly have to report again in this blog post that I have been so happy in the past couple of weeks and 2015 has been such an amazing year so far.  

I know that recently, YouTube has launched a campaign called the #DearMe campaign, where ladies have been talking about things that have made them who they are, and what they would have said to themselves when they were younger.  I would just want to tell myself that dreams do come true.  Little B, you are going to get what you deserve if you work hard for it.

ANYWAY!  Enough with the sappy stuff!  Here are a couple of things that have inspire me this weekend and some other things that I have done.

Let's start it off with this absolutely stunning photo of New York City.  I went to Brooklyn on Friday and was able to snap this photo of the Manhattan skyline just before it got dark.  I was so happy about it and while I was in the backseat of the car driving, I snapped this among many other shitty shots.  When you look at something this beautiful, it really makes you appreciate everything you have and everything that you work so hard for.

   

This is another impressive shot coming over a bridge in my town.  I love this photo because it almost looks like it was taken in Hawaii or something and that what is really ice here, looks like crispy clear water.

I got my first NatureBox and I was so excited for it!  My friend sent me an invite code and I got a completely free first box with 5 full size snacks and 1 bonus snack.  I must say, I got a few weird snacks that I wasn't really that impressed at, but hey - what can you do?  I learned my lesson and went online to order the ones that will come in next months box.  If I don't like them I'll cancel the service.  That's what I have to say about that.  I'm not intensely impressed.

I went to 709 this weekend with Ally.  We started the day with a glass of wine and a hummus platter at Harpoon Willy's.  We were going to sit there and eat before we got nails done but the place was so busy and someone was having a private party and it was so loud in there.  We decided to go to 709.

We knew we wanted champagne so we decided to just get a bottle (lol) and hangout for a while.  We got two appetizers there that I didn't even get a chance to take a photo of because we both ate it all so fast (also lol).  We got teriyaki chicken meatballs and soft pretzels with mustard dipping sauce. 

Ally got an order of filet mignon sliders with bleu cheese and I got a grilled chicken and brie sandwich.  We both had sides of french fries and were so full by the time we drank all of that champagne.  Ugh, lol.

We both got our nails done after lunch and it was the best thing ever.  I  desperately needed to get mine redone because they literally started to HURT they were so long.  I decided to take a break from length and color and went with a short and natural nude color.  Ally got a pink with glitter on the tip.  

Ultimately, I had a great weekend.  A fun Saturday with my best friend and nice relaxing Sunday preparing for the week.  ALSO!  I just have to say I am so excited about daylight savings time.  I love when it like, never gets dark out lol.  It just means summer is that much closer.  

How did your weekend go?  Leave a comment or send a me a tweet!  Thanks for reading.  -Brit.

Winter Whites, FTW! #blogmas Day 1, 2014!

I am so excited about this latest Ciate Caviar Manicure that I tried!  It actually reminds me of snow and makes me happy.  I know, snow.. making me happy.. imagine that.  I posted an Instagram picture today with the below photo saying 'I'd rather have the snow on my manicure than the ground,' because that is completely true.  I mean how gorgeous is this though?!  Winter whites, FTW!

Ciate Caviar Manicure, Snow Virgin

An added bonus is that the white is a really nice white all alone.  I have been wearing the polish for a couple of days alone and it's just a bright, vibrant color that almost pops off your nails!  Have you tried it?  Tweet me and let me know!  Thank you for reading.  P.S.: Welcome to BLOGMAS! -Brit.

Chop-Sticking To My Story

Probably one of my favorite posts of Blogtober!  I don't know why I'm saying this when I'm only three days in, but I think it has something to do with the fact that this is nail polish and it's orange.  COMPLETE HAPPINESS.  I love this rich pumpkin color, it makes me so happy.

The color is called Chop Sticking To My Story by OPI and I couldn't love it anymore than I do.

What is your favorite color for the fall season on your nails?  I tend to love deeper colors and stuff when it gets colder, but this is definitely appropriate for fall and October in general!  Send me a tweet or leave a comment below.  Thank you for reading Blogtober!  -Brit.

The Purple Haze

 I had to beat a dead horse with these damn terrariums when I first made them, so you will happy to know that this post is about my nails.  NOT the terrariums.  Of course though, I had to at least include them into some of these photos.  Just sit back, relax and enjoy the purple amazement that is this color.

I thought the color was so underrated in my nail polish collection and I wanted to bring it back.  A friend of mine's favorite color is purple and I was NEVER into it that much.  He always used to tell me that he was obsessed with the color because it was different and most guys don't like it.  I thought it was an interesting explanation for his hue obsession but after he said that, I still didn't like the color.  All of a sudden for the past year or two though, I have been able to find a place in my *hEaRt* for the color.  I'm so weird, but sometimes you surprise yourself with things.

With a color that has a name like 'Funky Dunkey' you can't really be afraid of making a statement.  By no means is this a color for a serious business environment, I would say.  Something about it just pops on the nails.  I think even with lighter skin tones this looks awesome.  Normally coming off of summer my color would be a little darker so I would have another tone to report on but not this year.  I think the brilliance in the color of this formula is what makes it look great on any nail.

For some reason I just love the shade.  The application is great, I normally really like the brush on OPI polishes.  Do you?  I always do about three coats of any polish but this was only two.  I also find that OPI always dries lickety split.  I absolutely love the formula for that reason because as much as I have a passion for doing nails, I can't stand waiting for them to dry.  Send me a tweet and let me know if you love OPI.  This is quite a Halloween-y color, can you sense my excitement?  -Brit.

Gel Manicure #4: Update

Yes, yes it's that time again: Gel Manicure update time!  I know what you're thinking: why are you sporting red nail polish right now?  Well, during my visit to the salon this time I went in knowing exactly what color I wanted.  I literally was dreaming of this gorgeous burnt orange color and I knew for sure that was what I was going to get.  So as I sit there starting to get the manicure looking at the color wheels, I noticed that my color wasn't there!  I was so annoyed because I saw the color for  the past four gel manicures that I went in for but wasn't going to get it because it was still July and I wanted light and fun.  

Needless to say I really wanted the color this time because August just does something to me that it instantly brings on the fall feelings.  Don't get me wrong, I do NOT want to rush summer at all but I just feel like Pumpkins start growing in my mind as soon as August 1st comes along.  Needless to say, I decided to go with this beautiful red color.  At first glance on the color wheel, this color did not look as strong and prominent as it does on the nails.  I still love it, but I wasn't thinking it would be as bold.

What do you guys think?  I'm not mad because normally I don't regret any color that I put on my nails (haha) we all know this about me.  I love painted nails in general.  Of course I'm going to ask you if you've ever gotten a gel manicure?  What do you think of them?  This post is about 5 days after my latest manicure, so if you see growth that's why.  Send me a tweet or leave me a comment!  -Brit.   

Gel Manicure #3: Update

As you know, I have recently 'found the light' in gel manicures.  Although I haven't written anything about my second one, I wanted to definitely document this one because it's the best one yet.  Perhaps I will continue showing you each manicure I get, because I do plan to get some cool stuff when the holidays start coming around. 

When I saw this color on the color wheel in the salon, I automatically fell in love with it, but I wasn't sure I wanted to get it.  I was torn between this 'rust orange/red' color and the one I actually chose.  I decided to wait with the rusty color until at least August.  I didn't want to rush the fall or anything.  #SummerForever

As you may be able to realize, there are fine glitters in the polish that are yellow.  Combined with the pink it almost looks green and it is absolutely beautiful.  I like this color because I wanted something interesting but subdued at the same time.  You might be thinking, 'Uhhhh, that's not subdued,' but it actually really is.  The only time the glitter picks up is when it hits the sun or direct light, other times it just looks like a really nice pink color.  

Another thing you might be able to notice that my nails are growing DRASTICALLY from where they were three weeks ago.  Now that I have gel nails, I constantly feel the necessity to massage my cuticles.  This is really wierd sounding but it's completely true.  For some reason I guess I try to convince myself that it will make them grow and it just feels good.  So far so good I would say.

Have you guys tried gel manicures since I last wrote about them?  Let me know in a tweet or leave a comment below.  I would definitely suggest this color over my last two, I enjoy it.  -Brit.

My First Gel Manicure Experience!

GUYS.  I have jumped ship.  If you know me at all, you know that I am a nail polish MANIAC.  There's nothing that makes me happier than taking the time to sit here and do my own nails.  Whether it just be a polish change or a complete at-home manicure, I am just the queen of all things nails.  This has changed.  

~*ReVoLuTioNaRy*~

The Gel Manicure has changed my life.  Okay so granted, it's only been one day since I have had it but I can already tell you that I have fallen in love with it.  There are a few things that I wanted to tell you about just incase you were thinking about going in and getting one yourself.  I can almost guarantee that you are going to fall in love too.  

What I Was Expecting

#1: Expensive!?

Honestly, I don't know what I was completely expecting but there were a couple of, I guess you could say, misconceived notions about gel manicures for me.  The only memory I have of going to the nail salon is when I was about 10.  I remember that my mother used to get these outrageously expensive manicures week in and week out and I would always wonder why she would spend so much money.  Granted, they looked great when she came out but I just was thinking how expensive that was.  I thought, going into this gel manicure, that I was going to have to pay about $60-$70 for it and I was outraged.  This is absolutely NOT the case.  

My Aunt put my mind at ease and assured me that I would be only paying $22!  :O  I was completely shocked.  My Aunt was the one that got me interested in getting a gel manicure for the first time so I was taking everything that she said with complete confidence.  I asked her all of the questions that I had in my brain and it was a spur of the moment decision to go and get them done yesterday, I swear.  We were sitting at her breakfast nook in the kitchen dripping sweat from the run we just went on in the 91 degree weather when we just up and decided that we were going to go get manicures!  I feel sorry for the people that were touching us, ew.  Obviously we washed our hands and made ourselves look semi-presentable but we both felt gross coming straight from a run.  

#2: A Normal Manicure?

I totally thought that it was going to be just like a manicure.  You go in, you pick a color, you sit and wait and then finally they help you.  I thought after the manicure was done, you were to sit there for ages and let them dry.  I thought you had to dig awkwardly through your purse for your wallet and eventually grab out your credit card/wallet to pay.  This was not the case at all!  Being that I was such a no0b at gel nails, I think it showed on my face.  The woman (I could tell) was totally making fun of me.  I'm okay with that.  I didn't ask any questions because I wanted to refrain from acting a fool and that was the best choice possible, as I ended up doing everything perfectly fine.  Except for one thing.  Upon the entrance of my nails into the lamp, the smallest fuzz stuck right into the wet polish.  Five minutes later, the lady was blaming me for bumping my hand onto the top of the lamp.  I knew FOR SURE that I didn't bump it.  I made sure that I very carefully was sliding my hands in and out of the lamps because I am so incredibly clumsy.  Needless to say, she just completely re-did it and everything ended up being perfectly fine.  

#3: Heat And Lamps!?

Now I guess this technically could have gone under the 'Normal Manicure' section of this post but I had to differentiate because of my interesting story about messing up the nail (natural Brittany move).  I was absolutely amazed at the way the gel manicure process went.  It was nothing like any other manicure has ever been for me.  First, they clean your nails (this is about as normal as it gets).  There's a base coat that is applied once and then you stick your hands in these small neon lamps that are glowing with heat underneath the table.  Now granted, I knew the process but I had just never gotten it done before.  

Once the base coat is applied and your nails are sitting under the heat lamp, you are prompted by the artist to give your hands to her and she starts applying the color.  Now depending on the color that you select, the amount of coats my vary.  With that being said, between each coat, you are to put your hands back under the heated lamps.  After the top coat is applied and you wait significantly longer than between each coat, the artist takes rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball and rubs it on your nail.  At this point I was freaking out wondering why she was trying to ruin my nails.  I mean obviously I trust them, they know what they're doing, but I just was like 'Ummmm.. what?'  Needless to say, you take out your nails from the heat, she hits it with the alcohol and then its COMPLETELY DRY.  

I was literally amazed.  I still was fumbling around for my money to pay like an idiot and the artist was like, 'Oh honey, don't worry, that's dry.'  I felt like a complete idiot haha, but hey!  I wasn't sure.  Overall, my experience at the salon was absolutely amazing.  I am so happy that I went and that my Aunt took me to such an awesome place called Star Nails.  Now I'm sure that you all have places wherever you live to get gel manicures but if you live in the Ocean County/Jersey Shore area, I would suggest Star Nails for sure!  They have this really awesome program where you get a card and for every service you get, they check it off.  Eventually when you reach 10 services, you get a $20 credit.  This almost equals out to a free gel manicure.  Pretty awesome.

Here are some photos of my nails.  I am so pleased with the way they look.  They're shiny, perfect and this is such a perfect color to have on the nails if you are looking for 'office appropriate/interview friendly.'  I cannot wait to go insane with the colors over the holidays and everything.  I hate to say it, but I think I might be making a big change in my nail polish collection.  Time to clean it out a little bit and give some to my 11 year old neighbor.  And we never thought this day would come.  

Sorry for the awful angles of my hands.  Ew.  Anyway!  Send me a tweet/leave a comment and let me know if you have ever gotten a gel manicure!  Is there anything that I must know about getting them in the future or am I just super excited and probably sounding psychotic (lol).  Thanks for reading!  -Brit.

Braziliant!

Okay guys.  As I had previously said, the weather has finally been looking up but I knew for sure that it was too good to be true (being that it's only February).  Granted, tomorrow is the last day of the month and I could not be more excited.  For some reason I just cannot stand February because it always kind of meant 'dead of winter' to me and I hate winter (no surprise).  

Being that you know I hate winter, I bring you a nice little pop of color for the time being.  While we wait for the weather to be on a steady incline rather than just popping up in random places when it feels like it, March IS actually coming so that means it's time to starting bringing out the pastels and the brights.  Nothing makes me happier.

Come May I'm sure I'll do Manicure May but for now you have to take a look at this color!  I remember when the color came out with the Braziliant collection and I was so excited.

This is the collection titled color Braziliant.  I love the bright pop of color because it's HOT orange and it just makes me happy.  I can use this as a crutch to get me through the rest of this gross winter weather.  

As you can see, the polish has amazing duo-chrome.  The subtle hints of purple are just enough to make it look like 'not your average orange' polish.  I like the application of this polish,  I have two coats on here and that's really all you need.  Normally Essie polishes are great this way, pretty opaque.  

I feel like I also must add that I have Lush 'Dream Cream;' on my hands at the time of these photos so thats why they look a little oily.  I couldn't wait to take the pictures because I wanted to show you the color.  I am going to definitely be sharing my favorites for dry skin coming up soon, so make sure you don't miss it.  I have eczema and not everything works for me  (barely anything), so I have a lot to say about Dream Cream and another line of amazing products.  

What are you doing to get through these last couple of cold months?  Thank you so much for reading and make sure you check in for my dry skin (eczema friendly) post coming really soon!  Also, more outfit of the days coming up as well.  Send me a tweet or comment!  

Manicure Monday: American Denim Style.

It's Manicure Monday again!  I cannot honestly believe how fast these weeks are just passing right by, but I am not going to complain about that!  I want summer to get here as soon as possible and THEN the weeks can slow down, ha!  As I write this post for Manicure Monday I sit here looking out my window at SNOW falling from the sky nearly a week after spring has started.  I really have no explanation for it.  

Today's polish is American Apparel's "American Dream" as you see in the photo.  There's something about this polish that I really love.  To start, the color is amazingly opaque.  Because I always like to do two coats on my nails, I do, but you can absolutely get away with only one coat.  Another plus to this is that is dries pretty fast.  I wouldn't say its the fastest drying polish, but it is pretty good.  The pastel color is so adorable for spring and perfect for creating a cute little Easter egg design or something.  I will, im sure, have some of those posts coming up soon.

Check out the polish on American Apparel's website.  What are you all wearing on your nails today?  Leave a comment below or send me a tweet and let me know.  Thank you, as always, for reading today.  Hope to talk to you soon!

Xoxo-Brit.