More fancy fingers

It’s no secret that I love nail polish. Anyone who reads regularly knows that I love a great nail trend. Today, I will share my latest nail obsession…Konad Nail Stamping.

Konad nail stamping is a simple system that allows you to customize your nails into whatever design and color you would like. You can mix and match colors and designs to get unique, one of a kind looks that are sure to grab attention. I get compliments on my fingernails everywhere I go when I have a Konad design on my nails.

WARNING:

1) Konad stamping takes a bit of practice. Don’t attempt if you are in a hurry. Also, don’t give up if your first try is less than fabulous.

2) Nail stamping can be fabulous…but if placed in the wrong hands, it can easily get tacky. When in doubt? Choose a more subtle color or pattern. Don’t go too over the top.

Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to get an awesome look with a nail stamping system:

What you will need:

• An old towel
• Cotton Swabs
• Base Coat
• Clear Top Coat
• Nail Polish Remover
• Base Color
• Stamping Color (Not all brands make good stamping polish. It is recommended that you use Konad Brand Special Polish to stamp. They have a wide array of colors. I’ve also found that ELF Black polish stamps well and many metallic silver colors stamp well. Konad Special Polish does, however, stamp the best.)
• An old plastic card (an expired loyalty card is recommended-you will not be able to use this card again once you use it for stamping!)
• Konad Nail Stamping Plates

• Konad Nail Stamper

Konad brand products can be found several places on the internet. I’ve found the best price and selection at Wow So Cool. The site looks less than legit, but I’ve ordered several times and have had no problems.

 

Step 1:

Select your design and colors. For this design, we will be using the ELF Mint Green polish as a base color, and ELF lack as a stamping color. The design will be the leopard spots. *Note* One minor annoyance I’ve got with Konad is that they put one cute design per plate. The rest are TACKY. So select your plates carefully.

Step 2:

Paint your nails with a base coat (as you ALWAYS should) and paint two coats of your base color. Don’t worry about cleaning up the edges. There is plenty of time for that later. Add a clear topcoat once your two coats are finished.

Step 3:

Let your nails dry and harden COMPLETELY. This is a crucial step. Don’t be tempted to start stamping early. This is a process. I’ve even painted my base color and kept it on for a day prior to stamping. If you try to stamp while your base is still tacky, it will not stamp cleanly.

Step 4:

When your nails are COMPLETELY dry and hardened, take your stamping color and paint your chosen design. Cover the design completely and make sure the crevices are filled.

Step 5:

Scrape the excess polish off of the plate using your plastic card. (This is one of the reasons I like to use ELF…It’s only $2 a bottle!)

Step 6:

Press your stamper down onto the plate to “pick-up” the design. Press firmly, but not so hard that the stamper shifts. You will see the design clearly on the stamper.

Step 7:

Carefully transfer the design from your stamper to your nail by lining up the design and pressing it onto your nail.

(Not sure why I’ve not got a picture of the actual stamping…but you get the idea…)

Step 8:

Carefully and completely clean the polish off of the stamper and the crevices of the plate.

Step 9:

Repeat steps 4-8 until you have achieved the desired look-whether that be on all ten fingers,or just as a highlight on one nail.

Step 10:

After the stamping polish is dry (doesn’t take long at all) add a clear top coat on to you nails and clean up the edges, as there WILL be nail polish on your skin. Be careful and use a cotton swab to do this.

Enjoy your fancy fingers!

I get that the mint green and black leopard is a bit bold for some. There are some great polka dots, strips, houndstooth, and french manicure stamps as well. There is something for everyone!

Make sure to send me your designs if you decide to try Konad!

Cheers.

What is a family?

I was blessed by being born into a great family. My birth parents are my parents. They have been together for over 30 years and built a beautiful life for our family.

I would be naïve to think that all children have the same life I had. Some were not born to the parents God wants for them. Some are adopted as babies. Some wait for years to meet their parents and are raised by birth parents, foster parents, social services, grandparents, or other relatives in transit before meeting the parents they are meant to have. Due to an all too often broken system, many children never get the parents that they deserve.

Adoption has had a strong place in my heart for years. Growing up in a church where foster children regularly frequented our youth group, children’s ministries, and nursery, I learned about social services and what they do for children at a young age. A close friend of mine is adopted. Friends from church have adopted babies from America, as well as all over the world. A family friend has embarked on the journey of adopting three beautiful children who, truth be told, adopted the family years ago, before any legal actions were taken. The young husband and wife have been married for just a few short months, but the building blocks of this family began assembling years ago-before they had even met. They are just mid 20-somethings already are caring for three children. Two beautiful little boys-brothers, with eyes that could melt the coldest heart, and a blonde, curly-haired, street smart sister- not quite school age, but knows how to work over any adult with her precious face and spunky attitude. Though the adoptions are not final, they are a FAMILY. They are the mommy and daddy that these kids trust with the most precious of things that mommies and daddies do: Bedtime stories, Barbie and Cars band-aids, and making the scary things in life go away. These kids have seen worse things in their few years on this earth than I have in my 26, but they finally have a family that will do whatever it takes to stick together. Read more about this precious family HERE. It’s such a cool story.

Adoption has surrounded me and fascinated me for years. Maybe that is God’s way of telling me that someday I will adopt a child? Maybe it’s just God’s way of telling me to pray for adoptions and help educate the world of a process that is challenging, rewarding, frustrating, and beautiful all at the same time.

A guy with whom I went to high school is currently embarking on this journey with his wife. Adam and April are a young couple who have a heart and a clear calling to adopt a child-who knows, maybe more than one! Their journey is one that I’ve been following a bit through facebook and April’s blog-which you can check out HERE. They have gone through mountains of paperwork, several home visits, and endless saving and fundraising. I am sure that they have felt frustrated on more than one occasion. Though, you would never know it by reading their blog. They have a grace and peace about them that is clearly carrying them through the process. It’s really beautiful to read about.

One thing that I love about the blog is how they address some sensitive issues that surround adoption. April speaks candidly about domestic vs. overseas adoption. She speaks about infertility and how that leads some couples to adoption. They have no reason to think that someday they will not be able to
naturally conceive-yet adoption has always been “Plan A” (love that post, April!) for their family. She speaks openly about race-often a hot-button topic in adoptions. She also speaks about open adoption, and the possibility of having a relationship with birth parents. They talk about their pro-life stance, which helped lead them to domestic adoption. Check out the blog. It’s a very cool read.

Now, I am not writing this because they asked me to. I did get clearance from them prior to writing and featuring their blog, but this was done on my own, because I have a heart for families of adoption. Maybe you feel a connection to adoption. Maybe you think someday you might like to adopt a child. Maybe you were adopted yourself. Maybe you are just a sucker for a happy ending. Whatever the case
may be, there are a couple of ways you can help this couple grow into the family that they are meant to be.

1. First and foremost-say a prayer. Pray for birth-mothers who are right now, at this very moment making decisions about the life of the unborn child they carry. Pray for adoptive parents who are going through the process. Excited. Scared. Joyful some days, somber the next. Pray for peace. And most importantly, pray for the children of adoption of all ages. Some meet their adoptive mommies and daddies days after birth. Some, months after birth. And some go through terribly painful situations for years before meeting the parents meant for them. Pray
for them to know that there is someone out there who loves them already-and hasn’t even met them yet.
2. Contribute financially. Again, No one asked me to feature this blog to ask for donations. However, the adoption process is not a cheap one. If you can give $10 and pack your lunch tomorrow instead of buying in the cafeteria. Trade a few happy hour cocktails for the beer on special tonight. It can add up. It can get this couple closer to their goal and closer to finding their child. They need to reach this goal soon-time is ticking! It’s Christmas. Help them get the ultimate Christmas gift.
3. Share the story! There are tons of families impacted by adoption. Maybe you know someone else who has a heart for adoption. You’d be surprised –there are people who have been touched by adoption and you’ve got no idea. Share Adam and April’s story with them. The more people who know, the more people will pray. And who knows? Maybe someone you share the story with will feel led to give to this precious, growing family.

Have you been touched by adoption in your life? Share your stories. We would love to hear them.

Cheers.

It’s the thought that counts

Merry Christmas Everyone! With the most wonderful time of the year upon us, many of you are scrambling to finish your Christmas shopping. Getting something perfect for everyone without going broke can be a difficult task. There is your family, your friends, your boo…not to mention co-workers, the mail man, the nanny, and everyone else you would like to give something to. Here are a few crowd-
pleasing, yet cost-effective gifts to give to all of the people in your life!

Pashminas

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a sucker for a beautiful scarf. I have quite the collection and always seem to find a reason to buy a new one! Pittsburgh’s Strip District has a wide array of street vendors carrying many gift options-one of them being pashmina-scarves! Yesterday after work I stopped by one of these vendors. Lucy’s Handmade Clothing Shop is a small store on Penn Avenue.  In the store you’ll find adorable hats, gorgeous jewelry, and of course, pashminas! I stopped in to get a specific color scarf as a gift and was unable to find it. I searched the racks outside of the store on the sidewalk. No luck. I looked inside at rack after rack of scarves. Nothing.
Before admitting defeat, I asked Lucy if she had this color. She asked if I had checked upstairs.

Upstairs??
I had no idea there was an upstairs! I went up and sure enough, there was the color I sought! I also found a fabulous gray scarf and a black scarf with white chain print for myself. I love them so much and the recipient will love hers as well! The best part? These scarves were only 3 of $18. Great deal. You could get a scarf for all of your girlfriends at the office or for your nanny, your hairdresser, and your
cousin for less than $20! Thanks for the help, Lucy!

Christmas Ornaments

How can you go wrong with a beautiful ornament? Very Bradley has BEAUTIFUL ornaments that come in sets of 3 for about $30. You can divide them up and give one each to three of your friends. They also come in a three-compartment box, which would be perfect to fill with candy for your Christmas or New Year’s party, or to give to a friend. Maybe you have four friends to buy for and only three ornaments-no worries! Give the box with some chocolates to a friend. Or some trinkets for her desk at work-fill it with tea bags, sugar cubes in a gauze wrapper, and drink stirrers for a tea drinker to place on her desk. Or you could fill it with little lip glosses, nail files, and bobby pins for a co-worker who is always searching
through her purse for her things. Four friend’s gifts for around $35!

You can also go the route of handmade ornaments. My mother makes these beautiful, hand-painted ornaments that are really simple! You buy plain, glass bulb ornaments and open them up. You put paint inside of them and swirl it around. Write the year in a sparkly puffy paint on the outside. Bam. A one-of-
a-kind ornament for your dear friends. You can make a bunch of these for around $25.

Keep Warm with Coco

Head to Costco or Sams Club and get some coco and marshmallows in bulk. Buy a case of mason jars. For under $30 you can make jars of coco with gauze pouches of marshmallows for everyone in the office. Type up a cute little note about staying warm this Christmas on some colorful paper. Easy!

Do It Yourself

Anyone who doesn’t have Pinterest should cry themselves to sleep every night. The Do-it-yourself ideas on that site blow my mind, daily. With the use of some quality glue, a balloon, and an old magazine, you can create this lovely basket that I found on Pinterest.

Roll the magazine pages up into different size circles. Glue them well so that they stay put. Blow up the balloon and begin gluing the magazine circles to the balloon. Ensure that all circles are also glued to the edges of the other circles around them. Let sit for a day or two and then pop the balloon. You will be left with an adorable basket which could hold a small flower pot, artificial flowers without a pot, your mail
before or after it heads to the mail box, combs/brushes, etc. So adorable and handmade! I would LOVE to get this as a gift!

You can also give your favorite girlfriend a Do-it-yourself craft day as a gift. Go get the supplies to make a craft like the one above and pick up some snacks. Spend the day making baskets, gossiping, and snacking!

Do you have any other easy, affordable gifts you’ll be giving? Any Do It Yourself ideas?

Cheers.

Shit Girls Say

Episode One.

Brilliant.

Cheers.

Oh, Ugh.

 

I’m officially a fashion victim.

For years I’ve hated Uggs. I’ve thought they were ugly and unflattering and just all around awful. They don’t look good on ANYONE and yet everyone wears them. I always refused to get them. I refused to partake in such a horrible trend. Fashion magazines ripped them apart. Talked about how awful they were and how no one should ever buy them, but celebrities continued to wear them and the masses
followed. I couldn’t understand it.

That is, until I tried a pair on.

A friend of mine had just ordered a new pair of Uggs and they arrived when I was in her home. I immediately turned my nose up at them and told her how disappointed I was that she continued to follow the horrible trend.

Her response?

“Try them on.”

I tried to refuse her offer, but the moment the soft fur touched my feet, I was a goner. I was hooked. They felt like magic. Warm. Cozy. Soft. Like no other pair of shoes I’d ever worn.

I was devastated. For years I’ve made fun of these horrible shoes, and now I wanted nothing more than to have a pair to call my own. So what did I do? I swallowed my pride and purchased a pair. And then another. And another. Yes. That is right. I now own three pairs of Uggs. Two different styles of boots and
a pair of hard bottom slippers. I am beyond disappointed in myself…

…But I forget the disappointment while prancing in my cloud-like Uggs.

*Hangs head in shame.*

I’m such a sellout.

Do you have any fashion trends that you are ashamed to love?

Cheers.

As always, life is more than a little hectic

I’ve been a bad blogger. I’ve not stuck to my goal of posting every week!

I swear I’ve got reason. I know I gave you all sorts of excuses about traveling for my job, blah blah blah. Well, my new excuse? I got a new job! In the past 8 weeks I’ve been balancing traveling for work, interviewing, being offered and accepting a new job (!!), putting in my notice, and starting at a new job. It has been insane to say the very least! While I am beyond excited to be in this new role with a new company, it took a lot to get me to this place. I wasn’t sure I would get the courage to leave my old job. I had been with that company for 6.5 years and I am only 26 years old. It has been a huge transition and I am still nervous now (a month into the new job) because I am still learning something new every day. I am also still getting to know my new co-workers. In my old role, I knew so many people with the company. I had friends all over the place, no matter what location I was in. With this job, I am still learning names, job titles, rank, etc. It is a ton of pressure.

I’m more than a little excited about this opportunity and I hope it continues to go as well as it has so far.

Three things I’ve learned from this experience:

1. Everything happens for a reason.
2. Sometimes you HAVE to take a leap of faith.
3. Be humble, gracious, honest, and hard working. It WILL get you places, despite what some people in corporate America want you to believe.

Here’s to new adventures!

Cheers.

Who doesn’t love a good deal?

Ok I know I’m way behind the masses on this, but can I just tell you how much I LOVE Groupon and Living Social?

For those of you hiding under a rock, Groupon and Living Social are websites that offer exclusive deals for fantastic local businesses that you buy ahead of time and cash in on in the coming months. They deals are only offered for a few days and generally don’t expire for several months. In the past couple of weeks I’ve cashed in on a bunch of great deals:

Walnut Grill – I’m a fan of walnut grill in Pittsburgh and so I bought two Living Social deals that I used over the last month.

• For $10 I got $20 to spend on lunch at Walnut Grill
• For $20 I got $40 to spend on dinner at Walnut Grill

Great deal-got to spend some good times with my dear friends

Dean of Shadyside – I had not been pleased with my hairdresser so I jumped at the chance to try the always chic Dean of Shadyside (voted best salon in Pittsburgh on more than one occasion) at a discounted price by purchasing a Groupon. Again, I bought more than one deal:

• For $50 I got a cut, conditioning treatment, color treatment, and mini manicure (polish change) for myself
• For $25 I got a cut, conditioning treatment, and mini manicure for my best friend. Merry Christmas!

Totally worth it to spend some time with my best friend and have us both walk out looking FABULOUS! (P.S. You can read my full YELP review of my Dean of Shadyside experience HERE. I was more than pleased and I’ve already set up my next appointment. I think I have a new hair dresser!)

Old Navy – I love baby clothes. I am NOT ready for a baby. Luckily for me, my best friend has a darling little boy and I love getting him outfits! Groupon to the rescue!

• For $10 I got $20 to spend at any Pittsburgh area Old Navy

I can’t wait to head over to Old Navy and get him some cute clothes!

The deals just go on and on. It all seems too good to be true, right?

Well there are a few catches. One such catch is that you have to read the fine print. VERY few exceptions will be made for Groupon and Living Social users since they are getting such deep discounts.

These vendors are also coming under fire because they have caused some headaches for business who use their services.  What happens is Groupon and Living Social users love a good deal. When they see a good deal, thousands of deals are purchased. Sometimes more than small businesses can handle. This has caused issues like a car detailer being unable to keep up with increased business and a cupcake baker to lose a substantial amount of money due to having to hire an entire staff of temps to keep up with the huge demand after offering a deal on a dozen cupcakes.

Both vendors offer the option to business owners to limit the number of deals sold, but unfortunately I don’t think that business owners see the dangers of not setting limits until it is too late. Luckily for business owners, even if the sales get a little out of control and they lose some money on a Groupon or Living Social deal, they still have the chance to reach an entire community of customers who they may not have reached otherwise. Even if only half them turn into returning customers, they can make a huge profit on those returning customers.

Have you used Groupon or Living Social? What are the best deals you’ve found?

Cheers.

The Friendzone

The FriendZone

We’ve all been there. You’ve got a friend. You have a blast with them-always laughing, joking. No pressure. Just friends. Or so you thinking. Next thing you know, feelings start to creep in. Either you or your friend catch feelings. Now comes the dilemma-do I share these feelings? Do I keep them bottled up? Will it ruin the friendship? Do they feel the same way?

MTV to the rescue. MTV has introduced a show called “The Friendzone.” It chronicles the friendships of people who are stuck in the friendzone. They show the two interacting and interview both friends. Johnny  is in love with Mary. Mary has no idea. Johnny tells Mary that he is going on a blind date and needs a “wing man” to help him get ready and make sure that he is prepared for the blind date. Little does Mary know, her friend is about to reveal his true feelings for her.

In theory, this show is brilliant. There is nothing more beautiful than when two friends become lovers and everything works out. It’s like a fairy tale. They are already best friends and know everything about one another. Why shouldn’t they be in love? And sometimes this is how the story goes. Johnny reveals his feelings and invite Mary on the date that he led her to believe was for a bland date. They kiss. They live happily ever after. MTV shows a follow-up interview with the happy couple a month later and they are blissfully in love.

However, this is not how it always works. Sometimes Mary doesn’t return Johnny’s feelings. Sometimes Mary just wants to stay friends. Sometimes Mary is upset with Johnny for bringing her on television to reveal such a huge secret. She feels hurt. She feels betrayed. The lies about the blind date have her confused and angry. She feels stupid and does not want to go on the date with Johnny. In these cases I feel so bad for Johnny. He wanted to do something romantic for the girl of his dreams, and he gets shot down. It is so sad! And often, when the feelings are not reciprocated, the friends no longer hang out at the “one month later” MTV update interview.

I am not sure what my thoughts are. I think it is really romantic that these people have such strong feelings for their best friend, but I understand how starting a relationship based on a lie (being a wingman on a bland date) would not be ideal, and it is very possible that you could be putting your best friend in an awkward, embarrassing position on national television.

What are your thoughts? Have you see “The Friendzone?” Have you been in the friendzone in real life? How would YOU react if your friend revealed their love for you on MTV?

Cheers.

Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

I was talking to a friend the other day about her difficult co-workers. She told me about the bad attitudes, backstabbing, and downright deplorable manners that take place everyday where she works. I was appalled! Do adults really act like this? It got me to thinking…is it true what they say? Did I really learn everything that I needed to know in kindergarten? I was reminded of the poem by Robert Fulghum:

Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

Most of what I really need to know about how to live and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school.

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.

Play fair.

Don’t hit people.

Put things back where you found them.

Clean up your own mess.

Don’t take things that aren’t yours.

Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.

Wash your hands before you eat.

Flush.

Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

Live a balanced life.

Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.

Take a nap every afternoon.

When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands and stick together.

Be aware of wonder.

Remember the little seed in the plastic cup? The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that. Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the plastic cup — they all die. So do we.

And then remember the book about Dick and Jane and the first word you learned, the biggest word of all: look.

Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and sane living.

Think what a better world it would be if we all — the whole world — had cookies and milk about 3 o’clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap. Or if we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations to always put things back where we found them and cleaned up our own messes. And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

It all seems so simple, doesn’t it? But the more I read this simple list of things learned in kindergarten, the more I think that if my friend’s co-workers simply followed these rules, they would have a much better work environment.

Don’t get me wrong-I am forever grateful for the opportunity to get a complete college education and to have the valuable work experience that I’ve gained over the years, but even with the bachelor’s degree and the years of experience in the banking industry, without these life lessons, where would I be? And when you encounter someone who CLEARLY did not learn these lessons in kindergarten, don’t you automatically wonder what kind of parents they have? You wonder “Wow. Their mother never taught them how to share. Sad.”

Make your mom and dad proud. Live by these simple rules.

Cheers.

Daring Digits

I have always loved having pretty nails…even after dating the hand-obsessed MBA student who will forever be known to me as “Hand Man”…but that’s another story for another day. There is something so fun about bright colors and patterns adorning each pretty nail. Often times in professional settings, women tend to keep muted, plain colors painted on each nail. I am a firm believer in having some fun with your nails! If you carry yourself in a professional way and can rock that power suit well, why not have a little fun on your nails? The key to keeping them classy and not trashy is making sure that they are short, cleanly filed, and chip-free with a great top coat. In the past I have blogged about Sally Hansen Nail Effects, but this post will be about some other Do-it-yourself nail trends that will keep your dialers fresh and funky.

Metallic Nails

Simple, yet so chic. We are not talking about cliché golds and silvers. Look for gun-metal grays. Metallic blacks. Dark, shimmery bronzes. At first glance, these colors may look typical, but the fabulous metallics can add punch to any simple pair of jeans and black top.

Half Moon Manicure

The half-moon is the modern take on the French Manicure. No more dated white tips and pink bases, the Moon manicure punches up your look by mixing two colors for a daring look. You can do an understated moon with nude and black, or be a bit more daring with brighter colors. Either way, the moon manicure will turn heads.

Read all about it

Newspaper nails are by far my favorite new nail trend. They look like they are so difficult to do, but they are beyond simple. Simply paint your nails a light color-any light color will do. Grays, pinks, nudes, or even a pretty light blue or purple. Let your nails dry completely. Soak your nails in vodka or rubbing alcohol. Press a strip of newspaper against the soaked nail, and voila! You’ve got hip, printed nails! Cover with a top coat to protect your prints and you can rock your look for days!

There are so many other hot nails trends happening right now-I had a hard time choosing just three! What are your favorite nails trends? Any tricks or tips to achieving these looks?

Cheers.