My Nail Polish Collection

I add a couple each season and I recently gave away A LOT of polish that was either old or didn't look very good on me. These are the ones that made the cut. Left to Right: OPI I'm Not Really A Waitress, OPI Flashbulb Fucshia, OPI Dutch Tulips, OPI Koala Beary, OPI Indi-A Mood For Love, OPI Don't Think Just Pink, Esse Mademoiselle, Ulta Enkore Pink, Ulta Golden Mauve. From Left to Right: Sally Hansen Salon Nail Laquer in Haute Chocolate, OPI Lincoln Park After Dark, OPI Done Out in Deco, Sally Hansen Diamond Strength in Royal Romance, OPI Venus di Violet, OPI Bubble Bath, OPI Your Villa or Mine? From Left to Right: Sally Hansen Mega Shine Extended Wear Top Coat, Beauty Secrets Ridge Filler from Sally Beauty Supply, OPI Rapid Dry Top Coat. My newest purchase. I just bought this yesterday at TJ Maxx for $3.99. Just as a side note they had a lot of Esse nail colors including whole sets from past seasons on sale for less than one polish normally costs.This is Esse Big Spender. This is the color I was hoping Koala Beary would be, just a gorgeous rasberry with two coats. Koala Berry is more of a dark wine color.

Tag: Best Drugstore Products

I think this was originally a tag for the 5 best or 10 best inexpensive products that can be purchased from any pharmacy. Since I'm not sure exactly how many I should list I'll just show the ones I use daily. 1. L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara - I have this in Carbon Black in the original formula and the waterproof version. I cheat on it sometimes but I always come back to it. Love the brush, love the formula, love the look. 2. Rimmel Kajal Kohl Liner in Black - this stays in my purse for touchups and it frequently tags along in my lab coat at work. I have it in brown too but I don't use it nearly as often. 3. Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Daily Moisturizer with Vitamin C - I use this every day. It absorbs quickly, makes my skin super soft, and has an SPF of 28. 4. L'Oreal Sublime Glow Daily Moisturizer in Medium - I alternate this with a self tanner. I don't find the scent overwhelming and I also don't find it sparkly. I like the sheen it gives my legs especially when I'm wearing a skirt. I like that this is actually moisturizing as well, some of them aren't. 5. Sally Hansen Mega Shine Extended Wear Top Coat - Love this, it gives a perfect mirror shine to my nail color. I use this on top of my fresh polish and usually touch up mid week. 6. Avalon Organics Skin Nourishing Vitamin C Refreshing Cleansing Gel and Balancing Facial Toner - technically I have only seen this in one drugstore chain but it is available at Target and Walmart. I cleanse my face morning and night with the gel and use the toner at night. I love that it doesn't dry out my face.

Tag: Most Worn

1. Lipstick: MAC Angel

My newest lipstick, I got this in a Back to Mac when I was on vacation a couple of weeks ago and I’ve worn it everyday since. I’m totally addicted. I’ve already added this to my list for my next order to MAC so I can get one to leave in my desk at work. Usually I’m a gloss girl so it’s nice to have a few lipsticks that are so wearable.

2. Earrings: Sterling Silver Love Knots

Love knots are classy and perfect for work. These never go in my jewelry box, they sit on my vanity and I wear them a few times a week. The funny thing is, my mom has two pairs and she wears them nearly every day.

3. Dress/Top: Gap Teal Dress

I bought this a few weeks ago and included it in a shopping spree post. It is my go to dress in the afternoons when I get home from work I can change into it and lounge around the house or go out to dinner. It has been 90+ degrees and humid here so this dress keeps me cool and chic.

4. Nail Polish: Esse Mademoiselle

This polish is easy. If I’m pressed for time I can put on one coat and go out or I can put on two for a bit more sheen. The formula is great for not showing imperfections, especially if you don’t have to time reapply a top coat in the week.

5. Shoes: Silver Sandals from Fahrenheit

These are new but I’ve worn them almost every day since I got them. These are the shoes that I reach for when I come home from work to run errands. It’s very convenient that they’re very comfortable and they go with all my skirts and summer dresses. I’ve abandoned my trusty Rainbow Flops for these because they dress up my casual outfits.

6. Hair Product: Chi Silk Infusion or Pravana Curl Enhancing Gel

Depending on whether I want to heat style my hair straight or wear my natural curls.

7. Perfume: Lancome Miracle

I’m bitter about perfume right now. I am trying to use as much of what I have and ask for new ones for Christmas. This bottle has been untouched in the four years I’ve owned it so I’m trying to use it up. This scent is the only one I have that isn’t too strong for work. I don’t love it in a “need it gotta have it” way but I am trying to use it so for now this is my daily perfume. I have two others I am trying to finish that I wear at nights or on weekends.

8. Handbag: Coach Bag

This is a dark red leather bag that I showed in my “what’s in your purse” post. It is my work purse, big enough for all my necessities and chic but not flashy. Which is good, because I work in an area of town that you wouldn’t want to flash any kind of designer logo.

Blog Update

So I went a few days without applying self tanner, mainly because I was so busy all week and wanted to go to sleep as soon as I got home. There was a striking resemblance to zombies you see in the movies, yeah. Not only was I white as a sheet but I also wore my same dark rimmed eyes and pale mouth. Yesterday I went through my normal exfoliation and self tanner application and VOILA! I'm back to my normal self. Lesson well learned. I took that Tanwise for granted, a mistake I hope I will not make again. I should have taken a photo of my uber pale self but I'm afraid the flash would have been blinding, so you'll have to take my word on it. In other news - I am trying a new name for my blog. I wasn't totally in love with the old one (even though my friends thought it was SO me). I'm not sure, I might switch it back. I wish before I started a blog I at least put some thought into the name of it. I'm still trying to think of new ones. Unfortunately I may be without a computer by the middle of this week. My new one might not get here until the last week of the month. I'll be able to read blogs via my iTouch and I will do a post as soon as my new laptop gets here.

Sigma Face and Eyes Brush Set

I purchased the Sigma brush set after seeing such great reviews from EnkoreMakeup and MakeupbyTiffanyD. I provided the links if you click on the youtuber's name, EnkoreMakeup actually did a 3 part series reviewing these brushes. The consensus is the brushes are similar to MAC brushes. I personally do not want to pay for a full set of department store brushes, if a unique brush comes out then of course I'll consider it. I have used the professional brush line from Sephora and I love the ones I have (except a few that shed like crazy). The set comes in a great brush roll; easy to clean and it has 3 extra spaces for brushes from other collections that you have. Mine came with a free gift, an elf eyeshadow quad in Drama which I haven't used yet. There are 5 brushes for face: From top to bottom: SS194 Concealer Brush, SS190 Foundation Brush, SS168 Large Angled Contour Brush, SS187 Duo Fiber Brush, SS150 Large Powder Brush There are 7 brushes for eyes: From bottom to top: SS252 Large Shader Brush, SS239 Eye Shading Brush, SS275 Medium Angled Shading Brush, SS224 Tapered Blending Brush, SS209 Eyeliner Brush, SS266 Small Angle Brush, SS219 Pencil Brush The set together: I have washed them and I've used them twice, certainly not enough for a review but so far I love them. I think I'll keep my Sephora Bronzing Brush and my cheapie eyebrow brush but otherwise I'll probably use these for daily makeup use and retire my others as my travel set.

Tag: 10 Honest Things

Another tag that was going around, I wanted to join in. I love easy assignments!

 1. I'm allergic to fire ant stings. I discovered it last summer when one attacked my foot and I had difficulty breathing, heart palpitations, swelling, rash, nausea, dizziness, and a fever. All from one tiny ant! Unfortunately now I have to carry an Epi-pen so tiny gorgeous clutches are out for me.

 2. I'm still on the fence about mineral makeup. I get suckered in to trying it but it really emphasizes dry patches of skin and some of it makes my pores look bigger. I have had great experience with mineral blushes.

 3. I love Shirley Temples and I drink them all the time. When I'm in the mood sometimes I'll make a Dirty Shirley.

 4. Love love love wine. I prefer Merlots or Pinot Noir but sometimes in the mood for Cabernet.

 5. I much prefer Pepsi to Coke. I drink a couple of soft drinks a week but it's either Pepsi or not worth it.

 6. My eyes are very large (think Bette Davis or Christina Ricci) and I have to rim them with black liner in an attempt to make them smaller.

 7. I'm not tech savvy. I usually have to enlist help from friends before I buy gadgets for my home.

 8. I'm petite (5'3) and slim but not very strong. My resolution this year was to exercise for strength and I think I have improved. I love cardio but I'm trying to incorporate strength training - I love Ellen Barret from FitTV because she ties cardio, strength and flexibility into every workout.

 9. I'm a clinical dietitian. I work in a hospital now but eventually I'd like to work exclusively with patients with kidney failure on dialysis.

 10. My favorite item in my home is a hand sewn king-size quilt that my grandma and mom made and gave me for Christmas last year. The fabric it at least 50 years old so I'm really timid to use it. I'm hoping to buy a quilt rack to display it in my new apartment.

Review: Tanwise and Model Co Airbrush Tan in a Can

Review: Tanwise I picked this up from Sally Beauty Supply for about $10. It has some really great reviews online. Apparently there was a product called Savage Bronze that was discontinued at Sally and this was what replaced it. I've been using it for 3 weeks, every other day and I have had great success with it. The product comes in as an orange/brown mousse which really scared me at first. The St Tropez that I had been using is dark green and I felt that may be what kept me from turning orange. I do have to keep shaking it every other pump or so and the actual amount of product per pump isn't quite as much as what comes out in one pump of St Topez. I love St Tropez because it doesn't have a smell. This product does have a smell when it comes out of the bottle. It isn't terrible - just smells like a salon, but it quickly goes away. It dries quickly; I haven't had any problems with it coming off on my sheets so far but a little comes off on my night gown underneath the arms. The end result is a nice bronze tan; I prefer the end results of this product to the St Tropez because it lasts a little longer and gives me more color. My skin just doesn't take self tanners that well so I have to dig to find one that will: 1. Deposit color (that isn't orange) and 2. Keep the color for more than 1 day. I alternate using this product every other day with L'Oreal Daily Tinted Moisturizer and alternate it with this product for the remainder of the bottle. I have already seen the next product I would like to try; it is a tanning system from SunLove that Allthatglitters21 reviewed, (see summer wish list post for more information). I would buy this again, in fact I think this product is good for summer but it will be great to use for color all winter long. Review: Model Co Tan Airbrush in a Can I've heard a lot of good and bad things about this product. It was on sale at my local TJ Maxx for $12.99 so I thought I would give it a try. Basically I don't think I'm a spray can tan kind of girl; tanning mousse is so much easier to apply. To use this product I had to stand in the shower, hold this product 12-14 inches away from my body and continually, every few seconds, shake the can so it wouldn't come out in streaks. If done correctly it is a fine spray that covers well and deposits fairly natural looking color. I can't say anything bad about the end result but the process was a pain in the rear and I think I'm very lucky that it didn't streak. After I finished spraying I blotted some areas with bath tissues. I also had to take a cloth and wipe down my shower because I was afraid the remainder would stain it. I wasn't brave enough to use this on my face so I use my St. Tropez on the face instead. This is already collecting dust in my cabinet; I will probably swap it as there seem to be a lot of fans.

Apartment Model

This is not my apartment, I took pictures of the model. My apartment has the same layout except mine is a one bedroom.

Entry Way and Dining Area The Kitchen and Bar Area other angle of the kitchen and the door for the utility room Living Room living room on the other angle, that is the spare bedroom in the background, mine will be a plain wall Bathroom- the paint looks blue but it isn't Bedroom with a patio door Closet

Review: SoBe Yumberry Pomegranate

One afternoon while waiting in line at the grocery store to check out I noticed the new SoBe 0 calorie, but naturally sweetened lifewaters display. This is my first experience with any kind of flavored water (except crystal light) and my first experience with the SoBe brand. I must say this is tasty stuff, certainly not something I would drink daily or buy in large quantities but I would pick one up every now and again. The flavor is great, really crisp, slightly sweetened with just the right amount of fruit flavor. This is my second taste of stevia, a natural sweetener not made from sugar like splenda. Stevia comes from the Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni plant and not sugar cane - it has been found to be safe for diabetics and contains 0 calories. Purevia is the brand used in the SoBe drinks but is also sold in bulk or in individual packets from the grocery store. As with all artificial sweeteners, they should be used in moderation, ideally no more than four servings per day.

Tag: 20 Questions

I’ve read this on several other girls blogs so I decided to give it a try, (not wanting to be left out).

1. Things you cannot leave the house without:

A purse is a given. I’m going to say my dayplanner, I’m absolutely lost without it. Not only does it have my calendar but it also has my multitude of lists and lots of room for more lists if I get bored.

2. Favorite brand of Make Up:

Most of my items are MAC. I’m getting into the Korres Brand for face products but my lip/eye/cheek makeup is predominately MAC.

3. Favorite flower:

Pink peonies or any shade of tulips.

4. Favorite clothing store:

Most of my clothes are from Express, Limited, Ann Taylor Loft, Gap, Banana Republic, or J.Crew. These stores sell clothes at a price point I am willing to pay, however I do browse boutiques regularly and make mental wish lists. Of the ones I listed above probably J.Crew.

5. Favorite perfume:

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, it’s an heavy, unmistakable scent. The best thing about this perfume is lots of women wear it and you can recognize it but it smells a little different on everyone.

6. Heels or Flats:

Flats unfortunately, my current work environment it isn’t applicable to wear heels. I usually wear kitten heels with a pointy toe to make up for it. I would love to wear heels daily as I’m very short.

7. Do you make good grades:

When I was in grade school- yes. My grades were too good actually, I usually “threw the curve” for the rest of the class.

8. Favorite colors:

Pink actually, all shades. I really love green as well. You’d never know it though, my apartment is decorated in shades of brown with red accents and half my wardrobe is made up of neutrals.

9. Do you drink energy drinks:

No thanks.

10. Do you drink juice:

Occasionally, I don’t find much nutritive value in them – I’d much rather have a piece of fruit.

11. Do you like swimming:

I have taken swim lessons three times – once as a kid at the community pool, then with my friend in her backyard pool, and again my freshmen year of college as part of a class. In my head I know how to swim but I can’t seem to figure it out when I am in the water. I hate getting my hair wet anyway.

12. Do you eat fries with a fork:

Actually yes, all the time. There might be a rare (very rare since I never eat fast food) chance if I’m in the car and there is no other way possible and I have to eat with my fingers.

13. Favorite moisturizer:

Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew right now, I’m almost finished with my second bottle.

14. Do you want to get married later on in life:

I hope so.

15. Do you get mad easily:

Not really, I get my feelings hurt easily but not angry.

16. Are you into ghost hunting:

Um, no.

17. Any phobias -

I HATE cockroaches, they’re just vile creatures. I have a fear of fire ants too, but I’m terrible allergic if they sting me – I actually carry an Epi-pen in my purse for this purpose.

18. Do you bite your nails:

No way. Sometimes if I’m really bored, usually while sitting in a movie theater, I’ll scratch at my cuticles and I don’t realize it.

19. Have you ever had a near death experience:

Thank the Lord above, I have not.

20. Do you drink coffee -

Every once in a blue moon. My favorite Christmas activity is getting a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha and driving around looking at Christmas lights. I might drink coffee 4-5x a year.

Paula Dean Orange Brownies (Cupcakes)

At work we make a birthday cake and bring a card for the person who has a birthday after us. It was my turn this month and the only thing I remember her saying about cakes was she liked dense (fruitcake-like) dessert. I also know she eats a ton of fruit so I chose the Orange Brownie recipe from Paula Dean, available on www.foodnetwork.com. The batter was very tasty, definitely a brownie as there was more dry ingredient than wet. I baked them in a cupcake pan for 20 min at 350*, but they got a bit darker than I would have liked. The cake inside was very moist but I wish I had taken them out a couple of minutes earlier. The little guy in the back was leftover batter I decided to make myself a little "tester cupcake." The icing was a mixture of cream cheese, butter, orange zest and orange juice with confectioner's sugar. It wasn't thick enough to pipe out of a pastry bag so I basically had to slather it on with a spatula. The consistency was similar to cinnamon roll icing. The end result was very tasty and I will make them again, probably in a brownie pan - cupcakes were less messy for a work dessert but I hated the July 4 liners, it was a little tacky for a birthday but they were the only ones Target had for sale. I love Paula Dean and this recipe did not disappoint.

Review: OPI Done Out in Deco

This is becoming one of my favorite polishes. Really this is one can be worn year round and looks great on toes and fingers. Its a soft gray-purple and the formula is so think you really only need1-2 coats. I personally don't find this formula streaky but on some nails the tips are too sheer for my liking so I apply two coats. I have received so many compliments at work, even a couple of the doctors noticed! The picture above was taken day 2 after painting but I've been wearing it now for 5 days and I only have one small chip on my middle fingernail. I did have to apply a thin topcoat on day 3 because it had lost a bit of shine. I love it, the color looks so good with my skintone. The photo was taken without flash because it shows the truest color - ugh and I never realized how wrinkly my hands are, I lotion 20x a day, honest!