Just Another Mani Monday: Vacation Nails

I'm so excited!  I feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin!  My husband and I will be leaving for a tropical destination (hello fruity drinks & sandy toes!).

Naturally, tropical destinations call for a vacay mani!!

This fun mani was time-consuming, but so worth it.  The time-consuming part is waiting for each layer to dry.  I'm so happy about how it turned out and am so thankful for Pinterest for having so many wonderful tips.

Vacay Mani

Products Used

Orly Bonder Base Coat (love this stuff)

Essie Pink Parka

OPI for Sephora It Looks Like Reindeer

Poshe Super Fast Drying Top Coat

Orange Stick with Flat Side (for cleaning around the nails)

Paper Hole Protectors for the Half Moons

Tape for the Thumb Lines (I used masking because I couldn't find painters tape)

1. Begin by applying your base coat.  I love Orly Bonder because it creates a rubber cement type base to really hold on to your polish.  When I use the Bonder, my mani lasts 2 weeks.
2. Apply your polish to your nails.  I included a party nail on both my ring fingers & thumbs.  
3. Apply your favorite top coat.  I like Poshe Super Fast Drying Top Coat because it sets the polish, smooths any imperfections, and completely dries it in 5 minutes.
4. Once your base mani is completely dry.  Begin placing your hole protectors to your nails.  I placed mine on the tips except my thumb.  (You could do it at your cuticle and create a half moon look at the base of your nail.)
5. Make sure you have pressed on all sides of the hold protectors before applying the different colored polish.  If it's not sealed, it will not be an even line.  Apply a few coats to the half circle area until opaque.  
6. Allow to dry.  I just blew on my fingers.  Carefully remove the hole protectors and apply your top coat.
7. Finally, tear 2 pieces of tape.  Apply one tape to one side of your thumb nail and the other piece to the opposite side.  By doing this, you are creating a line down the center of your thumb nail.  This part can be tricky because it is hard to get it completely centered.  Just know that with practice, it'll get better (& really...only you are going to notice).
8. Now that the tape is down, apply polish to the lines.  Allow the lines to completely dry.  
9. Remove the tape carefully & apply your top coat.  

Voila!

Bon voyage,

Juliana

Printed Pant Love

Ever since I bought my first pair of Billabong printed beach pants, I've been in love with this trend!  They are easy & fashionable at the same time.  The great part is you look put together with such little effort!

Here are some printed pant options I've found:

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Don't be scared of the daring prints!  Embrace!

Best,

Juliana

Fashion Friday

Some of my favorite fashion finds from the past week!

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High Waist Aztec Shorts & Bubble Necklace

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High Waist Lace Shorts, Scalloped Top, Bubble Necklace

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Neon Romper

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Nautical

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Chevron & Scallops

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Peach Skinnies

Flouncy Skirt & Top, Stappy Sandals

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Casual Pearls

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Leopard Silk Top, White Shorts, Strappy Sandals

Spiked Gold Necklace

Bip and Bop on Etsy

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Sweethearts Necklace

Bip and Bop on Etsy

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Spiked Bracelet

Gigglosophy on Etsy

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Three Tier Chain Link Necklace

Gigglosophy on Etsy

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Rose Gold Pave Link Bracelet

(I own this in yellow gold...<3)

Gigglosophy on Etsy

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Best,

Juliana

PINspiration: Pretty Nail Polish Organization

Happy Hump Dayayayay!! (in my best Geico camel voice...please tell me you've seen the commercial...)

Lately, I've been into quick & inexpensive ways to update spaces in my home that have become...well..stale.

I was inspired by some pins on Pinterest showing nail polish storage in apothecary jars.  Before, I hid my beautiful polish collection in a medicine style cabinet in the guest half-bath.  But after seeing these photos, I realized these gorgeous little bottles should be displayed!

Here were my inspiration photos:

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Once I spotted the perfect apothecary jar (birds have such a special meaning to me), I set out to update my space.

Before

Cluttered mish-mash of perfumes, hair products and lotions.

After

Don't the bottles look like candy?! 

(Some of my polish)

Automatically, the space looks fresh & clean!  Some times it doesn't take a lot of money or effort to make a huge change.

Best,

Juliana

Just another Mani Monday

I love going to get a pedi treat with my mom (usually once a month), but rarely do I have the patience to sit at the nail place for hours getting my toes and fingers done.  Not to mention, regular manis can really add up (or subtract!) in the wallet!  In the long run, pro manis usually aren't worth it for me unless I have a special occasion because being a teacher means I'm using my hands all day which means wear & chippage on the pretty new manis.

I choose to do my manis at home using tried and true products that I've discovered over the years.  Using the products I've found, I can make my manis last 2+ weeks.  Usually, the only reason I am changing my polish is because I have growth or I'm bored!

I have quite the collection of polishes (my husband might suggest it's an addiction...).  I've been trying to find ways to recycle polishes & make room for new pretty colors like swapping polishes with friends.  Walking into Ulta and not purchasing a pretty new shade is IMPOSSIBLE!


Here is this week's mani:

OPI Pirouette My Whistle

OPI Mod About You

Products Used

Sally Hansen Gel Cuticle Remover with Kiwi

Smooth Cuticle Pusher

Buffer Block

Orly Bonder

OPI Mod About You

OPI Matte Top Coat (between coats)

OPI Pirouette My Whistle

Poshe Super Fast Drying Top Coat

Best,
Juliana

Project: DIY Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

I'm a huge fan of the Ball mason jars and they seem to have exploded in popularity with the help of Pinterest.

When I walked into Target last month and spotted the 100th Year Anniversary Blue Ball Jars, I fell in love!  But what was I going to use them for?  We are busting at the seams in our current home and I've been trying really hard to not bring more "stuff" in.  So I went to work exploring new projects I could do with these beauties.

I already have a vintage bottle collection started in our kitchen, so when I ran across the DIY Mason Jar Soap Dispenser project on Pinterest, I knew it would fit perfectly into our kitchen decor.  BOOM!  A reason to buy a set of those beauties!

You can find the anniversary edition Ball jars at Target on an end-cap.  They come in a pack of 6 for $10.99 and are not available online.  (Are you a Target Red Card Debit holder?  If so, you get 5% off your purchases.)

I bought the jars and went to work (with my sweet momma's assistance).

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

1. Gather the following items: 

• mason jar
• old soap pump
• Sharpie marker
• hammer
• 1 nail
• drill and drill bit
• wire cutters
• soap

  2.  First, measure and mark the center of the jar's lid.  

  3.  Using your hammer and nail.  Punch a small hole in the middle of your mark.  By making a small hole, it will allow your drill bit to have a starting place.  If you skip this step, the drill bit will just slide around on the to (trust me...trial & error).

  4.  Drill into the hole with your drill bit.  It should make a large enough hole to fit your wire cutters into.

  5.  Now that the hole has been made, carefully insert the wire cutters into the hole and begin bending back the metal.  The metal is very thin, so this is an easy process.  You just want to be careful not to cut yourself on the edges.  Continue pulling back the metal into a larger and larger circle.  You need the hole large enough to fit the widest part of the pump.

You can see the finished hole here.

  6.  You may find the straw of the pump to be too long for the jar.  Simply take a pair of sharp scissors and cut the tube to fit!  

  7.   Slide the pump through the hole, assemble the two piece lid, and pour your favorite soap into the jar.

My current fave soap: Method Sea Minerals

Voila!

Another way to change this project up would be to fill it with lotion instead of soap!  What are your favorite uses for mason jars?  

Like what you see?!  Be sure to pin it to your Pinterst boards.  You can find a "Pin It" button below.  Like my projects?!  Be sure to follow my Pinterest boards.  Click on the P button on the right side of this blog.

Best, 

Juliana

Metabolism Boosting De-Bloat Detoxifying Water

...or just refreshingly yummy!

About a year ago, I swore off sodas.  Not only did I make the decision for weight reasons (hello sugars!), but also for health reasons.  I have an autoimmune disease called POTS.  Not Pots & Pans, but Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.  Among the list of symptoms from POTS, digestive issues is a big one.  Carbonated beverages can cause your body to feel full of air and uncomfortable.

I made the decision to cut them out and at first it was a tough rule to follow.  How often to you crave soda?? It's sweet, bubbly, caffeinated & an American favorite.  I grew up in Atlanta where Coke is a true classic and staple in the house (Pepsi, no thanks).  When we go out to eat, places usually only sell sodas or sugary drinks which can make staying strong to the choice hard.  But I found that the more I stayed true to my decision, the easier it became to drink water and other beverages. (Just think of the $$$ you save by ordering water!)

I'm a huge fan of San Pellegrino and Perrier. Both of these beverages are sparkling water.  It gives you the feeling of drinking a soda without all of the sugars.  Score!

I'm always in search of something new to try to give some variety.  Without variety, it can be easy to give in to temptation. I stumbled across the Detox Water on Pinterest (LOVE Pinterest) and gave it a try.  It boasts the ability to boost metabolism by making you feel full; de-bloats with the help of mint (great for your GI); and detoxifies with cucumber.

Most importantly...it's refreshing!  

I've posted this on my Instagram and Facebook, but have been asked a few more times for the recipe for "that water you posted about."  So I thought I would do a blog post.

Metabolism Boosting De-Bloat Detoxifying Water

2L water

1 lemon, sliced

1/2 cucumber. sliced

1/2 lime, sliced (optional)

1 handful fresh mint leaves

Toss lemon, cucumber, and mint leaves into the water.  Allow to infuse overnight in the fridge.  The goal is to drink the whole 2L in one day.  I know that sounds like a lot, but it's so refreshing (& it's so HOT outside) you won't have any trouble doing so.

My little mint garden flower box :)

sweet mint - orange mint - peppermint

My favorite part of this recipe...wait for it...my HUSBAND actually LIKES it and asks for MORE!

Enjoy!

If you'd like to follow my Pinterest boards, just click on the lovely P button under the About Me on the right side.

Best,

Juliana

In the beginning

So here goes something!

I'm not sure I know where I'm going with this...or who is really going to actually read it, but I do enjoy reading other people's blogs.  I love sharing new discoveries, tips, tricks and pretty finds.  I hope this is a place to put all of those wonderful things.

Cheers to the future!

Best,
Juliana