Nails So Nice

Run as quickly as you can to your nearest Family Dollar and grab as many boxes of these as you possibly can…

In my town, these were being sold for $5 per box (including 16 nail strips, file/buffer combo, and cuticle stick).  At larger box stores I’ve paid nearly $9 per box! I’ve used these nail strips before and have always had great results-they really do last about 10 days for me.  This time I applied the nail strips and then applied a layer of Gelous from Sally Beauty, followed by a coat of Out the Door top coat. I’m already regretting not buying the other colors they had in stock, so I’ll probably run in the  next time I’m on that side of town. 

No Go

I’ve always longed for longer, fuller eyelashes.  I enjoy wearing false eyelashes that only last a day or so but I really was looking for a more long-term solution.  I researched having eyeleash extensions put on by a professional but was deterred by the cost and the time it consumed for fill ins.  I asked my buddy, Google, for DIY options and began other options.  I chose to start with the Ardell DuraLash Starter Kit…it claimed to be easy to apply and the words “easily removed” were written on the instructions.  However, while the application wasn’t horrible, it surely wasn’t “easy”! Once the eyelashes were on I really enjoyed the look they gave me.  I kept them on for 3 days (only 1 day with makeup on) and on the last day when I wore makeup and went to wash my face that night and several began coming off.  I decided that I didn’t have time to re-apply the missing lashes and thought removing the remaining was  my best option. 

I followed the instructions perfectly during removal.  The instruction paper claimed that the glue used during application would “easily dissolve” and the lashes would come of with no problem.  Unfortunately, those claims were completely and totally false! I spent about 30-45 minutes constantly applying more and more remover and praying that the glue would soon dissolve…no go.  Eventually I had to make the decision to sacrifice my natural lashes and picked the glue from my lashes.  I was left with thin, short natural lashes that bum me out! There will be no more lash extensions on my eyes…I’ll stick to natural or simple false lashes.  I have hope that my Biotin will help restore them!

*These opinions are solely mine!

Desire

In a matter of 15 minutes a few snowflakes turned into 3 inches of snow.  All my KCP babies wanted to do was go outside and play in it; too bad the bitter cold kept us inside.

DIY Leopard Print Infinity Scarf

I’ll be the first to admit that I have an unnatural obsession with my leopard scarf.  I’m pretty sure I could wear in 5 days out of the week!  I don’t, however, have an obsession with paying tons of money for accessories.  Fortunately I found a solution in the apparel department at WalMart for around $3!

You can see my scarf on me in our recent family pictures that were taken in November 2012. 

I’m not sure what’s more awesome in this picture…my scarf or my hubby! ;-)

My leopard scarf did not come as an infinity scarf…I made it into one.  It’s honestly the most simple fix ever!  I simply folded the scarf in half (where the 2 ends are touching one another) and used a safety pin to attach them together.  When I’m ready to wear it I loop the scarf around my neck (pin end behind my neck) and continue wrapping and adjusting until I’m happy with the result.  Personally, I like scarves close to my neck so I wrap it 3x around.

I found a similar option at WalMart:

  It doesn’t list a price on the website, but I’m guessing it’s no more than $5.  There are also other similar options found here and here. I love good deals on accessories, don’t you?

Be Well, Lovelies!

Ch Ch Ch Changes…

With the ringing in of a new year, I’m going to be changing some of the content on my little blog.  I’ll still post about our family, of course, but there will be more posting about home decor (mostly DIY because I’m a cheapo like that and I’d much rather find a way to copy a look than dish out the dough for the original!) my fashion style (again, deals people!). 

I need you to know that Christ is the center of my life and just because I’m posting about wonderful family events, fun decor tricks, cooking, or what I wear on a particular day I’m sharing those things because I know God has blessed me with the gift of hospitality (love having people in our home and cooking) as well as the gift of encouragement.  I fully believe that our bodies are our temple and God wants us to take care of it…meaning, to me, dress the body you have! I have a sister in law that loves fashion suggestions (she seeks them out from me!) but she never will follow through with them because she’s never pleased with the way her body looks.  God made her and He loves her just the way she is…and there’s no reason she shouldn’t love herself more! All that to say, I don’t want my fashion posts to make you feel worse about yourself; that’s completely not my intention.  Read them, pick up a few ideas, and embrace the ideas, and make it work for you!

So, on this 2nd day of 2013 I have to share with you my favorite after Christmas purchase.  This past Saturday Stephen and I were able to get away by ourselves for an all afternoon date! We shopped some, watched Lincoln, and had a late dinner together.  It was glorious.  During our short time at the mall I went into Charlotte Russe to retrive 2 necklaces I had seen earlier that were on sale for 2 for $10.  While we were there, I spotted some booties that I had to try on.  I’m super particular about shoes and their heel height because I’m 5’11” and don’t want to tower too far over 6’ while in shoes. 

 

 

These cuties are CR’s Sueded Slip On Western Bootie-I chose the color shown here, which is Sand.  They’re great with brown, black, gray, etc.  I wore them the next day for church and felt like I was walking on air! Unfortunately, when I came home to research their reviews and such, I realized that I had paid way too much for them in the store! I paid $26.50 for them and found them on the Charlotte Russe website on clearance for $13.49! There are several other websites, like Shopstyle.com that have them for the $13.49 price as well. I’m not too worked up over the price difference because I used some Christmas money, but I’ll definitely check store’s websites on my iPhone before checking out from now on. 

*FYI: the necklaces I went back for are found here.  I got the pale peach and the black.

Be well, lovelies!