Mani Monday: Summer Nail Inspiration, vol.3

 This week's Mani-Monday I'm showing you how to start with a basic solid color and add an easy accent to make it really POP!  My first nail I started with an all white base using WetNWild Blank Canvas.  The trick to make white nails really white is to start with a base coat, followed by a single coat of white, then use a MATTE topcoat and finally an additional coat of the white.

 I dressed up my "Blank Canvas" nails by adding pops of ombre color to the corners of each nail.  I received a ton of compliments on this mani, plus it made me feel young and carefree.  I thank the neon for that!  The colors used were all part of the same LA Girl Ombre Nail Kit I've been playing with in previous posts.  To recreate this look use tape to create angles.  Use two coats of paint on each corner and remove tape quickly before the polish is completely dry.  Finish with a glossy topcoat of your choice.

 After playing around with neons earlier in the week, I noticed my collection of polishes was missing a bright green.  It didn't take long to find the perfect standout green at Target, where Essie polishes are under $8 a bottle.  This is three coats of Essie The More The Merrier.  I am still thrilled with this color - and I can't wait to try a floral mani using this color for the leaves.

 After a couple of days of solid green on my nails I was ready to dress it up a bit, my Julep Maven box for August arrived in perfect timing.  I couldn't wait to use this gorgeous multicolored sparkle Julep Clio to my nails.  I chose two nails for accents, and love the way it turned out.  This Julep color is a part of the limited edition Champagne Trio set which celebrates the 2nd Birthday of Julep Maven.

In all honesty, I bought the Champagne Trio from Julep specifically for this Rose Gold metallic.  It is called Julep Reiko and I'm certainly not disappointed with it.  Its like brushing real gold foil onto your nails - super pretty.

Linking up with Heather for Mani-Monday! And make sure you check back next week for a really fun Sally Hansen textured nail tutorial! 

      

Radiant BeautyIntroducing POND's Luminous BB+ Cream

I received complimentary product via Influenster for the purposes of this review, however; all opinions expressed are my own.  #PONDsBB 

Courtney's Video Review of POND's BB+

This video says it all friends, and it may be the best video review I've ever done! Find out what I think of the new POND's Luminous Finish BB+ cream!  And get a $2 off coupon to try it yourself!

      

From Runway to Reality: 2013 Fall Fashion Week's Most Wearable Trends

New York's Fall Fashion Week always sets an extreme tone for fall trends. Thankfully, we are able to scale them down to our existence and piece together seasonal ensembles from the depth of our closets— pairing newness with the classics to create our very own looks. This year's trends are making women absolutely giddy with delight as wearable over-the-knee boots, knit beanies and edgy braids grace runways, magazines and city streets. This might just be the best fall yet.

Tommy Hilfiger at New York Fashion Week 2013 image by fervent-adeote-de-la-mode via Flickr

Jewel Tones, Especially Dark Green

Olive nails, forest-colored accessories and green hair tones will make a strong fall appearance this year. Add a structured handbag or heel in emerald to round out your ensemble. Other jewel tones — garnet, amethyst, sapphire — are also appreciated, especially when paired together. Khaki green was seen on numerous military pieces throughout the week. Tailored tops and slim pants were accented by lace and brocade to spice the trend up.

Knit Beanies

We've been waiting for the beanie to come back and it's back with class, thank goodness. Why did we miss it? It's that edgy look you can get without spending too much time on your hair. This year though, women will wear them on the way to work or a cocktail party instead of just on the weekends or around a bonfire. Pop a beanie on over super sleek, flat-ironed hair to be part of the in crowd. It doesn't stop at just beanies, though. You can wear fedoras, baseball caps and floppy knits, too. Designers that integrated this trend at Fashion Week include Alexander Wang, BCBG, DKNY, Kate Spade and Tracy Reese.

Classic Patterns

Tuck away to the back of your closet the digitized, over-the-top printed clothing from last season. Fashion is going back to the basics with plaid, pinstripes, leopard and houndstooth (which truly never goes out of style). Don't over do the leopard though. Designers, Victoria Beckham, Rag & Bone and Thakoon, outfitted their runway models with classic patterns.

Folk-Inspired

Tap into your inner bohemian and pick up a piece of folk-inspired, hand-woven clothing this fall. From Scandinavian-style dresses to socks with tulips to intricate floral crowns, channeling your inner Holland girl has never been more fun.

Over-the-Knee Boots

Most definitely something we will see on Rihanna's new fashion-competition TV show, "Styled to Rock," coming to the U.S. on Style Network (www.direct.tv) is the little bit sassy, little bit rock 'n' roll over-the-knee boot. This season brings punk style into modern times and OTK boots are leading the charge. And, yes, you can sport them at the office as long as you forego the mini skirt and layer longer pieces of clothing over them.

Face Time

Sometimes it's either one extreme or the next when it comes to makeup. This helps you mix it up this fall. Three trending makeup looks this fall include:

• Bold lip colors. Bright red, blood red, magenta, brown, burgundy and bright orange are all trending.
• Nude makeup giving skin tone an all-over even color (including nude lips).
• Luminous skin shines brightly on models in New York. Mix foundation with a luminous product and glow your day away.

Fun Hair

Edgy braids, bountiful curls, classic bobs, polished ponies and the slick look topped models crowns during the week. Expect to see these looks coming to the pages of the magazines, to restaurants and to work. Visit Glamour.com to see tutorials on creating the fun hair of fall 2013.

Winter's White

It's time to accept that the 'no white after Labor Day' rule is so 20th century. Models were strutting heavy white fabrics and chunky knits, jeans, jackets and fedoras in New York. Leave the lightweight, truly summer pieces in the closet though.

      

Mani Monday: Summer Nails, vol.2

It's Mani Monday (on Tuesday for me) and I'm back sharing a few more Summer nail looks with you all!  I've been heavy into colors and hues that remind me of Summer at the beach - teal for tropical waters and then a collection of sunset colors and pops of gold for sunny accents.  Hope you love these looks as much as I do! Linking up with Heather who is having a MASSIVE Julep Giveaway!

 Julep Amy with Sharpie Gold Metallic Paint Pen Art

 L.A. Girl Ombre Nail Set

 LA Girl Ombre Nail Set + Sharpie Metallic Gold Paint Pen

 Essence Vintage Peach + Julep Ginger

Essie Good As Gold + Nailtini Mai Tai + 2 of the LA Girl Ombre Nail Set colors

      

Jellys Are Back!Zion's Style: Summer Edition

 This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Jelly Beans but all opinions are my own. #pmedia #JellysAreBack #JBeans http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

We are halfway through Summer time and anxiously looking forward to our upcoming vacation to Oahu, Hawaii.  Summer is such a glorious time of the year.  I don't know about you, but for me on days where the sun is shining and the sky is blue I simply feel lighter on my feet.  Maybe its not having to pack extra layers to shield from the weather, or maybe its just the warmth of the sun on my body, either way, I have always been a Summer loving girl.

Zion seems to be following in my sun-loving footsteps as well and every day she tells us how excited she is for Hawaii and playing at the beach.  If she only knew how mutually excited Jerry and I are --- we've always wanted to take a trip to the islands!  We've been doing a bit of shopping lately to get ready for our trip, and can I take a minute here to just brag on my gorgeous little girl?  I love shopping but Zion takes it to a whole 'nutha level!  It all began with her very first trip to the shoe store, since then she has shown no sign of curbing her love of shoes and all things girly and pink.

I think that is why I am most excited to inform you today, in case you didn't catch my vibrant headline above, that Jellys are BACK!!!  For me, Jellys are like a rite of passage into all things girly and all things fashion.  I remember every Summer getting a fresh pair of Jellys to rock to the beach, the park, family BBQs, and pretty much any place we went.  Now I get to share this timeless Summer fashion accessory with my little girl.  And no surprise there, she has fallen head over heels in love with her new pink Jellys.

I love Zion's growing sense of style.  Forget the fact that if she could only wear pink everything for the rest of her days she'd be content.  She actually does a great job of picking out her own outfits, often coming up with some very trendy combinations.  The outfit she picked on this day is one of my favorites and it was her choice!  The Jellys just bring this whole look together.  You couldn't find a better shoe to match her personality.

Its been difficult to get her to wear any other shoes now that she has found her perfect pair of Jellys.  Honestly, I have no complaints with that.  I love how versatile these shoes are - you can wear them to the beach or playground, wear them casual or with a dress for a family function - they are the perfect shoe for any occasion.  And they are comfortable and functional too!

Zion got her gorgeous pink Jellys from Jelly Beans, an Australian company that just launched their U.S. store! Seeing Zion in her Jellys makes me miss wearing them myself!  Now it is my turn to get a pair!  The only struggle I'm having is deciding which color to get!  Or maybe I should just get a couple different colors?  With free shipping on all U.S. orders and a 30-day money-back guarantee, why not!?  

Did you have Jellys when you were younger?  Ready to rock these fabulous Summer shoes again?  Which color would you pick!?

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