Gradient Tape Manicure

Galaxy Nails!

I posted a picture forever ago that showed my first galaxy nail (below). WITH THE TUTORIAL!

I really loved that one.. but... then I thought I would experiment more with some other colors...

Then I got even CRAZIER and did it with white! Still love this a ton!

But at the end of the day, I just played with new colors... 

And still love this just the same as I always did. This manicure is my guilty pleasure.. 

Corner Striped Manicure

Easy! And classy.

Diamond Nails!

This one is simple and a half! All you do is paint a base coat, then take two pieces of tape, use the corners, and stack like them like pictured and then paint as you please in the opening of the tape.

Tips:
-Wait until your base coat is COMPLETELY dry.. or you will pull off the polish with the tape.
-Stick the tape to your skin and pull off, repeat a few more times. Do this so you remove the 100% stickiness of the tape.
-Be picky about the edge of the tape and make sure there is a good "seal" on it. No air bubbles, lifting, etc.


Then finish with a top coat!

Splatter- With a Twist!

Found this AMAZING way to splatter!!! I've used a straw and a toothbrush before.....

But then I found this tutorial that I love! But there's some things that I want to add in that would make some things clearer. 

First off, use WHATEVER colors you choose. Seriously. 

Second, the paint brush I used was a paint brush that I found at hobby lobby in a bag of random ones all mixed together. So as long as the bristles are soft and decent in length, you will be made in the shade. 

Third- with the acrylic paint to "splatter" on to your nails comes a frustration I encountered. Acrylic paint is too think alone to splatter. I read in a comment that someone said to use nail polish thinner, BAD IDEA. All you need is water mixed with the paint and then you take the brush and put it in between your thumb and middle finger, then use your pointer finger to tap it enough to cause a splatter. 

Easy as cake. Let the paint sink in for about 5-10 minutes so that you have the smooth look to it. Then use a top coat and you're done! 

MESSY! But worth it, see what I mean?

Here were the colors and polishes that I used. 

String Art Manicure with Toothpick

Just a Preview....

Cow Manicure!

Obviously, this is my favorite.... enough said.

Bright Yellow Dots

Skillet Fried Chicken Tutorial

A while ago I posted the link for a delicious recipe for skillet fried chicken. I literally have made it twice this week already. I love this recipe so much. I changed a few things from the original recipe that I linked in the original post. This is a step by step tutorial on my take of this awesome meal that puts KFC to shame!

Acetone Manicure

So I am in love with this idea. And I mean IN LOVE WITH this idea. I will be doing more different variations with different colors. I got the tutorial from Nails Adored and she calls it the "Grunge Effect".

So this was my first try, and I think it came out great. I just forgot to put a top coat on and it ended up chipping the next day. I included a pretty in-depth tutorial. Keep in mind: this manicure is SO EASY! It probably takes 15 minutes from start to finish. It also helps because messing up is non-existent with this fun take on marbling.

1 & 2. I figured I don't too much with pink so I thought it would be fun to use a bunch of my pinks. The idea originally came about after seeing this picture of a breast cancer survivor. 

Her stomach says, "I had breast cancer and now I have Theo" in Portuguese.

Such a strong and amazing and brave and inspirational women. 

Decrease your chances of bubbles!

Simple fix:
Rub your nails with a cotton pad soaked with rubbing alcohol right before putting your base coat on.
It cleans and wipes away the oils and what not that have gathered on your nails throughout the process.

How to Make Your Braid Pop!

I stole this from the infamous Lauren Conrad.
Easy solution to make your braid flashy again!
So easy,
Just take your hair and divide it into the three strands that you want to braid together.
Take one of the strands and braid that one within itself (if that makes sense).
I use the bottom one so that I can try and braid the layers that are apt to falling out throughout the day.
Then I use a bobby pin and clip that to the bottom of the braid while I braid the 3 original strands together.
Then just tie with an elastic and there ya go!

                           

Here is Lauren Conrad on Chelsea Lately with her hair done in this same simple way!

Need a Longer Flame?

As I do things around my place, I realize that some people don't know these tricks and that I should share them! So here goes!

When your favorite candles burn down past the point of getting a lighter or match successfully down to light them, what do you do?

15 Things I've Learned From My Dog

To Cash; I love you pup!

Reheating Fast Food French Fries!

I love fries.... I mean I am from Idaho... But I think some of you share the same frustration when you order a burger and fries and see half the container of fries being dumped onto the ground because not only will you not be able to finish them, but reheating them is impossible.

NOT ANYMORE!

Two of my Favorite Things: Troops and My Dog

Amazing story ahead about the love for one's own country and for one's own true best friend. Get the tissues ready, it is a good one. I would have read this and cried without a dog, but now that I do- there were a few sobs with a smile on! 

Being that two of my closest friends are in the Army and currently are/have been deployed overseas, this story touches home. Their courage and selflessness has helped me see that if they can give their lives for us, the least we can give them is a thank you. I can't even hear the national anthem without tearing up now. Thank you all for what you do, we all appreciate it. You are the bravest that the country has ever had the pleasure of knowing.


With that being said, I got my black lab puppy named Cash in February of 2012 and he is more than I could ever ask for. He has brought many life lessons that I needed and couldn't figure out how to ask for to me. He came at the perfect time and although he is still a baby, 7 months on April 11, he wants to make me happy so much. Our capability is through the roof and I can't imagine being without him right now. Love has a new meaning since I have had him. Also, yes, he is named after the Man in Black, Johnny Cash. He is a BLACK lab- how could I not? 

Swatches: Worth it!

Okay, so it has been incredibly hectic lately and please forgive me for the brief hiatus. So since I am addicted to looking at nail designs on Pintrest, and addicted to painting my own (sorry nails! I swear I'm changing!), seeing people painting nail acrylic tips so they don't paint their nails daily like I thought was a great plan. I know better now and ordered 500 clear acrylic full size tips and I think with tax and shipping, they cost $6.03 or something....? But I found them at the Born Pretty store! So worth it. Then I hot glued them to a toothpick, when you are hot gluing be careful that the nail doesn't melt. Before you stick the toothpick on the inside of nail, let it cool for a second or two before you make contact of the two. Then I took masking tape and wrapped it around the base with it's name, it's brand, and how many coats I used on the swatch. Also ended up cutting up an empty tissue box and messing around with it enough to use the other half as slot dividers. This whole thing took me about two weeks... but it was also an incredibly busy two weeks. This is an awesome weekend project and your nails will thank you!

A Fantastic Summer Drink

So I have really been craving lemonade, so obviously I made some. For one it is cheaper, and for two it just tastes better. Probably because it is made with love. But I thought to myself, "I don't want just plain lemonade.... whats the easiest way to fix this problem?" Well I have the solution for that dilemma right here. Not only does it taste fantastic, but it helps you use those frozen berries that have been sitting in your freezer for what seems like a decade.

New (to me) Polishes Happening Soon!

I ordered some new polishes from Amazon because I had a gift card there from returning textbooks. So I spent about two hours comparing and contrasting and researching and finding the dupes, it any, and found these bad boys!
So excited!!!

Will update when they arrive, you can expect a blog review about them. Yay!

OPI - It's My Year

This polish is definitely top 10 on my favorites list. It is pretty sheer after one coat but then once the second one is on you can't tell one bit. Great for water marbling too ;) I know I am probably way behind on the polish phases. Oh well! 

2 Months With My Cash:)

 The very right top picture is him the day I got him, and the middle picture I literally took tonight. 

He looks like a great dane in this one!

Yes, that blade of grass is too much for him.  

Look at more precious pictures of my pooch here!