Monday, September 22, 2014

Mani Monday


Even though the official start of fall isn't until tomorrow, I've been celebrating the season for weeks.  I switched out my summer wax warmer scents to decidedly more autumnal scents.  I hauled out my fall stash of decorative owl friends (which are different than my year-round decorative owl friends.)  I baked apple crisp (with bourbon) and had a Maple Spice Latte from Copper Rock Coffee. 

By the way, I really love Copper Rock's fall creations and if you like maple and you like coffee and you like warming your body from the inside out with tasty, delicious autumn in a mug, I recommend checking out their seasonal brews while they are still here. I suppose, also, "if you live in the Fox Valley."

Full-on immersing myself in fall is a head to toe process which, of course, involves autumnal manis and pedis.  I typically don't limit myself seasonally to mani/pedi colors.  I generally just go with what feels "right" at the time.  Sometimes that means brown in May and sometimes that means pink in December.  I mean, who cares?  There are no rules, really.  I do find myself gravitating towards darker, more brooding hues once the chilly air moves in.  Maybe subconsciously I think darker polish will keep me warmer?  

I was gifted the 2014 Essie Fall Collection Cube by a very sweet, very thoughtful, very wanting to be anonymous family member a few weeks ago.  A package arrived for me and I was worried my son had accidentally bought a Rolex or something when he last was screwing around on my Kindle.
I was very relieved and very, very genuinely surprised and touched when I opened it to find this little beauty!  

Still swooning.

I've always shyed away from getting the seasonal cubes from my favorite brands.  I always think, "Well, they are mini-sized so that's good for like, what, two applications?  I should just buy the big size in my favorite new color." I've been wrong, friends.  I've been very, very wrong.  In fact, cubes are now my new favorite thing.  You get to try four shades for the cost of two and honestly when is the last time you used an ENTIRE bottle of nail polish in a season or even used up half of it? I think these mini bottles will probably even get me through a year of use if not more.  I'm sold on these. 

Many brand make cubes and cube variations including OPI, Butter, and even Sally Hansen. 
However, we already know I'm partial to Essie.  I'm working on branching out.  Promise.



I couldn't pick what color to try first so I tried two!
Essie, Take it Outside/accent nail also Essie in Partners in Crime
Take it Outside is a warm neutral.  It's a taupe/grey polish with almost a hint of pewter to it.  It's a gorgeous neutral.  Partners in Crime is a rich espresso.  It may sound silly but I felt like my little accent nail was a friendly coffee bean and it made me smile. A lot.

I had an unfortunate run-in during work last week when a scissors razored off my mani on two nails so over the weekend I did a quick mani to get over my OCD about having chipped nails.

Essie, Sable Collar
This color is from a winter collection.
I was also gifted this rich, velvety crimson/blackberry hue (which just a hint of iridescence)
It's the Christmas 2013 gift that keeps on giving!

What nail statements are you making this fall?  Any recommendations? 





Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Chic Thrill: $5 2-for1 Infinity Scarves

People, fall is right around the corner.

I'll be real with you: I legit had a four-paragraph post drafted for this blog entry about how I love fall and how the weather in fall is hormonal in Wisconsin and how I hate summer and more about how I (again) love fall.  But, honestly, I don't want you to waste time reading when you could be using that time to GET IN YOUR CAR IMMEDIATELY, SUCK UP YOUR PRIDE, AND HEAD TO WAL*MART.  Because, girlfriend, where else can you find transitional, lightweight, fun and chic infinity scarves for FIVE DOLLARS.  FOR TWO SCARVES. WHERE?!?!  Apparently, Wal*Mart.

Infinity scarves have blown up over the past 4 years so much so that they aren't hard to find. What is hard to find is an attractive infinity scarf that costs you under $15 bucks.

So I was SUPER STOKED to find that Wal*Mart is selling 2-pack (YES, 2 PACK) infinity scarves for $4.96.  UNDER 5 BUCKS FOR TWO SCARVES. SHUT UP.

My current scarf arsenal.  Obsessed.


I'm obsessed with them and have already been asked by strangers a few times where I got my "great scarf."  It would be wrong not to share this find with my cyberspace friends!

Scarves are located by the accessories department.  I bought three packs (six scarves for the average cost of one) for the season.  I am thrilled with the selection and wear of these scarves by NoBoundaries.

These are so lightweight and breathable that they remain comfortable even on warm, humid days.  Yet, they still are able to keep the neck and chest chill away when the cool, evening air sets in.

Let's be honest, they probably aren't built to last.  I'd say they are on the same page as Forever 21 garment construction.  But for under $2.50 per scarf, WHO CARES?!  Life's short.  Have fun with it.

Check these chic (and cheap) little thrills out for yourself.  A fun, printed scarf is paired with a neutral which I feel makes your purchase even more versatile and conservatively cool. Buy a pack.  Buy more.  Keep one in your car for a last minute outfit "upgrade."
Chilly Packer game with my man

Hot day with my men at the Shawano County Fair.

Cute, right?!

Happy shopping, babes!