Make your mani last

 

How frustrating is it to spend money on a gorgeous manicure with the hottest color or nail art just to have it chip off in two days? So money is tight and a lot of us are doing our own nails. We kind of expect chipping to happen, but it's frustrating none the less. Here are a few tips that I swear by, for keeping your nails chip-free longer.

Add some shape and keep them short
Do you like the square nail? How about the rounded? Or maybe the soft square? Whatever your nail style is embrace it. Shape is key when it comes to helping a manicure last. You want a shape that is not going to get caught on anything which would result in breakage.

Sure long nails can be absolutely gorgeous, however I am one that doesn't let mine go beyond my fingertip. Why? For one my nails do not hit keys while I am typing which is a big cause of chippage for many people.  Also this allows my nails to stay out of the way if I go to reach something or am using harmful products such as bleach.

 Coat them daily!
When you get your nails done, the manicurist will apply a clear top coat to your nails after color. There is  an important reason this is done. The clear top coat is a barrier which protects your nails from chipping as well as cracking. In order to keep or create that gorgeous salon look, be sure to add a clear top coat to your nails every day during the duration of your manicure.

So here is the big secret....
Your nails chip first at the top... correct? When applying your extra top clear coats daily you should do one swipe across the tips of your nails and then do this rest. It's just a little extra protection for your nails.

 The Base of it all
 I have said before that sometimes I wear a base coat and sometimes I do not. Since November I have not worn a base coat once. You might say... well you sure do change your polish a lot. To be honest I take it off when I get bored of the color or buy a new polish hue. Trust me, you'll never see me with chipped nails. I can get my nails to last over a week without chippage, and my Mum goes over two weeks with NO chippage - and she wears rubber gloves daily!

Just a little extra tid bit.....
You may have been always told to put 2-3 coats on your nails. Sometimes I do this and sometimes I have upwards of seven coats on my nails. It all depends on the look I am going for, and how long I want it to last.

The KISS manicure kit is my go to manicure kit. It has everything that you need in it to create gorgeous nails!

Do you have any tips for longer polish wear?

Memorial Weekend Recap

Hey there, dolls! How was your weekend? The weather was actually pretty gorgeous here, finally saw some sun and blue skies! This was the first memorial day in a long time that I was not sitting beach or poolside getting my tan on. What'd you do this weekend?

Calypso St. Barth for Target

{print dress in turquoise} 

Calypso St. Barth is the new designer collaboration with Target, and if you love the look of resort chic this collabor is definitely for you. The collection contains not only fabulous fashion for you and I, but it has fashionable items for the Mini's as well as home decor. This is the perfect collection to give you a laid back feel while looking sophisticated and oh so stylish. Within this collaboration are three collections: Sea, Reef and Shore. Below are my favorites from each collection. You can also view the entire collaboration here.

Sea

{3/4- sleeved sequined tunic in milan aqua}

{jute based tote - turquoise}

{hammered cuff}

{wrap bracelet with chain - turquoise}

{multi-strand necklace with beads - turquoise} 

Reef

 {medallion print crochet bib tunic in pink/orange}

{white floppy hat}

{sleeveless dress with beading in white}

{natural straw tote with pink scarf}

{wrap bracelet with chain in coral}

{multi-strand bead necklace in coral}

 Shore

 {linen wrap dress in white}

{print dress in pita bread}

{3/4-sleeved tunic in khaki/green}

What do you think of this collaboration?

It's all about the red, white and blue... outfits that is...

 Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day are all holiday's to show your red, white and blue spirit. I thought we all could use a little red, white and blue inspiration from some of my current favorite fashionista's.

 

Let's go Shopping: 1/2/3/4/5/6

 For Memorial Day this year I will be wearing the outfit inspiration featured above. A little white dress paired with nude wedges and nails (OPI Step Right Up to be exact), accessorized with turquoise bracelets, earrings and of course you can't forget the statement necklace. While at night I will be wearing a simple white dress from Target with the statement DIY necklace I created earlier this week.

What will you be wearing this Memorial Day?

Miss American Pie

 Mummsie's American Flag "Pie"

Ingredients

• Pre-made graham cracker or Nilla Wafer pie crust

• 8 oz. package cream cheese (softened)

• 8 oz. container Cool Whip

• 1/4 c. powdered sugar

• strawberries or raspberries

• blueberries

Directions

• Beat cream cheese, cool whip and powdered sugar until completely combined. Spread mixture evenly over your crust. Top with berries to create a flag.

Make a Statement this Memorial Day

 I am a big fan of statement jewelry, and so is everyone else this season as it is an extremely popular trend. With Memorial Day this weekend I figured it would be the perfect opportunity to create a red, white and blue statement piece. Oh, and by the way it won't cost you more than $2.

 What You Need

• one red, one white and one blue beaded necklace 

(my mum bought me these - the three pack is from the dollar spot at Target)

• Ribbon (you'll want enough to tie a big bow around your neck)

• scissors 

• white yarn

 Step One: Lay out your necklaces on top of each other.

 Step Two: Tie the necklaces together at one end with your yarn.

 Step Three: Cut the yarn so you can not see it.

 Step Four: Spread out each necklace like you are getting ready to braid them together.

 Step Five: Cross the necklaces over each other like you are braiding them together.

 Step Six: Once you have braided all the way down tie the yarn at the end to secure your braid in place.

 Step Seven: Run your ribbon through one end of the necklace

Step Eight: Run the ribbon through the other side of your necklace. Cut the ribbon to your desired length, put it on and head out to make a statement!

Hello Sun

 

Let's go shopping: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

How do you feel about yellow?

xo