{Beauty Tuesday} Nailed It

I shall never profess to be a hand model of any sort, but household craft supplies lent me a spark of creativity and I concocted this precious idea to shake up a boring old DIY manicure. Look at me, being innovative.

Start off with clean, filed-down nails. Apply one layer of base coat to each nail.

Paint on one coat of matte black or dark grey. Wait at least half an hour for it to dry (this is where outdated Disney movies come in handy) and then apply another coat of the same shade. I personally like to wait for a day so I know my nails are completely dry, but the incredibly impatient are welcome to just sit still for another half hour or so.

Find some cute little stickers in the junk drawer, preferably with an interesting edge. Flowers like these aren't too complex a pattern, so they're easy to use.

Lightly place the stickers over the [completely dry!] coat of black polish and press down the edges to prevent creating a lip with the next layer. Paint a neon, metallic, or pastel shade atop the whole nail, painting over the stickers as well. Allow this coat to dry completely, then use tweezers to slowly peel off the stickers.

Finish up with a layer of clear top coat and allow this layer to dry. Now, go show off your cool hands.

Most days I have a rough time deciding what to make for lunch. Therefore, many of those days I give up and forgo the daytime meal. This, my dears, is a poor choice. I would advise you to learn from my mistakes and act in the opposite manner. Eat lunch. If you're like me in that you suffer from midday apathy, here's a manageable sandwich that won't cost you $45 or any of that hard-earned muscle tone.

Stuff a halved, split pita or flat bread with the following:
2 slices thinly sliced roast beef, turkey, or chicken
A leaf of lettuce
A halved slice of provolone or swiss cheese
1/4 cup broccoli slaw
1/4 cup alfalfa sprouts
1 tablespoon reduced-fat ranch dressing

Pair with a handful of cracker chips and a tall glass of ice water, and don't forget to raise that perfectly manicured pinky.

Happy painting! 

{Beauty Tuesday} Make It Last and Make It Count

Once upon a time I discussed the merits of wearing lipstick and all kinds of it. Just as vital to the wearer as shade and formula is the preparation and application thereof! We've all seen - or, at least, heard of - the smeared coffee mugs and sacrament cups, stained men's dress shirts (that's always a fun trip to the dry cleaner), and messy napkins. And let's not forget the dreaded ring of nakedness in the center of the lips after a particularly fulfilling meal! Here's how to eliminate flakes and make your color last:

Use a small amount of lip scrub (try C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Buffer) and rub it in well to create a smooth, even base. Remove any remaining product with a tissue.

Apply a thin layer of Vaseline or clear lip gloss (I love Hollister Lip Gloss in Ocean Berry; it tastes sensational) to moisturize lips. Allow ten minutes for it to sink in; otherwise, it won't penetrate the surface and will just mix in with your lipstick. Which doesn't work very well...

Use either a nude lip liner or the edge of the lipstick you're going to wear to create a thin line around the edge of the lips. Focus color on the cupid's bow and the very center of the bottom lip.

Fill in entire lip surface with lipstick straight from the tube.

Separate the top and bottom layers of a tissue, and use one layer to lightly blot lipstick. Reapply straight from the tube, blot again, then dab on one final coat of color.

Find something to be unfathomably happy about.

Happy sticking around!