The Overexposed Dress from Macy's

If you live anywhere a Macy's you have seen this dress. Well guess who has it.  Yes me.  I would have never expected to buy a dress that was going to gain such over exposure.  I kind of always prided myself in being a bit of a trendsetter.  In high school, I never shopped in the stores that other girls did and was voted best dressed.  So, every time I see my dress in another flyer or commercial I want can't help but laugh at myself.

So, this summer is the summer of the artsy matchy manicure for me.  When I wore this dress I did this manicure.

It is not a watercolor but a technique I saw in YouTube by the beautiful Ms. Jen Fabulous.  I painted my nails with all Essie polish,  I used Cabana Boy as a base color then dotted Boom Boom Room, Madison Ave., Saturday Disco Night and OPI's Need Sunglasses.  Ok, the main thing is that you ensure that the base color is dry.  I always go ahead and put a coat of Seche Vite on.  Seche Vite is good in different stages of it's age.  When it new it is thin and watery and that is the best time to use it when you need to ensure your polish is dry like for stamping, gradients, putting glitter polish on etc.  So, now that my nails are dry, I randomly plopped some colors on my nails.  Then got some Saran Wrap and pressed the polish down to cover the nail and then gently removed the Saran Wrap.  Once the polish was dry I applied top coat.  It does take a little work but the results are really nice.









 



 



 

Ciao Bella's,

Patty

Dior Birds of Paradise. Samba

This season Dior has managed to put out two of the most popular colors of the season.  A metallic teal and a crème mint.  Both came in a box and are half the size of a large bottle of Dior polish.  Which in a way I think I like because truthfully the only bottles of polish I ever really finished have been OPI's My Boyfriend Scales Walls and Black Onyx and Chanel's Black Satin.  Little bottles ensure full use.  Neither one of these polishes have names I just call them one and two.  The metallic polish really surprised me with it's smooth application.  I wondered if it was a dupe for Chanel's Azure but you can clearly tell that they are different and not dupes.

 

 

Chanel on the right.  Dior on the Left.  They look like dupes in this picture but they definitely are not.  The Dior is much greener.

 

 

 

 

 

As far as the creme color goes it went on like cream cheese frosting on a red velvet cake ( craving chocolate).  The color is just gorgeous as it is the "color" of the season.  I have no complaints.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ciao Bellas,

Patty

I Have Been Cheating

Yes, I have been cheating on my beloved Lemony Flutter.  I kept seeing everyone's beautiful nails and noticed how everyone's cuticles were just so pretty.  So, I tried many things that actually were doing more harm than good.  I tried a cuticle pumice stone.  That was the worst.  My nails started breaking.  I started using Sally Hansen's Cuticle remover, the one in the blue bottle and it seemed like I had more problems.  I just did not go as far as cutting.  But my cuticles looked like crap.  So, I just stopped and literally slept with Neosporin in on my cuticles and band aids.  I had to do something.  So, I heard that Blue Cross and Blue Shield Cuticle remover was pretty good, so I tried it and instead of using anything to scrape the cuticles off, I just got a nail brush and bought this soap called sand stone from Lush. 
Now, my cuticles started to heal so, I started using the Dior cuticle crème and did notice changes in a week's time.  The problem with this crème is that if you don't use it for a day or two your cuticles start to react by peeling, at least that is what happened to me.  It is a great product but it is expensive, $24.00 for a little jar 10 grams but you only need a little bit every night.  I still use either Lush's Helping Hands or Handy Guguru. 

 

 

I first felt so guilty but when I did notice a difference.  I wanted to see if I would get the same results with Lemony Flutter the results were close except for me it took longer to get them in the condition they were in with Lemony Flutter but their is one advantage to Lemony Flutter, it seems like you can miss a day and you are not at square one.  Lemony Flutter costs about $18.00 but you get 45 grams.

 

 

I do tend to use a little more Lemony Flutter than the Dior because the Dior is just loaded with emollients.  Lemony Flutter just has a very different consistency.  The Dior turns almost to an oil consistency once you put it on and you need just a tiny amount.  It does not have any odor like Lemony Flutter, which a lot of people complain about.  Personally, I love the smell. 

 

So, what am I using right now the Dior but I still keep my Lemony Flutter which I use once during the day.  I just can't stop Lemony Flutter.   I think even though the Dior is so good I will never give up Lemony Flutter.  I have just always been Lemony Flutter's Cheerleader, I had to confess that there are other cuticle crème's that work just as well even a little better.  So, that is all I have to say about that.  You can look up reviews on the Dior Crème and probably won't find a bad one although most people do complain about the price.

 

Ciao for now,

Patty

 

 

Bootie Babe is Back!

the long awaited return of the cute little bottles with the bootie shape is finally here.  I know I have waited a long time for this and when they became available to be honest I was a little disappointed because of price but more importantly a $5.00 shipping charge,  For the rest of the summer the polish is 33% off but you still have to pay shipping charges but the 33% off does defray the shipping.  They have several colors now, neutrals and even some holos.  This one in particular is a holo.  It is called Butt and Brickle.  There is a darker one called one that resembles this one but I went lighter.  The application was really smooth, fast to dry but did need three coats because of it’s color.  I got one other one a white holo and a lavender.  I haven’t swatched those yet but will do it as soon as I can so you can see them.   Meantime, you can buy Bootie Babe on their Facebook website.   Each bottle is $8.00 plus they are having a great giveaway. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Besides the bottle being so cute I have to admit that this is a seriously sound polish buy.  With the darker colors on the older version there was a little staining but they wear well and are easy to use so don’t let the bottle fool you this is a really good product that just happens to come in a cute bottle.  So, check them out if you haven’t.

Ciao bellas,

Patty

A Reward For Myself

If you have noticed I have not been posting as often as usual.  The problem, my husband’s Achilles heel injury.  If you have ever taken care of a sick spouse, boyfriend or and man I think you might know why I needed a reward.  Last Thursday was the surgery and I am just not used to this.  So, I had a gift certificate from Macy’s and when I saw that Chanel had released their autumn/fall polishes this was my favorite it is called Alchimie.  I would describe this color as a shiny olive, it is like you would take a raw olive and then put a coat of Seche Vite over it.  It is really pretty and so neutral.  I put it against some clothes and it pretty much went with everything I had even some reds.  The formula is much like the other Chanel’s I have reviewed first coat a little streaky but the second coat completely took care of the streaks and it looked perfect.  This is two coats with one coat of top coat.   I am back to Seche Vite.  It is just easier to come by than the Nubar top coat.  This polish did not go unnoticed when I wore it out.  I did get several what color is that questions.  Although, when I did say it was from Chanel I got a little of a sad look but said sometimes you just need to treat yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is good to treat yourself but when I do treat myself it is usually after doing something unusually nice for someone or knowing that I am going to so yeah, do it for yourself and play it forward.

 

Ciao bellas,

Patty

It Matches

 

On Monday I went to a DBSA meeting and wore this shirt I decided to do a manicure that would match exactly to the shirt.  I used Essie Bikini So Teeny, using DRK-A plate and American Apparel 7th and Alameda to stamp the leopard pattern then stamped a flower on my ring and thumb as accents.  I really got a lot of compliments on it.  I think this summer I am going to challenge myself to wear patterns that match my clothes.  I have my spring wardrobe and I am now actively looking for bargains for fall.  I will tell you the one wardrobe item I just am addicted to is the HUE denim leggings.  I think I bought about seven pair all on sale of course but they are just so comfy.  I love them.  I think Nordstrom might have some on sale for like $12.00 you might want to try a pair or perhaps you have if you have maybe you can let the rest of us know what you think about them.  So, have fun with your manis this summer the colors are so pretty.  I am hearing through the grapevine that the color for fall is going to be hunter green.  I can’t wait to continue my shopping for fall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, it came out pretty cute.   I hope to do more of these.  Let me know if you like these kinds of posts.  I know I have some pretty exciting one coming up soon. 

 

Ciao bellas,

Patty

The Pink One

Today I have a polish that is named exactly for what it is a pink one but when I say pink, I mean pink.  I can see why Pretty Serious Cosmetics named it this.  It kind of grabs your attention.  You think I have see a lot of pink polishes but to use something as basic as The Pink One there might be something special about it.  There is it is a glossy bright pink think neon pink but not a flat a glossy.  It definitely has blue undertones which makes it very strong.  I would also venture to say that it has some yellow.  This polish is not for the trying to give off a shy vibe to anyone.  This polish has to be worn with a strong sense of who you are a daring, happy go lucky lady.  So, if you want to get some attention this is definitely a polish that everyone will notice.  I think it is great and I am really glad to own this one.

And of course there has to be a seriously wild ring.  The stones on the lips are pink and I actually think the pink from the polish drowned it out.  But I saw this ring on ebay and knew I had to have it because a polish would come around that would be perfect for it and this was it.

So, this bold polish is made by Pretty Serious Cosmetics you can purchase their fabulous nail polish at their website Pretty Serious Cosmetics or at Llarowe.  They end up costing the same at both sites about $10.00 a bottle. 

Ciao Bellas,

Patty

June Favorites

Well, looking at my Stats June breaks them all in that only published 11 posts.  So, this will probably be a very short list. 

 

 

Northern Star Sunburst.  You will see this again. 

 

Chanel Bel Argus

 

 

 

Blue Raindrops

 



 

Pink Raindrops

 

 

 

My polish problem was a good post for me to write just so I could see myself the extent of my need to let go and help find these babies another home because they are just sitting on a shelf.  I got so many suggestions and ideas so that is going to help me.  I won't do it today because I do abide because I do keep to the Sabbath.  But tomorrow is back to work.  (did you know you can schedule posts to come out at a later time and date?  I just found out.  That is really cool.)

 

Ciao bellas,

Patty