Monday Manis, Mantras, and Mundane Resolutions

I didn't get to do a Monday post last week, so I'm taking the opportunity now. Since New Year's Eve is tonight, there are many different fabulous manicures you can give yourself before the big party. So many choices. You could go for something subtle, something glitter-ific, or whatever fits your style for the evening. After all, each party is different, and each calls for its own version of a 2013 worthy mani.
Here are a few of my favorites that I found this week (and regrettably, most of them are from Tumblr; I'm the newest addict to the Tumblr community):

Jewels galore on this complicated yet dazzling mani. Can you spot the little 2013 on each hand?

(image credit: @hellowhiskey on Tumblr)

A little more subtle but just as glam :) Love this!

(image credit: @karengnails on Tumblr)

Gorgeous, intricate, and not to mention time consuming! So worth it though.

This glitter gradient mani speaks for itself. Simple and gorgeous!

Everyone has there own version of New Years Resolutions; some don't even make them. Mine however are pretty boring, but I'd thought I'd include them anyway. Mainly, they focus on making sure 2013 is a much better year than 2012 (this past year has been one of the worst in a long time).

1. Keep creating frequent (and hopefully unique) blog posts throughout the year
2. Take time to appreciate the little things
3. Try to look nice everyday, because even though I may not think that I am a part of this, everyone deserves to look and feel their best
4. To keep in mind of the wise quotes and other mantras I come across, and to refer back to them in a time of stress and misery
5. To try and remind myself every morning of who I am and the fact that "Everyone is beautiful in their own way." does in fact apply to me as well
6. To just be myself, and trust that I can accomplish things, that way I'll be more likely to be successful

So those were my resolutions. They are nothing that drastic or world changing, but they're my personal way of improving my year. I hope everyone at least has some sort of goal or project they are looking forward to in 2013. Remember, you do deserve everything you accomplish out of hard work. Never sell yourself short.

And finally, here's the weekly mantra:

 

Have a happy New Year!!! May 2013 bring you the best!

Beauty Bulletin: New Product Collections

So many brands are ringing in the new year with new collections ranging from nail polish to new eyeshadow palettes. There are so many new products coming out that it's overwhelming and I thought I would feature some of my favorites here:

One of the collections that I'm most excited about is Elle and Blair's new Skylark Shiver Shades nail lacquer set. Blair mentioned in one of her videos that they had been working on the line for about six months and it seems like it was definitely worth it!! The colors are gorgeous and blush.com has a video on the product page introducing the amazing polishes:

The set is originally about $30, but blush.com is keeping it on sale for about $20 until the end of 2012 I believe. I can't wait to get my hands on these! Absolutely love! Here's the link to check out the polishes: http://www.blush.com/product_Shiver+shades+nail+lacquer+set_44600.htm

Another great brand has released some new polish collections. OPI now has 4 new studio shades and 4 stage shades from the brand new Mariah Carey collection that introduces OPI's new texture "Liquid Sand". The collection will be released to store in January.

Here's the absolutely gorgeous collection (images credited to stylebistro.com):

From Left to Right:

Sprung (Studio Shade), Pink Yet Lavender (Studio Shade), Anti-Bleak (Studio Shade), The Impossible (Stage Shade)

From Left to Right: Can't Let Go (Stage Shade), Stay the Night (Stage Shade), Get Your Number (Stage Shade), A Butterfly Moment (Studio Shade)

Nails aren't the only things that brands have been whipping up products for; Smashbox has introduced some art inspired "Love Me" shadow palettes that are packaged just beautifully!

This first palette is in the shade "Entice Me", and it includes a shimmery blackish gray, an equally shimmery cocoa brown, a pretty nude pink, a baby blue, and a dark navy. The words "Love Me" are written across the top, dividing the shadows, and although the palettes are at a pricier $34, they are so worth it.

"Admire Me"; the nude version of the palettes.

For the more exciting release, the amazing Drew Barrymore collaborated with makeup artist Debra Felluro to create her own cosmetics line named "Flower" which will be available at Walmart starting in January. She brought all of her products from the line to a recent Allure cover shoot, and it wasn't in the final packaging yet. The line currently has been reported to have 181 products that will range from about $5 to about $14. Drew has been involved in the makeup game as a face for Lancome and is now a face and co-creative director for Cover Girl. She is now taking her rightful place as a creator of her own line! 

Image Credit: imabeautygeek.com

So far the line looks great packaging wise, let's hope the products themselves are something to praise over! You go Drew! :)

There is so much to look forward to in the new year! What's something that you are most excited about?  I'll definitely be hitting up my local Walmart in search of Drew's line, will you? There's many more new product releases as well. So much to do, and so much to try. Part of my resolutions is to try as many new products as I can and review them right here. :)

Til next time,

Friday Fave Finds

Well, it's that dreaded date and I'm still alive to post all the things that I stumbled across this week that made me smile. I get so inspired by other bloggers, YouTube gurus and amazing fashion magazines like Allure, and Glamour and so many more. I wish I could just slap every pic of a killer pair of heels or an insanely cute hairstyle on my wall every time I come across one, but then again, that's what Pinterest if for. I found a few randoms this week that I think you'll enjoy and I hope to be doing more of these kind of posts more often, so here goes:

This is a gorgeously painted interpretation of Ariel by Jace Wallace. The colors and details are so beautiful, and this princess has a much more relate able figure, which makes the piece even better in my eyes.

We've all obsessed over our favorite chick flick, and these "Mean Girls" inspired pencils are so cute!!! The only question is, where can I get them?

OPI is coming out with this adorable Wizard of Oz collection of polishes in March and I can't wait to get my hands on these glittery and girlie shades!

Polishes (left to right): "What Wizardry is This?", "Lights of Emerald City", "When Monkeys Fly!", "I Theodora You", "Don't Burst My Bubble", "Which is Witch?", and "Glints of Glinda"

Last but not least, I found this vintage Chanel poster that is just gorgeous! The color is amazing and well, it's Chanel!!! Absolutely love!

That's it for this weeks random finds, but I hope to come across even more next week! Time has been flying for me lately and the holidays are creeping up on me faster than ever! I can't wait to spend time with family and friends and just be happy for once!

T.G.I.F

Walgreens Wonderland; Gifts for the Girls

I've been to Walgreen's lately for some wallet friendly Christmas gifts for the women in my family and the wonderful friends I have. I found so many cute sets and products that I thought would be perfect for any young woman in someones life. They are all low budget and great holiday pleasers. So here are a few of them that I thought I'd share:

Here's a gift set from Juicy Couture for around $30. It includes a shower gel, body lotion, and two perfumes. It's a great bang for your buck and something you just might buy a set for yourself. 

Another cute gift is this set from Essie that includes two different mini lacquers that vary in color pairs per set. It's only $10 and a great gift for a bestie or stocking stuffer.

elf is one of my favorite drugstore makeup brands and they have a huge palette of shadows for just $15. I own this palette and personally love it! It's definitely worth the buy!

Speaking of great drugstore brands, Wet 'n' Wild has new Fergie eye kits for only around $8. This one is the Glam Side "Glamour-Eyes" eye kit and comes with a shadow quad, liquid liner, mascara, eye pencil, brow brush, and liner smudging brush. Not to mention instruction to get the perfect look from the products. 

This one is the "Ferga-Vicious" edgy side eye kit, which just so happens to be my favorite out of the two. The dark shadows are gorgeous and I have a feeling I'm going to need those directions. :)

An even cheaper option is another palette from elf that includes twelve glitter shadows, a built in mirror, an applicator and an eye pencil. The kit is only $5 and it's yet another great holiday gift from the brand. 

Wet 'n' Wild seems to be loving Fergie lately, and have released sets of nail polish pairs that include the color and clear top coat. The fierce shade and $3.50 price tag is an absolute steal!!!!!

Makeup and nails aren't the only gifts that are on sale at Walgreen's. There are various brands of mini perfumes for only around $10. The perfumes also include great scents like Red Door and a scent from Paris Hilton.

Another great perfume set is a three product feature of Katy Perry's "Purr". The set is around $20 and includes a mini perfume, shower gel, and an illuminating body lotion.

Last but not least, is yet another nail polish set. This one is by Sally Hansen and costs around $5, or as I found it, on sale for around $4. The set has four Xtreme wear "Hard as Nails" polishes in some great colors.

Overall, Walgreen's has some great gifts for the girls for some even better prices. I'm surely going to pick up a couple of these sets for gifts and, guiltily enough, for myself. I hope this post helped you with your holiday shopping and that you enjoy discovering these products just as much as I did.

Til next time,

Monday Manis, Mantras and Merry Finds

With Christmas so near and all the holiday stress that comes with it, things have gotten pretty hectic, but I'm back with a Monday post featuring things that made me smile and relieved some of that materialistic anxiety that is gift shopping. I've been surfing the web whenever I can and have come up with some things that I just had to share, and to start us off, as always, it's time for some mani inspiration for those holiday parties and other festive occasions.

Rock a holiday sweater with half the effort by showing it off on your nails. This is a really cute idea that could easily be done. :)

Here's a more complicated and time consuming design from nailartcouture.com

I love this one but would never have the talent to pull it off!

Let it Snow! Love the glitter base!

The colorful lights and white tips are a little understated, and very creative. Love!

Decorating the tree was always one of my favorite things about the holidays, I never would have thought about decorating my nails this way. Great idea!

Let's not forget our favorite little red nosed reindeer! :) So adorable!

Nails weren't the only thing that I stumbled across lately, I've been going through sites like Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Tumblr looking at everything from gorgeous trees and winter landscapes, to holiday inspired funnies. Here are some of my favorites:

This adorable vintage Christmas printable was a real delight to come across. I wish I could print it out and hang it on the wall next to the tree!

Speaking of cuteness.........

I love the creative trick of the light in this one. It really expresses the atmosphere of the holiday! :)

The abnormal, but gorgeous gold of this tree is just stunning.

So simple, yet so scrumptious! This is a great way to bring out the holiday spirit in your sugar cookies!

I have to end this post with a holiday themed quote or the whole thing would be pointless! I feel that wise words get us through so much, and no one realizes just how greatly the words of others affect us. It's always good to have a supportive and uplifting mantra on the mind to keep you sane. Here's the one that's has stayed on mine:

Monday Manis, Makeup and Mantras

It's yet another not so appealing Monday, but there's no need to walk out of that door feeling like you want to crawl under a rock. Instead, I have another post of pick-me-up pics and sayings that I thought would brighten some of your days. I found the usual manis and mantra, but I also came across some pretty striking makeup looks that I personally thought were cool and hope you'll enjoy them just as much as I do. (Although, I wouldn't be daring enough to wear any of the looks myself, unless on special occasion.)

Let's start with some extremely cute nail-candy. :)

This was done by layering a bunch of colors and then eating them away with an acid. Very cool. I'm definitely going to try this one!

A gorgeous hunter green and an even more beautiful glitter coat and shine.

An overly chic black and white number that I've grown to love!

Armor for your nails. Amazing.

Dazzling Designer. Absolute perfection.

Don't be afraid to show a little color as the cold creeps in, but don't forget to keep those pretty fingers nice and warm!

Makeup is a huge form of expression. These looks that I found just scream "I'm gorgeous, daring and I don't give a damn if It's over dramatic!"

Good old-fashioned pinup perfection.

Candy Eyes

Stunning Goth

Glamorous jeweled lashes. I'd be a little nervous with this one, but it's still insanely pretty.

Lately I've been dealing with drama and have been needing a huge reminder of just how strong I can be. Mondays are not my forte when it comes to having a positive attitude, so I have this quote as my wallpaper to always remind me that I can pull through. If any of you readers are sort of in the same boat, I hope you'll find this beneficial as a mood lifter, because it has certainly worked for me.

Sorry, it's a bit blurry, but the message still rings true.

Well, that's all for this Monday's post. I hope you have gotten something out of this to arm yourself against the obstacles the universe will throw in your way today. Just remember you can overcome anything with strength, and don't forget to think happy thoughts (like that amazing manicure you gave yourself last week, or that delicious cupcake you've been thinking about devouring). Keep living your fabulous lives and I wish you the best. :) Have a great day!