Best do it yourself Manicure!

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Polish Strips

I have been hearing everywhere about this awesome new product from Sally Hansen Salon Effects.  It's called Sally Hansen Polish Strips. These strips are fit to the size of your nail and are meant to stick to the surface. What makes this product so attractive is ALL the awesome designs they offer! No way you could find these designs anywhere else. 

So, naturally, I decided to try it out and report back to you.  It took me two tries to really make these little suckers look good. There are definitely some helpful hints to a smooth application. Here's what I found:

My successful attempt!
Don't make fun of my stumpy fingers!

1. Keep on hand nail clippers or tweezers

           These will come in handy if your nails are smaller than the strips (like mine) and the strip overlaps the cuticles. Using nail clippers or tweezers you can easily remove excess strip from around the nail without tearing or ripping the strip. Just press the tweezers along the cuticle line.  

2. Be in close proximity to a heater. It is key that your hands are warm during the application process! I know it's a little weird, but seriously. The strips will not adhere to cold nails! This is where my first attempt went miserably wrong (my hands are perpetually cold). So for the second attempt, I placed my hands in front of the heater before applying each strip, then after applying the strip to make sure the strip was totally stuck onto my nail. This worked wonders! 

3. Follow the instructions in the box to the T! Also you can watch a mini-tutorial at Sally Hansen. Scroll down and you should see a video on the left hand side of the page. 

I absolutely love this product now that I have gotten the hang of applying the strips! I have gotten so many comments from people that love my nails! AND the strips lasted about 2 weeks before they started to chip!  Let me know if you try them out and what you think of them! 

PS. I'm also really loving these awesome nail polish colors if you want to go old school and  actually paint your nails!

Enjoy! XOXO

So Here's the Deal

My wonderfully talented friend has started a blog called The Dashing Pearl.  She is a very creative gal that loves photography, crafts and general fun. 


In an effort to get the word out she has asked me to appear as a guest blogger. So check out her blog to see my response to 

What Color Combo I'm Loving Right Now

Iphone anyone?

Lets celebrate! I just got an Iphone4! I've been waiting years to get one and the day finally came (Stupid Verizon). I was so excited to make this purchase, yet I was unprepared for all the other accessories that, once introduced to, my mind was unable to ignore. 

My thoughts immediately spun into a whirlwind of possibilities. I decided to opt out of Verizon's generic and lackluster accessory selection and opted to find some creative and unique ones elsewhere. Naturally, I immediately began surfing the Internet for the coolest Iphone cases out there. 

Here's what I found:

Incase Andy Warhol Series
My personal favorite

   

Grovemade
Homegrown Portland Company!

Signimade Shop

Mamastudio

And if you really need some bling in your life...
Casecabin's Shop

Recover
Also a Portland company

CWestbrook Designs

If you think those are cute, don’t even get me started on the Iphone pouches...

I haven't even begun to sort through the thousands of apps out there. Do you have any favorites you would recommend?

Sahlia Michelle: Jewelry for the Urban Explorer

I recently discovered this wonderful Portland artist while cruising the web one day and I immediately fell in love with her designs.  Each piece is designed and handmade in her Portland studio. 

She uses semi-precious gemstones, hand-pounded sterling silver and her signature recycled molten silver droplets in many of her designs.  She is also a fan of using organic materials such as reclaimed leather, and feathers.  

Her jewelry is no unique, I just love it!  Not to mention, she also happens to be a total babe!  Here is just a tease of the beautiful work she has created:

The Designer in her Portland Studio (I told you she is a babe!)

This is my favorite look! The necklace is "5 blades"

Necklace: "Obsidian Toggle"

Earrings: "Hurricane Hoops"

From her Bridal line; Necklace: "Aquamarine with Silver Lace"

To check out more urban looks you can visit Sahlia Michelle or check out her Blog!  Man, I love it all!

5 Things I learned this week

1.  Palio Dessert & Espresso Shop is the perfect spot to cozy up, read a good book, drink yummy coffee, & eat even yummier desserts.  

2.  Don't leave your cat locked up in your apartment for 14 hours, otherwise you come home to an unpleasant surprise...

3.  How to live well:      1. Serve others

                                    2. Do something of real value

                                    3. Continue to grow

                                                     Wisdom from Temple Grandin PH.D.

4.  Sleep is for wimps, so I guess I'm a wimp

5.  H&M is a great place for fashionable work attire on a budget.

Sorry I've been Away

This has been a crazy week filled with school, studies, and the Portland Bridal Expo.  You may be wondering how the heck I got involved in the Portland Bridal Expo...Well, long story short, I volunteered to help a friend and fellow classmate, Kim Morrison, in her attempt to enhance marketing for Cocoon Silk (a small bridal boutique in NW Portland).   

A little bit about the company: Cocoon Silk’s gowns are custom designed by Yun, a Portland transplant, and his mother who still lives in Cambodia. Gowns are custom made for the client. Yun and his staff work with clients to decide upon the gown design and client measurements are taken in-shop. The gowns are constructed out of 100% silk which is hand loomed and dyed with natural vegetable dyes in Yun’s home town in Cambodia. Cocoon Silk and Yun’s family’s silk farm employs Yun’s family in Cambodia as well as approximately 200 villagers. Once the gown is returned to Cocoon Silk’s NW 23^rd shop, clients return for free alterations for an amazing custom fit done by Yun, his sister Leak, and Cocoon Silk staff.  For more info on the expo check out the Masters of International Management Blog!

Check out some of the pics from the Expo! 

                            

Modeling dresses in the booth from Cocoon Silk 

On stage in a bridesmaid gown by Cocoon Silk

On stage in a gown by Cocoon Silk

SoleStruck- Store after my heart

Everyday I seem to stumble upon new and fantastic hidden jewels  in Portland.  Today, that jewel is SoleStruck, a wonderfully unique internet-based shoe boutique that also happens to have a brick and mortar store on NW 11th Ave.  You can visit their e-boutique at www.solestruck.com or check out their blog!  It has all the shoes you ever wanted, and never even imagined that you wanted.  My personal favorite is the Spring Collection from Jeffrey Campbell.  Here are few of my favorite looks:

XXL

So Crazy

Eyebrow