4th of July 2015 / 4 Year Anniversary

This year was one of the best 4th of July we have had in a very long time!

We went out to our friends house and had a great day in the river and sun.

A mush needed break and weekend! We all had so much fun. Even though I burned so bad.

It's been 4 days and I can just now move with minimal pain in my shoulders and legs.

I am very fair and thought I had enough sunscreen on, apparently I didn't and now I'm paying for that. Please always wear sunscreen!! ♥

Our daughter had a terrific time and she got to float the river in a inflatable cooler :)

Still makes me laugh thinking about it. She luckily did not burn but has a slight tan in her arms now.

I did end up doing my nails for the occasion. Several times until I ended up with very simple nails and I loved them. 

I will show them down below. 

I will also make a post on some summer nails I have done so far and I need to remember to blog more. Still... :/ What can I do?!?

I didn't end up taking a lot of pictures, we were just having fun for the weekend. I did take some and our friend took some. I don't know if I'll post any of those yet. We didn't watch the local fireworks show. It wasn't very good and didn't last long. I will be taking some pictures of the fair and the fireworks show this weekend! And the county fair and rodeo is also coming up, which we plan to go see. There isn't mush going on otherwise.

We're just staying cool in the heat. Going to the park and water for some fun and rest.

General summer activities ♫ ♪ ♥

For now, I think we are just enjoying our time together and the weather. It's been a strange feeling for me. Not doing anything but loving our own company and not bothering with people we don't want to be around. We're keeping drama out of our lives and the people who bring it.

We are staying positive and moving forward. I like it.

I'll now be able to go back to working out more than my legs. I never really realized how important my shoulders were to my range of motion... 

I know, I'm weird. Anywho, that is all for now and I'll be back soon with some more nail art and possibly lots of pictures. I stopped posting those for a while, mainly due to lack of confidence and drive. But I don't give a hoot what people say about me or my photos. ♥

Goodbye for now

My first set. Loved them! The blue paint stained so bad..

And I did my Daughters too!!

Second set. I really liked them but the red would bleed so bad.

So I redid them and kept them white with glitter.

And my Cinderella nails (right hand) were left simple too.

Products on nails used are:

First Mani- Red, White and Blue Acrylic Paint

Stars are stamped with BM-H25 stamping plate from Bundle Monster

Link to the collection: http://www.bundlemonster.com/25pc-holiday-collection-manicure-nail-art-image-stamping-plates.html

Second Mani- Red Polish: OPI What's Your Point-Setta?

Blue Polish: Revlon Urban

Glitter Polish: Hard Candy Soda Pop

White Polish: Pure Ice Super Star

Nail Vinyls: Bundle Monster Pack

Link to the Vinyls: http://www.bundlemonster.com/13pc-nail-vinyl-bundle-super-sized-collector-s-set.html

Third Mani- Same as above minus the red polish and vinyls.

The glitter topper I used: INM Northern Lights in Silver

Last Mani- Same red and blue from above and same glitter topper. 

I stamped the star burst with Sally Hansen White On and

Bundle Monster BM-H14 from the collection above.

My daghters nails were all done in acrylic paints and a top coat.

And yes, I know I need a fill. I'll do it soon!!

Nails on My Right Hand

I get a lot of questions about my right hand.

Do you paint your nails? Do you use gel? Acrylic? Why don't you post photos of them?

And on and on...

I don't mind at all. I happily answer the best I can. So here is some info on my right hand lol

Do I paint them at all?

Yes, I do. While it can be more difficult for me and a lot more time consuming, I do like to make them as pretty as I can and math them with my left hand.

Do you use Gel or Acrylic on them?

Yes. I used to. I would do the same to my right hand as I would my left when it came to Gel and such.

Now I leave them bare and natural. 

Why?

Well, firstly, when I swatch a color for someone or a new polish, I get some people saying that I can show its true color or application because I am putting it over Gel nails and not 'real' nails. Now I can show it on both. Gel for my left, Bare for my right!

Why don't you ever post any pictures of them?

I try. I'm very shaky when it comes to taking pictures with my phone and using my left hand :)

But I have done it and I will have pictures below.

What do they look like bare?

Just like everyone's nails. My natural nails are very thin and sharp. I have been known to cut my other fingers with them on accident or scratch my hubby too hard during sex lol

  *wink wink*

That's usually why I had Gel or Acrylic on them as well as my left hand.

Gel or Acrylic?

Both. But Gel is my current favorite right now and I like them more because they last longer on my nails than Acrylics do.

I love to get my nails done professionally with Acrylics. 

And with that, I recently tried Acryli-Gel technique on my right hand. I will show that below as well.

What shape do you have?

I LOVE the square shape for my 'fake' mails and the rounded for my 'real' nails.

I also recently tried rounded for my Gel nails and it lasted a little over a week lol

Pictures below.

What do you use on your bare nails to keep them strong?

I am still working on that. I use Burt's Bees Cuticle Cream everyday, several times a day.

I also use the Milk and Honey Hand Cream by them as well.

If I don't have polish on them, I put two coats of Nail Life on them and sometimes a Matte topcoat.

I'm not too big on shiny, bare nails :)

I also am a bad nail bitter and I'm still struggling with that. I try to file them when I get a dent it they peel and buff them lightly.

I hope this helps and answered all your questions. If you have anymore, please leave me a comment below. Thanks for reading.

-Kayla

Natural Nails Painted. Mimosas for Mr & Mrs by OPI

Bare Nails after Acryli-Gel removal today.

My Acryli-Gel Attempt

Small picture was right after Gel removal and Big picture is 3 weeks later

My usual beauty routine minus my Honey and Milk lotion

 

 

 

My left hand with rounded nails and what they look like today

No More Nubs

I went back to Gel nails, again...

I love natural nails and I wish I could stay bare but it's just not in the cards for me right now.

I also love gel on my nails and the added length.

So for now, I'm going to keep the gel on until I can relax more and give my nails (and cuticles) more attention! I also might try doing some more acrylic work.

I need to set up a table outside for that. Just for the smell lol

My wonderful hubby took me to Ulta this last weekend and let me spend a bit. They had a lot of great sales. I believe its still going on, if you buy $19.50 of Ulta products you get a free gift. It's a really cute Lavender (or pink) rose designed hand bag full of make up. I got the lavender one. I love it.

I also went over to the polish isle and found a giant discount rack... Oops :)

I spent just under $100! But I got a lot.

 This is the bulk of it. And the gift bag. I have a couple polishes not shown and I gave the OPI kit to the right, to my mother in law. I was super excited about the Zoya Pixie Dusts being there and on sale. I thought that after they discontinued them, I would never get them. I still have a couple I want from the Pixies. Mainly the blue ones. But I believe I might be able to get them online. Through Zoya directly or Amazon.

This is what came in the gift bag...

Sorry for the bad lighting. I tried to make it a little better.

You get quite a bit in it. (BTW... I am not paid by them in any way! I bought this and all products from them cause I love their store, prices and products!)

You can go on their website for more details and how to purchase.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/promotion/gift-with-purchase/detail/0000129632?Ns=product.startDate|1

It ends 3/14/15 or while supplies last.

Don't forget to sign up for their Ulta Rewards card too ♥

On to more personal news, I started my Jillian Michaels 90 Day Challenge again. Going to follow thru this time and finish it. We won't be moving around this time either.

Shane bought Fitbits for both of us and I'm trying to stay focused using it. We'll see :)

I try to keep myself motivated and I want to do daily check ins with my community board and Instagram. Hopefully this will help and keep me focused.

I think that's about it for now. I got the app on my phone working as long as I don't post any pictures with the post. So I might be posting from my phone more. Little updates here and there.

Thanks for reading and have a great rest of your week!

(Late Post) Born Pretty Store Stamping Plate

Original Date: November 5th

I am super excited to receive my first bornprettystore.com stamping plate. These are their first ones from them that they actually made. I have purchased some them before but not their own brand.

I got the #2 design, which is different kinds of lace!

8 individual designs on one circle plate.

I like the designs and I want to try the other that they made as well.

I was a bit hesitant to try them cause I didn't know how well they would work and this was their first ones. So you never know but was very pleasantly surprised!

They stamps are very nice looking and they are actually easy to pick up.

I used several different polishes and two stampers with both ends and two scrapers.

Images picked up well and stamped great on my nails. I stamped my nails, my husbands (lol), some fake nails and even glass.

Don't ask me why. I just did lol

The price is good. The plates are great. I want the rest of the collection :)

Here is the Born Pretty 02 Plate

For a discount use my code: NARYX31

Here is where you can get your own :) 

http://www.bornprettystore.com/born-pretty-stamping-plates-c-268_94_652.html

And the one I got is changed a bit now but this is the new one:

http://www.bornprettystore.com/chic-lace-pattern-nail-stamp-template-image-plate-born-pretty-p-16849.html

P.s. Not sure if I need to write this... But I was not paid to write this. Just telling my opinion and thoughts. Thank you!

(Late Post) Halloween ♥

Original Date: October 31st

My daughter got to pick her own Costume this year.

She originally wanted Minnie Mouse cause she loves her more than anything lol

but they were out everywhere in her size. She's 2, almost 3, but even 2T is big on her and all we could find was newborn or 4T and bigger : /

It was a bummer and when I found one I wanted online, we thought we could find one in store. 

Not at the Halloween shop or even Walmart...

So we let her pick any costume in her size.

She chose a purple witch outfit.

I have to say, she did a great job at picking out her own costume.

She looked so adorable. I know I'm biased but I wasn't the only one saying it lol

We had a great night and she got a ton of candy that took a month to finish and that's with my hubby helping :)

And I did my nails lol It took a couple different tried to get what I wanted. As usual.

Here is some pictures:

(Late Post) Mini Birthday Bundle Monster Haul

Original Date: October 30th

I LOVE my hubby!! Or more like HE loves Me!!

For my birthday this year he let me buy some Stamping Plates.

I spent under $30 and got a ton!

This is my Mini Birthday Bundle Monster Haul!

2013 Holiday Collection- Full Set - 25 Nail Plates

 http://www.bundlemonster.com/25pc-holiday-collection-manicure-nail-art-image-stamping-plates.html

2012 Nail Stamping Plate BM321- Love Hope + Lace

http://www.bundlemonster.com/2012-collections-nail-stamping-plate-bm-321.html

Postage + Travel Themed Nail Art Effect Decal Stickers 

http://www.bundlemonster.com/postage-travel-themed-nail-art-effect-decal-stickers.html

Spider Web Halloween Glow in the Dark Nail Art Effect Decal Stickers

(Couldn't find but they have some different ones)

5pc Acrylic Nail Art Carving Brushes

http://www.bundlemonster.com/5pc-acrylic-nail-art-craving-brushes.html

2mm Icy Blue 3D Enamel Half Cut Pearl Shaped Nail Studs

http://www.bundlemonster.com/2mm-or-4mm-half-cut-pearl-shaped-nail-studs.html?_nosid=1&selected_attributes=eyI4MCI6IjMzNSJ9

Total Paid: $25.21

Can you believe that?! I was so happy and they arrived maybe a week and a half later! 

I ordered near the beginning of the month so I could get them for my birthday.

Here are some pictures. 

Don't know if I need to add this but I was not paid to write this post and I paid for everything I got from them. Just sharing my nail mail!

(Late Post) Took my Gel off

Original Date: November 20th

Okay. I took off my Gelish gel nails, just wow.

I usually don't have them on for very long but this time they lasted just over a month and two fills.

My nails, when I get hem done Acrylic or Gel, never really hold up that well. they usually start to peel and separate after a week or two. I did file them a little more than usual and did a different technique to do the Gel Foundation. 

This was my Process. I use the Gelish Soak-Off Gel Kit.

http://www.sallybeauty.com/gelish-starter-kit/SBS-724842,default,pd.html#q=gelish+kit&start=2

(I will try to see if I have pictures)

Step 1: File and prep your nails.

I remove all polish. File and lightly trim. I file down the top layer of my nails and clean with some Alcohol. This is all pretty general lol

Lightly buff all nails and sweep gently with the Ph Bond that comes in the Gelish Kit.

(If you want to apply tips to lengthen your nails, add them before the ph bond)

Step 2: Apply a thin layer of Gel.

Wipe off most of the Gel from the brush. Almost all of it.

I start at the top of my nail near the cuticle and slowly wiggle the brush up towards the cuticle and back and forth.You want it to seep into your nails and by wiggling the brush and 'massaging' the gel into your nails makes it a better bond. Do all 4 nails. Cure for 15 seconds.

Step 3: Thicker gel.

I don't have any builder Gel so I make do lol

For this step you have to apply the Gel and cure ONE finger at a time. I use the LED cure lamp that came with the Gelish Kit.

Take your brush out of the bottle and wipe just one side.

Blob the rest in the middle of your nail and let it settle for 1 second.

Flip your hand over and have your nails settle towards the middle for 2-3 seconds and place under the lamp to cure for 45 seconds.

Doing this may make your fingers a bit warm cause the light has to go deeper to cure the Gel. It is does start to feel like your nail is getting hot. Remove from under the light and place back under when your temp returns to normal. I had to ask about that lol

Step 4: Correcting

After you finish all 4 fingers. This is the time to make any corrections or fill any small gaps. I have to say that I did not have very many. Some small gaps near the sides of my nails but that was it.

To do this just apply gel where needed and small blobs where there might be a bigger gap.

Add a thin layer of Gelish Top It Off.

Cure and wipe with a cotton ball soaked in Alcohol.

Repeat on other hand and then thumbs.

That's it!! Now you can apply any regular polish or nail art or a Gel polish!

It worked for me but might not work for you. I don't know. I am not a professional in any way and I suggest you follow the instructions on the box or online from the Gel company you are using!

Here are some pictures of my Gelish Gel nails and after I took them off.

Getting ready for fill...

Ulta Mini Haul (and Special Offer)

I went to Ulta yesterday to look for some polish and they had an awesome sale going on. I took advantage of it lol
If you bought $19.50 worth of Ulta products, online or in-stores, you got a free purse full of makeup valued at around $80! The purses (picture of mine below) come in metallic pink, gold or black!
They all contain the same products.
To get mine, I bought 3 full size nail polishes and a body butter. The polishes were all $6 each and the body butter was $4. I got a $3 discount I had and taxes off. Making my total just under $16. I was a little more than excited!! :)

Now on the what I got and whats in the bag.
3 Polishes:
Snow white
Pinata-Yada-Yada
Blues Cruise
and
Fresh Lilac Moisture-Intense Body Butter with Shea Butter and Sweet Almond Oil
Which is amazing and smells so good. Not over powering at all.

The purse:
Sunkissed Blush/Bronzer Duo
Mini Ulta Nail Polish in Sunset Bronze
Glitter Eye Shadow Top Coat, Bronze Bombshell
Eye Shadow Quad- Sunrise, Toast, In The Buff, and Mink
Eye Shadow Quad- Naked, Grace, Organza, and Plum Noir
Eye Shadow Quad- Bone, Khaki, Sage, and Molten
3 Makeup Brushes- Blush, Sponge Tip and Eye Shadow
Super Stretch Fiber Mascara- Jet Black
Dual Ended Eye Liner- Deep Brown and Black
Brilliant Color Lip Gloss- Guava
Extreme Wear Eye Shadow Primer
And Ulta Lipstick- Feeling Peachy

I will post pictures and the direct link to the sale.
I am not doing this because Ulta or anyone else paid me to! I am just sharing my haul and how you can get the same deal!!
Thanks for reading!!

 http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/specialOfferDetail.jsp?promoId=0000120378

Missed post

So... It looks like the last post I made was only saved and not published. That was my bad. But then when I tried to publish it, it was deleted. I honestly don't think I did it but either way, it's gone.
So I will make another. I planned that post to be a follow up and my summer mani post and explain how I did one or two of those. I have since culled and saved my photos on my phone to my laptop and don't have the pictures or videos for those. And since I'm on my phone, we'll look at my recent mani instead :)
This was a simple purple jelly sandwich with glitter. Nothing to serious or complicated. It turned out good and I liked it. I want to get the rest of these glitters (you'll see in the picture) from wet n wild. My local store doesn't have them anymore, so I'm still looking.
I used Sally Hansen Hard as Nails,  Rock Bottom. And Wet n Wild,  At Will Call!
Rock bottom is not a jelly. I just used it like one cause I don't have a purple jelly and that's what I wanted for this look. I hope you enjoy!
Thanks for reading!
Kayla

Summer nails

I like summer. Nor as much as fall and winter, or spring for that matter, but I love the colors that go with summer.
Bright and sometimes neon nails!!
I like bright colors. I don't wear them as much cause I don't tan. I'm not against tanning, I just can't. I burn... But when I tan, I just look really red - ish brown and kinda dirty lol
I have a creamy white with pink tint skin. It's not the best for tanning but I still like the summer sun. Recently though I have had some good luck with tanning my arms, but then it looks weird compared to the rest of my body lol
So on the nails...
Here is three nail designs I did for summer so far, with the help of my daughter!!
I hope you enjoy and on Monday I'm thinking of making a small tutorial on one of them!!
Thanks for reading!
-Kayla

Flowers

I've really been into flowers on my nails!! All kinds but right now, those little flowers made up of dots. Super cute and easy!
I have tried many ways to do them, such as:
Bobby Pins
Sewing Pins
Pencil/Pen Tips
Toothpicks
and I even tried using a plastic fork with all but the two outside prongs off. I filed one down to make it bigger.
I use dotting tools as well but lost the one I had and wanted to experiment with other ways to make dots. I have now a new set but was still impressed with the "homemade" versions!
Back to the flowers...
I have been kind of obsessed with them and put them on my nails somehow in almost all designs!

In the previous posts, I did flowers in the jelly sandwich nails and and flowers for my 4th of July nails. As I said, I'm obsessed lol
Well here are some more of my flowers nails.
Just thought I'd show you and some of the colors I used!

The first are red nails with white and brown flowers and an accent nail on each hand of a brown base with red and white flowers.
The polishes I used were:
Sally Hansen - White On
Julep Little Lights - Jameson
SinfulColors - Nirvana
Julep - Freedom Top Coat

Looks really good on the sun!

The Second flower look was less Fall and more Summer!!

I wanted flowers but less than the look above. So I added one small flowers on all the nails in the corner and covered my accent nail with them.

The polishes I used were:

Sally Hansen - White On

Julep - Reagan

Julep - Flora

Sally Hansen Top Coat - Invincible

I'll show with and without the flowers, cause I loved them both ways! And the Julep colors!

 

Hope you liked them as much as I do! Lol

Have a great week!!!

Thanks for reading :)

Jelly Sandwich Nails

I love Jellies out there and I don't have many. I think I have 3.
But then I found a way to make the look of jelly nail polish without the polish. Not as good but still looks cute! This was my first try! I liked but got better at it. Just thought I would show you how I did it and a few different ways I have since!

Here it goes:
First you need a sheer polish of any color.
Contrasting glitter polish and/or creme polishes.
For this one, I used both. I also used a white base color because my nails didn't look their best lol

Apply your normal base coat, and let dry.
Apply 2 coats of any white polish. I used Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear White On.
Let each coat dry before applying another coat.
It looked like this:

 

 

When that is dry. Add a layer of your chose of glitter. I used this one:

Let that dry. It looked like this.

 After all that was dry. I added a thin layer of the sheer pink. It looked like this.

 

Not much difference. But a bit faded. When it dried, I took my pin from my sewing kit and added some dotted flowers. When those were dry, I added another layer of the sheer pink.

Finish with a top coat and your done!

Super easy to do and a lot of different way to do this. I also have done just glitter. I used a sheer blue, a chunky multi colored glitter and layered them like above. It turned out great!! I have also skipped the glitter and just done flowers. One or two flowers, sheer layer, then another flower and then another sheer layer. Loved that effect of floating flowers!!

Thanks for reading!