Half Moon Manicures

I've been seeing alot these days in magazines and pictures of people rocking the half moon (aka the bad girl) manicures.  I have fallen completely in love with this look so thence I started the quest on trying to do it myself.  I found this handy/easy way of doing them on a blog and it works very well (Once I remember the blogger's page I will give them credit). 

What you will need:

• Two different color nail polishes (your choice)
• One clear top coat polish
• Q-Tips
• Nail Polish Remover
• Scissors
• Paper Hole Reinforcements

For my two color picks I used Sinful Colors Professionals nail polishes.  First I used Sinful Colors Professional 940 Rise and Shine (sea green/turq color) as the top coat color and Sinful Colors Professional 842 Out of This World (silver) as the base coat/half moon color.

 

1.) I started out by applying Out of this World on the whole nail.  I did two base coats and let the color dry completely.

2.) I then took the Paper Hole Reinforments and cut one single row in half to create half circles.  Then I applied the half circle onto the very lower half of my nails.  These should be around were your natural moon is on your nails. 

3.)  After making sure that the Hole Reinforcements were in the lower half moon spot and secured well (rub the corners down really well) I applied Rise and Shine to the top half of my nails.  I did two coats of this color.  Note: You don't have to be to careful about avoiding getting the top nail color on the stickers because the stickers will protect the base color underneath. 

4.) When the top coat was half way dry remove the stickers.  This will give you a chance to fix any problems you see with the shapes and also be able to pat down the top coat color that peels up alittle before it's completely dry.  This is also the time I use my Onxy Professionals 100% Pure Acetone nail polish remover along with Studio 35 Dual Tip Applicators Q-tips to clean up polish on my skin.  Warning: I really love using the Onxy because it is a very strong polish remover, but be careful were you use this remover.  It takes off varnish/polish on furniture if spilled.      

5.)  After the top coat color is completey dry I finished the look with China Glaze 914 Fast Foward Top Coat.  This gave it a nice shine while helping to protect the nails against chip.  I found it nessecary to use a glaze coat because Sinful Professionals Colors seem to always dry into a matte finish. 

I love using bright colors for summer but dark colors will also look great together.  However, I do want to stress that this takes some practice.  The first time I did this the nails did not turn out the way I'd hoped so don't get discouraged if your nails do not turn out well first shot. 

Sidenote:  I did my friend's nails using Sinful Colors Professional 842 Out of This World and OPI Simmer and Shimmer (glitter) with China Glaze 914 Fast Foward Top Coat.  It turned out really cute so I wanted to include the picture below! 



*Kelsey

Burt's Bees Review

Before starting this review I'd just like to say that I probably have an unhealthy addiction to this company.  You can find any one of these products in my purse, car, desk, bathroom counter, or nightstand at any given point. With that being said I have a few of their products I'd like to review. 

First is the Beeswax Lip Balm.  The claim: "This natural lip balm is loaded with coconut and sunflower oils, rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids, to nourish, condition and soften lips. Beeswax seals in hydration. We've even added peppermint oil for a refreshing tingle." 

My Verdict: I really love this chap stick and I have been using this product for years now.  This is my go to product when my lips feel dry, cracked, or just plain trashed.  This chap stick goes on clear and is light weight.  The cooling sensation you get on you lips after appyling is very soothing and a big selling point for me.  This particular product sells for around $3 and can last for a very long time (I bought this a few months ago, use it every single day and still have more than half the tube left).

Second is the Rejuvenating Lip Balm with Acai Berry.  The claim: "Superfruit, açaí berry, provides free radical fighting antioxidants and vitamins A, C, D and E, as well as healthy Omega oils, giving your lips a rejuvenating experience with a rich, sweet flavor."

Verdict: For me it works the same is the original chapstick (above).  The Rejuvenating lip balm goes on smooth with a nice light coat.  Unlike the above chapstick this lip balm does not have the refreshing tingling sensation after.  It works for nourishing my lips but for me the smell is off putting.  It comes off like a medicated melony smell and not so much like an acai berry smell.  In the end it is still a great chap stick (sold for $3) but I probably will not be re-buying this particular one again.

Next is Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm.  The claim: "Care for your lips with beautiful, sheer color. Our new tinted balms give you a hint of color with a soft, sweet flavor and natural ingredients that moisturize and condition your lips."

Verdict: These are fastly becoming one of my go to summer products.  I currently own the Honeysuckle tint and Rose tint.  The Honeysuckle comes in the tube looking more of a golden brown color, but when applied to the lips becomes a nice soft nude.  The Rose tint is very dark red inside the tube but applies to a stained natural redish color on the lips.  I love both tints, because they work well with my olive skin color while keepin my lips feeling soft and nourished during these hot summer days.  Another big bonus is the fact that the tinted balms look super natural on your lips once applied and feel so natural.  However, these tints are a little more pricey, around $7 a tube, but I find it worth the buy.

Finally on to the scrub.  I currently own the Cranberry & Pomegranate Sugar Scrub.  The claim: "This luxurious body scrub gently exfoliates to leave skin silky and soft. A deliciously sweet blend of cranberry seeds and pomegranate oil combine with natural sugar crystals and shea butter to gently polish and condition skin leaving it feeling healthy, smooth and glowing, naturally."



Final Verdict: I really like this body scrub for being a lower price end scrub ($13).  I use it once a week to soften my skin.  It has a very strong sweet smell once opened but once applied to skin it becomes less overwhelming.  The crystals are not as course as alot of body scrubs out there but it still has the strength of giving a great exfoliating scrub.  If you are looking for a heavy exoliating scrub this particular scrub probably won't be for you, but for someone like me who has alittle more sensitive skin it works wonders. 

All products reviewed can be found on the website below or at your local store.  (Disclaimer: I was not paid to do this review.  The pictures and thoughts are my own.)

http://www.burtsbees.com/

*Kelsey

    

Photos from Austria

I know I wrote a posting about my trip recently but I wanted to share some pics from Vienna as well.  I took over 300 photos while we were there. Here are some of my favorites.  Enjoy!



*Kelsey

BBC's Human Planet

I've been waiting anxiously for BBC's Human Planet to come out on DVD.  I know it is shown on the Discovery Channel in the United States, but since we do not have cable at the house I have not been able to watch it (we live off of netflicks, hulu plus, and DVDs!).  The goal of Human Planet is to show how the human race adapts and evovles with nature.  What is amazing (from what clips I am able to watch) is the jaw-dropping footage and glimpses into the lives of so many different people .  I cannot wait and I love telling people about this show!  Hope you enjoy the clip above.  The link to BBC Human Planet is below.

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/humanplanetexplorer/

*Kelsey

Traveling

I just returned from a trip to Autria and Germany.  I loved my time over there and am very grateful that I could go and experience it.  First, Vienna was beautiful and had amazing history/culture.  The view from the hotel was breath taking.  We were lucky enough to have a the full view of Stadtpark from our hotel room.  Walking around the city was worth it because it gave us a chance to see many of the little shops and find some great resturants to have meals at.  (I packed high heels for the trip and luckly never wore them because my feet would have been screaming with as much walking as we did.)  While there we took two under ground cript tours which were located under two beautiful churchs.  There were over 4,000 people buried under these churchs combined.  Also, on these cript tours there were walls made of human bones and many coffins that were painted with religious blessing for the dead.   We went to the spanish riding school (which is the oldest in the world).  The arena and stables were, in there own rights, works of art.  The arena had three massive chandeliers hanging from the ceiling along with a massive painting of the founder located on one end. The lippizzaner stallions were true creatures of strength, beauty, and old world breeding.  The Belvedere was stunning.  The gardens attached to it were so huge and literally were a mile long.  The Imperial Apartments are worth seeing.  They hold a massive collection of silver from centuries leading up to Napolean time (and I'm sure beyond), and where the royals stayed are ridiculously extravagant.  I could keep going on and on about all the places we saw and the little things that amazed me but I feel this blog is really long.  Thanks for reading!     
  

(P.S. The picture above is a BierBike in Germany.  It is super funny to see it in action.  People sitting in the stools have to pedal and one person behind the counter steers it.  I swear it was going like 60 MPH up and down the roads and the people riding were singing and making tons of noise.)
*Kelsey

Things You learn

Maybe it's the more I don't live at home the more I realize I don't know how to do simple things my parents could do.  Like how to remove a stain without ruining an article of clothing or how hard it is to keep a lawn looking green and nice.  This has made me really think that, although my parents are frustrating at times, I really do appreciate everything they have and do for me.  

*Kelsey

How I feel



Lately I have been feeling stressed and overworked.  I am a full time student and a full time employee, which is usually fine, but alas has caught up to me.  I feel drained, tired, and unmotivated.  The only thing I am excited for as of right now is finishing this paper for class.  Also, school is almost over and I will have my weeknights back finally!  Day, by day.    

*Kelsey