Font Freak

So if you are anything like me, before you create anything (and I do mean ANYTHING), you agonize over fonts. The look of something can really change depending on the font you are using. Whenever I create worksheets for my students, or notes to other teachers, or anything that will be posted in my classroom, I am very selective about which fonts I will use. I think the font says so much about what you are trying to get across in your message.

I found this site, Fonts for Peas, and I am OBSESSED.  All my dreams of handwritten fonts are right there on this adorable blog. So I am adding their button to my homepage, because I think it needs to be shared!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

Xoxo,

Jen

Fall Nail Trend - Going Green

So yes, another post about nails... I couldn't resist blogging about this one.

I was watching the Today Show a few weeks ago, and they were discussing the colors that would be hot for fall. They highlighted a new Chanel nail polish, a limited-edition goldish-green color called Peridot. You can find it here. The following day I picked it up at the mall.  While I would not usually spend more than $8 - $10 on a nail polish, I absolutely loved this greenish gold color. I figured that since I don't spend money on a weekly manicure, the $25 wouldn't be a complete travesty (plus, it was my birthday, and I was indulging).

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour - Peridot

Since then, I have seen it in every single fashion magazine and advertised in several other places. So yesterday I painted my nails with the new color, even though we are still suffering the blazing heat of summer and I have been attracted to all my pretty brights for the last few months. I love the color - I think it so different, so unique, and looks very fresh - a nice change from the usually dark, vampy fall colors (even though I still love those).  I did two coats and the color looks gorgeous.  For my topcoat, I used this CND Air Dry, which is a Fast Set top coat. My nails were dry in five minutes flat. I picked the nail polish up at Ulta.

One warning - I was looking at several other pictures online (Google images - Search "Chanel Peridot nail color) of women's nails with this color.  The ones with short nails - it looked great. On long nails, not so much. It turns a little "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-ish. So file 'em down, unless you want to go for a creepy, witchy look. Just saying.

Till next time...

Xoxo,
Jen

Shellac... Right on Track or Whack?

First off, I know I have been terrible about blogging lately, and I apologize. I really have no excuse for you except for pure laziness. lol  However, I do want to say that I will be steering away from food for a while as I haven't been doing too much baking lately. I've also been making very simple meals without recipes for the last several weeks. I do promise that if I make anything fantastic I will definitely share!

So as you might remember, hubby and I went to Europe for 10 days (I will share some pics soon, promise!).  Before leaving on the trip, one of my worries was, "What on earth am I going to do to keep my nails looking nice?"  If you know me, you know I am obsessive about nail polish, nail colors, and taking care of my nails. You also know that I almost NEVER go get manicures or pedicures, and have taught myself to do my own nails. BUT I was not ready to have to deal with chips, cracks, broken nails, and gross looking cuticles while on vacation in Europe.

So two days before leaving on vacation, I tried Shellac, which claims that it will last 2 weeks. I did some research and found a place that was close to my house, was not charging $50 for a manicure, and that had good reviews on Yelp. The salon I chose carried the CND line of Shellac nail polishes (OPI has their own line, which has a larger color selection).  I originally wanted a light shade and had thought about going with a light pink or marshmallow-like color, but they didn't have a large variety of colors. So I went with Tropix, a bright coral color.

Moments after getting them done. 

The way it works is they put a base coat on, then stick your nails under a UV lamp. Then they apply a color coat, UV lamp; second color coat, UV lamp; finally a top coat and again under the UV lamp. What amazed me the most is that the SECOND you take your nails out of the UV lamp, they are completely, totally, 100% dry.  No smudging while you try to pay, look for your keys, etc.  I have to say, I was impressed. 

Fast forward one week... my nails were in perfect condition. No chips, no cracks, no smudges. My cuticles were starting to get a little dry, so I just applied a really thick moisturizing cream (I used Mary Kay Extra Emollient Night Cream).  The nails polish itself was still super shiny, as if it had been applied that same day. 

By day 10, we were heading home. I had become impatient with my growing cuticles and had begun to push them back. You could see a huge amount of regrowth, which didn't bother me as much as the fact that my cuticles were crazily overgrown. On the flights back, I definitely started picking at my right hand, but my left was still intact.  Picking the nail polish off didn't hurt (I thought it might), but it definitely tugged at my nails. It also left my nails a little ragged. What I couldn't pick off I soaked with some nail polish remover and battled to get it off (it is recommended by the company to return to a salon for removal).

Day 12... after I started picking at them. 

So would I do it again? 

Yes, but not regularly. I think it is a wonderful solution for someone going on a trip, or for a bride, or if you have several events going on and need your nails to be perfect because you don't have time to get them done. But I don't think I'd Shellac regularly because it does dry out your nails and cuticles, and the growth towards the end can be a little unsightly.  All in all, it was worth it for the trip, but I'll keep my free, weekly, at-home manicures that don't ruin my nails.