Category Archives: Savvy Style

Midweek Mani: Full Steam Ahead

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This past weekend was bitter-sweet and extremely busy…I’ve been spending the past few days playing catch up just to do it all over again this weekend. School will be starting next week and yes I’m crunk about it but don’t tell my boys. With all the craziness going on I needed to take a moment to breathe. And what better way to relax than with a mani…

This week’s mani is special because the polish was gifted to my by a fellow vlogger, SweetOne1299. A few weeks ago, she posted pictures on Instagram of several great clearance cosmetic finds she scored from her local Walgreens. So I ran to my local Walgreens, within minutes of her post (it’s just that serious) and found the nothing! But SweetOne1299 came to my rescue…lol! She sent me a box of goodies! All I can say is her name definitely fits her…

Goodies from SweetOne1299

Goodies from SweetOne1299

 

Check out this week’s mani…

Full Steam Ahead

Full Steam Ahead

 

Full Steam Ahead by Essie

Full Steam Ahead by Essie

 

Full Steam Ahead

Full Steam Ahead

I’m not quite sure why this pastel purple shade is named Full Steam Ahead but I love it. What do you think? What’s your favorite shade by Essie? Have you found any great cosmetics on clearance lately?

 

 

 

 

 

Just Another MANICure Monday: Christmas Edition

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Merry Christmas Eve

I absolutely love everything about Christmas and I can’t wait until tomorrow! I swear I’m worse than my kiddos…looking up under the tree counting the presents. LOL

This week’s MANICure Monday is totally Christmas inspired and I think it may be my favorite mani to date. I used six different polishes (pictured below) to create this look: Pure Ice in Frosted Ice Platinum; Claire’s Polish in Chunky Silver; Jordana Nail Polish in Red Silk; Jordana Glitters Nail Polish in Red Flash; Milani Nail Art Polish in Art of Silver and L.A. Colors Art Deco in Red Glitter.

Christmas 8

 

Christmas 4

Christmas 1

I’m trying to channel my girl Tori of Glasses & Glitter in this picture.

This week’s Just Another MANICure Monday is being hosted Effie Lynn of LA Lynn’s, definitely head over there and check out all the super cute mani’s happening over there. I’ve been finding so much nailspiration from this weekly blog hop and it’s so much fun seeing what everyone comes up with each week. I’m so glad that Effie Lynn and Mimi of Lipgloss & Binky decided to team up!

MANICure-Monday-Badge-e1353864285351

Just Another MANICure Monday: KISS’n Sonia

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MANICure-Monday-Badge-e1353864285351

I sure hope y’all had a fantastic weekend! I didn’t do too much, which is exactly what I had planned especially after such a busy week.

On last Monday, I shared with you my first Just Another MANICure Monday blog hop post and I had so much fun that I decided to do it again this week. I absolutely loved all the mani submissions for last week; they gave me so much inspiration that I kept brainstorming ideas for my nails even though I had a million other things I needed to be doing…smh!

This time around I used the KISS Nail Dress in Shrug. and paired it with one of my favorite polishes by Sonia Kashuk…I like to call this mani KISS’n Sonia. I was inspired by one of the co-host, Effie Lynn of LA Lynn’s, she posted a mani using the KISS Nail Dress a few week ago. This week MiMi of Lipgloss & Binky is hosting Just Another MANICure Monday on her blog, be sure to check it out!

KISSnSonia

Used to create KISS’n Sonia

Sonia&KISS 3

KISS’n Sonia Left Hand

Sonia&KISS 6

KISS’n Sonia Right Hand

Sonia&KISS 5

KISS’n Sonia thumb design (attempt)

Sonia&KISS 7

One of my fav Sonia Kashuk polishes…I don’t have a name for it though. 😦

What are you rocking on your nails this week?

Just Another MANICure Monday

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Things have been so busy and crazy around here over the past few weeks, that I have been too exhausted to even polsih my nails. But on last night things seemed to finally calm down and I had a chance to treat myself to a much-needed mani. And if you have been following my blog for a while or seen my pictures on Instagram then you know how much I love a cute mani.

What makes this particular mani even more special is that it is inspired by my fellow BLMgirls Effie Lynn of LA Lynns and Mimi of Lipgloss and Binky. Over the past few weeks the two of them have teamed up and created MANICure Monday, which is weekly blog hop featuring manicures. I absolutely loved the idea and have found so much inspiration that I decided to participate this week. Check it out my MANICure Monday….

 

Left to right: Klean Color in Diamond Gold; Finger Paints in Catwalk Queen; Essie in Skirting the Issue

Effie Lynn of LA Lynns is hosting MANICure Monday’s this week, head over and check out all of the fab MANICures. I’m sure you will be inspired!

Happy MANICure Monday!

Nailing it for Fall!

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It has been busy, busy, busy around here and I finally had a chance to read through some of my favorite magazines. And let me tell you, I’m swooning over all the hot new fashion trends for this fall. I can’t wait to rock some of my fav fall gear but the weather here is still on the warm side. So I guess I will have to wait a few more weeks before I’m able to bust out my blazer. *sigh*

But while I’m waiting I guess I’ll settle for the next best thing…nail polish. While checking out the September issue of Essence I came across the “Nail NOW!” insert (pictured below). It highlighted some the latest nail trends, polishes colors and designs ideas for the fall. And yes, I was inspired. I immediately searched through my nail polish collection (yes, collection…it’s serious) and pulled out some of my favs. Check it out…

Essence Magazine September 2012

I rock these shades all year round. Simple and chic.

Sand Tropez by Essie…recently became my fav.

Chocoholic by Sonia Kashuk

Shades of Grey…lol

Metallics are a must.

My fav red hues. (Please excuse the HUGE 50% off sticker…lol)

As you can see I love nail polish! And its a perfect way to get you in the mood for fall even when the weather is still a little warm. I’m still on the  hunt for a few more neutral shades and the perfect “ox-blood” color. And I have my eye on a few designs I want to try out…if they work out I will definitely be sharing them with y’all!

What’s your fav nail polish for this fall?

The Fitting Room

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One of my fav fashion bloggers, Shauna over at Penny Chic, has put me on to The Fitting Room. The Fitting Room is a “destination” on Walmart.com filled with some of the latest, hottest fashion trends and of course Walmart’s low prices.  I was super shocked when I discovered all of the fab things that they were offering up. All I can say is Walmart is definitely paying attention. I’ve picked out some of my fav pieces and combinations for the fall…check them out!

Adding a blazer is a great way to transition you fav summer dress from summer to fall.

This top is puurrrfect for layering. LOL

Every girl needs a little denim!

I am loving these infinity scarves.

I love flats!

The print on these are gorg!

I’m totally loving what Walmart is doing over in The Fitting Room. These items are chic, trendy and totally affordable!

Have you checked out The Fitting Room yet?

I’m Twisted Up

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 Hey y’all!

I swear my hair has been giving me fits lately; detangling takes forever and I’ve gotten a little tired of the bun. Now I will admit that I have been too lazy busy to do anything extra either. But I sucked it up Saturday night, washed my hair, cried while detangling (not really, but I wanted to) and committed to twisting my hair. All I can say is “these twist have been a life saver!”

Before

Hair in left in comb after detangling. Keep in mind I only comb/detangle when I wash & condition my hair.

Finished product.

Twist styled the following day.

View of the top.

Back view.

Twist up close.

Twist stretched.

To achieve this style I washed my hair as normal concentrating mainly on my scalp area and then conditioned my hair using a mixture of leftover conditioners plus sunflower seed oil. I used an old t-shirt to towel blot dry my hair, then I applied my leave-in conditioner and finally coconut oil. I allowed my hair to air dry for a few hours and twisted my hair using Miss Jessie’s Curly Buttercreme.

Products used.

I love this stuff…works great when I twist my hair!

It took about an hour and a half to twist my hair, which isn’t that bad especially if you pop in a good movie to watch. I prefer to do the twist on dry (or almost dry) hair because I get a little more length and it’s more manageable. And the Miss Jessie’s Curly Buttercreme gives me the right amount of hair and tons of shine. I will probably rock my hair like this for a while, it’s been super convenient, I love it!

How have you been rocking your hair lately?

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color Review

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Hey y’all!

I just wanted to share another Summer Beauty Vox Box goodie that I received from Influenster….the Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color in Red-y Response. I was really excited about this particular nail polish because I had seen tons of reviews, ads and blog post about it. And I was dying to see how it worked! The Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color “allows you to create a gorgeous 3-D nail art effect in just seconds. This unique formula has been specially developed with metallic particles – just hold the built-in magnet over wet polish to reveal a unique design on the nail, Seal with a topcoat for extra shine and you are done!” Check it out…

Step 1: After applying a base coat, shake Magnetic Nail Color to activate. Then apply 1 coat of Magnetic Nail Color to all 10 nails and let dry.

Step 2: Apply a thick second coat of color to 1 nail and immediately hold the built-in magnet over the nail. Rest the guide just below the cuticle without touching the wet nail polish. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat for all 10 nails and let dry. Finish with top coat.

Quick tip: Make sure to shake the nail polish again before applying the second coat. And don’t be afraid to lay the polish on thick the second time around…trust me, you will get better results!

Up close look of the 3-D design.

Overall, I would have to say that I was quite fascinated with how this nail polish worked. The design that the magnet creates is pretty funky (in a good way). I plan on playing around with this polish and see if I can create some other designs/looks. I definitely would recommend this to anyone looking for something easy, fun and affordable for your nails. You can purchase the Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color from all major drug stores, grocery stores and mass retailers for $9.99 (suggested retail price). (Quick tip: And be sure to check around for coupons before you purchase it, I’m always coming across Sally Hansen coupons online.) To find out more info about the Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color check out  www.sallyhansen.com.

Do you like the Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color?

*Disclaimer: Although I received this product for free from Influenster all opinions stated in this review are my own and are based off of my personal experiences. Like always, please research any/all products before purchasing and using.

My Wash N’ Go Attempt

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Hey y’all!

This was, what I like to call, my first semi-successful attempt at a WnG…I have tried them in the past with no luck. My hair ended up looking a hot mess and I would have to wash it all over again. Being a naturalista, I have seen my fair share of tutorials on how to achieve the perfect WnG and I decided that this time around I would keep the process as simple as I possibly could.

Products used:

  • Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave in Conditioning Cream
  • Coconut Oil
  • Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie

I applied the products (in the order above) to my hair while it was soaking wet. And then I combed through my hair to make sure that the products were evenly distributed. I then towel blotted my hair to remove the excess water/products, put on a headband and allowed my hair to air dry.

It took about two hours (give or take) for my hair to completely dry. I just used hair pins to style the front and to keep it off my face.

I’m still on the fence about WnG’s, the results were so-so. And man was my hair a beast to detangle after wearing it like that for a few days. I guess that means back to the drawing board…*sigh*

What’s your WnG routine?