June Manicures

Cheers to another month of manicures! Sorry about that second row, I got a little lazy in the photography department! I hope you all like them!

Products used:
1.Cult Nails Lets Get Dirty and Color Club Snow Flakes
2. Sally Hansen Sun Kissed and Pure Ice Don't You Wish
3. Sally Hansen Coral Reef, Breeze Blue, and Mint Sorbet
4. Sally Hansen Tough Love and Mighty Mango
5. Hard Candy Cotton Candy Pink
6. Gap Flirt, Wet N Wild Private Viewing and Sally Hansen Black Out

I didn't realize I used so much Sally Hansen! Such a great brand!

June Cravings

                  The List

1. Fiorielli Mink Large Shopper: This bag is just so classy to me. The color, the shape, everything about it is perfect.

2. Molton Brown London Heavenly Gingerlilly Candle: It has notes of ginger with tuberose and sandalwood. It's described on the website as Floriential and escapist. It'll make you feel like you're in Tahiti

3. ASOS Bow Ring: This ring doesn't really need an explanation, it's just delicate and cute.

4. Love Rocks flower chandelier earrings: I love a good statement earring and these are just that! I've been rocking statement earrings long before they were on trend. These are perfect for summer with vibrant hues that are sure to turn heads!

5. ASOS Stripe Turban:  I love turbans. I know they've been around forever, and I still haven't gotten one!

6. The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. by Adelle Waldman:  I am so excited about this book! It doesn't come out until July and it's about how Nathaniel thinks when he's on dates in this post-feminist world. I can't wait!

7. Furbish Pink Scales Dog Bowl: I know it's a dog bowl but I want it for my cat! They always make dog bowls cuter than cat bowls!

8. Smashbox The Master Class Palette II: I haven't gotten the first Master Class palette because my Sephora didn't have it, but the second one looks even better!

Do any of my alluring readers have any cravings this month?

Sally Hansen's Sun Kissed

This is, most definitely, my prettiest nail post. And not because of my nails! I have orange Lilies that make my front yard look like the rain forest!

Summer Sunnies

I love sunnies. I don't wear them very often because I wear glasses. So, I basically can't see if I'm wearing sunglasses. (Also, the glasses that change to sunnies in the sun are horrendous) Maybe I need to invest in contacts! Anywho, I'm a big fan of taking chances and trying a lot of different styles to see if they suit you. However, there are basic styles/frames that work really well with certain face shapes.

Square: The goal is soften your strong features with oval or round frames
 
    1.MiuMiu 50OS
    2. Forever21 Dutch Wax Round Sunglasses

Oval: You lucky ducks! Because your face is so balanced, you can get away with anything! Wear whatever you want! go big, go small, go angular, go round, go horizontal, go vertical. Just be wild and experiment because hey, what's life all about?
 
    3. Versace 4246B
    4. House Of Harlow Chelsea

Round: You, my little cherub faced beauties, want to create the illusion of angles when it comes to your sunglasses. Sunnies that draw the eye outward create a contrast that is very becoming by adding extra length to your face.
 
    5. ASOS Cat Eye Sunglasses with Flying birds Highbrow
    6. TopShop Striped Clubmaster Sunglasses

Heart: Because your jaw and chin are small, you want to add width to those areas by wearing a sunny that is big and draws attention downward. Round edged sunglasses also work well in softening the broadness of the upper areas of your face.
 
    7. IVI Mauve/Tortiose Rose Gradient
    8. TopShop Swallow Trim Round Sunglasses


(I know it's been a little while but I've been working on a cute DIY project for you that I'm not quite finished with, so stay tuned for that!)

The Miracle Mask

I was on Pinterest this morning and saw one of my friends repin something about an all natural skin mask. I am obsessed with skin care and am always trying different products. I have found that products that are natural work a little better for my skin.

So, I thought, what the hey, I'll try this! It's so simple and only has three ingredients.

2 tablespoons of honey
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of nutmeg

When you mix these ingredients together they form a thick paste, so don't be afraid when you see it! Make sure you test the mixture on a small patch of skin in order to see if you have any type of allergic reaction.

After you apply the paste to your skin (Apply in a patting motion because if you try to sweep it on it doesn't apply evenly) let it sit for 30 minutes.

Wash it off with warm water, scrubbing softly in a circular motion for exfoliation.

My Reaction:

Beware, if you stand under lights it will melt! I know because I stood in my bathroom to shamelessly take pictures of my face for you all. (None of them were good haha) It was a little annoying as it continued to slide down my face but I dealt with it.

It had a warming effect on my skin. While, I don't know if that's normal, when I removed the exfoliate there were no signs of an allergic reaction, so it was okay.

It left my skin feeling so soft. My face looked brighter and blemishes were reduced! Just from one scrubbing! Honey and nutmeg act as natural anti-inflammatories, reducing swelling and redness in the skin. It's also great for soothing acne scars. I recommend putting on a moisturizer afterwards because warm water can be drying.

PS. It also tastes amazing!

May Manicures

Instead of doing individual posts on the manis I did in May, I thought I would just do a collage of all of them! If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen most if not all of these. If there is a specific nail design that you want to see a separate post (or a tutorial )on, just leave a comment! And look that poor baby nail in the last photo! I was devastated when it broke but I refused to make all of my nails nubbins, so we're just going to have to deal with the uneveness until it grows out.

Products used:
1. OPI Cajun Shrimp and Sephora by OPI Don't be so eggnog-ious
2. Essie Splash of Grenadine and Sephora by OPI I'm so Sari
3. Essie Splash of Grenadine, China Glaze Shocking Pink, Julep Hayden, Wet N Wild Sunny Side Up
4. Floss Gloss Stun and China Glaze Shocking Pink
5. Barry M Mint Green and Nicole by OPI Rainbow in the S-Kylie
6. Julep Lauren and Sephora by OPI Don't be so eggnog-ious
7. Sally Hansen Naked Ambition and Floss Gloss Con Limon
8. Orly Haley's Comet, Nicole by OPI I'm So Sari and Hard Candy Mermaid Magic
9. Essie Bikini So Teeny and Pure Ice Don't You Wish

Black and White Opulence

I'm obsessed with black and white right now. It just looks so crisp and clean. I had so many pieces on this list

that it looked cluttered, so I took out a lot of the items (that's why it's so ASOS heavy...well, aside from the

fact that ASOS is my favorite shop). Part of the reason I like black&white is because it 

basically breathes class and elegance, like a well fitting tuxedo. You know how we feel about a guy in a tux, 

whew! That's also how we feel about girls in a black and white structured pant (like number 9). We feel like, 

"ooh, she has got herself together! She is going places!". Fashion is not just about looking good, it's also about

feeling good and comfortable in our own personal style. 

Speaking of personal style, I hate when people say something I'm wearing isn't in style anymore (this hasn't

actually happened, but hypothetically...) When I buy something, it isn't necessarily because it's "on trend", 

it's because I like it. So, if I want to wear a sheer button down when it's no longer the "it" piece, i'm going 

to because that's what I want to do. "Fashion says 'me too', style says 'only me'."--Lynn Dell

                                    

                                    THE LIST

1. ASOS Exclusive Body-Conscious Dress In XOXO Print

2. ASOS Shirt Dress in Color Block

3. ASOS Skater Dress With Contrast Lace

4. Nasty Gal Shadow Lines Skater Dress

5. ASOS T-Shirt With Vertical Stripe

6. ASOS Top with Flocked Spots

7. ASOS Exclusive Peplum Top In Stripe

8. Fashion To Figure Hyped on Stripes Sleeveless Top

9. ASOS Pants in Monochrome

10. Forever 21 Bow Print Harem Pants

11. Forever 21 Damask Skinny Jeans

12. Torrid Black & White Striped Flats

13. L.A.M.B. Jazmyn Sandal

Do any of my alluring readers have a color (or lack there of) that is drawing all of your attention?

Growth?

                                                                                                                                                                     

I read recently about a blogger deleting posts. I wish I could do this. Especially, because a couple of days ago I went through my entire blog, cringing all the way, might I add. It's crazy to look back and see what you thought was something good enough for others to see. It's clearly the opposite. It's not even good enough to witness, myself.

However, I'm going to keep the posts. Not because they're laughable in their awfulness (which they are) and want to use them as a cruel joke. But because it shows that even my worst inspired me to keep going. That I was passionate enough about something that looking like an idiot didn't deter me. I wanted to try harder and harder so that sometime in the future I could say that it was all worth it.

I think that I have adopted this creed into some parts of my life, but need the essence of it in my entire being. That drive is not to be taken lightly. If you want something, you should stop at nothing to achieve it, no matter the obstacles.

I especially need to remember this when I'm browsing the blogs of people who have been doing this for years and seemingly have it all together. No one is a professional at the beginning (even if you can't tell because of what their deleted posts can't show you). These bloggers worked hard and their progress is a reward in itself.

I'm progressing, surely, it may be slow but the progression is what matters. I'm hoping that my growth is not only visible to me, but to all of you as well.

Remember,

even at your worst, you can look forward to your best.

Father's Day Gift Guide!

We all know the basic gifts to give our fathers, boyfriends, husbands, uncles, brothers...okay, any man that's close to us and has a kiddo...for Father's Day. But here's the thing, these clever men know our secrets. They know that they'll get a tie or a pair of cuff links on their special day, making it not-so-special. So, here I am telling you to fret not, my babies. There is a way to surprise them and make your gifts a tiny bit more meaningful. Now, listen up kids, before you look at this list and tell me you've thought of all these before and they just didn't work, I want you to ask yourself, "Why doesn't my [insert man with child here] want any of these glorious things?" The answer, my dear, is that he's an idiot.

I'm kidding, I'm kidding! 

You might just have a complicated man. Try asking him what he wants and then elaborating on the idea to make it grander than he's ever imagined. You don't have to guess at what he wants. While surprises are nice sometimes just giving them the arbitrary thing that they've coveted for months is the best thing.

Now on to this list...

1. For the Drinking Man: Whisky Stones. I think these are pretty self explanatory. you pop these stones into the freezer and put them into your liquor instead of ice. It's a win-win situation. Cold drink without the dilution. I got my father some from Restoration Hardware but here are similar ones.

2. For the Hairy Man: An old-fashioned Shaving Kit. To me, there's nothing sexier than watching a man lather up a soapy brush and run it along his skin before scraping off that scruff! Well, maybe watching him grow out the scruff is a smidge sexier. If you're feeling extra generous you could also add Kiehl's Men's starter Kit that includes all sorts of moisturizers to have an even closer shave. There's a more budget friendly version here.

3. For the Grilling Man: BBQ Tools. This 20 piece stainless steel tool kit has everything from tongs to corn holders for your grilling pleasure! But what it doesn't have are things like a three tiered smoker rack, flavor injectors, or a wood chip soaker set which would make great additions to this gift. 

4. For the Gaming Man: Special Edition Player's Handbook, Dungeons and Dragons, 3.5 edition. Now, I won't claim to know a lot about this. However, my brother plays D&D and this is supposed to be an amazing handbook. This is leather bound, beautifully illustrated, silver inlaid and has a red ribbon bookmark. Apparently, it's hard to find. So if you spot one for your GM, snatch it up! He'll greatly appreciate it.

5. For the Fashionable Man: Derby's. These are chocolate brown, basketwoven Raffia Vince Derby's by Tiger of  Sweden. These shoes are simple and complex at the same time. The basket weave adds edge, while the rest is sleek and chic. 

6. For the Sensual Man: Soap and Lotion: Alright, let's be honest, ladies. This one is really for us! Who doesn't want the man in their life to smell and feel fantastic? This Italian Leather soap and lotion set will do just that. It has an extremely manly scent with essences of : Weathered woods of mahogany and ebony, silky suede, antiqued leather and a hint of tobacco leaf. 

7. For the Traveling Man: Holdalls. Holdalls are fantastic (and fashionable) alternatives to your man's favorite dufflebag. They come in a variety of fabrics, from denim to leather. They make great carry-on bags to hold all of the essentials as he roams from airport to airport. The ones I included are both Ted Baker simply because Ted Baker is amazing. Find them here and here. 

Do you guys have any types of men/gifts you would like to mention?

PS. Father's Day is in T minus 15 days! Oh, and happy June!

Disclaimer: I'm not claiming to know everything about men, nor am I saying that these gifts are the end all be all. These are just some of my personal picks. Have fun with it!