let's talk lacquer: OPI

I don't know why, but buying nail polish instantly puts me in a good mood. I don't know whether it's the color, or how it looks on the nails, but I LOVE nail polish. I do have to admit that I can't have it on my finger nails for more than a day or two. This confession is going to be beyond weird, but I have to explain myself. Nail polish on MY nails tends to feel heavy. Like extra weight on my nails, or something.  I don't know, I'm probably crazy, but those extra coats feel weird on my hands. It's really unusual because I only get that sensation on my finger nails, I have no such feeling on my toes. Anyway, that's neither here nor there. Let's talk lacquer!

I was shopping around today intending to find a birthday gift for my friend (which, of course, did not happen) when I reach an entire wall of OPI polishes at this boutique in town. I immediately get excited and don't know where to look. Reds. Pinks. Nudes. All so pretty. And all calling out to me..."pick me! wear me!"

I don't own many OPI polishes, just a couple I had bought two years ago, so I was like "it is imperative that I add a few more to my nail polish collection." I decided to go with the classics. The colors I picked out are ones I always see on blogs and in YouTube videos, and they always look so chic.

Without further ado, we have:

Tickle My France-y: love the name. love the color. it's a neutral shade in the pink family. so happy for this one. 

Bubble Bath: this is a light pink color. it's so dainty and feminine. such a staple to have. 

Cajun Shrimp: this color yells out: BAM! I'M HERE. it's a reddish/coral color perfect for the summer, especially on my toes. 

Woo hoo for lacquer! 

i'm hungry for some hunger games

That's right, The Hunger Games series is trending, and I'm right there in the middle of it. In all fairness, this book series is 100 times more legit that the last big phenomenon (ahem, Twilight), so it's more of a good read, than just a trend. The story, the writing, the suspense. It's all soooo good. It's an easy read, but don't let that take away from the the story and it's potential to captivate your attention.

Just some brief info...in bullet form, of course:
a. Written by Suzanne Collins
b. 3 books in the series: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay (in that order)
c. Female protagonist named Katniss Everdeen (cool name, uh? all the names in the series are unusual and    unique...so creative on part of the author)
d. Dystopian novel


There's already a movie in the works for the first book in the triology, which is set to come out in March 2012. I'm sure by then, the books will be buzzing to the extreme. Don't be late...start reading now!

DO IT! 

that lazy, rainy sunday

It's been raining here for the past 3 days, and God knwos how much we need it. Now, rain can be a total obstruction during the work week when you're trying to drive on slippery roads, and jump over puddles to get inside to save yourself from getting wet and gross. BUT, on the weekend, when you really don't have anything to do, rain is such a serene and peaceful thing. Especially, when you're in bed wearing your favorite flannels, have a good movie on, have a candle burning, and are under a warm soft blanket. It's so nice to take a moment and listen to the water coming down, hitting the trees and windows. It transports you to a relaxed state. That's how I feel as I write this. A lazy sunday morning, with no stressful plans for the rest of the day. Maybe a trip to the bookstore and a run to Starbucks to get my peppermint hot chocolate. Mmmmm....

If you want to listen to some rain, go to rainymood.com. 

Rain does make everything better. 

long time no write

Holy Moley Me-Oh-My, have I neglected this blog or what?. No bueno. I can't believe the last time I posted was August 28th, and it's December! Time is definitely speeding by. I think part of why I stopped posting is that I don't really know if anyone frequents this little blogger nook, so I didn't think it a big deal if I stopped updating. But, something came over me the other day, and I felt that I should pay a little visit to this place.

I guess I shall entertain you with a little Yay & Nay:

Yay

1. RAIN. After a summer with no rain, and a drought sweeping the city, it's good to have some showers.

2. Peppermint Hot Chocolate from Starbucks - I really only crave hot chocolate during the November-January months, but when the craving comes, it's hard to withdraw.

3. Words With Friends - I'm not even good at this game, and yet I'm so obsessed with this game. Hey, at least there is some form of critical thinking involved. I mean, it would be really sad if I wasted hours on a game application that had no mind stimulation.


Nay

1. The Vampire Diaries being on hiatus - this show is so hard to resist. I hate that it's on a 2 month break... January 5th needs to come fast. And, btw, I'm all for Stefan&Elena. No me likey Delena.

2. Unprofessionalism - it bugs me when adults don't maintain a sense of propriety.

3. My lack of motivation to excercise.


I will try my best to post more often.


Happy December!

Designer Fave : Vince Camuto

When I shop, I normally do not pay too much attention to the designer brand. Obviously, I consider it, but I do not base my decision to buy a piece solely on the brand name. I buy what I like, and what feels right. However, there is this one brand that has caught my attention, and I have begun to spot it more and more when I shop  : Vince Camuto. Celebrities, like Katie Holmes, have been seen wearing shoes featured by the brand. I first saw it at Dillard's, and now I keep an eye out for it whenever I shop. The brand features everything from clothes, shoes, handbags, and accessories. It's really nice quality, and the leather goods are what really stand out to me. I love the emblem of Vince Camuto and how it's stamped on the brand's leather items.

Here's the brand logo...

And here a couple of my favorite pieces. 

Zig Zag Stripe Top

Shaylee Whiskey Boots

There's a whole lot more pieces that I found and loved, but I must moderate this designer temptation before it gets out-of-hand!

Lusting: Blush Nude Blazer

All summer, I have been wanting (more like lusting) to find the perfect blush nude blazer. I search in every store I go into, but unfortunately no luck. There was one by BCBGeneration that caught my eye, but the store had it in only two sizes, which were too big on me. I contemplated getting the smaller of the two sizes, but it would just look ridiculous on me, no matter how I wore it or what I paired it with. It was just too big, and I have not been able to find it online :(

There seems to be a wide selection of blazers this season, all in different colors, fabrics, and styles, but none really have appealed to me. I want a light-weight, long, fitted at the shoulder, but a bit oversized blazer. The color should be a very light hue of pink, making it almost blush nude. Even if we are moving closer into the fall, I will wear it whenever if I find one!

Here's my almost perfect blush nude blazer! Now, only if the price would adjust itself. It's a Stella McCartney 'Oversized Silk Jacket' valued at $2000. Well, isn't that just fun. I will just use it as inspiration for when I find a better deal...

I love how this one looks on the model. Chic, chic!

photos via net-a-porter.com

For now, I guess I will just keep on lusting. Hopefully, one finds me soon enoughhhhhh

ring-a-ding

In the jewelry realm, there’s nothing more appealing to me than a big statement ring. Because so many people tend to “talk with their hands”, my eye is instantly drawn to the piece of jewelry on their fingers. My favorite rings for the season are stone-encompassed ones. I feel that a few wondrous gems on a ring can really ground an outfit, and give it a sort of eclectic and unique feel.

A couple of gem rings that caught my eye are from Anthropologie (I could literally live there for the rest of my life and be perfectly content).


I love the colors and design of this one from designer Cleo & Cat, so chic!

 Another one is this pyrite and aquamarine ring from designer De Petra. Love love love.

photos via anthropologie.com

 After coming across these pieces on Anthropologie, I was motivated to look through my jewelry box and see if I could find anything similar. Fortunately, I found a few that I think resonate with the idea of gem/stone rings.

Two of the rings, the purple stone and red ruby, were gifts. And the three stone glass ring was purchased on a trip last summer. I love the colors, and I appreciate the different styles between them. I will most definitely be wearing these this season!