Nail it this Weekend

It’s so weird — today is a Friday that feels like a Monday. Josh worked from home much of the Christmas into New Year’s week and was here with us yesterday. Then this morning after coffee and breakfast he was off. I sat down at my computer with the babe slumbering in the other room and having felt the mental reset button pressed, began writing a Mani Monday piece. It was halfway finished before I snorted realizing it is actually Friday. Is this new-mom syndrome or does today universally feel like a Monday? In any case, here’s what I’m loving for nails right now:

The Pretty Please line was created by Sara Alter, a design school grad who was looking for a custom nail polish to gift her mother and couldn’t find what she sought. They say necessity is the mother of invention and in this case it worked out perfectly. Select a color from their vast collection and name it after its intended recipient. These are great for bachelorette party favors or thank-you’s for the bridesmaids. They also make awesome stocking stuffers but I guess you’ll have to wait a year or so before that train comes around again!

I managed to sneak this snap of my current gel mani while Wills slept on my lap this morning.

You absolutely cannot go wrong with a gel mani. I’m currently sporting three shades of gold in mine, with glitter on top. The theme was New Year’s, the idea being, I will be in sweatpants so I may as well have chic nails. Next time you sit down for your gel, ask the nail tech to customize a color for you. Adding glitter as a top layer is the obvious choice but you can also play with creating pastels by adding white, or doing a softer, muted glitter by placing the glitter layer under another coat of a well saturated sheer. Gorgeous!

Or you can plan to do what this new mommy is doing as soon as her gel falls apart. It’s off to Target to nab a bottle of Sally Hansen Miracle Gel polish, which is easy to apply at home and offers a gel-like shine. The manicure and pedicure I had over the course of the past two weeks were glorious but they had to be broken up into two sittings. The pedi I spent in the chair holding back tears because I missed my girl who was at home with her dad. And for the mani, Willow was there with my mom and cried the whole time. That was probably worse. Anyway, it’s back to sneaking a DIY while she sleeps for now.

So… about leaving the house for a manicure? No thanks!

If you’re planning a wedding, consider not necessarily matching but coordinating with your bridesmaids in some way. One rockin’ bride whose nuptials I attended a couple years ago encouraged her girls to all pick different bold shades of blue, green, and purple to offset their white lace dresses. Gosh, was that gorgeous! Have some fun — and remember there’s more than one way to nail it.

Happy ….. FRIDAY! Xx

Mani Monday for the Bride-to-Be

For your actual wedding, you might already have a whole Pinterest board assigned to nail ideas. But don’t forget you’ll be flashing that bling in a ton of shots at the various events that lead up to your nuptials, too. I’ve done some digging to find my favorite in nail trends that are maybe a tad gratuitous, but plenty fun. You might choose to go super-classic for your big day like I did, but no one said you can’t have some nail art adventures in the months and weeks leading up!

Engagement Party
He’s just put a ring on it! Woo! Bling it up with your nails to add some zest to those Instagram shots at the engagement soiree. Chunky, sparkly, glitzy, super-shiny, anything goes. A classic pale pink or lavender is lovely, but I adore the idea of amping up the shine factor. #blingsthething

Bridal Shower
The women who love you the most have gathered to celebrate your new life with the man of your dreams and shower you with gifts and good tidings. I love a feminine theme for the dress and accessories — same goes for nail art. #sweetandchic

And, okay, while we’re on the subject…
If you do choose to glam it up for your big day, draw on tradition but add some modern touches. I love a chic something blue, a lace pattern, or a neutral with extra interest like some glitter. Have fun and remember — the pictures will last forever, so try not to go too crazy-trendy. #keepitclassy

 

Check out my Nail It, B*tches board on Pinterest for a ton more ideas!

Black is the New Pink?

You might not want to go there for your wedding, but I’m feeling a little daring with my nail choices these days. This week it was a childhood-reminiscent bold blue, and I’m excited to pick something funky for my Sunday DIY manicure tomorrow, too. But what about for the events leading up to your wedding? I always notice people’s nails in photographs, especially when they’re holding up a glass of champagne or showing off a rock. Don’t you? Make sure you look extra polished (literally!) with a surprising manicure at your engagement party, bridal shower, or bachelorette.

Ditch those sweet pinks and reach for a heart of darkness with an unexpected, extra-shiny black plus one sweet accent:

Or, embrace the summer sun and try an oh-so-bright Aztec-inspired print with gold glitter for extra shine. That’ll wow ’em:

Make a splash with coral, a great alternative to pink. I love the gold striped accent nail on this one. Perfect for all your celebrations to come:

 

Mani Monday Musings for the Bride-to-Be

I surprised myself last week by reaching for a dark purplish navy nail polish. Despite the (finally!) warm temps, I felt compelled to have one more go at the dark hues I’ve loved so much in recent seasons. You’ve probably been picking rosier, warmer, brighter colors of late, and I’m finally ready to get on board and do the same. The sun is shining, after all, and spring has made its triumphant arrival. But for brides, is it possible to have a little fun with your big-day nails, while still keeping the look clean and classic? This girl says yes, absolutely. Rumors of the death of nail art are to heretofore be ignored. Let’s find a balance that wows.

A sparkle-fade brings modern glitz and whimsy without going overboard. Atop white, silver, gold, or a metallic creamy neutral like this one, chunky glitter works.

If you like more drama, go for it. It’s your day, isn’t it? A shiny pink base with gold-centered daisies is majorly wow-worthy. As chintzy as it may seem, I actually love this look!

Do you dare to be different? Rock on, sister. Chunky pink glitter nail art is a DO for your glam I-do’s! A soft cream or khaki is the perfect background hue.

Mani Monday and a Shower of Gift Ideas

This weekend, I attended what was quite possibly the most delightful baby shower in world history. Hosted at the beautiful Manhattan apartment of one of my dearest friends, this party had every single detail accounted for — and it was just lovely. At some point, we will probably get more into babies. But for now, a word on showers in general.

The sweet gift bag we received at this shower contained not one but two nail polishes. What a treat! My Sunday morning was spent prepping for the week with a trend-right DIY manicure in Deborah Lippman’s covetable “Call Me Irresponsible,” a bold purple. Everyone loves nail polish, and there are so many ways to make this idea work for a shower favor. You can stick with the wedding colors, reach for neutrals, use the bride’s favorite color, or create a wild assortment that can be traded among guests.

Loving this super-shiny, warm weather-ready hue! $18, Sephora.com

You might also consider buying a few of these Essie 4-packs and splitting them up among the bags for a more affordable option. $17 each, Ulta.com

These are some pretty OPI nail colors that fit a bridal aesthetic. $9 each, drugstore.com

Shine On

A series of gray days left me feeling lackluster. A bottle of glittery polish brought back the shine. When you first got your bling thing, I imagine you felt compelled to get manicures that showed it off and were neutral and ladylike. Eventually you’ll travel back to the fun. Before your big day, a little glitter never hurt anyone. If you’re not up for full-on sparkle, let me introduce you to my favorite glitter hack:

Base color in a creamy pastel. Two coats. Diagonal stripe of chunky glitter. Top coat. Done. This lasts up to a week when you DIY it, and you do not need to get it anywhere near perfect in order for it to work. I can’t tell you how many compliments I’ve received so far this week — and it’s only Wednesday.

My colors of choice: Essie’s Go Ginza (base) and A Cut Above (glitter), $8 each, drug stores.

Mani Monday for the Bride-to-Be

Every girly girl loves to get her nails done — or if on a budget, like me, to do them at home. I got so excited about painting mine yesterday that I did it hours before the Superbowl, entirely killing my first-quarter plans. On Mani Monday, as the Insta world has declared the first day of the work week, I always like to burst on the scene with a new hue on the talons. Though still on bed rest after last week’s surgery, with an audience of only three (two of whom have four legs), I decided to give myself a careful, three-coat mani.

I was inspired by the reality shows I’ve been watching way too much of while on the mend, and most of them were filmed last summer — we’re talking pungent peaches, mod whites, bold greens, and beyond. While pastel is a little off for the frigid weather we’re currently experiencing, I’m all about winter white. A true, milky white without any hint of sheer is just divine. I love Essie’s Blanc but Chanel and Butter London have great options, too.

White polish is perfect for a wedding in any season. The bride-to-be doesn’t have to go quite as mod as I did this week, though. Classic favorites can hit the right note while modern interpretations bring something special.

“Cream Tea” by Butter London, a solid white with a touch of sheer.

Add dots for some quirkiness.

We all know “Baby’s Breath”… it’s a classic for a reason!

OPI’s “Funny Bunny” is a fantastic, bright white that’s just sheer enough.

Silver glitter never hurt anyone’s white mani…

Modernize a French with one lace nail on each hand. Love it!

Add gold and pink for a truly darling look.

All photos except of my own nails are from Pinterest. Find more inspo on my Nail It, B*tches pin board.

Nail It: Winter Edition

There will be endless ring shots taken in the months between the proposal and the wedding. But have you ever taken a moment to think how many close-up sightings everyone will want of your two rings together once you’ve exchanged vows? It’s overwhelming. And I am definitely a culprit; at every single wedding I’ve been to (as an adult, at least), I’ve grabbed the bride’s left hand as she’s made her rounds so I could soak in her glittery glory and layer compliments on the physical proof of new status: Married Woman.

I chose to go with a gel polish for my wedding so that there was no risk of chips and it would remain shiny and strong throughout the honeymoon. But you can ask my mom’s manicurist who got stuck with me: the color selection process was a nightmare for all involved. There’s a shellac polish called “Cake Pop” that I’d worn layered over white as a bridesmaid earlier in the summer and I knew it would be just perfect. I wanted frothy, angelic, barely-there pink that was far from ballerina but definitely not neutral.

It took us three tries and two bouts of tears to get there.

Here is a more saturated version — two coats of pure Cake Pop.

Word to the wise: if you are custom-mixing your polish like yours truly did, make sure to stick with the same nail technician and let her know ahead of time: I want you to do exactly this, so she can make a note and recreate the look for your big day. Or, you could opt to be slightly less high-maintenance than I was and just go with a standard color. I mean, there are only, like, nine million options at your fingertips (literally).

For winter weddings, you’ll want to do something seasonal but still a color that complements your skintone, dress, rings, venue, and wedding colors. Black polish is so incredibly now (well, it has been for five years, but I digress). I’m not sure, however, that you’ll love looking back at your wedding pictures forty years from now and seeing black talons. Yikes.

Here are some ideas for the blushing (winter) bride-to-be:

Twinkling little stars, the subtle sparkles in Chanel’s Taboo, a deep purple, would be gorgeous on a winter bride.

Ignore her super-cool geometric eyeliner. A short, navy nail is divine!

Essie “Fishnet Stockings.” Elegant… and NOT Christmasy.

Dark polish doesn’t work on everyone and it certainly isn’t a requirement. What about white as the driven snow?

Hey glitzy girl, just do it! If gold glitter suits your fancy, pile it on.

PS. I almost did robin’s egg blue on my toes but my mom came through with something blue at the eleventh hour. For my pedicure, I went with this stunner from Tom Ford. I loved it so much I bought the bottle, and it’s come in handy ever since:

Something Blue

What are your thoughts on the whole Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue deal? To me, including them was as important as getting married in a white gown. But modern weddings allow for so many different ways to tell your story and your family’s. I often wonder about this tradition and whether it will stay around. For my old, I donned my grandmother’s diamond lariot necklace. My new was my dress. Borrowed were my mother’s diamond earrings, and blue was the ribbon on the fancy garter my mom bought me. The first three are pretty easy to come up with, but Something Blue has me thinking. For girls who want to include this tradition but are looking for different ways to do it, here are some of my favorite ideas:

Inside: I found a snap on Pinterest of a wedding dress in which the bride had sewn a heart-shaped piece of one of her father’s blue shirts. I thought this was a lovely way to incorporate Dad in what is typically a female activity. Other ideas include a blue bra or undies (if they don’t show through your dress), a piece of blue ribbon, or your fiance’s monogram sewn inside the gown.

Footwear: Blue shoes are a lively way to incorporate both tradition and trend. I love a royal blue silk or something pale and patent. Whatever suits your fancy goes, as long as you can walk in them. Not up for a full-on commitment? Reach for a shoe with a blue detail, or try painting your wedding date on one or both soles with nail polish or permanent marker.

Manolo Blahnik shoes, $965, Barneys New York

Talons: Nails are so important these days, and pink is only the beginning of the bridal spectrum. A sky blue on your fingers or something even darker on your toes is gorgeous. One of my bridesmaids rocked a robin’s egg pedicure that was killer with her Monique L gown. And, no, you won’t regret this decision in twenty years. Or ever.

Essie “Borrowed & Blue”, $8, Beauty.com

Baubles: Sapphires and aquamarine are pretty on so many skintones, and all you need is a pop. Tiny stud earrings or a pendant with even one blue stone can enhance your look without taking it over.

This stunning blue and white bouquet is made of PAPER flowers. Alternative Blooms, $140, Etsy.com … paper flowers last forever! Love this.

Fauna: Have you seen how much beautiful blue there is in the bridal floral scene recently? Even if you don’t want to go with a totally blue bouquet, one centerpiece or accent flower in the hue would be amazing. Or, have your florist tie your buds up with a pale blue ribbon. Timeless and elegant!