Mani of the Week ... e.l.f.

This week's mani ... 2 coats of Metallic Magenta by e.l.f. & (ring finger accent) in 

Fur-Ocious Vocals, Sally Hansen Nail Polish Strips.

 Indoor Sun

Outdoor Shade

~

Loving the way this color pops! And the cheetah print ... always my fave!! I am trying to get all the neons and brights out of my system - fall is just around the corner!!

All Lacquered Up ... Nail Polish Swap!

  Have you girls checked out this fun swap yet? I just signed up ... so exciting!! Hurry and get signed up ... the entry deadline is coming up soon!! ~ Happy Wednesday!!

Mani of the Week ... I Need A Refresh-Mint

 Wet n Wild's Megalast Polish in I Need A Refresh-Mint

LOVE this color ... It is almost like a Tiffany blue or a Robin Egg shade. I first spotted this color over at Fashion.MakeUp.LifeStyle's blog, and the oh-so-sweet Marina emailed me the color info.

I added a little diagonal sparkle on half of each nail, but it doesn't show up very well ... next time I will use a darker sparkle, or even a contrasting color!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous week!!

xoxo

Camping ... Conquered!

 I SURVIVED!!

Camping was a lot of fun. Once the tent was up, the gear all laid out, and the food was all organized, I was able to relax a bit and take it all in. While I was not a fan of all the dirt, the cocktails around the campfire sure helped with this minor issue. We ended up staying the one night, only because day 2 was a bit cooler and I didn't pack enough clothes for me and the kiddos. Note taken for next time ... yes, there will be a next time!

Thanks so much for all the tips and support for my first camping trip, peeps!!

xoxo 

I am going camping y'all!

My fam and I are going camping with my bestie and her fam. Like real camping. Outdoors. In. A. Tent.

Now, I do not consider myself to be prissy at all, but this chica does not like dirt. I have a hard time at the beach because of sand (eww!) and walking barefoot outdoors gives me the heeby-jeebies! I am a bit of a germ-a-phobe when it comes to public bathrooms, too. Unless it's an emergency, I ain't using one. And porta-potties? Hell to the NO!

So why am I going camping, you might be wondering?
Because all my friends are doing it.

I've got 2 boys who love the great outdoors, and what kind of momma would I be if I wasn't up for a little adventure every now and then? I like the art of surprise, and let me tell ya - my husband is SHOCKED that I am actually planning such a trip. Most of our friends go camping all summer long, so I figure with enough alcohol enthusiasm, I will rock this trip out!
The trip is planned for one night with an option to stay an extra night. Hey, baby steps. I am a newbie at sleeping in a camping park close to home with bathrooms and showers the wild wilderness. No pop-up trailers here ... we will be in tents under the stars, cooking on a Weber Grill an open fire, and singing Kumbaya 'round the campfire.  Ok, maybe not that last part. ^ 
So what will one need on such a trip? I am the head of packing for my family. I want to make sure I grab the essentials without going overboard; confirming any suspicions that this is, indeed, my first romp in the woods.
What tips do you have for survival (slightly kidding, although if I see any snakes, all bets are off and we are back home before dark! ) and what are some easy recipes that are a must for camping?

DIY ... Easy Up-do!

Please forgive the blurry iPhone pics ... just a quick post on an updo I did the other day in the 98 degree (holla) heat!!

 Gather up the hair and bangs around your face and seperate into 3 pieces. Braid these sections towards the back of your head and pinch off at the end.

 With your free hand, gather up the rest of your hair and include the end of your braid. Wrap up into a messy bun, leaving several strands longer, and secure with a rubber band.  

Kinda hard to tell from this shot with my darker hair, but this style adds a little twist to the typical summertime pony. It's quick and easy, plus I get lots of compliments ... gotta love that!

Mani of the Week ... Swirly Tips

Another mani inspired by Pinterest ... such a crafty little site.

 Pick out 3 colors ... I went with Jessie's Girl Baby Cakes, NYC Lexington Yellow, and Metallic Blue by e.l.f.

 Paint your base color and let fully dry ... I actually waited a full 24 hours to allow the polish to set, but you don't need to wait that long.

Take color #2 and paint on an un-even swirly tip. I did 2 coats of each of these colors.

 With color #3, paint a thinner swirly tip, leaving a layer of polish #2 showing.

You can make these layers as thick or as thin as you prefer.

Add your fave top coat and you are finished!

 Outdoor in full sun

The fun part with this mani style is the fun color combos you can use ... pastels, brights, neons, metallics ... the choices are endless! How cute would these be to rep your favorite sports teams, holidays, or seasons? I also love that you don't have to have mad skills in the perfect polish department. The swirls are not meant to be even, so you really can't go wrong!

Arm Candy

How cute are my bracelets?!? Omgsh ... I adore stacking my favorite wristlets. The three bangles are from Forever 21, the two beaded bracelets were handmade and gifted, the threaded bling is from American Eagle, and the pave cross ... $11 and can be purchased here.

I tried it ... Wen Hair Care by Chaz Dean

WEN® Cleansing Conditioner

WEN® Cleansing Conditioner is a revolutionary new concept in hair care. A 5-in-1 formula, this one product takes the place of your shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, detangler and leave-in conditioner. It cleanses hair thoroughly but without lathering and all the harsh ingredients that may be found in ordinary shampoos—it is designed so it won't strip your hair and scalp of their natural oils. Your hair is left with sheen, moisture, manageability and better color retention.

Unlike many ordinary shampoos, WEN® cleansers are made with natural ingredients and contain no sodium laurel sulfate or other damaging detergents. They don't lather; instead, they create smooth foam when mixed with water for shinier, healthier-looking, more manageable results.

A cleansing conditioner that does not lather ... a hard concept for me to get used to. I have been using Wen Cleansing Conditioner in Lavender for the past 3 weeks. While it is kinda weird to be washing my hair with conditioner, I have to admit that this stuff is pretty awesome!
This last year, I have put my tresses through the ringer ... hair extensions, bleaching and coloring, ombre dying ... my poor hair! The last visit to the salon, I cut quite a few inches off my hair to get rid of the dry, brittle ends. I have since been dying only my roots a dark brown color to blend the grow out, but I am over the harsh chemical processing.
To use Wen, you are instructed to dispense 8 to 16 pumps into your hands and massage the conditioner into your hair, combing it through from scalp to ends, and then wrap up hair into a bun for 2 to 5 minutes. For best results, they recommend putting the cleansing conditioner in right as you get in the shower, and rinsing it out as the very last thing before getting out. For extra conditioning, after rinsing your hair clean, you can put a dime-sized amount of Wen throughout the lower portion of your hair while hair is still soaking wet.
In my damaged hair, I use the full 16 pumps. The product is in my hair for the entire time I am in the shower, usually 15 minutes or so. After rinsing, while my hair is still dripping, I use a full pump for the leave-in conditioning.
The results are incredible! Super soft hair, smooth and re-hydrated. The most impressive result ... no need to flat iron!! Since doing the ombre look, I have had to flat-iron my hair every.single.time I shower. A process that takes up time, and adds stress to my locks. Wen has brought so much life back to my hair. It feels healthier, looks shiny and smooth and smells uh-mazing!! I am a big fan of the lavender scent - the aromatherapy it provides in the steam of the shower is so relaxing, and my hubby compliments me on how great my hair smells. I am excited to try the Sweet Almond Mint scent next!
Overall, I am loving Wen Cleansing Conditioner. Retail is $32 for a 30-day supply. Being that this one product is replacing several individual products, the price is worth it. There are several specials and deals online to get you started, and Wen is backed by a 60 day guarantee. You really can't go wrong!
Have you used Wen Cleansing Conditioner? What are your thoughts? What are the products you love for your hair care?