Winter Inspired Pink Glitter Matte Nails

I got my Matte Top Coat add on from Julep last week, it came shortly after my November box!

I wanted to do something kinda wintry and this is what I came up with. I like how it came out but while everything was drying it kind of looked like Elmer's glue mixed with glitter so now that's all I can think off!

Pink Glitter Matte Nails

Here's what you'll need: A matte top coat (I used the new Julep matte top coat), a white base color, glitter, and maybe a small brush.

First, prep for your manicure, to make it last longer. Remove your old polish, if any, and soak your hands in warm water for a few minutes. Trim your nails and push back your cuticles but don't cut them. Do not use lotions or oils on your hands before you start, it may make the dry time longer.

Paint your nails with one or two coats of your base color.

While the polish is still a little wet lightly dip your nail in the glitter.
Make sure to cover your whole nail in the glitter.

Tap the tip of your nail on the lid and whip off extra and loose glitter so you don't waste any.
If you missed any spots you can add some of the glitter on with your brush too.

Add a your matte top coat and you are done!
I applied 2 heavy coats to help cover the texture of the glitter.

For a more winter look try blue glitter. 

Check out my current giveaway, ends 11/20!

Moist Banana Nut Bread Recipe

My brother and sister came to visit not too long ago and I always pick up extra fruit when people come over, it's a quick easy snack and I don't have to worry about people raiding my fridge. Usually by the time they leave they bananas, apples, and peaches are gone but this time I guess they didn't want any so I have a ton of stuff left. My fiance keep asking me to make banana bread again with the extras so I did. 

I usually  add 3 bananas but since I had 5 I just put them all in, it took a little longer to cook but other then that came out perfect.

Moist Banana Nut Bread

The loaf I made for my Rob.

Servings- 12

Serving Size- 1 slice
Calories- 100
Fat- 5 g
Carbs- 12.8 g
Fiber- 0.7 g
Protein- 3 g 

 

3 of the mini  muffins I made are one serving.

What you will need.

3-5 ripe bananas, smashed
1/2 cup melted butter (I used unsalted)
 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup sugar
2 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
2 cups of all-purpose flour

Method

No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour and chopped walnuts last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour depending on your cookware. Remove from pan, cool on a rack and slice to serve.

I always steal some of the mix to make mini cupcakes for myself.

Thanks for viewing, hope you enjoy!

Cherry Blossom Nails

I have recently turned my guest bedroom into a home office and while setting up my new office I decided since this is my own space I can go crazy with pink, shared space with the fiance did not let me do that. While I was changing a few things pink I went ahead and did my nails pink too.

Cherry blossoms :)

 Here is how to get this look. 

Here's what you'll need: A top coat (I use Rimmel Top Coat), a base color, feature colors for branch color and flower color, a dotting tool/tooth pick/small brush, and crystals or mini stainless steel balls. You can use your base color and add white to it like I did.

First, prep for your manicure, to make it last longer. Remove your old polish, if any, and soak your hands in warm water for a few minutes. Trim your nails and push back your cuticles but don't cut them. Do not use lotions or oils on your hands before you start, it may make the dry time longer.

  First apply a coat or two of your base color.

 Wait until your nails are dry to add the branches. If you do not have a brown that you are happy with you can mix colors like I did.

 With your dotting tool, toothpick or small brush add a few branches.

 I mixed the base pink and white together for my flower petal color. 

I wanted something just a little lighter for the flowers.

 With your dotting tool or tooth pick again add 3-4 petals(dots) per flower. 

I added 2-4 flowers on each nail.

 I used these mini stainless steel balls for the center of the flowers. 

You can skip this or crystals also.

 I placed a silver one in the center of each flower.

 Add your top coat and you're done.

Thanks for stopping by, I'd love to see if you give it a try!

Check out my current giveaway!

New nail art striping tape on Etsy!

I have finally listed more tape!

 Check out these colors and a few more at 

http://elainessupplies.etsy.com

November Julep Maven Suede Polish Box.

My November Julep Maven box has come!

Matte suede polish!

 I thought it wasn't going to come till this weekend but when I opened my door this morning there was a little black box with my name on it.

The goodies! 

This box was a lot cuter then my intro box, came with extra goodies too.

 Brit, Minka, 3 Polish Remover Pads and Body Frosting.

 My intro box didn't have the pads, it was nice to just whip off my old polish right when I opened the box and start to play with the new colors. Sadly, my matte top coat add on to was just shipped so it didn't come in the box.

The body frosting is a very lovely treat and I think when this runs out I will be buying more & it may be a Christmas gift for a couple people. It smells like sherbet!
 The back of the it made me smile too:)

To do your nails like mine, apply a base color (I used Brit) after your base color dies make a X with tape on your nails leaving a triangle at the tip. Paint the triangle with your feature color (I used Minka) and apply your crystals then top coat.

 To see a step by step tutorial and to see how I add the crystals check out my older post here.

The top picture is of the matte suede polish with no top coat and this picture is with a good ol' glossy top coat. I really like the Brit with the matte look and can't wait to get the top coat so it last longer but I do like the Minka better glossy.
So this was box 2 for me, so far pretty happy. I love the holidays so I am happy to see next month's box!

Become a Julep Maven too! 
Over $40 worth of the hottest trends.
 What's your style? 
Use the code "PENNY" to get the same discount I did on my first box.
Coupon code "SEASON20" is valid through Monday, December 31, 2012 and will get you 20% off and free shipping if you don't want to sign up for a box or the monthly boxes.

Check out my current giveaway!

Treats for Halloween!

Found a few treats for  Halloween I thought I'd share.

Candy Corn Pudding

This looks so good and it is so easy to make! 

&

Tombstone Cookies in Dark Chocolate Graveyard Pots de Crème

These guys are pretty easy too.

 I made these a couple years ago and just used chocolate pudding, crushes Oreos and a sugar cookie tub. 

Happy Halloween!

Check out my November Giveaway!

Fake lashes on your nails!

Since I was about 17 everywhere around Halloween I hit any and all store that have fake lashes and buy all the fun cheap lashes. About two years ago while still buying I stopped going to shows and events as much so I have stopped using the lashes I buy. I have maybe 60 pairs under my sink in a small box just not being used so I though I'd give a try adding them to my nails.

This is how they came out, I think they look pretty cool but took a little longer then I thought they would.

Here's what you'll need: A top coat (I use Rimmel Top Coat), a base color , small nail scissors & lashes.

First, prep for your manicure, to make it last longer. Remove your old polish, if any, and soak your hands in warm water for a few minutes. Trim your nails and push back your cuticles but don't cut them. Do not use lotions or oils on your hands before you start, it may make the dry time longer.

Paint you base color, I am using Julep's Sophie. Its currently my favorite color.

Your cheap lashes, I ended up only using one.

Cut it in to ten pieces.

It can be tricky but apply a light coat of your top coat. I wouldn't recommend using your base color, the color may get on the lashes and hide them. 

While nail is still wet use you scissors to cut off the extra, try to cut as close to you nail bed as possible. Apply a few coats of your top coat and your done!

 After doing my left hand it was so much easier.  I was using just a small pair of craft scissor from my desk but after my left hand was done I grabbed our nail scissors and it was so much better!

Let me know if you give it a try!

Check out my November Giveaway!

Halloween Inspired Eyes in the Bushes Nails

I've seen a few eye nail art for Halloween so I wanted to do my own. When I think of eyes on Halloween watching you I think of creepy crawlies in the bushes so this is what I cam up with.

Here's what you'll need: A top coat (I use Rimmel Top Coat), a base color (I went with black and a transparent brown), feature colors for your eyes, bush and stars, a sponge or q-tip, & a toothpick/small paint brush/nail art polish.

First, prep for your manicure, to make it last longer. Remove your old polish, if any, and soak your hands in warm water for a few minutes. Trim your nails and push back your cuticles but don't cut them. Do not use lotions or oils on your hands before you start, it may make the dry time longer.

 Creepy eyes watching you from the bushes!

 Start by painting your nails black, I added a transparent brown polish over the black for mine.

 Using a q-tip or sponge cover about 2/3 of your nail with your bush polish, I didn't have a good green color so I mixed two greens.

 With a dotting tool, nail art brush or a tooth pick add a few eyes.

 With a smaller dotting tool or other add the pupil of the eyes.

 If you's like add some glittery stars to your night sky.

 I mixed some green and the brown I used on the black to add some "texture" to the bushes. it looks better in person than it does in the picture!

 Apply your top coat and you are done!

Happy Halloween!

Check out my November Giveaway!