7.15.2011

How To: Neon and Neutral Nails

I am head over heels for the neon and neutral trend that's floating around the fashion world right now. I've failed miserably at finding neon pieces. Everywhere I go, I'm looking - but no such luck. So I've turned to my nails. I grabbed two of my favorite colors - a neon and a neutral - and got to painting.  

Essie's Cute as a Button and Jazz

I first tried out a more subtle approach - one neon tip. It's simple: 

1. Paint your nails your favorite neutral color.
2. Place a strip of tape over your nail leaving a small tip at the top.
3. Paint the tip, let it dry, and remove tape.
Ta-dah! 


If you'd like a little more neon in the mix, go ahead and just paint the whole nail neon. 


I also think a neon yellow or orange would have looked fantastic. 

7.14.2011

Daily Threads: Blue





Chambray and white - my current favorite! I've been wearing a white and denim combo throughout the summer, but I flipped it and reversed it and came up with this look. I could have easily switched out the heels for sandals for a weekend look. However, it's not the weekend and these pumps are fabulous. 

It you haven't already, hop over to THIS POST and check out what Karen Kane is offering YOU!

7.13.2011

Sponsor Spotlight: Karen Kane

Boy do I have a treat for y'all! 

Karen Kane recently launched their new online site! It's now a place where you can browse current collections, get active in the KK community, and, most importantly, SHOP ONLINE! They have everything you need in one place - whether you are looking for basic pieces, trends, or plus size - it's there! 

The best part? Karen Kane is offering you all 20% off and FREE shipping (US) from now until the end of the month! Just enter the code DWELLING20 at check out and it's done! 

Some of my favorites online right now are:

This Little Black Dress! How adorable? I know the emphasis is usually on "the" LBD, but I think you can't have too many LBDs! This one is perfect all year long (you know me and my love for versatility)! You can throw on some sandals and a turquoise pendant in the summer OR layer on a jacket, colored tights, and boots in the fall - perfect! 


I love floral prints, but if you take a look in my closet, you'd see very few floral pieces - it's really a shame now that I think about it. Anyway, I'd love to add this gorgeous, floral blouse to my closet. The colors are spectacular, the ribbon trim is so unique, and I love the tie at the waist!


I love a fitted jacket. I love ruffles. I love the Olive color. Obviously this jacket makes me drool. How adorable? Perfect over a fitted, white tee or over a little back dress (scroll up if you've already forgotten).


Now, y'all get your hind parts over to KarenKane.com and browse to your little hearts desire! Remember, when you find something you love enter DWELLING20 for 20% off and free shipping! Happy shopping!

Also, be sure to follow along on the Karen Kane LIFEstyle blog
Follow along on Facebook and Twitter


Birchbox: July 2011

Friends, have you heard of Birchbox? Yes, no, maybe so? Well, if not, let me tell you about it... It's basically a $10 monthly subscription service where you receive 4-5 deluxe, high-end beauty samples from a variety of brands - such as NARS, Too Faced, Stila, and Benefit (here is a list of all the brands). The box features makeup, skincare, and lifestyle product samples.

As if the generous samples aren't enough, once you use your products you can go to the website and review the products to accumulate points - points that turn into dollars that you can use to purchase any of the products you've used and loved! It's really a fabulous deal that pays for itself! The mission behind starting the company was to "help women cut through the clutter of the beauty world to find products that work for them."

So I signed up last month and I have been anxiously waiting for this first box to arrive! So, without further adieu, here is a step-by-step photo of me jumping into my first (of many) Birchbox!

 

This month Birchbox collaborated with Cynthia Rowley to guest-curate the box! This gorgeous sleeve was over the box - it's so pretty.

 

Once you open the box, you are greeted with a card that gives a bit of background on Birchbox and that month's items/events going on - like the collaboration with Cynthia Rowley. On the back side of the card is a list of all the items in your box, a brief description of each, and the full-size price of the item. Pretty convenient. 


This is what my box looked like inside, once I peeled back the tissue paper. Look at those goodies! 


Here is a look at my items and my card with their descriptions. An extra treat was included - a favorite of Cynthia's. It was a Kind Almond and Apricot snack bar. I haven't tried it out yet, but I hear it's delicious. So I'm going to get busy using my samples and next month, when my new Birchbox arrives, I'll share my new goodies and give you all a review of this month's items. I'm off to use all my items. Maybe even all at once! 

This service is wonderful if you are really into makeup and beauty. You get to try out a variety of  brands and products without committing. If you love the item, then you can feel confident in an investment of a full-sized item and if you don't like something, you've lost nothing! It's truly win-win!

7.12.2011

Daily Threads: A Skirt





I bought this skirt over a month ago and this is my first time wearing it. I'm bad about that - buying an item I am excited about and then just letting it sit; it's almost like I don't want to mess it up. Anyway. This skirt is fabulous. It's full of fun colors, a fun print, and it's super comfortable and airy. I might not take it off. 

Guess who took my pictures today? No, not husband; no, not Maeby (she doesn't have thumbs)... Mom! She flew in Sunday afternoon to visit for a while and I'm so happy to have her here! So is Maeby - they have a special grandmother/grandoggy bond that I can't dissect. At least we are all happy! Isn't she pretty?



Yellow | Everybody, Everywear