Beauty Thursday: Shellac manicure review

image source here

When it comes to nail polish as a mom, I feel like my options are limited.

1. Wait until my precious free time when the baby is good and asleep (not just kind of adrift, because this could mess everything up) and spend an hour polishing and waiting for it to dry fully.

or...

2.  Hurriedly swipe on some color, inevitably mess up and smear some, and then get back to my day constantly worried that my polish is only halfway set.

....and both end up with the same result of chipping when I do dishes the next day anyway.

Conclusion: nail polish with a baby is a luxury.  A nail salon is a place where I would never take my baby (toxic fumes, anyone?), so when my husband offered to babysit and get me out of the house, off I went to try this magical manicure I have heard of that doesn't chip or come off until I decided to remove it.  Unicorns, I wonder?  Hardly!

I was in awe the whole time.  The polish hardens immediately under special dryers (see more on that below).  You leave with completely hard and dry nails and they stay that way!

There are some cons, though...first of all I have heard it's hard on your nails (it takes straight acetone to get it off).  Second of all, it consists of putting your hands under these little UV nail dryers that are probably extremely carcinogenic (like everything else in the world...).  Basically, it's like microwaving your hands.  More on the hazards here.

In the end I would say they are great as long as you are not doing them constantly, and definitely worth trying out a few times.  I am looking forward to going again!

Shopping Wednesday: Fantasy shopping at Vince

I didn't buy anything this week, but I did wander into the Vince store at my local mall (I looove Vince).  This dress is gorgeous, sleek, understated, sophisticated, 100% silk, and the absolute last thing I need in my wardrobe.  We can all dream, right?

Vince Boat Neck Mini Dress at Shopbop

X-Ray of a foot in a high heel stiletto

Have you seen this? My chiropractor had it up on his wall and it made me LOL.  Not that I or any other (normal) new mom are walking around in these on a daily basis...

Happy Halloween!!!

Instead of candy, I am giving you what I think is pretty much the best (and most poignant) movie quote EVER!

Outfit Friday: Channeling a cowboy

I didn't realize until after I had put on my boots to walk out of the house how...err....southwestern my outfit was.  However, it worked, I felt cute and comfy.  Again, I missed my photo op, but all these items are exactly what I wore (except the eternity ring and The Row backpack, but how cool would it be if it was, eh??)

10/29/11 by anniejayne featuring polka dot jewelry

Happy Friday!

Beauty Thursday: Ombre hair.

I have been a blonde all my life, but since entering my late 20's/early 30's my hair has started to grow in dark.  I feel like my trips to the salon for highlights are just fighting a losing battle, but I want to keep some blonde around my face to make me feel brighter.  What do you think about ombre hair?  Is it too "last year"?  Probably not as drastic as Drew, but something more subtle like this:

Or do you simply have to have the face of a celebrity to pull it off?

Shopping Wednesday: Lands End?

Since buying that blazer, I am kind of obsessed with the green and blue tartan plaid.   I want a warm flannel to layer for the fall, and I am taking my chances at Land's End since they put out a coupon for 40% off and free shipping.  I wonder if the fit will be very matronly? 

Long Sleeve Flannel. Normal price $49.50