summer white nails

What screams summer better than white nails reminiscent of wite-out?! Except it's not actually wite-out...stay with me here. It's Essie's Blanc. A true white that is opaque in color. It has become my celebratory summer nail color. And I love the way the white pops against my skin. It's difficult to apply, yes; it can be chalky, streaky, and show imperfections too easy for my liking. But, I have a few tips that I follow that may help you.  Step One: start with nails completely removed of polish. i like to buff mine to provide a smooth canvas before applying the polish and i swear this helps the polish last longer. if i have time, i apply a base coat. if you don't have time, start out by applying one thin coat of essie 'blanc.' this serves as the base or the 'primer', if you will. look away because if you are like me, you will be tempted to take the polish off because it hurts your eyeballs to look at your nails. umm, ok not literally. but seriously, don't worry about the streaks. 
Step Two: once the first coat is set and dry, go ahead and apply a second fuller coat. for me, two coats is enough to get the perfect white lacquer. for others, three may be enough.
Step Three: do not skip this step, it is essential to any manicure. add one layer of 'no chips ahead' and let dry completely. the top coat helps to seal the polish preventing it from chipping and makes it shine. ever had a polish dry to a matte? not cute! my polish lasts a good 4-5 days without any chipping. LET DRY COMPLETELY. 

A Few Tips: 
- roll (don't shake) the polish bottle between your hands; this keeps bubbles out.
- to keep your hands (and feet) extra moisturized, soak them in a little olive oil and lemon juice once a week. this also helps soften the cuticles. you can also do this right before the mani. 
- bottle of polish drying out or thickening? add a drop or two of nail polish remover to help thin it out.    
- if you're in a rush, place hands in freezer or ice water to help dry faster. 



HAPPY AUGUST
P.S. Thank you so much for those of you who emailed me on what to check out in the Lake George area. We didn't get to do everything we wanted, but that just gives us an excuse to go back right?! 






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flea market sunday

  Sundays were meant for flea markets! Now that the warmer weather is here, going to the flea markets on Sundays has become a weekly thing. It is one of my favorite things to do because there are so many cool items you can find, and I am a sucker for vintage. Here are a few tips when heading to your local flea market.
Tips: 

• Arrive early. You never want to miss out on the best pieces, so arriving early will ensure you get first dibs. By noon, chances are there will be a crowd. So arriving early will give you the best chances at leaving with quality pieces and there is almost nothing that feels better than scoring on unique and great merchandise. 
• Wear comfortable footwear. As much as I love my heels, I always leave them behind when going to the market. You want to wear comfortable flats, sandals, or sneakers (Converse is my go-to) as you'll be doing lots of walking and sometimes the conditions aren't heel-friendly. Think crowds, gravel, and if you have to drag your items home on public transportation you want to be comfortable.  
• Bring cash. Although there seem to be a growing number of vendors that are accepting credit cards, most still do not; like the fresh produce section. So be sure to stop by the ATM on your way to the market. You don't want to find yourself missing out on a great item if you have to run to the ATM while you are there. 
• Bring your appetite. Depending on which market you go to, most all today have the best local food vendors. It's a great way to feed your appetite without having to leave the flea in search of somewhere to eat. Plus, you get to "sample" local restaurants.
• Travel light. Bring a backpack or shoulder bag filled with sunscreen, water, money, and a hat for cover. If you know you are looking for an oversized item, pack a tape measure. You don't want to be weighed down by extra items and you will need room for the goodies you just bought. 
• Stay focused. If you know what items you are going for, keep focused on those items. If it's a big market, it can get overwhelming pretty quickly especially if there is a crowd. I usually go with a list of stuff I am looking for and stay focused on that. Overall, go with an open mind to bargain and most of all HAVE FUN! 

American Eagle Outfitters blouse. Urban Outfitters bandeau bra. vintage diy Levi's boyfriend shorts. J.Crew leopard belt {old}. Report Signature sandals. J.Crew Factory necklace and bracelet. Kate Spade sunglasses. Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid in Electric Orange.  Essie Hip-Anema and Blanc nails.   Photos by Larry Vila



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review: essie nail polish

I bought these two new colors from Essie's Neon Collection and I am a fan! Read on to see my individual reviews on Bottle Service and Saturday Disco Fever. Please note the photos show indoor, artificial lighting so the colors will differ in the sunlight. 

Bottle Service is a bright neon fuchsia slash cool magenta. I applied two coats on top of Essie Blanc and found it to be streak-free. The polish dries semi-matte. Although I really like this color, I found it to lack the neon aspect I was looking for. I was expecting a slap-in-the-face pink; which is what I wanted. If you're like me, and missed out on Pink Parka then the hunt for the perfect neon pink is endless. If you are looking for a pretty, bright pink then bottle service is perfect.  
Saturday Disco Fever is described by Essie as a fire coral orange, but once applied I found it to be a true orange, not coral-esque. There is not even a hint of pink in it. The application on this one was nice and even. I used two coats over blanc and the end result was also semi-matte. This color is vibrant, sexy and more true to neon. 

My verdict on both is thumbs up! They are perfect for the summer weather and will look fabulous on your toes at the beach or pool this season. The colors are vivid, bold and beautiful on and would flatter any skin color. I got about 4 days of good even wear, which is pretty average for me with Essie polishes. Both swatches were taken indoors; so please note that colors will look brighter in the sunlight. 
Both polishes can be picked up in any drugstore, Target, Duane Reade (if you're in the NY area), CVS, Ulta, etc. 
*Essie Tip: Apply a coat of white polish as a base and it makes the neon really pop. 


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review: essie nail polish

{Essie's Hip-Anema} 

As I said last week, I had a chance to test out my new Essie colors and these are my truthful opinions of each. Hip-Anema is a bright, poppy red-orange color that is absolutely perfect for Spring and Summer. It is stunning, and I have quite a few reds in my collection but none like this one. It is very similar in tone to Snap Happy, except Hip-Anema leans more towards an orange tint and has more of a pop. I used two coats in my application, and it was more than sufficient coverage on my nails. The end application was very glossy and shiny. I am definitely happy I picked this one up. 

{Essie's Go Ginza}

Now, Go Ginza was a totally different application. The color is a pretty, and very pigmented pastel pink lavender. It is perfect for Easter and the Spring. It is a very pretty shade once applied, but just like other pigmented colors I have an issue with, this one took 3 applications before it looked decent. It went on very streaky which is why I tend to stay away from these types of polishes. I will definitely use it again; but I'll make sure I have sufficient time to dry all 3 applications. 

Overall, I think Essie did well with their new Madison Avenue Hue Collection. I will be picking up the Madison Ave Hue next. I love that this collection draws from six different chic fashion and shopping hubs around the world. I also like that it ranges in colors from vibrant, eye-popping shades to more pastel, softer hues. 

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