Manicure Must-Haves!

One of the things I usually give up when living on a budget are the manicures at a fancy spa. Since I spend most of my day typing, the polish doesn't last long as it is, so I just prefer to go buy my favorite O.P.I. polishes and do it myself. The hubby even bought me a pedicure spa bath so I could really pamper myself without the weekly cost!

While I typically go for the seasonal nail trends (bright in summer, darker in fall/winter) I've decided to be a little adventurous and try something new. While looking for some inspiration, I came across these three styles declared by InStyle Magazine to be 3 Must-Have Manicures:

Mixed Metals

Check out how to do it here. 

Ombre

(I love this one!)

Check out how to do it here. 

Moon 

Check out how to do it here. 

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Vaseline Beauty Treatments

Last year around this time, I wrote a post called Winter Skin Tips, but looking back now and seeing it dated October makes me laugh. It's true, last fall was my first in Denver and since the temperatures were probably in the high 60's during the day-- I-- being a Cali girl at heart, associated that with winter. haha!

Anyway, while I've gotten a handle (somewhat) on this high-altitude air, I still love having soft, moisturized skin. During the summer, I bought Vaseline's Cocoa Butter Oil because not only did it smell amazing, the oil gave my tan an amazing look. After a few attempts to slather it on, I realized it was way too greasy to wear during the day. Instead of stashing it under the bathroom sink, I tried to think of a new use for it. Then, I came up with this:

That's right. I mixed enough white sugar with the body oil to create my own sugar shower scrub. To make your own, add an ample amount of the body oil to a container ( I used a plastic Tupperware for safety in the shower) and then just add enough sugar to make a paste-like consistency. Once it's mixed simply use it in the shower for soft, moisturized skin and then rinse off. This concoction makes a perfect evening shower treatment, so the remaining oil has plenty of time to soak into the skin while you sleep. 

Every girl needs this item in her beauty routine as well. Not only has it been a tried and true beauty product for decades, but it really works well on the skin. Here are a few ways to incorporate Vaseline petroleum jelly into your daily routine: 

1. Soften feet: Rub a small amount of Vaseline into the heels before bed and then throw on a pair of socks to let the stuff soak in. Wake up to softer feet and heels in just a few applications. 

2. Dab a small amount on the face--especially where you see wrinkles beginning to form. Vaseline is perfect for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, as well as adding moisture to the skin. 

3. Rub a small amount into dry cuticles to keep them moistened, especially during dry weather.  

4. Add a thin layer of Vaseline around the hairline and ears when coloring your hair at home. If you get some on the skin, simply wipe it off thanks to the barrier created by the petroleum jelly. 

DIY Fall Decor

As much as I love being crafty, I'm easily distracted when it comes to actually finishing said craft. Easy-to-do projects that take about a day to complete are right up my alley. Now that it's fall and the days are getting shorter, I feel this need to put away everything in the house that reminds me of summer and start getting ready for the cooler days. 


In just a few short days, it will be October already. Seriously? I can't keep up with these months. Since I live in an apartment, there are very few things I can do to personalize my surroundings for holidays and seasons. One way to add color and decor into a home is with wreaths that you can easily make on your own with a few tools and materials from Michael's or other craft store. Since I was looking for a new wreath for my own home, I came across a few I think would be easy to make and look great in anyone's house. Click the link to get instructions from Better Homes and Gardens: 

Fall Copper (link)

Harvest Horseshoe (link)

Natural Material (link)

Modern Marvel (link)

For other wreath ideas, check out Modern Fall Wreath Ideas from Better Homes and Gardens!

I'm Still Here

So, I had the pleasure of watching this movie in my own living room yesterday...why have I not seen the "Still in Theaters" feature on my Comcast DVR before??? Well, I know many are upset or find this movie to be irrelevant so I'll gladly share my opinion with everyone on why I liked this film. 

I've been a Joaquin Phoenix fan since I first saw him in Gladiator, and then watched all of his other movies. He is tremendously talented, not to mention major eye candy. Some people say they don't get this film or why it was made. Roger Ebert even said in his review of the film, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste. The tragedy ofJoaquin Phoenix's self-destruction has been made into "I'm Still Here," a sad and painful documentary that serves little useful purpose other than to pound another nail into the coffin. " (You can read his full review here)

While most everyone thought that he had totally gone off the deep end, there were those who still didn't believe it was real or wanted to think that he was really losing it. This past week, Casey Affleck and Joaquin Phoenix have both come out to say it was a hoax, thus categorizing the film as a 'mockumentary'. 

I'm sorry, people were upset when they saw him behaving this way and thought it was real and now they are upset because they were duped? haha. If anything, he deserves an Academy Award for pulling it off for the last two years. The film (1hr. 48 min.) was like watching a train-wreck that you couldn't look away from. I think knowing it was not real made it more interesting, because everything he did that otherwise would have been shocking was not so much. 

All in all, it was entertaining. I'm also glad it turned out to be unreal because that means I can once again look forward to one of my favorite (and hottest) actors being in another movie in the future. Has anyone else seen or want to see this film???

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I love Philosophy!

No, this isn't a post about that kind of philosophy, though being married to a CPP graduate of Philosophy surely has made me much smarter (thanks hubby!), I'm talking about this magical stuff: philosophy.

I've always been a fan of multi-tasking in the shower, especially because I'm not a morning person and I refuse to get up two hours before I have to be somewhere just to look presentable. Many of the Philosophy products are shower gel/shampoo/bubble bath, allowing you to smell amazing after a nice shower. Since my hair is fine I don't use it for shampoo, but use it instead as a gel and bubble bath. Girls out there who have better hair than me can probably get away with it!

 I buy Philosophy like I buy my candles: fragrances depending on the season. I've had these delicious smells to look forward to in my showers thus far:

Every year, Philosophy comes out with specific scents for the holidays and since it's now officially Fall it's time to start getting ready for sweaters and other fall favorites. Here are the different limited edition fragrances for the next couple months: 

Bobbing for Apples $25

Pumpkin Spice Muffin and Caramel Apple $20

Candy Corn $16

An added bonus on many of the Philosophy products? Recipes! If you love the Pumpkin Spice Muffin, read the front to find out how to bake your own..from real food products of course, not the gel! :)

I buy all my Philosophy goods at Sephora, though you can find them at Macy's , Ulta and of course, Philosophy. 

Glee!

Ok, so tonight I watched my first episode of Glee... and I have to say, I like it! It's one of those shows you just sit back and watch for fun and even secretly wish you could break out in song and dance with some of those awesome tunes. 


Since I am a new viewer, there is still tons to learn about this show and characters but I think I will enjoy it. Next week is the Britney Spears episode, and from what I saw on the previews, it looks really fun! Finally, if a show is getting Gwyneth Paltrow to guest star then I need to see what all the fuss is about. 


I won't be calling myself a 'Gleek' anytime soon, but I'm definitely going to enjoy it!

It's Saturday Night!

I've mentioned how much I love television in my last post, 2010 Fall TV Premiere Schedule. Even on Saturday, when there never seems to be anything on, I have something to look forward to -- SNL!!! It starts September 25 with favorite funny lady Amy Poehler as host and Katy Perry as the musical guest.

The next four guests (musical guests have not been announced) will be: 

 Bryan Cranston
10/2/2010

 Jane Lynch

10/9/2010

Emma Stone

10/23/2010

Jon Hamm

Halloween Show
10/30/2010

Really, I love Jon Hamm hosting SNL. Last year when he hosted for the second time, it was the night before my birthday and the musical guest was Michael Buble. Talk about the best way to kick off a birthday!! The first time he hosted was with one of my favorite groups EVER, Coldplay. I can only imagine what this year's episode will be...a resurrection of The Beatles? He is amazingly funny, and one of my favorite episodes of all time is his first show, the Halloween episode. One skit makes me laugh every single time -- The Vincent Price Halloween Special: 

2010 Fall TV Premiere Schedule

I'm a bona fide couch potato. The DVR is my best friend. While I love summer, I love fall even more because, you guessed it, my fave television shows are back! This year, I am jumping on the Glee bandwagon since I seem to be the only one left who has never seen an episode. In case you don't know when your favorite show starts, here is a 2010 Fall Premiere Schedule, which I got from TV by the numbers:

****Be sure to check your listings for time zones, as they were not mentioned on the site.****

Show	Net	Date	Time
90210	CW	September 13, 2010	8:00p
$#*! My Dad Says New	CBS	September 23, 2010	8:30p
30 Rock	NBC	September 23, 2010	8:30p
48 Hours Mystery	CBS	September 25, 2010	10:00p
60 Minutes	CBS	September 26, 2010	7:30p
60 Minutes – time slot premiere	CBS	October 3, 2010	7:00p
Amazing Race	CBS	September 26, 2010	8:30p
Amazing Race- time slot premiere	CBS	October 3, 2010	8:00p
American Dad	Fox	October 3, 2010	9:30p
America’s Funniest Home Videos	ABC	October 3, 2010	7:00p
America’s Next Top Model	CW	September 8, 2010	8:00p
Apprentice, The	NBC	September 16, 2010	10:00p
Better With You New	ABC	September 22, 2010	8:30p
Big Bang Theory, The	CBS	September 23, 2010	8:00p
Biggest Loser, The	NBC	September 21, 2010	8:00p
Blue Bloods New	CBS	September 24, 2010	10:00p
Blue Mountain State	SPIKE	October 20, 2010	?
Boardwalk Empire New	HBO	September 19, 2010	9:00p
Bones	Fox	September 23, 2010	8:00p
Bored to Death	HBO	September 26, 2010	10:00p
Brothers & Sisters	ABC	September 26, 2010	10:00p
Castle	ABC	September 20, 2010	10:00p
Chase New	NBC	September 20, 2010	10:00p
Chuck	NBC	September 20, 2010	8:00p
Cleveland Show, The	Fox	September 26, 2010	8:30p
Community	NBC	September 23, 2010	8:00p
Cougar Town	ABC	September 22, 2010	9:30p
Criminal Minds	CBS	September 22, 2010	9:00p
CSI	CBS	September 23, 2010	9:00p
CSI: Miami	CBS	October 3, 2010	10:00p
CSI: NY	CBS	September 24, 2010	9:00p
Dancing With the Stars	ABC	September 20, 2010	8:00p
Defenders, The New	CBS	September 22, 2010	10:00p
Desperate Housewives	ABC	September 26, 2010	9:00p
Detroit 1-8-7  New	ABC	September 21, 2010	10:00p
Dexter	Sho	September 26, 2010	9:00p
Eastbound & Down	HBO	September 26, 2010	10:30p
Event, The New	NBC	September 20, 2010	9:00p
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition	ABC	September 26, 2010	8:00p
Family Guy	Fox	September 26, 2010	9:00p
Friday Night Lights (DirecTV Only)	DTV	October 27, 2010	9:00p
Fringe	Fox	September 23, 2010	9:00p
Glee	Fox	September 21, 2010	8:00p
Good Guys, The	Fox	September 24, 2010	9:00p
Good Wife, The	CBS	September 28, 2010	10:00p
Gossip Girl	CW	September 13, 2010	9:00p
Grey’s Anatomy	ABC	September 23, 2010	9:00p
Hawaii Five-0 New	CBS	September 20, 2010	10:00p
Hellcats New	CW	September 8, 2010	9:00p
Hell’s Kitchen	Fox	September 22, 2010	8:00p
House	Fox	September 20, 2010	8:00p
How I Met Your Mother	CBS	September 20, 2010	8:00p
Human Target	Fox	October 1, 2010	8:00p
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia	FX	September 16, 2010	10:00p
Law & Order: Los Angeles New	NBC	September 29, 2010	10:00p
Law & Order: SVU	NBC	September 22, 2010	9:00p
League, The	FX	September 16, 2010	10:30p
Life Unexpected	CW	September 14, 2010	9:00p
Lone Star New	Fox	September 20, 2010	9:00p
Luther New	BBCA	October 24, 2010	10:00p
Medium	CBS	September 24, 2010	8:00p
Mentalist, The	CBS	September 23, 2010	10:00p
Middle, The	ABC	September 22, 2010	8:00p
Mike & Molly New	CBS	September 20, 2010	9:30p
Modern Family	ABC	September 22, 2010	9:00p
My Generation New	ABC	September 23, 2010	8:00p
NCIS	CBS	September 21, 2010	8:00p
NCIS: Los Angeles	CBS	September 21, 2010	9:00p
Nikita New	CW	September 9, 2010	9:00p
No Ordinary Family New	ABC	September 28, 2010	8:00p
Office, The	NBC	September 23, 2010	9:00p
One Tree Hill	CW	September 14, 2010	8:00p
Outlaw New	NBC	September 15, 2010	10:00p
Outlaw - time slot premiere	NBC	September 24, 2010	10:00p
Outsourced New	NBC	September 23, 2010	9:30p
Parenthood	NBC	September 14, 2010	10:00p
Private Practice	ABC	September 23, 2010	10:00p
Raising Hope New	Fox	September 21, 2010	9:00p
Rules of Engagement	CBS	September 20, 2010	8:30p
Running Wilde New	Fox	September 21, 2010	9:30p
Sanctuary	Syfy	October 15, 2010	10:00p
School Pride New	NBC	October 15, 2010	8:00p
Simpsons, The	Fox	September 26, 2010	8:00p
Smallville	CW	September 24, 2010	8:00p
Sons of Anarchy	FX	September 7, 2010	10:00p
Stargate Universe	Syfy	September 28, 2010	9:00p
Supernatural	CW	September 24, 2010	9:00p
Suvivor: Nicaragua	CBS	September 15, 2010	8:00p
Terriers New	FX	September 8, 2010	10:00p
The Apprentice	NBC	September 16, 2010	10:00p
The Big Bang Theory	CBS	September 23, 2010	8:00p
The Biggest Loser	NBC	September 21, 2010	8:00p
The Cleveland Show	Fox	September 26, 2010	8:30p
The Defenders New	CBS	September 22, 2010	10:00p
The Event New	NBC	September 20, 2010	9:00p
The Good Guys	Fox	September 24, 2010	9:00p
The Good Wife	CBS	September 28, 2010	10:00p
The League	FX	September 16, 2010	10:30p
The Mentalist	CBS	September 23, 2010	10:00p
The Middle	ABC	September 22, 2010	8:00p
The Office	NBC	September 23, 2010	9:00p
The Simpsons	Fox	September 26, 2010	8:00p
The Vampire Diaries	CW	September 9, 2010	8:00p
The Whole Truth New	ABC	September 22, 2010	10:00p
Two and a Half Men	CBS	September 20, 2010	9:00p
Undercover Boss	CBS	September 26, 2010	10:00p
Undercover Boss	CBS	October 3, 2010	9:00p
Undercover New	NBC	September 22, 2010	8:00p
Vampire Diaries, The	CW	September 9, 2010	8:00p
Walking Dead New	AMC	October 31, 2010	10:00p
Whole Truth, The New	ABC	September 22, 2010	10:00p