Fan Fridays // Don't Go Topless

On your nails I mean! Don't let your manicure go topless!

As you may know, my fave accessories stores are Claire's & Icing.  In fact, I will hardly buy any accessory from any where else.  I just love their aesthetic & their prices.  Usually, a quick stop includes buying way to many nail polishes (as they are always buy one, get one 50% off).  Then a quick look around the sale section, for sale jewelry, what-nots, & clearance polishes.

Not only do they have vibrant & awesome colors (especially their neon ones for this neon spring trend) but their top coat is amazing.  Seriously, their nail polish is no chip!  Even the top coat is no chip!

Their clear polish is both a base & a top coat.  It runs about $4.50 a bottle, cheaper than the good stuff and really doesn't chip.  Have I said it doesn't chip yet?

The best part is that it will make any polish no chip.  Because it creates such a good seal around the colored polish, you can use it even with cheap brands.  I type all day at work so I hated that sometimes my nails would chip right after painting them.  Its been better since I cut my nails short both for pottery & because it seems to be the trend.

Lately I've been prying up carpet, tack strips, & little staples along with hammering, painting, and plain old moving crap around in the new office.  Here's a sneak peak into what's been going down:

See that manicure? That manicure lasted all day.  From ripping up tack strips to moving things around I had near perfect nails the whole day. (I ripped up 3 rooms of that tack strip + the big hallway..don't mess with me!)  I was excited! This is the best test of all of these polishes.  This demolition was on Wednesday,  & it's Friday now....I still have on this manicure with only a little chipping on the free edge of my nail.  So this stuff is awesome!  Here's what I used:

Icing's Do-It-All Top Coat, Wet n Wild's fastdry in Saved by the Blue, & Icing's Electric Saphire glitter

I applied a thin base coat, making sure that I covered the nail evenly.  Then I started in with the fastdry.  The color is super great (perfect for my Something Blue accessory from this post) & vibrant.  It is a true royal blue.  The only downside to this polish seems to be the quick dry property.  Applying too thin of a coat left the tips of my nail with no polish.  So being heavy handed isn't a bad thing with this polish.   It did dry fast too, even with a bit of a gloppy mess I did on my right hand. My left hand was better.  Since I am all about glitter, I put the Electric Saphire next, which is also no chip. I finished it off with a nice coat of the Icing Top Coat making sure to seal up the edges with a swipe of polish near the tip of my finger.  This is an extra little barrier.

I am totally satisfied with this manicure & these products.  The Icing Top Coat makes me completely confident in whatever polish I wear under it.  When I saw this Wet n Wild display, I was a bit skeptical because I remembered my mother's WnW collection of pinks & reds that always seemed to chip.  I have to mention though, that the WnW polish looked like it may hold up on it's own...so don't just take my word as gospel.  I got mine at Walgreens for I think about $1.99 but other WnW products were on sale for .69 cents.  Are you kidding!! I picked up like 3 other colors!

So, I am just saying that Icing's Top Coat is something I swear by.  In fact I gave my own bottle to Zach's mother after recommending the L'Oreal color Versailles Romance as a good neutral pink nail color.  I am going to need to pick another bottle up!

If you work with your hands & are looking for an affordable top coat that comes in a huge bottle, stop by Icing & pick up their no chip top coat.  Also, style Sodalite Blue this spring with Wet n Wild's Saved by the Blue.  And don't go topless!


ps.  I wanted you to know that I did this post out of my own volition.  I love to find products & recommend them.  So as per this morning's post, I just wanted to let you know that no one asked me to do this...I just wanted to share with you some awesomeness.

Tempted Tuesday // Geode Love

I've recently been really into the look of geodes.  I love the rough cut look but the real thing can be expensive!!!  I've found an alternative in the awesome & affordable chain accessory stores in the mall.

You may know that I used to work for Claire's while in college.  It was the best place to work & I am still hoping to be employed there again sometime soon!  A while ago I found a brown geode necklace & ring on sale & snatched them up.  The ring had a stretchy band, so I don't wear it quite as much because I really prefer metal adjustable bands.  But the necklace is great for creating a natural, earthy look.  The ring was probably originally around $6 & the necklace around $12....but I scored them at 50-75% off.

Let me make an aside right quick: I hardly ever pay full price for things unless I think the full price is fair & reasonable for the item.  For example, the rings listed below I paid or would pay full price for because I think that it's a pretty reasonable price.  I would have rather bought them on sale since I know Claire's/Icing always have great sales.  Any sterling silver jewelry I buy is nearly always buy one get one free or buy one get one half off.  Sales are your friend as well as thrift stores.  The majority of my wardrobe was bought on sale.

(one - Charming Charlie's) (two - Claire's)

Rings // Icing & Charming Charlie's
Dresses //Spotted Moth & Topshot
Other outfit details on Polyvore, see full set here
The perfect natural inspired outfits for play & for work.

On another note, I had to call in sick to to work today because my back is still killing me! I hate missing work, I am such a worry wart.  One, I feel like nothing will get done or something will happen & they won't be able to get by with out me & two, I feel guilty for feeling bad.  I try to convince myself it's not as bad as it is but then I end up feeling worse if I force myself.  So I guess it's one more day in bed for me.

Do you love geodes? What are you transitioning into Spring?

Fan Fridays: Claire's

i mentioned earlier this week on Cross My Hooks my love for Claire's & their new style blog.  Apparently it's been around for about 2 months.  I must say I nearly peed my pants over this.  I love Claire's & I loved (still love) being a part of the team.  I know it may sound kinda of dumb but I really felt like a role model for girls that came in to the store.  I love helping them find the perfect accessory or snatching up a hot style.  But what I really loved was seeing all the accessories! I love jewelry & make up.  And I love helping others.  Perfect fit, eh?

Here's my fan faves for this Friday from Claire's:

Hairbow Headband (perfect for halloween!) @ $7.50

Denim Shoulder Bag @$30 

(perfect for campus wear!)

Snake Cross Body bag @$20

Chiffon Pearl Necklace @$18.50

Now if you are looking for a new wallpaper for your desktop.  I suggest checking out icing.com.  This is the website for Icing by Claire's stores.  I love their room decor!  Check the desktop wall papers here.  I am downloading this one.

If there is one thing I love equally (if not more) than Urban it's Claire's!

PS. Don't forget to check out the link parties in the Side Bar or click here!