Thursday, January 30, 2014

beauty tips: perfecting the at-home manicure


We've been getting manicures at the salon for years, but because of our hectic schedules (and our fears of the dreaded post-manicure polish chip!) we decided to try our hand at mastering the perfect at-home mani! Here are our tips to help you get salon-quality results at home.


What you'll need: Your favorite polish, a base & top coat (we used Chanel Polish in Bel-Argus, Deborah Lippmann "Fast Girls" Base Coat, Deborah Lippmann "Fast Girls" Top Coat), orangewood sticks, a nail file, a nail buffer, hand soap, a small bowl, warm water, hand cream, nail polish remover, cotton pads, and a nail clipper.

Step 1: Clip your nails to a desired length if needed, then file and buff your nails.


Step 2: In a small bowl filled with warm water and a squirt of gentle hand soap (nothing antibacterial, it's too harsh on hands), soak your nails for a few minutes to soften your cuticles.

Step 3: Remove hands from water and use your orangewood stick to gently press your cuticles back while your cuticles are still soft. Then take your favorite hand cream and massage it onto your hands.

Step 4: Take a cotton pad with a little polish remover and rub each nail to create a clean slate for your manicure.


Step 5: Carefully apply a thin coat of base coat to your nails.


Step 6: Let the base coat dry for about a minute, then apply your first, thin coat of nail polish. The trick is to do three brush strokes per nail: start with one line straight down the middle of the nail, getting as close to the base of the nail as possible (try your best not to touch the cuticle with the nail polish), then slowly polish each side. The important thing is to go slow and take your time. If any polish gets on your skin, do not touch it, we will get this off afterwards.

After this first coat, the nails do not have to look perfect - the polish should not be fully opaque. Try to keep it in the lines, but make sure that the first coat is not too thick.


Step 7: For the second coat, use the same technique as the first coat of polish - paint the nails in three sections. This coat should be thin as well, but if you aren't using a sheer polish, the nails should be fully opaque after the second coat. If the polish is not opaque, do one more thin coat if you feel this is necessary.

Step 8: Apply a thin layer of your top coat on the nail, making sure to get across the tip of the nail as well. The top coat will act as both a top coat to the nails and as a polish remover for any color that got on your skin or wherever polish is not desired.


Step 9: Wherever you got polish on the skin, completely cover the area with the top coat. Using the tip of orangewood stick, lightly press and drag the stick towards the tip of your finger, and voilĂ , your nails should be all cleaned up and finished!

Make sure you let your nails air dry for a good thirty minutes before doing anything that could possibly cause a smudge!

This post originally appeared on Daily Makeover! Check it out here




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Monday, January 27, 2014

gluten free chocolate chip cookie dough bites


Confession: I love cookie dough even more than cookies in their baked form. It wasn't until Sally whipped me up a batch of cookie dough bites that I could (safely!) indulge in what was formerly a rather risky pleasure (yes, I've braved raw eggs. Judge me). Here's a gluten free version of Sally's recipe that's every bit as yummy as the original:


Step 1: Mix together the butter and sugars in a large bowl.
Step 2: Mix in the oat bran and chocolate chips.
Step 3: Using your hands, form the mixture into a dough, and shape into the little bites.
Step 4: Enjoy!



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Thursday, January 23, 2014

outfit anatomy: dressing for the cold


As a seasoned Northeasterner, I've experienced my fair share of frigid temps and ever-dreaded snow. I've resorted to puffy coats and weatherproof boots far too many times to mention, and usually let style fall by the wayside when winter works its powdery magic.

But when looking like a bundled up marshmallow simply won't do, here is my recipe for cold weather outfit perfection that is every bit as warm and toasty as its bulkier counterpart:


brooks brothers camel hair coat (available here)
gap sweater (men's)
plush fleece lined leggings (available here)
zara booties (similar)
asos beanie (available here)
knit fingerless gloves
alexander wang lia bag (available here)


How do you stay warm when cold weather strikes?




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Tuesday, January 21, 2014

comfortable & elegant with cooper & ella


angela deep v top in ivory c/o cooper & ella
asos uber high waist denim jeans (available here)
brooks brothers camel hair coat (available here)
chanel earrings


I recently shared my tips on how to stay elegant (and comfortable!) with cooper & ella. Check out my three tips here, and share any other tips you have in the comments below!




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Wednesday, January 15, 2014

d.i.y. monogrammed laptop case


Continuing on in our pursuit of prettiness, I set my sights on my laptop, which was looking a little bare. I decided to glam it up a bit with some of our favorite things: monograms, pictures of some of our favorite people, and glitter! Here's a super simple guide to make one yourself:


What You'll Need: A clear snap-on laptop case, a monogram decal, Duck Glitter Tape, a picture collage (use actual pictures, or make one on your computer and print one out - measure your laptop screen beforehand and keep the collage within those dimensions), tape, and scissors


Step 1: Tape together your picture collage if needed.

Step 2: Stick the monogram decal to the center of your picture collage
(center it before sticking it to ensure proper placement!)

Step 3: Using the glitter tape, place the picture collage picture-side down inside the laptop case. Tape around the border of the picture collage, letting the tape curl under the rounded edges of the laptop case, and trimming it to fit where needed.

That's it! Snap the case on and enjoy!



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Monday, January 6, 2014

living in leggings


zara coat (similar), asos sweater (similar), xersion leggings (available here),
gucci guccissima hi-top sneakers (available here), prada bag (available here)

I can't lie - after the bar exam, I had a serious problem transitioning back to normal clothes (you know, those that are not sweatpants/pajamas). I've since come to realize that there's nothing wrong with being a little comfy all the time. Be it in flats, an oversized sweater, or - dare I say it - leggings.

Now I'm totally of the "leggings are not pants" school. But, I'm also a firm believer that when styled properly, leggings can be a worthy substitute. The key is the length of your top - it must be on the longer side. For instance, when paired with hi-top sneakers and a chunky sweater (above), or a tunic-length button-down and booties (below), leggings pass quite convincingly (and comfortably!) as most structured, street-ready garments.


zara coat (similar), polo ralph lauren buffalo plaid pullover shirt (available here), xersion leggings (available here),
zara neoprene high heel ankle boot (available here), prada bag (available here)

So where do you stand? Leggings or no leggings?

..Now transitioning out of this coat, that's another story. #Obsessed



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