Shellac Attack

A few months ago my mum and I decided to give Shellac a try. We headed to Luxe in Yorkville for the most expensive and stellar manicure of my life. 

And now I am unfortunately hooked.

The manicure itself at Luxe is fantastic. They boast a waterless treatment that saves the nails from the damage of soaking in water. Using Love Fresh products that smell and feel wonderful, I experienced none of the complaints that I've had with Love Fresh in the past (greasy and colour staining) which makes me think that I've just come across bad batches of the stuff. My manicurist was truly gentle and made my cuticles and skin look great for weeks. Normally I find manicurist's can get carried away with the cuticle trim and then two days later my hands are red and peeling. Not so cute. Not to mention how quiet Luxe is. Lets be honest; I spend all day talking to clients. When I am one, it's my time to just keep quiet and turn my brain off. I appreciate when someone allows me to do that. 

Here's the DL on Shellac. It's a UV cured nail polish. Applied only in salons. And the big deal - it lasts two weeks. As in, it stays on your nails. Your nails don't become weak. And it doesn't chip, nick or scratch off. Oh yeah... and as soon as it's cured (which takes like... thirty seconds!) it's dry. Like super hard dry. Like stick your hand in purse to get your wallet dry. Like do the dishes that night dry. Not that I would know about that last one....

The downside, and the reason I consider myself unfortunately hooked, is the cost. I'm not a regular manicure type of girl. I do way more mani's at home and I do a decent job. But Shellac is only available in salon which makes it cost more. 

The second time I had shellac on my nails was a week ago (and it's still just as glossy and beautiful as it is in the pictures) was at a salon in Scarborough and only cost $35. The didn't even charge me for the reverse french mani! Woot woot Scarborough!!!

So go do it? K?

xoxo

I love Sundays. And organising.

I have been working less Sundays recently... not quite sure how that happened but I'm enjoying it all the same. Now that all the craziness at my house is over and done with (for now) I'm actually able to appreciate these Sundays off. Which has perfectly coincided with the beautiful Toronto weather.

This morning started off sweet and slow with a spot of brunch with the Mister. Followed by a big ol' waffle cone filled with a giant scoop of chocolate peanut butter ice cream. Nothing is better than chocolate peanut butter ice cream. Nothing. K?

My favourite gal, Heather, and I had plans to check out cross stitch supplies for a blossoming new hobby but once we set foot in the local Michaels, my mind wandered elsewhere.

Here's the thing... I love love love organising. That is not to say I am always organised, but please know, my intentions are good. Whenever I get to a Michaels (which is seldom) I head to the little bins that hold little things and think of ways to fill them with the little things I have. Which is often makeup or hair related. The scrapbook section always has the nicest looking little thing holders!

Today I picked up a little acrylic box with little acrylic jars in it that is meant to hold beads. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had found my loose colours a new home.

Here's the other thing... loose pigments, though I love them, never join me on jobs because they make such a terrible mess. Without fail, one lid will be loose and the next time I open my kit, everything is green. Or gold. Or some other form of way too shiny. I only take them on specific creatives and I generally keep them in a closed bag, in a plastic bag, in my purse. Far far away from the trappings of my kit.

But now... they have a home.

See?

Yes. I have four different shades of white. And no. For some reason, I have zero purples. There are five more spaces that will be full or purples/ blacks. Realistically, the jars are the same (just smaller) as the OCC jars. But it's the box that they are contained it which holds the magic. Because now when I absent mindedly screw a lid on without ensuring it is tight, the rectangular box lid won't close. And if it does, it will hold the exploded colour within it. No green kit. 

Oh yeah. Then Heather and I got pretzels.

<3