Negative Space + #manicuremonday

Even though I've picked up a second job, and could now afford to go get my nails done, I love doing my own nails!  Not only can you save tons of money (a regular mani on Long Island can be around $20, and if you have acrylic, it could be around $50 if you have to get a fill in too!), plus I love the sense of accomplishment when people are surprised to find out I did my nails myself!

You can use a lot of things that you have laying around your house to create an awesome mani.  My favorite go-to?  Scotch tape!  You can get so creative with your nail art using plain old tape.

Using: Essie 'Tuck It in My Tux' + 'Devil's Advocate'

1.  Nail prep:  Remove all old nail polish, push back and cut cuticles if needed, cut and shape nails (I like to rinse off my hands to get any left over polish remover off and dust from filing my nails my nails to ensure a smoother, nicer looking mani).  Apply a base coat (just 1; too many layers and your nails will chip quicker!).

2.  After everything is completely dry (not even tacky to the touch), cut 20 strips of tape for the stripes (I had to use packing tape because for some mysterious reason we had absolutely no more scotch tape in the house, lol; but I'd suggest regular scotch tape); better to pre-cut beforehand than as you go because you'll wind up ruining your manicure (nothing ruins a mani like having to start all over again).

3. Likewise, it's easier to put all the tape for the first stripe on at the same time.  Place one strip of tape on each nail on a diagonal.  Always use the lightest shade of the two, first.  Paint two coats of polish and let dry completely.  Peel off the tape, and make sure first color is completely dry before moving on to the second color (otherwise when you pull the tape up, the first color will be pulled up with it).

4.  Now, place tape in the opposite direction, also on a diagonal, of the first stripe.  Using the second, darker shade, paint two coats and let dry.

5. You can stop here, after you put on the top coat.  Oooor, you can continue on to add a little bit of edginess and sparkle!

6. Add a drop of nail glue or clear polish towards your cuticle (in the center), and place one stud (so that one of the corners points up, like a diamond), and cover with a clear coat (I like to cover all the sides too, for extra hold).  Repeat for each nail, and voila!

You can check out my other manicure DIYs here:

What A Stud

Good As Gold

Star Studded

Tape It

Stellar Manicure

Happy Holidays

Sparkle and Shine

Pearls, on pearls, on gold

Shamrocks and Studs
Sprinkles

Check out my Pinterest board (follow me at @classicallycait!) here for more inspiration:

Lilly Pulitzer x Target

Mark your calendars ladies, because the Lilly Pulitzer for Target collection arrives April 19!  For those of you who thought that Lilly Pulitzer was out of your reach, you'll now be able to enjoy the bright patterns and fun details of Lilly without putting a dent in your wallet--and just in time for summer too!  I love the bright, clean whites and colorful prints that remind me of a tropical paradise (makes me want to book an island getaway ASAP!).  And the gold details, man am I a sucker for gold details (especially the cute pineapple accents that show up on a couple of the pieces!).

We do still have a few weeks to actually be able to shop the collection, so until then you can check out the look book here!

These (Upstream) Challis PomPom shorts are definitely at the top of my wish list!  The color, pattern, and most importantly the pompoms, are just screaming my name.  They're just so fun and could most certainly become a strong summer staple!

Here's the rest of my Lilly x Target wish list (a girl can dream, right?):

 Crochet Crop Top// (Upstream) Weekend Bag

Gold Wedge Espadrilles // Gold Pineapple Sandals

"Forget Me Nots" // "First Timer" // "Borrowed & Blue"

A girl can never have too many Essie polishes, and these fresh shades are perfect for spring/summer manicures!

Outdoor Blanket // Porcelain Pineapple Serving Bowl // Woven Basket with Fabric Bands 

This collection is definitely getting me pumped for warmer weather, and I love that the collection isn't limited to just clothes!  The beauty and home goods section is just as amazing!

What I really love about this collection is that while I normally can't afford Lilly, this collection with Target is right in my price range!  The Challis shorts (shown above) are only $24, so I'm definitely scooping those up!  And their dresses?  Under $40!  You just can't beat it.  Lilly for Target lets you get the designer look, and still stay within your budget (isn't it a great feeling to find nice things that don't empty your wallet?).  And even better than that?  The collection also offers plus size pieces!  Even though I don't wear plus size myself, I think it's wonderful that collections such as this one, caters to women of all sizes.

I have a feeling things are going to go fast, so when April 19 rolls around, be ready to go go go!  Plus, some of the items should be available online, so get your mouse ready to go!

What do you guys think of the Lilly x Target collaboration?

Sparkle & Shine

This Manicure Monday I combined my two favorite nail art designs: the half moon and a super sparkly accent nail.  To keep my mani from looking too busy, I kept the three polishes I used within the same color palette.  

Polishes I used:

• Sally Hansen "Miracle nail thickener" (base coat)
• Essie "Chinchilly"
• Essie "Jazzy Jubilant"
• Essie "For the Twill of it All"
• Spoiled "X-Ray Vision" (used as a top coat)

Can I just say that I love these colors together!  There's something almost magical about them; the shimmer of the "For the Twill of it All" and the sparkle of the"Jazzy Jubilant", and the "Chinchilly" pulls them together for one awesome manicure! :)

1. Base coat.  One coat, and let it dry completely.

2. Start with your base polish.  I used Essie's "Chinchilly"; two coats.  I typically give a few minutes between coats to allow for the polish to settle; I think the polish dries nicer and it looks smoother overall.

3.  Sticker time!  To create the half moon, I used little smiley stickers from Dollar Tree.  Apply them to every nail (I usually use three for each of my thumbs) except the ring fingers.  Make sure your polish isn't tacky, and that it's completely dry.  The sticker will leave behind some residue and even parts of the sticker itself when you pull if off.

4.  Apply two coats of your second color, I used Essie's "For the Twill of It All".  Again, let the polish dry in between coats.

5. When the polish is completely dry, peel off the stickers.  I pull them off from side to side, instead of straight off; they come off easier and it's rare that you'll pull off any polish that way.

(I don't know what was happening with my mani today, but the stickers I always use kept sticking to my polish)

6.  Next comes sparkle!  I used Essie's "Jazzy Jubilant" because it really works well with "Chinchilly" and "For the Twill of it All".  When I use a glittery polish, allowing the polish to dry between coats is especially important.  Allowing drying time in-between coats allows you to get more coverage and less bumps and clumps (I did 3 coats).

7.  Finish off with a top coat, one coat will do it.  Too many coats of polish will make your mani chip quicker.


This manicure did take some time to do (20+ minutes), but if you take a little extra time it will definitely show!  :)

Check out my other manicures!

What A Stud // Good As Gold // Star Studded // Tape It // Stellar Manicure