I have a long-standing date with myself. Every weekend. For one whole hour. It is a cherished self-pampering time. That my husband has grown to accept. Because even though he doesn’t get any enjoyment out of it, he knows that if I don’t get this time to myself, he will have to deal with a very grumpy Stephie. It is my ultimate way to relax after a long week and get ready for the upcoming week. A manicure. Done by me.
How I recovered after getting horribly sunburned on our anniversary trip
- I start with a good chick flick or girly tv show. Some favorite chick flicks: Pride and Prejudice, The Sweetest Thing, or Bridget Jones. Some favorite girly TV shows: Samantha Who or Kath and Kim (Seriously do you watch this show? It is so amazingly funny).
- Then I remove my old nail polish. With good professional nail polish remover. This is important. Because the cheap stuff will dry out your skin, cuticles, and nails. And that is no good.
- Apply cuticle oil (whatever you have. I use the kind that my mom got from that crazy guy in the mall who grabs your hand and tries to put lotion on you. Don’t know who I’m talking about? Then nevermind, just use whatever) and push your cuticles back with a cuticle stick (also called orange stick).
- File your nails so that they are even and all nails are the same length. I also buff mine so that they do not have ridges.
- Go over your nails one more time with nail polish remover. This is my own little trick to remove the cuticle oil, so the nail polish will be able to stick to the nail. It also helps clean off anything left from filing your nails.
- Get toes ready with the oh-so-stylish toe separators
- Start with a thin layer of base coat. Start with fingernails and end with toes. By the time you finish the last toe, your fingernails should be dry and ready for color.
- Apply nail polish color. My technique is to do one line in the middle of the nail and then brush onto either side. Like this (btw that is sooo not me).
- Apply top coat.
- Then this is the hard part. I used to sit waiting and waiting for my nails to dry completely. This is vital. Otherwise you will end of either smudging it or going to bed and waking up to sheet prints in your polish. But then I discovered drying drops that I will never ever live without again.
- Admire how pretty your nails look and finish your wine.
ohh so purdy
I was trying to think of something to give away for my birthday because I’m super generous like that, but was coming up short. Then I realized how excited I was when I found how freaking amazing awesome Sephora’s new OPI brand of nail polish was. I put it all together because I’m super smart like that. The result:
I am using my birthday as an opportunity to give away my favorite nail products. And believe me, it will change your life forever. Well if you are as superficial as I am. Which ones exactly? Base Coat, a Nail Colour of your choice, Top Coat, and the grand finale drying drops.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET THIS AWESOMENESS?!
First, calm down. Geeze.
Second, go to Sephora’s Nail Colour selection and leave a comment here naming your all-time favorite color they have. Then I will randomly draw a winner on 12/12/2008. Should you win, I will go to Sephora and pick up that color for you! (as long as they have it in stock. If they don’t I will choose one that is similar).
You could win all this! Well that nail colour is mine.. the one that I used the other night.. so you don’t get that one, but something similar! But should you just love the color I got it is “Nonfat Soy Half Caff.” I also have “On Stage” and “BOYBoy.”
Want five extra entries? Post a blog entry sharing this contest with your friends:
I know I’m not the only one who enjoys a perfect manicure. I hope I convert a few more of you.
U.S. and Canada entries only. It would be a sad birthday if I ended up having to spend .5 billion dollars on shipping this to Borneo or something.
I like caffeine fix a la lauren conrad
plus i don’t have a dark purple!
wow they are all awesome colors. i think i like never enough shoes best though.
Caitlyn stole my color….caffeine fix is my FAVORITE, I actually have it on my toes right now (but since I have it already) here is the color that I am would love to have……Nonfat Soy Half Caff — it would be perfect for my fingers.
btw, you are being so giving lately it is inspiring me.
Oh, this is a good contest! I’m totally going to have to enter. Of course if I had KNOWN about it like 2 hours ago when I was already at the mall, I would have stopped at Sephore. Lol. Oh well, guess I’ll have to brave the crowds and go again.
Um, LOVE Colin Firth! Doesn’t Mr. Darcy look even better on a high def big screen tv! Lol. And I love that two of the 3 fave movies you listed have Colin Firth. I see a trend! *sighs* Mr. Darcy! He’s my fave fictional character, followed by my new fave, Edward Cullen. *dreamy sigh*
I do have a question though, do you ever get your toe polish messed up by shoes? I’m asking cause I got a nice French manicure (paid for it), and it was all nice, then the net day I wore black shoes that must have rubbed on my toe nail because I ended up with black rubber mark on my toenail. Not sexy. Wondering if I’m the only one that has happened to.
Ok, see you Monday at work!
Yay! Another contest! I love the Curve-aceous. So Christmassy and warm. And it would look great on my nails! ;o)
I like the color “Let’s Do Lunch.” This is so great, I’ve always tried to give myself manicures/pedicures but I’ve always failed somehow. I’ll have to try your method out.
OMG..I LOVE “note to self”…
I could really use this considering that I just found out I am pregnant with baby number 3 in I have not had a manicure or pedicure in three years (since I was pregnant with baby number 1). My favorite shade would be And Then He Said…(medium mauve brown). Happy Birthday and thanks for the give away.
Cool giveaway! I really like It’s Somewhere in My Purse…
Love this idea. I want to give something away – but I don’t have many readers.
My fave color is: Ms. Can’t Be Wrong
what a super fun idea for a birthday giveaway!! You are spoiling us all, for sure. I must win… I still have yet to win anything. Ever. Also, have I told you lately how BEAUTIFUL you are??? Oh, wait, you said it’s random… never mind.
I realy like How Many Carats. It looks like something I could easily brush on my nails just to give them a bit of pizzazz. I love your manicure tips… I’m really trying to be better about keeping my nails looking nice and pretty, and I need all the help I can get.
Thanks for the giveaway! Yay!
ps. you ARE beautiful, even though it won’t help me win
Okay, I know it seems like I only comment when I want to win something… but… okay, it’s true. I want to win this. Like, badddd. Hopefully all my blog contest luck isn’t gone now that I’m not pregnant because I used to win everything, lol.
Anyway, Pride and Prejudice, YESSSS. I’m so in the mood for sitting for 5.5 hours and soaking in the Colin Firth goodness. I might have to watch that this week and give myself a much needed pedicure.
Oh yes, and my favorite color in the Sephora line is How Cute is That? I always go for peachy pinks.
Great idea for a birthday giveaway! Love you, auntie!
Just found your blog and what great timing! You are having a giveaway. However, the Sephora site won’t let me in. Something about “under construction and check back”. So, should my good luck continue, just choose something beautiful for me!
Love the blog.
Sample Sale! What a weird name… but awesome color!
Brunette on the Internet!
That color is amazing and I also happen to be a brunette on the internet haha
Ok, I’ve been waiting for the damn Sephora site to become available for… EVER. Apparently they’re working on some updates blah, blah, blah. Can I just choose “red”? Anything red, deep red is my favorite and if I could pick a specific one I would, but I can’t keep waiting! This is an awesome contest, I have long nails and love to do my mani/pedi pampering myself to save money. I posted some linkage love on my blog, hope I win!
Happy early Birthday!
Awwwww…. a give away for YOUR birthday??!!! Aren’t you the sweetest!?
Well, since I’m hoping to win… I’m going to give you a couple color options, in case they colors are sold out. Hehehe (wishful thinking that you will pick my name.)
#1 Meet for Drinks
#2 Because I Said So
#3 Mr. Right Now
yay this is so cute! I’m With Brad is my fav
and oooh how i love Mr. Firth
I love this date idea! Holy! That picture looks so relaxing, and the wine corks are adorable. I think we would really get along = )
My fav’s are Metro Chic & I’m With Brad
Un-Manicured fingers crossed!
I can only pick ONE?!? UMMM…OK, I think my fav is allofthem!
Oh wait, no! OK-I like Caffeine Fix. It’s so purdy!!
And YAY! What a GREAT prize! And since we are birthday month buddies, that makes it even more great! HEHE! I’m so stinking excited about those drying drops b/c that’s the main reason I hardly ever paint my fingers b/c it frustrates the dickens out of me when they get messed up! OK-I’ve blabbered enough. Thanks for having this great drawing!
I posted your contest on my blog too!
ooh ooh ooh, I like “call your mother” yay, the best idea ever!
Thanks for the linky love btw!
I love the idea of a birthday giveaway!
I’ve added your product ideas to my Christmas Wishlist…just in case
I love tips for a good manicure…I’m so bad at them.
On the off chance I do win, I like “Brunette on the Internet” & “Because I Said So”
Don’t you know you’re supposed to get gifts on your bday, not give gifts?
You are too sweet! Thanks so much for doing this giveaway! Yay!!!! I’m super excited!
I think my favs are “Domestic Goddess”….”It’s all about me” and “Caffeine Fix”.
Those colors are all so cute! Love em!
This giveaway rocks! Totally blogging it!
One time I found an OPI color that had something about Cabo in the name. I loved that one, it was a bright pink.
Looking at that website, I think my new favorite is I’m with Brad. How appropriate! Is it weird I pick my favorites based on the name and not the color?
Happy birthday and thanks for sharing it with your fans
Oh guuuurrrllll it’s almost your birthday! I really love Mr Right Now. I’m going to have to invest in some of those drying drops. mmmhmmm
My favorite color is Bare To Be Different
Happy Birthday and *Thanks* for the giveaway!
I blogged about the contest:
http://luckyladybug.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/those-corwins-1211/
I love the Wardrobe Change (Shining Cool Rose). I think that would look great with my complexion
I also blogged your contest here: http://mediamafia.org/enter_now/?p=983
Thanks for the great contest
I love for my toes to painted at all times. It just drives me crazy when they are not painted or if they are chipped.
It is really hard for me to just choose one…..I love them all. Here is a list of my fav’s. Shopping Frenzy, Arm Candy, Curve-aceous, and Ms. Can’t Be Wrong….
Thanks for this wonderful giveaway
Happy Birthday:)
My favorite color is “I Need Space”! ~
Thanks for the fun giveaway!
Ooooh, so many colors to choose from. I would love either: It’s All About Me, or Mr Right Now. Thanks!!
Your nails look great girl! Oh, and you pamper like I do, I too love Jane Austen flicks! (and the books!)
My Favorite Is:
And a Cherry on Top
I blogged about your contest.
http://sdsinglegirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/contest-alert.html
Happy Birthday Steph!
I love “Meet For Drinks”! Also, I blogged about your contest:
http://ethereal-red.blogspot.com/2008/12/steph-is-having-b-day-contest.html
Ok, I finally remembered to look at the Sephora website. And I like “Ms. Can’t Be Wrong”. he he. “Meet for Drinks” came in as a close second. Pretty colors. *fingers crossed* I hope I win! I’m excited to bake for Thursday too!
Ooh, a giveaway for YOUR birthday! how terribly sweet of you.
so my favorite colors are Casting Call and Don’t Go There.
I blogged about this (kind of last minute, but I’m a bit slow, you know.
)
Yay, tomorrow is your birthday!!
This is an awesome post – and great contest.
I, too, love “It’s Somewhere in My Purse”
I’m going with “Mr. Right Now.” I’ve been wanting to try a darker color…
bare to be different thanks for the contest
Woowoo! I like “Brainiac” very much! I’m off to post about your contest on my blog now.
By the way, you really should teach me how to make that little window with the html coding in it, for an easy cut and paste. I needs ta know!
This is great — and I deserve a little pampering time too. I would pick Wardrobe Change (shimmering cool rose).
And Happy Birthday..
I like Let’s Do Lunch, it not obnoxious!
http://sarahmariep.blogspot.com/2008/12/scarf-bra-nail-polish-stermps.html
I blogged your contest!
my fave is I’m With Brad
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!! What a super-fun giveaway! I like so many colors, but I think I especially like BYO Boy!
You can’t go wrong with “I’m With Brad” OR Mr. Darcy … this contest just has it all!
You are awesome.
What a fun contest!
For my fingers I love “Bare to be Different” and my second choice, which I’d wear on my toes is “Brunette on the Internet!”
Here is a link to my blog, where I talk about your contest:
http://soxys-diamond.blogspot.com/2008/12/blog-contests.html
Happy Birthday! You are amazingly generous!
Thank you, thank you! (Even if I don’t win, I gained some knowledge from this post!)
I heart “Note to Self”. Beautimous!
And I posted this on my blog so all my friends could join in!