Shopping Diet: Day 4 of 60

 My ridiculous return pile

< 50% of my jewelry

Beauty products I gave away

As I write this I'm visualizing all my overflowing drawers, cabinets, and storage space full of stuff.  Ranging from hardly used make-up, skincare, and haircare to candles, makeup, shoes, stationary, gadgets, leggings, and list goes on and on and on. The clutter just never ends and I'm totally overwhelmed.
 There's a corner of my living room dedicated to things I need to return from Rue La La, Hautelook, Amazon and Ideeli (as seen above).  It literally looks like a stack of trash.  Actually, Mr. Granola recently put an empty milk carton on top of my "return stack" thinking it was the recycling pile.  How sad.  At least $200 worth of merchandise is mistaken for garbage. 
I've decided to chronicle my 60 day shopping diet, here on my blog, with my readers.  
As a child, I would have an underlying joy and sense of happiness that would last for days after my parents took me to Sanrio or Mervyn's-- the usual places a 6 year old in the 80's would shop.  Thinking back, it's probably my first experience of that "shopping high," the same feeling I get to this day when I click "buy" or rip open a box that has arrived at my door-- most of the time where I can't even recall its contents.
Before I turned 30, I accomplished my goal of paying off the debt.  A goal I cannot take credit for, because as I realized, I was overjoyed by the act of shopping.  Mr. Granola really helped manage my money and forever grateful I've learned to spend only "cash."  Over the past year I've learned many important shopping lessons and really stuck by them.  Except what do you do when "everything" goes with 5 pieces in your closet, or when "everything" is on discount?  
Although I've given myself an allowance each month, I've managed to fall for the hype of the YouTube beauty gurus "Monthly Favorites," latest season must haves, newest subscription site, and once-a-year-deals I can't live without. I can honestly say I don't need another darn thing.
So as we've all heard-- first step is admitting you have a problem.  Although I'll have some recent online purchases trickle in, I have officially started my shopping diet on July 1st!

Sneak Peek: Happy Keyboard

Step-by-step DIY tutorial here.

Gradient Ombre Gelish Manicure in Pinks w/ Martha Stewart Craft Glitter

  

  

Thank you everyone for all the "pins" on Pinterest and all the interest generated from my First Ombre Glitter Manicure.  I suppose with the monster pack of Martha Stewart glitter I should just try all the color combos possible.

For my second attempt, I decided to use 4 colors and I think it came out pretty well.  

To my surprise, these last 10+ days and stayed super sparkly.  The great thing about Gelish (or any gel polish) is it doesn't chip and if you feel your manicure is getting "dull," just apply another top coat to bring it back to life.  What a miracle product!

For the tutorial, please click here.

Day 7 of DIY Ombre Glitter Manicure (Gelish/Shellac polish)

Day 7 of this manicure and still going strong!  I looooove Gelish.

I can't quite capture the bling, but it's truly blinding.

Farewell 2011- Thanks for the Lessons Learned

2011 was a whirlwind year to say the least.  Not to touch too much on my personal life, I wanted to list some of my milestones and lessons learned as they pertain to my blog.  Please check out the links for reference.

1)  I learned how to dress smarter.
Really, before starting this blog, I was at war with my closet on a daily basis.  I had "set outfits" in my closet (and in my head)- meaning I didn't understand the concept of remixing.  At all.  I had a pair of pants I knew would go with a shirt, a shirt I knew would match with a pair of pants, and that was it.  That was my #1 mistake--that and buying trendy pieces that would either fall apart or go out of style in a blink of an eye.

Now I have a rule when shopping:
Only buy things I can wear 5 different ways.  This is where Granola2Glam comes into play- I should be able to wear it casual, dressy, to happy hour, to brunch, and so forth.  If in my head I can't imagine 5 ways to wear it, I put it back on the shelf.

2) Implement the 80/20 rule. Always.
80% of my closet should consist of my staples.  Through purging all my junk clothes, I've spent the majority of the year stocking my closet with staples.  It felt great- almost like a clean slate to build on.
20% of my closet could be allocated to my impulse buys- stupid trendy things that I convinced myself in the moment I could not live without.

Why did I buy this masterpiece?

80% of my closet should consist of sale, clearance, thrifted, or sample sale pieces.  This was key in staying within budget.  I doubt everyone needs to shop in the sale section, but I need to.  And that's reality, so I am firm on this rule.
20% of my closet could be allocated to full price items.  Like the time I visited Paris for the 1st time and treated myself to my 1st Louis Vuitton at the Champs Elysees flagship store.  To me, it was a once in a lifetime experience and yep that counts.  (but really it was way cheaper than buying in the US after the 12% VAT refund). LOL.

Ah, the mothership!

3) Pay cash* for everything.
I was thrilled to pay off all my credit card debt this past year- it was such an exhilarating feeling.  I swore from then on, I would not charge anything.  So I was shocked when with some self-discipline I was able to save and start a little collection of timeless investments for myself.  Yes, that includes my IRA and 401K, but it also includes these guys.  Oh, but don't pay full-price, fashion babe.  Buy pre-owned.

If I could speak to my 21-year-old-self, I would say cut up those credit cards!  If you are reading this and in debt, you may enjoy this motivating article from Feather Factor.  Try not to buy fashion items on credit...it's a snowball effect and you will be buried before you know it.
* cash: meaning money in the bank via check card, Paypal or whatever, not virtual money on a credit card.

4) Accessorize.  Accessories make the outfit.
I was clueless of the endless possibilities of color-coordinated accessories pre-2011.  They do wonders and I swear by it.  Best part is accessories can be a low-budget part of your wardrobe.  Forever 21, H&M, Etsy, and so forth...go on and splurge on these goodies-- they will go a long way.

Invest in some shoes and accesories

My brooches

5) The blogging community rocks!

I started blogging because I no longer wanted to wear pajamas everyday and needed an outlet to share my efforts in getting dressed everyday.  Little did I know what a fun experience I would undergo.  From joining The Purse Forum, Bloggers Do It Better, to Everybody Everywear, I find inspiration from the blogging community everyday.  It's been a joy and I thank my readers who have stuck it with me this year. 

I wish you all a very Happy New Year and may you have the time to reflect on your lessons learned and the journey you hope to take next year. 

HAPPY 2012 EVERYONE! 

What were your lessons learned?

Ombré Glitter Bling Gelish Manicure

 I put my "professional" work nails away and gave myself the wildest holiday manicure ever.  I am loooooving my new Gelish goodies purchased from Amazon.  Since trying Sephora nail glitter, I thought, why couldn't I use craft glitter?  So I headed to my local art supply shop and grabbed this monster pack of Martha Stewart glitter for $15 (after 20% sale).

Inspired by this JCrew Sequin skirt (here and here) I attempted the very trendy ombre look and here is the result!  

I was so concentrated on this manicure project, I regret not taking in-process photos.  I will list step by step instructions below, but trust that next time I do this I will take in-process photos to share.

glitter polish at Beso.com

Beso.comAds by

All links below are to the exact products I use.  Again, I follow these steps one (1) hand at a time- rather than alternating between hands. I find working on one (1) hand all the way through the process avoids many clumsy goof-ups.
Step 1:  give yourself a standard manicure- cuticles, file, trim, etc.
Step 2: rub nail beds with rubbing alcohol.  Then apply ph bond.
Step 3:  apply base gel and cure in lamp for 1 minute.
Step 4:  apply thin coat of Vegas Nights- cure for 1 minute.
Step 5:  using an old eyeshadow brush, apply silver* glitter to all fingers.  Then apply gold glitter to all fingers, then copper.  Allow some of the glitter to overlap to create the gradient look illustrated here.
Step 6: apply another coat of Vegas Night over entire nail bed.  At this point, you should have 3 shades of glitter on each nail- cure for 2 minutes.
Step 7:  Apply 2 coats of Top it Off- cure 1 minute each coat.
* the silver I used on my nails is actually NYX Disco Ball #23 glitter from Urban Outfitters.

Thanks for checking out my holiday manicure and let me know if you have any suggestions for my next nail project.
Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!
**UPDATE:  see Day 7 of this manicure here

First DIY Gelish Manicure (Shellac type polish)

After my Blingy Chanel Manicure, I was on the search for a Shellac or Gel Polish option that would last longer than 3-4 days.  I know my local nail salon charges at least $30 for a gel polish manicure without any glitter or additional designs.  Thanks to the ladies of TPF Nail Care forum, I was able to find all the supplies needed to try doing this at home.

My total order was less than $80, which will pay for itself after 2-3 DIY manicures.
Helpful links:  Gelish Color Swatches ThreadGelish General Knowledge Thread
Although intimidating at first, it was easy to get the hang of and I've already practiced on a few girlfriends.
Here are the supplies I purchased from Amazon:

1) Gelish Foundation Base Gel 2) Gelish Pink Smoothies  3) Gelish Top It Off Sealer  4) UV Nail Lamp

Note: I follow these steps one (1) hand at a time- rather than alternating between hands.  I find working on one (1) hand all the way through the process avoids many clumsy goof-ups.
First:  Trim, File and prep your nails to remove any cuticles that may be growing on the nail bed.  With rubbing alcohol, remove any excess oils/moisturizers from your nails.
Second:  Apply 1 coat of Foundation Base Gel- cure for 1 min. 

 I wear rubber gloves with the tips cut off to avoid any pre-mature aging

 

Third:  Apply a thin coat of gel nail color of choice. Cure for 2 mins- repeat for a 2nd coat. I used Gelish Pink Smoothie this time.  If the color seems uneven, don't worry too much, the curing process will level out the color.  

  Fourth:  After curing your last color coat, use an old lip brush to apply desired glitter to the tips or in any pattern you like.

Note: I used Sephora Nail Glitter, but any arts & crafts glitter will do.  In fact, visiting a stationary/ scrap booking store will give you many glitter color options.

Here's a picture of left hand application of glitter:

Here's a picture of right hand application of glitter (a bit harder to capture):

 Fifth:  Apply two (coats) of top coat and cure each for 2 minutes.

Note: the glitter will shift around during top coat application.

Here is the finished look.

Since completing my first DIY Gelish Manicure, I've purchased more colors and look forward to sharing more manicure ideas with you!

Here's my Holiday Nail Project if you'd like to see another glitter concept.

Blingy Chanel 527 Self Manicure

I am obsessed with this blog, by Bisou Lounge in Oakland.  They've done an amazing job on my nails before, but I'm afraid I can't be a regular customer because of other "maintenance" things I have going on.

I tried doing an "at home" version of a Tiffany box inspired look.  As I type, my self-manicaure is on Day 3 and holding up very well :)

So much so, I decided to buy Gelish soak off gel polish with the UV lamp from Amazon to keep up my at home manicures and save some moolah.

If you need some help with either Gelish or Shellac suggestions, the ladies over at TPF Nailcare forum have been amazing!

Above are the tools I used (not picture: 100% acetone).  I use the brush dipped in acetone to shape the blue  tips.  Seche Vite is also the BEST and ONLY top coat I ever use...believe me.

SHOP:  Chanel 527 (similar)  /  Seche Vite top coat  /  Sephora nail glitter