Mani Monday | Be More Pacific

While I wish I could be as Pacific as dré, this new Wet n Wild color will have to do! If you recall, I picked up this color during that ultra sale I mentioned here. This is the first time I've worn it and I must say the color's lovely! A fun teal, not too green, easy application and quick to dry. 

Now if I only had some sand...

Can't wait to be reunited with you, dré, for an all-new drédin adventure! 

Let the countdown for my Honolulu visit commence!

xo | din

color | Be More Pacific by Wet n Wild 

(Note: This color stains nails, be sure to use a basecoat! Color lasts approx 5 days.)

Mani Monday | Blvck

Believe me when I tell you, Oahn at Rex Day Spa in Falls Church, VA is the real deal. I may have mentioned before that I've been painting my nails since I was 4 so, needless to say, I'm very particular about my manicures! Truthfully, I've never been completely satisfied until now.

About my nails:
My good friend Bridget is a nail diva and after seeing her wear this half moon design earlier in the year, I knew that I wanted to replicate it. Soon after two failed attempts (one mine and the other at a salon), I decided to get a name: Oahn. For my appointment, I requested the half moon design and Erin Fetherston's NYFW Fall 2015 accent nail. Basically altering two inspirations to make them my own. My nails were prepped to my liking (she even patched up a snag!), and the nail art was skillfully completed with precision.

I usually don't paint with gel colors or shellac because it lasts at least 2-weeks, and I get bored quickly. But, I love, love, love my nails! What do you think?

xo | din

polish | GelColor by OPI
manicure | Oahn at Rex Day Spa

Mani Monday | Emerald Fitzgerald

Shout out to the Emerald City, jazz great Ella Fitzgerald, and of course…Gatsby. This glitzy color will look great on a multitude of skin tones. Its deep green has a hint of sparkle and a whisper of blue coming through. It was a gift from my sister (thanks, Pam!), but I found a link below so that you could gift yourself!

What's your mani saying today?

xo | din

polish | Emerald Fitzgerald by China Glaze, Dry Kwik by Sally Hansen

Mani Monday | OPI Push & Pur-pull

For New Years, I chose Push & Pur-Pull from OPI's neon collection. Normally I do my own manicures, but I'd been busy and the salon was having a sale. Per my usual experience, I walked away thinking: I could've done that better; but at least I had a chance to be pampered, right?

The color is actually gorgeous. Not so neon, but after a few coats and a top coat, it had a really nice sheen. Now, I say "a few" because it streaked when applied. Although the nail technician's brush stroke wasn't the most concise, I could still tell it wasn't the easiest color to work with. In fact, it reminded me of Essie polish which often streaks for me. (I know this is not everyone's experience.)

I plan to try this color again; self-application, of course. I'll let you know how it goes!

xo | din 

nail color | Push & Pur-Pull by OPI

Glitter Off

 

There's one thing every woman knows, who has ever polished her nails with glitter; it's near impossible to get off! It's a love/hate really. One moment I'm feeling all sparkly and fancy, and the next I'm angry and sweating from trying to get the darn stuff off!

Well, let me tell you. OPI has come out with a fantastic polish called Glitter Off. You apply one thin coat to clean nails and let it dry completely. Next, you apply your favorite glitter polish. When you are done wearing the polish, no need to sweat! Just push the edge of it and peel it off.

It seemed to good to be true, so I thought I would try it out. My concern was that with such easy removal, it only made sense that the polish would just come right off before I was ready to take it off. I was relieved to find out that's not the case. I polished my nails with a glitter polish on Friday, and made it all the way until Tuesday, at which point I was ready to change, so I peeled it off. How great is that?! 

So now that the secret is out, what are you waiting for??

xo | dré 

Crown Jewels

A couple nights ago I did something experimental for me with my nails. 

You know those nail appliqués that have been around for a few years now? Well I found some that caught my eye about 10 months ago, and had yet to use them! They looked beautiful in the packaging, but I had no idea how difficult they would be to apply, or how they would last. 

Here's my verdict: They were pretty easy as far as application. As far as their longevity, I was not impressed. By the end of the next day they were already starting to peel off. I don't know if it is the brand, or the fact that I have my hands in water more often than most from styling hair. 

All in all, I think I'll stick to a polished manicure, unless I have a particular event that I would want to wear them for. Still, they did turn out pretty. Don't you think?

xo | dré 

Aquatic Nails

I REALLY love summer. I don't mean I sound like a broken record, but you might hear me say that almost every day until it's over!

One of my favorite parts of summer is swimming. Ideally I'd love to be doing it in Caribbean waters, but I'll definitely settle for a pool!

The other night I was feeling inspired by the thought of these summer waters, so I decided to transfer that feeling to my nails. Now I feel beyond ready to dip my toes into the nearest pool! Do you like it?

xo | dré 

base color | Essie Mint Candy Apple

polka dots | Essie I'm Addicted

Last Minute Fancy

After months of not so patiently waiting, my vacation is finally almost here! Tomorrow my family and I will be taking a red eye flight to Dominica to see my husbands family.  

Since I'm boycotting winter and heading to the tropics, I made it a point to squeeze in a quick pedi! And of course I had to bring my partner in crime with me:) 

xo | dré 

pedicure done by Kenny at eNails

on my toes China Glaze Shocking Pink 

Two-Faced

I love a good duo. And this black and silver liquid sand polish by OPI had me so excited to try both colors, that decided to use them both in the same manicure! This fab set of polish even came with some glitzy hair ties...how fancy! What do you think of my two-faced mani? 

OPI liquid sand

silver | It's Frosty Outside

black | Emotions

xo | dré 

photo credit: hsn.com

Crown Jewels

I can't think of anyway I'd rather start off the new year than fancy. So when I came across this glitter polish collection by Morgan Taylor called The Royal Life, I knew it had to be mine! The colors are sure to suit any royal ( even a Husky fan )!!

Morgan Taylor polish: The Royal Life

Indigo glitter | Sapphires, Rubies And Emeralds Oh My

Gold glitter | Where's My Crown 

Base coat | Go Ahead And Grow

xo | dré

PxSx Check out our fab shoot on a royal life here.

8 Gifts Of Christmas

The wait is finally over! As promised, we have our 2 final gift picks, and one lucky winner will get to take home one of these items with them!

Day 4

Gilded Glow by MIRABEllA is a recent find by dré, that had her wanting her own bottle the moment she sampled it! What you can expect from this product is stated perfectly in the description.

"Silky all-over highlighter smooths onto skin for a glistening golden glow. Pearlescent pigments conceal skin imperfections, enhance natural luster and create a radiant, long-wearing sheen."

Glistening, flawless skin? Yes, please! The thought just makes us want to hit the dance floor!

And finally! Our 8th gift pick this season! You all know that dré and din are gaga for nail polish, especially for OPI! So we decided to share the love, and give one lucky winner a set of the new Mariah Carey holiday mini polish set! Want a chance to win? All you have to do is follow the 3 easy steps below:

1. "Like" us on Facebook.

2. Follow us on Bloglovin'.

3. Enter a comment below telling us what your favorite thing is about the holidays and leave your email address below so that we can contact you.

One lucky winner will be chosen at random. All entries must be submitted by 12/21/13 at 8PM PST.

That's it! Merry Christmas to all of our readers, and we look forward to fining out who our lucky winner is!

xo | drédin 

Red Leaves Call For Red Socks

As much as I love summer, I do adore the colors of fall! Plus, I'm having fun with my fall wardrobe!

With all the leather you're seeing everywhere, I couldn't help but bust my own faux leather pants out of my closet. I paired them with a blazer, a royal blue top, and my fab red socks for a pop of color. What do you think?

Blazer | H&M 

Top | H&M 

Faux leather pants | Express

Socks | H&M 

Heels | Carlos by Carlos Santana

Feather earrings w/cuff | Charlotte Russe

Bracelets | H&M 

Infinity ring | street vender in NYC 

Nail polish | Creative's Insomnia ( with all the sleep I've been lacking, this is rather suiting! )

XOXO dré 

A Pleasant Surprise

I'm a snob about professional beauty products. There's no other way to put it. Being raised by a beauty professional, I don't think I had any other option! I remember spending the night with my cousin one time, and I had forgotten my shampoo and conditioner at home, so I used hers. When I came home, I walked in the door and my mom could smell me! She said, "Is that Herbal Essence?!!" Ha!

That being said, I've never known the turmoil of paying full price for OPI, Creative, Essie, etc.... There has never been a reason for me to use the cheap stuff. However, I went to Walmart recently, and as I passed the beauty section, this nail polish caught my eye! There was an array of colors, and this fluorescent orange color really stood out to me! With a price so affordable I thought I would just give it a try! 

I rushed home to try it out, and was pleasantly surprised! I love the colors I purchased! They glided on nicely, and dried quickly! I still love my OPI, but it's nice to know that there is such an inexpensive line of polish, that offers such great colors! I highly recommend it!

Colors by Salon Perfect

On left-Flamingo Flair

On right-Shocked

XOXO dré 

[ MONOCHROMATIC ]

Monochromatic is a huge trend in fashion this year. But who says you have to keep it for your wardrobe? We say bring it to your makeup and nails as well!

Eye shadow | TRŪCCO Orange Crush
Nail polish | OPI Back in the Saddle

Lipstick | Lime Crime No She Didn't
Nail polish | OPI Can't Find My Czechbook


XOXO Dré

Independence Day

O, beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain......

When I think of my beautiful country, I don't have to think much further than the little town I grew up in. A high desert with all four seasons, and agriculture like you wouldn't believe! Cheers to being an American today! If you have a Harley, ride it! And have some apple pie ;-)

America! America! 

God shed His grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining 

DC......

Missed are the days of apple orchards and blazin' Summer heat. Still, what better way to celebrate your country's independence than in its Capitol? Cheers to all my fellow citizens of this great land, and a humble thank you to all those who have served allowing us this day of celebration!

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

[ dré wears  ]
top | H&M
skirt | Forever21
heels | Steve Madden
patriotic manicure | OPI Red My Fortune Cookie & Yoga-Ta Get This Blue, Revlon White On White

[ din wears ]
motorcycle jacket | JouJou
bikini top | Mossimo
ankle pants | Forever21
heels | Stuart Weitzman


xoxo drédin