FFF - Share the Love with Zoya - new accounts get a free nail polish and moving days

Happy Fun, Free Friday lovelies!

Online Discounts
You've heard me talk about Zoya before (especially during their annual free nail polish promotion!)  If you still haven't tried them and want to try a nail polish brand that is free of lots of "I don't need this on my body" chemicals like formaldehyde, now is a great time to spread the word!  Existing Zoya customers are part of the "Share the Love" program and can share products with their friends and get points for discounts.  New devotees that sign up with a shared link will automatically get a coupon for 1 free bottle of nail polish.  I love a win-win situation and it's even better when it involves fabulous color!
I've been thinking about a few new colors for my collection and these beautiful, bright shades are on the top of my list.  I especially love the blue and green shimmer of Charla!  The links below are Share the Love links so you get a free bottle of nail polish if you register with the link!

Wednesday

Paz

Charla 

Pippa 

Maya

Otherwise this weekend, I am...
...moving!  Luckily we are moving from one building to another building within our complex.  But there is still lots of final cleaning and packing to be done (groan).  We get the keys for the new place this weekend and the movers are coming Sunday (as much as I'd like to pretend, I can't possibly move the couch, table and TV!) My husband is actually more excited than I am!   I'm sure the unpacking will take a while as well, but it will still be pretty fun to have more than 400 extra feet and a new room!

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend!

Beauty DIY: Create a Salon perfect Manicure at home (shown here with Zoya Sooki)

I didn't get my first manicure until I was about 26.

Crazy right?  I grew up playing piano so I always had short nails.  I never thought to shape them and paint them because any time they got a little long, I just had to trim them!

Flash forward a few years and I got my first manicure to celebrate a friend's wedding (those fingers better look good while carrying the bouquets!)  I really started loving the possibilites of different shades (now patterns as well).  Of course it helps that I can now grow my nails out and really get to shape them.  It is a great indulgence to get a manicure - just sit back, relax, and come out with beautiful nails that will last (hopefully) for a week.  

But I'm not necessarily patient about sitting in a beauty salon every week.  That and it can get a little costly.

I've discovered that it can be easy to create a great manicure at home (and I've started reviewing colors like Zoya Trixie and creating patterns too like my chevron reverse manicure).  You just need patience, some good TV shows (waiting for nail polish to dry is pretty boring), and a few tools.  I used Zoya Sooki for this manicure and love the bright red shade!

Here is how I create a salon style manicure (or pedicure) at home

1. Gather all my tools and colors.  I also keep a pointed stick handy - this is both for pushing back cuticles and cleaning.  If I need to clean up nail polish around the edges of my nails, I simply dip the stick into a little bit of nail polish remover and do some quick cleanup!

2. I push back my cuticles (for even shaping), buff, and apply lip balm to my cuticles so it is easier to remove color from the sides of my fingers (yes I do this with all my manicures now!)

3. I apply one coat of base coat - protect your nails from staining or absorbing the nail polish!

4. Then I apply one coat of color.  When you take your nail polish out of the bottle, get rid of excess polish by brushing it against the inside, upper rim of the bottle.  You don't want too much polish on the first coat!  Wait a few minutes and then repeat for extra color coverage.  Now it is time to pop on a TV show because the drying may take a while!

5.  Apply a top coat of your choice.  This ensures that your nail color won't easily chip.

6. Wait two minutes and as an optional step, apply a few drops of quick dry.  This cuts your drying by a few minutes, but more importantly may even out uneven nail polish and minimize bubbles.

That's it!  This is a nice Saturday ritual for me now and is a great way for me to play with more colors.   Try it and enjoy your new manicure!

Beauty Product Review: Zoya Trixie (semi-matte silver) nail polish

Zoya is one of my favorite nail polish manufacturers out there.  I love the immense range of shades and relatively natural (formaldehyde free) formulas.  Zoya also has some spectacular promotions once in a while (sign up for an account or like their Facebook page to learn about them) and I chose Trixie during their last promotion.

Trixie is an intense, silver color with a beautiful sparkling foil finish.  So it's not your usual glossy shade and intentionally leaves your nails a bit textured - it is imperfect in a perfect way.  The foil effect also somewhat mutes the otherwise intense silvery shade.  I loved the unique finish and shade - as an added bonus, the color didn't take long to dry.  Though the color was more suited for the weekend
(my office or at least my office wear is somewhat conservative), I am still rocking it on my toes and will definitely use this as a contrast shade.

Likes:
- goes on easily
- dries quickly
- has a unique textured finish

Dislikes:
- none so far!

Cost
-$8 online but sign up to get Zoya promotions

FFF - 25% off Kate Spade sale, 2 free bottles of Zoya Nail polish and Fish tacos

Happy Fun, Free Friday lovelies!

Online {Fashion} Discounts
Kate Spade, purveyor of all things cute and feminine, has 25% off their sale items with code NEWYEAR25.  I'm already stalking the accessories I would love to get for next year.  The promotion ends Jan. 10, 2012, 11:59 pm PST.

Sparkler Missy, Kate Spade, $69.75

Bow bridge thin bangle, Kate Spade, $48

Save!
- Go to Ebates first and get 3.5% cash back on your purchase!  Here is my invite if you need it!

Online {Beauty} Discounts
Zoya, one of my favorite nail polish manufacturers, has a promo so you too can add to your collection or start collecting some of their beautiful, formaldehyde/camphor/toluene (ok I don't know what the last one is, but if it's strangely scientific sounding, it probably isn't good) free polish.
Use code ZOYA2012 at checkout and get two free bottles of nail polish - all you have to pay is the $6.95 for shipping.  They also have free shipping if you buy $25 or more from the site so it is a great time to stock up on colors as well as other nail prep and treatments!  The promotion ends Jan. 9, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST.

I'm thinking of stocking up on a nude, intense metallic silver (Trixie), black, and perhaps a red shade. What colors strike your fancy?

Isn't Sooki such a pretty red?

Otherwise, this weekend...
...I am thinking of making healthy fish tacos at home.  While we don't have corn tortillas at home (which my husband insists are essential), I just having a craving for a nice, fresh, crisp taco!  I can't wait to get some when I go to LA soon!  Oh and if you have a nice recipe, pass it over!

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend!

FFF - Zoya get 2 nail polish colors free for existing accounts and birthday parties

Happy Fun, Free Friday darlings!

Online deals

Existing Zoya account holders get 2 free nail polish colors with any purchase.  I have really enjoyed the colors I've purchased from Zoya and the formula is easy to use and relatively long lasting.  Now, existing account holders get personalized codes for any two free nail polish colors.  Simply go to "My Account/My Coupons & Promotions" to obtain your code (expires August 12, 11:59 pm EST).

I've wanted to try Dove forever and I'm totally ordering that now!

Otherwise, this weekend...

...I am celebrating Mr. Spend 'n Chomp's birthday!  I'm ordering Indian food from our favorite restaurant here and inviting a few friends over.  I definitely hope that he has fun (at least I know he'll love the food!)  I  have to admit that I get his birthday and anniversary mixed up because they're so close together.  I'm getting the hang of it though and at least he still gets (two) presents right?

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend!

FFF - Outnet annual sale, Zoya BOGO Summer colors, and eating for charity

*Remember to enter the spring wardrobe kick-off giveaway from J.E.M. Apparel - you can tweet every day!*

Happy Fun, Free, Friday lovelies!

This has been a long week and I am so happy to recuperate at home with the husband and my best friend, Robitussin.

Online promotion (International)

It's Outnet sale time again!  While the items (ahem, Christian Loubotin, Valentino, Pucci) aren't $2 like last year, it's still worth checking out!  International sale starts 9 am GST and US sale starts 11 am EST.

Here are a few items on the clearance rack.

 

(clockwise from top left - Thakoon, Burberry Prorsum, Missoni, Emilio Pucci)

Online promotion (US)
Did you try Zoya last time when they gave away 3 free bottles?  Well if you already have a Zoya account, they have another great promo to buy one/get one free from their summer collections.  Sign into your account, click on "My Account and Promotions", and apply the Zoya Summer BOGO code.  This expires today so act quickly!
I'm in love with all of the matte shades (bright blue, pink, and yellow) - what do you think?
Here are the full details:

The ZOYA Summer BOGO(Buy One, Get One Free) Offer* is good on any 0.5oz open stock bottle of the Zoya Summer Collections (Sunshine, Summertime and Mod Mattes). You can buy up to 7 bottles and get 7 free. As an ADDED BONUS *standard shipping is only $2! (Order more than $55 and shipping will be free!)

Otherwise, I am...

...going to a local French bistro this weekend where all proceeds are going to raise funds for one of the employee's son's heart surgery. French food and a little boy's health are priceless!

{Source}

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend!

Beauty Thoughts: Chanel Riva Nail Polish and a Zoya promotion

...because I want "Effortless, natural beauty, (and to be one of the) relaxed girls who are enjoying their holidays." (Peter Phillips, Global Director of Chanel Makeup).  This shade is part of the Chanel Côte D’Azur Collection which debuted at the Chanel Cruise Collection 2010-11 fashion show in Saint Tropez.


Ahh to be in Saint Tropez.  I'll gladly settle for Cabo next month and perhaps I'll pick this up in the airport then (though I gotta say Changi airport Chanel nail polish colors have been lacking, order this please Airport store!)

$27 at Chanel.com

Have you heard of another nail polish brand, Zoya? They've created a lovely line of camphor, formaldehyde, and DPB free vegan friendly nail polish in an amazing array of colors.

Show some support and like them on Facebook.  They've reached 20,000 Facebook fans and are giving away 3 bottles of nail polish when you order from them and insert code "FB2011"; this expires January 7 so order now and just pay shipping!

I got Hermina, 

Morgan,

and Loredana (a little bit like Chanel Black Velvet but with sparkles!)

What are you getting?