Nail Art Tutorial: "Beach Inspired" Nails

I am off for a busy Tuesday, I hope things are looking better as Monday did not start off right, let's stay positive and let's thank the Lord each day we open our eyes, for the chance to go through TODAY, for the gift of Life!

To celebrate the gift of life, I am celebrating with "Beach Inspired" nails.  Though rainy season is here, my nails do not have to look gloomy!  Here's my "yet another sponge method" that I learned via a reader who sent me a link!  Thanks Jenny!

Here's my "Beach Inspired" nails using different flowers

Step 1:

Apply your favorite base coat to protect your nails especially if your polish color is loud.  Apply 2 coats of yellow polish and blue polish (alternately applied).  I used BNC Polish in Yellow and Elianto Polish in Turquoise.
Tip: You can use any 2 color combination of your choice.

Step 2:

Thanks to reader for requesting this sponge method. I've used a different method this time using eye makeup sponge.  If you can't seem to use this for your eyes, you can use this to create good looking unique nails! 

Brush on the BNC Yellow Polish onto the sponge applicator

Press excess on a sheet of paper if necessary, then gently tap on top of the dried polish base

Brush Elianto Polish in Turquoise on the opposite sponge tip applicator, 

again, press excess on a sheet of paper if necessary

 

Gently pat on top of your yellow nails

Repeat if necessary for gradient color to show up

Step 3:

Apply a sparkling gold polish on top of the "gradient" effect.  I am using Chic Polish or you can use any glitter polish of your choice.

Step 4:

Using my white Prettynails' 2 way nail art pen.  Create 5 dots for flowers, use the needle method to create a different type of flowers as shown on photo below.

 

 

Note: Create a sharp tip on both edges for a different flower look

Step 5:

Apply a red sparkly polish via L.A. Art Deco as a flower bud or rhinestones if you have enough time.

Step 6:

Making sure all the dots are dry, top your nail art with your preferred top coat.  I am using Elianto Top Coat at the moment.  Give The Face Shop one a rest :)

Beach Inspired nails ready to face the world!
Now let me play that Beach Boys song!  Any request?

Hope this sponge method is easier to the nail art lovers out there who wants to give another nail art a try.  I know I am a bit late with the sponge method, but hey?  It's never too late to get addicted!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

A Moment of Silence

**photo from source

If you watch the news today, whether you are living in the Philippines or on some parts of the world.  You probably heard about the Hostage Taking at the Quirino Grandstand.  You can read the full story by googling the incident.  My heart is heavy and I can't seem to put into words what has happened.

I want to take this minute to pray for the souls of those hostages who passed away from the awful incident.  May you rest in peace and may the Lord be with you.  To those who survived, I pray for peace of mind as I know it causes a lot of trauma.  God Bless our country, God Bless our safety.

In silence,

Keratin Complex Smoothing Treatment by Coppola Review

I have this love affair for hair as long as I can remember.  Would you believe I had my hair curled when I was 13?  Saved up my allowance and bought my first hair serum from St. Ives when I was 15?  Bought my first tube of hot oil treatment from Watson's at 16?  And had my first hot oil treatment professionally done the moment I stepped in College?  And you would think I have gorgeous hair by now!  

WRONG!

I've invested so much on hair products as I wasn't born with the soft, silky, shiny hair that you see on shampoo commercials and my hair is totally different from my sister! She's lucky to have the "good hair" genes while I ended up with the "talkative" genes!  *laughs*  I'm not blaming my parents for it as I did enjoy my hair care journey, adding the "talkative" genes = Good Blog Posts on Hair!

The first serious treatment I've done is a Rebonding treatment 5 years ago.  I was working in China as a Teacher back then and I spent my free time pampering myself due to homesickness!  Many firsts were done on my hair back then...first time hair coloring, haircut with the use of shaver, which made me cry by the way and last but not the least, HAIR REBONDING.  I don't know why I even agree to do the treatment, maybe, because I don't know how to say "NO" back then?  (Blame it on the NO thing Nikki, very good! LOL)

My hair isn't that bad, but its naturally wavy, so having it rebonded sleek straight is causing me a problem each time there are re-growths.  So I ended up continuing with the Rebond treatment for years and I told myself I have to stop before my hair gets into its worst stage! 

That's one reason why I invested mostly on hair treatment (as seen on all my Hair Products Posts).  Recently, Drea contacted me to try the newest treatment that has been causing a buzz.  The Keratin Complex Smoothing Treatment,  I've done ample research before saying YES to this.  And here's my in-depth report on the treatment that I'm sure a lot of you are intrigued to know. 

Keratin Complex Smoothing Treatment says ---

This therapy is the foundation of Keratin Complex – the original, in-salon service that infuses natural keratin deep into hair’s cuticle. This revolutionary therapy eliminates up to 95% of frizz and curl and instantly adds amazing shine, silkiness and condition to the hair. The results are astounding. Clients rave that “this is a life-changing experience”. Hair is more manageable, smoother and easier to style than ever before. It is perfect on all types of hair – including color treated and chemically processed hair!

Weekend Food Tripping at: Golden Bay Seafood Restaurant

When you get an invite for a Chinese Lauriat Style, you better wear a comfortable clothing and expect yourself full for the rest of the night!  As you know, most of the lauriat style down here serves at least 6 courses meal!  You don't believe it?  Scroll down and don't tell me I did  not warn you! :) 

I attended my dad's "Organization Anniversary".  Aside from the wonderful dishes served, there were performance from China who came over to "wow" us.  Dragon dances and a lot of singing!  Would you believe the dinner starts at 8:00pm and ended around midnight? 

Cold Cut Combination

This is quite a different cold cut combination as they included "Calinfornia Maki" which isn't at par with the usual Chinese dish!  Cold cut usually consist of seaweeds, honeycured pork and soy chicken.

Steamed Suahe (Shrimps)

I did not even tasted this as I'm allergic to shrimp.  I just saw the reaction of the people around the table and I was told they're fresh!

Dried Scallop and Seafood Soup

Quite nice!  I popped in some anti-histamine at this stage as I have a feeling most of the meals served are seafood!  The soup tastes wonderful!!!  I can literally taste the scallops and my tongue felt a bit of shrimps in there!

Taro Duck

I am actually excited for this.  I love Taro Duck, but this one is made quite differently.  Most of the time, the taro and duck are layered onto each other.  You can taste the taro at the top and the duck meat at the bottom.  At this restaurant, I can't feel the texture of the duck as it was mixed inside the taro!

A closer look on the Taro Duck, a special sweet sauce comes with it

Salad Seafood Roll

A mix of fruits and shrimps with mayonnaise served deep fried.  Not the best I've tried.

Local Abalone with Mushrooms

Local or international Abalone, I don't care, abalones are rare and tastes really good.  I love the chewy texture mixed with sweet oyster sauce!

Sauteed Chicken with Veggies

It's more of chicken and celery!  I am not a huge celery fan and the chicken tastes a bit bland.  So I gave this a skip and saved my tummy for the next dish.

Assorted Meat Noodles

Most lauriat styled restaurant would serve rice or noodles at the end part as a "filler".  In Chinese Culture, rice isn't served unless asked for.  Don't ask me why, it's just part of the culture.  I am usually a noodle eater and I am saving up a space in my tummy for the noodles.  Unfortunately, I am almost impressed with the dishes served in this restaurant but the noodles ruined it :(  It tastes a bit weird, I guess it has this burnt smell.  Photo shown below looks great but it tastes weird inside my mouth. 

I did not take a photo of the dessert as I did not eat it anymore.  Too full to talk or even move!  Service is actually good and the waiters are quite attentive.  The restaurant has a wonderful ambiance even perfect for Wedding Reception.  Has ample parking space as well!

Golden Bay Seafood Restaurant

Lots 3 and 4 Super Block A,

Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Blvd.  

tel. no.: 632-556-7525

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
Happy food tripping!

Create Your Own I Believe Badge and Win Php1,000 Gift Certificates (Contest Closed!)

Last July, I've reported a lovely event hosted by our friends from Levi's called "Loving My Curves With Levi's" .  I've shown to you my "mood board" and I've shared to you what I believe in to get me through life everyday!  A big part on my AMW Mood Board is "Helping Other People" to achieve true happiness. 

Helping out?  Through Beauty Blogging?  At first, I started this blog to help other people on the superficial side of the problems.  "What's the best hair treatment for  dry scalp?", "What's the best lip balm for dry, chapped lips?", "What's the best sunscreen for oily skinned?"...etc...

The above questions turned into: "I want to feel good on my wedding day, can you advise me what's a good skincare regimen?".  "I want to start putting on makeup because I just gave birth and I feel so ugly.", "I am afraid my husband will start looking at pretty girls because I don't take care of myself anymore, can you help me?".  

The questions turned into more personal and I am starting to see myself giving out advises to readers out there!  I have to admit, I am no expert, but it does help to be an "ear" for someone who just needed a  "cyber shoulder" to cry on.  

A Beauty Blog?  Is that all you can offer?  Well..NO!  I can definitely offer more, helping does not have its LIMITS.  Because of this blog, I was able to do my first Makeup Workshop for a Cause, for a friend's sister who suffered Cancer.  When Typhoon Ondoy struck our motherland, our dearest blogging friends donated cash via Paypal and send it to me to be the "middle person" to purchase food and water for the people who lost their homes.  Are they Beauty Bloggers?  Yes!  Where they able to help out people?  YES!  As I said, helping knows No Boundaries, No Nationalities, No Distance -- Helping is TRULY Beautiful!

Now, it's your turn.

What Do You Believe In?
Speak Up then Flaunt It!

Our dearest friends from Levi's who support us on what we believe in, will be giving away 3 Php1,000 GCs from Levi's.  Here's what you need to do to join!

1. Go to I Believe Badge Creator on Facebook and make your own I BELIEVE badge using the application on the fan page.
2. Upload a picture and input a short statement declaring what you believe in. (You must be included in the photo)
3. Badge must be shared on the wall of  your Facebook profile.  There's a share option on the application once the badge has been generated.
4. Badge must be used as your FB Profile Picture for the duration of the contest for the entry to be valid.  
5. Comment back on the Link of the Badge you've created.
6. The 3 most creative pictures and statements will win the GCs.

 Contest run from today until September 4, 2010!

I'd love to see your badge!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!