Blue and Gray with some 4th

This week we celebrate the 237th birthday of our country.  In the midst of all of the hot dogs, beer, potato salad, fireworks and fun, many times we forget what we are truly celebrating. The freedoms we enjoy in the United States were won by people who sacrificed so much and also by those who continue to sacrifice. This week also marks the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. The Civil War was a dark time in American history. I grew up in the south and my mom and lots of my family live very close to Appomattox, Virginia.  I was raised on Civil War stories. If the war had ended differently, we would not be living in the same country we live in today. We would likely not be living in the United States of America.  During this week, I will pause to think of those who built our country. Those who fought hard to give us all the life and freedom we enjoy today. Now enough of a history lesson and onto a little fashion in the form of a manicure.

essie Stroke of Brilliance, Maybelline Color Show Audacious Asphalt

I wore this version over the weekend and early in the work week.

Using my Martha Stewart glue pen, I drew two lines on my ring finger nails.

Then I sprinkled the nails with red glitter, cleaned up each nail and added a top coat.

The finished mani for my 4th of July fun.

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Recent Purchases - Fashion, Fitness, and Organization

Lately, I've been really trying to keep my purchases to a minimum.  All of our extra money is going toward the wedding and saving for our upcoming Honeymoon.  I've limited my fashion purchases to items that have been on my must have list.  I'm also working on accomplishing some of my goals for organization and expanding my exercise routine. Then of course there is the wedding. I'm carefully curating my purchases to meet these goals and not to break my budget.

Two things that have been on my must have list for some time are a foil print sweater and low heel pumps.  I found this fantastic foil print sweater at Kohl's for only $34!  That's a far cry from the over $100 sweater I originally fell in love with.  I know it will be in heavy rotation until warm weather arrives.  I love heels but my Rheumatoid Arthritis makes it hard for me to wear high heels every day.  I've found myself gravitating toward all of my kitten heels (about 2" high).  They satisfy my urge for heels but are low enough for me to wear all day without pain in my feet and ankles. These adorable red bow pumps from Talbots were a steal at only $26.

I've set a few goals for myself this year.  An important one was decluttering our home and making it more organized.  I've been slowly cleaning out drawers and cabinets and organizing the remaining items with storage boxes and bins.  I've purchased some from Target and quiet a few from the dollar store.  Another big goal of mine was to take up some new forms of exercise.  I've never been a runner but decided to sign up for a 5K. It's not the first choice from someone with joint issues but I am never one to shy away from a challenge.  The Color Run is a fun way to do a 5K.  I'll be making a tutu to run in and running with some friends.  I needed some cold weather friendly running gear for training, like this jacket.  I grabbed it on the sale rack at Target.  I also needed a new pair of running shoes. These are ASICS, my favorite brand.  I'm using an iPhone app to get ready for the September run.  It's called C25K.  It's a free app. There are quite a few out there but this is the one I'm using. You start out with a combo of running and walking. The app synchs with your music and beeps when you change from walking to running and then back.  It's great.

There are also quite a few things on my wedding list.  Things like additional makeup items I need and items to wear.  I sprung for a really expensive bra a couple weeks ago. I've also been searching for a pair of fancy flats to wear, in case my heels become too much.  I found these gold sparkly flats and love them. Even better they are on sale at Talbots.com for only $20.99.  I've read great reviews of Urban Decay Primer Potion.  People swear by it as a way to make sure your eyeshadow doesn't fade.  Even long wearing eye shadow fades on my oily eyelids.  I really hope it lives up to the hype. I will keep you posted. 

Have you made any great purchases recently?

Glitter is My Favorite Color

I might have mentioned my ridiculous collection of nail polish.  I'm trying hard to limit buying new polish and use new combos of polish I already own.  I pinned this nail polish combo from The Nailasaurus on my Pinterest board titled "Nail It!".  Be sure to check out Sammy's amazing polish combos.

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Party of 5 Glitters - The Nailasaurus

I have several gray polishes in my collection and decided to go with Maybelline Color Show Audacious Asphalt. It's not as dark as the polish that Sammy used but it's just a pretty.  Instead of just doing glitter tips, I did an all over glitter using Wet n Wild Spoiled in Trust Fund Baby.

Maybelline Color Show Nail Lacquer, Audacious Asphalt - CVS pharmacy / Spoiled Nail Color Trust Fund Baby - CVS pharmacy

I love the way the mani turned out.  But I realized two things as I was posting this photo.  My cuticles need serious attention and I am in desperate need of a new eye glasses prescription immediately.  It's hard to pay attention to your cuticles if you can't see them. The gray and glitter combo works and I'm sure I'll be trying it again with other colors.  It was fun to wear to a holiday party on Saturday.

Are you doing extra fun polish combos for the Holidays?

Instagram Monday with lots of DIY

I'm finally feeling better and over the weekend I did a few projects.  I did more sleeping and resting than anything so my plan to write a few blog posts didn't happen.  I thought I'd share a few of my photos from the past week or so.  I took these via Instagram.  It's easy to tell that I love the Instagram app.  If you're on Instagram, make sure to follow me (@realgirlrunway).  If you're not on Instagram, you can check out my latest pictures on Followgram or on the widget that's on the left side of my blog.

 

 

From top to bottom...

• Pretty DIY decorations from my cousin's recent outdoor wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony and a wonderful time with my family.

• My sweet puppy Anita. She is a very active dog, so when she stops for a moment and looks so zen, I have to capture it.

• A beautiful lace options for my wedding dress.  It's crazy that fabric is so expensive. This lace costs $129 per yard!

• My DIY version of the popular Creme de la Creme sweatshirt.  My version only cost about $10 instead of $160. This DIY will contribute to my latest inspiration and obsession.

• Glitter skull DIY for our Halloween table decor. Made using plastic skulls from an after Halloween sale (last year) and left over glitter spray from this DIY.

• Chandelier for our wedding decor. I wanted a black chandelier to hang over the dance floor.  Thousands for a black crystal chandelier wasn't practical or in the budget.  I'm making my own using a brass chandelier I bough via craig's list.  This is step one, painting.  Bling will come next.

Hope you are all having a great Monday.  I'll get back to regular posting this week.

DIY - Glitter Boots like Giuseppe Zanotti

Well it appears to be glitter week here on RGR and that was totally unintentional.  A little while ago I did a post on my winter DIY inspirations.  I've been working on all sorts of projects and I've just finished up my glitter boots. I have terrible ADD when it comes to projects.  The boots took a little longer than I expected so I've done a little at a time. I was inspired by these $625 Giuseppe Zanotti boots.

Giuseppe Zanotti Glitter Boots $625

My original idea was just to use Krylon Glitter Blast Glitter Spray.  I loved the finish but I wanted them to look just like the Giuseppe Zanotti's. It wasn't quite the chunky glitter look that I wanted to achieve and I ended up adding loose glitter. The Glitter Blast was a great base for the chunky glitter.  I didn't have to mix two types of glitter, like I've seen other people do. The boots I purchased were tan.  I painted the boots black first. I painted the heels and soles solid black.  I sprayed a thin coat of black on the rest of the boot.

Black Paint on Boots, Heels and Sole Edges

After Spraying with Glitter Blast, I Started Adding Chunky Glitter

I continued added glitter until the boot was covered. Then I sprayed with several coats of Krylon Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze

Finished Boots!

SUPPLIES
Tan Boots                                             $17 (Target)
Black Spray Paint                                 already owned
Krylon Glitter Blast Glitter Spray          already owned from Holiday projects
Krylon Spray Adhesive                        $4 (with coupon from Michaels)
Krylon Triple Thick Glaze                    already owned from Holiday projects
Glitter (Paillette style)                            $3 (Michaels)
Painters tape                                         already owned
newspaper
__________________________________________
                                                $24  SAVED $601

They turned out really great. I can't wait to wear them.  I just hope they hold up to a bit of wear and tear.  I may need to give them a few more coats of sealer. I'm sure I'll be wearing them in an outfit post soon. 

This Mani is Just Peachy!

The other day I went to CVS to get a few things. The first thing I do when I walk into CVS is to scan my Care Card at the kiosk. I do this because many times I get a discount I can use on my purchase that day. Sometimes I get ECBs and other times I get a discount coupon on certain products.  When I scanned my card that day, I got a coupon for a free bottle of Essie nail polish! With my coupon I purchased a bottle from their spring collection, a pastel peach called, A Crewed Interest. It's such a pretty color and since I usually go for dark colors, metallics. or brights, I thought I'd grab something different.

Martha Stewart glitter in Coral, essie polish in A Crewed Intereset and my arsenal of fashion magazines to read while my mani is drying

I've been dying to use some of my Martha Stewart glitter in a mani. The color choices are amazing. I chose the coral shade as a darker compliment to the peach polish. 

Inspiration - Manicures for a Monday

Lately, I've really enjoyed playing with neutral bases and glitter in my manicures.  My cousin and I even had a fun girl's night recently with our glitter manis.  We drank wine, created our own glitter mani's and watched The Bachelor.  It was fantastic!  I'm still in love with Revlon ColorStay Longwear nail enamel and I've been adding glitter to their neutrals. A few weeks ago I tried Bones as my base with Nicole by OPI glitter tips.

This week I tried Stormy Night, covered about half of each nail with Essie Luxe Effects in Pure Perfection and then added Spoiled, I Have No Reception to the tips.

These nails, from my Pinterest boards were my inspiration. To get the details for each of these manis, go to my page and click on the picture.

My own glitter inspired mani turned out like this...

left to right - Revlon ColorStay  Stormy Night, essie luxe effects Pure Perfection, Wet n Wild Spoiled I Have No Reception

Finished Product - Fun but neutral enough to pass at work!

Rewind Via Instagram - Mid February

The last few weeks have been fun and busy. Tuesday will be a nutty day so I thought I'd share some of my favorite photos from the recent past. These were taken via Instagram (an iPhone app).  You can view all of my Instagram photos here.  As I mentioned before I'm not crazy about Valentine's Day and we are a budget couple right now.  We didn't give presents. We gave each other cards, went ice skating using Groupon, and I made dinner and brownies for us. You read about some of my couponing adventures in last week's Frugal Fashion Friday post and I've had another victory since then (FREE is the word). Yesterday, I did some discount shopping at one of my favorite stores, Loehmann's and could only afford to buy one thing (to be revealed soon, my girls).  I had to leave some amazing items behind.

Fave DIY Purchases Lately - Glue pen and glitter to create cards and decorations.

Our Pre-Valentine's Date - Ice skating and hot chocolate

A Gift for My Honey - Heart shaped brownies (handmade, from a mix)

FREE (full size) Hair Products! - Using coupons and a store sale (note: I'm in love with the volumizing powder)

An AMAZING Bracelet - Didn't buy it but I might have to go back for it.

I'm Obsessed Thank You Very Much - Glitter Shoes

I'm so obsessed with wearing a pair of glitter shoes or boots that I'm working on a DIY.  I've been seeing them everywhere.  Here are some of the different styles that are grabbing my attention.

Miu Miu Glitter Bootie

Giuseppe Zanotti Glitter Boots

Top Shop Jamaica Curve Heel

MIA Jem

Steve Madden Hastt

Top Shop Maddie Glitter Brogues

ASOS Dune Luckie Loafers

Converse Black Sparkle Lo Tops

DIY Inspiration - Winter projects

When I'm looking through blogs, shopping and generally surfing the web, I find DIY inspiration in lots of places. Cold weather always inspires me to do DIY projects.  I can ignore the nasty weather outside and at the end of the day (or a couple), I have a fun new item to use or display.  My ideas are running wild right now.  I've started on some new boots and I'm waiting for a blank phone case I ordered for my next project.

Using some glitter spray paint and a pair of inexpensive boots, I'm going to copy these $795 Giuseppe Zanotti boots.  I just ordered a clear iPhone case and I have a stash of Swarovski crystals waiting to adorn my iPhone.

DIY - Holiday Decorations, a Recap

As you all know I took a little break over the Holidays. I didn't post much between Christmas and NYE. I think I needed a little techno break and I was nursing a terrible cold during that time as well. With all of the Holiday prep and scrambling at work, I was toast.  I didn't get a post done showing you all my Holiday decorations.  I grabbed some items from the thrift store. I also purchased a few inexpensive items from discount retailers like Target as well as some spray paint (of course). Combining them I created some unique decorations that didn't bust my budget.

Tray and candle holders from Goodwill

Supply List

• Candle holders from Goodwill
• Tray from Goodwill
• Christmas lights (two strands)
• Christmas ornaments (balls - glitter, metallic and snowflake ornaments)
• Ribbon (one roll 2")
• Spray Paint (Krylon Chrome and Glitter Blast)
• Candles (tapers and votive)

In an earlier post, I told you about this year's blue and silver theme. I wanted to do things a little different and I liked the idea of blue and silver.  The snow and icicles make for a pretty combination. Plus, I LOVE sparkle but you all know that too.

 We have a large staircase railing and it needed a little something. I took a roll of ribbon, one strand of lights and 2 packages of snowflake ornaments (4 snowflakes per package at $1 each) and decorated the railing.

Staircase railing - 1 roll of ribbon, 2 packages of snowflake ornaments and one string of lights that we already own

We have a shelf in our entry area that holds our charging station, boxes of scarves and our keys.  It is usually decorated with a large red vase with reeds.  I grabbed a clear vase from the cabinet, stuffed it with one strand of blue lights and topped it with glitter ornaments. I ran the chord behind the vase and plugged it in.

Entry way Decoration - Clear vase that we already own, a few ornaments and one string of blue lights

Using the Goodwill candlesticks and a couple we already own, I spray painted and glitter painted some of them.  I have to say, Krylon Chrome and Glitter Blast are some of the coolest DIY items on the planet.  They transformed some of the sticks. My friend the DC Goodwill Fashionista says that I'm the queen of spray paint.  I have to say, that I don't think there is much that can't be improved with some great spray paint.  Check out the before and after of the candlesticks and I'm sure you'll agree. The dark glitter stick right front in the picture below was transformed from a chipped frosted glass stick that I grabbed at Goodwill.  The chips were eliminated by the Glitter Blast paint. You can't even see them now. 

NYE Decorations - Goodwill candlesticks (some painted), A few candlesticks we own (spray painted), Christmas ornaments, Candles from the dollar store, and one candle that was a gift

 I think I amazed myself a bit with the transformation of this tray.  It was a blah wood tray and now it's a WOW tray.  I love it!  This one will stay on our coffee table for many months to come.  I added a few ornaments and the holiday theme continued. A $3 tray and a ($4, originally $7.99 before coupon) can of Krylon Chrome became a great coffee table focal point. 

Using some tape and the same glitter and metallic ornaments I used on the entry way, I created a decoration for our entertainment cabinet.  I stuck the ornaments together, using the tape and placed them on the cabinet.  The ones hanging are attached using the strings that came in the box.

The Tally

• Candle - Goodwill  $9
• Candle holders (own)  $0
• Mosaic candle (gift)  $0
• Vase (own) $0
• Tray - Goodwill $3
• Christmas lights (two strands - one purchased) $4
• Christmas ornaments (balls - glitter, metallic and snowflake ornaments) $14
• Ribbon (one roll 2") $3
• Spray Paint - Krylon Chrome and Glitter Blast $8 (with coupons)
• Candles (tapers and votive) $5

TOTAL COST -  $46

The bonus is that all of the items can be used again. I also have enough spray paint left for other projects. For less that $50 I decorated the entire house for Christmas and New Year's Eve. You can find great buys at your local Goodwill or thrift stores.  With a little spray paint and some creativity, you can decorate your home any time of year.

I have more DIY coming soon.  What's your next project?

Brights and Sparkle to Warm Your Winter - OPI Nicki Minaj Collection

OPI is partnering with flamboyant singing sensation Nicki Minaj for their January collection.  Nicki's style is bright, sparkly and over the top. She has a penchant for brightly colored wigs and crazy costumes.

The collection suits her style well and will bring some brightness to those dark winter months. It contains six shades, including two glitter shades and a new shatter shade.

Purple Shatter

Did It On 'Em

Fly

Metallic 4 Life

Pink Friday

Save Me

My personal favorites are the Purple Shatter, Fly, and Metallic 4 Life.  I love the idea of layering the Purple Shatter over silver.  The charcoal glitter of Metallic 4 Life will be a staple in repertoire and Fly is a fun new take on the teal/aqua trend.