The Perfect Home Manicure – No, really!

Is there actually a GOOD way to get a manicure? Before recently, I thought the answer was NO.

All the cons of a salon manicure (to me):

Gel nail polish
- Requires a refill every couple of weeks.
- Process of removing, it’s a soaking gooey mess.
- Leaves your nails weaker if you remove them.
Regular nail polish
- Starts peeling and chipping within 3 days.
- Waste of money since it doesn’t last.
Currently, and for the past year, I’ve stayed away from any place that could potentially expose me to COVID-19.

I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. My review is 100% my true opinion.

I decided that a pre-vacation manicure is the only kind I’d ever bother with. Not anymore! I FINALLY found the answer to my nail salon woes. An amazing friend warned me to watch out for a special treat occupying my mailbox soon. I love surprises! Finally, my ManiMe gift kit arrived with the following (Cosmetic bag, Miracle Base Coat, Magic Cuticle Pen, instruction booklet, and a $45 gift card!):

I let my kit sit for a couple of days, but because it was a gift, I decided I better open up and read. I lazily skimmed the little booklet to find out that this company custom-sizes the gel applications for your nails. Wait…what? How? I was skeptical, but hopeful. Turns out the ordering process is quite easy.

Create an account on the ManiMe website.
Scan your nails using the Scan Card (see below) or any credit card.
Shop and select your colors/designs (each set is $15-$25).
Wait anxiously for your Stick On Gels to arrive!

It took quite a while to receive my first shipment, but they just launched a huge Instagram campaign, so the influx of orders probably overwhelmed them. (I put in a 2nd order and it reached my door in just a few short days.)

My first application was a bit of a disaster and I had decided that it wasn’t for me. Turns out that if you actually do it correctly, the results are somehow better…whodathunk?! I applied them and then had to clip the sides and the end with a nail clipper and file the end. It took way too long to do, and I just wasn’t looking for that kind of time suck. I couldn’t understand if they are customized, why are they fitting so poorly? I showed another friend who just received her order and asked her if she had the same problem. She didn’t. When she saw the photo I sent, she asked if I put them on upside down…YEP! DUH! That would pretty much explain everything. They actually didn’t look all that bad, but it wasn’t a fun process. Here’s the upside down version for your viewing pleasure:

If only I had watched the video below for best results (although, they don’t specify which side to apply).

Would you believe my first application lasted 18 days before I pulled them off? (and yes, it’s just that easy) You add a top coat that keeps everything sealed in.

Application #2 went so much better – quick and easy! Incredible when things work as they are supposed to when you use it properly.

The nice thing about ManiMe is that they ask for your feedback on each individual nail. I was unable to do this until the second set and noticed my middle and ring finger were a bit too thin. I emailed customer service with the photo attached to let them know and they gave me credit for an entire new order with the size fixed!

I can honestly say that I am a fan! I really don’t care to get a manicure any other way now. I’m still all about a nail salon pedicure, however, as the polish stays for weeks the way it’s supposed to.

Added Bonus! While the ManiMe Stick On Gels are great, somehow they also have top notch products to help make it an overall great manicure:

The Miracle Base Coat: Yeah, yeah, yeah…miracle schmiracle. Well, this is the best base coat I have ever tried. Do you have ridges in your nails? This baby will smooth them right out.
Magic Cuticle Pen: Okay, now we’re using the word magic? Normally when you push back your cuticles, it is dry with some skin residue left behind (yum!). This one uses a natural oil infused ceramic stone that softens and pushes everything back nicely.
Max Top Coat No. 2: How many times have you used a quick drying top coat to still end up having dewy and delicate paint that ends up getting mucked up? This one claims to dry in 30 seconds and I cannot deny that it is true!

Give it a try! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Click the link to try ManiMe today!

And now for everyone’s favorite part…how can you Beaverellitize (aka stretch those BUCK$) this? In each set, you get 15 Stick On Gels (hint: you only have 10 fingers). If you don’t mess your original 10 up, you have those remaining 5 to use with the extra 5 on another set! So essentially, 2 sets = 3 sets.
If the tips start to get a little worn, do a quick file at the tip and apply another layer of top coat and you just extended the life again!

Get Your Very Own Stylist, Just Like the Stars!

While in Covid lockdown, I have been missing my thrift store hauls and clothing swaps. I was really getting sick of looking at the same old clothes in my closet. I generally think $6 for a piece of clothing is expensive at the thrift store, but I figured since I’m not spending money on a garbage bag full of dresses, that I could explore a subscription clothing box service.

I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. My review is 100% my true opinion.

I started with the ever-popular Stitch Fix. I had a coupon deal, so that encouraged the idea in the first place. Welp, the cheapest item was $42! NOT in my price range. You do put a $20 deposit that will apply to your order, but if you don’t keep anything, they keep your $20. I’m not about that life (I’m not just going to give away money for nothing!). Turns out, I received a couple of cute sweaters and some pants that fit perfectly. I live in leggings because I either can’t get pants pulled up over my thighs, or if I do, the gap in the waist is at least 2 inches. I decided if I had to keep 1 piece, it would be the perfect pants. They are now the most expensive pair of butt huggers I own at $78. I will not be returning to this service. I’m wearing the pants in the photos. If you don’t mind paying the big bucks, you can try them here: Try Stitch Fix and get a $25 credit

The second service I tried was Nadine West. I looked at a lot of blogs that listed out a bunch of services, and this one only showed up on one of them. It talked about the prices being reasonable. While I was waiting for my delivery, I got a call from a number that I didn’t recognize that went to voicemail. Nadine West herself called to thank me for supporting her small business. While that was nice and all, I really don’t want to talk to Ms. West. If you like that extra special personal touch, you’ve got it here. My shipment arrived and the first thing I noticed was that the items ranged from $16.99-$32.99. I tried on each of my items (6 total), but it turns out I didn’t set up my style profile well. For example, one of the items was a flowy, very wide, comfy dress. No way…I only wear tight fitting or at least a dress that cinches at the waist. I’m going to give this one another try though now that I made updates to my profile and added notes. I’m wearing the shirt I kept in the photos below. You can get a delivery every 2 or 4 weeks. If you’re interested in trying this one out, click here: Try Nadine West and get a $10 credit



Cute shirt from Nadine West

The last service, I tried 3-4 years ago…my favorite online clothing retailer, ThredUp. They are a second-hand online clothing store. I have sold items I’ve picked up from thrift and consignment stores for a total of $5,300 in the last 5 years on this site. The prices for the items I received were $13.99-$35.99 (4 items under $20). Obviously, this is more my speed. I didn’t love my box overall, but I did keep 2 items (10 came in the box). The denim jacket in the photos came from here. I added copious notes about what I didn’t like about the choices, and I’m going to try this again and I expect to have better results after they read what I have to say. This subscription is every 2 months. If you’re interested in trying this one out, click here: Try ThredUp and get a $10 credit

Every closet should have a classic denim jacket.

I love surprises and mystery boxes, so this is very much up my alley. Ultimately, I still like the thrift store hauls better.

Yes, You Can Buy Used Shoes…

by You just have to clean them up…and I suggest you do. Once upon a time, I wouldn’t even consider buying previously owned shoes, because I feared the dreaded athlete’s foot. I needed a pair of sandals for a Halloween costume and went into a thrift store that happened to have the perfect pair in my size! I wear a 5.5, so this is NOT an easy feat. I wore them all night at the country western bar party, and sure enough, I got athlete’s foot. It’s gross to have it anyway, but to think I got it from some grimy idiot that had peeling feet and still thought it was a good idea to donate her old shoes. *shudder* Many, many more years went by (at least 10) before I got smart enough to buy them anyway and then disinfect. Duh.

I do it one of two ways: with rubbing alcohol or Lysol. I prefer rubbing alcohol, because even though I like the smell of Lysol, I don’t really care to walk around with my shoes smelling like it.

I picked these gold wedges up from AmVets for 50% off the ticketed price, so these were $6.50. It looks like they’ve been worn 0-1 times. Not too shabby for next to brand new shoes. I chose rubbing alcohol for this simple job.

If a shoe has a slick insole area, then I douse a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and rub it over all areas that will be touching my hind paws.

I use the Lysol for shoes that do not have a slick inside. Sneakers, for example, will work much better with a spray on disinfectant.

That’s all there is to it…so what’s stopping you now?by

My Sister’s Closet

by Actually, I don’t have a sister, thank goodness. If I did, I probably would have had to share my precious clothes with her.

I do, however, have a close relationship with My Sister’s Closet (MSC) Recycled Designer Apparel. MSC is so much better than having to fight to be daddy’s #1 little girl.

Unfortunately, (for you, not for me) there are only store locations in the Phoenix area and San Diego. The prices are between 70-90% off the retail price on a regular day.

And that’s not all.

Need to get rid of some of your old clothes to make room for the new and exciting? They consign! What that means is that you bring in your tired clothing (tired to you, not tired to the world). It needs to be current, laundered/dry cleaned, and in good shape. Once they sell it, if they sell it, then you get paid or store credit. I don’t even know what they pay out in cash because I always need to buy more.

Their clothing consignment requirements are:

No more than 4-5 years old
A retail value of at least $40
In like-new and clean condition

DSC06871-001 — From the additional 70% off sale.

Probably 2 of the most exciting days of the year, that send me into a euphoric state, are the season changes at MSC. They occur around mid-Febuary and mid-August. I am on their mailing list, so I get a heads up when the change is about to roll around.

They conduct a progressive sale that starts at 20% off and ends at 70% off a couple of weeks later. That is in ADDITION to the already low prices. I actually take a half day off of work for each of these on the first day of the 70% off portion. I try on any dang thing that might possibly fit me. I usually end up with 2 giant bags of clothing. Here are some of my awesome finds on the last day of the sale:

DSC06870-001

This pale yellow dress helped me create one of my favorite photos of myself.

DSC07600-001 — Enjoying some Spanish wine from Palma de Mallorca on our transatlantic cruise.

DSC06868-001 — 2 Michael Kors handbags – one was $8.00, the other was $5.00.

DSC06866-001 — This is a Versace dress that I got for $15.00!

So if you’re my size, forget that I told you about a progressive seasonal sale, please.

Achiever Beaver

The Buck$ $aved Here

Archives

The Perfect Home Manicure – No, really!

Get Your Very Own Stylist, Just Like the Stars!

Yes, You Can Buy Used Shoes…

My Sister’s Closet