tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80315399318448183522024-03-13T20:12:23.590-06:00Nikki's Brush: Personal BlogA blog filled with makeup, inspiration, and lots of gee whiz-ing.Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-3928725888991664742013-07-15T19:48:00.002-06:002013-07-15T19:48:29.237-06:00Dating Rules for Women who Don't need dating rules!I adore this, and so will you:
<a href="http://stylishthought.com/life/relationships-life/50-dating-rules-for-smart-girls-who-dont-need-dating-rules/">http://stylishthought.com/life/relationships-life/50-dating-rules-for-smart-girls-who-dont-need-dating-rules/</a>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-69946950347993840232013-07-09T16:21:00.001-06:002013-07-09T16:21:17.144-06:00You need to love yourself first before you truly love anyone else.We've all heard this saying. "You need to love yourself before you can ever really love anyone else." And some people don't believe it. I used to be one of those people. And boy, was I wrong.
So here I am today. Starting all over again. But that's ok. I got lost in love - and it wasn't love for myself. I let myself go and I hadn't felt right for a long time. So now I'm on a new self discovery journey trying to create balance in my life. Since blogging had helped me immensely in the past, I will continue to write and connect with others going through this same process. It's personal but I believe that sharing this information connects us all at some level. So here's to radical self love!Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-60327131042418378832012-12-26T23:59:00.000-07:002012-12-26T23:59:04.741-07:00Products that help you get ready in half the timeWe all love a few extra minutes of sleep in the morning. Especially when those minutes can add up to an extra half or even, gasp, a FULL HOUR of extra zzz time. We try to find ways to do things quicker or what every restaurant job likes to call "consolidating your steps". So while in the shower today, I came up with a list of products that will do just that for you. These are all products that I have used many a sleepless night & have been my saving grace...<Br><BR><BR><BR>
<u>A Full Coverage Tinted Moisturizer</u><BR>
<img border="0" height="200" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9DvxWBqESkbh_qwfsoJ4v6n4cOVe7PepUijPOnYLu6L4tfwaPjd2jRG_oRBeoOBogoSaj8l5K9fJ8irsszDX0WlRs7MiOCMl5Mhm6UH_gYSCE469hGUXW_PdeLISrC-ndhIW1_B7mZs/s320/Clinique-Moisture-Surge-Tinted-Moisturizer.jpg" /> OR <img border="0" height="200" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtYEYRfFPc8G6qe3HBxS_CnD9HDW9XbqPTGU8VggKFWwMnCt-CNUFi3GtBxhu6e-noaS3QekWe7mXQWJAhrst_yzDQ0fS-jYp8mbzCX6MB90LLUkLtkG-UnQDc-sewPFc_rIIKSAWkqc/s320/31cem6oCXDL._SY300_.jpg" /><BR>
For us gals that suffer from acne or are prone to redness, we need something a bit more heavy in the coverage department. Instead of washing your face and following it up with your facial mositurizer, just put on a great tinted one instead. This way it cuts out the step of waiting for your normal moisturizer to soak in before you put on your face makeup.<BR><center>
<u>Department Store:</u> <b>Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15</b><BR>
<u>Drugstore:</u> <b>Wet n Wild Ultimate Sheer Tinted Moisturizer</b></center><BR><BR><BR>
<u>Makeup Removing Face Wash</u><br>
<img border="0" height="300" width="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOm9YpvAzyESVw5UXEIvKHrDWYKB66KuZqvqJuLdTLpY2OcL07n88UIPLhQpBkoN4WNb_zPYBMYvqOcN7IbG1nAUx9c-vNToBJPWb8v7F8aWOBihrapHzUPQp57JPau9vRK3FJuL6834/s320/philosophy_purity_made_simple_one_step_reviews_1073506_raw.jpg" /> OR <img border="0" height="300" width="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqF00-Cql3FhEBH5_e6S_hW3FWdFNr5NqrLpZA7uC225M7ZekFk1DVMChXmIohFQ52dxPcrdjtCf8U4Y2CTOX9-PacE_iob1qB-PWMqCJWCc19YEWFcMWOJDf34e85aL6CN-OJXJ_KoM/s320/neutrogena-naturals-neutrogena-naturals-fresh-cleansing-make-up-remover.jpg" /><br>
For when you sleep with your makeup on by accident or at night when your too tired to do the usual two step process of using makeup remover followed by your regular face wash. A dual action makeup removing facewash will clean out your pores and does not burn your eyes if you rub the soap over them. <center>
<u>Department Store:</u> <b>Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser</b><BR>
<u>Drugstore:</u> <B>Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover</b></center><BR><BR><BR>
<u>Body oil or Solid Lotion Bars</u><Br>
<img border="0" height="200" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Q6hoqaCR4ygDsFGP5UloQyJ9DO0bRH_OWJIefgR4yppaetyaPDsUpPV70g1e99GBqI8O3wgN0fpazeDOZTChdtipRAl6ufV45v2kgrZTV3CSIZJkERjNE_PLxyzd97QRN76OS4f5Iqk/s320/02176.jpg" /> OR <img border="0" height="200" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xnBWq6XVjkEgpAZSSnXcPqYJqzAiBEALP86eh4uravvDg5Z8t5zZgSJjXo2gDIhSiqXWE8ZYq1AO41lXi_T2mif-PlBqLsf8b-AcuQQSe39nm_l0CyjIPdqAAHxhuwoyNvj9vqCs83E/s320/300.jpg" /><BR>
Solid moisturizing body lotion bars are god sent. At first glance, I was skeptical on whether or not they would work because the concept was so new to me. When you are ready to get out of the shower and your skin is still wet, smooth the bar over your wet skin and then towel off. And Body oil, when applied right out of the shower and very liberally, will soak into your skin instantly. I have been using Neutrogena Body Oil since I was 12 because of how great it works and how little you have to use on the skin. Just three drops in your hand is enough to cover one arm, shoulder, and your neck.<center>
<u>Department Store:</u> <b>Lush King of Skin Body Butter</b><BR>
<u>Drugstore:</u> <b>Neutrogena Body Oil, Light Sesame Formula</b></center><BR><BR><BR>
<u>Good shavers</u><BR>
<img border="0" height="200" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMKPhNbezwarymEqVEBtpB2EWi093CA8fz4ZMAi1pakPGXO-rs_2hwYzMzuH7keXUxr6tdXRQWoVTW5CwlG48AO0iaKGmFyIyWujFeHyp1dDXtP8jptj6NHNfwewUMr3p9tGKD-O_MN8/s320/0004740050392_500X500.jpg" /> OR <img border="0" height="200" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_hJGHs0CU7pTFu2bbe_uxRo0KH1NbLuC9TpKbm_F5iVjNJccB2OQNa8QJGUv7Syf-JIBkbHYK8EaYB-KLUrgbS3ChHPGs_YN7JISg6Y0llUudmDYJx2sKMjSSInK22vkL5OS5jiuMOY/s320/bic-soleil-twilight3.jpg" /><BR>
As appealing as a pack of 100 shavers for $10 sounds, you risk getting cuts and leaving behind hairy patches on your ankles. If you invest in a 3+ blade razor, you will get a closer shave and not have to go over the same section relentlessly.<center>
<u>More Expensive:</u><B>Gillette Venus ProSkin Razor</b><BR>
<u>Less Expensive:</u><B>Bic Soleil Twilight Disposable Razors</b></center><BR><BR><BR>
<u>MISCELLANEOUS HONORABLE MENTIONS</u><BR><BR>
<b>Mositurizing Self Tanner - Palmers Cocoa Butter Bronze Sunless Tanner</b> is the lone wolf in this catagory because I have yet to find a moisturizing self tanner better than this one. It smells like coconut, smooths over the skin perfectly, and has an instant bronzer so you can see where you're putting it. The fact that it doesn't smell AT ALL like a self tanner is a major plus for me. And it's DIRT CHEAP!<BR><BR>
<b>Dry Shampoo - TIGI Rockaholic Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo</b> is a neccesity of your have oily or colored hair. I'm obsessed! It isn't neccessary to wash our hair every day, so a spray of this good smelling dry shampoo to the root will keep you feeling clean, whilst giving you a bit more volume too.<BR><BR><BR><center>
If you have any products that do double in a short ammount of time for you, please comment with them so I can add them to my repitore as well!</center>
Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-38140129291736404302012-07-02T11:37:00.000-06:002012-07-02T11:37:49.174-06:00Falling in love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjra2IvfTaJBw52AtKIrWRHpYodjJe6f2UIsb2jmb8THve8OT-4wd6_Hdi_5bUeIU1YNJGvvnGxDaM8YxP5m6uD1LQhEIW-PzOVWaUoEfnzezJ5ADAklKfdN1ndQgW0L22DUub7WR04mu4/s1600/91057223686202167_O5FpedQ3_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjra2IvfTaJBw52AtKIrWRHpYodjJe6f2UIsb2jmb8THve8OT-4wd6_Hdi_5bUeIU1YNJGvvnGxDaM8YxP5m6uD1LQhEIW-PzOVWaUoEfnzezJ5ADAklKfdN1ndQgW0L22DUub7WR04mu4/s320/91057223686202167_O5FpedQ3_c.jpg" /></a></div><BR>
When life gets hectic, we tend to push aside the things we truly enjoy (reading a good book, hanging out with loved ones, etc.) which is why I have been MIA from the blogging world. I really love to write post that may inspire at least one precious heart and it gives me great pleasure in giving people an insight into why I feel the way I do about certain things. Today's topic is falling in love.
<Br><BR>
Love is something else. Every musical artist under the sun has written songs about it. If they haven't written a love song, they've written a song about heartbreak which sometimes go hand in hand. We can't help what or who we fall in love with and when it happens, it takes over your entire being. You change. But when it's true love, you won't have to sacrifice anything that gives you self satisfaction. If you've ever had a pet that was part of your family, you'll understand exactly what I mean. That is unconditional love in which you do not need to give up other things you love in order to obtain. You can be your quirky, moody, crazy, beautiful self and still feel the love.
<BR><BR>
I used to go through an unfortunate cycle when it came to finding love for myself. I would date someone, fall completely head over heels for them, only to get my heart torn up when it would end. After one specific break up, I decided to change all that and decide that the next person I would fall in love with would be myself! I was single for a very long time and loved every minute of it! When most people are single they deem themselves as "unwanted". This is the most foolish thing you can think of yourself! Single Nikki met more interesting people then relationship Nikki ever did. Because when you get in the wrong relationship, you surround yourself with the other person and don't want to explore your surroundings. Maybe it's out of fear or content. You don't want to upset the other person. When it is the right person, you will never feel restricted. But why wait around for all of that? Just by falling in love with yourself, you will see positive changes in your life!
<BR><BR>
Since the beginning of my undying courtship to myself, I have:
<BR>
♥ Started doing makeup professionally and found out that it is what I truly love to do<BR>
♥ Got my cosmetology license<BR>
♥ Explored every inch of Manhattan (and ate some great pizza along the way)<BR>
♥ Traveled to Miami and Los Angeles for the only purpose of experiencing new surroundings<BR>
♥ Inspired others to reach inside their soul and do what truly makes them happy in order to get that amazing self satisfying high.<BR>
♥ Let myself get photographed professionally (something I NEVER felt comfortable with before!)<BR>
<BR>
I always believe that God creates every situation in our life, good and bad. He would have never put us on this beautiful life if he wanted us to fail. So if you are feeling alone, know that you never are and that there is a whole big world waiting out there just for you. You don't need anyones permission to do what you feel is right in your heart.<BR>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCQ3rAYHlqmysBn6aRBBFJyin5vFlS0D2Om2Q_8xJuxwbvxhfS_AlvG5qBLFBwiTFcUkYz7gVvJYKATqQ3l8hMQg8JdA-_-EBalbXXTBJWkxIyrYdS0hU2eqbRbgNojDKfslFUR3ZKn4/s1600/127719339401991967_IzXgwbHJ_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="239" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCQ3rAYHlqmysBn6aRBBFJyin5vFlS0D2Om2Q_8xJuxwbvxhfS_AlvG5qBLFBwiTFcUkYz7gVvJYKATqQ3l8hMQg8JdA-_-EBalbXXTBJWkxIyrYdS0hU2eqbRbgNojDKfslFUR3ZKn4/s320/127719339401991967_IzXgwbHJ_c.jpg" /></a></div><BR><center>
Big loves and even bigger adventures,<BR>
Nikki</center>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-76486808423136235322012-04-01T09:37:00.000-06:002012-04-01T09:38:43.637-06:00Preparation H... on my face?There are so many different products out there on the market that promise you to erase wrinkles over night or eliminate the appearance of large pores. About $300 and dozens of small sample containers later, we realize that we've been gypped! Here are three products that have been tested and guaranteed to help reduce imperfections and leave with extra cash in your wallet.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Pepto Bismol brightens your skin.</span> One product that has gained popularity in the last few years is foundation primer. It is said to smooth out the skin and make the appearance of foundation look more natural. These primers usually range in prices, topping of at almost $40 for a mere 2 ounces. Most people have complained that the thick consistency of these products has clogged their pores. A better alternative? Pepto Bismol, the stomach soother. After you cleanse your face, apply a light layer of this little known visage beautifier and let it sit for about a minute. Wash off with warm water, pat your face dry, and follow it up with a foundation or tinted moisturizer. It leaves a very, very slight pink hue to your skin that will gleam through the foundation giving you a nice, healthy glow. I've done this trick plenty of times before weddings or any daytime event where my face needs a quick pick me up!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Preparation H reduces eye puffiness.</span> This is an old trick that has been around for ages. Many believe that Preparation H tightens up the loose skin that is created from under eye bags. This is true, but it should only be used in moderation. There is a small amount of an ingredient in Preparation H called Phenylephrine. Phenylephrine restricts the blood vessels which in return reduces the puffiness. This is not an everyday fix and must only be done a couple of times a week. Studies have shown that Phenylephrine, if used on a constant basis, can cause headaches. Celebs use this trick too. Christina Ricci has said before, "Preparation H is the best thing for swollen eyes. I keep it in the fridge because it works best cold." <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Exfoliate with baking soda.</span> By adding a dime size amount of baking soda to your current face wash, it can do wonders for acne prone skin. It sloughs off all makeup buildup and excess oils while leaving your skin feeling rejuvenated and clean. Make sure to avoid the eye area when using baking soda and be kind to your face by rubbing in light, circular motions.<br /><br />Do any of you have any quirky skin, hair, or makeup tricks that you've always done? Please share!Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-63315328262446600282012-03-30T11:37:00.003-06:002012-03-30T11:44:22.820-06:00Why Your Mineral Makeup Isn't as safe as you think...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-QNklSLUUxhIL_Baldu4Rmx8NtO9JcPAH-brQYNIwQQnQoAhoC54NTYQbZZ6FVmrwd0Tv9ePTFDj_jbNfxKVOUw7Se14iPQtV31o_wWlzZfUFGNVp-2TljbIHskYx3A_VIvgvIKj4s8/s1600/mineral-makeup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-QNklSLUUxhIL_Baldu4Rmx8NtO9JcPAH-brQYNIwQQnQoAhoC54NTYQbZZ6FVmrwd0Tv9ePTFDj_jbNfxKVOUw7Se14iPQtV31o_wWlzZfUFGNVp-2TljbIHskYx3A_VIvgvIKj4s8/s320/mineral-makeup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725746240415011554" /></a><br />I wrote this article a year or so ago and I just found it. Since spring is pretty much here already, a lot of you fab gals all switching to mineral makeup to "let your skin breathe". But please read on to decided whether or not mineral makeup really is for you.<br /><br />Mineral makeup has been on the market for quite a few years now. Many companies boast that their makeup is so pure you can sleep in it. Is that really true though? Is mineral makeup just like wearing nothing at all? What exactly do we know about mineral makeup? I've debunked a few of these myths for you to help you balance out the pro's and con's of these products.<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MYTH #1: It is so light, you can sleep with it and it won't harm your skin.</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">FACT:</span> It's light and effortless feel is what has been the appeal for this makeup for so long. Customers think that because it is so light to apply, it will not settle in the pores like other foundations and concealers do. Any dermatologist will advise against sleeping in any kind of makeup, as it clogs pores and can cause skin irritation. This includes sleeping in mineral makeup. The makeup contains color pigment that settles into your skin just like any other type of formula.<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">MYTH #2: Mineral makeup clears up acne and blemishes.<br />FACT:</span> Acne is caused by many factors such as hormones and diet. Mineral makeup does, however, contain anti-irritating ingredients in it such as zinc which can be soothing to the skin. So although it does not clear acne, it can calm the redness and inflammation better than foundations that do not contain any anti-irritating agents.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />MYTH #3: Most Mineral makeup contains SPF which blocks your face from harsh UV Rays, therefore it is ok to just wear that on my face when I am outside.<br />FACT:</span> Although they do contain SPF, it is not certain on how much of this mineral makeup you would need to apply to get the full sun protection factor. Never rely on just the SPF in your mineral makeup to keep your face completely safe from the sun. If you plan on being outdoors, layer your face starting with a sunscreen with at least SPF 25 and then apply your mineral foundation on top of that. Those sun rays are strong and can penetrate even through the thickest of makeup.<br /> <br /> Mineral makeup contains very similar ingredients to that of the cosmetics that have been on the market for years. The powder formula makes it much easier to apply for the gal on the go, but it doesn't last as long as some liquid or cream foundations which even contain a face primer, depending on the brand. I still give mineral foundation an A++ for convenience and effortless use. But as far as if it is better or worse for your skin, the answer is the same for any other liquid, cream, or powder foundation.Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-15062516153172262092012-01-01T09:00:00.000-07:002012-01-01T09:00:01.195-07:00Baby, you're a firework!!<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVWKjFu6Lp0TjZxZJLE27eoaVezuNsvaWiZzvoGPyiZDczNtuRPb2Bni6SzjAEHRZx7qWG5jvyqeN7Dp969wExHBizN51Dp3pDgxV7fk3NWyO890ZvI2CbFF2b_wqggKWAWVUD3jW1h4/s1600/DSCF4252.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVWKjFu6Lp0TjZxZJLE27eoaVezuNsvaWiZzvoGPyiZDczNtuRPb2Bni6SzjAEHRZx7qWG5jvyqeN7Dp969wExHBizN51Dp3pDgxV7fk3NWyO890ZvI2CbFF2b_wqggKWAWVUD3jW1h4/s320/DSCF4252.JPG" border="1" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692354562001262834" /></a><br />Getting crafty in 2012!</center><br /><br />Happy New Year everyone! At any point in your life, you can decide to change things. Most people use New Years Day as a kick start into changing our old ways. And I'm here to wish all the happiness, joy, and encouragement to you in this fabulous year because I know that you'll be able to change whatever it is that's got you down. If no one is there to tell you, "You can do it!", hear my voice cheering you on and believing in you. If we are sure of ourselves and we have support, anything is possible in this amazing world. My new years resolution is to not be so afraid anymore - afraid of making mayjor life decisions, afraid of saying how I feel, and the biggest one - afraid of CHANGE. What is your resolution?<br /><br />♥ A great tool in helping you achieve all of your goals and aspirations is to make your very own <a href="http://www.oprah.com/packages/o-dream-board.html" target="new"><u>dream board</u></a>. You can do it online, or the poster board way (which is much more effective for me)<br /><br /> ♥ Sometimes the sign that you are looking for is <a href="http://www.michaelhartzell.com/Blog/bid/58241/A-Story-About-the-Jeep-the-Boat-the-Helicopter" target="new"><u>already right in front of you</u></a>.<br /><br />♥ Feathers are all the rage now, so why not try this fabulous site to <a href="http://www.edgeofurge.com/boutique/jessie_williams_designs/jewelry/add_ons-new.php" target="new"><u>create your own earrings</u></a>. They have so many fun patterns!<br /><br />♥ Whose ready to hop on a jet with me and party at this <a href="http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/candylandinspired-japanese" target="new"><u>Candyland inspired nightclub</u></a>?<br /><br />♥ If you share the love of abandoned buildings with me, then you'll really like seeing some of the most amazing <a href="http://amusementparksoftheworld.com/amusement/10-most-incredible-abandoned-theme-parks-on-earth/" target="new">abandoned amusement parks</a></u>.<br /><br />♥ Yoga is my equilvalent to eating a huge bowl of the best ice cream in the world. If you haven't tried it yet, read <u><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sadie-nardini/top-10-reasons-not-to-do_b_260935.html" target="new">Top 10 Reasons Not to Do Yoga</u></a>.Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-1223492068662344632011-11-24T18:51:00.010-07:002011-11-24T19:43:40.186-07:00Floating on ThanksgivingAt first it felt so strange.... I've never taken a vacation in the winter time so to swim around in a warm ocean on Turkey day certainly felt a little different, but in a way I could certainly get used to ;-) I just got in from Miami, Florida and I wanted to share with you some of the really fun things that I saw there. So come along and see Miami with me!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxuoiq62c4IkBgJPjdjzSmStClcofbLGpIAw_o7iyiXaOfLbrXsffFr042yN4U7wDwHluMzOft3j50oQgwGY54RHlZgBpoSW3lcQiFhGla6Vvab-DJy7oPl4urzTFwGAMLBWi-_JFIcA/s1600/DSCF4735.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxuoiq62c4IkBgJPjdjzSmStClcofbLGpIAw_o7iyiXaOfLbrXsffFr042yN4U7wDwHluMzOft3j50oQgwGY54RHlZgBpoSW3lcQiFhGla6Vvab-DJy7oPl4urzTFwGAMLBWi-_JFIcA/s320/DSCF4735.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678748014808182658" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg494HwL8sKcEpT-FCqpdbd7YnUFJdu6K7JqxbNLoPnbhd9e9VptcAI06ks_-1nCFZA69alol_cRexbLF4kACOE07eWftDtpBZr8yOfEu92K5lN2R82AIxTAYDPMYQjjRXN-ns6S9t5WGw/s1600/DSCF4709.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg494HwL8sKcEpT-FCqpdbd7YnUFJdu6K7JqxbNLoPnbhd9e9VptcAI06ks_-1nCFZA69alol_cRexbLF4kACOE07eWftDtpBZr8yOfEu92K5lN2R82AIxTAYDPMYQjjRXN-ns6S9t5WGw/s320/DSCF4709.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678748004780348018" /></a>South Beach is magnificently beautiful. The sand looks like cream and white pearls and the the ocean water is so clear that you can see your toes even when the water is almost up to your neck.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8V6jJ2HnbGiuEnUozxO9lckXVR-YDJav-vQpigaEX67gvQUz55FcfsN6rsy-VRFhbaDHn67Panhedi7-AQOAg_DNdATnUi1Z6L5lQMViA2zeeh-SmNfvcmeRcYZB4VQ2wtpbEgAIdLiY/s1600/DSCF4740.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8V6jJ2HnbGiuEnUozxO9lckXVR-YDJav-vQpigaEX67gvQUz55FcfsN6rsy-VRFhbaDHn67Panhedi7-AQOAg_DNdATnUi1Z6L5lQMViA2zeeh-SmNfvcmeRcYZB4VQ2wtpbEgAIdLiY/s320/DSCF4740.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678748661093845314" /></a>Even though I don't drink, I had to get a picture with the sign of the coolest-named beach bar in the universe! Haha<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyy5BBURgxsTk_SHqZodozsFWwieH-I3KPrXp88PKYb1g1sffywmP_3sShi7BOglwRZezeozI3mZum-2p42UkNkvb-C64kgfktlvf9YhK52Dnh-yqYSU06cIozkqMFP7K8zYkFL-RvrM/s1600/DSCF4743.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyy5BBURgxsTk_SHqZodozsFWwieH-I3KPrXp88PKYb1g1sffywmP_3sShi7BOglwRZezeozI3mZum-2p42UkNkvb-C64kgfktlvf9YhK52Dnh-yqYSU06cIozkqMFP7K8zYkFL-RvrM/s320/DSCF4743.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678749038259004242" /></a> Palm trees line ever street & it looks like a Hollywood movie set. This block was right before we entered to <a href="http://www.mdpl.org/" target="new"><u>Art Deco</u></a> district. There were so many unique archetectual designs running up and down the streets, it was really awesome.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2nz13sAJNqQss8y7_s5tMyaUPQxGj2i70wkT31q6iQk7a6ZF3RG3keVt3dPNQdazYhB9FNePZU4RkG_zld716VznX5W4yPOqGismloNIiJXKgyUtiQXpvIjU1Lic6vq2sNSu9dq9ExM/s1600/DSCF4746.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2nz13sAJNqQss8y7_s5tMyaUPQxGj2i70wkT31q6iQk7a6ZF3RG3keVt3dPNQdazYhB9FNePZU4RkG_zld716VznX5W4yPOqGismloNIiJXKgyUtiQXpvIjU1Lic6vq2sNSu9dq9ExM/s320/DSCF4746.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678750369710363010" /></a>This was not abnormal to see a Lamborghini parked on the side of the street. My sister and I counted about 10 Maserati's, 5 Lambo's, 2 Aston Martin's, too many Porsches, the car scene was certainly most intriguing. But none of those were my favorite....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xQ-973gvK5bCdZA5ovU3jNpmf5SERbNfSFcKK-dFesKjZ7qF8TMzxy4c5qZOvK2XjlRaUaB8iymCkZtJoIf4IlJJyb-usE7jFffd68tsCPkMSFCHtfiVMyE-T2yPvahXhyphenhyphen6Af_dTrHk/s1600/DSCF4752.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xQ-973gvK5bCdZA5ovU3jNpmf5SERbNfSFcKK-dFesKjZ7qF8TMzxy4c5qZOvK2XjlRaUaB8iymCkZtJoIf4IlJJyb-usE7jFffd68tsCPkMSFCHtfiVMyE-T2yPvahXhyphenhyphen6Af_dTrHk/s320/DSCF4752.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678756330793469538" /></a>The Pink Cadillac won my heart!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1Y2RUFGft5C9P0EAQTdO2B1EUBrpX_fftlWZT0agiG3FOGPK_zgS7T8ZD7WVQdjKykz2O-2lslrmL8oX_3M3beZ5O7srZqL7Tu0TzUEf6ST7nYVxV60eDFm6eFGgrJHMJqNy4RJFnUA/s1600/DSCF4732.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1Y2RUFGft5C9P0EAQTdO2B1EUBrpX_fftlWZT0agiG3FOGPK_zgS7T8ZD7WVQdjKykz2O-2lslrmL8oX_3M3beZ5O7srZqL7Tu0TzUEf6ST7nYVxV60eDFm6eFGgrJHMJqNy4RJFnUA/s320/DSCF4732.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678756546246525106" /></a><br />My dear friend Josh that I haven't seen in too many years met up with me and we had such a fun time. He had me laughing until 3am! Josh is a phenomenal body builder and recently created his own supplement that is taking off. He personally trains clients and they've all been really pleased with his product, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/CHOCOLATE.RHINO"><u>RHINO</a></u>. Give it a like on facebook and tell him that "Tooie" sent ya =)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtQpDbn_xKcxudhd6avZ43NYUR3E3vd4auYk3XcOiNVqG4TUoEZTXL8RCvnZrz6WETal2rpoW17oUMDAzyRdfk57CrQEL-Y5BfafSeu8cpEbvyOc1mFZp97275ZmkHm688g_d_uPBigU/s1600/DSCF4758.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtQpDbn_xKcxudhd6avZ43NYUR3E3vd4auYk3XcOiNVqG4TUoEZTXL8RCvnZrz6WETal2rpoW17oUMDAzyRdfk57CrQEL-Y5BfafSeu8cpEbvyOc1mFZp97275ZmkHm688g_d_uPBigU/s320/DSCF4758.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678756787165745122" /></a>This is my favorite picture of the whole trip, watching the sun rise on the beach. I sat out there for about an hour just thinking & listening. I love South Beach. Everything was amazing, the people, the environment. The plane ride back certainly was a tough one, but there really is no place like home. I hope you all had a warm and loving Turkey Day and whether you chose to eat turkey or not, I hope that all of your bellies were satisfied! Thank you for checking out my little jet-set get away of pictures and now for your viewing pleasure…..<br /><br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GSmKuVSocN8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Waves of love,<br />NikkiNikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-80444801208069344082011-11-14T17:15:00.009-07:002011-11-18T21:47:08.245-07:00How to be happy when everything else isn't working.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9VTVPPQFzOF2tdrKFQgq3obFusla-9FBm6r2Tu4lObiKdoY-zF-CbvZUaMnzT0-Jadm2-KBDnh621WXobDcMSuGngySizUXGIBZbUvhE_8tNks6JEQvy3zFuxKrxbAnAtiWWvTJWTNQ/s1600/jason-segel-628.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9VTVPPQFzOF2tdrKFQgq3obFusla-9FBm6r2Tu4lObiKdoY-zF-CbvZUaMnzT0-Jadm2-KBDnh621WXobDcMSuGngySizUXGIBZbUvhE_8tNks6JEQvy3zFuxKrxbAnAtiWWvTJWTNQ/s320/jason-segel-628.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676563395090158818" /></a><br /><center>In interviews, Jason Segel said that he cried when he first met Kermit while filming the upcoming Muppets movie. When they asked him why, he responded with "He was so beautiful!" He then went on to describe the magical spell puppets seem to cast on children, as they did on him as a child. "That's why I'm doing this movie." Love him.</center><br /><br /><br />Common emotions are often times overlooked on how perplexing they can be to achieve. Doctors swear on synthetic medicine to cure all illness but many people, like myself, prefer to seek out all other alternatives before taking any kind of pill. Drugs scare the bo-jangles out of me!! Even my headache medicine is homeopathic haha.<br /><br />But one of the most common illnesses that so many people deal with on a daily basis is depression. Some have it worse than others but I feel like everyone goes through some form of depression at some point in their lives. For a lot of people it's a constant battle. I USED TO BE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE. For a long time, I would wake up just wanting to go back to sleep. I would cry for no reason, be in a constant fog, but the most troubling thing for me was understanding why I felt this way when I had no reason to be so down. I have a family that loves me, wonderful friends, two legs to walk, two eyes to see, two ears... completely healthy! It would make me feel even more depressed when I would say to myself, "Nikki -- quit whining and get happy!" because I didn't understand why my brain wasn't on track with my heart.<br /><br />A few years back I had a very traumatic episode that made me change my life completely. I had to deal with my problems head on because I knew that would be the only way I would successfully be able to get to the other side of my unhappiness. While I won't go into this whole big debacle (best word ever!), I will tell you one of my not-so-secret tricks into getting over depression naturally. If you would like me to make a post about how I went from the ultimate low to the most amazingly (natural!) high, just leave me a comment.<br /><br /><center><span style="font-weight:bold;">SATISFYING THE DESIRES OF YOUR INNER CHILD.</span></center><br /><br />I'm a huge fan of author Louise Hay. In one of her books, she goes through a whole chapter dedicated to making your inner child happy. Until you've tried this, you have no idea how satisfying it truly is! I first read this chapter a couple years and I didn't fully understand why it wasn't quite clicking for me. Satisfying my inner child... got it, I thought. I tried everything I liked when I was a child...eating cotton candy (which I quickly learned makes me tummy hurt now) and wearing purple eyeshadow (this was the only eyeshadow I owned from 5th grade into 8th!). But I was still depressed. So I just figured it didn't work and kept on truckin' on. But what I didn't realize is that I wasn't satisfying my inner child's wants at all, I was just appeasing the simple pleasures like a child which wasn't any sort of progression at all. I needed to satisfy what I DIDN'T get as a kid but always WANTED! I realized this about a month ago....when I went to see Hanson in concert.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArTgN499VscJlThaHo7G1xOfxLrhg9ISx-zn9Q1kKhAkfXmHZJkh12059XcV85-9lFDkYvJC-jVMsmYOPoK_I6WPV_s9uAK7ApW1tXOqaFyZx7PqDVl_2cC-RmloO-vUHJxn7AwT5IE4/s1600/294402_276092909091574_100000726017954_899486_474518245_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArTgN499VscJlThaHo7G1xOfxLrhg9ISx-zn9Q1kKhAkfXmHZJkh12059XcV85-9lFDkYvJC-jVMsmYOPoK_I6WPV_s9uAK7ApW1tXOqaFyZx7PqDVl_2cC-RmloO-vUHJxn7AwT5IE4/s320/294402_276092909091574_100000726017954_899486_474518245_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676561177174982930" /></a><br /><center>This is one non-depressed Nikki!</center><br /><br />During their first song, this overwhelming sense of happiness filled my entire body. And then, as embarrassing as it is to admit, I started developing tears in my eyes! I looked over to my friend Lisa because I didn't understand why this was happening. These weren't sad tears, but happy tears! That's when it all clicked to me, all the things that I had read about making my inner kid happy. And I realized that it wasn't 23 year old Nikki crying these happy drops of love, it was 12 year old Nikki saying, "I'm finally seeing my all time favorite band!" And that's when it finally clicked to me that satisfying the dreams of when I was a kid can be just as rewarding when you do it when your an adult! <br /><br />So go out and buy that toy, pet, cd, whatever it is that you always wanted but never got. You'll be amazed at just how happy it will make you feel inside. And if you want a good read, Louise Hay's Book, "You Can Heal Your Life" will teach you exactly how, with the power of the mind, you can take any situation and turn it into a positive.<br /><br />Love your big kid,<br />NikkiNikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-25681244296722588532011-10-12T20:27:00.004-06:002011-10-12T21:26:21.355-06:00We're going streaking! And What I'm going to be for Halloween...**Go streaking this month for a good cause! I'll be doing it, and you should too - <a href="http://www.streakforcancer.org/"><u>click here</a></u> for all the info ;-)**<br /><br />Halloween has always been one of my most favorite holidays. It's a chance to be whatever you want to be and the crazier, the better. I have been something bloody since the first grade. If I had a scanner, I would do a fun slide show of all the past little Nikki Halloween costumes. Here is the best I could do taking a picture, of a picture, with my camera:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jWYgAlq7GUpS0HH-Ap4FmiqYH6T5lZ_QGcZMvPlCjz-YlxR-mBt0gPs2_c8o0ysyx39TcwRiexQOtZ5czv6_xKLqRqFn6ZP6UxnENI8iDcVhfnuDON3og4VhexxKIDZwTBNTnUxxCMU/s1600/DSCF4596.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jWYgAlq7GUpS0HH-Ap4FmiqYH6T5lZ_QGcZMvPlCjz-YlxR-mBt0gPs2_c8o0ysyx39TcwRiexQOtZ5czv6_xKLqRqFn6ZP6UxnENI8iDcVhfnuDON3og4VhexxKIDZwTBNTnUxxCMU/s320/DSCF4596.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662811221792020242" /></a><br /><center>I was a bloody waitress in a classroom filled with gypsies, ninjas, and happy costumes. I guess you can say my family had always beared a strong ethical resembalence to that of the Addam's Family.</center><br /><br />So to keep up with tradition, I decided to be one of my all time favorite movie characters of all time. I wanted to be something that I've never seen anyone do before. My sister had brought up the idea of doing a couples costume since she and I always end up being together on Halloween. So this year we're going with our favorite movie, Beetlejuice. She's going to be Miss Argentina (For those of you who don't remember, Miss Argentina is the receptionist who had a "little accident") and I am going to be.....<br /><br /><center><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Fj_inlzsDhQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />No, not Barbara... that's too easy. I'm going as the infamous shrunken head guy! All of the characters in this waiting room scene are great, but he was always my favorite ;-) I'll make sure to post up the finished look for both costumes and if you are interested, I'll even make a Miss Argentina makeup tutorial! I would try a shrunken head tutorial but I don't think I have the voodoo craftsmanship.... yet! ;-)</center><br /><br /><br /> ♥ We have been spoiled with the best of weather for the past week and starting today, it was cloudy and cold. Im not complaining though because this is the kind of weather that the upper East Coast is supposed to have in October. Have any of you started on your Halloween Costumes yet? I came across <u><a href="http://www.coolest-homemade-costumes.com/">this awesome site</a></u> that gives you the very best of costume ideas, home made ones! <br /><br /> ♥ I have so much respect for the creator of <u><a href="http://maewest.blogspot.com/">this fabulous Mae West blog</a></u>. He or she updates it everyday with information pertaining to the intruiging goddess that we can't seem to learn enough about. I might just be speaking for myself here (I've read 4 books about Mae, two of which she wrote herself!), but I can't seem to get enough. Thank you for keeping your blog afloat!!<br /><br /> ♥ I'm all for home made anything, especially if it's a bath or shower product of some sort. I bought a solid lotion bar from LUSH and fell in love with it. I wish they had made more scents (the only one they have is a light vanilla which is nice), so I looked into creating one of my own. <u><a href="http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/soap/msg1208514012148.html">Here is a step by step way to make your very own solid lotion bar</a></u>.<br /><br /> ♥ Servers and bartenders can give you the most accurate dating advice. Seek one out if you are in a dating slump and they will tell you exactly why. Lauren Romano hits the nail right on the head, giving you <u><a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/sex/dating-tips-i-learned-from-being-a-waitress-2496517/">dating tips I learned from being a waitress</a></u>.Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-4999332644305424762011-09-29T12:14:00.001-06:002011-09-29T12:16:06.533-06:00Time Tested Beauty Tips"Time tested beauty tips" is a poem written by Sam Levenson. I think out of every piece of beauty advice, every Cosmo magazine, and every youtube video - you will learn all you need to know from this poem.<br /><br />So here is the "Time Tested Beauty Tips" that everyone should learn:<br /><br />For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.<br />For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.<br />For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.<br />For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.<br />For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.<br /><br />People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody. <br /><br />Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.<br />As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.<br /><br />The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.<br /><br />The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!<br /><br />---Sam Levenson Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-85315065446659223202011-09-18T19:12:00.004-06:002011-09-18T19:34:00.506-06:00A letter to my younger selfEach year, I adopt more and more radical self love into my life. Every single one of us changes as the years progress and I like to try to make all of these changes positive ones. Just think about how much you've evolved in the last 5 years! If you could write a letter to the girl or boy you were back in teenage years, what would you say? Think about all the things you would be able to teach yourself now! So here it goes....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><font size="4"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Dear Little Nikki,</span></center></font><br /><br />Stop trying to impress others. No one really cares. You have to impress yourself. Do something that would shock yourself everyday and keep doing those things.<br /><br />Don't cry over that guy and don't chase after him. Chasing is for girls who don't think that they're good enough.<br /><br />You are fabulous and have such a special gift in you. Never, ever give up on your dreams and the more people knock you down, the more you gotta push harder because so many wonderful things lie ahead.<br /><br />Take some Spanish in high school, not German. Although Deutch is a kick-ass language, Spanish will benefit you in every field - especially the restaurant industry.<br /><br />Not everyone is going to love you but the people that do are what make life worth living.<br /><br />Don't ever think you're not good enough. Confidence is the best looking thing about you.<br /><br />Don't give into peer pressure. If you feel like friends are pressuring you to do something you don't feel comfortable with, then they're not good friends. You'll make better ones along the way anyway.<br /><br />Keep having dance parties until there is no other option but being in a wheelchair.<br /><br />Don't spend so much money on cheap shoes. They end up hurting your feet in the long run.<br /><br />Don't change your personality so you can hang out with people just to "fit in". If they don't like the fun, crazy, honest person that you are then they can piss off!<br /><br />You're skinny.<br /><br />Don't try to be the best. Just like how there is always someone taller, prettier, and smarter than you - there is also someone shorter, uglier, and dumber than you.<br /><br />You're friends will change and that's ok because change isn't as scary as you think it is. Sometimes they will change for the better, sometimes the worst. But everyone's going to have to find their own way and you can't change that. Just remember that family is more important than you will ever realize.<br /><br />Keep Disney music on your iPod always. It will faire well in many a road trip or bad day at work.<br /><br /><center><font size="3"><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Love,<br />Big Nikki</span></center></font>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-26309210993113557442011-09-15T11:32:00.007-06:002011-09-15T16:54:38.976-06:00Time for myself in NYC...Most of the greatest things I've ever done, I have done on my own. I willingly do what I want to do by myself because there is a certain comfort to knowing that I don't need to be anywhere at any time or have to entertain anyone but myself. I took a day trip up to NYC because I wanted to be a tourist and visit the places that I've never been to for whatever reason - whether I was with friends who didn't want to go to museums, I was doing makeup all day , etc. My goal was to visit the MoMA Museum and stroll around central park and I accomplished both and then some.<br /><br />I feel like New York's structural design is like an art gallery in itself. These building are meticulously carved and just so amazing.<br /><center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQ3YAuHJ1gBOjDTcdji9rQbc78KgznpsefApzPLFkWsmqPxPUs-wkFoi59Cb1c9whpO6-wtFgfg14c10668kvYgcOkyqcySct_LPGtHB093MrjipIwKPbsCuhb8As7wluzobySsqcN-A/s1600/DSCF4336.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQ3YAuHJ1gBOjDTcdji9rQbc78KgznpsefApzPLFkWsmqPxPUs-wkFoi59Cb1c9whpO6-wtFgfg14c10668kvYgcOkyqcySct_LPGtHB093MrjipIwKPbsCuhb8As7wluzobySsqcN-A/s320/DSCF4336.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652640779382445346" /></a></center><br /><br />MoMA is a really unique gallery. It's filled with some highly impressionable artists and so many various types of work such as paintings, photography, and sculptures. This piece below was created by Arman in 1969 and he called it "I Still Use Brushes". In this painting/sculpture, there are easily over 200 or so brushes embedded in plastic in an acrylic box. One day I will have that in my house, only I'll create it with shadow brushes, big ol' fluffy blush brushes, and the teeny-tiny liner brushes ;-)<br /><center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2IlXUp-1NnPlLJIuWZ391dZer2oqCeTDC95LRCWymQY-FOWsXNXoVw7RiobUL0jB4tpqxSVhsiEwOg0wZgs7FwYcLFpqmqtqqK8CObswjcjseCNFgBdBU33smcRNYtCV00E1ogAJP-Q/s1600/DSCF4543.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2IlXUp-1NnPlLJIuWZ391dZer2oqCeTDC95LRCWymQY-FOWsXNXoVw7RiobUL0jB4tpqxSVhsiEwOg0wZgs7FwYcLFpqmqtqqK8CObswjcjseCNFgBdBU33smcRNYtCV00E1ogAJP-Q/s320/DSCF4543.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652640966930694962" /></a></center><br /><br /><br />I always found beauty in disarray. If there is something that most people say, "What the HECK is that?" You can bet that I will find it the coolest thing ever and purchase something similar. This was my favorite piece of art because it displayed that beautiful balance of chaos and color. The artist, Robert Rauschenberg, was an advocate of using non-traditional materials and objects to emphasize his pieces. This one is simply titled "Bed".<center><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCVKpKWFpfNdJpICsWwZpLX52i9nLrx6gkyDs9APz8qq9RU_dAAmopgUnyKcOOzk6DvvlrlPbNDque1g81BvR3YMSL47ghvsIMK86cvpv3CbT34Eqtu_3eMuV32nmxEvKV_kSdtr-AqY/s1600/DSCF4544.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCVKpKWFpfNdJpICsWwZpLX52i9nLrx6gkyDs9APz8qq9RU_dAAmopgUnyKcOOzk6DvvlrlPbNDque1g81BvR3YMSL47ghvsIMK86cvpv3CbT34Eqtu_3eMuV32nmxEvKV_kSdtr-AqY/s320/DSCF4544.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652641115303313314" /></a></center><br /><br /><br />After I had a compelling conversation about men with an old woman (we happened to have the same taste when we realized that we were both checking out the Jason Lewis lookalike in the sculpture garden ;-) ), I went on over to Central Park just to collect my thoughts, sketch out whatever inspired me, and relax.<br /><br />The park is magnificent. I wanted to get lost in there but the clouds looked like they were rolling in so I stayed close to the perimeter.<br /><center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkbtVfLaV8r2q5aavxKpJZ-FdcAteB87KtFgOSg_Wd_mIh_LH9K7Ld2V8rvwMMeGwnntm3s3rYiH266ELX1wD39AWtorO4yb9DeKtW856-0Eh9gqNm5_0YTThzfxieu3F0HVznElhVlU/s1600/DSCF4551.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkbtVfLaV8r2q5aavxKpJZ-FdcAteB87KtFgOSg_Wd_mIh_LH9K7Ld2V8rvwMMeGwnntm3s3rYiH266ELX1wD39AWtorO4yb9DeKtW856-0Eh9gqNm5_0YTThzfxieu3F0HVznElhVlU/s320/DSCF4551.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652641337523485602" /></a></center><br /><br />It was hot. I wanted to swim with him.<br /><center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LS3tAf_QEcosIwBtZ07lnYdDF18za8_B_OOwraefAeMzRk8PKhWJYuMt7xex88HdpEyH_YUCqhjK9CmMXZL0pPPIFN0KAion2QZ8yIBki2ku9nbNvWShmxj60BsodyXs_y9BEoODvhY/s1600/DSCF4552.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LS3tAf_QEcosIwBtZ07lnYdDF18za8_B_OOwraefAeMzRk8PKhWJYuMt7xex88HdpEyH_YUCqhjK9CmMXZL0pPPIFN0KAion2QZ8yIBki2ku9nbNvWShmxj60BsodyXs_y9BEoODvhY/s320/DSCF4552.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652641493602865202" /></a></center><br /><br /><br />To polish off a wonderful day, I met up with three beautiful friends that I hadn't seen in the longest time. It was so great seeing all of them. The rest of the night was filled with whole lot of laughing and reminiscing. I was laughing so hard at one point that I started to cry! I felt so happy and filled with love when the day was finally coming to an end. For me, the city I love and new faces (or faces that I haven't seen in so long that they look brand new!) is my unhappiness antidote. What's yours?<br /><br /><center><br />Official creator of the "Phillet Cheesesteak" & Me haha<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1vJyjv9m-TBtYId6If6W02oTk3oSbcjP1BdUeuhK4GgRayYiE-cyuBd4MD_X-rxJB2uNBmj8k6eomUa45nLSjUzZcYBTZwt0H6IXiEpklnPlneFCiCrmQDXDYAuUDDXMICXUxgsg21A/s1600/DSCF4558.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1vJyjv9m-TBtYId6If6W02oTk3oSbcjP1BdUeuhK4GgRayYiE-cyuBd4MD_X-rxJB2uNBmj8k6eomUa45nLSjUzZcYBTZwt0H6IXiEpklnPlneFCiCrmQDXDYAuUDDXMICXUxgsg21A/s320/DSCF4558.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652642961738159938" /></a></center><br /><br />Love and happy adventures,<br />NikkiNikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-83943035680105617492011-09-13T00:25:00.005-06:002011-09-13T00:25:00.462-06:00How to get any tattoo you want for under $35!It might not be permanent but hey, Kat Von D can take a break for a little while….<br /><br /><center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfb2Qpi5K5s2l9CUFskc_Rth7RalLucz2i_KSz9RtxgTPwatH_RKn7i8TbVQXFnUifTMYZZ0sq6WE6Yra0n03nFKzwiaVa-wK40It5j_dG1FD5jVkkoHofHPzz4O638lwHegR9yF0rfs/s1600/DSCF4510.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 203px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfb2Qpi5K5s2l9CUFskc_Rth7RalLucz2i_KSz9RtxgTPwatH_RKn7i8TbVQXFnUifTMYZZ0sq6WE6Yra0n03nFKzwiaVa-wK40It5j_dG1FD5jVkkoHofHPzz4O638lwHegR9yF0rfs/s320/DSCF4510.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651356378972557922" /></a><br />I used a liquid liner with a fine tip (Wet N' Wild H2o liner is a great one) to sketch out the design.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTt7OMmO9jOPw8rDr7Y-1a45KdfOPBfRYIeGQlFyi3t9tX-shPlbcNuegNkNQAmAQ9Mo-NAnFF9n-efShforHZotHX4B1AVOy6cmLvpSLqDZeR_udbXDOKujQw30xQUIP2ooW2uMJKcFM/s1600/DSCF4514.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 205px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTt7OMmO9jOPw8rDr7Y-1a45KdfOPBfRYIeGQlFyi3t9tX-shPlbcNuegNkNQAmAQ9Mo-NAnFF9n-efShforHZotHX4B1AVOy6cmLvpSLqDZeR_udbXDOKujQw30xQUIP2ooW2uMJKcFM/s320/DSCF4514.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651356527662060946" /></a><br />I then filled it in using colors from the <a href="http://www.wolfefxmakeup.com/" target="new"><u>Wolfe FX</a></u> Neon Palette. I love this palette because all the colors need in order to be activated is the smallest drop of water. I'm convinced that this set will probably last me until I'm well into my 80's ;-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_smG1VCJJdG3j7H_doBueogrtALBC-4lvfYIZ54D0QThQwi0LNA491yxWG_3UwC7eEBAawbn_eDxyB8NYG6jLMK2cM17YEM_K-2COlVrXSUpGo6VA2kFszQwlINeGvJQ5cUEwW4Lfzs/s1600/DSCF4519.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_smG1VCJJdG3j7H_doBueogrtALBC-4lvfYIZ54D0QThQwi0LNA491yxWG_3UwC7eEBAawbn_eDxyB8NYG6jLMK2cM17YEM_K-2COlVrXSUpGo6VA2kFszQwlINeGvJQ5cUEwW4Lfzs/s320/DSCF4519.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651356662483253058" /></a><br />"Peeg" is my 4 legged daughter's nickname. Who wouldn't get a fake tattoo and put their pet's name in it? <br /><br />So come on over to Nikki's Tattoo Parlor on the next rainy and I'll give you a whole sleeve for one millionth of the price you would pay at a regular tattoo shop! And if you get bored with it 5 minutes after I do it, no need for fancy-schmancy lazer treatment. Scrub a dub with a washcloth and you're good!<br /><br />Love your non- needle obstrusive,<br />Nikki</center>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-84255919242217389692011-09-11T21:00:00.004-06:002011-09-12T00:08:02.701-06:00Today is the day where nothing will stand in your way.Sometimes we have those days where it feels so hard to get out bed and socialize with the real world. These days can go on for weeks, months, even years for some people. If you're feeling this way please know that it won't last forever. Being in a rut doesn't have to be a chronic disease. Each day is a new day - a day to make bright decisions, love with everything you've got, and see beauty in something that you may not have noticed before.<br /><br />If you had an absolutely atrocious weekend, guess what? It's over now! And you're going to have the most marvelous Monday ever. Even if all you are doing is going to your job or school. You can still bring out the best in others and yourself! If you are at school, work, basically anywhere you don't want to be on Monday -- challenge yourself to find the beauty in it. You'll be surprised what you find. Talk to someone new, drive or walk somewhere you've always had the urge to go but never wanted to do alone. You're never alone, so go do your thang!<br /><br />Which leads me to this website I came across: <a href="http://www.thecoolhunter.net/article/detail/1794/its-time-to-do-your-own-thing" target="new"><u>The Cool Hunter - It's Time To Do Your Own Thing</u></a> , Such an inspiring article with some really cool pictures to jump start your inner and mental creativitiy<br /><br />A few more fan-tab-ulous sites for your Maybach Monday (Maybach's are amazing, and so will be your Monday! haha)<br /><br /> ♥ People that are a whole lot more creative then me <a href="http://www.happyplace.com/4286/brilliantly-sarcastic-responses-to-completely-well-meaning-signs" target="new"><u>making common street signs funny</u></a>. Use ROSSWAY<br /><br /> ♥ If you still can't get rid of that dark cloud over your head today, let Alexandra Franzen coach you on <a href="http://unicornsforsocialism.com/2011/03/19/how-to-survive-when-everything-sucks/"><u>how to survive when everything sucks</u></a>. <br /><br /> ♥ I'm a girl. I dream about my wedding. We all do. When I have these dreams, they look a lot like this <a href="http://greenweddingshoes.com/bohemian-beach-wedding-ideas/" target="new"><u>beachy bohemian wedding</u></a>. I already told my sister she'd be main tambourine.<br /><br /> ♥ <a href="http://www.craftster.org/" target="new"><u>CRAFTSTER</u></a> is such an inspiring website that teaches you how to make almost anything -- from clothes to stuffed animals, wreaths, you name it!<br /><br /> ♥ <a href="http://www.raptitude.com/2009/07/88-important-truths-ive-learned-about-life/" target="new"><u>88 Important Truths About Life</u></a> . This couldn't be more factual.<br /><br /><br /><center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-JZomCoMLY432ZTMKzlLya2P8Rx4G5lTKam0OkLOdJcoY6FHGfAvplayZVX7bzU8366t31K0CxFXkA4UqVEiUAmjN2e3KcHjp9HVkDVO6UjLxY-scm-6Ms9VCJOpOhBnmZZAcXKlj1o/s1600/DSCN2536.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-JZomCoMLY432ZTMKzlLya2P8Rx4G5lTKam0OkLOdJcoY6FHGfAvplayZVX7bzU8366t31K0CxFXkA4UqVEiUAmjN2e3KcHjp9HVkDVO6UjLxY-scm-6Ms9VCJOpOhBnmZZAcXKlj1o/s320/DSCN2536.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651308217114912370" /></a><br />I like to live by the motto: Peace, Love, Pekingese!<br /><br />oxox,<br />Nikki E.</center>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-89389138288304746462011-08-14T13:35:00.007-06:002011-08-14T15:12:57.789-06:00How to have a Sunday Funday!Happy Funday errbody! Over here, the weather is pretty gloomy, rainy, and just plain ugly out. I had a full day off today and my plans were to stay inside and make my own fun since I couldn't do it outside. So here's how to make a rainy day, the best day of the week!
<br />
<br />1) What's shakin'? Bakin'!! Nothin' says "I'm having a good time on a rainy day!" like making some Funfetti cupcakes. I'm pretty sure Funfetti batter was made by the big guy upstairs with his bare hands. It went land, man, funfetti batter. The bible says some confusing words but if you read close enough, that's in there.
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_G78i-ThJ7htFad28KEvlfJtSmKohoets6Hdvb9krl0XYivRfCcYqP09zc-XyxKZUy0wwTdvNwUQsHzBwE7U5JT_OiAMEx3bNx4OXkkkOgB7UNDKSfIooCTtBiYb2Gfp-PU6nl7WWmw/s1600/DSCF4377.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_G78i-ThJ7htFad28KEvlfJtSmKohoets6Hdvb9krl0XYivRfCcYqP09zc-XyxKZUy0wwTdvNwUQsHzBwE7U5JT_OiAMEx3bNx4OXkkkOgB7UNDKSfIooCTtBiYb2Gfp-PU6nl7WWmw/s320/DSCF4377.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640807297623109026" /></a>
<br />
<br />2) A used to work with a wonderful guy named Jon who was a missionary. He would tell me stories about what he and his friends would do after church on Sunday and he always used to always start every story by saying, " After church, while I'm all hopped up on the Christ..." Haha, I loved it! So I adopted that saying too when I'm talking about how I feel after I go to church. Church on a rainy day is great because it makes you feel happy and enlightened. It is great any day but days like this especially when everyone is feeling a little blue and can use some lifting up =)
<br />
<br />3) Go see a 3D movie!
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwoYA1chltSsddUzoJ-1SwCWFZP8D2PuXV3ezJeGuv6TIT0t0FL6dInsCZCdc6Dp0Cy_kn8Sitc6AFiXRHPWs9rQ5g1m9uzFGOhsYtO1XRb8r4bKSMMg0n8zo6_zfZURcpSepe4jOdyw/s1600/DSCF4382.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwoYA1chltSsddUzoJ-1SwCWFZP8D2PuXV3ezJeGuv6TIT0t0FL6dInsCZCdc6Dp0Cy_kn8Sitc6AFiXRHPWs9rQ5g1m9uzFGOhsYtO1XRb8r4bKSMMg0n8zo6_zfZURcpSepe4jOdyw/s320/DSCF4382.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640817221695255426" /></a>
<br />And save the glasses so you can pop out the lenses and make some good ol' fashioned geek glasses.
<br />
<br />4) Dance with your mom, dad, dog, or by yourself! Find a good jam that will pump you up and get the blood going. I combined baking and dancing all in one. Here's a few fun and highly dance-able songs to get you started.<center>
<br /><iframe width="375" height="299" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AmuKdoe8MvI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<br />
<br /><iframe width="375" height="299" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AhvPoBwMfSA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<br />
<br />What did you do today despite the crap going on outside? Tomorrow I'm touring the Makeup Designory School in NYC and I'm a little nervous, so I'm trying to stay busy today so I don't over think it like I do with everything else haha. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday Funday!</center>
<br />
<br />Love,
<br />Nikki & my hopped-up-on-the-sprinkles mama!
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUuPC-MK5eAo6-yMfgsfFmQDOWHNYmUikBKbzmaXRTh2ND6ctpK27bJU3XePOL6QDtyR-Im6VOi1gnkRODbf2mwkZJw9ML_2lgd7fJxk-c7TqiO6xBes6NPKQrmCLrymJ7j70IOLbm5Y/s1600/DSCF4416.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUuPC-MK5eAo6-yMfgsfFmQDOWHNYmUikBKbzmaXRTh2ND6ctpK27bJU3XePOL6QDtyR-Im6VOi1gnkRODbf2mwkZJw9ML_2lgd7fJxk-c7TqiO6xBes6NPKQrmCLrymJ7j70IOLbm5Y/s320/DSCF4416.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640821877346510018" /></a>
<br />Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-4439455600249033772011-05-03T21:43:00.003-06:002011-05-03T21:46:37.411-06:005 Gift Ideas for Your Glamorous MomMothers' Day is this Sunday and it's certainly tough finding something for a mom who seems to have it all. Here are a few gift suggestion, in no particular order, that are suitable for the glam mom who loves makeup and beauty.<br /><br /> 1) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stila-Color-Wheel-Shadow-Palette/dp/B00461AN38">Stila Color Wheel Eyeshadow Palette</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcEJuhtoIDTxdMUI2Q-gFPTXmUli_rwrWbbW9CPuhZTJaSQRo3xPzds9nwWVFLDmjmgSeT6yvPrSmo7rwctJILhLQ0PH68zrQ0Lg52Za-MuSR_plvLbJYtlwAj2whH9lfyMkUDBdlkTQ/s1600/Stila.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcEJuhtoIDTxdMUI2Q-gFPTXmUli_rwrWbbW9CPuhZTJaSQRo3xPzds9nwWVFLDmjmgSeT6yvPrSmo7rwctJILhLQ0PH68zrQ0Lg52Za-MuSR_plvLbJYtlwAj2whH9lfyMkUDBdlkTQ/s320/Stila.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602701753789688242" /></a><br />What an awesome palette! It comes with 37 eye shadow shades, two double ended shadow brushes and a 16 page look-book with step by step instructions. The eyeshadows are even numbered to make the application that much easier! Mom will be doing her makeup like a pro in no time with this little baby. I got this for my mom for Christmas and she's tried so many different looks because of it and has really gotten pretty good applying!<br /><br /> 2) <a href="http://www.blissworld.com/spa.aspx">Bliss Spa gift certificate</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YeFPrrv34J9rBPJgZkIB6RVRqVKh05-ZWqjN2-anOt718YkAPcycuvz5dM8TJ9djGfUibdxEDhyu8UzJdW88KGRtEXumypsy-1-X67PPJlhMmpO4h89HhYy5MfZD6JsCDD50MZDXNW8/s1600/Bliss-London-Store-photographer-Patrice-Maurein.preview.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YeFPrrv34J9rBPJgZkIB6RVRqVKh05-ZWqjN2-anOt718YkAPcycuvz5dM8TJ9djGfUibdxEDhyu8UzJdW88KGRtEXumypsy-1-X67PPJlhMmpO4h89HhYy5MfZD6JsCDD50MZDXNW8/s320/Bliss-London-Store-photographer-Patrice-Maurein.preview.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602701763474800306" /></a><br />All mama's love a little pampering :) Bliss Spa is pricey, but their oxygen facial is coveted by celebrities all across the nation. Perfect for a mom that is constantly on the go. Bliss products are also carried at Bath and Body works.<br /><br /> 3) <a href="http://www.hempztreats.com/">Hempz Treats Lotions</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWRj8ZXRvEeavJZoSGeE7m2FOr1XgrF12z6-lls8y-V0XOTNc4pzd0p6N9xydmb6S0azG6J16jvUV3O4qq927zfEkHIKjzyAcTo9WkTbP0Pr9Qwm7WSwgLHAPsd9PORQ4BmkwbERGudI/s1600/hempz_treats.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWRj8ZXRvEeavJZoSGeE7m2FOr1XgrF12z6-lls8y-V0XOTNc4pzd0p6N9xydmb6S0azG6J16jvUV3O4qq927zfEkHIKjzyAcTo9WkTbP0Pr9Qwm7WSwgLHAPsd9PORQ4BmkwbERGudI/s320/hempz_treats.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602701770341808274" /></a><br />A little goes a long way with these lotions. Their scents are simply scrumptious - Cranberry Vanilla, Orange Dream Cupcake, Strawberry Cheesecake (my personal favorite because it smells EXACTLY like my favorite drink from my childhood…Nestle's Strawberry Milk!). They come in large sizes and purse-perfect sizes too. If mom likes the smells of warm cookies baking in the oven, then she's going to go crazy for these. Check out their website for all of the flavors.<br /><br /> <br /> 4) <a href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P261322&categoryId=5626">St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlugfu246K7FciT_nkrrnRstLrPU-0pIxYLeF6g7YVwBu2v-TELrzf_YhHF1OK6GlxVfTPL2XmVGCCgzYD-_V9xMCBRUnU5_QqL7bIbozowEdLYebyAqPgD2dH1dLCV2k525qjYMpV_gI/s1600/st+tropez+whipped+bronze.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlugfu246K7FciT_nkrrnRstLrPU-0pIxYLeF6g7YVwBu2v-TELrzf_YhHF1OK6GlxVfTPL2XmVGCCgzYD-_V9xMCBRUnU5_QqL7bIbozowEdLYebyAqPgD2dH1dLCV2k525qjYMpV_gI/s320/st+tropez+whipped+bronze.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602701779056805826" /></a><br />Beach season is right around the corner and mom's legs (and probably yours too!) are looking like they've soaked up more moonlight than sunlight. St. Tropez has wonderful bronzing products that are extremely easy to use. The self tanning mousse is great because mom will be able to see where exactly she puts the tanner, making it that much easier to apply. <br /><br /> 5) <span style="font-weight:bold;">DONATE!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSK_tiOd0NJEcpUKL1Mvy_xzHTWJb2vqCVoYUr7Fh5USgapuIzYAAJZN-L0i7dTnALXc_-EYXtVcApGsWaGvA6S4a2LURTLzfhSo6HI-y87V_pyUGPSh_S4NXbQQ4VU6-B28mssC0Bio/s1600/donate.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSK_tiOd0NJEcpUKL1Mvy_xzHTWJb2vqCVoYUr7Fh5USgapuIzYAAJZN-L0i7dTnALXc_-EYXtVcApGsWaGvA6S4a2LURTLzfhSo6HI-y87V_pyUGPSh_S4NXbQQ4VU6-B28mssC0Bio/s320/donate.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602701789612487826" /></a><br />This is my favorite gift so far! No mom wants their son or daughter to spend a lot of money on them. Taking the money that you would spend on a meaningless gift and using it to <a href="https://co.clickandpledge.com/advanced/default.aspx?wid=41411">feed animals in a shelter</a> or <a href="http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_src=RSG000000000&s_subsrc=RCO_BigRedButton">aid recent tornado victims</a> will mean more to her than any Yankee Candle or personalized jewelry box ever would. You can also put the donation in her name so that they will send her a personalized letter in the mail.Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-71851441369829726312011-04-17T10:13:00.002-06:002011-04-17T10:16:50.098-06:00You "Like" me! You Really "Like" me!As you can tell, I haven't been posting as much as I have been for the past week. I'm in the process of bringing you a much more different, informative site that will have tips and other fun things on there for you. For now, I'm updating my facebook with constant information. Please "like" me to keep up and I hope you are having a beautiful weekend :)<br /><br />The "like"able,<br />Nikki<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnikkievansmua&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&font&colorscheme=light&height=80" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height:80px;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-91070444128230631992011-04-08T12:59:00.008-06:002011-04-08T22:10:08.720-06:00Waking up to Makeup @ Nordstrom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgqeqBtuSV_Xb5muBZ3OnsgUH4jg_QHj9DujZMS8Bn-CgrWjaViQcznFCKRhIOqlXGfI0Xs4VD1Noxfkw-ssGTVAucgOidoDQ9Zeg_r7OSMFDAjlT4OBbYV9nO1zVUxWlAbUaexnKCgE/s1600/DSCF4271.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgqeqBtuSV_Xb5muBZ3OnsgUH4jg_QHj9DujZMS8Bn-CgrWjaViQcznFCKRhIOqlXGfI0Xs4VD1Noxfkw-ssGTVAucgOidoDQ9Zeg_r7OSMFDAjlT4OBbYV9nO1zVUxWlAbUaexnKCgE/s320/DSCF4271.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593294592165483602" /></a><br />*First off, I'd like to start by saying I am not a reporter. As fun as it would be, I just don't have that Diane Sawyer-like quality. I like to get in and get out at big events, getting as much info as I can in a small ammount of time. Maybe it is my anxiety, who knows, but I'm just a lil-ol' beauty blogger trying to bring up to date beauty news to you beautiful internet folk =) I don't have one of those fancy camera that take big, HD images. I have my little red Nikon Coolpix that seems to work for me just fine! Having said that, here is my documentation on Nordstrom's Beauty Bash Event for their grand opening this past Friday, April 8th.*<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_Wfu0U_WEBuIhIQqbstoIVmw-jks1uaAuWXqCa_tAAHz6HQE0kAWSCf-SP5GKJYHPgptsRKheyd8_0YM-QWfVPjOb3PhWqP96qjejZ4HPYo81XGRFEAHL6LHTf9TAQwk3biXJeK9OTs/s1600/DSCF4270.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_Wfu0U_WEBuIhIQqbstoIVmw-jks1uaAuWXqCa_tAAHz6HQE0kAWSCf-SP5GKJYHPgptsRKheyd8_0YM-QWfVPjOb3PhWqP96qjejZ4HPYo81XGRFEAHL6LHTf9TAQwk3biXJeK9OTs/s320/DSCF4270.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593294591278935778" /></a><br />There were easily over 3,000 people in attendance which was a shock to me seeing as how the event started at 8am! The event was catered with doughnuts, coffee, and big-ol jugs of milk in order to wake the public up. And if food didn't work, a DJ was live at the event spinning the current top 40 dance tracks. Everyone was wide awake, some people even dancing! The female emcee of the day was doing a wonderful job pumping up the crowd.<br /><br />It was great to see all of the enthusiastic workers gathering customers and placing them at one of the several pop up makeup stations. Such brands in attendance were La Mer, Laura Mercier (who btw makes the best foundations for full coverage I've ever used!), MAC, Marc Jacobs, and Nars to name a few. I interviewed fellow MUA Shanell Green from Nars in order to find out what her thoughts and feelings were about the upcoming trends and if she had any makeup tips she was willing to dish out. You can view the interview at my Wilmington Examiner site by clicking <a href="http://www.examiner.com/makeup-in-wilmington/interview-with-nars-makeup-artist-shanell-greene-at-the-nordstrom-beauty-bash">here</a>.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGMO7l-CpUt_bUXIcAUJF4CbXQ-cQA-h72EE2-MvnFaRXG8y1NuvNlDxr9Qw5UW6S5opXPgaCj_sxf2iv_bR9pdXR_-09bqT6Vv5ijNj_Ro6Q3eu3cosku2y1a3LWti1krQEQPP1y75E/s1600/DSCF4286.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGMO7l-CpUt_bUXIcAUJF4CbXQ-cQA-h72EE2-MvnFaRXG8y1NuvNlDxr9Qw5UW6S5opXPgaCj_sxf2iv_bR9pdXR_-09bqT6Vv5ijNj_Ro6Q3eu3cosku2y1a3LWti1krQEQPP1y75E/s320/DSCF4286.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593294598729766450" /></a><br />The morning went by so fast and I got to meet so many wonderful people! Delaware Fashion Blogger, <a href="http://www.urprettyhaute.blogspot.com">Leslie Eugene</a> was in attendance as well so stay posted for what she thought about the event. I got sample galore and I can't wait to see which seem to work the best. I picked up Philosophy's "Help Me" retinol nighttime cream because of all the amazing things I've heard about it. I have a few small dark spots on my face that I can thank the Jersey Shore and my immature ignorance to SPF when I was younger for. I've read so many reviews on "Help Me" that I just had to give it a go! Not only does it fade the the spots, but it also fills in fine lines and softens skin all around. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this "Fountain of Youth" promised product =)<br /><br />Have a wonderful weekend and next stop on the Nikki makeup train - the 2011 IMATS in New York this Sunday. Super excited!!<br /><br />oxox,<br />Nikki<br /><br />P.s. Does anyone have $10,000 lying around so I can buy these boots? Absolutely fabulous!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW4GqrMRdOXa94RC_VOmipckarPAjOxP6vmL6l30gnTtZQZf6c8HIp4h7hrVCnLfhCuwDUpzIhKSuQOfZcNYH9cnE2huVHIj4K3jWiu0yJW8I5tw_K4fv5pp9TQuSxvT7QnUTQntP0uo/s1600/DSCF4284.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW4GqrMRdOXa94RC_VOmipckarPAjOxP6vmL6l30gnTtZQZf6c8HIp4h7hrVCnLfhCuwDUpzIhKSuQOfZcNYH9cnE2huVHIj4K3jWiu0yJW8I5tw_K4fv5pp9TQuSxvT7QnUTQntP0uo/s320/DSCF4284.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593294596783527954" /></a>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-71407908595548001932011-04-06T13:02:00.003-06:002011-04-06T13:19:32.603-06:00I have something so exciting to share with you!I am so excited because Nordstrom invited me to their <span style="font-weight:bold;">Beauty Bash</span> event for the grand opening of their newest store at the Christiana Mall in Newark, Delaware this <span style="font-weight:bold;">Friday, April 8th!</span><br /><br />I can't wait to see everyone there!<br /><br />And what made me feel even more honored is that they asked <span style="font-style:italic;">me</span> to join them inside the store before the big grand opening where they first greet the new customers! I feel like I am on cloud 9!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhon2OsPSgfHkYFGW-by-0rLDsARJ95ZfI7IeGZFcx5vlrn5XV3AKyW0v4VDzux1yRbe80hW8Z4dLO82YEG2KV9NyCBn848aQJdan3NtoA9Ow0DiIePB5JtiRVacGeeoaTazD8jVHUdYXM/s1600/Beauty-Bash-Swag-Bag-Free-Give-away.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 236px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhon2OsPSgfHkYFGW-by-0rLDsARJ95ZfI7IeGZFcx5vlrn5XV3AKyW0v4VDzux1yRbe80hW8Z4dLO82YEG2KV9NyCBn848aQJdan3NtoA9Ow0DiIePB5JtiRVacGeeoaTazD8jVHUdYXM/s320/Beauty-Bash-Swag-Bag-Free-Give-away.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592551989033037458" /></a><br />If you see me, please come up and say hi. There is going to be so much happening that day, it will be crazy. There are going to be some amazingly great deals and free goodies and for the first 1000 attendees, each person gets this great beauty bash tote stashed with lots of wonderful samples and products! Also, you’ll receive a deluxe train case with your purchase<br />of $150 or more from the department as an exclusive grand opening gift to you!<br /><br /><br /><br /><u>Here are some of the events and special gift with purchases that will be going on straight from the Nordstom PR Department:</u><br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Philosophy Oxygen Pee</span><br />Great Skin is in! Please join our skincare team of experts for a complimentary Oxygen Peel and skincare consultation. Receive a 5-piece gift with any $50 or more purchase of Philosophy.<br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Enhance Your Style with Estée Lauder</span> (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m)<br />Join Estée Lauder and InStyleR magazine to celebrate the grand opening of our newest store and enhance your style for spring. Receive a complimentary style consultation with an InStyle representative, plus take home a copy of InStyle’s book, ‘Instant Style,’ when you make a qualifying purchase of Estée Lauder products.<br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Clarins Beauty Party</span> (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m)<br />Join us for our Clarins Beauty Party—you’ll meet our makeup and skincare experts and learn about the latest trends in signature Clarins beauty and skincare products. You’ll receive two deluxe-size samples with your two-item Clarins skincare purchase.<br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Shiseido Facial Massage</span> (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m)<br />Experience our signature Shiseido facial massage. After your relaxing treatment, receive a makeup lesson using our amazing spring color collection created by master makeup artist Dick Page. Plus, receive a makeup pouch filled with Shiseido samples<br />with your two-item skincare purchase.<br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Tria Beauty ‘At Home Laser Hair Removal’ Event</span> (11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m)<br />Join us and experience Tria Beauty At Home Laser Hair Removal. Tria Beauty experts will be available to demonstrate and educate customers on how to acheive hair-free skin in just six months. Plus, with your Tria beauty purchase, receive a<br />full-size oil-free SPF 32 sunscreen.<br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare ‘Peel the Difference’ Event</span><br />Join us for a one-to-one consultation and experience better skin tone, smoother texture, a softening of fine lines and wrinkles, and more. In addition, receive an Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel with your $100 purchase.<br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Peter Thomas Roth ‘Undo the Damage’ Event</span><br />Get skincare tips and tricks from Peter Thomas Roth expert during a complimentary consultation and mini facial. In addition, receive a deluxe gift with your $75 purchase from the line.<br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Elemis ‘Teaser’ Event</span><br />Enjoy a mini Anti-Aging Facial and Exotic Hand & Arm massage during a one-to-one consultation with an Elemis Skin Expert. Plus, with your $150 purchase from the line, receive three deluxe Elemis skincare samples.<br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Meet Dior National Makeup Artist Rodderick Gregg</span> (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m)<br />Meet Dior celebrity makeup artist Rodderick Gregg. Rodderick and his team will show the latest tricks and trends for the spring season. You’ll take home a complimentary Skincare Starter Set with your Dior purchase of $125 or more. Please reserve your<br />appointment with a Dior Beauty Advisor.<br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Jack Black Neck, Shoulder and Hand Massages and Mini Facials for Him</span> (12 – 8:00 p.m)<br />Relax and experience Jack Black Skincare and Grooming products during professional treatments. Experts will be available to customize a skincare and grooming routine that’s best for you. With your qualifying Jack Black purchase, receive a special gift.<br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Clinique Gift with Purchase</span><br />With your purchase of $25 or more from Clinique you’ll receive four smile-brightening lip shades, instant pick-me-up eye cream and more! Turn your smile at least one shade brighter with a lip palette filled with four shades of Clinique Brighter Smile Lip Colour—only in this gift. For healthier-looking skin, there’s radiance-enhancing Clarifying Lotion, fresh-face cleanser and de-puffing eye cream. Add lash-boosting mascara and a cheery cosmetics bag and you’re happily glowing.<br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Lancôme Exclusive Gift with Purchase</span><br />Choose five of your favorite eleven Lancôme items as our gift with your purchase of $32.50 or more from the line. Plus, receive a four-piece makeup brush set with your purchase of $75 or more from the line.<br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">M•A•C ‘Quite Cute’ Event</span><br />Receive pastel shades for Eye Quads, Lipstick, Plushglass, and Nail Lacquer. And by popular demand, we’re completely revamping three favourite Lip Pencil shades from last season that will join in on the fun and frolic. You’ll love the Mineralize Blush with the sweet heart baked right into it. If it shines, shimmers and pops it’s completely, contagiously cute!<br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Nars ‘Best of Bronzers’ Event</span><br />Discover the makeup essential for summer as our beauty experts custom match the perfect shade of bronze to your skin tone. Plus, receive a mini lipgloss trio with your purchase of $85 or more from the line.<br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Anastasia Brow Event</span><br />Receive a personal eyebrow consultation to achieve the ideal eyebrow that complements your hair, eyes and overall complexion. An Anastasia-trained Brow Expert will shape, create and educate you on what eyebrow shape flatters your facial structure. Plus, with your $85 Anastasia purchase, you’ll receive a complimentary service bounce-back card to use toward a brow service on your next visit.<br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">La Mer ‘Skin Essentials’</span><br />Enjoy a luxurious treatment during a personalized consultation with our La Mer expert and discover why devotees say the La Mer Miracle Broth is a secret well-worth knowing. Space is limited; please inquire for further details and reserve your appointment today.<br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Mario Badescu ‘Mini Facial’</span><br />Come and have some one-to-one time with a Mario Badescu skin specialist. Whether you need to maintain your complexion or solve a skincare quandary, our experts will create a regimen to fit your individual skin type and lifestyle. In addition, with your $50 purchase receive three deluxe samples of Mario Badescu skincare in a signature cosmetics bag along with a mirror.<br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Clarisonic ‘Sonic Cleansing and Infusion’ Event</span><br />Stop by our Clarisonic Station for a quick cleanse or lift prior to your skin or makeup consultations. Learn about these innovative tools and the sonic technology that make both the Clarisonic Skin Care Brushes and the Clarisonic Opal so effective. Plus, receive a travel case and replacement brush head with your Clarisonic purchase of $149 or more.<br /><br /> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">Prevage ‘Skin Scanner’ Event<br /></span><br />Meet the Prevage experts and discover the latest in diagnostic technology, the Skin Scanner. This powerful tool will analyze your skin and reveal signs of premature aging that the naked eye can’t see, such as sun damage, dehydration and enlarged<br />pores. Plus, with your $98 purchase from the line, receive a special tote with Prevage deluxe sample.<br /><br /><br /> The event is from 8am-10am, this Friday. And that list isn't even the full list of what will be going on that day so be prepared. See you then!!Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-31833817409068765152011-03-30T09:22:00.000-06:002011-03-30T09:22:00.422-06:00Sally Hansen Nail Polish Strips - 10 days later!And the results of the Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish strips....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_y9BXH1By90k9Sfh57kBHKil_ez6YQTIgemu86kh07Ogj6U0xU0mPkaLbg2cvifobouNVLsIJGLXeCypVNqjq6-ONtcmKLlrV38z7MDLo-OfHlHYyCu3MN4S3AyOGIGFkvfk4buKAoc/s1600/DSCF4266.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_y9BXH1By90k9Sfh57kBHKil_ez6YQTIgemu86kh07Ogj6U0xU0mPkaLbg2cvifobouNVLsIJGLXeCypVNqjq6-ONtcmKLlrV38z7MDLo-OfHlHYyCu3MN4S3AyOGIGFkvfk4buKAoc/s320/DSCF4266.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589633024643755074" /></a><br />Awesome! Just a little bit of wear at the edges, but all in all I am super pleased with these. I wore them through numerous showers, work, dancing, and even wore them at the wedding I went to this past weekend! I think I might do these as the next give away because I haven't done one in so so long and I think every gal should really give these a try =) If you were to try them, what color would you choose?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkor_UddAhQ2LJetQXYhicZLOMIj5PaWC-ck-1dOKkaJ11YIMqjROXeSA9VYExNyUwQcp0rf5VcfOVUM64_y6bP13NjpporuKOcbI9Gt84V0-_bjm4jNZtiOdAg6dW4k_RJYiOwVlFaE/s1600/sally-hansen-salon-effects-nail-polish-strips.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkor_UddAhQ2LJetQXYhicZLOMIj5PaWC-ck-1dOKkaJ11YIMqjROXeSA9VYExNyUwQcp0rf5VcfOVUM64_y6bP13NjpporuKOcbI9Gt84V0-_bjm4jNZtiOdAg6dW4k_RJYiOwVlFaE/s320/sally-hansen-salon-effects-nail-polish-strips.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589633395361202514" /></a>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-3862932969545527782011-03-28T09:48:00.000-06:002011-03-28T09:48:00.819-06:00I LOVE MY SIZE 6 JEANS!I really don't understand why so many girls take diet pills to be thin. Being crazy thin is not sexy! What looks better to you:<center><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.celebrity-mania.com/images/bgphoto/img/90426W5_LOHAN_B-GR_10.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 340px;" src="http://www.celebrity-mania.com/images/bgphoto/img/90426W5_LOHAN_B-GR_10.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> <font size="5">OR</font> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://pigmediacraft.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/1-8lindsay-lohan-sex-e-screensaver.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 340px;" src="http://pigmediacraft.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/1-8lindsay-lohan-sex-e-screensaver.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></center><br /><br />Why Lindsay decided to lose so much weight, I'll never know. She looked so wonderful at the start of her fame. Working out is healthy and good for your body and I encourage taking care of yourself. But fighting what god has blessed you with in order to fit what you see in magazines is not the right attitude. I love to run and be active, so I don't look at myself as unhealthy at all. I have a butt, I've always had a butt, and I wouldn't have it any other way! We are all created so precious and unique and if you know that you are as healthy as you can be whatever weight you are at, embrace it and love yourself the perfect way that you are. If you're naturally very thin, take your super model bod and be proud that you don't have to watch what you eat. If you have "extra love", show it off! Marilyn Monroe was rumored to be a size 10 and she had no problem posing in front of a camera!<br /><br />No matter what size you may be, wear it with confidence. Because confidence is truer than any number you see on a scale. Some of the most beautiful women I know may not look like models but it's because of their shining, radient personality and love they give off that they are absolutely stunning. With all the magazines slapping their miracle weight loss promises on the front cover to attract buyers, I wanted to write a blog today about just being who you are and loving every bit of it. If no one is telling you that you are beautiful, I am telling you right now that you are so gorgeous and breath taking! You have your own special features that NO ONE in the world has! That's something to be proud of and show off girl! I love you the way that you are.<br /><br />Have a beautiful, bright, and love-filled Monday!<br />Love,<br />NikkiNikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-31736454942184111032011-03-26T10:21:00.000-06:002011-03-26T10:21:01.323-06:00Before & After: Nina<center><font size="4"><b>BEFORE</b></font><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9A9VdPekHRGXwVgYRrlO81s5Angqa0hN3xCIRJZYYu098a8kCUN_r-YYrKJaxd95ppiKDDmD6bCL8tGGq5r6bgVRoMfKKGF_Pwv7FKpBVmcKCfr8WzgSmsJYI6qzhQn9Xa14WT3iQaw/s1600/ry%253D400-8.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 281px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9A9VdPekHRGXwVgYRrlO81s5Angqa0hN3xCIRJZYYu098a8kCUN_r-YYrKJaxd95ppiKDDmD6bCL8tGGq5r6bgVRoMfKKGF_Pwv7FKpBVmcKCfr8WzgSmsJYI6qzhQn9Xa14WT3iQaw/s320/ry%253D400-8.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585645404310254850" /></a><br /><br />As much of a beautiful face she has, she has the most amazingly quirky personality to go with it - so I really wanted to do something fun with her because I knew she would be down for anything!<br /><br /><font size="4"><b>AFTER</b></font><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEV06zzFx1ASlzDhfdhKjgu23NN_dojySEuFQ_heRGDeyDtl0IOcbSRXson5TQXB92z0mkoL4SpNeixbQabrKP2LlGi8Oyqtnrx-ASdyehfCmGasMaebS8Y-Vsuqic928vZ9776Gb1NgU/s1600/ry%253D400-10.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 420px; height: 333px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEV06zzFx1ASlzDhfdhKjgu23NN_dojySEuFQ_heRGDeyDtl0IOcbSRXson5TQXB92z0mkoL4SpNeixbQabrKP2LlGi8Oyqtnrx-ASdyehfCmGasMaebS8Y-Vsuqic928vZ9776Gb1NgU/s320/ry%253D400-10.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585645516432167186" /></a></center><br /><br />These lashes are actually from Walmart, I bought them 2 Halloween seasons ago and never had the opportunity to use them until now! I think they are so much fun and I wish i got them in the other colors that were there too!Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-82720730277416046782011-03-24T11:00:00.000-06:002011-03-24T11:00:09.388-06:00Before & After Park Deux!: Elizabeth<center><font face="4"><b>BEFORE<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74fZOA7T1rbG_YM4TSoYR9Ph8ykh7kquwcykcBFqiaJk40M5L5bkoveTovcNrzcPWvlM77YcZIQqjiiV6phT-z2AOoiPrYSfk-14N3L0_laSSwtrPmNQ__uIgciTMRVqFSitpTwZwLVY/s1600/ry%253D400-4.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74fZOA7T1rbG_YM4TSoYR9Ph8ykh7kquwcykcBFqiaJk40M5L5bkoveTovcNrzcPWvlM77YcZIQqjiiV6phT-z2AOoiPrYSfk-14N3L0_laSSwtrPmNQ__uIgciTMRVqFSitpTwZwLVY/s320/ry%253D400-4.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585643167770603650" /></a><br /><br /><br />AFTER<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1S4yqhpIL5KAmYECHdKEp3ePxJZGSR1ORH6JcGpgeXWe1TLRyeBm4m1CSho090Qg6Lfex7U1GprvFSFqQbShqj7ZJyWqxjqlyiGzrFwokWgoPnQ5MviqCJmBZlSTc3rECoP5NpamPuY/s1600/ry%253D400-7.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1S4yqhpIL5KAmYECHdKEp3ePxJZGSR1ORH6JcGpgeXWe1TLRyeBm4m1CSho090Qg6Lfex7U1GprvFSFqQbShqj7ZJyWqxjqlyiGzrFwokWgoPnQ5MviqCJmBZlSTc3rECoP5NpamPuY/s320/ry%253D400-7.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585643262424587474" /></a></center></b></font>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031539931844818352.post-46678455948554078162011-03-22T00:12:00.001-06:002011-03-22T00:12:42.959-06:00New Product Rave! Sally Hansen Salon effects Nail Polish StripsI love trying new things, especially when in comes to beauty products. I have an event coming up this weekend and I thought this would be the perfect time to try the new <b>Sally Hansen Salon Effects REAL Nail Polish Strips</B> in <b>Misbehaved</b>. Here are my "before" nails:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifIAxSe6IGxPbZ1s1oiW-XdGRWlifay7Q4nDu_EOAxbi9pJgpmMuLhXudEjH3U09bdp3fb8uIMV_hEMhphzTZk00aV_k1aAlXTShOBO2waPk60w_uM5EmhP_9xAyW10i-WvrLnQDPS_U/s1600/DSCF4242.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifIAxSe6IGxPbZ1s1oiW-XdGRWlifay7Q4nDu_EOAxbi9pJgpmMuLhXudEjH3U09bdp3fb8uIMV_hEMhphzTZk00aV_k1aAlXTShOBO2waPk60w_uM5EmhP_9xAyW10i-WvrLnQDPS_U/s320/DSCF4242.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586641739530999778" /></a><br />My nail bed has creases on it due to artificial nails I had almost a month ago that I had to take off because they were starting to get too too long and I am too too lazy to keep up with fake nails! Haha<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJd35sRhX1niDqA7a7Z7zQ8aFpRNMFF73Ca1DnDgOi2mtProDyWfIavhs_mnMT2LUW7QLMpXj8RyU3Pi-_FUWwt1e-6HGDWi8B2yJ7cOLJD5sS_S71ypwTF1Qv8vTk1aZgtyiPd2jPcII/s1600/DSCF4247.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 380px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJd35sRhX1niDqA7a7Z7zQ8aFpRNMFF73Ca1DnDgOi2mtProDyWfIavhs_mnMT2LUW7QLMpXj8RyU3Pi-_FUWwt1e-6HGDWi8B2yJ7cOLJD5sS_S71ypwTF1Qv8vTk1aZgtyiPd2jPcII/s320/DSCF4247.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586642114277113362" /></a><br />This is right after I applied the nail strips. They were super simple to put on and the best part, <b>NO SMELL</b>. So you can give yourself a fresh new manicure while on a plane or in a car and no one would ever know! Since I've had them on (and it's only been a day so far), I've gotten 3 compliments from 2 women and one man! They really do stand out and look professional.<br /><br /><b><U>PROS</u></b><br />- Easy to apply. *TIP* Slightly warm the strips in your hand before applying to the nail. This will make them adhere a bit better.<br />- No bad smell<br />- Various designs and color<br />- Can buy them anywhere (CVS, Walgreens, Ulta, Rite Aid, Walmart, and the list goes on)<br /><br /><b><u>CONS</u></b><br /> - Price. $9.99, which isn't very expensive but if you look at it, the strips cost almost as much as a full bottle of OPI polish.<br /> - 16 strips. Why not 20, two for each nail? I just think 16 is a little strange.<br /> - Not made for gals with wide nails. A couple of my nails are wide and none of the strips seam to fit just right. It's not enough of a drastic difference that anyone will notice, I just notice the outer corners of some of my nails aren't covered.<br /><br />They promise to last up to 10 days so stay posted for a post next week to see how they held up through showering, typing, and working!<br /><br />oxox,<br />NikkiNikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03595835896695645541noreply@blogger.com1