You took a little longer to get here this week Friday, I'm going to need you to get on that. I don't like waiting. But now that your here I'm so glad!

I'm linking up with Lauren over at From My Grey Desk about our favorite things this week, you should head over and check out some of the awesome gals that link up each week and leave a few comments - it brightens everyone's day!



A high five this week for:

1. Making it through an absolute bonkers week with my 6th graders. I'm pretty sure they've already started summer vacation and they aren't sure why their parents keep dropping them off at school each morning. 3 more days.

2. My nails.

I told you about my Sensationail discovery on Sunday and I am happy to report that my nails are still looking great...super shiny, strong, and practically chip free, only one tiny chip on my pointer finger which I can totally deal with. I've gotten so many great compliments too!

3. MFJ (My friend Jody) and I are headed to the Brad Paisley concert tonight. Yes, I have my sundress and cowboy boots already to go!

4. My youngest sister is home from college and now we can hang all summer!


5. I tried sushi. Jury is still out on if I would try it again. I would definitely cut it in smaller pieces instead of eating the whole bite like your supposed to but overall not as bad as I thought it might be. Yay for trying new things!

Hope you have a lovely weekend full of sunshine and rainbows!

It's Wednesday and I'm linking up with The Vintage Apple to share my latest pins. Head over there and check it out!




My mantra these last couple of days...





I probably do this at least once a day...my bad.





Love these colors and flowers.


I want this gray in my house!



Like what you see? You can follow me on Pinterest and see more good stuff on the daily.

Pin anything good lately? Link up with The Vintage Apple and leave me a comment so I can check them out!

This month's Birchbox was a collaboration with the CW's Gossip Girl which I was mucho excited about. I am a huge fan of the show and will be tuning in tonight to see all the Chair, Dair, and Derena action during the season finale. (Would you guess that I'm a grown woman with that last sentence?)


But I have to say my Birchbox was a bit of a disappointment mostly because I had been reading about the possible box contents (Dior, Stila, etc) on Facebook and I received none of those items I had seen mentioned. Also, I received another repeat item - not the exact same but a similar product as last month.


My favorite thing wasn't even a beauty product this month, it was the cute XOXO note card and hot pink envelope. Other items I received:

• Arquiste Flor y Canto perfume
• Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream
• FusionBeauty LipFusion Balm
• Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Conditioner

Don't get me wrong I love trying everything out but I am little bummed with this box - it just isn't me. I've tried adjusting my beauty profile on Birchbox.com but other choices don't fit me at all. Hopefully next month will be back on track!

What was in your Birchbox?

Update: After 5 days

Update: Removal 

I mentioned last week that I removed my acrylic nails after three years of going to the nail salon every 2-3 weeks to have them cut down, filled, and painted. I love having nice looking nails - even the slightest chip would have me repainting my nails, sometimes even a day after doing them myself, so acrylics suited me well. But frankly, I just got tired of the hassle - I spent at least an hour at the salon and sometimes that didn't include drying time. Something that was supposed to be relaxing was now just turning into a chore. And the cost -around $50 a month to maintain, sometimes more when I got a pedicure too.

After removing my nails last week - I've already painted them three times due to chipping and it was driving me nuts!

So I set out to solve this conundrum.

My Google searches all seemed to point me in the same direction: gel nail polish. Gel nail polish is like regular nail polish but it is cured with a UV or LED lamp to create a manicure that lasts up to two weeks with no chips. I thought gel manicures were only available at the salon with products like Shellac and axxium but lucky for me gel nail polish is now available at your local Wal-Mart.

Yep. Wal-Mart. What don't they sell there?


I found the Sensationail kit for $50 at Wally World (I looked at CVS too but no dice). While 50 bones seemed a tad bit expensive, the box said it was enough for 10 manicures so that works out to $5 a mani. And most other gel nail systems were much more expensive, somewhere around the $100 mark. And, after reading so many great reviews about the product I felt like it was a safe bet.

The kit came with a gel primer, gel base and top coat, gel cleaner, raspberry wine nail color, LED lamp, buffer, cuticle stick, and lint free wipes.

I was super excited when I got home to dive right and in and start painting but this is a type of product that you really want to follow the directions on for optimal results. But to my surprise the directions were relatively simple.

1. Shape and buff nails.
2. Use a lint free cloth and the gel cleaner to cleanse nails.
3. Swipe on a coat of gel primer and let air dry.
4. Paint a THIN coat of gel base onto nails staying clear of cuticles then cure under the lamp for 30 seconds.
5. Paint a THIN coat of nail color onto nails then cure under the lamp for 60 seconds. Repeat with a second coat of color and cure for 60 seconds.
6. Paint a THIN coat of gel top coat onto nails then cure under the lamp for 30 seconds.
7. Wipe nails with lint free cloth and gel cleaner to remove moisture layer.


At first glance it doesn't seem simple or quick and I'll admit my first thumbnail took me 10 minutes because I kept re-reading directions. But once I repeated the process it was SUPER quick. And the best part, my nails were instantly dry. Not kinda dry where you have to avoid picking up your keys or rooting through your purse. I'm talking 100%, send a text message, dig to the bottom of your purse, D-R-Y.



I think I'm in love. My nails are super shiny and look like they came straight from the salon. The box says up to two weeks of "dazzling damage proof wear" so I'll just have to wait and see but I'm pretty positive it's going to last. I'll be sure and report back in a few days.

Removal might be a different story but again I think following the directions are key. I'll have to soak my nails in acetone for about 15 minutes before the color will budge but we'll just have to wait and see.

P.S. This was just my experience with this product, Sensationail (Nailene) does not know who I am nor asked me to promote their product. I just love sharing great stuff!


Linking up with:

Living Social has a great deal going on for a 12 month subscription to E-meals. What's E-Meals? They are menu plans based on diet preferences and weekly specials in your area for major grocery stores (like Wal-Mart and Whole Foods) for around $50-75. I felt like this was too good of an offer pass up, regular price is $58 for a year subscription and Living Social is offering it for $29. Check out the offer here

Friday, glad to see you again!

I'm linking up with Lauren over at From My Grey Desk for her High Five for Friday party.



Here are my top five favorite things about this week in no particular order:


1. I planned all of my lessons until the end of school and copies will be made for said lessons by the end of today. Boo-yah!

2. Grey's mother f'n Anatomy! Holy moly, did anyone watch last night? I am always one of those people who never sees obvious things coming. My boyfriend was practically bursting the last 5 minutes of the show because he figured it out before I did. Can't wait for next week!

3. My final grade was posted for my grad class - 144.5 out of 145 points. Darn APA citations got me on my research plan. I was always more of an MLA gal :)

4. I'm officially team leader at school next year. I'm excited about this new position and hopefully having a positive impact on how our team operates.

5. We're in the single digits baby! Only 8 more days of school until summer vacation - which looks as though it will be an actual vacation, no summer school for this gal...although not for lack of trying - my class just couldn't get enough students enrolled.




Have a great weekend!

It's Wednesday, time for a look at some pins I've collected through the last week...probably my most random sampling yet, swimwear, prints, and handy tips.















Like what you see? You can follow me on Pinterest and see more good stuff on the daily.

Pin anything good lately? Link up with The Vintage Apple and leave me a comment so I can check them out!