a review...

I love to paint my toe nails, always have.  I won't wear sandals or flops with out painted piggies.  I like that I can paint them and it lasts usually a couple weeks.  Perfect for me because I'm not really a fan of the painting process, I just like how they look when they're done.  This is why I never (rarely) paint my fingernails.  They chip or flake off almost instantly.  I'm always cleaning or washing something, my nail polish just never seems to have a chance, even if I use gloves.  

While I was at the store recently I came across Nutra Nail, it's a gel nail polish that claims to get rock hard with in five minutes of application.  And it's supposed to last longer than a traditional manicure.  There was a $2 off coupon laying next to the kits so I grabbed one.  

Application was fairy easy.  I think I did 100% better the second time I applied.  You start with a gel base, which reminds me of super glue.  You swipe it on your nail and then brush on the gel color.  The nice thing is that you don't have to be too exact with even application of the color because the gel base sort of helps spread the color around your nail.  The problem I ran into was being exact with the gel base.  Like I said, it's like super glue, so I found myself gluing outside of my nail bed until I sort of had the hang of things.  Other than that, easy application.  

I was able to go about five days without chipping of my nail color.  Sweet!  Reviews on their site said something about "being on day eight", but I didn't get that much out of it.  I think I'm just too hard on my nails, I ended up cracking in place and that ultimately resulted in chipping.  Five days in quite a while though compared to what I would get out of a traditional manicure, which would just be a couple hours.  

The removal...this is what I don't like about the gel.  You have to use an acetone-based remover to get the color off.  I didn't think much of it the first couple times I used it but the most recent time I was taking the color off I noticed how dry my nails were getting from that acetone.  

All in all, I like and will definitely use again, but I think Nutra Nails will be an occasional use, not an everyday  thing for me.  

Not wanting to use acetone on my nails again for a while I decided to try something new, Sally Hansen Salon Effects.

These things are pretty darn awesome!  They are nail strips, so there is no real "polishing" involved.  The nail strips are real nail polish strips, pre-measured so all you have to do is find the right size for your nail and put that baby on.  Easy peasy.  

Actually, there is a bit more to it, but it literally would only take you five to ten minutes to have a complete manicure done.  And there is ZERO dry time.  I sat and watched TV while I did my manicure.  Here is what I did: shaped my nails, pushed back cuticles and then lightly buffed.  Then the application process begins.  There are 16 strips in the kit, so you go through and find which size works for which nail.  And each nail strip also has two different end for the area around your cuticle, one more rounded and one more squared, so you can really find a good fit.  Then you peel off the top protective layer and then the paperish backing and place the strip on your nail.  I rubbed mine on really well and then folded over the top of my nail to cover the edge.  Lastly, you use the included nail file to help remove excess nail strip.  Voila!  You're done.  

I actually added a last step.  I added a clear layer of polish to help protect and seal the edges in hopes of making these last longer.  The package says up to 10 days.  I'm on day five and we're looking good.  I applied another coat of clear polish today and I'll probably continue to do this daily to get the max life out of the manicure.  

Removal...you simply use nail polish remover.  These will remove with non-acetone remover.  Yay!

I don't think I'll use the nail strips all the time.  They are about $8.50 at Target, so they're about the price of a higher end salon-type nail polish bottle.   If you're like me though, you don't like storing nail polish bottles and you tire of colors quickly, so you end up with bottles you don't use and they go bad.  These are a great solution.  And I've heard you can get them at Ulta for around $7, so I'll be sure to check there next time.  I'm hoping they have more of a selection in colors at Ulta than Target offered.  Target seemed to carry a lot of the graphic prints but there are solids and glittery and metallics to choose from. Click here to see all they offer.  These nail strips are definitely a great thing to have in the beauty cabinet for last minute manicures where you need to be out the door quickly.  

P.S.  They are great on toes, too! 

Favorites: Albums

American Crafts is my favorite when it comes to scrapbooks. I personally use their 12x12 D-Ring cloth album. I’ve converted three albums into D-Rings because I was tired of fighting with the posts and screws when I needed to add pages or move them around. It was time consuming to say the least. With the D-rings I snap open, add/remove like I would if it were a school notebook, snap closed and I’m done! Simple as that.

American Crafts offers nine colors in their cloth albums, so you can choose to coordinate with your décor or have a different color for each child, etc. They also have leather, corduroy and a modern album that is chipboard and allows you to customize with your own papers and embellishments. They do offer post-bound albums, if that's your preference.

I purchased my albums online at Scrappin Grannies but you can find them at Hobby Lobby. The prices I've found online are generally comparable to Hobby Lobby using their 40% off coupon. Scrappin Grannies carries the entire American Crafts line, so they definitely have the best selection. They also have pretty awesome prices, service and super-fast shipping!

Favorites: Embossing

My favorite way to add texture to my cards or scrap booking is with dry embossing. Cuttlebug makes dry embossing so easy with their embossing folders. They’re perfectly sized to do an entire 4.25x5.5inch card front. But one of my favorite ways to use it is on die cuts and shapes. I’ve added dimension and texture to heart shapes, tree shapes, circles…the possibilities are endless! (there are also smaller embossing folders, but I haven’t used them.)

What is great about Cuttlebug embossing folders is they work in different types of die cutting systems; you don’t need to own the Cuttlebug to use. I own the Ellison Big Shot and it works perfectly. They can also be used in the Big Kick and Quickutz Revolution. The correct plate sandwiching varies from brand to brand, if you’re unsure what to use or if your machine will accept the embossing folders check out the forums at SplitCoastStampers; they’re a great resource! Embossing folders are an inexpensive tool, usually around $5 and you use them over and over and over…totally worth every penny!

I only have a few embossing folders right now. I think three, but would love to add a few more to my collection. I recently went browsing on the net and discovered that Provo Craft now makes tons of embossing folders…I have some shopping to do ;)

Favorites: Glitter!

I love adding glitter to my cards and scrap booking, but I hate the mess it makes…putting the glue down, sprinkling on the glitter, shaking it off and then trying to get it back into the tiny jar I just poured it out of. Not to mention the mess that can be created if a certain four year old gets into mommy’s stuff with out my permission…don’t laugh, it happened once! LOL!

A couple years ago I discovered Stickles while at a stamping class. It’s an awesome little bottle of glitter mixed with glue and a very fine applicator so you can use as much or as little as you ‘d like. I started with their diamond color, it’s pretty much clear but gives a nice sparkle and have slowly added many of their colors to my stash. They have 35+ colors now and several new textures that I've yet to try.

Stickles are acid free, so they’re safe to use in your scrapbooking. They’re non-toxic, so they’re safe for the kiddos to use (they’re really fun for the kiddos play with too!) The glitter doesn’t settle in the bottle, you never have to worry about shaking up before applying. Lastly, the applicator is a pretty fine tip, so you can apply sparkle in the very tiniest of places! Stickles are definitely a must have for me!

Favorites: Adhesive

I searched high and low to find the perfect adhesive (tape runner) for my paper crafting. Besides needing something that worked well at holding papers together, I need something that I could easily find refills for AND it had to work for a south paw! I tried several of the big brands; they worked alright as far as papers sticking together, but some didn't stand the test of time (i.e. cracking when bent and falling apart.) The refilling process...some easier than others, one was downright confusing! Then there was the one issue I found with all of the tape runners I had tried out, they didn’t work well for me because I’m a lefty! You’d think it wouldn’t matter which hand you use, but for me, they just weren’t working…


After I thought I’d have to settle for occasional fights with my tape runner, I found Kokuyo Dot’n Roller. This stuff is awesome! It’s a dot-patterned adhesive vs. tape so it can easily apply around curves, on ribbon, etc. It’s smaller than my last tape runner and fits perfectly in my left hand! It also has a little cover to protect the adhesive during storage/transport. Refilling is snap…you drop in the cartridge and that’s about it.


I use Kokuyo’s permanent adhesive and it really gives a nice bond. I have cards I’ve made and tossed aside in a drawer w/out protection and they’re still holding together perfectly. I don’t believe Michael’s or Hobby Lobby sell this adhesive and my local scrapbook store didn’t sell until recently. I found a great place online to buy and get my refills for about $1/box less than most brick and mortar places sell. ScrapbookPal has free shipping if you spend $25+, so I order $25 worth of adhesive.

The Perfect White Cardstock

I've finally found a white cardstock that I LOVE! It's weighty so it stands up on it's own as a card base, it stamps beautifully and is a gorgeous crisp, bright white color. Where did I find it, you ask? Papertrey Ink! Not only do they have awesome stamps, they have some pretty awesome paper, too!

I put together a small set of cards with my new PTI paper. It's very simple and pretty, the embossed swiss-dot pattern looks and feels so nice on this cardstock. I topped that texture off with some paper butterflies I bought from Beach Cottage Studio. I love the simplicity of the cards; perfect for a quick note, a happy birthday or thank-you. I'm giving this set away but definitely have to make some for myself.