Mint + Orange

Oh what a week! I started on-boarding for my new job, had a little time to myself with Jack and was able to take in the outdoors! I wore my hippie sandals for the first time this season. They aren't very stylish but they very comfy! Just something easy to throw on when I'm futsing around outdoors.

Jack had a HUGE milestone this week! He's passed three different dog training classes and is a certified good citizen. (Seriously I don't know how he passed, the doggie gods were among us!) Even though he is certified it doesn't actually mean he is in control. Most of the time he has a dual personality, either sweet  and friendly or just down right ugly, I want to rip your hand off mentality.

So I guess what I am leading up to, Jack and I went on our FIRST bike ride together!!! And it was AMAZING!!! He was perfect! I rode an old bike my dad had restored years ago with a basket that I knew would be easy to hop off in case of emergency. I didn't want to risk crashing my good bike. I'm not sure if he was so good because he was half scared of the bike or because he just knew what to do! Whatever the reason I am so proud! I peddled my bike and he trotted along side me, no problems. Honestly it looked like we had done this a million times! I hope this wasn't a one time fluke, I'm trying to get my mom to take him out this way, so he will get faster paced exercise and more distance. Fingers are crossed for her safe travels!

I know I've already shared a few photos of the peonies but I couldn't resist! They are my favorite! These are a slightly different variety and I tend to like these better. I have no idea what they are called!

Peas and Q's By Nicole.

Yesterday in my outfit post I forgot to mention my nail polish! I have been on a nail polish hiatus for the past month. No specific reason, I just got tired of painting and repainting. Sometimes I think your nails just need time to breath and be natural. I have seen a slight difference in their health! I've had this color for a while now. It's Peas and Q's by Nicole. I always have problems with chips and have wanted to try laquer but the price tag keeps me away. I painted these Sunday night before bed. I've been pretty hard on them and today was the first day I noticed a chip! I guess that's what I get for working out!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there! You are so special! Be sure to pamper your mom and be thankful for all she has done! I know I sure am! In the mean time I am off to a wedding of a good friend I played volleyball with! I can't wait to see some of my teammates! I swear this is the summer of weddings! Have a good one!

xoxo

Rachel

Cherry Chia

This week has flown by so quickly, how is it already almost Friday! It's been a happy, tiring week. Jack is finally allowed to go one walks, run and jump as he likes. Sunday I took him for a walk off his leash, it didn't go as well as planned. Sometimes he has these lapses in judgement, when he could be free as a bird and run as he pleases but instead he chooses to be a pest. He'll jump, dart around, bite and growl, not my cute little puppy. Then the next moment he will be loving and cuddly. We are working on it, I can't wait for the day when we can go for a walk and I don't have to worry about getting jumped by my own dog!

We've also been playing a lot of fetch with a ball. The boy could run forever, I've seen a huge change in his athleticism. Before he was neutered he was all puppy, trying to figure out what to do with his growing limbs. Now he is more coordinated, learning to catch balls, trusting his instincts. We're working on the catching, I can't wait until he can catch a Frisbee!

I have a pretty large stash of nail polish, almost embarrassing. My go-to has always been OPI. They have a great selection of colors, the polish goes on smoothly and lasts forever!! (Ok well, lets not get carried away, a couple of days before it chips). I am obsessed with my new Essie colors, orange, it's obvious & a crewed interest. Go get them, you'll love them!

Life is good. I have a whole box of Kombucha to myself. No one else in the house drinks it. They think it is the most disgusting thing. It's one of those things you have to acquire a taste for. Imagine a healthy mixture of vinegar and raw juice. I swear it prevents and cures anything you've got going on! My new favorite is the Cherry Chia. Normally I like the gingerade and green because they are 100% kombucha but I had to branch out and try the seeded version, a nice change.

Valentine's day is right around the corner. Thought I would be creative-ish and make my own valentines this year. I've got to get the creative juices flowing, so many projects to get started on. You have no idea what my project table looks like, it's a mess full of inspiration. That's all for now maybe next time I'll get you more than phone pictures.

Tutorial: Half Moon Nails

Lately when I have time to paint my nails I just do something quick. I even bought some of that Sally Hanson 60 second dry nail polish. I was surprised how  good the finished product looked. Well today I felt inspired to try a new trend, half moon nails. At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to share, they didn't exactly turn out as I was hoping so maybe with practice they will only get better. Plus its a really easy process, just a little more drying time.

I chose OPI's Cuckoo for this Color (left) for my top coat and Sephora OPI Keep Me on My Mistletoes (right) for my base color. For some reason this type of shimmery color drys really fast. This is super simple:

1. File and buff nails.

2. Paint entire nail with base color (the color you want to see the least of) and let dry.

 

3. Get some of those hole reinforcements from Walmart or the drugstore and cut them in half as shown.

4. Take the halfed sticker and place the rounded edge facing toward the tip of nail, near the cuticle. Shown below.

5.  Once you have applied the stickers paint the topcoat onto nail.

6. Let dry for a few minutes, peal off sticker gently!!!!!

7. Apply clear top coat and one of my favorite tricks is to use the Beauty Secret's Nail Matrix. Swipe the brush along the cuticle, its an oily liquid. This will help polish dry quicker and last longer because it hydrates your cuticles.

8. Once they dry your all done! Hope you like them!