Guide to Nails that last 2 weeks without using Gel

This is my system for doing my nails. My manicure often lasts 2 weeks and involves no UV stuff or gel systems. I prefer this system because I don't particularly want it to be difficult for me to take my nail polish off. 

1. Wipe off your old polish with acetone. Don’t moisturize your hands.
2. Wash your hands and dry them. Don't soak them. Soaking makes the nail more moist and it makes the nail polish peel easier. 
3. Buff your nails a bit - once every few weeks. I use this: http://www.drugstore.com/revlon-crazy-shine-nail-buffer/qxp332155
4. Push your cuticles back with an orange stick - I personally don't use cuticle remover at all because I feel like it’s not good for you. If you'd like to remove some dead skin from your nails soak in the tub for an hour the day before you do your nails and scrape off the dead skin with a cuticle stick. I know, that's gross. 
5. Apply base coat. I use Nail Tek Foundation II, that I buy from drugstore.com.
6. Apply color in 2 thick coats. Paint your dominant hand first. Work from your pinkie to your thumb - less of a chance to scuff your nails.
7. Don't brush the nail-polish off or scrape it off the bottle - use the full drop if you can.
8. Avoid your skin at all costs -even leaving a gap between your finger and your nail is better than getting it on your cuticle or the side of your nail.
9. Apply topcoat, just one coat.
10. Wait two hours while it dries.
11. Moisturize with oil or lotion. I think the best hand lotion I've ever bought is hemp one from Body shop. http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/bath-body-care/hands-feet/hand-care-products/hemp-hand-protector.aspx. This will actually cure damaged skin and heal blisters and cuts as well.
12. Apply topcoat every few days on top of the other top coat. I don’t care what brand of topcoat - they all seem the same to me.
13. Don't wash dishes or put on gloves when you do.

Advanced techniques:
Ombre: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OAvvtPEsng (note: she is missing the part about soaking the sponge in water before applying paint. Also, you can use less paint and do several coats of sponging, which makes it look more professional and even). You can apply glitter polish to make it blend the colors together nicely as well.  

Matte: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlNrTgbvMJE

Stamping:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_ctgBxLLXA

Crafty Time: Gold Makeup brush holder and box for holding stuff

When I don't have much to do on Sunday mornings I decoupage, among other things. Last Sunday I decoupaged the heck out of a Republic of Tea container and a box from the thrift store. 

Now I keep the box on my bedside table with Chapstick and marbles in it. It's a good box to dig around in when you can't sleep due to lack of marbles and Chapstick. My bedside table is very small so I can't really keep anything there but this box, a lamp, and some books. If you want to do an awesome job at decoupage, get some paper that is already pretty crinkly, like this one. 

And some Nori glue, which is a paper glue from Japan. It can be found at Blick.  Every time I use Nori glue, I am reminded of how lovely it is. 

Cut your pieces of paper to the size of your surface by setting your piece on it and tracing every surface. Some surfaces are not square or easy to cut out accurate pieces for. That is what the crinkly paper is for. It makes all your mistakes look invisible.

It's Friday night, and I'm watching QI and drinking wine, and waiting for my boyfriend to come home. QI is the best show. Informative and funny!

Crafty Time: Printed Recipe Tags on Vintage Christmas Mugs

My assistant printed these little baby tags with a logo on one side and a recipe for the drink on the other side. The drink was a hot toddy, yum! I bought these vintage mugs for between 40 cents and 90 cents at the thrift store and washed them. People could pick out their favorite mug, get it filled up, take it home with them, and make the recipe on the tag at home! It makes events really fun when there's something for someone to experience there, take home, and then make or do again later with friends. 

A piled-up triangle banner with the logo on it, and a second one made from pretty origami papers. They are for a super-cute photo booth idea (photos later). It's super easy with origami paper, and you can use them over the top of another backdrop, like a vintage map, or in front of a fire place or across a whole room:

1. Mark the center of one side of the paper, and draw a line from the center point to one corner, then the center point to the other corner, making a triangle.
2. Grab some twine, i-cord, or string, and some clear tape.
3. Tapey-tapey the triangle to the twine, making the tape go from the top of the triangle all the way around the string to the back of the triangle.
4. Use pushpins to secure on the walls or ceiling

I bought my mason jars at the thrift for $2 each. They are neat and perfect for Hot Toddies, a whiskey-based drink. I filled them with cinnamon sticks, honey, lemon juice, and whiskey and let it meld together for a few hours. When the party folks started to arrive, we boiled water in a kettle and started pouring hot teas, then adding the whiskey mixture. Yum and super easy. In these pictures you can see my coworking space, The COOP. I'm opening my own coworking space.

Next I want to try making Hot Buttered Rum for a crowd.