Get Shellac’d for V-day!

by Jill St. George on Feb 14, 2012

Listen up gals, because you are going to love this (and you too guys, because V-day is today, and if you’re still struggling for a gift, this one’s good!)

Never-chip nail polish? Yep, I’ve given it a try and it’s the real-deal. It’s called Shellac, and it’s a gel nail polish that hardens after being cured with a UV light.

As much as I love having the length of acrylic nails, I’m much too impatient to sit in the manicurist’s chair for an hour. Nor do I like how they destroy the natural nail. On the contrary, I’ve been stuck living with thin, weak nails, and my nail base is very oily, so polish only lasts a day or two. Until now – yay!

It’s very simple. I went to Hi-tech nails next to Fred Meyer, however there are many locations in Yakima that provide the service. The manicurist filed my nails and applied a base coat. In between coats, you place your hand under a UV light. She applied the nail color and the top coat and then your hands sit under the lamp for about five minutes. Once you are finished, the polish is completely cured and dry, with no worries of smudging it. It takes about 15 minutes and then you’re on your way.

My nails look shiny and amazing, they are hard as rocks…and growing to boot. It costs $15 and lasts 10-14 days (depending on how quickly your nails grow). Give it a try. I promise you’ll love it.

Put a cast on it.

by Jill St. George on Feb 13, 2012

I’ve been toting this old wood box around for most of my adult life. I bought it years ago at an antique shop, but to be quite honest, it usually ends up in the garage because I can’t find a use for it.

Lately, I’ve been very inspired by all of the furniture with caster wheels, so I decided to add them to the box. There are many casters to choose from, but I like the industrial look of the metal wheels. The ones I chose are $4 each at Home Depot. Using a hand-drill, I screwed the wheels into place.

I use it to store firewood. And when it’s empty, I simply roll it to the back door and fill it back up. I love the way it turned out – it’s functional and decorative.

Caster wheels before being screwed to the box.

Caster wheel screwed to the box.

Finished product!

Dutch? German? Or just plain yummy!

by Jill St. George on Feb 10, 2012

Have you ever tried a Dutch baby? …also known as a German pancake? Am I confusing you?

Well they are delicious, and one of my all-time favorite breakfast treats. It’s kind of a like a big, puffy custard pancake, topped with lemon and powder sugar. Or you can also top them with fruit and whip cream. Either way, they are very yummy and kids love them.

Mix and Match!

by Jill St. George on Feb 9, 2012

They’re like three (or four or five…) pairs of shoes in one. Seriously, these are a girl’s dream come true. These lovely little leather flats by Lindsay Phillips are called Switchflops, which come with snap-on accessories that are interchangeable to match your outfit…or your mood. And there are oodles of snaps to choose from.