Tag Archives: fabulous

Jun8

New Mermaid Blue & Glitter Burnt Orange Nails

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New Mermaid Blue & Glitter Burnt Orange Nails

Howdy!! This past Tuesday, I enjoyed a lovely pre-birthday fill at Elysian Nails and oh my goodness did it hit the spot. Unfortunately, my go to girl was booked for the day but my former tech was able to squeeze me in and she still remembers just how I like my talons – nice and sharp! In fact, I am typing this shortly after getting them done and I feel like such a lil baddie clacking away with these pretty little things. Check it out:

^^^ Don’t mind the beaucoup glue on the thumb!

Whenever I get my nails done, I tend to just let the nail polish wall speak to me and choose colors on a whim. This time, though, I actually had a plan in mind. After receiving lots of tropical Bath & Body Works scents for my birthday, I had the beach on the brain hard. I was thinking of going with sand and surf vibes with a pretty blue and gold. The only problem was, I had been there done that and wanted to go with a similar idea with a twist. I fell in love with the most gorgeous mermaid blue hue I have ever seen (I am seriously obsessed!) and considered a few different options before landing on a glittery burnt orange. I am so glad I decided to shake things up because this is, easily, one of my favorite combinations in recent memory.

Once my colors were selected, my girl got to WERK and gave me the most fabulous fill. As always, I am on a time crunch when I get my nails done because I need to be back to work immediately after. Of course, my former tech remembered this too and gave me beautifully shaped and dangerously sharp claws in an astoundingly short period of time. Have you ever had a fill that was so good that you ended up feeling like you got a brand spanking new full set? That’s what this fill felt like and it was a glorious sensation. I returned to work exactly on time and feeling like a billion bucks!

I am entering my 31st year with the absolute best nails and if that is any inkling of how this year is going to treat me, I think it’s going to be a banner one!

How do you like to treat yourself? Which color of nail polish should I get next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct18

The Wiz At Playhouse Square Review

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The Wiz At Playhouse Square Review

Hello! This past Saturday, Johnny and I spent a rousing evening at Playhouse Square to see The Wiz. Nothing pleases me more than a night out at one of my favorite places with my favorite guy! I admit that I have never seen The Wizard of Oz in its entirety or have seen The Wiz. However, I knew the story line and a few songs from The Wiz and with a plot and music that fun, it was sure to be a great show. And, it was. The Wiz was a celebration of Black excellence from start to finish and I am so thankful for the opportunity to have seen it! Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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^^^ Lol, Johnny had way more fun than these pictures lead you to believe! 😀

We all know the basic plot of The Wizard of Oz and The Wiz stayed true to this. Dorothy gets swept away to the land of Oz after a tornado hits her Kansas home. To return back to the life she knew and her beloved Aunt Em, she must travel to the Emerald City to meet The Wiz. Along the way, she meets new friends that could also use some help from The Wiz. A scarecrow who needs a brain, a tinman who needs a heart, and a lion who needs some courage. The quartet makes their way to the Emerald City together, but must be wary of the Wicked Witch who wants to foil their plans. During their journey, the foursome learns that what they wanted can be found within themselves – they just need to know where to look!

The cast of The Wiz was absolutely divine and there was no weak link to be found. Nichelle Lewis was stunning as Dorothy and her voice was pure magic. Dorothy was spunky and brave and it was impossible to look away from her. And when she sang those high notes? Wow! It was such a joy to see Dorothy’s interactions with her newfound friends and they all worked together so beautifully. Avery Wilson as the Scarecrow, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tinman, and Kyle Ramar Freeman as the Lion were perfectly cast and their physicality as the characters were sublime. When the foursome was all together, it was like watching a movie come to life onstage and it was so neat to see the real deal happening before my eyes.

Of course, a shout out needs to be given to Melody A. Betts who played Aunt Em and Evillene. She was so lovely as sweet Aunt Em who took Dorothy in after her parents passed and a force to be reckoned with as Evillene. Her song as Evillene “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News” was mine and Johnny’s favorite from the entire show. Deborah Cox as Glinda also gave a very strong performance and her glittering gowns were everything. She blew us away during her number “He’s The Wiz”.

The Wiz featured a very creative set with moving parts and huge projections set on a screen. Rather than a different set for each location, they used the images and lighting to bring the space to life. The woods had a projection of the woods, the poppy field was a projection of a field of poppies and… you get the point! I thought that this was such a good idea for the set of The Wiz because it’s a play about a journey. The location of the characters changed frequently and using images instead of full set changes helped keep the show moving along seamlessly.

Finally, let’s talk about some of my favorite songs! The soundtrack of The Wiz is rooted in soul, gospel, and R&B and it was jam packed with bangers. From upbeat to ballads, the hits just kept on coming with The Wiz. As I mentioned before, our favorite number was “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News” which was a gorgeous tip of the cap to Aretha Franklin. “You Can’t Win” sung by the Scarecrow gave us all of the James Brown vibes and we loved the Tinman’s smooth rendition of “Slide Some Oil To Me”. Every actor brought their own special flavor to each song and paid homage to the greats. Don’t even get me started on the dance numbers which tied the show together perfectly. “The Emerald City” dance which began Act II was fabulous!

If The Wiz is coming to your neck of the woods, then I cannot recommend seeing it enough. It was a celebration, it was a joy, and it is not one that should be missed. You will love it!!

What is your favorite song from The Wiz? What is the last musical you have seen? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb10

Making Your Interior Fabulous With These Ideas

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Making Your Interior Fabulous With These Ideas

If you have just moved into a new house and are wanting to put your own personal stamp on the place, then here are a few ideas to help you. Maybe you don’t know where to start or what to change first. The answer is, whatever you want! It is important to try and match your decor to your furnishings so if you are thinking about changing those, then maybe do that first before reaching for the paintbrush. Or get started with these projects:

Flooring:

The first thing we would like to mention is the floors. In the kitchen and bathroom, you could make use of vinyl sheet flooring rather than actual tiling. If you are wanting to save money while also making your interior look stylish, then good quality vinyl is the way to go. If you opt for cheaper vinyl this can end up bubbling if it gets wet, and you don’t want that.

If you have carpeted floors, you can easily change to hardwood flooring. This is a great idea especially if you have pets or children. The mess that can get into the carpet is astounding, and you don’t notice it until you professionally shampoo them. Cleaning up hardwood floors is much easier!

Wall Art:

Like a fresh coat of paint, which we will talk about in the next section, wall art can go a long way in making a unique statement. You can find endless amounts of quirky wall art at thrift stores or even create your own. Whether you love sports, nature, or travel, you can find wall art to suit your passions. For instance, if you love American football, you might wish to have a Domonique Rodgers NC State photo on the wall. If so, do what makes you happy as it will enhance the personality of your interior.

The beauty of wall art is that it can be swapped out as often as you would like to fit your mood or the season. How cool would it be to have a revolving art gallery in your home? Your guests will see something new every time they visit and it is a quick and easy way to refresh your space. You could also treat your wall art as a vision board. If you have a desire to travel, you could decorate your home with art inspired by your dream destination. For example, the art on this site https://www.london-canvas.co.uk/ features scenes of London to admire until your daydreams come to fruition.

Coat Of Paint:

Once you know what your interior will look like and you know what furniture you are using, it is time to give the walls a bit more life. If the walls are looking shabby and old, then a fresh coat of paint can brighten up the room once more. Think about what you want on the walls. It doesn’t have to be paint, you could use some funky wallpaper. Paint is somewhat easier, though. If you are looking for a professional paint job, then contact your local interior painting services for help and guidance.

You could also have a feature wall. This is more often than not the wall that contains the television or the fireplace. If you are wondering what a feature wall is, then let us explain. It is a wall in a room that is different to all the other walls. For example, you might opt for a pure black accent wall and the rest be magnolia or white. Feature walls can also be used as a personal art gallery or a memory lane. You could adorn it with treasured family photos, cool modern prints from Printivart, or even shelves with potted plants and succulents. Whether with paint or decor, a feature wall will create a personalized touch to the space that your guests will rave about.

Windows & Doors:

One final thing that will really have an impact on the interior of your home is the windows and doors. These get tired looking over time, especially if they are old and worn. It may be worth investing in new ones to give you that new look once more. Occasionally, companies have offers if you buy windows and doors at the same time. You may just want to change the doors within your home. If they don’t match the decor, then you can of course do this. Wooden doors are sleek and contemporary and match with any interior decor.

Not only are renovation projects fun, making you feel like you’re on your own HGTV episode but they will help to boost your property value too!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Dec10

Faux Fur Fabulous OOTD

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Faux Fur Fabulous OOTD

Hi everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred! This past Saturday, Johnny and I celebrated our half year wedding anniversary and had a date day to celebrate. We met with my parents and niece in downtown Cuyahoga Falls for a puppy parade, had lunch at a build your own taco restaurant called Barrio, and a drink at our favorite bar in Kent called the Zephyr. It was the best!

For such an amazing day, I needed an amazing outfit to step out in. Inspired by being told that I looked like a Disney villain twice in one day (best compliment ever!), I came up with the following:

Who? What? Wear?

Saturday was an absolutely glorious day for being the beginning of December and the weather was much warmer than my last OOTD shoot. Because of the mid forty temps, I was able to get away with just a sweater and the faux fur vest and I was so there for it! However, by the time my sweet Johnny took my pictures, the wind had really picked up. And, as any Midwesterner would tell you, it’s not so much the cold as it is the wind lol.

Despite the chilly breeze, Johnny powered through and took what felt like a million rapid fire pictures of my Faux Fur Fabulous OOTD – such a blog husband! ❤ Like many of my OOTDs featured on lifewithlilred, this look combined lots of older pieces in my closet in a new way. While your girl really likes to shop, I also revel in making years old clothes feel brand new again.

For this look, I already planned on wearing the faux fur vest and built the outfit from there. For styling looks with a more unique piece like the vest, this is the best way to go. As per ushie, I feel my best in an All Black Everything OOTD as does my husband lol. So, I incorporated pops of color into the palette through the accessories to brighten things up.

For the shoes, I went with one of my favorite TJMaxx purchases of the baroque heeled boots. I have several pairs of Bamboo brand shoes and they are all so unbelievably comfy and cute. In fact, I usually call them my “walking shoes” and could walk for miles in them. This is no exaggeration because I did when I visited my bestie in New York City! 😀

To continue with the gold embellished theme, I chose my Mia Fiore necklace which boasts a historical coin at the end of the chunky gold chain. I am a huge fan of gaudy gold jewelry and loved how this necklace looked with the outfit. An OOTD is only as good as its accessories, after all, and the necklace made a statement of its own against my statement vest.

Johnny and I had so much fun celebrating a half a year of wedded bliss together and we had a perfect day. Tune in tomorrow for bonus pictures from this shoot as well as more about the adorable PUPPY PARADE!!

What is your favorite statement piece in your closet? How do you incorporate faux fur into your outfits? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Sep24

Faux Fur Fabulous: Sanctuary Jacket Edition

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Faux Fur Fabulous: Sanctuary Jacket Edition

Salutations! My mom has spoiled me absolutely rotten in the sweet surprises department this past month and has gifted me with headbands, new Keurig K cups, and some good ol’ fashioned Kraft mac n’ cheese. But, the real piece de resistance is my new cream colored faux fur jacket by Sanctuary. This is a brand that I am quite fond of but, sadly, don’t own a lot of pieces from. However, one of my favorite purses is by Sanctuary and I have been on the lookout for more by them ever since. So, how lucky for me that I have an amazing mom who found me a perfect new jacket by a brand that I lust after! Check it out:

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I have a strong passion for faux fur and have many a jacket, vest, and collars to keep myself glam rock and warm all winter long. I would never be caught dead in a large puffer jacket and faux fur is the ultimate way to go during the brutal Ohio winters. They may not be the heaviest but you can always layer and it prevents me from looking and feeling like a marshmallow and, frankly, that’s all I care about!

This new Sanctuary jacket is absolutely stunning. It’s shaggy but just enough so that it still looks feathery and has movement without giving off the illusion that I draped myself in a huge mop. And, can we talk about the color?! The alabaster hue will look simply charming against freshly fallen snow and is an excellent neutral for adding bright pops of color with scarves, gloves, and hats.

I used to be under the impression that neutral colors were “boring”. But, as my style continues to develop, I have found that it’s what you do with the colors that make your OOTDs exciting. Picture this: The creamy colored fringe of this jacket blowing in the wind, a nice heavy turtleneck underneath, sharp trousers, and a bright red boot to march about in this winter. Toss on your favorite knitwear accessories in bold colors and you have a winter ready OOTD without sacrificing style or any of the excitement of a more loud colored coat. *Sigh* Perfection.

How do you style neutral colors? What is your favorite color to wear? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec29

If The Shoe Fits: Forever 21 Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Forever 21 Edition

Howdy! So Facebook has this weird thing where it shows you EVERYTHING THAT YOU’VE EVER WANTED in their ads. It’s insane. Shoes that I overlooked but still liked, ModCloth clothes, Forever 21 accessories – all things that Lil Red loves but have yet to buy. So, imagine the distress of scrolling through Facebook and having the devil tempt you at every turn! I’m not too mad about it, though, because these new bootie beauties came from the aforementioned hardship! Take a look and let’s discuss:

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When I saw the ad for these Forever 21 platform boots, I fell head over heels in love (Pun intended!). And, somehow Facebook knows about my ballin on a budget lifestyle, because these shoes were only twenty-five bucks! #blessed Platform shoes became big this summer, and I am obviously not over the trend, because I still feel the urge to buy every single pair that I encounter. Seriously, how could I say no to shoes that would keep my feet warm with the flame decals this winter anyways?! 😉

I recently paired these shoes with my new Karl Lagerfeld button down, black skinnies, a moto jacket, and my favorite Stevie Nicks scarf to accessorize. And, let me tell you, I was really feeling myself, lol. I felt so posh, fun, and fierce strutting around in an edgy outfit with these disco fab platforms on my feet. The compliments that came rolling in didn’t hurt the cause, either! My new Forever 21 boots are the perfect way to add some cheeky fun to any look with an ode to 70s glam and I am so thankful to Facebook for tapping into my brain so that I could find them. Now, please cut it out so that I can stop spending money! THANKS.

So there you have it, the latest issue of If The Shoe Fits: Forever 21 Edition! How do you rock the platform trend? Has Facebook been tempting you with their ads as much as me? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec21

Cool In Karl Lagerfeld

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Cool In Karl Lagerfeld

Howdy! Everyone who knows anything about fashion knows about Karl Lagerfeld, the amazing head of Chanel, Fendi, and his self titled brands. Karl is an icon, and part of what makes him so are his signature aviator sunglasses, which he wouldn’t be caught dead without. So what better way to give an ode to the man behind the shades, than with a sharp white button down literally covered in them? Take a look:

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I nabbed this ah-may-zing shirt at TJMaxx as they were putting it on the rack for thirty dollars and I am so in love. Not only does this shirt give an extra pop of stark white to my wardrobe, which I’ve been working on adding, but it makes me feel devastatingly chic to own this top that feels so completely Karl. Am I a person who is overly concerned about labels? Not really. But, my god, does it feel good to have something with Karl Lagerfeld’s name on the tag. And I can definitely swing thirty dollars instead of the ninety dollar price point that I found on his website.

I am SO looking forward to pairing this top with black skinny jeans, black ankle booties, and a moto jacket so that the bright white top can really shine against All Black Everything. And, of course, a red lip is a total necessity for this look. This button down is great for a cheeky look for work and is an instant hit for all things play. I am freaking obsessed. And, yes, aviator sunglasses are absolutely required.

I feel so helplessly Cool In Karl Lagerfeld and I am ready to take on the day without taking off my sunnies as an ode to the gorgeous fashion mastermind. Who is a designer that you go gaga for? How do you score designer duds for a deal? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep14

Faux Fur Fabulous

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Faux Fur Fabulous

Hello everyone and happy Thursday! Once upon a time, I bought a faux fur vest from TJMaxx three years ago. I actually think that it was right before I started college in 2014. It was deep purple, black, and freaking amazing…And I returned it. I had high hopes of strutting around campus with my new statement making vest, but I didn’t have the confidence to pull it off. I was too nervous in my decision to begin school and leave a world of working retail behind, and didn’t want to stand out more than I already thought I did in my head.

Bad. Decision. Horrible decision. See, this is why I don’t return anything anymore, lol. I still think about that vest, the outfits that could have been, and the confidence that I have now to be able to wear it and feel fierce in it. SMH. Ever since remembering my fallen faux fur vest, I have been on the hunt to find a replacement for a wardrobe staple that my clothing collection lacks.

Unfortunately, I have never been able to find a worthy replica to replace my grave mistake of a returned vest. The midnight sky colored fabulousness has never been seen of again and, of course, it’s difficult to find faux fur vests in any other time but the fall. During a recent trip to TJMaxx, I found a gorgeous, unique blue ombre vest that I really like. BUT, rest assured, that it will never come close to my “one that got away”. Take a look:

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This Thread & Supply brand vest was the only one of its kind that I saw at TJMaxx and, lucky for me, it was in my size (Obviously!)! Blue is a color that I don’t wear very often, although I do have a bit of navy in my wardrobe color palette. However, I loved the cream to midnight blue hues in this vest and it was like nothing that I have ever seen before, which is a major selling point for me, as you all know!

I’m really eager to put this piece to use in my wardrobe because I’ve never owned a faux fur vest before (Aside from the one that I owned for one day, lol.). Of course, you can go the classic route of wearing a faux fur vest with a great pair of skinnies and ankle booties. But, I’m more looking forward to styling this vest with maxi dresses and skirts, as well as mini and midi dresses with thick tights for the fall season.

Despite being forever in mourning for my vest that could have been but never was, I’m happy with this Thread & Supply purchase. The unexpected color palette puts a fun twist on a classic piece, and it will be exciting to experiment with styling something that I’ve never worn before. BUT, I already know that if I find the right black faux fur vest or one in a different, funky color, that it will more than likely be coming home with me, as well!

Vests are a great item to invest in for wearing year round. This one will surely be making an appearance in my looks next summer for a sassy, glam OOTD with short shorts and platform heels. The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to adding a chic, rocker vibe to any outfit with a faux fur vest and I’m so happy to finally be able to have one to play with! 😀

So there you have it, a little touch of Faux Fur Fabulous! Do you have a similar story to a piece of clothing like my “one that got away” vest? How do you incorporate a faux fur vest into your outfits? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep5

Forest Green Fabulous OOTD

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Forest Green Fabulous OOTD

Hellooo everyone and welcome to the final post in my Falling For Fall guest bloggers series, brought to you by Nida of Shopaholic Blogs. I am so excited to welcome Nida back into the blogging world after a brief hiatus here on my page because she is just my absolute favorite! I missed her terribly in the blogosphere and I know that all of you did, too, so let’s take a look at the gorgeous fall OOTD that she created for us all the way from the UAE:

Forest Green Fabulous OOTD

Hello Bloggers! 💕

Welcome to a fabulous fall guest bloggers series courtesy of who else but my blogging BFF, Sarah, the lovely lady with a love for all things red️! (I LOVE YOU! -Sarah)

I have been totally absent from blogging for quite a while now owing to a multitude of reasons, which I will address in detail in a post coming soon. Till then, let’s focus on today’s blog post which is about all things fall, which sadly doesn’t apply here in UAE because we have an abundance of summer ️year round. ☀ So when Sarah asked me to be a part of her fall guest bloggers series, I was left scratching my head because temperatures here were at boiling point!🌡
Nevertheless, I am not one to let down a friend, so I picked a day when the heat was not as deadly as usual and tried my hand at creating a Fall Look in the desert for you guys.🌵 I worked really hard to fake a breezy fall look, so I hope that all of you enjoy it! Much love to Sarah, as always! 💕
Here’s presenting a how to fake fall in the summer️ without melting OOTD: 😂
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Outfit Details:

🍁 Dress: Loft petites – I adore this Grecian style dress. The pleating at the waist is so figure flattering and the color is spot on for fall.
🍁 Scarf: Zeen – This is a Pakistani brand that does gorgeous scarves at a budget friendly price. I love the color combo on this scarf and it doesn’t hurt that it matches my lippie perfectly! 😘
🍁 Shoes: Charles & Keith – I love the pompom detailing on these sandals, which are right on trend for summer and fall.
🍁 Accessories: Pottery Barn – I know the pumpkins were a little cheesy, but hey! A little improvisation just adds to the look don’t you think? 🎃
🍁 Don’t forget to show me and Sarah some love️ by liking this post and commenting down below! 😘
Okay, so all of Nida’s pictures are always beautiful but how freaking cute is that last pic with the pumpkin?! Just dying!! Thank you so much again to my Shopaholic Blogs babe for concluding my Falling For Fall guest bloggers series with a bang! Tune in tomorrow as I wrap things up and show some love to all of my amazing guest bloggers who helped make this fall celebration so special.
Does your location have all four seasons? How do you style a warmer weather fall look? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Apr22

New, Fabulous, Super Cute Nails!

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New, Fabulous, Super Cute Nails!

Helloooooooo everyone and happy weekend! This Thursday I got my nails done and holy moley am I obsessed. Seriously, this just might be my favorite fill of all time. Because I always opt for black on all of my talons but two accent nails, I try to make those two nails extra fun. Errr… I pick out the polish and my nail tech, Steve, does a brilliant job of making them look extra fun. Like my previous nail tech, Vinny, Steve spoils me rotten. I’ve been going to Steve’s salon (he is the owner) for the better part of two years so he always makes sure to spend lots of time making my nails look fierce. Take a look at his latest creation:

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^^^ LOVE!!

For my accent nail this time around, I knew that I wanted it to be red but I also didn’t want it to be plain. After spending some time at the polish rack while Steve was at lunch, I found this super great top coat that has glitter and confetti hearts and stars in it and I was sold. It was admittedly kind of a pain in the butt for it to be applied because if it wasn’t done right, the confetti would just clump together. But Steve made sure that I had an accent nail with expertly placed hearts all over it. What a guy!!

Every three weeks I go to Empress Nails to get my talons fixed up and I am never disappointed. I have no problem shelling out about twenty-five bucks a month to get my nails looking right, all while having an hour or two to myself to relax. My acrylics are my ultimate TREAT YOSELF accessory, but they make me happy and their gorgeous appearance is always well worth the price!

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So there you have it, my New, Fabulous, Super Cute Nails! How do you treat yoself when it comes to getting pampered? What color of nail polish do you have on right now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah