Negative Space Nails!

I've been wanting to try a negative space nail design for a while, but I always found better things to do or got distracted on the internet. However, recently I was at my cottage for a few days and found myself with absolutely NO EXCUSES [seeing as how there is as much internet as there is TV- which is NONE, with the exception of DVD and VHS].

To start off, you will need;

• tape
• scissors
• nail polish of your choice [I used a sparkly silver glitter polish from Yves Rocher, Prospect Park Bloom from NYC, and the French White Tip from NYC]

STEP ONE:

I started by doing a neutral base colour with the Prospect Park Bloom just to give my nails more of an even colour for the negative space, but that's totally optional.

STEP TWO:

You'll want to cut strips of tape as thin as possible and stick them on your nails in your desired pattern, this can get frustrating as the tape is sticky [uh, DUUUH!] and sometimes does NOT like to cooperate so I suggest keeping it simple. I used two strips for each nail and did an 'X' to create four little triangles. Simple, yet effective.

NOTE: If you did paint a base colour on be sure to wait until they are dry. Wait as long as you can because even if they are dry some nail polish can still come off when you are removing the tape.

STEP THREE:

Paint your nails as usual, but be careful not to get any under the tape if there are any loose edges sticking up. Unfortunately the store I was buying my nail polish at was out of the regular, plain old white nail polish so since I used a French White Tip I had to do an extra coat, because it applies thinner. 

STEP FOUR:

Now, let's be honest, I LOVE white. It's so fresh, crisp and clean looking but it can also be pretty dull and boring. This is why to boost the glam factor I added the silver glitter polish [from Yves Rocher] to the top triangle. This just makes it look classy, clean and stylish without being too overwhelming. I applied two coats, one coat didn't make it very sparkly, I mean the sparklier the better, AMIRIGHT?

STEP FIVE:

After you've waited a sufficient amount of time after your nails have completely dried, or as long as you can, slowly peel the tape off. I waited approximately 5-10 minutes and my nail polish started to lift a teeny bit while removing the tape- I recommend waiting a bit longer than that. Now, there may be little bits of nail polish on your skin around the nail so just remove that excess with a q-tip and nail polish remover.

                           

STEP SIX:

TOP COAT! The reason I type that in caps is I had a bit of a brain fart and forgot to do this, so my nails started chipping about two days after I painted them, which I think is actually pretty good, normally they chip the morning after [if I'm lucky]. Don't forget! Unless you're super confident and rebellious and choose to go without it, in which case, YOU GO GUURL!

TA-DAAAA! You'll be looking even more fabulous than you already do...If that's even possible.

For an edgier look, switch out the white for a bolder colour like purple, blue or green. Or for a sweeter colour, choose a pastel.

xoxo - Gouu

P.S. 

sorry for the bright light in the corner of the pictures, the lighting at my cottage wasn't very good in my room and I didn't realise the light was that noticeable until after.

Morning Stretch!

When I sleep I tend to curl into a ball resulting in me waking up feeling like I have not moved for days. It sucks. That's why after I peel myself off of my bed and finish making it look all fresh and pretty again I do a quick, yet effective, morning [or afternoon- depending on the day] stretch. This stretch targets arms, legs, sides, back- pretty much everything.

Unfortunately, I'm not very good at explaining things, so I have pictures! Hopefully together, this all makes sense. 

LEGS

I like to start out by stretching open my legs as far as I can, if I feel stiffer than usual I pulse up and down for a few seconds [if that doesn't make sense, it means I just do small bounces up and down]. Don't forget to twist to the sides as well, it'll add more of a stretch to your inner thighs as well as your back.

                         

          

Next, I do lunges [feel free to put your knee down if you're not very flexible, but do this every day and soon you will be!] and again pulsing if I'm in need of an extra oopmh to get me going. Go ahead into the splits if you can, if not just go as low as you can and hold it for about 5-10 seconds. Don't forget your middle splits! Most people just do their side splits, but they're all important. While I'm near the floor I throw in the butterfly just for a few seconds, pushing my chest towards my feet.

            

Now, I need to pop my ankles otherwise they get SUPER tight and start to hurt. So, I lift my ankle behind me to my back until it pops, and then I bend and lift it even higher into a scorpion pose.

           

ARMS

To be honest, I don't do many stretches for my arms, just the classics that you've all probably done in gym class and on sports teams. The first is to bring your arms over in front and push slightly with your other arm [that sounds strange].

                          

The second is to bring one arm over the top and the other on the bottom, grab your hand and hold on [again- sounds strange].

                

            

SIDES/BACK

Again, a classic stretch for the sides. Place your feet hip width apart and raise one arm over the head, the other in front by your stomach and bend over.

Do this bending toward the front, try to keep your back as flat as you can. Then move your feet in closer and touch the floor.

Finally, to end off the stretch I do the bridge, just because I find it gives a great stretch to my legs, arms and back all at once. Just lie on the floor, with your feet flat and knees up, hands flat beside your head and lift. NOTE: if you're wearing socks while stretching make sure to either take them off or fold them so you have at least half your foot exposed. It'll provide better grip so you won't slip and hurt yourself!

You don't necessarily have to do these in the morning, I just find it helps me get my day off to a great start. If you're looking to get more flexible do some stretches throughout the day just to keep your muscles nice and stretched so they don't just tighten up again.

Be sure to push yourself, but not too hard, you could wind up with a pulled muscle, that honestly, hurts SOOO MUCH. As soon as you feel the stretch, don't push any further, you'll get there eventually.

xoxo - Gouu

Tips To Stay Warm And Cozy!

I live in Canada and I don't know about you guys, but where I live it's starting to get SO COLD. We had a fairly green and mild Christmas but now it's pure ice and crystal white [not to mention all the frostbite warnings].

So, I've been looking for ways to keep me nice and toasty warm without having to completely bury myself in clothes and blankets.

1) Layers!

I know I just said I don't want to bury myself, but the right amount of layers can do wonders! Try wearing a pair of cheap leggings or tights under your jeans and a tank top under your shirt.

If you have to go outside add knee high socks and I recently discovered the magic of texting gloves so I pair those under my thicker mittens in case I need to send a text [or change my music] that ways my fingers won't completely freeze.

Keep in mind most heat escapes through your feet and head, so cover up!

2) Build A Fort!

It doesn't really have to be a fort, but make your bed as fluffy and inviting as you can. Add pillows, blankets and stuffed animals and whatever you feel would be cuddle worthy. Don't be afraid to pile it on, the more the merrier. Then get ready for the warmest sleep you could imagine!

3) Prepare Your Inside For The Outside!

The hardest part of staying warm is when you have to go outside, so grab a travel mug and fill it with your favourite hot drink before you leave.

4) Have A Party!

That doesn't mean invite a bunch of people over and trash the house, but who says you can't have a party by yourself [it's really not that lame]. Turn up your favourite songs and start dancing. You'll be nice and slightly sweaty in no time.

                             

5) Stay In And Snuggle!

Curl up on your bed or your couch with blankets, pillows, a book or a movie, and a warm drink or soup [TIP: mix crushed crackers in your soup to make it more filling]. For effect you could even turn on the fireplace channel, or a real one if you have it.

It'll be spring before you know it, HANG IN!

xoxo - Gouu