Our New Couch

 

We did it! We had a mishap with our couch a few months ago that meant it was time to finally buy a new one. We loved our previous one from American Furniture Warehouse but life... ie: kids throwing up means it's time to say goodbye and get something a little more durable and easy to clean. I had always always always pictures soft and light and bright for our couches. Cloth and a light linen or suede and then I start couch hunting and I kept drawing to a dark cognac leather. It felt very bold and very out of my comfort zone but I couldn't stop thinking about them when I was looking and finally bit the bullet.

This was Andrew's pick right away. Leather is his dream and honestly, I was so sick of the light fabric couches everyone has. I am over the farmhouse looking style and want to really hone in on what draws me in. I can't quite pin point what I'd call my style but when I'm shopping I think a little rustic, eclectic and vintage with some softer dainty touches. That doesn't even make sense when I type it out but ultimately, I want people to walk in our home and feel comfortable. I want it to be inviting and cozy and like they want to cozy up on the couch with a blanket and feel at home.

This couch did that for me.

We had been shopping for about a month both online and in stores and we had been to Living Spaces 3 times before looking at this couch. It just didn't feel right. We actually were there to buy it and then I saw this Burton leather sectional. But shocker - it was out of stock. So we left empty handed. That night I was looking online at 2am and it dawned on me how it was advertised as a sectional and that showed out of stock but when you look at the individual pieces, the sofa and corner was available!! It was the love seat size that wasn't and lucky for me, I want 2 of the sofa sizes anyway to make it a bigger sectional than advertised. I immediately got up and added it all to my cart on my computer and first thing when Andrew woke up that morning we ordered! It came the next day and I've been in Burton cognac leather heaven ever since.

Really though, it's cozy and plush and BOLD and inviting and exactly what I pictured. And even a little boho. It checks off the eclectic piece of my style perfectly. So if you're shopping, you can view the collection of this couch over here!





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DIY Gel Manis

 


Happy Friday! Last week I posted I grabbed a handful of DND gel polish when they had a labor day sale so naturally, I had a lot of questions about at home gel manis. I will be the first to say, I go in kicks of wanting to get my nails done at the salon but every time I do, it's always gel and I'm never happy. I tend to be happier when I just paint them myself at home so I finally grabbed a light and a handful of colors I'm rotating at the salon and BAM. I'm set!

Here is everything to shop and then you can of course, shop DNDgel.com for these colors above.


You for sure want a base and top coat to have the polish adhere and set better. Don't skimp on this step and personally, I like the DND base and top coat combo best. I find it having the best results. The polish you use doesn't matter as much when you're using a good base and top coat.

Step One -
Make sure your nails are free of any remaining polish, push back and trim cuticles and then rough up your nail bed a bit with a nail file. This helps the base coat stick better!

Step Two -
Less is more!! When you are applying your polish, go light and layer if you need to and remember when applying be careful to avoid skin and wipe any excess off before putting your hand under the light to set. Apply your base coat and slip one hand at a time into your light and let it set for 60 seconds.

Step Three -
Apply 2-3 coats of your polish choice letting them set for 60 seconds between each coat under the LED/UV light.

Step Four -
Apply your top coat, again, less is more. Wipe any excess before setting under the light and finishing off for 60 seconds.

Step Five -
Using rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball, rub your nails clean to remove any stick residue left after your polish has set and voila! You're done!

For a fraction of the cost, you're now able to accomplish beautiful gel nails at home! They tend to last me 7-10 days which is the same timeframe they last me when I go to the salon. When I'm ready to remove them, I grab acetone, small tin foil pieces and cotton balls. Scuff up the polish with a nail file, soak cotton balls in acetone and then wrap each individual nail with tin foil and let sit 8-10 minutes. They will become goopy and you'll easily be able to file off the rest of the remaining polish before prepping your nail beds to paint again.

Enjoy!


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