DIY

New Year New Mani

New Year New Mani!

Happy New Year! I hope 2019 is off to a spectacular… or sparkling start!

Matte Sparkle for the New Year

My New Years Eve mani has become my new year mani. While going through my nail polish stash I found these super sparkly polishes from Julep, which are actually a matte. Making this mani something a little different and with all the glitter I was already wearing, matte seemed a good way to go.

New Year New Flowers 😉

These also look WAY better in person! I couldn’t capture the sparkle, so take my word for it. I was kinda hesitant to give up wearing red on my nails but this purple polish is making it easy to transition to the new year. Plus, first post always has to be a new mani post right!?

In the winter sun, trying to capture the sparkle

Cheers to 2019!

Mani Monday: Easy Holiday Nail Art with mark. Nailed It Duo in Eggnog and Sugarplum

Easy Holiday Nail Art with mark. Nailed It Duo in Eggnog and Sugarplum

Holdiay nails? Nailed it! Instead of the same red you wear every year try something equally as festive with a shimmering plum and cream with some easy but eye-catching nail art! mark. Nailed It Gel Trend Gel Finish Mini Nail Laquers are part of the holiday sparkle beauty collection from mark./Avon and they’re the perfect pairing for your holiday nails!

mark. Nailed it It Gel Trend gel Finish Mini Nail Laquers

It comes with 2 mini bottles in shades Sugar Plum and Eggnog. The names (and shades) couldn’t be more fitting for holiday. Like I said before I prefer these mini polishes they’re the perfect amount to get you through the season before you’re on to the next trend.

Eggnog and Sugarplum

Easy Holiday Nail Art with mark. Nailed It Duo in Eggnog and Sugarplum

For this easy nail art first paint your nails in Eggnog. On my ring I flipped it so I used Sugarplum first. Once it’s dried for about 2 minutes create a v shape by painting two angled swipes from cuticle to tip on each side of the nail. The mini brushes on these mini polishes are perfect for achieving this. It doesn’t have to be perfect to get a good look… mine are far from perfectly symmetrical.

mark. Nailed It Duo for Holiday Mani’s!

Easy Nail Art For Holidays!

mark. Ready To Pounce Ring

Unique Look For Your Digits This Holiday Season

The mark. Nailed It Set is available at my eBoutique along with this super cute leopard ring! Polish is a great little gift idea for stockings, as an add on, or just for a little gift. Personally I love getting it in my stocking because I know I’ll be doing my nails over the break for upcoming NYE! This set would be perfect for your NYE look! Shop now and take advantage of 12 days of deals at my eBoutique! Today you get to pick a travel size Anew product or tomorrow you get a FREE Platinum-Plated Diamond Pendant Necklace! Shop now shop often and get those lists done!

mark. Nailed It Gel Polish Set at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger

http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger

Mani Monday: Jamberry Sweet Nothing

mark. Let Your Finger Do The Talking With Jamberry Sweet Nothing Nail Wrap Mixed Mani

Happy Columbus Day! Need something to do on your random day off? Do your nails! I love random Monday’s off for a little self improvement, preferably while watching daytime TV! Even if you don’t have today off (like me :/) then just chalk it up to being a typical mani Monday and DVR Kelly and Michael and The Price Is Right to watch while doing your nails.

Mani Monday With Jamberry Sweet Nothing

Today’s mani Monday is a new one for me… Jamberry. As popular as these nail wraps have been and as much of a nail girl as I am, I have yet to try Jamberry. My bestie Krista is hosting a party so her killer Jamberry Rep Jen sent a sample to us interested ladies for a 7 day challenge to see how Jamberry wraps hold up. I have to say, I’m impressed.

Jamberry Sweet Nothing, OPI Mourning Glory and Essie A Cut Above

I selected Jamberry Sweet Nothing as my design. Because the sample was a little big for my nail size I put them on the best fitting option my pointer. The floral design with a black background is a great fall floral design. I had a fun weekend planned so I wanted a fun mani to go with it, so I decided to accompany the floral design with just a basic shiny black polish (OPI Mourning Glory) and some mauve pink glitter on my middle (Essie A Cut Above). I loved the look with just the basic black but the glitter stepped it up and made this a fall mani I’m loving!

Dark Floral Mani For Fall

Word Of Alicia Review: Immediately I could tell that these were higher quality than nail wraps I’ve used in the past. I thought they were easy to apply but the key is heating them up first. I watched the tutorial on how to apply them and used my little desk side heater as my heat source. Besides some edge peeling and some mega filing (and more filing throughout the week) these puppies stayed put way better than any I’ve tried. I would definitely get them again… in fact I’m definitely getting these foxes for Thanksgiving!

mark. Let Your Finger Do The Talking Ring

I also am digging all the unique designs and how each design has it’s own hashtag so you can search how it looks in real life (IRL). That makes an online shopper super happy! You

see here that the design I used looks just as great on everyone else too, I LOVE it paired with stripes!

Avon Above The Fringe Necklace Set (earrings not shown but super cute!)

If you’re interested in trying out some Jamberry shop Krista’s Creative Jamberry Party here! Be sure to select Krista’s party and take advantage of the buy 3 get one free promotion going on now! You can shop my ring and necklace set at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger

Pretty Little Things For Fall

Editors Note: for whatever reason this post didn’t post on Monday so day late and a dollar short… deal with it.

Hairtastic: The Half Up Messy Bun

The Half Up Messy Bun

The half up messy bun is having a moment. I’m totally on board with this hairstyle for a few reasons.

1. It’s super easy. Who doesn’t like easy.

2. It’s super quick. I’m always late. ALWAYS. So having a hairstyle in my arsenal that’s quick and looks good is a must have.

3. It keeps your hair out of your face while still looking “done.”

4. It works with semi-wet hair. Again back to this whole late thing, I don’t have time to blow dry so I need some wet hair looks.

5. It was my go-to hair style in High School when I was running late. Obiv it looks way better now when I do it but who doesn’t like resurfacing old trends haha.

sideview

more sideview

Here’s how I do it: Air dry my hair for a little bit, basically until my bangs are dry. Next I prep the hair with mark. Give It To Me Straight Super Smoothing Lotion. Then I separate about half my hair starting at about half inch above my ears. With this gathered hair I either twist into a bun or just create a messy ponytail bun, both secured with an elastic. By messy ponytail bun I mean I just go through the motions of doing a ponytail only I don’t pull the ends out. There’s no wrong way to do this, just create a non-perfect half up look. I then will round brush and blow-dry my bottom half of hair, finger comb/style my bangs and leave some face framing layers loose. Spray it all with a hair spray (John Frieda Frizz Ease Aerosol is my hair spray of choice.) Done!

Take a look at some inspiration on this look! https://www.pinterest.com/ach167/hair-tastic/

Who else is sporting the half up messy bun!?

my go-to hair as of late!

Week O’Nautical TGIF

The long Memorial Day weekend is here! TGIF! Time to start the unofficial kickoff of summer! Week O’Nautical continues with some red white and blue!

Time To Start The Weekend!

Nautical Arm Party

Arm party: Avon Smooth Sailing Charm Bracelet, mark. Looking Sharp Bracelet in rose gold, Avon tortoise watch. (shop here)

Summer Time Treat: Infused Water!

Infused Water For Your Weekend

This was probably the best idea as of late. Fill multiple mason jars with your favorite fruit, fill with water and refrigerate. Grab and go options that are not only tasty, refreshing and portable but also super cute and pinterest worthy! How great would these look on your picnic table this weekend!? Mine includes lemon, cucumber, strawberries, blueberries and kiwi.

Casual Friday!

Red Lace OOTD

Casual Friday might not be so casual around here, nor is it that nautical, but red white and blue for the win! See the last time I shared this dress here. Paired today’s OOTD with a red lip (Avon), mark. jewelry and some summer heels (Steve Madden).

Sipping water in my red white and blue…

Get Weekend Ready!

Mini playlist on repeat as of late. Don’t be discouraged by the image of the Biebs… it’s Skrillex so enough said.

Mani Monday: Copy Cat Lauren Conrad Nails

Lauren Conrad Nail Inspo (via IG)

Lauren Conrad posted this pretty up on her Instagram page and I was immediately smitten, the soft shades, the gorge trimmings and that nail! A small pop of sparkly goodness that I HAD to recreate! It looks like a white base shade with pink undertones and a glittered textured top coat like Essie LuxeEffects (which I’ve been known to rock).

Copy Cat: Lauren Conrad Mani

For my recreation I used Julep Dana as my base and Avon Dazzlers Top Coat in Disco Ball. I think the outcome was definitely spot on! I could of gone with Avon Dazzlers Top Coat in Show Stopper Copper to look a bit more like hers, but I liked the silver. I have many Essie LuxeEffects and I have to say these Avon Dazzlers are giving them a run for their money… literally, considering these Avon polishes are only $6.

Julep Dana and Avon Dazzlers in Disco Ball

Creamy white mani with dazzling glitter topcoat!

Huge fan of this one! Definitely going to recreate this a few more times, plus it was super quick and easy with mega impact! Bonus it’s the perfect soft shades mani to go with my current obsession (see here)!

Recreating Lauren Conrad’s Nails with Julep and Avon

Pretty perfect for her Cinderella inspired collection for Kohl’s right!? Check back for my “chic peek” from the Disney’s Cinderella collection by LC Lauren Conrad!

A Mani Fit For A Princess

12 Mani’s of Christmas

So many Christmas nail ideas, so little time! Only a week until Christmas, so even if I do a new nail look everyday I still couldn’t fit in thislist! Lucky for me some of these work great for New Year’s and beyond! In no particular order, let’s count them down… 12 drummers drumming…err…

12. Classic bright red.

mark. Nailed It Duo in Firestarter and Hot Coal

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Sometimes perfect bright classic red is all your nails need. The perfect red for me this year is the mark. Nailed It Duo in Firestarter. Creamy, bright and pure holiday excellence. See it on here.

11. Avon Nail Art Design French Tips

Avon Nail Art Design French Tips

For my holiday party this weekend I’ll be wearing these Avon Nail Art Design French Tips in Let It Snow and using them again in Tartan for Christmas Eve! All you do is use your favorite shade as your base. Then apply the nail art strip after it’s dried. Place it higher on the nail if you want a typical french tip look or lower to show just a little for a half moon mani look. Could even just use these just as an accent nail. Either way they’re fun and festive and a level of detailed design I could never do on own! Aaaaand they’ve been marked down to $2.99 so take advantage of that free 2-day shipping and get these NOW! (http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger)

10. Nude with gold tips.

Nude with Skinny Gold Tips

This is just too pretty! To recreate the look go with a nude that’s a little more on the pink side and make your gold french tips super slim. Try Essie Penny Talk for the tips!

9. DIY Buffalo Plaid

DIY Buffalo Plaid

Easy enough to recreate after seeing the tutorial over at http://petitepeinture.com/julep-holiday-tartan-tutorial Obviously I’ve been having a plaid moment this fall/winter!

8. Jackie from Living After Midnight’s Snowman Mani

Living After Midnite: Snowman Nails

My Wear and Share partner in crime, Jackie over at Living After Midnight, showed us her KILLER snowman mani. Not only is this guy super festive, it’s great in snowy January as well! I’m LOVING it paired with her striped top and emerald jewels too!

7. Green and gold.

Green and Gold Mani

Go to the other end of the Christmas color spectrum with a deep green polish topped with some gold glitter. Try Essie Stylenomics with Essie LuxeEffects in Rock At The Top.

6. Snowy White

Glistening Snowy Nails with Avon Iceberg White and Essie LuxeEffects in Shine Of The Times (with and w/o flash)

Our friends over at Sealaura already showed us how chic an all white mani can be, but let’s step it up a notch with a snowy white look! Top Avon’s Gel Finish in Iceberg White with Essie LuxeEffects in Shine Of The Times for a glistening snowy white look… and maybe if you want, do a red accent nail like I did!

5. Santa Nail Art!

Santa Nail Art

This one looks easy enough to recreate! Basically do a red nail with white french tip. Where they meet draw a thin line in silver. (Try using an old liquid eyeliner brush to get a super thin line!) To do your Santa accent nail start by doing the beard first. Let that dry, then do the red santa hat by just making a thick line. After that dries, make small dots in a row for the top of the hat. Dot on black eyes (try using a toothpick) and the nose and you’re done! Seal it all with a topcoat!

4. Blue Christmas – Avon Gel Finish Winter 2014 Shades

Avon Gel Finish in Iceberg White, Alaska and Inked Up (L to R)

For your non-typical holiday mani I’m loving these shades from Avon. You already know I’ve been digging Iceberg White, but Inked Out and Alaska (now only $4.99!) are also perfect wintery shades. Blue for the holidays has become a favorite and not just for Hanukkah! If you want to make it a little more festive, top it with a silver glitter topcoat.

3. Gold Stripes with Julep December Box: Classic With A Twist

Julep Maven December Box – Classic With A Twist

Julep always has the perfectly paired offering with their monthly box selections. For December I went with the Classic With A Twist selection featuring Sienna and Ilga from the Count It Down collection. I also added on the striping tape for a little holiday nail art. This is the perfect set for the work week leading up to Christmas!

2. Presents

Presents!!!

Create cute little presents on your nails with some striping tape and a bow decal or just paint it on with two stripes and a bow! Bonus points if you can do that awesome tree!

1. Fair Isle Nails

Fair Isle Nails

Now this might be for the advanced but it’s like a Christmas sweater for your nails! How festive and cozy!

And a partridge in a pear tree…

Gift Guide: Things I Want To Buy Myself But End Up Gifting

The problem with this time of year is instead of shopping for my ever expanding Christmas list, I want to shop for myself! I mean the deals are excellent and I always find things I never noticed before but I need! What usually ends up happening is I buy the folks on my list things I would like! It’s a win win situation… and maybe a dupe makes it into my shopping bag for myself too… ooopsies! So let’s make a gift guide out of the things I want that are also great Christmas gifts for others!

1. mark. Effortless Edge Sweatshirt in Black ($28).

mark. Effortless Edge Sweatshirt $28

Ok, ok I know I already have it in beige (as seen here!), but I love it so much I want it in black too! How cute would it be with some sequin leggings!?!

2. Plaid Blanket Scarf

American Eagle Outfitters Plaid Blanket Scarf

If you follow me on pinterest you’ll notice all my pins lately seem to include a holiday perfect plaid scarf! Santa, take notes, I totally could use a plaid blanket scarf preferably in a red plaid. This one from American Eagle seems to fit the bill considering my dream one from Express sold out… tear.

3. Michael Kors Watch

Michael Kors Darci Watch

A MK watch has been on my stalk list for years. I think its about time I catch up with everyone else and get one! I digress…, this would be a killer gift under anyone’s tree. I’m loving the rose gold versions with red, holiday perfection! (and a great way to wear traditional holiday colors!)

4. mark. Eye Divine Soft Shimmer Shadow ($11)

mark. Eye Divine Shadows ($11)

These 3 heavenly shades are not only perfect for holiday in their cute packaging but also everyday colors that are wearable far past Christmas and New Years! Stocking stuffers anyone!?

5. mark. Glam Glimmer Clutch ($28)

mark. Glam Glimmer Clutch $28

I think a metallic clutch is pretty much a wardrobe staple, but this one also has a classic snakeskin pattern and a chain strap option! Thinking this would be perfect for holiday outings, esp NYE, making it a great gift! As a little gift-giving idea, wouldn’t it be great if this clutch was accompanied with some tickets!? Ballet, concert or even just the movies! And maybe a gift card to a favorite restaurant for a little diner and date night.

6. mark. Go For A Ride Boots ($60)

mark. Go For A Ride Riding Boots

Boots are always a winning gift idea! Plus everyone likes to have a little something new they can wear Christmas Day. A classic riding boot, in a go with everything brown, is a fool proof idea. Maybe pair it with one of those plaid blanket scarfs.

7. Kate Spade Agenda

Kate Spade Agenda

These sell out like crazy so lucky you if you can grab one up. This is both something functional and pretty to look at. Kate Spade as such a great aesthetic making tasking way more fun.

8. Candles… lots and lots of candles!

Avon Scented Candles $9.99

There are so many options but I haven’t met a person who doesn’t like getting a candle. It sets the mood for a perfect winter night. I love a good holiday spice scent like the Avon Holiday Spice Scented Candle ($9.99). It’s a scent that works well for January too. Really cute to package up a candle with this matches pinterest project. I did it last year and it turned out great and super easy to do!

9. Nail Polish

mark. Nailed It $7

Since I’m an adult and don’t get toys to play with on Christmas Day, I look forward to some nail polish in my stocking. It gives me something to “play with.” The mark. Nailed It Duo ($7) is again already packaged for the holiday and comes with 2 shades. Sets are always better than a single. Pair it with a nail file, base coat and/or top coat and a good hand cream like mark. Hand Cream ($6). Could even go the extra mile and put it with a gift certificate to a nail salon. Or if you’re looking for a good teacher/co-worker/etc gift putting some polish in a little bag with a note that reads “For Your Mistle Toes” is a cute idea!

10. mark. Chain Reaction Necklace ($50)

mark. Chain Reaction Necklace $50

Nothing says holidays like some major sparkle! A full blinged out statement necklace will twinkle under those christmas lights and add that extra sparkle and fun. It’s great as a gift because it’s not a necessity you typically buy for yourself but totally want! And looks great with a LBD… if you’re looking for something to pair it with try the mark. Cross My Mind Dress ($42).

So, yea, basically I want to buy this all for myself so I’ll just buy it for all my well deserving friends and family. Maybe Santa will deliver a few of these under my Christmas tree this year!

BONUS: Cyber Monday Deal still available! Shop #1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 for 30% off AND free shipping AND get a free gift with a $50 purchase. So I guess get a little something for you… or use it for stocking stuffers! Shop Now: http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger

Cyber Monday Deals at http://www.youravon.com/aliciahessinger

Easy Homemade Fresh Cranberry Sauce

It’s not that I don’t like the canned stuff, it’s that homemade and fresh is so much better! My mom made this years and years ago as an alternative and we’ve never looked back. It’s more of a relish than a jelly sauce, but not only will it taste way better, it dresses up your holiday meal like no other! Plus! It’s excellent for leftover turkey sandwiches!

What You Need:

1 bag of fresh cranberries
½ cup sugar
1 whole navel orange, cut in quarters, remove any seed if any are there, should not be but sometimes a little one is there
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp dry raspberry Jell-o

How To Make It:

Grind all in processor, blender or chopper

Let sit about 2 hours or longer, to blend flavors. The Jell-o has to dissolve. Overnight is really best!

Notes:

You can double this recipe for a large crowd.

You can chop as fine as you want, but I do pretty fine.

You do not have to cook this recipe, usually don’t but I have cooked it before for a little different taste.

I’m Thankful For Tasty Cranberry Sauce!

I will most certainly will be making this for Friendsgiving this Saturday. Plus it’s one of those things that you can do the night before making one less task on the busy day. Enjoy! And if you need some more inspiration for the day check out my ideas on what to wear, mani idea, makeup idea and some of my favorite appetizers!

DIY Pumpkin Spiced Chai

I’m definitely not a coffee drinker, but tea, tea I do! I like a hot beverage in the morning especially on a crisp fall morning. I love the idea of all those cool flavored beverages that all the cool kids order, but I just can’t stomach anything coffee. So when in doubt, turn to pinterest! I found a recipe for a home made pumpkin spice syrup that actually turned out pretty good. Add it to chai and Pinterest Success!!

Step 1: Start by making the syrup. Not only does this recipe make a ton it stores in the fridge well and you can use it plenty of other things, like apple cider or coffee.

Pumpkin Spice Syrup orig from Annie’s Eats

1½ cups water
1½ cups sugar
4 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
½ tsp. ground ginger (or put a little nub of peeled fresh ginger root in the water as it’s cooking)
4 whole cloves
2 tsp. ginger sugar (if you don’t have any ginger sugar, you can skip this. It just adds a little extra zip to the syrup.)
3 tbsp. pumpkin puree

Directions:

Combine the water and sugar in a medium saucepan and heat over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has completely dissolved.
Toss in the cinnamon sticks and cloves, then whisk in the remaining spices and the pumpkin puree.
Continue to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, without letting the mixture come to a boil. If you screw up and it does accidentally come to a boil, I don’t think it’s that big of a deal — mine did and the syrup tasted fine!
Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes.
Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth and funnel into a bottle or jar.
Store in the refrigerator.
Sidenote: I like to leave a cinnamon stick in the bottle/jar

Step 2: After you have your syrup ready, prepare some chai tea. Any brand will do, I prefer Tazo Classic Chai Tea Bags. I personally just seep one bag in about 4-6oz of water. Or use the “small cup” amount on your Keurig.

Step 3: Prepare equal parts of warm milk. You basically want half tea half milk, so if you used 4-6oz heat 4-6oz of milk. Heating the milk separately doesn’t make it get filmy.

Step 4: Combine tea, warm milk, and 2-3 tablespoons of the pumpkin spice syrup and mix.

And there you go! A perfectly spicy fall drink to enjoy while lounging in your perfect fall sweater, painting your perfect pumpkin spice mani on a perfect fall day doing basic white girl fall activities!

The Perfect Fall Drink

word of alicia

word yo.

DIY