manicure tips & ideas

Nowadays, a manicure is no longer considered a luxury, but rather an important part of daily grooming. If you're too busy to go to a salon, you can give & get perfect manicures at home with just a few easy techniques! 

Here are some tips on how to do a simple manicure:

Cleaning

Before beginning your manicure, wash your hands thoroughly with a scrub brush, making sure you get under the nails. Clean the tops of the nail as well. Let them dry completely. Use polish remover and a cotton ball to remove all traces of any old polish completely.

Shaping

Next, use an emery board to file and shape the nail on each finger. File with 2 or 3 short strokes and then one longer smooth stroke. If you file your nail this way, you will avoid any splitting. The single longer stroke blends and smoothes the edge of the nail so it is uniform. Nails grow in a variety of shapes and sizes, but there are four basic shapes: pointed, oval, round and square. 

Treating Your Cuticles

Apply cuticle remover. Be gentle so you don't tear the cuticle; it hurts and it isn't pretty.

Polishing Your Nails

Start with a base coat first. It will protect the fingernail, and it will help your color go on smoothly and last longer. Use light strokes, starting at the bottom and gliding upward. You should use 3 strokes on each finger.  Finally, apply your top coat. Try not to skip the top coat unless you are in a real hurry, as it will help the rest of your polish last.

Here are some ideas for nail colours & art (although, if you’re not that of a pro, nail art can be a bit tricky!) in the coming Spring/Summer trend. Bright colours of course! But also neon colours are very popular!! 

On a very popular note, nail art & nail polish does not necessarily need to match your outfit OR on a very boring one, don't go for neutral colours all the time! (so they will go with every outfit you decide to dress!) same old, same old! Like I always say, be creative & fun! Experiment with colours! ;)

Manicure Maintenance

Finally make sure to use hand cream, do a little massage & moisturize your cuticles.

Don't worry if your first home manicure doesn't look salon-perfect. If you schedule your home manicure as a relaxing gift to yourself, you will soon find out how soothing a ritual doing your nails can become. 

I hope you find these tips useful & remember practice makes perfect! ;)

Love Aly xx

8th March 2012: The Women In Me

Take a note in your diaries ladies! 8th March is International Women's Day! 

Denise Bugeja & her team are at full speed in preparing a special event for us! The Women In Me!

Date: International Women's Day - the 8th of March

Time: from 6pm onwards 

Place: Le Meridien St.Julians

About the event: The Women In Me will be under the Patronage of Mrs. Abela and will attract women of all ages. It will be an inflowing event, rather than a strict schedule, so people will be coming in all the time.

Besides various stands, there will be interesting talks, varying from homeopathy, aromatherapy, honey therapy, nutrition, breastcare,  to make-up and fashion tips. Some talks would also be repeated for those coming in late. Also, a live draping Session by a well known Fashion Designer. Various NGOs would also be present, including Gender Equality, Breast Care Support Group, Gift of Life, Kunsill Nazzjonali tal-Ktieb & more!

There is only a 5euro registration fee and part of  the proceeds will be donated to the Community Chest Fund.

More Info on their facebook page: The Women In Me Event

ALL WOMEN ARE INVITED!!! 

Book a place for you & your girlfriends and join in the fun! ;) See you there! 

Love Aly xxx

Colour your Wardrobe!

Spring is almost here !! :) Isn't it a nice warm feeling?
...and you'll know when Spring & Summer seasons are approaching when the bright colours in shop windows catch your eyes. From cute mini dresses, chic blouses and casual wedges to bags & accessories!


Make sure you purchase a variety of bright pieces this Spring...colour your wardrobe, be creative, different & fun! ;)

Colour Trends for Spring/Summer 2012:

#1: Caramel Colors.  including cream, light pink, coral, peach and banana –You can wear them separately or together, in combination with brighter tones or pastels.

#2: Orange. Orange is a great hit of Spring/ Summer 2012 season. It comes everywhere and on everything – dresses, shoes, bags, belts, sunglasses… Brighten up your outfit!

#3: White.  Total white look is one of the hottest trends, as it is always! Try delicate lace or pleats for a more feminine look or go for a straighter or more elegant silhouette.

#4: Fuchsia. Looks amazing!

#5: Black. The all time favourite.

#6: Black and white. The combination of two neutral colors is also neutral but it is smart and elegant as well.

#7: Yellow.  From pale yellow to bright lemon

#8: Nude. Nude hue is one of the best in a color palette because of its versatility. It can be combined with everything and never looks vulgar or plain.

#9: Red.  It differs in shades from scorching red to paler and lovelier tones.

#10: Blue. Blue is presented in a huge variety of tones. There is electric blue which is almost eye-hurting, deep dark blue which looks very noble, aquamarine blue and turquoise and even very light blue.

Love Aly xx

Trend Alert: Tri-Tones + Grammy's & more!

Trend Alert! tri-tone heels, shoes & wedges... 

This Spring's must haves! Whether it's a lovely combination of bright hues or a sophisticated mix of neutrals, pack a punch this spring with a pair of tri-tone heels. Offering a fresh way to address the ongoing color-block trend, multi-colored footwear—specifically a medley of three different shades—is currently enjoying its turn in the spotlight, and with an array of styles to choose from, quickly becoming a wardrobe essential for all! 

One of the oldest non-celebrity style icons, Zelda Kaplan passed away on Wednesday during Joanna Mastroianni’s fashion show held at Lincoln Center.

As most of you were aware, this week's highlight was The Grammy's 2012! Have you checked the celebrities on the red carpet? 

Here are my best dressed VIPs of the night:

(photos via www.millionlooks.com)

Carrie Underwood - Gomez Gracia

Jessie J - Julien Macdonald fishtail gown

Katy Perry - Elie Saab

Rihanna - In collaboration with Giorgio Armani - HOT!

Adele - Giorgio Armani - Classy!

and the worst dressed VIPs of the night were...

Fergie - Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture

Nicki Minaj (or Little Red Riding Hood) - Versace

All your favorite music from all the winners and nominees of The Grammy's 2012 is now on iTunes! New tunes, new playlists to add! Visit www.itunes.com/grammys

Summer where are you? Escape to the beach with the Victoria's Secret Angels in this cute clip for the Swim 2012 collection. Featuring Alessandra Ambrosio, Arlenis Sosa, Behati Prinsloo, Candice Swanepoel, Cintia Dicker, Elyse Taylor, Gracie Carvalho, Lily Aldridge, Madgalena Frackowiak, Maryna Linchuk, and loads of BIKINIS! :)

Victoria Beckham flies back home to London to launch her new collection at London department store Harvey Nichols.

Italian stunner Monica Bellucci has lent her famous face to Dolce & Gabbana make-up and will have her own lipstick line in honour of her perfect pout!

Grammy awards winner Adele is stunning on the cover of Vogue - March issue.

Enjoy the Carnival weekend!

Love Aly x x

weeeE-Shopping!

Every girl loves shopping for clothes! Who doesn't?! And isn't it comfy to shop for the things you love from your own happy bed or sitting relaxed on the sofa in front of a warm fireplace? Although, I must admit sometimes I miss the retail experience in malls on a Saturday morning, places invaded with busy shoppers looking for stylish pieces to fill their wardrobes with! 

In today's blog I'm pointing out some useful & popular online websites for you girls, although some of which you might be already familiar with ;) So, switch on your netbooks and let's do some shopping!!!!! :) Oh! Don't forget to top up your visas first! ;)

#1 ASOS @ www.asos.com  -  the most popular worldwide online shopping link, moderate prices, from casual clothing to sexy mini dresses!

#2 BOOHOO @ www.boohoo.com - cheap prices, casual & chic clothing!

#3 LIPSY @ www.lipsy.co.uk  - for the sexy or elegant party dress on your special night out!

#4 MISSGUIDED @ www.missguided.co.uk - more like boohoo & asos - luv this!

#5 DESIRE CLOTHING @ www.desireclothing.co.uk - more like boohoo - cheap prices too!

#6 MISS PATINA @ www.misspatina.bigcartel.com - vintage inspired, lovely selection of tea party dresses! 

#7 JOHN AND GINGER @ www.johnandginger.co.uk - this is not a fashion website, however I find this  very useful myself! Vast selection of international brands worldwide, from perfumes to skin products, to natural / aromatherapy products and make-up. Prices are rather cheaper than local buys.

I hope you find these links useful, if you have some websites that you would like to share with me I would be happy to know, so leave a comment below :) 

Happy Shopping!! :) Love Aly xx