Licorice-Dipped French Mani: My Half-Hearted Attempt at Halloween

Okay, I submit that Halloween is not my favorite holiday. Go ahead, all you die-hard Halloweenists. Throw candy corn at me if you like. I have no shame in admitting that I haven't purchased a Halloween costume in a little over a decade. Which is not to say I haven't been to costume parties or trick-or-treating in that time. I have. I always manage to pull something together at the last minute, "estilo casero". It's usually not very creative but it allows me to participate minimally in the festivities with my Halloweening friends and coworkers. This year, I threw on my official Ravenclaw scarf, armed myself with a Korean metal chopstick, and declared myself a Hogwarts student for Halloween. Not creative, and a lot of non-HP savvy people didn't "get it" or "see" that I was in fact in costume. No biggie. I take no offense. I'm not good at Halloweening and I accept this.

Long time no see, bare nails.... 

"Licorice"

What little festive fortitude I have for this holiday I invest in my favorite fall nail look: an edgy, nontraditional French manicure with black tips. To achieve this look, my long-time, nail stylist, Jenny, put down a neutral beige base all over the nail using OPI's "Glints of Glinda," from the OPI OZ collection (our favorite neutral for French manis with colored tips) and painted rounded tips in Essie's "Licorice," an extremely popular color, especially during this time of year. It's such a popular October choice, in fact, that there was only just enough paint left in Jenny's salon to do my toes and my tips. Admittedly, I'd never tried "Licorice" before this Halloween. I usually go for OPI's "Linkin Park After Dark," another classic with a cult following, however, by the time I got around to my appointment with Jenny the bottle was dry. "Licorice" is a much truer black that "Linkin Park After Dark," which looks black from afar but upon closer inspection is really somewhere between black and dark purple. Both are great color choices for the fall and I can't say which I like more. I do think that the subtle purple undertones in "Linkin Park After Dark" do make it more wearable than the dramatic "Licorice."

On the drive home. Of course, I've gotta represent! I love my pony! :)

Hope all you Halloween lovers had a fabulous time this year! And don't waste your candy corn on me... it's far too delicious. Enjoy! Xoxo

Daily Tidbits:

• I've never actually tried real licorice candy before! 
• Had a hair appointment yesterday and for the first time ever deflowered my virgin brown hair with highlights. I think I'll be going back for more in a week or two. I told my hairdresser to be conservative with the amount of highlights, as it was my first time and I wasn't sure if I'd like the outcome, but now I feel that I need more to really complete the brightening effect. For the first time ever I'm starting to think honey blonde suits me more than brown...
• While strolling through Epicure Market on the beach, to get my weekend fix, post-cheat meal fix of Nirvana Coconut Water, I came across the ultimate cat-lady candy ever... 

KATZENZUNGEN! 

(It just sounds like something that needs to be exclaimed and not said.)

I appreciate the whole "crazy cat lady" trend from afar (never been much of a cat lady myself), but I was sooo close to buying this. Even I, a non-cat lover, can admit that these kittens are cute. But just what are they looking at?! I can't figure out what that chocolate is in the shape of... or if it is chocolate at all! Any ideas? Lol.

Eternally Optimistic

A long time favorite, Essie's "Eternal Optimist" is what I find myself turning to whenever I feel like I need a fresh start. I say this, of course, as I wrap up the 1st quarter of the school year. Having spent the last few months getting adjusted to my first official teaching position, the past week fighting the flu, and the last few days submitting 1st quarter final grades, I am looking forward to starting fresh again in the 2nd quarter. I have a firmer grasp of how I like for my classes to flow and I'm getting better at organizing the infinite piles of papers that overwhelm my poor desk. I also destroyed that nasty flu with the generous helpings of spicy veggie-filled curry broths and ginger-lemon tea with cayenne. So now I am feeling optimistic. And being the nutritionista that I am, my nails must therefore express the same optimism.

"Eternal Optimist" is the perfect pinky nude--but not too nude--polish. I feel so light and refreshed every time I look down and see my nails glowing in its pink warmth. It's especially refreshing after donning dark polishes like the new "Peace, Love, and OPI" (gorgeous metallic!) and the renown "Linkin Park After Dark" for the past month. Don't get me wrong. I love dark polish as much as a Kardashian but I grow tired of seeing it on my nails after about a week of wear, which light colors like "Eternal Optimist" and even Essie's "Marshmallow" are comeback staples in collection.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy week! And if you happen to catch that fall flu that's been going around, tackle with some sweet and spicy ginger-lemon tea. ;)

Daily Tidbits

• Yesterday was my first day back in my workout regimen in two weeks. I typically work out 5-6 days a week but this hasn't been the case these past two weeks. Between setting up October's Hispanic Heritage event at school and catching the flu, hitting the weights has not been on the agenda. 
• Worked out my chest today. Feels so good to be back! Can't wait for that second day chest soreness! Call me cray-cray, but I actually miss being sore!
• I've been wearing my Wet N' Wild Cream Foundation today since 6:00 am and it is currently 8:49 pm. Considering how much running around I do on a daily basis, how many classes I teach, the fact that I ran errands on the way home from work, made dinner, and got in a good workout, my face doesn't look half bad! This stuff is surprisingly good. Must and will review soon.
• Wore heels to work today for the first time in about a week. I never wear heels to work when I'm sick.