We Got An Elliptical, Some OOTD's & OPI's "Midnight in Moscow" Polish

Hello ladies!  We made it through another Tuesday!  Today was an exciting day for me because we got an elliptical machine! The wonders of Facebook connected me with a friend who was selling hers and so we got this lovely elliptical for just $100.  It's so essential for me to get cardio since I quit the gym so this will be perfect for me.  It's not a fancy one like they have at the gym, but it will serve its purpose for me. Here it is in our second bedroom:

It even has a fan which is great! I must admit that cardio is my weakness. I hate it. But I figure I can watch some of my YouTube subscriptions or flip through Us Weekly while I'm working out in the comfort of my own home. Do you have workout equipment at home?   In addition to this elliptical we have a bunch of other things in our home gym and you can check those out here.

Here are my outfits for the past two days!

Shirt- Forever 21
Necklace- Forever 21
Skirt- Banana Republic
Shoes- Me Too @ DSW

I also snapped a shot of my nails this week too because I tried a new dark color introduced to me by the lovely Candice- OPI's "Midnight in Moscow." It has quite a pretty sheen to it but not obviously metallic at all.

I LOVE to wear dark colors in the fall and winter almost exclusively!  My next one to try is a light gray color.  I've never worn a color like that so we'll see how it goes.

Today's outfit was a dress I got at Marshall's a couple of weeks ago for $29.99:

Dress- Marshalls
Shoes- Jessica Simpson

Bag- MbMJ Hillier Hobo in "rosie"

Hope you are all having a great week so far!  Before I go, I wanted to share the article I wrote about the Napoleon Perdis event I attended last week.  You can read it here, on CultureMap.

You can also ENTER MY 1000 PLUS SUBSCRIBER CONTEST HERE and read my latest MOTIVATION MONDAYS post HERE!

xoxo,

Veronika.

NOTD & Looks I'm Loving Lately (photo-heavy)

I've talked about this before, but I need to mention it again because I've found the perfect base color for an opaque manicure!

OPI's "Alpine Snow" is an opaque white polish that I absolutely love. I used 3 layers on my toes (white toenails are kind of weird at first but I love them now) and then I used two layers of it under Essie's "Minimalistic" for a light pink, opaque manicure.

The picture doesn't do it justice, but this mani is one of my favorite looks. I really love the look of opaque polish. I might even do my nails all white next week. I saw someone with bright white opaque nails recently and I thought it looked really fresh and fun for summer.

Speaking of fresh and gorgeous I MUST talk about Jessica Biel. Seriously, is she stunning or what lately?

She is just so pretty! Definitely a natural beauty.

Then there's the naturally beautiful Sophia Bush.  I thought this picture of her was so cute. She has a really fresh face.

...and here she is recently a little more "dolled up"

Next up is Brooklyn Decker at a recent event with gorgeous long lashes and pretty coral/pink lipstick:

Then there's these recent photos of The Hills star Audrina Patridge. I don't know why, but I think she looks so stunning in them. She has a gorgeous smile.

and her fellow Hills star Kristin Cavallari looking fabulous at a recent photo shoot:

Loving that destroyed YSL tee!

I loved how Scarlett Johansen looked at the MTV Movie Awards last night.  Her soft curls and smokey eyes were perfect!

Hope you love these looks as much as I do! Which ones are your favorites?

xoxo,

Veronika.

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I Think We Found A Bed, NOTD and Banana Republic 25% Off Sale

Today my husband and I went out to run a few errands. We ended up visiting West Elm because we wanted to strategize on how we wanted to spend the design dollars we earned when we bought our Tillary sofa.

We've pretty much decided on their new "Diamond Tufted Headboard" in the color "otter" (once again gray- the perfect neutral.)  I'm going to do all white sheets with it for a pop of brightness.  This is what it looks like (I like it better in person but it's an idea of what it's like.)

I've searched far and wide for a bed on so many furniture store websites, and unfortunately, most stores sell extremely traditional style furniture (which just doesn't appeal to me) or beds that look like they belong in an Italian castle (or, in Teresa's house from the Real Housewives of New Jersey.)

I'm excited to get a new bed because right now I don't love the style of ours and I hate having a foot board (we bought it quickly when we first moved in just to have a bed frame).  The foot board blocks our view of the TV and overall just bugs me.  I did see some beds I liked from High Fashion Home, but they were also High Fashion prices (like $1,600, eek!)

I will report back when we actually order the bed. I think it will make for a zen-like feel to our room which right now I don't really like. It's definitely the most neglected room of the house, decor wise.

During our travels today, I picked up this lovely skirt from Banana Republic (all full-priced items were 25% off.) Then, I got a coupon to use at BR that's one full priced item for 40% off every Wednesday for the next 4 weeks. Awesome.

Here it is, it all of its loveliness (and by the way, it doesn't look that horribly wrinkled when it's on)

The little tie at the front can be pulled back too so the front of the skirt is plain. I don't own a white skirt (other than my cream lace one from Forever21, so I'm excited about this one for summer!)

I definitely look forward to getting some pieces from BR at 40% off for the next few Wednesdays.  What a great deal!

Lastly, I wanted to share with you a recent nail polish combo that I've been loving. I love really light pink opaque nails. Lately I've been doing two coats of Essie's "Marshmallow" or OPI's "Funny Bunny" and then putting two coats of Essie's "Minimalistic" or OPI's "Sweetheart" or "Bubble Bath" on top (and of course a coat of Seche Vite Topcoat.)

Here's what it looks like (this is with "funny bunny" and "minimalistic")

I like the way it elongates fingers and just looks really neutral. Plus, you can't tell as much if you get a chip in your polish.  

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

xoxo,

Veronika.

NOTD: Essie's "Splash of Grenadine" and "Chinchilly"

As you all saw yesterday, I got some gorgeous new Essie nail polishes. I think I must be in a purple phase in my life, because lately all I'm buying is purple.

The new couch pillows (for our new couch- all from West Elm).

This new VS PINK tee I picked up today after returning the HEINOUS "Pink Nation" dress I got for $10. I don't know if anyone else got it, but it was the most unflattering cotton dress ever. If you are a member of PINK NATION you probably got the promo coupon.  Anyways, I returned the dress for this adorable tee:

Do you love my sweat pant look? LOL. This is the kind of stuff I wear to lounge around at home, and yes, I've worn them to the gym and in public before. We all have our lazy sweat pant days!

Here's Essie's "Splash of Grenadine":

I am just having PURPLE FEVER right now. I just love love love purple. From OPI's Lucky Lucky Lavender to Essie's Lilacism to this gorgeous Essie shade, I just can't get enough of purple right now. I love how bright and summery this color is. I would say it is just a tad bit darker and brighter than these pics.  Definitely a must-have, IMO.

On my toes, I did a grayish color called "Chinchilly" by Essie. I also love this one and plan to try it on my nails soon too.

I just realized my gray toes and purple nails match my couch and the pillows. Coincidence? 

What nail colors are YOU loving lately?

Have you entered my contest yet? I hope you will!

xoxo,

Veronika.

NOTD: OPI's "Sapphire in the Snow" & Ivanka Trump Ties the Knot

I was browsing around at Beauty First on Saturday hoping for an early release of Essie's Holiday collection (I am eager to get my hands on "Mint Candy Apple" to soothe my sorrows of not being able to get the Chanel Jade nail polish), and just as I was about to make my way out of the store, I stumbled upon the most gorgeous color...possibly ever. It is from OPI's Holiday Wishes collection, and it is called "Sapphire in the Snow." I can best describe it by saying it is a dark almost indigo purple. If you love dark polishes, you will LOVE this one. It brings a little something unexpected to the table. It has that indigo quality to it, without being harsh. In person, it is dark and glossy and you can really see the indigo undertones in the light. I love it so. Here are some pics:

without flash
with flash

with flash

I just love this color. I would say it looks more true to the non-flash image (dark) but as I said before, in the light, you can see those gorgeous indigo/sapphire tones. It is just a very rich and gorgeous color. I definitely plan to purchase a second bottle if it doesn't become a part of the permanent collection. I have seen it on other blogs and it photographs more blue there, but I definitely see it as more purple-blue, and less of a true blue. It even looks more purple in the bottle (to me).

....and because I can never seem to write about just one topic at a time, Ivanka Trump got married this past weekend, and the few wedding photos I saw absolutely took my breath away. Is she gorgeous or what? She is so classic and polished and elegant. I just loved her entire look- from the hair, makeup, jewels and dress (Vera Wang).

Star Magazine said Ivanka was going for the "Grace Kelly" look, and I think she nailed it. I think her makeup was just flawless- the soft, brown smokey eye and nude makeup elsewhere enhanced her features in a soft, beautiful way.

I think she was simple radiant and glowing (like every bride should be on her big day!) She obviously takes care of herself. I have seen a lot of photos of her at various events, and she is always so refined and put-together. I recently read a piece about her in In Style Magazine where she talked all about her love for jewelry (she has her own line). You can get a peek at her wedding day jewels here.

You know how sometimes you see a bride, and her wedding and you think to yourself "she just did everything right,..." that is how I felt when I saw these photos. I have always thought she was gorgeous, but on her wedding day especially, she was perfection. What do you think? Did you love her wedding day look or was it too traditional for you? I can't wait to see the rest of the photo set. I'll be sure to post them when I find them.

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

Veronika.