Neptune Nails

Last night my friend and I caught up on girl-talk while we got mani's and pedi's. As I watched the nail tech remove the bright colors from my toes, I felt a pang in my heart. I painted my toenails on my last visit to my mom's house in a very cold part of Indiana. On a particularly gray day, a trip to CVS with my mom produced the first color from Sally Hansen's new line of amazing Insta-Dri nail color in Lickety-Split Lime Creme.  I promptly began applying this liquid amusement when we got home.  It was an instant mood lift. The next day, my sister and I, again, pushed our way through the CVS doors.  After a thorough inspection of every lip gloss color, I felt a magnetic pull back to the bright new colors of Sally Hansen! Brisk Blue Creme dazzled my rods and cones with delight! I didn't have the heart to remove the funky lime when I got home, so, I layered a stripe of blue over it just to test out the color. I found myself making a zebra pattern over the green and I've admired my creation for the past THREE weeks! No chipping like most "insta" dry nailpolish does! And, yes, it really did dry instantly! And, yes again, it really did cover with one coat! And, you betcha, the brush rocks! Until now, I was strictly Essie (which I still heart!).  I'm headed to the drug store on my lunch break....it's raining in L.A. and I need an insta-pick-me-up!

Wax. A Love Story.

After stumbling upon Amy Ruppel's wonderful encaustic art, it got me thinking about how much I actually heart wax! I'm excited to share with you some of my favorite tangible waxyness!

These sensational scents from Anthropologie are my absolute favorite candles! One strike of a match and my home is filled with happyness! An extra perk: the wax burns down 100% leaving me with an adorable tin I can reuse!

All who know me, know I heart, heart the sweet stuff! When I discovered this honeycomb from The Savannah Bee Company, I melted! Whether I eat this with my favorite brie cheese, spread it on a warm biscuit, or pair it with a crisp granny-smith apple...I'm a happy girl!

While getting my reference link from the SBC site, I found this Beeswax Hand and Nail Salve! What a happy little surprise! I can't wait to hold this bit of delight in the palm of my hand! 100% natural too!

Next up is something very dear to me: Wax Seals.  There is something so sentimental and nostalgic about wax seals. One can't help but stop to admire the endearing imperfection created by dripping hot wax onto a postal parcel...by hand nonetheless. Carelessly tearing into an envelope that has been thoughtfully adorned with a personal seal is not an option. Tracing your finger over the seal to feel the smooth hardened surface causes one to pause and smile. Someone sent you something special created especially for you. In this moment, standing by your mailbox, you hold a bit of happyness in the palm of your hand. Open with gratitude!

I heart wax seal products from Letter Seals. They have an excellent selection and a very user friendly site. Some of my favorite items include the whimsical initials, the orange pearlescent wax, and the wood handle monogram seals (I'm currently coveting a "TH" monogram in Courier New font).  Check out their Projects Ideas for some inspiration!

Pitter-Pat! I am charmed!
I found these Wax Seal Pendants on Etsy. Ritzy Misfit has really won my heart with these groovy colors! They are the perfect mix of sweet-eclectic-boho-rocker! Another bonus: a portion of the proceeds will be given to the people of Haiti! Now, that's happyness all around!

A couple weeks ago I was in Vail, Colorado. After a day of snowboarding, we ventured out to find live music and some mountain culture.  We walked into the Samana Lounge where the guitar strings strummed Oasis and the lifties got their groove on. We were lucky enough to claim that table on the far right.  Now, I love live music, and this place was cool and fun, but what really got my attention was that wall next to my table. Those "lights" are candles and that entire wall is covered in melted wax! Maybe it was the demure lighting, but I remember being a bit mesmerized by the way the wax dripped down the rocky wall like a waxy waterfall.  I can't wait to create a small place like this in my home. I can picture myself relaxing with my tea while I watch melted wax run, drip and trickle. The wax sculptures created will only be limited by my imagination!

Remember giggling and goofing around with a set of wax lips between your kissers?! Several years ago, my mom and I got a pair of candy wax lips and had a photo session. I still have one of the photos. I'll remember the laughs we shared for a lifetime.

Wax opaquely melts my heart!

Owl Sculpture

I'm really drawn to whimsical owls right now and this one really made me say "aawwe, I want that!".
I know owls represent wisdom, but I heart this one because those wide eyes are full of curiosity and wonder. This owl and I could do a lot of daydreaming together!

School of Nature by Amy Ruppel

One of my new favorite artists: Amy Ruppel. This piece was created using the encaustic method (melting wax and adding pigment).