Are you an artist? No? But wait–don’t you spend at least 50% of your Intro to Philosophy class time doodling curly-cues in your notebook? Yeah, I thought so. Good enough.

You don’t have to be a Monet to do nail art, because it’s basically as simple as paint-by-number. If you can copy that complicated stats diagram into your notes, then trust me, you can put a gorgeous sprig of florals on your nail. Plus, your friends will be totes jealous when they all drop twenties on French manicures and your nails look a zillion times better for only the cost of the polish you grabbed at the drugstore.

Speaking of polish, here’s what you need to do this:

- Nail polish (duh)
- Cotton balls or Kleenex
- Toothpicks
- Topcoat (optional)
- Nail-polish remover

It helps to plan out your designs before you do them, especially if your drawing skills, like mine, are limited to scrawling malformed stick figures. Note that you don’t have to do something fancy on each nail – it works just as well to do a nice design on the thumbs (or big toes) and leave the rest of the nails as solid colors. Also, depending on how intricate your design is, you need to plot out an hour or two in your day to do the whole thing, since you have to let each color of the art dry before you can start the next color. The good news is that you can split this time up if necessary, and your nails will look really cool and avant-garde if they aren’t quite done yet. Read More »

I’ve missed my sandals. I missed them so much that I dragged them out of the back of my closet a month ago, only to gaze longingly at them every day, sigh, and pull on another pair of warm socks. After a long, hard fall, winter AND spring of boots, rain boots, and snow boots, I am dying to leave the house in nothing but a kick ass summer dress and a fantastic pair of gladiator sandals.

Before that happens, though, I have to take care of one teeny problem. You know that long hard winter of boots I mentioned? It has left my feet looking….less than pretty. So, in preparation for the day when all my sandal dreams come true, here are some step-by-step instructions for an at-home pedicure that will have your feet ready to see the sun before you know it! Read More »

Flip flop and strappy sandal season is upon us! Woohoo!

That means it’s time to make your toes look pretty, because, let’s face it, they probably look pretty gross after being stuffed in a pair of boots all winter.  Grimy toenails are the perfect way to ruin a hot new pair of sandals (not to mention creep out everyone around you), so it’s time to give them a little TLC. And while you’re at it, let’s give those fingernails some attention; a little pretty polish goes along great with that perfect summer sundress.

Bold, neon colors are the trend of the summer and below are some bright polishes that will catch the attention of everyone, maybe even a summer fling. I know my summer goal is to score a hottie with a yacht, and while neon toes won’t get me that, I’ll try anything.

And I’ll look cute either way.

To Start:

Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Daily Nail Program: If you’re looking to grow your nails out this product really works.  It also strengthens nails and keeps them from being cracked or brittle.  Sweep this on as a base coat before painting your nails (then reapply daily) and you’ll see results in just a few days.

To Color:

Maybe I’m a nail polish snob, but I truly believe when it comes to polish you get what you pay for.  More expensive polishes don’t crack or bubble as easily, stay chip-free for longer, and go on smoother.  That’s why I tend to shell out the extra few dollars for a more quality polish. And it’s still way cheaper than bi-monthly mani/pedi appointments, so it’s worth the investment. Read More »

[Post courtesy of out friends at StyleBakery.com. For more awesome fashion, style and beauty news, check them out!]

A few months ago, we shared our picks for adding more color to your beauty bags. Now the season is in full swing, and we can’t help but feel inspired by all of the colors blooming outdoors, being displayed in store windows and taking center stage at our local beauty counters. This is the perfect time of year to add more punches of color to your beauty routine, no matter how subtle. Find these colorful picks in stores right now.

MAC “Just A Pinch” Gel Blush is a seriously bold red color in its pot, but goes on smooth and sheer when applied to our cheeks and lips. This color looks great on all skintones and can be worn as light or amped up as you like. $18.50, nordstrom.com

Read More »

Note to self: do not send pornographic pictures to students…

Wait, Melrose Place is coming back? And Ashlee Simpson is joining the cast?!

Three words: Ryan Gosling hot.

DJ AM is cursed with airplanes.

OPI releases their new spring colors!

Dating tips for Meghan McCain.

Beyonce is shiny.

Matt Damon. In spandex.

Northwestern Dance Marathon raises over $900,000!

How much sex is enough sex?

Forget Forever 21; Francesca’s Collection rocks.

Leighton Meester is the new face of Reebok.

[Welcome to my Weekly Love List, a list on all things I love. Because if I love them, well, obviously you should love them too. As the Backstreet Boys song says (and yes, I am actually quoting them) “My Love is All I Have To Give.” So with that throwback, here are this week’s list-worthy things…]

1) Trader Joes Chicken Lime Burgers. These bad boys are my new obsession. 150 calories, 19 g of protein, all natural, and SO quick to cook. A great way to change up your veggie burger routine, or a great snack in between classes that will keep you full (unlike that 100 Cal Pack obsession of yours which leaves you hungry .4 seconds after you finish it).

2) I live in Chicago. Where it is always cold. And snowy. And my eyes water and then freeze leaving icicles on my eyelashes. True story. But yesterday it was 65 degrees! I couldn’t help but think: Spring! Summer! Bathing Suits! So while I am not going on Spring Break, I did find an adorable bathing suit from Gap (yes, Gap!) that I can’t wait to wear…when the snow melts and I don’t have to wear ear muffs everywhere. Bonus: it comes in a two-piece AND one piece option (for those of us who don’t feel comfortable letting those pizza-and-beer-nights show…).

3) Essie’s new “One of a Kind” Spring 2009 Nail color. It’s a reddish orange that screams trendy, but not over the top. Funky and, you know, cooool. Oh and bright (and by bright I mean that perfect balance of bright enough for spring, but not too bright for March). Read More »

So Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and while I am not uber pumped – as I am finding myself boyfriendless – that doesn’t mean that I don’t still love one thing about V-Day: red and pink. I don’t need a boyfriend; I love my makeup.

Reds and pinks are usually restricted to lips, but why not get a little crazy? Here are some ravishing red and pretty pink products to try out. So whether you have a romantic candlelight dinner planned with that special someone, or whether your special someone is a bag of green M&Ms, and a handle of Svedka, you’ll be prepared for a great night!

Bare Essentuals liner shadow in Black Ruby: Intimidated by the idea of red liner? Don’t judge just yet… This shimmery powder is a dark brown with flecks of ruby color. It looks great either as a dry liner or mix it with a little bit of liner sealer to create a more dramatic wet liner.

Clinique Eyeshadow Duo in Strawberry Fudge: This twosome is a take on a delicious dessert. The brown works really well with the light pink to create a subtly pink-princess look.

Urban Decay Mascara in Black Cherry: This burgundy mascara may be a bit much on your lashes alone, so try coating them with black mascara first. When it dries, coat just the tips of your lashes with this fun deep-red hue. Read More »

Mandy Moore and DJ AM back together. Compassion or career move?

Wax is not kind to Carrie Underwood.

How to deal with incompetent student leaders. 

Are there animal parts in our makeup?!

Baby pandas melt our hearts.

Our bank accounts shrivel up to nothing, but we still love the richies.

This chair looks uncomfortable. In so many ways.

Seriously? Who gives Bonnie Hunt a talk show anyway?

Arizona’s coach, Lute Olson, is stepping down.

Press on nail polish?

Oprah is being sued….for $180 MILLION.

School’s back in session, the temperature is dropping and those wistful days at the beach are behind us — yes, fall has returned. (Is it just me or does time seem to go faster each year? Sigh.) Unfortunately, that means the cold’ll be knockin’ at our doors soon, and hitting the books has become a necessity once again.

But it also means new trends – not only in fashion, but in beauty as well.

It’s time to throw out those bright nail colors of the summer and transition back into the darker hues of fall and winter.

Purple Reign

Purple is one of the most popular colors of the season when it comes to clothing, and the same can be said for nails. Instead of the bright purples and lavendars we saw for spring and summer, look for deep shades like plum, aubergine and violet. OPI has a new French-inspired collection and also recently teamed up with Sephora to create some beautiful shades, perfect for the Fall. I’m loving Louvre Me, Louvre Me Not (a gorgeous royal purple) and Don’t Go There (a lovely muted violet). I also love Rock Royalty by Creative Nail Design, it’s a beautiful deep purple shade. Read More »

Ah, 90210. I remember sitting on my couch in middle school, my legging-clad legs propped up on the coffee table and my boys size extra small plaid shirt tied to one side around my waist, watching every episode religiously. I mean, these kids were so cool and had such dramatic lives and how awesome was it that they got to go to school by the beach?! I loved everyone, except Donna — who was whiny and had horrible fashion sense — and often dreamed that my high school experience would be full of ex-boyfriends, accidental drug overdoses, trips to Paris, and constant sexual tension.

Sadly, reality isn’t half as fun as fiction. But happily, 90210 is coming BACK to prime time TV later on this year! The promos and whispers have finally begun to surface, and one interesting (but I mean, how are the two related?) tie-in with the 90210 resurgence is OPI nail polish. Apparently, OPI is bringing out a “90210 inspired collection” of polish colors with names inspired by either the new cast or the old one — we’re not sure which.

It’ll be interesting to see how a company ties in nail polish to a series, but I’m sure today’s consumer culture will not disappoint. If, however, they try to make a color that has to do with Donna — stay the eff away. It will look ugly, and quite possibly make people suddenly decide you’re too annoying to live.

[Editor's Note: check out the Mom Jeans on every single cast member in the above pic. PRICELESS]