Valentines day nails: Red hearts

My newest nail polish addition: Jordana Red Of Hearts. Usually I'm not a fan of clear glitter polishes as they seem a bit.. 90s? But when I saw this heart filled bottle, I had to have it.

Red Of Hearts is a clear base with a slight reddish tint, loaded with red sparkles and red heart-shaped glitter. If you want more glitter, you can build the amount with additional coats- perfect for layering over your favorite polish. There have been several polishes similar to this available in the past: Maybelline Deeply In Love ($3.50) and the 2009 collection Nicole by OPI ($8). None of these compare to the one from Jordana because mine only costs $2. :)

Now, when I tried to swatch this polish I realised it wasn't gonna be easy to apply. But here's a great tip: the hearts probably won't come out of the bottle when you use the brush- only the glitter. Apply as many coats of the polish as needed to achieve the glitter look you want.

Then, take a toothpick/stick and go fishing for hearts. It is much easier to pick them out of the bottle than it is to try to paint them on with the brush. Once you've gotten the heart onto the toothpick, gently press it onto your nail. Apply as many hearts as you wish then seal with a topcoat. The hearts and glitter actually stay on very well... a bit too well?

Here is my Valentine's day inspired look- obviously you'll have to ignore my messy application:

How to make pop up

Here's a great idea for Valentine's day! It's much more creative then simply making a plain card for your boyfriend, friends, loves or husband/wife.
I'd use this video tutorial (for making a pop up "book of shadows" - like the Urban Decay Alice In Wonderland themed one) as a guideline and get creative to make a pop up card that will be more personalized depending on who you're giving it to. Maybe even try and do a pop up of cupids or hearts?

Jordana (in Grape): easy Valentine's day nails

This is one of my favorite cheap nail polishes: the packaging and formula are amazing. The brush is just so well designed and provides ease of application (=very important to me). And these babies only cost $1.50! The only downside is the limited colors available compared to OPI and China Glaze.

I decided to do a Valentine's day inspired look using this polish and a bunch of heart shaped nail stickers I bought at Forever 21 for $1.80.

The nail polish glides on without streaking, and gives even coverage. I added a basecoat, then the Jordana nail polish in Grape. With the first coat I was good to go, but I wanted it to be neater and added another. With a good topcoat my nail polish was chip free for 2-3 days.

Nails on day 2 (click to enlarge)

Hot Valentine's day looks

Got a date planned? Planning to enjoy the day single, fabulous and with friends? Either way, Valentine's day isn't just for couples so make the best of it and overdose on chocolates. You can spend the day treating yourself, your parents or even friends to something nice.

This Youtube user has unfortunatly disabled embedding so check out these 4 looks by clicking on the links for some really easy DIY nail tutorials for Valentine's day:

- Hot Valenine's Day Lips

- Valentine's day French tips

- Red and white striped nails

- Twisted polka dotted nails

Cheap Valentines Day gift ideas for new couples

You've just begun dating and haven't yet said the I Love You's, let alone made it official. While looking for gifts you decide to give up since everywhere seems to be for people who are super serious about each other, or all the Hallmark cards are way too sappy.

Well... Here are some creative ideas (no, not your typical stuffed bear and roses) for Valentine's day which won't send your new sweety the wrong messege. The to picking the appropriate gift is figuring out what your new interest feels about V-day and not going overboard with what you buy and how much you spend.
Another good idea would be hinting at spending the day together.


1. Pretty sure poster by Nick Schmitz ($33):
This Valentine's day themed poster has a twisted typography that declares, “I’m Pretty Sure I Like You a Lot,” so you can declare your true feelings without making it seem like you're coming on too strong. The ‘Pretty Sure’ hand-pulled screenprint poster is by Nick Schmitz; each of the 50 limited-edition pieces is signed and numbered by the artist.

2. Romantically Hip Lights:
ALT Lucialternative has lined an ultra modern black lamp/lantern with a hot pink interior, made visible through witty and romantic cut-outs along its base. In keeping with their Italian heritage, the designers have infused this piece with romance. The text on the light reads: “And with this light you can do nothing else but kiss me. 3. Kiss band-aids ($9):The Boo Boo Kisses Adhesive Bandages come in cute tin and feature 15 vibrant, pouty lip stickers. Each $9 pack comes in an assortment of colors including crimson red, purple and neon pink. Plus you get a free toy!

4. Hand cut 'I love you more than.." card ($11.50):
These adorable cut paper cards from Etsy seller Storeyshop are perfect for telling your significant other that you love them in comparative terms (more than your PS3? What about cake?). You get to choose a personalized noun to create a card that’s even more special.
I'm thinking "I love you more than shoes". Since you're a new couple, keep it short and simple. Maybe tell them how much fun they are/how happy you are to get to spend V-day with them.

5. Cheesecake of the month club ($47.50):

Doesn't this remind you of the "Fruit of the month" episode on Raymond? (Btw, I actually also stumbled across their website ha).
6. Proximity based geek lovin' Tees ($12-25):

Light up your love this Valentines. If you are separated by a few feet, 2 1/2 hearts will light up. But when you get within hugging distance, the pixelated hearts on the 8-Bit Dynamic Life Shirt will power up to a full charge. Check out the link for more info about this innovative gift idea.

7. Strip Chocolate board game ($30):

Whether you love kissing your partner or just taste of the chocolate, you'll win either way. Draw a Strip card and remove a piece of clothing. Draw a Chocolate card and paint a design on your partner. Comes with chocolate body frosting, dice, paintbrushes.

8. Bake your Valentine some brownies (you can buy a mix if you don't know how to bake) or cupcakes with Red and white icing.
Add a cute card and you're set. A nice candle lit dinner at home with wine is lovely too.

9. A necklace or other item of jewelry/accesory is something any girl will gladly receive.

10. Buy a picture frame and decorate it with hearts or other valentines day related things you find at a crafts store. Put your favorite/first picture in it and voila.

11. Woo your date.

If you live by the beach/near the park, plan a picnic or even movie night and surprise your date. It's relatively cheap and the look on their face will be pretty priceless. Who doesn't like being made to feel special right? Bring flowers even if you're a girl doing the planning for your guy.

12. Perfumes or colognes are always easy gift ideas to give someone. Just have someone at the perfume counter help you choose a new fragrance.

13. Want to deliver something to your guy but don't want it to be a bouquet of flowers (which his work buddies may not let him live down?). Buy a stuffed animal and other goodies, have your local gift shop put it all in a huge balloon and get it delivered.

14. Surprise him with a night of seduction with some sexy lingerie and wine + chocolate covered strawberries. Shop around online for huge savings.

What are your Valentine's day plans and what are you getting your Valentine?