The Nail Diaries

Finances have been a little tight the past couple of months so, my bi-monthly splurge of gel manicure is dunzo.

If you take a look at the blue nail polish with my name ring, those are my hands in their greatest glory, perfectly gel manicured.

The ones on the top left are a slight cooler version of the lee press on nails, and I will admit Pussy Cat doll Nicole Scherzinger the spokes person, was the final sell for me >_< but sad to say they don't last long.

To satisfy my urge for fun nails on a budget, Sally Hansen Salon effects nail stickers have either been just as good as a gel manicure or a hot ass mess.

The blue leopard pictures lasted for ten days and the gold victorian print lasted for three. Tragedy!

However, they are the best alternative. if you follow the instructions exactly and put on a clear top coat.

If you get one of those cheap cuticle cutters from Walgreens, you're or step closer to feeling like a rich girl again with an expensive looking manicure :)

Frank Ocean "Coming Out"

I've been having the strangest feelings since Frank Ocean "came out." I agree with the likes of many intellectuals that he is not the "gay rap artist" that the media has labeled him to be, but instead,  here is an amazing artist that has arrived at this present moment as his true self.

In terms of fully exploring and honoring the situation, only journalist Dream Hampton and NPR's Ann Powers have actually eloquent and thoughtful articles about Frank Ocean. Otherwise there have just been a lot of stupid assumptions about what his "coming out " means, and I even watched an episode of Chelsea Lately that made me want to kill a bitch, because of the things that were being said about him.

The whole thing just brings up weird feelings from the past.

I met my gay best friend in high school, and it was during a time where I was a basically a social pariah.  I was coming out of an abusive relationship, and I had spent most of my Freshman and Sophomore year in high school secluded and without friends.  And then I met him. Two peas in a pod. He came out to me in his car and I revealed to him that I was broken and needed repair. We arrived at that moment as our true selves. It was beautiful. 


So as all this media hoopla about Frank Ocean, has had me very maternal about the situation.  I don't want anyone to hurt him.  His life experience has added some of the beautiful layers that I've ever heard in music.

This one in particular, "Bad Religion," brought me to tears.

Tea Party

My pretty mom. 

For my 30th birthday I wanted to do something with all my girlfriends, and I knew that I wanted it to be a theme party.

Earlier this year I had wanted to do a big blow out in Vegas, but the closer that it go to my birthday I was over that idea. So I thought that a theme party would be both fun and chill.

I got this idea for a theme party from my cousin in Australia, who had thrown a roaring 20's theme party for her 21'st birthday, and I was so freaking jealous! Everyone at her party arrived so fabulous and they looked like they were having the time of their lives. 


I wanted to do something equally classy and fun.... then I thought... TEA PARTY! 


My mom has the perfect house and backyard for the event,  so I decided to have it there.  We set up her deck with tons of flowers and my best friend Ann brought all kinds of tea sets.  The day was so beautiful and sunny, and watching everyone arrive in their beautiful outfits ands, just made the experience awesome.  When one plans a high tea event, it's important to make the experience as regal, but as fun as possible.

The Butch didn't want to show up in a dress,
but she looked made fierce ;)

MUST wear fancy dress, hat, and gloves.  I was kind of a hard ass about the dress code, but my pushy Polly ways had everyone dressed amazing. I searched different blogs and images, and I sent them to my guests so that they had inspiration for what to wear. 


My outfit is thrifted, and I was able to borrow this fabulous hat from girl Joi who's a stylist in LA. I called my look "Sweating like a whore in church," for a its sort of jezebel meets high society inspiration :) 

Tips for throwing a Fabulous Tea Party:

1. Do you research: When I looked on the internet for ideas, I saw that people all around the world have their own interpretation of what a tea party is. It's up to you whether or not you want an exact copy of the English High Tea experience.

2. Don't be afraid of lavish decadence, because you can do it on a budget: Luckily my mom had some time to shop for some things, and she bought a lot of her serving plates at Marshalls.  My BFF's mom had tons of tea sets just waiting to be used. 


3. Invite ladies that you love and are willing to participate a 100%: A lot of us girls played tea party when we were young. I think most of us get so bogged down by every day life and for one day of the year, it's never too much to ask them to be a part of the pretend :) 


We were definitely NOT using Royal High Tea etiquette, but to see your homegirls cuss in fancy dresses is an experience in itself.

4. Keep the food and drink simple:  My has been to high tea before, so she pretty much knew what to do. Because high tea is in the middle of the day, it's good to keep the food light.  My mom made cucumber and egg sandwiches, with some mozzarella and tapenade  bruschetta.  She added some gazpacho as well, and it got great reviews!  Of course you need tea! But spiked tea is also awesome. My BFF makes this awesome cold sweet tea cocktail with tea, vodka, and agave. It keeps the party going, while remaining classy and fly at the same time.

5. Truly enjoy your company: Every single woman who attended, has been a part of a huge milestone of my life. I've been friends with most of them for over a decade now. All I kept saying to them was "This is the best day ever!!!!" Of course I was having flashbacks of myself as a little girl playing dress up, of being this exact age :)

Thanks to all my girls that truly made this day an awesome birthday :)