'XO' or 'F U'?

Hello, and happy February! Kali here, writing from the couch, on my third snow day in 3 weeks. Crazy, huh? I think New England has gotten some 60+ inches of snow in the past 17 days, or something insane like that. Thankfully, I've been getting scheduled for 6 days at work anyway, so I'm not too upset to work a normal 40 hour week, by getting this extra day off. Also, I am heading south (again), in about ten days, to go to our very own Bekah's wedding! Even though it will only be for a few days, I can't wait to see her tie the knot, and to feel the sun on my skin again. Maybe if I am lucky, I will squeeze in another trip to Disney World, because I am already having withdrawals.

I have been keeping very busy, cooking a ton, and crafting myself to death. I love Valentine's Day, and take it as yet another opportunity to send something cute in the mail, to all of my loved ones. I thought about making this post about the valentines I was sending to all of my love's that live in other states, but I realized that would ruin the surprise! Instead, I have a fun little conversation hearts nail tutorial, for your viewing pleasure. Now I know that it isn't cool to like Valentine's Day, so if you are being a hater, you could always change the 'XO' to 'F U', and still have adorable nails!

I started off by choosing a base color, and giving my nails a solid two coats (don't forget your base coat!!). The color I chose here is Essie- Mod Square. 

Next, I painted one coat of Essie- Set in Stones, to give the effect of confetti over the pink base. You could also use a multi-color glitter polish, which I actually think would look better than just silver glitter.

Then I chose the colors for the conversation hearts, and went ahead and painted the hearts on my nails. I did not use the striper polishes for this part. It was actually easier to make a heart with just two brush strokes, with the thicker brush. Your heart doesn't have to be perfect, because you are going to be outlining it with black, which can fix any mistakes. The colors I chose for the hearts are Essie- Play Date, Essie- Strut Your Stuff, Ulta- Peach Parfait, and Ulta- Sun-Sational. 

 I took my black striper, and outlined all of the hearts. If you are really feeling creative, you can use a white striper, and create a highlight on all of the hearts too!

Finally, I created my messages in the hearts using the black striper again. I had high hopes that I would be able to actually write some phrases, but alas, all I could manage was 'XO'. I need to invest in some nail writing pens, so I can do more lettering! Like I said before, you could write whatever you like in your hearts, love or anti-love related. Either way, finish it off with a top coat, and you're all set. Now you've got the cutest hands in the room!

I'll let you guys in on a little secret... I could only do my left hand with this one! I tried about 3 times to have hearts on both hands, and after a lot of swearing, and nail polish remover, I settled with one good hand. The nice thing is, who cares? I'm not a huge fan of symmetry anyway. I am apparently, a huge fan of conversation hearts though! I spent the other half of my day today making a little batch of conversation heart brooches.

I had made some of these a few weeks ago, all with anti-love phrases on them (Go Away, Yeah Right, stuff like that). My boss saw me wearing one the other day, and asked me if I wanted to sell them at my job! Of course we only have 5 more days until Valentine's Day, so I am cutting it close, but I can always save them for next year if they don't sell. Not to mention, I think these can be worn at any time of year! Last year, I went to Aldo the day after Valentine's Day, and bought their Conversation Heart Bag (on sale!), and proceeded to wear it all year long. Of course, now that Valentine's Day is this week, I don't have access to said purse because I left it at my mom's house in Florida! Oh, the irony. 

Stay tuned later this week for a Valentine's Day outfit post! It has been super frigid here, but I am going to suck it up and freeze for the sake of looking cute. Fashion over function, right? Right. See y'all later!