Tag: nail art

nailart-tartan-plaid-jcrew

Plaid Tidings

Published on by thenavyleopardLeave a comment

Plaid Tidings!  Happy Holidays!

I have taken what has turned into an extended break on the blog and nail art.  But…It would not be the holidays without a little holiday nail art.  In fact, it was one little plaid nail three years ago that turned my ballet slippers loving self into a nail art fan.  While this year has flown by it seems like a both a second ago and a long time ago that I set out on my 30- day no shopping challenge.  It ended up changing the way I approach shopping just as my 30- day clean eating challenge did the year before.  I want to make a similar shift this year, but I am not sure what I want to shift.  I am already scheduled for Elissa Goodman’s SOUP cleanse in January.  While I mediate regularly, I am considering the Unplug 30-day challenge.  I am also considering challenging myself to write everyday for 30 days.  I have been working on a couple of projects that could use a bit more consistency.

I will report back soon.

Enjoy the end of the year.  Best wishes for a joyful 2018!

See other holiday mani ideas here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

XO,

JAE

maisonlabiche-nailart-love-manimonday

Mani Monday – Amour Edition

Published on by thenavyleopardLeave a comment

“What do you hope to accomplish in the next year?” asks the tall Dutch man I met earlier in the trip.

“Buy a house.  Get Married.” I respond with confidence even though I don’t even have a boyfriend.

“Why will you marry?” he asks.

“For love.” I respond without even thinking.

He smiles.  “How American.”

“What do you mean?  Why did you marry?” I ask.

“For tax reasons.  I am Dutch and my wife gets a lot out of it.  I love her and our son, but it is not a reason for marriage.”

I take a sip of my beer and turn to the Englishman in the group.

“Don’t ask me,  I am divorced.” he says with a laugh.

It was June 2001.  I was in Portugal traveling alone for a few days before meeting friends for a wedding in England.  I kept running into these two and we ended up getting a drink for my birthday and there was some dancing.

Less than seven years later I did marry for love.

The manicure and nail art are by MiniLuxe.

Items in the photos include:

Striped Kicks

Amour tee

New York Sweatshirt (the pink LOVE version is also cute)

Cork Sandals (so comfy!)

Green Jungle Cat Print Blouse

Blue and White Floral Blouse

Happy Monday!

XO,

JAE

manimonday-nailart-venicebeach

Mani Monday – Dandelion Edition

Published on by thenavyleopardLeave a comment

“Mommy, stop we need to make a wish” said the little boy on the way to school.  “OK just one.” replies his mother as she checks her watch and hopes to rush him along, so she can get to her mediation class…and relax and be present.  “Oh look another one!  Look at all the dandelions.” he says again trying desperately to get her to stop and be present.

At the start of a mediation class I attended right after my son started school, the teacher shared this story.  I know I have caught myself rushing to get where I need to be – an appointment, an exercise class, a mediation class (they won’t let you in late).  I have often laughed at the stress to get there so that I can relax and be present.

The dandelion story has stuck with me for a few weeks.  It also made me think about planting seeds.  When you blow on the dandelion you spread the seeds and never know where they might grow.  This week I found myself feeling nostalgic and resisting change.  Maybe it’s being older, maybe it’s our fast-paced world.  The village in my town recently went through a major transformation.  While I was initially excited by it four years ago when it started, the construction inconveniences had worn me down and I was not sure I was going to like it.  My husband pointed out that I was sounding like an old curmudgeon.

We joined the crowds on opening day and I was pleasantly surprised.  We arrived after a stressful morning of cleaning out a corner of my kitchen with three competing agendas.  I was pleased to be offered champagne at one of the new stores.  I am not typically a day drinker, but a few sips hit the spot.

The day after the opening of the new Palisades Village, I headed to town on foot (my preferred method of transport) to check it out in the early morning hours.  I found a new place to get my green juice that was so easy.  The juice was delicious, and I enjoyed a stroll around the village.  The seeds were planted for this a long time ago and even in my own mind when I first moved to my town I wanted more that I could walk to.

The new Palisades Village is here, and I’m being won over – one beverage at a time.  Can’t wait for Mom’s night out…

The manicure and nail art are by MiniLuxe.  The color is apty named “Anticipation”.

Items in the photos include:

Zimmerman Black Dress

Celine Grey Tote (similar here on sale!)

Isabel Marant Dress

Happy Monday!

XO,

JAE

jcrew-hermes-nailart-barneys

Mani Monday – Beach Edition

Published on by thenavyleopardLeave a comment

I am soaking up the last days of summer at the beach and pool.  We have had a few weeks at home and my son tagged along for my mani appointment and came up with the beach idea.

The manicure and nail art are by Olive & June.  The color is “Dye-Mentions” by Essie Gel Couture.

Items featured in the photos include:

Chambray Beach Tote

Eyelet Cover-up

Hermes Sandals (similar here and here)

Happy Monday!

XO,

JAE

 

Mani Monday – Hibiscus Edition

Published on by thenavyleopardLeave a comment

I just got back from nine glorious days on Maui.  The weather (and my hibiscus mani) were perfect and my son even learned to surf.  I read three books, logged a lot of time in the water and enjoyed a lot of delicious seafood.  We definitely caught the beach bug and will be beating the heat this coming week at the beach in Malibu.  The gel mani I got just before leaving is still going strong two weeks later.  For last summer’s trip to the Big Island, I had palm leaves.

The manicure and nail art are by Olive & June.  The color is “Shells in the Sand” by CND.

Items in the photos include:

Pink and White Clutch

Jungle Clutch

Checked Dress

Pink and White Pom-Pom Tote (on sale!)

Sophie Anderson Bag

Happy Monday!

XO,

JAE

manimonday-nailart-barneys-essielove

Mani Monday – Polka Dot Edition

Published on by thenavyleopardLeave a comment

Life does not progress in a linear fashion. Some random polka dots on my blue mani was just what I needed to remind me of that. This manicure and its message is one of my favorites to date. There is something soothing about both the color, the polka dots — and the acceptance of life’s random progression.

The manicure and nail art are by Olive & June.  The color is “First View” by Essie Gel Couture.

Items in the photos include:

Clare V Blush Bag

Eyelet Tee

Tulum Tee

Beach Tote

Off-White Mini Dress

Floral Top

Liberty Swell Bottle

Pineapple Eyelet Top

Blue and White Wrap Dress

Striped Collage Top

Embroidered Peacock Tee (on sale!)

Floral Clutch

Embroidered Floral Shirt (on sale!)

Floral Dress

Denim Tote

Happy Monday!

XO,

JAE

Mani Monday – Cherries on Top Edition

Published on by thenavyleopardLeave a comment

“Mommy I don’t need a cherry on top of my sundae.  It’s sweet enough.” says my son as we order his dessert.  I sigh with relief, I am not crazy about the dye in the cherries.

“I prefer cherries on the pit, anyway.” he continues.  Another sigh of relief.  Most days I feel like he barely gets enough vegetables and has a few too many snacks of questionable nutritional value, but when he makes a choice like this on his own, I feel like we are doing OK.

The last thing I want to do is make some things more desirable my making then “off limits”.  Today I will celebrate my cherry victory.

 

The manicure and nail art are by Olive & June.

Items in the photos include:

White Eyelet Top (on sale!)

Striped Espadrilles (similar here)

Heart Clutch

Embroidered Peasant Top

Printed Dress

Striped Dress

Over the Bikini Dress

Striped Dress

Blue Leopard Dress

Striped Sandal

Top

Yellow Clutch (anniversary sale!)

Striped Bag

Red Patent Bootie

White Eyelet Top

Striped “Love Conquers All” Tee

Paisley Dress

Black and White Bag

Red Eyelet Coverup

Lipstick Pumps

Plaid Mules

Custom Clutch

Happy Monday!

XO,

JAE

 

 

 

 

nailart-essielove-manicure-maxmara

Mani Monday – A Touch of Pink Edition

Published on by thenavyleopardLeave a comment

“Allez les Bleus” was a tough act to follow.  I got so many compliments on last weeks’s mani.  If you follow me on Instagram, you know that we had a serious case of world cup fever in my house.  We had so much fun watching the game and enjoying a red, white and blue breakfast yesterday.

Then it was off to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  My son found some new kicks (not in the sale).  In case you missed my picks from the sale, they are here.  The last two years I have picked up the Tumi dopp kit for first my husband and then my son.  As I packed my family for Paris this year, I realized I could use one.  It’s in a cool blue this year and I highly recommend it for travel.  My husband has his eye on this jacket.

I think this top and this top add a fun pop of color.

This week I went from blue to pink for a change of pace.  I found the cutest bag I may need to scoop up for an upcoming vacation.

The manicure and nail art are by Olive & June.  The color is “Haute to Trot” by Essie Gel Couture.

Items in the photos include:

Striped Dress

Geometric Mini Skirt (on sale!)

Striped Dress

Rainbow Maxi Dress

Clutch

Elephant Coin Purse

Tweed Skirt

Floral Slip Dress

We Are Leone Wrap Dress

Floral Gown

Camo Denim Jacket (also in Leopard)

Raffia Bag with Pink Fringe

Floral top and skirt

Happy Monday!

XO,

JAE

fff-nike-worldcup-manimonday-hermes

Mani Monday – Allez les Bleus Edition

Published on by thenavyleopard1 Comment

We could not help it. Like everyone else, we got caught up in World Cup fever while in Paris. When France won the excitement was contagious.  My son had to have a jersey.  In typical French fashion, there is no shortage of style in the logo wear.   I was tempted by this striped shirt  and this t-shirt with the crest.  I picked up a jacket (above) in Paris that I have been wearing non-stop to and from Pilates or for walks.  I continue my support with the coq gaulois crest on this week’s mani.  I can not wait for the semi-final game against Belgium tomorrow.  Allez les Bleus!

The manicure and nail art are by Olive & June.  The color is “Surrounded by Studs” by Essie Gel Couture.

Items in the photos include:

Nike Jacket (similar here)

Hermes Sandals (similar here)

Captain Tee (so soft!)

Polka Dot Heart Long Sleeve Tee

Striped Tee

Navy Raffia Mule

Ruffled Neck Gingham Shirt

Striped Tee

Striped Pouch

Denim Weave Shirt

Amour Tee

Polka-Dot Slide

Star Silk Tee

Tote

Geometric Silk Top

FFF Soccer Ball (considering this as decor for my son’s bookshelves)

Woven Cross-body (also here)

Happy Monday!

XO,

JAE

Mani Monday – Fourth of July Edition

Published on by thenavyleopardLeave a comment

Happy Independence Day!

Here are a couple of nail art ideas from the past two years…

In the meantime I have my eye on a few cute summer things that work for the holiday and rest of the summer like these denim slides (that I have been wearing non-stop), this striped sweatshirt (because you can never have enough stripes), this daisy top (coming soon to the blog), this fun bag, this red denim mini skirt,  this statement-making striped top, and this star top.

Have a great holiday week!

XO,

JAE