MINIMAL NAIL ART INSPIRATION

Last week, I shared my experience at Dripped in Houston, a modern nail studio. When I said my next appointment was already booked, I wasn't lying - I went for another gel manicure yesterday morning! I'm all about the miniminal nail art, so I did a half moon white and black accent nail my first time there, and yesterday, I added a copper foil for a fun design on my dark grey nails.

This got me thinking, what nail art to get next? We all know, that's what Pinterest is for! Check out my favorite minimal nail art designs.

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What's your favorite nail art?

Jess

DRIP, DRIP, DRIPPED

I absolutely love my 'hood in Houston. For my Chicago peeps, think of Montrose as this awesome combination of Wicker Park and Logan Square. Pretty cool, right? Among my favorite shops and restaurants here, I found Dripped - a nail studio that isn't like most. They play sick music, have enviable decor, and are pretty darn good at nail art. I stopped by for a gel mani and a quick pedi and have found a new way to have some me time. My next appointment is already booked!

Where do you get your nails done?

Jess

FALL LIPS AND NAILS

Do you hear that sound? It's fall, knocking at your door. 

It's hard to believe that you'll finally have to pick up your fall jackets from the dry cleaners, and start wearing socks again. Crisp, chilly air is right around the corner, but instead of focusing on the negative, we're looking forward to our favorite season for fashion! 

Trade in your bright pops of color and get into the fall spirit with some makeup to match the upcoming season.

Top to bottom, left to right: 1. Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Impressive ($20.00) - MAC, 2. Le Vernis Nail Color in Vert Obscur ($27.00) - Chanel, 3. Olivia Palermo x Ciaté London Satin Kiss Lipstick in Praline ($25.00) - Sephora, 4. Frock 'N Roll ($8.50) - Essie, 5. Creamy Matte Lip Color in Soft Nude ($27.00) - Bobbi Brown, 6. She Wolf ($18.00) - Deborah Lippmann, 7. Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned ($26.00) - Nars, 8. Vamp ($16.00) - LVX, 9. Urban Decay 'Matte Revolution' Lipstick in Bad Blood ($22.00) - Nordstrom.

What are your favorite shades for this upcoming fall?

Jess & Jill

SPRINGTIME AT LVX (20% OFF!)

LVX is hands down, one of my favorite polish brands, so when I hear they're doing 20% off your entire order, you know I have jump at that chance. Let's be real, you don't actually need a reason to get new nail colors, but if you need a reason justify it - it's springtime! I had a little fun recently with past season favorites, but I can't wait to get my hands on the latest collection. Using coupon code INSTA20, of course! (Ends Wednesday, April 22nd.)

Fall 2014

Anthracite, Cerise, Macaroon ($16.00 each)

What colors are you going to get?

Jess

URBAN OUTFITTERS BEAUTY

I've done some major shopping online this week (hellooo spring), and one of the things I'm most excited about is yesterday's arrival of my Urban Outfitters beauty products!

A photo posted by Jess & Jill (@jessandjill) on Mar 24, 2015 at 12:24pm PDT

I actually wrote this with a TonyMoly I'm Real mask sheet on (and hopefully didn't creep out my fiancé that much), to make the best use out of my 30 minutes! The seaweed version made my skin silky smooth. Not sure if there's any longterm skin-altering effects when used consistently, but it's great for an instant skin boost and for the night before a special day.

Along with my sheet masks, I also keep hearing about this cleansing conditioner craziness, so I decided to grab Grow Gorgeous Cleansing Conditioner in Brunette. It says it's a 12-in-1 conditioner (12?!) and has "prismatic technology", so it's got a lot to live up to! This will definitely be a post soon!

I didn't know that Urban Outfitters had so many beauty goodies, and I can't wait to try more. From known brands like Anastasia, Not Your Mother's, and bliss - to the lesser known and from overseas (like my Korean mask sheets), there's everything you can imagine. Here's what I'm currently adding to my cart!

Anastasia Contour Kit ($40.00)

Caolion Blackhead O2 Bubble Pore Pack ($26.00)

Fig + Yarrow Clay Mask ($16.00)

Aquarian Soul + Earth Oils Coconut Rose Milk Bath ($36.00)

A Beautiful Life Honey Do Shampoo ($16.00)

Uslu Airlines Nail Polish ($16.00)

Nudestix Matte Lip Gloss Pen ($24.00)

Have you gotten anything from Urban Outfitters's beauty section?

Jess

WEDDING INSPIRATION: THE LOOK

I have tried on numerous wedding gowns and I haven't been able to envision myself in any of them. From the silhouette to whether it matches my glasses of choice (weird request, I know), it just hasn't been "the one". 

I started to think about my "look". Did I want to feel glamorous? Sexy? Bohemian? No, I just want to feel cool. Then it finally hit me - I really did love Solange's wedding dress. (So much, I even did a post about it, but completely forgot until recently, obvi.) With that dress in mind, the details came pouring in. Rose gold, black, metal, onyx. With my fiancé in black by my side, chic and cool will be done in one fell swoop!

Now it's time to research local Houston designers and make my vision a reality! See my inspirations for my wedding look below.

Loeffler Randall Metallic Lock Clutch ($350.00) - Shopbop, Diane Kordas Rose Gold Black Diamond Bar Necklace ($940.00) - Neiman Marcus, Halston Heritage Asymmetric Flutter Sleeve Gown ($595.00) - Bloomingdale's, Hutton ($95.00) - Warby Parker, Horizon Duality Ring ($200.00) - Bing Bang NYC, Solange Knowles in Kenzo (Us Mazagaine), Jeffrey Campbell 'Burke' Platform Heel ($135.00) - Nasty Gal, Luxe Pave Deco Bar Stud Earrings ($29.00 - On Sale!) - Henri Bendel, Octagon Stone Bracelet ($575.00) - Vita Fede, Livid ($16.00) - LVX.

What will your "wedding look" look like?

Jess

WINTER WHITE WARDROBE

Whoever made the rule "no white after Labor Day" should take a seat. In a room. By themselves.

Winter white is in (has it really ever been out?) and we can't get enough of it. And while it's a color we wear on days we don't plan on eating spaghetti, the risk is worth the reward.

Check out some of our favorite winter white pieces!

Top to bottom, left to right: 1. Solid Mock Neck Mini Dress ($78.00) - Free People, 2. Nixon Small Time Teller P Watch ($60.00) - Shopbop, 3. HD in Paris Dotted Jacquard Skirt ($128.00) - Anthropologie, 4. Miu Miu Metal Cap-Toe Skate Shoe ($490.00) - Neiman Marcus, 5. JAKIMAC Daredevil Leather Harness ($98.00) - Nasty Gal, 6. Gramercy Drive Deena ($398.00) - Kate Spade New York, 7. Tapered Boyfriend ($184.00) - Henry & Belle, 8. Amazing Grace ($18.00) - Deborah Lippmann, 9. Offduty Sweatshirt ($55.00) - Madewell.

How are you incorporating white into your wardrobe?

Jess & Jill

THINKING PINK ALL OCTOBER

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we're pulling out our inner Elle Woods and thinking pink.  One in eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer in the course of her lifetime, making this statistic a scary reality. It seems breast cancer hits close to home for everyone, with friends of Jess's family and Jill's grandmother a victim. In honor of these strong women who suffer, we're pretending like every day is Wednesday, and wearing our pink proudly all month!

Top to bottom, left to right: Marc by Marc Jacobs Standard Supply ID Bracelet ($88.00) - Bloomingdale's, 'Lolli' Lacquer ($16.00) - LVX, Double Layer Snood ($25.90) - Zara, Oliver Peoples 'Daria' Sunglasses ($365.00) - Barneys, Crystal Kalediscope Necklace ($125.00 - On Sale!) - Kate Spade, Pink Glitter Classics ($54.00) - TOMS, Keepsake Chained Halter Fit + Flare Dress ($150.00) - Urban Outfitters,  M·A·C 'Candy Yum Yum' Lipstick ($16.00) - Nordstrom, The Cambridge Satchel Company Fluorescent Satchel ($!70.00) - J.Crew.

How will you be wearing pink this month?

Jess & Jill

FAVORITO FRIDAY: DEBORAH LIPPMANN FALL '14

My favorite season is upon us and one of the things I look most forward to other than beautiful weather, boots, and layering, is new nail colors! Deborah Lippmann's latest fall collection is New York Marquee, and it's mixture of metallics and chrome hits the spot. I've been on a mixed metals kick lately and I can't wait to get creative and have some fun with crazy nail art and giving my outfits a pop of color!

Top to bottom, left to right:12th Street Rag ($20.00), Autumn in New York ($20.00), Harlem Nocturne ($20.00), I'll Take Manhattan ($20.00), Lullaby of Broadway ($20.00), and Take The "A" Train ($20.00).

Which polish do you like best?

Jess & Jill

HOW TO SPARKLE WITH ACCESSORIES #INEEDSPARKLE

As you may know by now, our outfits are almost always black from head to toe. How do we add a little oomph to spice up our outfit? Sparkles, of course!

We're a part of the #INeedSparkle campaign (who doesn't?) and we're sharing our favorite pieces and beauty products to do just that! Whether it's sparkly eyeshadow, heels, and clutch for a night out, or delicate pavé jewelry pieces for everyday, sparkle is just what you need to spruce up that all black outfit. And we can't get enough of that Essie glitter nail polish!

1. Michael Kors Pavé Bar Pendant Necklace ($95.00) - Nordstrom, 2. Shadow House "Tasia" Earrings ($18.00) - Moorea Seal, 3. Make Up For Ever Glitters Eyeshadow ($15.00) - Sephora, 4. Smokin' Hot ($35.00) - Lola James, 5. Nali Multicolour Glitter Clutch Bag ($54.17 - On Sale!) - ASOS, 6. Bland Mónros Gómez Dainty Stacking Pavé Ring in Rose Gold ($410.00) - Catbird, 7. Jimmy Choo 'Kayak' Sandal ($895.00) - Nordstrom , 8. A Cut Above ($8.50) - Essie, 9. Lucite Stacked Stone Cuff ($88.00) - J.Crew

What is your favorite item that sparkles?

Jess & Jill

This post was sponsored by Heaven Hill Distilleries.
Heaven Hill Family of Brands. Bardstown, KY © 2014

DIY LEOPARD NAIL ART WITH LVX

My kinda Sunday funday includes a day at home with a glass of wine and some nail art (and maybe a rerun of the newest episode of Real Housewives.) And the second LVX sent us these colors, I knew exactly who my next Sunday would be spent with.

Leopard nails are probably the easiest nail art to achieve, and the most fool proof. Since leopard prints are unique, it makes hiding a mistake simple. You can use nail tools, but I find that toothpicks work just as well... no need for a dotting tool!

First, I painted my nails in Cameo, pictured above on the left (which is my new favorite every day color!) I find that with any nail art, painting your nails the night before assures that they're dry enough the next day.

I added a few drops of the two colors I used for the spots, d'Orsay and Scarlet, on an index card.

Using my toothpick, I made spots on my nails with d'Orsay. Since you're making spots, you don't want them to be perfect circles, which makes it super easy when you're doing them on your right hand.

Lastly I took my toothpick and outlined the spots with Scarlet, following the shape of my irregular circles, and not closing them off fully.

Voila! Easy-peasy nail art to spice up your next mani Monday.

Have you tried leopard nails?

x Jill

LVX SPRING 2014

Spring is truly here! And what better way to celebrate sunny skies and 60 degree weather than by packing up your jackets, wearing open-toed shoes, and brightening up your outfit with spring nail lacquers?

LVX is back again with their newest collection of the year, Spring 2014. While I typically wear black and grey year round, I love to add a pop of color with my nails, and this collection from LVX hit it out of the park. I tried the Orchid, Truffle, and Roux, (Jill's showing off other colors from the collection next week), and they've been on constant rotation all week!

Orchid | Truffle | Roux

See my new favorite spring nail colors below, and in case you missed it, check out my last post on LVX.

Orchid is Pantone's color of the year and LVX's rendition is a great addition to almost every outfit.

Orchid ($16.00)

Truffle is a perfect taupe that looks great on every skin tone. For a monochromatic look or a neutral for a bright outfit, this nail color will get a lot of use.

Truffle ($16.00)

Roux is a poppy red that I am obsessed with. I've been looking for the perfect color, inspired by my favorite coral from college, and it's definitely going to be my spring staple. If I'm feeling brave with nail art, I'm thinking of pairing this with Orchid!

Roux ($16.00)

What is your favorite spring nail color?

Jess

Jess & Jill received product courtesy of LVX. Opinions and commentary are of their own.

FAVORITO FRIDAY: FLOWER BEAUTY

I've been dying to get my hands on Drew Barrymore's cosmetics line, FLOWER Beauty, and I finally ended up at Walmart on my recent trip to Florida and grabbed the Lip Suede Velvet Lip Chubby in Berry-more and Kiss Me Twice Lip & Cheek Chubby in Think Pink. Everything everyone is saying about FLOWER Beauty is absolutely dead on! Overall, the products are inexpensive, easy to use, and long-lasting. I'm kicking myself that I took so long to try them out - I'm obsessed!

Kiss Me Twice Lip & Cheek Chubby in Think Pink ($9.98)

Lip Suede Velvet Lip Chubby in Berry-more ($7.98)

The Lip Suede Velvet Lip Chubby in Berry-more is my newest must-have. I normally never wear anything on my lips for work because since I'm not the most savvy with lipliners and lipsticks, doing it so earlier in the morning would be a hot mess. This chubby glides on really easily and is thick enough to do it quickly, but still the perfect size to apply it perfectly. The matte finish is great for an every day look and lasted through eating and a whole lot of talking. I'm definitely going back to get this in more colors (okay, all the colors) and can't wait to try the Sheer Up Lip Tint.

I love the Kiss Me Twice Lip & Cheek Chubby in Think Pink for my cheeks, but not so much for my lips. It has almost a chalky feel to it, and for a non-frequent lipstick wearer, it was too uncomfortable. But when it comes to cheeks, it's such an easy and great product to use. I just drew a line on each cheekbone, and either spread it out with my fingers or a cream blush brush (it comes out super bright, but blends out light). The end result is a natural and highlighting blush that I'm all for!

Also wearing LVX in Roux nail lacquer.

Have you tried FLOWER Beauty?

Jess