I had been very curious about Red Carpet Manicure for weeks. A nail polish system that claims to dry quickly via LED light and lasts for weeks after? Where do I sign up?

I didn’t doubt the that the polish could last for at least a week. But my main hesitation came from the one question that was plaguing me most:

What kind of damage is the Red Carpet Manicural removal process going to do to my nails?

Nothing ruins a great manicure faster than the polish itself causing nail breakage and flake-age. I’m pretty unforgiving when it comes to polish-induced nail damage–no matter how lustrous or pretty the polish may be–so this was a biggy for me.

But I had to see for myself! So I bought the Red Carpet Manicure Pro 45 Starter Kit, which is exactly as it sounds. It’s a kit that includes all the basics needed to get you started:

• LED Light  (requires electric outlet)
• Prep - MAX ADHESION PREP
• Structure - BASE COAT GEL
• Brilliance - SEAL & SHINE TOP COAT GEL
• Revitalize - NOURISHING CUTICLE OIL
• Red Carpet Reddy — LED Gel Polish
• Purify - PRE & POST APPLICATION CLEANSER
• Erase - GEL NAIL POLISH REMOVER
• An instruction card with pictures

As far as the removal process, the starter kit only provides 2 items necessary for removal, the Erase polish remover and the Revitalize cuticle oil.

The starter kit is missing certain items that are required for the removal process described in the instruction card that comes with the kit:

• foil
• cuticle sticks
• cotton pads
• nail buffer

These items are included in the Red Carpet Manicure Removal Kit, along with another bottle of the Erase polish remover, but I opted not to buy the Removal Kit though since I’ll usually have most of these items at home.

After gathering my materials (not pictured: cuticle stick and nail buffer),

I took one last look at my manicure of 14 days. The staying power was pretty amazing. The only real reason I needed to remove my manicure was because I had started picking at my nails myself. I can be OCD like that…

After gently buffing the shine from the polish with a buffer pad (I accidentally skipped this step the first time I removed my Red Carpet Manicure, and the polish still came off ok. It just needed a little extra help with the cuticle stick), I placed a Erase-polish-remover-soaked cotton ball on top of each nail and wrapped foil around it.

10 minutes later…

I was astounded at how the polish simply disintegrated into little flakes. Most of my nails came out of their foil cocoons free of polish. A couple of them had a little polish leftover, but they came off easily with some help of a cuticle stick.

Damage Assessment

Not bad! Ok, I was a little shocked out how dry my nails looked right after I took the foil off. But to be fair, they had just been soaking in mostly acetone.

Side note: Ignore the swirly pattern on my pinky nail. This was from a previous manicure that I ripped off my nail prematurely. Ripping off the gel instead of properly moving it–THAT is damaging to nails for sure! But removing it the right way? Doesn’t seem any more damaging than regular polish.

After a quick shower and nail trim, there was no trace of the previous dryness or damage that there seemed to be right after the removal process.

Final Thought

So worth it! My main hesitation with the Red Carpet Manicure was the potential damage it could do to my nail. But I was pleasantly surprised. The damage to my nails was not any different from regular polish. And the manicure itself is so much shinier, substantial, and longer-lasting than just regular polish.

The only drawback is a slightly limited color palette. But I’ll use Nails, Inc. when I’m craving more unique colors.

This year was my first Coachella. It was so nice to enjoy the warm desert weather while just chilling and listening to live music. Just thinking about it, I feel so inspired and refreshed.

I loved how much everyone expressed themselves there. Most people chose fashion, dancing, or singing. (Carrying a sarong up for all to see as you walk works well too.)

Saturday of Weekend 1 was much more crowded than Friday. The line to YUMA was ridiculous. YUMA was a great way to escape the intense heat during the day.

Behind it though was a very nice strand of food vendors. The quality of the food there was pleasantly surprising and not terribly over expensive. Ruth’s Chris Steak House was there with $12 filet mignon steak sandwiches. They were amazing. But my favorite was the Garlic Crab Fries at the corn dog stand. Definitely the best garlic fries I’ve ever had. The carne asada fries there were pretty good too, just a little skimpy on the carne asada.

The sunset was the perfect beautiful transition into nighttime. The energy at Coachella was so different from day to night.

Nighttime at Coachella was my favorite time. The weather cools a little and the really festival comes to life. On Friday and Saturday night jackets were hardly necessary.

SAHARA ended up being my favorite place at Coachella. Great energy all around and everyone’s just having great time. This picture was when Eric Prydz was performing. It was one of the last performances of Weekend 1, and it was a fantastic way to end a good weekend.

Sunday night was extremely windy. Everyone was covered in dust and it was so cold that they sold out of sweatshirts. It stung the eyes and everyone had or wished they had bandanas to breathe through. But it still didn’t put a damper on the night. Instead, it gave all the lasers and lights a beautiful effect.

Coming back from Coachella has really rejuvenated me and filled me with new energy and inspiration. Feels great!

Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower stands 1,535 feet  (465m) tall.

[For reference, the Empire State Building stands 1,250 feet (381 meters) tall.] But don’t worry, I didn’t know either. :P

Everyone’s reaction to the transparent floor was different. Some people clung to the wall closest the elevator. Others hesitantly tested it with a shy toe first. And then one kid triumphantly ran around and stomped and jumped on every transparent floor panel he could find. But I’m sure for everyone, regardless of their enjoyment ‘technique’, it was a definite breath-taking experience.

Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower is actually a TV tower. Its structure and design is…dare I say–unique?

Can you find me in the picture above? It’s a bit of a where’s waldo but I’m on the stairs.

It was one of the warmest days we’ve had so far in Shanghai. Still, I’ve grown pretty attached to my gloves after learning the hard way and they really help take the bit out of any chilly breezes. These are calf-hair and leather with cashmere lining from Club Monaco, which I found the day before we left for this trip!

The observation deck was surrounded by transparent flooring all the way around. The vertical panels didn’t quite reach the ceiling, so we could still enjoy the crisp, brisk, high-altitude air.

Although it was the warmest day we’d been there, it was still a little hazy for pictures of the skyline, but breath-taking nonetheless. I’m going to miss you Shanghai!

This is my first time ever being in Shanghai. It’s so beautiful here! I took this picture in Shanghai’s Yu Yuan Garden. The serene landscape and architecture here is the type of image that my brain typically conjures up when I think of China.

Outside of this garden preserved for history and tourism, the city of Shanghai is actually rather different though. The city is very fast-paced and modern (it’s the largest city in China, by population), and the Shanghai Metro is one of the longest subway systems in the world.

These pockets of history and heritage within the busy city make Shanghai all the more charming.

My travel outfit. This bag has been an amazing convenience on this trip so far!

I’m a sucker for a good elbow patch (my sister’s influence, I think).

Comfy walking shoes when traveling are a must. Added bonus if they’re easy to match with most outfits. :P 

The time difference here is +16hours. Time to rest and then explore more!

Meet my new travel bag!

In preparation for my upcoming trip to Shanghai, I found that I need a new bag. Which means shopping! So I can find a bag to hold my stuff. While I do more shopping. Did I mention I like shopping? :P

My main criteria for a travel bag were:

1. light-weight- so I don’t get tired from carrying it while site-seeing
2. cross-body - gotta have my hands free!
3. small-to medium– sized while still fitting my camera — I don’t have too much to carry, but I’d like to be able to carry my camera in a bag rather than around my neck.
4. zippered compartments — to hold my valuables because tourists are pick-pockets’ bread and butter

After much deliberation and searching, I was excited to find the Marc by Marc Jacobs Preppy Nylon Mini Natasha bag. It’s light-weight, not too large, cross-body, has lots of compartments, and–best of all–fits my camera! At 11.5” x 3.5” x 7.5”, it’s still a pretty cute and manageable size, much smaller than the non-mini Natasha bag.

The flap is secured with a magnetic closure. Inside is a Marc by Marc Jacobs branded lining of similar color to the outside of the bag. The front pouch has no closure but would work well for small items such as kleenex or chapstick.

The upper flap itself unzips to a compartment that reaches all the way down the back of the bag. This compartment is very secure because it requires the flap to be opened and then unzipped and then to reach down all the way to the bottom of the bag. Perfect for keeping valuables and monies safe!

At first I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about a nylon bag. I like the durability of leather. But the bag seems very high quality and the nylon seems really sturdy, not at all like it will scratch or snag easily, without being heavy.

Overall I’m very excited to have found this bag in time for my trip! Thank you Marc Jacobs!

While on my road trip to cooler climates this weekend, I reached a fashion epiphany:

I’m terrible at dressing for cold weather.

I grew up very frugal. There was no such thing as a winter wardrobe. While most of my friends were sporting cute winter coats or jackets, I would at most have a thick sweater. And I owned one scarf: Old Navy performance fleece.

I always thought that cold weather mandated the shivering, teeth-chattering, hands-shoved-in-the-pockets, uncomfortable cold experience. So even at home, in non-snowy weather, I would automatically accept that if it’s cold outside, I’m going to be cold and my hands will undoubtedly be frozen. It took the icy chill of the night air freezing my hands on the short walk from the car to the restaurant this snowy weekend for something to finally click:

Why am I abusing my hands right now by having them be naked?

My poor hands are always cold when it’s cold outside. Why am I letting them constantly be cold?! So now it’s time to show the hands some lovin and shop for some gloves.

1. UGG Estelle Glove | 2. Kate Spade Magnolia Plaza Knit Gloves | 3. Rachel Zoe Lamb Glove
4. MICHAEL Michael Kors Perforated Leather Gloves | 5. MICHAEL Michael Kors Leather Gloves
6. Coach Basic Glove

In addition to saving my hands from future frostbite, I think I may have just also unlocked one of the most fun and (dare I say under-hyped?) accessories to shop for! I had never paid attention before to how many different things designers are doing with gloves. Colors, bows, buckles, laces, fur trim and–fake flower rings! This is the tip of the iceberg.

So it looks like I have some shopping to do. Don’t you love it when road trips are enlightening like that? :P

After waiting in a long line down in the lobby, I’m finally checked into my hotel in the city. In a few hours I’ll be getting ready for tonight’s New Year’s Eve celebration. I’ve been sick for the last 2 weeks, so I’m definitely looking forward to getting dressed up instead of being in sick pjs with a box of tissues!

Since I’ve been sick, everything of mine has been neglected in the world of beauty: brows, hair, and especially my nails! I knew I wouldn’t have time to do my nails before I left, so I brought two trust Nails Inc. bottles with me, Black Taxi and Maida Vale.

Since I’m short on time, these nails are gonna be a quick two-step process:

1) Apply Black Taxi on entire nail (1–2 coats)

2) Apply Maida Vale on the tips, thicker on the outer tips and then lightly to about half-way down the nail bed, not quite like french tips, but giving the illusion that the tips of the nails were dipped in diamond dust.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year’s! :)

This time of the year when we have the most excuses reasons to go shopping. And Christmas being over means lots of after-Christmas sales to hit up in the mall! Plus, we all inevitably received a Christmas gift whose size didn’t work out. :( It comes with being petite. But shopping during this time of year is a little tricky because it’s freezing outside but baking indoors. This led to Fashion Blawger’s petite fashion challenge:

The weather outside is frightful, but indoor shopping is warm and delightful. So, whether you have wind, rain, or snow, show me your clothes when shopping for friends or foes!

One of my favorite secret weapons against the cold is a nice warm scarf–the kind that are so soft and warm that I wish they were ten times their size so I could just snuggle up with them. Scarves are an absolute must for me in the cold season. A scarf makes all the difference between being warm and happy or cold and miserable.

Time to go inside for shopping!

Oftentimes the moment I cross the threshold, I am immediately greeted with the swirling heat of the pumped up thermostat air.

My scarf has prepared me for this. The item of clothing that was helping keep me warmest is also the easiest to remove!

Keeps me warm, easy to remove, and folds up so small that it can fit easily into any purse or shopping bag? My scarf is truly the gift that keeps on giving.

Wearing a light sweater underneath worked great for keeping me warm outside when paired with my cozy scarf. On its own, it is light enough for me to be comfortable without getting overly warm while I roam the toasty indoors of the mall.

When I go shopping I like to bring the smallest and lightest purse possible so that my hands free are free and my shoulders are light, in case I end up combing through racks or holding a lot of shopping bags–that’s always the hope, right? :P

These boots are ultra multi-functional. I wear tall boots and stockings when I’m shopping because they’ll keep me warm when I’m outside but will also breathe enough to keep me comfy while I’m shopping indoors where it’s nice and warm. They’ll also keep my feet and ankles dry if I get caught in some winter rain outside. As a final bonus, flats keep my feet happy during long shopping trips while the over-the-knee height keeps the outfit interesting.

Now that I’ve taken all the necessary cold weather shopping precautions, I think it’s time for me to reward my cold weather shopping preparations and finally get to the main fashion event: the shopping!

Happy shopping to you! :)