I am pretty much never on the forefront of social media.
I mean, I just got a Twitter this year (I’m kinda a big deal—I already have a whopping 50 followers). It has never bothered me that I’ve always been late to the game, until I started seeing my friends on Instagram hashtagging their photos with #100happydays. This time I wouldn’t be left behind—I had to investigate.
I have a confession to make. I, Hannah Cranston, am a gold digger.
No, it’s not what you’re thinking—I’m not that kind of gold digger (although it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for my barren wallet), but I AM a self-professed beauty gold digger.
As a #beautynewbie, I cannot just settle for any old make-up trend. I’m on the prowl for the biggest and best trends and products to add to my beauty arsenal. And this week, I struck gold…literally.
From The Grammys to NYFW to the Oscars, the gilded eye has become the golden rule for rocking one of the hottest beauty trends of 2014. I was absolutely inspired by AMY ADAMS at the Oscars…this look is almost as good as when she got up to dance with Pharrell, btw.
Naturally, I couldn’t pass up being a part of this cosmetics gold rush, so I decided to jump on board and get my glitter on.
After trying purple lipstick and cat eyeliner, I was feeling a little vampy. Maybe my quarter life crisis is bringing out a darker side in me? Who knows. What I do know is that I wanted to explore this edgier side of my adult self a little more.
After seeing images from New York Fashion Week (they must’ve lost my invite in the mail?), I knew exactly what trend I wanted to try next. From Rebecca Taylor to Charlotte Ronson, from Tess Giberson to Rebecca Minkoff, vamp nails were a dark and sexy standout from thepièce de résistance of the clothes.
Now while DIY nail art of any kind is a legitimate fear of mine, I decided to suck it up and attempt the vamp French manicure, seen above at Rebecca Minkoff.
Once I picked out my colors, OPI “Lost on Lombard” and NYC “Black Lace Crème,” panic sunk in as to how I was ever going to create this look and avoid my nails looking like a kindergarten art project. Then, I found this nifty (yes, I said nifty) trick on Pinterest using hole reinforcement labels and went for it.
I painted two coats of the OPI color and then waited for them to dry (fully!) before placing the reinforcement labels on to make the perfect French tip. I then applied one coat of the black tip color, pealed off the labels, and covered the whole look with OPI topcoat.
I absolutely love how this twist on the classic French manicure turned out—it’s dark, edgy, and totally different from your everyday mani.
Have a beauty trend you’d like to see me try? Tweet me @han_cran, #beautynewbie, with your suggestion!
We all know THAT sporty girl. She loves a cold one after work. She is great at poker and down to smoke a cigar with the guys. She knows the stats about the latest game and completely bros out on the weekend. She is…the cool sporty girl. (Jamie’s note: I’m so NOT this girl. I had to ask Hannah when the Super Bowl is even on TV)
Now, while I will always prefer a skinny margarita over a Coors Light, I can’t help but have a tinge of envy when it comes to the world’s cool sporty girls. So this Sunday, I’m stepping up my game (no pun intended) and giving those cool sporty girls a run for their money. I am going to master the Super Bowl. “Master” might be an exaggeration, but I am going to know a fact or two to prove my knowledge before and after the Bruno Mars concert…I mean, halftime show. (Jamie’s note: I wish Beyonce were performing again, sigh).
Here is my SUPER BOWL FACT SHEET, so you too can be the cool sporty girl at your game-day party:
Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos: you can show your support with these super cute nail art ideas (try not to pick a team to root for based solely on the colors) (Jamie’s note: but if you DO, don’t tell any men that was your reasoning.)
Quarterbacks (or QB): Russell Wilson vs. Peyton Manning
KEY TERMS AND FACTS:
Both teams want to score by advancing into the opposing team’s endzone (at either end of the field with the big fork thing)
Offense– tries to score (like a goal or basket or home run in other sports) by entering the opposing team’s endzone
Defense– tries to protect their endzone, by smashing into (or tackling) the offensive players and making them fall or drop the ball, or by intercepting the ball (think monkey in the middle)
Each team gets 4 attempts, or downs, to travel 10 yards with the ball. They can pass (this is where the QB’s come in) or run with the ball. Once the player hits the ground, the play is over and the team has one less down. If they travel all 10 yards within the allotted 4 downs, then they get another 4 downs to try to cover an additional 10 yards and advance towards the other team’s endzone.
If the team doesn’t cover 10 yards within the 4 downs then the other team gets the ball and the whole thing starts all over.
If the team gets super close to the other team’s endzone before the end of their 4 downs, they can attempt kicking the ball between the goal posts (the big fork thing) for a field goal, worth 3 points.
Touchdown– worth 6 points when a team runs or catches the ball in the opposing team’s endzone.
After a touchdown, the team can gain an additional point by kicking the ball between the goal posts in the endzone or two points if they run or pass it in.
Now you are officially a cool girl. Just throw in an italicized word every now and then through a mouthful of chips and dip and you’ll be good to go.
Jamie’s note: I had to add in these super adorable chocolate covered strawberries that look life footballs (sorry, Hannah), but they’re a perfect and healthy game-time snack. If any men are reading this, completely ignore this photo. Go team.