#ManiMonday: The Paintbox Hot Shot Manicure

This past weekend, I went to New York City for the wedding of two dear friends, Gerold and Rory. (This was no ordinary wedding -- Rory was in the original cast of The Book of Mormon, and both men have huge families and are extremely popular to boot. The guest list included some of Broadway's elite, and it was definitely an experience like no other!) But I digress. I thought that both my return to NYC and the fabulous wedding I was attending definitely warranted an equally fabulous mani -- so I headed to none other than Paintbox in Soho.

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The Beauty Products I Hoard, Stockpile and Generally Can't Live Without

The fabulous Christine Mikesell of 15 Minute Beauty has put together a super fun beauty blog linkup today, all about the products we stockpile and hoard. Now, I'm not going to lie -- my apartment tends to look like a Sephora gone crazy. There are nail polishes, lip balms, candles, soaps and more scattered basically across every free inch of space. But there are definitely products that I keep going back to again and again -- and buy in multiples, just in case there was ever a chance of them being discontinued. This is my list.

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First Look Fridays Interview Series: Beauty Blogger Krystal Emery of Polish Galore

I'm thrilled to bring you this week's First Look Fridays interview with the lovely Krystal Emery of the beauty blog Polish Galore. If you're looking for impeccable nail polish swatches and honest, well-written reviews, this should be a must on your blog reader. Read on to find out how Krystal first became interested in nail polish, the cuticle oil she can't live without and so much more.

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Throwback Thursday: Getting Touristy on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (And a Favorite Fashion Moment)

Having a super touristy moment on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Hi, Annette!

You know those outfits that you put together that just really stand out to you, even years later? And maybe they were something special and maybe they weren't, but for whatever reason, you just LOVED the fashion moment you created? Well, that's how I feel about the outfit above.

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Outfit of the Day: Taking on the World One Laugh (and One Fedora) at a Time.

I don't really post that many OOTDs (AKA Outfit of the Days) here on The Beauty of Life. In fact, I've posted exactly 11 before today. (They're all here, in case you're curious.) But I simply had to post this one, because ... well ... I really love everything about the photo and the outfit.

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#ManiMonday: Deborah Lippmann Fake It Til You Make It

You know those weeks where you just feel like you need a little something extra special to start things off with a bang? Well, this is one of those weeks. Things have been so crazy at work recently that I just wanted to give my nails a little party. Enter Deborah Lippmann Fake It Til You Make It.

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Throwback Thursday: Love's Baby Soft Perfume

As a girl growing up in the late 80's and early 90's, I'm not sure there was a perfume more prevalent in my life than Love's Baby Soft. (Well, except for my beloved Exclamation!, but that's another story.) This perfume was the be-all and end-all of my pre-teen years.

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Zoya Ignite Collection Nail Polish Swatches

It's a Zoya-filled week here on The Beauty of Life! Yesterday I brought you swatches of the Naturel Deux (2) Collection, and today I have the (unbelievable) (gorgeous) (ZOMG-worthy) Ignite Collection for Fall 2014. The six colors in Ignite are glass-flecked shimmers. In other words, they're stunners. Read on for swatches of all the polishes and my thoughts on the collection.

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Zoya Naturel Deux (2) Collection Nail Polish Swatches

In case you weren't aware, Zoya pretty much knocks it out of the park with every single nail polish collection they create. And, true to form, the Naturel Deux (2) Collection (which launched a couple months ago) is no different. The six polishes in this collection take the idea of neutral and spin it on its head, making it become something completely new and different (and, of course, completely gorgeous). Read on to see all my swatches and thoughts on this collection.

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#ManiMonday: Tom Ford Black Cherry Nail Lacquer

I'm not sure a more luxurious designer exists than Tom Ford. I feel compelled to want everything he does, from his sunglasses and beautiful ready to wear collections to his fragrances. And now, as if that weren't enough, I've gone and discovered Tom Ford Black Cherry Nail Lacquer.

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Throwback Thursday: That Time I Thought Tie Dye Was Cool

Having a little fun with tie dye. I really don't know why I thought this pose was funny.

When I was a kid, I thought tie dye was THE. COOLEST. THING. What was better than taking a white T-shirt, knotting it up with rubber bands and dipping it into buckets of dye? Um, NOTHING, that's what. So, when I had the opportunity to wear the tie dyed shirt you see above (which happened to be a Drama Club T-shirt emblazoned with the cast of a show I did) ... well, you better believe I thought I was the most fashionable person around.

Which, let's face it, for the late 90's, maybe I was.

What's a fashion moment you think maybe you shouldn't have embraced? Let me know in the comments!

D'oh! Dying Over the New M.A.C The Simpsons Nail Stickers

YOU GUYS. The M.A.C The Simpsons Collection is here and it's GLORIOUS. I started watching The Simpsons when it first premiered in 1989. I actually HAD to watch it as an assignment for my fourth grade class -- my teacher had us write a paper on whether it was suitable for children. My brother especially took to the show, which I like to think is due in large part to his older sister saying we had to watch it. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it.) Well, while I may have gotten away from watching the show in its later years, I was still pretty excited when M.A.C announced this collection. And, true to form, The Simpsons Nail Stickers were at the top of my list to try.

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Salon and Spa Directory: Beverly Hills Nails

The freehanded French mani I got at Beverly Hills Nails: Essie Turquoise & Caicos and Beyond Cozy.

I will preface this post by saying it's VERY rare that you'll see me laud a walk-in nail salon. Usually, I avoid them like the plague. But in the case of Beverly Hills Nails, located in Pittsburgh's Greentree neighborhood, I'm making an exception.

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#ManiMonday: Essie Under The Twilight from the Resort Fling 2014 Collection

The perfect navy nail polish? I've found it. Essie Under The Twilight is that rich, beautiful shade of navy that looks unbelievably chic on short, rounded nails. It's fabulous for fall, equally beautiful on tips and toes, and makes you want to keep painting your nails with it over and over (and over) again.

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What to Do in Pittsburgh: Volume 3

Welcome to another week of What to Do in Pittsburgh! (If you missed my previous columns, be sure to check them out here.) I decided to start this column as a way for you to share in all the wonderful experiences I've had -- and as a guide for you to experience my fair city for yourself! I'll be doing this column at least bi-weekly (if not weekly) and will include places to eat, things to do, sights to see ... everything you could possibly want to learn about such a fascinating city.

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Throwback Thursday: That Time I Had a Pixie Cut

So, here's the thing. I've always looked young. And now that I'm in my 30s, I think that's a blessing. But when I was 18? All I wanted was for people to think I was old enough to be in college -- or, better yet, for people to think I was over 21, but I didn't want to be greedy. I basically looked like I was 12 years old until I graduated from college, so I tried everything I could think of to make myself look older. And what I really thought would do it? A pixie cut.

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The Luxe List: Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Polish

Well, it finally happened ... the product that brings together my passion for fashion and beauty has been created. I speak, of course, of Christian Louboutin Rouge Nail Polish.

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Sponsored Post: Head & Shoulders Fresh Scent Technology Collection

The Head & Shoulders Green Apple Shampoo and Conditioner with Fresh Scent Technology. I love how the bottles fit together!

You know what really isn't fun when it comes to your hair? Flakes. Unchic, unsightly, unappealing flakes. Well, thankfully, Head & Shoulders is here to save the day. Yes, I'm talking about the one and only Head & Shoulders you're probably remembering from the 80's. But what you might be excited to find out is that there have been some major changes in the Head & Shoulders universe: namely the Head & Shoulders Fresh Scent Technology Collection.

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2 Fabulous Shampoos for Color-Treated Hair (Hint: They're by Klorane and Phyto)

I have officially become one of those girls who doesn't remember what her natural hair color is. Okay, I DO, but I certainly don't remember seeing it on my head for the last 7 or 8 years. As such, I've come to learn that when it comes to color-treated hair, some shampoos are better than others. I've made a study of pretty much every color-safe shampoo on the market, and these two by Klorane and Phyto are among the very best.

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#ManiMonday: Deborah Lippmann Maniac from the Summer 2014 80's Rewind Collection

There are some nail polishes that just grab you immediately. The colors that draw you in and leave you mesmerized. That's how I feel about Deborah Lippmann Maniac.

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