Inspired By The Walgreens Holiday Gift Guide #HappyAllTheWay

Disclosure:  I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser.
I was flipping through the Walgreens holiday gift guide and the girly glittery pages caught my attention like whoa.  It is really fantastic - I had no idea they carried so much good stuff.  What I loved are the prices are shown AND there's coupons in the back!  I had to get in there and see what I could score but I had my eyes on the $5 glittery leopard print makeup bag on page 24 for myself!  I was totally inspired with the catalog and decided to put together that perfect gift for a fellow blogger - a portable power pack for a smartphone.  I borrow all my blogger friends' chargers when we're out and about.  It is on my Christmas list this year.  I have to have it and I know any blogger would appreciate that little something extra.

My budget was $30 and I honestly didn't know if I could find a charger for that price.  My brand spanking new Walgreens had not one but four different battery bank options ranging from $9.99 - $59.99, I went for a $19.99 one and decided to add a little pizazz and get my blogger friend a leopard print bag too!  Still under budget, I couldn't decide if I wanted to get nail polish or body spray.  And then I saw the e.l.f. holiday display with products for $3!  I knew the body shimmer was it.  It totally matched the bag and made the charger so feminine.  Gift perfection, so good for local events or even when traveling!  I think I did good taking basic items and customizing a gift, you could so do it too!  

Getting On The #FreshBus With Walgreens

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  All thoughts are my own.

I was thrilled when I received an invite from Walgreens to check out The Up Market: Fresh Bus in Chicago.  The "Fresh Bus" is touring the US and giving out samples of items to celebrate Walgreens new fresh food offerings.  A fun trolley ride in the city and a picnic on the lake with this past season's Biggest Loser Danni Allen, how could I say no?!  Because being late makes me a little crazy, I ventured out of my hotel 45 minutes early for a 5 minute walk.  I had no idea it was raining so stepped back inside and was able to borrow an umbrella from the concierge desk.  I have a lot of favorite moments from my trip to Chicago but walking in the rain in a new city is definitely something everyone should have on the life list.  It was refreshing.  I took it all in.  The rain on my face, the sights and sounds of the city.  I felt renewed, alive and inspired.  I was ready to learn about new fresh foods and sample fresh-made juices and smoothies, yogurt and coffees!!!  

I'm working on a post about my Chicago firsts - riding a trolley is definitely a first but a trolley hosted by Biggest Loser winner Danni Allen was very cool.  Really enjoyed hearing her speak about her experience on the show, changing her lifestyle and challenges she faced then and now.

Another first - cruising down the Magnificent Mile.

Lake Michigan!!!

The location on the lake was absolutely beautiful and we were greeted with delicious drinks and fruits.  My favorite juice - Tower Twist (Green Apple, Pineapple)

It was AMAZING and I had to get a big cup for the ride back to the hotel!

You can follow the #FreshBus on Twitter! @upmarketfresh

For my local readers - you can check out the Walgreens Flagship store in Hollywood for fresh food offerings!  It's right on the corner of Hollywood and Vine!  

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Color Blocking Is Cool #IHeartMyNailArt

The first few years after having the first three kids, I went into cocoon mode - I stayed insulated.  But with Omar, we have been non-stop socialites and it feels good.  Since my blogger sister and business partner Ruby is in town only for a few months, we're trying to make the most of it and plan fun stuff.  Last Friday night we planned a girls night in at The Makery.  A friend of a friend came and taught us about nail care and color blocking.  We ate pizza and indulged in chocolate.  Our laughs were loud and you could not ignore the busy buzz of exciting stories.  The aura was beautiful and alive.  More nights like this are absolutely necessary for my sanity.  I think I'm going to make it a priority in my busy life to hang out with the girls for a few hours at least once a month!    

At our little girls night in party, I learned some interesting things that I never knew before because 1) I was a tomboy 2) I'm a mom of boys and maybe I'm turning into one!  

-Apply a clear coat first, this will fill in ridges and keep nails from yellowing

-Apply a clear coat after, this will seal the polish and make your manicure last longer

-To remove glitter polish, soak a cotton ball in nail polish remover and leave on your nail for a few minutes

-If your nails are yellowing, use a toothbrush with whitening toothpaste and brush your nails

-Color blocking your nails is applying 2 or more colors in geometric shapes

-Use paper tape, washi tape, painter's tape to color block 

-Buy cheap paint brushes and use it to create designs on nails 

-Push your cuticles back

-Use cuticle oil on your nails!  If you have none, use extra virgin olive oil!

Our fun little setup!

I love yellows, blues and pinks!

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear is on sale 2 for $5 and for every $5 you spend, you get 1,000 points with your Balance Rewards card!

Brisk Blue is AMAZING.  My new favorite color.

Sally Hansen's product line is huge - I had to go to two different Walgreens to find the nail art pens.  But you can buy them online and even find out if your local store carries a specific product!  You can check out my shopping trip to Walgreens on my Google+ album

You can enter Sally Hansen Pinterest Party - Win a Year's Supply of Sally Hansen!

I made this board of color blocking inspiration - the formula I like is: one bright, one bold and one neutral.  Japanese artists Yayoi Kusama and Murakami were both inspirational - both have collaborated with Louis Vuitton.  Their color choices are amazing.  Nail blogs Chalkboard Nails and Gnarly Gnails were also inspiration.  If you haven't been to their blogs, go!

We had pizza but snuck in these goodies before, during and after!

Looks easy enough but really, my biggest issue is time.  Be patient and don't take off the tape before your polish is dry!

So so many laughs!

Sandra admiring her nails!  Love the yellow and blue combo!

Francisca loves her checkerboard color block nails!

I was a little inspired by Sally Hansen Color Curves

We are cool!

Get Social:  @SallyHansen on Twitter / @Walgreens on Twitter

 I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and COTY #cbias #SocialFabric