Cassie DeNisco

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January Amazon Essentials!

Last year I shared my Best Amazon Purchases and you loved that post! This year I’m going to try to share my Amazon essentials each month so you get my real time favorites! These will be shorter posts only because I’m hopefully not going crazy on Amazon!

I love watching videos and reading blogs like this because I am a sucker for product recommendations. Any time I see something kind of cool, I instantly become obsessed and need it! This month I really prioritized health with these Amazon essentials!

Hatch Restore Alarm

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amazon essentials

I’ve been using this for a solid 3 weeks now and seriously love it! I love to fall asleep to the sound of the rain. I like that it’s also a night light because it seriously changes the game for reading! I love using the red light to wind down or the warm white light to read. It’s also great because you can schedule your bedtime so it’s always on when you need it and can go off on its own!

I also fell in love with the wake up feature! First the bright light starts and then you get a gently sound slowly getting louder. It is so magical and makes you wakeup in the best mood. I’m really not sure how but I swear this adds to my morning mood being better and I just have been sleeping so well.

One down side is I’ve found the buttons on it are super sensitive. I feel like I have to click it a few times to get it to do what I want. Since at night I really don’t want to be on my phone, I wish the Hatch itself was easier to use than having to open the App!

Essential Oil Diffuser

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I have always wanted a diffuser but with Sky I am very careful about the stuff I put in the air because dogs are so sensitive. I did some research and do feel comfortable diffusing lavender a little at a time. This diffuser is great because I love to just do the 30 minute version.

It gets my room smelling so good and I swear it really helps you relax. Lavender is also good to help pets relax too so I feel like even Sky is benefiting from it. I just ordered the essential oil right off of Amazon too and it has a dropper. This seriously just adds to the vibe and keeps you relaxed and cozy!

Bloom Powdered Greens

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I also got this for the new year because I really want to prioritize getting my greens in. I find that I’m someone who usually goes for the carbs and proteins but usually forgets the greens. I like taking this right after my Seed probiotic and then I’ll have a chai or breakfast.

I am someone with a really sensitive stomach so I get nervous when I take anything that says digestion but I have so far really like this. It’s easy to just add to some water and get on with my day. I know I’m getting in so many good stuff so It honestly just helps me to make better food choices throughout the day. I definitely want to try to get my hands on the mango one when I run out of this because I hear it’s so good!

Let me know you January Amazon Essentials! It’s seriously so fun to see all the cool things you can get on Amazon these days so leave a link below!

How to Stay Organized this New Year!!

I love to share blog posts on how I plan! This year I wanted to put a twist on how to stay organized this year! I have recently moved more towards digital planners. If you know me, you know this is a shock because I have been a pen and paper girl forever. However, I recently discovered some really helpful digital tools that honestly have made the paper planners useless!

My all time favorite paper planner is the Day Designer. I love this for so many reasons, but my top is it has a spot to plan out your entire day. Working at the studio in the evenings means I seriously need to plan my mornings to be as productive as possible. I actually was able to swap the paper for these 2 super helpful digital organizers!

Google Keep

This is the real game changer that most people don’t know exists! It’s essentially an online to do list, however you can share it and collaborate on it! We use this at the dance studio but I’ve started using it in my personal life too. I treat it essentially as my giant life to do list.

Any time I get a thought, I jot it down. I have the app on my phone so it’s always near me and accessible. Having a big to do list seems daunting, but I love just seeing everything that has to be done whether it’s today or 2 months from now.

I’ve recently started organizing it with the day of the week then the item to keep my even more on top of things. I seriously love it and I like that I can share it too. I found it super helpful for even ordering Christmas presents with Jordan because we were able to share the list and check off who we got for!

The best part is, this is a free service through Google! If you have a Google account, you can access it today and really start to get your life organized! I did try the Apple Reminders app which is similar to this, but Google is more universal so I love this so much more!

how to stay organized

Google Calendar

Like I just mentioned, I was an Apple girl but it’s not universal like Google is! I just love that I can share calendars with people so that everyone sees the exact same info. This is great for my entire week or month in a more general fashion. I have it set to download to my iPhone calendar app so that I literally see everything on all my devices.

This is a great resource to just share with others. Family events or just work stuff is so important to share so that’s why I switched to this. It helps the people around me to be as organized as I am so it makes my life easier.

I’ve even tried to plan out my days through this but most of the times I would just rather have this as an overall calendar. I do know people who block out their day with this and use it as their planner so it definitely can work for you!

how to stay organized

As you can see I really don’t need the whole pen & paper thing when I have these two free resources. I love both and how they seriously keep me on track and productive. As we head into the new year, it’s essential figure out how to stay organized and I know these both will work for you!

Be sure to check out my Pinterest here and a yummy recipe here!

My 2023 New Year’s Resolution!!

I can hardly believe another year has passed and I’m writing out new year’s resolution! It’s crazy how quickly the years go by and how fast we get to the next one. This year I wanted to share my new year’s resolution in a different way.

Instead of picking multiple things, I just wanted to choose a word that everything falls under. I started this last year with the word wellness and I truly think I got to live that word out. This year I’m doing the same because I feel like sometimes resolutions can be too limiting and put too much pressure on yourselves.

Patience

new year's resolutions

Now people always say patience is a virtue but I feel like a lot of my anxiety comes from jumping to the next thing or next worry. I want to really slow down in 2023 and try to get everything back in check. 


In the times we live in we can really just feel out of control a lot. Life flies by us and if we’re not moving as fast as everyone we feel like we’re missing out or not doing something right. For me, I want to try to break this habit next year.

A slower lifestyle and mindset doesn’t put me behind others, if anything it’ll set me up for success because I’ll be able to make decisions based on thinking things through. I want to be so intentional with my time so I think having patience will help with that.

One other aspect of patience is with purchases. We live in a world where it’s so easy to order exactly what we want and have it delivered right away. Financially, you can only do that for so long so I just know being patient and thinking through purchases on clothes and other non-necessities will boost my finances as well.

As you can see, choosing one word that encompasses your mood instead of a resolution changes your mindset. I never followed through on resolutions because they always felt like too many unattainable goals. With choosing a word to live by, you can find it in all areas of your life and mold it to how you’re feeling.

If you have a word for 2023, share it down below! I love hearing how other people approach the new year with their mindsets. You can read more resolutions posts here! And don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest here!

The Best Products from 2022!!

Buckle up because this post is a full list of the best products from 2022! These were featured on my monthly favorites but ended up making the cut for things I couldn’t live without this year! I absolutely loved doing my favorites as a bonus post. I figured they needed their own post before the end of the year!

These products all have affiliate links so you can shop right through this post! As always I make a small commission if you purchase but there’s no pressure at all to do so!! Hopefully these give you some ideas if you still need a last minute present too!!

Crop Tanks

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products from 2022

These crop tanks were feature in my Amazon Favorites post in January and let me tell you, I’m still obsessed! These are the perfect crops to wear when your teaching dance or just working out and want to be covered. They hit in the right spot and are so inexpensive and look great.

Five Minute Journal

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products from 2022

I seriously use my Five Minute Journal almost everyday! It’s really great if you’re just starting out to journal and need ideas about what to write. I also like it because if I want to write something quick it’s super easy to do. Read about all my wellness favorite here!

Lululemon Belt Bag

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If you have a pet you need this bag! It’s essential for treats and any other items you need on the go. It’s also perfect to just take out and about to run errands on your own. This was featured in my Pet favorites post but I’ve talked about it in many other posts since!

Our Place Always Pan

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If you’ve seen any of my cooking posts or videos, you know I always reach for this pan. It seriously does everything you need in a pan so that you don’t need many. I love to boil pasta, make veggies, and even breakfasts foods in here because the non toxic non stick coating is life changing. Read the full cooking favorites post here!

Amazon Sunglasses

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I shared these sunglasses in my May Accessories post and I still loveeeee them! I’ve actually got a second pair in case anything happens to the first. They look super luxe but are only like $15 bucks. I just never can justify designer sunglasses because I’m not gentle with them at all and I just know I’d lose them. These are the perfect dupe and so inexpensive. I would argue this is one of my best products from 2022.

Super Goop Unseen Sunscreen

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products from 2022

This year really became my SPF year. I found that I love the Super Goop Unseen Sunscreen and use it everyday. It’s nice and light but protects and doesn’t break you out. I wear it pretty much everyday and it gives me the piece of mind that my face skin is protected from the harmful effects of the sun. My summer skin essentials post shares more must haves!

Sculpting Bar

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I can tell you out of all the things on this list, you probably don’t need this but you’ll love it! I was inspired after watching a Hailey Bieber skin tutorial and this seriously is a treating. It vibrates and sculpts so it’s essentially a mini massage for your face! Read about all my beauty tool favorites here!

Low Dunks

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These were in my summer shoe favorites but I seriously wear my dunks all the time! My latest way to wear them is with a nice trouser and blazer! It gives such a fun look and I love these shoes. I am still an air force once girly but these are just a teeny bit comfier because sometimes air force 1s are too bulky.

Glow Recipe Niacinamide Drops

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These drops are essential to a glowy makeup look. Swap out your primer with this product and your life will literally be changed. I swear my makeup has never looked better and it’s absolutely this product. It leaves a tacky finish so the makeup just sticks to it and it gives you this gorgeous glow from within! Read more of my makeup favorites here!

Ugg Ultra Mini

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I love the Ugg Ultra minis that were featured in my fall favorites post! They are seriously something that I wear literally everyday! Now that they are cool again I even throw them on with jeans and I just look so perfectly put together. The mustard seed color is my new favorite because it’s a little more neutral and just looks amazing with everything! These are probably my top products from 2022.

Crimper

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products from 2022

This crimper was my top choice for my gift guide for her this year! I just seriously love how it makes my hair look. It’s a more natural wave/curl and it almost matches my natural hair. I love that it just spices up your hair and gives you another way to style it other than the usual curling iron or wand.

Stanley Water Bottle

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products from 2022

So this actually isn’t in any post but I’ve just been so obsessed with this cup this month! I was a little late on the train to purchase it but I seriously love it. It’s so big but not bulky and actually fits in the car cup holder. That’s a serious essential for me and I just know that I this is going to be a favorite for the new year too!!

These 12 products are best products from 2022 I can’t live without from this year! Ranging from pets to beauty, I literally mentioned it all and know that this products will be your favorites too! Be sure to subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss a post!

Christmas Presents for Him 2022!

The final piece of my 2022 gift guide is here! I’m sharing my go to Christmas presents for him this year! I love curating theses lists because they’re actually things I’m purchasing this year for the people in my life.

These items all have affiliate links so I do make a small commission if you purchase through them! Hopefully they’re all still in stock when you go to purchase, I tried to create this post as close to upload date as possible!

Gymshark Set

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Shop Bottoms Here

christmas presents for him

Gymshark makes some really great active pieces especially for men. I really almost everything that they have on the website because they’re just great basics. I feel like everyone can always these pieces so you can’t really go wrong with anything from their webstie!

UGG Slippers

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christmas presents for him

Did you think we’d get through a gift guide series without UGG? My go to gift is always a nice pair of slippers or boots. It’s something people wouldn’t necessarily ask for but that they would use every day if they got it. Not to mention, UGG has seriously made a comeback so truly everything that’s on the website could work for your whole family.

Winter Jacket

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This might be a little trickier to gift unless you really know the person. I love a good jacket and I feel like boys just don’t prioritize outerwear like they should. I love this Nike jacket because it’s an elevated basic where you can wear it dressed down or up. Most men don’t even have a jacket so this is definitely a good gift because it’s an essential.

Coffee Maker

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This could be for him or her, but if you have a coffee lover this is the gift for them! Most people either buy coffee everyday or refuse to upgrade their dinosaur of a maker. Getting a new one is so exciting because they can really do it all now. From frothing to shots the new coffee makers are serious about bringing the coffee shop to your house. I love this one and think the guy in your life would love it too!

Tool Organizer

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All men have tools but I can guarantee they aren’t organized. This set from Amazon is super inexpensive and can work in any little storage system. I stopped getting the tools or gift cards to these stores because they definitely don’t need more things, they just need a place to organize them. You can even go bigger and get a big container for storage depending on how much room you have!

I hope this gift guide gave you some good ideas!! These Christmas presents for him are sure to be a hit this holiday! All these pieces are carefully curated so you give the best gift this holiday! Be sure to check out my other gift guides here!

PS as I am writing this Abercrombie also has some really nice men’s pieces if you’re still stumped!

Christmas Presents for Her this Christmas!!

I am sharing my exact Christmas list in this post so get ready!! These are mostly items I’m purchasing for myself but I love see what’s on other peoples list! It helps give you some inspo on what’s currently in and what people are looking for! This Christmas presents for her will be helpful because sometimes you just get so stuck if you don’t have any starting point!

These are affiliate links which means I get a small commission if you purchase through these links but there’s no pressure to purchase! I tried to create these posts as close to upload date as possible so hopefully everything is still in stock!

Thera Gun

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Christmas Presents for Her

As a dance teacher, I get so sore and this just looks like something I’d love! A nice massage to work on my tired muscles after a long day just sounds so lovely! You can actually purchase different attachments on the smaller version so I am just very excited to get my hands on one of these!

Aritzia Sweatsuit

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Shop Here for Bottoms

christmas presents for her

This was definitely on my list last year and is on my list again this year! I love these sweat sets because they are such good quality! Definitely pricy but you’ll have them forever. One thing about Aritzia is you do have to be patient because they definitely also are sold out but if you pre-order you’ll eventually get what you want!

Our Place Perfect Pot

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When I look at this pot all I want is soup! I have the Always Pan that I am obsessed with! It seriously does it all and I cannot wait to get my hands on this pot! The only downside is it can’t be baked in but I definitely still want it for soups and chilis this winter!!

Clogs

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I have been trying everything to get myself the Boston Berkenstocks but that just isn’t happening considering they’re sold out always. I am obsessed with this look and these are super cheap. This dupe definitely looks like the actual pair and if you really want them now and not to wait, these are a good alternative!

Hair Crimper

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I lowkey am getting sick of regular curls so I’ve had my eye on this waver for awhile now! This is a fun look for special occasions and it just spices up your hair. I love this one because it’s not too expensive so if you find out that it’s not necessarily for you, you didn’t spend a fortune on it!

I hope you love this gift guide!! These are things I’m actually asking for this holiday season or purchasing for myself! Be sure to check out my other gift guides here so you don’t miss out on gift ideas!!

Christmas Presents for Kids 2022!!

I’m sharing another gift guide but this time exclusively for kids! These Christmas presents for kids are great ideas to get the little one on your list this holiday season. I’ve actually never done a dedicated gift guide for kids but I thought I’d give it a try so let me know how you like it!

These are actually presents I’m giving this year so I’m very excited to share them! As always these are affiliate links so I make a small commission if you purchase but no pressure at all!

Sneakers

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Low dunks are seriously everywhere this year and my 12 year old cousin made it quite known he wanted a pair this Christmas! I feel like sneakers are the perfect gift for the older kids who are out of the toy phase but not quite fully in a gift card phase. They still get something cool to unwrap and can actually use/wear right away!

Amazon Gift Card

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christmas presents for kids

I feel like parents and kids of all ages can really benefit from Amazon gift cards! Amazon has toys, clothes, and electronics so it might be nice to give a gift card so they can pick what they want! For little kids, parents might love this gift because they can get clothes and other things in the next sizes up since they’ll know exactly what they need.

Experience

One thing I think gets lost during Christmas is sometimes kids want experiences with you! Whether its a trip to a movie or maybe your local Legoland, kids just want to spend time with you! I have a tradition that I started for birthdays where I’ll take my cousins shopping for whatever they need like clothes shoes. They’ll get a budget and then afterwards we get lunch. It turns into just a fun day and an experience they’ll remember and look forward to!

North Face Jacket

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christmas presents for kids

I love gifting the kids in my life something their parents would never spend money on! I know kids grow so fast so it’s not always practical to spend so much on their clothes but I love a North Face! They’re so comfy and the style has really come a long way. Definitely pricy but sometimes it’s fun to gift something they wouldn’t get otherwise!

Baktivity Subscription Box

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This is literally the coolest thing I’ve found for kids! This is a monthly subscription box that you can get right to your door with ingredients and easy steps to bake things! Think hello fresh but baking and for kids! I know I would love a gift like this as a kid because it’s like the easy bake but just better! You can just pick one box or do a monthly/yearly subscription so it’s really great for all budgets!

I hope you enjoyed this post dedicated to Christmas presents for kids! I’m seriously so excited for this holiday season and I can’t believe December starts tomorrow! Let me know in the comments below who’s on your shopping list this year!

Check out my lastest blog post here and check out last years gift guides here!

Best Christmas Presents for Pets!!

I absolutely love this time of year because I love sharing my gift guides! I figured I would kick off this series with the best Christmas presents for pets! Furry friends are usually the easiest to grab for but I wanted to put together this really unique list of presents you’ll both love!

I love shopping for my Frenchie Sky all year so I always find Christmas to be tricky! You don’t want to purchase too many things you know they won’t use but you want to make them feel like part of the family! This list is actual things I am planning on or already have purchased for her this year!

Furbo 360 Pet Camera

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christmas presents for pets

This camera will truly be game changer as I have the original but this one swivels! You can turn it all the way around which means you have full view of the room your pet is in. I have such piece of mind knowing I can see Sky when I’m not home and I love that now I can literally see everything. I also pay for the Furbo dog nanny subscription which means it sends me all sorts of notifications on things she’s doing! This is also a great gift idea if you don’t want a whole new camera!

Béis Pet Carrier

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christmas presents for pets

Now that the world is open again we’ve been doing a lot of traveling with Sky! For some reason she only likes to sit on my lap in the car which isn’t safe at all so she will be getting this travel carrier this Christmas! We’ve tried car seat but I love this one because it’s TSA approved and fits dogs up to 30 lbs which she is! I like that this expands and has an attachment to slide a seatbelt through or just your suitcase handles so she’s secure!

Pet Stroller

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Now this was something I didn’t know I needed, until I got it! I joked for awhile that I was getting stroller for long walks but I finally got one and it has changed everything! First of all, Sky loves it! We went to the boardwalk with it and she even walked around on Halloween in it! It’s perfect for her when we’re in busy places that make be nervous to have her on the leash. This one was also incredibly inexpensive and she fits perfectly in it.

Bocce’s Treat Subscription Box

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First of all, have you ever seen anything cuter?? Also, this treat box seriously makes her month! We signed up for this box because I love the ingredients they use and all the flavors Sky loves! This is a great gift idea because this ensures that you’re only getting what you need every month! From treats, to poop bags and dental treats this box has everything you and your dog or cat need to get through the month!

Walking Leash

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Sky and I are obsessed with this hands free leash! It makes my life so easy because I have 2 hands to do whatever I need with. She’s also not big so this works perfectly for us because she’s not pulling me down. This is perfect for coffee runs or now as it gets colder you can keep your hands warm in your pockets and she still gets a walk in!

I hope these best Christmas presents for pets gave you some ideas on what to get your furry friend this holiday season! Filling up a stocking for her is also my favorite so I always add her treats and favorite bones in that! I have other gift guides from previous years you can check our here but also be sure to just subscribe so you don’t miss this years posts!

Insta Pot Curry Recipe!

This is one of my fall go to recipes that I am obsessed with! We’ve been making this insta pot curry recipe since last fall but really have the recipe perfectly nailed down. This is the easiest dinner recipe that tastes like you’ve been working all day on it!

I really fell in love with my insta pot during the pandemic because it cooks food so easily and quickly! This recipe wouldn’t be as easy if it weren’t for my insta pot so definitely think about investing in one if you don’t already have it!

insta pot curry recipe

Ingredients:

4-5 boneless skinless chicken thighs

1 yellow onion diced (keep pieces large)

olive oil

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon minced ginger

7-8 chopped baby carrots

1 tablespoon ketchup

3-4 potatoes peeled and cubed

2-3 cups chicken broth

block of Japanese curry roux

1 tablespoon soy sauce

White rice to serve it with!

Directions:

  1. In your insta pot turn on sauté feature and add olive oil, onions, garlic, and ginger. Cook until fragrant.
  2. Add in the chicken thighs and cook both sides until white. (I do this to make sure it get’s cooked all the way through)
  3. Add in potatoes, carrots, and pour chicken broth over everything until covered.
  4. Place curry roux on top but don’t mix it in just leave it there. Close the lid and then turn on stew setting for 15 minutes.
  5. After cooked, let steam for additional 15 minutes.
  6. Lift the lid and mix thoroulghy adding in ketchup & soy sauce.
  7. Enjoy!!

As you can see, this was the insta pot curry recipe easiest recipe to make! I love to serve this with white rice and will have leftovers for days! This is also a really easy meal prep meal for lunches for the week too!

I get the mild curry so this is definitely a family favorite and really has all the veggies and nutrients you need for a dinner! If you liked this recipe, check out more here on my blog or on my Pinterest for video content!

My Viral Chrome Nail Tutorial!

It has been a hot minute since I’ve done a nail tutorial! I am obsessed with this viral chrome nail tutorial that is a take on the Hailey Bieber nails! Mine are done differently because I prefer the powder gel to the uv so I’m going to share my version!

If you are looking to set up your at home nail kit, read this post here so you can get all the goods to get started! I am by no means a professional nail artist but I took up this hobby during the pandemic and honestly just stuck with it!

chrome nail tutorial

Products:

  1. Chrome Powder- Shop Here
  2. Translucent Dip Powder- Shop Here
  3. Gel Top Coat- Shop Here
  4. Gel Base- Shop Here

Directions:

  1. I have an electric nail file that I use to prep my nails but you can just take a file to file and buff them out.
  2. Take your gel base and apply a thin layer then dip your finger into the translucent powder at a 45 degree angle.
  3. Continue this process about 2-3 times depending on your desired opacity.
  4. Coat nails in activator then file them down to smooth and even out.
  5. Apply one coat of the gel top and let it get about 95% dry.
  6. Take the chrome powder and dust it on top of your nail until you have your desired effect.
  7. Apply another coat of gel top and let it sit!

I seriously just love the look of these glazed donut nails! They are gorgeous and not as difficult as they look! The key is just applying the chrome at the right time so it stays nicely in place!

If you loved this chrome nail tutorial be sure to subscribe to the blog and follow me on Pinterest for more exclusive video content!

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