a girl should be two things: classy and fabulous

Growing up, my mother always had her nails perfectly groomed, manicured, and painted. I loved the way her deep red nails looked as she was curling her hair in the morning, as she cooked dinner, and as she played the piano. My mom has always exuded grace and class, but you better be careful not to cross her. Because she grew up in Illinois (as I type this, I can imagine hearing Erin and Jordan laughing at me), she has a little bit of "Yankee" in her, which Dad, Morgan, and I often joke with her about. There is comfort for me in painted fingernails. This is one of my mother's habits that I have definitely picked up on.

Last spring, I bought a very soft, almost nude pink nail polish from Publix to wear to my cousin's wedding. I ended up painting my nails in this color, but it almost immediately came off. My aunt invited us to get our nails done with her and my other cousin's wife the next morning in preparation for the wedding. Because I could not get my laquer to stay on to save my life, I jumped at the opportunity.

Enter wedding number 2. My best friend since the age of 4, Calli, got married this past summer. She requested that we either wear clear or a soft pink nail polish or get a French manicure. Once again, I tried to paint with that hastily purchased pale pink from Publix, and once again, I was left with chipped nails. I once again conceded and got my nails professionally painted for the occasion.

I'm cheap. Dirt cheap. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE nice stuff and can usually find nice stuff at a price I'm willing to spend. I always thought people that wore designer name nail polishes were out of their minds. There was no way I was going to spend $8.50 for something I would probably just peel off of my nails anyway. I am a reformed lady now. I caved and bought my first O.P.I. nail polish this summer, and I will never go back. For those naysayers like myself out there who think it's ridiculous to spend such cash on a bottle of polish, there is a way to reduce the cost. Go to Ulta and supply them with your email and mailing address. At least twice a month, I get a catalog in the mail (they also come in the newspaper) that always has a coupon on the front. The coupon is usually $3.50 off of a $10 purchase or $5.00 off of a $10 purchase. Make sure you look through the catalog as well. I've seen several times in which the designer nail polishes are on a special. I'm talking buy 2, get 1. When you get this special, you're spending $12 for what would normally be $24.50. Talk about a deal.

Go and spoil yourself today. This is currently my favorite color by O.P.I. It's called Brisbane Bronze.