GTG Tries It: Sally Hansen's Miracle Gel

It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that I'm obsessed with having my nails look perfectly polished at all times. I was so thankful when I discovered gel manis a few years back, but as time has gone by I've started to worry about the overall health of my skin and nails.

Every two weeks I expose my skin to UV lights to cure the gel for that enviable and lasting shine. And that's not even the worst part. The worst has to be the removal process in between gels which consists of harmful chemicals and painful scratching to peel off the remnants of the gel that the chemicals didn't remove.

Oh, the things we do for beautiful nails!

I'm beyond excited to have been chosen by Influenster to test the all new Sally Hansen Miracle Gel nail polish, a two step system that promises to leave you with a long lasting, shiny manicure without the use of UV lights and comes off with regular polish remover. I'm really hoping this works.

Oh-em-gee! ::squeals::

As any nail insider knows the secret to a long-lasting gel manicure is the prepping of nails, and while this particular product doesn't list cleaning as a requirement, I do recommend cleaning up all the excess oils from nails before applying the color + top coat.

How cute is the packaging?

Step One: Clean excess oils from nails with alcohol pads.

Step Two: Apply first coat of Redgy.

Step Three: Two coats of Redgy. So pretty already.

Step Four:

Results:

On the sixth day there were a few chips!

Complete Review:

Product: Miracle Gel by Sally Hansen

Promises: A two-step gel system that promises up to 14 days of color with no UV lights.

Reality: I received the new Sally Hansen system last Monday and was excited, but unfortunately I had just gotten a gel mani two days prior to receiving this kit. Although I had been waiting for the arrival of this polish, so I immediately enlisted the help of my trusty friend and fellow nail enthusiast, Inna to be my eyes and in this case nails and help me test out this product. 

We hosted a mini nail spa day. I started by removing the polish she already had on and proceeded to clean her nails with alcohol pads to remove all excess oils from the nails. Next, we followed the instructions and applied two coats of the color for opacity and finished with the top coat.

The color Redgy was more of a coral than an actual red and although I love corals, this color was not that pretty in comparison to the other colors in this collection.  The color is shiny even before you apply the top coat, which is a plus in my book. Inna is a big Sally Hansen fan and we both love the brand's brushes because it makes polish so easy to apply. 

I even started looking forward to getting into the office each morning to see how well the polish worked. We were pleasantly surprised to see there were no chips on day three. 

Did I mention I'm a nail snob? I'm quite the skeptic about a polish that doesn't require UV lighting because the truth is they just don't last as long. And just as my suspicions proved, on the sixth day, Inna noticed several chips.

Pros: 

• Easy to apply polish brush
• Good Shine
• Good coverage
• Smooth finish
• Dries fast
• Easy to remove 

Cons: 

• Chipped within six days
• Shine dulls with wear
• More expensive in comparison to other Sally Hansen polishes

Overall Recommendation: I love my gel manicures because they usually last for at least two weeks. You can get a good gel mani between $25 to $40 depending on your zip.

This Hansen Miracle Gel is $14.99 for a system which includes one color polish and one top coat. You can also purchase single colors for $9.99 and there's a variety of colors to choose from. 

I'd recommend this product if you're looking to save some money in between salon gel manis or if you're like me and you're concerned about the health of your nails and skin. Clearly, Inna's experience didn't live up to the claims. The system is at a good price point, but I do find that $9.99 for a single color is more than I've spent on other Sally Hansen polishes.

Have you tried this gel? What did you think of it?

Full disclosure: 

I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster. 
All opinions and views expressed are my honest take on the actual durability and quality of this product.
I also enlisted the help of my trusty friend to test out this polish, as I myself had gotten a regular gel a few days before.

XO GTG

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Kissing Juicy Couture Bye Bye

I'm sure we can still recall that time in the early 2000s when Juicy Couture velour track suits ruled the streets.

Personally, I was never a fan of the tracksuits. I found them a little on the tacky side and there was no way I was going to put on pants that read "juicy" across my backside. But I fell in love with Juicy fragrances and accessories (everything from their charms to leather handbags.) I even paid $65 for a Juicy umbrella, which I still own because-- well I paid $65 for it.

And even though it's been years since I've rocked anything JC-- I'll always have a special place for the brand in my heart. The first purse that I ever bought that cost over $300 was a green JC leather handbag that I still have in my closet until this day because it brings me so many wonderful memories.

Earlier this month, I read the terribly sad news: Pacific and Fifth (formerly Liz Claiborne) sold Juicy Couture to Authentic Brands Group (ABG) late last year. And now ABG has exclusively sold all product licensing to Kohl's, which will be the exclusive retailer for all JC apparel in the fall. No shade to Kohl's, which I like and frequent quite often, but it's really a stretch to see JC go from being sold at high end department stores like Saks and Nordstrom to being sold only at Kohl's.

While we're not exactly saying goodbye to Juicy Couture forever, we are kissing its original glamour and quality goodbye. I know quality declines a great deal when sold at lower end stores such as Target, H&M and Kohl's. And the truth is it also loses its exclusivity appeal.

After hours of researching this whole "Juicy Couture is closing all its stores and will only be sold at Kohl's stores in the fall", I was able to find pictures of some of the merchandise that will be available at Kohl's and I'm not going to lie the 20 year old that still lives in me and has a flair for all things pizazz finds some of the items to be uber cute, but I can already tell from the pictures that it's just not the same brand I used to love so dearly.

Take a look:

Juicy Couture for Kohl's Fall 2014

Over the years, I have collected a fair amount of Juicy Couture items--some I've given away, but I'm so glad I held on to some of my favorite things especially now that I'm kissing Juicy Couture, the global brand goodbye. 

Check out some of my favorite Juicy items:

I  loved those pink and brown shopping bags.

My first Juicy handbag.

The $65 umbrella

The JC handbag I bought on my first trip to NYC

Are you sad to see Juicy Couture close its doors?

Will you be shopping the line at Kohl's?

Let me know!

XO GTG

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ps-- Who knew I'd be blogging so soon after my recent retirement? But when I found out what was happening with one of my fave brands of yesteryear, inspiration kicked in and here I am.

Update on the JC brand: And just when you thought you couldn't bear to say good bye to the Juicy brand, ABG, who bought the Juicy empire in 2013 announces that new concept stores for Juicy Couture Black Label Collection will start to open in 2015 throughout the U.S., Canada and overseas.

Licensing partners for the global Juicy Couture Black Label Collection include Elizabeth Arden Steve Madden, Movado, and Swimwear Anywhere.

ABG will also re-launch JuicyCouture.com to offer consumers greater access to the Juicy Couture Black Label Collection. But until 2015, we'll have to get our Juicy fix at Kohl's, which I hear will appear under a pink label collection. 

2014 Spring Trends: An Ode to '90s Fashion

Who didn't love the '90s? The '90s gave us the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, All That, Lisa Frank, The Spice Girls, Titanic (the movie) and Britney Spears. The list is way longer, but if I keep going I might not get to the point of today's post.

Oh how I miss the '90s, which is why it's so awesome to see so many of my favorite fashion trends from back in the day being reinterpreted in 2014. Today I want to share with you some of my '90s fashion idols and show you some of the trends I'm most looking forward to getting my hands on for  the spring!

Let's take a trip down memory lane.

My '90s Fashion Idols:

The Girls of Beverly Hills 90210: For an entire decade these girls had me glued to my TV week after week only to see what they were wearing (let's admit it: the show plots were a little too ridic at times)

Carrie Bradshaw: Known for her shoe obsession and impeccable fashion forward style

Cindy Crawford: By far my favorite supermodel of the '90s. This girl knew how to rock a pair of short shorts.

Princess Diana: The definition of polished perfection.

Posh Spice aka Victoria Beckham: No one has rocked a LBD quite like her.

Gwen Stefani: All around badass chick, queen of red lipstick and cropped tops!

Cher Horowitz: Who doesn't love the gal who introduced my generation to designers like Alaïa?

Janet Jackson- Queen of ripped abs and ripped jeans. 

2014 Spring Trends: An Ode to '90s Fashion:

2014 Spring Trends: An Ode to the '90s by go-to-gal featuring leather shoes

The Victoria Beckham Fashion Story

Almost no one can design an impeccable dress quite like the exquisite Victoria Beckham.

I've been following Beckham's career since she was one-fifth of the Spice Girls. And yes, if I was playing out a karaoke fantasy, I was always Posh Spice (not to hate on the other girls, but they were fashionably challenged.) There's always been something so fabulous about her style, elegance and the way she carried herself from the day we were introduced to her.

I can even recall the bit of jealousy I felt when I found out she married David Beckham and became Mrs. Beckham. But nonetheless, I've always loved and admired her. She always seems to be on top of her game both in her personal and professional life. To kick off her #VBAW14 during NYFW, (New York Fashion Week) she has collaborated with Skype to give her fans an inside look at the process of putting her collection together.

What many people might not know about Beckham is that while she was living in LA and working on her brand based out of London, she used Skype as a way to communicate with her team. This Skype collaboration is giving fans the chance to ask VB direct questions through Skype video messages.

DYK? Beckham was also one of the first designers to use social media, primarily Twitter as a way to connect with her fans during NYFW in 2012. She actually became the most talked about designer during that showing. It was only natural for Vicky to move forward in the next phase of her brand by launching her very own website where she could sell her luxury products.

Indeed she launched an e-commerce store before even thinking about opening her first bricks and mortar store, which will open in London in September 2014.

If you love fashion and Vicky as much as I do, I highly recommend you watch this amazing piece on the evolution of her brand and her journey to becoming a fashion designer. And the best part? IS that you can get involved and communicate with her.

I for one am very excited to see what's on the horizon for VB.

XO GTG

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Fabulous, Flirty and Thirty

Today I sit in front of my laptop and I feel like a completely different person than I was two months ago. Maybe it isn't just a feeling. So much has happened.

I have been working on this post for almost three months and was hoping to have it published before my 30th birthday as a present to all my loyal fans, friends and family, who take time out from their hectic schedule to read my posts. Unfortunately I've had to deal with very personal issues and this post ended up in the back burner.

Last month I became an official member of the 30 club, something I had dreaded since I turned 20. Thirty  isn't that bad, although it's been a bumpy ride for me. I'm realizing that with every passing stage in my life I'm becoming stronger, wiser, more confident and getting better with age (I know it's an overused adage, but it's also very true.)

The events in the past two months have tested me, changed me and reinvented me, I'm hoping it's for the better, but really I'm just trying to adjust to all the changes.

One of the most important things I've learned in my 30 years of living is that time moves too fast for us to sit around complaining about the things we have no control over. Here are some other lessons, I've learned in honor of my 30th birthday, and while some are cliche, please keep in mind that cliches are real and honest and, although they only seem like vague words, they take a lifetime to understand their depth and complexion.

•  Life only gets harder and more complicated the older we get.
• Don't make excuses when your loved ones and friends ask to see you. Make time for them because we exist on borrowed time.
• Look for something positive even when the world feels like it's caving in. I know it's not easy, but you have to remember that there's always sunlight after the storm.
• In order to love anyone, you must first learn to love yourself. 
• While on the topic of love, words are never enough you have to show people you love them.
• If you forgive, forget and move on. 
• Start taking care of yourself today. One day you'll realize all the things you should've done, but didn't. Health is one of the most important things that we take for granted on a daily basis.
• Success is perceptual and what one person thinks is success isn't exactly what you might consider successful.
• Respect other people's opinions, even if they differ from yours.  
• Find your passion. It's important for your livelihood.
• Don't compare yourself to anyone else. You are your only competition.
• You'll never have it all figured out, so don't drive yourself crazy trying.
• Don't let the mistakes of your past paralyze you from taking a risk now.
• On that note don't punish the new people in your life for the wrongs other people have committed against you in the past. 
• Don't dwell on the past. Live in the present. Plan for the future.
• Fall 10 times. Get up an 11th time!
• Don't settle. 
• Compromise in relationships.
• Dress for the body you have not the body you wish you had.
• There's no such thing as over accessorizing. 
• The higher the heels the taller you stand.
• Being a woman is a beautiful thing-- dress like a woman, act like a woman and don't let any man tell you you can't do something. 

With that said, I can say that there's something different about telling people I'm 30. I'm not sure if that difference stems from actually admitting I'm 30 (I honestly thought I would be one of those women who goes around telling people I'm 29 for another five to six years) or that turning 30 signifies that I'm now a more mature and responsible woman who has gathered enough wisdom to make important life decisions on my own terms without consulting anyone.

Indeed turning 30 is truly special. It's something we have to embrace.

XO GTG

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Awesome App: SNAP IT! TRACK IT!

I enjoy being on the cutting edge of fashion and beauty, but I also like introducing my loyal readers to great local food/restaurants, the latest products in technology and other lifestyle spheres.

Today's post is for all my techies!

A few months ago, I met the fabulous and talented Adrianna Hopkins at an event hosted by the equally fabulous and talented Michelle Madison from Miami Now TV.

You might recognize Ms. Hopkins from her work on WSVN. Besides being an Emmy Award winning journalist, Adrianna launched her own iPhone app on the App Store called SNAP IT! TRACK IT!

SNAP IT! TRACK IT! is an ingenious app that allows you to visually track transformations such as weight loss, growth like that of your baby's first year or your granny's secret recipe for apple pie by allowing you to take a picture which you can flip, write notes, dates or ingredients on each picture you take. The app automatically saves your snapshot in chronological order which you can revisit whenever you like.

The app isn't just limited to tracking changes, you can use it to write the names of people in pictures you've taken, the places you vacationed at, along with the dates-- in short it can be your very own digital scrapbook.

Everyone who knows me, knows I'm on Team Android, but this is an awesome app that is buzz worthy. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's introduced in the Google Play Store very soon.

The app is only $0.99 and not only is it worth every penny, but it's GTG approved.

So, what are you waiting for? Go to the app store and download it now and start your very own SNAP IT! TRACK IT! photo album.

Until next time!

X O GTG

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Your Go-to-Gal has been nominated for The Versatile Blogger Award

Although I've been blogging for three years, this is my first award nomination ever, which is why I have to thank the lovely Casey of Veggies and Glitter. Thank you, Casey!

As many of you know by now I started my blog three years ago, right after I finished my broadcasting journalism degree and realized that I no longer wanted to pursuit a career in that field. I've had an undefinable love for fashion since I was a tot and that along with the fact that I was my friends' go to gal was how I brought life to this little blog. I may not always post because I do have a very demanding job, but when I do I write enthusiastically and with a kind of love that resonates in my posts.


Now I have the privilege to nominate a group of my fave bloggers whose blogs I follow:

Toni from Girl's Best friend & Co.

Brittany from Suburb Chic

Dee from The Haute Frugalista

Donah from Sweet Jelly Bean

Jessica from My Life Styled Blog

Kajsa from KJ Andersen

Angie from The Charmed Cupcake

Cari from Fatgirl Hedonist

Raphael from Da Mouse.com

Astor & Sutton from Sobbing on Fifth

Ashley from Beauty Flawed

Meredith from Create That Outfit

Lori from Shortcuts to Fabulous

Dionne from Thrift in the City

Jewel from Jewel's Fab Life

Seven Interesting Facts About ME:

1. I'm obsessed with nail polish (which I know comes as no surprise, but I'm now the proud  (maybe not so proud) owner of 82 bottles of lacquer!
2. As a child, I dreamt of working for the FBI (profiling has and will always fascinate me.)
3. I love to read books. Who doesn't? But I love to read them late at night and will lose sleep in order to finish them in a couple of nights with no interruption.
4. Yes, I'm also uh-bsessed with shoes, but did you know that I barely wear any of them? I'm an avid shoe collector ok maybe I'm more of a hoarder.
5. I'm really not that tech savvy, but I've always been the go to techy at all of my jobs.
6. My palate is discriminatory. I know children under the age of 5 who have a more tolerant taste palate than I do. 
7. I've always wanted a tattoo something small and significant, but I have an issue with something that is permanent. 

If you were nominated, here are the rules for the Versatile Blogger Award:

1. Display the Award Certificate on your blog.

2. Announce your win with a post and thank the blogger who nominated you.

3. Present 15 deserving bloggers with the award.

4. Link your nominees in the post and let them know of their nomination with a comment.

5. Post 7 interesting facts about yourself.

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GTG's Fall 2013 Trend Report

Welcome back my fab fashionistas and fashion lovers!

It's my favorite time of the year again: fall! And although here in Miami, we still have some killer heat waves, I think the worst is finally over.

Today I want to share with you the must have items you have to have in your closet for this season!


Emerald Green:

If you haven't donned any emerald (the color of the year) yet, this is the perfect time of the year to try it. It's classic, sophisticated and there are so many different ways of trying it out without feeling like you look like a Christmas tree.

Leather:

Head to toe leather looks can be a little biker babe-ish, but picking out feminine tailored pieces will make you look and feel sophisticated.

Midi Skirts:

The secret to finding the perfect midi skirt is to experiment with skirt lengths that range from  below the knee to above the ankle until you find the hemline that flatters your legs the most.

Punk:

I'm loving this punk trend reminds me of the '90s, though the looks are more polished and pulled together this time around. Think spikes, plaid and rocker chic accessories to bring out your punk princess. And don't forget to add some serious attitude!

Winter Whites:

I want to scream every year after the Labor Day holiday when the fashion world, who by the way knows better than anyone else how stupid and antiquated the no white after Labor Day rule is.  So go ahead and wear white whenever you'd like to or until the rule is reinstated.

What trends are you looking forward to wearing this fall/winter season?

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