IMO: Best Frugal French Manicure

Source: sallyhansen.com via Mikki on Pinterest

Disclaimer: I've no ties to the manufacturers or retailers listed in this post. I purchased the products myself, and these opinions are 100% my own.

Back in December, I got a French manicure for an upcoming party. I loved the look but couldn't afford to continue having the service done regularly. So I decided to try to DIY it! For less than $20, I was able to pick up the supplies at Wal-Mart: pink nail polish, top coat and this Sally Hansen French Manicure Pen.

I've really enjoyed using this pen! I'm able to control the flow of the paint, and I like that the paint covers in one coat, provided I shake it well and prime it by pressing the tip down a couple of times.

Here's what I do: 

1. Shake the pen, and then press the tip down on the inside of the lid until the paint begins to flow.
2. Freehand the white tip and allow it to dry thoroughly.
3. Pool a good bit of the pink paint on the bottom half of the nail and then pull the brush upwards lightly and quickly (until you gain some experience, you'll re-wet the white paint, causing it to smear). Allow this coat to dry. I use Confetti "Pink Paradise."
4. Saturate the top coat brush until it nearly drips and apply quickly to nails. I repeat this step a couple of times a week. I use Sally Hansen Salon Manicure Top Coat.

DIY French Manicure (Day 5)

Don't fret about getting the any of these products on your skin. Use a little Vaseline after the nails dry and it will come right off. The first try was not so pretty, but I began again every weekend, and now, ten tries later, I quite like the look. Under close examination, one will see imperfections, but it's an easy trade for a cheap, DIY French manicure!  

My Mother-In-Law

Mimi and Papa, my parents-in-law

My mother-in-law, Mimi, celebrates her birthday this month, and I thought it would be nice to introduce you to her! She entered my life twelve years ago, as the matchmaking partner to the mother of my best friend from college and was instrumental in my meeting my husband!

One of Mimi's most exceptional qualities is her steadfast, LONGsuffering love for her children. I wasn't there when she was raising them, but I know from their accounts that even when they tested her, she remained fiercely loyal and confident that they would reach their potential. She supported them both as they took part in numerous extra-curricular activities. Blessedly, I'm sure she would tell you that she has indeed seen all of them become successful, both in their professions and in their families.

She has extended this same love to her six grandchildren, eliciting strong connections to their Mimi. She goes out of her way to spend time with the ones that live within driving distance of her home, taking them for extended stays, which normally include shopping, story telling, fingernail painting and other one-on-one time. She does the same for those who live far away from her during their visits to her home.

Another standout characteristic Mimi exhibits is a life-long faith. She has lived her faith during difficult circumstances not limited to a wayward child, chronic health issues, and surviving a tragic automobile crash that took the life of a brother. She professes this faith and takes seriously the role God has given her to teach her grandchildren about the Lord. One of her ministries is to visit with the elderly members of her church and community, sometimes taking them out to lunch or delivering fresh fruit baskets to them. 

My life and the lives of those I love have been richly blessed by Mimi's generosity, love and faith. I am thankful that God gave placed her in my life! Oh, and I can't leave without mentioning her incredible beauty, but I suppose she would tell you it isn't all that remarkable, considering that she's only 29 ;)

Flock Together Blog Hop 3/27

Welcome! To participate, simply...

1. Link up: Click on "Click here to enter" at the bottom of this post and follow the Linky Tools directions. In step 4, I recommend selecting "Auto Crop" and "From Web."

2. Find new friends: Click through the blogs and follow the ones you love (Linky Followers, Google+, RSS, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, etc.). Kindly pass by the ones you don't.

I try my best to follow EVERYONE who joins the hop, but it helps if you leave a comment letting me know you're new here. Also, please sign up for Linky Followers! It's a great alternative to Google Friend Connect.

This week's Fine feathered Friend is Cassie at 

I'm a full-time, cloth diapering mommy of a curious toddler named Wolf Prince. This blog explores our adventures in todderhood and beyond. 

I hope you'll stop by Cassie's blog and become a follower, especially if you're a mom of a toddler! Even though we're past that stage in my home, I've enjoyed reading her tales about her family and home, especially the post about their newly adopted dog! She also offers giveaways and linky parties. Be sure to check her out first this week.


Want to be featured as next week's Fine Feathered Friend? Click here to find out how. It's free and easy.

Need a little help?

• If this is all new to you, click here.
• If your goal is to find friends and gain followers, may I recommend that you set a goal to find and follow a minimum number of blogs that interest you. Check back throughout the day to visit late entries that might be just your cup of tea! Leave a comment if you follow, and consider following back those who follow you.
• If you see empty boxes with red x's instead of pictures in the linky, try clearing your cache (Go to Tools > Internet Options > Under the General tab and Browsing History section, click "Delete"> check Temporary Internet Files > Delete > then refresh or reload Mom's Best Nest).

"Nicole's Method": What happened and what's next?

Earlier, I made a goal to lose 31 pounds during the winter season, using Nicole's weight loss method. I didn't reach that goal, and I'm a little disappointed, but I'm so excited about the results overall!

I lost 8 pounds!

Now, had I been struggling with hunger or denying myself the things I love all this time, I would be REALLY disappointed! The truth is that my attention to "doing" the program was minimal, and although that is unfortunate, I am now wearing clothes that are bigger than they need to be and people are noticing!

I didn't do the following consistently... 

• Eat smaller portions.
• Resist the urge to chew when I wasn't hungry.
• Drink water between bites.
• Drink water before meals.
• Stop eating at 6 p.m.

But I did...

• Give up soft drinks - even diet ones.
• Drink more water, although not as much as Nicole recommends.
• Lose my addiction to the vending machine.
• Learn that broccoli will satisfy cravings for sweets. This worked so well that my body eventually started craving broccoli!!! A big deal for me because I really didn't like it. Of course, I should call it broccoli-with-ranch-dressing because that's the only way I can eat it raw!
• Lose some pre-conceived notions and habits I'd had with food. For example, I was shocked to learn that you don't have to have soda with pizza, and you don't have to have milk with cookies. I've tried them with iced water with lemon, and they're fine.
• Try to eat smaller meals and keep small snacks around for when I became hungry (string cheese, granola bars, fruits, yogurt)

Lastly, I have to tell you about the other dividend that came from this adventure. My family has changed the way they eat too! For example, my middle daughter now asks for water with lemon. Also, with the quantity of fruits and vegetables I'm bringing into the house, they're eating more of them, too.

SO here we go again!!! I am super excited. The goal is the same, in that I would love to be at 170 pounds by the end of spring. Wanna join me?

Beginning Weight/Date: 201 lbs on November 26, 2011

Goal: Lose 30 pounds by June 19, 2012

Current weight: 193

Total amount lost: 8 pounds
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Flock together Tuesday Blog Hop 3/20

Welcome! To participate, simply...

1. Link up: Click on "Click here to enter" at the bottom of this post and follow the Linky Tools directions. In step 4, I recommend selecting "Auto Crop" and "From Web."

2. Find new friends: Click through the blogs and follow the ones you love (Linky Followers, Google+, RSS, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, etc.). Kindly pass by the ones you don't.

I try my best to follow EVERYONE who joins the hop, but it helps if you leave a comment letting me know you're new here. Also, please sign up for Linky Followers! It's a great alternative to Google Friend Connect.

Because she posted last week's Flock Together on her blog, Kristi at
Extraordinary Moments in an Ordinary Life  is this week's
"Fine Feathered Friend!"

I'm just an ordinary person in the middle of extraordinary adventures in motherhood, the military and more. I'm a Christian, a mother of 3, an Air Force Chaplain's wife and crafter wanna-be. I'm doing my best to find the adventures in every moment. This blog is where I journal about the extraordinary moments (and sometimes the ordinary moments) that come with this life.

Kristi is a new friend to the hop, and I've really enjoyed getting to know her through her recent posts. I so admire her current station in life as a military wife and mom. Her posts combine wisdom, faith and humor and are a pleasure to read. If you visit, you MUST read about the venus fly trap incident! I do hope you'll visit and become a follower of her blog.

Want to be featured as next week's Fine Feathered Friend? Click here to find out how. It's free and easy.

Need a little help?

• If this is all new to you, click here.
• If your goal is to find friends and gain followers, may I recommend that you set a goal to find and follow a minimum number of blogs that interest you. Check back throughout the day to visit late entries that might be just your cup of tea! Leave a comment if you follow, and consider following back those who follow you.
• If you see empty boxes with red x's instead of pictures in the linky, try clearing your cache (Go to Tools > Internet Options > Under the General tab and Browsing History section, click "Delete"> check Temporary Internet Files > Delete > then refresh or reload Mom's Best Nest).

Song for Sunday: He's Done Enough

If the Lord never does anything else for me, he's done enough! Dying for me to restore my relationship with Him is more than enough. Not to mention the blessings after blessings after blessings...Thank you Jesus!

IMO: My favorite kitchen gadget

IMO Fridays: 100% unsolicited reviews about things that are wonderful ("In My Opinion").  I've no relationship with the makers of these products.

Which of you ever thinks, "I need a new can opener. Wonder which one is Mikki's favorite?" No, no, don't leave yet! There's possibly a cool by-product that comes from using this device!

Smooth Edge Can Opener

After purchasing a smooth-edge can opener only to find that it took the top of the can off by slicing it below the lip, leaving a wickedly sharp can AND lid, I resolved that this type of can opener was a fraud.

Later, a friend told me about her Pampered Chef can opener. She'd had it for a long time and really liked, so I purchased one too and have enjoyed using it for over a year now. The lids are sort of pried off, separating the lid from the can and leaving a truly smooth edge. It never touches the contents of the can, so there's no gunky buildup around the gear thingy. It's my favorite can opener ever, and it's not even electric!

http://www.squidoo.com/crafts-using-tins

Interestingly, this gadget has "opened up" a new world of crafting for me. Every time I open a can, I wash it and set it aside for an upcoming craft. "What craft?" you might ask. Ummm... I haven't figured that out yet. So far, we've used one for a science experiment. But I did find these ideas...

http://www.my719moms.com/news/tin-can-planter/

I'd love to hear your ideas for using them! 

Flock Together Blog Hop 3/13

Welcome to my "no rules" button blog hop! To participate, simply...

1. Link up: Click on "Click here to enter" at the bottom of this post and follow the Linky Tools directions. In step 4, I recommend selecting "Auto Crop" and "From Web."

2. Find new friends: Click through the blogs and follow the ones you love (Linky Followers, Google+, RSS, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, etc.). Kindly pass by the ones you don't.

I try my best to follow EVERYONE who joins the hop, but it helps if you leave a comment letting me know you're new here. Also, please, please, please sign up for Linky Followers! It's a great alternative to Google Friend Connect.

This week's "Fine Feathered Friend" and guest host is Pamela at

Pamela's Heavenly Treats



I must first say that without God none of this would be possible. I am  a wife, mother of 6, homeschool teacher and I have a small Healthy Cupcakes & Cookie business. Everything that I make is made with 100% Whole Wheat Flour and my secret ingredients. You will not know that you are eating healthy when you taste these treats.

What a "treat" this site is to those of us with a sweet tooth! The only thing better than a yummy cupcake is a yummy cupcake made from a health conscious recipe. Next time I'm ready to make some sweet treats, this will be the first place I visit to pick up some great recipes. Please stop by and follow her with me!

Want to be next week's Fine Feathered Friend? Click here to find out how. It's free and easy.

Need a little help?

• If this is all new to you, click here.
• If your goal is to find friends and gain followers, may I recommend that you set a goal to find and follow a minimum number of blogs that interest you. Check back throughout the day to visit late entries that might be just your cup of tea! Leave a comment if you follow, and consider following back those who follow you.
• If you see empty boxes with red x's instead of pictures in the linky, try clearing your cache (Go to Tools > Internet Options > Under the General tab and Browsing History section, click "Delete"> check Temporary Internet Files > Delete > then refresh or reload Mom's Best Nest).

Song for Sunday: I Must Tell Jesus

IMO: My Favorite Hair Spray (and an '80's hair flashback)

Remember this hair style, circa 1987? I LOVED MY BIG HAIR (even though there wasn't a lot of it)! I still remember how I styled it...

1. Apply mousse to freshly washed wet hair.
2. Deftly maneuver a handheld hair dryer in one hand and a round barrel brush in the other to form a big ridge of hair along the crown of your head.
3. Bend over and blow dry the rest until it's completely dry. Fling hair dramatically as you return to an upright position.
4. Tease hair along the aforementioned ridge, and apply hair spray.
5. Use a jumbo pick to pull hair even higher and secure with more hair spray.
6. Bend over and spray the rest of the hair lightly. Return to an upright position quickly to prevent scary big hair.
7. Turn head to one side, pull hair away from ear with brush and freeze in place with several bursts of hair spray. Repeat on other side.

Note: Permed hair was a prerequisite for most of us. The coveted "spiral" perm was every girl's dream, but poor girls like me had to settle for the "curly" perm :)

Ahhh, the good old days. Seriously, I liked the look of big hair - possibly because it made me look taller. As time went on, hair dressers gradually forced  encouraged me to update my style, and at this point it's very different. One thing that's remained the same is my preference for hairspray with staying power.

About a year ago, my administrator noticed me fighting an annoying, loose strand of hair, even after spraying it repeatedly with hairspray. She went to her office and returned with Paul Mitchell Freeze and Shine. I was skeptical because I didn't believe that a pump hairspray could set my hair strongly enough. I was wrong! This stuff works, and  it's the best hairpsray I've ever found. It holds all day, without creating a shell on your hair. It's moderately priced, especially if you purchase it at Ulta, where they have a frequent shopper program and coupons. The only down side I've experienced is that sometimes the nozzle head  needs to be cleaned, but it's not a big deal - just run it under hot water or pull off the film with your fingernail.


It may be out of fashion now, BUT should big hair ever return, as they say all fashions do, I am good to go!

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Paul Mitchell or Ulta, and I purchased this product myself.

DIY Spring Wreaths

With the appearance of the bright colors of spring, I've been thinking of spring door decorations. The following images are linked to my Pinterest board devoted to such projects. Please note that while there are many lovely wreaths out there, my style is "cheap and easy," so the projects I pinned had to require minimal investments of time, talent and money. With that in mind, I present to you a wide array of DIY (do it yourself) spring door decoration ideas, using everyday items such as tissue paper, coffee filters, cupcake liners, and even a used (ok, that's how I would do it) umbrella.

Source: lovelycraftyhome.com via Mikki on Pinterest

Source: mynameissnickerdoodle.com via Mikki on Pinterest

Source: thestrayerohana.blogspot.com via Mikki on Pinterest

Source: 11magnolialane.com via Mikki on Pinterest

Source: lizmarieblog.com via Mikki on Pinterest

Source: thethriftymama.com via Mikki on Pinterest

Source: cindis.blogspot.com via Mikki on Pinterest

We chose the Easter egg one, and here's how it turned out:

The tutorial was very helpful, and we had a great time making this, but it would have been even more enjoyable if I wasn't such a reckless crafter. I should have...



• purchased 6 dozen eggs instead of only 2, which would have saved a trip to the Dollar Tree in the middle of it
• followed the tutorial's advice about stuffing the grass in with a pencil and not your finger, which would have saved my finger from a nasty little burn
• purchased ribbon to match the grass or grass to match the ribbon, as the instructor did. In an effort to be frugal, I used grass I already had on hand and picked up ribbon at the Dollar Tree for only $1. But now I'm out of grass for the kids baskets, so I'm going to have to buy some anyway :)

 Drop a line with a link to your Spring wreath. I'd love to see it!

Flock Together Blog Hop 3/6

Welcome to my "no rules" button blog hop! To participate, simply...

1. Link up: Click on "Click here to enter" at the bottom of this post and follow the Linky Tools directions. In step 4, I recommend selecting "Auto Crop" and "From Web."
2. Find new friends: Click through the blogs and follow the ones you love (Linky Followers, Google+, RSS, GFC, Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, etc.). Kindly pass by the ones you don't.

I try my best to follow EVERYONE who joins the hop, but it helps if you leave a comment letting me know you're new here. Also, please, please, please sign up for Linky Followers! It's turning out to be my favorite way to follow your blogs!!!

This week's "Fine Feathered Friend" and guest host is CJayMom at

A Glimpse of Normal!

I am a Stay At Home Mom to 2 kids. We homeschool and although it has been an adventure, I love it. I also love to craft and cook. I love saving money and getting free stuff by couponing. I am a child of God and He guides my path.

CJaymom's blog is fairly new, yet it has wonderful posts for mothers of young children, as well as delicious recipes and words of encouragement. I hope you'll stop by today and see what you think!

Want to be next week's Fine Feathered Friend? Click here to find out how. It's free and easy.

Need a little help?

• If this is all new to you, click here.
• If your goal is to find friends and gain followers, may I recommend that you also set a goal to find and follow a minimum number of blogs that interest you. Check back throughout the day to visit late entries that might be just your cup of tea! Leave a comment if you follow, and consider following back those who follow you.
• If you see empty boxes with red x's instead of pictures in the linky, try clearing your cache (Go to Tools > Internet Options > Under the General tab and Browsing History section, click "Delete"> check Temporary Internet Files > Delete > then refresh or reload Mom's Best Nest).

Song for Sunday: By and By

IMO Fridays: My fave shampoo for thinning hair

Source: Uploaded by user via Mikki on Pinterest

Introducing IMO (“In My Opinion”) Fridays at Mom’s Best Nest! These posts will be 100% unsolicited opinions about things I like and use. Hmm…I guess I can kiss goodbye any review opportunities I might have had with these companies…Oh, well! Let’s get started!

My Favorite Shampoo: Nioxin
This is a hair care line for those with thinning hair, so if that isn't a concern for you, go check out my post about crock pot meatloaf - it's sooo good! For the rest of us...

Balding or thinning hair is a sensitive subject for women. My husband sports a shiny half-bald head handsomely, but I'm quite certain I wouldn't want ot try it myself. I've never really had a head full of hair, but it never was a concern until my mid-twenties. At that time, I began noticing how much of my scalp could be seen in photographs of me, and it was alarming. I think it might have accelerated during my first husband's illness and passing, but I can't be sure. I dealt with it by keeping my hair permed, cut short, teased and shellacked. Then I learned that color adds volume and helps hide the scalp, so I added that to my regime. Eventually perms went out of style, and I tried to froth my hair up as much as I could  without them.

Several years ago, my scalp seemed to get increasingly more obvious. I'd heard of Nioxin, and I began reading about the experiences of real people on several consumer opinion websites (like epinion.com). It seemed to have really good reviews. Upon asking my hairdresser about it, I was surprised to learn that she'd been using it for a long time and wouldn't want to be without it. Here's how she described it to me: "It's normal for scalps to shed hair and regrow hair daily. This product helps you shed less hair, so you  have more hair on your head at any given time than you would without it."

I decided I'd give it a try. Because several of the consumer reviews had stated that one needed to give it at least 3 months before seeing results, I committed to do just that. I've been using it for over a year now and, like my hairdresser, I'd hate to be without it. It didn't reverse my balding and miraculously produce a full head of hair, but I did see positive results. I now have enough hair to feel comfortable growing it to below my shoulders - something I haven't done in 15 years! While I can still occasionally see my scalp, especially when my "roots grow out," it is remarkably improved from before.

IMO, this stuff is pricey, but I purchase mine at Ulta because of their points card and coupons. I think I can usually get a bottle of shampoo for around $11, but I actually try to buy the biggest unit I can afford, in order to save money. Don't do that until you figure out which level you need - there are several lines for specific hair needs. I use the shampoo and conditioner regularly and occasionally purchase and use the third component, which is a scalp treatment, I think. My hair dresser says the follicle booster is much better than that, but I haven't tried it yet.

Hope this was helpful. Let me know if you have any questions or if you've found someting for this condition that you like. I'd love to hear about it.

One more time...I am in no way affiliated with Nioxin or Ulta. I purchased everything reviewed in this post, and all opinions are my own.