Leather

10.22.12a
10.22.12b
10.22.12c10.22.12e
10.22.12d

{Dress: Bloom | Jacket: J.Crew Factory | Heels: Seychelles | Sunnies: c/o Coach | Tote: Joie}

What is it about leather that makes you automatically feel like you could drive a Harley? I mean for one, I have terrible balance and I really don’t trust myself with only two wheels. But 40% of my dress says that I could. And that makes me feel 40% more bad ass. (The other 60% says ‘maybe it’s not a good idea, Kendi. Also, no.’)

As you can tell I’m due for my monthly self-manicure. Each time I ask myself, why am I not more of a woman and paint only on my fingernails? Instead I look like I’ve been finger painting for the better half of an hour. Does this talent come with age or was this something I was supposed to develop along with the rest of my motor skills? My hope lies in the first answer. 

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116 Responses

  1. OMG I love this dress!  I have been wanting to add some leather into my closet, but nothing too crazy.  This is perfect.  You look fantastic!  

    Reply

  2. I've given up entirely on fingernail polish. It doesn't last more than 5 minutes on me. I now leave them clear and tell everyone I'm rebelling against the machine. 

    That dress is bad ass, but the shoes are definately sexy sweet toes : ) 

    Bisous
    Suzanne
    http://bisous.typepad.com/bisous/

    Reply

  5. WOW THAT DRESS IS AMAZING..YOU ARE PICKING OUT GREAT CLOTHES FOR YOUR SHOP!
    SHEREE XXX

    Reply

  6. I always wondered how my mom was so good at painting her own nails…maybe I'll just give myself ten more years to perfect the art. Also, I love your dress. A little leather is so sassy. I have been wanting to incorporate it into my wardrobe, but I am still working up the courage…

    Reply

  9. you could take on the world in that dress, not just a motorbike 😉
    I get neat left hand nails and a pretty much whole painted right hand. I try!

    Reply

  14. A. I always love your blog, so many outfit inspirations comes from you! When anyone ever needs inspiration for outfits, I send them to your blog. B. I used to be just like you about the nails! I felt like it was some gene other girls had but I didn't. I ran across a polish sale this summer and started an obsession I never knew I could/would have! It's just like anything else, practice makes perfect. Well, practice makes it better… Still not perfect! I went from 0 polishes, just manicures here and there, in July to now 43, haven't had to spend money on a pedi or mani in 4 months! My nails have only been unpainted 1 day at a time maybe a total 5 days in those 4 months. I realized a few things from trial and error that helped me. I can only paint at night, or maybe lazy Sunday or Saturday afternoons. Painting in the morning or day time is an utter failure! I can't be still long enough to not mess them up. I usually paint at least an hour before I go to bed. Also, painting at night is good because the next morning in the shower the little paint pieces on your skin come off! Or they can easily come off from being peeled off after the shower softened them. The best correcting tool is an angled eye liner brush! Found this on another makeup/fashion blog. Dipped in polish remover it's a flawless way to carefully erase any mistakes. I saw a "are my nails really dry?" test time on Pinterest that was revolutionary! I always touched mine, and they seemed dry to the touch, but then I'd do something and have dents or imprints. Tap the two matching nails together (forefinger to forefinger, thumb to thumb, etc), if there is any resistance, they aren't ready. If they can slide across each other with no resistance, they're dry! In a pinch if they are almost dry, but you don't pass the tap test and you really need to go somewhere or fix your hair, this sounds gross but I did my research and it works! Spray each nail just lightly with cooking spray then wash your hands (obviously, haha). They will continue to dry fully, but it gives them a protective layer so they won't stick to hair or get imprints easily. They can still get dented if you do hard labor (like dishes! it's hard work), but it  helps. Essie No Chips ahead is a great top coat! My self mani usually lasts until I am ready for a new color with no chips, which is usually 3-4 days. Sorry for the super long post that makes me sound like a total diva, but I support the painting of nails! 

    Reply

  17. Love the dress.  I also feel that leather equals automatic invite to the Sons of Anarchy.  I'm also incapable of painting my own nails.  I will allow myself to paint my own toenails because no one is really that close to them.  

    Reply

  25. That dress is amazing! I just bought a pencil skirt from Express that's navy and has a black leather color blocked band – it's maybe 10% of a total outfit and I totally feel 10% more bad ass when I wear it, which is a huge improvement considering I usually score negative points in the bad ass department. 🙂 Morgan
    seemomogo.blogspot.com

    Reply

  34. Two words… Ok maybe 3… Acetone & eyeliner brush. I use a teeny eyeliner brush I got as a gift… Dip it in acetone and clean up those edges! The angle on the brush makes it super easy! Happy Tuesday!

    XO Lucy

    Reply

  35. I'm actually impressed your polish grew out like that instead of chipping from the ends…how do you do that?!  I paint mine about once a week (I like a change) but they always chip!   Oh & I used to REALLY suck at painting my nails too (polish all over my fingers + a bubbly finish almost every time from using too much) but I got better the more I practiced.  Don't fret..just practice more ;o)

    Reply

  37. Ahhh this dress is adorbs!! Love the leather on it!

    For the record, I am also just as horrible of a nail painter. I don't know when I'm going to realize that I'm just not meant to paint my nails & I should let someone else do it 🙂

    Reply

  41. You always make me want to invest in the perfect denim jacket. Unfortunately, my bank account is screaming at me and telling me to stop. And I'm sure wearing that dress will help with your motor skills – but only if you're wearing that dress. Embrace your inner badass. 

    Reply

  42. Love the whole look (nails included)!  I can totally sympathize with the self-manicure thing.  It takes me forever, looks like my 1st grader did it, then it chips the next day!  So hard to be a girl!

    Reply

  50. how in the world do you get your manicure to last a month is my big question.. mine is chipping within the day, no the hour after being completed.

    Reply

  54. I have no idea why leather makes me feel like such a complete kick booty chic but it does. I'm glad to know I am not alone in the feeling!
    adoredlife.blogspot.com

    Reply

  57. This look has got to be one of my favorites that I've seen you in!  I love how you mixed leather & denim without looking like a cowboy in chaps 🙂  It's pretty perfect!

    xo
    Kym
    bitty.and.bunny

    Reply

  59. I so wish Bloom had lay-away. I would so make that dress mine. Debating raiding the piggy bank. 

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  65. don't worry kendi, i am terrible at painting my own nails too!  like, really terrible!

    xo julesinflats.com

    Reply

  68. I LOVE that dress, it is awesome! Checking it out on Bloom's site right now!

    Jamie
    forevereightyone.blogspot.com

    Reply

  74. DYING. need this dress. also, i can't paint my own nails either. my left hand always looks good but the right? eesh.

    Reply

  76. I don't believe that you can possibly have terrible balance walking around in those heels all the time! I love the dress with its balance between leather and floaty feminine 🙂

    Reply

  80. OMG I love this dress, I want it tooo~ Gorgeousness. Oh, and I finger paint too. And no, it hasn't developed with age (I'm 33). Nice to know I'm not alone in this!

    Reply

  81. Awesome dress!! I wore my leather jacket today and I felt so bad ass as well! Just so you know you're not alone! 🙂

    Reply

  83. I think this dress is the perfect combo of bad ass and lady!  For me, the Vaseline trick I found on Pinterest is the most life-changing manicure tip ever.  It nearly eliminates the post-mani clean up time!
    -XOXO-
    Libby at http://libbysoutlook.blogspot.com/

    Reply

  87. I agree. I have a jacket that is 30% leather (sleeves only) and I feel slightly edgier and cooler when I'm wearing it. Why is that? LOL.

    Abihttp://thebelatedbloomer.blogspot.com

    Reply

  93. I love that dress! 

    Doing a giveaway on my blog check it out!www.kimarijai.com

    Reply

  98. i have fallen in love with this dress! currently scheming of ways to convince my husband to get it for me :).

    cheesetwinewine.blogspot.com

    Reply

  99. I have yet to master the art of a self-manicure, and am hoping it comes with age as well. Love your dress!

    Reply

  102. Amazing outfit!  You look like you could be a modern day Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, would you be more comfortable on a Vespa?!?  

    xo

    vividvoltage.blogspot.com

    Reply

  104. I think I missed the slumber party at which every girl learned how to correctly paint their nails. I'm always amazed by that skill. I generally have  paint on my entire finger, and throughout the general region of my house where I painted my nails. 

    Reply

  108. I lack the same manicure skills. So here's what I do: paint my nails at night and get nail polish all over the place. In the morning at the end of my shower when my skin is soft, I pick off all the nail polish from around my cuticles and no one ever knows how sloppy I am.

    Reply

  109. This outfit made me say this immediately " Oh i love this outfit! Must find ticket to Texas and buy this dress!" I need leather in my life!

    Reply

  110. That dress is to die for.  I can't paint my own nails without looking like a slob either.  It's actually why I stay away from trendy colors and usually wear a nude tone. 

    Reply

  114. Loving this look… and that dress is a great way to wear leather in Tx (or Oklahoma 😉 
    Love your blog, hope you have a great day!
    ~Lindsay & Whitneywww.thedoubletakegirls.com

    Reply

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