Do: Try New Colors

People really do get themselves into color funks. Some can't stop wearing black, they're all LBDs all the time. Others are a sad rainbow of brown cardigans. And then there are those who are all animal prints. And even a print can be boring and monotonous if done too much.

So I'm giving y'all the homework this month for September dos and don'ts month to try a new color you normally wouldn't. Grab that mustard skirt. Try out that green handbag. New colors abound for you and I assure you that you will be pleasantly surprised by trying out something new.

And lest you think I don't practice what I preach, I already did my September new color homework. I've very much been a clear/light pinky nail polish on my fingers rut. You didn't notice as quickly when they chip, and I found them more appropriate for the workplace. But my workplace now is wherever I'm taking BabyWP and she really doesn't find color on my nails inappropriate. She just finds them super interesting. So on Friday I got on the browns for nails parade and tried out Essie's new color "very structured"

[Those are not my feet in the background, they're Mr. EWP's]

If you're looking for a changeup for your nail color, try out what's the latest trend: taupe! Or, as my friend Carina says, "mannequin hands." As in your nails and skin blend into each other and give a mannequin look. I couldn't pull the trigger on full on mannequin, but going with the brown I did was a big leap from clear if I do say so myself.

If you want to try out a taupe, try Chanel's Inattendu or Essie's Case Study.

I Heart Fashion Nails on Michigan Ave.

I'm a creature of habit. Once I find a nail salon I like, I just keep going there. But last month I was out shopping on Michigan Ave. with Laura and we wanted a mani/pedi. So we hopped into some place that was open on a Sunday. We'd never been but, hey, a nail place is a nail place.

What we didn't know is that when this nail place said "spa manicure/pedicure" they meant "we give you an amazing massage you will never forget." Like serious deep tissue massaging of your feet, calves, hands, arms, shoulders, and neck. I love a deep tissue massage. And this massage, just the massage part, takes at least an hour. It was heavenly. And all for the low price of $55.

Clearly I will only be going there. Why not get my tired ol' dogs (my feet ache like crazy these days) deeply massaged in addition to nicely painted? And the nice lady Lin (who I totally recommend) has started giving me discounts because I'm cute and pregnant.

So, for those of you in Chicago, I totally recommend Fashion Nails located at 210 N. Michigan Ave. for your next mani/pedi.

Oh and I also recommend this color for your next pedi: Essie's Damsel in a Dress. It's actually a super dark purple, almost black, and I can't stop staring at it. My toes are hawt, I'm telling ya. I'll have to buy it for myself. I'm that in love with it.

Essie, $8