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A MINIMAL AND CLASSIC LOOK FOR STAYING AT HOME

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases. Some products might be gifted from brands.

Many of you have heard my saga with trying to get longer, stronger nails. I recently even posted about what I have been taking as far as supplements go (here), and I showed you how they were coming along. I thought that some of you would be interested in hearing about this since the nail salons were closed and no one could get their nails done. Well, today, I tried something new, and I am sharing my results.
My friend, Kim, sent me a pack of Color Street nails back in January, but I didn’t want to use them until my nails grew longer. They would get long and then break off, then get long again and split. Finally, I decided today to try and apply this polish, so I hopped on YouTube to watch an application video. Wow, it looked easy. Wow, it wasn’t as easy as it looked. Lol! When someone does a video of anything that they’ve been doing for a while, it always looks easier than it is. This was my nails after I had taken all of the Nailtiques polish off of them. As you can see, they are starting to grow, but they are still fragile and easily break or tear. This is the color that I was applying. It is called Blush, and it is a pretty spring pink. And, this is what my nails looked like after I applied the polish. Is it perfect? No, it’s not perfect, but it isn’t terrible. This is what I learned from this process. I have really wide nailbeds! The largest nail in the pack is probably intended for your big toe if you were doing a pedicure, but it is what I had to use on my thumbs. Also, my nails are like ruffles potato chips…they have ridges. Lol! The polish is not thick, so you can see the ridges through the polish. I probably should have buffed my nails to make them smoother before I applied the strips. Maybe I’ll get better at these strips, or Joe will have to start polishing my nails. Now, that is a sight that I want to see!!!
It has rained so much in the past few days that I’ve seen a few people starting to order plans on how to build an ark. So, because it was so wet outside, I decided to take my pictures inside today. This is another thing that is a learning process, but hopefully, this will get better also.

I wore this white button-up shirt (here), and someone asked me if the shirt shrank when I washed it. Some reviews had mentioned that, and she wanted to know before she placed her order. I didn’t know the answer at the time, but now I know. I washed this shirt in cold water as the label said, and then I let it dry on its own. When I first took it out of the washer, the shirt looked fine, but the material was stiff feeling, not soft and silky like it was before. However, once the shirt dried, it was just as silky as before. Whew, thank goodness! Anyway, the shirt didn’t shrink, and I am still happy with it. I am wearing a size medium, and it fits me perfectly. Here is the link to the shirt.
I went with a minimal approach today. My entire outfit is solids and no-frills, so I went the same direction with my jewelry. I added my no-frills, but plenty of style, Avi hoop earrings from Kendra Scott. These are such a nice weight, and they are a nice statement piece. When you are wearing these, you don’t have to wear a necklace, even though you can. Lol! Here is the link to the earrings.
I love a long duster, and since I want to stick with a minimal and classic style today, I picked a black one for this look. You can’t go wrong with a long black duster since they are versatile and look great with a lot of options. I like them because they are slimming, and slimming is something that I am looking for right now. This duster has long sleeves, but the look that I was after was a 3/4 sleeve look. So, I scrunched the sleeves up, and then I rolled the white sleeves of the shirt over them. I love this look, and it can be worn all year round.

The duster that I am wearing is an old one that I’ve had for years. So, I went shopping for all of you, and I found several that will work.




I bought this pair of flats from Walmart back when I did my “shoe try-on,” but they had sold out before I could get them on the blog. I didn’t bother to show them to you since they were unavailable, but guess what…they are back in stock. This Cheetah print is an excellent alternative to the leopard print that we see so much, and I love this print! I am wearing my usual size 9, and it fits me perfectly. I have this same style shoe in burgundy that I bought last fall, and I wear those all of the time. They are very comfortable, and you will find yourself reaching for them all of the time. Don’t fool around, order these before they sell out again. Here is the link.
Here is another item that didn’t stick around on the website very long. These gray jeans were from Loft, but they sold out very, very quickly. In fact, gray jeans are hard to get your hands on; they are a very hot commodity this spring. If you see a pair of jeans that you like below, and you are lucky enough to find them in your size, then grab them while you can because they won’t be around long.


I’ve been trying to share with all of you some fantastic deals on some of my favorite Rodan + Fields products. The skincare products were what I fell in love with years ago. I tried a product and then became a consultant so that I could get my products at the lowest price possible. I told you that I like getting nice things at a discount!!! So, if you are like me and you want to get your products at the best possible price, pay close attention. Anyone who becomes a consultant TODAY will receive 50.00 or more off of a business kit. Email me, and I’ll help you with the process. If you would like to hop on a ZOOM call to talk about the business, they email me for my ZOOM link at taniastephens12@gmail.com

But, then, you gurls started messaging me and wanting to know what I was doing, and once I realized that I had been selfish in keeping my “find” to myself, I shared what I was using. If you want the products at the best possible price, then become a consultant. If you want the next best thing, then become my Preferred Customer.

Here is the low-down:

Lash Boost

– Need I say more!!! This little tube of goodness will last you 3-4 months, and it can help you get longer looking, fuller looking lashes. No more extensions, no more glue or magnets. Just one swipe every night before you go to bed. Price as my Preferred Customer is 139.00, but, you will receive a refund of 14.00 PLUS a tube of Body Moisturizer. The Price for someone who is not my customer is 125.00 plus 5.00 shipping, and you will also receive a tube of Body Moisturizer.

Active Hydration Serum – I use this 2x a day. I am obsessed!!! It raises the skin’s hydration level by 200% after just one use and maintains continuous hydration for eight hours. Older skin needs hydration to keep from looking crepey. Price as my Preferred Customer is 100.00, but, you will receive a refund of 10.00 PLUS a tube of Body Moisturizer. The Price for someone who is not my customer is 90.00 plus 5.00 shipping, and you will also receive a tube of Body Moisturizer.

Active Hydration Body Replenish and Redefine Multi-Function Eye Cream – The Active Hydration Serum is for your face, and this Body Replenish is for your body. Look at your skin, does it look in need of a drink of water? Since I have always had skin as dry as the Sahara Desert, this product was the one that I let out a squeal when I heard it was coming. I LOVE this big old jar of goodness. And, the eye cream from R+F is unbelievable. When I started using this eye cream, I had to pull the skin tight on my eyelids before I applied eyeshadow. Now, my eyelids have lifted (no more droopy eye), and I no longer have to pull and tug on my eyelids. Plus, as a bonus, almost all of those pesky crows feet have disappeared. The Price for both of these products as my Preferred Customer is 116.00, but, you will receive a refund of 11.00 PLUS a tube of Body Moisturizer. The Price for both of these products as someone who is not my customer is 105.00 plus 5.00 shipping, and you will also receive a tube of Body Moisturizer.

Share The Love!

I want to thank all of you who are sharing my posts on Facebook and Instagram!!! That has really made a huge difference in the traffic coming to my blog. ALSO, all of you who are pinning my photos on Pinterest, my traffic has doubled! Please, keep up the great work, everyone!!! ?

How is your memory???

Have you done any of the following? Walked into a room and forgot why you went into the room? Have you driven by the place that you were supposed to turn off? Or, maybe you have been telling a story and forgot what you were saying???

Then WHY would you think that you could remember to check my blog post every day without my daily reminder? Take two seconds and subscribe to the blog. Enter your email, and then check for the email verification that will be sent to confirm your subscription.

Thanks so much for following me on my blog. Be sure to follow me on Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

John 16:33

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

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42 Comments

  1. Kim Blackwell says:

    Hi Tania! Love all your outfits! My main problem is what shoes to wear with certain outfits…help I don’t think I always make the right choices

  2. Patt Price says:

    You always look so put together. I need a wardrobe makeover. I have lots of clothes, but feel nothing looks good together.

  3. Love Colorstreet! You did a great job! Solids are definitely more difficult to apply and show imperfections more than shimmers or glitters. I also have thin nails with ridges. I apply OPI Nail Envy as base coat then Colorstreet and cover with Out The Door topcoat… easily last 2weeks! Best non drying nail remover is Mineral Fusion!

  4. Hi Tania – I love this outfit. I didn’t see any info on your necklace though? I’m in Canada and am thinking about consulting for R+D. I take it from your representing them that you like them but I haven’t seen anywhere on their website confirming they don’t test on animals. Can you confirm? Thanks so much. I really enjoy reading your blogs and seeing the pics.

    1. Mary, I’ll email you about R+F. But, they do NOT test on animals.

  5. Your nails look great! Perfect length. I have also tried them and they last about two weeks.

    1. Good to know. We will see how long they last for me.

  6. I just placed an order as a new PC of yours for some R& F products. My birthday is 4/30 and I told my husband that this is what I wanted. Yay! I’m so excited to finally get started and I hope it helps you with your April goal! It is my way of showing my support for all that you do. Obviously I love to read your blog every day and it makes me feel closer to VA! I moved to Costa Rica 6 years ago and have lived on Bainbridge Island, WA for the past 3 but a big part of me will always miss VA.

    1. Wow! Tricia, I saw your order and you got some great items!!! That is a fabulous birthday present!! Virginia is beautiful, but Washington is gorgeous too!!! I’ll email you shortly with some instructions, etc, about your order.

  7. I wear this look a lot but I have the vest version because it’s hot here all ready. I love white but I’m aware I’m more prone to spill on white than a color. Who knows why? I know about gray jeans. I looked for two years for a certain shade of light gray for summer. I love your nail color. I guess we all have some beauty problem to bear. Mine is a short waist.

    1. It is funny, but I hardly ever wear a vest.

  8. I finally quit polishing my nails last fall after “gluing” them together with polish for years. I keep them natural and buffed, and they’ve never been stronger. I think the nail polish remover was really drying them out, even though I used the no acetone versions. I also think that Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream has made a huge improvement in my nails, and it’s so inexpensive!

    1. That sounds intriguing.

  9. Great look today – I like the mirror in your office. It is great to see the back of the outfit sometimes, especially if you are wearing jeans. 🙂 Have a great day!

    1. Thanks. Maybe I’ll take the packaging off of it now if I am going to use it some. Lol!

  10. Susan Moore says:

    The best thing for nails is CND oil use it twice a day it will work wonders.

    1. Susan, I have that. I just keep forgetting to use it.

  11. You look amazing! Love the outfit, especially the jeans! You’re hair, btw, is fabulous. It always looks beautiful…you’re very lucky to have such beautiful, thick hair that you can style many different ways, and look great! I’ve been following you since your first blog post and I swear you keep getting younger and younger looking. Keep up the great work, I look forward to your post everyone morning, especially your story in the beginning. You’re very down to earth, positive, funny, and happy and it shows through your blog! Some bloggers seem so disingenuous and showy. I like that you’re so relatable.

    1. Lori, thank you so much for the compliment. I try to always be real, and if you met me in person, you would say that I am exactly like I am on the blog. Although, you might be surprised that I am so quiet in person. Lol!

  12. Kerry Gilbertson says:

    Love that look! I have a couple of long dusters that I purchased from Costco…time to dust them off! Lol!
    Have you ever heard of GelMoment nail polish? It is a fantastic product that gives you salon quality gel polish, you do yourself. My niece introduced me to it and now my daughters both sell it.
    https://gelmoment.com/ A fantastic company, with a fantastic product!!
    Lord bless!

    1. No, I’ve never heard of that brand. I’ll look at it.

  13. You look great! And very tan, as well- did you use self-tanner?

  14. you always look great Tania, I love the b lack duster with this look. you could have anyone stop over and be out the door on an errand without a second thought.

    1. Exactly. No need to run and hide when someone knocks on the door. Lol!

  15. You look very nice as always today! And nice job with the Color Street nails on your first try! I’ve been using them for a couple years now. I find the sparkly ones cover my nail imperfections much better and they are fun to wear! Stay safe and healthy!

    1. It was not easy, but I am sure that I’ll try another set.

  16. I love this minimalist look. And, I like the way you took the pic in front of the mirror so we could see the back of the outfit. I love Color Street nails too. They do take some practice to apply, but they are durable and last a long time.

    1. I thought that the mirror might help let you see the back of the item.

  17. Monica Ercanbrack says:

    Well you were right i do like this oufit too.
    And the shoes are cute. I have some the color street nails too but have tried them yet one of the girls at work wears them all time she said it takes a little practice and always puts a clear coat of polish one them and will last longer. I liked the color got and your nails look great.

    1. I put a clear polish over them this morning, and they already look better.

  18. I love this look Tania you look really lovely very stylish and elegant I have all these items in my wardrobe I know what I’m wearing today ? well my cardigan is pink so slightly different I’m having the same problem with my nails ? so annoying can’t wait for beauty salons and hairdresser to be back open ?? have a lovely day ?

    1. Bernie, just you wait until you see the gorgeous bright pink cardigan that will be on the blog soon.

  19. B. Wilson says:

    Pretty nails! I used to sell Color Street nails. I still have many packs to use. When you open a new pack, if they are sort of dry, you can always use a blow dryer to soften them up. Love your outfit!

    1. Good to know, Barbara.

  20. I have such a dry skin too, especially my arms and legs. Love your outfit! I wear long cardigans over dresses. Stay safe!

    1. My skin is horribly dry, but I control it with my body replenish.

      1. Collagen really helped with dry skin.

  21. Pamela Garrett says:

    I really love reading your post they have helped me so much, the only problem some of the prices for the clothing and shoes to me is a little high, but i’m single so to me 50.00 for a shirt is unreal.

    1. Don’t worry, Pamela. We all have a budget that we need to stay in. You will find a LOT of things in your budget range coming up soon on the blog. You are going to be surprised.

  22. That’s so funny about the shirt. I have that same floral off the shoulder shirt from Sanctuary with the elastic in the sleeves I found on ThredUP or eBay — it was silky soft and I washed it in cold and it got all stiff and weird and I about cried. Then it dried and after I ironed it it seemed normal again. What kind of weird fabric has to go and scare us like that!

    1. I am like you, I wonder what the material is???