Reader Question: Gaga For Neon

I'm in love with a pair of neon yellow heels. Does that make me weird? Is that okay??!

That definitely does NOT make you weird, but actually makes you extra fabulous.  Neon is definitely the color theme for this spring and summer.  Adding a bright pop of neon color is a super fun way to spice up your wardrobe and brightening up your day.  I know I'm in love with some neon!  How about you?

Juicy Couture, $278

i.cco, $12 @

Kelsi Dagger, $109.95 @

Reed Krakoff, $590 @

Rare, was $63.63, sale $25.45 @

Zara, $35.90

TopShop, $92

Joia, $12 @

Brian Atwood, $595 @ *

ASOS, $13.63-27.27 @

Deborah Lippmann, $45

@ Available in more colors
* EWP Fave

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.

EWP Tip: Keeping Your Nails Chip-Free Longer

I am a big proponent of having your nails done. Nothing more essential to looking great than some well manicured hands and toes (especially in the summer sandal season, go get your pedis!). But, that said, it really is annoying to have to trek back in every week when your polish starts chipping. (eek, can't have chips! *shudder*) I had been going the OPI route, I mean, they have fabulous names (e.g. I'm not really a waitress) and there are always more color options with OPI at any nail salon I go to. But then my friend Kathy alerted me to an experiment she was doing: she was keeping track how long an OPI mani lasted compared to an Essie mani. She said she was getting days longer out of her Essie mani. Clearly it was time for my own experiment.

And it's true! The Essie polish lasts days, if not a whole week, longer than the OPI. For a busy girl (or just an on a budget girl), lasting a whole week more before manis is a pretty big deal. I am now an Essie convert. And you should be too!

I've got my current colors below (lighter colors for your nails makes the chips less obvious, since I started working, light is the only way I go now, but I still keep my toes fun):

Essie, $8

Essie, $8

So do your own Essie experiment. I promise you'll be amazed.