Help Mitsu + American Nails – Hurrah!
Posted January 20th, 2010 by MitsuTo all my European ladies: Any info on anything special to do Valentines Day in Paris (hint: Mitsu is quite a happy bee 
)
To all ladies: To the shopaholic who has decided not to buy clothes, I’m still Christmas gift free from my man because I haven’t asked for anything. Any gift ideas? Must be under $500.00 USD. High brand is love. No clothing wanted 
So one of my biggest worries adjusting back to the states was getting my nails done. I’ve let the goddesses of Carry touch my hands for so long how was I going to adjust to well… the offerings of America 
Clothes I can order on-line or beg friends (I love u Seb 
), hair I can accept the natural, but nails aren’t so easy. 
Thankfully after a little research I was able to hunt down Vicki of Nail Mogul in Houston. She squeezed me in and stayed an hour + after closing just to perfect my nails. She’s tons of fun, so nice, willing to do any crazy thing I asked (we’re doing larger stones next time) and once she saw my old pics of nails (via the wonders of iPhone and this blog) she was all over Japanese nails. :idea:
The finished product is 4 colors of acrylic french: champagne, silver, pink and white with 3d hearts and Swarovski accents. She said she hasn’t had someone to experiment with, so I will be a future happy guinea pig 
At 60% cheaper than my usual nail salon visit in Japan and wonderful company, who could ask for anything more.
Hurrah for pockets of gal love outside of Japan
Also, there’s a sale at Artbeads.com on Swarovski crystal flatbacks (the choice of all deco-ists), it’s really benefiting those who need to order crystals of 100 count or less. Great time to stock up on odd colors~ Offer lasts ’til tomorrow so hurry 
Tags: nails
Sparkly! I love all the different combinations of colors and stones your nailist used. X333
As for gifts, what about a Clarisonic?
http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P211002&categoryId=C13230&shouldPaginate=true
It’s more practical than anything else, but if you’re serious about skin care this would be perfect. And who doesn’t love pink?
Otherwise, how about a charm bracelet that you can customize with your choice of charms? I love this sort of gift because it’s something you can add to as time goes on, making it even more special. Tiffany’s has some great base bracelets and more intricate charms to choose from:
http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/CategoryBrowse.aspx?cid=287463&mcat=148204#p+1-n+12-cg+viewPaged-c+287463-s+5-r+101287458-t+-ri+-ni+1-x+-pu+
Swarovski is a more affordable but still nice alternative for bracelets and mix and match charms:
http://store.swarovski-crystallized.com/jewelry/us/jewelry/charms
I’ve totally been thinking about the Clarisonic for a while, but dear me after reading one bad review I have worries about putting down $200 usd on such a thing.
Pink does sway me, maybe I’ll nab it for my self while waiting for Spring clothing to trickle into stores. :idea:
Tiffany bracelets are so pretty, but with nails working a clasp is a pain in the booty (hence my ownership of many bangles
). I’ll keep browsing the Tiffany store, thanks for your input as always :idea: :idea:
I didn’t think about nails being an issue, but wait! Betsey Johnson has some seriously adorable stretch charm bracelets that should be easier for you to maneuver. Just slip them over your wrist and go!
http://www.betseyjohnson.com/Accessories_Jewelry_Bracelets/pl/c/6002.html
I love the one with all the hearts and keys, myself. Price-wise, they’re not too bad. You could definitely get more than one or combine one with another gift if your gift budget is $500.00.
Good luck on your gift search! I can’t wait to see what you end up getting. :333
I love your blog
I’ve been reading for awhile now and eagerly await the next entry for all the juicy information you provide! I’m just a shy commenter 
I love your nails, how do you type and do your hw with them!
I love faux nails, but they always become cumbersome when I type x__x; I found a Japanese nail salon where I live that newly opened and going would be my first time. I have to ask since you’re such an expert- what his gel coating and is it necessary? It’s such a huge cost so I’m wondering if it’s really necessary?
Thanks again and hope to see a new entry soon
ps: I love spending my money on brand purses or make-up
First of all, thank you :idea: :idea:
I find it really easy to type with my nails on my laptop, but currently I’m using a larger one than my Dell deco Mini which was admittedly sometimes cumbersome to type on. With laptops if you type with your keyboard at a slight angle, the pads of your fingers with grace the keys while your nails will ignore the process
Gel coating is love and very much a must if you are going to have: stones, parts, or intricate painting on your nails. A gel coat seals in the final product and saves you from losing the stones/parts/paintjob you just paid for. Think of gel coating as insurance
Brand bags are love :idea: I’m considering a vintage piece to add to my collection :idea:
Thank-you for the quick response!
My new computer w/ keyboard arrived the the keyboard is more flat than my old one so hopefully it’ll be easier to strike with the pads of my fingers
I see now, thank-you for the explanation! Insurance is a good way to put it XD I’ll definately go for the gel coating. I can’t express how frustrating it is when something pops or goes missing when I’m out
By the way, would you know if the w<3c site ever restocks their sold-out items? or once it's gone, it's gone and new items will come for the next season? so many items I love are sold out and I'm wondering if they'll come back in and if I'll have to pounce, haha! :cry:
good luck hunting down a vintage purse, yum!
Concerning w<3c I think they don’t restock, that doesn’t mean they won’t in the future. Although their webstore is only a few months new (as is the brand). Possibly auction sites are the best way to hunt down things that have disappeared
Oooooh~~ A secret V-day trip to Paris?? I am so excited ^^ hehe, I’m looking forward to the details of that!
It’s been a long time since I asked for an expensive gift, or received one (besides cash) so I haven’t even thought about that sort of thing. Hmm, the first thing that came to mind was a Chanel bag, but that might be going over the limit just a little bit haha!
That is soooo great you found a nail artist near you who is into Japanese nail designs, and your nails are totally cute! Oh btw when I was in Tokyo I passed by the Carry Nail shop, and I was like this is where Mitsu goes~!! :idea: And snapped photos of the exterior hehe^^
hahahaha you dork~!
I miss those ladies, I had some of the best chats at that place 
I’ll be freezing my booty off in Paris, but hopefully it’ll still be fun. My first trip to Europe (lol I’m such a boorish American heathen
)
Your nails look awesome!
I’m really looking forward to going to CARRY when I’m in Tokyo..!!! Although it is really expensive…
You’re going to Paris? Lucky you :D
500$ is much, what about a nice bag or purse, especially in Paris you find amazing ones..!!♥
Thank you :idea: Although Carry isn’t that expensive as a first timer (most places in Japan give first-time discounts). I think nails can be under $100USD if I remember my first time.
I’m excited
Ahh, congratulations on going to Paris, that’s so exciting! I’ve never been, so I can’t give you any advice, but I hope you have fun. :D
Those nails are so great! I never know how to ask for nails like these in the salons in my town. No one else gets anything more than a single colour, so I feel like they won’t know how to do something so cool or they won’t have the supplies. I guess I better start asking around and showing them pictures, haha.
i’m glad you found a place for your nails!!
btw what site do you use to buy the clothes online?
Whitney: I don’t usually. I either ask friends, head to Japan in the Spring, or wait until I get back. Since it’s always been 3-5 months away it’s been easier to wait.
Your nails are amazinggg <3
That's so cool that your US nailist was inspired by your previous Japanese nails, haha! I think she did an awesome job articulating the same style ^-^
I wish I could give you ideas on the gift, but I'm not much of a high brand girl aside from shoes so I wouldn't know what to get & I believe shoes fall under the 'clothing' category, so no help there! XD
Thank you :idea:
hahahaa I’m a shoe girl, too but I’m trying to stay away. I think this might hurt to admit, but I have too many shoes right now
NO NO SAY IT ISN’T TRUE 
BUT YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH SHOES!! *gaspshokku*
^-~
What a beautiful job on your nails!
I’m so sad that there is nowhere here (Colorado) who has stepped into the realm of nails for Gals!
As for a gift, well unconventional maybe, and high brand … no, but I love spur of the moment trips…. maybe a getaway somewhere stateside you have never been either of you and you can just go and explore and experience for a few days! And you could come in under 500 if you look hard I’ve done trips with my man for around… oh 350.
LOL while I’d love more travel, I think Paris is enough for the month. Man’s vacay time is eaten up
Love your nails and you have such lovely hands!
Wow, your boyf is very sweet :D
I’ve only been to Paris once (out of the many times I’ve been to France), and that wasn’t for Valentine’s. Although my parent’s have been a few times, and they have always said that the restaurants along the front by the Eiffel Tower are wonderful and there is a building that has an observation deck (sorry, I forgot the name :cry: ) better than the ET itself – I’m sure you could find it, if you googled it. Make sure to go there at night, the views are amazing.
Montmartre is one of my favourite places in Paris. I don’t know if you’ve seen Amelie (my favourite film), but the majority of the film was shot there. It’s a beautiful place and you can even visit the cafe she worked in (in the movie).
Also in Montmatre is http://www.parishotelsandtales.com/2009/02/25/i-love-you-wall-in-montmartre/ – it’s a wall that is composed of over 300 “i love you”‘s – all in different languages. Very Valentine’s
Hope that helped a little.
Oooo I definitely need to do more research
I love Amelie and Montmatre sounds fabulous~ I’ll definitely have to go to that wall 
You helped tons :idea:
AWESOME! I recently found that salon’s ad on craigs and I notice the work they do and i was going to hit up that salon! Your nails looks beautiful! Im going for sure :DD My friend and I had a fight with our manicurist this week -.- lol hes catty.
PARIS! You lucky girl you. <3 On V-day too? That's the sh*t <3 I love it !
OOoo I can’t wait to see how yours turn out :idea: LOL finding a good nailist in the states is a pain
Wooo!! nice nails!!! are loveeee!!! ♥
Your nails really do look SUPER GORGEOUS! I’m so happy you found someone that would take the plunge for you! Thanks for sharing & omgomgomg swarovski sale :3 My classmates are gonna flip-out! :idea: