We had a rare opportunity in New York last week. Gabriella, Krish and I found ourselves in the same city at the same time! So, we gathered the ladies for an East Coast meet-up…and of course it involved cupcakes! We recently brought on a team of interns from around the globe and invited those near NYC to come out for sweet treats at Sugar Sweet Sunshine in the Lower East Side. Janessa came from Boston, Randi came out from Staten Island and Gee reps Money Makin’. Randi came extra correct with her M.I.S.S. nameplate necklace made from Shrinky Dinks, Krish rolled in with her Valley mani and Janessa’s girl, Gillian from Mishka, stopped by with Krink inspired nails.

Thanks ladies for coming through! We look forward to taking our “M.I.S.S. Meet-Up” on a world tour and meeting the rest of the ladies…and gents that are part of the team…coming soon to a cupcake shop near you!

I love that there are still new things to be invented and discovered in the nail coverings department. And I was sooooo excited to walk into Valley NYC this past weekend and find KO Knock Out’s Flatte Nail Polish. Yup, that’s right, Flatte or Flat or Matte…however you’d like to spell it there is no shine or gloss to this polish. Just a matte, lack luster finish. Love it! KO (READ: Knock Out) is the creation of makeup artist Mike Potter - best known for creating the hair and makeup for the groundbreaking stage and film versions of Hedwig & the Angry Inch. Nina at Valley recommended a “tuxedo” french mani…Knock Out’s Flatte black base with a glossy tip, très chic, no?!?! Available in “Powder” or “Black” get yours on-line here or at Valley NYC.

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Earlier this year I set out to find the perfect FLAT grey nail polish. Was it really that hard? Was I really asking for too much? Apparently, at the time, yes. It was that hard and I was asking too much. It only made perfect sense. Nail polish trends in recent years have gone from black to white…With companies like Chanel causing a wait-list frenzy for their version of black polish. Um, I hear White ‘n Wild makes a black polish, ya’ll! Anyways, I digress, that’s old news. Imagine the killing and frenzy Karl would have made had he introduced grey polish, not that he’s hurting but it’s something I would have expected from the house of Chanel. So I said, “FINE!” to the nail supply industry and decided to make my own. And I did. And the people freaked out.

Learn how to make your own and if your not so D.I.Y. inclined, find where you can FINALLY (it’s taken a couple of months for the nail polish industry to catch-up) get your shade of grey after the jump!

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Ok, so I do love some nails did. And surprisingly enough I usually just go with a solid color…the occasional hand design or airbrush BUT since I rock my real nails, the designs and paints don’t last as long as they do on synthetic nails…booooooooooo! Well, the lovelies over at Valley recently shared with me something new called “Calgel“. It is a gel coating that is activated by UV lights…here’s what they say:

Calgel is a superior gel nail system that promotes nail health, making it the healthier alternative in nailcare. It also soaks off in just 15 minutes! Calgel won’t lift, peel, chip, go rubbery or damage your own nails with harsh acrylics or drills. Calgel doesn’t interfere with nailbed metabolism which is why it can actually strengthen your own nails giving you the nails you always dreamed about. Calgel can be used on tips or as a natural nail overlay, and is available in over 80 colors, so the days of smudging, chipping and peeling nail polish are over!

Valley offers a clear “Calgel” that is a protective barrier for your nail and should be redone about every 3 weeks. I’m trying the “Calgel” out right now and love it! I loved my entire manicure experience at Valley! Maki was my manicurist and I have to say this has been by far the BEST I’ve had! Um, the hand/arm message was amaaazing! She was gentle, thorough, fast and neat. She hooked my kit up with the insane leopard print all done by hand. No airbrush here ya’ll! You get what you pay for and them some at Valley. Treat yourself…you are worth it!

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Valley is hosting a House of Jackie Brown Bikini Trunk Show on Thursday from 6 to 8 pm. House of Jackie Brown is a new line of swimwear that released earlier this year by Jaclyn York and Emily Brown. They decided to launch a line of bikinis that accentuated women’s assets and brought to life their love of fashion, beauty and the beach.  Their Summer 2008 Collection is called “Caliente” and is inspired by the heat, color, vibrance and fire of Miami.  They shot the catalog in the streets because these ladies are city girls at heart.  The bikinis are very cute and flattering and have super nice details including ruffles, kiwi scents and linings that pop!  This trunk show is a great chance to get a bikini that will set you apart from the rest.  Details and pictures of the “Caliente” bikinis after the jump . . .

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Extended hours for nails!! These girls don’t mess around so go get your nails did and get your shop on!