Best products from r/FIREyFemmes

Sorry for the long answer, but I really love this! So I’m pretty uptight about my nails and I can’t handle any chips. Once it chips I have to redo them. I swore by seche vite as a top coat for years... but then I tried dipping powder at a salon and I was sold! I figured I can do my nails as well as the salon so I can figure it out. I’m still learning (I’ve been doing this for maybe 2-3 months) but I’ve made great progress! I say that because there’s a learning curve. I do think they look salon quality right now.

I purchased this kit from amazon $39 Kiara Sky Dipping Powder Essentials Kit Steps 1-6, 0.5oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0785N6LYD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_rmsWCbFP80J18

Honestly: I wish I purchased the French tips kit ($109) instead bc I wish I had more dipping powders to choose from. I’ll probably buy that when mine runs out.

I picked a few colors of the powder I liked. I will say the store brand at Ulta (red carpet) is absolute trash and do not use it. The powder and the kit from ulta are not good quality. Kiara sky is significantly better. This is the tough part bc it’s kind of a guessing game, but it’s also fun trying new colors.

Gospire 10 Pcs Plastic Nail Clip Nail Art Gel Polish Remover Soak Off Cleaner Cap Clip (pink) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KHSTE7O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_aqsWCb562XM3R I purchased these because removing the dip sucks. I take acetone on cotton balls and soak them for about 45 min-1 hour.

I purchased a drill and use on the lowest setting to clean up the edges. From where the clear coat settles around my nail bed. I can put the drill on my raw skin and it doesn’t hurt, but I was super nervous to try I at first. MelodySusie Compact Portable Electric Nail Drill - Light Electrical Professional Nail File Kit For Acrylic, Gel Nails, Manicure Pedicure Polishing Shape Tools Design For Home Salon Use https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H05EDK0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_assWCbHZ4KRSX

Those are the tools I bought. It takes ~1 hour to do the dip and it lasts 2-3 weeks. My toes last longer. It doesn’t chip, dries right away, and your real nails will grow out and not break off bc it’s so strong!! My nails look fake, but they are real.

I watched a few tutorials on YouTube and it’s really easy! It does take a bit longer but it’s totally worth it IMO. Feel free to PM if you want advice on how to actually apply it.

I've been here periodically but I haven't formally intro'ed myself so I'll do that here:

• I work in IT as an engineering/architecture level (tend to fall more in architecture roles, but do a lot of engineering too).
  
  
• Dream job... well, I might be starting it in a bit over a week. It's 100% remote (globally), working with a tech firm pushing technology in ways that break many of the traditional models, great benefits, amazing people, etc etc. I might post more later, but still seems too good to be true right now. If I had to say something else, probably consulting where I work remote architecting datacenters/cloud deployments and building the migration plans for them. Really jobs that challenge me technically while enabling me to work how I want to work, when I want to work.
  
  
• Likely driven, goal oriented, logical to a fault, and would do well going with my gut more. #EngineeringLife
  
  
• Dream vacation is kind of a misnomer for me, and my dream would be more of a vanlife thing at this point for a bit. Otherwise Australia/NZ
  
  
• I am watching a friends dog right now (about 5 months so far lol) while they look for a house. Need to get my own.
  
  
• I'm really proud of myself for completing a marathon. Crossing that finish line was one of the most rewarding feelings I've ever had on my own. Took 2 years from the goal being set to achieving it. I was in rough shape but would've cried if I had any fluids left to cry with lol
  
  
• Been reading a book about the newest research on psychadelics. It's pretty interesting. I'm a big advocate for ending the war on drugs, and more legalization of psychadelics for medical use (especially in therapeutic settings) if not full recreational. I've never used them, but strongly believe in their use for therapeutic use with minimal risks (I equate it to marijuana in this regard). The book is How to Change Your Mind.
  
  
• Neither. I prefer ginger ale, or stuff like La Croix. Although usually water, tea, and coffee are my go-to's.

Do you have any Galentines that you could celebrate together without a romantic interest? I didn't have an explicit conversation about the spending limit, but #1 we're on a low-buy all year, #2 we don't normally spend money on/ celebrate V-day. However, my husband has been complaining about cold butter (he wants to leave it out), so I bought him this beautiful work of art haha. I actually do LOVE how cute it is, but it is a little over the top ;)

I'm a software developer. My dream job is to be a published author, earning around what I make now (if I still needed an income generating career). Otherwise, right now, I'd be happy with a development centered job that only required 24 hours of work, with lots of flexibility around times worked and location. & I'd like some type of (very) part time work involving fitness and/or teaching.

My best friend would likely say I'm pretty motivated/get things done.

My dream vacation right now is Hawaii, I've traveled quite a bit in the past 2 years and am happiest on a beautiful beach. I haven't been to Hawaii yet, and the pictures I've seen from friends/Insta look amazing. I also love hiking/being outside in general.

No pets.

I transitioned into software development from a career in nonprofits. I worked really hard to make it happen and when I started, I honestly didn't know if I believed I was capable. I studied business/marketing/communications in college & my skill set was primarily in writing & project management. I've been a dev for about 4 years.

I love reading and am always reading a trashy romance novel and something with a bit more sustenance. I'm currently reading (and thoroughly enjoying) a historical romance and Welcome to the Writer's Life. I started reading Michelle Obama's Becoming, but I'm not in the right mood for it at the moment.

Coke, but I don't really drink soda. I order it on the plane and have to debate between orange juice, Sprite or Coke, since all are a "treat" (I would never buy them at a store or order them at a restaurant. I used to be borderline addicted and now I find soda too sweet).

Measuring cups.

Would you be interested in dresses + blazers? I started wearing them a few years ago and found it's 10x easier than trying to pick out an outfit in the morning.

A while ago I needed some nicer clothes - I'm still working on revamping my wardrobe - and decided to look at Amazon to see if they had anything nice.

I saw this and thought, "Fuck it, I'm going full Claire Underwood." I picked up about 10 more dresses in styles like these - they all look great with a nice blazer or jacket, and they're easy to business up with stud earrings and a nice watch.

I threw out their belts and replaced them with very nice, good quality leather belts and that made them look even nicer/more expensive.

When you search for these and more pop up to browse, they're all pictured as sexy and bodycon, but if you look at customer reviews sometimes there are 30+ women who have reviewed and submitted pictures. All of them were the same quality I've experienced with more expensive mall brands and I've washed them on gentle and hung them up to dry and they've been great.

For me, it's a bit cheesey but after reading the Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, I truly felt that my life was changed. In total, I have tidied up my place twice, the first time only my clothes and the 2nd time, doing my entire apartment. Each time, I've felt a perspective change after. The biggest thing beyond tidying your house was how that book forces to confront your past decisions and change the way you make new ones. I try to do things that "spark joy" for me and this goes beyond shopping or spending money. Speaking of shopping, after you tidy, you are much more careful about buying new things, how you're spending your money and what you're bringing home. Once I finished my tidying festival, as Marie calls it, I was able to shift my focus on to more important things like FIRE and doing thigns in my life that sparked joy.

This is so, so important for all women to understand and think through. I support anyone's choice to stay home with their children, but there are big risks to this, and assuming you will continue to stay married is a big assumption to make.

This is a really interesting book on the subject:

https://www.amazon.com/Feminine-Mistake-Are-Giving-Much/dp/1401309380

As a mom of two girls, I also think about what example I want to set for them, and to me it's really important to model working and being a parent. It's doable with a supportive spouse (which is another very important thing for them to see, being in an equitable relationship). Yes, sometimes I feel like I'm 'failing' on both ends (as a perfect mom, and as a perfect worker), but fuck perfectionism!

I sometimes wonder if our current cultural era of intensive and perfectionistic parenting is really hurting women in the long-run....

I love my Ninja. I bought the set with 3 different sizes and use the little one 90% of the time. It's a bit pricey but absolutely worth it.

Edit: Mine is the Food Processor/Blender. This is what I bought (not a referral link or anything). All 3 are great, but the little one is amazing and wonderful

Did a lot of soul search in the last two years. In terms of life purpose two books totally changed my life The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu and The Gratitude Diaries. The first was life changing and inspiring looking at how people can thrive, love, and find happiness even during the worst of times (the invasion of Tibet, apartheid in South Africa). The second was on practical application of gratitude and moving away from materialism in an everyday manner.

​

Most impactful quote for me is from my grandfather: "Anything more than $10 is expensive, for once I prayed for even a grain of rice."

​

My grandfather grew up on a farm in southern China, during the Japanese occupation most of his village starved. He then studied incredibly hard and got into law school only to be thrown in a labor camp during the Communist revolution. His daily allotment of food a the camp was a bowl of rice. Later he and my grandmother escaped to Hong Kong where he worked as an A/C salesman and become a manager. But, when they moved to America he spoke no english and had to start over as a dishwasher. He's a guy that knows the value of every dollar and have saved his entire life - my grandfather and grandmother retired with $1M+ in savings and a pension.

Halloween Costume update for anyone interested in these things. :)

​

I have Morticia's nails ordered. Wanted to get them before the Halloween rush.

I used this company for my Halloween nails last year (dark mermaid/siren) and they worked great. I love that they soak off with water.

​

Still searching for the right dress and the right suit for Gomez.

​

Did a ton of research and decided to try a semi-permanent hair dye since my hair is dark brown, not true black. I've never dyed my hair before and don't want this to be a lasting effect (I'd like it to last as few shampoos as possible), so I'll probably go with Manic Panic. If anyone has experience with using this, I'm all ears! (I did watch a few youtube tutorials/reviews too.)

​

I probably should set a dollar limit on what I'll spend for Halloween each year - this is hard for me because I use and re-use costumes, but I also want my costume to be perfect. I want someone to look at me and instantly know who I'm dressed as (assuming they've seen the movie), not to have to guess.

Truth in advertising, I don’t really know how to work on cars. I might know a little more about it than the average lady because I drove clunkers for the first ten years of driving and I’ve had a lot of things go wrong with them. But I generally bring my cars into a mechanic for anything more than the most simple maintenance. The project car would mostly be fun because I could learn more without being worried about screwing up my daily driver 😂

https://www.amazon.com/Girls-Auto-Clinic-Glove-Guide/dp/1501144111

I’ve been flirting with reading this book, mb we can do it for book club some month.

Edit: no judgement for being a subro 😂😂😂