Double Stamp All The Nails

Confetti Water Marble

Hello lovelies! I'm still getting over the stomach flu right now (fun times!), so I won't be very long winded today. It's been a while since I've done a water marble and have been jonesing to do another one. Then I was entering into Mucking Fusser's Magnificent Milestone Giveaway and one of the entries was to post a water marble. Perfect timing!

Christmas Zebra Print

I finally have some holiday nail art for you today! I was in the middle of swatching a few polishes and had the need for some easy nail art. Animal print is my go-to for quick and easy nail art. This zebra print is sort of my follow up to last year's Christmas leopard print mani. It doesn't read "zebra" very strongly in this color combo, but it still comes across as Christmas-y, which was my main intention. 

31DC2014 Day 04: Green Bling

Okay I've just got to get this post out there so I can be caught up! Hope you like it. :)

Zebra of the Sea

Hi everyone! I wanted to do a really quick and easy, yet bold, mani. I remembered how much I loved my Funkedelic Stamping mani, so I went with something similar. It wasn't intended to look like a zebra print, but I ended up loving it anyway.

OMD2 Challenge Day 11- Rainbow

I loooove this mani! I've been wearing it for three days now and I really need to take it off to do another one for the challenge. So sad. I really don't want to. I've probably looked at my nails 500 times since I did these. I didn't take photos, but even my right hand looks just as good! Okay, sorry, I'll stop gushing now.

OMD2 Challenge- Day 9 Jelly

I was really looking forward to today's Challenge prompt! I just recently laid hands on the entire Sally Hansen Triple Shine Palm Beach Jellies collection. I kid you not, over the last couple of months I have searched for them in over a dozen stores. I finally found all but one at a Smith's grocery store (one I had previously searched). Then at Target yesterday I found they finally had a big display of them!

The biggest reason I've wanted them is so that I could try out the leadlight technique, applying them over a stamped pattern. Of course I could always make my own sheer polishes by just adding clear polish to a regular one and mixing them. But I didn't really want to go through that extra work. Plus I don't have any polishes quite this sheer, so naturally I needed them in my collection!

OMD2 Challenge Day 7- Holographic

I don't have a huge stash of holographic polishes (I will someday..), but what I have I love. China Glaze I'm Not Lion had been on my wishlist for quite some time. I was so stoked when I finally got it! Today's Holographic prompt was a perfect opportunity to show it off again.

Acid Washed Hearts Snippet

Hello ladies! I used these two polishes, OPI Don't Bossa Nova Me Around and love, charlotte xo (neon peach) together in my New Kids On the Block Party nails and loooved the combination. I've been itching to try them together again and this is what I came up with. It was super simple and easy, and I love the finished result. Enjoy!

Scottish Festival and Highland Games

This weekend my family and I had a fun time at the annual Highland Games held here. The weather was perfect (it was strangely cold for the middle of June but eventually warmed up), so we were able to spend a few hours there. We listened to bagpipes, watched a dancing competition, my son battled a medieval knight, and did a little shopping too. Last year my husband picked up a kilt, a Douglas Clan tartan. This year we shopped to find a sporran to go with it.

Of course I had to have nails appropriate for the festival, so this is what I came up with.

New Kids On the Block Party

Suddenly this week, I am ready for summer. I may not be ready for the heat in the days ahead, but I've got a craving for barbecues (if you have a grill, please invite me over), watermelon, and ice cream. I'm ready for long days, warm nights, and not wearing a single pair of socks. Best of all, I am ready for summer nails! Bring on the bright colors and bold designs.

"The crazier the better is what I say." -Gonzo

Tiptoe Through the Tulips With MoYou Stamping

Last week I got my MoYou London prize in the mail! I won it in a trivia contest they had on Twitter. I love trivia, so the prize was more of an afterthought. That is, until I won it. I was totally giddy about getting to choose from their Pro Collection stamping plates. I chose the XL 14 plate specifically for the tulip pattern. When I asked on my facebook page which stamp from the plate I should do first, the tulips was the first response, which is what I wanted to do anyway!

Spring Polishes Part 2: Stamping

I've mentioned that I want to work on my stamping skills, as I've found that it really takes practice. When I was swatching polishes for My Favorite Polishes Right Now For Spring post, I took the opportunity to get some of that practice in. I originally was going to include these photos in that post until I realized that would make it realllly long. So this post is part deux. 

Base: Nail Tek Hydration Therapy Color Morning Dew

Stamped: Konad Special Polish White

Plate: Cisi & Sisi 04

Sunlight photo to show off the golden glow.

Base: Ulta Salon Formula Peach Parfait
Stamped: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Peachy Breeze
Plate: Cisi & Sisi 06
Middle and ring finger: Formula X for Sephora Magma

Base: Sinful Colors Cinderella
Stamped: Konad Special Polish White
Plate: Cisi & Sisi 06, 02, and 03
I also did some dry-brush strokes of Clinique Strappy Sandals, and glitter

Base: Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle Loyal Lavendar
Stamped: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Pronto Purple and Pink Blink
Plate: Cisi & Sisi 03

Base: Deborah Lippmann La Vie en Rose
Stamped: Konad Special Polish Black
Plate: Cisi & Sisi 05

All of the stamping plates I used are from the Cici & Sisi Jumbo Series #1 collection.

Which combination do you like the best? I'm torn between the first and the last. Can you tell I'm getting better (I think)? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

My Favorite Polishes Right Now For Spring

Since starting Nail Polish Society, I've gravitated toward more opaque nail polish formulas. An opaque creme polish is usually quick to apply, and fantastic for nail art. Sadly, for that reason, many of my other polishes have been neglected in the past few months.
Although lately, I've been yearning for the light, fresh, shades of Spring. It's been nice to revisit some sheerer formulas, I didn't want them to feel forgotten! :)
I had so many pretties to choose from, it took some time to narrow down my choices so that this post wasn't a mile long. Here are five of the polishes that I'm enjoying this season.


Nail Tek Hydration Therapy Morning Dew is a lemongrass green with yellow-gold microshimmer. I don't think it could get any more "Spring" than this. I love how fresh and cheerful this shade is. I used two coats, and the formula was easy to work with.

This photo best shows how the microshimmer makes the polish glow.

I purchased Morning Dew at Marshall's for about $5 I think. It's the first Nail Tek polish I've bought, so I didn't even know where they were available ( their color ones). I'm still not really clear on that, but I'm so glad I randomly came across this one!

Ulta Salon Formula Peach Parfait is a subdued melon in a creme/jelly formula. I like how mellow and squishy this polish is. The formula is on the sheer side but still easy to work with. I used three coats.

I purchased this at Ulta for $2.00. The full retail price is $6.00, but they are frequently on sale.

Sinful Colors Cinderella is a medium toned baby blue in another creme/jelly base with pink and orange glass flecks. This is a cute and girly shade, and the name Cinderella is very fitting. The shimmer from the glass flecks isn't overwhelmingly obvious, but still visible and adds a nice dimension. It was a little more sheer than I had hoped, I needed three coats.

I purchased Cinderella at Kmart for $1.99. Sinful Colors are sold at most drugstores and mass retailers like Walmart, but I never see all the shades in one place. My local Kmart seemed to have the best selection available out of most the stores I've shopped at.

Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle Loyal Lavender is a dusty lavender with prominent pink microshimmer. I LOVE this color. I am always on the lookout for a nice greyish purple, but one that is not too grey. This pink shimmer adds another interesting layer to this unique polish. The formula was more sheer than I hoped, but I still got a decent application with three coats.

I purchased Loyal Lavendar at Walgreens last Fall. It was on sale so I don't remember the price and I'm not sure if this shade is still available :(

Deborah Lippmann La Vie en Rose is a gorgeous white-ish pink, with pink and gold shimmer. The formula is very sheer, making the shimmer stand out from the base. This is a very work appropriate polish, but it's not at all boring! I used three coats here.

The shimmer is most visible in this photo, but it's still more obvious in person.

La Vie en Rose is now officially the most expensive nail polish I own. I purchased it at Nordstrom for $18. I really didn't want to spend that much, but after I swatched a little on my nail at the store, I couldn't stop thinking about it. It's limited edition and I just knew I'd regret it if I didn't have it.


What do you think of the shades? What polishes are you wearing that are Spring-worthy? Let me know in the comments!

Stripes Snippet

Like my post from yesterday, today's mani is another one I dug out of my draft folder. You can tell my nails are even shorter here. I'm hoping that I will get things more organized soon so I can spend the time I want writing and editing. Until then, something is better than nothing, right?

What I used:
OPI My Vampire is Buff- cream base color
Sephora by OPI Domestic Goddess- purple
Zoya Bevin- sage green
Barielle Banana Drop- yellow
Sally Hansen Inst-Dri Snappy Sorbet- orange
Seche Vite top coat
striping tape

Hope you all enjoyed! Have a fabulous weekend!

Puzzle Piece Nails Autism Awareness Day

I think puzzle piece nails look so cool, I'm glad finally tried them! As many of you know the puzzle piece is a symbol used by various autism organizations. Since today is Autism Awareness Day, I figured it was a perfect time for it. 

I always feel like my manicure was a success when my two-year-old recognizes the design without any assistance. :)

I always forget how bubbly my manis get when I use Sally Hansen Insta-Dri. I would be annoyed, but it's really not noticeable in person.

What I used:
Barielle Banana Drop- yellow
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Brisk Blue- medium blue
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Blue-Away- baby blue
Sephora by OPI What's a Tire Jack?- black

What do you think? Have you tried this look before?

Blue Zebra and Leopard Animal Print

I had a day at the zoo and wanted to my manicure to blend in, so I have a zebra and leopard design for you. Lately I have been in a very "blue" mood. You know, blue as in the color, not in a sad way. Yesterday I bought a blue shirt, skirt, and even blue eye shadow. Blue is my favorite color, but I think because I've been trying to embrace other colors, I went into withdrawal or something.

To create the manicure I first applied two coats of OPI I Don't Give a Rotterdam, one of my very favoritist polishes. Then I painted on the zebra stripes with my long striping brush. Next I added some small bright blue blobs. Then used my dotting tool to finish the leopard pattern. Lastly I finished with some top coat. Darn top coat made my stripes smear. Curses.

What I used:
OPI I Don't Give a Rotterdam- base color
Zoya Sailor- navy
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Blue-Away- bright blue
Seche Vite top coat

I just received my Seche Restore in the mail today (I don't know where to get it locally, they didn't have any at Sally Beauty)! My Seche Vite bottle always gets thick after just a few weeks of use. The Seche Restore is supposed to add the ingredients that have evaporated from the bottle back in and return it to its original state. I bought mine from Amazon. I'm going to try it out tonight. I'll let you know how it goes!

My Favorite Polishes Right Now for Winter

A few months ago I made a post of polishes I was wearing in Autumn. I thought now would be a good time to do a post for ones that I'm enjoying this season. Today was actually unusually warm (64 degrees!), so it's about time I get this posted before Winter is over! Believe you me, I am not at ALL sad to see Winter fade away. I will, however, miss wearing my best Winter-appropriate polishes.


Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Quick Jeanius

2 coats, plus top coat. This is the same base polish that I used on a stamping post a couple weeks ago. It's so rich and deep and glowy. The brush is bulky, but the polish still applied well. I think it was on sale at Target for about $4?

OPI Every Month is Octoberfest

2 coats, plus top coat. I reeeally thought this would photograph better! Boo. It's such a beautiful polish, I didn't do it justice. Just trust me, if you don't own this polish or one very similar, you should. Oh, I also wanted to point out that I didn't touch up my polish after application. Yes, I painted it that perfectly. Sometimes you have to be proud of your small accomplishments because there's not always going to be big ones. This retails for $9.50.

a england Saint George

2 coats, plus top coat. Ooo, isn't it gorgeous?! I feel like the base of the shade is emerald, but the beautiful holographic shimmer makes it lean more teal. I love this brand. The polishes are all so beautiful and they apply like butter. If only I had more monies so I could buy them all! I purchased mine from Ninja Polish for $10.

 Wet n Wild Fergie Ferguson Crest Syrah

2 coats, plus top coat. Again, the photos aren't doing proper justice. This polish has such a beautiful glow that isn't as visible in the photos. This is such a pretty polish for such a small price. I purchased it at Walgreens for a couple bucks I think.

 Sephora by OPI Son of a Gun

3 coats, plus top coat. This is a really sheer polish so I needed 3 coats and maybe 4 would have been better for photos. I love how this shade is so unique. It's a gunmetal gray, with a green tint, mixed with a blue tint. The complexity makes it so pretty. The whole Sephora by OPI brand is discontinued so I'm sad that I only have a mini bottle of it. Maybe I can unearth one at Big Lots if I'm lucky.

Are these the kind of shades you have been wearing lately? What is your Winter go-to?
Well Winter, it's been real. Now I'm ready for SPRIIIIIIINNG!!!! (picture me singing out that last part like Gene Kelly in "Singing in the Rain".)