33 Day Challenge Day 22: Three Color Gradient + Pattern

I had taken a little break from the 33DC, so I have some catching up to do. I'm not sure what my method will be in making up for all the late posts. Today I decided to do Day 22, and we'll see where it goes from there! 

This is a three color gradient, it's just a little hard to tell, I know. I have a thing for very subtle gradients ;).  

This gray/silver gradient reminds me of something by H.R. Giger. Maybe I should have done some kind of alien pattern with it.

I started with a dark gray base color. Then I made the gradient with three colors of loose pigment eye shadows. I used the same brand of eye shadows and method as this post and this other post.

What I used:
Sephora by OPI Break a Leg-Warmer- dark gray base color
OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls- white
DRK-A Large Stamping plate 
NS Minerals Eyeshadow

33 Day Challenge Day 23: Geometric

You may or may have not noticed that I've been shirking my 33 Day Challenge posts. I assure you that I haven't abandoned it completely. I just needed a break and wanted to do my giveaway, Halloween nails, birthday, etc. I would like to complete the ones I missed, but I'm not guaranteeing it. So to get back in the game I am joining in on today's current prompt- geometric.

You can see the diamonds sparkle a little better when it's slightly out of focus.

They say diamonds are a girl's best friend, but I don't know about that. I mean, I couldn't say because I don't have any. Chocolate, on the other, I'm sure about. Sorry to my human best friend, but chocolate is always by my side.

What I used:
Wet n' Wild Fergie Blue Eyed Soul- blue
OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls- white
Sephora by OPI Meet Me at the Disco- holo glitter
Seche Vite top coat

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure All Fired Up and Midnight Glitz

A few weeks back I found a BOGO coupon for Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes. I was happy to find All Fired Up because I had been looking for that exact shade. Then I picked up Midnight Glitz because I loved the variety of glitters in the bottle. Ever since, I've been wanting to pair them up. Turns out they're not exactly a natural fit. But when I added a black polish under the glitter, it really made all the colors pop!

I applied two coats of All Fired Up, followed with top coat, and let it dry completely. I then placed pieces of striping tape, two side to side, lengthwise down each nail. I then cut Scotch tape into triangles and placed that on each tip. One nail at a time I applied one coat of black polish, globbed on Midnight Glitz, and carefully removed the tape. I let it dry for awhile before I finished with top coat.

If I could ever get my nails long enough, All Fired Up would be a perfect shade for Louboutin nails.

What I used:
Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure All Fired Up- red
Sephora by OPI What's a Tire Jack?- black
Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Midnight Glitz- glitter topper
Seche Vite top coat

I love these colors together and will probably do another manicure or two with them together! What do you think? These nails make me want to pull out my leather jacket and swipe on some bright red lips.

Pink Gradient and Holo Glitter Ruffian

I did this manicure back in October. I've been on the fence about whether or not I wanted to post it. I loooved wearing these nails. They were so girly! I am a sucker for gradients, and the glitter was so pretty to stare at. So I was disappointed that my photos didn't come out as well as it looked in person. I am finally just going to post it because no one but me even knows the difference!

I did the same gradient as the one in my Save the Ta Tas mani. I sponged the three polishes on each nail. Then I applied top coat to smooth it all out. For the ruffian look, I applied the glitter on the nail leaving a little gap between the cuticle, and bottom half of the sides. It was finished off with another application of top coat.

What I used:
Sephora by OPI What Aura Gonna Wear?- deep hot pink
Clinique Pinkini- bubble gum pink
Jenna Hipp Damage Control- pastel pink
Sephora by OPI Meet Me at the Disco- holo glitter
Seche Vite top coat


Are you into girly manicures? I'm not a super girly-girl, but pink does usually look good on me.

Special Edition: Happy Birthday to Me!

It's my birthday today! Yay! I had to celebrate with festive birthday nails, and of course, share them with you! I may just have to wear this manicure for the rest of the week, I love it so much.

 They say it's your birthday (da na na na na na na), it's my birthday too, yeah! They say it's your birthday (da na na na na na na), we're gonna have a good time!

I have eleven candles on each hand, making 22 in total. What? You think I'm older than 22? (Don't tell anyone, but it's actually a milestone birthday for me!) Just kidding, I'm not shy about my birthdays, and don't think I ever will be. I like the attention and presents too much!

Since this post is all about me, I thought I'd make it a little more personal. Here are some things you might not know about me:

• I just celebrated my ten year anniversary this summer (I wrote a post for the occasion).
• I have two children.
• I am a cat lover but can't own a cat. :(
• I can palm a woman's basketball.
• I studied American Sign Language in college.
• I LOVE reading. I'm struggling with balancing between reading and doing my nails.
• Another hobby I'm passionate about is pen palling. I've also been seriously neglecting my correspondence since beginning this blog. I need to work on that.
• I'm older than 22. 

I made the candles by painting two stripes of color on each nail, except for my thumb where I did three. I let the colors dry completely, then masked off the areas using striping tape. I painted the whole nail, one at a time, with DS OPI Mystery. Isn't it gorgeous? I promptly removed the tape, carefully trying to avoid smudging. Then I added the flames using Barielle Banana Drop with my pointy dotting tool.

My kids had fun "blowing out" my candles. :)

I did write out all the colors I used for the candles, but decided the list was too obnoxious and confusing. So just let me know if you want to know what I used.

Thanks to everyone for visiting my blog! I truly enjoy working on it, and it warms the cockles of my heart to know that it also brings joy to others. 

Autumn Leaves Skittle Nails

Once again I am loving the colors of the season. Today's nails are a reflection of what it looks like outside my back door. I did some skittle nails in ombre fashion to showcase all of the colors in the leaves. Then I added some abstract leaves to display many of the shapes too. I say abstract because my son won't believe that the one on my pinky isn't a banana. I admit he has a point.

I am soaking up the beauty of the vibrant leaves while I can, before it all turns ugly and bare. Or even worse, blanketed in snow. Don't get me wrong, I do like snow. But it has its place. It belongs in the mountains, where I can gaze upon its beauty from a distance. Not where I have to drive in it or have it ruin my shoes.

The color on my middle finger I got from mixing together Sephora by OPI Paisley Attention to Me(the color on my ring finger) with some black polish. All the leaves were drawn on with my It's So Easy Stripe Rite polish.

What I used:
OPI Lost On Lombard- brick red
OPI Wooden Shoe Like to Know- brown
Sephora by OPI Paisley Attention to Me- orange
Sephora by OPI Yellow My Name is Betsey- yellow
It's So Easy Stripe Rite in black
Seche Vite top coat


What do the colors look like where you live? Maybe when the snow comes it will inspire pretty manicures, and that will make it worth it. It's doubtful, but I can still hope.

Tomorrow I will be bringing you a Special Edition post, so stay tuned! 

My Favorite Polishes Right Now For Autumn

Right now I am really digging polishes that scream to me, "Autumn appropriate!". Ever since this season changed I've been so excited to put these on. These last few weeks have been so beautiful with the crisp cool air, drinking hot chocolate, watching the leaves fall...and staring at my gorgeous nail polish. Instead of keeping them all to myself, I thought I'd share some with you. So let's get right to it.

OPI I Knead Sour-Dough 

This color is warm and snuggly like a sweater. It is reminiscent of two of my favorite polishes, OPI Wooden Shoe Like to Know and Sephora by OPI Metro Too Chic. They all are soft warm browns with pretty microshimmer.

2 coats, plus top coat. I got the hook-up and purchased this from SalonCentric for $4.50

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri No S-pear Time

This one might be a bit of a surprise if you know that I'm not a big fan of the color green. This green though, it so different than the few I have, and I couldn't pass it up. It also looks much better on than in the bottle!

1 coat, plus top coat. Purchased from Target, on sale for a little over $3.

China Glaze Goldie But Goodie

I really love this one! It's a gold foil, but with really warm copper/bronze tones. It's perfect for a party, but still everyday wearable too.

2 coats, no noticeable different from one coat, plus top coat. Purchased at Sally Beauty Supply. I think I got this as a BOGO, but retails for $6.79, or less with your Sally Beauty card.

Zoya Pepper

Ooo, this is so lovely. I've mentioned before that I love a classic red manicure. I love this brick red that coordinates with the muted shades I'm wearing in my clothing so well.

2 coats, plus top coat. Purchased at Ulta for $8(?).

OPI Sprung

This polish was part of OPI's spring collection, strangley enough. I think they came up with the color and loved it so much, they couldn't wait until the fall line came out to release it!

3 coats, plus top coat. Purchased from from SalonCentric for $4.50

So what do you think? What have you been wearing this season? What is your go-to shade?