Let it Snow

This is the last mani I did right before vacation, please ignore the super-dry hands!

Base pink is Essie Figi, accent base is Essence Grey-t to be here. Stamped with Zoya Kimber and Carly.

Pink 'N' Green

Here is one from a few weeks ago that I haven't had a chance to post yet.  I know I have had long periods of nothingness on here for a while, but I assure you I am still around.  Things always get busier this time of year both in work and in "life".  The hubs and I are planning a vacation starting this Friday though and I'm hoping to be back after that with lots of new goodies to share and hopefully a bit more of a relaxed pace.  Bear with me guys!

Pink and Gray

Sorry for the long absence again guys, work has been insane!  This mani is one I did back when the challenge first started for today's theme and like an idiot I forgot to write down what I used.  The base color is Zoya Kelly and the accent nail is Whimsical Ideas by Pam Eloise but I can't remember which pink I used!  

DIY Pumpkin Decal

Today's challenge post is to follow a tutorial.  I have been wanting to try the stamp method for creating decals for some time as seen here on Messy Mansion.  I used Cult Joshua Tree for the base color with Deborah Lippmann Diamonds and Pearls over the top.

 For the decal I used Bundle Monster plate BM-H11 and black for the outline then infilled with essence Wake Up! and L'Oreal Safari Chic

 Then I messed it all up with the topcoat! I should know better, but I used a topcoat from Ulta and as you can see, it smeared the design everywhere!  Well, at least I know better now!.

33 Day Challenge- Day 18 - 2 Patterns

For today's theme, I did a "double accent nail".  My middle and ring fingers started with a base of Zoya Kristen, then I added some striping tape and painted on Sally Hansen Black Heart and a topcoat.  For all the rest, I used a base of Essie Raise Awareness and once dry stamped with Black Heart and Pueen plate 26.

Brand Love

Today's theme for the challenge is "artwork featuring your favorite brand".  I hadn't really thought much about which brand might be my favorite, there are so many to love!  That being said, as I have stated before, I love the formula of the Zoya creme finishes especially.  So I decided to go with Zoya (though not purely creme's) for today's mani.

The base color is Purity, accent colors are Max, Kimber, and Belle

Be sure and check out what everyone else has done, they are a talented group!

Absolutely Peacock

Today's challenge theme is "animals".  My most popular pin on Pinterest thus far has been my giraffe nails from my first ever challenge.  I seriously considered doing something similar for this one with a different colors but decided I wanted to do something different and finally settled on a peacock theme.  I started with a base of China Glaze Aqua Baby then layered on OPI Absolutely Alice then topped it with a coat of Seche to help it dry a bit faster.  Once dry, I stamped the peacock image from the original Bundle Monster BM15 plate using Salon Perfect Liquid Gold on my middle finger and used one of the images from the BM-212 plate for all the other fingers.  Then I went back with Zoya Carly and Meg and a dotting tool to add accents to the middle of the main design and the tail feathers on the peacock and topped with a final coat of Seche.

I am so in love with how this turned out!!  Definitely my favorite in this challenge so far and possibly my favorite of all time. 

Abstract Nails

Day 14 of the 33 Day Challenge!  You really can't go wrong with abstract nails, even if it doesn't turn out quite right...it's abstract so who is going to know?  One of the most forgiving styles in my opinion.  There are many ways to achieve an abstract manicure, I chose an acid wash.  I have done only one in the past and loved the way it turned out, you can check it out here.  This time, I started with a base of Julep Ingrid, a beautiful harvest orange, then layered on Julep Charlotte, a dusky purple shade, and topped it all with Sally Hansen Black Heart.  After a few minutes of dry time, I took a brush dipped in acetone and went to work "erasing" spots.  When I was satisfied with how it looked I added a topcoat (this time one by OPI)  It's a very fun style and I love how this one turned out as well.

Dragons and Such

Today's theme for the 33 Day Challenge is "Chinese".  I had a couple of ideas for this one but the thought of the luscious red and gold won out.  For this mani, I used my new Bundle Monster Holiday plates (BM-H15)

Zoya Rekha and TomokoStamp color: Salon Perfect Liquid Gold

Inspired by...a pillow?

Today's theme for the 33 Day Challenge is "a pattern in your home".  I had done something like this before with my trashcan nails, so it wasn't much of a stretch to do it again; this time with throw pillows.  I wasn't able to exactly match all the colors (8!) but I'm still pleased with the results.

First off, here is the pillow.

And the results!

Colors used are: OPI My Vampire is Buff

Essie Mochacino 

China Glaze Mahogany Magic and Desert Sun

Butter London Lady Muck

Julep Susie

Zoya Dree

Sally Hansen  Black heart

33 Day Challenge Day 11 - 3D

This is a super simple look that is bot classy and a bit sassy at the same time.  I used Zoya Kelly for the base, you all know I LOVE the formula of the Zoya creme finishes and this is a gorgeous pewter gray shade. I added a topcoat and while it was still wet added various sizes of rhinestones in pinks, purples and clear.  I love the way this turned out!  So many other color options for a similar style and I may revisit this idea in the future.

33 Day Challenge - Day 10: Flowers

Super simple design, crazy busy weekend so I'm going to let the pictures do the talking!

OPI Live and Let Die
Flower charm from Born Pretty Store

33 Day Challenge - Day 8 - Chevrons

So I know I have missed a couple of days, work has been crazy again.  I plan to go back and make those days up at some point, just not sure when!  I did manage to get today's done (albeit late in the evening).  Posting quick and headed to bed!

Essie Bahama Mama and Sonia Kashuk Blank Slate

33 Day Challenge: Day 5 - Mexican

I have wracked my brain trying to come up with something unique for today's theme.  I attempted several different designs and wasn't really "in love with" any of them.  A while back I purchased some water decal paper and decided I would try my hand at making my own decals.  Some themes give me lots of ideas, others not so many.  The one that kept coming back to me for this one was Corona... so today, I give you my very first attempt at my own decals with Milani White on the Spot as a base.

33 Day Challenge Day 4: Tribal Nails

Tribal nails are something I haven't attempted in the past, so I was a bit nervous about this one.  I opted for just an accent nail but I'm pleased with how it turned out.

Essie: Cute as a Button
China Glaze Aqua Baby
L'Oreal The Perfect Trench
Ulta Celebutante
Sally Hansen Black Heart

Better Late Than Never?

This has once again been a crazy week! I didn't get my Friday mani posted but I did complete it so thought I would go ahead and post it now.

I started with Zoya Lael on my index, middle, and pinky fingers and L'Oreal Rainy Piccadilly on my ring finger.  Once dry, I used striping tape to created lines and applied a coat of Manglaze Fuggen Ugly.

Decisions, Decisions

Today's theme for the 33 day Challenge is "most used color"...that should be easy, right?  Well...I'm sort of ashamed to admit that because I have so many choices, I rarely wear the same color.  I use a lot of black and white for nail art and such but other than that, I have too many choices!!

That said, my "go to" color for now is Zoya Stacy.  This color is beautiful and sort of "classic" without being over the top.  I sort my stash by color and this is one I have a hard time deciding where it belongs.  Sure, it looks like a red...but in some lights it looks purple; Zoya describes it as "A dark raspberry creme with purple and wine or oxblood undertones. A lighter take on a vintage vampy shade". 

Then I cheated a bit and added Julep Oscar to the tips and topped it with Seche.

Let the Challenge Begin! #33DC

The time is finally upon us for the 2013 Crumpet's Nail Tarts 33 Day Challenge!  I am excited about getting back into the swing of things but also a bit apprehensive, hoping I can keep up!  I always love seeing what everyone else comes up with for the themes as well, that is half the fun.  Please don't forget to check out the links below and see what the other participants come up with!  As always, don't hesitate to leave feedback or ask questions!
 Now on to the nails....
Today's theme is Dots.

I had an image in my head of how this would turn out and while it isn't exactly as I had planned, I was satisfied with it nonetheless.  I hoped the two tone dots would "swirl" a bit more (sort of like the middle on the yellow/green finger) but it didn't exactly turn out that way.
I started with a base of Milani White on the Spot, then moved on to the colors.  On my work space, I dropped a drop of Zoya America and Sinful Colors Big Daddy next to each other (touching) and started with one shade, then the other, then dipped my dotting tool in the middle where the two colors met for the middle dots.  on my middle finger is Julep Catrina and China Glaze Starboard, ring finger is Nails Inc Baker Street and OPI Roadhouse Blues.  On my pinkie I had intended to just use a "violet" shade but Zoya Pinta ended up looking almost black so I went back over with dots of L'Oreal Paparazzi Pleaser a bit offset of the others then topped it all off with a coat of Seche.

A Different Kind of Swatch and Compare

Last week at Target I stumbled on the new Maybeline Color Show Vintage Leather colors and thought they looked interesting so I picked one up in Vintage Violet.  I swatched it without base or topcoat with Nails Inc Leather Effect in noho on my ring finger to compare.  Mind you, nothing about the display made me believe they would be textured as well as matte finish but I just wanted to compare the two.

The color is much darker on the nail that I expected it to be.  You can see in the bottle that there are some flakies in there but they don't show up much on the nail either.  I wanted to see what it would look like shiny so I added topcoat to my pinkie finger in the pics below.

What do you guys think?  Is this a polish you would pick up?  Shiny or matte?

Where the Heck have you BEEN?

Ok, I'm sure some of you are wondering what the heck has been going on with this blog (since some of you have e-mailed me); so here is the scoop.  As you know, I started a new job back in April working a different shift for a different company.  I am now working in the field of home health which I love....but, I haven't had time for ANYTHING else!  There have been some ups and downs at work but just to give you an idea on my last check I worked 103 hours...in 2 weeks.  Previously I was working only 72 so this has been quite the transition for me; a bit more than I expected.  I expected there to be a learning curve; what I didn't expect was all the work I do "after work" finishing up things from the day.  Most of the time after I get home, find something to eat and get a shower; then finish up paper work, I'm exhausted and head to bed!  I'm not generally one to complain, in fact part of why I changed jobs is because I was "bored" where I was, that kind of came back and slapped me in the face so to speak.  Why am I telling you all this?  Well, I finally decided this week that, even though I like my job, I need to step back and make some time for me. I actually enjoy painting my nails, coming up with new ideas and participating in challenges.  So, that being said, I'm going to do my best to build back up to posting at least a few days a week.  Some weeks will be better than others I'm sure but at least maybe I can do better than I have been lately.  I'm really looking forward to the Crumpet's Nail Tarts 33 Day Challenge starting up here in a couple of weeks!  I assure you that my stash has continued to grow even in my "absence". :)  Thanks for bearing with me and checking up on me, stay tuned for new stuff!

Here is a simple swatch to get us started, Essie Fear or Desire

Happy Independence Day!

Finally have something new to post! Starting to ease into the job a bit more now so hope to be able to pick back up a regular posting schedule soon!  Hope all my U.S. readers have a safe and happy holiday!

Tropical Nails

My nails have suffered as of late as a result of changing jobs which completely altered my schedule (in a good way though!)  Loving the new job, still getting used to the schedule!  Anyway, quick post with some nails from a couple weeks back, hope to get back on track again soon!

Ivory and Coral

I have been in love with this stamp image for some time but really haven't used it much for whatever reason.  I got the idea in my head to try a mani with an ivory and coral color scheme.  I have been looking for the perfect ivory shade for a while, not too brown, not too white, just the right mix.  I think I finally found it in OPI's My Vampire is Buff.  This is actually the first time I had tried the polish and I LOVE it!  No formula issues, it isn't sreaky, two coats to perfection....
Anyway, then I chose the scroll design from the  Bundle Monster BM-314  plate and stamped using Finger Paints Gimme Some Sugar.  I am in love with this color combo and will likely pair these two again in the future!

Dandelions and Roses

Due to my ever-growing pile of yet-to-be-swatched polish, I'm trying not to buy as much lately as I used to. Meaning, I'm trying not to buy an entire collection as soon as it hits the shelves...so far so good...
With the China Glaze Avant Garden collection, there weren't many that spoke to me.  I have been really drawn to white and nude colors lately, so Dandy Lyin' Around ended up being the only one I bought (at least so far).  Formula wise, this one was a little tough for me to work with, I ended up needing three coats and still had some patchy areas. I still love the delicate white shimmer of this polish though...

  Then I added roses from the BM-323 plate and Zoya Lara.  It ended up being perfectly girly and sweet!

OPI What Wizardry Is This Swatch and Review

When the new Oz collection came out, What Wizardry Is This? was really the only one that "spoke" to me.  I loved some of the early swatches I saw and couldn't wait to get my hands on this one.  It didn't disappoint!  The hardest part for me is letting it get fully dry, I'm so addicted to Seche because it dries fast and I can get on with whatever I'm doing that not using it is tough for me sometimes.  It does take it longer than the "average" polish to dry, I assume because of the texture.  I was really skeptical of the texture, not sure my OCD could handle for my nails not to be smooth, but I actually like it.