Am I back??

I realize it has been nearly 5 years since I last posted here and it is very possible that no one will see this or care but I felt like writing it anyway.  I spent years on this blog and it was an escape for me.  It was something to participate in from the comfort of my home, any time night or day.  I made friends, I had a small following and I enjoyed it...so why did I suddenly disappear?

I am not completely sure why I stopped when I did exactly but I can tell you a LOT has happened since that time.  If this is your first time here let me catch you up just a little by saying I am a nurse.  That in and of itself is a stressful thing.  In early 2015 I was married and working in a home health job that was taking up a LOT of time and causing me a lot of stress.  By August I had started a new job that I loved in a call center but that required me to drive over an hour to work each way.  There was a lot going on in my life personally for quite some time and somewhere along the way I just decided I was no longer happy so, I left in early 2016.  I moved back in with my dad (not where I wanted to be in my mid-30's) until I found a place of my own.

Going through a divorce took a toll on my relationship with my family which was also difficult.  During that time, I managed find my own place, keep the same job I started, and started dating again (what a series of stories this was!) and eventually met a great guy and got married again faster than really anyone thought I should.

A few months later a new job opportunity came as a director in an assisted living facility in the same city I was already working in.  I was struggling with the schedule I was working along with some other very minor issues so since this was an advancement for me, I took it.  This began the year from HELL.  I tried, I really tried to make it work but the environment was so toxic and the turnover was unlike anything I had ever seen even at the upper levels of the organization.  I promised myself I would make it for a year because I was never one to hop from job to job.  I had stayed in touch with some of the managers from the call center job I worked and even though I knew historically they did not hire people back once they left, regardless of the reason, I reached out anyway and was told there was a position if I wanted it, but I would have to start back at the bottom.

I barely made it through that year but I did and was able to go back to the job I had loved with the same team that had always been so positive and supportive of one another.  It was an adjustment because going from a director level back to an entry level position of course meant a pay cut but it was worth it for my sanity.  Now, just over a year later, I am still with the same company, same team and am now a supervisor and still loving it.  When it comes to nursing, finding a team that is positive and supportive, doesn't back stab or gossip about each other is nearly unheard of.

These past five years has brought a lot of ups and downs and painting my nails and blogging about it was the last thing on my mind.  I have started painting my nails again occasionally but nothing like what I was doing before and I'm not sure I will ever get back to that.  I am still active on Pinterest and still love following the nail art community.  Will I be back to posting new content every day? Not super likely but you never know.  If there is still anyone who wants to see it, leave me a comment and let me know you are still out there!

Patriotic Nails

I know, I know, I'm a day late!  I was on Pinterest last week looking for some inspiration for my toes and found this pin which I had seen before but somehow hadn't pinned.  At any rate, I used the inspiration for my toes.  I did some much simpler designs for my nails through the week and decided to match the toes for the weekend.  I really wanted to find the source of the image and give proper credit but even an image search was not helpful.  So just know these are not my original design and if you know who I should give credit to, let me know in the comments!

For these I used Sally Hansen Pacific Blue (original), OPI Over and Over A-Gwen, and Zoya Snow White.  The anchor is one of my own vinyl decals made smaller to fit the design and all topped with 

Glisten & Glow HK Girl topcoat.  These were really quite easy to do, so much so that I may use the design and use other colors...I'm thinking mint and navy with pale gray....

Giveaway Winners!

I am feeling rather generous this weekend (three day weekend, how could I not?!) so I decided to choose three winners rather than just one!  They have been contacted via email, I will give each a couple of days to respond, if I don't hear from someone, I will choose another winner in their place.  Thank you all for your entries and support and congrats to the winners!

*Note: Winners were chosen via random.org and will be posted in the original post once they have all responded. :)

Custom Monogram Nails - with GIVEAWAY!!

If you follow me on Facebook you know I have had a new project in the works for a while. It has taken me a bit longer to get up and running than I initially planned but I am pleased to let you all know I have opened my own Etsy shop selling custom nail vinyls!  I am starting out with a few listings and will be adding more as time goes on so be sure to check in regularly and see what I have to offer!
I wanted to start with my favorites, the custom monograms.  For these, I started out using some of my single skinny chevrons

Then went back and added the monograms.  These are available in a variety of colors, shown here in mint.

To celebrate the grand opening of my store, I will be hosting a giveaway here on my blog as well as on some others down the line.  Check out the details below for how to enter, good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Looking Brighter

Sorry I've been gone for a while guys, just sort of lost my way for a while.  Life was getting complicated and some adjustments had to be made but it seems to be looking brighter now.  I've been able to get back into the swing of things and hopefully will be able to post regularly again which I am excited about!  For today I have a bright look featuring China Glaze Flying Dragon and Aqua Baby. I love the way these two look together!

Added blue tips and matte topcoat.  Which look is your favorite?

Zoya Tiana Swatch and Review

Tiana is from the new Spring collection by Zoya, Delight.  I restrained myself this time and didn't order the entire collection, though I may end up with the remaining 3 when all is said and done. Tiana is a gorgeous minty green cream shade perfect for a subtle nod to St. Patrick's Day without going all out or adding any art.  Simple, crisp and screams of spring!  Two simple coats, topped with HK Girl as usual.

St. Paddy's Day Dotticure

Kind of in love with how this one turned out.  This wasn't exactly what I had in my head when jotting down ideas but once I started this is what happened and I am pleased with the result. Base is Zoya Snow White with dots in Starbord from China Glaze and Zoya Jancyn.  These dotting tools are a great way to get starting with dotticures!

**This post contains affiliate links, this means if you order through these links, I may receive a portion of the sale at no additional cost to you. 

St. Patrick's Day French Manicure

Keeping with the St. Patrick's Day theme I wanted to do something quick and simple that anyone could do.  First up is a simple swatch of Zoya Shawn, a gorgeous olive green cream shade. This color does have a bit of a yellow undertone and was really hard to get the color right, second is more color accurate.

Next I used some tape to make a straight line across the top of each nail and painted the tips gold using Ziv also by Zoya, followed by Glisten and Glow H K Girl topcoat (seriously the BEST).

Zoya Veruschka for St. Patrick's Day

Ok folks, I have finally made some changes in my life that will (hopefully) let me get back to blogging.  I have a bunch of "untrieds" that need swatching but also a lot of ideas for nail art especially related to St. Patrick's Day, so that's what I'm going with first.  Some may (likely will) include polish that I haven't tried before and while they may not be "new" they have been sitting on my desk for some time just waiting..
First up is Zoya Veruschka used in this mani along with Snow White and Shawn, Bundle Monster holiday plate BM-H05 used for this look then I added NYC matte topcoat to the accent nail to give it a matte finish as well.  I must say, Veruschka went on very well, two easy coats, and dried fairly quickly and of course the color is gorgeous.

The Curse of a CRAZY Schedule

I know I have been insanely quiet here lately, I'm sorry about that.  I really miss blogging, hell, I miss having the time to actually paint my nails on a regular basis!  My job is really taking it out of me right now and I'm not sure I can take it much longer.  I like the job, enjoy the patients (for those of you who are new here, I'm a home health nurse) but the paperwork and the driving is killing me.  I am on the lookout for something new/different, but I tend to be a little picky when it comes to jobs so we shall see.  In the mean time, I will try to post some more stuff here, maybe just pics without as much writing.  Also, be sure and follow me on instagram if you don't already, sometimes I post things there that don't make it here.

31 Day Challenge Day 10 - Gradient

Today's theme for the challenge is gradient nails.  Seems like white has been a trend in most looks this week and today is no exception.  This look started with a base of Zoya Purity then I created the gradient look with Zoya Jolene.

I've also been dying to try Lemonade Lemonade from Sassy Cats Lacquer since I got it a few weeks ago and this look was perfect for it.  This is one very easy "dab and place" coat topped with HK Girl topcoat as usual. 

31 Day Challenge Day 9 - Rainbow

Way too many colors to list on this one!  My orange is indistinguishable from the red I used but other than that I'm pleased with how this one turned out.

31 Day Challenge - Day 6

If you follow me on Instagram you know that I'm trying to participate in another 31 Day Challenge.  Work has been absolutely crazy lately leaving me with little time for much of anything but I'm trying to get back to taking care of myself and doing some of the things I love.  Today's theme is "violet".
Base is Zoya Purity on index, middle and pinky fingers.  Then I added stripping tape to make a chevron look and topped with Zoya Mira.  On my thumb and ring finger is a base of Mira topped with Brilliance by Sassy Cats Lacquer and my beloved HK Girl topcoat.

Watermarble Wednesday: Navy, Yellow, and White

This weeks watermarble sort of happened by accident (well, the color combo anyway).  I had several colors sitting out on my table working on other design ideas and these sort of migrated together and I knew I had to try a marble with them.  It didn't turn out as "crisp" as I would like, but I still love the colors.

Zoya Sailor and Purity, Julep Catrina

Leave me a comment below with combos you would like to see used for next weeks watermarble!

Simple Stripes

This is a super simple mani, but I LOVE the way it turned out!  Super girly looking!  I started with two coats of Zoya Lara and waited until it was completely dry.  Then I added a single piece of striping tape across the tip of each nail and two on the thumbnail and painted over it with one coat of Zoya Auora, removed the tape and added a topcoat (HK Girl from Glisten and Glow is my current favorite!).

I did a look similar to this a back in March 2013 with Zoya Storm and Orly Miss Conduct but added stamping.  If you are interested in that look, you can find it here

Water marble Wednesday

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I have been doing a lot of water marble looks lately.  This one was created using just two colors, Zoya Purity and Jancyn.  Looks a bit like a creamsicle, don't ya think?

If you have suggestions for future water marble colors or other looks you would like to see, leave me a comment below!

Zoya Blu Swatch and Review

This is not a new polish to me but for some reason I don't think I have reviewed it on here.  If you are looking for a pastel, baby blue polish, you NEED this one!  The color is beautiful but the formula is perfection!  Not at all streaky, unusual in and of itself for a pastel shade, but this one is seriously perfect. Two coats and it is perfectly opaque and simply gorgeous.  I always get compliments when I wear this shade.

Coral and Silver

Here are just two of the beauties I picked up from the Zoya Earth Day sale, Maya is a gorgeous coral shade, this one is pretty sheer, three coats for it to be opaque but so worth it!  I have worn this shade at least 3 times since I got it and it is currently on my toes as well!  I used one of the new Magical Pixie Dust polishes in Cosmo for the accent nails (two thin coats).  This is a bit more textured than the regular Pixie Dust finish with larger pieces of glitter but oh so gorgeous, especially in the sun!

Don't Be a Flake!

I picked up a couple of the new China Glaze polishes at Sally's the other day and couldn't wait to play!  Here is the look I came up with for Don't Be A Flake.

Other colors used, OPI My Vampire is Buff, Nicole by OPI It Starts with Me, Essie In the cab-ana, Julep Princess Grace and Sally Hansen Black Heart.  All topped with Glisten & Glow HK Girl topcoat.

If you don't already, be sure and follow me on Instagram, sometimes I post mani pics there that don't make it to the blog for whatever reason!

Easter Nails Inspired by The Little Canvas

Today's post is my attempt at following a tutorial put together by Alaina over at The Little Canvas.  I used different colors, specifically China Glaze Sweet Hook, Dance Baby, Electric Beat, Papaya Punch, and Lemon Fizz.  Zoya Purity for the white and Sally Hansen Black Heart for the black and my new favorite topcoat from Glisten and Glow (seriously, if you haven't tried it you MUST!).  For more info on how I created this look, head over to Alaina's tutorial here.