As I am carrier of viral plague once again I am going to post a mani I did a while back but never posted. Don't get me wrong I love my job working with kids but I'm not a big fan of their germs. Anyway disregard nail length as I said this was an older mani that I did and took pictures for but never posted until now. I have another stamping manicure to show you guys. I decided I really like pairing two duo-chrome polishes together and I'm pretty happy with the result. Here it is:
Pictures:
Front view. Indoor no flash.
Tilted back view. Indoor no flash.
Tilted down view. Indoor no flash.
What I Used:
OPI - Just Spotted The Lizard
OPI - Peace & Love & OPI
Stamping plate: Mash-49
I used 3 coats of Peace & Love & OPI then stamped Just Spotted The Lizard over top. I really like the effect. A subtle duo pattern, that screams fall. Do you guys like it? I also tried a different clean up technique where I used a brush around the cuticles (Hence the tiny bit of exposed nail bed near the cuticle). What do you guys think of this nail polish clean up approach? I can't decide if I like it or not. I keep looking down and going "Ahh! Naked Nail!" Thoughts? Anyway that's all I have for you today. Until next time stay classy and stay polished.
XOXO
Today, I have another Halloween manicure to show you guys. To be more specific I have a Gravestone manicure to show you. Pretty basic but one I haven't done yet so here it is:
Pictures:
Indoor no flash.
Indoor no flash.
Indoor with flash.
Indoor with flash.
What I Used:
Zoya - Storm
China Glaze - Concrete Catwalk
China Glaze - Recycle
China Glaze - Matte Magic
Essie - Cashmere Bathrobe
Deborah Lippmann - Defying Gravity
Ceramcoat - Black
For this mani I started with Storm and then free handed the darker edge of the tombstones with Concrete Catwalk then went over top of that to make the face of the tombstone with Recycle. When that was dry I sponged on Cashmere Bathrobe and then decorated the face of the tomb stone with Black acrylic paint. I then used a matte topcoat so it looked like stone. And finished up with Defying Gravity as grass growing around the stone. Over all I rather like how this manicure turned out. What do you guys think? Anyway that's all I have for you today. Until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
XOXO
Today, I have another Halloween manicure to show you guys. I'm calling this one Graveyard at Dusk. I used sponging, stamping, self made decals (Thumb), and loose glitter. I really hope you guys like this one. I'm really digging it.
Pictures:
Indoor no flash.
Indoor with flash.
Thumb Closeup:
Indoor no flash.
What I Used:
China Glaze - Scandalous Shenanigans
China Glaze - Infra Red
China Glaze - Not In This Galaxy
China Glaze - Happy Go Lucky
Konad - Black
Ceramcoat - Black
Silver holographic stars and crescent moons
Stamping:
HD04
To get this look I used a base coat of Not In This Galaxy then sponged on the gradient or Scandalous Shenanigans, Infra Red and Not In This Galaxy. Then stamped on the graves, applied the decal for the thumb, and finally added the loose glitter. Over all I really like how this one turned out. It actually kind of reminds me of the Adams Family...probably because of the big Gothic house next to a grave yard. But I figured every graveyard has a keepers cottage. This one is just a little more grand and Gothic than most. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this manicure. That's all I have for you today. So until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
XOXO
Today, I have a Halloween nail art to show you guys. It's a two hand manicure (I did both hands in different designs) that is based on the horror film The Cabin In The Woods. Which I must say is pretty high on my horror movies I like list. I'm not going to tell you too much about the movie because...well to be honest I don't know what I can say that won't give it away or hint at the ending. Yes it's that good. I mean come on it's co-written by Joss Whedon (and if you don't know why Joss Whedon is awesome then I don't think we can be friends). Anyway here's my The Cabin In The Woods Manicure.
The Trailer:
And if you are a Chris Hemsworth fan (I am not) clearly he's also in it...but you should watch it because hello, Joss.
Left Hand (Matte):
Indoor no flash.
Indoor with flash
Left Hand (Glossy):
Indoor no flash.
Closeups:
All indoor no flash. And yes I do realize how much junk The Whore has in her trunk...and how big her boobs turned out....I really can't explain how it happened I just went with it. #SorryNotSorry
Right Hand:
Indoor no flash.
Designs left to right: Pinkie - Buckner Zombie Hand, Ring - Hadley's Shirt & Tie, Middle - Torture Orb, Index - Deadly Unicorn, and Thumb - Giant Man Eating Cobra.
Indoor with flash.
What I Used:
Left Hand:
China Glaze - Kalahari Kiss
China Glaze - Lemon Fizz
China Glaze - Desert Sun
China Glaze - Foie Gras
China Glaze - Matte Magic (For Matte)
Right Hand:
China Glaze - White On White
China Glaze - Liquid Leather
China Glaze - Near Dark
China Glaze - Immortal
China Glaze - Westside Warrior
China Glaze - Salsa
China Glaze - Gossip of Gimlets
China Glaze - Kalahari Kiss
Nail Art - Black
OPI - Don't Pretzel My Buttons
Konad - White
Essie - Cashmere Bathrobe
Stamping Plates:
Cheeky - CH5 (Design for torture puzzle orb)
HD04 (Zombie Hand)
Mash - M39 (Unicorn)
Fauxnad - M28 (Cobra)
As you can see I used a ton of nail polish for this...and no acrylic paint (that's a first). I started with my left hand painting two coats of Kalahari Kiss then sponging the other listed colors over top, darkest to lightest with a topper or Kalahari Kiss. Then when it was dry I topcoated it and painted the stone drawings on by hand using Foie Gras. For the right hand I painted the pinkie with Liquid Leather, ring finger with White On White, and the remaining fingers with Immortal. I made stamping decals for the snake and the zombie hand. A regular old self made decal for the torture puzzle orb and free handed the Hadley's shirt with black tie. For the right hand I just chose a bunch of images from the film that I rather liked. It was a lot of work. But I really like how it turned out.
I just wish the art on my left hand was as awesome as the preliminary drawings I did. Seriously someone needs to invent a nail polish pen or pencil that works like a real pen or pencil but for your nails and then I will be able to make some wicked nail art. I'm sure not having carpel tunnel would help to though. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this Halloween nail art and if you haven't seen the movie I highly recommend it. It's worth it for Hadley's awkward white boy dance alone. Until next time stay classy and stay polished.
XOXO
Today, I have a fall water marble to show you guys. Now I know everyone is posting Halloween manicures already...and as much as I love Halloween (And that's a lot) I refuse to do Halloween manicures until October 1st. I won't do it. I'm tired of this rush into and out of holidays. I won't do Thanksgiving mani's till November, and I won't do Christmas ones until December. If that makes me old fashioned then so be it, it's the only way I'm old fashioned. I just refuse to give into the man that says Halloween starts in September, Christmas starts in November and Valentines Day starts in January. I officially thumb my nose at the man and say "No! I will celebrate them during the month of and no sooner." Okay, sorry about the rant but seriously it kinda makes me crazy. Without further ado here's my fall water marble:
Pictures:
Indoor no flash.
Outdoor in sunlight.
Outdoor in shade.
What I Used:
China Glaze - Cross Iron 360
China Glaze - Goin My Way?
China Glaze - Riveting
OPI - Oy-Another Polish Joke!
So I used a basic leaf like water marble over a base coat of Oy-Another Polish Joke and I'm pretty happy with how this marble turned out. It's very Autumn and harvesty (I'm making that a word). Anyway that's all I have for you today. Until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
XOXO
Today, I have my birthday manicure to show you guys. And while we are not going to talk about the number that goes along with said birthday (and if you know what number goes with this birthday I'll thank you to keep that information to yourself). I decided I wanted a manicure in my favorite color (Blue) with silver (my favorite metallic color) accents. So with no further ado here's my birthday manicure 2013 edition:
Pictures:
Indoor no flash.
Indoor no flash.
Indoor with flash.
Indoor with flash.
What I Used:
China Glaze - Scandalous Shenanigans
China Glaze - Gossip Over Gimlets
Stamping Plates:
Mash - Mash-34 & Mash-49
Cheeky - CH9 & CH41
...And because it's my birthday here's my favorite song. And yes it's been my favorite song since I was 6 years old and probably will be until the day I die.
Angel by Aerosmith
For this manicure I used two coats of each color and then stamped the other color on top of it. In case you were wondering the symbol on my pinkie is the sun sign for Virgo. And the stars on the middle nail are just because I love stars. I put them on everything...they are kind of my thing...you know how everyone has their symbol or sign that they adore. Mine happens to be stars. Anyway I hope you guys enjoy this manicure. That's all I have for you today, as it is my birthday I am off to birthday related shenanigans. Until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
XOXO
Today, I have a nautical inspired manicure to show you guys. The idea for this manicure kinda just happened while I was going through my plates. I realized how may nautical theme stamping plates I actually have...none of which were purchased for the nautical images. They were all obtained for other designs on the plate or in the plate set. So, I decided what the hell. I'll do a nautical theme manicure. After all I had the required equipment. It's still kinda summer right (Ehh, close enough). Anyway, no further blathering from me. Here's my nautical stamping manicure:
Pictures:
Indoor no flash.
Indoor with flash.
What I Used:
China Glaze - White On White
China Glaze - Man Hunt
Orly - Grave Mistake
Konad - White
Konad - Blue
Stamping Plates:
Cheeky - CH49 & CH36
Essence - 01 Have Fun
Shany - SH211
And a song that's kind of nautical...kind of...okay not really but it's Darren Hayes. I would hear him sing if it cost me my ears. Push play. Listen. Enjoy. You're welcome.
The Siren's Call - Darren Hayes.
I don't think this manicure needs much explanation. It's stamping nail art. I painted my nails then stamped on a design. I was feeling kinda lazy, but wanted more than just plain old nail polish. I hope you guys like it. To be honest I don't know all that much about all things nautical...we don't have a lot of boats in land locked Idaho. So....my boating experience is kind of minuscule. I guess, we do have the Snake River but....about 3-4 people die in it every summer...so, it kind of conflicts with my life plan (of not drowning in a river, and I'm rather attached to this life plan). I have however logged many hours on boats while playing The Sims 3 Island Paradise. I'm going to pretend that simulation counts as experience. JK. Anyway, that's all I have for you guys today. Until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
XOXO
Hey guys! Tonight I am going to see Despicable Me 2. Which in case you didn't know I am pretty excited about. I freaking love the Minions. They are just about the cutest thing ever. Anyway I decided I was going to do some Minion nails for tonight. Want to see them? I thought that you might. Here they are, my Minion Nails:
Pictures:
Indoor no flash.
Indoor with flash.
Outdoor. The weather is not cooperating with me today.
Closeups:
Thumb
Middle finger.
What I Used:
China Glaze - White On White
China Glaze - Foie Gras
China Glaze - Icicle
OPI - Ogre The Top Blue
OPI - Candlelight
OPI - Mourning Glory
Nail Star - Black
Americana - White Wash
Ceramcoat - Black
Sharpie Pen (fine) - Black
Striping tape
Seche Vite - Top Coat
Orly - Bonder
And Some Minions In Action (I Didn't Make These GIF's I Just Adore Them):
Probably my favorite expression by a minion. I use this All.The.Time.
See Minions fan-girl too. XD
And The Trailer...In Case You Haven't Seen It (If That's Even Possible):
I used several different methods to get this look. I used self made decals (for the eyes), striping tape (for the goggle band) and free hand (for the hair, mouths, and overalls). Over all I am very pleased with how this came out. I just love the minions and I adore having them literally at my fingertips. Do you think I should name them? I'm gonna need 10 names...okay go. JK Anyway that's all I have for you guys today. Because I have to go finish getting ready for the movie now. So, until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
Today, I have a quick manicure to share with you guys. If you are not in the US, the July 4th is our Independence Day. And this is the manicure I did to celebrate it. I actually got the idea for this after watching a YouTube Video by SimpleLittlePleasures (see tutorial here) and decided I wanted to try a similar manicure but I added stars (cuz I love stars)...plus I had to make it my own. That said this would look better on her nails...because they are gorgeous (and a length I will never be able to achieve) and right now I have nubs after a laundry accident that ripped one nail down to the quick on my left hand (laundry day is a very dangerous day!). So these are pictures of my right hand (so please pretend to not notice the odd angles). But anyway here's my 4th of July mani. Enjoy.
Pictures:
Indoor with flash.
Indoor no flash.
Outdoor in sunlight.
Outdoor in shade.
What I Used:
China Glaze - White On White
China Glaze - Dandy Lyin' Around
China Glaze - Dorthy Who?
China Glaze - Ruby Pumps
Konad - White
Cheeky Plate - CH4
I used a combination of taping, sponging, free hand, and stamping to get this look. It took forever. And I have a ton, and I do mean a ton of nail polish on. So I sat trying to not dent my nails for a really long time. That's why this post is up so late. I hope you enjoy it. Anyway have a safe and happy 4th of July. Until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
XOXO
Today I have a manicure that is based on my fluff monster Seth's grumpy cuteness. My cat Seth is 14 1/2 years old. He's half Siamese and half Tabby...but he has way more Siamese traits than Tabby traits (hear this as he is mouthy, loud, and grumpy). I adopted my little fluff man when he was 8 weeks old (he was a rescue) and his grumpy butt has been with me ever since. And like all cat owners I have given him many pseudo names as well: Mr. Fluff, Fluff Monster, Fluff Man, Mr. Fur, Turd Ferguson, Grumpy, Grumpy Bear, Seth Monster, Fur Monster, Mr. Fluffy Pants, Sir Seth of Fluffy Bottom (yes, I knighted him stop laughing), Boo-Boo Bear, Boo-Boo, and Mr. Velvet P.J.'s (when he get's his summer haircut...which is hilarious BTW). In case you haven't figured it out by now, I love my little fluff man. So I decided that I wanted to do a manicure based on him. So here is my fluffy and the mani based on him.
My Fluffy Monster (obligatory cat picture spam):
The manicure:
Indoor no flash.
Indoor with flash.
What I Used:
China Glaze - Liquid Leather
China Glaze - White On White
China Glaze - Kalahari Kiss
China Glaze - Desert Sun
China Glaze - Bahamian Escape
China Glaze - Kinetic Candy
China Glaze - Man Hunt
China Glaze - Foie Gras
OPI - Don’t Pretzel My Buttons
OPI - Can't Find My Czechbook
I used a few different methods to create this look. I made my own decals (for the nose, and the eyes), sponged a gradient, and lastly freehand painting. Over all I like how it turned out but it was not what I had envisioned as the outcome. Mostly because I am total crap at drawing/painting eyes. I always have been. Much to the chagrin of all my high school art teachers. I can't even imagine how the eyes would have turned out had they not been decals...pretty sure this mani would not have be posted (if not for homemade decals). Pretty sure the preliminary sketch template saved the eyes...even if they look all weird. I do really like the nose though. My fluffy man has the cutest little nose freckles and I am so glad those came out nicely. What do you guys think. Do you like it? Anyway that's all I have for you today. Until next time, stay classy and stay polished.
Those of you that know me, know that I am not a mom (unless you count fur kids) and my mom passed away when I was a kid. So, I don't have a reason to celebrate Mother's Day. But this year I decided to do a Mother's Day manicure anyway. Free warning this will be a sappy, sentimental post because I am dedicating this manicure to my mom's memory. If you are not down for that sort of thing abandon post here. I'll wait....(*wonders off for a few minutes then comes back*) Still here? Good I will proceed. Basically I decided that even thought my mother isn't here anymore, it doesn't mean I am not eternally grateful that she was my mother. I feel lucky that I had such an amazing mom for what little time I had her. She was the most amazing woman in the world and everything good about me came from her.
This is my mom:
Her favorite color was green. Her favorite flowers were lilacs. She was an animal lover (all kinds of animals). She loved Mexican food. She loved her children and grand children more than anything in this world. And she loved to plant, nurture and tend her garden (vegetable and flower)....which is seriously a trait I wish I had inherited from her...My apartment is where plants go to die. It's ridiculous really. I'm a vegetarian who can't keep a plant alive. How's that for a contradiction? But I digress. The general thesis is that my mother was an amazing, caring woman who I love very much. And this manicure is for her. Happy Mother's Day Mom. I only hope that some day I will be half as good a mom to my children as you were to yours.
Pictures:
Indoor no flash.
Indoor with flash.
What I Used:
China Glaze - Tart-Y For The party
China Glaze - White On White
China Glaze - Gaga For Green
China Glaze - Holly-Day
A song that always reminds me of my mom:
Jimmy Eat World - Here You Me
♫“And
If you were with me tonight. I’d sing for you just one more time. A song for a
heart so big, God wouldn't let it live.”♫
I decided because my mother loved plants and flowers that this mani should reflect that. Plus, I wanted to use her favorite color and her favorite flower. Then I decided I would do a water marble because I haven't done one in a while. My accent nail is a purple/white lilac like flower and the rest are supposed to be the little leaves of the lilac bush. I think in true mom fashion she would have liked anything I did for her. When she was alive I could have brought her a cotton ball with a twig glued to it and she would have acted like it was a piece of world class art, so I'm pretty sure she would love this. Anyway, I hope all the moms out there have a happy Mother's Day. Anyway, that's all I have for today. Until next time, stay classy and stay polished.
So tonight, I am going with to see Iron Man 3 and I am so excited that I had to do a mani. I freaking love Iron Man (he's one of my favorite Marvel Good guys. Not thee favorite but he's up there). I mean seriously he's snarky, sarcastic, has a penchant for getting in way over his head, and has lots of cool toys. Plus how can you not like Robert Downey Jr as the title roll. The man is perfect for the roll....could they have written a roll any better for him...I think not. Anyway, enough blathering on from me here's my Iron Man(icure). See what I did there?
Left Hand:
Right Hand:
Glowing Elements:
Left thumb. Energy Source.
Middle finger right hand. Energy blaster.
Iron man mask
What I Used:
OPI - Danke-Shiny Red
Color Club - winter Affair
China Glaze - Liquid Leather
China Glaze - White On white
China Glaze - Dandy Lyin’ Around
China Glaze - Ghoulish Glow
Striping Tape
The Trailer (in case you have been living under a rock and haven't seen it yet):
And The Song (Because You shouldn't have to choose):
Okay, so this mat be the single most thought out, and longest mani I have ever done. I designed it yesterday and applied it today. Total hours spent working on this (from conception to fruition) 10 hours. Also...let's just say that in test faze there were a lot of rejected designs, and I tried 5 different versions of the mask before deciding to split in up and have half on each of two nails. I used free hand, striping tape, and self made decals to create this manicure. And please, oh please, do not ask for a tutorial on this. I don't know if I have the patience to do this again (even though I love how it turned out)...even if it's for a tutorial. Anyway, are you guys going to see the movie or have you already? I'm super excited. I can't wait to see the shenanigans that Tony gets into this time. That's all I have for you guys today. Until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
