Catching Fire Two Hand Manicure

     Tonight, I am going to go see The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (for the first time) and I had planned on seeing it a lot sooner but life got in the way (as it tends to do). But anyway I designed this manicure last summer after reading the books at my friend Marcie's insistence. Which I actually liked (Who knew?). And since everyone asks which team I'm on I'll tell you I'm on the non-team "I Think Teams Are Stupid Team" It's so high school IMO (Sorry). I'm a grown ass woman I don't pick teams. However I will tell you my favorite characters are Cinna and Peeta, and (obviously) Katniss. So without any further blathering on my part, here's my Catching Fire manicure:

Pictures:

Left Hand Indoor No Flash. 

Right Hand Indoor No Flash. 

Left Hand Outdoor In Sunlight. 

Right Hand Outdoor In Sunlight.

Closeups:

Left Hand:

Mocking Jay.

Dandelion. 

District 12.

The Peeta's Pearl & Beach Background.

Girl On Fire. 

Right Hand:

President Coriolanus Snow's Blood Scented White Rose With Coughed Up Blood.

District 13 & Nuclear Symbol.

Clock At Midnight With Lightening Background. 

Finnick Odair's Trident & The Beach Background. 

Trailer: 

What I Used By Nail (This Will Take A While):

District 12 Nail:

China Glaze - Smoke And Ashes

Americana - Mustard Seed

District 13 Nail:

China Glaze - Solar Power

Ceramcoat - Black

Americana - White Wash

Dandelion Nail:

China Glaze - Gaga For Green

China Glaze - Westside Warrior

China Glaze - Kinetic Candy

China Glaze - White On White

Americana - White Wash

Finnick Odair Nail:

Trident:

China Glaze - Jitterbug 

Water:

China Glaze - Man Hunt

China Glaze - Bahamian Escape

China Glaze - Isle See You Later

China Glaze - White On White

Sand:

China Glaze - Kalahari Kiss

China Glaze - Lemon Fizz

China Glaze - Street Chic

China Glaze - Foie Gras

China Glaze - White On White

President Coriolanus Snow Nail:

China Glaze - Sea Spray

China Glaze - Concrete Catwalk

China Glaze - Immortal
China Glaze - Black Diamond
China Glaze - Salsa

China Glaze - Jitterbug

China Glaze - Holly-Day

Konad - White

Stamping Plate - Mash36

Pearl & Sand Nail:

China Glaze - White On White (used on all of the below)

Pearl:

China Glaze - Dandy Lyin' Around

China Glaze - White Cap

Water:

China Glaze - Man Hunt

China Glaze - Bahamian Escape

China Glaze - Isle See You Later

Sand:

China Glaze - Kalahari Kiss

China Glaze - Lemon Fizz

China Glaze - Street Chic

China Glaze - Foie Gras

Mocking Jay Nail:

China Glaze - Smoke & Ashes

China Glaze - Passion

Girl On Fire Nail:

China Glaze - Smoke And Ashes

OPI - The Spy Who Loved Me

China Glaze - Riveting

China Glaze - Solar Power

China Glaze - Dandy Lyin' Around

Midnight Clock Nail:

China Glaze - Jitterbug

China Glaze - Smoke And Ashes
China Glaze - Dandy Lyin' Around

China Glaze - Ghoulish Glow

China Glaze - White On White

China Glaze - Cowardly Lyin'

Sharpie - Black 

Effies Butterfly Dress  Nail:

China Glaze - Riveting

China Glaze - Orange Knockout

China Glaze - White On White

Konad - Black

Stamping Plates - CH50, SH206, & SH207

   So there you have it, my Catching Fire two hand manicure. What do you guys think? I'm rather pleased with myself actually. It was crazy complicated and planned well in advance I used images from the book (pearl, dandelion, Snow's rose, etc) as well as the movie trailers (Effies Dress, Mocking Jay, Girl on fire flames, etc). I really hope you guys like this manicure. And please for the love of all that is holy don't ask me how I did it. Just appreciate the result and be thankful that you didn't have to put in the work to achive this look. Also if you comment below about the book or movie don't spoil it for anyone, no who dies, no who lives, no plot twists, no ruined endings, no changes from the book, nothing that may ruin it for someone who hasn't read the books or seen the movie. I am a stickler for not ruining things, I may never forgive you if you ruin an ending. Also I monitor comments before they get posted and I will delete it before you can ruin it for anyone else so don't bother. Other than that comment away. Now that I have talked about this manicure enough for now, I'm off to see the film. So until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
XOXO

Graveyard At Dusk Manicure

     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

The Cabin In the Woods Manicure

     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

Can It Be Fall Now? Manicure

     Today, I have a a stamping/sponging manicure to show you guys. I wanted a fall theme mani because  I love fall. And I am beyond ready for it to get here. Don't get me wrong I don't hate summer...I just really like when the air is crisp and I have an excuse to wear a fluffy sweater, curl up in a blanket with a cup of cocoa and read a good book. But I digress, you're here to see the mani so here it is:

Pictures:

Indoor no flash

Indoor no flash at an angle (to better show the design). 

Indoor with flash. 

Outdoor...the sun is not working with me today. 

What  I Used:

China Glaze - Harvest Moon

China Glaze - Mahogany Magic

China Glaze - Goin' My Way

Stamping plates:

Mash - Mash-49 & Mash-43

     I sponged on the gradient with Harvest Moon and Goin' My Way. Then stamped Mahogany Magic over top. I actually really like how this one turned out. Very festive and Autumn-ish (Is that a word? Oh well, it is now). Now if the weather would cooperate with me and give me some proper cocoa, sweater and book reading weather to match my nails. Then I would be a happy little camper. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this manicure as much as I do. Until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
XOXO

Sunset Mermaid Manicure

      So, first off before I get to the manicure I wanted to let you guys know why I've been MIA the last week or so. It's really a super fun collection of "super fun" (Sarcasm alert) events. My car broke down, then the keyboard in my laptop quit working (then randomly started working again the next day), and I broke my baby toe or my left foot (don't ask how it's kind of an embarrassing story, who am I kidding when is it ever a non-embracing story when I hurt my clumsy ass). Plus, a couple of good things also distracted me: I read four books I couldn't put down, and got a new Sims 3 expansion pack...so yeah all these things have converged to distract me. But anyway, I am back and I have some nail art to show you guys. Do you remember the Mermaid Manicure Tutorial I posted back in January? Well after getting my new Sims 3 Expansion (Island Paradise) and playing with the new mermaids I wanted to do a new mermaid manicure. But this one is a different version of the Mermaid manicure. Or at least a different color scheme at any rate. I am calling this one Sunset Mermaid. Enjoy.

Pictures:

Indoor no flash. 

Indoor with flash. 

Outdoor in sunlight. 

Outdoor in shade.

What I Used:

ORLY - Ingenue

OPI - Sprung

China Glaze - Passion

Shany Stamping Plate - SH222

     I used sponging to get the base gradient and then stamped over top of it. Over all I really like this look. It reminds me of tropical sunsets and mermaids of course. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this manicure as much as I do. Until next time, stay classy and stay polished.
XOXO

4th Of July/Independence Day Manicure.

      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

Seth Monster Manicure

      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. 

XOXO

Instagram Purple Nails for Boston Reciprocal Gradient.

     Today, I have some nail art for you guys. This one is part of an Instagram effort to show solidarity/support to/for the victims of the atrocity that happened in Boston yesterday. Basically the idea is to wear purple on your nails to show support for the victims. So, I figured if I was going to do this, I was really going to do this and do a really involved mani (which this is my first time attempting this type of manicure) to show support. How it helps...I'm not quite sure but it's a principle thing I think. Anyway, here is my first attempt at a reciprocal Gradient manicure. This manicure is inspired by a manicure I saw on Simple Little Pleasures YouTube channel.

Pictures:

Indoor with flash . 

Indoor no flash. 

Outdoor in sunlight. 

Outdoor in shade. 

What I used: 

China Glaze - Spontaneous

China Glaze - VIII

OPI - Rumple's Wiggin' (I used my fave and HTF OPI so you know I mean business)

Striping tape

     I really like how this manicure turned out. And I forgot how ombre/gradient manicures make your nails look even longer (some kind of optical illusion). But over all I am very pleased with how this manicure came out. It's pretty, it's purple and it took forever (just over 2 1/2 hours) to get right. But I think it's worth the effort to show Boston our support. I now challenge all of you, my lovely readers to also paint your nails purple to show support for the Boston Marathon bombing victims. And show me what you guys come up with. That's all I have for you guys today. Until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
XOXO

There Will Be No Pinching. My Saint Patrick's Day Manicure

     Today, I have my Saint Patrick's Day manicure to show to you guys. I'm only a tiny bit Irish...and by that I mean if you round up (a lot) I'm 5% at best...I'm mostly Scottish, English, and French with a tiny bit of Indian (India). The Indian doesn't show in me, only in my brother (Seriously, could I be any whiter?). But 5% Irish counts as some Irish blood...right? Not that it really matters, I don't think you have to be of Irish decent to not want creepers pinching you on Saint Patrick's Day. You just need to wear some green. And being this pale (I blame the french genes) green has never been a friend to me, so my green will usually (okay, always) be on my nails. Want to see what I did this year? I thought that you might. Here it is.

Pictures:

Indoor no flash.

Indoor with flash. 

Outdoor in sunlight. 

Outdoor in shade. 

What I Used:

China Glaze - Cha, Cha, Cha

China Glaze - Running In Circles

China Glaze - Swanky Silk

Americana - Hauser Dark green

10 small medium green gems

    I started this manicure with one coat of Swanky Silk then built up a gradient of Swanky Silk, Cha Cha Cha, and Running In Circles using a makeup sponge, until it was as dark as I wanted it. I also employed the make your own decals method for the four leaf clovers. Translation: I put top coat on a piece of plastic, painted the clovers on with acrylic paint, applied the gem stones, let it dry, then removed them from the plastic, cut them apart and applied them to my nails with top coat. I waited till all this dried then applied another layer of top coat to make sure everything stuck were and how it was supposed to. If you guys want, I can do a tutorial on how to use the create your own decals method. Let me know below with a comment if that's something you would like to see. But I digress, how do you like my Saint Patrick's Day mani? I really like how it turned out. The gradient itself is just lovely and the shamrocks that I painted free hand turned out awesome. I didn't know I had it in me. Anyway that's all I have for you today. Until next time, stay classy, and stay polished.
XOXO

Enchanted Forest (ONCE) Manicure

     Today, I have a fun Once Upon A Time inspired manicure to share with you guys. I decided to do this manicure after I saw Taya's contest (over here) last month. But as you know, I was sick as a dog for what seemed like most of last month, which kept me from participating (insert sad face here). So, I decided now that I am feeling better (even though the competition is closed/over) I still wanted to do this mani because I just love the show...and will continue to do so until/if they kill Rumple...then I'm out. If that makes me a fair weather fan so be it...but why would I keep watching if my favorite character isn't on it anymore? And with them doing the whole "One Will Die" thing, tonight may be the last episode I watch. That would be like The Walking Dead without Daryl. You can't just go killing the fan favorite character...it's rude and stupid. Anyway, that's my fan-rant and it's over now. Sorry about that. But if you agree with me you know what I'm saying. But, I digress (Focus RaynesOnyx, focus!), here's what you are really here for. I hope you guys enjoy this mani.

Inspiration picture:

Mani Pictures:

Indoor no flash. 

Indoor with flash. 

Outdoor in sunlight.

Outdoor in shade. 

What I used:

OPI: Can't Find My Czechbook, & Ogre The Top Blue

China Glaze: Bermuda Breakaway, Man Hunt, Dandy Lyin' Around, & Liquid Leather.

Ceramcoat: Black, Charcoal, Platinum  

      So there it is...it didn't turn out how I planned (my mind can conceive things I am powerless to execute) but I like it just the same. A solid effort I think. I sponged the back ground in a sort of double sided gradient, then hand painted in the back ground trees, sponged on the fog, then painted in the closer, darker trees. What do you guys think? Do you like how it turned out? Do you watch Once Upon A Time? If so who's your favorite character and why? Also, who do you think they will/should kill off tonight? I think they should kill Cora...She's a psycho hose beast. Leave me a comment below and we can talk about it. Well that's all I have for you today. Until next time, stay classy and stay polished.
XOXO