31DC2013: Day 05 - Blue

Hello all! I am writing this as I watch the Ravens game :)

Today I decided that is was an absolute must for me to do ocean/beach nails using this tutorial by Chalkboard Nails.

I wanted to stick to mostly blue, so instead of doing the sandy nails, I opted to just do the water looking ones.

This technique was actually surprisingly easy and looks so awesome! Yet another manicure where I wish I was on an island somewhere instead of working two jobs and going to school. Ah, well... I can dream, can't I?

I know these do lean a little on the teal side, but I'm calling them blue. Water is blue therefore my nails are blue, yup.

For this manicure I used OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls and China Glaze For Audrey.

At this point I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do for tomorrow, but hopefully I'll figure it out soon haha :)

31DC2013: Day 04 - Green

Good evening all!

This is a little later than I'd like to be posting, well a lot later, but I had some issues with these nails.

For green nails, I knew instantly I wanted to do a turtle shell pattern, however, after many many failed attempts I almost gave up. Which would be why I'm posting this so late.

After going to work and then school, I decided to give it another go.

Luckily, I am really happy with these results! My first attempts just looked like blobs instead of an actual turtle shell.

The cleanup was hell, apparently my green polishes stain like no other, which is why my fingers hace a sort of green hue to them.

I used OPI Jade Is The New Black, OPI Did It On 'Em, and Pure Ice Black Out to create the turtle shell pattern.

So glad green day is over and I can move on to blue! I am really excited about what I plan on doing tomorrow, it's something I've wanted to try for a long time.

Unfortunately tomorrow's post will be posted rather late as well. I work from eight in the morning until eight at night.

31DC2013: Day 03 - Yellow

Hello everyone! Today I have some yellow nails for the 31DC2013.

I've been kind of obsessed with anything and everything pineapple print lately, but never managed to buy anything with it. Now that summer's coming to an end, it doesn't seem to make sense to buy anything with pineapples on it. But it definitely makes sense to paint my nails with pineapples, especially since today's prompt is yellow!

I'm seriously in love with these, you have no idea. Makes me wish I had done this earlier in the summer.

I was little worried about my criss-crosses not being thin enough, but I think they turned out nicely.

For these nails I used OPI My Vampire Is Buff as a base and China Glaze Happy Go Lucky, Julep Otte, OPI Jade Is The New Black and OPI Did It On 'Em for the pineapples.

I can assure you that I'll be staring at these while I'm at work today and wishing I was on an island somewhere.

Stay tuned for tomorrow! I'm really excited about what I have planned... as long as it works out (;

31DC2013: Day 02 - Orange

So far so good, posting for Day 2 of the 31DC2013.

Today's prompt is orange. Literally the only thing I could think of was literal oranges... or the annoying orange.

I asked my boyfriend for some ideas and he mentioned the Orioles. I figured I've done plenty of Ravens manis that it was time to finally show my O's some love.

My original plan was to do baseball laces on my index finger, but after four failed attempts I settled on doing a gradient. I wish my "O" was a little neater, but I really love how these came out. I still have no idea how I managed to paint the mascot so well and couldn't paint baseball laces, but whatever, I'm still happy :)

And here's a close up of the little guy. Definitely not perfect, but better than those baseball laces... seriously guys, you have no idea how bad those looked, every. single. time.

For these nails I used Zoya Arizona, OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls, Pure Ice Black Out, and Cover Bands Sticks & Stones.

Are you ready for tomorrows post?! I'm thinking about doing something a little... tropical? I guess you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see!

31DC2013: Day 01 - Red

Hello everyone!! I've finally putting some nail art on this dang blog! HOORAH!

So once again this year, I have decided to take on the 31 Day Challenge. I may regret this decision later on in the month, but right now I am excited. I took part in it last year, and it really helped me grow as a nail art...ist? (I guess I'm a nail artist...)

I hope that I'm able to keep up and post something everyday, but hey, you know, life happens sometimes. Even last year I had some difficulties posting every single day, but I did finish on October 1st, and that is my plan for this year as well.

Day 1 is red and for some reason I had a really strong desire to do a red plaid, picnic table-esque pattern. I love how it turned out, it's super cute, and super easy to do too!

The only thing I wish I had done differently was to use a dotting tool for the bits of darker red instead of just dabbing them all willy-nilly with a brush. A dotting tool would've made the spots (almost) all the same size/shape. I managed to dab on pretty identical dots on my ring ringer and I just love how my cleaner that looks that my other fingers.

The colors I used, because of the challenge day being red, scream summer picnic, but I think you could totally use orange/browns/yellows/etc to make a more fall look. Plaid is perfect for fall, which is just around the corner :)

For these nails, I used OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls as a base, a mix of that and Julep Nan for the stripes, and just Nan for the dots where the stripes cross.

Here's the prompt for the 31 Day Challenge (created by Chalkboard Nails) so you know what's to come and maybe you want to join in as well! :)

HARE polish - The Tropics are Calling

Today I have swatches of the newest collection from HARE polish: The Tropics are Calling. This collection contain five gorgeous and unique shades.

Side note: Apologies that all I've done are swatch posts lately. I have been way too busy lately, but I plan on taking parting in the 31 Day Challenge starting September 1, so tons of nail art is coming! Don't worry :)

Onto the swatch fest...

Windestine Swatch Spam

Hello all!

Today I have three Windestine polishes to review.

Windestine is one of the first brand of indies that I ever purchased, and I'm excited to show you these! Each of these polishes are inspired by Little Women.

Peacekeeper consists olive green, pale pink, and lavender glitter in a light grey crelly base. This polish was inspired by Meg in Little Women, who is the second mom to the girls, always trying to keep peace amongst them.

I used four coats in the photos above, but I think you could get away with three. The formula was a little thick on this one, but not too bad. I really love the addition of the olive green glitter. They're really tiny and it kind of gives the gray an overall olive grey appearance.

Heartbeat consists of purple, magenta, and copper glitter in a purple crelly base. This polish was inspired by Beth in Little Women. The vibrant glitter colors represent her good heart and the way she can brighten other people's lives.

I really love this one, so gorgeous! I used three coats for the photos above and the formula was pretty good. I just really love how the pink glitter shimmers in the purple base.

Kizuna consists of purple, green, and copper glitter in a brown crelly base. This polish was inspired by the strong family bond that is represented in the book Little Women. Like roots in the ground, each family member supports and helps each other grow. 'Kizuna' means 'bond' in Japanese.

This might just be my favorite of the bunch, I don't own anything else like it. I think it will be especially perfect to wear in the fall. I used three coats for the photos above and it applied like a dream, so smooth and not too thick/thin.

Windestine polishes can be purchased on etsy. Don't forget to give them a like on facebook :)