Wearing My Heart on My...Nail.

Rather than my sleeve. These were my boyfriend's birthday manicure but...it looks way more Valentine's Day than I meant it. I was trying to do the card suit of hearts since he likes poker and we were celebrating his 21st birthday. Instead it looks like a perfect Vday mani. I'll keep this in mind for next February 14th.

I used OPI Ali's Big Break for the base and then Orly White Out for the diagonal. I separated the two with Color Club Art Club in black and then added the heart in Ali's Big Break. I think I have to try again for a Happy 21st Birthday manicure. Hopefully I'll have it in time for mine!!

Toetally Tuesday #16 - Walking on a cloud

...or walking on feet with clouds painted on the toes is more like it! Here are my Toetally Tuesday tootsies: a cloudy day. I'm really in the mood for some nice weather so I can go outside with friends and not freeze. Looking out my window it looks absolutely gorgeous outside yet when I go to step outside it's obvious I still need a coat. As my roommate said "It's deceptively nice looking out today." Grrr, where is warm spring already??

And also, I have a couple things to add. I'm being a total giveaway whore and I think I just entered like three. But hey, who doesn't love the chance to score some free stuff?! Also, I get to share some other nail blogs out there with my readers who may/may not know of them already. Exposure? Yes, please!

Ok, so the following giveaways are open and are begging for you to enter!

First up: An Emily's Nail Files (LOOOOVE the name by the way!) giveaway with LemonyEmily:

Her blog is awesome and her giveaway is celebrating her hitting the 100 follower mark. The giveaway is open until April 31st so make sure you enter it! You can find out more about the giveaway and prizes by clicking here.

Also, GildedNails is having a giveaway:

She is celebrating hitting the 500 follower mark! Wow!! The giveaway is open until March 31st so huury! More info about the goodies can be found here!

Next is an insane giveaway over at Nail Addicts Anonymous!

This giveaway is open until April 8th and more information about all the goodies can be found here!

Swatch: Ali's Big Break

Good morning everyone :)


Today's post is a swatch of OPI's Ali's Big Break from the 2010 Burlesque Collection. I have worn it a couple times but always forgot to take a couple pictures. It's a red jelly polish that has bits of gold microglitter mixed in. The application was average (I always tend to put 3 coats) and the drying/hardening was a little quicker than average. I was less than impressed with the wear though. I love the color and was unhappy to notice chips and tipwear in less than 2 days despite my coat of Seche Vite. Next time I'll double up and see if that helps. 


Anyone out there who owns this polish experience it's less than desirable chipping problem? Or is it just me?


Onto the swatch pictures!

These pictures really don't do it justice since you can't notice the gold glitter in it. It's subtle on the nails but you can definitely see it in real life.

Sunset Palms

Hey everyone, just a quick post today. Sarah, the friend with the Jamaica wedding and the wedding shower this weekend, opted for the orangey/yellowy/palm tree design. Here are her hands. Wow, it's been such a long time since I've done someone else's nails. I think they came out pretty well. Take a look:

I used China Glaze Shower Together as the base for the 8 nails and China Glaze Solar Power as the base for the 2 ring fingers. Then I sponged both OPI Flit A Bit and China Glaze Street Racing to create the sunset look. China Glaze Shower Together, Color Club Art Club in White, and Kiss Brush On Nail Art Paint in Soft Blue were the ocean/river and Color Club Art Club in Black was the palm tree.

Also, today is 11 months with mi novio :) and his birthday is coming up this weekend!

Swatch: Cabaret

Hello, everyone! Today's swatch post is Jordana Cabaret, a deep burgundy??maroon?? polish with a creme finish. I don't know really how to describe the clor, it's sort of one of those awkward colors that sometimes looks red, sometimes looks brown, and sometimes just looks odd. Regardless, Jordana is one of the most affordable polish brands out there and I really do like the polishes. I think I have a couple more I never swatched (don't worry I'm on it!). It's application was great so I gave it an 8 on my 10-point system. The color also got an 8 just because it was a new addition to my collection. I'm pretty sure there's a ton of other colors like it out though so if you dig you'll find one. As for konad use, I gave it a 7 because it worked really well over lighter bases but not so well on darker bases. I also rated the wear as a 7 because, while drying/hardening was good (it got an 8), I had tip wear literally the next morning. Here are some swatches. Excuse my uber-white hand, I couldn't get my camera to behave.

Does anyone else like Jordana polishes?

Toetally Tuesday #15 - Works of art and strawberry tart!

While watching Food Network today (Barefoot Contessa to be exact) I was taught how to make a Strawberry Tart Ina Garten style. Mmmmm, just look at the picture! Does that not look delicious? I've made it one of my goals for this summer (when it finally starts in about 2 months) to learn how to cook. We'll see how that goes, especially since I'm pretty sure our oven is broken right now...

...oh well, onto my tootsies, a real piece of art: strawberry toes! Yes, they were inspired by the delicious strawberry tarts that had my mouth watering and my car keys calling my name to go to Giant and buy some.

I used OPI Ali's Big Break as the base for the strawberry, Color Club Art Club in Green for the strawberry tops/stems/whatever, and then Orly Liquid Vinyl for the seeds. 

Please, refrain from eating my toes! However, the strawberry tart is all yours to consume!


Oh and also, a couple other things to throw into this post: Sarah, a friend of mine and *future apartment-mate*, has a wedding in JAMAICA for her sister in May. I know what you're thinking and I agree, she's so lucky! The bridal shower is being held this weekend (my apologies if somehow her sister has discovered this blog and now the secret is ruined) and Sarah has asked me to do her nails! Since the wedding is beachy/tropical/what have you I was thinking sunset, palm trees, ocean, sand type nails. Here are two choices, how does everyone feel about either one for the manicure? Choice one is the two nails on the left and choice two is the two on the right. Both have the same idea...but different colors.

And lastly, 32 followers?! Amazing! I'm thinking of doing my very first give away once I hit 50 (if I hit 50, of course) followers. Who'd be up for that? And hmmm, what to make the prize?!

I'm crackin' myself up over here!

Today's manicure is especially exciting because it's one of the new-ish China Glaze Crackle Glaze polishes! I bought a blue crackle a little under a year ago from transdesign.com so I was excited when news broke that China Glaze was coming out with an ENTIRE collection of crackle polishes. I really want the black one so that's on my list for sure but my mom was so sweet that she surprised me with Broken Hearted, the pink crackle polish. I couldn't wait to try it. Check it out!

I used Finger Paints I Pink I Can as the base and then put Broken Hearted over top. It came out so neat. I loved watching the polish crack into the design. It was so unpredictable and I love how every nail came out looking unique but still part of the set. How do you guys feel about crackle polish?

Inspired by Emma Pillsbury

Today's nails are inspired by none other than Emma Pillsbury, the germ hatin', purity lovin', crazy clothes wearin' character with big eyes and a tiny waist from Fox's hit TV show Glee. Does anyone out there watch Glee? My sister loooves it and I'm so excited I can't wait for her to see these nails. I'm sure she'll have tons of ideas of other Glee inspired nails for me to do and I can't wait to tackle them. So here's the scene from Glee. I think it's the 14th episode of the second season (current season).

"We give away the locket but not the key. That way no one can 

open the lock forever and, ladies, that's what keeps us safe" 

Way to go, Emma Pillsbury, right on. 

And here are my nails:

We've got the "chastity charm" (aka locket) made from Kiss Brush-On Nail Art Paint in Silver on a background of Orly Liquid Vinyl. Then for the other nails I painted a background of China Glaze Second-hand Silk, followed by BM16 in Orly White Out and BM11 in Zoya Quinn (how fitting?! There's a Glee character named Quinn!). These two stamps gave the pattern of her dress. On the ring finger I added a bit of EP's sweater (again in China Glaze Second-hand Silk) and then the clasp thing in Color Club Art Club Gold Glitter and Kiss Brush-on Nail Art Paint White.

So, what do you guys all think?

Feelin' lucky?

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I found a tutorial with some fun St. Patty's day nails and so I took a shot at it. I love Julie's tutorials. They're so easy to follow and seriously, most of the time I don't even have to follow the video. I just go from the picture. Also, on my little daily Jeopardy! calendar thing today's clue is: "In 1737, this city's charitable Irish society held the first municipal celebration of St. Patrick's Day." Anyone know the answer?


Anyway, here they are:

I sort of tweaked the colors a bit. I used China Glaze Towel Boy Toy for the base coat, Color Club Art Club  in Green for the green criss-cross lines (which I'm not completely sure you can see but--they're there), China Glaze Jolly Holly for the shamrocks, and Color Club Art Club in Gold Glitter.

Jeopardy! answer: Boston.

I want a star!

I'm talking about a star on the walk of fame! Dream big right? I've never been to see the walk of fame but since my sister is always wanting to pack up and go on vacation perhaps a post-grad 2012 trip to California is in our future. It would have to be a long trip since I want to go to Los Ang and see my family in Northern California. Which speaking of, one of my two little Cali cousins turned 2 not too long ago! She looked so adorable in the pictures of the festivities and I wish I got to meet her already! I met the older brother (who is probably 6?? now) but she came along after my visit so I haven't been lucky enough to meet her yet. Which reminds me, I really have to email my Aunt. I swear we are the worst best emailers in the world. Well, at least she has an excuse: she's really busy. I'm just easily distracted and forgetful. Well, if you're reading this, "Hey Aunt Les! I'll talk to you soon!" Anyway, enough of my California dreamin' and onto the nails! Hmm, maybe law school in California could be a possibility??

One of the blogs I follow just vacationed in LA and I saw a picture of her with Elvis' star (hence it reminded me that was something I wanted to do--although, not with Elvis. No offense Elvis but I think I'll stand with another celeb's star for my picture). I used Zoya Ki for the base (which is one of the oddest colors I think I've ever seen, my camera phone doesn't do it justice) and Sally Hansen Green With Envy for the stars stamped with BundleMonster plate 20.

Toetally Tuesday #12 (and 13 and 14 too) - Welcome back...

...to myself! Hello all my fabulous readers/blog perusers. I am finally back with many apologies for my total lack of postage. I wish I had a better excuse like a trip to an island or a trance through Europe but no, I was merely on Spring Break and exercising my right for some unwaivering laziness. But, alas, after a week or so, I have resurfaced with Toetally Tuesday (+2 because that's what I owe all of you) and a bunch of new designs and swatches too. So, I'm glad to be back and so excited that I'm actually posting at MIDNIGHT for this Toetally Tuesday. Oh yes! Now, let's get to the good stuff!

Alright, this is the legit Toetally Tuesday of today: Linear Dotted Love

For these toes I used Jordana Boy Oh Boy for the base, China Glaze Frostbite for the blue dots, and China Glaze Recycle for the smaller in-between dots that you can really  notice in the up close and persoNAIL (haha, sorry I had to) picture. 

Next Toetally Tuesday, from this past Tuesday the 8th: Taste the rainbow? Skittle toes!

Alright, I know, not that exciting but I just loved the colors and spring is coming so I thought it was great. I used China Glaze Kiwi Cool-ada, China Glaze Pool Party, China Glaze Towel Boy Toy (upcoming swatch alert!), and China Glaze Orange Knockout.

And last but definitely not least, Toetally Tuesday from the 1st of March: Feelin' dottie?

I used Orly White Out, China Glaze Pool Party, and China Glaze Frostbite for these toes. 

So everyone, are you looking forward to spring as much as I am? That spring ahead where I lost an hour certainly threw me off but...if it means warm weather is on its way, I'm happy to lose my hour. 

Take care everyone!

Swatch: Conga to my Cabana

I think I've lost my mind. Seeing as it's spring break I decided to do some maintenance on this blog. My tags were all a mess and I went to work sorting them all out and making sure my fonts were uniform and all that good stuff. I'm not sure how the whole blog thing works so I'm sorry if I just annoyed any of my followers by re-publishing about 100+ posts. Yikes! Hopefully, it doesn't show up like that though because ugh what a pain that would be. Anyway, since I spent some time cleaning my room today and organizing everything I thought a swatch of China Glaze's Conga to my Cabana would be just right.

You know those polishes that are one color in the bottle and then a complete different one on your nails? This is the case with Conga to my Cabana. It's a little dull looking in the bottle but when it's on the nails it's a beautiful pink shimmer. It's almost more coral colored than these pictures will let on. Two coats and no top coat.

Party over here, party over there.

I can't really explain the title for these nails. All I've got is: well, it reminds me of a party. And see for yourself...

I used OPI Simmer and Shimmer layered over American Eagle (one of the 2 color collections I mentioned a while ago) Cement. It reminds me of confetti and immediately I thought of parties. Anyway, phew, spring break has started and I am excited to be able to just veg out and relax for a week. Ok, maybe I have some work to do but--it'll wait for now.

Swatch: Veruschka

First things first...I totally forgot about Toetally Tuesday! So, I'm sorry for that. I'm blaming it on my excitement for the Bon Jovi concert (nails and pictures coming soon!) and spring break starting and all. So, my apologies for that but I have a plan so no worries. Two pedicures will be photographed for Toetally Tuesday of next week. (At least I hope since I didn't bring many polishes with me for over break--I'll just have to go shopping! Ha.) 


Anyway, here's a Zoya polish I got with their recent 3Free promo. It's called Veruschka and it's a deep green matte suede/velvet polish. It's the first of its kind to join my collection so I was really excited to get it on my nails. It dried so fast and it was cool to watch it dry because you saw the polish become mattelike.  

So pretty :) I didn't put a top coat for the picture since it was matte polish and that would ruin it, of course, but to answer my own curiosity I added a top coat after the pictures were taken. Yes, the polish is just as beautiful with a shiny topcoat as it is without.

Swatch: Catch the Bouquet

Hello, fabulous readers! I was in the library today sitting at one of the community computers finishing some work that has to be done before tomorrow and I leave for the Bon Jovi concert (PS. any ideas for Bon Jovi-esque nails fitting for a concert? I have absolutely none and it's tomorrow!) and the girl sitting at the computer next to me must have been working on a group project with her 5 friends. Well, all the sudden I hear a comment "Put your ring away" and her hand retract from the screen. She responded "I didn't even mean to do that..." and I looked closer at her hand....yes, I'm sure you guessed it....an engagement ring was proudly displayed on her left hand. Of course, with my being a girl and all I clocked the ring sneakily a couple times. It was so shiny. Then I was looking through the polishes I haven't swatched for you guys yet and I noticed Orly Catch the Bouquet. Fitting after such a story, no?

It was super annoying to catch with my camera (partially because my camera is horrendous and partially because I am horrendous at photography) but all in all I think you can get an idea of the color. As part of the Orly Classic collection this polish is exactly what I would expect...classic. A light pink shimmer with almost a hint of purple iridescent-ness going on. It is really pretty and makes me feel like watching the movie Pretty In Pink. Anyone else know of a polish they own that makes them want to watch a movie? I'm sure I'm not the only one.


Ok, time to go. I have to teach a Spanish class at the local public library tonight. And when I say "teach" I mean awkwardly stand in the corner hoping no one asks me a question. My Spanish isn't so good. I've only been studying it for 2 years. Wish me luck fellow polishers!


And, on a quick side note, wahooooooo 25 followers!! Wow! I thought I would never break 15 but....20?! WOW! Thank you thank you thank you! I love seeing people who share my interest obsession with nail polishes. Thank you to all of you for visiting my blog and deciding it was kick ass enough to follow :) This helps give me oomph to keep posting. You are all wonderful and thank you for reading :D