Sprinkles of Spring

Minnesota has officially had the coldest winter in our USofA. We had 135 days of below freezing weather (and too many of those were below zero days). Not to mention we were pelted with a whole bunch of snow this year. Now, I don't mind winter. I don't mind snow. But I am so glad that today is marking the first day of Spring. The sun came out today and it gave me hope that some day this year I will be warm again in Minnesota. So this manicure is in honor of that. I love spring. I love when the brown grass quickly turns back to green. I love unearthing the stems of my flowers that are peeking out of the ground after being covered by leaves and snow for an entire winter. I love hearing the sounds of the birds returning and singing outside. So, snow be warned: your time is limited. Spring is here and the sprinkles of the season are creeping in.

I don't have the specs of all of the colors I used for this manicure (I am still on hibernation mode after all). However, my "spring sprinkles" are from China Glaze's most recent collection City Flourish. Colors in particular, that inspired this manicure in the first place, are as follows: Metro Pollen-Tin, Grass is Lime Greener, Lotus Begin, and Strike A Rose. 

The Great Gatsby, Old Sport

I read the Great Gatsby in high school, but I have a terrible memory and couldn't tell you anything about it.....until a month ago when I became a tad obsessed.  My friends and I re-read the book to prepare for the movie coming out last Friday.  I love Baz Luhrmann's movies, and had such a fun time watching old Robert Redford movies and the current remake.  So, in honor, I tried to recreate the poster designs.  It was a tedious journey with a fabulous finish.  Well worth the obsession!

Here is a look at the 2013 Gatsby Design:

And in honor, my nails:

Left Hand:

Right Hand:

First I painted one coat of Zoya Richelle and one coat of Orly Luxe.  Once fully dried (and while I was waiting) I cut out small strips of striping tape.  I then placed every line and angle with individual tape to make the geometric designs.  I then painted two coats of China Glaze Smoke and Ashes.  Once that was dried, I carefully peeled the tape away.  Any mistakes were cleaned up free handed.  I used two coats of Seche Vite for a smooth and shiny look.

Twas The Night Before Christmas

Christmas Eve, Eve and I was working on my manicure like a good little elf. Hoping with last until Christmas.  Wishing all of you a safe holiday full of friends, family, good times and all you wish for.

Santa: Base Three base coats China Glaze Hey Sailor.  Use of China Glaze White On White, Liquid Leather and Orly Luxe.

Bricks and Stockings: Two base coats China Glaze Classic Camel.  Taped off and a two layers of China Glaze Foxy.  Use of colors China Glaze White On White, Classic Camel, Starboard, City Siren, Hey Sailor, Def Defying, Liquid Leather Ulta Envy, Orly Luxe & Au Champagne, OPI Golden Rules!, Zoya Trixie.  Use of Bundle Monster Plate BM11 with Konad Special Stamping Polish in Apple Green.

Chimney and Rudolph: Two base coats of China Glaze Up All Night.  Use of China Glaze Classic Camel, Foxy, Liquid Leather, Orly Au Champagne, OPI Golden Rules! Topped Rudolph's nose with a gemstone.

Seche Vite was my top coat.

Winterscape

This manicure is shaping to be one of my favorites this round of holiday nails.  It was very simple, but so whimsical.  Even if snow can complicate our every day lives at times, I'm so glad to live in a place where I get to experience it.  Here's hoping it stays around for a white Christmas!

I painted two coats of China Glaze Liquid Leather.  At the base of the nail, I sponged Orly Au Champagne as my snow.  Atop, I added a layer of Orly Twilight for background sparkle.  I stamped using Bundle Monster plate BM214 BM205 with Konad Special Stamping Polish in White.  My final touch was using the dotting tool to make larger snowflakes with Orly Au Champagne.  One coat of Seche Vite used to shine the final product.

Deck The Halls With Double Balls

Ok.  Terrible title of the manicure, but "Double Dots" didn't seem very festive.  I was inspired by some nail appliques I saw at a store for this idea.  Figured it would be easy enough for me to do myself.  It was!

I painted a base two coats of China Glaze Cast A Spell.  Dots were made with the following: China Glaze Hey Sailor, Def Defying, Starboard, Zoya Reva, Trixie, Orly Au Champagne, Ulta Jaded.  Seche Vite was my top coat.

Thanksgiving and Black Friday

Yesterday was thanksgiving here in the States and I also participated in something I've never done before: Black Friday.  So in honor of those two events, here are the nails inspired by them:

Thanksgiving Feathers:

I painted a base two coats of Zoya Tiffany and sponged Zoya Sienna and China Glaze Riveting.  For the feathers I used Bundle Monster image disc BM214 with China Glaze Blue Bells Ring.  I finished with Seche Vite.

Black Friday: 

This manicure was fun with the layering effect.  I first painted two coats of China Glaze Liquid Leather and then added glitter with LA Splash Cosmetics in Silver Wave.  I then added a coat of Orly Androgynie for the final layer.  I used one coat of Seche Vite, but now after a day, I may add another for more shine.

Happy Halloween 2012

I've been a terrible blogger to you, so in honor of Halloween, my treat is posting pics of all my October Halloween-themed manicures.

Bat-ter Up:

Skull And Crossbones:

Slimed:

Witchy:

Halloween Night:

Bat-ter up: China Glaze In The Limelight, Bizarre Blurple, Bundle Monster image disks: BM13, BM213 with Konad Special Polish in Black and Apple Green.

Skull and Crossbones: China Glaze Smoke and Ashes, Bundle Monster image disk BM211 with Konad Special Polish in Psyche Pink and White.

Slimed: I finally tried the splatter with a straw (didn't like the results as much as my frankenstein contraption).  I used the black light to try to show you the glow and the dark polish, but really it just showed the neon more.  Still cool.  Used Orly Au Champagne, China Glaze Piña Colada.

Witchy: Love this red/orange from China Glaze's Wicket Collection.  Painted three coats of Rougish Red and used Bundle Monster image disk BM13 with Konad Special Stamping Polish in Violet Pearl

Halloween Night: My actual Halloween manicure for the day.  Created a spooky nightscape.  Painted 3 coats of China Glaze Immortal; moon made of a mix of China Glaze Kalahari Kiss and White On White;  clouds of China Glaze White On White, Liquid Leather Orly Au Champagne.  Used image Bundle Monster Image Disks: BM213, BM224

Fun With Tape

I have been doing a bit with tape in my manicures and these two used the same technique, so I'm putting them together in a post.

Fun With Tape Green:

After taping off my nails, I applied three coats of Zoya Ivanka  on my tips.  I added with a brush stripes and dots in China Glaze Sun-Kissed, Surfin' For Boys and Zoya Jolene.  I painted over the entire manicure whit a coat of Finger Paints Motley and two coats of Seche Vite to finish.

Fun With Tape Pink and Orange:

I first taped off the orange side and painted three coats of Zoya Arizona.  Once fully dried I taped off the pink side and added three coats of Zoya Kimber.  I painted one coat of Orly Shining Star and two coats of Seche Vite to finish.

Satin Flowers

Inspired by a recent four year anniversary, I wanted a way to pay homage to the traditional gift of satin or flowers.  I really loved how this manicure turned out.  It was fun to use several colors on the disc and get a variety of mixes of flower colors.

I painted three coats of Orly Au Champagne and used Konad Special Stamping Polish color in Psyche Pink, Pastel Violet, Apple Green, Yellow, Coral Blue and with Bundle Monster Plate BM224.  I finished the look with a coat of Seche Vite.

Subtle Is My Middle Name

I went through a phase a few weeks back that was all about subtle designs.  In interest of time, I'm grouping these manicures together.

Lavender Lowdown:

Three coats of China Glaze Sweet Hook and a side swipe of Orly Shining Star.  Seche Vite was the top coat.

Hot Flakes:

This manicure is a straight layer job.  I added Finger Paints Asylum over three coats of China Glaze Pink Voltage.  I then added one coat of Seche Vite.

Red Dot:

I painted a base of three coats China Glaze Hey Sailor and dotted the design with China Glaze Riveting, Zoya Sarah and Zoya Allegra.  Seche Vite was the top coat.

Studded

Imperfections make perfect.  Even if every glitter hex did not make it in a perfect line, this manicure was really fun to have on.  The glitter really took it's intended page on center stage.

I painted three coats of Orly Rock-It and I used Silver hex glitter from Esther's Nail Center.  Two coats of Seche Vite was the top coat.

I Pledge Allegiance

It's Memorial Day here again in the states and I am continuing on with my tradition of doing a patriotic manicure in honor of those who fought to serve our country.

On the bottom nail bed I painted a base coat of two coats if China Glaze First Mate and then added Yofi glitter in  Caribbean Crush.  I added two coats to the top of my nail in Orly Au Champagne and striped, with a brush, Zoya Sarah for the flag's stripe design.  I used Konad Special Stamping Polish in White and Bundle Monster plate   BM14 for the stars.  I finished with two coats of Seche Vite for the top coat.