I needed something quick and easy last night.

I needed something quick and easy last night.  It doesn't get much simpler than this, besides PLAIN.  And we all know I'm not going for that!  LOL

Research polishes;
Taping technique

Christmas nails.

Christmas nails.  This is the only thing I decorated.  LOL

Took this photo out in the SUN.  It is sunny and not freezing today.  I think this is the warmest Christmas in the history of my life.  😳

Various polishes;
Research plate;
Taping, Stamping and Freehand techniques

FINALLY did some Christmas nails.

FINALLY did some Christmas nails.  I think they are super cute.

I took a photo a few minutes ago, but I think I can get a better one.  We shall see.  I'll post them when I wake up!  😛

I started with a white background...

I started with a white background thinking that would be a good base for some Christmas-themed stuff, but I just couldn't get into it. I sat and looked at my image plates. And then my colors. And then my image plates again. Nothing even close to holiday came to mind. This is what I ended up with, and I rather like it. All you need is some striping tape!

Research polishes;
Taping technique

I keep thinking...

I keep thinking that I'm gonna sit down and do something awesome and festive, but I just haven't been in the mood.  I didn't have a plan when I started this.  I just picked out a gray, knew I wanted some black in the mix, and then went for it.  I guess it's not UN-festive.  It has colorful glitter on it.  LOL

That is not a weird nail-mole on my ring finger.  It's actually a cute little heart-shaped stud, but the angle does it no justice.  It just looks weird, and I couldn't get a better shot without photographing my nails from the side.  Oh well!

Resesarch polish;
Embellishment from BornPretty;
Freehand technique

Wish I could take the advice of my ring finger.

Wish I could take the advice of my ring finger. But I'm just not in the mood.

This is a weird polish... the pink one actually has a green sheen that I couldn't seem to capture on camera. I only see it sometimes when I'm wearing it. I'm gonna look for a swatch to post.

Polish:  Kardashian Beauty - Cabana Collection - Honey Bronze

Honey Bronze by Kardashian Beauty, research polishes;
Research plate;
Stamping technique

So... these are the nails I did last night.

So... these are the nails I did last night.

I like that I did a pretty kick-ass job on the gradient. I still need more practice, but it's coming along. 🙂

I dislike that I missed the edges where my nail connects to my fingers. I guess my nail bed is pretty curved, or my fingers or fat, or something. I tried really hard to sponge in the edges, but if you press too hard, that messes up your work. Despite using a very soft sponge and the fact that my whole first knuckle was covered in polish, I just couldn't get in there. 🙁 Maybe I should have just used a blue background so the edges wouldn't be so noticeable. I guess I will know better for next time.

Anyway, I stamped on this snowflake pattern because I've been cold and am thinking winter.

All in all, I think they are pretty cute, but those edges REALLY bug me. I am sometimes too much of a perfectionist. 😕

Various blue polishes;
Reseach plate;
Stamping and Sponging techniques

Pardon my nubs...

Pardon my nubs... it was time to shorten them. I broke a few and was like "Screw this." LOL

So... ugly Christmas sweater? Wrapping paper? What do you think?

Research polishes;
Research plate;
Stamping technique

I'm gonna tell y'all something pathetic.

I'm gonna tell y'all something pathetic.  It took me two days to do these.  LOL  I haven't felt great for the last few days, so yeah.

I think I did the base layers on Sunday...  And I did the black last night; I do remember that much.  I napped off and on all day yesterday, and I did the black in the evening when Shadow was home and I had a few consecutive hours of awake-ness.

I think these are super cute and festive.  I REALLY considered using brown instead of black on my tips, but then I thought it would look like chocolate.  I don't know why I thought at the time that that would be a BAD thing.  I guess it's just proof that I really was sick.  LOL

Research polishes;
Taping technique

So... this paint job took some forethought. 😃

So... this paint job took some forethought. 😃

I found these cool UV color changing polishes online, and so I wanted to get a few - obviously. I thought it would be really cool to stamp with them if I could, so I got two metallic-looking colors (because those usually stamp ok). I also tried to buy colors that looked just like something I already had. That was a little harder to do, but I think I got close.

So... this is the result. Left photo is in the shade. You can kind of see the swirl pattern anyway, but indoors, you can't at all unless you are looking for it. The right photo was taken in sunlight, so now the stamped image is popping. HOW COOL IS THAT?!

All the way. That's how cool it is. 😃

So, I feel like I might want a few more of these. I bet this would be really awesome to try again in the summer, when the sun is out all over the place. I might try some of their non-metallic colors, because their metallics weren't smooth, which made the stamping a little crappy. Thankfully, I chose a pattern that didn't have a lot of straight and crisp edges. This one looks more like maybe a tornado from the top, so I think it's entirely appropriate that it's not "perfect".

Another note on these polishes - they are scented. This one is Cinnamon Bun, and I have another called Sweet Cream. Scented polishes seem to be really hit or miss - either they don't smell much, or they smell TOO MUCH. These are JUST RIGHT. You kind of have to get your hands close to your face, so it's not like you are perfuming the whole room with them. And the smells are actually really nice. This one does smell like cinnamon, and ohemgee, the Sweet Cream makes me want to eat my hands. 😳

These are by Ruby Wing. I also love their motto: "If nothing ever changed there'd be no butterflies!" I know that I probably sound like an advertisement, and I'm sorry for that. I just really like them. If you want some scented, color-changing polishes, they are available at rubywing.com.

Research polishes;
Research plate;
Stamping technique

So... this is NOT my usual style.

So... this is NOT my usual style. This is a little out-there for me. But on the way to Ulta the other day, I was inspired by a billboard. It was a red box with a zebra print frame. I tried doing just a red square in the middle, but I didn't like that, so I made a stripe all the way down, and that was better. I like the way they look, but I am not a fan of white polish. It is SO HARD to clean your edges and make them look nice. I don't know why. 😕

Research polish;
Research plates;
Stamping and Taping techniques

So... I am not into football, even slightly.

So... I am not into football, even slightly. BUT, I really dig that they have these colors paired off, AND nail decals to go with them. That was a good idea. They also have files, too, but I care less about that. It's probably crap.

This is at Martin's Pharmacy in Oxford if anyone is interested. I got the white from the AL side and the blue from the AU side. They are both really pretty. 🙂

These are the nails I did last night.

These are the nails I did last night. The gray color is a new polish from Ulta and the glitter was a new one from Sally's. 🙂 I tend to default into stamping, but this was in my "To Do" folder, so I went for it. It was pretty easy. And it's festive, so that's cool, too. 🙂

Research polish;
Tape from BornPretty;
Taping technique

I am having a good day so far! 😃

I am having a good day so far!  😃

I woke up and did some cleaning so that birthday-me doesn't have to do it tomorrow.  BEST IDEA EVER.  😃

Then, me and Shaun met Emily and her guy at Ulta - for NAIL POLISH, of course.  The MOST AMAZING THING happened while we were there.  I found a bottle of Revlon's Secluded Beach - just sitting around in some random place.  For those who don't remember it was from the Limited Edition Collection that came out during the summer.  I could not find a bottle of that around here in August (even though it hadn't been out for long), so I traded Jennifer some roaches for a bottle she found in her area.  How it has lasted at Ulta this long is BEYOND ME.  It wasn't even regular Revlon price... it was $4.99.  I bet I could sell that on ebay for at least $30.  I am not even kidding.  Who knows if I will, but I know I have the option!  I was just SO STUNNED.  I looked up and was like, "WTFisthatSecludedBeach?!"  Yes.  Yes it was.  😳

I don't know what this pattern is supposed to be, really...

I don't know what this pattern is supposed to be, really... but in green, it made me think of something like moss. I was really at a loss as to what else this paint job needed and then I saw one of my fairies blowing a dandelion tuft and thought "This will be good." I like it. I like nature and fairies. 🙂

Research polishes;
Research plates;
Stamping techniques

Purples.

Purples.

Triangles.

Glitter.

😃

Research polishes;
Research plates;
Embellishment from BornPretty;
Stamping technique

I always feel like November is brown.

I always feel like November is brown. And I just wanted something brown-ish on my nails, but not too dark. So this happened.

I think it's pretty cute, and I will probably try stamping over stripes again soon. I like the way that looks. 🙂

Research polishes;
Research plate;
Embellishment from BornPretty;
Taping and Stamping techniques

These are from the other day.

These are from the other day. I almost forgot to photograph them, as you can probably tell by how much they grew out before I did it!

I think I wasn't concerned about whether I got a photo or not. I didn't impress myself with these. LOL

Research polishes;
Research plates;
Stamping technique

I had this thought a while back...

I had this thought a while back and then dismissed it like I was crazy.  Until someone brought it up and said I should do it.  So here goes:

You all obviously know that I like doing nails.  I have considered going to nail school, but I would need night classes (which no one offers), so that's a no-go.  I'm not really upset about that because I feel like I would end up hating nail art if I had to do it all the times.

So... I was thinking of ways to use my nail supplies / skills in a part-time kind of way that would be fun and that might make me a little bit of money in the process.  What I came to was:  Painting nails at birthday parties.  Like, wouldn't most kids like that?  I could be entertainment.  I could do what I like to do.  And get paid for it.  And usually parties are on the weekend so that wouldn't conflict with my work schedule.  And no classes necessary since I'm not manicuring them, technically.

So, I'm gonna go for it.  If anyone has a little kid who might be into that, let me know.  If you know of anyone you can send them to my page, Polish ALL the Things, so they can see what I do.  For parties, I'd only want to do stamping, or maybe taping and stamping, but nothing crazy like water marbling because that's hard and extremely time-consuming.  So yeah.  Help me out.  LOL  Someone find me a party to do!

I have not been doing my internet reading lately.

Ohhh... I have not been doing my internet reading lately.  I have 200 nail blog posts to catch up on.

😳

I was in the mood for something bright.

I was in the mood for something bright. So BAM! TAKE THAT! WITH YOUR EYES! 😳

I'm not much of a pink-wearer, but I really like this color. It was an Orly October Breast Cancer Awareness polish. I don't know if you can still buy it, but I will totally paint your nails with mine! 😃

Research polish;
Stamping or Taping technique?

I got one of the plates I didn't think I would be able to get!

I got one of the plates I didn't think I would be able to get! It's got dragons on it. I guess these are supposed to be dragon scales. ❤❤❤

I used it over one my favorite greens ever - A. England's "Dragon." Fitting, right? That is the only A. England polish I have. They aren't sold around here, so you have to get them online. It's one of the more upscale polishes. This is ONE COAT of it. For realz. 😳

Anyway, the photo on the top is all about the polish. It's a beautiful green all of the time, but look how it lights up under the sun. The shimmer! The color! It is just yummy. 😃

I know that these nails are not super fancy or anything like that, but I am really digging these. I have been drooling over these for two days. 😃

Dragon by A. England;
Messy Mansion plate MM21;
Embellishments;
Dotting and Stamping techniques

Well, I lied. To myself, and to everyone else.

Well, I lied.  To myself, and to everyone else.

One last set of Halloween nails.

I started the month off with Jack and felt it was only fitting to end with Sally.

What I really love is that she's not necessarily done in Halloween colors.  I like these colors together, actually.  🙂  I think it's really pretty.

Happy Halloween!  😃

Research polishes;
Research plates;
Stamping and Dotting techniques

These are the last Halloween nails I'm doing this year.

These are the last Halloween nails I'm doing this year. I can't wait to take them off. I'm ready for something new. And I just did these last night!

I don't think I've ever seen an M&M the color of my ring finger, but they should TOTALLY make that. Who doesn't want booger colored candy on Halloween? And Shaun tried to convince me to go with a red base on my pointer finger, but I was afraid that would look too much like Christmas. So, since purple and green are the other two Halloween colors (in my head, anyway) it is what it is.

I think they are pretty cute, but I am honestly kind of burnt out on Halloween. Maybe I won't do the whole month next year. LOL

Research polishes;
Research plates;
Stamping and Taping techniques

I do NOT like these.

I do NOT like these.

But, I felt that they needed to be done. So there ya go. LOL

Various polishes;
Research plates;
Stamping and Layered Stamping techniques

I've had a lazy nail week.

I've had a lazy nail week. This one was from the other day, and I'm just now posting it.

Research polishes;
Research plates;
Stamping technique

Bewitching Nails!

Bewitching Nails! LOL

So... I have some pretty sad news. I spilled the crap out of my black stamping polish, so I had to order another. It was all I could do to get my designs to stamp as well as they did here and as you can see it wasn't that great. Too many little empty spots for me to be really happy with these.

Anyway, it should be here in a few days. Yay for that!

Research polishes;
Research plates;
Stamping and Taping techniques

I went into a Sally's...

I went into a Sally's and they had some CG Hologlam's on clearance.  Woohoo!  Nancy Pants, I had a Hologlam to send to you... I just ruined your surprise.  But when I went to pack it up the other day, it had leaked mostly out and was all dried up.  I don't know what happened, but I wasn't going to send it to you like that.  So now I got one to replace it.  I will mail it soon!  😃

So in Sally's the girl working complimented my nails and that made me feel awesome.

THEN, we went to Ulta.  Fuck yeah for nail polish!  I got two Layla's and a Zoya.  My first polishes of both of those brands.  They are not very Halloween-y, so I probably won't get to wear them anytime this month.  But, the two Layla's were on clearance PLUS I had a coupon, so that was awesome.  I've had a good nail polish day.  I don't even think I mentioned that we went also into the Sally's near Baja earlier today or that Shaun got a hand full of crackles at Big Lots.  Yeah... we might have a problem.  LOL

Anyway, anyone care to guess what I am about to go do?  😛

So... these are the nails that I tried a new thing with.

So... these are the nails that I tried a new thing with. I think they turned out pretty cute. Not bad for a first attempt at anything. 😃

So the new thing, if you can't tell, is that the patchwork stamping is colored in. Normally, it would just be the black outline. I could have done all of the voodoo dolls, but that was more work than I wanted to do. It honestly didn't even cross my mind. I had it in my head that I wanted colored patches, and that's exactly what I did. Maybe I was a bit too focused. LOL

Basically, you can make your own nail decals with nail polish, some stamping plates, a stamper and some PATIENCE. You pick up the nail design as usual, but instead of transferring it directly to the nail, you paint it in with whatever color or colors you want to use. Topcoat it and let it dry, while still on the stamper. After a while, you can peel it off, then topcoat your nails and let dry until tacky. Stick your polish image down and topcoat some more.

I almost jacked my thumb up, as you can probably tell from the bubbles. They didn't bother me so much that I had to take it off and start over, though. They are barely visible unless I'm looking for them.

So, this opens up some doors for more cool things to do when stamping. It's just kind of tedious and you have to be really patient and slow. I don't know that I'll be doing it often, but maybe for accents once in a while.

Research polishes;
Research plates;
Stamping and Stamping Decal techniques

I just finished doing my nails...

I just finished doing my nails... Unfortunately, my little cemetery scene didn't last. 🙁 I doubt that these are visually as interesting, but I got to try out a new technique where you make your own decals with the stamper and some nail polish. I am pretty psyched that I got it to work and I'm really excited to do it again with some of my other images. That opens up a lot of possibilities. 😃

Photo tomorrow! 😉

Cutesy Creepy Cemetery Nails! 😃

Cutesy Creepy Cemetery Nails! 😃

I really like these. I should - it took me HOURS to figure out what I was going to do. Getting it done wasn't as bad, but decisions are hard. LOL

Various polishes, including Recycle by China Glaze;
Research plates;
Dotting and Freehand techniques

My version of Jack Skellington nails. 🙂

Thought I would start October off right. My version of Jack Skellington nails. 🙂

I think I'm going to try to do Halloween-themed all month. We shall see if I run out of ideas. 😃

My stamping polish is almost gone and dry, hence the less-than-perfect transfer of Jack's face. Still love it, though!

Black and White polishes;
Striping Tape from BornPretty;
Research plate;
Stamping and Taping techniques

These two colors were sitting out on my nail table...

These two colors were sitting out on my nail table and I was leaning towards just wearing the pink color, but when I put them both on to decide what I wanted to do I ended up REALLY liking the combination of the two.  I like the pink fine by itself, but I'm not a huge fan of all dark colored paintjobs.  Not on myself, anyway.  So I decided to go with two dark accent nails.  I really like how this turned out.  I will probably do this more often with my other dark colors.  It's not something I intentionally discovered, but I am glad that I did.  😃

I put a nail sticker on my pinky, and it looked fine when I went to bed last night, but when I got up today it looks a bit like it smudged.  I didn't even know that was possible.  😳  Oh well.

Research polish;
Research plates;
Embellishments from BornPretty;
Stamping technique

Aw, man!

Aw, man!  I just got an email that a few of the stamping plates I was really looking forward to are in stock.  I reserved them so that I would be notified when they came in.  I now have THREE DAYS to purchase them or they will be sold.  What a bummer.  I'm afraid that I am gonna have too many vet bills this weekend to get them.  🙁

Oh well.  It's just stuff.  I will try to get them later.  I just can't believe the timing!  LOL

I realize that this is a boring ass paint job to post, but...

I realize that this is a boring ass paint job to post, but I'm not posting it because I've done anything special.  I am posting it because HOLY SHIT - THAT COLOR IS BEAUTIFUL.  😳

I'm not one for dark shades, really, but for some reason I love this.  LOVE ❤ LOVE it.  It's so creamy and brown and red and just beautiful.

I've been staring at it since I put it on last night.  And I had big plans for this manicure.  I was gonna stamp it and all kinds of stuff.  But it was just too pretty to cover up, so I completely changed my mind.  I put some stones on there because I'm still me, but damn.  I just wanted to SEE this.  😳

So... I was looking at it today and I finally figured out what my attraction to it is.  It looks like RED VELVET CAKE.  MY FAVORITE CAKE EVER.  Now I want some cake.  And I don't want to wait until my birthday.  I am so bad!

For anyone who is curious, this color is I Knead Sour-Dough by OPI.  It SHOULD HAVE been called "I NEED Red Velvet Cake!"  For. Realz.

Shauna - thank you x1000.  I wouldn't have gotten this without you.  I love it so much I might need a back-up bottle.  😳

I Knead Sour-Dough by OPI;
Embellishments from BornPretty

Internet nails!

Internet nails!  LOL  How many "likes" for my pinky?  😛

Research polishes;
Research plates;
Stamping technique

I have never tried Zoya Remove+...

I have never tried Zoya Remove+ - probably because it's expensive and I've never seen it anywhere.  But it does get an ass-ton of shout-outs in the nail world.  Now I don't have to buy it.  I keep plenty of acetone around.  😃

SCIENCE!  😃

https://loodieloodieloodie.blogspot.com/2011/07/moisturize-your-nails-with-acetone.html

I did these yesterday while I wasn't feeling super great.

I did these yesterday while I wasn't feeling super great.  I wanted to do something that would look neat, but not take a lot of time or brain-power.  LOL  So, DOTS!  Lots and lots of dots!  😛

I have dotting tools, but you can also make dots with things around the house, like the not-pointy ends of pins (not pens), and toothpicks, and pencil erasers...  Pretty easy, and they are fun.  I'll keep these on a few days, I guess.

Various polishes;
Dotting technique

I don't really know what these are about.

I don't really know what these are about.  LOL  The stamping was done with a plate that looked like mail and birds, and the nail tattoos had the same vibe, so I put them together.  The tattoos were some cheapie ones from Wal-Mart, but they worked out pretty nice.  They aren't true "fake tattoos"... the images are kind of rubbery.  It's weird.  Most fake tattoos just stick down and that's that.  But these hung off my nails, so I had to use a file to remove the extra and acetone to get off what ended up on my cuticles and fingers.  Bizarre!

So the blue base on my thumb and pinkie looked like it was going to match the bird on my bird finger when it was in the bottle.  But when it dried, it did not.  It was much darker.  Oh well.

I feel like these are ok.  Not my favorite, but probably because it's not really my style.  But hey, at least they aren't boring!  😃

Research polishes:

Research plate;
Waterslide Decal

Butterfly nails! 🙂

Butterfly nails!  🙂

I have wanted this stamping plate for a LONG time, but it's always sold out every time I try to order it.  Thank goodness that Ninja Polish had one!

I used all holographic polishes, but I just couldn't get the camera to pick up the rainbows today.  I desperately need a new camera.  My birthday is coming up soon, so maybe I will get one then. Paws crossed!

Research polishes;
Research plate;
Stamping and Dotting techniques

Got my nail stuff today.

Got my nail stuff today.  The Ninja Polish surprise was a bottle of Ninja Polish Eye Candy.  Makes me think of Mardi Gras with it's gold, purple, blue and green glitter!

Also pretty stoked about my Bootie Baby polish.  That bottle CRACKS me up!  😛

So... Yesterday I caved and placed a small order with Ninja Polish.

So...  Yesterday I caved and placed a small order with Ninja Polish.  Couldn't help myself with all of the pretties she was posting, plus the chance to get my order free or a with a little extra something just made it incredibly hard to pass up.  So I got my shipping label, and while I didn't get my whole order free, I did get a freebie Mystery Ninja Polish.  So WOOHOO, I WON!  😃  Can't wait to see what it is.  I am so very excited, you have no idea.  😃😃😃

And YES, I ordered one of the bootie polishes!  LOL  I just had to.  😃

Decided to do my nails last night and...

Decided to do my nails last night and I'm finally wearing my Secluded Beach!  Woohoo!

I guess I'm just in the mood for glequins, so I used them again.  I wanted to decorate this paint job somehow, but not hide the color I tried for months to get, so the glequins worked out.  😃

Last night before I took my other paint off Shaun convinced me to matte it.  I did, and I liked the way it looked, so I tried it on this.  I don't like it on this so much.  For one, there is just something really neat about matte black and for two, the glequins I used last time weren't iridescent, so it didn't take a lot away from them.  I feel like the matte totally kind of kills this, though.  Luckily, it's easily fixed by just applying another shiny topcoat.  😃

So which do you prefer?

Research polish;
Embellishments from BornPretty

This nail polish is shaped like a butt! LOLzThis nail polish is shaped like a butt! LOLz

This nail polish is shaped like a butt!  LOLz

I really have to have one.  At least for the bottle.  Oh my gawsh.  😃

Ninja Polish :: Bootie Babe

Polish freaks... this site is awesome.

Polish freaks... this site is awesome.  If you want anything, looks like today is a good day to order.  😃  I don't have the cash to buy a bunch of stuff (oh, how I wish I did!), but if anyone is interested in getting anything, I'd be willing to put it on my account and see if we've won the order for free.  Also, if we can hit $40, we get free shipping.  😃

www.ninjapolish.com

I feel like it's been FOREVER since I've done my nails.

I feel like it's been FOREVER since I've done my nails.  I've been really busy around the house lately.  I did these late yesterday after cleaning the house off and on all day.  I really wanted to use my new Secluded Beach, but I didn't want to waste it on a boring paint job, so I decided to wait since I didn't have the brain power for anything too fancy.  I was tired!

So... I'm not the hugest fan of black nails.  But I think that the flesh gaps and glequins make all of the difference because I'm really digging these!  I think I've finally found a way to wear black and like it!  They look really nice in person and even though they all match, they are NOT boring.  I am pleasantly surprised!  I think I will try something similar closer to Halloween.  In black and orange, obviously.  😃

So these were pretty easy.  I just cut tape into squares and put the corner edge down, painted black over it, and pulled it off.  Most of my lines came out crisp, but even if they hadn't it wasn't a big deal since I was going to cover the edges with glequins anyway.  I also think that colored striping tape (now available at Wal-Mart!) would look nice instead of glequins.  I just don't have luck with getting that stuff to stick down for more than a day or two.  And once it starts peeling up, I pull it off, so the whole paint job is usually ruined pretty fast.  I really like the way that stuff looks, but I tend to avoid it for that reason.  😕

Black polish;
Glequin Embellishments from BornPretty

Woohoo! Happy Day!

Woohoo!  Happy Day!

The awesome Jennifer sent me a bottle of Revlon's Secluded Beach.  She found one in her nick of the woods.  In return, I sent her some roaches.  😃

Jennifer - did they make it ok?

Nails I did late last night.

Nails I did late last night.  I'm gonna be honest - my original plan was something totally different, but after trying about 3 different times to make that work and HATING IT I gave up and did this instead.  It was easy, and it's fun and bright.  I really like the way glitters look, but they are such a pain to get off that I don't like using them often.  So, I generally reserve them for accents when I do use them.

This is a purple I use a lot - it's kind of my fall-back purple, so after I got frustrated I picked it up and thought "Whatever I do to this will be awesome because I like this color so much.  I just can't go wrong when I use it."  Then I saw my new glitter (by Finger Paints, bought recently at Sally's on clearance) and that thought it would go great.  Then I stamped my purples and I was happy.  😃

Research polishes;
Research plate;
Stamping technique

I don't know what the little dude on my ring finger is supposed to be, but...

I don't know what the little dude on my ring finger is supposed to be, but I thought he was cute! He didn't transfer too well... must be all of the thin lines. I still like him anyway! 😃

Research polish;
Research plate;
Embellishment from BornPretty;
Stamping and Taping techniques

Crappy photo of a kind of crappy manicure.

Crappy photo of a kind of crappy manicure.  I guess it's not bad, but it's really not doing it for me.  I THOUGHT I was in the mood for dragonflies, but maybe not.

Not to mention that I did this last night and if you look at my middle finger, you can see where I broke that nail a couple of hours ago and glued it back together.  Also, on my pointer finger I have chipped and broken it, as well.  I do believe it is time to go and shorten my damn nails.  LOL

Research polishes;
Research plate;
waterslide decals

So last night after work Shaun took me to Walgreen's.

So last night after work Shaun took me to Walgreen's.  I just sometimes like to go there because they have a lot of types of nail polish that other places don't carry.  So a little back story before I tell you what I'm going to tell you...

Revlon released a limited edition summer collection called Haute Tropics.  There was a color in that collection that I REALLY REALLY wanted called Secluded Beach.  I haven't been able to find any of that collection around here and I've been looking for months.  I assumed that it didn't come out around here and had pretty well given up on ever getting it.  I can't even find it online!

So I went in to Walgreen's and I saw - stashed by the cosmetics register in a small clear plastic tub - the Haute Tropics collection of nail polish by Revlon.  They had every single one of them EXCEPT Secluded Beach!  That was a such a huge bummer.  I got all excited, and then I got all bummed.  It was like, "Seriously?  Just, for real, that just happened?"

I'm not upset now.  I got over that pretty quick, since a week or two ago I decided that it was a useless search and that I shouldn't waste my time worrying about it.  But it does kind of make me want to hit every store in the area JUST IN CASE.  Maybe I have plans today.  LOL

I was so exhausted last night that this was the best I could do.

I was so exhausted last night that this was the best I could do.  I did not have time for something that required actual work.

Wal-Mart has a bunch of new nail stuff.  That is where these decals came from.

Research polishes;
Research decals;
Nail Piercing

Ready for Repticon! Woohoo!

Ready for Repticon! Woohoo! This is one of the reptile patterns that I have. I think I have around 4 more. They are all a little different.

So... a general rule of stamping is to use a flat color and either a metallic or something shiny - not both. It's totally fine to do two flat colors because they'll show up, but when you get two shinys going, it usually makes your patterns hard to see, but in this case I wanted something kind of subtle so I went for it.

So my base is a beige-y color with gold glitter flecks and I stamped with a pretty gold / green / purple color flipping polish, so sometimes my pattern really jumps out, and sometimes it blends in. These are really nice in person. I can't ever just leave it well enough alone, so I pierced a nail and glued some studs on the thumb. Ahh, that's better. 😃

The last paint job I did was a total rush and I didn't even post it because my son was like, "Those are boring." LOL It was just a flat color with some decals from Wal-Mart. I was short on time the night I did those. Anyway, I guess there is just a level of craziness that everyone has come to expect from my nails. I have STANDARDS, damn it! 😃

Research polish;

Research plate;
Embellishments from BornPretty;
Stamping and Nail Piercing techniques

My boring-ass nails from this weekend.

My boring-ass nails from this weekend.  I must really be in a nail funk.  LOL  I thought that since it was sunny I'd wear a holographic polish, but it's not playing nice with the sun.  It weirdly shows it's holo effect more indoors, which is pretty unusual.

Janet picked out my design for me.  I was just tired and not in the right frame of mind to be creative.  I had to have some help.  I already know what I'm wearing this weekend, but if I change my nails before then I'm gonna have to dig through my nails "to do" folder for inspiration.  This kind of sucks.  😕

Research polish;
Research plate;
Stamping technique

Janet's nails from this weekend.

Janet's nails from this weekend.  She did the painting and clean-up and I did the stamping.  I really like her choice of color and stamps.  Mine were MUCH less creative.  I should have let her design my whole manicure.  She did pick out my stamp for me.  I was just having a brain-fart moment.  LOL

Research polishes;
Research plates

The beach nails didn't last long.

The beach nails didn't last long. They just weren't my style, so I wasn't enjoying looking at them. I did these real quick last night. I didn't have a whole lot of time, and my original idea was something entirely different, but things went in their own direction, and here we are. LOL

I put down my base color (which is one I really adore! - some off brand polish I found in Douglasville a while back) and then used Saran Wrap to put the sparkly color down. Then I stamped this festive, swirly design on top. Pretty easy. I could really see that design going great over some brighter colors.

Honestly, I feel like something is missing here. I really don't enjoy it when all of my nails look the same. I have no idea why. LOL Even though these have depth and are pretty and interesting, it's just not enough. I might have to go and paint one the base color or black or something, just so I don't take them off. 😛

Research polish;
Sponging and Stamping techniques

Please pardon my dry and crusty cuticles.

Please pardon my dry and crusty cuticles.  I did moisturize before this photo, but they are obviously still pretty sad.  Between the yard work yesterday, and the ASS TON of acetone it took to clean up after sponging that gradient, I guess that's understandable.  Poor cuticles.  🙁

So... this paint job was a lot of fun to do, actually.  I've never been into free-handing anything, but I followed the tutorial linked below, so it was pretty easy.  Time-consuming - DEFINITELY.  But that's fine.  I enjoy painting nails and learning new things, and I had some free time, so why not?

I'm actually pretty proud of these.  Maybe I'll branch out and actually gain some painting skillz.  🙂

If anyone else tries these nails, I'd love to see photos!

https://www.chalkboardnails.com/2013/07/tutorial-beauty-and-beach-summer-nail.html

Various polishes;

Freehand technique

Just finished doing my nails.

Just finished doing my nails.  That was some hours.  LOL  I followed a tutorial I found online, and oddly enough, it was mostly freehand work, which I NEVER do.  But I think they turned out pretty nice.  These are not usually my style AT ALL, but I do like them.  I guess I'm finally branching out a little.  And I'm finally making use of that awesome brush set that Shaun got me so long ago.  Yay for things!  😃

So apparently...

So apparently, there are a lot of awesome stamping plates coming out.  I REALLY WANT TO BUY THEM!

But I'm being good.

And responsible.

And good.

But it sucks.

😐

Here they are!

Here they are! Galaxy Nails have been on my list of nail things to try for ages. Seriously. I don't know why I never did them before now. They were pretty easy, and they look really nice. I'm hoping I don't have to take them off for a while. Maybe they'll last at least until the weekend.

For those who are wondering, you just paint down a base color (usually black, but I went with a metallic navy blue) and then sponge down different colors in random places. Then use a small paint brush and / or dotting tool for the stars. Most of the Galaxy Nails I've ever seen were really dark. Black as a base, then a lot of deep purples, reds and blues. I like the lighter colors. I'm not a fan of anything super dark on my nails, I've discovered.

Shaun had to correct me. He says these don't look like a galaxy. They look a like a nebula. Ok, so they're Nebula Nails, then. My bad. 😃

Various polishes;
Freehand, Sponging, and Dotting techniques

I finally sat down and did some galaxy nails tonight.

I finally sat down and did some galaxy nails tonight.  They have been on my "to do" list forEVER.  I think they turned out rather pretty.  They are not as dark as most of the ones I've seen, but I think I prefer that.  I recently saw a pastel version that was really nice, but it was too light for my tastes.  So, mine are kind of in between.  Photo tomorrow!  🙂

Btw, husbang has serious issues with the fact that they are not called "Nebula Nails."  First of all, that sounds much better.  Secondly, if you look up Galaxy vs. Nebula, Nebula fits better with the nail art that people are doing.  We just had to put that out there.

This color is SOOO pretty.

This color is SOOO pretty.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pink with the blue-leaning sheen.  But holy cow, it STINKS.  It is scented, and it smells like VERY STRONG cheap floral perfume, and I've had a headache all day.  It's gotta go.

Not to mention that I can never keep my striping take stuck down on the edges for long.  (I don't know why.  I have tried everything.  It just doesn't last.)  And once it starts coming up, it's just SO COMPLETELY SATISFYING to pull that shit up.  My tape didn't make it past lunch today.  LOL

Research polish;
Research plate;
Stamping and Taping techniques

I just feel a little bit stupid right now.

I just feel a little bit stupid right now.  LOL  I bought this new nail polish from Walgreen's the other night and I just tried it out.  When I was using it I kept thinking, "This is super smelly.  Like fucking flowers or something."  And not in a good way.  Like, extremely overpowering floral perfume.  And it's dry, and it still smells.  So much a lot.  🙁

SO... I'm in my room, away from the nail polish, so I thought I'd Google it so I could tell you what it was.  And when I found the image, the display clearly said "Scented Nail Polish."  I'm telling you - if I'd noticed that I probably wouldn't have bought it.  At least not the flower smell.  MAYBE the vanilla, but that color wasn't as impressive.  What gets me is that it doesn't say that it's scented on the bottle.  I checked, twice.  I don't know if I can survive the night with this smell.  And I just spent two hours doing my nails.  🙁

Here it is, for anyone interested.  I got pink rose.  Blegh.

https://wieniawski.blogspot.com/2013/04/tea-beauty-bouquet-collection-opi-euro.html

Research polish

Went to Wal-Mart to look for a certain Revlon polish...

Went to Wal-Mart to look for a certain Revlon polish that's only available for the month of July.  Didn't find it.  HOWEVER, I saw some other pretty cool stuff.  They now have more interesting decals, striping tape, nail tattoos, and nail foils.  I picked up a few new things.  Hopefully, they aren't just crap.  We shall see!  😃

I saw something similar to this on a blog...

I saw something similar to this on a blog and thought I'd give it a try. This one is actually freehand! It was so super easy, though, I even did it on my left hand with my right. 😃 So you just take a really fine brush (or use striping polishes if you have them) and make partial lines. I think the one I saw online used a lot of straight lines, but I kind of like them wavy better. Gives it a neat smoky look. If you have access to a tiny brush, definitely try this. Unless you think it's ugly, then don't waste your time. 🙂

Research polishes;
Freehand technique

Damn, I needed some color...

Damn, I needed some color after a couple of days of those dark sandpaper claws. 😳 This is more like it. 😃 I guess I'm not that into dark vampy colors. Now I know.

Cherry Blossom, anyone?

Research polish;
Waterslide Decal

I got a few of the new OPI Liquid Sand polishes.

I got a few of the new OPI Liquid Sand polishes. I really like that they have texture AND sparkle. The only problem with the textured polishes is that I can't think of a lot of ways to do nail art with them, other than tape manicures of some sort. If you top-coat them like crazy, you could probably stamp over them or something, but I don't feel it's worth the effort. I really like the look of the sandy texture, anyway. Feels really nice when you have an itch, too. Like you have little pieces of sandpaper attached to your fingers. 😃

I don't usually like wearing really dark colors, but I do like this one. I think the pink glitter helps. 🙂

Even though the textured polishes aren't shiny, I dig them more than smooth matte nails. I think that the smooth matte looks really neat, but I hate the way it feels when I touch it. It totally weirds me out. LOL But texture, I can deal with.

Sorry for the weird hand angle and all that. My camera screen is still jacked, so just pointing and shooting and hoping for the best. LOL

Research polishes;

Taping technique