Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Source: abeautifulrippleeffect.com via Becky on Pinterest

Beauty-FULL Christmas- Priti NYC

I know that these nail polish gift sets are trending right now, but they're just too beautiful to pass up!  Here is another one of my favorites (brand & gift sets)!

I love Priti NYC nail polish.  They're eco-friendly & they have an unbelievably buttery smooth formula.  Above is the Priti French Holiday kit.  These polishes look so yummy & then their descriptions make you NEED them.  See what I mean...
152 - April Snow WINTER 2011 COLLECTION (Muted gold with pearly finish)

354 - London Brocade WINTER 2011 COLLECTION (Metallic burgundy with multicolored glitter)

640 - Monkey Puzzle WINTER 2011 COLLECTION (Metallic turquoise green with glittery specks)
657 - Lilac Queen WINTER 2011 COLLECTION (Dark metallic purple with glittery finish)

Each "kit" runs $37.50 but it's well worth it when buying polish that you love:)

Here are my other favorite kits:

Priti Summer Night kit

 340 - Black Prince Orchid (Dark reddish fuchsia)
457 - Snapdragon (Dark sunset orange)

648 - Californian Bluebell (Bright glossy grayish blue) 

705 - 2-in-1 Top & Base Coat 

 

Priti In Style kit

338 - Queen of the Night Tulip (Glossy wine red)
606 - Oleaster (Dark opaque mousy grey) 
634 - Constant Nymph (Deep midnight blue w/pearly finish)

705 - 2-in-1 Top & Base Coat

These kits are beautifully themed & all of them are full of gorgeous polishes!  If you're looking for a new eco-friendly nail polish there is no need to look much further than this:)

What are your thoughts on nail polish gift sets?

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Source: etsy.com via Kate on Pinterest

Beauty-FULL Christmas- Zoya Color Box Gift Sets

Many of you have seen the beautiful Color Box Gift Sets that Zoya has put out recently.  I love them.  They're the perfect way to shower a friend with incredible nail polish.  Zoya is one of my favorite brands of nail polish and I have yet to try one that disappoints me.  I would HIGHLY recommend that anyone who was unsure about buying Zoya go and get one of these amazing boxes:)

Every box comes with 3 beauties tucked inside a beautiful black box.  And each box is only $24:)

Here are my favorites (just in case you feel like getting me some Zoya polishes!)

BONUS: EVERY box gets FREE EXPEDITED SHIPPING!

Check them out for yourself: http://www.zoya.com/content/38/category/Zoya_color_box_giftset.html

Monday Manicure

Today PaA challenged us to include a "fierce accent nail" :)  Well I wore BEAUTIFUL Zoya Vanessa for Thanksgiving & did not have a chance to do a new mani for a whole 6 1/2 days!  *gasp* So I just added a beautiful accent nail to her.

 First I must say, Zoya Vanessa is a MUST HAVE.  Seriously, it's my new favorite red and it has cranberry, raspberry, plum hues (this picture does NOT do her justice).  She shifts from vampy red in the shade to a bright berry red in sunlight.  It's basically love in a bottle:)  I love her.  You need her.  AND if you don't already have any Zoyas you should rethink that decision.  The mani in this picture was done on Tuesday morning and this was photographed on Monday afternoon!  That is 6 1/2-ish days of tip wear right there and it doesn't look too shabby to me.  (Btw, I forgot to put a base coat on before I wore it for nearly a week.  Could you imagine it with Zoya's Armor Top Coat?!?!?)

The accent nail polish is Tuff Scent Wisdom. It is a gold glitter packed polish in a slightly yellow-ish clear base.  AND this is one coat of grapefruit scented goodness.  Yes I said ONE coat:)  I love how simple yet beautiful this Monday Mani came out.  I'm so glad I did it.  Red & gold on my nails?!?!  I know you're shocked aren't you...ok you're not but I still love you:)

What is your favorite accent nail polish???

Beauty-FULL Christmas- Vitabath

I recently received a 12fl. oz. Vitabath in my Cosmo VoxBox from Influenster.  This was my FAVORITE item in my VoxBox, as I previously had experience with the other products.

I recieved the Dreamy Pink Frosting scent from the Cupcake Couture line.  Let me tell you, it smells divine.  I cannot wait to order more Vitabath products.  They are incredible.  The scent is decadent, not overpowering and makes your skin soft.  The body wash contains Vitamin A, B3, Pro-vitamins B5, C, & E which are skin conditioning nutrients.  It is sulfate & paraben free and rich in antioxidants which revitalize your skin.

Even though this may seem pricey at $9.99 a bottle, a little goes a long way.  You NEED to go buy this, it will help keep your skin moisturized and glowing all winter long.  Please go treat yourself to this amazing body wash.  It would make the PERFECT stocking stuffer!  I know I'm planning on getting another one for myself and a couple others for my favorite people on my Christmas shopping list.  Check out their website at http://www.myvitabath.com/


Here is some background information on the company, which refers to its product justly as "luxury in a bottle."

Luxury in a Bottle

For more than 50 years, consumers have trusted the Vitabath brand for unparalleled skin cleansing and conditioning. Vitabath’s quality ingredients and rich fragrances indulge the senses and nourish the skin, resulting in a relaxing, yet invigorating, at-home spa experience. In 2011, Vitabath is revitalizing its brand with the introduction  of a new moisturizing body wash line with a wide variety of fresh, playful fragrances.

All of the products in Vitabath’s newest collection of sulfate and paraben free body washes boast a moisturizing formula that leaves skin feeling clean, refreshed and vibrant. Featuring a nourishing blend of Vitamins A, B3, B5, C and E, as well as an antioxidant superfruit blend, the Fragrance Collection moisturizes and revives skin with its rich, luxurious lather. The Fragrance Collection body washes retail for $9.99 or less each at www.myvitabath.com and at ULTA Beauty, Harmon Discount, Stages, Duane Reade, Fred Meyer and Bed Bath & Beyond stores.

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. Influenster provides products for review through their VoxBox program to innovative trend setters in the industry. http://www.influenster.com

I'm dreaming of a beauty-FULL Christmas

In the upcoming weeks I will be featuring some of my favorite beauty items for gift giving & getting.  I will also throw some other holiday favorites into the mix.  Stay tuned!  I hope you're anticipating it as much as I am!

World's First Nail Polish Adoption Agency: Parents Needed

Adoptapolish.org announces the world’s first adoption drive for in need nail polish, available for U.S. and Canadian applicants. 

Every day, thousands of nail polishes are abandoned or abused. They are not sticky or old, they are fine new polishes, stuck on a shelf because they are forgotten or out of season. All they desire is to be used, and maybe taken for a night on the town in return. 

“We have so many polishes who need a good family to take them in” said AdoptAPolish.org executive director Nikki Smith. “All it takes is filling out an application form describing how you can provide a better life for one of our in need nail polishes. We select the best application and take care of all the expenses, delivering your newly adopted polish directly to your door.” 

Essie Charleston

 

One current nail polish, Charleston, held back tears well describing his life, “I spent two years of my life stacked in a dark room crammed together with thousands of others just like me, hundreds pressing down on my shoulders at any given time. I’m a shimmer and I have never seen sunlight in my life. Oh and don’t get me started on CND Shellac, I just can’t keep going as long, why would any women want me” he continued. 

Please don’t let the agony go on any longer than it has to. The first round of adoptions closes December 31st. Apply to Adopt a Polish at http://www.adoptapolish.org/category/current-adoptions/ 

Zoya Angelina

I have already begun the polish adoption process through a beautifully written, heartfelt poem to Zoya Angelina...

Dear Angelina,

Some polishes are red.
Some polishes are blue.
I would love to be the one,
To take care of you.

We will go on dates.
Stay out very late.
We’ll find you some friends,
Maybe even a mate.

You’re the perfect brown,
For a night on the town.
I want to lift your spirits,
Whenever you’re down.

I will love you.
To you I’ll be true.
You’d be the star of my blog,
Even if you weren’t new.

Please accept this simple poem as a declaration of how much I would love you and take care of you. There will be new light in your life and you will bring grace and elegance to my tips and toes. We’ll be so happy together.

My heart longs for you Angelina. I hope I have proven myself worthy of your love in return.

Sincerely,
Your hopeful adoptive mom:)

This is a fun, unique way to adopt a new polish.  It requires some creativity.  I would encourage each and every one of you to give it a whirl:)  Check out some Essie, Zoya, Orly, and Color Club that needs your loving here and begin the adoption process TODAY:)

Monday Manicure

Wow.  I haven't done the Polish-aholics Anonymous Monday Manicure Challenge in a while.  Here's to hoping I can keep up with it!

This week the theme was "heart" manicure.  I did my best to brainstorm & prevent my manicure from looking like a Valentine.  I avoided my pinks & reds and decided to go to the opposite end, hence the tealish color palette.  The nail polishes used in this manicure were:

• Sinful Colors Open Seas
• Diamond Cosmetics Don't Teal My Heart Away
• Revlon Plum Night
• Sally Hansen Natural White

I also decided to only include one heart & throw in some plaid nail art:)  I think I will be adding plaid to my list of wearable nail art.  I'm a huge fan:)  Here she is...

How would you incorporate a heart theme into your manicure?

Vintage Lace Manicure

Confession: I enjoy doing nail art, but because I look younger than I am I try to stay away from nail art that can seem "juvenile."  I am forever impressed by the nail art that I see from amazing nail artists.  It's such an amazing art form.  I'm not against wearing nail art, I just prefer to have elegant, classy nails that enhance my style.  You may think  I'm boring, and that's ok.  We're all entitled to our opinions:)

Here is my favorite "go-to" nail art.  My hand-painted lace manicure.  I've done a tutorial on this mani before and it is definitely one of my favorites.  Enjoy:)

What is your FAVORITE nail art design to wear?

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Source: fromupnorth.com via Kate on Pinterest

Zoya's Newest Winter Collection: Feel Press Release

Many of you know that I love neutrals on nails.  So this press release excited me.  This collection is so "me" and I cannot wait to see some swatches of these lovelies by the lucky ducks that get to preview Zoya polishes:)

FEEL Beautiful!

Every season the color experts at Zoya create dozens of new color collection options. This

year, one of those “secret collections” just had to be seen now rather than later. FEEL by Zoya

Nail Polish delivers six new, highly pigmented, full coverge neutrals for right now!

Zoya FEEL Collection

• Kristen (ZP591): Full coverage, gull gray cream
• Carey (ZP592): Full coverage, periwinkle gray cream
• Megan (ZP593): Full coverage, taupe gray cream
• Kendal (ZP594): Full coverage, rose quartz beige cream
• Kennedy (ZP595): Full coverage, pale french beige cream
• Avery (ZP596): Full coverage, blonde beige cream

Zoya is the new color of fashion...

Ultra long-wearing, glossy nail lacquers by Zoya are free of harmful industrial chemicals

like toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, resin, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) that are known

to cause cancer and birth defects.

Find Zoya FEEL as well as over 300 other ultra high-fashion Zoya shades at

www.zoya.com. As always, each and every Zoya color is made for women so we

name them after women.

FEEL by Zoya

Sug. Retail $8.00 per 0.5 fl.oz. bottle (US)

www.zoya.com

Available November 15, 2011.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Source: shannonberrey.com via Kate on Pinterest

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Source: nicholeheady.typepad.com via Kate on Pinterest

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Source: imgjoe.com via Kate on Pinterest

win·ning

(wnng)

      adj.

             1. a. Of or relating to the act of winning: drew the winning number in the lottery.

                 b. Successful; victorious: the winning entry; the winning team.

             2. Attractive; charming: a winning personality; a winning smile.

      n.

             1. The act of one that wins; victory.

             2. Something won, especially money. Often used in the plural.

             3. A section of a mine that has been recently prepared or opened for working.

Winning gives each of us a thrill.  People love to win.  Who wouldn't like to win something?  It helps us to feel successful & adds a little bit of happiness to our day.  Winning blog giveaways is no exception.

So many blogs have giveaways.  I know that sometimes people only follow blogs for a short amount of time while a giveaway is going on.  I hope that you will all continue to find worth in my posts and stick around.  I did not have a giveaway to gain more followers, I did it merely as an appreciation of those who are loyal followers.  I look forward to many more fun posts and possibly some other giveaways in the future.  

At this time I must also apologize to you.  I know that I haven't been great at doing posts this month.  I have actually taken tons or pictures and done plenty of manicures.  I just haven't had mush time to focus on editing and posting.  This month has been crazy between work, grad school and having to travel mid-week for a funeral due to a death in the family.  I promise to get back to posting more often.  I just need to schedule some posts and get ahead of things rather than playing "catch-up".  Thank you so much for your understanding!

NOW for the winner of my 50 Follower Appreciation Giveaway... 

 

There were 16 followers new & old who entered :)  Out of those 16 followers there were 63 entries!

***drum roll***

Random.org chose #46 which was...

glamoratti

Congratulations, Elizabeth!

The winner has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond.  If there is no response within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen.  Thank you so much for all of your sweet & heartfelt comments, they made my day!

Ps. Elizabeth/glamoratti, I'm not sure if you left me the right email address.  If you see this please email your address to Fishing4Beauty@gmail.com Thanks!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Source: i155.photobucket.com via Kate on Pinterest

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Source: becauseitsawesome.blogspot.com via Kate on Pinterest

Cult Nails Top & Base Coat

Last month, (I know I'm bad-I'm sorry I'm so behind!) I won 4 Cult Nails polishes of my choice, THE Cult Nails nail file, and the soon-to-be-released Wicked Fast & Get It On (Top & Base Coat).  Maria packed them in this adorable cupcake box!  

Since receiving this glorious package, I've fallen madly in love with both Wicked Fast and Get It On.  The base coat, Get It On, somehow makes it so I have to do fewer coats of polish for some of my favorite polishes.  It prevents cuticle drag of even the fussiest formulas and makes the polish stick.  Wicked Fast, the Cult Nails top coat, dries quickly without bubbles and leaves your manicure with a glossy shine.  These are seriously the "dream team" of top and base coats. 

Here is an experiment I did to prove to you the unparalleled quality of these polishes.  After prepping my nails as usual, I put one coat of Get It On on my middle finger (far) and one coat of another widely used base coat on my ring finger (close).  After they had completely dried, I put one (not too thin/thick) coat of a polish that usually requires 2 coats because of its streaky nature.  The difference between the Cult Nails polish and the *other brand* is unreal. 

If you are looking for an amazing base & top coat you MUST go over to http://shop.cultnails.com/ and buy this incredible duo.  Or  go to Cult Nails on facebook where you'll find out the latest Cult Nails news.  Maria is going to release these beauties any day now, so feel free to stalk her lovely shop & check out her infamous polishes!

**Update: you can buy both the top & base coat for $15 or you can by them separately for $8 each**

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Source: xomyconfessions.tumblr.com via Kate on Pinterest

Monday Manicure

Polish-aholics Anonymous (a facebook group) hosts a Monday Manicure Challenge every Monday.  This week the theme with the most votes was CANDY.  Yummy!

When thinking what to do for this manicure, I was stumped.  I wanted it to be fun but wearable.  I racked my brain and eventually decided on trying a rock candy accent finger.  I prepped my nails as usual then chose Revlon Plum Night as my background color.  I let it dry and then covered my ring finger with nail glue and stuck on sea salt.  Ideally this would have been done in a pastel or a candy color, but I was feeling the dark purple instead.

 

Have you every stuck something unconventional to your nails?  What was the BEST or CRAZIEST thing you have ever stuck to your nails?

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Source: scribbler.co.uk via Shari on Pinterest

Monday Manicure

Happy Back to School! (or Happy Labor Day)

I created this manicure with a back to school theme.  I drew my inspiration from marble composition notebooks and graphite pencils.  Enjoy:

 

This week's PaA Monday Manicure was TV/movie/book.  I couldn't come up with something I wanted to do, so I did this instead:)

Have you ever created a back to school manicure?  Where did you get your inspiration from?

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Wear teal on your tips & toes (or face & clothes) to bring awareness to Ovarian Cancer.

Use it as a conversation piece to bring awareness to this silent killer.  Many females are unaware of the warning signs and wait until it is too late before bringing it to their doctor's attention.  Please spread the word this month by wearing teal!

Learn more by visiting the Teal Toes website or facebook page.

Check out these other lovely blogs that are supporting this wonderful cause:

Paint 'em Teal!

Tomorrow Friday, September 2 paint your toes (or fingers) teal to raise awareness for ovarian cancer.

I apologize for the foot shot. (yikes!)

Why raise awareness?

• Too many women with ovarian cancer do not get diagnosed until their cancer has spread. Their survival rate is 45%.
• The survival rate improves greatly - to 93 percent - if the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage before it has spread. Only 19 percent of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at this local stage.
• Approximately 75 percent of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage after the cancer has spread beyond the ovary.

This information is from the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance

The symptoms of Ovarian Cancer are:

Bloating that is persistent

Eating less and feeling fuller

Abdominal pain

Trouble with your bladder

Anyone having these symptoms daily for more than a few weeks should see their gynecologist.

For more information visit: http://www.tealtoes.org/

**Disclaimer: I was not contacted by a sponsor or company to endorse this cause.  I believe that all women need to be aware of the dangers of this disease & this is a fun way to spread the word.

50 Follower Appreciation

**********This Giveaway is Closed**********

I would like to thank you once again for your loyalty and love.  As an expression of my appreciation, I got this small gift together for one lucky follower.

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, Rimmel London Rags to Riches, Revlon Carbonite, Revlon Vixen

These are some of my favorites for fall & I wanted to share them with you:)
Please read the rules & fill out the form below to enter.

Rules:

• Open to US Residents only (Sorry International followers I love you, I really do. As soon as I get the hang of this you will be included)
• Entrants must be a follower of my blog through Google Friend Connect.
• You must provide your email. (I'm the only one who will see the form)  This is so I can contact the winners.
• All links must be valid, any links that I cannot see or are not valid will not be counted.
• Duplicate entries will be deleted.  If you don't remember whether you entered or not comment below/email me:)
• Total of 5 possible entries BUT there are 7 possible entries for my original 50 followers:)

**Disclaimer:  All items for this giveaway were purchased new for this giveaway by me. I paid for these with my own money.**

This giveaway ends September 30th at 11:59 EST.

Monday Manicure

Today's theme at Polish-aholics Anonymous was *Galaxy* Manicure.  This encompassed sky, space, galaxies, nebulas, etc.

And here she is:

Have you ever tried a galactic manicure before?

It has happened...

I have amazingly reached 50 followers on GFC.  Wow.  I am stunned that 50 people want to read my ramblings & look at my beginner nail art!  I am so grateful for every single one of you!  Each of you mean so much to me.  I thoroughly enjoy reading all of your wonderful comments.  Thank you so much!

To thank you, I am going to hold a very small 50 follower giveaway.  I wish that I could send each and every one of you a gigantic gift to show my appreciation!  However, that is quite unrealistic as both my husband & I are students & I work full time.  So I will have to shower you with love in a small but gracious way. 

I have already documented followers' GFC names, as you will receive bonus entries for being part of the original 50.  I hope to post my giveaway tomorrow, as I still have to iron out some deadline details, entry specifics, take pictures, & such:)  Look out for a giveaway post this weekend or on Monday!!!

**WARNING: I have already entered the original 50 followers but only 48 showed up on GFC, PLEASE make sure you're really signed in to GFC or you will be missing out on your bonus entries!***

Playing with Polish

My husband has crazy work hours at times. Like yesterday, his birthday, he left home at 6:30am and got back at 11:30pm. The result was birthday cake for breakfast:)

It's times like these where I find myself experimenting with my polishes. Yesterday, while staring down Dr.'s Remedy Tranquil Tangerine and mustering up enough courage to swatch it, I became inspired. I'm not someone who owns much orange, personally I do not find it flattering on me. And when I see orange I think Halloween or pumpkins & changing leaves.

Halloween?

In AUGUST?

I know, you're probably annoyed with seeing mountains of candy for trick-or-treating before Labor Day. Haunted houses will be popping up and costumes will occupy commercials & storefronts.

BUT in my defense, I was bored. REALLY bored. Here is the result of playing with polish:

I'm not sure I would ever wear this for more than an accent on a finger or two, but it's fun.  The spider was the hardest part, by far.  I think I might have to try putting a web on an entire finger next, but maybe I'll wait a little longer for that.

What seasonal manicures are you looking forward to in the upcoming weeks/months?