Time Warp Challenge--Day 6

Today's challenge is...

They sure don't make 'em like they used to!

Today is brought to you by the letter "d" and the number "11."  Ok, but really let's be honest, they really don't make things like they used to.  Today's theme reflects classic toys and games of our past or from history.  This one was so easy to think of ideas for, but so hard to pick one to do.  My top choices of inspiration sources were pick-up-sticks, Parcheesi, Yahtzee, marbles, and dominoes.  Do you want to see which one I picked?

Fun fact: my family still plays this every new year's day!

Polishes used: (too many) Zoya Purity, SinfulColors Black on Black, OPI Skull and Glossbones, Barielle Surf's Up, Barielle Life of the Party, Barielle Sunshine, Essie Fear or Desire, Barielle Lily of the Valley, Essie Barefoot in Blue, PritiNYC Geisha Girl

What game or toy would you have chosen?

A Forever Fall Favorite

This polish is (and most likely will always be) a favorite of mine to wear in the fall.  OPI Russian Navy, from the Russian Collection way back in 2007, is beautiful.  It's a shimmery navy blue with blue and even reddish-fuchsia shimmer.

In indirect light

In direct evening sunlight (hence the warm cast on the photo).

Isn't that shimmer just delicious?!?!?!  DO NOT wear this polish while driving, it will distract you;)

This IS part of their permanent/core collection so you should be able to easily get your hands on this beauty for about $8.00 wherever you can buy OPI.

What polish do you find yourself grabbing (or getting excited) for every fall?

ALSO if you're looking for something to do, check out the Zoya Gloss giveaway at FabFatale & vote for your favorite entry (or mine if your so inclined!) here: http://www.fabfatale.com/2012/09/manicure-mondays-zoya-gloss-giveaway/.

Time Warp Challenge--Day 5

Today's challenge is...

We can do it!

This manicure is in honor of an influential woman in history.  As is only natural, names of these women flooded my mind, but I didn't know how to accurately communicate what they had done to change and influence our "today."  In the good old US of A we learn about so many of these women from Betsy Ross, Sacajawea, and Susan B. Anthony to Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, and Harriet Tubman.  I looked beyond these history class favorites and chose Irena Sendler.

 Irena Sendler smuggled about 2,500 children out of the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II.  She was even nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

I'm pleased with this manicure.  I think it effectively communicates what Irena Sendler did to impact our history and the lives of many children. 

Polishes used: Zoya Purity, SinfulColors Black on Black, Revlon Delicious, SinfulColors Ruby Ruby, China Glaze Champagne Bubbles.

Which woman would you have chosen to showcase in a manicure?

Zoya Gilty Pleasures Press Release

Pre-order starts now: https://www.artofbeauty.com/rd/01477078

Available for $30 each  only while supplies last, so get on it;)

Time Warp Challenge--Day 4

Today's challenge is...

Lights, camera, action!

This one was hard for me. I'm not sure why it was so hard for me to think of a nostalgic movie, song, or piece of literature.  I reflected on what I listened to, read, and watched growing up but I could not come up with any ideas I liked. Then, while I least expected it, inspiration struck.  I remembered reading a certain poem over and over because of the nonsensical gibberish in it.  It was introduced to us kids by my dad (who is the best story teller ever) and my sister and I became obsessed.  So without further ado, I introduce you to my friend...

...the Jabberwocky!

The poem, by Lewis Carroll, was originally from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There however, I was unaware of this until I was in high school and reading Through the Looking-Glass.  As the many years have passed, my sister and I still know the words to this wonderous poem and although it is full of nonsense words, you can still make sense of it as the words used are imitations of words.  It's my favorite poem ever.  Now on with more manicure pictures...

My nails say "...and with it's head he went galumphing back." This are the last lines in the fifth stanza and since I painted the Jabberwocky it was only fitting to slay him as painting him sure did the same to me:)

In Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There Alice comes across a book written in what seems like a different language language. She soon realizes that everything is written backwards, so Alice holds a mirror to the book and reads the reflected verse of "Jabberwocky."  Because of this, I included some shots with a mirror just for fun;)

I know it's kind of a mess (and that many of you probably dislike it), but I love this manicure.  It was SO time consuming, but I love the result!  It would be PERFECT for Halloween!

Polishes used: OPI Skull and Glossbones

What movie, song, or piece of literature would you have chosen?

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Source: via Kate on Pinterest

Barielle New York Style Collection

Press Samples

Raise your hand if you love fall! I know that autumn is my favorite season by far.  With the season comes cooler weather, darker polishes, sweaters, and curling up in a blanket w/ tea/coffee/hot cocoa:)  I'm really loving the fall nail polish collections this year!  

Barielle put out 2 great collections this year, New York Style and Runway Fever.  I really wish I would have had these earlier so the swatches could have been published for NYFW.  Today I'm going to share the first collection, New York Style, with you.

Honestly this collection did not scream "fall" to me.  It is a great concept and they all have adorable names.  I think this is actually the perfect kit for transitioning between summer and fall.  Take a peek: (no top coats in any photos)

Big Apple Red is what Barielle calls a "creamy deep red." I love a good red.  This red is so flattering and shiny.  This is ONE coat of this "crelly" (creamy almost jelly) polish.  It is a bright true red with some cool undertones.  Application was so creamy and although removal was a tad messy there was no staining:)

Central Park is described as a "creamy frosted green."  When I read this description I was confused creamy & frosted??? I get that they're trying to say subdued or dusty but it just sounds like a wonky description.  That aside, this dusty jade is very creamy and applied effortlessly in 2 (almost 1) coats. This green is so pretty. I adore its blue undertones, but I kind of think that Barielle should have switched the greens in this and their Some Like it Hot collection to fit the seasons better.

Soho at Night is a "creamy grape purple" that leans a bit more red than blue.  I love the dusty undertones as it helps this polish to not look black in the shade, unlike other deep purples. This was 2 coats, and I realized as I was looking at my swatch photos that this could have used 3.  I love purples for fall!

Fifth Avenue Boutique is called a "creamy coral with orange tone." This one confused me.  Coral in the fall? But then when it was on I decided that this red-leaning coral was deep enough to wear in the fall.  I love coral, and this is no exception.  It was 2 (almost 1) coat of bright pinky/red/coral goodness.

Now for the ONLY one with shimmer...

Greenwich Village at Dawn is referred to as "creamy dusty pink" and that is pretty accurate for what you see in indirect light and in the shade.  However when you put this in direct sunlight, the creamy, mauvey, lavender nude flashes with a fine green/teal shimmer.  I really just wish you got a more prominent shimmer with this one, but it is beautiful and I have nothing like it.  This was 2 (almost 1) coat of buttery goodness.

The Verdict:
While this is not the most autumnal collection ever, it still has a bunch of beautiful polishes.  EVERY polish was easy to apply and had a buttery formula. These are also not the most unique colors, but they're still very pigmented and long-lasting. I loved them all because of their pigmentation and formula so if you're looking for any of these shades, I highly recommend them!  My favorites of this collection are Central Park and Greenwich Village at Dawn, they're unique to me and beautiful against my skin tone.

This collection can be found at the Barielle website and retails for $25.00.  You can also purchase the polishes individually for $8.00.

Disclosure: The product(s) in this post were provided to me by the manufacturer or their PR company for consideration.  For more information please visit the tabs below the header.

Time Warp Challenge--Day 3

Today's challenge is...

I remember when...

Personal or historical events were the inspiration and focus of this challenge.  I focused on history since I find it more fascinating than my own life:-P So many great historical events flooded my mind.  I listed and sketched so many ideas.  I ultimately landed on what I was most excited to recreate on my own nails...

October 4, 1957

The launch and orbit of Sputnik.

 I'm pretty pleased with my choice of this event and of the final product.  I think it's a pretty neat twist on a galaxy manicure:)

Polishes used: Too many:) Seriously, I don't know if I remember all of them!  Here's my best shot (not in the order applied): SinfulColors Black on Black & Nail Junkie, piCture pOlish mirage & orbit, essie Fear or Desire, and Zoya Purity

What event would you have chosen? (My other choice was the fall of the Berlin wall)

Fall Promo Haul

I've been busy spending money on polish again.  The Zoya Back to School BOGO and the Butter London BOGO at Ulta roped me into buying more polish.  I'd like to think I was "good" and that I didn't go overboard.  I did show restraint:)

Here are the beauties that I snagged:
butter LONDONs in direct sun...

 Zoyas in indirect sunlight...

 and direct sunlight...

 ***Swatches coming soon!***

I honestly don't think that my choices surprised any of you:)  I'm super excited to wear these lovelies in the upcoming days/weeks!

Did you get any new additions during either promotion?  If so, what did you pick up?

Better than nude?

 Earlier this year I swatched Barielle's Gem Stone Earth collection.  This collection was made up of staple colors that everyone should own.  I have been finding myself reaching for these classics all month.  Here is a manicure I wore featuring the nude of the collection, Back to Nature. 

Originally I wasn't a fan of this neutral against my pale skin tone, however after the summer has warmed up my skin tone it looks much better.  I added a coat of Barielle Buddha-Ful to spice it up.  I loved how it added a bit of character to a nude cream polish! This was a very easy to wear manicure.  I can see myself trying this again sometime:)

Barielle is currently holding a manicure contest on their facebook page for all who are interested!  Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/barielle/posts/423026654428758

These polishes can be found at the Barielle website and retail for $8.00. 

Time Warp Challenge--Day 2

Today's challenge is...

It's vintage, darling!

This time around, we are to draw inspiration from a popular look from the past.  I reflected on my childhood (late 80s & 90s) to try to think of "popular" fashions that I remember.  The problem with that is that I remember things I wore, pictures of what others wore, and things that I remember that I hated.  I actually gave this manicure 2 shots.  I first did this manicure but after the pictures I grimaced at how awful it was, so yesterday I redid it:)  My first popular fashion was going to be jellies, the plasticy, rubbery shoes I remember from childhood.  Like I said that manicure didn't make the cut, so my next inspiration came from fashion I loathed.  Here it is...

In case you have no idea what I'm channeling here, these are Zubaz.  They are zebra print pants that are made to reflect the colors of your favorite sports team.

I remember these as a kid because when I carpooled to ballet class as a tiny 7-year-old, one carpool dads wore these EVERY DAY!  He was a really nice guy, and a friend of the family, but these pants have always terrified me and practically haunted my dreams.  I know this isn't "vintage" but it does qualify as "old-school" and "throwback" so it's ok, right? These crazy pants are something that should never come back in style in my opinion, see...

Images from Squidoo, Sports Illustrated, and Who What Weddings

I must admit multicolored animal print is a fun way to spice up a manicure for game day, especially if your team has something to do with tigers, cheetahs, or jaguars.

Polishes used: Zoya Purity, Barielle Berry Blue, Sinful Colors Ruby Ruby

Do you remember Zubaz?  What popular look would you have chosen?

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Source: maskcara.com via Gina on Pinterest

In Remembrance...

Source: whodesignedit.net via Kevin on Pinterest

Time Warp Challenge--Day 1

I'm doing another challenge!  Lindsey at the Neverland Nail Blog has done it again with her creative challenge ideas: "Let's do the Time Warp".  Once again there will be 8 days that feature this challenge.  The challenge posts will be posted twice each week, so look out for them over the next 4 weeks!

Today's challenge is...

Should have been born in...

This challenge is supposed to inspire us to channel the year or decade which I wish I could have lived in.  I chose...

The 1950s!

There are so many reasons I should have lived in the 1950s.  I don't even know where to start.  I love the fashion, makeup, and femininity associated with the decade.  I remember at one point, years ago, I took a quiz about what decade I should have lived in and mine said 1950s.  1950s fashion is known for its clean lines and emphasis on creating an hourglass figure with cinched waists, peplum, belts, a-line skirs, and straight pencil skirts (love it all). I tend to gravitate toward a more traditional classic style when it comes to my clothing, styling, and makeup so this is totally me.

I took my inspiration from the iconic Vogue cover that started off the decade (I actually have a couple original Vogue magazines<--LOVE) and the feminine silhouettes of the decade.  Here is my attempt at 1950s inspired nails:

I adore this!  I plan on painting my nails red, black, or navy (possibly with polka dots) and doing that stunning abstract face accent nail.  LOVE.  I'm pretty happy with how this turned out.  I just wish I had a steadier hand:)

Polishes used: Zoya Purity, Revlon Delicious, SinfulColors Black on Black, and SinfulColors Ruby Ruby

What do you think?  What decade would you have chosen?

Playing With Polish--piCture pOlish accent nail edition

At the end of July, I was fortunate enough to have been chosen to take part in piCture pOlish Blog Fest 2012.  The polishes I was given to try and showcase were beautiful.  I still take them out and stare at them.  Sometimes I even leave them on my desk because they're so lovely!

I recently wore Orbit again.  I put it on and was mesmerized by its beauty.  Then I felt as though I needed to wear Mirage again too.  So I swiped it on to my accent nail.  I used 2 coats of Mirage which gave me better more even coverage than my original swatches.  Take a peek at the gorgeousness... (in sunlight& shade)

Look at that pretty duochrome...*sigh*... :)  This is just lovely.  I'm loving this combo!

What is your favorite way to dress up a manicure?