Four for the Fourth #4

Today's manicure is my Fourth of July manicure for this year. This design was inspired by a geometric ikat print. While today's manicure was more involved and meticulous than yesterdays, it is still easy and can be done with a dotting tool (pin head, bobby pin, etc.).

Easy peasy. Just dot a design and call it a day. I know this isn't super amazing up close, but I love it. I've actually been "stopped" because of it already. 

What will your nails look like on the 4th? Need any inspiration? Check back later;)

Polishes used: Zoya Sailor, Song, Rocky, Purity, Aphrodite, and Demetria

Four for the Fourth #2

Happy Canada Day to my Canadian friends!

Today's manicure was requested by a friend. She said that she loves fun manicures but feels too childish when they're bright or sparkly. Here is my faded manicure channeling Old Glory.

 This could work for polishes of any tone, vibrancy, or finish.

Polishes used: Zoya Genesis, Purity, Kristen, and Brigitte

LOVE-ly Manicure #5

A little less traditional  approach to the Valentine's Day manicure today. No pink, red, or hearts today! It's all black and lace today! You can take this as an "anti-Valentine's Day" or as a darker, more sultry manicure.

I might add a rhinestone or stud next time. What do you think?
Polishes used: Zoya Willa, Imogen, and Purity

We're Not in Kansas Anymore...

Yesterday's post inspired me to try my hand at some nail art. I mentioned that Oswin reminded me of Dorothy's ruby slippers so I decided to channel that into a Dorothy manicure. I almost tried to choose something about each character and showcase that in each nail, but I quickly realized I had bitten off more than I could chew. Truth be told, this was my third attempt at this manicure! I was pretty pleased with the result. This might make a great Halloween manicure if you're going as Dorothy...or just drench your tips in Oswin:)

Polishes used: Zoya Oswin, Darcy, Purity, Rocky, and Song

What have you been inspired by lately?

Beachy Nail Art

I moved to the Midwest (from the Mid Atlantic) at the beginning of the summer and went into labor the day after we moved! Needless to say, my life has been a busy whirlwind but I love it. My husband and I usually spend a week every summer at his family's beach house on the ocean. Due to finishing jobs, packing, moving over 1,200 miles, having a baby and starting a new job we never got our vacation. That is until our families surprised us and we adapted our schedule. We will be flying to the east coast at the end of this month for our beach vacation and I cannot wait! (Any tips for flying with an infant are appreciated!)

In lieu of my excitement I created a beachy manicure complete with sparkly texture, dry-brushed gradient, and some "scribbles."

Polishes used: Zoya Bar, Song, Rocky, Rebel, and Purity

Share your favorite summer manicure below. Also check out these fabulous summer manicures: http://www.nailpolishcanada.com/summer-2014-nail-art-challenge/ Don't forget to vote for your favorite while you're there!

Fun fact: I was proposed to on a beach 6 years ago today!

Beat the Winter Blues

Winter is upon us, and it doesn't feel like we will be shaking it soon. I'm dying to wear lighter and brighter colors, flowy fabrics, sandals (or even flats!) and springy florals. Until then (because I'm still dressing in layers and wearing boots) I will channel my love for spring into my manicures.

 I chose some glitter, polka dots, and a favorite pastel to create this cute manicure which is the perfect balance between winter and spring.

Polishes used: Zoya Kristen, Purity, and Cosmo

Ps. Thank you for your support and patience over the past few months. My inconsistent posts have been due to horrible morning sickness and extreme exhaustion. I appreciate all of your supportive emails and well wishes as my husband and I are trying to prepare for the adjustments we will be making to our lives. We are excited to be welcoming our bundle of joy in mid July (halfway there, woot!). I will continue to make posts and be in touch, but it may be more delayed than you are used to. Thank you again, what would a girl do without you?

LOVE-ly Valentine's Day Manicure #2

 This manicure combines many of my personal loves to create a Valentine's Day Manicure. Many of you know that I adore polka dots and putting them on a tone-on-tone background...squeal! I also love how much the red heart stands out on a lovely accent nail. This is one of my favorite Valentine's Day manicures created to date.

Polishes used: Zoya Jane, Purity, and Sooki

Holiday Nail Art Challenge--Decorations

NailPolishCanada.com has been a favorite source for polish and other nail art materials for years. They have also proven themselves as blogger friendly through a variety of their PR ventures. One such venture is their annual Holiday Nail Art Challenge. It's just for fun and is a great way to share and get new ideas for holiday nail art.

Week two's theme is DECORATIONS.

Polishes used: Zoya Purity, Hunter, and Livingston

Holiday Nail Art Challenge--SNOW

NailPolishCanada.com has been a favorite source for polish and other nail art materials for years. They have also proven themselves as blogger friendly through a variety of their PR ventures. One such venture is their annual Holiday Nail Art Challenge. It's just for fun and is a great way to share and get new ideas for holiday nail art.

Week one's theme is SNOW.

Polishes used: Zoya Dream, Purity, and Seraphina

To check out all of the "cool" designs (pun intended) and to vote for your favorite (and possibly enter your own) click the link below.

http://www.nailpolishcanada.com/2013-holiday-nail-art-challenge-week-1-snow/

Playing with Polish-- My First Striping Tape Manicure

So a while back I got striping tape for the first time (crazy, right?). I sat there staring at it trying to decide what to do first. I decided to use it as painting guides for a chevron design on a well-worn manicure. This was simple and ended up turning out pretty well. I am still trying to get the hang of placing striping tape, making sure it sticks well on the edges, and removing it at the perfect time.

Not too shabby for the first try at using striping tape to help with nail art. I would love more ideas or suggestions for using striping tape. Thanks, loves!

Polishes used: SinfulColors SinfulShine Rendezvous (week-old, chipped manicure) and Zoya Purity

Once Upon a Midnight Dreary...

Yes, lovelies, I created a manicure inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's well-known poem, The Raven. I think this is a very classy way to wear "Halloween Nails" without being too grotesque or juvenile. If you've never read this poem (or the Tell Tale Heart) it is a great, seasonal read. In the poem the mysterious bird repeats "nevermore" as the narrator wrestles with himself. I chose to focus on the eerie message of the raven and use the bird's words as inspiration. Since I am no expert in the field of nail art, I chose to keep it as simple as possible. Here is my take on this haunting poem...

I have to admit, I really love this look despite it having no semblance of a bird. Maybe some day when I have a steadier hand I will be able to create a silhouette of a raven. Until then, this is as good as it gets. I think I will have to recreate this for Halloween, perhaps replacing Dahlia with Dhara:)

Polishes used: Zoya Purity, Dahlia, and Claudine (CONFESSION: I used a Sharpie to write the word "Nevermore")

Sugar Skull Inspired

This manicure draws inspiration from the Mexican holiday el Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead). This early November celebration somehow makes death and dying a beautiful celebration full of bright colors and flowers. Sugar skulls personify these festivities to me. Here is my festive, colorful rendition...

This manicure was fun and very random. It is one of those things that you probably cannot recreate because you just made it up as you went. The whimsy of this is that no two will be the same (my two hands looked different). While this looks complex, it was rather simple in its execution.

What do you think about this bright, festive manicure?

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day to all of my friends in the USA! I hope you enjoy the many freedoms that you have and exercise daily. Today is a day to be grateful, to reflect, and to celebrate the heritage of our country.

To celebrate such a fine occasion, I created ANOTHER patriotic manicure (this is #3 for this year alone!). This one could definitely be considered the "preppy" 4th of July manicure. It incorporates bobby pin polka dots and a scotch tape chevron design to emulate a flag.

Despite the smudging on my index finger and the lack of crisp points on my chevron attempt, this turned out quite well. I love the combination of chevron and polka dots, I cannot wait to try this again in other color combinations:)

Polishes used: Zoya Song, Elisa, and Purity

What did you wear on your nails for this holiday? (Feel free to post photos on my facebook page & I will share them!) In the meantime, check out all of the beautiful patriotic nails at Groupie Glam!

Thank You...

Today is about remembering, honoring, and supporting those important people who serve our country. Thank you to the brave, hard working, selfless men and women who serve in the military. We honor and remember those who have fallen, pray for those serving abroad, and support those who work right in our own backyard. Also, a special thank you to those family and friends who support their loved ones in the military. Without your love and backing they would not be able to do what they do.

THANK YOU!

I could not help but to show my thanks and appreciation through a patriotic manicure. My past efforts have been less than stellar, but this one might make another appearance for the 4th of July!

 Happy Memorial Day!

Polishes used: Zoya America, Purity, and Liberty

Valentine's Manicure--Take 5

An unlikely pairing...

Valentine's Manicure #5

A tribal Valentine's Day manicure! An unconventional Valentine's manicure that is subtle, fun, and uber wearable:)  This one is definitely my favorite of the bunch.  I love how fun this is without being overboard.  What will be on your tips tomorrow for Valentine's Day?

Nail polishes used to create this manicure: Zoya Harley, Purity, and Isla

Here is my tribal tutorial if you're interested in giving it your own shot!  Tribal is basically done with angular lines and is completely and utterly random in this manicure.

Zoya nail polish is available for purchase through their website and most retail for $8.00 each.  Sign up for a Zoya account today and receive points that can be redeemed for promotions and discounts.

Polar Bear in a Snowstorm

Today is the day I leave my warm, tropical hideaway and venture back to the frigid Mid Atlantic.  To commemorate this switch back to reality, I prepared a fitting manicure.  

I remember as a child taking a blank white piece of paper, and saying "Look, it's a polar bear in a snowstorm!" In that same way, I present my own manicure version of the same phenomenon.

This manicure was created using a base of Zoya Purity and then sponging glitter to form a snowy gradient.  The glitter is Barielle Star Dust, which when I first posted its swatch this summer I knew it would make the most amazing snowy manicure.

I'm really enjoying this frosty tipped manicure.  What's your favorite frosty/winter manicure?

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?

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)

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?

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?