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 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?

One, Two, Three Strikes You're Out!

This weekend I'll be sporting a baseball inspired manicure.  My cousins, aunt, and parents are coming in town tomorrow to see some of the Little League World Series games.  I grew up watching baseball with my dad.  My family is a baseball family.  So naturally I had to sport festive nails for the games:)  

This manicure is simple and classic.  Anyone can do this!  I painted my ring finger with a white polish and while that dried I used essie bobbing for baubles on the other 4 nails.  It made me realize how much I truly love this color...AND I may be addicted to navy blue again.  Once my ring finger was dry I added a forward and backward "c" shape to the nail with Sinful Colors Ruby Ruby.  I finished it off adding the smaller lines as stitch marks on the laces.  I love this, I really do.

 How do you like the cameo of my t-ball all star patch?  Yup, that's right t-balll all star right here.  Be very jealous;)

What are you up to this weekend?

Summer Fun Challenge--Day 5

Lindsey at the Neverland Nail Blog is so incredibly creative.  I love her blog so very much and about 3 weeks ago she announced The Summer Fun Challenge.

Day 5: ARE WE THERE YET?

I have been traveling quite a bit this summer so this phrase hits rather close to home.  I'm actually at the point that I'm sick of traveling & all I want is to stay at home.  Unfortunately that is not going to happen...yet.  So to celebrate this mantra what could be better than MAPS:)  First you should be impressed that I even own an atlas, even if it is an old German atlas:)  

 I'm rather directionally challenged so my husband thought it was hilarious that I painted maps on my nails.  I always have some sort of GPS in my car at all times!
This manicure began as a base of some Sally Hansen white polish.  The beige looking squiggles (mountain tops) were actually created with OPI Skull & Glossbones, but my brush was a little dirty for some reason from a crazy pigmented red and made it look a tad pink.  The green parks/forests were made with OPI Stranger Tides.  Then I squiggled Barielle Berry Blue for rivers & lakes, made dots for cities out of Sinful Colors Black on Black, and finally connected the cities with Sinful Colors Ruby Ruby roads.


I like how this turned out, especially since it was created while I had a migraine.  Yay for maps!

Take a peek at the other Are We There Yet? manicures:

Summer Fun Challenge--Days 1 & 2

Lindsey at the Neverland Nail Blog is so incredibly creative.  I love her blog so very much and about 3 weeks ago she announced a fun summer challenge.

I was immediately thrilled to participate and I actually went to work right away trying to create manicures for the 8 themes.  Unfortunately I lost my camera's USB cord so I could not upload, which meant I couldn't pre-plan the posts despite the preparation I put in:-\  Anyway...I found my camera's USB cord on Sunday.  Therefore I am a little late to the party, but I will continue to add 2 posts per week that follow the themes.  

Here's a little catching up...

Day 1: GRILL MASTER

 I took this literally.  I was not crazy about putting meat or veggies on my nails, it kind of weirded me out. I decided to create a grill on my fingernails.  I really loved this.  I used a base of Sinful Colors Black on Black then I carefully sponged Sinful Colors Ruby Ruby and Dr. Remedy Tranquil Tangerine to create flames.  This glowed, a lot!  For the grate I used Barielle Granite Glitter and a nail art brush.

Because I was too late to the party & unable to add my link, check out the other Grill Master inspired nails here or here:


Day 2: Summer Lovin'

All I could think of is Grease.  I was stuck & without ideas.  So I recalled one of my favorite summers, the summer my husband proposed.  We were at the beach (but I really didn't want to do beach nails) and there were beautiful clear skies all week.  My father-in-law was really sweet to take pictures of the whole thing from a distance (so I wouldn't know it was happening, so I wouldn't get frazzled, etc.).  So this was my inspiration.  I used Essie Barefoot in Blue for the background then I sponged Zoya Purity to make clouds (and a heart-shaped cloud too!).  The rest of the details (including polaroid style pictures & silhouettes) were created using Zoya Purity, Sinful Colors Black on Black, and  Barielle Granite Glitter.  I'm not thrilled about how this turned out, but my other attempt at a Summer Lovin' manicure was worse.

Check out the other Summer Lovin' manicures here or below.

Sharing the RED Love: Sinful Colors Ruby Ruby

I LOVE red polishes.  I know that many people do not.  I love how reds can lean orangey, purple, and pink.  I love the variety of finishes from creams to jellies and even glitters and flakies.  I have 3 lovely reds to share with you this week.  Each is different in its own right and I have unfortunately not conveyed my love for these lovelies enough.

Today is actually a color that I have swatched & blogged about in the past.  However, my past swatch did not do Sinful Colors Ruby Ruby justice.  Here she is AGAIN:

What do you look for in a RED?

Valentine's Day Nails #4

Welcome to Valentine's Day inspired manicure week!

I will showcase my favorite valentine's day polishes, nail art, etc.

Valentine's Day Nails #4

Valentine's Day manicure #4's inspiration is...

Art Deco

Today we have a manicure inspired by a vintage design.  Art deco inspired EVERYTHING can be found everywhere.  This re-popularized style which consists of brights, metallics, and geometrics ranges from simple to opulent.  It's beautiful & fun!

I created this beautiful manicure using Barielle Pink Quartz as a base.  For the design I used Barielle Gold Digger and Sinful Colors Ruby Ruby.  

You can purchase Barielle Nail polish from their website for $8 each. And Sinful Colors Nail Polishes can be found at many drug stores/pharmacies, including Walgreens and Rite Aid.

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?

Manicure Monday

Since I'm relatively new to the wonderful world of beauty, I definitely struggle with nail art & tricky manicures.  Because of this, I chose to showcase my favorite red polish for the 4th of July.  Here is Sinful Colors Ruby Ruby:

Review:
Application: easy, smooth the polish is rather thin, but not watery.  It was also fast drying.
Opacity: full coverage in two coats
Color: bright red cream, an amazing true red.  Pretty neutral, not too cool or too warm.  Would recommend using a basecoat (just in case)
Finish: glossy finish
Durability/Wear: long lasting

Isn't she lovely?  What is your favorite or go-to red polish?