Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Twinsie Tuseday: Halloween Inspired Mani

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Ever had one of those days where you meant to schedule a post for 8am, and when you went to check it the following morning, it was accidentally scheduled for 8pm. Well, today was one of those days. So I apologize! I hate when that happens, I've done this a few times already and I definitely need to double before publishing.

As you have already seen, this week's theme is inspired by Halloween, and lately I haven't had time to do any nail art but I thought this would be the perfect time to show you some of my lovely Darling Diva Polishes. All of these are evidently inspired by Halloween and are apart of her Halloween collection.

Aldebaran


Look at the glow!

Formalhaut

The color change in the glitter blows me away!

Saving thee best for last!
Invoke the Spirit


 

The best part, it glows!

I wish I would've gotten these out sooner but life has been happening, and you know how that can be.

All of these were a breeze to apply. ITS was a little girtty when I applied due to particles that glow, once I applied a topcoat, it totally smoothed out. I am in so love that I think I need a back up bottle. No seriously. If you love these as much as I do, I'd snatch them up quick!


You can also purchase Darling Diva Polishes at her Etsy shop here. All of her polishes range from $8-$12.

Well ladies, what are on your nails this Halloween?
Anna

Wanna see some more Halloween inspired manis?

Saturday, October 27, 2012

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Breast Cancer Awareness by the Numbers

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In honor of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Julep teamed up with  The Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation in hopes of raising breast cancer awareness and educate you with the changes that you can make to avoid it. 


In honor of this month, I present to you my very first Breast Cancer Awareness mani!


I promise you, it's pink and white but for some reason, it looks like peach leaning orange. But it's really pink! I'm not sure why it is so very washed out. However, I hope you can make out the ribbon! I'm not too happy with the way it turned out, but I have definitely have had worse nail art mani days, so I can't be too hard on myself!

I used a white base by Sally Hansen and for the glitter I used Sinful Colors Queen of Beauty. For the rest of the pink and white, I used red and white acrylic paints in attempt to avoid any smearing. 

With that said, I really hope you look through the photo above and inform yourself with this very important information.

Do you support breast cancer awareness month?
Anna

Thursday, October 25, 2012

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Smitten with Mittens

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This is another hard-to-find polish that my lovely friend Carrie let me burrow and I can't even begin to tell how you much I love this one! I never cared about this polish until I polished this baby on, and now I understand why this is a hard-to-find polish. It's so pretty, seriously. I feel like I need this one to keep now.

 

OPI Smitten with Mittens is a deep red with tons of gold and red'ish glass flecks. Some would say that it's glitter but it's so much finer than glitter.Hopefully you are able to see that in the picture above. Smitten with Mittens is breath taking. This would make it to one of my 10 polishes of the year - or even in my top 10 list. 

Now I understand the craze about this polish. It's gorgeous. If you could ever get your hands on this, I'd say snatch it up quick! 

What a beauty right?
Anna

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

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Washed Out Or Vintage?

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So I am really trying to execute this method. I want to get the right combo, but so I am really liking this one. If you haven't already seen the previous manis of this method, you can check it out here and here.

I really love the way this look is. I don't really know what to name it but I really enjoy it! Some people say it looks vintage and some people say it looks washed out. However the name is still out in open. So if you have any ideas, shoot it out in the comments!


Hopefully you can how it's faded more towards the center and downwards.  I used a just plain black polish, Milani Black Magic and then topped it off with a franken, sort of.

The one thing that I really love about this mani is the drying time. It kicks butt. Literally in 5 minutes, or even less, it was dried. I wiped it away with a napkin and not a single smudge. Of course if you dent it, there will be dings. But if your on the go and need something with quick drying time and you want something different on your nails, I'd say this is the way to go!

With my last mani, there was a request for a tutorial but I'm really not a tutorial type of person, but I if I get enough requests, I may consider. So let me know what you think!

Would you say this is washed out or vintage looking?
Anna

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

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Twinsie Tuesday: A Polish From Your First Swap Ever

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As you can already see today's theme is from our very first polish swap ever. 

I could never forget my first nail swap! It was with Abbie from AbbieNail. Honestly to tell you the truth, I can't even remember how we came into contact with each other. I remember every polish she sent me but I can't for the life of me remember what I sent her. Ok, so I went through her blog and I remember now! She was looking for Claire's Candyshop (you know, that famous dupe for DL Candyshop). Yeah, that's how we got started.

Most of the polishes she sent me I already showcased on my blog, now with this post, I only have one more from that polish swap to show you! Hopefully that'll be soon!



This is Models Own Pink Cocktail and came in a trio set. The formula was great and it covered in 2 coats. Pink Cocktail and is a bright pink with tons of blue shimmer which was so hard to catch. I think it's the lighting from my light box. But I hope you see it in the almost-macro shot.

I love me some Models Own! Luckily in the nail polish groups I'm in, they're sweet enough to snatch me up a few! Oh how we are deeply deprived of Models Own!

What other brands would you like to see in the US?
Anna

I'm excited to see my Twinsies' first polish swap manis! Aren't you?
Amanda at Amandalandish

Monday, October 22, 2012

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POW!

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I hope you all had a lovely weekend!

I don't know how nailside does it, but her tape manis are always so gorgeous! I always have trouble with the tape method. Every time I go to take the tape off, it always pulls. Maybe because I don't have enough patience to allow the base to try but I have figured that using nail tape it much easier, I just have to be very careful.


Please excuse the mess. Sometimes, I just don't have the patience for drying time (that's pretty obvious). Well, this is my POW! mani! I hope you like it!

I can't remember for the life of me what I polishes I used because I put them away before I wrote down the names (what a blogger right?) but I am sure you can find some great polishes with the same colors! A beautiful pink isn't hard to come across.

What do you think of tape manis? Have any tips?
Anna

Friday, October 19, 2012

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Swapped Nail Mail

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I was so excited when I went to pick up this package from the post office!

I recently swapped with one of my Twinsies' Elizabeth from Did My Nails She really wanted Cover Band Sticks n Stones, and I picked that up for her along with a few other polishes. But when I opened this, I was blown away!

Not only did she send me some awesome polishes but the candies were so good! My son loves those pocky stick candy and my hubb got to eating the panda bear candy before I could even photograph it!

L-R:
Marcia (no name), Sasatinnie Q66, Essie Sew Psyched, Essie Navigate Her

L-R:
NOPI Follow Me On Glitter, ChG Atlantis (seriously?). Deborah Lippmann Ray of Light, Deborah Lippmann Across the Universe

Cant't wait to try this out!

Look at that!




 

And here is the best part!



Tell me that panda bear candy isn't cute?! I almost died and didn't want to eat when I saw it, except my hubb already bit into it.

I feel bad because my package wasn't as awesome as the one she sent me. So, we are planning on another swap! I am so excited!

Elizabeth, thanks so much for all the goodies and lovely polishes! I love love love them so dearly very much! I am so lucky to have received all of these from my wishlist! Thank you, thank you! I owe you a ton!

And please check out her blog!

Gotta love nail mail right?
Anna
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Vintage Looking Much

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I did a purple version of this one a long while ago before I seriously started blogging and I wanted to redo this with a different color.


I used China Glaze For Audrey and Revlon Sheer Seafoam. I wish I would have used a darker color so that once Sheer Foam was added on top, you can actually see the gradient effect. Hopefully I will be able to execute this mani perfectly next time. And sorry for the half nekkid nails!

Now I'm not sure what to call this type of mani so, any ideas?
Anna

Thursday, October 18, 2012

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Emerald

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Just something simple for today's post.

But first of all, I want to thank all my readers and commenters. You have been so kind, in fact too hard to continue reading and commenting on blog while I was gone. I truly appreciate your interaction with my blog and I! It means so much to me! So thank you very  much.

Now this polish, I have had for a while and am just finally getting around to using it.


Revlon Emerald is like a dusty creme green kind of polish. I am impressed by the application and opacity, as this was only 2 coats. 1 did the trick but 2 was perfection. I really enjoy this soft and vibrant color. It's a really nice for a transition sort of color and even great for Summer and Spring if you don't like the super bright colors.

What do you think? What are some of your favorite greens?
Anna


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

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V Gap Tip

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I'm not sure if there's an official name for this mani or what not, but I hope you like it!


It was sort of hard since the black polish kept bleeding into the tips but I think it turned out pretty good. This mani is super simple and eye catchy! I love it!

I used Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Black Out, WnW Grammy Gold and WnW Precious Petals. I truly adore this combo! I think it could've been executed much much cleaner, none the less, I had fun wearing this!

Please excuse my absence this past week. The funeral is over with and I'm finally getting into the swing of thing! I'm  catching up on a lot of lost sleep and am definitely going to through all your comments and missed blog posts! Most of these posts have been schedule since I knew I was going to be pretty busy, but I hope I can make it up to you soon!

Thanks for understanding!
Anna

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

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Twinsie Tuesday: Triple Layer

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Today's challenge turned out to be a bit better than I thought!

This triple layer experiment seemed pretty scary to me and was definitely a challenge. Take a look for yourself!

 

So, I used Sally Hansen Shell We Dance? for the base, China Glaze Merry a Millionaire (thanks Jenna!) and then layered Milani Gold Jewel FX. It turned out pretty ok. 

This really isn't my cup of tea but was really fun to do. 

Planning to try this at all?
Anna 

Check out my Twinsies' Triple Layers!
Amanda at Amandalandish

Saturday, October 13, 2012

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The Bad Fairy Dupe?

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This polish was gifted from Carrie. Seriously, she's my polish bestie.

I wish I had MAC Bad Fairy to compare but unfortunately I don't. So hopefully this will do!

I never knew what the hype was about Bad Fairy until I used Poison Apple. They're pretty different however, I really love Poison Apple.


Uh huh. Yeah. Take a look at that again. That duo chrome glass fleck is amazing!

This is 2 coats since the first coat was a bit sheer but the 2nd coat perfected this lovely polish! Unfortunately after researching, PA isn't a dupe for Bad Fairy, and that's probably not new news to you but I think this polish is very special in it's own way. Though it's not a dupe, I still love this one and think it's beautiful.

The best part is that Claire's always has a great deal at buy 1 get 1 50% off and each polish retail for about $5 so 2 polishes for $7.50 isn't bad at all! I mean, just look at that duo chrome! How can you say no?

So thanks again Carrie!

Will you be picking this up?
Anna

Friday, October 12, 2012

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Pink Me I'm Good

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Happy Friday and thanks Carrie!

Now this baby here is from Carrie's stash and I wish it were mine! If you don't know who Carrie is, she is the lovely creator behind the indie brand Darling Diva Polish. She was kind enough to let me burrow this hard-to-find polish, so thanks a ton Carrie!


OPI Pink Me I'm Good. Look that jam packed golden'ish-opalescent glitter with the yellow tone pink base. I just love how the pink is so soft and muted and the glitter just literally pops!

This covered perfectly in 2 coats. No underwear or anything! In this photo, the pink is a bit washed out due to the lighting, regardless, isn't she beautiful?

Oh, and please excuse me as I haven't been engaging much lately. This weekend is the funeral of my mother-in-law and things have been rough. Thank goodness for polish because it's great therapy! Well, hope you have a fabulous weekend!

What do you think of this baby?
Anna


Tuesday, October 9, 2012

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Twinsie Tuesday: Layered Glitterbomb

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This weeks Tuesday theme is: a layered glitterbomb.

I sort of cheated since I only layered it half way but I love the way it turned out so much!



So, I sort of layered it. Kind of. Sorry. I totally cheated.

It was so hard to get a photo of this. The lighting was just not working and the camera didn't know what to focus on. Man! Glitter polishes are hard to photograph!

Anywho.

In this mani, I used China Glaze Prism and Ray-diant towards the end of my nails. The application was so easy and the formula for these were awesome considering usually glitter polishes tend to be a bit thick.

I loved this mani on my nails so much I didn't want to take it off. My nails felt like a treasure chest! It felt so lovely on my tips. However, I didn't use that glue base method and taking this off was a pain. As we all know how glitter polishes can be. 

Can you think of any other awesome glitterbomb layers/combos?
Anna 

Check out these awesome other layered glitterbomb!
Amanda at Amandalandish

Sunday, October 7, 2012

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This Is Halloween

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In light of Halloween this October, I thought that this would be the perfect time to share this special polish to me!

This handmade nail polish came from Ash over at Art Evolve. If you don't know her, she is a fellow Twinsie of mine and she is just so sweet!


Yeah. Sorry. I know my pinky looks weird on it's over there but I didn't notice that until after I added in the watermark. It sort of looks like it has a life of it's own. Poor pinky.

This is Halloween by Snailz. Snailz is a line that Ash and her sister created in hopes of opening a shop of their own sometime soon.

This is Halloween is a purple based polish with small and medium sized orange hex glitters as well as small black hex glitters and it covered perfectly in 2 coats. It was also very easy to apply.

Isn't this such a lovely polish and just perfect for Halloween? I love that it really reminds me of Halloween. And for those of you who don't favor nail art too much or simply am just lazy, I'd say that this one is perfect for some one like that or more like someone like me.

 What are your thoughts?
Anna

Friday, October 5, 2012

I Need Your Help!

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I normally don't do this but I honestly need your help!

If you haven't met my son, I blogged about him a long time ago - before I dedicated my blog to nails and stuff.

Well, I entered him in a Macy's contest on Facebook and I really appreciated it if you would go and vote for him. You can cast your vote everyday until October 15th by clicking here.

This is the photo that I submitted:


The first place prize a $15,000 scholarship and a $250 Macy's gift card. Now I'm not asking for money but just to vote so that my son has an awesome scholarship for college.

Now if you could just please please vote everyday until October 15 and spread the word, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

So please help by voting! Click here!

Thanks so much!
Anna

Thursday, October 4, 2012

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Darling Diva Apple Cobbler

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I am so so very excited to show you lovely ladies this beautiful new polish that Carrie just released. Oh I am in love! Need I say no more and just show you now!




A little festive huh? Apple Cobbler is part of her Fall collection. It has tons and tons of beautiful glitters. From green, apple green, gold, orange and red different sized hex glitters. Just look at that bottle shot. Isn't it lovely?

Not to mention, the best, the most awesome part is that it literally smells like vanilla frosting in your nails. She added a scent oil to this polish and it smells so lovely. It's been about a good 4 days now on my nails and it still smells like vanilla frosting. Even with a topcoat on. Oh my goodness. I can't explain to you this loveliness.

I have loved all the polishes that she had given for me to review but this one, just blew me out of the water. I don't know how she does it. But man, she does these polishes well. Seriously, if you don't own this, you need it. I'm not joking.

You can purchase Darling Diva Polishes at her Etsy shop here. Her polishes retail between $8 -$12. You can also "Like" her Facebook page to keep updated on her shop and future polishes here. 

 Feel like you're missing out on some DDP's? You're in luck! Stay tuned for an awesome giveaway!

What are some of your fav DDP's?
Anna 
*This product was provided for  for my honest, unbiased review. Please see the PR Disclosure for any questions.*

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

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Twinsie Tuesday: Indie Brand (Mini Review)

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As the title says, this weeks theme is: indie brand!

I am so excited about this post because I love me some indie polishes. I mean, who doesn't? Since I have been bitten by the indie bug, I have been having this problem of purchasing and really need to slow it down.

So today I present to you 2Chix Sweet Cheeks. Sweet Cheeks was a sample deal if I pre-ordered The Teal Thing and it was a lovely surprise! And it's a cute mini bottle.


Sweet Cheeks is a white almost jelly base with pink and purple matter hex glitters in various sizes. The application was quite easy and covered in 2 coats.

When I received my polishes, there was one that I thought that she mislabeled. When I contacted her, she responded that it was not mislabeled and due to her fluorescent lighting, the polishes look different in real life. I replied that it seemed as though I felt I was a bit misled since there was nothing stating that the polish may be different in real life. She was so sweet about it and would be willing to replace the bottle. I am very pleased with my experience despite the fact that it takes about 3 weeks for shipping and this little bump I really love her creations and when they have awesome customer service.

You can also check out her lovely goodnesses here. 

So sorry, this became like a mini review.

Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed this mani!

Tell me some of your favorite indie brands! Comment below!
Anna

Love some indies? Check out my Twinsies' indie brand manis!

Monday, October 1, 2012

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Orchidea

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I did a swap a while with Diane over at Diane Cristi. We agreed that I needed some Bettina's in my life and that she needed some Color Clubs and OPI.

She is so sweet! I think I came across her blog and commented about a NOTD she posted and she later emailed me about a possible swap. I said "YEAH!" and I am so glad I did! Because now, I totally loving my Bettinas!


I looked up swatches before posting this. And I must say, that my Orchidea is much much lighter than those that I have seen. It could possibly be the lighting and what not. But it's really almost like that color in the photo. If not, maybe just a touch more minty looking.

Bettina Orchidea covered in 2 coats and had perfect application. Orchidea is a pastel mint color. Perfect for spring but I'm not that kind of person to put it away during the cooler months.

I don't know where you can find Bettina's but I wish I had access to Bettinas here where I live but in the mean time, I guess Diane will be my Bettina swap buddy! Hopefully she's with that.

Thanks Diane for the swap!

Do you have access to Bettinas?
Anna