Cuttin' a Rug

Phew. Long night tonight! I've been preparing for tomorrow's 'Martinis and Manicures' event at Beauty Bar all night! I'm super excited (but a tad nervous too!!). Today's manicure was inspired by a rug pattern I saw a while back. I loved the color combination, and the graphic nature of it, so I thought I'd try it as a manicure. Sorry for the middle finger's roughness, still patched that one.

From The Daily Nail

I used American Apparel California Trooper as a base, with Color Club High Society for the lines, Essie Mink Muffs for the darker brown, and a mixture of Essie Vermillionaire and Essie Tart Deco for the corally color. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Wish me luck tomorrow night!! :)

Kitty Glitter

I'm running out of animal prints to do in glitter! :-P I totally love this manicure, and it's one that I kinda want to keep for more than a day... I may, I may not. :-D Nubar makes the best glitters out of any polish brand I've used, They're freaking awesome, and glitter packed!

I used Nubar Petunia Sparkle as a base, with Nubar Violet Sparkle for the spots, outlined in American Apparel Hassid. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

RAWR!!

Beauty Bar Ladies Night Manicure Event! :)

I've had so many people asking about the event Wednesday night that it was hard to respond to everyone in a timely manner, so here is the info you've been waiting for!!

Come get your nails painted by me! :) (I really want a ginormous turnout!!)

Wednesday Ladies Night

Where: Beauty Bar Las Vegas,

              517 Fremont St # 150

              Las Vegas, NV 89101

When: December 1, 2010, Doors open at 9pm

What: Open Bar for ladies 9pm - 10pm

DJ Stabb

$1 wells / $2 call drinks for ladies 'til midnight

Nail Polish changes and nail art by Melissa Osburn of The Daily Nail

Free!

Disco Animal

Getting so excited, I started painting nail wheels tonight in preparation for the event Wednesday at Beauty Bar! Tonight I wanted to use a polish that I've had since April, but haven't used yet- a Nubar Glitter that is super sparkly and pretty!

I used Nubar Green Silver Glitter as a base, with MAC Deep, Dark, Delicious for the zebra stripes. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Also, if you follow me on twitter, I mentioned being excited for an amazing 6-course meal that was upcoming. Today, I have the pics from the photoshoot! The food was created by Chef Frank Otte, an AMAZING chef who creates Haute Cuisine. Saturday night, he prepared the absolute best meal that has ever passed my lips. I don't say this lightly, he was so amazing at his craft that he managed to take items that I generally will NOT eat, (beets, brussel sprouts, peas) and transformed them into something that created nothing short of an 'o' face. He introduced me to foods I've never tried before (swordfish, juniper oil, creamy sauerkraut), which I will forever be grateful for. Seriously, how did I LIVE before creamy sauerkraut? Really? Anyway. Check out his website, Chef Frank Otte - Haute Cuisine, you won't regret it. (well, after seeing the photos you may, they're drool-inducing)

To the menu!

Course 1: Salad of micro greens, roasted beets, avocado, pear with toasted walnuts, shower of goat cheese, and balsamic beet reduction.

Photo Credit-Chris Sneddon used by permission

Course 2: Celery root soup with petit brioche croutons and scallion oil.

Photo Credit-Chris Sneddon used by permission

Course 3: Tar tar of wild Scottish salmon with basil and coriander, Persion cucumber carpaccio, Greek yogurt, dill oil, and avocado mousse.

Photo Credit-Chris Sneddon used by permission

Course 4: Sage and prosciutto wrapped Atlantic Swordfish "saltimbocca", with creamy sauerkraut, thyme roasted apple, and fingerling potatoes in Juniper oil.

Photo Credit-Chris Sneddon used by permission

Course 5: Roasted crepinette of game hen breast with herbs, cauliflower ragout, brussel sprouts, and pomegranate gastrique.

Photo Credit-Chris Sneddon used by permission

Course 6: Cabernet braised short ribs with handmade carrot gnocchi, English peas and gorgonzola sauce.

Photo Credit-Chris Sneddon used by permission

Dessert: Caramelized puff pastry "mille fuille" with chestnut pureé, fresh clementines, pomegranate syrup, and vanilla sauce.

Photo Credit-Chris Sneddon used by permission

I ate everything except one piece of the crepinette of game hen (not because I didn't like it, but because I was to the gills at that point! lol), and most of the peas. I was sooooo full I was in pain, but it was a good pain. lol My favorite dish was the Swordfish, it was beyond incredible. *yum*

Color Club Holiday Giveaway

Hey there, Dear Reader!

I was just doing a last check of email for the night, and a press release from Color Club just rolled in.  It seems they're participating in a giveaway that Amethyst Jeans is doing.  Here's the info about the prizes and how to enter:

Enter to win on of 20 holiday totes given away over the next five weeks! 

You and your BFF will each receive an Amethyst Jeans tote filled with a pair of Amethyst Jeans, shimmery lip glosses and a holiday set nail polish set from Color Club and a shampoo and conditioner set from Totally Texty!  

Contest runs from November 29th through December 31st, 2010. Go to http://www.facebook.com/amethystjeans to enter! Happy Holidays!

Color Club & Amethyst Jeans Giveaway: Click for Full Size

This time, I'm really done for the night (with 4 minutes left in the day, I feel safe saying that).  Until next time, love and nail polish to yu!  

China Glaze Midnight Kiss

Good afternoon, Dear Reader!

I've been neglecting my nails horribly lately, so I haven't had any pictures to show you until today, when I finally changed my beat up manicure.  I decided to try out China Glaze Midnight Kiss, the gold from their Holiday 2010 collection.

Midnight Kiss is a gold foil that was well pigmented, applied easily, and was good in two coats.  I think it makes my nails look like those 70's metallic ball Christmas ornaments - the ones that shattered into a zillion shards of glass if you looked at them funny, probably not safe by today's standards.  They were pretty though, and so's this polish.

China Glaze Midnight Kiss Nail Polish, Two Coats

That's just about all I have for you today, Dear Reader.  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!  

Sparkle Sparkle

Today's manicure is simple, still recovering from yesterday I think, but I'm totally worn down and just blah in general. I did a different take on a sponged gradient, sponging at the cuticle edge instead of the tip edge.

I used Essie Vermillionaire as a base for the orange nails, Zoya Yummy for the ring finger, with Absolutely Alice sponged on the blue nail, and Extravaganza! on the orange nails. Topped all nails off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

See you tomorrow!

Right on Target!

Midnight in Las Vegas, 27°F, a long-sleeved t-shirt, hoodie, zippered fleece jacket, ankle-length 'bag lady' plaid jacket, hand-crocheted slouchy hat, skull scarf, borrowed magic stretch gloves, shearling lined suede VANS, knee socks, jeans, double layered blanket. Yep, that was me...outside of TARGET. I'm one of the crazies that LOVES Black Friday. LOVE it. By nature I'm a deal hunter, and rarely pay full price for anything, but Black Friday is the high holy day of shoppers... myself included. Four of us went together, my roommate, Maris, two friends, Dallas and Greta, and of course, me. We had our divide and conquer plan all figured out... Dallas is the tallest and strongest, her job was to get the 40" HD 1080P flatscreen for $298. (she did) Greta and I were to go to Electronics and get the camera, hard drive, digital picture keychains, iTunes Gift Cards, and video games. (we did) Maris was to get the DVDs, housewares, etc. (she did). We left poor and happy, and saved over $1,000 between us. We also were approached to be on the local news, which was doing live coverage of the crazies like us. (Was anyone awake at 6:30 am to see it? <---Channel 13, Las Vegas.

 Anyway, since Target was the main stop of our shopping morning (yes, we went to the mall after that!!), I decided to do Black Friday Target nails! :)

 I used Nubar Sexy Red as a base for the red nails, American Apparel Hassid for the ring finger, and Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud for the white. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

What deals did YOU get?

Also, sorry for the 2-day hiatus... I was preparing a HUGE Thanksgiving day dinner for 8 people!

This was a difficult Thanksgiving for me, it was the first Thanksgiving that I haven't spent with my family in my 29 years. Because of this, I decided to host a Thanksgiving for my 'orphan' (because of distance) friends that live out here that are also from Michigan...

I brined my turkey for the first time ever and it was incredible. It looked like Martha Stewart herself made it, and I've never tasted white meat that was so juicy! I made pumpkin pie and muffins from scratch (read: actual pumpkins, no canned here!!), mashed potatoes, sausage stuffing, I baked rolls, made homemade vanilla bean ice cream, corn, broccoli, cranberry sauce, and a ton of other stuff. It was amazing, AMAZING. lol I love Thanksgiving SO much!!  I hope that your Thanksgiving was incredible!! :)

Rise and Shine!

This morning I was up bright and early, 5 a.m. to be exact! :-D Mind you, I'm not up that early usually, but this morning I got a call from Pakistan!! A while back, VJ Sehrish, a lovely woman who hosts a show on Pakistani TV network ARY Musik, called 'Girls Rupublic', contacted me about being a guest (via phone) on her show. Of COURSE I said yes, I mean, how cool is that?! It still amazes me that people from so far away follow my blog...and like it! :-P So anyway, in honor of my phone chat with VJ Sehrish on her show, I did Girls Republic nails! On the Thumb is the Girls Republic logo, on the index and pinky finger I did super glittery pink nails, on the middle finger nail, is (obviously) the American flag (to represent me), and the flag of Pakistan on the ring finger (to represent Sehrish!) :).

I used Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud as a base for the thumb and middle fingers, butter LONDON Rosie Lee as a base for the index and pinky fingers, and CND Green Scene for the ring finger. For the crescent and star on the ring finger, I used Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud, for the American flag, I used Nubar Sexy Red for the stripes, ALDO Sea You in Ibiza for the blue. For the Girls Republic logo, I used American Apparel Berry for the darker berry color, and Sally Hansen Vavoom Violet Creme for the hot pink. For the darker pink glitter on the tips of the index and pinky, I used Nubar Petunia Sparkle. Topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Thank you VJ Sehrish!!

Color Club Snowflakes over Nubar Baby Blue

Good morning, Dear Reader!

Last night I decided to break into that bottle of Color Club Snowflakes from the Color Club Enchanted Holiday mini set, and the manicure ended up being one of those rare instances in which the finished product is just what I had in mind at the outset.  To refresh your memory if you didn't feel like clicking on the link, Snowflakes is the white glitter in the set, and my plan for it right away was to layer it over a pastel blue.

I started by selecting the blue for the base color, and I'd mentioned OPI's What's with the Cattitude when I was tossing the idea around.  It turned out that the OPI was a hair darker than I had in mind, as was Color Club Take Me to Your Chateau.  I settled on Nubar Baby Blue, the whitest pastel blue I had handy.  It's a good one for layering as well - it's super pigmented, so it's two thin coats with exceptional drying time.

I had the Nubar handy because I just stocked up on some staples and replaced some colors I've almost finished with their current sale, and I noticed that the new bottle of Baby Blue has a new brush.  Honestly, the brush might have changed a while back without me noticing, so I don't know if that's news (I try to pay attention, but when I'm swatching I'm looking at the colors more than the brush).  The new brush is a bit flatter and wider, and the cap it's attached to is different - the old had no rounding of the edge at the top of the cap, while the new one has the edge rounded.  I did like the old brush, but even though I didn't notice a difference in using the new one, the new seems to work better for me - my application was very thorough and tidy with little effort, so it seems the change is an improvement for me.  Anyhow, I did the two coats of Baby Blue.

As for Color Club Snowflakes, I was concerned that it may either (or both, for that matter) too white or too dense with glitter for good layering.  It is quite thick, but I found that in applying it, it was easy to spread it thinly and evenly for a good layer of glitter that did not alter the base color, and it shows pink, blue and white glitter.  It looked a little gritty when I finished, so I used two coats of Seche Vite (my thickest top coat) to smooth it out.  A few hours later, after the SV had dried all the way, it was still not smooth to the touch, so I added two coats of Barielle Manicure Extender.  Those last two coats of top coat were not needed, but they were the difference between whether the manicure I'm wearing looked exactly like what I had in mind or falling a bit short, so I added them.  Now it's glassy smooth and the glitter even sparkles by candlelight.

Color Club Snowflakes, One Coat, over Two Coats Nubar Baby Blue

The picture's by artificial light, which always washes out the sparkle of glitter.  It looks like that, only sparklier!

I'm still toiling away at my little domestic project, so I've only been changing my nail polish when it chips.  I'm really hoping that this one holds out for a few days, because I really like it and it's just right for the weather.  I think the pastel blue with glitter looks cold like winter, but not stark cold.  More like when it's 25° at night and snowing big fluffy snowflakes that melt during the day, not like a -10° January day with the wind cutting through your very soul.  It looks like the part of winter that I like.

So that's my Snowflakes manicure, and that's the update for today.  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!  

Stop Being So Controlling!

A while back, reader Dave R. suggested that I do an old school Nintendo controller, and what could I say? It was a bad ass idea, so I had to do it!! I'm not too proud to admit that I'm still a proud owner of an original NES in working order, with controllers, games, Duck Hunt gun, AND NES Advantage joystick. Yeah, I said it. (I even still play it!! I will SO kick anyone's ass in Dr. Mario :-P) Today's nails make me wanna play, and how freakin' rad would it be to hold the controller with THESE nails?! :-P I'm such a dork.

I used American Apparel Hassid as a base, with a mixture of Orly Mirror, Mirror and American Apparel California Trooper for the light grey plastic, essence Pointbreak for the darker grey, a mixture of Nubar Sexy Red and CND Electric Orange for the red buttons, shaded with that mixture and American Apparel Hassid, highlighted with that mixture and American Apparel Cotton. I also used a dab of American Apparel Cotton on the 'edge' of the button for a reflection. Topped off the matte parts with Essie Matte About You and the shiny parts with Seche Vite top coat.

Who wants to play?

Essie Smokin' Hot

Good morning, Dear Reader!

This morning I tried out Essie Smokin' Hot from the Winter 2010 release, and I really like it a lot.  My first impression of it is that it's what I think Chanel Paradoxal would look like as a creme.  Smokin' Hot is a similar brown taupe with a little purple mixed in, and the color is really interesting.  It's really well pigmented, and two thin coats were all I needed.

Essie Smokin' Hot Nail Polish, Two Coats

That was short, but it's only 6:22 am so I have little else to tell you...  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!  

Costumed Coral

Today's nail art started out being a possible holiday nail art idea, but ended up being something totally different. I liked it after I added the gold, but felt like it needed more, so I mentally scanned my nail polish collection to find a polish that would compliment both colors, and I came upon my Lotus Herbals Orange Alert, which was a gift from Chris when he came back from India, and happens to be one of my favorite polishes (and most rationed) in my entire collection. I can't get a proper picture of it, but it is the precise color of papaya flesh- that coral/orange/red combination, and I adore it. After adding the Orange Alert, it took on a look of coral and gold costume jewelry, not the original holiday look I was intending to make when I started! I actually like it better this way I think!!

I used American Apparel Berry as a base, with China Glaze 2030 from Khrome Collection and Lotus Herbals Orange Alert for the dots. Topped it off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Anyone else getting excited for Thanksgiving?!!?!??! I'm sooooo hungry! I want to brine my turkey this year (I've never tried it before), anyone have any good brining recipes or tips?

Also- lots of people have mentioned they loved the Harry Potter shirts- email me HERE if you want one! :)

-M

Shawn Sparkles

Not quite Robin Sparkles, or Jessica Glitter, but it'll have to do...

Today's manicure utilizes a polish that I was told (by Zoya herself) that I was not allowed to wear, since it clashes with my skin tone. :-P I love this polish too much to let something like skin tone get in the way of wearing it! I wanted something simple today, for more than one reason... I fell asleep on the couch last night, which ALWAYS gives me a horrible 'crick in the neck' that lasts for a week or more, and the second reason was that I was in a hurry to get across town. Sorry for no post yesterday, I passed out on the couch after work and woke up this morning- gotta love having to work the day after midnight movie showings. :-P I got 3 hours of sleep. AWESOME. Anyway, to the manicure, I used one of the new OPI Burlesque glitters, ack!! THey're so sparkly. This pic doesn't show any of the glitz! (even though I added a blurry pic to sort of show the sparkle!) Also, ignore the middle finger, I broke it, and I had to mend it, so it's wonky looking.

I used Zoya Shawn as a base, with OPI Glow Up Already sponged on the tip. Topped it off with 2 coats of Seche Vite Top Coat.

Let's go to the mall!

Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle Gentle Blossom

Good afternoon, Dear Reader!

I was out and about this morning picking up a few things for this project I've got going, and I ran into the display for the new Nailgrowth Miracle line from Sally Hansen.  Most of the colors were pretty yawny, but I did pick up two.  The two I chose, I selected because the finish of each is interesting.

I got home and unpacked, then promptly decided that I've been working hard this week and I'm going to be a slacker today.  That meant there was no reason I couldn't try out one of the new polishes, so I did.  I used Gentle Blossom.

Gentle Blossom is a light mint green, a really pretty shade.  As I looked at it in the store, I initially passed because I couldn't see the shimmer well in the weird store fluorescent lighting, but a closer look convinced me it was a good choice.  The shimmer is odd - it's subtle, but really dense at the same time.  Gentle Blossom applied well with a brush like the one in the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure line.  In two coats, it was opaque but still a bit streaky, so I added a third to even it out.

Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle Gentle Blossom Nail Polish, Three Coats

The sunlight today is not very strong, but the shimmer still shows well.  Here's a closer look at the shimmer.

Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle Gentle Blossom Nail Polish, Closer Look

I think this is a really nice one, and I like it a lot.  Occasionally admiring it throughout the day will be a nice use of a slacker day.

That's it for today, Dear Reader.  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!  

Carolyn New York Greenwich Ave

Good evening, Dear Reader!

I just finished doing a new manicure tonight using Carolyn New York's Greenwich Ave, and I have a picture of it for you.  I hadn't planned on a new manicure tonight, but Chanel Riva chipped  like nobody's business today, so I really had to.

Greenwich Ave is probably my favorite green creme.  The formula is great and CNY's is my all-time favorite brush.  The only down side is that the company seems to have gone out of business, yet keeps their website up.  A while back I read accounts of CNY orders not shipping and getting no replies to emails, so I tried to contact my person there, who was excellent.  I got no replies to emails and her cell phone had been disconnected, so I assume they really are gone.  I mention this in case you're tempted to order from their site - if it's too tempting, call or email before getting charged for an order.

Anyhow, back to Greenwich Ave.  In two coats it's a perfect shiny bright weird green creme.

Carolyn New York Greenwich Ave Nail Polish, Two Coats

It's a shame that CNY seems to have gone away - they made wonderful nail polish and the people there were good.  

That's it for today, Dear Reader.  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!  

I Feel so 'Hallow' Inside

Yes, I am one of those dorks that waits in line for the midnight showings of the Harry Potter movies... and books. :-D In fact, tonight we're going to go get in line at 9 pm!! I'm soooo excited. I even screen printed t-shirts!! On the front, they have a drawing of Harry's infamous round spectacles, and on the back, it says 'In Memoriam' with a list of all the good guys that were killed over the course of the books, I even included Richard Harris, the original Dumbledore, who died after making the second movie. (he counts!) Under the list, there is a skull and crossed wands, for which I used Voldemort's wand, and Harry's wand to make the 'crossbones'. I'm so beyond excited for tonight's showing, and hope that it's better and truer to the book than the last one.

I have had a Harry Potter manicure on the list since the very beginning of the blog, but couldn't bring myself to do it until now- when the movie is a mere 4.5 hours away!! I did the HP logo on the thumb, the icon of the Deathly Hallows on the index finger, the golden snitch is flying across my middle finger, and the ring and pinky feature Harry's hand and Quidditch robe sleeve reaching to catch it! (yes, I know that Harry doesn't play Quidditch in the last book/movie, but I felt that it was important over the course of the books, so I added it!)

Don't forget to check out my blog sale! :)

I used American Apparel Hassid as a base, with China Glaze 2030 from Khrome Collection for the HP logo, the Deathly Hallows icon, and golden snitch. For the hand, I used American Apparel California Trooper as a base, with a mixture of American Apparel Palm Springs and Zoya Alluria for the flesh tone, shaded with the flesh mixture mixed with MAC Rich, Dark, Delicious, and highlighted with the flesh mixture mixed with American Apparel Cotton. For the robe, I used a mix of Nubar Sexy Red mixed with MAC Rich, Dark, Delicious, then American Apparel Manila for the stripes. Topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

The shirts:

Finite incantatem!

Chanel Riva

Good afternoon, Dear Reader!

When Chanel Riva became available on Chanel's site this week, I was planning to pass on it.  But then they had free shipping and I haven't really gotten anything this month, so I sprung for it.  I got it today and tried it out.

Riva is a pale blue kind of jelly finish polish, and it took three coats to be reasonably even for me.  There are a couple of nails on my right hand that are a bit streaky, so it really could have used a fourth coat.  Here it is in natural light.

Chanel Riva Nail Polish, Three Coats

Having tried Riva out, if I could do it over again I wouldn't have gotten it.  It's nice enough, but not for the price tag.  I think Sephora by OPI's Havana Nights would be a reasonable substitute - not a dead on dupe, I don't think, but nothing's so spectacular about Riva that it needs a dead on dupe.

That's what I have for you today, Dear Reader.  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!  

BLOG SALE!!

The nail polish collection is getting out of control, and there are so many colors that I don't use, have never used, some HTF colors, and some I bought duplicates of, so I'm having a blog sale!! There are also going to be other things, like purses, jeans, some LE MAC items, and other random things that will be added periodically, so check back! The sale will always be listed on a separate page which can be reached by clicking the 'The Daily Nail: Sales!" link that is located directly under the logo header! :)

You can also reach it by going HERE.

Thanks!! ;)

Who You Gonna Call?

Growing up in the 80s, I was destined to love the movie Ghostbusters. (is it possible to NOT love this movie?!) It has everything...ghosts, laughs, Bill Murray?! I'll be honest though, since I was born just 3 years before it came out, I'm far more familiar with Ghostbusters II, with Vigo as the bad guy! Can't forget Slimer or the Stay-Puft Marshmallow man either! :) Anyway, at the recommendation of Chris, I did Ghostbuster nails today!!

I used American Apparel Hassid as a base, with Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud as a base for the logo, Nubar Sexy Red for the 'no' circle, and OPI Who the Shrek Are You? for the slime that Slimer left behind on the ring finger. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat!

I am the keymaster.

Want to Get Your Nails Painted by Me?

Want to get your nails painted by me?

Will you be in Las Vegas on December 1?

Let me know! I'll be doing a night of manicures at a local hotspot! We need to get the word out so it's jam-packed busy, because if it is, this won't just be a one-time thing!! :) There will be super-cheap drink specials for the ladies, a DJ, and polish changes by me! (and yes, that includes nail art!)

Send me an email at thedailynail@gmail.com if you're interested in coming, and I'll make sure you get the details first about when, where, and what time! :)

XOXO
-M

Color Club Enchanted Holiday

Good afternoon, Dear Reader!

Color Club sent me their Enchanted Holiday mini set for review, and so I have pictures of it to show you today.  The set consists of four mini polishes, which are a green foil called Magic Elf, a white glitter called Snowflakes, a red glitter named Wish List Red, and gold glitter named Enchanted Holiday, as well as a little sheet of holiday nail decals.

Color Club Enchanted Holiday Mini Set

Here's a closer look at the decals.

Color Club Enchanted Holiday Nail Decals

I didn't get a chance to swatch these for you, so I'll just show them to you one at a time as I wear them.  I'm currently wearing Magic Elf, and this is three coats.

Color Club Magic Elf Nail Polish, Three Coats

Magic Elf is wearing well - I've had it on for two days that could chip any manicure, and it's holding up just fine.  The other one in this set that I'm eager to try out is Snowflakes, which I think would look really wintery and cool over a light blue like OPI What's with the Cattitude.

That's what I have for you today, Dear Reader.  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!  

If You Got the Bullets, I Got the Time

If you've read the blog for any length of time, you've probably gotten the idea that I am a nerd, and I love nerd manicures... Today's manicure features a bad guy from the Nintendo arsenal of villains, Bullet Bill! I remember many an afternoon spent with these dudes in front of my TV with my NES Advantage Joystick and ginormous box of Goldfish crackers. *sigh* Those were the days...

I used American Apparel Hassid as a base, with a mixture of American Apparel Hassid and Orly Mirror, Mirror to highlight, then another layer of just Orly Mirror, Mirror to highlight even more. I also used Orly Mirror, Mirror around the arms, and to shade the arms. I used Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud for the eyes and for the arms, and American Apparel Hassid for the pupils. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

I love the fishes, 'cause they're sooooo delicious! Gone goldfishin'!

Go With the Flow-er

Man, I feel like I've lost my mojo. I hate 90% of the designs I've done lately, and that makes me SO sad. I'm not saying this to solicit sympathy, I'm saying it because I'm genuinely worried. lol  Designs that should be/usually are easy end up taking forever and looking like crapola. Anyway, today's nail art is simple, and was inspired by the cover of the journal/notebook that I write ideas and jot down my wish list, amongst other things.

I used Nubar Sexy Red as a base, with a mix of Orly Mirror, Mirror and American Apparel Hassid for the dark grey, and Orly Gumdrop for the flower's aqua center. For the white lines, I used Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

American Apparel launches 12 new colors!! PREVIEW

I've made no secret of my love for American Apparel's polish line. I use some of their colors almost daily, and I love their consistency, colors, and opacity. Imagine my excitement to read my email today and see this:

Yep, seriously dying over here. I cannot wait to get my hands on these. 

From American Apparel:

LOS ANGELES -- American Apparel (Amex: APP), the vertically integrated clothing manufacturer based in downtown Los Angeles, is announcing the addition of twelve new colors to its successful line of nail polish.


The company's Made in the USA nail lacquer is now available in 48 colors. The 12 new shades take inspiration from simple and straightforward elements of both Angeleno and global culture, reflecting the ubiquitous nature of the T-shirt on which American Apparel built its brand. Echo Park, a new shade of concrete grey, and MacArthur Park, a muted mossy yellow, both reference neighborhoods where the company first opened stores and where many of its employees live. Others, like Trenchcoat and Army Jacket, are nods to iconic garments and their evocative, eponymous tones.


"Nail polish is our favorite category for exploring color. We planned on releasing only six new shades, but we felt so strongly about all of these that we decided to release a full dozen. Its difficult to pick a favorite--they all compliment wardrobes in different ways. We can't wait to see the looks people create with them," said Marsha Brady, a creative director for American Apparel.


American Apparel Nail Lacquer has become one of the company's fastest-moving products. The two previous launches of colors quickly sold out worldwide. The consistency and quality of the polish has been universally noted in the reviews of the product and the company diligently oversaw the production process to ensure this standard again.


American Apparel Nail Lacquer is priced at $6 per bottle and is available in a 3-pack for $15 and 7-pack for $32. It is sold at American Apparel stores worldwide as well as online. The nail polish is DBP, toluene and formaldehyde-free. For a full view of color range, ingredients, swatches and photographs, please visit our online store.

Blinged Out Bursts

As you make-up diehards may know, Nov 11-15, Sephora gave a 20% discount to their VIB customers. I went to the first night of the 'sale' for their shopping event. I'll be honest, since I'm broke, it was mostly to get the freebies, but when I saw this polish, I totally couldn't resist it, and at 20% off, what better time?! The color I'm talking about is part of their Holiday collection, and it's called 212 Sephora, which is a soft black with iridescent glitter, as well as gold glitter, and copper flakies!! It's seriously AMAZING. For today's design, I really wanted to use it, but I didn't want to cover it up, so I chose to do a simple burst in an olive color in the upper corner of the nail.

A different angle to show off the glitter better

I used OPI for Sephora 212 Sephora as a base, with Rescue Beauty No More War for the burst. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

CND Teal Sparkle & Urban Oasis

Good afternoon, Dear Reader!

I just changed my polish, and I thought I'd give you a look at what I changed to.  I got CND's Night Factory duo from Trans Design, which has Urban Oasis and Teal Sparkle in it, and I decided to crack into the two of them.

Urban Oasis is a really good teal creme.  Though not the most unique shade ever made, it's completely opaque in one thin coat.  In the picture, the texture looks weird because it's just the one thin coat over a ridge filler and my left hand was dry by the time I finished the right, but I wanted to show you how saturated the color in this one is.

CND Urban Oasis Nail Polish, One Coat

I added one coat of Teal Sparkle to it, which completely transformed it.  This is with top coat.

CND Teal Sparkle Nail Polish over CND Urban Oasis, One Coat Each

That's the update for today, Dear Reader.  Until next time, love and nail polish to you!