tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75511933549123898452024-03-13T23:46:33.090-07:00The Girl With Rainbow HandsMariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-49984609086830645842011-12-10T18:02:00.000-08:002011-12-10T18:02:21.179-08:00Day 5: Garland and Day 6: Elves<br />
Hi all!<br />
<br />
<br />
I started out doing Day 5: Garland. I thought this was going to be an easy one, but my color choice turned it into a major fail! Ha! We all have our down days. I used a base of Essie Case Study (an ugly pretty color) and Sinful Colors Call You Later as the winding garland. I thought it would look like a garland running up the side of a brown house but... it just looks like swamp weeds. Woops! I'll share the pictures though, perhaps they can be a learning experience for somebody else who wants to try these colors together. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_W7LYqBhww4/TuQGoZxHg7I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/zM84say3S2w/s1600/IMG_0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_W7LYqBhww4/TuQGoZxHg7I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/zM84say3S2w/s320/IMG_0263.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Io4SCX5Ghqc/TuQGwYhgcjI/AAAAAAAAAbY/U_35VK8LGlI/s1600/IMG_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Io4SCX5Ghqc/TuQGwYhgcjI/AAAAAAAAAbY/U_35VK8LGlI/s400/IMG_0262.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1tOk30JAZGY/TuQG3ihtS5I/AAAAAAAAAbg/atvXZARwVlM/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1tOk30JAZGY/TuQG3ihtS5I/AAAAAAAAAbg/atvXZARwVlM/s400/IMG_0261.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LUpBbs2Z_YA/TuQHBNWaKtI/AAAAAAAAAbo/RTuFW-VyQeI/s1600/IMG_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LUpBbs2Z_YA/TuQHBNWaKtI/AAAAAAAAAbo/RTuFW-VyQeI/s400/IMG_0260.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-etiQjaKfPyc/TuQHIQ1dD3I/AAAAAAAAAbw/0D0qlfvZi-4/s1600/IMG_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-etiQjaKfPyc/TuQHIQ1dD3I/AAAAAAAAAbw/0D0qlfvZi-4/s400/IMG_0259.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gHiO1H6ZZSY/TuQGf_CQACI/AAAAAAAAAbI/7HGpshNGvpY/s1600/IMG_0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gHiO1H6ZZSY/TuQGf_CQACI/AAAAAAAAAbI/7HGpshNGvpY/s400/IMG_0264.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can't bear to end the post on that note, so I'm going to add in Day 6: Elves to this post as well. Now this... this is cute. This is something I'm happy to wear on my hands. :) My boyfriend thought this one was clever and called me a real artist. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Colors - Ulta Limelight, Wet n Wild Red Red, Zoya Shay, NYC French White Tip, and Wet n Wild Black creme. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cY71JEonj-Y/TuQF2QovsDI/AAAAAAAAAaY/Sp7LwCiYEUo/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cY71JEonj-Y/TuQF2QovsDI/AAAAAAAAAaY/Sp7LwCiYEUo/s400/IMG_0276.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NQKztjTSH5E/TuQGEw2B-oI/AAAAAAAAAao/CkEwPLQ5y2Q/s1600/IMG_0269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NQKztjTSH5E/TuQGEw2B-oI/AAAAAAAAAao/CkEwPLQ5y2Q/s400/IMG_0269.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PWtGoTj2BOQ/TuQGLlkwkhI/AAAAAAAAAaw/GGb_c-n7VqE/s1600/IMG_0268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PWtGoTj2BOQ/TuQGLlkwkhI/AAAAAAAAAaw/GGb_c-n7VqE/s400/IMG_0268.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LiMonJOXqhQ/TuQGS2iJ4tI/AAAAAAAAAa4/If_8PHf4uwg/s1600/IMG_0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LiMonJOXqhQ/TuQGS2iJ4tI/AAAAAAAAAa4/If_8PHf4uwg/s400/IMG_0267.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MW94Hyj0gJA/TuQGYd1k_bI/AAAAAAAAAbA/9RA22lYzcKY/s1600/IMG_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MW94Hyj0gJA/TuQGYd1k_bI/AAAAAAAAAbA/9RA22lYzcKY/s400/IMG_0266.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UyVxEabpu6U/TuQGAFu-kCI/AAAAAAAAAag/TycugFosJuk/s1600/IMG_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UyVxEabpu6U/TuQGAFu-kCI/AAAAAAAAAag/TycugFosJuk/s400/IMG_0270.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
I really wish blogger had a rotate picture function!!<br />
<br />
Hope you're a little bit more in the Christmas spirit than you were five minutes ago :)<br />
<br />
The other bloggers doing this challenge are:<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fwKgP59eU0/TtflDA59fbI/AAAAAAAAAmc/aDsBopJ9fR8/s1600/393277_943427786119_12821635_40927885_314668726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fwKgP59eU0/TtflDA59fbI/AAAAAAAAAmc/aDsBopJ9fR8/s400/393277_943427786119_12821635_40927885_314668726_n.jpg" width="218" /></a><br />
<div class="mtl fbDocument">
Claire Gallaugher - <a href="http://claire-purplefairydust.blogspot.com/">Purple Fairy Dust All Things Beautiful</a> <br />
<br />
Emma Hoop - <a href="http://manicurity.blogspot.com/">Manicurity</a><br />
<br />
Kerrie Black- <a href="http://pishposhandpolish.blogspot.com/">PhishPosh and Polish</a><br />
<br />
Bee Justice - <a href="http://www.beepolished.blogspot.com/">Bee Polished</a><br />
<br />
Zoe Garner - <a href="http://www.ocnpd.blogspot.com/">Obsessive Compulsive Nail Painting Disorder </a><br />
<br />
Felicia Banuelos- <a href="http://bubblyfairy-nailpolishjunkie.blogspot.com/">Confessions of a Nail Polish Junkie</a><br />
<br />
Lisa Armstrong-Waite - <a href="http://happynailsuk.blogspot.com/">Happy Nails </a><br />
<br />
Julie Rivard - <a href="http://ofknitandnails.blogspot.com/">Tales of Knit and Nails</a><br />
<br />
Alyssa Dees - <a href="http://nojunknail.blogspot.com/">No Junk Nail </a><br />
<br />
Arielle Stephenson - <a href="http://soccermom5982.blogspot.com/">Only Always Soccermom </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">M</span><span style="color: #38761d;">e</span><span style="color: red;">r</span><span style="color: #38761d;">r</span><span style="color: red;">y</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">C</span><span style="color: red;">h</span><span style="color: #38761d;">r</span><span style="color: red;">i</span><span style="color: #38761d;">s</span><span style="color: red;">t</span><span style="color: #38761d;">m</span><span style="color: red;">a</span><span style="color: #38761d;">s</span><span style="color: red;">!</span><br />
<br />
Maria</div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-83805113465398193152011-12-07T22:00:00.000-08:002011-12-07T21:42:38.741-08:00Day 4: Water marble<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fwKgP59eU0/TtflDA59fbI/AAAAAAAAAmc/aDsBopJ9fR8/s1600/393277_943427786119_12821635_40927885_314668726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fwKgP59eU0/TtflDA59fbI/AAAAAAAAAmc/aDsBopJ9fR8/s1600/393277_943427786119_12821635_40927885_314668726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fwKgP59eU0/TtflDA59fbI/AAAAAAAAAmc/aDsBopJ9fR8/s1600/393277_943427786119_12821635_40927885_314668726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
My first water marble post!<br />
<br />
Here goes nothing ;)<br />
<br />
I had never done a water marble before, and, from the sounds of others' trials and tribulations with it, I didn't really think I'd ever do one. I mean, I have plenty of ideas for freehand nail art.<br />
<br />
But I'm so glad this challenge forced me to try it, because what fun!<br />
<br />
I decided to start very simply before hassling with room temperature distilled ionized straight from Mount Olympus water. I just used average tap water in an average paper dixie cup.<br />
<br />
In case I messed up, I chose cheap, opaque polishes. Wet n Wild Red, NYC French White Tip, and Sinful Envy. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zkqWBvrR1zU/TuA7Nxj_USI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/9QY7ZWBBWYc/s1600/IMG_0235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zkqWBvrR1zU/TuA7Nxj_USI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/9QY7ZWBBWYc/s400/IMG_0235.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then I used an unfolded safety pin and dragged it around to make a design... then took a deep breath and made my first dip...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bM7uv7J_-IQ/TuA7AhYu57I/AAAAAAAAAaA/5zGIadMsCsw/s1600/IMG_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bM7uv7J_-IQ/TuA7AhYu57I/AAAAAAAAAaA/5zGIadMsCsw/s400/IMG_0237.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Whooooooooooaaaa!! How cool is that?? It totally worked! I'm not sure I can express how excited I was. You'll just have to take my word for it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vJuq91Vux3Q/TuA65rNBXhI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/fs3RPSx5Jho/s1600/IMG_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vJuq91Vux3Q/TuA65rNBXhI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/fs3RPSx5Jho/s400/IMG_0238.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Then I repeated the process with the two other fingers on that hand, with good results. <br />
<br />
(By the way, I don't regret not taping. It looks a hot mess, but it all came off for me rather easily with an acetone soaked Q-tip while it was still wet.)<br />
<br />
For my thumb, I decided to be brave and I tried red, green, and a metallic silver color. First I dropped the colors...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GLdOzCdUhE0/TuA6yvNOccI/AAAAAAAAAZw/y8Q7R22YdoQ/s1600/IMG_0240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GLdOzCdUhE0/TuA6yvNOccI/AAAAAAAAAZw/y8Q7R22YdoQ/s400/IMG_0240.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off to a good start...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then I swirled them, dipped my thumb in....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-07pCglXajJw/TuA6sVuMGHI/AAAAAAAAAZo/H8WWLf-Anso/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-07pCglXajJw/TuA6sVuMGHI/AAAAAAAAAZo/H8WWLf-Anso/s400/IMG_0241.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, I missed. hahahaha. The pattern looked so good in the water! Not sure how I ended up with an almost all red thumb nail. Oops. But it was bound to happen sooner or later :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So I re-dipped it, with the red, green, and white again. Unfortunately I swirled it a bit too much, so it is more mixed than the other fingers, but it's still ok. I allowed it to stay on my hands ;)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oh! Cool science! I accidentally dropped one drop of silver from too high up, and it sunk about half way down and stayed suspended there as a sphere! Whoa! You can kind of see it in the above picture. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Final product: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xGvQX_bg9R4/TuA6lDQLZ5I/AAAAAAAAAZg/klnXzYomq-8/s1600/IMG_0242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xGvQX_bg9R4/TuA6lDQLZ5I/AAAAAAAAAZg/klnXzYomq-8/s400/IMG_0242.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nEf1qBvVdGo/TuA6grT4F-I/AAAAAAAAAZY/ACuSEuSMZkI/s1600/IMG_0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nEf1qBvVdGo/TuA6grT4F-I/AAAAAAAAAZY/ACuSEuSMZkI/s400/IMG_0243.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zSH7YL_JP2s/TuA581dOpjI/AAAAAAAAAYo/zVLU8jFNbyQ/s1600/IMG_0253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zSH7YL_JP2s/TuA581dOpjI/AAAAAAAAAYo/zVLU8jFNbyQ/s400/IMG_0253.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vl4DffC6MCc/TuA6cTXGVcI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/sslpFmr0KBU/s1600/IMG_0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vl4DffC6MCc/TuA6cTXGVcI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/sslpFmr0KBU/s400/IMG_0244.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Epilogue:<br />
<br />
The next day, la-di-da, just minding my own business, I looked down, and my ring finger was missing a corner! *sniff*<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQtZC0IEjdQ/TuA5x6ejJsI/AAAAAAAAAYY/n9PQ4uNVci8/s1600/IMG_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQtZC0IEjdQ/TuA5x6ejJsI/AAAAAAAAAYY/n9PQ4uNVci8/s400/IMG_0255.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This manicure was definitely an attention getter, and inspired me to try more marbling in the future! I can't pick a favorite nail of this manicure, but I can pick a least favorite. ;) Do you like water marbles?<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fwKgP59eU0/TtflDA59fbI/AAAAAAAAAmc/aDsBopJ9fR8/s1600/393277_943427786119_12821635_40927885_314668726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fwKgP59eU0/TtflDA59fbI/AAAAAAAAAmc/aDsBopJ9fR8/s400/393277_943427786119_12821635_40927885_314668726_n.jpg" width="218" /></a><br />
The other bloggers doing this challenge are:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="mtl fbDocument">
Claire Gallaugher - <a href="http://claire-purplefairydust.blogspot.com/">Purple Fairy Dust All Things Beautiful</a> <br />
<br />
Emma Hoop - <a href="http://manicurity.blogspot.com/">Manicurity</a><br />
<br />
Kerrie Black- <a href="http://pishposhandpolish.blogspot.com/">PhishPosh and Polish</a><br />
<br />
Bee Justice - <a href="http://www.beepolished.blogspot.com/">Bee Polished</a><br />
<br />
Zoe Garner - <a href="http://www.ocnpd.blogspot.com/">Obsessive Compulsive Nail Painting Disorder </a><br />
<br />
Felicia Banuelos- <a href="http://bubblyfairy-nailpolishjunkie.blogspot.com/">Confessions of a Nail Polish Junkie</a><br />
<br />
Lisa Armstrong-Waite - <a href="http://happynailsuk.blogspot.com/">Happy Nails </a><br />
<br />
Julie Rivard - <a href="http://ofknitandnails.blogspot.com/">Tales of Knit and Nails</a><br />
<br />
Alyssa Dees - <a href="http://nojunknail.blogspot.com/">No Junk Nail </a><br />
<br />
Arielle Stephenson - <a href="http://soccermom5982.blogspot.com/">Only Always Soccermom </a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">M</span><span style="color: #38761d;">e</span><span style="color: red;">r</span><span style="color: #38761d;">r</span><span style="color: red;">y</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">C</span><span style="color: red;">h</span><span style="color: #38761d;">r</span><span style="color: red;">i</span><span style="color: #38761d;">s</span><span style="color: red;">t</span><span style="color: #38761d;">m</span><span style="color: red;">a</span><span style="color: #38761d;">s</span><span style="color: red;">!</span><br />
<br />
Maria</div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-83363610179106632312011-12-07T18:16:00.001-08:002011-12-07T18:31:20.968-08:00Hello? Can you hear me?So, I just found out, that due to an unfortunate issue, 90% of my RSS subscribers haven't been receiving any of my posts! O.O The horror!<br />
<br />
I think I've resolved the issue.<br />
<br />
If anybody sees this, would you be so kind as to comment? Especially if you're one of the 90% who hasn't been getting anything from me?<br />
<br />
Thank you so much!<br />
<br />
Maria<br />
<br />
Edited to add: OMG. It appears to have just sent out my 14 last blog posts?! If that is true, I do apologize for flooding your reader!Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-25172232562603564782011-12-07T17:44:00.001-08:002011-12-07T19:39:41.107-08:00If you follow me via RSS:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Edited: </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Please be sure that you are subscribing to me at this URL in your RSS reader: </span><a href="http://rainbowhands.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http:<wbr></wbr>/<wbr></wbr>/rainbowhands<wbr></wbr>.blogspot<wbr></wbr>.com<wbr></wbr>/feeds<wbr></wbr>/posts<wbr></wbr>/default</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> , as some people were subscribed to a different RSS URL that I am now going to cancel. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />IF you just got a ton of my blog posts today, then you are perfectly fine and do not need to switch anything. :)</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Thanks for reading! I really appreciate it :)</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Maria</span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-17619608556752966932011-12-06T09:31:00.000-08:002011-12-06T09:31:16.932-08:00Day 3: Snow Globe<br />
Ciao pretty ladies!<br />
<br />
Day 3 of this challenge is themed like a snow globe. Yes, just like every other person who saw this theme, I did contemplate doing pastel nails with China Glaze Snow Globe on top. But no! I had to take it to the next level, and I'm really glad I did.<br />
<br />
Base color is China Glaze Secret Periwinkle, a color I have been crushing on for a long time, and I finally received it in a swap, with Sinful Colors Unicorn, Envy, and Green Ocean! How exciting! I love saving money by swapping rather than buying new polish, don't you?<br />
<br />
....<br />
<br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
What, you mean to tell me that sending nail polish to random strangers in exchange for other nail polish isn't a normal thing to do?<br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
Oh.<br />
<br />
I don't see myself stopping anytime soon though! I much prefer trading nail polish to trading something like baseball cards! :D<br />
<br />
Four of the nails in today's design have just a tip of CG Snow Globe, to represent all the fake snow in a snow globe when it has fallen to the ground. The accent nail is a actual snow globe! With a teeeeeny tiny Christmas tree. Base is Milani Red Sparkle (one coat glitter collection) and the tree is SC Envy (also from my swap). I painted another layer of snow globe over the globe, but it was denser than I thought, and covered the image pretty much, making it hard to see and photograph. But I'm ok with that, it's like a real snow globe swirling with snow.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ikurymBMzD4/Tt0O4xT1xLI/AAAAAAAAAXw/JkQ6_RZbMLM/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ikurymBMzD4/Tt0O4xT1xLI/AAAAAAAAAXw/JkQ6_RZbMLM/s400/IMG_0224.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wRdrdl3FKMQ/Tt0O-BxSrnI/AAAAAAAAAX4/2MGoRT3ClNw/s1600/IMG_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wRdrdl3FKMQ/Tt0O-BxSrnI/AAAAAAAAAX4/2MGoRT3ClNw/s400/IMG_0225.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VFnHgecr1TQ/Tt0PCoVg9bI/AAAAAAAAAYA/uiLIzsrA2QU/s1600/IMG_0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VFnHgecr1TQ/Tt0PCoVg9bI/AAAAAAAAAYA/uiLIzsrA2QU/s400/IMG_0227.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U8G3OkD9TEo/Tt0PGvg262I/AAAAAAAAAYI/kaJ9A-3Ocpw/s1600/IMG_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U8G3OkD9TEo/Tt0PGvg262I/AAAAAAAAAYI/kaJ9A-3Ocpw/s400/IMG_0228.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qr2p5b-E2cM/Tt0PKQEtHtI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/_N3frGa9i8U/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qr2p5b-E2cM/Tt0PKQEtHtI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/_N3frGa9i8U/s400/IMG_0231.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GLITTER</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This is my right hand, for once, since I couldn't bear to take the Dear Santa off my left hand! I had quite fun taking this progression of pictures, getting closer and closer to the camera.<br />
<br />
Now for the important question - do you even have a snowglobe? When's the last time you've actually shaken one? I can't remember for me!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fwKgP59eU0/TtflDA59fbI/AAAAAAAAAmc/aDsBopJ9fR8/s1600/393277_943427786119_12821635_40927885_314668726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fwKgP59eU0/TtflDA59fbI/AAAAAAAAAmc/aDsBopJ9fR8/s400/393277_943427786119_12821635_40927885_314668726_n.jpg" width="218" /></a><br />
The other bloggers doing this challenge are:<br />
<br />
<div class="mtl fbDocument">
Claire Gallaugher - <a href="http://claire-purplefairydust.blogspot.com/">Purple Fairy Dust All Things Beautiful</a> <br />
<br />
Emma Hoop - <a href="http://manicurity.blogspot.com/">Manicurity</a><br />
<br />
Kerrie Black- <a href="http://pishposhandpolish.blogspot.com/">PhishPosh and Polish</a><br />
<br />
Bee Justice - <a href="http://www.beepolished.blogspot.com/">Bee Polished</a><br />
<br />
Zoe Garner - <a href="http://www.ocnpd.blogspot.com/">Obsessive Compulsive Nail Painting Disorder </a><br />
<br />
Felicia Banuelos- <a href="http://bubblyfairy-nailpolishjunkie.blogspot.com/">Confessions of a Nail Polish Junkie</a><br />
<br />
Lisa Armstrong-Waite - <a href="http://happynailsuk.blogspot.com/">Happy Nails </a><br />
<br />
Julie Rivard - <a href="http://ofknitandnails.blogspot.com/">Tales of Knit and Nails</a><br />
<br />
Alyssa Dees - <a href="http://nojunknail.blogspot.com/">No Junk Nail </a><br />
<br />
Arielle Stephenson - <a href="http://soccermom5982.blogspot.com/">Only Always Soccermom </a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">M</span><span style="color: #38761d;">e</span><span style="color: red;">r</span><span style="color: #38761d;">r</span><span style="color: red;">y</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">C</span><span style="color: red;">h</span><span style="color: #38761d;">r</span><span style="color: red;">i</span><span style="color: #38761d;">s</span><span style="color: red;">t</span><span style="color: #38761d;">m</span><span style="color: red;">a</span><span style="color: #38761d;">s</span><span style="color: red;">!</span><br />
<br />
Maria</div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-15256581579289872402011-12-05T19:11:00.000-08:002011-12-05T19:11:00.626-08:00Day 2: Writing my Christmas Cards<br />
Hello again,<br />
<br />
On to the second post of the challenge! When I first saw this challenge, I signed up but then backed out because there are some very very tricky things on this list of theme. For example, writing your Christmas cards. But I decided I was up to the challenge and wanted to start regularly posting here agan, so, I'll take whatever themes they throw at me!<br />
<br />
Day 2 - Writing my Christmas Cards<br />
<br />
I did this manicure with a color I hated (Revlon Aloof, Edgy Elegance collection), and a design I hated (handwriting on my nails), and wouldn't you just know it, I LOVED this look! I kept it on for longer than just the one day of the challenge. I am certainly going to try something like this again in the future.<br />
<br />
The fine writing was done with my favorite nail art pen! That thing is glorious! One day I will own the whole set and then I will TAKE OVER THE WORLD! MUAHAHAHA. <a href="http://tinyurl.com/8ylttwo" target="_blank">Here</a><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </b><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">is the link if anybody else is interested in these. Or if Santa is reading. Same difference.</span></span><br />
<br />
44 cent postage stamp on my thumb - I know that price because I have to mail my rent in :P<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5T1xta_aYM/Tt0DX-8oLnI/AAAAAAAAAXA/bGjingunlBI/s1600/IMG_0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5T1xta_aYM/Tt0DX-8oLnI/AAAAAAAAAXA/bGjingunlBI/s640/IMG_0215.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ykG0aTzFrRk/Tt0DecUQ4sI/AAAAAAAAAXI/50noMvpMPQk/s1600/IMG_0216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ykG0aTzFrRk/Tt0DecUQ4sI/AAAAAAAAAXI/50noMvpMPQk/s400/IMG_0216.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BVRQqBW6AMk/Tt0Dpnxt1-I/AAAAAAAAAXY/XJyzecz-6x4/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BVRQqBW6AMk/Tt0Dpnxt1-I/AAAAAAAAAXY/XJyzecz-6x4/s640/IMG_0220.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a funny pose to show that it even looks cool when the words aren't aligned.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-22D2maAwxWg/Tt0EQ8KK_hI/AAAAAAAAAXo/8dl70hIjoys/s1600/IMG_0218+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-22D2maAwxWg/Tt0EQ8KK_hI/AAAAAAAAAXo/8dl70hIjoys/s400/IMG_0218+-+Copy.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dear blogger, PLEASE add a rotate picture function, because occasionally my computer glitches up and ALWAYS uploads a certain picture sideways. Grrrrrrrr. Well, you dear readers are just going to have to turn your heads I suppose.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And that's that! Did you write letters to Santa when you were little? I definitely did! I left them out with the cookies and milk and carrots (for the reindeer). I guess I thought Santa had all the presents in the world in his bag, and would be able to read my note and pick out what I wanted :P<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fwKgP59eU0/TtflDA59fbI/AAAAAAAAAmc/aDsBopJ9fR8/s1600/393277_943427786119_12821635_40927885_314668726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fwKgP59eU0/TtflDA59fbI/AAAAAAAAAmc/aDsBopJ9fR8/s400/393277_943427786119_12821635_40927885_314668726_n.jpg" width="218" /></a>The other bloggers doing this challenge are:<br />
<br />
<div class="mtl fbDocument">
Claire Gallaugher - <a href="http://claire-purplefairydust.blogspot.com/">Purple Fairy Dust All Things Beautiful</a> <br />
<br />
Emma Hoop - <a href="http://manicurity.blogspot.com/">Manicurity</a><br />
<br />
Kerrie Black- <a href="http://pishposhandpolish.blogspot.com/">PhishPosh and Polish</a><br />
<br />
Bee Justice - <a href="http://www.beepolished.blogspot.com/">Bee Polished</a><br />
<br />
Zoe Garner - <a href="http://www.ocnpd.blogspot.com/">Obsessive Compulsive Nail Painting Disorder </a><br />
<br />
Felicia Banuelos- <a href="http://bubblyfairy-nailpolishjunkie.blogspot.com/">Confessions of a Nail Polish Junkie</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Lisa Armstrong-Waite - <a href="http://happynailsuk.blogspot.com/">Happy Nails </a><br />
<br />
Julie Rivard - <a href="http://ofknitandnails.blogspot.com/">Tales of Knit and Nails</a><br />
<br />
Alyssa Dees - <a href="http://nojunknail.blogspot.com/">No Junk Nail </a><br />
<br />
Arielle Stephenson - <a href="http://soccermom5982.blogspot.com/">Only Always Soccermom </a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">M</span><span style="color: #38761d;">e</span><span style="color: red;">r</span><span style="color: #38761d;">r</span><span style="color: red;">y</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">C</span><span style="color: red;">h</span><span style="color: #38761d;">r</span><span style="color: red;">i</span><span style="color: #38761d;">s</span><span style="color: red;">t</span><span style="color: #38761d;">m</span><span style="color: red;">a</span><span style="color: #38761d;">s</span><span style="color: red;">!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Maria</div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-89383691015222463922011-12-04T10:14:00.001-08:002011-12-05T09:33:45.281-08:00Day 1: What you like most about Christmas<br />
Hello all!<br />
<br />
Time for another challenge, one that I'll actually finish this time! Christmas is my favorite part of the year, tied only with the first month of summer :) so I couldn't turn down this challenge!<br />
<br />
Day 1 is a manicure themed about what you love the most about Christmas. What I love the most about Christmas is seeing decorations everywhere and feeling such a part of the community. Even with all the stresses of the holidays, I feel like it is pretty impossible to be sad while walking down a street with Christmas lights on all the houses.<br />
<br />
My manicure's base color was 3 coats of Orly Meet Me Under the Mistletoe. This is a beautiful and unique green polish, it has noticeable tiny flakies and glass flecks that give it an unparalleled depth! Then I put a matte top coat on it, and added white dots, then went over them to add color to my Christmas lights <3<br />
<br />
(Pardon the cleanup, I know I only cleaned two nails....because I DROPPED MY PAINTBRUSH IN THE PURE ACETONE AND IT DISSOLVED! ha. ha. ha. Frustrating though. Lost a brand new brush and a giant bottle of pure acetone. Sigh. Trials of being a nail blogger.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D4kkZCCOPvw/Ttz8B3FsoGI/AAAAAAAAAWg/wexPEroyvYU/s1600/IMG_0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D4kkZCCOPvw/Ttz8B3FsoGI/AAAAAAAAAWg/wexPEroyvYU/s640/IMG_0210.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p_iB4dx67VY/Ttz8INC0u_I/AAAAAAAAAWo/NioGwNXGEnU/s1600/IMG_0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p_iB4dx67VY/Ttz8INC0u_I/AAAAAAAAAWo/NioGwNXGEnU/s640/IMG_0211.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cl7ehTBQOLk/Ttz8M9ztTgI/AAAAAAAAAWw/acfNMzeR6Ao/s1600/IMG_0212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cl7ehTBQOLk/Ttz8M9ztTgI/AAAAAAAAAWw/acfNMzeR6Ao/s640/IMG_0212.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So there you have it, my favorite part about Christmas is the Christmas lights :) What is your favorite part about Christmas, or the holiday that you celebrate?</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fwKgP59eU0/TtflDA59fbI/AAAAAAAAAmc/aDsBopJ9fR8/s1600/393277_943427786119_12821635_40927885_314668726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fwKgP59eU0/TtflDA59fbI/AAAAAAAAAmc/aDsBopJ9fR8/s400/393277_943427786119_12821635_40927885_314668726_n.jpg" width="218" /></a>The other bloggers doing this challenge are:<br />
<br />
<div class="mtl fbDocument">
Claire Gallaugher - <a href="http://claire-purplefairydust.blogspot.com/">Purple Fairy Dust All Things Beautiful</a> <br />
<br />
Emma Hoop - <a href="http://manicurity.blogspot.com/">Manicurity</a><br />
<br />
Kerrie Black- <a href="http://pishposhandpolish.blogspot.com/">PhishPosh and Polish</a><br />
<br />
Bee Justice - <a href="http://www.beepolished.blogspot.com/">Bee Polished</a><br />
<br />
Zoe Garner - <a href="http://www.ocnpd.blogspot.com/">Obsessive Compulsive Nail Painting Disorder </a><br />
<br />
Felicia Banuelos- <a href="http://bubblyfairy-nailpolishjunkie.blogspot.com/">Confessions of a Nail Polish Junkie</a><br />
<br />
Lisa Armstrong-Waite - <a href="http://happynailsuk.blogspot.com/">Happy Nails </a><br />
<br />
Julie Rivard - <a href="http://ofknitandnails.blogspot.com/">Tales of Knit and Nails</a><br />
<br />
Alyssa Dees - <a href="http://nojunknail.blogspot.com/">No Junk Nail </a><br />
<br />
Arielle Stephenson - <a href="http://soccermom5982.blogspot.com/">Only Always Soccermom </a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">M</span><span style="color: #38761d;">e</span><span style="color: red;">r</span><span style="color: #38761d;">r</span><span style="color: red;">y</span> <span style="color: #38761d;">C</span><span style="color: red;">h</span><span style="color: #38761d;">r</span><span style="color: red;">i</span><span style="color: #38761d;">s</span><span style="color: red;">t</span><span style="color: #38761d;">m</span><span style="color: red;">a</span><span style="color: #38761d;">s</span><span style="color: red;">!</span><br />
<br />
Maria</div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-79248343854026577892011-12-01T07:25:00.001-08:002011-12-01T07:31:55.523-08:00Fantastic Nail Polish Deal!Hi all,<br />
<br />
I just had to share this one, nobody told me to do this, I just wanted to share the deal :) <br />
<br />
Savemore.com is a coupon site like groupon. I've used this site before, it is reputable. The first time you sign up for the site, you get a $10 credit in your account. Today's deal is $15 for $30 worth or $19 for $40 worth at beautyofasite.com! If you use the signup credit, that means only FIVE dollars for $30 worth or NINE dollars for $40 worth! And the voucher can be used toward the shipping price! This is a good site, with OPI, Orly, CND, Poshe, Seche, China Glaze, Zoya, and Essie (including Luxeffects)! <br />
<br />
Click here to check it out: <a href="http://svmr.co/HhFX" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://svmr.co/HhFX</a> (this deal is in the right sidebar)<br />
<br />
Wow. I only wish I could buy more than one voucher! With my voucher, I'm spending $9 total for 2 china glaze, 2 OPI, and Essie Shine of the Times<br />
<br />
MariaMariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-50190721201149606102011-11-30T10:56:00.001-08:002011-11-30T16:44:50.576-08:00My friend Rena's nailsRena was my roommate sophomore year. <br />
<br />
That was a very fun year.<br />
<br />
Rena is amazing.<br />
<br />
On an unrelated note, Rena lets me paint her nails for fun and practice!<br />
<br />
This post is dedicated to Rena. :)<br />
<br />
One day, Rena came over to watch TV and just hang out. Unsurprisingly, I hijacked her hands and she let me go to town and paint whatever I wanted! I gave her a blue ombre manicure, and I think it turned out very well! These shades transition very nicely together.<br />
<br />
I used, left to right:<br />
OPI What's with the cattitude?<br />
OPI No room for the blues<br />
OPI Suzi says Feng Shui<br />
Barry M Cobalt Blue<br />
Maybelline Denim Dash<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qZjqM52JigM/TtZ9rqrUlvI/AAAAAAAAAU8/wJ27xfCDJ9s/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qZjqM52JigM/TtZ9rqrUlvI/AAAAAAAAAU8/wJ27xfCDJ9s/s640/IMG_0164.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YitIeoMb4Ug/TtZ4pEIsRfI/AAAAAAAAATc/oxFYMSTEKD8/s1600/IMG_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YitIeoMb4Ug/TtZ4pEIsRfI/AAAAAAAAATc/oxFYMSTEKD8/s640/IMG_0109.JPG" width="474" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XV9izGD78mc/TtZ4xl6Qd3I/AAAAAAAAAUE/Ylp8vaolwyI/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XV9izGD78mc/TtZ4xl6Qd3I/AAAAAAAAAUE/Ylp8vaolwyI/s640/IMG_0119.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The paler hand is mine. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ykg9Nvsy4H0/TtZ4nvB_ePI/AAAAAAAAATU/vPWTzt6DBqY/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ykg9Nvsy4H0/TtZ4nvB_ePI/AAAAAAAAATU/vPWTzt6DBqY/s640/IMG_0108.JPG" width="474" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This manicure was definitely a success. It is simple ans subtle, but still striking and attention-catching. In fact, Rena told me some of her male friends even commented on it! To me, that means it must be something really special, if they noticed it.<br />
<br />
We had fun after this manicure! The nail polish drying dance:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J6fqqF1HrHA/TtZ4uErkxjI/AAAAAAAAAT0/1dDbrcfLNiw/s1600/IMG_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J6fqqF1HrHA/TtZ4uErkxjI/AAAAAAAAAT0/1dDbrcfLNiw/s320/IMG_0116.JPG" width="238" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RMT2iirIaXk/TtZ4vvTVDtI/AAAAAAAAAT8/50tXmrH-PBU/s1600/IMG_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RMT2iirIaXk/TtZ4vvTVDtI/AAAAAAAAAT8/50tXmrH-PBU/s320/IMG_0118.JPG" width="237" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5AM42MZbfck/TtZ4qZMtzaI/AAAAAAAAATk/DeORbVaZdNk/s1600/IMG_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5AM42MZbfck/TtZ4qZMtzaI/AAAAAAAAATk/DeORbVaZdNk/s320/IMG_0111.JPG" width="238" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7OS-VRr1je0/TtZ4r0TcnyI/AAAAAAAAATs/GSk-f2bcrkY/s1600/IMG_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7OS-VRr1je0/TtZ4r0TcnyI/AAAAAAAAATs/GSk-f2bcrkY/s320/IMG_0114.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A few weeks later, Rena asked me to paint her nails with a running theme, since she is an avid runner. She has a fantastic blog over at <a href="http://milehogger.blogspot.com/">http://milehogger.blogspot.com/</a> and her posts are always so much fun to read! She makes me wish I could run.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
On her thumb, a replica of her actual running shoe. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hxZY1lTU0Zs/TtbL-GTJp0I/AAAAAAAAAVk/9VozxGJK3qU/s1600/IMG_0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hxZY1lTU0Zs/TtbL-GTJp0I/AAAAAAAAAVk/9VozxGJK3qU/s640/IMG_0178.JPG" width="509" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On her other fingers, from left to right, a gold medal (made with striping tape), her Garmin GPS, a galaxy nail (her choice), and her specific water bottle. I'm sure she will remind me of all the acutal names for these things, because I forget them. My brain is busy speaking polish-speak, about dupes and CPs and layering and holos... no room left for running vocab.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QugWP9fk_cQ/TtbMEDnrfLI/AAAAAAAAAVs/08KXWolt-kA/s1600/IMG_0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QugWP9fk_cQ/TtbMEDnrfLI/AAAAAAAAAVs/08KXWolt-kA/s640/IMG_0176.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The ring I love:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKDk-KT1LoI/TtZ9mfdzCVI/AAAAAAAAAUs/qDSE3m2oaGQ/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKDk-KT1LoI/TtZ9mfdzCVI/AAAAAAAAAUs/qDSE3m2oaGQ/s640/IMG_0174.JPG" width="475" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Posing like a nail blogger:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KEKAWWxFquE/TtbMmQPTD4I/AAAAAAAAAWE/c6dhk0GDpxw/s1600/IMG_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KEKAWWxFquE/TtbMmQPTD4I/AAAAAAAAAWE/c6dhk0GDpxw/s640/IMG_0175.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
All ten nails:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bc4ifmASAgM/TtbMsJwmiWI/AAAAAAAAAWM/LfL3mMSQ5Tc/s1600/IMG_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bc4ifmASAgM/TtbMsJwmiWI/AAAAAAAAAWM/LfL3mMSQ5Tc/s640/IMG_0173.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
So, Rena, when can I paint your nails again?<br />
<br />
This has been a public service announcement, reminding all us polish-aholics to remember about all the potential nail art canvases on our friends hands! :)<br />
<br />
Maria<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-57741048175339601872011-10-20T09:26:00.000-07:002011-10-20T09:27:36.559-07:00"Subtle" Glitter bomb<div>
<br /></div>
Hey guys! What's up?<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What's up for me is that I did something on my nails that I never thought I would ever do. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That's right.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A french manicure. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
*crickets*</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Since I've never had one, it was interesting to see what it looked like on my hands, and I admit it was nice and clean looking (though it also got me wondering if that's what my nails would look like naturally if they weren't polish-stained, ha). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
However, it didn't last even half an hour before I decided to bedazzle it!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I tried out two different effects, and I want you ladies to tell me which one you like better.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The polishes I used are:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Revlon Scene Stealer - My favorite sheer jelly polish, because it leans pink, just like my skin tone. </div>
<div>
China Glaze White on White - I've never used this alone, but for nail art work it is just the right consistency and fairly opaque.</div>
<div>
Claire's Bedazzled - my favorite rainbow glitter. It has large hexes of all colors, but also lots of blue microglitter to fill space on the nail. It is very dense for a glitter topcoat and easy to work with - no poking glitter with your brush to try and make it stay where you want it to.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ql1Hi4lrHxY/TqBIw1ao-NI/AAAAAAAAAPc/hB3BlTnf4UE/s1600/IMGP5454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ql1Hi4lrHxY/TqBIw1ao-NI/AAAAAAAAAPc/hB3BlTnf4UE/s400/IMGP5454.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, on my left hand I did: two coats scene stealer, two coats white on the tip, one coat scene stealer to soften things, then one coat of Bedazzled. Finished product: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Indirect sunlight:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbZ0efoF0aQ/TqBJP-v7WwI/AAAAAAAAAQU/r1Zgq-X8X2w/s1600/IMGP5447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbZ0efoF0aQ/TqBJP-v7WwI/AAAAAAAAAQU/r1Zgq-X8X2w/s400/IMGP5447.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Direct sunlight:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3mCveUNLJbs/TqBJIQSyjYI/AAAAAAAAAQM/g7-GAG0Pdp8/s1600/IMGP5448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3mCveUNLJbs/TqBJIQSyjYI/AAAAAAAAAQM/g7-GAG0Pdp8/s400/IMGP5448.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is definitely worth biggifying to see all the individual types of glitter!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eJUMNVlKqgw/TqBJEaLN8aI/AAAAAAAAAQE/c2gE43NmauI/s1600/IMGP5449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eJUMNVlKqgw/TqBJEaLN8aI/AAAAAAAAAQE/c2gE43NmauI/s400/IMGP5449.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
And on my right hand, I did a variation on the same thing, but changed the layers: two coats white on the tip, one coat scene stealer, one coat bedazzled, one coat scene stealer. The resulting jelly sandwich looks like this:<br />
<br />
<br />
Indirect sunlight:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bPqLp_ktT8M/TqBI_De-kdI/AAAAAAAAAP8/aDTiPzptzLc/s1600/IMGP5450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bPqLp_ktT8M/TqBI_De-kdI/AAAAAAAAAP8/aDTiPzptzLc/s400/IMGP5450.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My right hand is shy to be seen on this blog, since the index and middle finger won't grow longer than that no matter WHAT I try. I think I use them too much, even though I try not to.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Direct sunlight:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UL_W28PxUjU/TqBI3gZfvVI/AAAAAAAAAP0/egQmQJWH8IU/s1600/IMGP5451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UL_W28PxUjU/TqBI3gZfvVI/AAAAAAAAAP0/egQmQJWH8IU/s400/IMGP5451.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And then, before removing this three days later, I added an extra coat of scene stealer to my ring finger on my left hand, for comparison pictures. (Left to right: without, with, without top sheer layer).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6osLq37RTo/TqBIzHTSXZI/AAAAAAAAAPk/qj6n5XJzpvs/s1600/IMGP5453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6osLq37RTo/TqBIzHTSXZI/AAAAAAAAAPk/qj6n5XJzpvs/s400/IMGP5453.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MwRe5l6Dgnw/TqBI1HrNapI/AAAAAAAAAPs/vlpY9BiHnhA/s1600/IMGP5452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MwRe5l6Dgnw/TqBI1HrNapI/AAAAAAAAAPs/vlpY9BiHnhA/s400/IMGP5452.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So, what's the verdict? Which way do you like better?<br />
<br />
Maria<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-28669553268349160092011-10-16T13:44:00.000-07:002011-10-16T13:44:40.941-07:00Halloween prepHello all,<br />
<br />
Happy Halloween!! Yeah, I'm a little bit early, but I've always been very enthusiastic about holidays. I like extra reasons to be happy. <br />
<br />
Today's manicure wouldn't be possible without the glorious franken, Pumpkin Patch, that I bought from the wonderful blog <a href="http://mynailgraffiti.blogspot.com/2011/09/husbands-halloween-frankens.html">My Nail Graffiti</a>. Her husband made these four frankens!! I bought Pumpkin Patch and Magic Dust, for $3 each, what a deal!<br />
<br />
Since I am so fond of orange, and it is Halloween-time, I used Pumpkin Patch first.<br />
<br />
It was very close to opaque in just one coat, and you could probably be ok with one if it were a thick coat. I did two thin coats for these pictures. And - guess what - these pictures are after four days! There's hardly any tip wear! Color me impressed.<br />
<br />
The is the cute bottle: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-itixk4gUx3g/Tps3xU-lhpI/AAAAAAAAAPE/J0c3h6qmyxU/s1600/IMGP5439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-itixk4gUx3g/Tps3xU-lhpI/AAAAAAAAAPE/J0c3h6qmyxU/s400/IMGP5439.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
<br />
And a close up: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-qoyDxvetg/Tps3rsdM9EI/AAAAAAAAAO0/_-RvXgPIc_8/s1600/IMGP5441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-qoyDxvetg/Tps3rsdM9EI/AAAAAAAAAO0/_-RvXgPIc_8/s400/IMGP5441.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IlOnb2pdftY/Tps3uq3dKbI/AAAAAAAAAO8/Mmqh9_i38lU/s1600/IMGP5440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IlOnb2pdftY/Tps3uq3dKbI/AAAAAAAAAO8/Mmqh9_i38lU/s400/IMGP5440.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Notice not only the various sizes of green glitter, but also the gold microshimmer! How unique! I can easily say there is nothing else like it in my collection. It is so interesting (in a good way) and I loved looking at it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Plus, did you notice I got a new camera? I'm still working on figuring out macro settings, but I can definitely see an improvement! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pumpkin Patch, indirect sunlight, after FOUR days of wear:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x62260Jnb40/Tps3yqDl08I/AAAAAAAAAPM/9MPGhk0l9ps/s1600/IMGP5438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x62260Jnb40/Tps3yqDl08I/AAAAAAAAAPM/9MPGhk0l9ps/s400/IMGP5438.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vItECRWlf-Y/Tps30PIAvqI/AAAAAAAAAPU/y2YK2ieV-jw/s1600/IMGP5437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vItECRWlf-Y/Tps30PIAvqI/AAAAAAAAAPU/y2YK2ieV-jw/s400/IMGP5437.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
*lalalalala I don't see that unevenly short nubbin lalala*<br />
<br />
I had intended to do nail art on these on the second day, but I came down with a very bad cold. <br />
<br />
Using Barry M Spring Green, Finger Paints Cordur-orange, and a pumpkin-shaped glow-in-the-dark neon orange: (woops I think I had left it on macro, heh)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5yttlXf-5A/Tps3mXY5Y7I/AAAAAAAAAOk/xRHDM8l-ssc/s1600/IMGP5443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5yttlXf-5A/Tps3mXY5Y7I/AAAAAAAAAOk/xRHDM8l-ssc/s400/IMGP5443.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's what I put on today: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-US7p8eAaIxE/Tps3jQa8YsI/AAAAAAAAAOc/Tuq7tM8gesg/s1600/IMGP5445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-US7p8eAaIxE/Tps3jQa8YsI/AAAAAAAAAOc/Tuq7tM8gesg/s400/IMGP5445.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cute, eh? A cross between preppy plaid and Halloween. The green stripes, freehanded, really bring out the green glitter. And the jack-o-lantern (awkwardly on my middle finger since it is still short) glows in the dark!</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What do you think?</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Maria</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-19257603038567483622011-10-13T20:31:00.000-07:002011-10-13T20:32:35.865-07:00Giveaway winner!So... the moment you've all been waiting for... the winner!<br />
<br />
There were a total of 127 people who entered, and they got 362 entries. I used random.org and the lucky winner (#122) was:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> ROCHELLE!</span></div>
<br />
Rochelle, of the wonderful blog <a href="http://elle-hime.blogspot.com/">Elle-Hime</a>! I actually discovered this blog a few days ago while I was going through the entries and looking at every single comment. Her blog really stood out to me, especially due to the high quality pictures and gorgeous layout. It looks very polished for a new blog.
Well Rochelle, I hope you like the polishes! I'd love to see pictures. :)<br />
<br />
If for some reason she doesn't reply in 48 hours, I'll be forced to pick another winner.<br />
<br />
Now, on to my nails for the day:
I made use of the On the Prowl polishes for this one, since I of course got my own set.
I started with a base of Revlon Carbonite, a stunning polish on its own. I actually think it looks just like pencil lead (like it's inspirer, Chanel Graphite, is trying to do).<br />
<br />
[Please excuse the stupid middle finger that is still a nub. How DARE it refuse to grow faster. Also, this is pre-cleanup.]<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3WhFPwsSEs/TpenkBmISFI/AAAAAAAAANE/qsQhmG_p6v8/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3WhFPwsSEs/TpenkBmISFI/AAAAAAAAANE/qsQhmG_p6v8/s400/004.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KX6fbnwzgDw/TperSwkcsyI/AAAAAAAAANM/K-krnk-FQt8/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KX6fbnwzgDw/TperSwkcsyI/AAAAAAAAANM/K-krnk-FQt8/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then I put two coats of Tangled in my Web on all fingers except my ring finger, on which I put Correction Tape as an accent nail!</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I really, really enjoyed this look. Tangled in my Web is so unique, and Correction Tape is just dazzling! Little square purple, silver, blue, and black glitter. There is nothing else like it, especially when it catches the sun!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l_X9o1v357w/TperYh7RO0I/AAAAAAAAANU/PKL_jDpmW_I/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l_X9o1v357w/TperYh7RO0I/AAAAAAAAANU/PKL_jDpmW_I/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5oqW_MRP2k/TpercgAs2MI/AAAAAAAAANc/Ha8EJrJ3qK0/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5oqW_MRP2k/TpercgAs2MI/AAAAAAAAANc/Ha8EJrJ3qK0/s400/007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bN3LiMTrjPc/TpergN7StPI/AAAAAAAAANk/2BTQom_YE74/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bN3LiMTrjPc/TpergN7StPI/AAAAAAAAANk/2BTQom_YE74/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zi-Vs5z_K9w/TperkACIBSI/AAAAAAAAANs/JIX-2j6O9AY/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zi-Vs5z_K9w/TperkACIBSI/AAAAAAAAANs/JIX-2j6O9AY/s400/009.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This one is horribly blurry, but it gives the best idea of what this mani actually looked like: </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bogp53UI96c/Tperntm7SRI/AAAAAAAAAN0/1Cevw_xMagk/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bogp53UI96c/Tperntm7SRI/AAAAAAAAAN0/1Cevw_xMagk/s400/010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o6VfWJbxBFY/TperrgPtf1I/AAAAAAAAAN8/sGM8gAflYxo/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o6VfWJbxBFY/TperrgPtf1I/AAAAAAAAAN8/sGM8gAflYxo/s400/011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k3Ebc_ExtVM/Tper3qnyM7I/AAAAAAAAAOU/D1JoZsUYmmo/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k3Ebc_ExtVM/Tper3qnyM7I/AAAAAAAAAOU/D1JoZsUYmmo/s400/014.JPG" width="296" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That's it for tonight!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Maria</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-18145951874502641292011-10-02T15:25:00.000-07:002011-10-03T10:34:59.106-07:0030 100 Follower Giveaway!Hi everybody!!<br />
<br />
First off, I guess I was feeling rebellious, because I painted my nails something not on the 30 day challenge list *gasp*. These aren't super unique, but I really like how they turned out. And I've gotten a ton of compliments on them, which always tells me I did SOMETHING right :)<br />
<br />
Monarch butterfly nails:<br />
<br />
I used Essie Braziliant, an opaque bright orange with a pink flash, and OPI Pros and Bronze, a semi-sheer gold and pink duochrome (one of my favorite polishes by far!). Note: Pros and Bronze looks surprisingly amazing over orang. I will have to do this as a whole mani sometime.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_FdEWRHCCL8/TojiaJIXpxI/AAAAAAAAAMU/gDMtWgjOV4g/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_FdEWRHCCL8/TojiaJIXpxI/AAAAAAAAAMU/gDMtWgjOV4g/s640/016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TjPdCsAMbkU/TojiidrU9lI/AAAAAAAAAMg/lyASFf2zwjc/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TjPdCsAMbkU/TojiidrU9lI/AAAAAAAAAMg/lyASFf2zwjc/s640/023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UtxSdhKBCkM/Tojic8L_9jI/AAAAAAAAAMY/Eyvh1buTyt8/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UtxSdhKBCkM/Tojic8L_9jI/AAAAAAAAAMY/Eyvh1buTyt8/s640/017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BviRYrRiqGs/TojifxSUI9I/AAAAAAAAAMc/1FSJ0NgJLYk/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BviRYrRiqGs/TojifxSUI9I/AAAAAAAAAMc/1FSJ0NgJLYk/s640/019.JPG" width="475" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VxilBuf0M_o/TojilPUwT-I/AAAAAAAAAMk/l3q19fN0WEw/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VxilBuf0M_o/TojilPUwT-I/AAAAAAAAAMk/l3q19fN0WEw/s640/024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wpvlkKK3z0k/TojinnWjffI/AAAAAAAAAMo/86aAsPk_CdM/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wpvlkKK3z0k/TojinnWjffI/AAAAAAAAAMo/86aAsPk_CdM/s640/025.JPG" width="475" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I know my blog is still a baby, and I still have a lot to learn, but I am super excited to have reached 30 followers! So for you, my dear readers, I have a giveaway!<br />
<br />
I found an entire mountain of boxes of On the Prowl at a Wegman's near me, so I was able to buy multiple sets of On the Prowl and not feel guilty that I was depriving anybody.<br />
<br />
The giveaway prize will be:<br />
<br />
Fantasy Makers Holo Glitter<br />
<br />
picture in shade:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5m6utn8vLow/TojiuOe00uI/AAAAAAAAAMw/2Lu07cGDs5c/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5m6utn8vLow/TojiuOe00uI/AAAAAAAAAMw/2Lu07cGDs5c/s400/027.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Picture in a little bit of sun, but unfortunately it is gray and rainy. In real life, this stuff has a very strong linear holo effect.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EWXsNpvn2bE/TojixpxOQMI/AAAAAAAAAM0/PkqJAIATbyE/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EWXsNpvn2bE/TojixpxOQMI/AAAAAAAAAM0/PkqJAIATbyE/s400/028.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
AND *drum roll* all eight of the much-sought-after On the Prowl collection!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's a good thing you all know what these look like, because this is officially the worst picture ever taken of this collection:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-su0cuigWGVU/TojirBFdIpI/AAAAAAAAAMs/AHbWfHpPdo0/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-su0cuigWGVU/TojirBFdIpI/AAAAAAAAAMs/AHbWfHpPdo0/s640/026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
From left to right: Behind Closed Doors, Correction Tape, Ready to Pounce, Cougar Attack, Tangled in my Web, Buy Me a Drink, Inkwell, Jungle Fever
<br/>
<br /><br />Oh, Tangled in my Web, where have you been all my life?! And you, Behind Closed Doors... <3
<br /><br /><br />
To enter, just fill out and submit the form below. Since I'm going on vacation Oct 6-11, this giveaway will be open until midnight on October 11. Open to all!<br />
<br /><br /><br />
<iframe src="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/embeddedform?formkey=dHl3QUwxVS1LejhKeWNxNlFSdnFPOVE6MQ" width="760" height="907" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0">Loading...</iframe>
<br />
Happy October!<br />
<br />Maria<br />
<br />
<br />Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-17609370851661313482011-10-01T19:19:00.000-07:002011-10-01T19:21:24.235-07:00Day 17 - GLITTER!*ahem*<br />
<br />
Today, day 17 of the <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oE48-xZuo5Y/Tl8e3OgBYnI/AAAAAAAAATA/i6EVso_nfh8/s1600/309859_269433903084707_100000542982922_1043726_6772978_n.jpg">challenge</a>, is the glitter day! Now I know some say glittery nails is immature, but what do I care? I wear what I like to wear. And glitter makes me happy.<br />
<br />
For this post, I wanted to do a true glitter bomb!<br />
<br />
I used one coat of Sinful Colors - Queen of Beauty and two coats of Funky Fingers - Baby, Baby, Baby. Both are fairly opaque, at least for glitters. I'd say they would individually be able to cover completely in two or three coats. <br />
<br />
But the important part is that they are blindingly reflective and shiny! <br />
<br />
At the same time, glitter is hard to remove, and I didn't want to put this on my hands just to take it off again the next day. So..... onto my toes it went! And I love it. I'm wearing flip flops 24/7, thankfully it is still warm enough outside. <br />
<br />
Without further ado, the important part.... the pictures! You may need some sunglasses! ;)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JEOzKqg2g-w/TofJ7l5DZ7I/AAAAAAAAAME/Q7LDYKMOGes/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JEOzKqg2g-w/TofJ7l5DZ7I/AAAAAAAAAME/Q7LDYKMOGes/s640/009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlPBgAPRDE0/TofJ5ZkdTZI/AAAAAAAAAMA/mqTUV6pq4rU/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlPBgAPRDE0/TofJ5ZkdTZI/AAAAAAAAAMA/mqTUV6pq4rU/s640/008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q8HTuOW7FEU/TofJ_6QhxSI/AAAAAAAAAMI/Si3H0g4t77I/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q8HTuOW7FEU/TofJ_6QhxSI/AAAAAAAAAMI/Si3H0g4t77I/s640/024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QJq3X6H02Lw/TofKDOKFOwI/AAAAAAAAAMM/FTrfq3g8K8Y/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QJq3X6H02Lw/TofKDOKFOwI/AAAAAAAAAMM/FTrfq3g8K8Y/s640/026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wjzok-wZP4Q/TofKGVzFBeI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/IpToBpnUQ8Q/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wjzok-wZP4Q/TofKGVzFBeI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/IpToBpnUQ8Q/s640/029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Staring at her toes,<br />
MariaMariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-71094188008729662262011-09-27T12:17:00.000-07:002011-09-27T12:17:40.870-07:00Day 16 - Tribal PrintHi!<br />
<br />
This manicure is for day 16 of the <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oE48-xZuo5Y/Tl8e3OgBYnI/AAAAAAAAATA/i6EVso_nfh8/s1600/309859_269433903084707_100000542982922_1043726_6772978_n.jpg">challenge</a>, the theme is tribal nails! I've been looking forward to this one a lot. I've seen so many gorgeous tribal manicures on the web and now I finally got around to trying my own. This is why I recommend this challenge - it gets you to try things you might not do otherwise.<br />
<br />
I decided to do a more subtle tribal nail pattern, that could be done in just two steps. I love multi-step manis, but I wanted to see how good of an effect I could achieve with just tow coats.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ApbE0XhD8Z0/ToIgawX774I/AAAAAAAAAL8/bkV50M9u3XM/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ApbE0XhD8Z0/ToIgawX774I/AAAAAAAAAL8/bkV50M9u3XM/s640/041.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
I used SOPI Caught with My Khakis Down (hehe) and Barielle Cowl of the Wild.<br />
<br />
Caught with my Khakis Down - I have the mini bottle of this, and it is TINY! Which is too bad, because I really love this color. When I bought it in the early summer, it had a sign that said "upcoming trend" and boy were they right! Suddenly it seems like every brand is releasing their version of this khaki green. This one goes on smooth and opaque in two coats, and I really hope I get a chance to get a full-sized bottle of it.<br />
<br />
Cowl of the Wild- I got this polish off the clearance shelf at Ulta (along with most of the rest of the Style in Argyle collection). It looks horrible in the bottle, because no matter what I do, it will not blend together consistently. You can see in the picture. However, once you actually use it... it was love at first sight for me! I have bought a lot of brown polishes, and to me, this is the perfect brown that looks like you dipped your nails in a melted hershey bar. Opaque and dries glossy, I love it.<br />
<br />
These two colors also play really well together. :)<br />
<br />
For my first step, I painted each nail half green and half brown, alternating sides and direction. I did two coats of each color, and free-handed it.<br />
<br />
<br />
For the second step, I went back with a tiny paintbrush from Michael's and added various dots and stripes and patterns as they occurred to me. I think it turned out really well, and looks like it took a lot more effort than in actually did. I recommend this to anybody who wants tribal nails without taking hours to do so many different layers, colors, and patterns.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YcjIwEVDR2w/ToIgX46IYDI/AAAAAAAAALg/YneKLsYslKg/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YcjIwEVDR2w/ToIgX46IYDI/AAAAAAAAALg/YneKLsYslKg/s640/034.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kUgxuoEox9Y/ToIgYfjSnQI/AAAAAAAAALk/KNBSKV1_oqM/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kUgxuoEox9Y/ToIgYfjSnQI/AAAAAAAAALk/KNBSKV1_oqM/s640/035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
(I'm really fond of this one) thumb:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UA6m2dOeB5g/ToIgYqoZkdI/AAAAAAAAALo/nH83VqVOj4U/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UA6m2dOeB5g/ToIgYqoZkdI/AAAAAAAAALo/nH83VqVOj4U/s320/036.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
pointer:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rdX-HWEoq3c/ToIgZI817fI/AAAAAAAAALs/TXuH4c1kj-c/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rdX-HWEoq3c/ToIgZI817fI/AAAAAAAAALs/TXuH4c1kj-c/s320/037.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
middle:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNqi-8mQ9A4/ToIgZtsBM6I/AAAAAAAAALw/4FBFx39z0f4/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNqi-8mQ9A4/ToIgZtsBM6I/AAAAAAAAALw/4FBFx39z0f4/s320/038.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
ring:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1PteGjKKYq4/ToIgaKNDOCI/AAAAAAAAAL0/p_DfSmFMl8c/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1PteGjKKYq4/ToIgaKNDOCI/AAAAAAAAAL0/p_DfSmFMl8c/s320/039.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
(whoooooooaaaa overexposure much?!) pinky:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TSd9VHzyKoE/ToIgaTNVjbI/AAAAAAAAAL4/gm_TTk1QChQ/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TSd9VHzyKoE/ToIgaTNVjbI/AAAAAAAAAL4/gm_TTk1QChQ/s320/040.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_OOneo8r26o/ToIgXbXsLAI/AAAAAAAAALc/LMjz_0wpTRU/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_OOneo8r26o/ToIgXbXsLAI/AAAAAAAAALc/LMjz_0wpTRU/s640/033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Have you done tribal nails on yourself? How long did it take? Was it worth it?<br />
<br />
Ciao for now,<br />
MariaMariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-87025768362405103062011-09-25T18:23:00.000-07:002011-09-25T18:23:15.624-07:00Day 15 - Delicate PrintHello everybody!<br />
<br />
I'm sorry for the slacking in blog posts recently, I have had a truly heartbreaking week and I just was not able to keep up with posting. But I'm back now and I have FIVE whole posts lined up and ready to post over the next five days :)<br />
<br />
So, day 15 of the <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oE48-xZuo5Y/Tl8e3OgBYnI/AAAAAAAAATA/i6EVso_nfh8/s1600/309859_269433903084707_100000542982922_1043726_6772978_n.jpg">challenge</a> was delicate print. And like most of the people who I've seen that did this challenge, this caused me to stop and scratch my head. Hmmm.... delicate print... what could that mean.... I decided to do a pretty little manicure with two very delicate colors, pastel pink and purple.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-90k1NvyIGZg/Tn_RKJFmrKI/AAAAAAAAALQ/IA9fCGZWZa4/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-90k1NvyIGZg/Tn_RKJFmrKI/AAAAAAAAALQ/IA9fCGZWZa4/s640/018.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colors I used</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I started with a nude polish that I picked up in Italy this summer; after two coats I had an opaque enough base for what I wanted to do. I then was going to do vertical stripes with three different colored shimmers that I had bought recently. I'll admit, I mostly bought these for the bottles!! Aren't they just adorable??<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bM87q8WIovE/Tn_RM4A3tQI/AAAAAAAAALU/PqnA2nMcwUo/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bM87q8WIovE/Tn_RM4A3tQI/AAAAAAAAALU/PqnA2nMcwUo/s640/019.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sup-ah cute bottles ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Unfortunately, the bottle is pretty much all they are good for. They are shimmery, but so sheer that even when I painted them side by side on my nude base color, I could not see any difference in the color. Bummer. So I decided to just use three coats of the pink (ha) shimmer, which did eventually give my nails are very ephemeral, princess-y look.<br />
<br />
I finished it off with a scalloped, purple edge. I used a chrome purple (NYC Royal Foil) for this, because I knew it would be opaque in one coat.<br />
<br />
Sorry, I took pics right after putting on cuticle oil, so the reflections of light look kind of like I didn't clean up. But I did! Also, avert your eyes from the poor nubbin. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zqxM3dx3n8w/Tn_RESpyEQI/AAAAAAAAALI/yhlxvT8g-EQ/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zqxM3dx3n8w/Tn_RESpyEQI/AAAAAAAAALI/yhlxvT8g-EQ/s640/011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oFDx661y9c4/Tn_RBeCZZeI/AAAAAAAAALE/Y-MwW6JvJg0/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oFDx661y9c4/Tn_RBeCZZeI/AAAAAAAAALE/Y-MwW6JvJg0/s640/010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yVC5azshaGs/Tn_RHMGOOUI/AAAAAAAAALM/DCs1K2UxZcE/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yVC5azshaGs/Tn_RHMGOOUI/AAAAAAAAALM/DCs1K2UxZcE/s640/012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HlilRAr07Wg/Tn_RPtr2uCI/AAAAAAAAALY/6Dvi--7FRXQ/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HlilRAr07Wg/Tn_RPtr2uCI/AAAAAAAAALY/6Dvi--7FRXQ/s640/022.JPG" width="475" /></a></div>
<br />
Oooooh, I LOVE my ring finger nail in that pic! And pretty much all of them except the nubbin.<br />
<br />
Even though it's not what I had in mind from the beginning, I really like the finished product, actually! It makes me think of a little girl's birthday cake. :)<br />
<br />
I'm always looking for pretty new polish bottles to add to my display, but I can't afford to buy them if they don't have good polish inside too. Do you have any polishes that you bought for the bottle, and then were disappointed by them? Or maybe they were actually really good? <br />
<br />
Enjoying the sunshine,<br />
MariaMariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-10007900662820783882011-09-17T20:41:00.000-07:002011-09-17T20:41:33.287-07:00Day 14 - FlowersHello all! I've had a very tough week, but today I was finally feeling up to painting my nails again... Resuming where I left off, we have day 14 of the <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oE48-xZuo5Y/Tl8e3OgBYnI/AAAAAAAAATA/i6EVso_nfh8/s1600/309859_269433903084707_100000542982922_1043726_6772978_n.jpg">challenge</a> - flowers! I haven't done a floral mani before, they always seem so intimidating. <br />
<br />
Well, to make things even more interesting, I decided to make today another first: my first time stamping! :) It was trickier than I expected. <br />
<br />
I started with a base of Sally Hansen - Very Cherry. It is a strange name, since it looks very pink to me. I got this from the clearance bin at Target actually, for $1, and wouldn't you know it, it is a near dupe to OPI Be a Dahlia Won't You? It is pretty, but not my first choice color for the future. Too muggle, haha.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-O36SDMzllpU/TnVkt6ksnwI/AAAAAAAAAK8/2AKHqtwIFag/s640/blogger-image-45949980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-O36SDMzllpU/TnVkt6ksnwI/AAAAAAAAAK8/2AKHqtwIFag/s640/blogger-image-45949980.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TohXU8PPCrY/TnVkohQv3OI/AAAAAAAAAKc/HTah7vN76KU/s640/blogger-image-312024613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TohXU8PPCrY/TnVkohQv3OI/AAAAAAAAAKc/HTah7vN76KU/s640/blogger-image-312024613.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have a small stamping kit I picked up in Italy, it came with one default plate, so I can't tell you a plate # for it. I attempted -- and partially failed, partially succeeded -- at placing these randomly all over my nails. It was an interesting look, reminded me of a Hawaiian shirt! </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
(These are the pics in progress - no cleanup yet)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s3pQIpkERSs/TnUaVkQ566I/AAAAAAAAAKM/PJ25GD6lYxY/s640/blogger-image--787502766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s3pQIpkERSs/TnUaVkQ566I/AAAAAAAAAKM/PJ25GD6lYxY/s640/blogger-image--787502766.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EHT_1XczumY/TnVkqCBbP5I/AAAAAAAAAKk/HmR2K5eMVLw/s640/blogger-image-1474025106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EHT_1XczumY/TnVkqCBbP5I/AAAAAAAAAKk/HmR2K5eMVLw/s640/blogger-image-1474025106.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Please forgive the sideways pictures - I'm trying out the new blogger iphone app! And while I *love* it, there is no way to rotate pictures. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now, I had in mind from the beginning the idea of doing a jelly sandwich - with stamping instead of glitter on the middle. So I put one more coat of Very Cherry on top. I really liked the idea, and it is a great way to make subtle nail art, but in the future I will use a polish that is a little bit more sheer and jelly, since this one hid the flowers just a tad bit too much, in my opinion.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--MorSzMhG94/TnVknNrbDFI/AAAAAAAAAKU/UJ7Df9pQBlE/s640/blogger-image--1203233050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--MorSzMhG94/TnVknNrbDFI/AAAAAAAAAKU/UJ7Df9pQBlE/s640/blogger-image--1203233050.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0FNVDcikkh8/TnVkny50m4I/AAAAAAAAAKY/oAisBKuxVCo/s640/blogger-image--2146884656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0FNVDcikkh8/TnVkny50m4I/AAAAAAAAAKY/oAisBKuxVCo/s640/blogger-image--2146884656.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9wdMC9uoy78/TnVkspdbl5I/AAAAAAAAAK0/nqizFTuaKNM/s640/blogger-image--1346976284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9wdMC9uoy78/TnVkspdbl5I/AAAAAAAAAK0/nqizFTuaKNM/s640/blogger-image--1346976284.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, that's it for tonight! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Have a great nail day,<br />Maria </div>
Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-13340703327217546632011-09-13T18:43:00.000-07:002011-09-13T18:43:58.729-07:00Day 13 - Animal printHi all!<br />
<br />
So, I am still pretty bummed about my bad nail break yesterday. :( I took a little bit of length off the other nails, and I also tried out squaring them off a little bit. I couldn't bring myself to file them all down to nubbins to match the broken one, even as much as I like symmetry.<br />
<br />
However! I do have some fantastic nail art for today! Today was the animal print day in the <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oE48-xZuo5Y/Tl8e3OgBYnI/AAAAAAAAATA/i6EVso_nfh8/s1600/309859_269433903084707_100000542982922_1043726_6772978_n.jpg">challenge</a>. I've done a lot of zebra and tiger print, and just wasn't feeling leopard print... I wasn't sure what I was going to do, but then I was walking outside and a chipmunk crossed my path! I love chipmunks, I think they are so cute ^_^. So in the spirit of woodland creatures (like my <a href="http://rainbowhands.blogspot.com/2011/09/day-7-black-and-white.html">skunk mani</a> the other day), I did chipmunk nails today!<br />
<br />
These were my inspiration:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/003/7/2/__09_Wildlife___Chipmunk___04_by_Ayelie_stock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/003/7/2/__09_Wildlife___Chipmunk___04_by_Ayelie_stock.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/Mammals/Eastern%20Chipmunk/chipmunk3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/Mammals/Eastern%20Chipmunk/chipmunk3.jpg" width="170" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And here is the final product!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WBHQHSBlsGs/Tm__vy5hHAI/AAAAAAAAAKE/z0g6ReT2bpE/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WBHQHSBlsGs/Tm__vy5hHAI/AAAAAAAAAKE/z0g6ReT2bpE/s400/015.JPG" width="253" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xdbQelS6fQ/Tm__wJm3oxI/AAAAAAAAAKI/Xwdyy8r1M4Y/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xdbQelS6fQ/Tm__wJm3oxI/AAAAAAAAAKI/Xwdyy8r1M4Y/s640/016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The rest of the post will be: which polishes I used; a sponging tutorial; and a chipmunk print tutorial.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For this mani I used my BRAND NEW, fresh off ebay, much anticipated OPI Ginger Bells. Now, some nail enthusiasts call this a very ugly color, but I love it. It is a rich brown-orange which looks just like pumpkin pie filling. Unfortunately, i was so enthusiastic about this nail art, that I forgot to take a picture of just a Ginger Bells swatch. Woops. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I also used Rimmel Grey Matter and Essie Case Study and black, white, and pink stripers for the art.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NirUXEg024U/Tm_qC2389oI/AAAAAAAAAJo/5ONnIxJ9z8o/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NirUXEg024U/Tm_qC2389oI/AAAAAAAAAJo/5ONnIxJ9z8o/s640/018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mJ7Lzg_EKls/Tm_qFuuG6lI/AAAAAAAAAJs/WeAJ5rT7Ipo/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mJ7Lzg_EKls/Tm_qFuuG6lI/AAAAAAAAAJs/WeAJ5rT7Ipo/s640/019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now for the sponging. I wanted to recreate the dappled back of a chipmunk, and I knew I couldn't do that with the normal paintbrushes I have. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have tried sponging in the past with those white cosmetic sponges, you know the ones, and I've never gotten the desired effect. It was always too opaque. I wanted a more sheer, speckle-y effect. So from now on I use dollar store kitchen sponges! I originally bought these for washing dishes, but when they were too flimsy, I switched back to the Target brand, haha. These, however, turned out to be perfect for sponging polish on! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RLDNyY_94lk/Tm_pfeZzmSI/AAAAAAAAAI0/h5IOR1y8Z24/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RLDNyY_94lk/Tm_pfeZzmSI/AAAAAAAAAI0/h5IOR1y8Z24/s640/005.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheap-o flimsy foam sponges from the dollar store</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Just cut a 1" or so wide strip off the sponge. If yours are as cheap as mine, the rougher part will peel right off. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OKY3QSyMo6Y/Tm_piGyw9uI/AAAAAAAAAI4/yRz1ClVD-w0/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OKY3QSyMo6Y/Tm_piGyw9uI/AAAAAAAAAI4/yRz1ClVD-w0/s640/006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Now use the smallest end for sponging; this way you can hold it kind of like a pen. My method is to lightly paint a bit of the desired color on, and then sponge once on a paper towel to remove excess, then (with a light hand) sponge onto your nails. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LmckzVPAF3U/Tm_pk-OrsdI/AAAAAAAAAI8/do-65oNoZlQ/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LmckzVPAF3U/Tm_pk-OrsdI/AAAAAAAAAI8/do-65oNoZlQ/s640/007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Once you are done, you'll be left with a dirty sponge. I imagine this would be a pain and a half to try and clean... and I bet acetone would just dissolve right through the cheap thing :P. But never fear, there is an easy solution! This stuff is so light, you should be able to cut the very tip off with just normal scissors. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0D6XC32-kKM/Tm_pnmykdrI/AAAAAAAAAJA/3JPMjWMjKYk/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0D6XC32-kKM/Tm_pnmykdrI/AAAAAAAAAJA/3JPMjWMjKYk/s640/008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Voil</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 14px;"><em style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">à</span></em></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">! </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span">It is ready for another ten-twenty uses... multiply that by about six more columns off the sponge... multiply that by six sponges (the amount that came in my pack, for $1)... and you can sponge and sponge all the gradients your heart could ever desire.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Onto the chipmunk pattern! I started with a base of two coats of Ginger Bells. I would have used three if I was wearing it alone, but two coats was sufficient for my needs today. Then I sponged on the Rimmel Grey Matter: </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qWO-C4bQUfY/Tm_u9PefHsI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/vvFqlOWxOG0/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qWO-C4bQUfY/Tm_u9PefHsI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/vvFqlOWxOG0/s640/004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This was me being random and heavy handed with the sponging; I've tried and you can easily create a smooth gradient too, if that is your desire. This way I did it almost looks like a splatter mani! Since the grey was kind of blue toned and I didn't love it yet, I sponged on some Essie Case Study, to soften it up, add depth, and make it more realistic and multidimensional like a true animal pattern.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FWTH8cwn878/Tm_vABbliyI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/WUIeeJ31wdE/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FWTH8cwn878/Tm_vABbliyI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/WUIeeJ31wdE/s640/009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Pretty! Not by itself of course, but as a base for chipmunk fur, it is pretty. After it dried, it was time for the black stripes first:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QZ05WG3PndQ/Tm_psxSYMFI/AAAAAAAAAJI/60_cmPwk9Ik/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QZ05WG3PndQ/Tm_psxSYMFI/AAAAAAAAAJI/60_cmPwk9Ik/s640/010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
While those dried, I added the white on the accent nail, trying (and not succeeding very well on such a small nubbin *cry*) to copy the pattern on the chipmunk face.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yj90wY7XBK0/Tm_pvsZ5aQI/AAAAAAAAAJM/wuRyeLO3Ubg/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yj90wY7XBK0/Tm_pvsZ5aQI/AAAAAAAAAJM/wuRyeLO3Ubg/s640/011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
While that dried, I switched back to the other four nails and added the white stripes. Then I finished off the face with black eyes (made with a dotting tool that I pulled a bit to make it almond shaped instead of oval) and a pink nose. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mHPluPQqIbA/Tm_pyRBkmWI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/dAsB5GFaDNA/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mHPluPQqIbA/Tm_pyRBkmWI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/dAsB5GFaDNA/s640/012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Phew! Next step: cleanup. I've tried a lot of angle brushes, but the $2 maybelline brush from Big Lots is my absolute fave!! I've stocked up many backups, since the acetone is rough on them, but so far I'm still on my first one :) Just dip it in pure acetone, wipe it on the edge of whatever container you are using (so you don't flood your cuticles with acetone and ruin the design!), and then clean up around the edges! Easy peasy. Don't forget to very frequently wipe the brush on a paper towel and re-dip in the acetone. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cto_KUcRZTs/Tm_qISDJA5I/AAAAAAAAAJw/u4SxS0IoBlo/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cto_KUcRZTs/Tm_qISDJA5I/AAAAAAAAAJw/u4SxS0IoBlo/s640/020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then some Seche Vite top coat, and it is done!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hC5JWUGZDKk/Tm_p1Eu9TNI/AAAAAAAAAJU/zVN88UIFTiQ/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hC5JWUGZDKk/Tm_p1Eu9TNI/AAAAAAAAAJU/zVN88UIFTiQ/s640/013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w_Ppu2JxcIQ/Tm_p4FGpjOI/AAAAAAAAAJY/iK8D-5FIWvs/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w_Ppu2JxcIQ/Tm_p4FGpjOI/AAAAAAAAAJY/iK8D-5FIWvs/s640/014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mfr5sfSWHdI/Tm_qALG_yvI/AAAAAAAAAJk/OF4IR7O6kTk/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mfr5sfSWHdI/Tm_qALG_yvI/AAAAAAAAAJk/OF4IR7O6kTk/s640/017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My final verdict? I LOVE the print I did on my four nails. I absolutely do not love the face on my nubbin. However, I was frustrated by its size... I think if I redid this on longer nails and spent more time on the face (smaller black stripes along the white ones and with a grey glint in the eyes) I might like it more? I'm not sure. But I definitely am a fan of the chipmunk back pattern. It it surprisingly subtle from far away, but sophisticated looking. <br />
<br />
Whew! Long post. But it wasn't a very long mani. Took me about 45 minutes, since sponging and striping don't take me very long at all.<br />
<br />
So, what do you think?? Would you do this pattern?<br />
<br />
Was the sponging tutorial helpful?<br />
<br />
'Til next time,<br />
<br />Maria<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-4385966954437011132011-09-12T15:39:00.000-07:002011-09-12T15:39:53.019-07:00Day 12 - StripesHello x2!<br />
<br />
As you saw in my last post an hour ago, I am currently in emergency nail repair mode, and therefore unable to post the normally scheduled stripes manicure for today, as the <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oE48-xZuo5Y/Tl8e3OgBYnI/AAAAAAAAATA/i6EVso_nfh8/s1600/309859_269433903084707_100000542982922_1043726_6772978_n.jpg">challenge</a> calls for. I will instead post a cute little striped mani that I did over the summer. Again, don't blame the pictures too much, these were never intended for a blog audience. (That reminds me! I got my digital camera today! YAY! There shall be better pictures in the future!)<br />
<br />
SOPI - Don't Feed the Hand Models<br />
OPI - Funky Dunkey<br />
OPI - Ogre-the-top Blue<br />
... and some white polish that I don't remember...<br />
<br />
<br />
First step:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zvuE2C3GecU/Tm6JNxE9VFI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/8Nf1JHSIsQY/s1600/sept+1+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zvuE2C3GecU/Tm6JNxE9VFI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/8Nf1JHSIsQY/s640/sept+1+055.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rVZTtXfYQdI/Tm6JOXviVDI/AAAAAAAAAIU/CGH27_6TpCw/s1600/sept+1+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rVZTtXfYQdI/Tm6JOXviVDI/AAAAAAAAAIU/CGH27_6TpCw/s640/sept+1+056.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Second step:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2pWjsz8MAyU/Tm6JO3LrQ7I/AAAAAAAAAIY/LT-r5wtL1CM/s1600/sept+1+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2pWjsz8MAyU/Tm6JO3LrQ7I/AAAAAAAAAIY/LT-r5wtL1CM/s640/sept+1+059.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nhBdy_hudo/Tm6JP73cMII/AAAAAAAAAIg/2K0HfuFUAiQ/s1600/sept+1+061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nhBdy_hudo/Tm6JP73cMII/AAAAAAAAAIg/2K0HfuFUAiQ/s640/sept+1+061.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-miyKs7uNIjI/Tm6JQZ7_EsI/AAAAAAAAAIk/bdlKqXAUAIs/s1600/sept+1+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-miyKs7uNIjI/Tm6JQZ7_EsI/AAAAAAAAAIk/bdlKqXAUAIs/s640/sept+1+062.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
OH! And I also painted my friend's nails yesterday! (She chose the colors. Sally Hansen Royal Foil, Essie French Affair, and OPI Jade is the new Black)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4zODGu3PNpw/Tm6JSDsFhII/AAAAAAAAAIo/YgEQjUHxGlw/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4zODGu3PNpw/Tm6JSDsFhII/AAAAAAAAAIo/YgEQjUHxGlw/s640/001.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVlSiN5YiXU/Tm6JStC5ctI/AAAAAAAAAIs/YdkwOyvEI-4/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVlSiN5YiXU/Tm6JStC5ctI/AAAAAAAAAIs/YdkwOyvEI-4/s640/002.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, hopefully all these poorly lit, weird angled pictures are enough to distract you guys from the fact that I don't have a fresh new mani today! I'll be back up and running tomorrow, I promise.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Love y'all,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Maria</div>
<br />Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-15020902908965749442011-09-12T14:58:00.000-07:002011-09-12T14:58:42.079-07:00Noooo.....Well...<br />
<br />I obviously jinxed it yesterday by saying all of my manis were going great, but that one of them was sure to be a dud. Today was a DOUBLE dud.<br />
<br />
I started with the best intentions, with a really unique striped mani for the challenge in mind, and then the untried I picked to be a base color turned out to be the #1 grossest nail polish color ever created in history. Ever. Well... maybe I'm exaggerating... but you get the idea.<br />
<br />
I put 4 coats on to make it opaque, and then I went to class, hoping I'd come up with an idea to save this mani later in the day. Not only do I not come up with a great idea but...<br />
<br />
*sniffle*<br />
<br />
behold:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7M-K8DeXIo8/Tm58CJOfOvI/AAAAAAAAAIM/XrkEYJJDjD4/s640/blogger-image-1990509724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7M-K8DeXIo8/Tm58CJOfOvI/AAAAAAAAAIM/XrkEYJJDjD4/s400/blogger-image-1990509724.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of these things is not like the others...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, there shall be no stripes today. I shall continue with the regularly scheduled challenge tomorrow, and I'll post some old pictures of a striped mani I did over the summer that I really liked.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm off to contemplate this poor nail... and my horrid short nail beds... and decide whether or not to file them all down to match...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Maria</div>
Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-63612956663246215452011-09-11T07:30:00.000-07:002011-09-11T07:30:20.128-07:00Day 11 - Polka DotsHello,<br />
<br />
Today is the first set of nails from the second group in the <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oE48-xZuo5Y/Tl8e3OgBYnI/AAAAAAAAATA/i6EVso_nfh8/s1600/309859_269433903084707_100000542982922_1043726_6772978_n.jpg">challenge</a>: polka dots! I love my dotting tool and do a lot of polka dot manis and pedis, since they are so easy and fast and yet look like they took a lot of work. For the challenge, though, I wanted to do something different that I've had on my mind: Seche Vite dots.<br />
<br />
For this mani, I did a base of<br />
<br />
Essie - Coat Azure. This is my first time using this color and I am SO GLAD I decided to pick this one up. It is unique in my collection, and kind of looks like blue jeans. It applies as a perfect one coater, which is nice for this challenge since I'm trying not to use up TOO much nail polish on manis that are only going to last for <24 hours. <br />
<br />
Then comes the fun part! I used BasicBeauty's matte top coat on all of my nails, and then... *drumroll*... used a dotting tool to make dots of Seche Vite! It turned out fantastically, little clear 3D bumps on my nail. I've been touching my nails all day, the texture is just so cool. (Note: this is not a smart thing to do, as the oils from your hands will make the matte polish look less matte... but I couldn't help it! woops.) I achieved exactly the effect that I was looking for: raindrops! It looks like I have little water droplets sitting on my nails at all times. I actually took a shower and when I was looking at my nails, I couldn't tell which drop were Seche Vite and which were water! I suppose some of the manis from this challenge are going to turn out to be duds, but this is another one that I am adding to my repertoire of go-to's when I need something that I know will look awesome.<br />
<br />
Also, a few of the water droplets have little bubbles in them, which makes sense if you know anything about Seche Vite, so maybe next time I'll try this with just a normal clear polish... but it has to be thick for the effect. And they aren't too noticeable, in case you want to try this with Seche Vite.<br />
<br />
As you might be able to imagine, this was very tricky to get a picture of. Plus, unfortunately, this mani got a little bit "wrinkled" with sheet marks, since I went to bed too quickly after doing them... and the bubbles look a little deflated... but I *think* that is just since I didn't let it fully dry before sleeping? I will have to try this again, to see if it is because of the technique (I hope not!) or because of my not letting it dry. It looked more... raindroppy... last night. Just a little disclaimer.<br />
<br />
Pics:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6u6Ip8L-qBo/TmzEbmIQpjI/AAAAAAAAAH4/_LgrpVUQKRk/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6u6Ip8L-qBo/TmzEbmIQpjI/AAAAAAAAAH4/_LgrpVUQKRk/s320/006.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Indirect sunlight:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1K94aoeRcU/TmzEeBpJsUI/AAAAAAAAAH8/saIUqpYbraI/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1K94aoeRcU/TmzEeBpJsUI/AAAAAAAAAH8/saIUqpYbraI/s640/007.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aw2LYEjpb00/TmzEgkJXsRI/AAAAAAAAAIA/qj4n_BqVg3M/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aw2LYEjpb00/TmzEgkJXsRI/AAAAAAAAAIA/qj4n_BqVg3M/s640/008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sz9nIVRuRok/TmzEjetg4NI/AAAAAAAAAIE/s7NovGH7OpY/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sz9nIVRuRok/TmzEjetg4NI/AAAAAAAAAIE/s7NovGH7OpY/s640/009.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TGsDKDLJTNM/TmzEn356ekI/AAAAAAAAAII/kVF8zY7bzB4/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TGsDKDLJTNM/TmzEn356ekI/AAAAAAAAAII/kVF8zY7bzB4/s400/010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Do you like it? Can you imagine what it looked like before I messed it up, lol? Also, any suggestions: do you think I should try it again with a different thick clear coat?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ta ta for now,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Maria</div>
<br />Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-78807128323086665722011-09-10T15:17:00.000-07:002011-09-10T15:37:08.251-07:00Day 10 - Gradient NailsHey all,<br />
<br />
You aren't imagining things! This is three posts in one day. I did all these nails on the proper days, I just was fiddling with the internet and studying all night, but in the end it is a bonus for you readers: more posts! :) Today's actual manicure is a gorgeous gradient! I haven't had much luck with sponging gradients in the past, as I can't get the colors to fade out enough. So I did my preferred kind of gradient - a glitter gradient!<br />
<br />
The base is Wet n Wild Stream of Wonder, a metallic (but not brush-strokey) turquoise that is very pretty, but not terribly unique. It needed a second coat, and it is - as I said - pretty, but not remarkable or crave-able. The glitter gradient was done with:<br />
<br />
Kleancolor Chunky Silver - a polish with very large silver hexes in a thick, gloopy clear base. It definitely makes a statement, but it is very hard to get the hexes on the nail with any accuracy or consistency. Nonetheless, it is unique in my collection and I will keep it for gradients like this one.<br />
<br />
Cover Girl Disco Dazzle - this laying polish has tiny silver glitter and medium sized silver hexes that reflect all colors of the rainbow! I love this for accent nails and gradients, and in this mani I used it at the base of the nail to make the gradient appear thicker there. I got this polish from <a href="http://polishedpirate.blogspot.com/">Polished Pirate's</a> blogsale!<br />
<br />
And then, on the accent nail, I did an inverse gradient. I used Revlon Aloof as the base for this one. It is a very very light silver color, bordering on white, with silver shimmer throughout. This is from the current Revlon Edgy Elegance collection, which I am a HUGE fangirl of. It is the only collection I have ever wanted all the colors from (and indeed, bought all the colors from!) They are all slightly frosty and opaque in one coat, and have silver shimmer throughout. This color is my least favorite of the collection, but that is like saying vanilla is my least favorite type of cake - it is still cake! I still love it! :)<br />
<br />
For the gradient, I used Wet n Wild Shock Wave! It is a unique blue-ish turquoise layering glitter, which matches perfectly with the Stream of Wonder on my other nails. <br />
<br />
I really, really liked this look! That isn't a very eloquent way of expressing my love for this mani, I know, but they are the first words to leave my ...fingers. I will absolutely recreate this mani with other colors after the challenge, with as many colors as I have matching glitter for the accent nail! I also need to get a chunky gold glitter too, either Kleancolor or the Milani FX one.<br />
<br />
Phew! Too many words! Here are the pictures:<br />
<br />
Wet n Wild Stream of Wonder<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4VzHLDfZ_X8/TmvgazNsdYI/AAAAAAAAAHE/99k58v8HPAw/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4VzHLDfZ_X8/TmvgazNsdYI/AAAAAAAAAHE/99k58v8HPAw/s400/015.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Kleancolor Chunky Silver and Cover girl Disco Dazzle</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m7kgu1fz-O8/TmvgdsHIcMI/AAAAAAAAAHI/6EhQcqX-OWU/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m7kgu1fz-O8/TmvgdsHIcMI/AAAAAAAAAHI/6EhQcqX-OWU/s400/016.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wet n Wild Shock Wave</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UiQUIIV8-F4/TmvggM4MIqI/AAAAAAAAAHM/8dpj90-7nhE/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UiQUIIV8-F4/TmvggM4MIqI/AAAAAAAAAHM/8dpj90-7nhE/s400/017.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Revlon Aloof</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mq_BpxdXMRQ/TmvgihJlp-I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/7fb_r-6Q6EQ/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mq_BpxdXMRQ/TmvgihJlp-I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/7fb_r-6Q6EQ/s400/018.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Gradient mani:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cqODB8f5QOg/TmvglteqRHI/AAAAAAAAAHU/AnJgJarKxkI/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cqODB8f5QOg/TmvglteqRHI/AAAAAAAAAHU/AnJgJarKxkI/s640/019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJcDkswhXDM/TmvgrLyVBiI/AAAAAAAAAHc/gYtXR3knglw/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJcDkswhXDM/TmvgrLyVBiI/AAAAAAAAAHc/gYtXR3knglw/s640/021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXOCMFHQj5Q/Tmvgt_s8vEI/AAAAAAAAAHg/IQQcmDj3xiE/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXOCMFHQj5Q/Tmvgt_s8vEI/AAAAAAAAAHg/IQQcmDj3xiE/s640/022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Unlike most nail bloggers, I really like showing the whole hand, because I think it gives a better idea of what the mani looks like in real life. This means I have to confront my hatred of my short fingers... but it is worth it to show the colors for y'all :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nQf3sxZIP7k/Tmvgompk9-I/AAAAAAAAAHY/VwWM1ji73KU/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nQf3sxZIP7k/Tmvgompk9-I/AAAAAAAAAHY/VwWM1ji73KU/s640/020.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Two blurries to show TEH SHINY!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-106xT7jG7B4/TmvgwhvgwKI/AAAAAAAAAHk/_137Toe74qc/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-106xT7jG7B4/TmvgwhvgwKI/AAAAAAAAAHk/_137Toe74qc/s640/023.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AStmZzmtZAQ/Tmvg3QG-hhI/AAAAAAAAAHs/bOSRWX9YvNE/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AStmZzmtZAQ/Tmvg3QG-hhI/AAAAAAAAAHs/bOSRWX9YvNE/s640/025.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Do you like the inverse gradient?<br />
<br />
No more posts for today, talk to you tomorrow!<br />
<br />
Maria<br />
<br />
<br />Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-37791627498748579712011-09-10T14:49:00.000-07:002011-09-10T14:49:02.953-07:00Day 9 - Rainbow NailsMe again :)<br />
<br />
I was excited about this day in the <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oE48-xZuo5Y/Tl8e3OgBYnI/AAAAAAAAATA/i6EVso_nfh8/s1600/309859_269433903084707_100000542982922_1043726_6772978_n.jpg">challenge</a>! Rainbow nails! I love bright colors on my nails so much. I've never been a big fan of nude colors, or black or white or vampy darks. I wanted to do a skittle, but that wsn't interesting enough for me, so I broke it up a little. I put the 6 rainbow colors on 5 nails, as if somebody *pushed* and all the colors slid a half nail to the right. <br />
<br />
The colors I chose were:<br />
<br />
OPI Comet Loves Cupid<br />
Revlon Tangerine<br />
Sally Hansen Mellow Yellow<br />
Orly Fresh<br />
Sinful Colors Paradise<br />
Funky Fingers Riot<br />
<br />
They were the closest I have to standard color wheel colors, and I think they all played very nicely together! These are all richly pignmented colors and covered in one or two coats! ...Except my frenemy Mellow Yellow. It applies horribly and streakily... but it is possible to build it up with four coats and end up with a fantastic sunny yellow color that always makes me smile. Unfortunately, I got a bit impatient with it today and glopped it on pretty thickly, which made my ring finger lumpy. Woops. Lesson learned.<br />
<br />
Bottles:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z59HRwWwrwg/TmvZJVEcg5I/AAAAAAAAAGk/sERu8epEb8E/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z59HRwWwrwg/TmvZJVEcg5I/AAAAAAAAAGk/sERu8epEb8E/s640/005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_L-cNJVgld8/TmvZLw9Y-LI/AAAAAAAAAGo/BaH3MnQ-YNM/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_L-cNJVgld8/TmvZLw9Y-LI/AAAAAAAAAGo/BaH3MnQ-YNM/s640/006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And the whole mani, in indirect sunlight:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LOm1b4KvESQ/TmvZRuiNiaI/AAAAAAAAAGw/J2V66MMfngY/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LOm1b4KvESQ/TmvZRuiNiaI/AAAAAAAAAGw/J2V66MMfngY/s640/012.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tgXtUWRl3o4/TmvZXIpyv2I/AAAAAAAAAG4/Y6cmT6tL-sg/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tgXtUWRl3o4/TmvZXIpyv2I/AAAAAAAAAG4/Y6cmT6tL-sg/s640/014.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6l-faZTtHmQ/TmvZexZ8ibI/AAAAAAAAAG8/KzZiionPzqk/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6l-faZTtHmQ/TmvZexZ8ibI/AAAAAAAAAG8/KzZiionPzqk/s640/011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_AEaHUMEQ4/TmvZji9nDwI/AAAAAAAAAHA/flBO37pvhUk/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_AEaHUMEQ4/TmvZji9nDwI/AAAAAAAAAHA/flBO37pvhUk/s640/013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This one got me a few compliments, and I think I will recreate it again on a later day. I used scotch tape to make the lines nice and straight, which worked nicely but I need to push it down a bit more near my cuticles.<br />
<br />
Have a colorful day!<br />
<br />
MariaMariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-57033181698065679652011-09-10T14:25:00.000-07:002011-09-10T14:25:57.898-07:00Day 8 - Metallic NailsOooooohhhh! Shiny. :) Shiny nails. I'm very fond of metallic nail polishes, so for day 8 of the <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oE48-xZuo5Y/Tl8e3OgBYnI/AAAAAAAAATA/i6EVso_nfh8/s1600/309859_269433903084707_100000542982922_1043726_6772978_n.jpg">challenge</a>, I did money-based nails. I used gold, silver, and bronze polishes to make a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, and dollar coin!<br />
<br />
The colors I used were:<br />
<br />
Claire's Tin Man - A stunning silver polish, with coarse silver glitter in a pigmented silver base. This is definitely not a top coat; it is completely opaque in one color. This is one of my favorite polishes in my stash, actually!<br />
<br />
OPI Brisbane Bronze - a pretty standard Bronze color. This one is almost opaque in one coat, but really needs a second coat for full coverage and depth of color. It looks a little dull in the shade, but truly shines in the sun. The formula is a tiny bit thinner than I like, but it applies fine.<br />
<br />
Milani Gold Lamé: This is a nice little gold polish, it dries without much gloss. It has no glitter in it, it is just a straight up gold. I've never used it by itself, but this is a great polish to use as underwear for other colors, or for nail art. It needs two coats to be opaque. In this mani, I used it as underwear for Revlon Gold Coin, just to bring out the gold, since that polish tends to lean more silver than the name implies it would.<br />
<br />
Revlon Gold Coin - Again, a fairly opaque metallic polish, although it has a clear base and needs two coats to be completely opaque. This color is like a white gold... it definitely leans warmer than your average silver, but it is not quite gold enough to call "gold" in my book. I often layer this over Milani Gold Lamé, which results in a fantastic gold color, with flecks of many shades of gold and silver and a depth that looks like you used five coats!<br />
<br />
Bottles on white background:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ovD7CqDYXMk/TmvSmF7CfsI/AAAAAAAAAF4/OKVfSmosx3U/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ovD7CqDYXMk/TmvSmF7CfsI/AAAAAAAAAF4/OKVfSmosx3U/s640/011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Bottles on dark background:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_yV9_pzj-Vs/TmvSp5IUVuI/AAAAAAAAAF8/xgkMLDq0vLA/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_yV9_pzj-Vs/TmvSp5IUVuI/AAAAAAAAAF8/xgkMLDq0vLA/s640/012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
OPI Brisbane Bronze:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gy5I00DrghA/TmvStlKXDhI/AAAAAAAAAGA/HovS9fV1CLM/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gy5I00DrghA/TmvStlKXDhI/AAAAAAAAAGA/HovS9fV1CLM/s320/013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Milani Gold Lamé and Revlon Gold Coin (see how silver it looks, next to the true gold?)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XqypiyK9y-4/TmvSygjtcyI/AAAAAAAAAGE/36PrcJhPBjY/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XqypiyK9y-4/TmvSygjtcyI/AAAAAAAAAGE/36PrcJhPBjY/s320/014.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Claire's Tin Man (I wish I could get a backup of this)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9mw_bJktOY/TmvS16dwfNI/AAAAAAAAAGI/V6obCXvYPaE/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9mw_bJktOY/TmvS16dwfNI/AAAAAAAAAGI/V6obCXvYPaE/s320/015.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And the art! This was extremely difficult to get a flattering picture of, but I tried my best. I also re-learned a nail art lesson that I keep learning and forgetting again: letters and numbers are much harder to paint than one would think! I'd rather do stripes or clouds or flowers any day. Don't forget to check out the Milani Gold Lamé and Revlon Gold Coin combo on my thumb!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r5jfXC7hdZU/TmvS7HN0qNI/AAAAAAAAAGM/hnGvStQ__Pk/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r5jfXC7hdZU/TmvS7HN0qNI/AAAAAAAAAGM/hnGvStQ__Pk/s640/016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9oSBeJ6UUk/TmvS9ytes4I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/NrTwHe-0--Q/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9oSBeJ6UUk/TmvS9ytes4I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/NrTwHe-0--Q/s640/017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aRfys7RCnGg/TmvTAcPxohI/AAAAAAAAAGU/HzLrt2Grvjs/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aRfys7RCnGg/TmvTAcPxohI/AAAAAAAAAGU/HzLrt2Grvjs/s640/018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYy0E57n_hY/TmvTDKwIrsI/AAAAAAAAAGY/5h1ltFoc4q8/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYy0E57n_hY/TmvTDKwIrsI/AAAAAAAAAGY/5h1ltFoc4q8/s640/019.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KNWgTXnc45w/TmvTFidGunI/AAAAAAAAAGc/BletzAD_D7E/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KNWgTXnc45w/TmvTFidGunI/AAAAAAAAAGc/BletzAD_D7E/s640/020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YSEJCZ49mPQ/TmvTIVtu3_I/AAAAAAAAAGg/0gh7cvH2VQA/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YSEJCZ49mPQ/TmvTIVtu3_I/AAAAAAAAAGg/0gh7cvH2VQA/s640/021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<br />
Maria<br />
<br />Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7551193354912389845.post-48574351458796123722011-09-08T09:37:00.000-07:002011-09-08T12:51:50.448-07:00Day 7 - Black and WhiteHi again! My internet is finally up again, which means I can resume posting on a regular schedule. Yay! So that means I have yesterday's and today's nail to show you. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Day 7 of the <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oE48-xZuo5Y/Tl8e3OgBYnI/AAAAAAAAATA/i6EVso_nfh8/s1600/309859_269433903084707_100000542982922_1043726_6772978_n.jpg">challenge</a> is Black and White. I'm really quite proud of these nails!! And according to google images, nobody else has ever done this type of nail art before: skunk nail art! Don't diss it 'til you look at the pictures, yo :P</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I mostly used standard polishes today, black, white, unnamed pink striper... however, on my thumb I have the holo-iest holographic nail polish ever! Collistar Nero Lurex! Unfortunately, I am still using my iphone (where is that package with my camera??), so I couldn't really capture it well in the pictures.... </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Collistar Nero Lurex applies like a dream! Opaque in one coat. That is, if you can managed to stop looking at the constantly shifting color spectrum in the bottle! Once I broke out of my trance, it applied very well and dried a tiny bit gritty. That wasn't a problem to me, it was nothing some top coat couldn't solve :) But I actually just stuck this polish on my thumb because it was an untried and I couldn't wait any longer to use it! The main star of the mani is:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
the nail art! Yes, it is a skunk. A very cute skunk. Harmless. This is how I like my skunks - painted. No danger of stink spray.<br />
<br />
Sorry I went a little pic crazy, but I don't think you'll mind :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The black holo Collistar:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
(indoor dim light)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4n7n4ZYQdU/Tmjtmfice-I/AAAAAAAAAEk/JSIcbKqnM7Y/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4n7n4ZYQdU/Tmjtmfice-I/AAAAAAAAAEk/JSIcbKqnM7Y/s640/001.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
(bright light) Ta-da!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pu7Cf7rriII/TmjtoFOQ2UI/AAAAAAAAAEw/RqevUMC9tuM/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pu7Cf7rriII/TmjtoFOQ2UI/AAAAAAAAAEw/RqevUMC9tuM/s640/004.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Other polishes:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-djwvKH4CUmU/TmjubzW5gOI/AAAAAAAAAFU/983hm71Yx0o/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-djwvKH4CUmU/TmjubzW5gOI/AAAAAAAAAFU/983hm71Yx0o/s640/010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And the most important part! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GGp5J0QtMnw/TmjuyOzoqOI/AAAAAAAAAFY/E0TG-aI5UyY/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GGp5J0QtMnw/TmjuyOzoqOI/AAAAAAAAAFY/E0TG-aI5UyY/s640/008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uzbILPt0sIU/TmjzuDUVIRI/AAAAAAAAAFc/ouIwU_vk5ng/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uzbILPt0sIU/TmjzuDUVIRI/AAAAAAAAAFc/ouIwU_vk5ng/s640/007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
(Unfortunately it got rainy while I was doing these and I couldn't capture the holo in my thumb :( oh well )<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mg2enxDfBwc/TmjtpEvUI-I/AAAAAAAAAE4/R51TL2bSzNU/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mg2enxDfBwc/TmjtpEvUI-I/AAAAAAAAAE4/R51TL2bSzNU/s640/006.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7dIy7qnxrk/TmjtpwoHSmI/AAAAAAAAAE8/tUmPZiYo2Js/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7dIy7qnxrk/TmjtpwoHSmI/AAAAAAAAAE8/tUmPZiYo2Js/s640/007.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MSSqHhvUtJk/TmjtqraypmI/AAAAAAAAAFA/KpnP_pMhxT8/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MSSqHhvUtJk/TmjtqraypmI/AAAAAAAAAFA/KpnP_pMhxT8/s640/008.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4vl2p2XVaE/TmjtrO6NazI/AAAAAAAAAFE/9D-HPkXVVtY/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4vl2p2XVaE/TmjtrO6NazI/AAAAAAAAAFE/9D-HPkXVVtY/s640/009.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
So, what's the final verdict? Skunk nails - cute or weird?<br />
<br />
I'm off to write today's post too,<br />
<br />
Maria :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12600893045640180774noreply@blogger.com8