Monday, May 31, 2010

On Memorial Day


In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

-John McCrae, 1915


I remember every memorial day weekend growing up my mom would always have a crepe paper poppy attached to the strap of her purse, and I remember that whenever I was with her, she would give me a dollar to donate so i could have one too. I loved those little paper flowers, though I hardly understood their significance way back then. Memorial Day is for remembering, for honoring, and for thanking those who have given their lives, or are risking their lives to make sure that we have the rights and liberties that we have here in America. My grandfather was a veteran, and I remember visiting his and my grandmother's graves every Memorial Day and looking at the flags pushed into the earth of their graves. My sister played TAPS on her trumpet at the cemetery, so it was mostly my mom and I, since it was her parents. I suppose that I'm blessed in the fact that not many of my loved ones (friends or family) are in any branches of the military, I have a couple of friends serving in various branches, and for that, I thank them, but I never have to worry about a family member not coming home, like so many others in this country. Regardless of that fact, I extend my thanks and eternal gratitude to those serving this magnificent, though sometimes flawed, country of ours. In honor of our armed forces, I did the logos for the Marines, the AIr Force, the Navy, and the Army, as well as the American flag accented with what else, a poppy. :) I apologize that the logos aren't perfect, but I did what I could with the space I had. ;)



I used:

Thumb: American flag & poppy

American Apparel Cotton as a base with CND Anchor Blue for the blue, and China Glaze Salsa for the red of the stripes as well as the poppy. for the black I used American Apparel Hassid, and for the green, I used CND Green Scene .

Index: Marines

American Apparel Passport Blue as a base, with China Glaze 2030 from Khrome Collection for the gold, and China Glaze Salsa for the red, over Sally Hansen All the White Stuff, so the red popped.

Middle: Air Force

China Glaze Millennium as a base, with CND Anchor Blue for the logo.

Ring: Navy

Sally Hansen All the White Stuff as a base, with American Apparel Passport Blue, China Glaze 2030 from Khrome Collection for the gold, Sally Hansen All the White Stuff for the shield, with CND Anchor Blue for the blue on the shield, and China Glaze Salsa for the stripes on the shield.

Pinky: Army

American Apparel Hassid as a base, with Sally Hansen All the White Stuff for the star, and outlined in American Apparel Manila.

Topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Lime Line


Today is another simple one, my apologies- it's been a super busy weekend- I made about 10 dozen cookies along with a bunch of other stuff!! :-P I used another of the new ULTA polishes that I got, In the Limelight, a lime green foil finished polish. Anyway, sorry for the short write-up, it's been a long day and I think its about bedtime.



I used ULTA In the Limelight as a base, with American Apparel Hassid for the lines. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

JAPANEESE FOOD 3D NAIL ART

food_nailart japaneese nail art with food 3d character

MUSIC STYLE 3D NAIL ART

3dnail-art 3d nail art with music style

FRUITY STYLE 3D NAIL ART

japaneese_nailart3d nail art with fruity expression

PICTURE 3D ACRYLIC NAIL ART

3d_nailart3d acrylic nail art with colorful flower style

COOL KAWAI NAIL ART

kawaii_nailart
kawaii nail art gallery

FUNKY STYLE NAIL ART

hearth_nailartfunky nail art with rainbow and heart

Nail art, the practice of painting decorative designs on your fingernails, is a fun way to brighten up your everyday look or accessorize a special occasion outfit. There are a variety of nail art designs available, like funky nail art ranging from subtle and understated to funky and outrageous.

CELEBRITIES MODEL NAIL ART

celebrities_nailartcelebrities nail art collection

FLOWER MOTIF GREEN NAIL ART

green_nailartgreen nail art style

Green Nail art is creative activity that draws pictures or designs nails. Therefore it can express sense of art. Because these days the whole body esthetic is so popular that nails and toenails are regarded as important to show a point of beauty. simple is beautiful

RADICAL NAIL ART

nailart_radicalunique nail art is called radical nail art

FLOWER BLACK NAIL ART

flower_black_nailartflower black nail art

FLOWER NAIL ART

flower_nailartsimple flower nail art

DIGITAL PRINT NAIL ART

digital_print_nailartdigital print nail art with motif

CHEERFUL NAIL ART 2010

cheerful_nailartcheerful nail art with pink color

COLORFUL NAILART

colorful-nailartnail art trends with colorful style and ornament flower

CHRISTMAS NAIL ART

christmas_nailartunique nail art christmas design with santa clause and christmas tree

HUGE NAIL ART

nail_arthuge nail art

Saturday, May 29, 2010

ULTA-mate!


Today's manicure is simple, because I was busy busy today! :( I did get an AWESOME new Ulta Professional polish though, so I had to use it- unfortunately it was the only one left in the cardboard display (it's part of a special collection), and there is no label on it, so I don't know what the name of the color is, but I plan on investigating tomorrow... so not to worry, I'll update it in the info. It's gorgeous- a vivid pink with a LIME GREEN reflect?! Sign me up. Awesomeness. LOVE. Anyway. They also had in the same display a lime green FOIL polish- which had a label (In the Limelight), which is gorgeoustastical, I can't wait to use it too...I LOVE foils.



I used ULTA Professional awesome color with no label as a base, with China Glaze Cherish applied with Bundle Monster plate BM03 just to the upper corner of each nail. :) Topped it off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Schlongs & Songs


(sorry dad) :-P Tonight I'm going to a show called Naked Boys Singing here in Las Vegas. If you haven't heard of it, it precisely what it sounds like- buff, attractive men singing in the nude. Should be a good time. ;) So, today, for shits and giggles, I decided to attempt to paint the poster on my nails. What is it with me and naked men on my fingernails, seriously? :-D BTW, it is effing HARD to paint tiny little naked dudes on fingernails. HARD! (hee hee) Luckily, because I added the 'censor' bar to make it PG, I didn't have to paint any tiny penises.... or is it penii? ;)

the inspiration:



the nails:



I used OPI Who the Shrek Are You? as a base, with American Apparel Cotton as a base for the dudes and the orange stripe. For the orange stripe, I used essie Tart Deco, for the boys, I used MAC Abalone Shell, then shaded with Nubar Milk Chocolate Creme. For the black bar, I used American Apparel Hassid. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

How do you like your boys to sing? :-D

Weekend Funnies



Kaz - I'm trying really hard to tell my Marvels from my DCs - see?




Congrats to my adopted home city of Melbourne, who today got the Guinness World Record for most people dressed as Superheroes in one place!

These are some of the cuties there today -

Photo: Alex Coppel


Ian McKellen's in the hizzouse, bwoi!



I don't watch Idol (Aussie or US versions) so it took me a while to hear about this, but please load the vid, then skip to 4:15 and
kneel to your queen!


New Gumleaf Mafi-ettes





With all the upheavals the last couple of months, I have completely failed in my Godmotherly duties and am behind the times with mentioning new members of our Australian polish bloggers community!

Luckily Kaz over at Pretty Random has been on top of things and recruited some new members.

So welcome to -

Sunglasses After Dark (who is soon to be in Australia)
Meg Is A Nail Geek
Less Than A Queen
Bec's Beauty Buzz
Konad-licious
Love Vulcanella

So update your lists, all current Mafia members!
Isn't it nice to see the Aussie bloggers coming to the party?

If you're an Australian blogger who features polish and would like to join the circle, just contact one of our members - we'll
coo-ee! each other ;)

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Getting Carried Away


I'll admit it...I'm a HUGE Sex and the City fan. Love every fashion-filled, cosmopolitan-sipping moment of it. (especially those moments that include Aidan, AKA John Corbett... *drool* <---been dreamy since Northern Exposure) I would kill for Carrie Bradshaw's wardrobe and shoe collection (mostly the shoe collection- I'm a big shoe collector in addition to my nail polish ;)) Anyway, my roommate and I, along with a few other girls, are going to see Sex and the City 2 tonight, I'm super excited!!! I'm curious to see what happens with the Aidan bump-into. (hell, I'd pay the $12 just to stare at him on screen for 2 hrs). The ring finger nail in today's design is way over the top (hence the 'Carried Away' tie-in in the title). Hope you like them! :) Sorry they're a tad shaky though, I was shaking so badly while I was doing them that it was impossible to draw straight lines!! Also, check The Daily Nail: REVIEWS later tonight for a review of the ULTA Glam Goth collection! :)



I used American Apparel Hassid as a base for the black nails, and Zoya Trixie for the jeweled nail. For the pink of the skyline, and logo, I used Massini Power Pack (an inexpensive brand that midwesterners can find at Meijer, but I'm not sure where else to purchase it), and the rhinestones were from Michaels Crafts. :) Topped it all off with some Seche Vite top coat, and away I go. :)

Who's your favorite SATC character- male or female?

Aidan....*sigh*

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Mum's the Word


So today I did some swatching of some new colors I snagged at ULTA (post will be up tomorrow), so I didn't have a ton of time left in the day to do an awesometacular design, but I love how simple and striking the palette and image I used for today's design are. I used another of the Bundle Monster plates for this design, I think that it looks like a stylized version of a Chrysanthemum, or 'Mum'.



I used American Apparel Cotton as a base, with American Apparel Hassid for the black mums and Essie Foot Loose for the pink mums, which I applied with Bundle Monster plate BM02. Topped it off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Today was an awesome day- the story that was written about me for the Las Vegas Weekly Magazine was posted online, and the print version hits newsstands tomorrow here in Vegas!!! :) I'm thrilled!!

Las Vegas Weekly: Nailed It!.

I loved the article- and the last line was a perfect ending! :-P

Simple , but nice

This is a really simple but in the same time super nice ring + nails set.
I know i have not been posting a lot recently, i guess i need a little break and also having a very very busy life right now.
I still have tons of pictures of my nail art, and i hope i ll catch up with posting soon enough.I hope you enjoy the mani.


Tuesday, May 25, 2010

How Geeky!


For those of you not in the know, today (May 25) is known as Geek Pride Day! :) So in honor of the day, I painted 'geeks' on my nails. Not the carnival sort of geek, but the nerdy sort... since there are two definitions. ;)



I used MAC Abalone Shell as a base, with American Apparel Hassid for the frames of the glasses, as well as the eyes and outline of the nose. For the shading/mouth line, I used a mix of MAC Abalone Shell and Nubar Milk Chocolate Creme. For the lenses of the glasses, I mixed Sally Hansen All the White Stuff with Orly Snowcone, and for the unibrows, I used Nubar Milk Chocolate Creme for all but the ring finger, which I used CND Electric Orange mixed with a touch of the Nubar Milk Chocolate Creme, also, for the teeth I used Sally Hansen All the White Stuff. I topped everything off with two coats of Seche Vite top coat because who doesn't like shiny geeks.

So, how many digits of pi do you know? Do you speak 1337? What is your character in World of Warcraft? ;)

Monday, May 24, 2010

The Collection as of 5/24/10


I get quite a few requests asking to see my collection of polishes, so for those of you that are interested....


The Daily Nail polish collection, modest compared to some, excessive to some people (like my mom ;)) but perfect for me (until the next pretty polish comes along)....

China Glaze:



Zoya:



Essie/OPI:



American Apparel (not all are shown- I have all but the topcoat and Rose Bowl, just thought the polish rainbow was pretty ;)):



American Apparel/butterLONDON/Sinful Colors/Color Club:



Nubar/MAC/Creative Nail Design (CND):



ORLY/Piggy Polish/Milani:



Sally Hansen:



Urban Outfitters/Pure Ice/ULTA/Barielle:



Dare 2 Wear/ALDO:



Miscellaneous 1 (Nfu Oh, Hot Topic, Kleancolor, Goldie, BB Couture, etc):



Miscellaneous 2 (mostly minis, with some striper polishes):



There ya go. :) Hope you don't think I'm as nuts as my family does. ;)

Beware the Koopa Troopas!!


Proof I'm a nerd, but the totally rad kind of nerd: if you call my phone, instead of you hearing ringing, which is a normal thing, you hear my ringback...which is the Super Mario Bros. theme. Awesome, right? Anyway, from time to time, I forget that I have that ringback, so when people comment on it after calling for the first time, it always makes me chuckle, and today, it provided inspiration for my nails!! (I didn't even know that there was a new Mario game out recently- I'm behind on things, obviously) I did the question mark blocks on one hand, and on the other hand, I did coins and a growth mushroom! :)


I used



Left hand - Question Mark Blocks

American Apparel Palm Springs as a base, then mixed with American Apparel Pinto for the question mark symbol. For the black, I used American Apparel Hassid.



Right Hand - Coins and Growth Mushroom

Orly Snowcone as a base, with Love & Beauty Bronze for the coins (from Forever 21), Sally Hansen All the White Stuff as a base for the mushroom, China Glaze Salsa for the red, then American Apparel Hassid for the black on all 5 nails. I also mixed a little of the American Apparel Hassid with the Sally Hansen All the White Stuff to shade the stem of the mushroom.

Topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat to make it gleam. :)

Now get going- you have to save the princess!!!


Nubar Night Sparkle

I seem to be coming down with something.
I'm hoping it's Disco Fever, Bouzouki Fever, or even the dreaded Bieber Fever, but it's feeling more like a cold or flu.

My eyeballs feel like they're independent of the rest of my skull. It's rather weird.
I bet people would pay assloads to feel like this voluntarily, but I have work in the morning and I really don't have time for a Flu or LSD freakout right now.

So anyway, as I can't seem to blink in unison I'll just leave you to enjoy the pretty pictures of one of the best, most sophisticated glitters (yes, you can get sophisticated glitters!) on the market - Nubar's Night Sparkle...






Oh hey - who brought the pink elephants?

Sunday, May 23, 2010

I Would Like to Buy a Vowel, Please.


So this weekend in Las Vegas, the Wheel of Fortune Wheelmobile was at the Venetian holding auditions...and yes, of COURSE I went. I've watched WOF ever since I was probably 10 or 11, it was right before or after Jeopardy!, which my mom loved (and so do my sister, Uncle Mike, and I), so we watched it as well. I am that girl yelling the puzzle's answer at the screen, heck, I even remember playing the board game! Anyway, I could hardly go to a WOF audition without doing Wheel of Fortune nails, so today I give you... the nails of fortune!



I used

Thumb:

CND Green Scene as a base, with American Apparel Downtown L.A. for the red, CND Anchor Blue for the blue, and American Apparel Hassid for the black.

Index:

American Apparel Manila as a base, American Apparel Downtown L.A for the red, CND Green Scene , and American Apparel Hassid for the black.

Middle:

American Apparel Downtown L.A for the base, ALDO Got Grapes? for the purple, CND Electric Orange for the orange, and American Apparel Hassid for the black.

Ring:

American Apparel Hassid as a base, with American Apparel Cotton for the lettering, CND Anchor Blue for the blue, and Zoya Luna for the glittery silver.

Pinky:

ALDO Got Grapes? as a base, with CND Anchor Blue for the blue, CND Green Scene, and American Apparel Hassid for the black.

Topped everything off with two coats of Seche Vite top coat for that extra bit of shiny glamour! :-P

Are you a Wheel Watcher?

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Fiercely Fluorescent


Ok, so it's not fluorescent, but I like alliteration in certain titles, and definitely wanted to used the word 'fiercely', since I used Fiercely Fiona as a base! :-D I adore this color, its a yellow with a springy green tinge, its downfall? it took 5 coats to be opaque for me. I dunno about you, but I rarely have that kind of time! Anyway, I also used two polishes from the new polish collection at ALDO Shoes! :) They're gorgeous colors, and I'll be reviewing them, as well as Fiercely Fiona on The Daily Nail Blog Reviews in the next couple of days, I bought three of them the other day! :)



I used OPI Fiercely Fiona as a base, with ALDO Berry Flirty for the hot pink stripes, and ALDO Poolside in Malibu for the teal stripes. Topped it off with Seche Vite top coat.

Friday, May 21, 2010

You're Full of Hot Air


Quite a while back, reader Ada C. sent a nail art request of a Hot Air Balloon flying in a blue sky... and I found the perfect sky blue in OPI's What's With the Cattitude?, so I had to do it!!! :) I swatched it over on the review site 'The Daily Nail Reviews, check it out!



I used OPI What's With the Cattitude? as a base with Sally Hansen All the White Stuff sponged lightly to make fluffy clouds, as well as the base for the balloon. For the balloon colors, I used American Apparel Malibu Green for the top, the red and yellow are from a set of 6 scented polishes with the 'Nerds' logo on them (which smell yum), and the blue is Pure Ice French Kiss. For the basket, I used Nubar Milk Chocolate Creme, and to outline everything, I used American Apparel Hassid. Topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

I wonder if the Wizard of Oz is in it?

Weekend Funnies

Ah, the weekend! It's a glorious autumn Saturday morning. The sun is shining, the air is crisp, the leaves are falling. And I have to go to work. Ugh.
Here's this week's funnies and a few of my favourite music mash-ups to cheer me up...



100% passion. 100% danger. 100% cotton.





The Clash vs Stevie Wonder -



The Prodigy vs Dee-Lite -

Groove Is In The Girls from Andy Dunproofin on Vimeo.



Thursday, May 20, 2010

Burnin' Rubber


So, if you've been reading the blog recently, you know that my sister was here in Vegas last week, and that it was awesome. Well, she's doing a month-long cross-country motorcycle trip, so today's nails are in honor of her awesomenosity, she's pretty much the most badass chick you're likely to meet. It was super awesome having her here, and makes me miss home, where I actually got to spend time with her more often than once/twice a year. (sucky) Anyway, enough saptastic stuff, she knows I love her, and think she rocks. Today's nail design was painted to look like tire tread rubber that was burnt onto cement. (I even tried to paint the same tread as her tires!)



I used BB Couture Opposites Attract as a base, with American Apparel Hassid for the tire tread, with more BB Couture Opposites Attract sponged over part of it. Topped it off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Also- today L'Oreal held a makeover event at the Venetian Walgreens here in Vegas, and Collier Strong was there!! For those of you who are like- 'Who is Collier Strong?!' I recommend that you climb out of your hole and either watch some TV, read some magazines, or check him out a little thing called the internet!! :-P He is the consulting makeup artist for L'Oreal Paris, the beauty consultant for Project Runway, as well as many other things! Anyway, I got to meet him, get some tips, and he was SO super nice!! I also got a touchup from the lovely Monique, and chatted with a very friendly guy from L'Oreal named Gary. Overall it was a cool experience getting to try some new products and some established products that I hadn't tried yet, as well as meeting some nice new people!! I got my picture with Colllier (but I look like a total bum lol):