Wednesday, November 28, 2012

12 Days of Christmas Nail Art Day 1 - Red and Green

I cannot believe it is almost December. It's a good thing I just have finishing touches left on my Christmas gifts! Yipee!!


Be sure to check out the other bloggers who are participating! And play along by posting your creation on my page, I will share it!


I have to say, it is kind of hard to get into the Christmas spirit when it is 80+ degrees outside. We have been too warm for too long here in the desert. It would be nice to get a pleasant, rainy day for once!!

Today is red and green, so I grabbed Barielle Lily of the Valley for my base. I havent showed you this one yet, so here's a swatch of if all by itself:


I taped at an angle, and painted Zoya Rehka.


Then, I covered the edge by free-handing some Zoya Ray (a pretty dark green) in the center. This wouldnt been prettier if I had taken the time to let it dry then tape the center for Ray; but we all know how I feel about taped manis. I already taped once for this one, there is no way I would have the patience to do it AGAIN. lol.


This is super simple, but also really elegant. And it's something anyone can do!

Friday, November 23, 2012

Thanksgiving Nail Art Challenge Day 5 - Turkeys

I am still full lol... I'm pretty sure I'm good for the rest of the weekend!! It's the last day of the Thanksgiving Nail Art Challenge, but don't fret!! Next Wednesday I start the 12 Days of Christmas Challenge. Its a Monday-Wednesday-Friday post leading up to Christmas Eve! Can't wait!


Today I am thankful for yoga pants. Yep, I'm wearing them right now... No one else is at the office to see it! lol

Be sure to check out the other bloggers joining in on the fun!

XO, Noelle
College Polished
PishPosh & Polish
Dipped in Polish
Jenerally Speaking 
Galactic Lacquer 
Tres' Chic Nails 
Charlottes-nails 
Manic Manis
The Life, Time and Lacquers of Lilmoon
Makeup and Nails, Not War
Not Too Polished
Mimi Manicures
Seriously Swatched
Jilltastic Nail Designs 

I kept today pretty simple, because I did it before heading to my grandparents house for dinner and I procrastinated and didn't have a lot of time! Haha


The base is once again Set In Nude by Ulta. I have gotten my $4 out of that one in this challenge alone!! Haha!! The rest was all done with stripers. The feathers are all FingerPaint Stripers: Master Muse (yellow), You're Kiln Me (brown) and Caric-art-ure (orange).


The turkey's head is Orly Instant Artist Chocolate and his beak is Orly IA Yellow Submarine. The white and black are my Stripe Rite polishes. The Orly and Stripe Rite stripers have by far the best brushes! I highly recommend them!

I have some reviews coming for you in the next couple of weeks, so keep an eye out for those along with the Christmas challenge!

How was your Thanksgiving?

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thanksgiving Nail Art Challenge Day 4 - Pies

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!


Today I am thankful for my hubby, James. He is my best friend and the love of my life. He supports me in all my crazy crafting adventures, and is my biggest fan. I can't imagine my life without him <3

Be sure to check out the other bloggers joining in on the fun!

XO, Noelle
College Polished
PishPosh & Polish
Dipped in Polish
Jenerally Speaking 
Galactic Lacquer 
Tres' Chic Nails 
Charlottes-nails 
Manic Manis
The Life, Time and Lacquers of Lilmoon
Makeup and Nails, Not War
Not Too Polished
Mimi Manicures
Seriously Swatched
Jilltastic Nail Designs 

Today I had a creative block. When I was complaining about the block to my friends, Sunny at 365 Days of Color pointed out Chalkboard Nails post earlier this week. Such an awesome idea; accept for one problem, I have zero patience for taped manis lol. I was mad at her, because I knew I had to do it because it was a great idea ahaha. #nailpolishproblems


I started with Ulta Set In Nude. I sponged a bit of FingerPaints You're Kiln Me over it to try for a more "baked" effect. Then I played the waiting game for it to dry enough to tape. After a looooooooong wait, I busted out my striping tape. This is the first chance I have used it! My OCD really appreciates the even thickness in stripes lol.


Once I taped it all off (lots of patience while taping) I sponged a heavier coat of FingerPaints You're Kiln Me to darken it up a bit because I didnt have a good dark red cream. Then I topped it with a thin coat of Zoya Rehka.

Cherry is my favorite pie. What's yours?

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thanksgiving Nail Art Challenge Day 3 - Brown and Orange

Wednesday.... That means tomorrow is Thanksgiving!! Yay!! Im so excited to go to Mema and Pa's house and stuff my face with the most delicious meal ever!! Cant. Freaking. Wait.


Today I am thankful for the job that I don't want to be at today.... but am thankful for it none-the-less, because I know there are so many less fortunate; who wish they were miserable at a job.

Be sure to check out the other bloggers joining in on the fun!

XO, Noelle
College Polished
PishPosh & Polish
Dipped in Polish
Jenerally Speaking 
Galactic Lacquer 
Tres' Chic Nails 
Charlottes-nails 
Manic Manis
The Life, Time and Lacquers of Lilmoon
Makeup and Nails, Not War
Not Too Polished
Mimi Manicures
Seriously Swatched
Jilltastic Nail Designs 

I love orange, I hate brown. lmao. So today, instead of doing what first popped in my head (lots of orange), I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone. Maybe I should do that more often ;)


 My poor cuticles are so unhappy. It's so dry!! I just did an olive oil soak yesterday, not that you would ever guess it! Ugh! Anyways, I was surprised by how much I like these! The base is Ulta Set In Nude (You will be seeing this one again tomorrow).


The rest was done with stripers: dark brown is FingerPaints You're Kiln Me, medium brown is Orly Instant Artist Chocolate and orange is FingerPaints Caric-Art-ure. I started at the bottom and worked my way up.

What are you thankful for today?

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Thanksgiving Nail Art Challenge Day 2 - Charlie Brown

I've been very excited waiting for today! I grew up watching and reading Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang. I didnt have a single notebook or binder in school that did not have Woodstock doodled on it!


Today I am thankful for my friends and co-workers. I dont know how I would get through the day without all of your company!

Be sure to check out the other bloggers joining in on the fun!

XO, Noelle
College Polished
PishPosh & Polish
Dipped in Polish
Jenerally Speaking 
Galactic Lacquer 
Tres' Chic Nails 
Charlottes-nails 
Manic Manis
The Life, Time and Lacquers of Lilmoon
Makeup and Nails, Not War
Not Too Polished
Mimi Manicures
Seriously Swatched
Jilltastic Nail Designs 

I only took one picture of today's mani. I find when I get my thumb involved, there are not a whole lot of positions for me to hold my hand that arent redundant. And I dont see the point of posting a bunch of pics of basically the same angle haha!


This is the best nail art I have ever done. I am pretty proud of them, and dont think I will ever top this mani! I should just retire now lmao! Im going to break it down by nail and tell you what I used. There will be some redundancy, my apologies ahead of time! :p

Thumb: A snoozing Snoopy!!!! China Glaze for Audrey as the base, LA Art Deco Red for his house and my black and white Stripe Rites for the details and Snoopy himself.

Pointer: Charlie's exasperated scream, most often seen when Lucy moved the football lol. I used OPI Alpine Snow as the base and my black Stripe Rite for the "AAUGH!"

Middle: My favorite Peanuts character, Woodstock. It is a lot harder to doodle him on a nail than a notebook! China Glaze For Audrey as the base, Orly Instant Artist Yellow Submarine is Woodstock himself with my black Stripe Rite and FingerPaints Striper in Art Hue Serious? for the grass.

Ring: The iconic Charlie Brown sweater. The perfect yellow just happened to be a striper, that was fun painting my nail with that thin brush! FingerPaints Master Muse is the base, and once again I used my black Stripe Rite for the accent.

Pinky: Psychiatric Help 5 Cents. My favorite parts of any Charlie Brown story are all of Lucy's shenanigans. Maybe it's because I have always been a bit "Lucy" in real life (at least I can admit it, right? haha). I couldnt do a Charlie Brown tribute without representing it! The base is Deborah Lippmann's Almost Paradise and I used (you guessed it) my black Stripe Rite to write it out.

What are you thankful for today?

Monday, November 19, 2012

Thanksgiving Nail Art Challenge Day 1 - Leaves

Yay! More nail art! I am so happy to be a part of a blogger nail art challenge group. All of these fun challenges are really pushing my boundaries!


Since this is Thanksgiving week, I am going to say what I am thankful for in every post. Today I am thankful for internet, because I almost didnt have it. This post almost did not make it up!

Be sure to check out the other bloggers joining in on the fun!

XO, Noelle
College Polished
PishPosh & Polish
Dipped in Polish
Nail By Katie
Jenerally Speaking 
Galactic Lacquer 
Tres' Chic Nails 
Charlottes-nails 
Manic Manis
The Life, Time and Lacquers of Lilmoon
Makeup and Nails, Not War
Not Too Polished
Mimi Manicures
Seriously Swatched
Sassy Shelly
Jilltastic Nail Designs

During the Falling Forward challenge I did an abstract representation of leaves. Today I decided to go more literal. Not sure I am super happy about this. I really just need to get some leaf stamping plates haha!


I used Ulta Set In The Nude as my base. The brown and yellow are Orly stipers: Chocolate and Yellow Submarine. The green is FingerPaints Striping Polish Art Hue Serious?. I did not have a dark red striping polish, so I used e.l.f. Cranberry and a nail art brush.


This is supposed to look like they are falling... not sure I get that out of it haha. Oh well. I am excited for Charlie Brown day!!

What are you Thankful for today?

Friday, November 16, 2012

365 Days of Color Christmas Collection Review

Hello lovelies!

Ive been MIA for a couple of weeks. Christmas times always get hectic for me, because I make homemade gifts every year. I wont say what I am making this year, because there is a chance one of the recipients may be reading this! But I will say it is awesome, and if you would like I will post pics of all the gifts after Christmas!

Anywho, moving on... the always amazing Sunny at 365 Days of Color was kind enough to send me her new collection to swatch for you guys! I was so excited, that I opted to pay and upgrade to full sized! I am so in love with her new bottles!! Square bottles are my favorite! First up, Santa Baby!


Santa Baby is a delicious, red jelly base (::SWOON::) It is packed full of mini red and white glitter with some larger, square, white glitter. This is 3 coats, which still shows my nail line; but I dont mind visible nail line as long as its an awesome jelly!!


Are you ready for the best part... these babies are SCENTED! That's right, you put Santa Baby on and you will smell candy canes for days. Even through your top coat! The formula was lovely, as always with 365doc polishes.


Next is Gimme Some Bubbly. This is a shimmery, gold sheer polish with small and medium gold glitter. I decided to layer if over A-England's Holy Grail because they had the same shimmer to them. Let me tell you, this knocked my socks off! So much shimmer!! Love it!


This is two coats of Bubbly over two coats of Grail. Gimme Some Bubbly smells like strawberries and champagne. I cant smell this one as much, but I could never really smell the Victoria Secret strawberries and champagne lotions my friends used to always have in High School. My nose just doesnt pick the smell up I guess! Haha


Last but not least, we have Trimming The Tree! This is my favorite out of the collection, which shouldnt be a shock to any of you that have been following me for a while. I LOVE green polish. I just cant help myself! Trimming is a cream/jelly hybrid base with gold and green small glitters and green medium glitter.


This is three thin coats. Can you guess what this one smells like?? Come on, its called Trimming The TREE. Pine trees!!! This one is very smelly, you will smell pine for ages and I LOVE it! Nothing says Christmas to me more than the smell of a fresh Christmas tree in the house!

These babies are going on sale TODAY!! Minis are $4.50 and full sized at $8. The links are below!

365doc shop here
365doc facebook here
365doc blog here

**These items were sent to me for review. I was not paid for this review. All opinions are my own and are an accurate representation of my experience with the products.**

Friday, November 2, 2012

I Love Jason Aldean!!! Nail Art

Hey everyone!! I have a geeky, fan-girl mani to share with you today.

I love all types a music, I grew up with a very eclectic collection of music in my house. But, my all time favorite is country music.

I am a redneck, tomboy that grew up wheeling in the desert with my step brothers and all of their friends... and I'm proud of it!! I don't own a car, I own trucks. My baby is a 1997 Chevrolet Cheyenne 4x4 truck with a lift, big tires and exhaust to let you know I'm coming. My only "girly" tenancies are my nails (obviously) and earrings. Otherwise, I am a tshirt and jeans kind of gal that owns more cowgirl boots than high heels.

My favorite artist is Jason Aldean. I have loved him since the moment I first heard Hicktown all those years ago. And with every CD he just gets better and better. He just released his newest CD last month called Night Train, and I wanted to pay tribute to it since I have had it on repeat for 3 weeks straight (Im a sick puppy, I know).


First I'll show you my right hand. It is a direct tribute to his new CD, my left hand is just a tribute to Jason and all the things he loves.

Nail Art, Night Train

The lyrics to the title track on Night Train are:

'Bout a mile down old mill road, that spot nobody knows. 
Park the truck and we take off running, hurry up girl I hear it coming. 
Got a moon and a billion stars, sound of steel and old box cars. 
The thought of you is driving me insane, come on baby let's go listen to the night train.

What better to represent a billion stars than Zoya Storm? Storm is the base in the mani and Zoya Freja is the train. I used my white, black and silver Stripe Rite polishes for the detail work. I'm pretty proud of the writing on my thumb, considering I did it with my left hand!! (PS - I am incapable of taking pics of my right hand. It is so hard! Haha)

My left hand is a bit more specific. If you are a JA fan, you wont need explanation (and I know all my Aldean Army friends are reading this right now! lol!)


Jason is a Georgia boy, and a HUGE UGA (University of Georgia Athens) Bulldogs fan. He has red ear pieces to go along with this guitar strap...  and a pet Bulldog named Athens.


He is also a hunter, and on the show Buck Commander that airs on the Outdoor Channel. This guitar strap has the Buck Commander logo. And, because I cant let you go without a little redneck eye-candy... here's my boy all painted up for the hunt!


Now, as I wipe the drool away... The last thing you need to know is that he uses a black jack hand of cards as his logo. It's fitting with his initials! (You can see it on the guitar two pics up as well!)


You know I have to represent the spades!! So without further explanation, here is my left hand!


I am pretty proud of the Buck Commander logo! It's not perfect, but I'm no artist so its not bad for me! Haha I used Zoya Rekha as the base on my thumb, and Storm for the fingers. The detail work was accomplished with my white, black and silver Stripe Rite polishes and my Bright Orange LA Art Deco polish.

I was really sad that Jason got snubbed for awards last night at the CMA's, but he will always be Entertainer of the Year in my eyes (and I was just glad Taylor Swift didn't win. I'm sorry, but she is not country. Put her in the pop category where she belongs!)

One last pic, just because I can... and I love this one!


I should end every post like that.... sigh....

Who's your favorite artist?

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Zoya Ornate Collection

Hi lovelies!!!

Wow, I cant believe it is November already!! Today I am showcasing the amazing Ornate collection from Zoya. Im going to start with my two least favorites, and then make my way to the amazingness that is the rest of them!

Electra is a micro fine diamond holographic glitter mixed with large silver holographic bar tinsel in a clear base.


This is two coats of Electra over Logan (the pretty green you will be seeing a little further down). My main complaint with this is the bar glitters. Bar glitters and my OCD dont get along! No matter how hard you try, there is going to be a bar sticking out somewhere!!


The glitter can be a bit tricky to work with, but as far as bar glitter top coats, this one isnt so bad! The holographic is very pretty, and if you dont have an aversion to bars like me, you will probably love this!

Ziv can be best described as a full coverage, yellow-toned metallic gold foil with silver highlights and warm gold flake glitter accents.


This is two coats of Ziv. The reason this one is also not one of my favorites is not it's fault (much like Electra). I am not a huge yellow gold fan; I just cant pull it off with my skin tone.


 As far as yellow gol polish goes, this one is gorgeous. I cant deny its beauty. If you have olive or dark skin, this would look killer on you!! The formula is easy to work with (as with all Zoyas, Im going to be a broken record in this post).

Logan is a full coverage, yellow-toned forest green with dense, foil-like yellow-gold and blue-green duochrome shimmer!


I think Logan is very under-appreciated in this collection. Everyone talks about Aurora, Blaze and Storm, an no one shows Logan any love. It may be because I love green polish, but Logan stole my heart. It is GORGEOUS, especially in person, where the duochrome really shines.


The blue and gold tones compliment each other very well; it is really breathe-taking. I wish duochrome could be captured better in photographs (without heavy photoshopping. I refuse to photoshop my nail pics because I feel it's not giving you guys an honest representation of the polish. It feels like cheating to me). The formula is easy to work with, and the shimmer doesnt streak; which is always a risk with duochromes. I just really love Logan!

Blaze can be best described as a full coverage, cool-toned medium mulberry red with a high concentration of micro fine diamond holographic glitter.


Blaze had the least amount of holographic glitter in it. It's not as "in-your-face" as Storm and Aurora. Regardless, it is gorgeous. The cranberry red is rich and beautiful; and perfect for the Holidays!


The base almost has a jelly feel to it, but it covers better. This is two coats and there is no visible nail line, but you can still enjoy the depth of the glitter on the first coat. The formula was easy to work with, and applied smooth (there's the broken record again).


You cant really enjoy the holographic glitter without some sunlight. Luckily, I am not lacking in that department here in Arizona! 

Storm can be best described as a full coverage, holiday black with a high concentration of micro fine diamond holographic glitter.


Storm is AMAZING! If you can only buy one polish from this collection, this should be it. Black is versatile for all year long with manis an nail art, and the holographic glitters Storm is packed full of will blow you away.


Just like Blaze (and Aurora you will be seeing next), the jelly-like base really adds depth to the glitter, without a visible nail line. This is two coats, and the formula was easy to work with like always.


This sunlight really highlighted Storm so beautifully. You will be seeing this baby again tomorrow for my geeky, fan-girl nail art post about my favorite Georgia boy and the awesome year he is having!

Lastly, Aurora can be best described as a full coverage, medium sugarplum purple flecked with a high concentration of micro fine diamond holographic glitter.


 The purple/pink base on Aurora is so different for the Holidays, and I am loving it! Not much that can be said different about this baby that I havent already said about Blaze and Storm. The three are fraternal triplets! Some glitter, different color bases :)


The jelly-like base is easy to work with (broken record again lol), and it only takes two coats to full coverage with no nail line.


Aurora is the most stunning in sunlight. I mean, just look at all that sparkle! Love <3

Dont forget to go to my Facebook page and like your favorite entry in the 8 Spooky Nights contest. The person with the most likes come Sunday night wins a bottle of WIcked from Whimsical Nail Polish by Pam!

**These items were sent to me for review. I was not paid for this review. All opinions are my own and are an accurate representation of my experience with the products.**