31 Day Nail Art Challenge 2014 Day 23: Inspired by a Movie

Sally Hansen - Butter-fly Stroke // China Glaze - Are You Jelly?

O.P.I - I Saw, You Saw, We Saw Warsaw // MoYou London - Fairytale Plate 05 // Zoya - Blu 

31 Day Nail Art Challenge 2014 Day 10: Gradient

Zoya - Blu / Gie Gie

Northern Lights Holograhic Topcoat // OPI Matte Top Coat

Stars and Spring

Hey there!

Today I've got a post that mixes the old and the new.

Two different looks with two different childhood influences.

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First up, Second Star to the Right

Esmaltes de Kelly - Neverland

As a little girl I loved the idea of Neverland. In fact I still do.

A place where all you do is go on adventures and FLY?? Sold. 

I didn't care much for Peter Pan, (except when Robin Williams was Peter in Hook. I love that movie.
Definitely one of my childhood top ten favourites. Ru-fi-OOOOO!), but I loved that freaking island.

Needless to say I was thrilled when I found this polish. 

I love the grey blue hues and the tiny black glitters sprinkled throughout. 

I added a nail tattoo from Big Ruby Tattoos on my index finger
and then another tattoo from the Born Pretty Store on my thumb. 

I also choose to name the panda Peter.
(Just so I can say that Peter the Panda is pleasantly positioned on my pointers.)   

The star remained nameless but I loved that little smile.

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Next, Hello Spring

Essie - Meet Me At The Altar // Barry M. - Greenberry // Northern Lights Holographic Topcoat

Just this past week we had to adjust our clocks again. 

This change in time (and soon season!) inspired me to use colours that were fun, and youthful, and oh so girly.
 I loved the gradient created between these two colours. Like a pastel sunset. 

The decals are from the Born Pretty Store and were actually a bonus gift with purchase.

Hello Kitty has nothing to do with spring (or does she?) but it just felt appropriate. 

Besides, she'll always have a special place in my heart because of her show. I can still sing the whole theme song.
 (Am I the only person who watched that as a child?  No one ever mentions it to me.) 

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So that's it! Thanks for stopping by and reminiscing with me.
See you in a few days!

xo, D.

Sunny Booby Dance

Hey all.
Not too long ago I mentioned how much I’m loving Smitten Polish right now.
Today I’ve got two polishes from her most recent collection.
Say hello to Sunny Side Up! and Blue Footed Booby Dance.



& here’s my look:

These colours screamed gradient when I saw them and
since I’m prone to following my instincts I went for it.
I loved the green hue created between the colours.
The final look made me think of lagoons in the sunshine.

So what do you think? Let me know!
& if you want to get some of your own Smitten Polish then click here to go to her etsy store.

Oh! In case you were wondering what exactly the Blue Footed Booby dance looks like, here you go:

Much love, D.

Godiva & Solange Gradient

Hey everyone. Today I have a mani that I wore for my dad’s birthday.
I’ve been dying to try out these colours together and I finally had the perfect opportunity.





My birthday and my dad’s (and my sister’s) are really close together and we share the same astrological sign – Leo.
So the combo of a golden yellow and a soft nude seemed totally appropriate.





I used Essie – Blanc as my base and then I used
Zoya – Solange and Zoya – Godiva for the gradient.



I was super happy with this look.
PixieDust’s never disappoint and they’re so freaking sparkly.
What do you think?

Much love, D.

Barry Fruit Gradient

Hello there!
Today I have another Barry M mani to share with you guys.
But! As awesome as this mani turned out there were definitely mishaps while I was trying to finish.
Originally I was wanting to do a tape manicure but then I came to discover that I had no tape. After deciding on a new direction and doing my base colour I accidentally spilled my gigantic glass of water all. over. my desk. But it wasn’t just my desk (because you know this would have had to have happened to someone else for it to only affect my glass desk). It was my papers, my slippers, my mom’s slippers, my carpet, my fan, and, the cherry on top, my phone. And of course I messed up a bunch of my nails because they weren’t completely dry yet. Once I’d sunk my phone into a bowl of rice and cleaned up what I could I got this manicure started and got back on track. Here's what I came up with:





I should also mention that as I was moving a chair my lap top charger got caught in the legs and my lap top came crashing down off my desk.
But don’t worry – I caught it. Basically it’s a miracle that this post is even up.
 






This time around I used Barry M in Lychee, Papaya, & Dragonfruit.
I love how these colours pop and really make a statement. Fruity wonderfulness.



So what do you think? Was this mani worth all the hassle I had to go through? Let me know!
That’s it for now friends. Hope you have a great Sunday!

Much love, D

Cosmic Rainbow

Hey all! So today I wanted to share a quick post about what I wore to a concert a few days ago. One of my closest friends, Gee (from In Jeeb We Trust), asked me to accompany her to a B-52’s concert. I was super pumped to dance and shimmy but I needed a manicure that screamed colour and fun just like the band. I ended up being inspired by one of their album covers and I think it really hit the mark.

Here’s the cover….


& Here’s my look!


I did a side ways gradient and I followed the same colour pattern as the album.
I’ve never done a sideways gradient before and I must say that I love how it looks.
I can totally see myself doing these more often.

The colours had to be bright and fun so here’s what I used:
Sally Hansen Insta Dri – Brisk Blue; NYC – High Line Green
Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear – Mellow Yellow; Zoya – Thandie
Sation – Love At First Lavender& I also added my favourite Northern Lights topcoat to give it that extra sparkle.

While painting I realized that I didn’t have a gradient planned for my thumb but thankfully I was quick on my feet and used my Big Ruby Tattoos. I couldn’t decide on just one tattoo so I decided to just go for it and use two. Because yes I’m that bad ass.



I’m so happy with how these turned out – bright, cheerful, and a bit kitsch.
And the concert! Gurrl, Let me tell you! We had front row seats but we ended up right at the stage. There’s nothing quite like watching a band who actually enjoys what they do for a living. It was a blast and I totally danced my ass off. You just can’t be sad at a B-52’s concert. Make sure to check out what Gee did here. I must say, we were totally on the same wave length. I’m still drooling over her mani.
Well, this quick post has turned into a long one so I’m done babbling now.
Enjoy your Sunday friends!

D

psstttt here’s a couple shots because I just couldn’t resist sharing.
Her outfit makes we want to watch The Wizard of Oz.

 

7 Deadly Sins Challenge: Day 6

Happy Friday!
I have yet another Deadly Sins Post for you all. I’m very surprised that I’ve been able to keep up with all these.
I for sure thought I’d get lost in the manicure madness.
In any case, we’re onto the second day of Greed & the prompt was:
“Remember, More is More... Don't hold yourself back!”
So I went for it: I did a gradient, I stamped, and I used glitter. And here’s the result:

I used Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Jade Jump and Mint Sprint (at least I think it’s Mint Sprint. I lost the little sticker with the name & after searching the internet everything that came up Mint Sprint matches my bottle) for the gradient.

I stamped using A England – Saint George & plate BM 301. Then I used a brush and applied Top Shop – Razzmatazz in between some of the lines.

What do you think friends? Let me know in the comments section.
Remember to check out the other ladies manicures too!
Next up: Mother’s day mani. See you soon!

D

Pink Mardi Party

Hello again!

Welcome to yet another blog post.
This past week I got together with Jeeb from In Jeeb We Trust
and we found ourselves what appears to be a new hobby – making jewellery!
Yes it sounds crazy and we did go a little crazy by making as many as we could
but it was so much fun and I definitely think we’ll be doing it again.
Actually, now that we’ve opened that Pandora’s box, we’ll probably never stop.
Unless we get so old that we can’t use our hands and
I’ll have to force my future children into helping us out. 
I’ll make them work for free (because duh they love me right?)
& they’ll have to say “yes mam” a lot and bow when we enter.
There may also be a whip involved or at least a pair of elderly women
smacking their canes on the ground when they are unsatisfied.
Actually since we can’t use our hands we’ll probably just yell or bite or perhaps we’ll cry...
Soooo good luck future children! Mama loves you!

Now onto more pressing business: my nails. 
All that crafting sparked quite a bit of creativity and in homage to all the beautiful jewellery we made (and will make!) I sought inspiration for today’s manicure from one of the pieces.
And yes I will make you scroll all the way to the bottom to see it (muahaha).



You might not be able to tell but there’s actually a very subtle gradient.

I used Zoya – Gie Gie for the base and
then I combined both Gie Gie & Essie – Lion Around for the gradient.
I added Pretty & Polished – Mardi Party to make it more fun.



I’ve used both Gie Gie and Lion Around before and
they are both really wonderful pinks to use.
(Sorry, totally just got a Grease reference stuck in my head,
“Pinks you punk. Pink slips, ownership papers!”)
Gie Gie is way more frosty and Lion Around is more creme-y,
but thankfully the colours did what I wanted and the gradient is very subtle.



& just look at that Mardi Party! This one is super fun.
Multi coloured random sized bits in a clear base is how I would describe it. I can’t decide though if it reminds me more of Mardi Gras (hence the name I’m assuming..) or a preschool craft day. Regardless, I love the look of this polish. Only downside: the base is a little goopy so if you do buy it make sure you’re aware of that. I found the best way to ensure getting the bits out was to shake the bottle before hand, put on a thin layer of it at first, and then put a small blob on and spread it out to wherever you need more glitter. It really wasn’t that hard to work with though, really it’s like any glitter, all you need is patience and persistence my friends! 



So what do you think?
Yay or nay?
Leave a comment below!

Oh! Here’s the inspiration:



Have a good one!
& just in case you’re needing it today:
yes you do look beautiful  – like a beautiful blonde pineapple.

D

Gradiated Freedom

Freedom, friends!

She is a sweet gift.
I’ve made it through my last term as an undergrad!
So what do I do to celebrate? Well after 2 exams at 8:30 in the morning on two consecutive days (why??!!) I came home, ate some biscuits, drank my second cup of coffee, and painted my nails while watching hockey (By the way – I thank the hockey gods for letting me actually watch the afternoon game. I suppose there are benefits to having an exam early in the morning…hmm..).

I reached out to the Facebook world for some help with this one.
My brain was numb so I was hoping someone would trigger an idea.
Thankfully I got a little push to go in a “textured” direction & then I just rolled with it.

For this mani I used Zoya – Godiva (the colour that’s peaking through) as my base.
Then I slapped on some stripping tape, grabbed OPI – Get Your Number  

& Can’t Let Go (both liquid sands) and did a gradient.

I love how both of the liquid sands I used still seem like part
of the same collection yet they both have a little something special.
Can't let Go (the purple) has some really great large glitter pieces
that you don't have to fish for in the bottle,
& Get Your Number (the aqua) has great holographic glitter.

I had one strange issue with Godiva – it seemed to suck up some of the colour from the stripping tape (which in this case is purple). It’s likely I just didn’t wait long enough for it to dry before I got impatient but it’s still something to consider when using it.

I think it would work better if it was over the tape not under it.
I took a picture with harsh flash (below) so you could see.

Now, I also sort of broke a little rule I was sticking to:

I was refusing to top coat my Pixie Dusts & Liquid Sands because I really like

the textured polishes and I figured a top coat just defeated the purpose.
But…once I pulled off the stripping tape I hated how muddled the lines looked

& that my beautiful Godiva wasn’t popping even a little bit!

So I caved and used my Seche Vite.
& you know what? I’m glad I did. It’s much crisper and I still get all the sparkle I wanted.

Maybe next time I won’t be so harsh on my top coat.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!
D