31 Days of Nail Art - Day 2: Orange Nails

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to day 2 of 31 days of nail art.  I hope you all liked what Kelsie, Erin, Stephanie & I did for you yesterday and I hope you're all ready for orange nails today.  Jess @ Nearly Natural Nails has decided to join us.  Links to all participants at the bottom!

Anyone feeling crabby? =)

I saw a crab on a beach towel and decided he might be perfect for orange nails.  I've changed him quite a bit (and left half of him off!) but I'm happy with this.  I think he's pretty cute!

This is 2 coats of Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear - Sun Kissed and 1 coat of Color Club - Sparkle & Soar.  I painted the acrylics but let some of the base orange show through.

Here's what 2 coats Sun Kissed and 1 coat Sparkle & Soar looked like by themselves:

What do you think?  Anyone else suddenly craving crab cakes? =)

Please check out what the other ladies have done. We'll be posting simultaneously throughout the month. Then, come back here tomorrow at the same Bat-time, same Bat-channel for YELLOW Nails!

Other participants:

Kelsie @ Kelsie's Nail Files, Steph @ A Little Polish , Erin @ Beauty Bumbles + Jess @ Nearly Natural Nails

P.S. Giveaway winner, barring any unforseen problems, should be announced tomorrow!

Parrot Nail Art: Polly Wants Something Better Than Crackers

Hello Everyone!

I wanted to add some nail art to Color Club - Metamorphosis as it was the last of the Color Club collection that I swatched.  I was a little stumped so I went to the old painting magazines my Mom got me and found this little guy.

Isn't he cute?  I guess I shouldn't call him Polly if I'm going to keep referring to him as a guy. =)

Anyways, he was inspired by some Parrots designed for Painting Magazine by Donna Dewbury for the August 2000 issue.

I was really happy with this little guy!  I'd felt in a bit of a slump but maybe I'm coming out of it.  I really liked the back feathers on the ring finger but my nails are so curved you can't see them and his face in the same shot.

I used acrylic paint for this design.

What do you guys think?

=)

Til next time,

Amanda



Swatches: Color Club Take Wing Collection for Summer 2012 + Review

Hello Everyone!

Last week when I went shopping, I found an unexpected surprise.  I was supposed to be shopping for swaps and co-workers.  But, look what asked to come home with me!

Color Club Take Wing Collection

Shopping for Color Club here in Canada is a bit hit or miss.  I can never be sure new collections are going to show up or how much I'll find them for.  Often, I can get the sets from previous collections on sale at Winner's.  I think this is maybe how it is at Ross in the US?  Anyway. finding a brand new collection was a very pleasant surprise.

I swatched them all up, so here we go...

Girly Girl #4: Inspired by the Runway!

Hello Everyone!

I have another challenge design for you.
The challenge today is...  Inspired by the Runway!

Personally, I love that fashion is cyclical.  Everything old becomes new again.  Recently, some older fashion houses that had, to different degrees, fallen out of favour are back.  Pucci and Lacoste come to mind.  Halston is also making a comeback.

I've always loved the bold patterns of Pucci.  I found this dress as part of their Spring/Summer 2012 collection.

I thought a water marble might capture the spirit of this dress.  I'd never done a water marble before either.  I love a challenge!

So, here are my results.

I'm pretty happy with that for a first try!  The thumb and middle finger definitely turned out best.  I can't wait to try it again.  For colours, I used China Glaze - White on White and Liquid Leather and Color Club - Shabby Drab and New Bohemian.

Also, I need to admit that I cheated a little bit here.  I loved my St. Paddy's Day mani so much that I don't want to take it off yet.  Therefore I used some loose fake nails for this.  You didn't really think my nails had grown half an inch overnight, did ya? 

Anyways, what do you think?

Please check out the designs the other amazing ladies in this challenge came up with!

Oooh, almost forgot!  I was nominated for a Liebster Award by  Cee. Yay!  I'm going to do a whole post about that tomorrow but just couldn't let it slip by. :)

'Til next time,
Amanda ,

Challenge Creator: Lindsey of Neverland Nail Blog
Ashley of Follow The Yellow Polish Road
Stephanie of A Little Polish
Kelly of Devilish Polish
Jodi of Captivating Claws
Danielle of Polish. Glitter. Rock & Roll!
Elly of Polishable
Olivia of Unprofessional Nails
Kate of This Charming Kate
Bethany of A Plethora of Nails
Lizzy of The Do It Yourself Lady
Eugenia of Talon-ted
Johanna of Neues vom Kellerkind
Ashley of Smashley Sparkles
Sarah of See Sarah Swatch
Emily of The Lacquerologist
Jess of LuvMyLacquer
Tressa of O' Natur Nail

ChiChi of I'm just me...ChiChi

CR of Color Me Silly
Amanda of Berry Polished
Robin, Erin, and Anna of Polished Cousins

Bonny of Over Stuffed

Taylor of REJOICE!
Jess of Nearly Natural Nails

Girly Girl Challenge #3: Delicate and Elegant

Hello Again!

...and we're back!

Time for another installment of the Girly Girl Challenge!
Today is day 3 and that means...

Delicate & Elegant: Adorn yourself with a lovely pattern, color or technique.

So since my blingy manicure was a little OTT, delicate and elegant definitely seemed to be called for.  I recently picked up a Color Club set for french tips so I went for a classic elegant look.  I paused after I wrote this to chuckle because I am aware that a debate exists as to whether or not french manicures are only for porn stars now.
LOL

OK, moving on, classy and elegant, right?

So there we go!  Delicate and elegant!  I started by freehanding the french tips in, appropriately, Color Club - French Tip then I added a sheer pink Color Club - More Amour.  I'm not really fond of the super bright white tips, so, this gives the clean look of french tips while keeping it all soft and pinky.

Then I added a little nail art.  Nothing too crazy, just a little pink flower for each finger.  Done with a dotting tool, the flower is China Glaze - Designer Satin and the centre is essence - wanna be my sunshine?

My only gripe with this mani is that because the french mani is the default look for gel nails, it's giving me the feeling that my real nails are fake.  Nothing wrong with that, I just keep getting surprised when I look at them.

Hope you like it.
'Til next time,
Amanda

Please check out what the other ladies participating in this challenge have created!
Challenge Creator: Lindsey of Neverland Nail Blog
Ashley of Follow The Yellow Polish Road
Stephanie of A Little Polish
Kelly of Devilish Polish
Jodi of Captivating Claws
Danielle of Polish. Glitter. Rock & Roll!
Elly of Polishable
Olivia of Unprofessional Nails
Kate of This Charming Kate
Bethany of A Plethora of Nails
Lizzy of The Do It Yourself Lady
Eugenia of Talon-ted
Johanna of Neues vom Kellerkind
Ashley of Smashley Sparkles
Sarah of See Sarah Swatch
Emily of The Lacquerologist
Jess of LuvMyLacquer
Tressa of O' Natur Nail

ChiChi of I'm just me...ChiChi

CR of Color Me Silly
Amanda of Berry Polished
Robin, Erin, and Anna of Polished Cousins

Bonny of Over Stuffed

Taylor of REJOICE!
Jess of Nearly Natural Nails