A Spotted Bordeaux

Hello dolls!

I hope you all are enjoying a fantabulous weekend!  I was so excited that it finally got cool enough to feel like Fall last weekend and today... we're back to 90 degree weather.  I'm so mad!!  but, I'm not going to let the weather keep me down.  For today's mani I have a simple nail art look inspired by my new favorite color for this season, wine/burgundy...

 Colors Used: Revlon Parfumerie - Bordeaux, Julep - Felicity

I know that nude is the it color for Fall for 2014, but forget that noise.  I need color!!  So I decided I need to pick my own color for the season and this is what I went with ;)

 I started with 2 coats of Bordeaux which, when dry, smells of deep berry yumminess.  I then topped it with Mentality's Matte top Coat.  Once it dried, I took a dotting tool and applied Felicity and that's it!

Fall has arrived, even if California refuses to accept it!!  :P

If I get more time to myself, I will put together a SAFS post., otherwise I will be back next week with some more nail art...

Until next time!

Stef <3

Matchy Matchy Dotticure

Hello lovies!

Happy Friday to you all :)  For today's post I have a dotticure that I did about a week ago.  I had recently broken the corner off of my middle nail and had to do some serious filing (sad day).  To cheer myself up, I decided to paint my nails to match my purse.

I am obsessed with the design on this purse!  I stalked the Fossil store for months hoping for some good fortune (i.e. a sale haha).  I randomly found it marked down significantly at a Ross and snatched it up :D

Colors Used: Julep - Gunta, OPI - The "It" Color and Amazon... Amazoff,  Revlon - Bordeaux, Love & Beauty - Strawberry, Wet n' Wild - Club Havana, Rimmel - Steel Grey

I used a LOT of polishes for this mani.  My poor nail station looked like a storm hit it by the time I finished lol.

 This mani was super simple to create.  I used 2 coats of Gunta as my base and then went thru with a large dotting tool and randomly placed my dots.  I tried to do an even mix of overlapping and open space on each nail. 

It's at times like this (when I really love a design) that I hear Thor's voice in my head... "Another!".

Thankfully my nails tend to recover quickly from trauma (I know... I'm so dramatic lol), so they're back to a presentable length.  I'll have another edition of "Sunday's Are For Swatching" up this weekend :)

Until next time!

Stef <3

Forrest at Twilight

Hello dolls!

So, I was sitting around yesterday trying to find some nailspiration and nothing was coming to mind.  I looked outside my window and the clouds were an array of purples, pinks and oranges.  I decided I would do a twilight gradient...

 Colors Used: Revlon Parfumerie - Wild Violets, Love & Beauty - Purple, China Glaze - Peonies & Park Ave, American Apparel - Manila, Black and White Acrylic Paint, Mentality - Matte Top Coat

This is one of those rare times where I'm wearing what I'm posting haha.  I can't stop staring at my hands!

I started with a white base of Sally Hansen White On, just one coat so that it would dry quickly.  I then layered my 4 polished on a make-up sponge and dabbed away.  After I cleaned up that whole mess, I painted some pine trees with black acrylic painy (my nerd of a husband said, "Oh! You painted confiers!").  I dotted the stars with some white acrylic paint.  I topped it all off with Mentality's Matte Top Coat and tada!

Makes me wanna go camping!

I think it's time for a nap, looking at these makes me sleepy.  It could also be the eucalyptus-mint candle that I've got burning haha...

Until next time!

Stef <3

" I Have A Dream..."

Hello dearies!

Today we in the U.S. celebrate the life and works of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Being a Black American myself, I have a lot to thank him for.  I am his dream realized and that's a pretty overwhelming feeling. I thought I would do a dream-like mani for the holiday :)

 Colors Used: Revlon - Royal, Sinful Colors - Snow Me White, Spellbound Nails - Pishsalver (Drink Me), Sally Hansen - Butter-fly Stroke

Fluffly clouds lining a dreamy night sky, kind of like a slumber land :)  I really love the way this turned out!  I started with 2 coats of Revlon's infamous Royal, a royal blue jelly.  It's seriously one of my all time fave polishes in my collection.

  I then used a medium sized dotting tool to create the puffy clouds.  I lightly brushed on some white matte glitters (Spellbound Nails Pishsalver) and then, with a striping brush, I added some yellow twinkling stars.  I top coated with Duri Miracote :)

Dreams really do come true...

It's amazing to see the strides my country has taken in the last 50 years.  I'm dreaming for others now, in the hopes that one day there truly will be equality for all...

Until next time!

Stef <3

It Feels Like Spring!

Hello, hello!

It's been a week since my last posting... eep!  I actually decided to take time away from blogging and focus on my family and time with my husband.  It's important to prioritize from time to time right?  Lol, I've also been taking this down time to get my nails back into tip-top shape.  I'm currently rocking shorties, but the feel strong which is far far better than where they were a month ago!  All of this is the reason why I'm pulling some nail art from the vault...

 Colors Used: Revlon - Apricot Nectar (scented)

The weather in Southern California is so gorgeous right now (sorry to all my snow bunnies!) and I just thought this mani is a good reflection of how I'm feelin' ;)

 

 I started with 3 thin coats of Apricot Nectar.  this polish is from Revlon's new-ish line, Parfumerie.  Scented goodness!!  This polish (when dry) smells a lot like a creamy, fruity candy.  I really like it.  I had to use 3 coats because it is ever so streaky, but I didn't mind... it's gorgeous!  I then used some acrylic flowers and beads that I found at Sally's Beauty Supply.  Really simple and pretty :)

 *sigh*

I promise now that the holidays are over I will get back on a more regular posting schedule.  I've got lots of goodies to share with you :D

Until next time!

Stef <3

SAFS: Revlon Parfumerie

Happy Sunday, dolls!

I have some funsies to share with you today:D

I stumbled across this collection while Googling scented nail polishes.  I died!  I love, love, love scented polishes!!  I, naturally, went on the hunt (please note that clicking on the photos will enlarge them for a better view)...

 Bordeaux

I always start with the polish I wore to church and this is it :)  I would describe Bordeaux as berry wine in color.  It was ever so slightly streaky so I applied 3 coats.  This polish has a light scent.  It smells like a deep cranberry.  Does that make sense?  Deep and berry lol.

 

African Tea Rose

Bubblegum pink in color, this polish applied in 2 easy coats.  The color pink is growing on me and this one is definitely a winner.  The scent of this polish was a little stronger than Bordeaux.  Reminiscent of potpourri, it smelled very rosy.

 Wintermint

This beauty right here... I LOVE!!!  Altho I'm not a fan of this type of finish for my hands/skin, I thought this polish was too pretty to pass up.  As with most pearl/shimmer polishes, this one is a bit sheer.  I applied 3 thin coats for full coverage and it was easy to work with.  The scent on this one isn't overpowering.  It remided me of a sweet mint gum that I often purchase.  It also made me think of Christmas :D  I'm wondering if it is a possible dupe for Deborah Lipmann's Mermaid's Dream?  Thoughts?

 

 Ginger Melon

Oh Ginger Melon, how I wanted to love you!  Gorgeous color indeed but the formula and application left a lot to be desired.  This polish isn't quite creme and it isn't quite jelly.  After 3 coats, I gave up on the miniscule balding spots that I saw.  The scent of this polish is extremely potent.  I didn't mind much, but after having it on for about 2 hours I went to rehearsal and it set off the allergies of one of my fellow singers (I felt horrible!!).  It smells like fruity candy.  Think Starbursts or Skittles.

 Wild Violets

I've saved my favorite for last!  This polish was heavenly from the start.  The formula is perfect, the color is gorgeous (beautiful shimmer that I couldn't pick up in photos).  This applied in 2 easy coats.  It smelled so much like violets that I wanted to splatter my whole body in it.  Very floral and powdery.  Even after removal the scent lingered on my nails.  I didn't mind one bit haha ;)

So what do you think ladies?  There are so many more polishes in this new line, but I had to give my wallet a little bit of a break lol.  I'm hoping to have some more to share with you next Sunday tho.  How do you feel about scented polishes?  Love 'em?  Loath 'em?

Until next time!

Stef <3

Joby Nail Art's Fight Against Breast Cancer

Hello, dolls!

Today I want share a mani I did in support of the fight against breast cancer.  When I sit back and think about the amount of people that I personally know who have fought (and in some case lost) the battle with cancer... it's mind blowing!  When I was approached by Joby Nail Art to participate in their Think Pink promotion, I immediately accepted :)

 Colors Used: Revlon - Temptress, Daisy Nail Lacquer - Ja-Make-Can-Me-Crazy (pink glitter) and White Diamond, China Glaze - Fairy Dust

Joby Nail Art makes/sells really awesome nail decals.  As most of you know... I loooove decals!  They are great if you want a beautiful look and are pressed for time.  Or if you feel like your nail art skills are struggling, slapping some decals on can spiffy up your mani.  This happens to me all the time! Especially when I'm tired...

These decals retail at $2.99 for a sheet of decals (about 40 stickers) and 100% of all proceeds from the sale of “Pink Ribbon” nail art decals will be donated to The Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation.  A really sweet gesture, in my opinion :)

I really like the way that these decals lay on the nail.  You know how with some decals, they can feel raised or bubbly?  Or sometimes they're difficult to place because they're not very flexible?  I had zero trouble with these.  I'm thinkin' Joby may be my new go to store for nail decals!

 Get some nail decals while contributing to the fight against Breast Cancer this year?  Why not?? :D You can shop Joby Nail Art’s website during the promotion period, 9/21-10/6/2013. 

  Be part of the cure. Join us in the fight! 

 (*donation applies to NA09-32 only during promotion period)

Until next time!

Stef <3

* This product was provided to me for review.  I received no payment or other compensation for the review of this product.  The opinions stated here are completely my own.  The contents of this review are based on my direct experience with this product. 

Luck Schmuck!

Hiya dolls!

I'm feeling like a bit of a Grinch today.  I'm very glad that it's Friday and I'm very very glad that I get to take the day off of work.  But it's work that has made me slightly cranky.  Not just my school job but my music jobs as well.  Bah-humbug!

 Colors Used: Revlon - Posh, Sally Hansen - Green With Envy, Color Club - Gingerbread

They say that green is the color of luck (who are "they" anyway??).  I haven't felt very lucky while wearing this mani but it did last about 4 days, chip-free. Ok...I was a little lucky....

It's 2 coats for each color except Gingerbread, which was 3.  I applied the crystal while the polish was still wet and then topcotaed all of my nails with OPI RapiDry.

 Sometimes simple is nice right?

Happy Friday to you all!  I hope you have a fantabulous weekend :)

Until next time!

Stef <3

I'm Back!

Hello, dolls!

I'm back from my San Diego getaway and I'm feeling refreshed :)  It was exactly what I needed to reboot and get ready for summer camp craziness.  I did a couple of mani's while on vacation but I forgot my camera at home (silly me!).  They are available for viewing on my Instagram if you're curious tho ;)  So, today's mani comes from the "vault". It's also pre light-tent...

 Colors Used: Revlon - Bubblegum, OPI - Coronation, Sally Hansen - White On, Rimmel - Black Satin, Hard Candy - Black Tie Optional

It's been quite a while since I did this mani, but I do know that I lightly sponged Bubblegum and Black Satin over the white base on my middle finger.  Also, Coronation took 3 coats to get to opacity...

I think I put Hard Candy's matte topcoat on my ring finger?  Not too sure...

That's all for now!  Thankfully I have a few more mani's tucked away in the vault that I can pull out while I catch up on nail art/challenge stuff.  There shouldn't bee a blogging break (unless I get swamped at work haha).

Until next time!

Stef <3

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

I'm getting this post in just in the nick of time!  Hahaha hi there :)

I did this mani in a bit of a hurry but I'm really very pleased with how it turned out.  I literally got home from church, did my nails, took a 30 min cat-nap and then drove to a barbecue to celebrate my father in-law's birthday (which is today... which makes him the greatest leprechaun I know lol)...

A little bit of everything :D

 Colors Used: Revlon - Mon Cherry and Mad About Mango, Sally Hansen -  Mellow Yellow, Green With Envy, Golden-I and White On, Essie - Mojito Madness, Love & Beauty - Green Tea, Julep - Annie and Bette, OPI - Goldeneye

Please ignore the glass of beer behind the polishes.  I'm feeling... festive ;)

I am one happy lady :D

Yay for St Patty!!

So I'm filling in for my boss at the beginning of this week.  I will try to keep up with my posts but I'm not making any promises :P

Until next time!

Stef <3

Inspired: Chandelier Silhouette

Hello dolls!

I apologize for my short recess.  It's hard blogging on nights when I've come home from working followed by a 2 hour rehearsal.  Wednesdays and Thursdays are just long days for me.  And then last night I had a board meeting to attend... *sigh*.  There really is no rest for the wicked and I'm plenty wicked lol.  Well, today's mani is another that comes from my "inspiration folder"...

So this is what I worked off of.  I was just surfing Images on the web and decided to look at silhouettes.  This popped up and I instantly knew i wanted to do it!

 Colors Used: Revlon - Mango Madness, Rimmel - Black Satin

I love it so much I just can't handle it!!!

 I started with 2 coats of Mango Madness, a scented mango-creme polish that I absolutely love.  It's so bright and cheerful :)

I then free-handed the chandelier using a nail art brush.  A little time and a lot of patience...

 I had considered using a mint green/Tiffany's blue for my base color, but honestly... I'm so over boring, musted colors!  I'm ready for bold!  I'm ready for fun!  Lol

So, yea!  I hope you guys enjoy this mani as much as I do.  I'm kind of surprised at how well it turned out lol.

Until next time!

Stef <3

P.S. I want to say welcome to my new followers!  Thank you for taking interest in my little blip on the web, I appreciate you :)