The Nail Challenge Collaborative Does Dots: Happy New Year's Confetti! (Also my three year blogiversary!)

As this year ends I am glad to see it go. This year has been a real strange one with some ups and major downs. Here's to hoping 2015 is a better year for us all!

This is Day 4 of The Nail Challenge Collaborative Does Dots and I have for you some New Year's Confetti! 

I really love how this mani turned out! Finally a waterfall mani that worked! Win! I used OPI My Vampire is Buff as my base and BarryM Foil Effects Silver and Avon Luxe Life for the confetti all topped with Poshe Top Coat.

Also today is my three year blogiversary! Three years, wow, seems longer than that! I'm so grateful for all of you, my Owlets! I have made so many friends in the polish community! I am grateful for all the support shown to me through the years! It's because of you that I still enjoy the ride! I'm hoping 2015 will be a better year for Geeky Owl. More consistent posts, better quality posts, more interaction with you the reader on here and Facebook, and more new content. 

So I have a survey for you to fill out if you can. I would love to see what you think about my blog. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Thank you again for a wonderful three years of nails, nail art, owls, and geekery goodness!

 

Don't forget to check out the other Day 4 Dot manis!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Nail Challenge Collaborative Does Dots: Abstract Frosty

Day three of dots for The Nail Art Collaborative and I bring you an Abstract Frosty the Snowman! The dots are, of course, the black glitter! :)

I used OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls as my base and Pop Culture Polish Formerly Frosty for my last two nails (trying to get only that many black glitters and one orange was a bit tough!). I used nail stickers by Fing'rs and Poshe Top Coat.

Don't forget to check out the other Day 3 Dot manis!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Nail Challenge Collaborative Does Dots: Peacock Plumage

Day 2 of The Nail Challenge Collaborative Does Dots! These are the "eye" of a peacock feather. Those are dots right? :) This is an older post from the vault. Le gasp! I had a mani in the vault! And by vault I mean this one mani from August that I hadn't posted yet. :)

I used Essence Romeo, China Glaze Budding Romance, and A England Dragon. I stamped using Emily de Molly EDM04

 Don't forget to check out the other Day 2 Dot Manis!

An InLinkz Link-up

Merry Christmas!

Just a quick post to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Hope everyone is safe and having fun no matter what you believe about this day!

I used BarryM Lychee as my base (two coats). I then sponged on BarryM Cocoa, BarryM Coconut, and BarryM Foil Effects in Gold. I stamped using BarryM Espresso and the amazing plate by MoYou Festive 17 (it's all Christmas carols!). I topped it all off with HK Girl Top Coat.

The Nail Challenge Collaborative Presents Dots: Holiday Dotticure!

I actually found time to get a few posts up for this week! This is for The Nail Challenge Collaborative theme for this month, which is: Dots! I brought to you some holiday dots!

I started off with two coats of Layla Softouch Effects 02 (Golden Touch). I then used Color Club Harp On It, A England Briar Rose, and A England Dragon. All topped off with NYC Quick Dry polish.

Funny thing is when I started to edit these photos I noticed a few others who have done similar holiday dots recently in the blogger-verse! :)

Don't forget to check out the other day 1 dots!

An InLinkz Link-up

Quick Note

Hey! I haven't disappeared, not entirely. :) It's the holidays and I work retail so I've been really busy. I don't know how you all do it, daily posts and full time jobs! I bow to you! :)

I'm hoping to take this next week to get some posts ready and to create a bunch to have in the vault to pull them out when I need them! (crosses my fingers that I can do this!)

Since it's almost the new year, anyone have any suggestions they'd like to see on this blog or to see more? I am totally up to all ideas (whether I can pull them off is another thing entirely!) 

So please! Let me know! And sit back and enjoy the holidays and be safe!

See you all soon!

Love ya!

Geeky Owl

The Digit-al Dozen Does Winter Wonderland: An Attempt (err fail) of Vintage "Ornaments"

Keep walking, nothing to see here, nothing at all...........

Today is the final day of The Digit-al Dozen Does Winter Wonderland and I bring you my wonderland fail! These, these are suppose to be ornaments. >_< I was inspired by this photo. (See? Can't you totally tell!? Pfft!) I really love the look of that photo so I wanted to re-create it using more vintage deeper colors. Ah......nope. I need a smaller brush and bigger nail beds and longer nails. Oh and freehand artistic ability! Hahahahahaha! :)

So here's my epic fail of this week and the polishes that joined with me (I'm sorry polishes! I'll try and be nicer next time!): BarryM Lychee (two coats base), BarryM Caramel (dark lines), BarryM Chai, Mustard, Watermelon, and Crush ("ornaments"). Orly Mirrorball (an attempt to make glittery "ornaments"). Essie Shine of the Times (to fill in the empty space. Haven't used this polishes in ages!), and Poshe to top coat this work of "art".

 Please go check out the other ladies and their actual works of art for the final day of Winter Wonderland!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Digit-al Dozen Does Winter Wonderland: Blinged Out Snowflakes

Day four of The Digit-al Dozen does Winter Wonderland brings some blinged out snowflakes and icicles! I saw this image on pinterest by lauramerino12 and knew I had to do this! Her version is flawless! After completing mine I saw that FingerFood also did a version of these last year! I love being inspired by other nail artists, just wish I could do it more justice. :)

I used Milani White on the Spot (two coats) and stamped using BarryM Silver Foil Effects (also used for dots and icicles) and QA58 plate. Added some HK Girl Top Coat and some rhinestones.

Don't forget to check out the other ladies and their Winter Wonderland manis!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Digit-al Dozen Does Winter Wonderland: Wise Men Still Seek Him

Day three of Winter Wonderland brings us the Three Wise Men. And no, having this post on day three was not planned, didn't realize it until now! :)

I of course had to do this mani. I love the simplicity of it and it's a beautiful stamping plate by Messy Mansions (it was my first plate of hers!).

I used Barry M Espresso (two coats) as my base. This Barry M is a matte but I used HK Girl Top Coat to seal in the stamping. I stamped using Konad White and Messy Mansion MM01. I had to go over a few nail tips with some extra polish as I didn't exactly line it up perfectly. But hey! It looks like they are going up hill! :)

source

I really love this phrase. I don't often (have I ever? no idea) get religious on my blog. I believe everyone is free to worship how they want. I am a Christian and it plays a very important role in my life, as I hope everyone's beliefs do. I wish you all a safe and happy holiday of any type or even just December!

Just wanted to share this beautiful picture. Now on to some fun videos! I believe I've shown at least one of these before. But they are classics to me! Happy Holidays!

Don't forget to check out the other ladies and their Winter Wonderland manis!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Digit-al Dozen Does Winter Wonderland: Holiday Stripes or Daleks?

Another day of The Digit-al Dozen Does Winter Wonderland and today I have a tape mani in holiday colors or are they holiday Daleks? Hmmmmm.......

I was inspired to create these when I saw Bad Girl Nails do these in blue. I think they are perfect for the holidays!

I used Orly Mirrorball as my base (two colors). How amazing is this polish! I then used China Glaze Red-Y & Willing and Models Own Golden Green. I used Poshe to help hold the rhinestones in place!

Don't forget to check out the other ladies and their Winter Wonderland manis!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Digit-al Dozen Does Winter Wonderland: A Cozy Holo Gradient!

 

Hello my Owlets! Sorry for being MIA lately; I've had a few bad months. But doctor visit and some new meds and I hope things are going to be better! It's great to be back!

But guess what! It's a new month so that means a new Digit-al Dozen theme: Winter Wonderland! Today I have a cozy holo gradient with some subtle stamping on an accent nail. Is it super winter wonderland-y? I think so, it's like hot chocolate and pine trees. :)

Here is the gradient without the stamping. I used Color Club Cherubic (two coats) as my base on three of my nails and A England Dragon (two coats) on my accent nail. I then did gradients to add some depth and interest! :) I used Model City Polish Dipping Chocolate on my three nails with A England Saint George on my accent nail.

Aren't these holos amazing! I love them! This is the last mani I created for this week and my favorite! In fact I did both hands! Whoa! I hope it stays for a few days. :)

Ah! Close up! Here's to show both the stamping (Bundle Monster BM607 using Color Club Harp on It) and the flare, rainbow, gorgeousness of all the holo goodness! And of course I used HK Girl Top Coat to seal in the gorgeousness!

What do you think? Trying a few new things like photo size and shape and hand position. Yay? Nay?

 Don't forget to check out the other ladies and their Winter Wonderland manis!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Digit-al Dozen Does Thankfulness: Family

Day three of The Digit-al Dozen Does Thankfulness and today I am thankful for my family. Don't know if you can tell that this is suppose to be a tree. This is my family tree. My family is a close family, we all get along and like to be around each other, weird right? Without my family I know I wouldn't be the person I am today. They have taught me about like and helped me to know right from wrong and have the morals that I have. They are my roots in life. I know that I can always count on my family no matter what. 

I have represented all of my family in the tree. The two hearts (yes, that is what they are suppose to be) are my mother and father. My mother passed away in 2006, I miss her dearly but I know she is in a better place and is no longer in pain.

My index finger upper branch is my brother (three years older than me), his wife and their three kids. See how each are represented by a leaf.

The lower branch on my index finger is my other brother (five years older) and his wife.

My middle finger is my sister (seven years older) and her husband and five kids.

And lastly on my pinkie or baby finger and I am the baby in the family is my leaf.

Though my family isn't broken, but we aren't perfect but we are good, still good.

I used OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls as the base. The tree is OPI It's All San Andreas's Fault with the leaves Color Club Tribe and True and A England Dragon. The hearts are BarryM Blood Orange.

Don't forget to check out the others and their thankful manis!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Digit-al Dozen Does Thankfulness: Freedom

Day 2 and I am thankful for my freedom. It seems fitting to post about this on November 11, Veterans Day in the US (Remembrance Day in Canada and England and Armistice Day in France and New Zealand) (among other countries as well). It is a day we remember those who have fought for our freedom. It is also the day in which the"major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect" (source).

I am thankful for the freedoms I have; the freedom of religion, speech, agency and the power to choose. I am thankful for all the men and women who have fought to protect this freedom all over the world. I'm thankful for those who have given the greatest sacrifice for their country. It is by these noble men and women that we are free. 

I am thankful for the founding fathers of America and all that they stood for in order that we may have certain unalienable Rights.

The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription

---

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. (source).

 

I used Milani White on the Spot as my base. I stamped on my first two fingers using BarryM Blackberry and Winstonia W107. The quill and ink well (yes, that's what it is, it's not a boat!) is stamped using Konad Black and Vivid Lacquer VL018. I stamped using BarryM Blood Orange and Winstonia W107 for the other two nails. I used OPI My Pointe Exactly to age and and blur the images a bit. I then used Zoya Matte Velvet Top Coat to smooth it all out. It's not perfect, but either is our country. But I am glad and thankful to be a part of it.

 Don't forget to check out the other ladies and their day 2 manis!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Digit-al Dozen Does Thankfulness: My Health

It's another month and another Digit-al Dozen theme with this month about being thankful. This theme turned out to be tricky. Some things that you are thankful are hard to incorporate into nail art, so you try to be specific, but then it gets to be little things. Well this week I did some grand non-tangible things and a few fun things that I am thankful for.

Today though, I am thankful for my health. All of it. As much I suffer with depression and anxiety I am still thankful for it. Because without going through what I have gone through I wouldn't be the person I am today (and no, I'm not talking about the panic-ridden person in bed, though that too! Hahaha!). I know that my depression has made me an old soul. I've always been mature for my age but dealing with depression since junior high has caused me to grow up a bit faster in a way. Almost 20 years dealing with a disease that is now only really getting any time in the spotlight and being allowed to not carry so much stigma.

There will always be people who say: "you can change things if you wanted to" (really!? really?), "if you just went to church more and prayed more" (right, because this is a punishment?), and "snap out of it" (if only!). But I would honestly happily keep depression and anxiety over what some others have. We always think we have it the worst, but if everyone's problems where put in a pile and we got to see all of them, pretty sure we'd want our own back. It has made me who I am. I know myself more deeply than some others know their selves. Do I ever wish I didn't have it? Sure, but if this is my struggle, then I'm perfectly fine with it.

I have met (also read that as "met") some amazing people who share my plight. Some I can visit with daily in person, buoying one another up. Others through Facebook groups and blogs where we reach across continents and oceans and soothe each other by listening and understanding. 

So yes, I am thankful for my health because it has made me a stronger person. I've been so far down and have come back that I know things can only get better. I thankful also for those who have offered me their hand as I have walked through the darkness, offering aid and support. With you there by my side (both physically and through words) I would not be here today. Thank you.

To show my thankfulness I chose to do the awareness ribbon. I used Barielle Autumn in Seoul as my base. I stamped using A England Dragon (I slay my own personal dragons each day!) and Bundle Monster BM321. I added Essie Matte About You to get it that hazy look of the fog that we wander through daily.

Here it is before the matte top coat. So shinny and happy. Which, under that fog of depression and anxiety there is happiness, even if for a moment.

        

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 source

Don't forget to check out the other ladies and their thankful manis!

An InLinkz Link-up

Empties: Skin Care and a Bit of Polish

Ok, so I finally finished editing the remaining video. Phew! It's a tad bit longer than the other one, but I had a ton of empties! I'll try and do this more often so they are shorter and so that I'm not such a big dweeb in them! >_< If you even like these types of videos.

Enjoy! If you watch all of it. Near the end I talk about a product that just might take away my blogging card. *holds head in shame*

Barielle Fall 2014: Jetsetter Review

Have a new collection from Barielle to show you today, this is the Jetsetter Collection and it is gorgeous! This collection "embraces the cool, crisp tones of this perfect time of year. The rich hues of the color palette let your fingers travel to many exciting spots and capture the essence of this wonderful time of year" (Barielle press release).

Kiss Me Kate: "a creamy beige/pink". This is a gorgeous polish. I love it! It's perfect for me and creates mannequin hands! This is one fabulous coat! Perfection!

Autumn in Seoul: "a deep, copper shimmer". Oooh! This is such a warm cozy perfect brown polish that screams fall! It is beautiful! It is a bit streaky and needed two coats to be completely opaque. I can't wait to use this this season!

Irish Eyes: "a creamy, moss green". What a stunner! I have a lot of greens in my collection but I really love this color! This is one coat! The formula was perfect! Such a calming color!

Rain in Spain: "a creamy, light periwinkle". This is a beautiful color, a bright crisp color. It is a bit more purple in real life. The formula on this one was a bit thicker than the others, this is one coat, but you can see the different thicknesses on my nails as it didn't really level out for me. I'm sure two coats would make it better.

Gondola Ride: "a creamy, sage green". A celery green! Yay! I love it! but this color was kind of sheer, this is three coats. But it's worth it, so pretty!

Midnight in Paris: "a creamy, midnight blue/purple". Rarely do blues really speak to me, but this one is stunning! I did a little gasp as I wore this. It's so deep and mysterious and beautiful! This is two coats.

I created a dotticure using the Jetsetter Collection. I really love how dotticures allow you to use so many colors. And all these colors are beautiful together! I really like this collection. I had a few issues with some of the formulas but none too bad as to never use again. Barielle, you've done it again! Fabulous job!

All of Barielle polishes contain no formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl-phthalate, camphor, or formaldehyde-resin. They are 0.45 fl oz (13.3ml) and are suggested retail at $8.00. You can find them at Barielle.com

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So which of these were your favorite?