The Digit-al Dozen Does Childhood: Lisa Frank

Welcome to another month and another week of The Digit-al Dozen!

First off: I'm sorry I have been MIA for the last month. It's been one of those months where I just couldn't really function properly, you know? But I hope to back more often (more than just DD week!) this month! I have a review of some polish, some makeup, NCC theme, and I want to talk about my skincare regime that I hinted at a few months back. Phew! I hope to get to it all! 

It's great to be back! Now onto our regularly scheduled program (because DD week is the only consistent thing about my blog! Hahahaha!)

I am a child of the 80's. Born in 1981, I lived through all the craziness that was the 80's. The slouch socks, the bangle bracelets (the band The Bangles, Walk Like an Egyptian anyone?), the Garbage Pail Kids, the best Saturday morning cartoons and after school specials. Yep, the 80's were awesome!

Nothing screams 80's more than any Lisa Frank design! 

via

This image was my inspiration for today's mani. Totally 80's right? Like, totally!

I started off with a base color of Layla Softouch Effects 04 (Neon Pink) on my first two fingers and OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls on the other two. I blobbed and squished colors: Layla Softouch Effects 04 (Neon Pink), Layla Softouch Effects 09 (Aqua Zen), Milani Totally 80s (how appropriate! didn't pay attention to the name until now!), China Glaze Papaya Punch, and China Glaze Gothic Lolita. I then stamped using Cheeky CH-11 (index finger) and Bundle Monster BM-613 (middle finger) and Konad Black (used for all nails). I colored parts of the cheetah's face using MBSW and Totally 80s. On the other two nails I stamped using Konad Q1 (remember when this was THE plate everyone wanted!). I filled in the spots using the plethora of polishes listed above. Topped it all off with HK Girl Top Coat.

So, like, what do you think? Isn't is like so fetch and awesome!? Like if you don't love it, well, gag me with a spoon because that's bogus. (You're welcome).

Don't forget to check out the other ladies and their trips down memory lane!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Nail Challenge Collaborative Presents: Animals - Going to the Zoo to see Seals

Oh thank goodness, it's the last day of this animal theme and these decals! I had such a good idea, use a song from my childhood and create it in mani form. Who knew that this song would create nightmares! This here is a seal. Yep. That red thing? Oh it's a beach ball, can't you tell? Ya, me either, that's why I pointed it out. >_<

Hey, at least it sort of looks like a seal. Right? I mean, it's grey so that's something! :)

We're goin' to the zoo, zoo, zoo
How about you, you, you?
You can come too, too, too
We're goin' to the zoo, zoo, zoo

Well, the seals in the pool all honk-honk-honkin'
They're catchin' the fish and honk-honk-honkin'
The little tiny seals all honk-honk-honkin'
And we can stay all day

We're goin' to the zoo, zoo, zoo
How about you, you, you?
You can come too, too, too
We're goin' to the zoo, zoo, zoo

Read more: Peter, Paul & Mary - Going To The Zoo Lyrics | MetroLyrics

There are more versus to the song, but thankfully this theme is only four days long. Shucky darn. I know, I know, you all wanted me to continue with the demons animals. Don't worry, there's always all the other times when I attempt nail art to look forward too! Yay! I wonder if anyone is actually reading these four posts and realize just how much I've lost it. I think it's the polish fumes or maybe the monkey and the bear have really made me insane!

I used Layla Softouch Effects in 09 and 10 (10 is the sparkly one!). Wet N Wild Black Creme for the spider eyes dots and background of the beach ball with BarryM Blood Orange (appropriate) for the rest of the ball. Seal monster is part of those darn acrylic decals I made over a week ago.

This is the seal I had in mind when creating this mani:

Don't forget to check out the other Day 4 manis that are better than this one! Hahahahaha! ;)

An InLinkz Link-up

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

Untried Polish Challenge: In Season AND The Digit-al Dozen Does Tape Manis

Day 3 of The Digit-al Dozen Does Tape Manis in which my tape mani kind of looks like a slide or even a high heel. Huh. And today is also In Season for the Untried Polish Challenge. I don't have many brights or neons so I was happy when Birchbox sent me one and even more happy when I had a color for the In Season part of the challenge!

Here is Color Club Reign in Spain. A bright coral. Looks more orange here, but now I understand the problem of photographing neons! They hate cameras! This is one coat.

I then used this weird nail guide sticker, like an arch or something, who knows. But I do know it looks like a slide or high heel. I painted over the guide with Layla Softouch 09, Aqua Zen (another untried). I then used my dotting tool and Milani White on the Spot to add a bit more something to the design. I topped it all off with HK Girl Top Coat.

And don't forget to check out the other ladies and their tape manis!

The Digit-al Dozen Does Animal Week - Jackalope

Day 4 of The Digit-al Dozen Does Animal Week. And today we have the fearsome creature, the Jackalope! A cross between a jackrabbit and an antelope. And today I used all texture/specialty finishes polishes!

Ok, as you can see, texture polishes aren't the easiest to work with. For my grass I used OPI Here Today Aragon Tomorrow Suede (two coats), the sky is Milani Texture in Aqua Splash. The Jackalope itself is ManGlaze Santorum with antlers of Layla Softouch 11 Mudhattan. His ears and nose is OPI La Paz-itively Hot Matte. His eyes and tail are OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls and China Glaze Concrete Catwalk.

So where this isn't my best nail art, it was still fun to try and create using only (almost only: eyes and tail) textures and specialty finishes!

Here it is with a coat of HK Girl Top Coat. Look at all the sparkles that show up in OPI Here Today Aragon Tomorrow and ManGlaze Santorum! Pretty!

Don't forget to check out the other ladies and their animal nails!

Dang it! I've Been Bad...Another Haul!

Yep, I've been bad. Please Santa still bring me gifts, ok? Because I've only been bad about buying more polish! >_<

First up is Sation Stirring Silver and Sephora by OPI I'm So Sari! Bought both of these at Marshalls! Yep, you heard that right. :)

Next we have Milani White On The Spot and Layla Softouch Effects on Mudhattan (11).

Next we have some Indies. Lacquistry Winterberry and Pop Culture Polish Formerly Frosty.

The backs of Lacquistry Winterberry and Pop Culture Polish Formerly Frosty.

A few more Indies: Hit Polish Antique Rose, Patina, and Soldier Boy.

The backs of Hit Polish Antique Rose, Patina, and Soldier Boy.

What's this more Indies? This time it is Rainbow Polish Taffy and Scarab Beetle.

The backs of Rainbow Polish Taffy and Scarab Beetle.

And finally a new Vivid Lacquer plate. This is VL 006.

So excited for my new goodies! Have you been bad this month? :)

The Digit-al Dozen Does Festiveness: The Three Wise Men

Today's mani is one of my favorites I have ever done. This is not my original idea. I copied this mani from Messy Mansion (click link to be sent to stamping plate site which also shows the photo). I first saw this picture on Facebook and my jaw dropped. I then ordered the plate and knew I had to re-create this for this week! There was just something magical in the way she designed the mani and I knew I had to do this stamp justice!

I began with two coats of Flormar U08. Gorgeous duochrome.

Here's a bit more of the duochrome shown.

I then sponged on Layla Softouch 02 Golden Touch and applied China Glaze Techno for stars.

I then stamped using Konad Black and Messy Mansion MM01. I then applied HK Girl Top Coat. I just love how this turned out. I just wish that the star was a bit bigger. I had to stamp the land and then the star because my nail and gold was too short. But I still love it! It's super shiny and just lovely.

Please check out Messy Mansion at her store or Facebook (Facebook link is to her photo of this and what she used). It is such a great plate! I can't wait to create another mani using this image!

I love the Three Wise Men. Growing up we used to watch the Claymation Christmas Special and "We Three Kings" was always one of our favorites and to this day we still sing this song like this:

Also love this rendition of the song by Straight No Chaser:

Don't forget to check out the other ladies and their festive manis! :)

The Digit-al Dozen Does Festiveness: Rudolph Accent Nail

Today I decided to bring you an easy fun accent nail of Rudolph! I was really happy how these turned out!

I started with three coats of Layla Softouch Effects 02 Golden Touch. Can I just say again how much I love the Softouch collection! Great formula and great durability! I did three coats and you can still see a bit of visible nail line in some lights. But I thought this was a great base as it is very holiday and magical! :) Oh and I am not a big gold person either and I love this!

I then used Layla Softouch Effects 11 Mudhattan (yep I bought this one especially for this mani!) for Rudolph's face. I used OPI Warm & Fozzie for his antlers, China Glaze Ruby Slippers for his nose, Pure Ice Platinum Magic Base Coat and Finger Paints Black Expressionism for his eyes.

Here is a different angle to show the texture of Mudhattan for Rudolph's face. It's sort of leathery! Can't wait to try this polish as a full mani!

A macro of Rudolph. I love OPI Warm & Fozzie for the antlers. I wanted something magical for them and have this polish with the two colors is great! Very shimmery! I think he turned out so cute!

I got my inspiration and help from this great tutorial over at Polish and Pearls (please click the link to see the video!).

Don't forget to check out the other ladies and their festive manis! :)

Yikes! Another Haul!

So I've been bad! Yep, I've bought more polish! >_< Well, enough of this! Onto the pictures! :)

First up the Layla polishes I was telling you about! On the left we have 03 Stone and on the right (the one I went back to the store to buy and had to restrain to only one) 02 Golden Touch. These polishes are amazing!

Some holiday polishes! Orly Halo, Finger Paints Sparkle and Snowflake, and Salon Perfect Glam Glitter.

Some Indies! Glimmer by Erica Ho Ho Ho and Sonoma Nail Art Powlish (had to get this one right!?)

The backs of Glimmer by Erica Ho Ho Ho and Sonoma Nail Art Powlish.

I found these on a blog sale! The Essence Urban Message Collection! :) Wall of Fame, Nightline, Skyscraper (the reason for the purchase!), It Peace, and Street Styler. I'm so excited for these polishes!

Some amazing stamping plates from Messy Mansion. Ships from Australia but very quickly! And s/h isn't bad! :) This is A48 and MM01.

My two OttLites! Michael's had these on sale on Black Friday. The little guy was only 7.99 as opposed to 24.99! And the big guy was 19.99 as opposed to 59.99! Woot!

 

I'm hoping this means I don't just have to do my nails in the morning to get the good light! It makes it a bit stressful and then when it is cloudy...grr!  I did use these in my Layla post the other day. :) All the polish photos for this haul was taken with the big guy there. I can see that I need to use my little one as well to get rid of the shadows.

I still need practice with these but are there any pointers for those who do use them?

Layla Softouch Effects 03 Stone

So I went shopping on Black Friday and stumbled across a Layla Softouch Effects display and fell in love! I immediately grabbed 03 Stone. It's like a purple with grey tones. And it is amazing! I love this polish! This is two coats and it is amazing! It dries matte almost suede-like! I love this finish!

 

It really is more purple in real like but not a too much more purple! Huh, does that make sense?

Here you can see the purple more in the shade. I wore no basecoat and no top coat like the display said. The formula was wonderful! I need all these polishes!

Crazy macro to show the texture of this polish. Gorgeous! Oh and ugh! No one's finger looks great on macro. Geesh! :)

Ok, now check this out. This is after 2 1/2 days of wear! Look! Just a tiny bit of tip wear! And this is after working on truck (unloading and opening boxes and putting out product). Truck normally wrecks havoc on my suede and matte polishes! But this one! Wow!

See! Wow. I believe! :)

Have you tried any of these polishes yet?

Oh and how do you like my new lighting? I'm still trying to get use to my new lights. I got some great lights that were on sale during Black Friday. :)