The Digit-al Dozen Does Neon: The Neon Symbol

Hello Owlets! I'm sorry that I haven't been around. I took a break to try and get my groove back.

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That time off really helped me to focus on myself and what I want to accomplish with my blog. So the break helped me get my groove back!

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And I mean really helped. This week for The Digit-al Dozen we are doing neon. Neon! When this was decided upon I had let it slip that I didn't own any neons in my polish collection. 

I'll pause here for the collective gasp that also happened in the group. 

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get it, I'm weird. I just don't like neons. *Le gasp*

And now a whole week dedicated to neon. I shake my fist at those who chose it. I thought, well I could go buy some (I actually looked and I found one, ONE, neon hidden away in my collection) but I didn't want to buy them when I wouldn't use them again (wait, since when has that stopped any of us?).  :)

Well, that break helped me to get my thinking-out-of-the-box cap back on. So I present to you a week of neon without actually using any neon!  Boom baby!

Here is the symbol for Neon on the periodic table; granted I don't have all the info associated with the symbol, but come on, cut me some slack, my nails are only so big! ;)

I used Milani White on the Spot and black acrylic paint. Please excuse the bits of dryness. My skin is hating me at the moment.

It's a bit messy, but isn't chemistry messy? No? Oh well, I'm thinking beakers bubbling and pipettes and Bunsen burners......and I ran out of chemistry lingo. :) I took it in high school and bleh I hated it, for the most part. I remember we could have the periodic table with us for our tests and any notes that we wrote on there. My sheet was covered in microscopic writing in different colors that consisted of pretty much my entire class notes. :)

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

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The Digit-al Dozen Does Fandom Week: Fandoms Rule!

Final day for The Digit-al Dozen Does Fandom Week and today I bring you some fandoms that I wasn't able to do a full mani because I ran out of time. But many of the ladies did cover these fandoms this week!

For the Lord of the Ring finger (ah man, I so should have put this fandom on my ring finger! D'oh!) I used BarryM Foil Effects Gold and stamped using Konad Black and MoYou Geek 07,

Sherlock nail is Milani White on the Spot with Konad Black MoYou Geek 07. I colored in the face with acrylic paint.

My ring finger is an epic image of many fandoms, it is on the Bundle Monster BM-602 plate and is genius! I stamped using Konad Black onto BarryM Mustard.

And last but not least Harry Potter Deathly Hallows stamped using Konad Black and My Online Shop MJ Jr-31 onto BarryM Caramel.

So ends this amazing week! I had such a great time creating these manis I might even do some more down the road. :)

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

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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! 

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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!

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The Digit-al Dozen Does Fairytales: The Golden Key

Well, today is the final day of fairytale week, and though I am one who was really wanted this theme I can see that it has bit me in the butt. I am so glad it is done! But you all should really check out all the links on each day because we have some new ladies with us and everyone has done such a fabulous job!

Today's fairytale is The Golden Key which is part of Grimm's Fairy Tales. "A poor boy gathering wood with a sleigh wants to warm himself by a fire and finds a small golden key beneath the snow; then he finds a small iron box in the ground. The text ends with the statement that the reader now has to wait until he has unlocked it." -source

I liked that this tale leaves the reader hanging, questioning what happens next? It's simplistic in it's form and delivers the moral that what happens next is what you desire to do. You are the writer of your own story, you choose the path in which to take.

I used Milani White on the Spot (two coats), China Glaze Fairy Dust (duh, had to use this at least once this week!), BarryM Foil Effects in both gold and silver, and MoYou Kitty 11 (keyhole) and LO01 (key). Topped with HK Girl Topcoat.

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

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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!

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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

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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!

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The Digit-al Dozen Does the Terrific Twos - Things That Come in Pairs

Welcome to another month and that means another theme for The Digit-al Dozen! This month we are celebrating two years! Crazy huh! So our topic this month is dealing with things associated with the number two!

And today is: Things that Come in Pairs. So what did I choose? A mad man and a box!

I know, it's not the normal "pair" of things you would think but I just had to do it! :) 

I used Cult Nails Time Traveler (two coats) and Milani White on the Spot (two coats) as my base colors. I stamped using Cult Nails Time Traveler and My Online Shop's MJ JR-31. I of course had to use China Glaze Fairy Dust (not sure why this sudden hype for Fairy Dust. Are people just finding it? I've had mine for years, it's my go-to holo glitter). Sealed everything with Poshe Top Coat.  

But let me tell you, this mani took FOREVER to create! Looks simple right? Bah! My stamper did not want to work on this day. It took hours to get a decent image. And I'm not lying, I would attempt for a while and then sit out (else I would have thrown it all at the wall) and try again. Grrrr! But I do like how it turned out. Now if I can only figure out why my stamper/plate/polish was on strike that day. >_<

I know I've been MIA for the past month. Going through a really tough time right now. Many times almost calling it quits on everything. Just need to get through this next month (every year this is the worst month for me because of my seasonal affective disorder; and now I have to deal with the anxiety too. *joy*). I hope to keep on keeping on but we shall see. I was able to get this whole week done for the DD. I also have a review post and a guest post in the works. :)

Don't forget to enter our fantabulously amazing 2nd Anniversary Giveaway! 51 prizes!

Don't forget to check out the other ladies and what pairs they chose to create!

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The Digit-al Dozen Does Summer: The Sun is a Mass of Incandescent Gas

"The sun is a mass of incandescent gas, a gigantic nuclear furnace, where hydrogen is built into helium and a temperature of a millions of degrees." - They Might Be Giants, Why Does the Sun Shine?

Today is day two of The Digit-al Dozen Does Summer and I decided to create the sun! Yes! Me! I have created the sun!

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See? It's the sun! Complete with solar flares!

Here is how the sun looks before it was matte-i-fied! I started with two coats of OPI The Thrill of Brazil. I then used Wet n Wild to create the nothingness that is space (two coats). I added SpaRitual Invention to the OPI to give it some sizzle! I used the OPI to also create the solar flares with SpaRitual over top. I then dabbed some Barielle Fire Me Up over the red to warm it up some more and added some more SpaRitual Invention. I used Milani White on the Spot and Barielle Cream 'N Sugar to create the hot spots on the sun (also added some SpaRitual over them too. I used Poshe Top Coat to seal it all up.

I liked it but I knew something was missing.

Enter Essie Matte About You. Now I love it! The sun is perfect for summer! Especially in Arizona, bleh! Too hot!

I hope everyone has a little earworm now! Muwahahahaahaha! I love this song!

Don't forget to check out what the other ladies are doing for summer!

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Also check out this amazing group: Inspire Me Nails. This current challenge is Inspired by Weird and Wonderful Nature.

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The Digit-al Dozen Does Summer: Love Letters in the Sand

Welcome to another week of The Digit-al Dozen! This month's theme is Summer! And many of us are trying to be not so obvious with out manis (my get a little "different" later in the week).

But today's mani is a love letter written in the sand on a beach. D'awwww! I really like how this turned out. I used two coats of Contrary Polish Sand (duh, had to use that one right?) as my base. I splodged (look Debbie!) on some Milani White on the Spot for the sea foam. I sealed the Milani and Contrary Polish with Poshe top coat. I then used two coats of Zoya PixieDust Godiva as my sand. I let it dry a tiny bit then took a toothpick and wrote in the "sand"!

I totally love this and hope you did too! I hope it makes you think of summer!

Don't forget to check out what the other ladies have for you this summer! :)

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The Digit-al Dozen Does Countries and Cultures - France

Day 5 and final day of The Digit-al Dozen Does Countries and Cultures Week! Phew! Made it! Today I give you France! Vive la France! Don't know if I ever told you all this but I took a year of French (Québécois) in high school and then four classes (Parisian) in University! I am in no way fluent, I can read and understand more than I can speak. :) I'm really good at answering: "comment allez-vous?" "comme ci comme ça, et vous?" I had to create a whole children's book in french with illustrations; of course mine was about une chouette (ou un hibou)!

I created the French flag using China Glaze First Mate, Milani White on the Spot (also base for other two nails), and OPI The Thrill of Brazil. I created a park of the gardens of Versailles by stamping using Konad Olive Green and Konad S6. I went back over the stamped image with the same green to give it more of a hedge look.. I finished with the Eiffel Tower stamped in Konad Black and Winstonia W114. I added China Glaze Fairy Dust because Paris is the City of Light! All sealed with the glorious HK Girl Top Coat, c'est magnifique!

Au revoir mes amis!

Don't forget to check out where the other ladies take you today!

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The Digit-al Dozen Does Countries and Cultures Week - Scotland

Day 3 of The Digit-al Dozen Does Countries and Cultures Week and today I take you to the highlands of Scotland! Ach! If I could travel any where, Scotland is one place that I would love to visit! I always have, and I always will. (see what I did there? Oh I hope someone does!)

I created the Scottish Flag using Milani White on the Spot as my base (and the base for all the nails) and taped off the Saint Andrew's Cross and painted China Glaze First Mate. For my ring finger I created the national flower of Scotland, a thistle! I used KleanColor Metallic Purple and Metallic Green and Bundle Monster BM 313. For my pinkie I, of course, had to represent the national animal, a unicorn! How awesome is that! I stamped using Barry M Foil Effects Silver and  Winstonia W117. (had to make the unicorn sparkly, it's magical!). I used HK Girl Top Coat to seal the entire mani.

I hope my fellow Scottish readers will like what I did!

And because I can (the pipe band for my marching band in high school always played this song!):

Don't forget to check out where the other ladies take you today!

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The Digit-al Dozen Does Counties and Cultures Week - India's Festival of Colors

Welcome to another month and another week of The Digit-al Dozen! This week's theme is Countries and Cultures. A lot of us really struggled with this one. At first I wanted to do different celebrations from around the world, but I ran out of time and was only able to produce one mani about a festival. And that is today's mani!

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"Holi is a spring festival also known as the festival of colours or the festival of love. [...] participants play, chase and colour each other with dry powder and coloured water, with some carrying water guns and coloured water-filled balloons for their water fight. Anyone and everyone is fair game, friend or stranger, rich or poor, man or woman, children and elders.[...] The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair ruptured relationships" (source)

  

I really wanted to capture that thrown color look from the picture above. I started with Milani White on the Spot as my base. I only used one coat as I knew I would be covering it up! I then used five polishes to achieve this look. I used Q-tips to dab on the polish and sort of remove the color at the same time, does that make sense? It sort of diffused the colors. It's sort of like The Nailasaurus' Nimbus Tutorial but without the acetone! As for those five polishes, they are: Above the Curve Banana to a Party, and Barry M's Plum, Pomegranate, Grapefruit, and Guava. I absolutely love how this turned out! I topped it off with some HK Girl Top Coat. 

I stamped using Konad Black and MoYou Explorer 03. I absolutely love this plate, the henna-like images are so gorgeous! Slapped a bit of HK Girl Top Coat to seal the images.

And to finish it off I used Essie Matte About You to complete the look. I loved this mani, I really didn't want to take it off! I got a lot of compliments at work! :)

Don't forget to check out the other ladies as they take you around the world!

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The Nail Challenge Collaborative Presents Black & White: Yeah Science!

Fourth and final post for The Nail Challenge Collaborative presents Black & White! And today I bring you an amazing stamping plate from Messy Mansion! I lurve this plate! A lot! (shhh, pay no attention to the gouge on my index, you see nothing *waves hand across the screen*).

Totally think of Breaking Bad when I see this plate! :)

I used Milani White on the Spot as my base, stamped with Konad black and Messy Mansion MM25. Can I just stop and say how amazing Julia is from Messy Mansion. Fabulous customer service and fabulous plates! And she is now selling on Amazon! Woot woot!
On my fingers I have atoms, DNA, molecules, and bacteria. So awesome! Yeah science! Yeah Mr White!

Oh and shut the front door. I attempted a triple stamp on my thumb! Germs as a "french tip", the microscope, and then the vials! All sealed with Poshe top coat (and a bit of smearing, but it's all good!).

I really loved this mani and got asked quite often at work if they were stickers. Hahaha, nope! :)

Don't forget to check out the other day 4 posts!

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The Nail Challenge Collaborative Presents Black & White: Animals!

Day three of The Nail Challenge Collaborative's Black & White theme. And today we have some animals! Some super cute animals!

"What? You've never seen a black and white before?" -Mushu from Mulan.

I used Milani White on the Spot as my base. I stamped using Konad Black and Winstonia W115. I added the dotticure accent nail using Wet n' Wild Black Creme. I sealed it all with Poshe top coat.

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

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The Nail Challenge Collaborative Presents Black & Week: Flower

This is my second post for the Black and White theme for The Nail Challenge Collaborative and today I chose to do a simple flower (loosely based on Polished Elegance's Doodle Flower, she does it way better!). I haven't done that many free-hand flowers so I am still struggling to find my own take on it, to find my own skill/talent for it.

I used one coat of Milani White on the Spot. I used black acrylic paint to create the flower, then I used Art Club's Black to create the black lines. I used Poshe top coat to seal it all in and hold the rhinestone in place. 

I really love the way this turned out! So much so that's going to be hard to take it off to create the other two manis needed for this challenge! Is it me? Or do the plain striped nails look like abstract stormtroopers? Because that's totally what I see! :)

Don't forget to check out what the others did for their day 2 posts!

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