The Digit-al Dozen Does Patterns on Patterns: Colorful Birds

Day 2 brings you multi-colored birds over a chevron. I was inspired by this photo here, but alas it didn't come out as planned. One thing being, I don't own a really good chevron stamp, say what!? I know! Cra-zy!

Used BarryM Cardamom as my base. Stamped the chevron using Konad White and VividLacquer VL 006. The birds are: BarryM Grapefruit, BarryM Mango, and BarryM Plum using MoYou Hipster 08. Topped off with HK Girl Top Coat.

Add a chevron plate and some better floral stamps to my list (any good ones I should know about?). I think if the birds were a bit bigger it would have helped. But I'm still learning this whole double stamping thing! :)

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

An InLinkz Link-up

The Digit-al Dozen Does Patterns on Patterns: Flowers over Dots

Welcome to another month and another week of The Digit-al Dozen!  This month's theme is Patterns on Patterns. There has been a lot of mumbling about what to create. You'd think it would be easy, but it was a bit interesting coming up with ideas. Can't wait to see what everyone does!

I thought I would show you how I created this mani. I use hair glue that I got from Sally's and put it around my nails. This stuff is amazing! It kind of stinks but it dries fairly quickly and comes off super easy! I used OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls as my base. I stamped using BarryM Waikiki, BarryM Chai, and BarryM Cancun to stamp with using Vivid Lacquer VL020.

I then stamped using BarryM Watermelon and MoYou Suki 01. I topped it off with HK Girl Top Coat. I love the way this turned out! Probably one of my favorites! I didn't want to take it off!

I decided to add Essie Matte About You and loved it even more! I think this is one of my most successful double stamping ever! Woot! Truth be told I did look over Katee's blog, A Girl and Her Polish, to know what colors I should stamp first, which would show up best over each other.

Look! Out image for this week is flower over dots too! :)

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

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 Countries and Cultures Week - Canada: True North Strong and Free

Day 4 of The Digit-al Dozen Does Countries and Cultures Week takes you northward to Canada! Being of dual citizenship (USA and Canada) I had to post about Canada! I moved to Southern Alberta when I was nine years old, I graduated high school there, and I have a ton of cousins there,(I really mean a ton, my dad is 1 of 12 kids!).

For my mani I chose to use Nail Nation 3000 Carpe Diem as my base. It's a slight holo white. I stamped using Konad White and Vivid Lacquer VL006. I then stamped a few maple leafs (duh, it's Canada!) using Sally Hansen Mochachino and Winstonia W119. I sealed the mani with HK Girl Top Coat.

I really liked this mani, it's simplicity is very beautiful to me; just like Canada! 

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

An InLinkz Link-up

The Nail Challenge Collaborative Presents Skittles: Pink and Grey!

I promise I haven't gone anywhere! It's just been a really weird week and I am playing catch-up in a major way! But today is my last post for the Nail Challenge Collaborative Skittle theme! I chose to do Pink and Grey! I really loved how these turned out, even if the pink seemed to change colors! :)

I promise you that the polish I used to stamp: BarryM Grapefruit is the same as the bottle shown! It just stamps a different color! Hahaha! :)

I used China Glaze Recycle as my base color on all my nails. I then used BarryM Grapefruit for all the nail art and stamping. Amy's Nail Boutique in Fuzzy Bunny Slippers is the amazing pink/grey glitter on my ring finger!

I stamped my thumb with MoYou Pro 04 and my pinkie with Vivid Lacquer VL006. I did some dots on my index and a taped stripe on my middle finger (tried to do a stamp that is similar, but because of the design of the stamp it wouldn't work!). I topped it all off with HK Girl Top Coat. Sorry about the bubbles, it's really hot right now and so I had my fan going. :(

Don't forget to check out the others and their final post for Skittles!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Digit-al Dozen Does Decades Week: 1990's Grunge

For the final day of The Digit-al Dozen Does Decades Week I bring you the 1990's Grunge movement!

"Grunge became commercially successful in the first half of the 1990s, due mainly to the release of Nirvana's Nevermind, Pearl Jam's Ten, Soundgarden's Badmotorfinger, Alice in Chains' Dirt, and Stone Temple Pilots' Core. [...] Clothing commonly worn by grunge musicians in Washington consisted of thrift store items and the typical outdoor clothing (most notably flannel shirts) of the region, as well as a generally unkempt appearance." -source

 

So, I had a totally different idea for this in my head but I suddenly had an inspiration and love the way it turned out! I started out with one coat of Essence Romeo. I did only one coat because I wanted it thin and haphazard. While Romeo was still a bit wet I did the Saran Wrap technique using Above the Curve Banana to a Party. Before this dried completely, I gouged out a few holes in the polish and added dents and bare patches to give the grungy look. I used Essence We Will Rock You to create the smokey finish. I stamped using Konad Special Black and Vivid Lacquer VL015. I used my Essence black nail art pen to create the numbers. I topped it off with Essie Matte About You.

I am totally in love with this mani! To me it is the 1990s!

Don't forget to check out the other ladies to see what decade they visited!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Nail Challenge Collaborative Presents: Skittles - China Glaze For Audrey Skittle

It's another month which means another Nail Challenge Collaborative theme! This is my second month doing this challenge and I love it! This month's theme is: Skittles! And today is probably one of my most classy manis ever! I think I finally have the skittle technique down! Woot! Check that off my list! :)

Look! It's so classy even the thumb got involved and decided to make an appearance! Bringing out the big guns here but with little nubs. Tried a Gel Polish Mani, didn't last that long (four days!) but it totally wrecked my nails. Now they are all bendy and scratched/cut up. So sad. But I am still loving this mani on the nubs!

I wanted to do a really classy mani so I immediately thought of China Glaze For Audrey and I knew I had to pair it with silver. 

Starting with my thumb: OPI Glitter Off, China Glaze For Audrey (two coats), and Essence Romeo.

Index: China Glaze for Audrey (two coats), BarryM Foil Effects Silver, Emily de Molly EDM04.

Middle: China Glaze For Audrey and clear rhinestone.

Ring: OPI Glitter Off, OPI Solitaire (two coats).

Pinkie: China Glaze For Audrey (two coats), BarryM Foil Effects Silver, Vivid Lacquer VL 020.

And of course all but my ring finger have HK Girl Top Coat!

I totally love this mani! And this was my first time keep jewels on my nails for longer than the picture! They lasted (at the time of me writing this post) 3 whole days! And two of those were work days too! Didn't think they'd last! :)

Don't forget to check out the others and their day 1 Skittles!

An InLinkz Link-up

Haul Time!

So, it's been awhile since I posted any type of haul post. So this post includes about 3+ months worth of hauls. Let's get to it, shall we?

I decided to see what was so great about Poshe (haven't tried it yet!), I've been using Barielle Ultra Speed Dry Manicure Extender and Barielle Fortifying Nail Builder for my Barielle review posts. I bought these two Barielles to give my reviews a full Barielle experience. And I really like them!

Three Matte Coats! Wet n Wild Matte Top Coat, Essie Matte About You, and OPI Matte Top Coat. This brings my matte top coats up to about 6 now! They are all different right? I've seen the posts! :)

So after I did my first Barielle review I feel in love with their formula and decided to buy four more. And here they are: Peanut Butter, Green Apple Chew, Solid As A Rock, and Go Lightly.

Some Sinful Colors that are suppose to be good for stamping! Haven't tried them yet. :) Pragmatic, Bananappeal, Mardi Gras, VIP.

More stamping polishes! Konad Princess Special Polish in Chocolate, Olive Green, and Light Grey. Light Grey looks more purple to me, so we shall see how it stamps!

Finger Paints Peacock Portrait, Rockin' Renaissance, and Rockin' Gunmetal

OPI: Russian Navy, My Vampire Is Buff (yep, finally got it!), You Don't Know Jacques -Matte, and Alpine Snow -Matte

China Glaze Papaya Punch (I needed more orange in my collection) and Ciate Chinchilla (got this from my Arizona Meet Up! It's grey!)

China Glaze FYI. Yep, I found this at my Beauty Supply Store, it was their last one. I got it for $3.75! Woot Woot!

My First NailNation 3000's! Glow Worm, Never Mint to Hurt You, Rumple Stiltskin, and Carpe Diem

Nail Art stuff! Art Club Nail Art Duos (Pen and Striper) in Holo Steel, White, and Black. Essence Nail Art Freestyle and Tip Painter in Mysterious Black and Silver Surfer. Essence French Manicure & Pedicure Pen and Essence Nail Art Tattoo Pen (bought two of these because they are so awesome for writing on nails!).

MoYou Kitty Collection 11

MoYou Pro Collection 04 (obviously been used, and not cleaned up too great! Whoops!)

MoYou Suki Collection 01 (too pretty to use!)

Sugar Bubbles SB 013 and SB 014. You can see the Taco Bell dog on the lower left of SB 013. And Stitch is on that plate too with owls! SB 014 has The Little Prince, Jareth, ET, Star Trek! Woot!

Plates that I bought from Messy Mansion! EDM03, EDM04, MM14, and MM19.

Vivid Lacquer Plates: VL020, VL018, and the Ninja Plate VL022 that I got for pre-ordering the other two!

Clinique Hi Sweetie. I got this with a bunch of other Clinique things when I bought $25 worth of product at Dillard's. Had to look up the name because it's not on the bottle.......had a good chuckle when I saw the name! Doctor Who reference! Love it!

So you all know that Bundle Monster came out with that Create Your Own set awhile back right? I waited for awhile, unsure (and broke!) about wanting it. But then saw you can buy their plates individually for $1.99 each! So in total I bought 7 plates, these four from that set and another three from the first two sets.

This was so much cheaper and I got the ones that I wanted and none of those weird ones that I would never use! But I can't sell my weird ones with sets I already have because I am the type of person who can't break up a set once I have it!

So that's my haul for the last little while. With my new job, I have a feeling there will be more haul posts! Polish and makeup! I have to remind myself to behave so I can at least get a paycheck and not spend it all there! :)

The Lazy Blogger's 31DC: Inspired by a Movie

Inspired by a movie.........I really struggled with this one. Hopefully Emma had better luck! :) My creativity all used up until I remembered these stamping plates. 

Any guesses on the movie? Anyone?

Ah yes, A Knight's Tale. Such a good movie! I love Heath Ledger! 

I chose Color Club Mamba as my base because the movie poster had a lot of red in it. I stamped the jousting knights in Konad Black from Vivid Lacquer VL020. And the the stars are from Winstonia W107. 

I did a gradient of silver and gold BarryM Foil Effects to show that you can change your stars! :)

Don't forget to check out Emma's awesome nails over at Manicurity!

The Digit-al Dozen Does Skittles Week and 33DC Day 12: Pattern Around your Home

Final day for The Digit-al Dozen Does Skittles Week. Sad, but I got to pair it with 33DC prompt of a pattern around your home. Well, I went with patterns around my home! I love this look! So many patterns! :)

I used OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls as the base and stamped with Konad Black and HK Girl Top Coat. The plates I used were: Konad S6 for the stripes (or mummy wrapping whatever!), Konad M83 for the Damask (probably my most used Konad plate), Vivid Lacquer VL 015 for the Plaid (this is a really big image so I kind of put the image off-centered on my nail), and Konad m63 for the Houndstooth.

Phew I made it through Skittles Week! I really need to practice them more because I'm not sure how skittle-ly they actually were! :) But oh well! It's done! Yippee!! :)

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

Don't forget to check out the others doing the 33DC challenge!