PolisHaus Spectrum Snowflakes...

Hi! Today I would like to show you some quick nail art that I created while swatching the PolisHaus lacquers last night. I really couldn't resist adding snowflakes over this periwinkle blue beauty. The combination of the two really put me into the winter mood. Might as well get into the mood since it has been really cold lately and the weatherman is threatening snow next week...

For this manicure I started out with a base of PolisHaus Spectrum. I stamped different snowflakes from Cheeky Jumbo plate L (aka K2) using Pure Ice Silver Mercedes. If you are looking for this plate on Amazon or the Cheeky website, it is listed as 'K2', however, on my actual plate it says 'L' which is why I'm not sure what to call it. Regardless of what you call it though, it is full of beautiful holiday themed images including a variety of snowflakes...

This stamping plate was given to me by a friend earlier this year and I've been waiting patiently to use these snowflakes! I can't wait to stamp some of the other holiday images from the plate!

Spectrum glows a beautiful blue in the dark so I can enjoy the manicure even at night! I think it looks a bit like snow in the dark and works so perfectly with the snowflakes...

What do you think of this manicure? Are you ready for winter?

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)

** PolisHaus lacquer provided to me for review by the manufacturer or their PR. **

** For more information please see the disclosure policy **

31DC2013 Day 5 - Blue

It is already day 5 of the 31 Day Nail Art Challenge. The theme for today is blue and I couldn't resit doing some nautical nails. This has been on my to do list for a while and like most things on that list, it is hard for me to find the time to do it. This challenge has been a great motivation so far to actually make time and attempt the ideas floating around in my head...

The base of this manicure is Zoya Sailor from the Cashmeres collection. With a name like Sailor, it just couldn't be more perfect as a base. I stamped the wheels from Cheeky plate CH49 using Maybelline Bold Gold. This is actually a full nail image, but I chose to use just sections of it in random areas of the nails. The ship is also from the CH49 plate and stamped using Essence Stamp Me! White. Using a small detail brush I painted the ship silver...

I'd love to know what you think of this manicure! Comment below :)

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)

** Polishes were provided to me for review by the manufacturer or their PR. **

** For more information please see the disclosure policy **

JulieG Frosted Flames...

Okay, I admit it. This isn't my first flames manicure, but I'm also sure it won't be my last. Maybe I'm a bit of a pyromaniac at heart when it comes to my nail art. At least it doesn't actually burn! When I get a hold of reds and oranges, my mind instantly goes to flames and sunsets. I guess we know which way it went this time...

For this manicure, I started out by creating a gradient of Tangerine Dream, Sugar Rush and Hot Cinnamon from the JulieG Frosted Gum Drops collection. I stamped the flames from Cheeky plate CH52 using Essence Stamp Me! Black...

A few photos of the gradient itself before stamping...

This may be my favorite flames mani yet... can you feel the heat?

I'd love to know what you think!

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)

Polish Days: To Boldly Go...

Ack! Polish Days caught me completely off guard this month. If it wasn't for the reminder email last night I would have forgotten completely. I just have to say that Polly Polish does an incredible job organizing this challenge every month and even sends out reminder emails which are a huge help for forgetful ones like myself, so if you are interested in joining the fun, don't hesitate!

The theme for this month is "To Boldly Go..." which automatically makes me think of a galaxy manicure. I've done a few before and have always enjoyed them, but this is my first textured galaxy...

As I mentioned, this was a last minute manicure in the middle of the night, but lucky for me I had just swatched Nicole by OPI A-Nice Treat which made the perfect base for starting the manicure. As you can see from the bottle in the photo above, it kind of looks like a galaxy in a bottle all by itself. I'll show swatches soon...

To create the galaxy effect I used a few Nicole by OPI shades including Be Ama-zing! (teal), Back in My Gloria Days... (purple duochrome), Light, Kim-era, Action! (appears green over black). I stamped with Pure Ice Silver Mercedes, using Cheeky plates CH45 and CH32. I have been looking for an excuse to use these little monster/aliens because they are so freaking adorable and finally got my chance...

For the white stars I sponged on a little bit of InDecisive Speckled White. I will show swatches of this sweet indie polish soon, but it was the perfect addition of stars. I always felt that I ruined my first galaxy attempt by making the white dot stars too big so this teeny white glitter was just perfection for a galaxy manicure...

I would love to know what you think of this manicure! Have you tried a galaxy manicure before?

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)

** Polishes were provided to me for review by the manufacturer or their PR. **

** For more information please see the disclosure policy **

Shimmer Karen Nail Art and Swatches...

I have a some funky nail art to show you today, featuring the lovely Shimmer Karen glitter. There is just something about taking a sweet pink/lavender glitter and going a bit wild with it. What better way to go wild than by creating a pink glittery zebra mixed mani?...

Index and middle fingers: Two coats of Shimmer Karen over China Glaze Astro-Hot base, stamped with Cheeky CH2 and Essence Stampy Black.
Ring finger: Karen brushed gradient over Wet 'n Wild Black Creme
Thumb and pinkie fingers: Two coats of Karen over Black Creme...

I never realized just how much this particular zebra pattern looks like a rib cage, but now it is all I see when I look a it. Wouldn't it be fun for a skeleton mani on halloween? Hmm...

Shimmer Karen is a mix of pink, lavender, silver and holographic glitter in various sizes. I chose to layer it over the metallic holo China Glaze Astro-Hot. The polish applies easily and gives a good serving of glitter with each brush stroke. I used two coats for extra sparkle, but it looks great at just one coat as well. Swatches are with a top coat...

Lots of glittery goodness...

Swatch Details
	Brand: Shimmer Collection: core Color Name/Number: Karen Number of coats: 2 (layered over China Glaze Astro-Hot) Top Coat: Yes Free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)

Thanks for looking and commenting!
Anutka :)

** Polishes were provided to me for review by the manufacturer or their PR. **

** For more information please see the disclosure policy **

World Autism Awareness Day!

Today is Wold Autism Awareness Day with the Light it Up Blue campaign to raise awareness. Although I meant to post this earlier in the day, hopefully it better late than never. I would like to show you how I lit up my nails blue in support of the great cause...

The base of the manicure is the China Glaze Holographic Sci-Fly By. I will have swatches of it alone to share soon. Right now I'm working on swatching the rest of the collection. I stamped the puzzle pieces using Cheeky Jumbo plate A and the puzzle heart using Bundle Monster plate BM-321. The stamping was done using OPI I Saw...U Saw...We Saw...Warsaw...

Find out more about World Autism Awarness Day on their Facebook page and light up your world blue...

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)

** Polishes were provided to me for review by the manufacturer or their PR. **

** For more information please see the disclosure policy **

2013 Year of the Snake...

Yesterday marked the beginning of the year of the Snake according to the Chinese calendar. This year the snake's element is water and it's color is black. I wanted to feature both of these characteristics in my manicure. For the water element I used water decals as accents and the snake itself of course had to be black...

I wish everyone a wonderful and prosperous Year of the Snake!

For all except the accent nail, I started out with a base of Sinful Colors Black on Black and stamped using OPI Just Spotted the Lizard and Cheeky Jumbo plate D. I then added water decals from the BornPrettyStore.com. For the ring finger I used the base of Just Spotted the Lizard and stamped the Snake using Essence Stamp Me! Black and Mash plate Mash-50...

My mom made this little snake out of polymer clay to celebrate the New Year. The snake is actually contoured to fit on a rock where he will be spending his free time in between photo shoots. Isn't he adorable?..

The nail decals from the BornPrettyStore.com come in one large sheet and feature six different themes. The decals are silver with a transparent background...

The decals are very easy to apply, simply:

1. Apply base color and allow it to dry.
2. Cut out decals that you wish to use and remove the protective plastic film. 
3. Soak the decal in water for 10-20 seconds
4. Gently slide the decal from the paper backing onto the nail. You can move the decal around a bit on the nail to position it as long as it is still wet
5. Pat the nail with a paper towel to dry
6. Apply top coat and you are done!

The decals do come with instructions which are great for a chuckle...
Influenza A?!? Should I be thankful I got my flu shot before using these?

Feel free to use the coupon code AG5J61 for a 10% off discount on any purchases at the BornPrettyStore.com...

Thanks for looking and commenting!
Anutka :)

** Products were provided to me for review by the manufacturer or their PR. **

** For more information please see the disclosure policy **

Quality time!

I work a crazy schedule and don't often get to spend time with my cousin outside of family functions and friend gatherings. It was a real treat to get to spend some quality time, just the two of us on Tuesday. It also gave me the opportunity to finally give her the manicure I've been promising for way too long. She has been showing it off to everyone, so I thought I would show it off to you...

For the base polish we used Nicole by OPI Candid Cameron, which she had seen in my recent swatches and really liked. I think the teal looks gorgeous on her, so it was a perfect fit. To compliment the gold shimmer in Candid Cameron, we chose a gold stamping color of Essence A Piece of Forever. The stamping pattern is one she picked out and it is on the Cheeky Jumbo plate B.

We got really lucky and the sun came out just as we were done with the manicure so we snuck out and braved the cold for some photos...

She even humored me with a little photo shoot! :)

Coincidentally (or maybe not), I like this color combo so much that both of these polishes made an appearance in my peacock manicure from yesterday ;)

I had a wonderful time spending time with my cousin and I hope you enjoy seeing our manicure collaboration.

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)

** Nicole by OPI polish was provided to me for review by the manufacturer or their PR. **

** For more information please see the disclosure policy **