Tuesday, September 29, 2015

31DC2015 Day 29 - Inspired by the Supernatural

For today's prompt, instead of choosing a supernatural inspiration, I created a design based around the show Supernatural. Specifically, around my favorite character from the show, Castiel. Now, Cas is an angel and I think that qualifies as a supernatural being, so I still qualify, right? :) 

If you've never watched Supernatural and/or you aren't familiar with Castiel, this design will make no sense to you. Sorry.


Monday, September 28, 2015

31DC2015 Days 23-28 : Yikes!

I fell a little behind in the challenge. Six days behind. It wasn't for no reason though. Life got in the way and the challenge had to take a backseat. It's okay though, because you know what I did? I did a nail art marathon and knocked out all six designs! Wahoo! I may have rushed through some of the designs and they aren't my best work, I'll be honest. But some of them turned out great and I loved them. So, let's get into this because this is going to be a loooong post!

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

31DC2015 Day 22 - Inspired by a Song

I spent the week before the challenge started AND the duration of the challenge up to this point with the exact song inspiration I wanted to use in mind. Then, today, the time came to do my nails and I changed my mind. Who know why my brain works the way that it works. Anyway, I chose a new song. I picked Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple. This song popped into my head and I instantly thought of this tutorial by Sarah at Chalkboard Nails. I have tried this tutorial so many times and have never gotten it to work for me. I was determined to get it working this time around. 

Monday, September 21, 2015

31DC2015 Day 21 - Inspired by a Color

There's a vagueness about today's post. Inspired by a color could mean inspired by a random color you like or, as many bloggers interpret it, inspired by a specific nail polish color. That's what I did last year and that's where I went again this year.


Sunday, September 20, 2015

31DC2015 Day 20 - Water Marble

Because I can't stop playing with them and because I've wanted to try them out in a water marble anyway, I knew right when I got them that I wanted to use the OPI Color Paints for today's prompt. I've seen photos and videos of marbling done with them and they seemed like a dream so I had to know if it was as good as it looked. IT WAS!


31DC2015 Day 19 - Galaxies

I decided to go simple with today's Galaxies prompt for one reason. I always seem to get too carried away and use 1,000,000 polishes and sometimes my galaxy designs get muddy looking which causes me to have to start over. So I limited myself to a small number of polishes to simplify things for myself.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

31DC2015 Day 18 - Half Moons

I had a bad couple of nail days. Five total breaks, three of which were on my photographing hand. To fix it without losing a ton of length, I changed the shape up instead of cutting them down.

Anyway, for the half moon prompt I was going to do something with negative space. Then I realized that I did just that for the red nails prompt on day 1. So instead, I went with a simple gradient half moon.


Thursday, September 17, 2015

31DC2015 Day 17 - Glitter

I was super excited for today's prompt for two reasons. Number one, I LOVE GLITTER! Everyone knows that. Number two, I just got my hands on the OPI Color Paints collection and I wanted to play with it!


31DC2015 Day 16 - Geometric

I knew right away that I wanted to do something with circles for the geometric prompt. I have never been good at freehanding circles and I wanted to get some practice. So, when it came time, all I had to do was choose my colors.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

31DC2015 Day 15 - Delicate Print

Whenever I get to the delicate print prompt in the 31 Day Challenge, I automatically think of stamping. My mind instantly goes over all of the stamping plates that have pretty, delicate prints or patterns that would be perfect. This year was no different. And you know what? I have no problem stamping out a manicure for the challenge. I actually knew exactly which plate I was going to use, too, and it took me about two minutes to pick my polish colors.

Monday, September 14, 2015

31DC2015 Day 14 - Flowers

I played around with a lot of different types of flower designs for today's prompt. I've been yearning for fall inspired nail art as of late but flowers make me think of spring. So I went full on spring with this one! :)


Sunday, September 13, 2015

31DC2015 Day 13 - Animal Print

I wanted to stay away from the obvious animal prints we all think of instantly: leopard, zebra, etc. I searched for exotic animals and interesting coats/skins. I spent quite some time searching when it dawned on me; where do you find some of the most colorful, most unique looking animals? The ocean! So I searched for aquatic creatures and within minutes I found one I HAD to recreate for today's prompt.

31DC2015 Day 12 - Stripes

I had some difficulty coming up with something more creative than just striped nails for today's prompt. I do so love stripes, though. So I compromised. Simple stripes it is but using some pretty textured polish to shake it up a bit.


Saturday, September 12, 2015

31DC2015 Day 11 - Polka Dots

Today's prompt was polka dot nails. The obvious choice is to just do polka dots which I was tempted to do. I love all patterns, especially polka dots. But I talked myself out of it.



Thursday, September 10, 2015

31DC2015 Day 10 - Gradient Nails

I love gradient nail day. That's because I love gradients. I will be completely honest, gradients are ALWAYS the first thing I want to do when I sit down to do my nails. They're quick, easy, and they look amazing! 

I had originally planned on doing a complicated scaled gradient but I forgot. Ha ha! I completely forgot that it was my intention to do so and I didn't want to start over.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

31DC2015 Day 9 - Rainbow Nails

Very short post today because IT'S MY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TODAY! YAY! Anyway, today is rainbow nails and I went super quick and simple with it.


The base is Sally Hansen Celeb City. A light coat of Ulta Pinata-Yada was next. Then I dabbed some OPI Rainbow Connection near the cuticle to create a glitter gradient effect.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

31DC2015 Day 8 - Metallic Nails

It's day eight of the 31 day challenge and the prompt is metallic nails. Initially, I was going to play around with some foils but none of them called out to me so I went a different route.

Monday, September 7, 2015

31DC2015 Day 7 - Black & White Nails

Another quick post today simply because it's getting late. Black & white nails were the prompt today and I have to say I struggled with this one. The first three ideas I came up with were total flops. I got lucky with attempt number four, though!


Sunday, September 6, 2015

31DC2015 Day 6 - Violet Nails

Purple nails day! I always dread using purple nail polish. I love purple, don't get me wrong. I hate it solely because my camera CAN'T UNDERSTAND PURPLE! It's the most infuriating thing! I have to take four times as many photos of purple manicures than any other just to get a decent shot. Today was no exception. But I made it work. :)

31DC2015 Day 5 - Blue Nails

Just a quick post today. Today's prompt is blue nails. This design idea was a collaborative effort between me and hubby.

Friday, September 4, 2015

31DC2015 Day 4 - Green Nails

Time for green nails! Today's design is loosely based on another suggestion from my best friend, Heather. Kermit the Frog nails! This design was super quick and easy but so fun! I've always loved the Muppets. Animal is my favorite but who doesn't love Kermit?


Thursday, September 3, 2015

31DC2015 Day 3 - Yellow Nails

It's yellow nails day in our 31 day challenge! I've never looked forward to this prompt. I don't wear yellow. It doesn't suit me. It reflects off of my rather...light...skin and makes me look yellow. With nails, though, I usually don't care what color I wear. I use colors on my nails all the time that don't complement my skin tone. But I never really reach for yellow unless it's for a specific nail art design. But I guess that's what the 31 day challenge is meant to do. It takes you out of your comfort zone and gets you to try some new things.



Wednesday, September 2, 2015

31DC2015 Day 2 - Orange Nails

Orange is my favorite color! Yay orange! I asked my bestie, Heather, this morning what she thought I should do for today's prompt. She instantly said, "Creamsicles!" I thought it was a great idea! Summer may be winding down but it isn't gone yet! I knew right away what I wanted to do.


Tuesday, September 1, 2015

31DC2015 Day 1 - Red Nails

It's finally here! The 31 Day Challenge is officially upon us and I'm STOKED! I know a lot of people begrudgingly take part in the challenge but I love it. It is difficult at times but it IS called a challenge for a reason. I'm particularly enthusiastic this year because I've been in a bit of a slump and this is just the thing to perk me up!

I knew days ago exactly what I wanted to do for the day one prompt AND which nail polishes I wanted to use. I'm never this prepared!