I live in a menagerie...

...Well, not quite but it sure feels that way. I am cat-sitting for a friend for a couple of days. Her two kitties, my three kitties, and the puppy make for a fur-baby filled house! I love it, though. It is tough, though, to make sure that everyone gets the love and attention that they deserve. 

Anyway, this manicure started at one point and then went WAY in another direction. So, I was wearing this teal and dark gray striped shirt. It's one of my favorites. I just so happen to have two nail polishes that match it perfectly. I grabbed them and was going to do a striped mani to match the shirt. At the last second, I decided I wanted to match my nails to my work outfit for tomorrow which will be green. I really wanted to use the gray, though (Zoya Kelly) because it's probably my favorite gray nail polish in the whole world. So I perused my green polishes until I found the perfect match!

Some Overdue Water Marble

Yesterday, I wanted to do something that I hadn't done in a while. I sat and thought about it for a while and eventually decided on water marbling. It's one of those things that I love to do but usually, once I consider the mess, the time, and the 99.9% chance that I will screw up several times before I'm done, I decide against it. Well, this time, I had some spare time on my hands and I was feeling patient so I went for it!

I was heading to a party so I chose the colors based on my outfit for the night; black and white to match my top and blue to match my jeans! I've always loved the combination of black and white with a pop of color.

Pink, Sparkles, and a Fan Brush

Call me lazy, but most of the time, I just want nail art that takes next to no time but looks really unique. Don't get me wrong; intricate free-handed designs and water marble and stuff are amazing! But hand me some plastic wrap or a dotting tool, and I'm usually a happy girl.

Such was the case with this design. I didn't want to spend much time on my nails but I still wanted something fun, flirty, and PINK!

Micro Bead Flowers

A while back, I bought one of the Sally Hansen I Heart Nail Art Kits. I got the bead kit that came with three tubes of micro beads; one tube of teal, one tube of pink, and one tube of multi-colored. I have had that kit for several months and never used it. I eyed them today and HAD to do something with them. Unfortunately, I was in the mood for something minimal. I came up with the perfect compromise, though!

Dry Spotted?

I think I've discovered a new technique for myself! Well, I was trying to figure out something quick I could do with my nails. I had just grabbed two of the new Funky Fingers Electric Neons (which are amazing!) and thought that they worked very well together. I tried something new and LOVE the end result...

Gradient Stamping

So, I did some awesome nail art a few days ago and I was so proud of it! And then... I lost the photos! :( Terribly upsetting. It was something new and I loved it so much. I'll recreate it soon and post it for all to see. 

Meanwhile, today it crossed my mind that I haven't done any stamping in a while. I decided to slap some stamped nail art onto my digits.

Happy belated Birthday USA

With my family being in town, things have been so hectic. Every day included some sort of activity so there's been zero time for blogging. :( Sadly, they left this morning. Now, it's time to settle back into a normal routine which includes NAILS!

Yesterday was Independence Day and we celebrated with a trip to the Detroit Zoo (and a picnic) and then a nice barbecue dinner. Holiday nails are some of my favorite designs so, albeit a day late, I have to post some pretty patriotic nails!