New Year's Eve Nail Art

I am in serious awe of the fact that it's the end of 2015. This year has absolutely flown by. It wasn't a terribly remarkable year but it was a good one, nonetheless. Who has a resolution for next year? I do! My resolution for 2016 is to be more organized which includes having a more organized blog posting schedule. There were several times this past year where I fell behind in posting and sometimes even doing my nails at all. Then I get sad. Well, next year will be better!

On to my new year's eve nails. I wanted something fun and festive, obviously, so glitter had to be a part of the design.

Fan Brush Nail Art

I think that one of the least used nail art tools I own is my fan brush. I only use it for a few types of designs but I really do love it. When recently reorganizing my nail art supplies I decided to do a quick and simple fan brush design.

Just a Quickie : Metallic Waterfall

Base Color : Julep Lizzy

Waterfall Colors : Julep Lacey(blue) & Butter London Wallis (metallic olive)

Colorful Fall Splatter

There's so much snow outside! Well, it's only about a foot or so but I LOVE IT! So many people around here hate the snow but I turn into a giddy child when it snows.This is the first snowfall (other than a couple of early morning flurries) of the season and it's a good one!

Moving on to the nails, I've been leaning more toward darker, warmer colors for this time of year but now and then I still want something colorful. That's the case with these nails. For this design, hubby actually chose the splatter technique for me. I picked out some colors and went to town.

Fall Stamping

The weather has been just amazing here in Michigan! It's been cool, some rain (my favorite) and even a flurry or two one morning at 4am! This is, by far, my favorite time of year. Naturally, my color schemes for nails and makeup change accordingly. Here and there I'll still have a yearning for something bright but mostly I lean toward deeper, richer colors.

Metallic Ruffian

This design is something I actually did a little while before Halloween. I wanted to squeeze in plenty of festive manicures, though, so I'll just put this up now. 

I wanted to do something simple and a little bit elegant. It took me a long time to find the appeal in a ruffian mani but now I love them. I think they are just stunning when done in just the right colors. This is one of those cases, in my opinion. 

Candy Corn Gradient

Happy Halloween! It's my favorite holiday of the year! I don't know exactly what it is about Halloween that I love so much. Maybe the amazing costumes? The spookiness? Who knows? Today's mani is inspired by probably the most iconic Halloween candy; candy corn!

Textured Nails with Spiderweb Accent

I can't do Halloween manicures without using some of my Halloween themed nail polishes, right? One of those polishes is China Glaze But of Corpse (don't we all just love those pun nail polish names?). I really love this one and decided to do a very very simple design with it.

Jack-o-lantern Cuties

One of my all-time favorite nail art designs that I've posted was my Halloween Ghosts design from last year. It was just adorable and I enjoyed wearing it so much. Today, I seriously considered recreating that design but chose, instead, to do something similar but with Jack-o-lanterns!

Just a Quickie: Halloween Polka Dots and Spiders

Colors Used: 

Cult Cosmetics Boneyard topped with Funky Fingers Frozen and Carbonite

Wet n Wild Black Creme

Fall Drag Marble

I've had the OPI Color Paints for a few weeks now but I still can't stop playing with them. There seem to be endless possibilities for these babies! Considering how well they water marble, I thought maybe they would drag marble just as well. And I was right!

Born Pretty Review

Review time! I actually did this review design quite some time ago; over a month ago, to be honest. But I was so focused on the 31 Day Challenge that I had forgotten about it. But better late than never, right?

*I received this product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Simple Fall Stripes

The weather, here in Michigan, has been delightfully Autumnal over the last few days. It's the type of weather that makes you want to curl up with a giant mug of coffee and a soft blanket. It's also put me in the mood for darker, bolder nail polish colors. I have several colors that make me think of Fall but when I sat down to do my nails, I knew exactly which color I wanted to use.

31DC2015 Days 30 & 31

Here we are at the end of the 31 day challenge. I fell behind a couple of times but I've got the final two designs done and I'm finishing on time. I fell behind yesterday because I was helping a friend move. I'm all caught up now and I'm both relieved and sad that the challenge is over. But only one year until I do it all over again! 

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.

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!

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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! :)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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?

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.

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.

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!

31 Day Challenge Time!

It's that time of year again! 31 day challenge time! I'm super excited about it this year because I'm in dire need of some inspiration and motivation. I've been slacking at my nail art and I'm a bit out of practice so, hopefully, this will give me the push that I need! 

So, starting on September 1st, I'll be, hopefully, posting a design a day!

Thanks to Sarah at Chalkboard Nails for motivating the nail art community and creating the super cute images!

Who else is taking part in the challenge this year?

Born Pretty Review

Born Pretty Store review time! I'm super excited about this product because it's something that can help cut the time in your nail art routine! Peel off barrier!

*I received this product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Born Pretty Review

It's review time! Today I'm sharing another Born Pretty Store nail art product.

*I received this product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Subtle Sparkly Gradient

I'm just getting over being sick for the last few week and it was hell on my nails. I don't know if it was the medicine I was taking or what but my nails are a disaster. They got super brittle and started breaking and peeling like crazy. I've spent the last couple of days nurturing my little nubby nails and trying to get them back in shape.

Meanwhile, I have a mani to share that I actually did a couple of weeks ago and forgot about.

Just a Quickie: Glittery Neon Gradients

Why are neons so great? Super bright colors in normal light, outrageously bright colors in daylight, and fun glowy colors in black light!

Colors: Funky Fingers Highlighter, Like Clockwork, Atomic Poppy, and Aloha!

Glitters: China Glaze Fairy Dust and Sally Hansen Open Mica Night

Nude/Neon Gradient and Glitter

Lately, I've been gravitating toward neon polishes a lot. A LOT. When I found myself reaching for my neon stash once again, I gave pause. I almost talked myself out of using them but at the last minute decided on a compromise...with myself... I paired a neon color with a nude and a glitter for a mani that I ended up loving so much that I never wanted to stop wearing it!

Independence Day Nails

Happy Independence Day America!!! It's the 4th of July and, here in the U.S., that means birthday celebrations for our country! Drinking, cookouts, and (most people's favorite) FIREWORKS! Our city did their big fireworks show a little over a week ago but people have already been setting them off themselves and it isn't even dark outside yet! 

Naturally, I can't miss out on sharing some patriotic and sparkly nails!

Born Pretty Review

Time for another Born Pretty Store product review! Wahoo! :) This time around, I'm reviewing some fun nail vinyls!

*I received this product in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Neon & Holo Glitter

Everyone close to me knows that my favorite color is orange. I seriously have to fight the urge to not just ALWAYS have my nails painted orange. But haven't you ever gotten a new nail polish and it's just the only thing you want to reach for whenever you do your nails? That's how I am right now with ORLY Mayhem Mentality. I bought it because it's orange. But every time I look at it I love it more and more.

Blobbicure

So I used to call this technique "dry spotted" because I thought it had the effect of water spotting without the mess. But I've seen tons of other bloggers call it a blobbicure. Well, I think blobbicure is WAY more fun to say. And anytime you can take two words and make a fun new one that also perfectly sums up what you're doing, that's a win in my book!

Now for those of you who are unfamiliar with the technique, it's super simple. You drip blobs of nail polish onto freshly painted nails of another color. 

Just a Quickie: Rainbow Nails #LoveWINS

In celebration of the Supreme Court of the United States' historical ruling in favor of marriage equality today, I've whipped up a fun LGBT pride mani! 

Colors Used:

Art Club Red

Art Club Daytona

Wet n Wild D'oh!

Sinful Colors Happy Ending

OPI Blue My Mind

L'Oreal Wild and Free

Sally Hansen Hard to Get

Sally Hansen Black Heart

China Glaze Fairy Dust

Neon Gradient & Spots

Have you ever gone to the store for one thing and ended up getting far more than you planned? That happened to me today. I stopped by my local Ulta for something and they didn't have it. I ended up leaving with four new nail polishes, instead. Afterwards, I thought, "Well, I'm right by these other great stores; I may as well pop in for a bit." I did and bought stuff at both of the stores I stopped at. So, basically, instead of spending the $20 I planned to, I spent quite a bit more and didn't even get what I needed. 

So, anyway... I used two of my newly acquired polishes today and did some bright summery stuff!

Holo & Roses

For some reason, I really really wanted to do some floral nails. There was nothing that prompted it, it just needed to happen. After some thought, I decided to do something with roses. I still wasn't sure on the game plan but some sifting through my nail polish stash quickly solved that problem. After I picked out some colors, a design idea worked its way into my brain and, eventually, onto my fingertips!

Innova Nails

My husband has a lot of hobbies. A lot. He cycles between them all every several months but there's one that he's pretty much always into: disc golf. For those of you who don't know anything about the sport, it takes the basic principles of golf but you use frisbees instead of a ball and clubs. And instead of putting into a hole, you throw into a metal basket. I suck at it. It's a passion of his, though. Another passion he has is collecting discs. He's got a pretty large collection and he spends a lot of time buying, selling, and trading discs. I asked him what his favorite brand was and he said it was Innova Disc Golf. 

Every once in a while, I do nail art inspired by hubby's hobbies. In the past it's been fishing, hunting, and video games. Hubby has been asking for ages that I do some disc golf nail art so I thought it was about time. I used the Innova logo for inspiration.