Merry Christmanicure

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

On the Eve of Christmas (ony one more sleep to go!!! I'm a little excited), I had this idea of a gradient manicure with presents.

Using OPI Alpine Snow as the base then applying a gradient affect with OPI Vodka & Caviar and OPI Jade Is The New Black.  I then used two Christmas themed images from plate MJVII (MJ7).

Wishing a Merry Christmas and a safe New Year to you, your families and friends.

Happy Celebrations.

xx Karen

Red Hot Leopard Spots

Hello Lovelies

The Mani you see today was inspired while I was waiting at the car wash.  Goes to show inspiration can come anywhere, anytime.  I saw a lady in car wash next to mine wearing red jeans and a grey singlet with leopard print with matching red spots.  I used this as an inspiration for an accent finger and I knew exactly which red to use too.

I used Zoya Rekha, on the accent nail I used China Glaze Pelican Grey and leopard print from image plate BM-221 from the second Bundle Monster series.

Hope you like it.  I'm constantly looking out for more nail art inspirations.

xx Karen

Nails, Shopping & New Hair-Do

Hi everyone.  So it's not a complete nail blog, but I'm sharing my week of retail & hair therapy.  I went into Zara on Saturday and I think I spent all my Christmas present money (and some more) a month early :P

I saw these red flats and fell absolutely in love with them.  That very night I put on OPI Red Lights Ahead... Where? I love the pair up.  I wear a lot of black and neutral colours and not very busy patterns, so I love having a statement item that just stands out.  And to pair it with my nails, I think is very chic.

Do you do this?  Do you match what you wear to your nails?

I also had a makeover this week.  I cut my hair! You're probably thinking, what's the big deal?? I've never had hair this short before, in fact I've never had short hair, full stop! I've always had long hair, so don't know what made me go the chop besides cutting off the yucky split ends. I feel I need to mention that I follow PlasmaSpeedo on YouTube and if you haven't seen her earlier videos she had mega long hair (right down to her butt) and chopped it short before entering the Navy.  I think she was my inspiration (even though my hair was not as long as hers) and was thinking of her when I was having my hair cut.  So now it's short and much healthier, and I'm getting used to it.

So drum roll... here is a pic of me with my short hair.

Thanks for sharing your day with me.

xx Karen

Movember Special #2

Hey There! Yep it's still Movember month.  I was reminiscing and thought what do I think about when I think of Mo's... men going to barber shops and this the barber shop pole.

Here is my rendition of the blue/red/white barber shop pole.

I used OPI Alpine Snow as the base.  Using image plate Bundle Monster BM20, I stamped with China Glaze Man Hunt and Zoya Rekha to make the stripes.  On my ring finger is the moustache image from MJ plate VIII.

I have to admit that the orinal Bundle Monster "full nail" images are just too small.  It took me quite a few attempts to get the lines going across my entire nail.  The image only covered one half of my nail, and is most evident on my middle finger.  But I enjoy stamping so was happy with the challenge.

Again if you want to find out more about Movember or make a donation for Men's health you can visit the movember website.

xxKaren

Nail (Polish) Mail! Zoya Ornate Collection

Hello!! I had completely forgotten that I had ordered this a little while a go, and when I opened up the package left on my desk I was very excited when I realised what was inside! (I love when this happens!)

So my Zoya Storm and Zoya Blaze arrived from the Ornate Collection, and they are BEAUTIFUL!!

Thanks to Scrangie, ThePolishAholic and ThePointlessCafe, for their excellent swatches on this collection, I fell head over heels in love with these two colours and I can't wait to get home tonight and do some swatches of my own.  oooo... what about a gradient with these two!?!?!

 I might have just squeeled...

 

On first inspection. Storm is a black base with magnificent rainbow effect glitter, almost looks holographic when i move the bottle around.  Blaze is a gorgeous deep plum red with amazing purple undertones.  The glitter iteslf has more of a purple bluish theme to it as well.

Zoya Storm (Left) & Zoya Blaze (Right) 

Do you sometimes forget you've ordered mail, or lost count of the orders you make then get a happy surprise delivery (even tho you've paid for it)?

And if you were wondering I'm wearing, OPI - Red Lights Ahead... Where?

Thanks for popping in and having a look.

Have a great day!!

xx Karen

  

Movember Special #1

It's November already and that can mean two things:

Christmas is only one month away; and

It's MOVEMBER!!

It's becoming more and more popular every year, MOVEMBER!! and why shouldn't it?? It's for a great cause and brings attention to mens health.  If you want to donate to this great cause head straight to the Australian Movember Website or find out more about what it's about and how it began.

I always have a couple of male friends who participate each year and these designs are in honour of you guys.  May your Mo's grow long and your donations be generous!

I started off with OPI's Did You 'Ear The One About Van Gogh?, then stamped over with Konad m65.  I dunno why, but this image kinda reminds me of a mans tie (?).

 Oops, I smudged it :P

I bought this image place MJ-VIII from this online shop.  And when I saw the mostache image, I knew I had to have this image plate!

Using Konad's Special polish in White and Black to complete the look.  And of course I finished with Seche Vite Top Coat.

Thanks for stopping by and having a look-see. 

xxKaren

Summer Challenge Day 55 - Surfin USA

I had real fun doing this one. 

I thought Surfin... I thought surfboards... I thought bikini's.  Right?

I will have to give credit to JulieG713 and her youtube video on Summer Bikini nails tutorial here for the bikini designs.  This is where I saw them and got the idea from.  I thought about adding a surfboard accent nail since the theme was 'surfin' in the USA.

Hope you like it :)

I used a lot of colours for this. The base are OPI Did You'Ear About Van Gogh? and on my ring finger is OPI No Room For the Blues

For my bikini's from Thumb to Pinky:  China Glaze Happy Go Lucky, OPI Dutch 'Ya Just Love OPI?, OPI Kiss Me on The Tulips and China Glaze Man Hunt.  I used white acrylic paint for the surfboard and black arcrylic to draw on the string bikini's.

Yep, I had heaps of fun doing this.  I thought it looked very cute.  And i was pleaseantly happy with my attempt at recreating JulieG's bikini design :)

xx Karen

Next...

Day 57 - Orange + Green

Summer Challenge Day 54 - Bumblebee

Hello Lovelies.  I admit I struggled with this one.  As easy and straight forward as the theme was... I was feeling very low on the motivational scale.  Then I see what the other girls and come up with for this theme and I feel just hanging my head in shame.  They're so much more creative than me.

I didn't have any hexi shapes and used this from Bundlemonster plate BM223 on an angle and left room for a little bee in the top left corner.  I got this from the Winnie Pooh plate OB3

I used Sally Hansen Yellow Kitty for the base colour.  I just recently bought a brighter Yellow from China Glaze, Happy Go Lucky, but didn't have that when I made this design.

Here is the Winnie Pooh Plate OB3 I got from here

I had a bit more fun with the next one.  Less stamping more free hand painting :)

Thanks for stopping by and having a look.  See you next time.

xx Karen

Next...

Day 55 - Surfin USA

Summer Challenge Day 53 - Fruit Salad

I've done a similar manicure to this before in the past.  But thought I'd try give it different spin.  Have a look what I came up with (the older version is below for comparison)

First I started out with OPI Done Out In Deco (this has to be one of my OPI FAVOURITE's)

Applied some dots with image plate OB12 from FabUrNails blog sale

then added the fruits from Bundle Monster BM05 (Strawberry & Grapes).  The cherries came from an unknown image plate M73.  I used it recently for my A Day At the Seaside Summer Challenge.

Here is my similar previous design (without the dots or cherries)

  

Thanks for stopping by!

xx Karen

Next...

Day 54 - BumbleBee

(hmm... I wonder what colour it's going to bee??)

Summer Challenge Day 52 - Sun Flowers

Ok may need to stretch your imagination a bit with this one...

I don't have a sunflower stamp :( so had to improvise.

I started off with half moon with OPI Hot & Spicy. Added some cute bows (to hide the uneven line :P) 

I bet you recognise the bow stamp, right? Yes it's the same but it's not Konad, and it's slightly smaller than the other one.  I found this great plate with both sizes, the original size of the konad and a smaller version, i thought it was cute.  I had in mind using the smaller one for my pinky, but i like this use of it too.  I got this plate from Fab Ur Nails blog sale.  They have their own facebook website with an online shop and there's heaps more there.

Then added this sun/flower i found on Bundle Monster Image Plate BM01

I kept going with the sun/flowers on the rest of the nails but it became 'a bit much' so I'll leave you with this, just an accent nail.

See you next time!

xx Karen

Next...

Day 53 - Fruit Salad (yum!)

NOTD & Versatile Blogger Nomination

In a less than two weeks after recieving a nomination for Leibster Award, I've recieved another nomination! This nomination came from Lacquered Nails for the Versatile Blogger Award.

Thank you soooo much!

The rules are:

1) Nominate 15 bloggers who are "relatively" new to blogging.
2) Let them know that you have nominated them.
3) Share 7 random facts about yourself.
4) Thank the bloggers that have nominated you.
5) Add the Versatile Blogger Award picture to your blog post.

I would like to nomiate the following fabulous blogs:

Lisa's Polish Addiction at http://lissaspolishaddiction.blogspot.com.au/

Exceedingly Polished at http://exceedinglypolished.blogspot.com.au/

NailSide at http://nailside.blogspot.com.au/

LittleNails at http://little-nails.blogspot.com.au/
Caitt's Nails at http://caittsnails.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/cnd-anchor-blue.html
Glossy Lacquer at http://glossylacquer.blogspot.com.au/
Jas at Blingtastic Nails at http://blingtasticnails.blogspot.com.au/
Cristina Nails at http://cristinanails.blogspot.com.au/
Nail Narcotics at http://nailnarcotics.blogspot.com.au/
Starlight Radiance at http://starlightradiance.blogspot.com.au/
Eat Sleep Polish at http://victoria-eatsleeppolish.blogspot.com.au/
Copy That Copycat at http://www.copythatcopycatnails.com/
Polished Crazed at http://polishcrazed.blogspot.com.au/
Bonita Bon Bons at http://bonitabonbons.blogspot.com.au

 

The 7 random facts about me:

1) Sometimes I laugh so much my cheeks really hurt! and I sometimes snort when I laugh too.  Yeah hilarious right :-P
2) I LOVE cats.  But this probably comes as no surprise.  I particularly love my cat Chester, he's a Burmese Blue.  I often describe him as a dog trapped inside a cats body.  He fetches!! He's the best!
3) I have a real fascination with celebrity spotting.4) Love Winter, love skiing, love open fire places, love running and swimming when it's raining.
5) I have a real OCD about having things in sets... this doesn't help when nail polishes always seem to come out in collections, this doesn't help my bank account.
6) Enjoy watching funny movies, or rom-coms.  Nothing too serious and definitly never EVER horror!!
7) My knees go weak when I hear Michael Buble sing (not literally) but he makes me melt.

*~*~* Thanks again to Lacquered Nails for the nomination!! *~*~*

 

Now for my NOTD:  I'm wearing China Glaze Elephant Walk from the new On Safari (Native) Collection.  It has a very subtle silver shimmer in it which is different to other grey's in my collection.  I think this is very similar to OPI's French Quarter For Your Thoughts or OPI Suzi Takes The Wheel (minus the shimmer of course).  Would you like to see a comparison swatch of these three?

These are my first China Glaze purchases.  So far I love the colours, but I'm struggling to shift from my OPI's.  My first thoughts on China Glaze is the consistency of the polish is more thicker, and I'm still getting a hang of the brush.  But like I said, I love China Glaze's colours :D

xx Karen

Summer Challenge Day 51 - Summer Needle Drag

So it's summer and it's all about summer love, right?

So here are some cute hearts I made using the needle drag technique.  I have mention

Miss80Million, one of her designs inspired me for my end design.  So I thank her for this. And she's a really awesome nail art blogger and YouTuber.  She has a really good video tutorial on dry marbling nail art technique.  I'm giving her free advertising here :P

So the colours I used were OPI Mod About You for the base and OPI Kiss Me on The Tulips for the dots/hearts.  I just used a regular larger dotting tool for the dots then turned it around the other end has much smaller ball, and used that end to drag through.

It took me a few attempts, and you can still see (with my ring finger) I still didn't get it completely right.  But what I did find is that dragging just on the surface, don't go right down to the nail.

If you have any other tips you'd like to share about needle dragging, please comment below! I could use some tips

xx Karen

Next...

Day 52 - SunFlowers

Summer Challenge Day 50 - Summer in the Hamptons

I have no idea where or what the Hampton's are.  I think I've heard of them before, I think I have a vague idea that this is where the rich and famous chill out in the summer.  So had to look up some pictures on the interwebs to get an idea.  And I kept seeing beautiful old style houses with white picket fences or details white verandas.

So I've taken an interpretation with that.  I've used a soft shade of pink (OPI Puerto Vallarta Violeta) and stamped using Bundle Monster BM-316

Please tell me if i got the right feel for this challenges theme.

xx Karen

Next...

Day 51 - Summer Needle Drag

Summer Challenge Day 49 - A Day at the Seaside

Hello Loverlies,  I have a treat today, because when I think of the seaside I think of walks barefoot along the beach front.  So this is what I've tried to recreate in this design.  Hope you like it.

xx Karen

Here's my gradient work.

I used Sally Hansen Yellow Kitty (Sand) and  OPI Suzi Says Feng Shui! (Water)

Followed by the image plate I used.

Next...

Day 50 - Summer at the Hampton's

Summer Challenge Day 48 - Cocktails - LL&B

One of my favourite summer drinks is Lemon Lime & Bitters!

Yeah I know it's not really alcoholic, but it can be quite refreshing on a hot summers day. 

Here's what I came up with. Hope you like it.

I made the gradient using OPI's Barre My Soul and OPI Chop-Sticking to My Story.

I used Bundle Monster Image Plate BM-04 for my "Lemon" and "Lime" :D

I don't have a very bright yellow and I also find when i stamp over darker colours the stamp on top really disappears, so I sometimes I stamp with white first then try my best to stamp over the top with the desired colours.  Sorry for stamping outside the lines.

Hope you like it. I was a bit sad to take this off afterwards, was pretty proud of this little number

See you next time!

xxKaren

Next...

Day 49 - A Day at the Seaside