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

Summer Challenge Day 47 - Torquise

First of all I had to look up what colour Torquise was... see examples below
This is my final design I was happy with.  I used OPI's No Room for the Blues and stamped with OPI's You Don't Know Jacques followed by OPI's I Brake For Manicures, using Konad Image Plate m70.

OK I Got it!

Then I thought this might be a perfect opportunity to try my New OPI Black  Spotted!

What do you think!?!?

Next....

Day 48 - Cocktails (yum!)

Liebster Blog Award

When I first read this I thought it was the Lobster Award!!! haha  However, to my great surprise I was nominated by two lovely ladies yesterday for the Liebster Blog Award.  Thanks to Katie at PrettyPolishPlease and Jas at Blingtastic Nail Blog, ladies you truly made my day :) XX

Got another nomination whilst in the process of publishing this.  Thanks Anthea!! from NailObsession :)

The award is designed to give the small blogs around some attention, and to qualify you need to have less than 200 Followers.

The rules are as following:

1. Each person tagged must post 11 things about themselves.
2. They must also answer the 11 questions the 'tagger' has set for them.
3. They must create 11 more questions to ask bloggers they have decided to tag.
4. They must then choose 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers and tag them in their post.
5. These lucky bloggers must then be told.
6. There's no tag backs.

11 Things About Me:
1. I'm the youngest of four children.
2. I've been skiing since I was four years old and used to race in High school.  Now I have torn ACL's in both knees, but that hasn't stopped me from still skiing.
3. My favourite colour is Red (that's what draws my attention), but I wear a lot of Brown and Black. Go figure. 
4. I'm a Maths nerd.  Studied a Bachelor of Applied Science at University (Majored in Mathematics).
5. I wish I was a rally car racer. 
6. I'm Italian and can't speak it, can only speak broken Italian, and that frustrates and upsets me.
7. I love travelling, I appreciate experiences more than possessions (except for polishes, can't get enough of those loverlies).
8.  I have a cat called Chester, he's a Burmese Blue and I love him to bits! (shhhh don't tell my boyfriend).
9.  I really don't like anything smoked, just don't like the taste or the smell.  eg: smoked salmon.
10. I love open fire places, pass me a bag or marshmellows  and a warm cup of hot chocolate please!
11. Family is the most important thing to me.

Next is answering the questions of the tagger, and since I've been tagged two times I'll answer all of the questions from each blogger unless there are repeat questions!

Questions from Katie (PrettyPolishPease)
1. What is your all-time favourite nail polish?
Once I discovered OPI I was hooked.
2. What is your favourite Disney movie?
This is tough because I'm a die-hard Disney fan but if I had to choose one... The Little Mermaid, maybe Aladdin... or maybe Tangled, Lilo & Stitch....  Argh! see what I mean, I can't pick!
3. If you could pair up any male and female celebrity, who would you pair up and why?
I've always had a thing for funny guys, so probably Owen Wilson, love the surfy laid back look.
4. What colour do you have the most and least of in your stash?
At the moment a lot of browns/tans/nudes, not so many yellow or greens.
5. Do you have any pets? And if yes, how many and what sort of animal?
YES!!! I love my cat Chester, he's a Burmese blue and he's the best! I often describe him as a dog trapped inside a cats body. He fetches! and he's a very affectionate cat, I love that about him.
6. Favourite meal?
Does desert count? Perhaps breakfast, I often don't have time in the morning to have breakie, so when I do, I really enjoy it.
7. Favourite song/band/singer?
I like a very wide range of music, but I always go back to P!NK and Michael Buble.
8. Mac or PC?
Never had a Mac, but recently my 7 year old PC has been showing signs of age.  Been contemplating getting a Mac to replace my HP.
9. How long have you been into nail polish, and, if you can remember, what was the first polish that you bought?
It's strange because I've been collection nail polishes before I realised I was a polish addict (probably not as strange as I initially thought as I wrote that down).  But I truly realised I was a polish addict when I discovered stamping (konad) and it's been fun ever since.
10. What is your favourite polish finish?
I've always preferred Shiny Top coat over Matte, but Matte every now and then to change it up a bit.  But if you meant sheer, shimmer, glitter, creme, etc etc I prefer sheers and cremes.
11. Who is your favourite character out of a book or film?
Stitch from Disney's Lilo & Stitch.

Questions from Jas (Blingtastic Nail Blog)
1. Who would you turn gay for?
Funny my boyfriend asked me this question not that long ago, and my answer was Megan Gale or Miranda Kerr (two very beautiful Australian Models) and both down to earth.
2. What can you do better than anyone else?
Sleep.  I can fall asleep anywhere anytime.
3. What is your all time fav nail polish?
I keep going back to OPI's Tickle My Francey.  I like to wear nude colours, when I'm not Nail Arting
4. Favorite movie of all time?
I've watched a lot of movies in my time... I always prefer a laugh, however I do like the theatre and Ewen McGregor.  So I always keep going back to Moulin Rouge to get a fix.
5. What did you do last Saturday night?
Last Saturday night celebrated my sisters 40th birthday, they organised a trivia night which was based around my sister. Which I thought was very clever.
6. Where you have travelled that you loved and was an awesome place?
I loved Florence, Italy!
7. What could you eat everyday without getting sick of it?
Ice-Cream!
8. What are your pet peeves?
Without a doubt smoking! and Rude People!
9. What are your other hobbies?
It's a mix bag of watching my favourite AFL sports team play on the weekends, sewing, knitting, watch motor sports (F1 and MotoGP).
10. If you were stranded on a desert island what 5 things would you take?
My iPhone, no reception, that's ok, i'll just play on my apps or listen to my music
A hair bush.  I hate getting knots in my hair, it really hurts :(
A BIG beach towel, this could really come in handy!
Slurpy Machine
A good book to read (i dunno maybe the bible)
11. What do most people not know about you?
I've been skiing since I was four years old.


Questions from Anthea (NailObsession)
1. What's your favourite colour?
I loooove red.  My eyes are always drawn to it.  However it's not my first choice in clothing or nail polish.  Still trying to figure that one out.

2. Have you had a '15 minutes of fame' moment?
I was on a TV Show called Deal or No Deal.  Didn't win any money, didn't guess the amount in my suitcase.
3. What is on your wishlist at the moment?
Polish:
4. Do you have any allergies?
I'm lucky the allergies I have a livable.  Cats and dogs, but only have a reaction if I've been playing with them and then rub my eyes.
5. One piece or bikini?
It has to be a bikini.  My boobs need the support of a bikini top.
6. What was the first CD/cassette tape you owned?
Haha good question.  Mum brought me the soundtrack to Grease on cassette when I was 11 or 12.  And my first CD was No Doubt, Tragic Kingdom.
7. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Married and my first child will be 8years old by then, so probably back at work. I know, boring right
8. Favourite book?
I love reading non-fiction novels, you get the bonus of learning something about histroy but it's written in an interesting way... I read recently the life of Van Gogh. The book was called Lust for Life by Irwin Stone.
9. Favourite girl's name?
Elizabeth
10. If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be?
Peru
11. If you could live in any year, what would it be and why?
I loved the 20's 30's, the woman were so proper and well dressed and took pride in how they looked.

A late addition of questions from the lovely Glossy Lacquer, thanks sweetie
1. If you could only wear one nail polish for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

I'd either choose a classic red, because it really does go with everything.  Or a nude colour like a sheer pink or nude colour. 
2. Which fashion or beauty trend do you wish would just go away?
The 80's/90's, maybe it's because they're the years when i was growing up... but really frizz hair is just not cool!
3. Why did you start blogging?
I don't know what I didn't start earlier! I stumbled across nail art by pure chance then saw a lot of other girls (not leaving guys out here) doing the same thing! and i wanted to share and be a part of this really awesome community. :)
4. Favourite beverage?
At the moment it's GingerAle
5. If you could do anything without worrying about money, what would you do?
I'd travelt he world, and go into space.
6. Are you superstitious?
To a certain degree I am, but then life is too short to worry about superstitions.
7. What is one thing, apart from necessities like water, food and shelter, do you feel you could not live without?
Coffee! and Red Wine!
8. Do you ever leave home without manicured nails?
I can, but I'd feel much more comfortable with a coat of clear.
9. What is your favourite item in your wardrobe?
The first thing when I get home from work is put on my track pants and Ugg's.  So I guess they are.
10. Which song have you listened to this most in your life, or in your iTunes?
haha this is a good question! I'm a sucker for lovey-dovey sloppy music, so at the moment it's ronan Keating, This I Promise You. haha
11. Who is your favourite celebrity and who is your least favourite?
Favourite celebrity... hmmm, I have total respect for Jillian Michaels, and none for Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian or Lindsay Lohan.
My Questions for you
1. Why did you start blogging?
2. Have you tried marbling?
3. How often do you change your nail polish a week?
4. What would you do if you won a million dollars?
5. If you could go back in time, where and when would you go?
6. What's your favourite music, band/singer?
7. What's your favourite spot in your house and why?
8. Have you ever been (still are) in love?
9. What's your favourite pastime/hobby, besides paintng your nails of course?
10. If you could be any animal what would it be?
11. What is your favouite nail polish?

My Nominations
My apologies if this is not your first nomination, you must be really loved :P

XOXO Alexis Leigh
Caitt's Nails
Starlight Radience
Bonita Bon Bons
Counting Down To Bliss
Cristina Nails
Globe & Nail
I Prefer Polish
Hooked On Polish
Lacquer or Leave Her!
Passion for Polish


Thanks for the award nomination ladies and for reading this post, you now know me a little bit more.  Back to polishes :)

xx Karen