Beads and Jewels

I'm glad this week is over.  It was slightly shortened from my time off over the long weekend we spent working on our main bathroom.  It looks so much better now, but I would love to have more time off still.  It didn't feel like time off because we were so busy the whole time.  I am very proud of what we managed to accomplish though.

This week, I wanted to go with something blue, and I had just received my new plates and special polish, so I figured I would use some of that, as well.  I started off with a couple coats of OPI I Saw...U Saw...Warsaw.  Then I stamped on the image using Konda plate m62 and Mash special polish in white.


I think I like the Konad special polish better than the Mash polish.  It wanted to dry a little too quickly, much like the issues I was having with regular nail polish.  However, the Konad special polish in white is harder to find, and more expensive.  So I will try a few more times before truly deciding.

I hope you like it.  Please let me know what you think below.

Until later,
Chess

Winner of the 3000 page view giveaway.

Thank you everyone for participating in my giveaway.  It ended in the middle of the night last night and I picked a winner this morning.  I have contacted the winner so that I can get the two bottles of polish to her as soon as I can.

Keep coming back her to view my newest manicure and you never know when I might do another giveaway!

Until later,

Chess

When Stars Collide

This week has been busy.  I took a couple days off from work for my anniversary and we have been remodeling our bathroom...ourselves!  Consequently, my manicure is looking rather sad.  At least I will be changing it tomorrow, and I won't feel so rough.  Also, I hit 3000 page views on the blog, and 30 followers on Facebook.  I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but it means a lot to me.  So please go check out my giveaway.

This week I decided to use another of the China Glaze holographic collection.  I wanted to try something a little different and see if it was possible to keep the holographic effect.  I used China Glaze Get Outta My Space for the base.  Then I used it and China Glaze When Stars Collide to sponge on the gradient. I had a problem with balding some on the tips when I sponged on the gradient, so I would suggest adding more polish on the tips.

Unfortunately, the holographic effect did not show up well, but I think it might work with foils.  I tend to have problems with brush strokes showing and sponging it on would probably remove that problem.

I hope you like this one.  I got many complements this week on it.  Also, please remember to check out my giveaway and try for two bottles of OPI polish.

Until later,
Chess

3000 page view giveaway

I now have over 3000 page views on my blog.  Thank you so much!!!  And to treat you all, I am doing a giveaway of two bottles of OPI nail polish.  To celebrate this achievement and the fact that it is Talk Like a Pirate Day, the two bottles are Mermaid's Tears and Steady As She Rose, from the Pirates of the Caribbean collection.   Good Luck everyone!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Vines

This week the weather changed significantly.  Instead of hot and dry, it rained so much there was a lot of flooding around here.  We were lucky enough to not have to deal with that.

Last night I went to this great presentation on Impermanence by one of the Drepung Gomang Monks, from Tibet.  It gave me a lot to think about, and maybe another reason to finally do the yoga teacher training that I've been talking about for so long.

This week I wanted to use a green polish, so I went through my pile that I haven't used yet.  I also wanted something that had a more fall tone.  I used one of the more recent China Glaze holos.  After about 3 coats of OMG a UFO, I stamped on the image using China Glaze  Liquid Leather and plate Mash-43.  I decided to do a reverse status nail, so I placed the image on all my nails except the ring finger.

I hope you like this one.  Please let me know what you think!

Until later,

Chess

Hocus Pocus

I'm grateful for the shortened week after the holiday.  It was all I could do to get out of bed these last four days.  I've lost a lot of my motivation lately.  I'm ready to have a job using my degree, so I will feel more useful.  So once again, I picked a title, and nail color, that is more fitting.  I could use a little hocus pocus in my life right now.

This week I have another double post, so to speak.  First, I want to show you a swatch, then my actual mani I had this week.

The swatch is of a lovely purple polish by Ulta.  It is Cocktails Anyone?  I love the color, but I really didn't  like the formula.  It was more thick and left a very patchy layer, rather than the smooth applications I'm used to from other brands.  It is very similar to China Glaze Urban-Night and the China Glaze polish has a much better formula.

For this week's mani, I used a very similar color.  I used three coats of Sonia Kashuk Hocus Pocus.  It was a little thin, but after three coats, it was fairly even.  After it dried I stamped on the image using Konad special polish in Navy blue and plate RA-109.  The image is a little difficult to see, and I think maybe a gray would be even better with the base color.  I may have to try that at a later date.

I hope you like this combination.  Let me know what you think in the comments, or on Facebook.

Until later,

Chess

Druzy Rocks

I have always been fascinated with stones, rocks, geodes, and crystals.  One of my newest obsessions is jewelry with druzy stones or rocks instead of gems such as diamonds.  They are unique and more special. They are made up of a bunch of tiny crystals on a surface.

This week I wanted to use one of the new OPI San Francisco collection, and after using it, it reminded me so much of a druzy rock.

For this, I used two coats of OPI Alcatraz...Rocks.  I was very interested in it when I saw the swatches, but these picture do not do it justice.  I have very few specific polishes that I would recommend to anyone, but this is one.  If you are able to get it, make sure you do.
 I don't think you will be disappointed.

There is a bit of tip wear, and it is mostly noticeable because the tip gets a little more shiny.  It loses the texture some and becomes more like a cream or glitter polish.  Even in the second picture, which is after a week on, it isn't all that noticeable.

I hope you love this one as much as I do.

Until later,

Chess

End of Summer

I always love the fall colors, how deep they are.  With the OPI collection that just came out, I really wanted to use any of those colors this week, but I decided to try one more summer mani.

So this week I started with a few coats of Icing Moroccan Spice.  After that dried, I stamped on the flowers with Konda special polish in white and plate Mash-43.

It is really simple, but to me, it is the epitome of summer.  Bright pink with hibiscus flowers.

I hope you like it.  If so, please follow me on here, Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

Until later,

Chess

Make a wish

I have been struggling with my fears and dreams lately.  I've been trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, so to speak.  I have had many thoughts about becoming a yoga instructor and a belly dance instructor.  I have a Bachelor's in Chemistry and a Master's in Forensic Science.  I am paying off my student loans, but on a small income.  I would love to be able to actually use either or both of my degrees.  I feel trapped where I am and am trying extremely hard to keep my composure most days.  So this weeks mani is fitting.  I am making a wish and putting my heart out there that I can find my way soon.

I started off with a coat of e.l.f Mint Cream.  Then put a thin coat of OPI Sit Under the Apple Tree.  The OPI polish was too yellow, but I didn't want the mint color either.  In the end, adding the layer of OPI on top of the e.l.f. polish made for a perfect combination.

After all that was done, I stamped on all the different dandelion seed images using China Glaze Liquid Leather and Vivid Lacquer plate VL 006.  Finally, I used my Seche Vite top coat.  I still like the Diamond Dry the best, so I guess I will continue using that one, at least when I have stamped images.

I hope you like this one as much as I did.  I had many complements this week on this mani.

Until later,
Chess

Swirls

I love doing my nails, and it is a great way to let my creativity flow, but I always feel like my blog titles are lacking.  Do any of you feel that way?

This week has been better than the last few.  On top of the work being easier, we have been getting a lot of rain.  Everyone tells me that with how much I love the rain, I should be living on the east coast.

This week I decided to go with a teal color.  The photo does not do this color justice, even playing with the color in my photo editing software.  I started with a couple coats of China Glaze Flyin' High.  Then I stamped on the image using plate m64 and Konad special polish in a navy blue color.

One my left hand, the one in the picture, I used China Glaze Fast Forward Top Coat.  On my right hand, I used ORLY Sealon Topcoat.  They both made the special polish bleed, which was why I started using the Diamond Dry.  It doesn't cause the bleeding like so many other top coats do.  I couldn't finish this with the China Glaze top coat because of the smell.  Most nail polish has a distinct smell that I am quite use to now.  This top coat had a terrible smell to it, so bad that I was nauseated.  I will never use it again.  The next mani I do, I will try out the Seche Vite that so many people have raved about.

Do you have any other suggestions for top coats?

Until later,

Chess