Two-toned

I know it has been a couple of weeks since you all have seen a post from me.  We got our audits at work, both at the same time.  That means that two of us have to process a little over 700 charts in 45 days, on top of what we normally do.  We are allowed some over time, but not much, so I have been taking my boss up on that offer so I can work on my debt.  Bad decisions and whatnot, so now I've learned my lesson and am paying the price plus interest, but I feel like I'm getting somewhere.

Also, I was preparing for my sister's bridal shower and the bachelorette party.  The shower was small, low key, but a lot of fun.  The bachelorette party was great.  We ended up going to a restaurant and then a club.  I've never really been one to do the club thing, so it was a different experience for me.

My sister's Fiance just graduated from the Air Force Academy, so a fair amount of time was spent with his party, commissioning ceremony and graduation.

Finally the wedding is this Sunday. Lots of finishing little projects and making sure the little details are complete.  Rehearsal for the wedding was today.  Set up at the reception hall is tomorrow.  It just really hit me today that my sister will be married, moving on some with her life and her new family, and will be moving away soon when her Fiance goes to Pilot school.

All in all, it has been an exhausting and emotional couple of weeks.  However, during this time, I have kept up my manis and taken pictures.  So to get back into the swing of things, I am providing you with two manis I did.


The first one I did I started off with an ad from a magazine for L'oreal polish.  I really liked the two colors they used, and wanted to try them out.

Like with anything, the colors weren't quite true.  I felt the orange one (Orange You Jealous?) was pretty close but the purple one (Members Only) was more pink in real life.  I really would have preferred the more purple tone.

 The second mani I did was based on another ad from a magazine for Sally Hansen Sugar Coat polish.

When I went shopping, I noticed the polish, but the blue was nothing like the blue in the ad.  So I decided instead of trying all four, I would just try two of the colors.  I tried a gradient with the mint green (Sour Apple) and the ocean blue (Razzleberry).

I love the colors together and the look.  However, I really did not like the texture.  It is much more coarse than the Zoya Pixie Dust collection, and seemed to feel like it was catching on clothing.  After one night, I couldn't handle it and removed it.

I hope you don't mind my time away from the blog.  I'm hoping after everything this weekend, I can get back to the normal routine.  I already have a mani planned for the wedding, so my next post will probably be about that.  I may also provide a picture of the color I used after removing the Sugar Coat.

Until later,

Chess

Nyx

This has been a rather slow week at work.  We have been all caught up for a while, but I know it is the calm before the storm.  We are supposed to get another audit shortly.

I went to a yoga workshop this last weekend that put me out of commission for two days.  I guess I need to work on my squats a bit more.  Even now I'm just getting back into things.  My stationary bike is difficult after four days off.  I tend to do that on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with belly dance the other days.

Last night I was just so tired, I ended up crashing on the couch for at least a half an hour, and then I went to bed at the usual time and slept through the night.  I guess I needed that.

This week I went with a simple mani.  I decided to try one of the Zoya PixieDust collection with a clear top coat over the top.  It's nothing special, but I love the silver sparkle this provides in the color. 

I used about three coats of Zoya Nyx to get the color I wanted.  After that dried, I used my Diamond Dry in a thick top coat. 

I feel like it worked pretty well to smooth out the sandpaper feeling of the polish.  It's still not as smooth as cream or gel nail polish, but it isn't as rough either.  I think a second coat, thick or not, would make it nice and smooth, but I just didn't bother.  I'm not looking forward to removing this one, as the last one I used was painful to get off.

I'm also thinking of doing a little giveaway in celebration of reaching 2000 page views.  Any suggestions?  Polish, plates, something else? Please let me know of your ideas.

Until later,

Chess

French Sparkle

Things have been a lot smoother at work this week.  I've been able to relax a bit and get caught up on some things that were set to the side with the audit.  Our next audit won't come in until about mid to late May, so hopefully we will be ready this time.

This week I went with another fairly simple mani, but I am absolutely loving it!  No stamping this time, but three different layers.  I started by painting white tips using ORLY Sheer Beauty.  Then I put on a couple layers of Essence Color & Go Sweet as Candy.  After all that dried, I put on a layer of OPI Which is Witch, from the Oz collection that came out this Spring.

I couldn't help it, I just wanted to play with it.  This glitter is unlike any others.  There are three or four different types of glitter.  I found I wasn't trying to place certain bits of glitter to make it look more even or symmetrical.  With the different shapes and sizes, I just put on a coat and made sure there weren't any bald spots.

 I loved this look so much I removed the color I put on my toes and did this on them as well, so I completely match.  I hope you love this one too!!!

Until later,

Chess

Mint Mojito

This past week has been extremely long.  More overtime at work, but the audit is done.  A friend of the family came in from France and is staying with my parents for almost two months so she can work on her English.  I've been spending more time at my parent's house, and have stayed up far too late almost every night this week.  Last night after spending time with a friend and working on our bellydancing, I crashed.  I'm thankful it is finally Friday, and I plan to go to bed early tonight as well.  Tomorrow will be a long day, but I'm hoping to be ready for it.

This week was a more simple mani once again.  I started with Covergirl Mint Mojito, which is a great mint green.  After it dried, I stamped on the hearts image using Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Whirlwind White and BM-317.

I tend to jump around with favorite colors, and right now, mint green is one of my favorites.  I love the look with the white hearts on top.  I hope you all like it!

Until later,

Chess