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