Pretty & Polished: Rat-a-tat

Happy Halloween!  Pretty much every nail blog is show casing a cool Halloween mani.  I just wasn't really into Halloween this year so I didn't do one.  I have been sporting fun black and glittery nails which is fun for me.  My nails are still pretty short so I like the dark vampy look.  Which is actually great for Halloween :)

Today I wanna share with you a polish from the Indy brand Pretty & Polished.  Chelsea makes some great polishes and I am fortunate to own a few. 

Today I have Rat-a-tat.  I love this glitter polish.  It's a clear base packed with teal and black hex glitters, bar glitters and micro glitters.  You might know that I am a huge fan of glitter polish, this one does not disappoint.  I did 2 layers over a black base.

Base Coat:  Rejuvacote

Base Color:  Wet N Wild Ebony Hates Chris (1 layer)

Glitter:  Pretty & Polished Rat-a-tat

Top Coat:  Seche Vite

What do you think of Indy brands?  Have any, want any?

Catrice Million Styles Special Effects Top Coat: Million Dollar Baby

I have a bad habit of buying things and then stashing them some where until I can figure out where I want to put them permanently.  This is the case with the Million Styles Special Effect Top Coat collection from Catrice.  A friend of mine from the Netherlands had the entire set for sale and I just could not pass it up.  It's a Limited Edition Set so I was excited to have the opportunity to get it.

The other day I was going through some stuff and found my collection in a fabric box in a plastic bag, along with some other stuff I had gotten from a blog sale.  It was like Christmas LOL  I promptly added everything to my stash list and as I was going through them, I tested a few of the top coats and LOVED Million Dollar Baby.  Which is weird, because I am not a huge fan of gold.  I took the time to do my nails that evening and I am LOVING this gold glitter top coat.  It consists of large and small hex glitters and covers pretty well in one coat.  I layered it over black, but this will look awesome over red, purple and blue.  Probably lots of other colors, but those stand out right now in my brain.  Here is what it looks like:

Base Coat:  Rejuvacote

Base Color:  Wet N Wild Ebony Hates Chris (1 coat)

Glitter:  Catrice Million Dollar Baby (1 coat)

Top Coat: Seche Vite

I have to say, I was impressed with the shine after applying this top coat.  The only reason I added a coat of Seche Vite is so help it dry faster.  I had some laundry I needed to do and surely didn't want to ruin my mani.  One coat gave great coverage and was perfect for what I was looking for.  Another coat would have made this super blingy and awesome.  I may give it a try ;)

I also took this photo in the shade.  This looks so much better in doors or in the shade than in direct sun light.  Which makes it an awesome glitter to wear in the winter when you still want all that glittery fun on your nails.

If you have this polish, don't let it sit on a shelf or in a bin.  It's beautiful!!

Guest Blogger Friday: Lace & Lacquers: Halloween Inspired Saran Wrap Nail Art

Sooooo, I had put Guest Blogger Friday on hold because I was doing a Halloween nail art challenge that posted every Friday, Weeelllll, you can see how well that turned out.  I am such a slacker :(
Lacey graciously agreed to guest post for me.  She went with a Halloween theme since it's October.  I thought I better share before Halloween passes us by.  ENJOY!!!

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Hey guys! It's Lacey from Lace & Lacquers! I was asked a few months ago by Mandy to do a guest post for her in October, how nice of her to think of me! I figured since it is October, a good old fashion Halloween manicure was perfect for this post :]

Here's what we'll be creating today:

One fun, Halloween looking manicure and for those who like gore - I got a manicure for you, too! After the jump I'll show you more pictures, tools I used and a short tutorial how to recreate this look.

Hard Candy Cosmetics

I have been thinking for a while that I love more than just nail polish.  When I started my blog, I thought I was going to be painting my nails ALL THE TIME and would have plenty of mani's to share with you.  Turns out, sometimes, you just don't feel like doing your nails.  Who knew?  Then I feel bad that I haven't posted on here for a while.  

I have decided that I also want to share other things I love.  Like makeup and such.  I hope that is ok with you guys.  I know this started as a nail blog and the name kind of says it all.  But I am not just about nail polish.  

So today I want to share with you a brand that I thought only made nail polish.  Hard Candy.  Turns out, they have cosmetics too.  Even a clothing line :)  I love watching make up tutorials on YouTube and when I heard of a full coverage concealer that was pretty cheap, I had to do some more digging around.  I read lots of reviews and looked at lots of YouTube videos.  I figured, I MUST try the Hard Candy Glamoflauge.  In the search for reviews on this concealer I came across a few other products I wanted to give a try.  I headed to Wal Mart (with my children, bad idea) yesterday and picked up a few items.  I love the packaging and the prices are pretty good too.  Here is what I got:

Glamoflauge Concealer in Medium Light $6.00

Welcome Matte mattifying powder $8.00

Lash Tinsel in Spellbound $6.00

Plumping Serum in Nude Beach $6.00

As I was walking down the aisle past the NYC section, a pretty glitter polish caught my eye. It's called Big City Dazzle.  I thought it was a full on glitter polish.  When I was taking this pic, I realized it was just a top coat.  Oh well.  It's still pretty

So there you have it.  My first Hard Candy haul.  I haven't tried any of these products, but I will def keep you posted on my thoughts.  

Do you already use Hard Candy?  Love 'em or hate 'em?

Guest Post from Reflections, Sassy Nails, and Silly Diversions!

Hey all!  I have another guest blogger for you.  This is Carrie, she is awesome!!  She is sharing a fun summer mani today.  I know it's Fall, but around here, we are still getting a lot of sun and high temps.  Check her out!

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Hi guys! I'm Carrie, I blog over at Reflections, Sassy Nails, and Silly Diversions. I am also the face behind Sassy Lacquer.

I have something very summery for you today.

I used China Glaze I'm with the Lifeguard (green) and flip flop fantasy (pink) which looks peach but the camera was spazzing out on it, lol. I was trying to go for something different and kind of abstract, but ended up with a flower on my ring fingers and mickey ears on my other fingers!!!

Don't forget to come visit me over on my blog, I don't write as often as I used to but I am getting back into the swing of it, hopefully!

I also have some new collections coming out soon!! You can keep up to speed on my FB page.


Thanks for stopping by and checking out my summer mani!

Carrie

Halloween

Hey every one, I know I have not been posting here much.  I am a slacker.  I apologize.  I was into some challenges and then it got so busy around the house I didn't have the time :(  So I have decided to pass on the Halloween and Fall challenges this time around.  I still wanna enjoy Halloween on my nails, so I am just going to do what ever I want when ever I want :)

 I had to chop off all my nails so designs are a limited right now.  What looks best on short stubby nails?  Dark vampy colors!  I had recently picked up a few of the Fantasy Makers polishes from CVS.  Perfect time to try them out.  I have one that is a black base with a ton of tiny purple glitter, it's called Rest in Pieces.  It looks so pretty in the bottle.  I wasn't too thrilled with it on my nail :(  It comes off as just a black polish.  If you look really close, you can see some of the purple glitters.  Oh well.  It covered really well in 2 coats and the RIP bottle is really cute.  So it's not a total waste LOL.  Here is what I came up with:

Base Coat:  Rejuvacote

Base Color:  Fantasy Makers Rest in Pieces

Stamping Plates:  Bundle Monster BM225 and Shany SH25

Stamping Polish:  Sally Hansen Insta Dri Silver Sweep

Red Rhinestones

Top Coat:  Seche Vite

I am quit enjoying this vampy look :)

This is Halloween: Water Marble

It's time for another installment from the This is Halloween Challenge.  Next up, water marble.  I have attempted this technique a couple times.  Neither time did it come out all that great.  So I wasn't too excited about doing a Halloween water marble.  I don't have lots of creme polishes nor do I want to go out and buy a bunch for one challenge.  So I am working with what I got, and what I got is a stamping plate.  Surprised?  I didn't think so.  The new Bundle Monster set came with a water marble design and I have yet to try it out.  The perfect time is now!!

I didn't do anything fancy, so here is my final design

Base Coat:  Rejuvacote

Base Color:  Sally Hansen Extreme Wear Green with Envy (1 coat)

Glitter:  Sinful Colors Smoking Hot (1 coat)

Stamping Plate:  Bundle Monster BM320

Stamping Polish:  Konad Special Black

Top Coat:  Seche Vite

There are over 50 of us gals doing this challenge, there are 2 challenges a week and one link up each week.  So there are going to be a bunch of thumbnails of others Halloween mani's.  Take a couple mins and check them out :)

Go Pink Wednesday

As I am sure most of you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I joined a group called "Go Pink Wednesday" where we will be wearing and sharing pink mani's every Wednesday in October to raise awareness.  I know, it's Thursday, but I just joined the group yesterday so I am starting today.  Better late than never, right?

I personally have not be touched by breast cancer, but that does not mean that I am not in favor of a quick cure.  Where you are a survivor, know a survivor or have never dealt with the disease, I encourage you to either donate to a cause or do as I am and try to raise as much awareness as you can.  

On to the pretty part.  I don't own hardly any pinks.  But I did have 2 that go great together.  I wanted some thing fun and up beat.  I went with a pink base, a glitter coat and of course some pink stamping!  Here is the final look

Base Coat:  Rejuvacote

Base Color:  Sally Hansen Insta Dri Presto Pink (1 coat)

Glitter:  Sinful Colors Smoking Hot (2 coats)

Stamping Plate:  Konad M57

Stamping Polish:  Sally Hansen Insta Dri Flashy Fuchsia

Top Coat:  Seche Vite

I am loving how the zebra print pops over the glitter.  I used a coat of sech vite over the glitter before stamping.  Mostly to help it dry.  It was taking FOREVER!  I think that coat of sech vite is what is making the stamping pop like it is.  Either way, I am super happy with how this turned out.  I can't stop staring at my cute pink nails :)

I will be back next Wednesday with another pink mani for you, Happy Thursday!

NYC Starry Silver Glitter + Giveaway Winner

Today is the day, time to announce the giveaway winner!  Drum roll please...................Georgia Karantani, Come on down!!!!  Congrats on winning the 222 follower giveaway.  Please respond to my e mail with in 24 hours.  If I haven't heard from you, I will choose another winner. 

To add a little sparkle to this post, I decided to share a glitter mani with you today.  NYC's Starry Silver Glitter.  I Luuurve this one!  It is so sparkly, in the sun and the shade.

Base Coat:  Rejuvacote

Base Color:  Wet N Wild Ebony Hates Chris (1 coat)

Glitter:  NYC Starry Silver Glitter (2 coats)

Top Coat:  Seche Vite

This is a great glitter to wear any time, it sparkles no matter what :)

Happy Wednesday y'all, the week is almost over!

Teal Tuesday: Mani Swap

This weeks Teal Tuesday is an awesome one.  I was very excited to be a part of this week's challenge.  Our creator came up with the idea of recreating a mani from other gals and incorporating teal in the design.  Sign me up!!!  The best part?  We had to keep it a secret.  I love surprises!  

I was matched up with Samantha from Polished Art  She has some great designs on her blog.  It was hard to choose one.  Well, I actually did two.  I failed at the first one :(  But with lots of ideas on her blog, it was easy to pick another design.  

Here is a picture of her design 

Click HERE to see the original post

I am a huge fan of glitter and I just happened to have some cute stars that I got at Sally's a little while ago.

Here is my re-creation

Base Coat:  Elmer's Glue
Glitter:  China Glaze Atlantis (2 coats, no underwear)
Black Stars from Sally Beauty
Top Coat:  Seche Vite

I did this mani and this morning and I am loving it!!  Thanks Sam for the great design.

Happy Tuesday y'all!!

My current giveaway ends tonight, go ENTER!!

 

Don't forget to check out the other gals doing the challenge too :)

This Is Halloween: Horror Movie

I joined a Halloween nail are challenge, YAY!!  There is a scheduled mani every Friday for the month of October.  So Guest Blogger Friday will be on hold while I am doing this challenge.

The first one is Horror Movies.  I don't watch a lot of horror movies.  I don't like or dislike them, they are just not on the top of my list.  I would rather watch a comedy and laugh my ass off than watch people be butchered and scared to death.  So when thinking of this challenge, I didn't pick a specific movie.  I haven't seen a horror film in a very long time.  But, there is always some body getting hacked up, ground up or chewed up, EW!  So I went with a blood drip mani.  All sorts of blood in a horror movie, right?

Base Coat:  Rejuvacote

Base Color:  Sinful Colors Snow Me White (2 coats)

Blood:  Sally Hansen Insta Dri  Wined Up (applied with a dotting tool)

Top Coat:  Seche Vite

There you have it, my bloody mani, what do you think?  

There are a bunch of us doing the challenge, be sure to check out the rest of the gals :)

Oh, only one day left for my Giveaway, EEEEK!!!