Movember Mani

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't been posting much lately. Got a bunch going on and really busy with work. Today, I have a special mani to share with you.

A while back, I was contacted by a fellow blogger named Melissa from Missy's Manicures. She reached out to several of us bloggers, asking if we'd be willing to do a mani supporting Men's Health Month aka Movember. Of course I said yes! I love coming together with others to bring awareness to important issues like this. You can read about Missy's inspirational story here. And click here to find out how you can get involved!

Now onto the nails. The color for prostate cancer awareness is light blue, and testicular cancer is orchid, so I decided to do a mani with both of those colors. I used Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Lively Lilac, and Revlon Dreamer. I attempted freehanding little mustaches with my Stripe Rite Nail Art Brush - it was harder than I thought! I hope you like my Movember mani! Make sure to check out the other ladies as well. :D

Thanks for looking! <3

Kelly

Fall into Autumn: Day 11 - Autumn Dots

Hey guys! Happy Saturday :D I have yesterday and today off and I am most definitely taking advantage of the time off to catch up on swatches, cleaning, and resting. Work has been stressful lately :/

Today I've got another Fall into Autumn post for you. The challenge is coming to a close and even though it's been really fun, I've gotta say I'll be glad when I can kick back a bit. I'm gonna lay off challenges for a while after this so I can get back into doing my own thing day to day. :]

Anyway, today's post is Autumn Dots. I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do with the dots so I just did a bit of everything. I get excited when I get a chance to pull out my trusty dotting tool, so I did a mix of designs. I used Essie Yogaga for the base and the colors of the dots are Butter London Wallis, Pillar Box Red, & West End Wonderland, Milani Jiffy Orange & Signature Gold, and SH Insta-Dri Lightening. I topped with 2 coats of HK Girl - really not sure why these photos came out looking so mattified! They are not at all. Must be my lighting or something.

Close up of my thumb

One more for good measure with a strategically placed watermark lol

So what do you think of my dots?? I think I'm getting better with using the dotting tool :) I am LOVING Yogaga, definitely my new favorite nude. My accent nail turned out a bit Christmasy, but I still like it. And I think Wallis is the perfect fall color. Overall, I'm really happy with this look!
Have a great weekend everyone <3

Kelly


Check out the other manis in the challenge here:

November 8 - No H8

Bullying is not funny. It is not cool. It is not right. And more importantly, it is not okay.

Most of us are, thankfully, residents of countries that support tolerance and many of our families have settled in these places simply for that reason. Generations later, it is our responsibility to perpetuate that message of tolerance across our new social platforms, including the internet.

As members of the nail polish blogging community, we all share a love of beauty, colour, and lacquer. Other than that, we are remarkably different: from our race to our religion to our hair colour...even to our polish application techniques. To marginalize anyone because of those differences is completely unacceptable and today I take a stand against that. I refuse to allow other people's view of "normal" dictate how I behave, believe, and blog.

In solidarity with a multitude of bloggers linked below, my purple manicure represents my proud commitment to the No H8 movement. Today, November 8, I dedicate my post to ending bullying of any kind and to encouraging diversity and imperfection among our colourful community.

Here's my purple mani to support the cause! I used Essie She's Picture Perfect for the base and Dollish Polish Hylian Princess for the accents. :)

Here's my two cents. I'll be honest and admit that I've been on both sides of bullying. I was bullied all throughout high school for being a dork, not having many friends, not having the right hairstyle, wearing the wrong nail polish even (Black meant I was a GOTH, which fueled more relentless bullying). Anything you can think of. Kids are vicious. I'm embarrassed to say that my experiences with that have not stopped me from having moments where I pass judgment on other people, but I try my damnedest to catch myself and I'm lightyears better about it than I used to be. Getting older will do that to you.

Whatever goes on in our nail polish community and elsewhere, we need to remember above all else to respect each other, love one another in spite of and because of our differences, and coexist in peace. :)

Llarowe will be donating $2.00 of every purple polish sold on her site from 12am Thursday, November 8 through 12am Friday, November 9 to Pacer.org, an organization devoted to anti-bullying education.
 
If you or someone you know suffers from bullying, there is help.  Please visit the following sites for support and encouragement:
StopBullying.gov
Report Cyber Bullying
National Suicide Prevention Hotline - 800.273.TALK (8255)
Eradicate H8
 
Please check out this post over at amandalandish.com for more links and No H8 manicures.

<3

Kelly

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Bloggers Against Hate and Bullying!

1.	Harajuku Girl FL Beauty	61.	Andra Williams	121.	Polly Polish
2.	Amandalandish	62.	Amber Did It!	122.	Lifes Little Blessings
3.	Claudia @ Nailingthis.com	63.	Kristina Masten	123.	♥ KT world Music ~ Life ~ Beauty
4.	Beauty Info Zone	64.	Rebecca Likes Nails	124.	NAIL ME
5.	Peace Love and Glitter	65.	...And Then There Was Polish	125.	Horcrux Nails
6.	Leona Carolina	66.	EntirelyNails	126.	Bunny Nails
7.	Cosmetics Aficionado	67.	Rin\'s Nail Files	127.	MandysSecrets
8.	Pinked Polish	68.	Spellbinding Nails	128.	Lucy\'s Stash
9.	Fox Claws	69.	Sincerely Stephanie	129.	ManicuredSlayer
10.	Nory from Fierce Makeup and Nails	70.	lovenailpolish for NO H8	130.	Ruiva Cohen
11.	Ishah x Beauty	71.	Très Beau Glamour	131.	The Blahg
12.	Captivating Claws	72.	Beauty and Fashion Tech	132.	Polish Insomnia
13.	Polish Ninja	73.	Myfashionality	133.	The Daily Lacquerista
14.	ChiChi	74.	MommyLovesNailPolish	134.	Sirantha\'s Nails
15.	MakeUpMom123	75.	Painted Pixies	135.	a teachers secret nailblog
16.	Nailing it by mystie	76.	Erica\'s Nails and More	136.	Polish Pauper
17.	Meredith Anne	77.	NailpolishHeaven	137.	JanMLoves
18.	shortwidenails	78.	Nail Craze with Dayze	138.	Jennie
19.	Posh Nail Art	79.	Makeup Chic, Literary Geek	139.	Nailphotos by Lani
20.	Nailant	80.	Ambibugs nails	140.	Nails done by a blimbo
21.	Lacquer Buzz	81.	The Beauty Delicacy	141.	The Nail Adventure
22.	llarowe.com	82.	Taneja\'s Bride	142.	NailsLikeLace
23.	Nails by Carol	83.	Lozlosa (Lisa Chakan)	143.	Once Bitten Nails
24.	Never Mind Suzi	84.	The Ides of Polish	144.	Just for fun
25.	Gatita\'s nail art	85.	Older Ladies Like Color Too	145.	Nail Polish Wars
26.	Angel	86.	My Beauty Dish	146.	Jazz at Glitter Infatuation
27.	Kimpelling Beauty	87.	Crystaliciousss	147.	The Colours in my World
28.	Belessa	88.	esstur	148.	Nails N Stuff
29.	Natasje.nl	89.	Dema Pixie	149.	Ooooo Shiny!
30.	Marlevi	90.	Paperbacks and Polish	150.	Nail Loopy
31.	Inky Whiskers	91.	LinvanT	151.	Sonoma Nail Art
32.	Nails by Ms. Lizard	92.	PishPosh and Polish	152.	nail crazy
33.	TheFabZilla	93.	VWolfe	153.	Danielle at Totally Nailed
34.	Lacquer Or Leave Her!	94.	Packer Lacquer	154.	Annie
35.	Polarbelle	95.	Supermaxxx	155.	Natalia
36.	nailsandstuff-shannara	96.	Sonya Parks	156.	Oh! Look at my Nails
37.	Melanie\'s Fancies	97.	Imperfectly Painted	157.	Cel
38.	Beauty by Miss L	98.	polish insomniac	158.	Saving the World One Nail at a Time
39.	Neverland Nail Blog	99.	Karine\'s Vernis Club	159.	Enigmatic Rambles
40.	Lacky Corner	100.	PrettyKittyClaws	160.	ChrissyAi
41.	DeltaCephei.nl	101.	embellished nails	161.	Cakepie
42.	Jen of Sweet Tips Nails	102.	Its\' All About the Polish	162.	Epitome of Feminine Allure
43.	JennaFroggy	103.	Jen\'s Wonderland	163.	I Relish Nail Polish
44.	GoingtotheShowing	104.	Every Sensory	164.	Glitter Me This
45.	Nailart-Addictions	105.	Nothing But Nail Polish	165.	See Jodi Polish
46.	Art Evolve	106.	StyleInspire.nl	166.	Gelic\' nail art
47.	Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom	107.	Hand-y Feats and Other Treats	167.	Nail Polish Goddess
48.	Moxie Reviews	108.	Go Polish Yourself	168.	Nails for the Sake of Sanity
49.	Lacquered Lover	109.	Lydia\'s Nails	169.	JenerallySpeaking
50.	The MakeUp Diary	110.	Menina	170.	Thoughts of Beauty
51.	Superficially Colorful	111.	Pamela H	171.	Mimi Manicures
52.	A Ginger\'s Nail...	112.	Omg! Polish \'Em!	172.	iHeartPrettyPolish
53.	Beyond Beauty Lounge	113.	The Crumpet	173.	Nailed
54.	Beauty by Arielle	114.	Oooh, Shinies!	174.	gl0ssy
55.	Lacquer Dreams	115.	The Sweet Escape	175.	Esmaltoterapia
56.	MixedMama	116.	Lisa Nail Polish Creations	176.	Mimi\'s Mani\'s
57.	Nails Adored	117.	The Lacquerologist	177.	College Polished
58.	Red polish or bad polish	118.	Polished Grad	178.	9ml Universe
59.	Sonya Parks	119.	Polish Etc.
60.	SoFlaJo	120.	Abominable Attempts At Pretty Nails

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Model City Polish: PB&J

Hey loves! I just got back from voting for the first time ever, and I've gotta say, it feels really great! No matter who you support, make sure you make time to vote today!! AND don't forget to enter my giveaway here if you haven't yet - you could win FOUR mini Jindie Nails polishes from her Christmas collection!

Well, I've got a new (to me) indie brand to share today called Model City Polish created by a wonderful lady named Nina. I heard about her polish when she posted on Reddit about a sale she was having. If you haven't already, you need to head over to RedditLaqueristas and/or Random Acts of Polish. I love LOVE the ladies I've gotten a chance to get to know over there, and I'm never short on inspiration when I see all the lovely nails!

Anyway, that was a side note - back to this polish! I've got a ton of bottle shots of this baby. I love the bottles, I love the label, plus I had SUN for the first time in literally a week, so I got excited okay!? :)

PB&J has a scrumptious purple (kinda blurple but definitely more purple than blue) jelly base with different sizes of holographic gold hexes. The jelly is super pigmented - it's pretty much completely opaque in 2 coats, but I did 3 for depth.

 As I mentioned, the following photos I used 3 coats of PB&J with NO undies :D I used SV for topcoat and my nails were completely smooth and the glitter lay completely flat.

Check out how the gold glitters sparkle in the sun <3

SO what do you guys think?? I was super impressed by my first Model City Polish and by Nina's awesome customer service. If you haven't yet, definitely check out her shop on Etsy - you'll thank me. :D Click click click below and let me know what you think of PB&J.

Model City Polish on Etsy
Model City Polish on Facebook

Thanks for looking guys! Have a great day <3

Kelly

Reader Appreciation Giveaway!!

Hey guys!!! I hinted at this on Facebook and here it is - I have decided to have a reader appreciation giveaway! No real reason or milestone, I just really appreciate you guys visiting my little corner of the web and wanted to give back.

I got extras of several of the minis from Jindie Nails Santa Claws collection, so the giveaway will be for those! I have four in all - Candy Cane, Holly, Noel, and Santa Claws.

There will be ONE winner who will win all four minis. The giveaway is open to US and Canada followers only - SORRY! Any further than that, and shipping is a bit much for me. You must be a GFC follower to win, and you must leave an email address. All other entries are optional. The giveaway will run through next Sunday 11/11 and end at midnight :) Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dollish Polish Expecto Patronum dated 9/5 - proof that practice makes perfect :]

Hey guys!

I promise to get my giveaway posted just as soon as I get a picture of the prizes taken. For now, I've got an old mani I found when I was cleaning up my computer - Dollish Polish Expecto Patronum!!

It wasn't until I was looking at these photos that I fully realized how far I've come! I know there's been all this drama about cleaning up your cuticles, etc, and I don't really want to get into that, but I do want to say that I realize how crappy this clean-up job is so I hope you won't judge! I found these photos in a folder marked 9/5/12, which was exactly two months ago today, and I was stunned by how much I've improved since then, and it made me really happy :] My photos have gotten much more focused and crisp, my poses have gotten less awkward, I've learned how to better shape my nails, and I've gotten so much better at clean-up and otherwise caring for my cuticles! :D

Nonetheless, this is a really pretty color and I wanted to share it with you guys! SO here it is - Expecto Patronum!

Dollish Polish Expecto Patronum Bottle Shot

 Expecto Patronum has got a white creme base with different sized teal/blue hexes. This looks exactly how I would imagine a Patronus charm to look like. I love Harry Potter!

Macro shot

And here goes with the nails! Let's try to focus on the pretty colors and not the crappy paint job I did, shall we? Haha :]

Please ignore the sloppy cleanup!!

Gorgeous <3

Another close up

I love love LOVE this polish! I kinda totally forgot about it since it's been packed away in my Helmer. The photos show just two coats of Expecto with Seche Vite overtop. I will have to reswatch soon with my new improved clean-up and photo-taking skills!

So what do you think of this one? Do you own it, or any other Dollish Polishes?? I would love to hear below <3


Kelly

Everybody has fails...Cult Nails Seduction

First off, let me be clear - the polish is not the fail here - my application of it is!! I was not even going to post this mani, but then I thought, what the heck - this blog is about my adventures in nail polish, good and bad! SO I figured I would share it so maybe you all can learn from my mistake :]
When Cult Nails had their sale recently, I jumped on the opportunity because I didn't own ANY CN polishes - crazy, right!? So I picked up three (Seduction, Captivated, and I Got Distracted) plus the Wicked Fast topcoat, because I'd heard rave reviews.
I was SO excited to try the first one (boyfriend picked Seduction) that I didn't swatch on a swatch wheel first, which would have saved me the trouble and the "fail" I mention in the title. But before we get to that, check out the pretty bottle shot.

 Gorgeous, rfight? So what's the problem? This polish is super, super sheer. I totally should have layered it. By the time I realized, it was too late, and I just went with it. The photos you see below show FIVE coats of Seduction with SV overtop. It would have worked fine, except for the dragging off the tips. I even tried to wrap them and could not fix it. It drove me nuts and I took it off immediately, lol.

Cult Nails Seduction

Cult Nails Seduction

Cult Nails Seduction, in direct sunlight

Lesson learned? This polish will be AMAZING over purple or even black undies, but layering five coats in an attempt for opacity is a huge pain. Next time I will definitely try different undies and share the results with you!

Have you guys experienced any recent fails?? Tell me about them! I'd love to feel like I'm not alone!
Thanks for reading! <3

Kelly

Fall into Autumn: Day 10 - Favorite Sweater

Hey guys,
sorry for the quick post but I have been EXHAUSTED lately and have been having a hard time getting motivation for nail art and blogging. It makes me sad to say that, since polishing has really been a stress reliever for me, but lately it has almost felt more like a chore. I've just got a lot going on with work and other stuff, so I may be posting a bit less frequently until I get some of my motivation back! Sorry about that in advance.

That's it for my little PSA, now here's my mani for Day 10 of the FiA Challenge! I used my favorite argyle sweater for inspiration :]

That's it for tonight! Hope you guys have a great weekend!

<3
Kelly