Sugar and Cinnamon

My 1st Valentine's Day Konadicure. Done with CG "Something Sweet" (2 coats), M59 stamped with CG "Unplugged". I was going for a pink & brown mani, hence the name....I also dotted a little "Fairy Dust" just across the little brown hearts.

I think I have found one of the many secrets to Konading! DON'T press too hard....I know, I know - but I found that if I don't press nearly as hard as I had been, the designs transfer without any smudging or shadowing...maybe I just got lucky this time, but I didn't have to re-do any nail (I usually have 1 or 2 do-overs) during this one.

The next picture was just too cool....I got a really punk rainbow reflection from my beveled mirror, I just had to post the radness!

KOTD a day late....

I did this konadicure on Thursday, but didn't get a chance to post it...it is Diamond Cosmetics "Don't Teal My Heart Away" and my first Color Club, "Worth the Risque" - I used plate M4. I then added a large crystal to the ring finger, mainly because I smudged the stamp - GRRRRR.....I really love this color from DC, and as others have said, this formula is very smooth and opaque in 2 coats. Plus, for the price $2.50~ish a bottle, they are fast becoming my new favorites.

I had read a review (thanks to Fashioned in Finland here) about the Color Club holo, and I am so glad I bought it on that recommendation...it is very hard to really pick up the holo on this stamp, but I was surprised at how well it shows up as a stamp! So good to find other polishes that work with the konad system.....I can't wait to use this as a base color - it's really fab.

I took both of these pics in full-sun, well, as full as our sun was that day. The color is very true to life....vibrant, with a hint of dust....it's beautiful.

The konad reminded me of part fishnet, part tribal, part henna art - I couldn't put my finger on it (no pun intended, yeah right!)....what do you think?

Just Peachy! (and a little orange)

I decided to compare all the peach/orange/coral colors I have hauled in the past week. They are all China Glaze. (I didn't plan it that way, I just REALLY liked the colors) I also read that these peachy colors are going to be the "new pink", which is actually last year's "new black" ......along with blue, turquoise, lilac, purple, yellow, green, (both mint and kelly)...so much polish and only 10 nails is just not fair.

So, I'll start right here:

**Note: They have all been applied in two coats, there is no topcoat and this was taken in full sun. (We actually do have a sun!)

Thumb - Peachy Keen (from U&A - love them all)

Index - Jamaican Out

Middle - Vintage Crepe (out of stock like everywhere)

Ring - I Wann Lei Ya

Pinky - Thataway

I'm not sure why I had to have them all, but they are all just a little different. I Wanna Lei Ya and Thataway could have used a 3rd coat, but I wanted there to be some control in this unofficial comparison. They all spread evenly, just like all the China Glaze I own and I will be sporting these colors very soon.

I have noticed that I have become much more fond of the cremes. Maybe because there are so many good ones out there?!?

If you look at my "Follower" list - you will notice that I am ONE away from 50! I never thought I would get this far! You are all so awesome and inspiring! I just adore looking at all the blogs, seeing the Konadicures and manis, swatches and photos....It's just so cool! Thanks for following me, and hey, invite your friends! Let's have polished fun together!!!

Tiffani

Hands Of Hope

I know many of you have already posted this, but it is so important......I have been wanting some BB Couture polish, but couldn't bring myself to pay $9/bottle.....however, this was the perfect opportunity for me to try what many of you rave about, AND help those who so desperately need it. I ordered last night, and I urge you to do so, as well....

This set has:

~Tortuga Island - explore the exotic lush green island foliage

~Kyona Beach – gaze up at the cloudless baby blue sky while sunning on the beach

~Bassin’s Blue – experience subtle turquoise pools linked by spectacular waterfalls

~Labadie Beach – delight in the delicate pink hues of the setting sun

~Cape Haitian – mornings bring a mysterious pale violet haze over the mountains

~Paradise – savor the natural beauty of Haiti along the endless sandy beige beaches

Remember 25 % of all sales is going to help the women and children of Haiti..

My 1st all-over.

I finally tried it, and boy, was it easy! Now, this is NOT an original design or even thought, but with so many examples with this color combo and this plate, I thought surely I could do it!

I used Super Base from Diamond Cosmetics followed by 2 coats of Jessica "Sunset Blvd." This black is very shiny, a little difficult to spread evenly. Maybe that's just black in general??? It left a couple of bald spots, but with the 2nd coat was OK. I then used CG Millennium and M63. (this is going to become one of my favorite plates!) As others have said, you must work very quickly when stamping with CG - it makes the transfer very tape-like ~like a rub-on transfer or guild paper.

I am really going to love using the CG Khrome Collection for Konading - it is so pretty. My head again, is swirling with ideas - I probably should start writing them down, lest I forget one!

The final product reminds me a little of water marbling, eh? I have seen this done with holos, but I don't have any, yet.... they should be here in a couple of days.

It was dreary and rainy here all day, so I had to use artificial lighting to get this shot...It's OK. I guess.

The Commish is taking me out to dinner so I thought this would be a nice mani for the evening....black sweater, skinny jeans, snake-skin pumps and silver jewelry.....

Purple and Gold

First of all, I am posting this a little late because I had 2 senior portrait sessions to shoot today, back to back....I'm a little tired. I did, however before my 1st appointment get my nails done in very short order......SH Insta-Dry and Art-Deco quasi-french...adding little Viking horns and footballs with Konad Special Polish in white. The usual two coats of Seche finished it off.

(I have to tell you that I am not a huge Vikings fan it's just that ~ I HATE DALLAS.), we are Steelers fans here in WV, but they are, well, NOT in the playoffs.

The little horn came from the pony tail on M71 - who knew! Looks just like the Viking's helmets!

The football is from M52.

What are your favorite teams? When I get to 100 followers, I should do a contest where everyone does a mani cheering on their favorite team.....soccer, basketball, football, baseball ~ just whatever! What do you think?

King Tut never looked this good!

WOW - WOW - WOW! I can't believe this is on my nails, and better yet - *SINGS LOUDLY" I love it! My first bottle of Jessica Polish is King Tut's Gem............whoa, Pharaoh.

I was really just swatching a bunch of polishes this morning (like always) and this one really stood out!

(in sun, er, I mean snow light)

this is with flash and my studio constants lights....not nearly as pretty or true to it's fab color. This blue is a glorious peacock shade, not a tinge of purple or periwinkle....it's definitely worth having this in your "arsenal".

But soon after, I changed colors to get ready for the West Virginia University Basketball game tomorrow.....

It's a coat of Diamond Cosmetics Base (OOOOOH DO I HAVE NEWS!) and two coats of CG Bermuda Breakaway. Then I free-handed a couple of stripes with Art/Deco Gold Glitter and added a little rhinestone to each finger. Two coats of Seche finished it off....

The more I look at this mani, the more I think it would have been better suited for a day on the yacht....a little nautical....but since I spent 30 minutes on it, I guess I'll keep it until after the game. :)

I got a mail haul today from Diamond Cosmetics - gonna swatch them later.

Days of Haulin'

Woot!

I have so many new hauls from the past week....and there is no end in sight. I just love all the blogs I am reading and following (hint-hint! Every time I see a new color or design, my artiste brain (I am a musician and photographer, ya know) just goes bonkers. Even if I never use half of the colors I have ~*yea right*~ they are like a crown filled with jewels....I just can't stop looking at them; the little sparkles, glitters, hexes, mattes, cremes - am I just plain crazy? YEP!

Grab something, hold on - here comes my "haul":

"Go ask ALICE.....when she's 10 feet tall"

I'm sure it's been done, but deed, I love the snow! These colors are so deep and beautiful. Not to mention, I got them for about $12 on Head2Toe Beauty Store.

I scored this for $8:

And these were $2.99 each: 1 Secret Peri-wink-Le (which I absolutely LOVE), 1 Neon Orange Knockout, 1 Custom Kicks and 1 Blk-Bila-Bong. I thought the last would be more black, but it really has a lot of dark blue, oh well.... ;)

Now imagine if all of these came to your house on the same day!!!!! OH JOY! (yes, they did) I could barely stand it.

CG in "Refresh-mint", "Fairy Dust" and "Watermelon Rind".....

The long-awaited and coveted KHROME collection...... (I know, thou shalt not covet....I couldn't help it!)

Here begins my "drugstore" haul. These were on sale BOGO 1/2 at Kroger.

Sally Hansens were on clearance for $1.80 each.....
These SH were on clearance for $2.83.....
Picked these up at Rite-Aid, again SH was BOGO 1/2 and the CQ and Wn'W were $1.99 each.

L to R: CQ Night, Wn'W Craze in Jade, SH Xtreme Wear in Green With Envy and SH Insta-Dry in sonic Boom.

Icing "Mall Haul".....Laura's Fave. I think this may be as close to Tiffany as I can find right now - it does have a hint of gold shimmer, but I can deal. It was $4.99. The Blackout was $2.25......?????????

And yesterday, was Konad haul day. LOVE OC NailArt....the prices are the best, and the service is even better. From Cali to WV in 3 days. I can't tell you how quick that is.

M21, M38, M57, M63, M71. I will be doing all my business here!

New CG Mani!

Here is my newest mani. I'll have to tell about it later - gotta go teach some music to some kiddos! It is CG Recycle, OPI Mad as a Hatter and some free-hand (comet-like) Art Deco in white....

China Glaze Chapter 1

I think I am in love ~ with a nail polish. Today was the 1st time I have ever used the CG and OMGsh, pure seduction! I'm so new to this whole nail thing, I never knew that such goodness could come from a small bottle of pigment and "stuff". Although I am not totally in love with the 'nadicure, I can tolerate it.....until tomorrow. ;)

So here is how I worked it:
2 coats of CG Secret Peri-Wink-le (a most beautiful color):

Now, my 1st "free-hand" tip job. I used CG Sci-Fi...I probably could have left it right here. Something about Periwinkle + Silver makes me ga-ga! (next time, add some green, come on!!!)

So, then I thought that the little leopard print on M24 looked like snow....I know, I know...we have enough of that around here, but it was so pretty today in WV - THE SUN WAS OUT! So I used Konad Special Polish in White.

The little "sun" is from Coraline. Everyday I find new ways to use those plates! (I stamped it with CG Sci-Fi and what a difference from the Silver Konad Special Polish - rubbish.)

Finally, being the glitter hog that I am, you know I had to add some. I started with just dotting the Sally Hansen Diamond Coat (Diamond) over the tips, but really liked covering the entire nail, sans ring finger.....If I had this to do all over again, I think I would have used a stamp on the whole nail.

Anywho....we had a birthday today here in the mountains - the Roo turned 8, and we had a little soirée for him. It was just the 3 of us, and oh, so nice and relaxing. I'll post pictures tomorrow.

My first haul (sorta)!?!?!

Here is my 1st haul: WOO-HOO!


I am so excited...now, this was not a true haul, it was a UPS haul....and I even had to meet him at the bottom of the driveway (he called me!). Here's why:

This is the view from the back of my house (yes, it's a fake-out HDR)...the thing is with 24 inches of snow, it's hard to haul anywhere!

I will be back in a few hours...gonna swatch and 'nad later. I am so excited.

Just the Beginning!

I have had my Konad set since Thanksgiving and am just beginning to find out all the possibilities. I am following 'nad blogs like crazy and loving what I see. Also, with the now 24" of snow, I have plenty of free time. Here are my trials and errors so far:

1st Konadicure EVER!


~ Special Polish in White, Blue and Yellow using M19 and M60. I added a little gold heart later. This was about 3 days in to the mani, so there was a bit of wear, but still, not bad for a 1st try!

Here is #2!



~ Special Polish in Red and White using M19 and layering with M45 and added a snowflake from M59. One little clear crystal on ring finger.

Take a look at #3:


~Special Polish in Yellow for tips, M19. Layering done with Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Blazing Blue. Plates M18, M52 and M9.

Here comes the next one, #4:




~Base coat - 2 coats Wet N' Wild Goldmine. Special Polish Metallic blue for lettering using M17, M18 and M52.

*disclaimer - we LOVE WVU sports, however, we lost both the Gator Bowl and A BBall game that day, so this mani was promptly removed by halftime...LOL!

AND - #5
Here is where I decided to get a little more creative, I think....



~ Two coats of OPI Merry Midnight (LOVE THIS COLOR!!!!). Special Polish in white and plate M54. One little crystal on ring finger.

DRUM ROLL ~~~~~~~~~ KOTD!!!!





~ Base is 2 coats of ICING (some sort of metallic blue, there is no tag and it's
REALLY old)....Special Polish in White and plates M60 & M69. I tried to make the "argyle" angle across the tips of my nails - solid fail - still working on my technique, as you can tell...anyway over the tip, I used Sally Hansen Diamond Strength in Diamond and for the snowflake, Sally Hansen Salon in Pedal to the Metal. I think it's OK - but as soon as my China Glaze Khrome Collection gets here (oh my), I'll be using those for my metallic stamps.

Before KONAD

This new "profile" picture, so tastefully taken by the Commish in Las Vegas, was just before I discovered Konad. Notice the forlorn look on my face.

I just recently discovered all these blogs about nails, nail polish, "swatching" and Konad. I am positively amazed at how many great looking manis are out there, and I plan to use them for inspiration. I hope you enjoy my upcoming posts, suggestions, tips and of course, Konad manis....I can't wait. I have ordered a bunch of OPI, Diamond Cosmetics and China Glaze in the past week and will enjoy every last bottle and fume.

I also have to tell you that no one (I MEAN NO ONE) has ever seen or heard of Konad back here in the mountains of West Virginia - am I surprised? NO....SO, I ordered several starter kits and gave them out for Christmas! There is not even a Konad distributor within 500 miles of here. hmmmmm...........

We are in the middle of some serious snow...now about 20" here on the hilltop and more expected by tonight. I am going to take some new pics and post them this afternoon. Stay tuned!

New Year, New Stuff.

OK,OK...no, I am not dead. Just got a little bored with the "blog". Too many distractions...I am, however going to post a few things. There really is too much to talk about (it has been a year!) but the one thing I am NUTS for is KONAD! This is going to be fun....I'll let you know more, but please enjoy the picture.

That is my hand, my art and yes, my snow....we have nearly 12" of it, and I thought I'd make use of it somehow. Teaser.

She loves!!

Here is Shannon and her new hat and "baby"....