Monday, 10 January 2011
Close, But No Cigar.
They smell wretched, they've been involved in political scandals, they've been used as props, and certain kinds are illegal here in the United States... you guessed it, I'm talking about cigars. Having bartended in my younger days, I've inhaled my share of secondhand, putrid-smelling cigar smoke, and though I find them rather vile, I DO have to admit that the cigar bands/labels are super cool looking, which is why I decided to do a cigar inspired manicure! All the cigar band designs in this manicure are based off of actual cigar band designs. :)
I used American Apparel Raccoon as a base, then mixed with American Apparel Trenchcoat to give it a bit of texture. For the thumb, I used American Apparel California Trooper as a base for the band, China Glaze 2030 from Khrome Collection for the gold, American Apparel Hassid for the black, and American Apparel Port for the wine color. For the index finger, I used American Apparel Manila as a base for the band, American Apparel Port for the red, American Apparel Hassid for the black, and China Glaze 2030 from Khrome Collection for the gold. For the middle finger, I used China Glaze 2030 from Khrome Collection for the gold, and American Apparel Hassid for the black. For the ring finger, I used Essie Alligator Purse as a base, with American Apparel Manila for the yellow, China Glaze 2030 from Khrome Collection for the gold, MAC Vestral White for the white, and American Apparel Hassid for the black. For the pinky, I used Essie Alligator Purse for the borders, American Apparel California Trooper for the cream border, and flower base, for the tips of the flower petals, I used a mix of American Apparel California Trooper, China Glaze Flyin' High and American Apparel Port. For the leaves, I used BB Couture Poison Ivy, for the red, I used ORLY Candy Cane Lane, and for the gold, I used China Glaze 2030 from Khrome Collection. Topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.
*cough cough*
Hedy's oke.doke swatches!!
While I was at Rite Aid last week, and grabbed those new Jesse Girls, that I posted about recently, I also saw a a new brand, that I have never heard of, called, oke.doke. There were a few colors, but only 3 stood out to me. The first 2 are 2 coats, and Camo Loco, was only 1!
Steal This Teal
Steal This Teal
Purple Nurple, lol. This name cracks me up
Camo Loco
OMG, thank you all...500 followers!!!
Okay, I am honestly soooo giddy right now. I cannot believe I actually hit 500 followers on here! To be honest, I never thought anyone would really ever be interested in seeing my manis, when there are sooooo many amazing women/bloggers out there all ready. I really am thankful to you all, and LOVE reading your comments and emails. You guys are simply awesome. Oh and just to prove how excited I am, and excited I was to see everyone that I enjoyed my blog, I am showing you some actual screen prints of the texts I would send my husband, lol. As you can see, even when I hit 6 followers, I was thrilled. The very last text image, is from this morning, and he called me to say Congrats. You guys are the BEST!!!! I really hope you keep enjoying my blog, and would LOVE to hear any ideas you may have. I have had a few requests to do youtube videos, and I'm still considering it. I just have to get over my nerves, lol. I also wanted to say thanks to all my fellow bloggers, who helped get myself and my blog out there.
So here are the screen prints from my phone. I deleted most messages in between my blog updates to him, lol, just so you all could see you all really did, and still do make my day.
So here are the screen prints from my phone. I deleted most messages in between my blog updates to him, lol, just so you all could see you all really did, and still do make my day.
(This pic will enlarge if you click on it, to make it easier to see)
Thanks again to everyone!!!!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Hard Candy Sky.....Is finally MINE!
Since about a month ago, I've wanted Hard Candy Sky. I saw it posted on MUA, and knew I had to have it. Well, I rarely get to Wal-mart, but when I recently went, I saw it, and snatched it up. It is such a gorg baby blue, with hidden blue shimmer, that I had a HORRIBLE time capturing in pics. The application was a tad tricky, but worth it. When using this, I had to do quick, light strokes, and this was 2 coats. For the tips I used China Glaze Millenium.
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Purple Gleam Funky French
Okay, I swear I had writing in here, lol. Sorry guys, I don't know what happened, but I'm doing a quick re-do of it.
For this mani I used Milani Purple Gleam for the tips, and the brand 10, color #415 for the base color. That is DEF my all time fave base for my funky french's.
Tore Up From the Floor Up
Today's nail art was originally based on the floor tile pattern in one of the elevators at Caesars Palace here in Las Vegas. The floor design is the yellow circle with the yellow rectangles with the circle's curve on one end, all of which is outlined in black on a cream background. I LOVED how it looked when I saw it, but it didn't really translate well to the nail, in my opinion, so I kept adding color to it, and ultimately, it has more of a tiki or tribal retro feel to me now. I also have to say, I'm not terribly excited about it, hence the blog post title. :-D
One fun thing that happened today is that I met Elizabeth, who writes the Lacquered Lizard blog! :)
It was fun meeting her, and talking about nail polish, blogging, honestly, lots of stuff, we were all over the map! Plus, we ate delicious pancakes from Blueberry Hill. YUM. They're 1/2" thick pancakes of pure deliciousness. We both brought each other little gifts (I have to send part of hers because I didn't finish it), but I gave her a Dare 2 Wear polish, a green polish from Urban Outfitters, and one of the super pretty polishes from ALDO! She brought me two awesome Del Sol polishes (the UV sensitive polishes) in Ruby Slippers & the Halloween one, as well as a bottle of Seche Vite (which will definitely be put to good use!!), and a cool peach color from a Dutch brand (I believe?) called Hema! :) It was definitely a good time- and I even introduced her to Island Girl nail polishes, we HAD to go nail polish shopping after breakfast, I'm pretty sure it's some sort of law.
Anyway, on to the nails! :)
I used American Apparel Cotton as a base, with American Apparel Manila for the yellow, American Apparel Hassid for the black, and American Apparel MacArthur Park for the green. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.
Saturday, 8 January 2011
O.P.I Spree !!
O.P.I SPREE #1 !!!!
Hey! I'm opening up an O.P.I spree @ 10 bucks per bottle (those with black caps!!) Have ready stock, subject to availability. Credits to scrangie.com for swatches. (:
*I'll only order for you once payment is transferred to my account.*
SPREE CLOSING WEDNESDAY (12 JAN).
Send me an email at valerie.gmh@gmail.com in this format:
1. OPI Katy Perry Collections
Hey! I'm opening up an O.P.I spree @ 10 bucks per bottle (those with black caps!!) Have ready stock, subject to availability. Credits to scrangie.com for swatches. (:
*I'll only order for you once payment is transferred to my account.*
SPREE CLOSING WEDNESDAY (12 JAN).
Send me an email at valerie.gmh@gmail.com in this format:
Name of Polish:
Item Code:
Quantity:
Collection Type: Normal, Registered or meet up
Your Name:
Contact Number:
Mailing address:
Item Code:
Quantity:
Collection Type: Normal, Registered or meet up
Your Name:
Contact Number:
Mailing address:
Postage Rates:
Normal Postage:
1 bottle: $1.50
2-3 Bottles: $2.50
4-7 Bottles: $3.50
8 bottles onwards: $4 (8th bottle) + $0.50 per extra bottle
8 bottles onwards: $4 (8th bottle) + $0.50 per extra bottle
Registered Postage:
Normal Postage + $2.24
Eg: $1.50 + $2.24 = $3.74
1. OPI Katy Perry Collections
(with Black Shatter Crackle Polish! Arriving next week, but you can keep your orders coming in and I'll place a reserve order for you.)



Teenage Dream

The one that got away

O.P.I Black shatter over Last Friday Night

OPI Black Shatter over Not like the movies

OPI Black shatter over Teenage Dream

OPI Black shatter over the one that got away
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


3. OPI Go Goth Mini Set for Halloween

Nevermore

Obscure

Sanguine

Unripened
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
4. OPI Swiss Collection Fall 2010

Color So Hot It Berns

Cuckoo for this color

Diva of Geneva

From A to Zurich

Glitzerland

I'm Suzi & I'm A Chocoholic

Just A Little Rosti At This

Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous

Ski Teal We Drop

The Color To Watch

William Tell Me About OPI

Yodel Me On My Cell
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
5. OPI Soft Shades for 2010

Isn't That Precious?

I Think In Pink

It's A Girl

Pink-A-Doodle
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
6. OPI Summer Flutter Collection Summer 2010

2. Serena Williams Grand Slam Collection

Simply Smashing

OPI Black Shatter over Simply Smashing
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
3. OPI Go Goth Mini Set for Halloween

Nevermore

Obscure

Sanguine

Unripened
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
4. OPI Swiss Collection Fall 2010

Color So Hot It Berns

Cuckoo for this color

Diva of Geneva

From A to Zurich

Glitzerland

I'm Suzi & I'm A Chocoholic

Just A Little Rosti At This

Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous

Ski Teal We Drop

The Color To Watch

William Tell Me About OPI

Yodel Me On My Cell
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
5. OPI Soft Shades for 2010

Isn't That Precious?

I Think In Pink

It's A Girl

Pink-A-Doodle
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
6. OPI Summer Flutter Collection Summer 2010

Catch Me In Your Net

Flit A Bit

Flower To Flower

Wing It

Chopsticking to my Story

Dim Sum Plum

Hot and Spicy

Jade is the new Black

Lucky Lucky Lavender

Meet Me on the Star Ferry

Panda-monium Pink

Pearl of Wisdom

Red My Fortune Cookie

Suzi Says Feng Shui
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I'm sure there are many more OPI colours, here are some swatches from scrangie.com If you have other colours feel free to email me and i'll check the availability for you. (:

Flit A Bit

Flower To Flower

Wing It

Chopsticking to my Story

Dim Sum Plum

Hot and Spicy

Jade is the new Black

Lucky Lucky Lavender

Meet Me on the Star Ferry

Panda-monium Pink

Pearl of Wisdom

Red My Fortune Cookie

Suzi Says Feng Shui
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I'm sure there are many more OPI colours, here are some swatches from scrangie.com If you have other colours feel free to email me and i'll check the availability for you. (: