Friday, 3 June 2011
Surf's Up, Dude!
My first time in a MAC store EVER was in January 2005, and it was at the Pro Store here in Las Vegas - before I even moved here! I even remember my first eyeshadow that I purchased - Melody! My love affair began way back then, and since, my collection has grown to a ridiculous amount - over 70 full-sized pigments, 5 15-pan palettes full, quads galore, almost every color of fluidliner, and pencils, paints, lipglosses, glasses, sticks, etc. galore. It's a tad ridiculous, honestly. I'm a makeup hoarder, though I've gotten much better about passing up most or all of a new collection, even if it's LE, because generally I have a color that is so close that the layperson wouldn't be able to tell the difference, or because it's merely a repromote in different packaging. :-D (I do fall for them on occasion - can we say Wonder Woman Ruby Woo?!) Needless to say, I fell for the new Surf Baby collection, taking home Short Shorts e/s (I'm forever on the hunt for a Pollen dupe - my fav MAC e/s ever), Surf the Ocean pigment stack, Hangin' Loose nail polish, and Surf Baby! Cheek powder with the amazing gold hibiscus flower on it. The only thing I'm not loving is the pigment stack - SO difficult to work with!! (Was the gold supposed to be mousse-like?)
Anyway, because I LOVE the colors of the packaging and the hibiscus in this collection, I HAD to do a nail design based off it! :) Hope you like it!!
I used American Apparel Cotton as a base, with Lotus Herbals in Code Orange for the stripe as well as the hibiscus on the ring finger. For the yellow I used CND Bicycle Yellow, and for the grey/taupe, I used Essie Chinchilly. For the gold on the hibiscus, I used China Glaze Hi-tek. Topped everything off with two coats of Seche Vite top coat.
Thursday, 2 June 2011
READY FOR THE BEACH NAILS SUMMER 2011
Woooo hoooo just 2 weeks away from the IBS Las Vegas show. Can't wait to learn some new techniques and purchase some new fun nail stuff!
I created a 3d coconut tree on the thumb and then capped over it with clear. I used beach theme fimo clay from kennickkreations.com on the other nails.

These nails were inspired by an amazing nail tech Nidia Casas. You can view some of her work at nailsbynidia.com

These are reggae inspired.

2 of my favorite things: animal print, and fimo clay dots from oaktreedollshouseminiatures.com










The lighter purple on these nails is a new color I just purchased from the inm collection long ago and far away.
I created a 3d coconut tree on the thumb and then capped over it with clear. I used beach theme fimo clay from kennickkreations.com on the other nails.
These nails were inspired by an amazing nail tech Nidia Casas. You can view some of her work at nailsbynidia.com
These are reggae inspired.
2 of my favorite things: animal print, and fimo clay dots from oaktreedollshouseminiatures.com
The lighter purple on these nails is a new color I just purchased from the inm collection long ago and far away.
Monday, 30 May 2011
Chanel design nails!

My first attempt at a set of Chanel design nails! Quilted french black tips with the famous double C logo painstakingly hand painted by me using gel. Hehe.
This is a set of sculptured acrylic extension, nail colour painted with gelish (gel nail polish).
Chanel design nails!

My first attempt at a set of Chanel design nails! Quilted french black tips with the famous double C logo painstakingly hand painted by me using gel. Hehe.
This is a set of sculptured acrylic extension, nail colour painted with gelish (gel nail polish).
Some floral lovin'
Can't get enough of these hand painted floral designs... Love it love it love it! It's a pity my left hand cannot paint flowers. SOB.


Nail design from Nail Max! I'm loving the colour combination here. Soft pink shades with pink and purple roses. Awww. Oh and this is Miyake Wong's nails. And yes her skin is flawless and she is still pretty without makeup. JEALOUS MAX.
Painted scallop lace on the french line.
Some floral lovin'
Can't get enough of these hand painted floral designs... Love it love it love it! It's a pity my left hand cannot paint flowers. SOB.


Nail design from Nail Max! I'm loving the colour combination here. Soft pink shades with pink and purple roses. Awww. Oh and this is Miyake Wong's nails. And yes her skin is flawless and she is still pretty without makeup. JEALOUS MAX.
Painted scallop lace on the french line.
2011 Las Vegas Weekly Awards!
This past Wednesday I was invited to attend an event held by the Las Vegas Weekly, a weekly magazine here in Las Vegas. I was selected as the recipient of the 2011 'Best Blogger' award in the 2011 Weekly awards!! SO exciting!! :) Of course, since I was going to the event, I had to do Las Vegas Weekly nails, so I used one of the copies of when the story about me was in the Weekly last May to work into the manicure. (I was a tad overzealous in getting spare copies to keep, so I had a few issues to spare :-P) Check out the blurb about the award here!
Forgive me for not including my thumb in the picture- I swatched another color over it without thinking before I got around to photographing it. Stupid me. For the texture in the background, I transferred bits of the original article using alcohol onto the white background, then painted the Las Vegas WEEKLY logo over it. :)
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My name on the big screen! :) |
I used American Apparel Cotton as a base, with Claire's Stiletto for the red, and American Apparel Hassid for the black. Topped it all off with two coats of Seche Vite top coat.
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Limited Time Promo*
*Special Promotion for the Month of June*
Enjoy 50% off any nail art with purchase of any Classic ManiPedi services.
Valid in the month of June only.
Hurry hurry!
Book an appointment at valerie.gmh@gmail.com now!
Saturday, 28 May 2011
Hey everyone
Okay so the past week has not been my best. I can say that my computer is up and running again, yay, but I am currently dealing with some other areas of my life. My blog had to be put on hold this week, and I apologize to you all. Things are starting to get back in order so I am hoping to get back into the swing of things soon. I also have had no time to get to any emails or comments, but please know I will. Hope you all are doing good.
XOXO
Erika
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
XOXO
Erika
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Get Your Groupon On!
Many of you may have heard of Groupon by now, but if you haven't, it's amazing. Businesses in your area (or sometimes online businesses) will over products or services at a hefty discount if you buy during the Groupon sale. I've used Groupon for Barnes & Noble gift cards ($10 for $20), Gap ($25 for $50), American Apparel ($25 for $50), Zipline Rides down Fremont St ($10 for $25), Restaurants for 50%, Redbox coupons, admission to LV shows, Mani/Pedis, movie tix, all sorts of things. You can even purchase them as gifts for a friend! :)
Right now they're running a special where if a friend signs up and purchase their first Groupon by June 13, you get $30!! So Sign up, and then get your friends to sign up so YOU can get money towards free Groupons!!!
I wouldn't recommend something that I don't already use (way too much), so check it out, I think you'll like it- and it's offered in cities all over the US! :)
If you like me, and want to sign up with MY link, here it is! Melissa's Groupon Signup Link