Tag Archives: nails

Jan27

MDJ Creations: Robin Moses Inspired Collection 

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Things I am good at but probably shouldn’t be:

1. Being lazy .  I once pulled a muscle in my foot from stretching out on the couch with too much enthusiasm and had to be pushed around in a wheelchair at the zoo the next day.  How many people do you know who hurts themselves by laying down?  HOW MANY?  That’s right, just me.  EXPERT LEVEL isn’t even close to describing this scenario.

2. Embarrassing myself.  Try eating Gardettos in a quiet room full of people and see what happens.  You can’t even pretend it wasn’t you.

3. Looking up symptoms on the internet.  Your pee smell like Froot Loops?  Don’t worry, I’ll help you.  Your baby digging around in the cat box?  Well, that’s unfortunate!  But I’ll help you.  Headache won’t go away?  I’m not even wasting time on that one cuz we already know:  brain tumor, instantly.  Sometimes it’s not good to look up symptoms.  I should’ve died like 80 times already.

4. Checking locks before bed.  I see the lock with my eyes.  Brain registers the fact it’s clearly locked.  But just in case, let’s go ahead and touch the lock and go through the motions of locking cuz somehow that makes it even more locked – SUPER locked – and lord knows no sleep is happening unless the house is SUPER locked.  (Sooooo … I might have a medical condition.  Let’s look that up on the internet to confirm.)

Tell me, what secrets talents do you have?  Please leave me a comment and help me feel normal.  I can’t be the only weirdo in this blog.

Time for nail polish!  Melissa from MDJ Creations sent me her 7-piece Robin Moses Inspired collection to review for you today.  You like pretty things?  You like sparkle?  Well then today is your lucky day.  Look:

Mercy.

So this collection is a collaboration with Robin Moses, who is a popular nail artist and YouTuber.  Each polish was named after one of the clients she features each week, plus an extra named after herself, cuz duh, QUEEN.  The entire collection has loads of bling, and any one of them would be perfect for a night out.  Or for laying on your couch this side of comatose, cuz that’s what I did.

First up is Mammie:

Ooooooh!  Can you even?  NO. YOU. CANNOT.  This is my favorite kind of pink.  Not princess pink, but still sweet.  Like a school girl wearing frilly bloomers under her uniform.  A bit rebellious.  A bit like me.

Just kidding.  I read books and won spelling bees. I literally ran away from a pot cigarette when I was 19 cuz I was scared of it.  In other words, fun at parties.  Weeee!

Time for drooling!

Next up is Evil Client:

Someone’s sexy!  Red polish with glitters in it?  DONE.  This is the way I prefer my reds.  I mean, red crèmes are fine and all, but throw a bunch of glitter in the batch, and I’m sticking my fingers in everyone’s faces.  Look at mah nails!  LOOK AT THEM.  Do it.

More drool!

Now here’s Robin, Hail to the NAW:

This is the polish that’s named after Robin Moses, Nail Art Wizard.  I can see why she picked the purple one.  It’s spectacular!  Check her out under the lamps:

Doh!  I KNOW.  We’re all gonna go pass out real quick. BRB.

Now focus.  It’s macro time:

Next up is Guru:

There’s a whole lot of fancy going on in this one!  Bling bling!  I see pink, blue, green, purple, gold.  All the colors.  And despite all that, it was surprisingly easy to apply.  Two simple coats.  No gloop!  Hooray!

Normal people would put this one on and then go do some stuff.  It’s the perfect date night polish.  I, on the other hand, will go nowhere.  I’ll just sit here on this couch, hand modeling with remote controls and potato chips.  Maybe sip on the same wine cooler for about three hours.

Told you I was fun at parties.

Okay, that one was nuts.  Gettin’ all braggy with its sparkle.

Now here’s Compassionista:

All you blue lovers just died.  Isn’t she gorgeous?  I’m about to lose all the words.  Getting woozy.  Brain’s stopped holding my mouth closed.  I gotta pull it together before my husband comes in here and divorces me.  Cuz lolling tongues are not attractive.  

Squeeeee!  A macro!

This is Juicy Client:

Another one for the blues!  It’s the innocent side of blue, the “me in 7th grade” blue.  The blue that played dress up with imaginary babies until she turned 12 years old, blue.  The blue that fell asleep first at slumber parties, blue.  The blue that had a 50/50 chance on who wears the condom and got it WRONG, blue.

In other words, you’ll love this blue.  She’s pretty precious.

A dainty little macro:

Last one!  Here’s Nameless Client:

Y’all know I’m an official puddle of goo right now.  It’s the love of my life, my happiness in a bottle.  It’s GREEN.  Lovely, beautiful, darling green.  Good thing I saved this one to the end cuz I’m literally sitting here with my eyes closed, smiling.  I’ve turned into an idiot, clearly.

Last macro.  Let’s end this thing RIGHT.

Sigh.

The round up:

I love every single one of these.  You gotta get this collection.  Seriously.  I mean it. (Cuz I am the boss of you.)

Click here to order.  They released today and ready to go!  And what better way to start out the weekend than buying a little treat for yourself?  Well, maybe Leonardo handing you a cocktail and Funyuns.  But after that, not much!

One word of caution:  Melissa’s stuff sells fast.  As of this writing, we’re all good.  By the time you’re reading this, it’s a crap shoot.  So if you want one, you should go immediately.  It’s kinda an emergency.

Some other links to click on:

Robin Moses Nail Art YouTube channel:  click here

Robin Moses Nail Art Instagram:  click here for instructions on how to win the entire collection plus a set of Robin’s nail art brushes. Winner will be announced February 14!

MDJ Creations Instagram:  click here

My Instagram:  click here

A basket full of kittens:  click here, just because

Happy Friday everyone!  I’m about 2.5 seconds away from pajamas.

Later, loves!

Jan25

Anchor & Heart Lacquer: Messages in a Bottle – January and February 

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The year was 2005, the year of the chunky black shoe.  My daughter, just under 12 years old, was still willing to hug me with both arms, so clearly it a magical time.  It was summer – or maybe spring – and the world was full of green.  And happiness.  Lots and lots of happiness.

But then there was that dadgum trampoline.  Oh yes, all your childhood dreams are coming true.  Visions of flying, carefree and laughing, fill your mind.  Warm nights, laying outside on the cool mesh, staring up at the sky, counting stars.  Sounds dreamy, right?

Ugh.  Not even close.  Unless you’re totally fine with peeing your pants a little, I recommend bypassing the trampoline altogether.

However, what I’m really trying to say is, don’t jump on a trampoline with chunky black shoes on.  Cuz I did that.  And it hurt. A LOT.  I would’ve peed my pants all day long instead if I was given a choice.  Not only that, but the humiliation of having your husband shave just one of your legs so you could go to the hospital for an X-Ray, is too much to bear at times.  Of course, I am quite proud to note that amidst my suffering, I still had my wits about me to be a proper lady.  Again, only one leg, but still.  The fact that me and my husband at that time are now divorced is beside the point.

Fast forward to yesterday.  I got on a trampoline again for the first time in 12 years.  My granddaughter had left her headband outside and I went to retrieve it, and it was supposed to be an in and out real quick kinda thing.  But something took over me (as somethings are wont to do), and I bounced up and down for about 7.2 seconds.  Then naturally, because this is MY life we are talking about, I tweaked my foot as I landed a little off center.  And then as I was crawling out of the safety net, someone had replaced my normal legs with baby deer ones, cuz I swear I was 90 years old trying to get off that thing.  I don’t know if the universe is trying to tell me something (i.e., you’re old, you’re out of shape, stop eating potato chips), but I think I’ll just stick with my constant pajamas plan instead.

So get comfy with me and let’s look at pretty things.  I have two new polishes from Anchor & Heart Lacquer to share with you today.  And I had a nerdy font fest.  Ta da!

With jazz hands, of course.

This year, Taryn is doing a series of 12 polishes called Messages in a Bottle.  Each month will be a new shade, each promoting an empowering message in its name.  And you know what?  I think that’s freakin’ fabulous.  Every single one of us needs to hear something kind and uplifting, and if it comes in the form of a brand new nail polish, well what more justification do you need?  Get off your no-buys, ladies!  These are well worth your pennies.

First up for January is You’ve Got This:

Y’all know I’m not one for nude polishes cuz it makes me look pale and vitamin deficient, but this one … I mean, THIS ONE.  It’s got an extra special something that I absolutely love.  Like those flakies.  Gah!  Flakies make everything better.  And prettier and skinnier, too, probably.

So this one is a pink-tone nude polish with orange/lilac/blue shifting shimmer, pink holo micro glitter and violet/pink/gold shifting flakies.  It’s a neutral, but all dressed up for a party.  I did two coats here, but some might need three for full opacity.  Or you might need three cuz it literally takes superhuman strength to stop polishing with it.  

Macros to drool over:

Okay now that one was ridiculous.  Did you see all that stuff in there?  Why this polish doesn’t cost like a billion dollars, I have no idea.

I made nail art:

I hope you can tell that is a rose pattern, but regardless, isn’t it so precious?  I chose this wine colored stamping polish that complimented those flakies just perfectly.  Or I think so anyway.  But I also think Fritos and an entire can of bean dip is a great idea, so what do I know, really?

The roses came from the Uber Chic Beauty Love and Marriage 03 plate that just released.  I’ve been using it a ton lately, so you all should definitely check it out.

February’s polish is called You Are Enough:

Did you just die?  Cuz I sure did.  That is one heckuva glowy pink.  Wowwwww.  Someone help me put my mouth back on my face, please.  My brain’s stopped holding it closed.  And look, more flakies!  Seriously, Taryn, what are you doing to me? I do not look attractive with my tongue lolling about outside my body.

This one is a dark pink jelly based holo with shimmering pink/orange glass flecks and flakies that shift green/blue/purple.  Again, I did this one in two coats, but if there’s one polish to justify a trip to Polish Mountian, this one might be it.  One hundred layers sounds like a party I can get into.  Cuz although it might be one of the stupidest things I could ever do (aside from that one time where I jumped on a trampoline in boots; ugh), the fact it doesn’t require pants makes it so very appealing.

Better sit down before looking at these:

You okay?  Need a rag for your forehead?  I know.  Nail polish makes you sweaty sometimes.  I get it.

More kinda okay nail art:

Again, used the Uber Chic Beauty Love and Marriage 03 plate, and stamped on some heart images using a blue stamping polish that I thought kinda matched the flakies.  It didn’t really, but it turned out okay.  One thing for sure:  this polish is a true stunner and if it’s not going in your basket, you might wanna consult a doctor CUZ SOMETHING IS WRONG.
The round up:

I can’t think of any better way to spend your Friday night than throwing a couple of these in your shopping cart.  Honestly, you were just gonna put on sweatpants anyway – might as well be useful about it.

These polishes are part of the Messages in a Bottle series (as I mentioned), and despite the fact they are January and February offerings, you will be able to snag these any time.  Except let’s go ahead and take care of that now, just in case.  Release date is Friday, January 27 at 9pm EST so make sure you have Post-It Notes on all your surfaces.  Then click here to shop. There’s an initial preorder thru January 31 with shipping to start one week later, then once all that’s done, they will be fully in stock in February. 

Can’t wait to see what the year holds for Anchor & Heart – what more empowering, uplifting messages we will find.  I’m okay with fast forwarding to March anyway.  It can stop being 40-degrees any time now.

Later, loves!

Jan24

Noodles Nail Polish: Winter Collection 

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Since January 1st, I have lost a total of .6 pounds, and I don’t know about you but I’m celebrating.  Someone get me a Starbucks, cuz I. HAVE. EARNED IT.

Okay but for real.  Ugh.  Barely half a pound?  Certainly it’s not for my lack of trying.  I mean, I’m not exercising or anything – don’t get too crazy! – but I switched from my normal creamer with a splash of coffee to the most boring cup of tea you could ever imagine.  And my husband makes us sandwiches for dinner practically every day now.  That counts for something right?  Cuz if this lifestyle change doesn’t produce results sometime soon, it’s back to Funyuns and butter and happiness.  So, we’ll see.

I did have a moment about 6 years ago where I had lost about 35 pounds.  I didn’t exercise at all because I know me and I know what I’m capable of (couch laying, pajamas, picking things up off the coffee table with my feet cuz I can’t be bothered to move the rest), but I tracked my calorie intake like a drill sergeant.  And it worked.  I was starving for four years straight, but it worked.

Gradually, though, the pounds crept back on and I didn’t even realize it til I found it necessary to hold my pants closed with a ponytail holder instead of the button.  Or just wearing them unzipped altogether, but with a long shirt so I wouldn’t get arrested.  So now I’m back to where I started, and I’m trying to get psycho about losing weight again. I’m older so it’s tougher, and I imagine it’s going to take slightly a bit more work besides eating 3/4 of a cookie instead of a whole one.  Blah.

So while we contemplate the evils of Science, let’s look at nail polish.  I received the Noodles Nail Polish Winter Collection to review for everyone and I’m so excited to share.  Take a look:

SO. STINKIN. PRETTY.  Who wants to put these on all the surfaces?  I do, I do!  Hubby won’t mind, surely.  As long as he gets to keep the remote control, what could he possibly complain about?  Other than all the pajamas, I’d say not much.  I mean, helllllurrrrr, TROPHY WIFE.  Just cuz I can’t seem to get out of my fluffy pink robe doesn’t make it any less true.

First up is Ice, Ice Baby:

Heart eyes times a billion.  And the fact it’s named after a Vanilla Ice song makes it even better.  Who else instinctively says “collaborate and listen” when someone tells you to “stop”?  Although, I’m sure for some of you, it’s “hammer time” instead, but don’t worry – you’re wrong and you can go sit back down now.

So this one is a dark grey crelly with scattered holo,  blue and purple shimmer, platinum flakies and various shades of blue and violet glitters.  Opaque in two quick coats, so perfect for those who like to go do stuff.  Like socialize with friends or be Mom of the Year.  Perhaps you enjoy saving the world from war and poverty.  I, on the other hand, will just be sitting here having my husband bring me stuff on his way back from the kitchen.

Macro porn!

Yum.

Next up is Owl Moon:

I put this one under the lights so you could see the holo better.  Pretty, right?  (Right.)  It’s definitely the epitome of winter, being so grey and all.  However, this one is much lovelier and wayyyy less obnoxious.  Add some lavender and soft white micro flakies, and your brain has officially stopped holding your mouth closed.  There’s a drool-inducing scenario happening right about now, I just feel it.

This macro shows off those lavender flakies a bit better:

How you’re not passed out right now is beyond me.

Next up is Royal Winter:

Okay, for real you’ve passed out properly now, right?  Gah!  Purple lovers, this one is for you.  You cannot turn away.  It’s the polish equivalent of a room full of kitties; therefore, it’s going in the basket whether you like it or not.

This one is a stunning purple jelly packed with silver holo flakies and pink, gold and silver holo glitters, and if this macro doesn’t do you in, I’m pretty sure you’re a robot.

Now here’s Winter Whimsy:

If winter looked like this, we wouldn’t have a problem.  I’m all in for a glitter shower.  Maybe it would appear I have a much more exciting life if I was covered in glitter all the time.  Can’t be a fairy princess without it.  Or a stripper.

So this one is a white crelly with fine silver holo flakies and various shades of blue and purple glitters that are matte, metallic and holo.  I got it opaque in two coats and it leveled out nice, which is hard to do with white crellies.

Check out this macro:

Quick!  Lick the screen while no one’s looking.  Now act natural.

Good job.

Here’s Aurora:

I don’t know about you guys, but this one’s got me all kinds of woozy.  There’s just something about dark polish – and a shifty dark polish at that – that makes it hard to stay upright.  In fact, if someone could just roll me over one of those fancy little fainting couches, that’d be great.  Bring Leonardo, too, just in case.

Who needs a green/blue/purple multi chrome with platinum flakies and pink and silver holo glitters in their life?  Pretty much everyone, so lucky you, you’re buying it.

Lastly, this is Eskimo Kiss:

This one was a surprise favorite.  I had no idea how pretty this combo would be.  Grey and copper?  Yes, please.  Plus you get copper shimmer AND copper glitter, and I’m not even sure that’s enough.  The world needs more copper.  Copper and lattes and no pants on Sundays.  And then world peace is surely to follow.

Then I attempted some nail art:

Okay, I like that one.  Used some heart chain vinyls from Polished Vino and they are so super cute.  And since Valentine’s Day is coming up, I guarantee I’ll do at least 87 more manicures with these.

Scroll past this one:

Keep scrolling I said.  Ugh.

To be fair, I don’t necessarily hate it, but the stamping image I chose didn’t mix well with such a blingy polish.  How many of you know this is a cracked floral pattern?  Like roughly zero?  Sounds about right.

Used the Caption Polish stamping plate #4, just so you know.

A good ole classic french tip with a twist.  I’ve done manis like this before in the past, and I feel like it could be my go-to if I didn’t think it’d get boring after a while.  But crellies and coordinating glitters just look so good together.  And these neat and tidy lines soothe my OCD like nobody’s business.  I’m just gonna close my eyes and smile like an idiot for a second. BRB.

Last one, and my absolute favorite:

Someone hand me my horn so I can toot it cuz I adore this design.  Freaking ADORE IT.  I may start a trend with this one, which all I can say is FINALLY cuz after that record-in-the-hair debacle in the 7th grade, where I put my ponytail through the middle of one and only one single person took notice, I’d say my time has officially come.  Yes?  Yes.

I used the Lina’s Feeling Shapely 01 stamping plate, one of my favorites, and double stamped in two colors.  Thank goodness for clear stampers is the point of this mani.  Oh, and accolades, you know, if you’re not busy.

The round up:

This is a spectacular winter collection.  The colors in here all speak winter to me, and I can’t think of any logical reason why you’re not buying every single one of them.  All beautiful two coaters, vibrantly colored, and flawless.   Want, want and NEED.  That’s your new motto.

So set some alarms – minimum of 17 – so you don’t miss out.  These release Friday, January 27 at 5pm EST, and they’re a one stock deal.  Are you properly panicked now?  You should be.  Click here to order first, relax second.  Buy me a Starbucks third, cuz this blog post took 18 years to write.

Later, loves!

Jan21

Pandora’s Box Collaboration Indie Box: March 2017

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Three things about bathrooms that I do not approve of:

1)  Those giant cheese wheels of toilet paper you spin for a minimum of 18 hours looking for the start of the roll;

2)  The fact that hand dryers now apparently blow poo germs all around the room, according to one of the worst articles ever written; and

3)  Snakes now live in toilets because OF COURSE THEY DO.

Listen, I’m a worry wort, hypochondriac, anxiety-ridden OCDer (i.e., fun at parties!), so I can’t have this kind of knowledge in my head.  I mean, the cheese wheel of toilet paper is more of a nuisance thing, but the hand dryers and the snakes?  NO THANK YOU.

I love the hand dryer.  Really love it.  It’s warm and relaxing.  My hands are always so dang cold anyway, so sometimes I go to the restroom to pretend pee just so I can stick my hands in the hand dryer.  Plus, when is the last time you waved a dripping wet hand under an automatic dispenser begging it to release a little tiny square of paper towel only to get nothing, nada, in return?  Probably like 15 seconds ago, right?  So yeah, the hand dryer solves all that useless exercise, which is tops in my book.  BUT NOT ANYMORE.  Apparently, unless I want a nice mist of someone else’s bacteria all over my face, I’m gonna have to pick fights with the paper towel dispenser instead, wasting energy, time and possibly some dignity.  Cuz lord knows cuss words are gonna come out.  Great.

But that snake thing.  Now that’s a whole other issue altogether.  Who wants this?  Anyone?  NO.  Snakes get two places:  zoos and jungles.  That’s it.  Everything else is mine.  Whoever is in charge of toilet pipes (plumbers? Jesus?) needs to fix this immediately. Cuz I can deal with just about anything (well, aside from weird breathe-y noises from the stall next to me cuz what is happening in there?!), but a snake just having a little swim inside my toilet bowl?  DONE.  I’ll just hold it for the next 37 years instead, thanks.

Now that we’re all properly creeped out by sheer evidence I need to stop scrolling the internet at 2am with one eye closed and sleeping, let’s go to our happy place: NAIL POLISH.  I received the March edition of the Pandora’s Box to review for you today.  This collaboration box is hosted by Athena & Aphrodite and contains polish, nail wraps, makeup and bath and body items contributed by other indie brands that rotate from month to month.  March is (appropriately) St. Patrick’s Day-themed – which means a whole lot of green is about to happen.  Look:

Eeeeee!  Happiness is everywhere!  Aside from those fake flowers, everything in here is a cutie patootie.  However, I paid $1.99 for those flowers, so I had no choice.

First, let’s talk about the contributions offered by the host, Athena & Aphrodite.  Angela did two things, a polish and an eyeshadow.  Let’s look!

Here’s Pot O’ Gold:

You know I love dark polish, so I was super on board with this one.  Base here is a creamy black and it’s loaded with some awesome gold flakies.  I did two coats, even though it covered really well in one.  But two makes it all smooth and perfect, which is all we ever want in life, right?  Well, maybe Leonardo could come bring me a Starbucks.  But THEN we’re all good.

Some macros for your flakie pleasure:

And just for funsies, I added a matte top coat and the effect looks amazing.  Proof:

Told ya.

The other item from Angela is this gold eyeshadow called Athena’s Treasure:

Look at me trying to be a beauty blogger.  Don’t worry, it gets worse: 

Bahahah.

In my defense, it was either this or I was gonna have to do a full face of makeup, but it’s Saturday and full of pajamas, sooooo …

I love this gold color though.  It’s nice and shimmery but not over the top.  It’s not GOLD! with jazz hands, but more just gold with like some sweatpants on.  Comfy casual gold is what I’m saying.

Next item in the box are some shamrock nail wraps by Freya Wraps:

Yep, guess who never uses nail wraps?  But I tried, so blogger points for that, right?  They were pretty easy to put on, and I definitely recommend not skipping the blow dryer part because they do smooth out considerably once they’re warmed up.  I have a pretty decent C-curve to my nails so I had a bit of trouble getting out all the wrinkles, but if you are used to wraps and love wraps, I have no doubt you’ll enjoy these and make them look a billion times better than I have here.

Now we have this lotion bar from Nailed It Hawaii: 

I’ve never used a lotion bar before and wasn’t really sure how to apply it. Apparently I was overthinking it, cuz you for real just rub it on your body. That’s it. The heat from your skin will melt the lotion and then you just rub it in. Easy peasy.  Consistency is like a thick balm so it doesn’t melt to liquid or anything but it sinks in relatively fast which to me is very important.  Sticky lotion hands is the equivalent of picking macaroni and cheese out of shag carpet.  In other words:  gross.

But then I turn the bar over and there’s the cutest flower design embedded on its backside.   Well drat.  That’s precious.  Looks like this thing is getting displayed on my bathroom sink for the next 8 years then cuz how I can go messing up something so pretty?  Despite all it’s butters and oils and sweet orange and grapefruit.  In fact, I’ll just sit it right next to this countertop rack where I’ve hung a little turquoise towel that no one’s allowed to touch.  Even if all the other towels are dirty and your hand is on fire.  Sorry.  Decoration 101.  Everyone knows that.

Next item is a polish from Little Black Dress Nail Lacquer called Celtic Myth:

Is that angels singing? Prolly.

Guys, it’s GREEN.  The color of fresh, new beginnings.  The color that brings me back to life.  The color against which all other colors need to be measured, because not much is more perfect.  Seriously, I checked.

Look at all this holo and gold shimmer.  I die!

Okay, last item in the box is this foaming sugar scrub from Handmade Natural Beauty:

About 15 minutes post bath, and I literally DO smell like an Irish Spring.  It’s wonderfully clean and refreshing since most of my bath stuff smells like coconuts or like I’ve been suntanning in the backyard.  Which we know can’t be true cuz my backyard is outside and I don’t go outside cuz outside requires pants.  Or so says society.

Anyway, the scrub is very soft which I like.  And it does foam up once it’s mixed with water, although not an overload of foam.  Plus, if you don’t enjoy the feeling of oil left on your skin after a scrub, you’ll love this.  If not, then I absolutely KNOW you’ll love this.  I opened the jar, annnnnnnddddddd:

I won’t lie: I thought those were candies and got really super excited.  Never mind the fact that would make no effing sense whatsoever.  I looked at the jar, and the label says to trash the sugar decorations (SUGAR?!  So still not candy?) but the little swirly ball in the center is a glycerin soap.  Fun!  Although still slightly disappointed.

Basically what I’m saying is someone needs to head this way with a candy bar.  STAT.

Here’s the purchase deets on this box:

Cost:  $34.99

Availability:  Pre-sale is open right now and will run through February 15.  Shipping will start in the beginning of March.

Click here to shop the Athena & Aprhodite store.  Select the “Pandora’s Box” section on the left hand side.

Also, there is a giveaway going on over at the Pandora’s Box Instagram page.  For a chance to win one of these boxes, click here to enter.  Rules for the giveaway are listed under the photo.

Okay, guys, that’s all for now.  Hope everyone is having a fabulous Saturday.  I only had to leave the house once today (for groceries in an effort to “sustain life”; ugh) but I left my pajama shirt on and wore it with jeans, so it wasn’t too terrible.  Huge night of swatching ahead of me so I can write more blogs for you.  Get excited!  (Seriously.  DO IT.)

Later loves!

 

Jan18

MDJ Creations: The Holographic Multi Chromes

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Wanna justify spending your husband’s entire paycheck on nail polish?  Pick something that he did, like, oh … let’s just say he accidentally shaved off his beard that he’d been growing since your honeymoon.  A special beard.  A beard that was borne out of your love and commitment, and the fact he didn’t want to pack a razor in his suitcase.

You know those trees you plant in memory of something or someone?  It was a beard like that.  You get my point:  it was a symbolic beard.  And then let’s say there’s a restock of a 7-piece holographic multi chrome polish collection that you missed or didn’t know about the first time, and you wanted to buy every last one of them before they go away again.

WELL YOU JUST GO RIGHT AHEAD.  I mean, your husband just shaved off his honeymoon beard!  He clipped away an important part of the foundation of your relationship.  How do you come back from that?  Spoiler alert:  you don’t.  So enjoy your financial freedom ladies!  I’m pretty sure anything that happens next is completely and 100-percent-ly justified.  Christian Louboutins, I’m coming for you!

But baby steps.  Let’s buy these down below first.

So, yes, a restock is happening over at MDJ Creations.  Melissa sent me her line of holographic multi chromes to show off for you, and they’re a super pretty bunch.  So hold onto your britches real tight – and grab your smelling salts just in case.

First up is Beauty:

This one is a burgundy leaning purple with golden edges.  There’s probably lots more colors in here cuz that is the point of a multi chrome, but the ones that stick out to me the most are the purple and gold.  Beauty is beautiful, is she not?  (She is.)

Now here’s a bunch of photos:

Dead.

Still dead.

Well, that was fun.  Let’s go again!

Next is Carpe Noctem:

This one is an aqua green with an amazing purple shift.  Quite possibly my favorite out of the whole bunch.  I wore this color on both hands – thumbs included, and they hardly ever get their turn to sparkle.

You see, this is how polish swatchers gauge something gorgeous.  Did you wear it longer than 24 hours?  Did you put it on both hands?  Were the thumbs involved?  Yes, yes, and yes.  I’m not even gonna pretend were not a bunch of weirdos.

This holo will have your mouth just hanging wide open in a super unattractive way:

Didn’t it?!  Ugh, so amazing.  I want this everywhere, on all the surfaces.

Now here’s Divinity:

This one is a luscious royal purple with these golden, orange-y edges.  Again, most likely there’s a trillion other colors in here, but I’m just telling you what I see the most.  On the other hand, I swatched this one after breathing secondhand pot smoke at a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert for 2 hours straight.  I might’ve been high; I dunno.

OMG, was I high?!  Can it even happen like that?  For real, 15 seconds after the concert started, here comes the pot smoke.  Then I became some stranger’s mother.  Alright, who’s smoking pot?  Hand it over!  Security!

Pretty sure I’m the most boring person on the planet.

And then here’s Double Rainbow:

Again, swatched in the middle of my pot fog, I’m pretty sure this is a purple-leaning pink with a golden green shift.  Might be a touch of red or copper in there.  A bit of orange maybe.  I DON’T KNOW.  I JUST DON’T KNOW.

Ugh, I’m never going to a concert again.  The anxiety of the whole situation is too much for this goody two shoes.  If I can’t manage to drink one wine cooler in under three hours, then you can imagine what’s happening to my brain right now.  Aside from all the normal stupid stuff, that is.

Back to the polish.  Okay, there’s definitely a purple/golden/green thing going on.  Whew!  I’m putting pajamas back on.

Next is Earth’s Ember:

This one is a red-leaning pink with golden orange-y brown edges.  Am I not the best color describer ever?  I’m so good at this, guys!  SO. GOOD.

Did I tell you these could all be one coaters if you weren’t picky?  They cover really well in a single layer.  However, I did two just to make sure everything was smooth and perfect.  I’d say “like my life” but we all know better.  You read this blog, right?

Here’s Harmony:

I know I know I know!  This is a pink with a green shift, 100 percent.  Hands down.  No denying.

Or is it purple?

Either way, it’s stunning.  These multi chromes will have you sticking your fingers in people’s faces unapologetically.  Look at mah nails!  LOOK.  DO IT.  Maybe you’ll touch random things like you’re about to give them away on The Price is Right:  a lovely coffee urn, a flashy black stapler, a lunchroom turnstile handle bar.  Your nails will look fabulous lingering on just about anything.  Everything else will be attached to a crazy person, though, just so you know.

Lastly, this is Intelligent Design:

This one rivals the green one up top as being my favorite.  It is beyond pretty.  The blue with that purple shift … ugh.  I might’ve died again just now.

So Melissa posted a live swatch of this polish on her Instagram and gave it a much better color analysis than I did. She said it’s a blue to pink to violet to purple with a golden yellow flash.  Well I got two of them right, so …  I just hope these swatches speak for themselves.  Multi chromes are shifty little beauties and with the added holographic rainbow on top, you could literally say it’s all the colors in the world and technically be right.

But whatever way you look at it, they’re all going in your basket so nothing else truly matters.  Moot moot moot.  The point is MOOT.  Still your favorite blogger though right?  Right.

The round up:


Okay guys, get your shopping hand ready cuz the restock will be going live this Friday, January 20 at 5pm CST.  These polishes plus others will be heading back to the shop for one more hurrah.  Set alarms, put Post-It Notes everywhere, then click here.  I mean it.

Later, loves!

 

Jan14

Night Owl Lacquer: Winter Blues Trio

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I was gonna start this blog by talking about the Winter Apocalypse that never came, but I’m afraid I might jinx myself.  Technically, the storm system isn’t really out of the area yet, and I have a weekend road trip happening in the morning that cannot be ruined.  And I know the second I laugh in the face of Mother Nature who veered a little too far north is the same second she yanks out her earrings and pops off her Lee Press-Ons and declares a cat fight.

But I am no good at fighting.  The closest I got was in 6th grade when I slapped a girl in the ear.  IN THE EAR.  Trust me when I say any street cred I might’ve had up to that point = instantly revoked.  Never mind the fact I was Spelling Bee Champion of 1987 or that one of my prized possessions was my notebook full of fashion descriptions of every outfit Janet and Chrissy wore during reruns of  Three’s Company.  Or that I used to purposefully step on cow patties cuz I didn’t know cow patties were made of poop.

I was a very strange and sheltered child, you might say.

But my point – I know, you forgot there was one – is that I have also forgotten my point so we’re just gonna move on to the polish before something else stupid slips out.

On the blog today is the Winter Blues Trio from Night Owl Lacquer, a spectacular stunning set of three blue beauties.   Take a look:

This very well could be the elusive Winter Apocalypse we were talking about (oh yeah, my point!), except this is one you’d actually want.  I love the look of these and how the range goes from icy to deep.  If you’re a blue lover, you’re gonna wanna pass out for just a second.  Now FOCUS.  Cuz here we go!

First up is Winter Wonderland:

Isn’t this absolutely dreamy?  Like it might be made out of literal dreams.  It’s elegant and so fresh and clean.  And if you find yourself having tea with the Queen – as happens to most of us, probably – you can wear this polish and be proud.  With pinkies up, of course.

This one has a white crelly base with this amazing, glowy bright blue shimmer with bright blue micro glitter and shreds.  I did three thin coats, but could’ve stopped at two if I did them thicker.  The formula here is nice and smooth.  Crellies can be so iffy at times, but Lindsay knows her stuff.  Plus, that blue shimmer just kills you.  Like, you just THOUGHT it was a simple white, but then BAM!  Dead.  Every time.

See:

Gah!  So pretty.  This polish makes me infinitely happy.

And then I nail arted, guys, and actually did something decent:

Aaaaahhhhh!  Let’s give a little toot toot! for this one, shall we?  I used some cool slanted lines vinyls from What’s Up Nails, and they turned out so crisp.  Not sure if it was luck or Baby Jesus, but either way, I WIN.

Nex up is Frozen in Time:

Okay, now it’s just getting ridiculous.  Lindsay, did you just voodoo this one into being or what?  It’s magical perfection.  Seriously, I’m gonna need a minute to collect myself.  A Starbucks and a massage should do the trick.  And like one of those pillows that’s as big as your body.

So this one is a silvery blue polish with bright blue flakes and an almost foil-like finish.  Two smooth coats, of course.  Under the lamps, the foil really stands out:

Welp, you’re buying all these.  I’ve already decided.

Ugh, I just read the part about the cow patties to my husband, and then he took off his wedding ring and handed it to me.  He doesn’t understand about the no-TMI rule in here.  I mean, if you can’t throw in a random poop story every once in a while, what is the point of this blog?  I ask you, WHAT IS THE POINT?

More good nail art.  Who am I?!

I double stamped an image from the Lina 4 Seasons-Winter 01 plate.  I think they’re snowflakes, could be asterisks.  I’m var var tired right now, and hubby is blasting music in the other room cuz he thinks it’s helping me blog.  IT’S NOT.

Last polish in the trio is Midnight Snowfall:

Hands down.  Favorite.  Love me some dark polish, man.  This one is crazy deep and just mesmerizing to me.  Like an infinite galaxy or a fathomless ocean.  Or some other fancy poetic thing.  But look at it.  I mean, open your eyes real big and look at it.  No blinking.

Told ya.

This one has a blackened blue jelly base with scattered holo and silver white shifting flakies.  Two things I love here:  jelly polish and flakies.  The effect, well, there’s nothing like it. If you ever catch me looking down at my nails smiling like an idiot, chances are I’m wearing a jelly.

Under the lamps:

And just in case you’re not properly convinced, here’s a macro:

My most favorite nail art:

This is such a simple stamping design, but I stinkin’ love it!  I used an image from the Lina Feeling Shapely 07 plate and stamped silver in one direction and blue in the other.  So technically I made a thing and I’m feeling a bit more confident in my skills.  I mean, the feeling is temporary cuz that’s how my life works.  But still.  I’m just gonna revel in this while I can.

The round up:

As previously mentioned, you’re buying these.  I don’t see any logical reason around it.  I mean, I just told the entire internet a story about cow patties.  You buying this trio is the decent next step.  Here’s the deets:

Entire trio is $25, but you can buy a single color for $9 each.  They just released about an hour ago, so what could be more easy?  Just click here and get to it.  Then go rest; you’ve had a successful day.

But wait!  There’s a discount code.  But you gotta be a member of the fan group to get it.  Click here – it’s free.  And we love free things; oh yes we do.  Once you’re in, click on the Winter Blues Trio Release event and you’ll find the code.  

Lastly, Lindsay has added a Create Your Own Collection option to the store.  You can choose 6 polishes (excluding Limited Edition) for $50.  I think it’s a great way to get some pretties and save a bit of money.  Click here for the listing.  And if you need recommendations, I’m full of them, so let me know in the comments.

Okay, I’m headed to the nail table (aka, kitchen table) to do some polishing before bed.  I know I said I was tired, but if the option is nails or sleep, the answer lately seems to be nails.  I may fall asleep at my desk for many micro seconds throughout the day, but that point is and will forever be moot.

Later, loves!

Jan12

Frenzy Polish: Warcraft – A Final Collection of Prototypes

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Winter Apocalypse, you can just go sit back down.  You can take your ice blanket and your freezing rain and your treacherous drives to (well, Starbucks, probably) and go sit the eff down.  Ugh.  I swear, if this storm takes away my internet, I’m gonna have to karate chop something.  I don’t know what yet, but hubby might need to stay in another room just to be safe.  Until lunchtime that is.  I mean, I’ll still want a sandwich later.

While we wait for the whole city to shutdown, let’s talk polish.  (Always a good idea.)

My sweet friend, Rachel, owns Frenzy Polish and she’s most recently come to a decision to take a hiatus from her business due an unexpected decline in her husband’s health.  At this point, she is needing to focus her attention on giving him the care he needs, which means there’s not much time and energy left to keep Frenzy Polish up and going.  There is one last collection to release before the official end, so if you love your Frenzies, y’all pay attention.  While Rachel goes off to win Best Wife Award (seriously, she is THE BEST), we’re all gonna come together and clean out her entire store.  Okay?  Okay.

Featuring Warcraft, a final collection of prototypes:

This is a collection of 18 polishes all inspired by World of Warcraft, the game that helped launch Frenzy Polish.  Seems only fitting to come full circle, right?

Rachel was kind enough to allow me to share her swatch pics, as this collection was not sent out to bloggers.  So below are her nails showing off all the polishes.  Make some notes, take some screenshots, then I’ll tell you all you need to know at the bottom.  Here we go!

Fel Flame:

Sprite Darter:

Trifling Gnome!:

Aggro: 

For the Horde!:

Of the North Wind:

Jade Serpent:

For the Alliance:

Crimson Thicket:

WTB Healer:

Mana Pool:

Death Gate:

OOX-17/TN:

Ebon Hold:

Ysondre’s Fall:

Swamp of Sorrows:

Run Away, Little Girl:

You Are Not Prepared: 

The round up:


I’ll admit:  I don’t understand any of those polish names.  I feel like maybe I’m missing out on this whole gamer thing.  I mean, I made a kick-ass fake bakery over the course of two years, but it’s quite possible Bakery Story and World of Warcraft are not exactly the same thing.  But I dunno.

Okay, so each polish will have at least 30-40 bottles available; some might even have 50-60.  But once they are gone they will not be restocked, so if you see one you like, go ahead and set like 17 alarms. Chances are they’ll be gone pretty quick.

Aside from the Warcraft prototype collection, there will be mystery grab bags available containing polishes from all the additional remaining inventory.  You get 4 full size bottles (randomly selected) for $20.  Ummmm, that’s practically free right?  Tell your hubbies, wifies and whatnot, cuz all this right here:  IMMEDIATELY JUSTIFIED.

Release date for this collection is tomorrow, January 13th at 7pm EST.  Click here to go shopping.  Shop will remain open until all inventory is gone.

Some more linkies:

Frenzy Polish Instagram – click here

The Elusive Fox Boutique – Rachel’s other business venture full of original art pieces – click here

My Instagram – cuz it’s the right thing to do – click here

That’s it, guys.  Be sure to buy some stuff tomorrow.  I’m not even kidding.  DO IT.  And Rachel – we will miss you.  Thank you for making our nails so pretty these last couple of years.

XOXO

Jan10

Glisten & Glow: Birthday Bash January 2017 Polish

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So how’s those resolutions coming along?  Anyone here reading this blog or y’all at the gym?

Obviously, by the sheer fact this post even exists right now, I have spent an entire weekend in pajamas.  But that’s not a big change from my everyday life, really.  In fact, if you see me outside my home for any extended amount of time, let’s just assume snake, ghost or STARBUCKS EMERGENCY! cuz those are the only logical reasons I can come up with.

My last real valiant gym effort was in 1997, where I spent a traumatic 90 minutes in an aerobics class trying not to pee my pants.  Jumping Jacks and I – NOT friends.  Then I did do a halfhearted gym attempt back in 2008 where I messed around with the weight machines for about a month.  You might’ve seen me:  I was the one putting her leg through the part where the arm goes.  Seemed right at the time.

However, my lengthiest gym commitment started in 2009 and my membership fees were auto-drafted out of my bank account.  To cancel, though, you had to go sign papers in person.  Well, shit.  So obviously I spent the next three years paying for a gym I never used because you don’t get to LAZINESS: EXPERT LEVEL without some sort of effort.

While we all contemplate the state of my life (var var sad), let’s talk polish.  I have a pretty one to show you today.  It’s super duper limited edition, so pay close attention.  I present to you the Glisten & Glow Birthday Bash January 2017:

Oh my.  We are all melting puddles of goo.  Hope you had suspenders on your britches, otherwise they’d be flying right off you now.  This polish is truly stunning.  It’s dark yet festive and blingy and gorge.  You need you need!  (No, seriously.  YOU NEED.)

Every year, Jill at Glisten & Glow does a special thing to celebrate her birthday on January 8.  This year, she created this beauty.  She’s a lovely purple-leaning blue (or blurple, if you’d rather) holographic with lots of multicolored micro glitter.  And it’s a smooth two coater, which is perfect for those who like to go do stuff.  I realize the entire world isn’t painting nails for 27 hours straight like me, although why not?, is the real question.

Macro time!  Better grab a chair.  You’re about to get faint-y.

Gah!  Too pretty for words.  So let’s just move on before incoherent moan-y throat noises come out.  

I did some nail art:

I actually don’t hate this one, which is a rare thing these days.  You’d think with all the practice I put in, this whole nail art thing would be second nature by now.  But of course not, cuz while I may appear to have it all (pajamas and Starbucks and the ear of Jesus), my American Dream is still a touch out of reach.  Blah.

Stamping image from the Bundle Monster + Chit Chat Nails collab plate.  Get it.  It’s a good one.

The round up:

First of all, you’re buying this.

Now that that’s out of the way, here’s the how-to:

This polish releases on January 13 at 9pm EST.  Only one batch was made, so make sure you set like 17 alarms then click here.  You don’t want to miss it, trust me.  And it’s only $8, which is practically free.  That’s all the justification you need, so let’s get those to-do lists prioritized.  Glisten &  Glow up top, people!  Two days and counting …

Later, loves!

Jan6

Glam Polish: Rydell Forever Collection 

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I just went in to write this blog post and noticed it’s the ONLY one left in my drafts queue, and I don’t know about you, but I think that’s a freaking miracle and we can all go home and get back in pajamas now because life is officially succeeded.

Was that a run-on sentence?  Prolly.  But one can’t grammar at a time like this.  I’m about two seconds from full-on couch mode since for once in my life, I seriously have nothing to do.  Yes, yes, I know that makes zero sense considering all I ever do is generally nothing, but for real I’m not joking this time.  My swatching is caught up.  My blogging is caught up.  I watched everything on the DVR.  I am literally adrift at sea, on a floatie, with a cocktail and there’s Leonardo pointing a fan at me.

In other words:  we may never make it to the end of this blog. Cuz LEONARDO. And laying. Getting off this floatie will be nigh on impossible at this point.

But just for funsies, let’s talk about the new Glam Polish Rydell Forever Collection. I received 6 out of the 9 polishes in the set – and they’re all stinkin’ gorgeous. Take a look:

Told ya.  Glam Polish never disappoints.

As you may have guessed, this collection is inspired by the movie/musical Grease.  I looooooove Grease!  Do you know how often I belt out I got chills, they’re multiplying! for no reason whatsoever?  Surprisingly more than you’d think, although maybe not so much considering how cold it is in my office all the time.  Serious, it’s straight up grandma status in there with all the afghans on top of me.

In addition, I tell my husband we go together like lama lama ding dong, but he doesn’t think that’s as cute as I’m ALMOST CERTAIN IT DEFINITELY IS.  Boys are no fun sometimes.

Anyway, let’s get into it.  First up is Too Pure to be Pink:

Who wanted to be a Pink Lady growing up?  I lacked a certain coolness to ever be anything more than a kid with gold monogram stickers on her eyeglasses who played dress-up with imaginary babies.  Sooooo close yet so far, know what I’m saying?

Okay, so this one is a baby pink crelly with shifting flakies, glass flecks and holo microglitter.  It’s a dark enough pink to not wash out my entire skin, but light enough to be girly and sweet.  Same excellent formula you get with all the Glam Polish polishes – smooth and flawless.

Look at the size of that flakie!  Pretty sure that’s Jackpot Status right there:

Here’s some nail art I did:

I used the pink plus another color in the collection (swatched below) and some wavy line vinyls from Stick It Nail Vinyls.  It’s kinda cute, right? (Right.)

Next up is It’s Electrifying!:

I won’t lie:  I kinda wanna lick this.  Except society says NO.

This one is a delicious (I’m assuming) green jelly filled with iridescent flakies and holo microglitter.  And it’s absolutely stunning.  Of course, I don’t meet too many greens that I find unfascinating.  However, the depth in this jelly is flat out ridiculous.  Wanna go swimming?  I do.

Don’t look at this nail art:

Just keep scrolling.  Ugh.  Sometimes I do things and wonder what was I thinking?  Clear evidence it’s not just reserved for when I wore a record in my hair in 7th grade and somehow did not start a hot new trend exploding throughout the middle school.  Nope.  I make hideous nail art decisions too.

Although two thumbs up for this Powder Perfect Eqypt plate.  It does good work.

Next we have Oh Sandy!:

I feel a puddle-of-goo-type scenario coming on.  Quick!  Someone bring me an old Victorian fainting couch and one of those cute boys to feed me grapes.  STAT.  Mama needs to lie down.

So this one is a lovely bright purple crelly with shifting flakies, glass flecks and holo microglitter.  And just so you know, this is my absolute favorite shade of purple.  Like a bright but deep lavender with a touch of red.  Is that even a thing?  I dunno.  It’s so pretty, I’ve lost all the words to describe it properly.

More “nail art”:

Well, I’m not winning any awards with that one, am I?  I used the purple along with the blue one (swatched below) for an incredibly simple color block design.  Then added a matte top coat for extra jazz.  Mellow jazz, but jazz nonetheless.

Here’s Peachy Keen, Jelly Bean:

Well look who’s being sexy.  Phwoar!  This one is your date night polish.  Not my date night polish, mind you.  Unless you enjoy pajamas up to your neck and putting your sock booted-feet next to your husband so he can massage them with two fingers and a look of disgust on his face.  But we’re both on the couch next to each other, so I guess technically it’s still a date.  No, let’s just go with your date night then, which I’m sure by far at least takes place outside of your home and with pants on.  Or maybe no pants.  I don’t judge.

OMG, what am I even talking about?  Shut up, brain.

Okay, so this is listed as a bright magenta jelly with iridescent flakies and holo microglitter, but it leans on the red side on me.  Not that I’m complaining.  Red, magenta.  Potato, french fries.  It’s all good.

Now I’m quite proud of this nail art.  Can I get a toot on my own horn, please?

First of all, I matted this design and the red toned down somewhat and I can see the magenta coming through.  Do you see it?  I just love the contrast with the black.  The rose image is from the Uber Chic Beauty 1-02 plate, the very first set I ever purchased.  Memories!

Now we have You’re Cruisin’ For a Bruisin’:

And then a billion blue lovers just sighed and passed out a little bit.  It’s gorgeous huh?  I’m in love with all those holo thingies.  (Technical term.  I’m sooo good at blogging, you guys!)

This one is a navy blue 12D holographic, which I’ve discovered is a mix of different holographic finishes.  It’s magical at the minimum.  Look how sparkly and dreamy it is.  Did you just die?  Yes you did.

Formula is similar to a full coverage glitter, but goes on ultra smooth and easy.  After top coat, the finish was glassy and slick.  You’ll likey, I swear.

Here’s the nail art:

Two reasons this mani exists.  First, there’s a new butterfly emoji on the iPhone that was practically begging for it, and second, TIME FOR SPRING!  It was like 18 degrees today, and I’m about 1856704 percent done with that.

Butterflies courtesy of the Uber Chic Beauty 12-02 plate, just so you know.

Last one!  This is Tell MeAbout It, Stud:

Well, let’s just go out with a bang then.  Doesn’t this one look yummy?  Okay, the urge to lick all of these has reached a dire, unprofessional level.  Seriously.  Send help.

This one is described as a Boysenberry 12D holographic.  BOYSENBERRY?!  Well, I want that then.  Anytime you relate food to nail polish, there’s roughly a billion percent chance I’m all over it.  There could be dog tinkle in the bottle for all I know, but as long as the label says it’s Raspberry Whipped Cream, then that point is moot.  Gimme.

A good nail art attempt:

I took one image from the Lina Feeling Shapely 02 plate, and stamped different parts of it to make it look like I tried extra hard.  I like how it turned out.  Those Lina plates are awesome in case you’re looking for some good ones.

The round up:

Look at that stunning lineup!  Today is your lucky day then cuz you can buy them all at 1pm EST – that’s roughly 3 hours from now.  Set like 17 alarms.  Seriously.  DO IT.

Don’t forget, there are three other colors  available as well that I did not feature here.  Deets for you in case you want to prepare:

Rockin’ an’ Rollin’ an’ What Not – a space gray 12D holographic

Go Grease Lightning – bright red jelly with iridescent flakies and holo microglitter

Summer Lovin’ Had Me a Blast – Cerulean blue crelly with shifting flakies, glass flecks and holo microglitter

This collection is limited edition so do not waste time working or running errands.  You have more pressing things to get to.  Nail polish just might save the world one day, you don’t know.

Pricing is $12 for each bottle or $97.20 for the full set (special 72 hour discount; regular price $108).  If you are international, please click here to see if Glam Polish is available in your country.  And if so, click here and put everything in your basket.  You’re welcome.

Later, loves!

Jan1

Pretty & Polished: Iconic Video Games Collection 

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Welcome to 2017, where I just spent a fruitless four hours in bed waiting for Starbucks to just appear in my hand. It never did so I was forced to drive to Starbucks in my pajamas instead. 2017 isn’t that much different than 2016 now is it?

So anyone make any New Year resolutions?  I typically don’t – or at least I don’t with any real intention of following through – but this year I’m gonna try.  Here are a few I came up with:

1)  Stop wearing clothes picked straight from the laundry basket.  Hang them up in the closet like a civilized person.  This will be hard cuz once I carry the basket into the bedroom, my brain suddenly stops remembering what’s next.  It might be a medical condition, I dunno.

2)  Stop eating so many sweets.  I may succeed at this one cuz it’s mostly Funyuns that are the problem.  But I’m not giving up Funyuns because I love myself too much.

3)  Clean the cat box more than twice a week.  I’m only doing this one cuz I’m grossed out by my husband’s gag sounds as he walks in the laundry room.  They might be overly dramatic gag sounds in an effort to make a point, in which case I might fail at this resolution out of spite.

4)  Try to strike a balance between doing nails and having a life.  Not necessarily a social life cuz PANTS and all that, but more like sitting next to my husband on the couch every once in a while.  And possibly not going to bed at 2am on a work night.

Tell me in the comments what your goals are for 2017.  Maybe you are going to catch up on all my blog posts that you’ve missed since 2013.  In that case, by all means, proceed.  After all, it’s your happiness I love about you the most. 

For now, there’s NAIL POLISH.  The perfect way to start out a brand new year, I think!  Chelsea at Pretty & Polished has come out with a spectacular 6-piece collection inspired by Iconic Video Games – and you don’t need to know your Marios from your Zeldas to appreciate them.  Check out the most cheerful lineup EVER:

I wasn’t even exaggerating.  These colors are so bright and playful and they have me downright giddy with excitement.  For real, when the swatch pack arrived and I unwrapped each bottle, it was smile, drool, die, repeat.  You’re gonna definitely want these.  And there’s a discount code too – but you gotta read all the way to the bottom to get it.

Lessss go then.  Here’s Samus it Ever Was:

If you are a gamer, you may have already guessed this polish is based off the game Metroid.  It’s been around since 1986 and has one of the first kick ass female lead characters, which is the inspiration for this polish.  She’s a feisty one, as all kick ass females tend to be.  Or like me, when someone tries to tell me to put clothes on and go do stuff.  I will cut you if you force me to go outside.

This one has a bright red jelly base packed with gold hex glitters and color shifting flakes.  I think it’s absolutely jaw-dropping gorgoeus.  The glitters literally float in this three dimensional heaven.  I swear, I’d eat it if I knew it wouldn’t kill me.  Or if it was socially acceptable.

Macros to die for:

Tell me you didn’t think about licking your screen for a second.  You did, you know it.

Next up is If Hyruled the World:

This polish is based off the legendary character, Link, from the game Legend of Zelda.  Now, I know this game.  I used to play it with my brother back in the good old days when I had nothing more to worry about than if I’d die in my sleep cuz I ate the one piece of Oreo that didn’t get fully crushed in my Cookies ‘N Cream ice cream (aka, poison).  Ahhhh, 1986:  my proudest year.

This one has a medium green base packed with golden flakes and golden holo glitters.  And because it is green, I was instantly in love.  But it’s also so spectacularly beautiful, it practically glows.  Are you drooling yet?  Cuz you should be.

Some macro porn:

Gracious, that’s pretty.  

Now here’s Our Plumber is in Another Castle:

Immediately, I knew this polish was an ode to Super Mario Brothers.  This truly is the beginning of the Gamer era, is it not? How many of us spent summers and weekends and countless nights after homework (presumably) trying to rescue Princess Toadstool from the clutches of the evil Bowser?  It was the one game I was good at.  I’d go back to 1985 just so I could play it once more.   Then come right back before I get in trouble for watching that boy pee on the playground again.  That was not a good day.

So this one has a slightly off-white base packed with blue and red glitters.  I thought it did have a touch of pink in the base, but it could just be how it looks against my see-through skin tone.  This was a surprisingly excellent two-coater.  Leveled out nicely with no glitter issues whatsoever.  And it’s just a fun polish.  The perfect tribute to an awesome game.

Next up is Who’s That Mysterious Stranger?:

This polish is based off Chelsea’s favorite game series, Fallout, and the colors here match the popular Vault Boy character.  I’ve never heard of Fallout – or Vault Boy for that matter – but I’m feeling like maybe I need to check it out.  I love role-playing and simulation games.  I mean, you know darn well I was THE best Roller Coaster Tycoon.  And spending $85 to decorate my pretend bakery – totally necessary.  Although let that last part be a secret between me and you.  Not sure hubby would quite understand the need for new carpeting and wallpaper in a bakery that doesn’t exist.  Us gamers get it, though, don’t we?  Or shall I say, YOU gamers and ME, just an obsessive weirdo.

I’m totally loving the bright blue cream base on this one.  Like a robin’s egg, which reminds me of spring, which reminds me of happiness.  It’s filled with these yellow and blue glitters and the tiniest bit of sparkle that was hidden to me until I did a macro.  Two easy coats, glitters that played nice.  Basically you want this cuz how could you not?

Sparkle down below:

Now here’s Dragonborn to be Wild:

Based off the game Skyrim, this polish is inspired by the main character, Dragonborn.  In doing research, I have discovered there is not much I know about gaming.  I think this one might be about trying to kill a dragon, and the screenshots I’ve found look super cool.  But it’s probably best I moved on cuz I can get sucked in (and dollars-deep) pretty quick.  I mean, I started playing Panda Pop on my phone about a week ago and now I’ve downloaded like 18 other similar games because I have no self control.  One game, Toy Blast, says it’s appropriate for 4 years old and up, and I don’t understand that because it took like $29 to get past one of the levels.

In other words:  SEND HELP.

So this particular polish is a thermal, and the top photo shows it in it’s warmest state, a lovely mid-toned grey.  As it starts to cool – or if you’ve had your hand stuck in a glass of ice water, like I did – you get this transition to a dark grey:

Another shot with no transition, just full-on cold state:

It’s packed with tiny micro glitters, and the fact this thermal is an ombré of the same color family makes me love it the best.  It just blends so nicely.

Progression shot:

Clearly, I spent 19 years taking these photos.  Thermals are not the easiest to swatch or photograph when you have a touch of the OCD.  Getting that “perfect” shot is never quite perfect enough.  Hopefully I’ve done a decent enough job, though, and that someone is on their way with snacks and a massage.

Last polish in the collection is called Yoshi Flys Me Away:

Awwww, Yoshi!  Mario’s best bud.  I’m loving that this one was added to the collection, especially because of customer feedback.  He is much loved, and GREEN, which makes for a perfect polish.  Apparently, Yoshi has been around for quite a while – 1990 to be exact – and became an instant favorite of mine primarily because Mario and Luigi could ride on him instead of having to walk everywhere, a predicament that resonates down to my soul.  I mean, if there’s a riding option, it’s always my first choice.  Well, maybe after the couch-laying option and the napping option.  But definitely ahead of the walking option.  The walking option can walk itself right back where it came from.  Hell.  Or purgatory.  Or wherever it is people who make extra loud food noises with their mouth hang out.  Blech.

So this sweet little green is a light neon base with a medium dose of neon green and dark green glitters.  You hear that ding, ding, ding?  That’s your happy meter going off.

This macro gives me allll kinds of smiley feelings:

The round up:

For real, you guys – you gotta get this collection.  Chelsea always does such a wonderful job with everything she creates, but there is just something about this bunch that gives me so much joy.  The color palette is the opposite of dreary and heavy and we all need a little pick-me-up, right?  Here’s the deets:

Full collection:  $48

Dragonborn and Hyruled, single polish:  $9

The rest, single polish:  $8.50

BUT WAIT.  A bonus ending!  In addition to the Iconic Video Games Collection, we have a new addition to the dusty creme line releasing as well.

Here’s I’m Kale-ing It With This Color:

Oh my god, another GREEN.  This girl is in heaven, for sure!

Inspired by the new Pantone Color of the Year, Greenery, we’ve got what Chelsea describes as a muted lime green with (of course) those delicious little dusty particles unique to Pretty & Polished.  I can’t get enough of them!  They’re all consistent in formula – creamy, self-leveling, two coats.  If you haven’t purchased any before, remedy that stat.  Get this one for sure because I said so, but then go ahead and add a few more to the cart.  I promise* you’ll be so glad you did.

DISCLAIMER:  On the off chance you are not glad, you cannot sue me.  There is simply something wrong with you.  This macro is proof:

PERFECTION.  And it can be yours for the ridiculous (practically free) low price of $7.50.

Your reward for reading all the way to the bottom – a coupon code!  Use dianna15 to get 15% off your order of anything in the store.  ANYTHING.  So go crazy.  Click here to shop.  And this is your ending for reals this time.  

Happy New Year!  Later, loves!