Trick or Beat with the Pirate Duck

Here is today's extra special Duck Day mani inspired by the confetti nail art shown by Nora from Nail of the Week.

 

Zoya Creamy

Sally Hansen Jumpin' Jade

Wet n' Wild Black Creme

China Glaze Millennium

Nailene French Mani Nail pen in Pearl White

Nubar Nail Art pen in Green Frost

Today is a huge day for my Ducks. USC is here and beating them helps us close the gap for Pac 10 championship. Since it's Halloween I am wearing both my duck gear and a costume. I give you....

PIRATE DUCK!!!!

(Pretty good for a half assed job, no?)

Have a great holiday!!!

Night Eternal Over Portland

OH HELLS YES!!!!

Sadly, no Samael. (Which is too hard to spell correctly, apparently.)  They had to drop off the tour. So did Book of Black Earth. Divine Heresy will be on the bill as well as Beyond the Red Horizon. BTRH are from Portland, so, yay, for a local band! Secrets Of the Moon are still go from the original line-up.

Full report to come. Can't wait to see Moonspell again!!!

...Of Dream and Drama

Rocking Midnight in Moscow on my tips!!

Representin'

Makeup for today's look involved:

Bedhead Dream Foundation in #1

Wet n' Wild liquid eyeliner in plum

Vanilla and Passion eyeshadow from Bedhead Cyberoptics palette

Purple eyeshadow from OPI What A Doll Face palette

Bare Minerals Warmth

Bedhead Brazilian Bronze stick (a little on lips)

Sally Hansen HD lip gloss in Opulent Cloud

Boozekitty

Dita likes booze. You have to keep your drink guarded around her. She loves red wine, vodka and Irish cream.
She likes to dip her paw in to test and then try to shove her head in the glass. I...just don't know. She's Matt's kitty and I blame him for her delinquency.

Is that wine??

 

Mom didn't save enough for a sip!!

How can I sneak a taste?

Screw it. I'll mop it up with my paw.

I wonder what will happen...

Picture dump!!!

These are my latest layering experiments, most applied over WNW Black Creme.

L to R:

Orly Love Each Other

Nina Ultra Pro Molten Gold

Nina Ultra Pro Molten Ruby

Haken Blue Crush

Here it is matte!

The  glitter in the Orly was really cool matte but would

have been best with more coats. I only did two here.

I love how layering Molten Gold over a dark color makes it's red tones pop. It really adds a deeper dimension to such a lovely color.

The Haken constantly pleases me. Layered over a dark color brings out its gold/bronze tones. I must get another bottle because I'm treating like a rare and precious gem.

L to R:

Sally Girl It's So u

Pumpkin Nail Enamel Grey Holo

L.A. Girl Crowd Surfing

OPI DS Treasure

Angled differently to get more color.

Crowd Surfing was awesome over the black. I was really surprised how nice the DS looked over this. It didn't look too Halloween but would be appropriate for such a mani.

The Pumpkin polish was nice over this and was reminiscent of REAL OPI My Private Jet. However, this was not a combo that would make a dupe for it. Sorry!

It's So U did just what I thought it would and I love it. It's very pretty.

So I did something unthinkable. I used Opulent Cloud to layer! I know. I did it really quick and used the teeniest amount because I wanted to see the result.

Opulent Cloud over black makes for a golden green. Reminds me of ChG Wagon Trail. Will be buying Wagon Trail so I am not tempted to do this EVER again. But, yeah. This did look snazzy.

My next round of layering concerned my beloved OPI Midnight In Moscow. I'm planning on wearing it tonight in all of its original glory but I was tempted. Here's what happened:

Midnight In Moscow on index through pinkie as base.

Middle finger has China Glaze Raspberry Fields.

Ring is showing China Glaze Ruby Pumps.

Index has Ruby Pumps matte.

Pinkie has Raspberry Fields matte.

 Different angle to show sparkle

I just wanted to see if layering would amp up the red in Midnight In Moscow. It does and kinda doesn't.

What I was surprised by the most was the hot pink glitter of Raspberry Fields. I will probably layer a thin coat of it over Black creme and then matte it for another day's mani because it looks really cool.

Ruby Pumps over this is similar to Lubu Heels but with more of the glitter. Very nice and seriously cool matte.

I would buy Lubu Heels and layer Ruby Pumps over it than what I have done here.

Hope you've enjoyed this and that it gives you some fun ideas!

It Might Be Me

Good morning!

I wanted to show you the last of my recent haul. This is Sally Girl It's So U. This was sitting on the clearance table and I could not walk away. I knew it would make a great layering polish and .79 cents made it worthwhile.

Two coats in weak sun

I knew how sheer this would be, no doubt. However, it is a very light purple that flashes blue.

This could be a nice color for French manicure because it doesn't make your nails look dirty but has a nice shimmer and light. But we all know I'm not much of a French mani girl so it ain't gonna happen.

 

Teensy, tiny bottle. 

This shade has been discontinued and I picked up the very last at the location I visited. I really like this and the size is perfect for something I will only be using for layering. I probably should have gone to the Sally nearest my house for another but I really did not want to spend more time on the bus.

I have done some layering experiments and that will be coming up next. I'm very pleased with how this turns out!! Stay tuned...

L.A. Girl Rock Star Crowd Surfing

My lemmings are just simply out of control and the rest of y'all ARE NOT HELPING. ;)
So, since forever I have been wanting a flakie. I saw the kick ass NfuOhs and just crying because I was so broke. That, and I just don't know where to get them so if you can help me out, please do so!!
Anyway. I have been slowly but surely rebuilding since I was laid off back in March. Gratefully, I was only out of work for two months and I got the best job ever. But those two months really took a toll on my personal finances. I've only been able to splurge because Matt has worked very hard.
We're just about back to where we were before losing my job and now I make more than the old job. YAY!

As you know, Matt spoiled me last week by giving me money for my salon visit as well as nail polish shopping.
I did it up right and was able to pick up some lemmings on the list.
This is where I come back to the flakie business, yo. I finally got one!!!

Three coats, angled to show sparklies.

Crowd Surfing is really meant for layering because it is very sheer. It's a lovely light green and the flakes are really cool. They're holo that flash between green, gold and orange. The flakes themselves have that lit from within quality and it is stunning. If that were not enough, this has a lovely fine green glitter in the base that catches the light nicely and shimmers and twinkles. Oh, yes, this is such goodness!

Application was easy, smooth and the finish not lumpy or gritty. Removal is pretty easy but I did find flakes hiding out almost under my cuticles almost a day later. I blame myself.

 

Trying to snatch some sunlight in the window...

I had to see this layered so yesterday I pulled out a favorite that I was sure would look great with Crowd Surfing. 

Two coats Orly Mint Mojito

Two coats L.A. Girl Rock Star Crowd Surfing

No, I have not swatched Mint Mojito. I am again, one bad lamb. ;)

I was right. Mint Mojito looks amazing with Crowd Surfing over it. Too bad my picture wasn't so great. I was having major issues getting this to focus. So I present you another one that is a snotch better but does show my lovely tip wear.

 

I don't think my camera likes this.

There ya have it. Crowd Surfing is awesome and it is a real gem for layering experiments. I feel so fulfilled now! Now it's off to get dressed ad meet my bestie for a lunch date!

Thank you for coming by!

China Glaze - Millennium

I knew I was going to need the Khromes from China Glaze when I first saw them. Most importantly, I knew I would need the silver once I found out how well it Konads. That was just one thing missing when I started using Konad. So many manis would have been so much better with silver. Truly.

Last week, I fulfilled that for myself and now I have to get the others. Same old story, right?

Two coats in full sun

I love how shiny this is! It's practically opaque in one stroke and goes on so smooth. I didn't have major brush stroke issues as I have with other metallics. It did highlight the sweet indentation on my middle finger though!

(My nail was peeling and it got pulled off when I was processing books at work. Ugh.)

This just might be my new favorite!

Dry time was excellent with this. I used it to Konad the big fail Duck Day mani and it was phenomenal. I'm excited to use it again for Saturday's game mani.

Gonna be a big one, we play USC and ESPN's College Game Day will be in town!! I'm sorry I have to work, I would LOVE to be there!

Anyway, stay tuned for that one. I have a cool idea formulating.

That's it for now, lovelies! Have a lovely day.

Luxurious...

Ahh...yes. The elusive and beautiful Opulent Cloud. I has it. I'm not sure any pictures do it justice because it's a many layered, complex color. It's purple, it's pewter, it flashes gold, it is fantastic!!

Two coats, full sun

Two coats indoor light

Three coats was best for a full mani and deepened the result. Seriously, I could not stop looking at this when I applied it. Poor Matt, he had to look at it several times too. Oy.

This applied like butter and dried pretty quick. Wear time was good for me, I got two days out of it. That's pretty impressive for me.

I am swooning over this color. I have nothing like it. Because it is so hard to find and a limited edition, I'm tempted to pick up another bottle when I come across it or treat mine like freaking gold. And, thanks to Judy, I must have the lip gloss. Good thing I received my safety bonus!!

You've stolen my heart, Opulent Cloud!!

NOTD L.A. Girl Rock Star Groupie

I have become such a bad influence at work! My co-worker has started painting her nails every day like me. I brought her and my other co-worker a swatch sheet of all my polishes so they could see my stash and possibly borrow some of my lovelies. (We'll see. I may just make them come over for a night of nails!)

Anyway. This is what I'm sporting today.

Two coats slightly blurred to show glitter

Looks more blue but it is in fact purple

This applied so beautifully! Three coats is opaque and the glitter is holo-y, duo chrome-y. It flashes between pink and blue. Simply stunning. Can't comment on wear since I just finished my nails but then again, my results are NEVER typical. Today will bring me furniture to price and move, shoes to clean and price as well as loading a truck. Oy. Good thing it's my Thursday!

Loving this brand!

That's it for now. I hope the day finds you well!

Duck Day KOTD

I'll be the first to admit that this is not one of my best. As usual, when things go wrong, I add more and more elements. I totally blame Matt for this. I have my reasons. ;)

 

 

Wet n' Wild Black Creme

Zoya Purity on index

Konad Special Polish in White and Green

Zoya Creamy

China Glaze Millennium and Medallion

Haken Blue Crush

Sinful San Francisco

Image plates m21 and m8

There's not much to say about this because I'm just not feeling it. Boo. Hiss.

However, I feel much more confident in the Ducks' ability to smash the Washington Huskies. GO DUCKS!!

Matte Molten Ruby

I wore Molten Ruby today layered over one coat of Orly Country Club Khaki. (I have pure Molten Ruby n my toes but...eww...yuck...feet!) It deepened it a little bit. My husband sure liked it but he's a sucker for red nails.

Anyway...I decided to try it out matte to see if it was as cool as Molten Gold matte.

Sally Girl It's So U layered on index.

Three coats Molten Ruby over one of Orly CC Khaki on middle

China Glaze Matte Magic top coat on ring and pinkie

I think it does look cool matte! The Sally Girl polish didn't photograph well but it does look really pretty in person.

So after a day of wearing Molten Ruby, I realized that this is a devil to photograph properly. It is subtle but the duochrome effect is very much there. It is a great polish and I highly recommend it!

Thanks for looking. A brand new Duck Day mani is coming!

Pumpkin Polish

This has been floating around for a little while but it's too cute not to show again. I got my  little Pumpkin at Rite-Aid. They had the grey holo and the orange/black glitter but no the glow in the darks. I didn't pick up the glitter because I had just purchased China Glaze Fortune Teller and I did not want to make myself sick of Halloween colors.

Two coats, full sun

This was a nice surprise for a novelty polish. I would never have expected holo glitter! I was wearing this yesterday and I did my usual three coats. It still would have been better to layer it over a black creme but I was very happy with it nonetheless!

I won't lie. The bottle is too stinking cute!

I would have bought this anyway because of the bottle. It was just a bonus that the color was cool.

I'm somewhat tempted to wear it for the Moonspell concert but I doubt I will. I usually go hardcore vampy for something like that!

I'm always grateful to hear what you have to say and glad to have you stop by!

A Tale of Two Duochromes

I'm batty about the duochromes and Nina Ultra Pro has been making me so happy.

I've shown Molten Gold in a couple of ways since I bought it but I haven't done a proper swatch.

Three coats in partial sun

Three coats indoor light

Bottle love!

Molten Gold is just simply gorgeous. I discovered this thanks to my sister. Her boss had a bottle so my sis swatched it on her thumb so I could see it. I was immediately in love. I don't normally like pink but a gold that flashes pink is a-okay with me! (I laugh when I think of my sister's boss having this because that woman is stereotypical aging hippie. Not one I would guess to wear nail polish.)

Naturally I had to have Molten Ruby. I picked it up yesterday when I went to Sally. I would have picked up Molten Copper but they were out! So I will be getting that with my safety bonus check next week.

Anyway. Our devilishly sweet Evil Angel, Andrea, mentioned that she had Molten Ruby and it was much more subtle but very pretty.

 

Two coats, partial sun

In this light the duchrome is subtle and it is a pretty, rosy red. In real life the duochrome effect was a little more pronounced and flashes bronze. It is snazzy.

Under daylight simulating CFL

This appears more of a foil finish but you can just barely make out the flash of bronze on the pinkie.

Better sunlight and here is the duochrome!

So the duochrome effect is much more subtle with Molten Ruby and shows best in sunlight. I'm still quite pleased with this and don't regret my purchase at all.

Thank you so much for looking! On another note, please go see Jodes at Phenomenail. She's new to the game but she's shown some rad colors and sweet Konad!

Seven, seven, seven are my choices

I was tagged recently by Deb to do this in my favorite color, PURPLE! I apologize for not getting this up sooner but I'm a slacker. And exhausted. Halloween is a crazy busy time in my business!

Left to right:

1. My lavender Columbia jacket.

A major part of my cold weather cycling gear. Great until the major rains come!

2. Cashmere scarf.

I have quite the scarf collection and this is a favorite. Glad I pulled it out because

I realized how filthy it is. EEK! Guess I'm going to the cleaners today too!

3. Scarf by Pixie.

Pixie made this for me but didn't finish in time for Xmas so she

gave it to me for my birthday in May. That year, spring came late so

it saw plenty of action!

4. The Caboodles.

I've shown this before because it used to be my nail polish storage.

Got this for Xmas in 1993. I'm not ashamed to date myself.

5. L.A. Girl Rock Star in Groupie

I'm excited about this because it is so pretty and it expands my purple collection!

6. Hard Candy Mr. Wrong

Yes, it is awesome.

7. China Glaze Spontaneous

A favorite. Pretty, cheerful and Konads pretty well. All important reasons!

Thank you to Deb for tagging me! I hope y'all have taken time to check her blog out. She is the awesome!

Sweet Lucy

I guess I was crazy busy the other day because I missed the big news of Lucy's birthday! I think it's so cool her birthday is the same day as my mom's. I get to celebrate two special ladies then!!

Lucy,
I hope you had a wonderful birthday. We all love you lots around here!
Big Hugs,
Heather

Wet n' Wild Craze Shield

When I worked at Ed Wyse, I briefly became a salon brand snob. But I had access to OPI, Zoya and CND at below wholesale. I wasn't opposed to buying drugstore brands because I do love me some Sinful. However, Wet n' Wild was not appealing. I didn't know that they had improved their formula so I never picked anything up. That, and the colors were a wee bit tacky for me.
I was terribly excited when the Craze collection was released. Really lovely colors and much better packaging. I picked up Rustic and it is by far my favorite of the bunch. But I could not possibly pass up Shield.
I have to have gold!!

Two coats, full sun

(Click for larger to see the glitter!)

Shield is more of a champagne packed with very fine glitter. Three coats is best but you can easily get away with two. This dried quick so it's great for a quick and dirty mani. This is also suitable for anyone who needs a work appropriate shade.

Pretty, pretty!

I am pleased yet again by this collection and thrilled that Wet n' Wild is doing something new and exciting.

I'm looking forward to their expansion of the Craze line and will be buying more!

Damn I love my day of beauty!

This is me about a month ago.

This was nice and the longest I can handle. But my hair was getting ridiculous. I just can't handle my hair my face and the volume was getting out of control. Seriously. My hair looked like a big bubble on Tuesday. It was not okay.

It's morning, I have no makeup on but I do not care.

 I love my hairstylist so much. She gives me great cuts and she's an absolute sweetheart. She's been doing my hair since we worked together at Old Navy and she was in beauty school. She even did my hair for my wedding. She is amazing and absolutely brilliant with color. I'm so glad she's moved to a new salon in town!

I wish I could have had a picture from yesterday but man, I was crazy busy. Yesterday was my mom's birthday and I had to run around after my hair appointment to get her a gift, card, flowers and then help dad make dinner. We all treated her extra special because she had eye surgery last week and she's not feeling great. Mom had a lovely evening though and she will be spoiled more next week.

It should be no surprise that I managed to pick up some nail polish while shopping for mom. I finally went to the third Sally in town and managed to pick up some things and then I went to Fred Meyer.

Freddy's made me absurdly happy. They had Essies, all of the Sinful glitters and most importantly to me, L.A. Girl Rock Stars!! This was the first appearance of them here in town and I'm thrilled. I thought for sure I would be ordering them online but now I don't have to!

 

Left to right:

Sally Girl It's So U

L.A. Girl Rock Star in Crowd Surfing

L.A. Girl Rock Star in Groupie

China Glaze Millennium

Nina Ultra Pro in Molten Ruby

Oh hells, yes it was a good day. Really, it got better. When we left mom last night, me and my sister went to the Freddy's nearby and checked out their offerings. This one had the Rock Stars and the L. A. Girl Matte collection. Yeah. So next payday I will be heading back to Freddy's. Oh, my poor husband. Good thing he loves me!