I discovered a heaven for us

Good day!

Today I'm bringing you my new found love and the hope that Revlon just may be redeeming themselves to me.

I've had trouble with Revlon polish before and frankly, it was just too much money to shell out for a drugstore polish that disappointed me so. Well, I'd seen fabulous pics of Royal and it became a bad lemming. So when I was at Fred Meyer last week, I found it along with a two for coupon. What a deal! That left me with a dilemma of what else to get. Upon further browsing, I stumbled upon another lovely number that I saw many lovely pics of and in my basket it went.

I speak of course of, Powder Puff!

 Above: Two coats, no base or top

 Below:

Three coats no base or top

I adore this. White can be tricky, especially mattes but this makes me so happy.

It's quite sheer but it has the loveliest touch of purple/blue shimmer. It builds pretty nicely and dries very fast. It can be streaky but I've found that a nice ridge filler and a hand that has not consumed three espressos solve that problem.

This is such a versatile polish for someone like me. It's a great wear-to-work color once you add topcoat and it makes a glorious base for nail art.

My nails arts, let me show you them:

Newsprint mani

Base is L.A. Girl matte white, three coats

Newsprint transfer

One coat of Powder Puff

Konad Special Polish and key image from

Coraline "B" package.

I loved trying the newsprint transfer. I used rubbing alcohol and it was all easy! I decided to use the key image because the story I was cutting from was about a Russian spy case. Story here: http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/news/cityregion/25638747-41/nicholson-nate-harold-brown-prison.csp

Adding Powder Puff made the newsprint much more subtle but I was loving the shimmer. Frankly, I am so proud of this one. Since it was my first time trying this method, I'm pretty thrilled it turned out as well as it did!

Next is what I wore on Wednesday because I wanted to do something sweet:

Base is Powder Puff, four coats

Dots are Orly La Playa, China Glaze Grape Pop and Sinful Mint Apple

It was super cute. Polka dot manis are fun and so easy to do when you lack the time or inspiration for anything more complicated. My only issue was bubbling from my top coat on my middle finger. I didn't use Out the Door on this, I used Nailene Acrylic Strong. I've had bubbles before with it, so I should've known it could happen. Oh well.

Finally, I want to show you a funky french I did that also shows how bad my skills are after a few espressos.

 Base is Powder Puff, three coats

Tips are Orly Snowcone over bad ridges

I added Color Club Pucci-licious just for funsies

Then my little angel, Gus, jogged my arm and smeared my index.

Yay.

I guess I have a thing for polka dots right now. Hmm... Anyway, I knew Snowcone would look awesome over this and since my nails are a little long, I had the perfect canvas. I feel vindicated!

I have got the mad love for Powder Puff, y'all. I am going to have to buy backups because I don't think I can live if I ever run out!

That does it for today. I'm going to do some chores and then have lunch with my mommy. Hope you have a wonderful day!

P.S. I got an espresso machine from my mom and sister. It is both a blessing and a curse. I already drank too much coffee anyway!

This is the black abyss

Good day!

I got a chance to sneak over to Fred Meyer today before having to go to a meeting at admin.
Damn, the Fred Meyer on that side of town is WAY better than the one nearest my house. Anyway, I was excited as can be because this location carries a small selection of LA Splash! I had to control myself so I didn't spend my bus fare so I had to sadly narrow it down to one.

My choice?

 Abyss

three coats, no base or top

Seriously, I love this brand. 

Surprisingly enough, I did not own a black creme with silver glitter. True story.

I don't know why either. Black nail polish of pretty much every kind is my favorite. WTF is wrong with me, right? 

All right then. Let's move on to the details. This is a black creme with lots of silver glitter. It applies a little sheer on first coat and really requires three coats. I suppose you could get away with two thick ones but that's going to take a long damn time to dry. That said, every LA Splash I have has dried remarkably fast. 

I also managed to score a WnW Snow Sprite palette as well. It is teh awesome sauce. I can't wait to try out some eye looks with it and the snazzy silver liner. Yay for treating myself!

That does it for now. I have to do a proper swatch and another mani then I can do a monster post about my new found love. Thanks for stopping by!

Safe within your grace

Good day!

Today I have another long awaited swatch plus some layering for you.

First, I have another Tip Toe polish from Old Navy.

 Seal the Teal

two coats, no base or top

Same as above, slightly more color accurate

I adore Tip Toe polishes. I have yet to pick one that was disappointing in color, finish or dry time. These go on beautifully and, holy bats, do they dry fast! Seal the Teal is a luscious creme that is ridiculously pigmented. It's a two coater provided your nails aren't as jacked as mine and oh, maybe if you don't have furballs floating around your house.

This is simply stunning on its own but I cannot help myself. I must layer. I think it's a compulsion now.

Index: Sally Hansen Spectrum

Middle: Claire's Glam

Ring: Claire's Mermaid

Pinkie: WnW Gray's Anatomy

all one coat each.

Macro shot of pinkie with Gray's anatomy 

to show green flash.

The glitters were a major success! Glam looks like it was made for this. I'm sure I could do a sweet franken with both of these but I think I'll stick to layering.

The duochromes were a little disappointing. Probably could have used another coat but meh. Didn't want to.

As a bonus, I did shoot swatches of Mermaid. It's a sweet little pale blue that can appear to be green with flashes of pink . It's quite sheer but builds nicely. This could be fun to sponge or Konad/Fauxnad over. (Oh yes, the ideas are percolating.)

 Four coats, no base or top

Don't hate on the state of my hands. Thanks to the weather, my job and health issues; I'm lucky they don't look like chicken feet. Yikes.

That does it for me. It's time to do work! Have a wonderful week!

We are shadow, we are light

Good morning!

I have a swatch to show you today that I meant to post way back in November. Thanks to my health issues and other setbacks and nightmares, it didn't happen. I'm making up for it now.

Barielle Out-Grey-Geous

Three coats, no base or top

Holy buckets! I did not expect this to be so sheer! It's a very pretty grey with subtle gold. This is my first Barielle and I really liked the formula on this. However, I'm a little underwhelmed by this. It's a bit too subtle and a snotch too sheer. I think I might like it better layered BUT I did try it over black and did not care for what I got. I also tried it over Essie Chinchilly and that was a hot mess. Both were bad enough that I decided against taking pictures. They were teh voms. So that means I need to try it out over China Glaze Recycle and see what I get. 

Anyway, I'm pleased to finally have a Barielle polish and I desperately want Falling Star, Junebug and Elle's Spell. Going to have to do some serious online shopping soon!

What's your take on this? If you own this, is it as sheer as my swatch?

Hope you enjoy your day!

A heart out of affection

Good morning!

Today I have some recent nail looks to show you. I do love to do some layering and I enjoy sponging more and more each time I do it. Best of all, neither is very difficult to do!

First up is a recent sponged look I did with all Orly products:

 Base is one coat Orly Iron Butterfly

Sponged with Dazzle, Glam Rock and Halley's Comet

I love how this came out. It has a lot of texture and it glitters and glows without being too obnoxious. I adore how the green tones in Halley's Comet really pop over black. So pretty!

Next up is yesterday's mani:

 Base is Orly La Playa

Splashed with Orly Lunar Eclipse, Orly Out of this World, Pure Ice Heartbreaker

and topped with Sinful Green Ocean

This just glowed! It went from deep blue to green and to purple. It was stunning! However, it did not hold up too well. I was putting out rack last night and I had a major piece of polish come off in a sheet from my right middle finger. My mani was no match for putting out clothes! That and the tight racks and clips from pant hangers scratching the hell out of my nails. *whine whine whine* What can I say? My job is not nice to my nails.

Hope you enjoyed the pics and maybe it gives some ideas. Thank you for looking an hope you have a great day!

Der Perfekte Traum

Presented without comment.

Can I play with madness?

Good morning!

Well, craziness has returned. My work schedule has changed and I feel I'm busier than ever. Oy.

Anyway...I have a couple of things to show you that I've picked up recently.


First we have yet another of the last round of Sally Hansen HDs that were released. I am loving these glass-fleck shades. They are amazeballs for the layering!

 Sally Hansen HD in Spectrum

Three coats, no base or top

Same as above just another shot!

This is still super sheer but I did find a fourth coat seems to take care of things. Dry time is okay but not great.

However, the color is super sweet and I'm looking forward to layering with this. 

What? I'm not showing you something I've layered it with? I've been busy. It's coming. Eventually.

Next up is one of the new Wet n' Wild Fast Dry:

Gray's Anatomy

four coats over ridge filler

I do love me a good duochrome. This is a re-release/ re-formulation  from last summer's Pixel Perfect collection. The original was a silver and it was nice but I decided against it because I have so many. However, this as a ducochrome is amazing and I had to have it. I was sure it was a pretty close dupe to Lippmann Collection Wicked Game and Scrangie has pretty much confirmed it. Which makes me quite happy since I really can't afford Wicked Game.

Three coats for this little beauty is acceptable but I liked four best. Dry time was pretty good but frankly, I've had better. This is another I want to try for layering since it tends to be sheer. Again, that will come eventually.

So there ya have it. I'm hoping to hit up Freddy's to see if they have any of the snazzy Cosmetic Arts polishes and anything else that strikes me. Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Doctor, Doctor

Good day.

Today I am continuing my music series and bringing a much under appreciated band.
The song for today is Doctor, Doctor by UFO. Specifically, I'm sharing a live version by the Michael Schenker Group that includes guest vocals by Klaus Meine of Scorpions. This is probably the best known UFO song around and it's no wonder.

Let's dispense with some background:

UFO were formed in the late 60's in England and were typical early hard rock of the time. It wasn't until 1973 that their music headed to the classically heavy metal sound when Michael Schenker joined the band.Their first album with Schenker, Phenomenon,  became an instant classic and featured Doctor, Doctor. UFO has come and gone many times over the years, with and without the notoriously difficult Schenker but they cemented themselves as a terrifically talented and influential metal band. They are a must for any metal fan's collection.

This is a song that typically makes me swoon. Catchy guitar riffs and a galloping rhythm get me every time. However, the opening solo is so beautiful and almost fragile. It sounds like the start of a typical power ballad until the riffs come hard. Apparently, 1983 was a very good year for classic live performances..

Please enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlcGdbZPxzU&fmt=22
EDIT: Unable to embed, however link is up and working! Fast forward the 2:05 mark since the video starts again.

Someday we'll go further from this, right into the bliss

Good Morning.

I am pretty sad that my Ducks lost the National Championship but I'm so happy to have one of my wishes come true. I had told Matt I hoped to see the Ducks in the big game one day and they did it. The whole season was history making. It was the first time the Ducks made it to the championships and the are the last Pac-10 team to ever play in the championship game. We are very proud of our Ducks here in Eugene!

Mighty Oregon

In the spirit of things, I bring you the last Duck Day mani of the football season.

Ring finger is three coats Orly Lemonade with 

"O" temporary tattoo.

Thumb, index, middle and pinkie are:

Two coats Orly Wandering Vine

One coat NYS Amaranth

One coat Golden Rose Care + Strong #158

I'm disappointed that I didn't get to spend more time to make this all the more special but work has been hella crazy and I had no time. However, I like how my layering of the greens came out. It was so pretty and shiny that I coudn't bear to take it off. So...yesterday I was sporting this:

Same green as above

Ring finger is three coats Sinful Mint Apple

There ya have it. I'm hoping that I will be able to attend the parade celebrating the Ducks next weekend and get some pics. I doubt I will be able to but it sure would be fun!

Mistreated

Good day!

Today I am starting an occasional series about some of my favorite songs. You will find the majority span the realms of hard rock and heavy metal. The first up is a very special song originally recorded by the majestic Deep Purple.

Mistreated was recorded for the Burn album in 1974.The song was written by Ritchie Blackmore years before but it was David Coverdale who wrote the lyrics. It was also the only song on the album that Coverdale sang the lyrics entirely by himself rather than in tandem with then bassist and co-vocalist, Glenn Hughes.

The song was the longest track on the album and very powerful. Enough so that Ritchie Blackmore continued to perform the song with Rainbow after leaving Deep Purple. (Not too shabby considering he had Ronnie James Dio at his disposal...) The 1977 live version of the song by Rainbow is intense. However, it is not the best version.
I know you're shocked by that statement since you know what Ronnie James Dio means to me but I can prove it.

This video is taken from Whitesnake's legendary headlining show at the 1983 Monsters of Rock festival. David Coverdale had just reformed the band after suffering a setback with breaking Whitesnake in the U.S.
This version was a goodbye of sorts.( It was indeed the last time he performed the song until 1997.) It is a stunning thing to listen to. The elegant piano intro by Jon Lord and anguished guitar playing of the late, great Mel Galley are enough to make this the best version ever. What really makes it so is Coverdale's vocals. They are gut wrenching and achingly beautiful in its raw emotion. He throws everything he has into this song and utterly claims it for himself.

I always get goosebumps when I hear this and I usually end up in tears by the time it ends. Please enjoy this wonderful song.

Really random

Good morning.

I have a small collection of random photos that I have taken with the FX camera app I downloaded for my phone. It has faux Polaroid, Warhol-izing and toy camera simulator that I've been playing with.

 Golden Rose Paris Holo 101

Toy camera simulator

 Toy camera simulator

 The beginning of yesterday's mani in the Toy Camera simulator

 NYX Purple and Blue Ave

Polaroid simulator

(Look who forgot to sweep her floor. YIKES!)

 My last haul 

Polaroid simulator

 Old Navy Tip Toe Polishes Warhol-ized

NYX polishes Warhol-ized

This app has been really fun to play with. I've had my best pictures when I'm shooting one of the cats not so much my nails. Eh. Gives me something to pass the time with, right?

Golden Rose Spam

Good morning.

I'm actually going to post some nail polish today! Thank bob for small miracles, right?
Today is all about my love for Golden Rose Cosmetics. I made an order a few months back from their website and I just loved my purchases. They have glorious colors, dry fast and best of all, are super cheap!
I've been meaning to buy more but...I blew my NP budget big time when the Orly Cosmic FX came out and I bought the whole lot.
However, I raised enough cash to treat myself to a NP buying trip to Ulta in October. While I was in the Portland area, I stopped at the Washington Square mall and stumbled upon a Golden Rose kiosk. Holy bats, was I excited! I think I freaked out the kids working the kiosk with my enthusiasm. That, and the fact that I knew more about their product than they did.
So...let's move on to some pretty pictures!

 Golden Rose Ceramic #139

Three coats, no base in weak sun

Same as above.

139 is a sexy purple shot through with silver. This applied like butter and dried crazy quick. Two coats will provide adequate coverage, which is awesome sauce but I always apply three.

 Golden Rose Paris The number of which I forget and cannot seem to find my bottle. 

WTF???

Anyway...this is a gorgeous blackened blue or blued black, whichever you prefer. This again is good to go in two coats but to avoid any sheer spots, I recommend three. This starts out as a sheer black but builds quickly to the above loveliness. Dry time is excellent. 

The first pic was taken under my living room lamp to really show the depth and the other two were taken a couple of weeks ago when we actually had some sunlight. Now I'm about to tear apart my stash to find my bottle!

Finally, I'm giving you a swatch of my favorite go to work appropriate shade. I've had this for nearly a year but never did manage to swatch it. Wait no more...

Golden Rose Paris Holographic #101

Three coats, no base or top in sun

 Ho hum...it's a taupe..how subtle.

Holy Bats! It's a holo!

Seriously, this polish is just amazing. It applies so smoothly and dries so quickly. Three coats are truly best because like many holos, you can have bald patches. I love that as soon I paint my thumb, my pinkie is already dry. *Swoon*

This really is a great work shade. It's lovely and subtle but under sunlight or a good office light, it's just brilliant! I'm grateful I can wear whatever polish I want to work but I'm glad to have this on hand. I always wear this when I have to attend meetings at admin because it is inevitable that I run into our CEO. Best to look as professional as possible!

So there ya have it. Golden Rose polishes can be purchased online at Golden Rose USA and various mall kiosks around the country. On the average, they run for about $3 per bottle and they offer free shipping for orders over $20!

In the Portland area, the Golden Rose kiosk has moved to Clackamas Town Center.

I understand that they now have flakies, so I'll be saving my money for those after Cancun in March.

That does it for me today. I'm off to distract myself until my surgery later today. Wish me luck!