Girl on Fire!

So, I went to see the Hunger Games today (finally!) and of course had to do my nails for the occasion! My final ruling on the movie as a whole is that it was alright...as always, the books are always better than their movies! Anyway, back to nail polish! I wanted to use some of the China Glaze Hunger Games colors so I began with a base coat of Smoke and Ashes.

This polish is so interesting! It's full of flecks and I can't even tell what the base color really is. It looks black, but then there's times when I feel like it might be a deep green? The flecks flashing colors make it even more difficult, but that's why I love this one!

Here's another shot. You can kind of see the flash in color on my middle and index fingers. And check out the bottle! Whoa baby!

This shot came out so great! You can really see the flecks and colors in this one!

Next, I pulled out my nail art brush and got to work on some flames. Just like Katniss had flames on her nails for the tribute parade (in the book). This is how I pictured them to look. I started with China Glaze Riveting, then after my sister told me it would look so much better if I did this- I added some highlights with China Glaze Champagne Bubbles. I hate to admit it, but that girl was right! The final color-adding step was placing a bit of China Glaze Electrify to add a bit of spark to the design.

I have to admit, this is completely different than my normal go-to colors and I love it!

This is a quick shot of the colors I used. All are China Glaze. From left to right- Smoke and Ashes, Riveting, Champagne Bubbles, and Electrify.

I hope you enjoyed! And may the odds be EVER in your favor (sorry, I had to do it!!).
-Amanda

I'm on a Roll! (and a Teaser Post)

Hey, since I was all sorts of motivated to keep publishing, I figured I'd roll with it. First off, I purchased 7 of the 12 China Glaze Capitol Colors polishes. I'll get around to wearing them all or using them in different designs I already have planned. The first one I chose to wear is such a gorgeous, out of the box color for me. After my water marble frenzy, I wanted a soft, soothing color with just a hint of POW! I think China Glaze Fast Track is just the polish for the occasion.

This polish is a light taupe with golden flecks throughout. It's made to represent District 6- Transportation.

Here is a closer shot in more direct sunlight. See the beautiful sparkle?

Just another sunlight shot.


Alright, on to my excitement for the day! As some of you know, I recently won a nail polish giveaway. I NEVER win things. I just don't have that kind of luck, but still I continue to try. My persistence finally paid off! Kirsten over at All That Glitters hosted a giveaway for her all new, handmade Bowie polish collection. Handmade polish? David Bowie? Sparkly Glitter? Uhm...yes please?!
I had heard about her polishes through Traci on her blog. I fell in love with the All That Glitters look! So I figured, what the heck, let's give it a try. I entered and during the worst week I've had in a long while, I got a notification on Facebook saying that I had won! These 4 beautiful polishes were mine!
Well, I walked to my mailbox this afternoon and behold! A package was inside! I quickly grabbed it and ran back to the house! I ripped into the package and couldn't wait to see what was inside! I snapped a quick picture of the gorgeous and practical wrapping Kirsten used. I want this tape!

(Sorry for the wonky picture direction. My editing program decided it liked the picture better this way 0_o)

And now, on to the best part! The polishes themselves! 

 The Jean Genie- this one has so much gorgeous goodness going on in it, I don't even know where to start! It seems to have a fun pearl blue base with white bar, tiny hex, and medium hex glitter. Then there's some silver micro and hex glitter, tiny blue hex glitter, and tiny green hex glitter. Just delicious!

Ziggy Stardust- this one has just as much going on in it! It has a tangerine/ sunset pink base and is packed to the brim with awesome glitter as well! There's gold micro, bar, and tiny hex glitter with some added white hex glitter as well. So summery!

Rebel Rebel- this one looks like it has a fun purple pearl base to it with lots of glitter! I see white bar and hex glitter, then there's silver micro glitter, and it's finished off with some blackish/gun metal tiny hex glitter.

Space Oddity- this one looks like a slightly sheer smoky black base with silver micro glitter and white bar, and various hex size glitter.

(Just another shot of the bottles!

Can I say I'm in love with all of these? Because I am. I'll be swatching them within the next couple of days- after I go see the Hunger Games.

If you'd like to check out some of the All That Glitters polishes, you can visit the Etsy store here. 

Thank you so much, Kirsten. I can't wait to try these out!

My next post will be in a few days and I just can't wait to show it! I'll be going to see the Hunger Games this Sunday and I'll be wearing my nerdy Hunger Games shirt and will be rocking my Hunger Games inspired manicure. Be sure to check it out!

Thanks for reading!

-Amanda

Better Late Than Never!

I know, I know, it's been a bit since my last post- but I've had nail designs on my mind the whole time! I finally found a moment to do some water marbling and man did I ever take advantage of it!
First up is my St. Patrick's Day manicure. I'm not Irish but I'll be marrying a partially Irish man next year...so....yay Ireland! I didn't feel like going the nail art route with this holiday because, let's face it, my shamrocks suck. So a water marble it was!

I'll admit, I was such a slacker with these pictures. I had already had this manicure for 2 days by the time I thought to take a picture of it...and I was nowhere near my camera! Alas, I leave you with a cell phone picture. It's decent enough but oh well.
As for the polishes used, I can't remember them! I know the gold is China Glaze Champagne Bubbles...and the lime green is an Ulta polish...but the dark green...it slips my mind.

Then, this next one is part of my "I'm on a roll, let's water marble" kick. This one I did the night before I went to a local Bridal Expo. This came out so differently than I expected but I love it!

This one is a cell phone picture too, but it's alright. I used an NYC white for the base color, a deep purple from Ulta that ended up turning blue as you can see above, and a Barielle brand silvery color. Love, love, love this one...just wish it hadn't gotten so many bubbles in it when I dipped my nails. I'll never learn not to rush a manicure.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed!