Monthly Mani Favs

The One With September's #MonthlyManiFavs

9:00:00 AM

Good morning polished world!  How are you all doing on this fine Saturday?  Can you believe that it's Saturday, and also the end of September?  So crazy how quickly this month flew by.  We had some weird weather....the last few weeks of September felt more like the middle of August.  Yesterday though was one of the first fall like feeling days.  I'm excited for some more!

Since it's the end of September, that means it is time to share my Monthly Mani Favs!  I'm proud of myself that I am remembering to post this on the last day of the month, and not during the first week of the next month.  Or like I did in the summer, post two months at once because I totally forgot.  

Let's take a look!


  • The One With the Serendipity Polish Sunflowers - oh how I love this manicure.  The yellow sunflowers on top of that gorgeous blue base.  Part of me thought the design would have looked better on just an accent nail and it was a little too busy, but the other part of me truly fell in love with how it looked.  It's like a sunflower field.
  • The One With the Splash Flower - This design I wanted to hate because when I painted it, it took me forever to do because it was just one of those polish nights.  When it was all said and done though, I really liked the look.  The bright color, mixed with that holo accent, and the fun flower.  It really turned out nice.
  • The One With the Mosaic Looking Nail Art - Love this mosaic design using one of my favorite ORLY shades.  Who am I kidding, all my ORLYs are my favorite ORLY shades.  I need to do more color block manicures like this one.
  • The One With the Sunflowers - This was the first sunflower manicure that I posted this season and I absolutely loved it.  Now that I am looking at the titles of my posts, I don't know why I didn't name the blue sunflower design "The One With the Other Sunflower Manicure".  Oh well.  Regardless, this yellow design is absolutely gorgeous in my opinion.  I love the yellow and black mixture.  I need to use my yellow polishes more.
What do you think?  Any of these your favorite?  Should I have picked something else??

Until next time, <3.

Animal Print

The One With the Re-Creation of An Old Leopard Manicure

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  How are you all doing today??  Crazy busy week already for me.  I don't even remember my Monday it was such a blur.  Hopefully it calms down a little bit, although the busy day made my day go by so fast, so maybe that means Saturday would come quicker?  We shall wait and see.

Today's manicure is a re-creation of one I did a few years ago.  It was a gradient leopard design and it popped up on my Facebook Memories.  It was one of my all time favorite designs due to the color combination.  When it popped up on my Feed, it was perfect timing because I was sitting down to do my manicure and had zero inspiration.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • China Glaze - That's Shore Bright
  • China Glaze - Capacity to See Beyond
  • ORLY - Liquid Vinyl
  • ORLY - Mirrorball
Isn't it cute?  I love the blue to purple gradient, especially because it's not the typical up down gradient.  Super easy design to do.  First you paint a base of white polish, then use the make up sponge and create the gradient.  Once dried, add your leopard design, some top coat and call it a night.

What do you think?  Like this look?  Ever do a gradient at a different angle?

Until next time, <3.

Flowers

The One With the Serendipity Polish Sunflowers

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!!  How are you all doing today??  It's Saturday and that means I'm going to be lounging around, sleeping in, and just trying to rewind from this very long week.  This week really was one of the longest in a long while.  Good news was though, it was so busy that the week just flew by.

Today's manicure is another sunflower manicure using Serendipity Polish.  I was holding off sharing this because I've been in mourning over the fact that Serendipity closed up shop, but this week Roxie announced that's she's coming back with a whole new project and brand!  I cannot wait to try out All Heart Lacquer!  I have faith that they're going to be just as amazing as her previous project.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • Serendipity Polish - We Run This Beach
  • INM - Northern Lights
  • Acrylics
Gorgeous, isn't it?  I love this sunflower manicure so much, especially because of the base.  Beautiful royal blue, made even lovelier by the top coat of INM Northern Lights.  The sunflowers really pop off the design.  The blue was a lot lighter in person, but it seems that it got darker because of the design on top.

What do you think?  Fan of this look?  Excited for the new polish line All Heart??

Until next time, <3.


Cirque Colors

The One With Cirque Polish Xochitl and Dots

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  How are you all doing today?  It's Wednesday and we are smack dab in the middle of yet another work week.  I'm excited because today we are having an employee appreciation luncheon, which means I'm getting some Jamaican Jerk chicken wings.  The cook where I work is from Jamaica and literally makes the BEST chicken ever.  Ugh, so excited.

Today's design is a simple dot manicure using one of my new Cirque Polish's.  Yes, it's their old bottle, but it's new for me.  Before the label re-design, Cirque had mystery grab bags for sale where you got 4 polishes for $25.  If you know Cirque, then you know what an amazing deal that is.  I was iffy about doing a Mystery grab bag purchase, but I'm so happy I did.  All 8 colors that I got were something I will use.

Let's take a look at the first polish that caught my eye.


Colors Used:
  • Cirque Colors - Xochitl
  • ORLY - White Tips
  • ORLY - Liquid Vinyl
Oh. my. goodness.  Xochitl is more beautiful on the nail than it is in the bottle.  It's a gorgeous orchid purple holo polish which has full coverage in two coats.  The holo effect is visible in both natural and indoor light.  It's amazing.  Now, I don't know if Cirque still does this, but these polishes are infused with different oils, so when they dry there is a slight scent to them.  I was scared it would be overwhelming but it isn't at all.  Amanda from Fashion Footing was right when she said she doesn't even notice it.

What do you think?  Fan of this polish?  Do you own any old Cirque's?  Do you like the old bottle or the new??  I think I like the old better....

Until next time, <3.

China Glaze

The One With the Polka Dots and Flowers

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  How are you all doing today?  It's Monday and I already know that work is going to be crazy busy.  Also, the weather is weird where it's cold in the morning and really hot by the afternoon.  So it's making the whole picking out an outfit for work thing really difficult.  It's always something.

Today's design is a polka dot floral design that looked a lot better in my mind.  I wasn't going to share it, but I thought maybe I should because most of the time when I share a manicure I hate, it gets a really positive response.  Let's see what happens with this one.

Here we go.....


Colors Used:
  • China Glaze - I Got a Blue Attitude
  • Acrylics
Maybe my mistake was that I used acrylics for the art.  Or maybe the base was too dark for the flowers?  Or maybe my dot base was just too busy?  Who knows.  But I still am not a huge fan.

I do enjoy and love I Got A Blue Attitude by China Glaze.  It's a gorgeous plurple color which covered perfectly in two coats.  Super shiny, and just a fun color.

What do you think?  Like this design?  Hate it like I do?

Until next time, <3.


Flowers

The One With the Splash Flower

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  How are you all doing today?  It's Saturday, but honestly it's just another day to me.  I'll sleep in, eat some food, and watch Netflix.  My life is so thrilling.  Well, I might spend some time outside because it's probably going to be the last nice weekend before Fall really sets in.  Who knows, maybe this is the start to an Indian Summer.  We will just have to wait and see.

Since it's going to be in the 80s, I figured I would share a bright manicure that is perfect one to wear if you're holding on to summer.  The other night I was feeling really uninspired and I asked my friend Holly to pick out a manicure, and she came back with a bright splash flower design.  At first I didn't like it, but it really grew on me and I loved how it turned out.

Let's take a look!



Colors Used:
  • ORLY - Summer Fling
  • ORLY - Frolic
  • ORLY - Mirrorball
  • Serendipity Polish - Holo-Day Lights
Cute, right?  I haven't done a splash flower design in awhile and I forgot how easy they are to do.  To get the look, once your white base is dry, you pretty much paint a flower on your nail using the dry brush technique.  For this one, I started with Summer Fling and dry brushed some petals on.  I then filled in the center with Frolic using the same technique.  I then went through with my nail art brush and outlined the dry brush.  The whole point of the splash flower is that it doesn't have to be perfect, it's supposed to look a tad messy and abstract.

Summer Fling is a gorgeous polish from ORLY.  In my opinion, it's a crelly polish which applies evenly in two coats.  It's such a bright coral peach which is the perfect summer color.  I used it for a pedicure and was not disappointed.

What do you think?  Like this look?  Think it's a good end of summer design??

Until next time, <3.



Dot Mani

The One With the Sunflowers

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  How are you all doing today??  Can you believe I'm back posting so soon?  That's because I finally edited all my photos and realized I have 7 posts to share with you.  Now if I can only get my butt into gear and pre-publish the posts and write them ahead of time.  Maybe I'll work on that tomorrow.

It's sunflower season, so it's only fitting that I paint some sunflowers on my nails.  This year I did two in a row, and debated which to share with you first.  Since the other one is a re-creation of last year's design,  I thought I'd start with the new design.  This one was slightly inspired by a design I saw on Pinterest using a beloved Serendipity Polish.

Let's take a look.


Colors Used:

  • Serendipity Polish - Bottomless Mimosas
  • Serendipity Polish - Building My Empire
  • Acrylics
Bottomless Mimosas is a gorgeous yellow polish.  Two coats and full coverage.  You technically could have gotten away with one coat, but I had a patchy spot on my middle finger I needed to even out.  It is so bright and cheery, really a perfect yellow.  My Twin Mimmy by OPI is one of my favorite yellows, and this is on par with it, if not better.

Building My Empire is my favorite black polish which I am upset I will never get another bottle of.  One coat, quick drying, and super shiny.  Sigh, I'm so sad about Serendipity Polish closing.

The flowers are actually really easy to create.  I first started by painting the brown center on my nail.  When it was dried, I took a light orange paint and painted the petals, then went through with a yellow paint and filled in the empty spaces between the orange petals.  Since I decided to add some texture so I went through and put a little orange on the yellow petals.  Cleaned up the brown center, added the dots in the center to be little sunflower seeds, added a top coat, and called it a night.  Okay, it sounds a lot more complicated than it really is.

What do you think?  Like this look?  Ever done a sunflower manicure??

Until next time, <3.

Dot Mani

The One With the Re-Creation of an Old Daisy Manicure

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  How are you all doing on this fine Sunday?  I almost wasn't going to post today because I've been kind of under the weather the last few days, but I powered through and here I am posting.  My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Florida and are bunkered down through Irma.  These hurricanes are crazy.

Today's manicure is a re-creation of a daisy design I did a few years ago.  My original design was inspired by Wondrously Polished.  Simple black manicure, with green polka dots, and some daises on top.  One of my favorite designs then, and still is now.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • Serendipity Polish - Building My Empire
  • Serendipity Polish - Hike & Be Happy
  • Serendipity Polish - Bottomless Mimosas
  • Serendipity Polish - #GoalDigger
Yes, an all polished nail art manicure using only Serendipity Polish.  I'm still sad that they closed up shop.  By far one of my favorite brands with their one coat polishes.  They are all so perfect for nail art due to the fact that they are so opaque.  They dry fast too, so you can start layering designs pretty quickly.

What do you think?  Like this look?  Sad that Serendipity Polish is no more?

Until next time, <3.


Flowers

The One With the Roses

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  How are you all doing today?  It's Thursday, although it feels like a Wednesday since I had Monday off for Labor Day.  I hate when weeks are like this, but partially I love them because Friday is here sooner than I know it.  Although my Friday feels like a Thursday and I'm behind on work.  Blah.

Anywho, today's manicure is a cute rose design which I'm probably sure I have done in the past.  I haven't done a rose manicure in a while, which kind of shocked me.  I was really on a daisy kick this summer and ignored all other flowers.  I do have two sunflower manicures I need to edit and post.  I should do that for next week.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • Sally Hansen - Electric Pop
  • ORLY - White Tips
  • Serendipity Polish - Holo Day Lights
Cute, isn't it?  Gosh how I've missed rose manicures. They used to be my go-to design when I started this blog, especially because it was one of the first designs I taught myself how to create.  Brings me back to the good old days.  Can you believe we're coming up on six years of this blog??  Crazy!

What do you think?  Like this rose design?  Fan of the color combination?

Until next time, <3.


Color Block Mani

The One With the Mosaic Looking Nail Art

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  How are you all doing today?  It's Labor Day here in the states, so that means that I have the day off from work.  My plans for the day, sleep, sleep, and more sleep.  Then I should be all rested and ready to return to work on Tuesday.

Today's manicure is a fun, swirly mosaic color block looking design I did a few weeks ago.  I was feeling uninspired and came across a similar look on Pinterest.  Since it had been forever since I did a mosaic looking design, I jumped on the opportunity.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • ORLY - Scenic Route
  • OPI - My Boyfriend Scales Walls
  • OPI - You're Such a Budapest
  • OPI - I Believe in Manicures
Cute, right??  It's a super simple look to re-create too!  First, you start off with a base of white polish.  I used My Boyfriend Scales Walls since I thought it was the most neutral white.  Not too bright, and not too dark.  When that base was dried, I took a black acrylic paint and outlined my color blocks.  I then colored in the empty spaces with different colored polishes.  When those were dry, I went through with the black acrylic and cleaned up the lines a little more.

What do you think?  Like this look?  Fan of the color combination?

Until next time, <3.


Monthly Mani Favs

The One With August's #MonthlyManiFavs

9:00:00 AM

Good morning polished world!  Happy Friday to you all!!  I apologize for not posting more this week, but my sinuses and allergies have been killing me.  When I've come home from work, I literally just lay in bed like a potato and don't move until I fall asleep.  I should probably make sure I don't have a sinus infection.

Anyways, today is the first day of September that means it is time for me to post my Monthly Mani Favs for August.  I thought I had another day to put this post together since I thought yesterday was the 30th, but no....it was the 31st.  Sigh, the days are going way too fast.

Let's take a look!


  • #TheNailArtSquad Raises Awareness for Epidermolysis Bullosa - The Nail Art Squad came together in August to raise awareness for the disease Epidermolysis Bullosa.  This is a rare disease where the skin blisters causing it to be very fragile.  Children who have the disease are known as butterfly children due to their fragile nature.  My close friend had a friend pass away from this disease and was so thankful that we did this.
  • The One With the OPI Daisies - Such a cute design! I rarely do an accent nail that isn't gold or silver, so this white glitter one is absolutely one of my favorites.  Especially paired with this design.  So bright, cheerful, and perfect for summer.
  • The One With the Bokeh Bubbles - I haven't done a bokeh design in awhile so I decided to give the look a try again.  I grabbed some acrylics and a cup of water and got to work.  I really fell in love with the end look and am going to have to try it again soon!
  • The One With the Blue Serendipity Polish Flowers - I'm still mourning the loss of Serendipity Polish.  Why did this awesome brand have to shut down??   Look at that blue polish!!!  One of my all time favorite colors ever.
What do you think?  Any of these your favorite?

Until next time, <3.