Dot Mani

The One With the Easter Bunny

9:00:00 AM

Hey there!!!  Happy Easter to all my Polished Peeps!  He is Risen!  What a wonderful day it is today.  As a Christian, today is the most important day for us.  If it weren't for Easter Sunday and the sacrifice that our Lord made, then, well, I shudder to think what the world would be like. 


Now while today isn't all about the bunny, I did paint little bunnies on my nails.  There are things I do for my residents at work, and doing cutesie nails like these is one of those things.  I went into this Easter season with good intentions of painting my nails with a plethora of designs, including one with Calvary hill, but alas, I got sick and I've yet to recover from that.  I'm just grateful I was able to get the two designs that I did!

Let's take a look!


Who wants to teach me how to take proper photos of my nails when I'm wearing pastel polishes?  They always look blown out or just too dark.  They're never what my nails actually look like.  I probably should have used a black back drop, but eh I'll never learn.  I sat for awhile trying to color correct them but gave up.  It is what it is, right?


Despite the fact that I can't properly photograph pastels, you can still see how cute this manicure was.  A nice little skittle using some of polishes from the Zoya Awaken collection that is literally 6 years old now.  Even though the polishes are old, they still apply like a dream.  By far some of my favorite pastels that I own.  Only complaint, they're kind of a pain to remove!

What do you think?  Fan of this design?

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!

See you soon! :) 


Flowers

The One With the Easter Lily Nail Art

9:00:00 AM

Good Morning, Polished World!  How are you all doing on this wonderful Friday?  I've had a few days off of work so I'm just relaxing, catching up on life, and most importantly, catching up on this blog.  I meant to have this post up yesterday, but alas, my day off got away from me, so here we are today.  My goal is to get all my drafts edited so I can just go back to work and have everything over here pre-published.  Wishful thinking, right?


Today's design is best described as an Easter Lily design.  The original by splashnails_lindsay didn't look like lilies, but mine, well they do.  Not sure how I got them to look like that, but alas, it's perfect for the weekend.  I never knew what the Easter Lily symbolizes, but after a little bit of googling, I discovered that it represents purity, rebirth, new beginnings, and hope, and is associated with the resurrection of Christ.  Which if you are a Christian, you know that's the whole reason for the day.

Let's take a look!


Isn't the copper accents wonderful??  A color I never in a million years ever imagined using for an accent.  When I saw the original design, I wanted to recreate it with that beautiful shade, so I started digging through my polishes.  I was so pleased to find a base and a glitter that I've never really used before.  Now I'm obsessed and want to use it all the time.  Wonder what other designs I could do with copper??


I really adore this manicure and love how it turned out.   I do want to work on my "lilies" a little more.  I think I could perfect them and not make them so pointy and blah.

What do you think?  Fan of the look??

Remember, today is Good Friday.  It's a day for us to remember what our Savior did for all of us.  It's the true reason as to why we celebrate Easter.  If it weren't for today and Sunday, I wouldn't want to think where we'd be.  My faith means a lot to me and I know it means a lot to others out there as well. :) 

Until next time, <3.


Dot Mani

The One With the Random Heart Manicure

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose


Good Morning, Polished World! How are you all doing today?  It's yet another Monday which means time for a whole new work week.  I apologize that I haven't been posting, but I was sick for the past two weeks, a long with half of my facility.  My priority became my health mixed with still trying to complete my job.  It was a tough two weeks, but each time I go through these things, I become stronger, so for that I'm grateful.

Now, here I am, the week of Easter, with no Easter nail art.  When I painted my nails last evening, I did a black and white floral design, then when I finished them, I realized I should have done something pastel.  Actually, I realize now as I type this, I have an Easter lily looking design.  I guess I'll post that later this week.

Until then, I'm bringing you a random nude heart design I painted a few weeks ago.  I needed something neutral as a palate cleanser.  Not sure if I 100% love this design, but I am happy with how it turned out.

Let's take a look!


We can all agree that Mirrorball by ORLY is just fabulous.  It's by far one of my all time favorite holographic silver polishes.  If you've been reading this blog for some time, then you know that this is my go to accent polish.  I think it accented this design rather well, don't you think?


You think after all these years I could successfully paint a heart.  Nope, they still look messy and not as neat as I would like.  For sure something I want to work on this year.  I think the one on the pinkie nail looks the best.

What do you think?  Like this look?

Okay, time to plan one or two Easter designs.

See you soon, <3.


Animal Print

The One With the Zebra Manicure

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose 


Good Morning, Polished World!   How are you all on this fine Sunday?  We were in the 60s earlier this week, and I'm pretty sure the high today is supposed to be 30 degrees.  With that change in weather comes a lovely sinus headache for me, random weird neck pain, and just all around feeling blah.  I'm sure excited for Spring, but hate this time of the year.

Despite the crazy time of year and the fact I'm feeling like a truck ran me over, my nails are still adorable.  Today's design is a fun zebra print manicure I painted a few weeks ago.  It's been a long time since I've painted a good ol' animal print, especially a zebra.  I feel I used to do them all the time on this blog.

Let's take a look!


Again, not sure what colors I used.  After 10 years of this blog and 10 years of forgetting, you think I'd remind myself to write down the polish names.  Once I start using all my new polishes I swear I will.  I think part of me doesn't share the colors because a lot of the polishes I use lately are oldies but goodies that you unfortunately cannot get anymore.  Or the sticker has fallen off, which is it's own issue.


Regardless, I love how this whole manicure came together.  The negative space, the zebra print, the blue.  All of it is perfect.  I really want to do this again with a purple polish and purple glitter.  Don't you think that would look stunning?

What do you think?

Until next time, <3.


China Glaze

The One With the St. Patrick's Day Glitter Gradient

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose


Happy St. Patrick's Day, Polished World!  Hope you all are wearing your green today!  I wanted to have more designs for you this year, but time got away from me.  The amazingly awesome news though, my nails are finally longer, just in time for some Easter and Spring nail art!  I couldn't be happier.  Also, it's gardening season.  Sure, it's still cold here and we probably will get one more snow storm, but this weekend and next, I'm going to start my seeds!  It feels like just yesterday I was planting my seedlings for the year.  Time really flies, doesn't it?

Today's design is VERY simple for me.  It's not that I was uninspired when it came to St. Patrick's Day this year, I just didn't want to go crazy.  Very weird for me, I know, but something was just pushing me towards the simple.  The simple that I went with was a wonderfully green glitter gradient that I absolutely adored.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • China Glaze - Grinchworthy
While this is a Christmas polish, it is BEYOND perfect for St. Patrick's Day.  I'm not going to lie, I have yet to use this polish for a Christmas themed manicure.  To me it's just more of a spring green, and obviously St. Patrick's Day.  I absolutely love how it looks over the black.  It transferred from the makeup sponge to the nail like a dream.  I didn't have to fill in any blank patches, the green was super pigmented and showed up on the black base, and it perfectly blended from opaque to barely there.  The perfect glitter gradient.


So now that I've done a glitter gradient with something other than silver or gold, I'm kind of hooked.  I want to do this with purple, and pink, and every single glitter I own.  I need to figure out if I have any more bright glitters like this to try the look with.

What do you think?  Fan of this design?

Hope everyone has a safe, and happy St. Patrick's Day! 

Until next time, <3.


Dot Mani

The One With the Random St. Patrick's Day Nail Art

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose


Good morning, Polished World!  How are you all doing?  I meant to have this posted yesterday, but Day Light Savings got the best of me and I just wanted to go to sleep instead of working on editing photos.  Now of course, while I'm writing this, I rather be sleeping because thanks to Day Light Savings, it's late again and I feel that I should be sleeping again.  Despite all that, it's St. Patrick's Day this week and I have to share with you the two designs I created.  Literally the most simple designs but still cute.

 Today's manicure is inspired by Ruth's Nail Art.  Hers was much better than mine.  I'm a little annoyed with how the clover turned out on my middle finger, but I think that's my own issue and no one else would notice it other than me.  Despite the imperfection that I only see, it's a wonderful manicure that I think is perfect way to kick off this St. Patrick's Day week.

Let's take a look!


Man, do I miss Serendipity Polish.  Sure this beauty is a little separated, but it still applies like a dream.  I wish I snagged more bottles of this beauty because the color is just perfect.  I pull it out for special occasions such as the holidays.  Also, out of sheer laziness when it comes to looking through all my new colors.  I really need to organize my collection this weekend.


Can you tell I broke my middle nail right before painting this design?  All my nails are nice and long and that little beauty is short and nubby.  Regardless, the design looks really god on the shorter nail.  Maybe it's the dots, but I feel that the nail looks longer than it really is!

What do you think? 

Until next time, <3.


Color Block Mani

The One With the Color Club Color Block Mani

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose 


Hey girl hey!  How are you all doing on this fine Monday?  Can you believe it, another Monday.  And, we are finally in the month of March.  I don't know why I'm saying finally, it feels like just yesterday it was Christmas.  Time is flying by fast, but it's okay, that just means more exciting things are coming our way.  Right?  I'm trying to be more optimistic in this crazy world.

Today's design is being dug out of the archives over here on The Little Canvas.  A fun mint and silver color block manicure using one of my favorite Color Club polishes.  I need to organize and start using my close to 200 new bottles of polish, but alas, life gets in the way each weekend and I get delayed. Maybe I'll take some time off of work so I can bring you new colors and new content. 

Until then, let's take a look! 


Colors Used:
  • Color Club - Blue Ming
Am I the only one who doesn't see the blue in Blue-Ming but only sees the minty green goodness?  Maybe I'm color blind.  We truly won't ever know.  What we do know is that it's a gorgeous polish which is the perfect pop of color for this manicure.  This is a popular design that people were doing a few years back with a salmon pink color.  I had to be different, especially since I think I've done the salmon one in the past.


I need to work on my free hand color blocking though.  That black line isn't as perfect as I'd like it to be.  Despite the imperfection, I do think that's what makes this design so wonderful.

What do you think?  Like the look?

Until next time, <3.


INM

The One With a Snowflake Manicure Before the Snowstorm

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose


Good Morning Polished World!  How are you all doing today?  I really need to work better on this whole blog and really being on top of editing, posting, and getting back into a groove.  I think when I do, my viewership and likes will go up.  I'm not going to lie though, some nights I'm just very tired and not in the mood at all.  I enjoy painting, I enjoy posting, I just need a personal assistant who will help me get from Point A to B.  Maybe one day.

In the meantime, I'm here to post manicures which I painted in January and failed to post.  While we are headed into March, where I'm located we are headed straight into a snowstorm.  So, it's only fitting that I share another snowflake manicure.  This one is one of my favorites.  The blue, the glitter.....

Just take a look!


No clue what color this INM is because, again, I didn't write it down when I painted it.  Ten years blogging and you think I'd know this by now.   Maybe one day!!!!!  I do know that the pretty silver holographic glitter is ILNP Mega X.  Absolutely adore this polish and it works so well for the glitter gradients!


I just love how all of it came together.  The blue, the silver, the white snowflake popping right off the nail.  If my nails were a little longer, I would have made the snowflakes smaller and added more to the nail, but winter = broken nails left and right.

What do you think??

Until next time, <3.


Valentine's Day

The One With the Valentine's Day Manicure

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose


Good Morning Polished World!!!  How are you all doing on this wonderful Monday?  It's Valentine's Day and well, if you've been following me for awhile, you know that I'm not a fan of today.  I am a firm believer that you should show your love every single day, not just because Hallmark said to today.  Despite that, I still wear reds, pinks, and make desserts for my family and friends.

Today's design is something simple.  I've been quite busy with work lately and had some massive breaks, so this was my first design in a few weeks.  Actually, as I type this, I have just a plain swatch on my nails because this pretty design chipped and I didn't feel like painting another design for just one day.  Regardless of it's simplicity, it's still a cute design perfect for today.

Let's take a look! 


I'm going to save you from the whole Colors Used section again, because even though I painted this design two days ago, I cannot remember the light pink.  I do know that the PixieDust is Miranda!  I think.......yes, it's Miranda.  This Pixie is pinker in person than what my camera was picking up, but trust me it looked gorgeous with this baby pink.  The baby pink is a Zoya as well, but again, don't know the name.


What I love about my PixieDust polishes is that they are so versatile.  You can use them for a swatch or for nail art.  They dry perfectly sparkly.  Leave it without a top coat and it's a gorgeous matte, add a shiny topper and they look like gems.

What do you think?  Fan of this Valentine's Day look?

I hope everyone has a wonderful day.  Just know, I love all you amazing followers so much! <3

Until next time, <3.




OPI

The One With the Random Pink Manicure

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose 


Hi, hey, it's me.  I'm sorry, I know, I went MIA again.  I am trying my hardest not to do that again.  A little bit of what's been going on.  Well, you know that I work in healthcare - so that should be enough of a statement in itself to explain what's happening.  My workplace had a tad bit of COVID going around, dealing with new mandates, rules, guidances, etc.  It's been crazy. I went back to swatching plain colors on my nails, and when I do that, my nails get super weak and break.  I had little nubbies I didn't want to paint, and honestly I was so tired at the end of the day, I had no energy to paint.  Heck, I didn't even want to look at this blog to post something out of the archives due to my exhaustion.

I have some posts to edit and I did paint a Valentine's Day design (shocking, I know), so I have to get back into the swing of things.  I wasn't going to write a post tonight, but remembered I had a cute pink manicure in my archives that is perfect for the week before Valentine's Day.  Then I'll get back to the snowflakes.  Just kidding....maybe.

Let's take a Look! 


I'm just going to spare you the whole Colors Used thing because I'm just going to embarrass myself trying to remember what the colors are.  I do know that the white is Alpine Snow, which is slowly becoming my favorite white polish.  For years I avoided it because of my love for Orly White Tips, but goodness, this is amazing.  Two coats, super fast drying, and lovely bright white finish.  What more can you ask for?!  The reason that this is slowly edging up to the number 1 spot in my heart is because of how quickly it dries.  Whites are used a lot for the base of nail art, so you need something that quickly sets so you can get to work.


Now, I'm not a pink person, but I am in LOVE with this design.  It would probably look amazingly gorgeous with a mint or baby blue also.  Oooo or a pastel purple.  Regardless, this was one of those designs I kept on for a week because of how much I loved it.  I'm very proud of my leaf work also.  I always impress myself each time I do flowers or leaves.  I really have grown.

What do you think?  Like this look?  Love the pink?

Until next time, <3.


INM

The One WIth Yet Another Snowflake Manicure

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose 


Good Morning, Polished World!  Welcome to a wonderful, restful Saturday morning!  I am here again with yet another snowflake manicure on this cold January morning.  I don't know about you, but we started our week off with a major snow storm, then it went into the 40s mid week, now it's -2 degrees.  The weather is so up and down, it's crazy.  I'm actually shocked that I don't have a sinus infection from it.

Regardless, the weather is perfect for snowflake designs.  Today's manicure looks pretty similar to all the others I've painted thus far.  The only difference, switched up the color scheme and painted some different looking snowflakes.  Maybe not 100% completely different from the last two, but it's somewhat different.  And that counts for something, right?

Let's take a look! 


Colors Used:
  • INM - Huckleberry Fairy
  • Finger Paints - Sterling Sculpture
  • ORLY - White Tips
Isn't it lovely?  Despite it looking very similar to every other type of snowflake I've ever painted, I just adore the color combination.  Huckleberry Fairy is the most gorgeous, deep navy blue.  Words cannot describe how perfect this polish is.  Two coats and you have the most shiny perfect coverage.  Did it stain like a b when I removed it?  Yes.  Was it worth it?  Double yes.  The staining literally came off after washing my hands a few times.  It's so pigmented that it makes sense that it would stain.


What I love about this pigmented beauty is that when you use white to create nail art, the color doesn't suck into the white.  You know how you when you use white over red and it 9 times out of 10 will turn pink?  I half expected this to turn baby blue - but here we are.  No baby blue snowflakes, just bright white pretties.

What do you think?  Fan of this look?!

Until next time, <3.

Color Club

The One With the Blue Gradient Snow Flake Mani

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose 


Happy Snowstorm Day to you all!!!  The East Coast is being hit with a lovely storm today bringing upwards of 18 inches where I live.  I'm not going to lie to all of you, but I adore the winter and the snow.  Something about it is so peaceful.  Maybe because everyone is inside and the hustle and bustle of life just slows down a bit.  And since today is a federal holiday, it will only be the "essential" workers out on the roads making it again a little quieter.  Sure, healthcare has been a nightmare lately, but I think today will be a good day.

Today's design is a spin of one I've done the last two years, except instead of using pink, I opted for a blue design.  Then while going through my drawers, I found a glitter with blue flecks for the accent nail, and it all just came together.  I was beyond upset with this design chipped off, but I enjoyed every minute of it.

Let's take a look! 


Colors Used:
  • Color Club - Factory Girl
  • Finger Paints - Be Merry and Sparkle
  • ORLY - Liquid Vinyl

I just painted these nails a week ago, and for the life of me cannot recall what the darker blue polish is that I used for the gradient.  I'm so angry at myself over this!!!  I want to say it's one of my darker Serendipity Polish throwbacks, but who even knows anymore.  I'm telling you, I am slowly but surely losing my mind.  Regardless, the blues came together to create the most perfect blue gradient which SCREAMS winter.  My love for blue deepened after I had this beauty on my nails.


Once that gradient was dry, I went to work on the snowflake.  Not my best work but not my worst either.  I love how it turned out.  Then matched with Be Merry and Sparkle, the whole thing came together beautifully.  The pictures make the glitter look more turquoise, but I swear it was more blue tinged and paired perfectly.  I think I'll have to use it again soon.

Like it or love it?  Hate it?  

Until next time, <3.


Orly

The One With the First Snowflake Manicure of the Season

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose


Good Morning, Polished World!  How are you all doing on this cold, January morning?  Yesterday it was raining and in the 40s, and now today the high is 12 degrees and we are in a winter weather advisory.  I'm not complaining, this is typical weather for this time of year, and secretly I love the winter.  Something about the cold outdoors when it's super quiet.  It's just beautiful and peaceful.  Especially when it's snowing.  Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way.

Since I love the winter and snow so much, of course I try to paint my nails with snowflakes as much as possible this time of year.  I'm onto my third snowflake manicure, just rather delayed when it comes to posting.   Today's design is a re-creation of a simple black/silver/white snowflake design I did a few years ago.   I had quite the break on my middle finger, so I had to do something that would look good on short nails, and this was it.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • ORLY - White Tips, Liquid Vinyl, Mirrorball
Mirrorball is the best holographic polish.  I think I have about 5 bottles of this beauty in my collection because I don't want to ever run out.  Gorgeous holographic with little flecks of holo silver glitter throughout - and it created the most perfect glitter gradient on my index and pinkie finger.  Don't know why I never attempted a glitter gradient with this beauty, but now that I have, be prepared to see about 50 of them.


I love my snowflake design on my ring finger.  One of my favorite snowflakes I've ever painted.   Can I tell you that I absolutely love painting snowflakes because they don't have to be perfect?  The fact that no two snowflakes are the same really helps my OCD when it comes to painting them.

What do you think?  Fan of this manicure?

Until next time, <3.

ILNP

The One With the New Years Eve Manicure

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose


Good morning, Polished World!  Happy New Years Eve to you all!!!!  Can you believe that 2021 is now coming to a close and we are entering into 2022??  I feel like the past two years flew by.  The other day I was texting my one friend and I had to ask them how old I am because I couldn't remember.  That's how crazy my life is!

Despite the crazy, I wasn't going to miss painting my nails with the annual NYE manicure.  The main rules - has to be sparkly, and has to have black.  So, I created an idea that consisted of a mish mosh of manicures from the past year, grabbed a trusted ILNP, and got to work! 

Let's take a Look!


Colors Used:
  • ILNP - Clockwork
  • ORLY - Liquid Vinyl
I forgot that I owned Clockwork by ILNP!!!!  Absolutely in LOVE with this bronze colored beauty.  Two coats and you have full coverage of this holographic/metallic polish.  It's truly unique how it has that holographic and metallic look.  Beautiful!   Worked wonderfully for nail art, and that gorgeous pinkie nail gradient.  Of course, the camera didn't capture that glitter gradient, but trust me, it's gorgeous.


Now, my one issue had nothing to do with the nail art, but everything to do with me being impatient and not letting the polish dry.  I put the nail art tape on too soon, so when I peeled it off, some of the base went with it.  What did my tired self do at 12am when this happened?  I filled in the empty space with the polish and straightened the lines the best I could.  Overall, I think it turned out well!!!

What do you think?

I hope that everyone has a Happy and Safe New Years Eve!!!  See you all in 2022!



Christmas

The One With the Annual Christmas Light Manicure

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose


Good Morning, Polished World, and Merry Christmas!!!!!!  Now, I'm going to say I'm a bit disappointed in myself that I only had 4 Christmas Manicures this year.  I really wanted to create a whole lot for you all, but life really got in the way.  Let's just say I'm really tired of COVID and everything associated with it.  It just is allll consuming in my line of work and it's quite exhausting.

Despite all that exhaustion, I did find time to paint my nails one more time for Christmas.  Every year I create a Christmas Light manicure. I've been doing this since The Little Canvas was born, and I wasn't going to miss this year.  Last year I created a red and green light manicure using Christmas Cookie from ILNP as a base.  I loved it so much that I decided to re-create it this year.  Maybe next year I'll go back to the classic look over the snow.  

Until then, let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • ILNP - Christmas Cookie
  • Acrylics
Yes, I cheated and used acrylic paint for my lights, but it's so much easier, especially when you're painting your nails at 11pm and just want to go to bed.  Christmas Cookie is my all time favorite Christmas polish.  It's a sheer white polish with tiny tiny red and green flecks.  I'm not sure how ILNP did this, but it's gorgeous and I love it.  It builds perfectly in two coats for full, Christmas-y coverage.  The best part - it dries rather quickly so you're able to just start your artwork.  Or throw on a top coat and go to bed.


This was the first year where I was able to paint the "string" perfectly in the first try.  Probably because I didn't do any curly q's like years prior.  Despite the one imperfection on my pinkie finger on that green light, all the other lights are perfect.  I'm really happy with how this turned out.

What do you think?

I wish all my followers and readers a Very Merry Christmas!!  I'll be back with at least one New Years Eve look. Hopefully.

Until then, <3.


Christmas

The One That Looks Like Wrapping Paper

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose


Good morning, Polished World!  Less than seven days until Christmas!!!  Are you ready?  I am not!  I'm so behind this year because work is kicking my behind and taking all my time.  I had so many plans to create a bunch of Christmas manicures, but alas I've been unable to.  I'm hoping to have at least two more by Saturday.  We shall see.

Today's design is....well....amazing.  I really don't know how else to describe it.  The look took forever to complete, but in the end it was well worth it.  I wore in on my nails for much longer than I normally wear nail art, but who could blame me??  It's so cute, beyond Christmas-y, and just all around perfect.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • ILNP - Versailles
  • ILNP - Say Love
  • ILNP - Lucky One
Amazing, right?!  I cannot get over how perfect this manicure is for Christmas!  At first I thought it looked like ornaments, but the more I looked at it, the more I realized that it was a dead on duplicate of wrapping paper.  All that was missing was a little bow in the middle.  The glitter, the holo, the colors, everything about it just screams Christmas.


ILNP never ceases to amaze me.  Her polishes are beyond perfect, especially when it comes to nail art.  You wouldn't think glittery holos would build so well, but they do.  To get the look I started off with two coats of Versailles, then threw on some quick dry topper.  When that was done, I started adding the 10, yes that's right, 10 pieces of nail art tape to each nail.  I then filled in the areas I wanted with Say Love and Lucky One.  Pulled off the tape, added a top coat, and admired my work.

What do you think?  Fan of the look? 

Until next time, <3.




Holiday

The One With the Buffalo Plaid Winter-y Manicure

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose


Good Morning, Polished World!  How are you all doing on this wonderful Sunday?  First, I want to extend my thoughts and prayers to those who are followers of this blog who were affected by the horrible weather in United States over this past weekend.  I can't stop watching the footage of the tornadoes and have this deep pit in my stomach.  I could never imagine going through that and truly my thoughts and prayers are with every single one of you.

When things like this happen, it really puts things into perspective.  When I was writing this post, I was complaining about the dumbest things.  All which are petty in comparison.  Right down to my complaint being that I didn't get around to posting this blog sooner because I was busy with work.  In the end, I should be grateful that I have a job, a home, and electricity.  Things that so many lost in a blink of an eye.  So if I can teach you all anything this season, it's to please be grateful for what you have.

Today's design is a fun, wintery Buffalo Plaid design.  A few years ago I created a similar design where I accented the whole thing with a holly leave, but I really wasn't feeling that.  So, I opted for the snowflakes, because we all know how much I love doing those this time of year.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • INM - Red Rover
  • ILNP - Versailles
  • ORLY - Liquid Vinyl
  • Acrylics
Red Rover is a gorgeous red polish that I totally forgot I owned!  For this design, I originally was going to use OPI Having A Big Head Day, but unfortunatly it dried up.  I went on the search for the perfect Buffalo red, and found Red Rover.  Two coats of this beauty and I had the perfect red Christmas polish.  When the two coats were dried, I free handed the buffalo plaid.  Yes, that's right, free hand.  I started off by painting on the little squares, then went on from there.  Tedious?  Little bit.  Worth it?  Of course.


I really like how the snowflakes blended with this design. It feels to me like a mix of a winter-y warm sweater....if that makes sense.  My only regret about this design was that I used Versailles by ILNP instead of Mega X.  The snowflakes were an after thought, so I don't know if gold really goes along with them.  I think silver might have been the better choice.  Regardless, I still love it.

What do you think?  Fan of this manicure?

Until next time, <3.


Christmas

The One With the First Christmas-y Manicure

9:00:00 AM

Good Morning Polished World!  I am so sorry that I have been gone for so long, but work really took over my life.  As you know, I work in the healthcare industry and we just are going through a rocky patch.  I'm trying to keep my life as sane as possible by doing the things I enjoy, but that seems to be more baking than nail painting.  Doesn't help that my nails are so dry from the constant hand washing and it now being winter that I've suffered many breaks and right when my nails are long again, they snap.


Regardless of all of this, I am determined to bring you all Christmas manicures throughout the month of December.  Similarly to my promise of the Halloween Manicures in October.  I did start sooner with another Christmas design, but it was a complete failure and I'm deciding not to share them with you.  So we are jumping right to my second design of the season, a fun simple dotticure using one of my favorite reds.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • Morgan Taylor - All Tango-ed Up
  • ILNP - Christmas Cookie
  • Zoya -  Tomoko
Isn't this red Morgan Taylor polish to die for?  It is by far one of my favorite red polishes, and if you know me, I'm not a huge red fan.  This color doesn't make my nails look nubby like other reds.  It's more muted and vampy, which is why  I think I love it.  It applies perfectly in two coats, and I'm sure you're going to see it a lot more this month.


For my accent, I used ILNP Christmas Cookie, but unfortunately you can't see the gorgeous glitter in it because it's hidden under all those dots.  I think I might have to use it for a holly manicure in the next few days.  That would really make the glitters pop.  Regardless, it's a gorgeous polish which works well under those fun dots.

What do you think?  Fan of this manicure?
 
Until next time, <3!


INM

The One With the INM Smoosh Manicure

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose


Good Morning Polished World!  How are you all doing today??  I apologize for being absent again, but I had a weird injury.  The other day while I was ironing my clothes, I hit the steam button while I was on the last part of my shirt, and I burned my fingers.  Yes, you read that right, I burned my index and middle finger on my swatching hand.  It hurt so bad, but luckily wasn't too bad.  For a few days my hand was beat red, then the skin got all hard, and then it all peeled weird and my cuticle was all a mess.  I didn't want to paint anything fancy because there was no way in hell that I was taking photos of that.

So, because I went on this little hiatus, I'm again posting from the vault.  This manicure I did earlier this year and to be honest, I have zero clue why I didn't post it sooner.  I absolutely love the color combination, and it's totally perfect for Fall.  Maybe?  Well, you can be the judge.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • INM - Dali
I don't remember what other colors I used, because of course, I forgot to post the colors when I edited the post.  At least I remembered the main blue color!  How could you forget such a gorgeous blue?  Dali covers completely in two coats, but you literally could get away with one coat.  And of course, it worked wonderfully to create a smooshy marble look!!  After my Halloween smoosh manicure, and now seeing this one, I'm thinking I need to create another Fall one.


I truly love the color combination here.  You know me, I'm not usually a fan of the gold accent, but it just goes so well with this.  I'm sure silver would have looked great, but I need to get out of my comfort zone a little more often.

What do you think?  Fan of this manicure?

I promise I'm going to be posting more consistently!  Especially when we get to December and Christmas manicures!

Until next time, <3.


OPI

The One With the Really Separated OPI Polish, but Still Works

9:00:00 AM

Nothing to Disclose 


Hey there Polished World!  Sorry that I took a week off, but I needed to focus a tad on my work life.  I also went back to a week of swatching because my nails were peeling and I had to cut them down short again.  Now, I should have gone into the archives and posted from there, but I kind of forgot and here we are now!

Today's design is one from the archives since I have been painting swatches.  When I went into the drafts, this one was actually painted a year ago.  Yes, that's how far back the archives go here on The Little Canvas.  Since this is a fall-ish colored looking floral design, I decided it was appropriate to look at.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • OPI - I'm Feeling Sashy
  • ORLY - White Tips
  • Some Gold Polish I Can't Remember
I'm going to give myself points for remember which OPI polish that I'm holding. That's mainly because I used it the other day for a swatch.  Despite the fact that this polish is extremely separated, it still applies wonderfully.  Two coats and fully, shiny, beautiful coverage.  One of my favorite colored polishes as well.  


I don't know what else to say about this manicure because it was so long ago, but it's cute!  Absolutely love the floral look.  I really need to re-create this design this year, maybe with one of my newer OPI polishes which aren't separated.

What do you think?  Fan of this?

Until next time, <3