Vintage Gold

For a glitzy, Fall-themed, festive Thanksgiving mani, I chose to layer Wet N Wild 24 Carats (from the LE Ice Baby collection available at Walgreens) over Color Club Nouveau Vintage (from the Back to BoHo collection).

Here's the lovely Nouveau Vintage on its own. It's a gold-red-brown-green multichrome that captures the light differently depending on angle. It is gorgeous by itself - very warm, festive, and classy - and it shimmers! Still, as you can see, I had some pretty gnarly ridges in my nails. (I just removed my acrylics and did not apply ridge filler as a base this time around; I used Orly Nailtrition instead. Bad call!)

So, because I wanted to cover my unflattering ridges (and because I felt like, even though this color is amazing alone, this mani needed a bit more POP), I decided to try layering 24 Carats over this beauty. I'm very happy with the result!

I didn't think I was going to be a fan of this polish. I don't love bar glitters - I don't really dig the "hairy" look - but this truly was gorgeous! All I saw was sparkle and shine glinting out of the corner of my eye, and I couldn't stop staring at my nails. I also don't generally do gold polishes or glitters, so I was surprised to find that I really enjoyed this one, especially as a layering polish. The texture and the coppery flecks really gave this polish depth, and the formula was nice - very smooth and easy to apply despite the heavy-appearing glitter. This is 2 coats, no topcoat. I think adding 24 Carats really helped to accent the beauty of Nouveau Vintage!

Disclaimer: These products were purchased by me and I was not compensated for this review in any way. 

I'm baaack!

After a long hiatus, I've decided it's time to start giving my blog some attention again. I've had an eventful past few months - new job, lots of family changes, and TONS of new polishes to swatch for you! I can't wait to get back to blogging. Thanks to all my followers who've stuck with me for the long haul :) I promise to have pretty pics to show you soon!

Guest Post for Megan from Painting Rainbows!

I had the exciting opportunity to do a guest post for Megan from Painting Rainbows! You can check it out here. I hope you enjoy!

We have some WINNERS! **100 Follower Giveaway!**

I have finally selected winners for my 100 follower Apple Bottoms/LA Colors giveaway! Drum roll please ....

And the winners are:

SAMMI SIMMONS takes prize # 1! 

Prize # 1, as you may recall, is the Apple Bottoms nail polish, NYC Mineral starter kit, and LA Colors lip gloss. 

KARI MURPHY takes home prize # 2!

Prize # 2 is the LA Colors nail polish, lip color, and eyeshadow. 

Congratulations to both winners, and THANK YOU ALL again for following me and my polish madness! <3 Look for another giveaway soon (200 followers)! :) *hugs* 

LEX Cosmetics: Beauty Is By You.

I recently received my VERY FIRST polish to review. I'm so excited! This gorgeous polish comes to you courtesy of LEX Cosmetics. LEX Cosmetics is a relatively new company based out of Seattle, Washington. It was founded by Alexa Barron (Lex), a self-described "fun-loving twenty-something who loves cosmetics and nail polish." 


There are two major factors that set LEX Cosmetics apart from the rest. The first of these is that LEX allows you to fulfill your wildest polish fantasies by creating your own colors! The possibilities are truly endless. You can take your inspiration from anywhere - nature, pop culture, your own unique story (maybe the color of a favorite blanket or stuffed animal you had as a child)  ... or perhaps you just can't find that *perfect* shade. With LEX, you are a part of the creation process! 

The second - and perhaps most important - detail that sets LEX Cosmetics apart is that they will donate a percentage of their profits to various causes and organizations that are important to each individual polish creator. If your polish creation is chosen (via online voting), you get to choose the organization you'd like to see receive a portion of the profits. One example of this is LEX's polish Lucky Girls. From their website, "LEX Cosmetics and Lucky Girls teamed up to create this pinky pink, perfect to cheer up the mood of any girl. Proceeds from this color will be donated to the Greek Orthodox Orphanage in Kolkata, India." You can learn more about Lucky Girls and the movie that was created about this great cause here. 
Another example is LEX's Seashell, a black scattered holo polish created by Sarah, who wanted to capture the beauty of a seashells and nature in general with this high-impact polish. A portion of the proceeds from this polish are donated toward fighting sexual assault. 


I had the privilege of reviewing LEX's PeaBow, a gorgeous & unique shimmery blue that's nearly purple. Created by Rhonda, this beautiful shade was inspired by peacocks. "When I look at a beautiful peacock it reminds me of my creator looking at how artistic the world is, and as I look up into the sky, seeing a colorful rainbow is a reassuring promise," says Rhonda of her amazing polish. $1 of each bottle of PeaBow purchased will be donated toward animal protection. 

It was difficult to capture on camera just how shimmery and eye-catching this shade is. From afar, it just looks purpley-blue, but up close you can see the flecks of pink and teal with the polish. The formula is excellent, with very little visible brushstrokes or bubbling. The application is also very smooth - this is three coats with no topcoat. 

I love everything about this polish, even down to the shape of the bottle and the unique design on the cap. I'm even more excited to support a small local company! LEX Cosmetics polish retails for $10 via their website, www.lexcosmetics.com. Do yourself a favor and grab a bottle today. You'll be supporting a great cause of your choice, and you'll get a fantastic polish to boot. It's a win-win! 

(This product was provided to me for review.) 

Painting Rainbows 300 Follower Giveaway!!

Megan at Painting Rainbows is having a "Because I love you" giveaway! Here's what you can win! 

Head on over and check it out! 

Holy Blue Dupes, Batman - Part Deux!

My earlier post had me inspired to check out a few other possible dupes in my collection. In a recent swap, from very generous ladies in the Facebook nail polish group I belong to (Nail Polish and Gossip) I recently received Wet N Wild Fast Dry Blue Wants To Be A Millionaire and KleanColor Holo Blue. I already had Milani 3D Holo in Cyberspace, but in the bottle these three looked pretty close so I decided to swatch them and break it down.

 Top: Milani 3D Cyberspace, Middle: KleanColor Holo Blue, Bottom: Wet N Wild Fast Dry Blue Wants To Be A Millionaire

I live in Washington State, where the sun doesn't exist (at least not this summer). This is 3 coats of each shade. The holo on Milani's Cyberspace is more scattered and subtle, even in direct sunlight, but it's still beautiful and definitely more rainbow-y than BWTBAM. Out of the three, the KleanColor has the most noticeable holo effect - super sparkly in the sun! - but again, this is a scattered holo so you don't get the same results you'd get from the linear holos out there. It is gorgeous though! The application on the Milani is the best, with great coverage and less coats needed for true opacity. KleanColor's application is second; the polish is thick but also a little goopy - it might need to be thinned. The WnW is very sheer and didn't produce a very holo-y result. It's also just slightly darker in color than the other two. 

So there you have it! Three very similar polishes, each with their own unique attributes ... depending on what you're looking for! Personally I am happy to own all three. I can find uses for all of them! :) 

Special thanks to Jacqueline Do and Kayelyn Kiethley for swapping me these great polishes! 

In The Life of a MILF!

Neeka over at In The Life of a MILF is having a 100 follower giveaway - her first!! Click here to enter and show her some love!!

Here and Glowing In Las Vegas!

At the end of June I headed to Las Vegas for a business/pleasure trip. I needed my nails to be glitzy, glam, and over the top - just like Vegas is! I started with Zoya Charla as a base. She is absolutely stunning by herself, no question - one of my top 5 favorite polishes! Nothing compares to the subtle glass-fleck shimmer Charla has to offer. But I decided I needed a little more GLITZ!!

I made my first attempt at a gradient glitter mani using Funky Fingers Sand & Stilettos on top of Charla. I very lightly applied gradually less polish as I made my way from the tips to about the middle of each nail. I really like the result! It reminds me a bit of falling snow, and since Vegas was 108 degrees every day I was there, it was very cooling to look at :) Plus, the sun glinting off Sand & Stilettos definitely drew attention! 

I loved this mani so much I didn't want to take it off! But, alas, variety is the spice of life ... and what would I post about if I left it on? :)

June is LGBT Pride Month!

As some of you may know, June was LGBT Pride Month (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender). To show our support, many nail bloggers like myself decided to do a rainbow skittle mani in honor of this occasion. I try not to wax political here often, but I believe that the homosexual community should receive the same rights as any straight person would, in areas such as marriage, health care, employment, and ... well, anything else. Equality for all!

To achieve this look, I used WnW Fast Dry polish in (thumb to pinky): Everbody Loves REDMond, The Wonder Yellows, Sage In The City, Saved by the Blue, and Sea Witch for the tips. I then added a stripe of Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Celeb City with a very think nail art brush. I finished this look with matching rhinestones. I hadn't intended for them to look like smiley faces, but I think it turned out kind of cute that way! 

I gave my daughter a matching mani, as I am often wont to do :) I hope you all enjoy! 

Holy Blue Dupes, Batman!

These are Wet N Wild NERDS Need Love Too and Sinful Colors Paradise. Similar, no? Let's see just how similar...

Thumb, middle, and pinky are Sinful Colors Paradise. Pointer and ring finger are Wet N Wild NERDS Need Love Too. Barely noticeable! The difference is in the application. WnW NERDS is very thin and sheer and doesn't apply as nicely or as opaque as SC Paradise. Also, NERDS has a very slight shimmer that doesn't show well on the nail or in the pics but is definitely noticeable in the bottle.

 For giggles, I added a coat of Sinful Colors Hottie on top ...

And then at the suggestion of someone in my nail group on Facebook, I matted them:

I love these colors! They're *very* close, but application on the Sinful Colors polish is definitely preferable.

Merci Beaucoup!

I just wanted to take another moment to say THANK YOU to all my lovely followers. :) I love reading your comments and suggestions, and it means so much to me that you take the time to look at my posts! I love each and every one of you! <3

Don't forget to enter my 100 follower giveaway, if you haven't already! *HUGS*

Space Oddity

In honor of today's final NASA shuttle launch, I decided to do my nails in a color that reminds me of space. This shade is L.A. Girl Rock Star in Punk, and it makes me think of starry nights and the vast openness beyond our planet. This is a deep blue jelly, almost purple looking in the bottle, with shimmery blue microglitter. It applies like a dream! This is three coats topped with Seche. 

I think this just might be my new favorite polish! <3

Mini Haul!

Today I had the chance to pick up some fantastic goodies from Ed Wyse Beauty Supply courtesy of my gorgeous and multi-talented friend Ashley. <3 Check out her fabulous jewelry and accessories at her etsy shop, FeatherLust!

Ed Wyse is a local (Pacific Northwest) beauty supply store that sells just about anything a polish lover could ever want! They had OPI, CND, Zoya (!!), and all kinds of other cool polish and nail care accessories, plus great shampoos, cosmetics, and other beauty items. I could have spent all day - and all my money - in there, but finances are tight so I had to exercise some restraint. :) HUGE thanks again to Ashley for helping me cross some items off my polish wishlist! <3

Now, onto the goodies!

This is the whole haul, left to right: OPI RapiDry topcoat (because my old faithful Seche has been causing me major shrinkage issues lately), Zoya Remove+ with Big Flipper, Delon+ Premium Cotton Rounds (these were actually from Costco), Zoya Stacy, Zoya Crystal, Zoya Indigo, Zoya Valerie.

This is just the stuff from Ed Wyse :)

Zoya Crystal. She's a shimmery, silvery light blue with flecks of gold microglitter. Sooo pretty. Can't wait to try her out! 

Zoya Stacy. A deep burgundy/plum creme. Nothing particularly unique or special about this one, except for that my name is Stacy so of course I had to get it :)

Zoya Valerie. Sparkly purple with golden glass-fleck shimmer. 

Zoya Indigo (no color spoon for this one, sorry!). Midnight blue (er, Indigo) with tiny holographic glitter lightly sprinkled throughout!

Indigo, with flash to show the sparklies :)

I'm pretty satisfied with this haul! They literally had just about every Zoya that's been released in the past few years. I can't wait to go back and add some more of these beauties to my collection!

Golden Coast

6/10/11 - Today's mani is brought to you by the lovely Megan at Painting Rainbows. :) She was kind enough to grab me Sand & Stilettos and this beauty, Golden Coast, on her recent 5Below run! 

She's a beauty! I looove this shade, by itself or layered. It's simply stunning in the sunshine!