Different Dimensions Today Was A Fairytale Swatch And Review

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Hello ladies!  How did you spend your New Year's Day?  I went out to dinner with my family at our favorite Japanese Izakaya restaurant.... yum yum.  As for today, I know it's going to be a busy day for me at work.  Luckily it's my last day of work for the week, and then I'm off for a three day weekend.  Woot woot!

In other news, the winners for the Hobby Polish Bloggers Giveaway have been announced, and I believe that the winners have all claimed their prizes.  Congrats if you won!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

To keep in theme with New Year's sparkle, I am happy to swatch Different Dimensions Today Was A Fairytale.  It's a delicate shimmery glitter based polish that's too sheer IMO to wear on its own so I used it over a base of OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls(I'm still not a fan of this... not sure why so many ladies like this).  It's got a ton of pink and silver microglitter to create the shimmer effect, and to accent there are circle glitters in silver and pink and small holographic hex and square glitters.  It's got that wintery feel to it, sort of like iced snow with pink lights shimmering over it.  I used two coats here to maximize the shimmer effect and to get as many circle glitters as I could on the mani.  Unfortunately I didn't get as many as I'd like because they seemed to want to stay at the bottom of my bottle.  This is finished with a layer of topcoat.

Different Dimensions Today Was A Fairytale

Different Dimensions Today Was A Fairytale

Different Dimensions Today Was A Fairytale

Different Dimensions Today Was A Fairytale

Different Dimensions Today Was A Fairytale

Different Dimensions Today Was A Fairytale

The strong pink shimmer effect more than makes up for the lack of circle glitter.  It's probably a good thing that there isn't so many larger glitters anyway, because that can lead to stacking and glitters sticking out off the nail.  I'm always looking at the glass half full.  Speaking of glasses half full, I'd like to fill up mine from last night!  Are you on a sparkly glitter kick like I am, or are you moving onto other colors like vamps?  What's the color scheme for January anyway, being after the holidays but too early for spring?

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OPI Russian Navy Suede Swatch And Review With Snowflake Stamping

Thank goodness for Saturday.  I've had a rough couple days - correction, LO had a rough couple days - she got her first real sickness, a 24 hour stomach bug.  Poor thing started vomiting and later developed diarrhea.  She didn't understand what was going on and was very upset by it all.  Luckily DH took the day off to care for her.  She's feeling better now but still tired and weak.  Hopefully she'll make a full recovery by the end of the weekend.

In the midst of damage control, I managed to stub a finger and break a nail.  I didn't even realize it until after she'd gone to bed.  That means you might see some posts alternating between my new nubs and my former long nails so considered yourself forewarned! 

After said accident, I had a hankering for some nail art and decided to start with a fabulous polish that was sent to me by the lovely Liz from Lacquer Slacker Liz.  It's an OPI oldie but goodie called Russian Navy Suede, a luscious navy blue suede with hidden silver shimmer.  It applied easily and smoothly, and was nearly opaque in one coat.  I used two coats here - there's something about dark shades and nubs that work so well together.  I love the suede finish, it's not quite matte and dries to a soft finish that really does look reminiscent of suede.  So cool! 

OPI Russian Navy Suede

OPI Russian Navy Suede

OPI Russian Navy Suede

OPI Russian Navy Suede

OPI Russian Navy Suede

OPI Russian Navy Suede

The navy blue reminded me of a winter's night and I though some snowflakes were in order.  I stamped some on using Color Club Angel Kiss and my Winstonia plates.  The Winstonia plates had three separate snowflake images and I alternated using them on my nails.  Angel Kiss stamped very easily but unfortunately the holo properties didn't translate too well on the suede.

Snowflake Stamping

Snowflake Stamping

Snowflake Stamping

Snowflake Stamping

Snowflake Stamping

I know it's not quite winter, but after a mini heat wave in SoCal, I'm really missing a brisk winter night.  I remember being young and looking out the window at night and seeing the snow falling softly to the ground.  Hopefully this mani captured a little of that.  In retrospect, I should have topcoated this to see if the silver shimmer would show through.  That'll have to go on my mental checklist for later.  Have you been getting into the winter spirit yet?  Are you preparing for the holidays yet?

#31DC2013 Inspired By A Tutorial - Argyle Nails

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We're getting towards the end of the 31 Day Challenge, woot woot!  Today's theme is to be inspired by a tutorial.  This is an easy challenge because there are tons of tutorials out on the internet and there are so many techniques to be learned.  I decided to go with Argyle nails by cutepolish on YouTube.  I thought it would be fitting for the fall, but somehow I went with summer brights.  Go figure.

I started with a base of OPI Skull & Glossbones, and then did the argyle pattern with Sinful Colors Shock & Awe and Envy.  Envy wasn't as pigmented as I would have liked for the dotted stripes across the triangles.  I finished with a layer of topcoat.

#31DC2013 Inspired By A Tutorial - Argyle Nails

#31DC2013 Inspired By A Tutorial - Argyle Nails

#31DC2013 Inspired By A Tutorial - Argyle Nails

#31DC2013 Inspired By A Tutorial - Argyle Nails

Not too bad for my first attempt at this style, but I'm wishing that I used black to do the dotted stripes on all the nails to tie together the colors.  Oh well.  I'll have to give it another go some other time!

Let's see what the other ladies created for today's challenge!

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#31DC2013 Inspired By The Supernatural - Castiel From Supernatural

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Hello hello!  I hope everyone had a relaxing and fun weekend!  I ran a couple errands but for the most part got to laze the day away with the family.  Can't beat that!

Today's challenge is to create a nail art inspired by the supernatural.  I imagine there's a ton of different ways to express this, but I went the most obvious route, which is using the show Supernatural.  I didn't start watching this series when it originally started, but I caught up around the 6th or so season and have been hooked since.  I love the creepy storylines and the off beat humor.  One of the most interesting characters is Castiel, the angel that watches over Dean and Sam.  I used his original introductory scene for my inspiration today, which is this photo:

For the grey base, I used Gosh Cosmetics Miss Grey and then did the saran wrap technique with OPI Skul & Glossbones.  I used nail art brushes and WnW black creme for the shadow wings, and then acrylics for Cas himself.

#31DC2013 Inspired By The Supernatural - Castiel From Supernatural

#31DC2013 Inspired By The Supernatural - Castiel From Supernatural

#31DC2013 Inspired By The Supernatural - Castiel From Supernatural

#31DC2013 Inspired By The Supernatural - Castiel From Supernatural

This turned out alright I suppose.  I like the saran wrap background the most.  Maybe I'll recreate it one day on its own.

Let's see what spooky nail art the other ladies came up with!

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#31DC2013 Tribal Print Nails In Slate Green And Devotion

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I've never done tribal print nails before so today's challenge was a novelty for me.  I remember when I was in elementary school we had a project in art class where we drew tribal posters to hang up in the hallways, and I would endlessly paint tribal posters.  Come today, I have no idea how to start.  I decided to choose my colors first, so I went with some untrieds - Model's Own Slate Green and Illamasqua Devotion along with Wet n Wild Black Creme.  I layed down three coats of OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls, which, by the way, after this try is not my favorite white.  Next, I randomly drew some lines color by color with the nail brush, and then followed with the dotting tool.  Viola, my first attempt at tribal nails!  I then layed a thick coat of my Poshe/NYC GCS mix over top and managed to not smear the black too much.

#31DC2013 Tribal Print Nails In Slate Green And Devotion

#31DC2013 Tribal Print Nails In Slate Green And Devotion

#31DC2013 Tribal Print Nails In Slate Green And Devotion

#31DC2013 Tribal Print Nails In Slate Green And Devotion

#31DC2013 Tribal Print Nails In Slate Green And Devotion

This is one of those times where I wish I had some nail art pens, but I can't seem to find a good one in my area.  I've heard the Barry M one is good, but unfortunately those aren't accessible to me.  If anyone has any recommendations, I'd love to hear it! 

I'm looking forward to seeing how the other ladies fared with this challenge - look below to find out!

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#31DC2013 Delicate Print With Spring Blossoms

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Catching up to speed, I've got today's Delicate Print as some spring blossoms.  I thought some tiny little dotted white blossoms would be perfect because they're so fragile in the early spring, fighting the leftover winter elements to blossom and survive.  I reused some of the polishes from the last post; I have three semi streaky coats of Bettina Tulipani as my base, and used Zoya Purity with my smallest dotting tool to create five petal flowers.  I connected them with OPI Wooden Shoe Like To Know and then finished with topcoat.

#31DC2013 Delicate Print With Spring Blossoms

#31DC2013 Delicate Print With Spring Blossoms

#31DC2013 Delicate Print With Spring Blossoms

#31DC2013 Delicate Print With Spring Blossoms

I suppose I could have used this for the previous mani, but somehow I find these more fitting for today's challenge.  This mani was super easy to create and I like the way these turned out.  I know I'll be loathe to remove them when it comes time.

Let's see what the others ladies came up with, shall we?

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Vacation Polish Haul!!!

I'm baaaaaaack!!   I hope I was able to keep you entertained while I was away on vacation.  I had to scrounge for some swatches and had the very appreciated help of some wonderful guest bloggers to get me through the trip.

I did manage to get some shopping done, albeit not as much as I wanted to.  I didn't get to really explore the outlets or get to the mall - I was too busy trying to catch up with old friends and letting LO meet everyone.  In terms of nail polish, I was only able to go to Wal-mart and Big Lots - nothing really exciting but I very rarely get to go to those stores when I'm in LA.  Here are my scores from those two stores:

Walmart Kiss Nail Art and Polishes

Walmart Maybelline and Hard Candy

Big Lots Colormates - that purple has iridescent shimmer!

I also picked up Duri Rejuvacote but then ended up giving it to one of my BFFs because she needed something for the peelies.  I'll have to find it another time.  My other BFF was very sweet to pick me up some Bettinas while in Puerto Rico and a Lisa Watier while in Montreal.  I wish I knew about Bettina when I was in Puerto Rico - I got married there five years ago and this BFF got married there three years ago.  Each time I walked by the display and thought, meh, I already have those colors.  I wish I knew how great they were for watermarbling at the time!

Bettina and Lisa Watier

Once I got home, my nail mail was all waiting for me.  First is my order from Rescue Beauty Lounge's Blogger 2.0 collection:

Rescue Beauty Lounge Blogger 2.0

And then a new polish from Pipe Dreams, and Lemony Flutter.  I hope it's as good as everyone says it is for the cuticles!

Pipe Dreams and Lush Lemony FLutter

And then my swap items from a sweet fellow TPFer that I found on MUA.  For some reason I recently decided I needed all the polishes from the OPI Pirates of the Caribbean collection, and she happen to have some other polishes that I wanted to check out.  My OPI Pirates collection is now complete!

Swap polishes OPI and China Glaze Hologlams

That's it for tonight!  I would do a swatch but I still haven't unpacked my bags.  I've taken off my nail polish - I was wearing Enchanted Polish Beautiful Rule Breaking Moth for the last half of the vacation and during the wedding.  It lasted really well for the entire time I wore it up until today while I was at work, in which two fairly large chips ensued.  If I have any energy left, I'll try to do my nails rather than going nekkid.  Heaven forbid!! 

Guest Post By Pollia Polish: DS Sapphire Swatch And Review

Whew, what a weekend!  Hopefully today I'll get a chance to recover before heading back to the west coast on our evening flight.  I'll be sad that we'll be so close to New York City but won't have any time to visit, but I'll still be content because I got to spend my weekend with all my close friends and family.  What a trip to remember!

Today as I'm preparing to fly back, I have the wonderful Ceitie from Pollia Polish.  She's been a great fellow blog friend and I was lucky enough to win one of her contests a while back.  It's all yours Ceitie!!
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Today I have the honour to make a guest post and wanted to show you one of the prettiest polishes I own. ^_^

OPI "DS Sapphire" is a silver holographic polish with a light pink shimmer.

It's a bit sheer, so I used 3 coats for full coverage, but the application was smooth and easy to handle with.

The holographic sheen is so strong and beautiful especially in the sun! It's so bright and wonderful my camera freaked out ^_^

In some pictures you see the pink shimmer, which makes this polish even pretty in the shade.

Just the drying time is incredibly long - I expected it to be quick drying like all my other holos but it's not. However "DS Sapphire" is the Grand Lady of the silver holos and gets away with this little blemish ^_^

Guest Post By Pollia Polish:  DS Sapphire Swatch And Review

Guest Post By Pollia Polish:  DS Sapphire Swatch And Review

Guest Post By Pollia Polish:  DS Sapphire Swatch And Review

Guest Post By Pollia Polish:  DS Sapphire Swatch And Review

Are you into holographic polishes like me? Anyways I can't get enough... ^_^

Thank you Thithi for the pleasure to do a guest post! I love reading your blog and it was really fun to be a part of it :-D

Bye Ceitie

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Ceitie has the best polish colors on her blog!  I think she and I like similar colors, and her swatches are always spot on.   Her blog is normally in German, but always has a translated paragraph in English.  Now that's reader dedication!  Make sure you check out her blog, Pollia Polish, and follow her for some great swatches from all kinds of international polish brands.

A Quick Comparison of OPI Thanks a Windmillion and YSL Jade Imperial

Good evening dears, I have a request to compare OPI Thanks A Windmillion and YSL Jade Imperial.  They're both pretty jade creams but there's quite a price difference between the two.

Formula is very similar for both, each could be nearly a one coater but two coats provide even coverage.  The brushes are both wide and there's no pooling or streaking for either.  Both dry to a high shine on their own.  

Colorwise, there's definitely a visible difference.  The YSL appears a touch darker and greener whereas the OPI is lighter and leans slightly blue.  Do you need both?  Probably not.  Personally I like the greener shade of the YSL and will most likely keep that one in my collection.  However, if I didn't have the YSL already, I think I would be just as happy with OPI Thanks A Windmillion

Thanks for the question The Ramblings Of A Maniac!

OPI Thanks A Windmillion Swatch And Review plus bonus OPI Black Spotted

I love a gorgeous dusty green shade and OPI Thanks A Windmillion is just that.  I neglected to pick it up when it was first released(why, I don't know and I've been kicking myself ever since), so when I saw it today I had to have it.  Formula was typical OPI goodness, pigmented and smooth, albeit a bit streaky and dried slowly.  I used two layers for this mani and you can see that I rushed the 2nd coat because there's a little dragging.  Oopsies.  No topcoat in these pics.

OPI Thanks A Windmillion

OPI Thanks A Windmillion

OPI Thanks A Windmillion

OPI Thanks A Windmillion

OPI Thanks A Windmillion

And bonus pics!  I found OPI Black Spotted in my nail supply store today, it looks like it's finally landed in the US!  Woot woot!  Forgive the cracks, it was my first attempt.  My right hand actually looks much better than this.

OPI Black Spotted over OPI Thanks A Windmillion

OPI Black Spotted over OPI Thanks A Windmillion

OPI Black Spotted over OPI Thanks A Windmillion

OPI Black Spotted over OPI Thanks A Windmillion

I'll have to do some homework and practice a bit more with the OPI Black Spotted.  I'll figure a way around those cracks.  But hey, so what, OPI Black Spotted is finally in the US, hooray!!