31DC2014 – September 17: Glitter, Pirate Nail Art Challenge – Treasure/Gold

17 Wednesday Sep 2014

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Perfect timing! “All that is gold does not glitter”…but let’s face it, pirates like their treasure shiny. Initially I wanted to re-create my 31DC2013 – Inspired by Eye Makeup I Love manicure (linked here) but nearly forgot dragons were not the theme…Treasure-hunting was so I swapped the giant reptile for a full wooden chest.

I kind of love how this came out, especially the gradient base, the yellow really makes the gold pile kind of glow! I hope you like it too!

 

31DC2014 - September 17 - GlitterA list of the polishes:

  • Color Club Wham! Pow!, Almost Famous
  • Zoya Goldie
  • Sephora by OPI 212-Sephora
  • Revlon Parfumerie Fresh Linen
  • Yellow, red, brown acrylic paint

A list of the tools:

  • makeup sponge
  • assorted artist’s brushes

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

Check out the other glitter nail polishes below!

 

 

…And don’t forget to check out the pirate treasure manicures below, too!

31DC2014 – September 16: Geometric

17 Wednesday Sep 2014

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For this prompt, I wanted to mix strong geometric lines with abstract art. I really like how this came out and it was exactly what I wanted. I do not wear glitter toppers that often and I definitely need practice applying it! The tips of my nails and I seem to be on the outs right now!

 

I hope you like it!

 

DSCF0924_fotorI used 3 coats of American Apparel Parakeet. I can usually get away with 2 coats but because of the saran-wrap technique I wanted to make sure I had enough.

Next, I used cling-wrap, Zoya Yara and Giovanna. The saran-wrap technique is great #rafriendlynailart!

I stamped with Milani Black Swift and Bundle Monster plate BM-322.

I used a couple of coats of Serum No. 5 Forest Lights for my accent.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

Don’t forget to check out the other geometric prints below!

#31DC2014 – Day 14, 15: Flowers, Delicate Print

16 Tuesday Sep 2014

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Once again, I fell behind because of fatigue so I squashed the flowers and delicate print together. What screams delicate more than distressed nails! I did them in pink, that makes them more delicate, right? 😛

Anyways, I used a “delicate” flower stamp to combine both prompts.

I hope you like it. I really love distressed nails. I especially like the thicker, less cracked look and the American Apparel polish was the absolutely perfect consistency! So much hardcore love for this polish!

 

31DC2014 Challenge - Day 14,15: Delicate FlowerI started with 2 coats of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Petal Pusher as my base.

I “distressed” with American Apparel Neon Red, Color Club Pop-tastic and Milani Mauve Medley.

I sealed the design with a generous coat of INM Northern Lights (Gold) before double-stamping with MoYou London plate 09 Pro collection, Konad Special Polish Red and Milani Color Statement Spotlight White.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

Check out the other delicate manicures below!

Short Update of VERY VERY VERY Good News and a Celebratory Giveaway

16 Tuesday Sep 2014

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I am a very happy Monica today! Look forward to a happy ending post on Wednesday! Reimbursement finally came through. The saga ended! I am getting ALL my money back.

YES.

All of it!

After 9 months, I will be reimbursed! I will re-count the epic, yes, EPIC (where generally people die at the end) tale of getting my money back.

I am so so so excited! This is not just they told me the invoices were processed and they will send the money. They have sent the money. The checks were posted in the mail on SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2014.

 

In other news…

 

On the 7th of September, 2014 I reached 100 subscription followers on my blog! Wow! I always prefer quick and instant gratification (who would ever said I don’t want that now, I want it in one year?) but I know big goals take time and persistence. For one year of nail art blogging, I am thrilled to have received 100 followers! I know my posts are not up to scratch because of flares and fatigue, and I disappear for short periods of time. I feel like I am not putting out my best work sometimes so I really appreciate you sticking with me through all of that! I’ve been considering a giveaway for some time and now is the best time to do it!

 

In celebration of all of the above…

 

I have not finalized what will be in the giveaway yet but it will contain some nail goodies and some RA-inspired goodies too! I want to keep it small so I can open the giveaway internationally!

I will use Rafflecopter to accept entries so expect more information on that in the next couple of weeks!

 

Seriously, thank you everyone!

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Challenge Your Nail Art (9/15 – 9/19) – Pirates: Sea Creatures

15 Monday Sep 2014

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Jessica over at Be Happy and Buy Polish hosts one of my favorite challenges. They are bite-size and last no longer than 4 days. She polls the Facebook group for the most popular prompts and compiles the top themes. Jessica hosts a different challenge every few weeks. I find these challenges more hardcore than daily monthly challenges because the themes are more unique and specific.

I cannot tell you for sure if I will complete each day (be prepared for a double 31DC2014 manicure tomorrow) but I will certainly try.

I hope you like my sea creatures manicure. I especially like the double stamping of bubbles. This look was loosely inspired by Pandora, the National Zoo’s late  Giant Octopus, who passed away last February. Unfortunately since then, the Invertebrate House has lost even more funding and was shut down a month or two ago.

 

Pirate's Nail Challenge (9/15): Sea CreaturesI made a gradient using a make-up sponge, Sally Hansen Blue My Mind (cuticles) and Zoya Dream (tips). I sealed the gradient with INM Northern Lights (Silver).

I double-stamped bubbles with Milani Power Periwinkle, Peacock and MoYou London plate 08 from the Sailor collection.

I used MoYou London plate 04 from the Princess collection and Essie No Place Like Chrome. I love stamping with this polish but it shows every little flaw!

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

Don’t forget to check out the other sea creatures below!

#31DC2014 – September 10, 11: Gradient Dotticure

13 Saturday Sep 2014

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I cheated and combined two prompts, but I was also running behind so what better way to catch up?
I went with a purple gradient today with some purple dots to hide the bubbling from the top coat!

I hope you like it!

 

DSCF0873_fotor-001I used 3 coats of Milani Power Periwinkle as my base.

For the gradient, I used a makeup sponge, Milani Power Periwinkle, Sephora by OPI Domestic Goddess and Caffeine Fix.

I dotted with the same Milani polish.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

#31DC2014 – September 12: Stripes

12 Friday Sep 2014

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Sorry about the not so great lighting, I’m trying to find better over the weekend!

I’ve fallen a bit behind because on day 10 I experienced a hit of exhaustion. I wanted to incorporate day 10 and 11 but everything I tried was a real nail fail and I lost steam quickly. I have an idea of what I want to do and hopefully it turns out how I want!

Anyways, here are my stripes for today…I am really stretching the prompt but as I see it, the design is made of up stripes, right?

I hope you like it. I am a little annoyed though, I sponged the base but it just came out like I smeared the stamp 😦

 

DSCF0861_fotorI used 3 coats of Zoya Goldie as my base. This time I actually remembered to use the shimmer-y polish as my base so clean up was so much easier!

I sponged with Sinful Colors Chick Chick and Julie G White Orchid. 

I stamped with MoYou London Back to the 80s plate 02 from the Time Travelers collection.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

Check out the other stripe manicures below, there are some real stunners in the collection today!

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