OPI Brazil Beach Sandies - Sandy Skittles!

Hi!

I have a thing for OPI mini sets. I'm not a huge OPI fan *LeGasp* but the minis are just so bloody cute I usually can't help myself. And even if I don't end up using them (more often than not...) they're a collectors item, right? And if I do use them and end up loving them I can get them full size. Yes, that did actually happen with a couple of the Pirates of the Caribbean ones so there. Anyway, with their new Brazil collection, OPI released two sets of minis, one with mini versions of the regular range (the Copacababies), and a liquid sand/texture range, which is only available in minis, the Beach Sandies. I had to have the Beach Sandies and when they arrived I thought they'd be perfect for a skittle. Pinkie to index we have: You're So Flippy Floppy (yellow), Samba-dy Loves Purple (purple), What's a Little Rain Forest (blue) and I'm Brazil Nuts Over You (hot coral pink). They all have really pretty shimmer that makes them really special. What's disappointing is that they only come in minis. It made me not want to do a full manicure of each of them, because they'd run out far too quickly. If they were available full-size, I'd want Rain Forest and Brazil Nuts at least. I think they'd make perfect summer pedi colours too (says the girl still rocking her sparkly Christmas pedi...)! I used two coats, but still had VNL in some lights so you might need three (or nude undies) if that bothers you.

Aren't they just yummy? I love the jewel tones, they're so bright and clear and just perfect. Full size please OPI!!!

Hx

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Valentines Week! My Patchwork Heart

Happy Valentines Day!

For my final Valentine mani this year, I challenged myself and went freehand, and I think it paid off. I really love this patchwork design! I started with a coat of China Glaze Dance Baby on all of my nails, and then added a second coat to my pinkie and index. Once that was completely dry I sketched out the heart and patches using Barry M's white nail art pen and filled the sections in. I used Dance Baby, a-England Briar Rose, Barry M Prickly Pear and Above The Curve Rain Kissed Strawberries. While this was drying I added stripes of white and Briar Rose to the other nails and then went back over the lines separating the patches to neaten them up and add the "stitches". Patchwork hearts. Done.

I hope you've enjoyed Valentines week! I actually haven't, but I've had a rough couple of days and all I want to wear is black. Maybe next week should be moody black week...

Whether you're celebrating or not tonight, have a great evening!

Hx

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GOT polish? Valentines!

Morning!

This weeks Golden Oldie Thursday theme is Valentines, which fits nicely with my theme week! I based my idea on a cute design by Nicole at Nail Polish Wars and busted out the crackle polish! I started with a base of Essie Mojito Madness, then marbled it using the cling film/saran wrap method and Essie Bikini So Teeny (basically paint a coat of the polish over your original colour, then dab some off with scrunched up cling film). Once that was completely dry I painted a coat of Barry M black crackle on my ring finger and cut a stencil out of tape for the heart on my middle finger.

I think I should have used a purple instead of lilac, but otherwise I'm happy. And it was pretty simple too. Win win.

Hx

An InLinkz Link-up

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Valetines Week - Love Letters

Hi,

Later post than usual from me as I am not well and feeling very low. But I wanted to keep up with the theme week, so I'm gonna make this quick. I've seen this design floating aroud but I have no idea who did it first, so if it was you let me know and I'll credit you. I started with Glitter Gal Light as a Feather as a base, then stamped the image from Bundle Monster 311 in Color Club Halo-graphic. This didn't show up so I stamped again with a-England Briar Rose. I like the double stamped effect, it almost makes it look distressed or vintage. The envelope was freehanded with Halo-graphic and sealed with a Briar Rose love heart.

I think I should have done the envelope the other way around, but other than that I liked it.

Tomorrow, the GOT polish challenge gets the Valentines treatment.

Hx

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Off-topic Tuesday - Hair today...

...gone tomorrow! That's right, I finally went for the chop! As much as I LOVED my red/purple ombre over the summer, my hair was not meant for bleaching and it left it in awful condition, faded super quickly and was really hard to care for. Add to that it went green when I tried to dye over it and Mr NN took to calling me Grotbags and I had to lop it off. So I did, and this is the result!

Before...

And after!

Bit different, no?! I am thrilled with it though! I asked the hair dresser for a side-swept crop with one side longer than the other and she just got it straight away and wet to work! A few days later I added a purple colour to hide my (fast multiplying) greys and cover the last few green-tinged ends, and I just love it. I'm still getting the hang of blow-drying it myself, but for a girl who usually just tips her head upside-down and blasts it with the dryer, I don't think I'm doing too bad!

I'll do a post in a few weeks on how I style it and what products I use, but for now, what do you think? Have you ever had a drastic chop?

Hx

Disclaimer - I suck at taking pictures of my own face. Sorry!

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Tri-Polish Tuesday - Pink, Brown and Grey #2 - Chocolate box!

Hi!

As it's Valentines week, I am going to try to fit my challenge posts into the theme too! I thought this design looked chocolate box-y and since reduced chocolate the day after v-day is probably the best part I thought it fitted! I used OPI Skull and Glossbones, China Glaze Dance Baby and Barry M Mocha, and the accent is a mix of OPI Pink Yet Lavender and a heart glitter polish I've had for yonks.

I need to work on my lines, they've been a bit wobbly lately!

Hx

An InLinkz Link-up

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Valentine Week! Lacquerdaisical Elphaba's Downfall

Hi ladies and gents!

Valentines day is nearly upon us, so this week has been nominated Valentines week! Starting off with some simple nail art featuring the last of the Lacquerdaisical polishes I was sent to review, Elphaba's Downfall. Elphaba's Downfall is a red jelly packed with red micro glitter. It really looks like yummy glitter jam! I freehanded the heart tips on top of Barry M Lychee. Since I reshaped my nails into almonds I've had to change my approach to nail art a little bit, as not everything is suitable but this was perfect and super easy. I think the hearts would look great in gold over the nude base too.

I believe Elphaba's Downfall refers to Elphaba from Wicked and Dorothy's ruby slippers, although I've not seen Wicked so please correct me if I'm wrong Alexia! I adore musicals though and Wicked is top of my list - and currently on tour in Milton Keynes just a stone's throw from where I live. I am so gutted that I wont be able to go :( Anyway, this polish is definitely a ruby slipper polish, so if you are going to see Wicked on tour it would be perfect! You can find Laquerdaisical polishes on their Facebook page!

Hx

Laquerdaisical Elphaba's Downfall was a PR sample provided to me for free for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own and 100% honest. Please see my disclaimer in the tab above for further details. All other products featured were purchased myself.

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