Ruby Pumps with bells on...

...literally! I stamped some jingle bells ontop of my Ruby Pumps manicure with Barry M Gold Foil Effects, and then added W7 Gold Dazzle to the tips with an almost dry brush. Suitably blinged for a toddlers Christmas party tomorrow I think!

\double stamping FTW

Hx

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Let the Christmas nails commence!

Three posts in one day? Why Monsieur you are spoiling us! Ahem. Anyway, here is my first Christmas manicure this year, and it was a really simple one, but it got lots of compliments. I used a pretty shimmery blue from a Beauty Uk gift set and dabbed on Barry M Silver Glitter (I spent £6 on Barry M in Boots and got it free - it says Limited Edition, but really it's just been repackaged with a holo cap, I'm sure its exactly the same as their usual silver glitter) half way down the nail.

The next day, partly because I didn't want to take it off and partly because I want to do at least one snow flake manicure I stamped some silver snowflakes with BM14 and added a pale blue rhinestone to the middle.

Sorry about the tipwear, I only remembered to take the pics after doing the washing up...

Chipped thumbs are chipped...

This is such a pretty blue. I don't have many blues, and off the top of my head this is the only one I have that is shimmery, and not cream or glitter. And it's soo pretty. I wore it on my toes for a long time when I first got it :)

Another bonus of this polish is that it doesn't stain! No smurf nails here I shall have you know! How do I know it doesn't stain, you ask? Well I have already replaced it with another Christmassy design :) Until tomorrow,

Hx

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31 Day Challenge - Day 13, Animal print

Day 13 of the challenge is Animal Print, but I've done leopard and zebra before, both freehand and with stamping. So I chose an awesome pattern from a Bundle Monster plate - snakeskin! I used MUA Shade 23 for the base - an army green. I usually really like MUA polish - for just £1 you can't beat it but I had issues with this one. The formula was great but the brush I had was scratchy and uneven. This meant that when I applied the second coat, no matter how dry the first coat was it scratched a big groove down the whole nail. Annoying! A coat of Seche sorted it thankfully, and then I was onto the stamping.

I used Miss Sporty New Black, a pretty shimmery grey (which I need a back-up of...) and a silver metallic stamping polish which I won from Sarah Louise at Spellbinding Nails' giveaway (are you sick of hearing about it yet?). What a difference a specific stamping polish makes! Honestly, this was the best polish I have ever used for stamping, and it's making me want to invest in some Konad special polishes, or at least black and white. This one is from Fab Ur Nails shop, I also got a metallic purple and blue and they have a huge range of colours at really great prices. They also have holo and magnetic polish, and stamping plates too so check them out. I used the Miss Sporty first, and then the silver on top. You can't see the grey behind the silver very much, but it did give it more texture and depth.

If I do this again I might use the grey on top of the silver instead. Or I might use gold. I just need to find me a good gold stamping polish...this could get expensive...

Flowers tomorrow - this didn't survive cleaning the bathroom this morning...

Hx

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October Favourites

Evenin'

I gave my nails a break and kept on my blue mani for an extra day, so today I have my October favourites for you. I didn't buy an awful lot this month, due to being penniless! So there are just a few bits that I've picked up or rediscovered that I'm loving.

Polish first, of course!

2true Fast Dry Colour Quick Shade 10, 17 Magnetised Green, China Glaze Ruby Pumps, Accessorize Baby Blue

My favourite mani this month (although I didn't like the formula of the base colour)

17 Fast Dry Fury, Stamped with 2True Fast Dry Colour Quick Shade 8, Maybelline Orange Couture and  BM04. Full post here.

Brunette eyebrow pencil by Vital Radiance, Beauty UK Pearl Eyeliner in Eclipse, Garnier BB Cream in Light, Rose and Co Apothecary Rose Petal Salve

I always used to use a matte eyeshadow to fill my eyebrows when I needed it - which wasn't very often - but I saw this eyebrow pencil in Poundland and thought I'd try it. Now I know what a difference it can make to "do" your eyebrows. It makes my whole face look more defined and really frames my eyes.I don't do it everyday, but when I'm doing my "full face" or a strong eye it completes the look.

I now have 5 of Beauty UK's pearl eyeliners and can't recommend them enough. I got Eclipse as an "extra" from a blog sale and love it. It's a very dark slate grey and is great for lining a smokey eye.

I wasn't sure about buying a BB cream from Garnier - at £9.99 it's a lot more than I'd usually pay for foundation or tinted moisturiser, so I sent off for a sample to try it. The first time I used it I used way too much and ended up super shiny and felt like my make-up was sliding around my face all day. The next time I made sure I used it over primer and didn't use as much and it was much better. Somewhere in between a foundation and tinted moisturiser is perfect coverage for me as I have good skin and barely ever get spots, but have a few uneven patches of colouration and freckles. I'm still not sure if I would buy this for a tenner, but it's on offer in Tesco at the moment for £8, or I might try 17's one for £5.99 next time I'm in Boots.

I got the Rose and Co Apothecary Rose Petal Salve in my October Boudoir Prive box and it is fast replacing my Lemony Flutter as my favourite cuticle treatment. It doesn't have the grainy texture of lemony flutter and turns into more of an oil on the skin. I even use this on my lips (I do this with Lemony Flutter too). I wasn't sure if the scent would put me off but it just reminds me of Turkish Delight. I'm not a great fan of Turkish Delight, but it's bearable! And makes my lips feel great. I want to try their Cherry Salve too, but I will wait until I've finished this one and the Lemony Flutter (which I feel is never gonna happen since it's HUGE!)

L'Occitiane Shea Hand Cream Hibiscus Flower, Original Shea, Desert Rose, Kleenex Facial Cleansing Wipes

Last month in Marie Claire they were giving away a L'Occitiane Shea Hand Cream in four different "flavours" (am I the only one who calls scents and varieties of beauty products "flavours"? You wouldn't eat it...). I picked up the original shea butter first, and when I used it almost all up within 2 weeks I picked up two more! Yes, I bought 3 copies of the same magazine...and still haven't read it! I can honestly say that it's the best hand cream I've ever used and my hands and nails have felt so much better, especially now the weather is getting cold - which is tough on my hands. If I don't get a huge bucket of this stuff under the Chrimbo tree I will be buying one in the new year!

I am a facial wipe fan, and these ones from Kleenex are really good. Apparently Kleenex as a company started as a way for women to remove make-up, so their new range is going back to their roots. These wipes are soft and quilted, so they're strong and don't make my skin feel dry and I don't feel like I have to scrub at my eyes to get my mascara off!

So, there are my faves of the month. I am on a self imposed spending ban so Novembers favourites will be things I'm rediscovering and digging out from the stash! The spending ban wont be too hard I think, there are only 2 polishes that I think I want (Barry M's Croc Effect crackle and the green/gold one from the Models Own Beetlejuice collection) but I can hold off on those since I don't have a place for them in my 31 day challenge! And then December will be all about Christmas, so maybe my faves for that month will come from Mr Claus!

What have you been loving this month? I tell you I'm not loving this cold weather! Am avoiding putting the heating on for as long as possible...it's chilly in here I tell you!

Hx

PS This post meant to go up last night, but it seems I neglected to hit "publish". Ooopsie! The 31 day challenge will resume this evening!

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Halloween Week 2 - Spiders!

Boo!

I've seen this manicure, or versions of it on a few blogs, but this is my take. I used 2 coats of Beauty UK Blue Shimmer for my base and Miss Sporty Blueberry to stamp the spiders from BM13. Then I added a blue rhinestone to one spider on each nail and topped with Seche vite (yay I have a new bottle :) ). What do you think? I really like the colour combo, even though I had trouble getting the spiders legs to stamp and had to paint a few in with a wee brush.

Be warned, this next picture was taken pre-cleanup and cuticle cream to show a twitter friend quickly - but you can see the stamping more clearly.

Since I decided to do this yesterday afternoon I've had this in my head, anyone remember it?

Spider in the bath, spider in the bath, there's a creepy crawly creepy crawly spider in the bath! I know he's only there because he wants to have a laugh! I thought I put him down the drain but now he's climbing up the chain, spider!

Hx

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Yesterdays Pink Wednesday - So Fetch!

Helloo! I've not done a pink Wednesday for a few weeks but since I have a fair few (8 ahem) untried pinks I thought I'd join in again. This is No7 Milan, a nice pink foil. 2 coats, then stamped with concentric circles from BM 206 with MissSporty New Black. Stamping went a bit blurry but considering I did it at 6.30 this morning it wasn't bad.

I do like these No7 polishes, with the Boots vouchers I now have 4 (and have my eyes on another) but one thing I'm not keen on is the brush. The brush itself is nice, one of the wider flat ones, but they feel like they're not attached to the lid of the bottle properly, so they bend a bit when you apply the polish. I thought I just got a bad bottle with my first one but they're all like it. Annoying.

Counting down the days until I get my computer back-should be no more than 7...

Hx

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NOTD - Beauty UK Frozen Kingdom + Stamping

Two posts in one day? You lucky buggers!

Ahem, anyway. Here I'm showing you my current manicure. Shamefully I lusted after Beauty UK Glam Nails Frozen Kingdom for weeks before I got my paws on it, and it's been sat in my untrieds ever since. Bad Helly. And I really don't know why I waited so long to use it. It's a lovely off-white with gold shimmer and an occasional hint of pink. Sounds a bit old-lady-ish but it really isn't. It was a bit of a pain to apply, but it's white so I'll let it off. 3 coats and it was even enough to not notice any booboos (mostly from my sloppyness) with a bit of stamping. I chose this full-nail leaf-vein pattern from BM something or other and Miss Sporty New Black - dark grey with a little shimmer.

Pretty!

The OH was out when I did this, and when he came home he said he thought they were nail wraps because the stamping looked "too crisp and perfect"! I don't think it looks perfect at all, but I'll take whatever compliments I can get!

I really like this stamp, and it was easy to use. It didn't take me long to do this mani at all, which is a relief as I have had a few stamping fails lately.

What do you think? What's your favorite stamp image?

Hx

PS giveaway is still open! There's a bottle of Beauty UK polish up for grabs, so click the link in the sidebar!

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July Favourites!

Hello lovelies,

So, it's August already! Summer is nearly over, and I never thought I would say this but September can't come quick enough! My little boy has only been off school just short of 2 weeks and already he's driving me bonkers. I lost count of the number of times he got sent to his room or put on the naughty step today, once for messing with a load of my makeup and spilling a load of glitter I was saving for a franken on the stair carpet. Little monkey had dragged the coffee table across the room to stand on to reach it while I was getting the baby to sleep. Argh! It's been one of those days...

Anyway, onto products I've loved this month.

First, of course, the polishes and nail products. I reviewed my current favorite polish remover here, so here are the rest of my current loves.

L-R: Color Club Ulterior Motive, Beauty UK Smoky Lilac, Rimmel 60 Seconds Hard Edged, China Glaze Lubu Heels, W7 Earthquake Red, Beauty UK Night Fever, Barry M Berry Ice Cream

Bottom: Original Bundle Monster plates

Now, some make-up. Everyone's been talking about the MUA Pro Heaven and Earth palette, and I can see why. So versatile, from quick go-to everyday looks to a glam smokey eye, you can use this palette for everything! Next is another W7 product, their Africa Bronzer. I love the design of this bronzer (notice the not-so-subtle Benefit inspiration?), but it is rather shimmery so works best as a highlight or used sparingly! Bronzer is my number 2 desert island product, after mascara, so I had to try 17 Falsifeye and love it too. My lashes are short and thin, so anything that promises length and volume and does what it says on the tin is good in my book. And also this month, I searched for a corla lipglass, and found two I love. Rimmel Vinyl Gloss in 290 Be Famous and Beauty UK Lip Lust in No. 9 Cocktail

L-R: W7 Africa Bronzer, MUA Pro Heaven and Earth Palette, Rimmel Vinyl Glass Be Famous, Beauty UK Lip Lust Cocktail, 17 Falsifeye Black

L-R: Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser, Witch Gentle Exfoliating Face Wash, Lush Shower Jelly Sweetie Pie, Aussie Aussome Volume Shampoo and Conditioner

Finally, some bath/body products. I've not been using the hot cloth cleanser from Superdrug for long but I already love it. It removes make-up easily and is gentle on the eye area, smells good and makes my skin feel great. I use it in conjunction with this Witch exfoliating face wash, which leaves my skin smooth and soft and isn't drying. I love Lush products but usually go for the bath bombs for a treat. I decided to get this shower jelly because I can never find a shower gel that I love the smell of - I prefer fruity to floral or aromatic - and this Sweetie Pie shower jelly smells of blackberries and cassis and I could literally eat it! You only need a really small amount too. And finally, my shampoo of the moment - Aussie Aussome Volume. I'm never usually loyal to haircare products, buying whatever's on offer or what takes my fancy. I find that shampoos that work great to start with soon lose their powers, but this one hasn't and I'll definitely be repurchasing when I run out.

So, that's it! My favorites of July. What have been your most loved products this months? Link me to your posts in the comments if you have one!

Hx

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Pink Wednesday - Strawberry nails!

Hello!
I am a bit sad because last week I missed pink Wednesday for the first time since I started blogging! I still wore pink last Wednesday but because of my puter issues I didn't get to post it. I'll save it to show you another time maybe...I didn't like it much anyway...

This week I LOVE my pink Wednesday manicure! Maybe it's because it'snot actually all that pink...but the accent nail is so it still counts. I hope you're ready for a LOT of stamping posts from me - I finally got the first set of Bundle Monster plates! I love them so much and I already want the second set :) The first mani I did was with some of the star patterns (which I'll show you tomorrow) but then as soon as I took that off I went for the strawberries! The beautiful Grace from Oooooh Pretty inspired me with her version, but I kept it to just an accent nail and did a few things differently.

The red I used for the stamping and the majority of nails is Miss Sporty Red Tango, which is quite a vampy red that stamps really well and is opaque in 2 coats. On the ring finger and thumb I used 3ish coats of Essie Luscious Lips (are all Essie brushes really stiff and thin? And are all the polishes rather runny? I know I'm cack handed but even with thin coats it pooled terribly) and stamped the strawberry from BM05 randomly.

Rare sighting of the right hand...

Loving this :) Super cute and super easy. I'm finding these BM plates a lot easier to use than my fauxnads. Thinking of treating myself to a Konad special white polish...and maybe the new plates...

While I think of it, my base coat is running out and I'm on the hunt for a new one. I'd like one to help with my terrible peeling nails if anyone has and recomendations? I'm currently using Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Daily Nail Program, and it has made my nails grow better, but they still peel quite badly. I'm also considering a gripper base coat, like Orly Bonder or CND Stickey - anyone given them a go? Also, would I be able to use the anti-peeling base under the grippy one, or would that defeat the object? So many questions!

Hx

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