A Year in Review 2013!

I never got a chance to do a year in review post, so since Chinese New Year is Friday, I figure it isn't too late! I was so grateful that I actually decided to start this blog. I have only been at it since June, but since then, I feel like I have improved my skills and accomplished a lot by getting involved in the nail community (yes, there is a nail community). I wanted to share what ended up being your five favorite posts and what were my five favorite posts from last year. I've posted some photos and short descriptions below.

Your favorites surprised me a little. Some of the things I expected to be really popular just weren't, and some things I posted as somewhat of an afterthought became noticed.

Swatch and Review of OPI Alcatraz...Rocks

Today I have something new and different to share with you! Lately there has been a fad of textured polishes. I haven't really gotten into it, and it isn't everyone's cup of tea. I have a thing about bumpy surfaces, I actually can't stand them usually. This will be my third, and I think I cautiously like it. This is called Alcatraz...Rocks by OPI. I fell in love with the sparkle and the color, and I couldn't get it out of my head. See for yourself:

Swatch and Review of Zoya Neeka

Oh how I love Zoya! I recently received three free Zoyas from a recent promotion. Today I am sharing Neeka, a beautiful mid tone purple with some shimmery bits of gold. I also have a bit of nail art, I stamped my ring finger with a rose design from the MoYou stamping plate I recently bought. I stamped with Zoya Trixie, which probably wasn't the best polish to use. I believe Trixie was more of a foil polish, and a creme would have worked better. Take a look:

I love the color of Neeka, and like all other Zoya polishes it goes on so smooth and is opaque in two coats. One major problem I have thought is it seems to chip extremely quick. I applied it and it chipped horribly the same day, I reapplied it and it lasted longer, 2 days without chipping, but 2 days? I change my polish often enough, but for everyday users this is kind of ridiculous. I used two different top coats, so I think it must be the color rather than the top coat. Maybe it works best with a different type of top coat. I will update this post if I find that to be true. I loved the stamp, again it was really easy to use and a dream to work with. Highly recommend MoYou plates! I love this simple design, it was quick and I love the dusty purple color, I just wish it lasted longer! I hope you all are having a great weekend!

Nail Art: French Decor

Hey Friends! I have a fun little design to share with you! I bought myself a MoYou stamping plate for my birthday and I was so excited to use it. I got one from the tourist collection and it has French themed images including the Mona Lisa. Here is where I bought my plate, but it is currently unavailable on Amazon. I have my eyes on many of these beautiful plates! The Artist Collection is so gorgeous! Anyway, I wanted to create a squishy white nail with some gold accent. I think it reminds me of French decor!

Swatch and Review of OPI You're Such a BudaPest!

I finally have it! The famed OPI You're Such a BudaPest! I feel like I saw this everywhere when the Euro Centrale Collection came out, and I've had it on my mind since. I've picked up quite a bit from the collection here and there. I wasn't too sure about this "blurple", but I love blues and purples and it looked great on every swatch I saw. Here's how it looked on me:

Birthday Nails!

Today is my birthday! I had intended on doing something more complicated on my nails for my birthday, but I kind of liked this simple design. I started with a base of OPI Live and Let Die from the Skyfall Collection (LOVE!) and topped it with China Glaze Luxe and Lush, which was a gift from my sister in law for my birthday. Funny story, I had Live and Let Die on my nails for brunch in the morning where my SIL gave me the entire Hunger Games collection from China Glaze. We had spontaneously decided to go wine tasting afterwards and I was so anxious to get this beautiful flakie on my nails, I added it in the car on the way over.

Swatch and Review of butter LONDON: Fiddlesticks

Today I have something slightly unusual for me: pink! This is a very unique pink though. It is butter LONDON's Fiddlesticks. It looks like a basic glittery magenta pink until you look closely. I love that it is a little surprising. Check it out:

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a fun and safe night last night! We stayed in and celebrated by cooking a nice seafood dinner. Did you make any resolutions?

I quickly did my nails for the occasion! I feel like there is a lot going on between Christmas and New Year, I loose track of time. I decided on a somewhat simple design. It didn't turn out exactly as I hoped, but here is the final product: