31 Day Challenge: Day 11 - Red and Black Polka Dots

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Thrice is nice, yes? Well I hope so! I am back for the third time today with another nail art look for the 31 Day Challenge! The prompt for this mani is polka dots. Sounds easy enough. Except I will tell you a little secret - even after all these years I still suck at polka dots! Give me a brush any day over a dotting tool. But, I did enjoy doing this mani!

I used the gorgeous Alter Ego Well Read (review coming soon) with simple black dots. I love red and black together!



Thanks for reading and happy polishing!

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Polka Dots in the Breeze

Nothing to Disclose

I think I am learning something about myself in this challenge - I can get things done really quickly when I am under pressure! LOL Today beat the crap out of me for a lot of different reasons and I didn't even get to start on my manicure for today until about 8:30 or 9 PM my time. It is 10:45 as I type this right now, so at least it is still technically Day 11 of the challenge! 

I awoke with a heavy heart this morning, as I am sure many of you did. The tragedy that took place on September 11th 13 years ago was very much on my mind and in my heart. I thought it would be nice to do a small tribute on my nails today. Today's prompt was "polka dots." I decided to use patriotic colors and attempt to make the dots look like they were blowing in the breeze, just like our flag did that day, even after all the suffering our country had endured. 

Post continued after the jump.

MANIc Monday Polka Dot Gradient ♥

Welcome back to MANIc Monday! I have missed a couple of weeks of MANIc Monday due to lack of time and forgetfulness but I'm back with a super cute polka dot gradient that I did based on a tutorial from Chalkboard Nails. 

Polka Dot Gradient

I am pretty happy with the way this one turned out! Sarah is so incredibly talented that I have no hope of recreating the majority of her nail art but this one was simple enough that I feel like I did a pretty good job! See the original mani below (and click on the photo to be taken to her post and tutorial). 

Courtesy of Chalkboard Nails

For my version I used a base of Catrice Orange-Utan (review coming soon) and for the dots I used Sinful Colors Feeling Great and Pistache.

Polka Dot Gradient

Thanks for reading and happy polishing! ♥

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A Few BRIGHT Spots for Your MANIc Monday! ♥

Hi everyone! I hope you had a good Monday!  Mine was busy and a "typical Monday" - LOL! But I have something really fun to show you tonight!

Bright Spots for a Monday!

Bright Spots for a Monday!
(Please ignore the bubbles from the top coat on my thumb)

I used Orly Green Apple and Orly Frolic along with a plain black creme and a dotting tool. 

I hope you enjoyed!

Thanks for reading and happy polishing! ♥

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Birthday Stuff

Hello everyone! Today is my birthday and it was a great one -other than the pounding headache (apparently my head didn't get the memo that it wasn't supposed to hurt today.) But I have been blessed with many new friends this past year and I had a very nice day despite my head. 

I just have a couple pics of my birthday mani to show you along with several "thank yous" to very lovely friends who were thoughtful and sent me lovely birthday presents. They are not necessary, really. I love just knowing that anyone was nice enough to think of me, but the gifts were so sweet that I wanted to share. 

First up, my mani. I didn't have time to get proper pics so these are kinda crappy, but I suppose they are better than nothing. This is Essence Bella with polka dots done with Layla Flash Black.

Birthday Mani

Birthday Mani

And now for the goodies...
(Most of these are cell phone pics so I apologize for the picture quality)

I received this lovely package from my uber sweet friend Jen at Jen's Wonderland. 

NerdLacquer Holy Grail, China Glaze Laser Lime and High Def (with other goodies)

I received this amazing package from my lovely friend Jin in Israel (these are my first from the China Glaze OMG Collection!)

Pupa holos (034 and 036), China Glaze TTYL and DV8 (and other goodies)

This one is from my super awesome friend Kim at The Ides of Polish. She sent these a couple of months ago because I was dying for Smash and she was afraid if she didn't send it I would buy it before my birthday. *oops* I have already worn all of them multiple times and love them. (She also sent me some Maoam candy which I love and don't have access to in the US.... but I ate it before I took the pic. Hehe)

Illamasqua Smash and MUA 3 and 23

 The next bundle of goodness is from my uber talented and sweet friend Jacki at Adventures in Acetone. (She also sent candy but I forgot to include it in the photo.)

Zoya Audrina and Cult Nails Toxic Seaweed

The next lovelies are from the super sweet Sandy at Dandy Nails.

China Glaze Hyper Haute and Orly Miss Conduct

Next is a very thoughtful gift from the lovely Cynthia at Alter Ego Nail Enamel
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Franken and Bootie Babe Bossy Boots

And lastly I have my gift from my lovely friend  Sheila at Pointless Cafe.

Chanel Dragon and Cult Nails Annalicious (with lotsa other goodies)

I certainly was spoiled this year! I want to thank all of the ladies that were sweet enough to think of me! ♥

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31 Day Challenge Day Seven - Black & White

Hello lovelies! The 31 Day Challenge resumes with black and white nails! I am really excited about the "nail art" I have to show you today.

Black and White Manicure

For this mani I started out applying my black and white in the checkerboard pattern (I have done this design before - you can see it here). After that dried I decided I wanted to jazz it up a little bit so I added dots in Orly Decoded and Milani Rapid Cherry using dotting tools.

Black and White Manicure

Black and White Manicure

What do you think of this mani? It's not perfect, but I really like it!

Don't forget to check out the other awesome bloggers participating in the challenge below! If you'd like to join the 30/31 Day Challenge, go here to grab the codes to embed in your posts for the next 30 days and add your post using the link below!  

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Grey and Neon Pink Polka Dots! (And Announcements!)

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you have a fabulous long weekend planned! I have a couple of "announcements" to post before I go into my polka dot mani. :)

First, I have decided that I will be participating in the 31 Day Challenge, along with several of my blogging friends (and their friends! Haha). This will start tomorrow, September 1st. Sarah at Chalkboard Nails has made up several different images you can use for the challenge on your blog, if you like.

Also, in celebration of the new season of Doctor Who beginning tomorrow (I am a recent Doctor Who convert, I love it!) several of us will be posting Doctor Who themed manis throughout the weekend. I will have mine up tonight!

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Okay, that's all for the announcements - on to the polka dots! I used Orly Decoded, Sinful Colors 24/7 and Milani White on the Spot - all pics were taken in the shade. 

Polka Dot mani

Polka Dot mani

Polka Dot mani

Polka Dot mani

That's all for this post! I'll see you again soon!

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