Christmas Shopping With Layniefingers!

I can't believe how close we are to Christmas. This year has absolutely FLOWN by! Every year my dad asks me for a list of things I want, and so I've been browsing on the web. I've seen some cute things, both big and small. I figured I'd share some of the cute finds with you!

First off, I am absolutely NUTS about penguins!! Since I don't do so well with cold weather, I've been really digging the fleecy pajama pants. Target to the rescue! Look at this adorable set of Nick and Nora penguin pajamas! OMG, I could die happy in those. Or perhaps you're more into the footed pjs, in which case this set from Pajama City has you covered... totally covered! (ha ha, I crack myself up... totally covered!!)

Ok, maybe you aren't a pajamas kind of person. Maybe you like shiny things, in which case Dreams of Glass should be right your style. They make handmade lamp-worked jewelry that is absolutely stunning. I really, really like this pendant- the blues and purples sparkle in such an eye-catching way. It's pretty, but not over-the-top... it's totally me! Plus, it comes on a totally sweet 1.5mm Sterling Silver Box chain, so you don't have to worry about what to put it on.

Finally, there's the top of the list, the thing I want most but wouldn't really expect anyone to buy for me. Well, except maybe Bill Gates or some other uber-rich celebrity who wants to donate to the poor. *grin* I have had my heart set on a new Nikon DSLR for ages. Don't get me wrong, I would be totally happy with a D5000, which is still pretty expensive but OMG it shoots HD MOVIES!! But if I'm dreaming, why not dream big? Look at the D3X- it is a photographer's wet dream, $8000 worth of it. But omg, it would be so sweet...

So Bill, if you're watching, I've been a very good girl this year! If you wanna play Santa, you know where I am!

Happy Holidaze the eighth- Dollar Tree striping tape?

It's been a crazy time full of alternative sources for nail embellishments here at Layniefingers! I've been absolutely bombarded with ideas lately, and I find myself pulling my notebook out at the strangest times when I have an idea. If I didn't carry my sketchbook with me everywhere, I swear I would get nothing done!

Take today's nail art. I've been interested in experimenting with striping tape for quite some time now, but I'm too frugal to invest in any. Imagine my surprise when I was wandering through my local Dollar Tree and I happened to look over at their Christmas decorations and see the packet of silver holographic tinsel! Gee, self, I thought to myself, that looks surprisingly like striping tape!

Remember, you can click this picture for a larger version!

I picked up a packet and now have enough striping tape to last me the rest of my life! Seriously, this stuff goes a long way! It was very simple to use, too! I did two layers of blue polish (can't remember which blue, unfortunately, but feel free to use whatever color you like), then let those dry. Next I added the sections of tinsel on top of a layer of topcoat, trimming them just past the nail's edge. Once that layer dried, I topped with another layer of topcoat to seal in the tinsel. I also added some rhinestones from the Kiss rhinestones packet I have, using a larger one in the center, then two smaller ones on each side to accent it. Once everything was dried, I used an emery board to file the edges of tinsel off.

EDIT: I made an animated gif to show the process of making this nail, and will describe it step by step as I have for other looks. Remember, all you have to do is ask if I haven't made one!

To create this look:

1. Use a good base coat. That's always step 1!
2. Use two coats of your background color. I used Sally Hansen Ultra HD Laser. Let those dry.
3. Brush on a thin layer of clear polish or topcoat, then add the strips of tinsel as shown in the gif.
4. Add the rhinestones. Add more clear polish if it dries out too quickly.
5. Top with a coat of Seche Vite or the topcoat of your choice.

Overall, this was fairly quick and easy, and yet has a fun elegance to it. This is lots of fun for a holiday party, and it would be fun in any color combination! I think this could be especially nice with a deep black or violet. What do you think of this... do you think you'll try some tinsel as striping tape?

Kiss rhinestone pack was provided by the manufacturer for consideration.

See my disclosure statement for more information.