Hospitals suck, so here's a design I've been holding on to...

Well, I'm still at the hospital with my mom. It looks like they aren't going to be able to figure out what caused her problems, but sometimes things happen. However, they've found a problem with her heart, so we're going to be here for at least a couple of days more. It's ok, though, because what they found isn't really necessarily all that bad if they can fix it now.

So, while I'm here and polish-less, I figured I'd share an image I'm planning a video tutorial for. I'll still do the video, so consider this image a teaser of sorts.

This design is actually fairly simple. I used striping tape and two colors of polish, and I set the corners with black stones to add a bit of sparkle. So cute, and there's SO much room for tweaking. This could be funky and fun or elegant. It's all up to the colors you use!

So if you would, keep my mom in your thoughts, and let's hope for the best. I want to bring her home for Christmas, and for many Christmases to come.

I need sleep.

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A fun teaser...

I'm working on something fun for the holiday season. I'm so excited about this one that I have to share some teaser shots with you! So, enjoy these mockups and leave me a comment if you have an idea about what I may be doing!

 

My husband is the best husband EVER!

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Wheee, I've finally figured it out!

Ok,  I've been working on this for a couple of weeks now, and I finally got it to work the way I wanted it to! I've got a video filmed, and am working on editing it. Until then, here's a teaser for what you'll learn to do soon!

The good news is this technique is quick, easy, and fun! It's also wonderful for you creative types, because you can do just about anything you like- greyscale images, color images, photos, clip art... the sky is the limit!

And since this is so easy, my rarely-seen right hand is making an appearance as well! You can see that they look alike! For once, you don't have to be skilled with your non-dominant hand. You can easily do designs that match!

So, rest assured, I've got the video shot and am working on editing it. I just got so excited I needed to share this!

I am absolutely loving this new technique...

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It's a work in progress...

I know, it's been entirely too long without new content. I'd love to blame it on something interesting (like all the craziness that's been going on at my house...) but one of the main reasons is because I'm sort of obsessing over a new technique.

I'd read about it online, and wasn't quite sure how it would work. So, for the past week I've been experimenting lots, trying to figure out why it works, how it works, and how I can present it so that other people can get some useful tips to make it work for them. Unfortunately, I've only got it working maybe 3 out of 5 times, so that's not enough for me to write a tutorial on it.

However, that doesn't mean I can't show a quick teaser, to give you an idea of what I'm doing. It's interesting, and gives you a glimpse of what my nails look like when I'm in the middle of developing a process. So, without too much more blabbing, here are the pics. I'm getting closer to making it work!

Sometimes blogging is hard!

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A teaser post because I am sick.

I wish I could show you what's on my nails at the moment, including the process to achieve said look. Instead, I am producing prodigious amounts of toxic biohazard waste from my nose, which seems like it's kicked into production mode for the world's most disgusting slime factory. I don't know what one would want disgusting nose slime for, but I'm sure there's an evil genius out there plotting the world's doom who could figure a use for it.

Too bad for him I'm keeping it all! Bah, you can't have it, evil genius! You'll have to find your own snot factory! This one is on the side of good!

... yea, I think the cold meds are kicking in. Or the sleep meds. Or maybe the pain meds... I'm on a lot of meds.

So instead of the awesome post I had planned for today, you get a single picture: my thumb. It's a hint of how awesome this manicure is...and it's also the only photo I could finish prepping before I had to lie down and actively germ fight (in other words, sleep). Enjoy it, and hopefully tomorrow there will be glorious descriptions and photos and other nicenesses.

It's a pretty picture, I think. Or maybe I just need sleep... at this point, I can't really tell. I'm going to sleep now, since I'm typoing more than I'm typing, and I'm spending to much time correcting the corrections I already corrected....

Say goodnight, Laynie.

Goodnight Laynie! :D

The room is all spinny. This makes it much harder to type a straight line!.

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I'm So Excited- Tutorial Coming Soon!

I don't have any fun photos or anything for this post, but I just had to share this... Tonight, I found the cutest little scrapbooking tool that will be absolutely AMAZING for nail art! The best part? It's SUPER cheap! I'm so giddy I've already started...

Yea, I know, I'm nuts. But here I am, 3am and playing with my prototypes... and I woke my husband up with my squeeing! I'll have pictures soon...

Til then!

Sometimes I wonder how sane I am...

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Fall 2011- Polishes from NYC and OPI's The Muppets

Wow... Fall is shaping up to be pretty gorgeous, judging by the polishes I'm hearing about. This is a quick post just to show a couple of upcoming collections. What can I say, I'm a sucker for a tease!

First, let me show you these gorgeous polishes by NYC. These limited edition colors really give off a steampunk vibe to me somehow, rich and lush and slightly muted. They make me think of the turning leaves, the grey bark on the trees, and a pop of color by late-blooming flowers. There's a hint of shimmer in these too, which makes me really excited, although I'm not sure why. I'm really looking forward to these, because they inspire such a feeling of peace for me.

First off is Scenestealer Grey, a deep grey that reminds me of wet concrete, tree bark, and steel. The hint of shimmer makes me think it will be even more reminiscent of steel in person. I'm excited for this one!

Backstage Brown, on the other hand, is a rather golden brown that reminds me of suede and fall leaves, of roaring fires and toasted marshmallows. This seems to be a beautiful neutral that will be perfect for fall!

Finally there's Underground Purple, which may be my favorite of the bunch. Although this is a fall polish, it reminds me of the glorious splash of color when azaleas are in bloom. They're my favorite flower, so it's no surprise that I'm drawn to this polish. I imagine the hint of shimmer will make it that much prettier!


Overall, I think this collection will be quite a fun addition to the other polishes being released for Fall 2011.

This brings me to the other collection in this post, one that made me squeal with glee when I saw it: OPI's The Muppets! First off, I absolutely adore the Muppets. I spent so many hours watching the show as a kid, and I remember having this amazing hardback book about the Muppet Show. It basically had several episodes in storybook form, with lyrics to songs, amazing photographs and illustrations, and transcriptions of the skits from the show. I can remember carrying that book around with me, reading it, using it as a lap desk, using it as inspiration when I wanted to draw, or sing, or act out scenes from the show.

Yea, I've always been creative. It's a bit of a curse. :D

So these polishes had me excited, but also a bit wary- if these polishes were going to live up to the name, they needed to be something special. Thankfully, I think they just might fit the bill...

I'll share the polish descriptions from the press release, since it's now 5am and I've been working on these photos and blog post since about 2am. (Yes, I made the teaser photos!)

 

This line features six shimmery reds and neutrals, as well as six glitter-packed shades, including:

Animal-istic
This wild bright red cannot be tamed!

Meep-Meep-Meep
Missing out on this fuchsia would make you weep, weep, weep!

Wocka Wocka!
The popular deep berry makes everything fun and merry!

Pepe’s Purple Passion
This deep, decadent shade is the best purple ever, okay!

Designer, de Better!
And this light metallic bronze is ready for the runway.

Warm & Fozzie
A feel-good shade of metallic copper.

Rainbow Connection
The rainbow glitter of your dreams.

Excuse Moi!
Ahem! This pink glitter has something to say!

Gone Gonzo!
The aqua-blue glitter is taking over the world!

Fresh Frog of Bel Air
A glitter that prefers the greener things in life.

Divine Swine
The finest, most fabulous magenta glitter ever.

Gettin’ Miss Piggy With It!
Red glittery fun for everyone!

What can I say, I'm really looking forward to these as well! And to leave this on an appropriately-Muppety note, I'll close this post with a great new video by OK Go and the Muppets!

Til next time!

Information was provided for press purposes.

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Coming Soon From China Glaze- the Metro Collection!

I'm sure you've heard about the upcoming China Glaze Metro collection. Still, I have to say that I am really looking forward to it!I love the way the colors look all together in the above image! The colors are so rich and yummy! Let's see what's in there!

First off, there's the Downtown collection, a 6 piece box set which includes Skyscraper, Concrete Catwalk, Westside Warrior, Trendsetter, Loft-y Ambitions and Midtown Magic. The polish descriptions sound so interesting!

* Skyscraper: A sparkling, glitter blue reminiscent of the sky over the city.
* Concrete Catwalk: Steel grey crème is amazing for a chic mani.
* Westside Warrior: For the trendsetting woman this camo green crème is to die for.
* Trendsetter: Mustard yellow shimmer translates beautifully from hot dogs to nails.
* Loft-y Ambitions: Burgundy shimmer and cocktail hour – nothing better.
* Midtown Magic: Burgundy base with flecks of gold shimmer captures the latest fashion trend.

Click image for a larger view of the polishes.

Then there's the Uptown collection, a 6 piece box set which includes CG in the City, Urban-Night, Traffic Jam, City Siren, Street Chic and Brownstone. The descriptions make me want to wear these!

* CG in the City: Glittering dusty purple, bronze and silver multi-tonal glitter, perfect for a pop of edge from West side to East side.
* Urban-Night: Exactly what you need for a night on the town – rich purple crème.
* Traffic Jam: Stop traffic with a breathtaking, raspberry pink crème.
* City Siren: The perfect deep, red crème to match any outfit.

* Street Chic: This gorgeous beige crème is the perfect go to shade letting your clothes do the talking.
* Brownstone: Burnt terracotta crème mirrors the quaint townhouses of the city.

Click image for a larger view of the polishes.

This collection looks yummy to me. I'm obviously drawn to the two glitter polishes (Hello, my name is Laynie and I am a glitter addict!), but that olive green is calling my name! The yellow looks interesting for nail art, and I'm just itching to get my hands on  the four middle Uptown polishes! Yea, I think I need to start saving my pennies!

The Metro polishes will be available as box sets of 6 and as individual polishes. China Glaze nail lacquers are free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde, and are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, visit: www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChinaGlaze.

Til next time!

Images and information were provided by the manufacturer.

See my disclosure statement for more information.

Deborah Lippmann Fall 2011 Polishes

Oh my stars, Deborah Lippmann has done it again. I just got an email about the DL Fall 2011 collection, and wow, it's a keeper! Seriously, just look at these photos...

First, there's the regular colors: richly pigmented polishes that definitely have fall written all over them! I can almost smell the crisp autumn air already! This includes a special polish done in collaboration with fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez.

Click the above image to see it full size!

The press release had this to say about the fall polishes:

Fall
Billionaire: moody hunter green (creme)
Brick House: shimmering rust (shimmer)
Single Ladies: flirtatious red (creme)
Stormy Weather: an edgy granite (crème) is a collaboration with fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez.

PRICE: $16 (each)

WHERE TO FIND IT: Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and online at www.deborahlippmann.com

Then there's the glitter collection, and may I just say WOW! I am seriously drooling to get these on my fingers! How delicious are these?

You really want to click this to see those glitters more closely!

You see it, right? Are these AMAZING or what?! I cannot wait. I absolutely cannot wait!! Forget You was plucked straight out of my dreams! This is the Nordstrom Anniversary Set, and I'm almost holding my breath for these!

Nordstrom Anniversary Set

Happy Birthday: a party in a bottle (glitter)

Forget You: party all night (glitter)

Candy Shop: bubblegum pink (glitter)

PRICE: $42 (set)

WHERE TO FIND IT: Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and online at www.deborahlippmann.com

Oh yea, this one's definitely a keeper! Look for swatches as soon as I can put them up! And be sure to check back tomorrow when I'll be showing my fourth of July designs! They're cute as a button- you won't want to miss these!

Deborah Lippmann polishes rock my stripey socks!

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New Limited Edition Summer Items From Milani

OMG, I'm in LOVE!!! Have you seen the new polishes and eyeshadows coming out from Milani? I love the colors, and I cannot WAIT to get my hands on these shadows! Just look!

Milani presents its hottest and brightest shades that complement every summer glow

July Limited Edition Summer Products

STOP! Wardrobe change? No problem, create a gallery of nail looks with Milani’s New Limited Edition High Speed Fast Dry One Coat Formula Nail Lacquer – fast and luxurious, to get you on the GO – their new flat brush for fast and flawless application that dries in 60 seconds. For an additional pop of color use Milani’s High Speed Fast Dry One Coat Formula Nail Lacquers for extreme shine and electrifying nails.  These high voltage bright pigments are available in eight high fashion shades and great for the summer season! 

Available Shades: Purple Rush, Instantaneous Blue, Racy Green, Fast Fuchsia, Jiffy Orange, Violet Dash, Yellow Whiz, & Hot Pink Frenzy.

 
 

Brighten your lids with Milani’s Limited Edition Paint Eyeshadow Palette---fashion forward neon colors in one super-soft, silk-like application. Brighten your eyes by using shades separately or swirled together to create your own unique hue of art. 

Limited Edition Items available ONLY the month of July at select CVS drug stores.

High Speed Fast Dry One Coat Formula Nail Lacquer, Retail, $3.99

Paint Eyeshadow Palette, Retail, $7.99

‘LIKE’ MILANI COSMETICS ON FACEBOOK OR FOLLOW THEM ON TWITTER!

For additional information, please visit: www.milanicosmetics.com.

Photos and information were provided by the manufacturer's PR department for consideration.

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