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Leopard Print Inspired by @hottmama_of4

Hello lovelies how are you guys today?

Happy Cino de Mayo! Honestly, I didn’t even think about the fact it was coming up — I haven’t drank tequila in a good 5 years — so I kind of wish I had done something a little more festive! But I do have a super cute nail art look to share with you, that was actually inspired by a fellow nail artist on Instagram — @hottmama_of4! Heather posted this super cute blue & pink leopard print a few weeks back, & I knew I totally had to recreate it immediately!

For this manicure, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Hardener
  • Top Coat: Essie Speed Setter
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Beatnik
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Fuchsia Fever
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Blacky-O
  • NailStuff.ca 7mm detail brush (COFFEE10 to save 10%)
  • NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio 

I feel like I haven’t worn a fun leopard print look in a really long time, so I really liked wearing this one! The colours worked so well together — which is why Heather’s caught my eye in the first place! It was a fun pop of colour to wear, & it felt nice to wear a few polishes I haven’t reached for in a while. I’ve been wearing a lot of pastels lately, so I think what I really need is a big pop of COLOUR in my life. This is inspiring me to pull out my neons again… I might need to do a neon rainbow stripe or leopard print look very, very soon!

phonto-2

I’m so happy I decided to recreate this look — Heather’s Instagram feed has so many fun & creative nail art looks. She always goes for colour, which makes me happy! I definitely have a few more looks of hers saved in my “to do” nail art file for the future!

Where do you get your best nail art inspiration from? Clothing, patterns, pinterest, other nail artists? I feel like nail art inspiration is everywhere, but I’ve been especially inspired lately by mugs & pots lately. Maybe it’s because my plant obsession is in overdrive right now, who knows!

 

Have a lovely day! ♥

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SWATCH SUBDAY — OPI Lost My Bikini in Molokini 💜

Hey lovelies. I hope you’re having a lovely start to your Sunday, full of coffee, maybe a delicious breakfast treat of some kind. The good things in life.

Today I’m showing off a pretty purple nail polish, which was just what I needed on my nails: OPI Lost My Bikini in Molokini. This beautiful purple was released as part of the 2015 Spring/Summer Hawaii collection. Naturally, I purchased myself the mini pack  that was released, which included 4 of the shades, at my local Marshall’s.

2 coats + top coat

You know I love a good purple, & this is definitely a good purple. In fact, I’m currently kicking myself for not buying a big bottle of this polish because my mini has been well loved & I don’t think it has many manicures left in it. The formula itself is smooth, & levels out easily after 2 coats. The shade itself is a nice blue-ish purple, which I tend to favour over pinky toned blues.

Another look. One thing I really love about mini bottles — besides the fact you can discover more colours for a smaller price tag — is that the brushes are easy to use around the cuticle area. I really don’t have big fingers or nail beds, so sometimes my application can be messier than I would like. These tiny brushes definitely get that perfectly rounded cuticle swipe so much more easily.

What do you think about this pretty purple? Do you have a favourite purple from a past collection you love to wear? Let me know what purple is your currently favourite down in the comments below! & if you know any dupes for this shade, share it down below! Because I am going to be so sad when this bottle is completely empty!

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Pink & Purple Holo Half Moons

Hello lovelies. ♥️

I know, it’s been a while.

Sorry for the extended absence, but we had some devastating event occur here in my beautiful home province of Nova Scotia, & it kind of knocked the wind out of me emotionally, which left me with little urge to post. I’ve literally spent the last 2 weeks almost just playing around making macrame plant holders, & trying to calm my brain. But nails & nail art make me happy, so I’m glad to be back.

So let’s talk about nails shall we! More specifically, how about this holo half moon look!

For this look, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Hardener
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Layla Cosmetics Retro Pink
  • Color Club Eternal Beauty
  • Paper Hole Reinforcements

I feel like you just can’t properly document a holo look like this in a light box, so naturally I needed to capture it in all its glory in the sun! & look at that holo shift, isn’t it beautiful? Color Club Eternal Beauty might possibly be one of my all time favourite holographic shades, & definitely hands down my favourite purple holo. The liner holo shift is just so strong, it’s blinding. I can’t get enough.

Isn’t this a look? I know I’ve done pink & purple moons a lot, but that’s because it’s a classic. I play around with other colour combinations, but deep in my heart I am a pink & purple kind of girl.

What do you think about this nail art look? What is you favourite holographic nail polish? Let me know what you think down in the comments below!

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SWATCH SUNDAY — China Glaze Friends Forever, Right?

Hello lovelies & happy Swatch Sunday.

Today I am feeling something refreshing, & that can only mean one thing: white nails. Anyone who has been around a while knows my obsession with white nail polish, so I own quite a few of them. Today I’m all about this beautiful creamy off white from China Glaze — Friends Forever, Right? was originally released Fall 2014.

2 coats + top coat.

Whenever I’m feeling uninspired for nail art, my favourite polish to wear for a refresh is white. Anything white. What is lovely about Friends Forever, Right? is that it’s not quite white — it’s got a pinky undertone that keeps it from mimicking white out on your nails.

I was quite pleased with how easy this polish was to apply, even after all these years. I usually use it as the base for nail art, but I really do enjoy it all on it’s own. & obviously, it reminds me of my teenage love affair with Buffy & her fabulous nails, & who doesn’t love a little bit of nostalgia.

& in case you’re wondering, Sparkle Canada has a bottle of Friends Forever, Right? so if you don’t have this shade in your collection, & you’re realizing you need it, I would definitely pick it up! It makes such a good nail art base, or all on it’s own.

Hope everyone is having a lovely Sunday (I know this post is going up later than normal.) I also hope everyone is feeling happy & healthy & staying safe in all this craziness. I plan on enjoying another coffee, maybe a social distanced maple latter now that our favourite small cafe is open for take out!

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FASHION FRIDAY — OOTD: Red For Hemophilia ♥️

Hello lovelies & Happy Friday! Today’s Fashion Friday post is dedicated to something special — April 17th is World Hemophilia Day, a fact brought to my attention by my friend Victoria (aka @hitchingsstitches on Instagram). Last year I did some beautiful red roses, but since it falls on Friday this year, I wanted to dedicated my OOTD.

For those who might not know, hemophilia is a bleeding disorder that personally affects both her beautiful little boys. As a Mom, I can’t image dealing with something so scary, so I’m always happy to show my support. In fact, myself & both kiddos are wearing red to show support today (& if I can I’ll try to get a picture of all three of us!)

Red Puff Sleeve Blouse from H&M (similar one from this season here). Dark Levi’s slimming skinny jean. Not Pictured: Black Flats

I bought this shirt almost two years ago on clearance at H&M, & absolutely fell in love with the dramatic sleeves. But honestly, I think I’ve actually worn it once… maybe. But after my post looking at old outfits of years past, I’ve kind of been inspired to pull out my more stand out pieces from my closet. I mean, that’s when I’m not wearing my usual social isolation rotation of sweats. Haha.

What do you think about this look? Are you wearing red today for World Hemophilia Day? If you haven’t thought about it, & have the chance, I definitely enough you to throw something red on (your favourite red shirt, your favourite red polish) & use the hashtag #redforhemophilia on Instagram if you post about! ♥️

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Watercolour Freehand Floral 🌸

Hello lovelies & happy Thursday!

I hope everyone is having a lovely week. The weather here has been pretty amazing & Spring like. You can’t help but love it! Our flowers are even starting to bloom in our front garden, so naturally I was inspired to create some pretty floral on my nails! This design was also inspired by a nail art look that popped up in my Facebook memories from 6 years ago (this one, in case you want to see the original.)

For this look, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Hardener
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Essie Where’s My Chauffeur
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Get Mod
  • OPI Be Magentale With Me (Sheer Tints)
  • OPI Don’t Violet Me Down (Sheer Tints)
  • Essie No Shrinking Violets (Silk Watercolours)
  • Essie Love Sheen (Silk Watercolours)
  • Essie Flowerista
  • OPI Lost My Bikini in Molokini
  • OPI My Dog Sled Is A Hybrid
  • Essie Poolside Service
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Blacky
  • NailStuff.ca 7mm detail brush (COFFEE10 to save 10%)
  • NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio 

Okay, so I know every time I do a floral, I say that it’s my new favourite — so I won’t even say it, but seriously this might be the most favourite floral I’ve ever done! I feel like the sheer polish plus darker outlining just gives this manicure such a beautiful feel. & I love the floral combined with the brightness of Essie Where’s My Chauffeur which is hands down one of my favourite polishes for Spring. I’m really really in love with this whole combination.

& obviously, a close up because I am so freaking proud of how these turned out! I know roses are my floral safe zone, but I think I would to branch out a little bit more, maybe try & perfect other styles. I definitely still have plans to try out a tulip design very very soon as well!

What do you think about this floral look? Has your garden started to come to life yet? Let me know what you think down in the comments below, & what kind of floral you’d like to see me attempt next!

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Crazy Dotticure Pattern Nails

Hello lovelies & happy Tuesday! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, & didn’t eat too many chocolate eggs or jellybeans.

We had a pretty lovely weekend here in Halifax, which meant perfect weather for our annual Easter Egg hunt outside. Usually, all the cousins would gather out our house for it, but with social isolation & distancing it was just us. Never the less, our little guy had a blast finding all the eggs, & his baby sister had fun trying her first real taste of chocolate! I could definitely get used to warm sunny days, & they’re calling for sunshine & 16 degrees today, so I’ll take it!

So let’s show off some fun nails, shall we?

For this look, the polishes I used were:

  • Base Coat: Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure Hardener
  • Top Coat: Essie Gel Setter
  • Quo by ORLY pale peach (no label — it was a mini bottle circa 2013/2104)
  • Essie Splash of Grenedine
  • Essie First Timer
  • Essie Playdate
  • Essie Bikini so Teeny
  • NailStuff.ca Dotting Tool Trio (COFFEE10 to save 10% on your purchase!)

So I’ve been thinking about doing one of these dotticure pattern nails for a while, but for some reason was nervous to do it (& kept falling back into old trusted designs — like floral). But I’ve really been wanting to try something different, out of my comfort zone, & I’m really glad I did! At first I wasn’t sure about how these turned out, but I actually really adore them! So much so, I wore this look for a full 3 days until they started chipping.

These sort of remind me of like printed tiles, or something. I really like the bright pop of colour over the pale base shade. I’ve had this Quo shade in my minis drawer for a very long time, but I don’t think I’ve pulled it out to wear before. It makes a great almost neutral base for nail art.

What do you think about this dotticure? What was the last manicures out of your comfort zone you tried–did you grab a colour you never wear, or try out a design that made you nervous? Let me know in the comments below!