So I'm obviously still hung up on that purple...

Gotta do some yard work so I thought I'd photograph my nails before I jacked them up. 😃

So I'm obviously still hung up on that purple I've been wearing. I bought a back-up bottle because I love it so much. I think it's one that is being discontinued so if you like it - go find you one NOW.

As for the blue, that is one of the China Glaze Hologlams I got on Friday. See the rainbow? It's so pretty in real life, but you can only see it in the sun and certain other lights. I'm gonna be looking at my hands ALL THE TIME with this stuff on my nails.

My three favorite things about summer: 1) Lizard walking, 2) holographic nail polish, and 3) 4-day work weeks. Woohoo!

I'm not usually into stripes OR bows...

I'm not usually into stripes OR bows, but I thought these were SO CUTE.  Too bad I couldn't make the bow stay put for long.  I do too much stuff with my hands.  I knocked it off a thousand times.  😳

Mermaid nails!

Mermaid nails!

I've had the stamping plate with the mermaid on it for a while, but she's long so I had to wait until my nails were kind of long to fit her on there. I usually keep them a bit shorter than this because they start to get in the way.

Anyway, I'm really digging these. I hope I don't mess them up for a few days. I really like my scaly ring finger. I put some layers of flaky polish under the scale stamp to make it more realistic. I don't know if I did enough layers, but it looks pretty when it catches the sunlight. No complaints here! 😃

Gradient + stamping.

Gradient + stamping.  I like these, but I only have a tiny bottle of white stamping polish and it's drying out - as you can probably tell by the missing specks in my design.  That's a bummer, but I'll buy some more as soon as I'm working more hours.

These are the bizarro, fugly nails I did.

These are the bizarro, fugly nails I did.  I'mma go ahead and admit that I did NOT have any plan when I sat down to do these other than that I wanted to practice my gradient-ing.  😂  So the base is one of my FAVORITE EVER greens.  Then on top of that at the tip I sponged a lighter green glitter, and on top of THAT I sponged the edges a very dark green.  Since that just apparently wasn't enough going on I added the round disc glitter things at the cuticle.

It's like, glamorous Swamp Thing or something.  😂😂😂  They are definitely INTERESTING if nothing else.  And I think that my gradient skillz are coming along.  I just don't know about these.  I look at them and I kind of like them for their weirdness, but on the other hand... ehh... I just don't know about that.  😛

This is currently my left hand.

This is currently my left hand. Since I'm left-handed I break those nails a lot more often (as you can probably tell).

I couldn't decide this weekend whether I wanted to do a water marble or a gradient - so I did both. Who says I have to match? 😂

This is the gradient I did on Saturday.

This is the gradient I did on Saturday. The gradient consists of two different glitters and an extra pink polish. I also stamped on that little flower because one fancy thing is just never enough. 😂

Went to Sally's for the first time in ages.

Went to Sally's for the first time in ages. Wasn't a lot of stuff in there that was impressive to me. 🙁 I saw the China Glaze Hologlam collection and I gotta say - I'm glad I didn't drop the cash on that. I'd planned to buy the entire collection online when it first came out, but I had a lot of other stuff I needed to spend my money on so I was responsible and just didn't. Thank goodness because I would have been EXTREMELY disappointed. $9 per bottle for a supposed holographic polish. Psh. It does have a faint holo thing going on, but not $9 worth.

Not that this will happen anytime in the near future, but when I DO have the spare cash to purchase a holographic polish I'll spend $15 and get something that really knocks my eyes out. If I'm gonna spend that much on a polish it's gonna have to be worth it!

So anyway, I came out of there with a few clearance polishes. I haven't bought anything for myself in a while so I don't feel too bad about it. Got one bottle of something I already have and love (gotta have a back-up of that one - it's a green that you don't see too often!) and some other cheapies that I have nothing like.

Unfortunately, I've already wrecked my Star Trek nails so I'm gonna have to take them off and do something else now. Maybe after I get some things moved around and some cleaning done... 🙂

If you don't know about this...

If you don't know about this then I don't know about you.  LOL

I've wanted to do my nails for days, but I was not inspired.  FINALLY, I had a good idea!  😃  I haven't had a whole lot of time to devote to nails lately, but I made time tonight.

I'm super excited about the new Star Trek movie.  I was really hoping to make the midnight showing later today, but I haven't found anyone to watch Shadow (yeah, lol, watch him sleep!) not to mention that I have to wake up stupidly early for his awards ceremony so it's very likely I would struggle to stay awake if I went.  Also, with the yard work me and Shaun did this weekend it's got his allergies all stirred up so he hasn't been sleeping well.  I guess that's what happens when you get all old and stuff.  😕

For the record I'd still give staying awake a shot if anyone wants to come and watch Netflix or whatever while my kid sleeps.  Just putting that out there!

Anyway, I made a few copies of the decal that is on my thumb, if anyone wants a few.    The rest of the work was taping, which wasn't hard.  I am crazy excited about these nails.  Because I am a dork.  😃

Been wearing these bright yellow nails all week.

Been wearing these bright yellow nails all week.  This happy bright color was given to me by the lovely Shauna.  😃  Thought I'd run with the brightness and put on some bright decals to make it interesting.  These just came from a drug store I'm pretty sure.  But I thought they were cute and super easy.  I should have let my polish dry a little bit longer before putting them on, but that's ok.  I'll know better next time.

Peacock nails!

Peacock nails!  These could have been so much fancier, but I just didn't feel like it.

Complete with an animal hair.

Complete with an animal hair.  😂

So this is what I do when I have no time for doing anything that requires skill:  Slap some stickers down.  I'm not really a Hello Kitty fan at all, but I had these decals for some reason.  Probably a little freebie that came with some other stuff I ordered.  Thought I might as well use them since I have them.

This color was given to me by Nancy sometime last year.  I thought it looked great with the HK decals.  😃

What do you do when...

What do you do when you don't ACTUALLY have time to fancy your nails?  Slap some decals on there, duh!

These are little owl decals I made.  I did NOT design them - just liked the images I found online and used them.  The pinky didn't go on as nicely, but it doesn't look bad in real life.  How nice of the macro setting to catch every imperfection.  😛

Posting this and then getting ready for bed.

Posting this and then getting ready for bed.  This is what helped keep me awake all night.  😂😂😂  It wasn't hard - just a little time-consuming.

Fun with striping tape!  Woohoo!

I have been up for the last few hours doing my nails.

I have been up for the last few hours doing my nails.  These are not them.  😂😂😂  These are the ones I did before the ones I just did.  It's a unicorn!

I really wanted to do something wayyy cool and fancy...

I really wanted to do something wayyy cool and fancy, but I have not had the time.  So, Saran Wrap mani it was!  I used a bluish-gray and a lavenderish-pink over an off white base.  Striping tape and a random stud I found on the table somehow brought it all together.  Yay for a messy nail table!  😂

I layered...

I layered a purplish glitter over a dark blue glitter and came up with the blurple color.  I think that would have been a great base for galaxy nails, but I was wayyy too lazy for all that.  Simple stamping was good enough.

Also, threw down some holographic silver on the ring finger.  Just can't have it all matching too much.  😛

I don't feel like I entirely have my shiz together right now so my nails have taken a back seat.  I still like to do them when I can make time, though.  🙂

For all you cat people out there. 😉

For all you cat people out there.  😉

For anyone who's interested in nail stuff...

For anyone who's interested in nail stuff (Nancy, Morgan), these are some of the stamping plates I've got so far.

I have a folder full.  Don't judge me.  They are cheap, some have been gifts, and I can re-use them forever.  😛

Bundle Monster set BM-301 - BM-325

Red Angel set RA-110 - RA-121

Mash set Mash-26 - Mash-50

Cheeky set CH30 - CH55

Winstonia set W101 - W120

I'm sorry, but this is NOT a comprehensive list.  I have a few random Konad's, some without a name, some weird ones I bought from ebay...  It would be hard to name them all.  But, the sets listed all work pretty well so if you're just starting out I would definitely recommend any of those.  Red Angel would be the bottom of the list, but that's because their full-nail designs are pretty small.  That's kind of a bummer.  😐

Most of these sets can be found on Amazon so just go on there and see which one has more images / designs that you like and then go for it.  Sometimes the photos are really too small to see well - so in that case look it up on YouTube.  People make videos showing the plates and usually do a short demo on how it works / how well the plates work so that would be really helpful.

Once you get your plates all you really need to purchase is a good stamper.  You can use an old gift card or whatever as a scraper and since it's plastic it won't scratch up your plates.  I hate with a passion the metal scrapers.  😳

Anyway, let me know if you have any questions!  If I've done a manicure with an image in particular that you like let me know and I'll look up which plate it's on for you.  🙂

So the Anniston Wal-Mart...

So the Anniston Wal-Mart is re-vamping their cosmetics isle.  HOW EXCITING!  They are expanding their polish area and it's all very nice and well-lit with LED's.  😃😃😃

Also, they now carry dog nail polish.  😃

Also, I discovered a Riteway Beauty Supply near my house last week.  It was closed when I stopped last weekend, but it was open today.  They have some OLD ASS goodies in there.  Very exciting!  😃

This is what I'm wearing today!

This is what I'm wearing today!  I did everything to them.  😂  Was in the mood for purple for whatever reason.  🙂

Nobody pinch me tomorrow...

 Nobody pinch me tomorrow - I'm wearing my green!  😃

Who didn't see this coming a mile away?

Who didn't see this coming a mile away?  In honor of my first wildlife rehab call.  😃

This took a while to do...

Hey Emily... remember that cool nail idea I had?  I didn't forget.  😃

This took a while to do, but it was fun.  The colors are all new Hard Candy colors except for the black and the white.  I'm pretty happy with how it all turned out, except for the "pow" on the middle finger.  I don't know if something was up with my image plate or what, but that one didn't transfer nicely AT ALL.  Oh well.  I still like it!

Zebra stripes on one of my new Hard Candies!

Zebra stripes on one of my new Hard Candies!  Pardon the big black hair on my pinkie - I'm pretty sure that is from Nappy.  She rubs all over my sweater every day so there's never a shortage of dog hair on me.  😂  When I saw that I thought "I'll just re-take the photo" and then I promptly knocked a chunk of paint off while cleaning the roach water dish.  So, it is what it is.  😃

For anyone who's interested in nail polish:

For anyone who's interested in nail polish:  Walgreen's has some cool new stuff.  They have these cake-pop looking bottles of pretty colors with sparse glitters (I used one in my last photo of nails), and also the new textured Milani's.  Wal-Mart also has new Hard Candy polishes.  They are so pretty that I WANT THEM IN MY MOUTH!!!  😳  I noticed that they have picked up a few new brands like that Salon whatever it is and a couple of others that I can't remember, but that drug stores usually have.  ALSO, K-Mart is closing in two weeks so all of their stuff is 50 - 80% off right now - including the polish.  And finally, I scoped out what Publix has.  Nothing that any other place doesn't already have, but their OPI's are cheaper.  🙂

So I went for something different...

So I went for something different.  TOTALLY DIFFERENT.  😂

Michael Jackson nails

Michael Jackson nails.  These did not last long.  I was popping off studs left and right.  😂😂😂

I probably should have saved these...

I probably should have saved these for Earth Day or something, but I suck at holidays and do what I want.  I was feeling the recycle, so I wore the recycle.  😛  The lady who works at my bank really liked them yesterday.  😃

Nails I did last night.

Nails I did last night.  Pretty simple - I just stamped them.  I like the pattern, but I'm REALLY digging the bright, girly color.  I tend to not like these colors - until I actually put them on.  I need to remember that I sometimes do like what I think I don't as far as nail polish is concerned.  😛

Lacey nails!

Lacey nails!  I wanted to post this before I jacked them up.  I'm about to go and wash my lizards.  Separately, of course.  🙂

I don't actually know what to say about these....

I don't actually know what to say about these.  Maybe, "I'm sorry" would suffice?  😂  I think they turned out nice - my work isn't bad.  But the colors - just wow.  I do like the nice matte finish, though.  🙂

Sorry for this crappy photo

Sorry for this crappy photo, but I'm not going out in the rain just to get a photo without a wonky cast (Damn you, fluorescent lighting!) These nails are pink and red. Just basic, ugly pink and red. Nothing special. 😂

I did these last night. I think they turned out nice, but Valentine's is not a holiday I celebrate, (nor do I like these colors), so I might have to take them off today and do something I can live with. Blegh.

I had the cutest idea for nails...

I had the cutest idea for nails, but I'm just too tired to make it happen. BUMMER.

This is my version...

This is my version of switching emotional heads.  For those of you who think I have any artistic ability - please let my inability to draw a proper stick body speak for itself.  That head is disappointed that he's so crooked.  😂

Nails I did last night.

Nails I did last night.  I used a polish that Robin loaned me called Midnight Magic.  It doesn't show in the photo, (of course) but it has kind of a goldy - yellow shimmer in it.  It's really pretty.  It made me think of outer space so I put little planets and stars and whatever on it.  Since stamping is pretty easy this was a lazy manicure.  I've been lazy lately.  😝

The lovely Robin...

The lovely Robin gave me this polish the other night.  It's a weird-shaped Orly, which excites me.  I like the weird ones.  😂  The color is called Brilliant Sky, but it reminded me more of underwater so that's the reason for the sea creatures.

Every time I've looked at them today The Little Mermaid song "Under the Sea" has run through my head.  😛

TRANSFORMERS. More than meets the eye.

TRANSFORMERS.  More than meets the eye.

I REALLY, REALLY...

I REALLY, REALLY didn't want to take my purple nails off last night, but I had a couple starting to peel and that's always terrible news for me. 🙁 If I don't fix that as soon as it starts I'll pick and pull at my polish until my nails are sad and damaged. 🙁 It just never ends well.

So this is what I did. I like it well enough, but they aren't stunning. There was something about that purple I used last time that was so bright and vibrant. It just made me happy to look at it - even with all this cold and rain. These are more muted, which I do like, too. I guess they are more season-appropriate - not that I ever think about that, though. 😂

I did get some gradient practice in, which is good. I'm happy with how my fade turned out this time. It's much easier to pull off with glitter than regular polish, but it's a neat look and I would like to get better at doing it. Anybody up for being practiced on? 🙂

These nails have been the most fabulous thing about me all day.

These nails have been the most fabulous thing about me all day.  I dropped Maya off at the spay / neuter transport this morning so I've smelled like dog all day.  More than usual, I mean.  😛  Not to mention that I went to work looking and feeling like a drowned rat.  Mom was driving me around this morning since my tires are bald and scary and that was awesome and sweet of her.  But when she pulled into my driveway she got stuck.  We probably spent a good hour out in the mud, standing water (yay for low yards!), and rain trying UNSUCCESSFULLY to get un-stuck.  Finally one of the many trucks driving by decided to stop and pull us out.  Yay for the kindness of strangers.  🙂

Anyway, yeah.  I didn't have time to shower or change - I just needed to get to work.  I have felt icky and cold and gross all day.  I am going to take a nice, hot shower shortly.  That's gonna be awesome.  🙂

I had to photograph these before I jacked them up.

I had to photograph these before I jacked them up. I'm surprised they survived my morning.

The green is mine, but the other two are colors that Keri loaned me. I tried to make it not so, but these remind me of Easter eggs anyway. LOL

Got started on my nails...

Got started on my nails and hated how it was turning out so scrapped it and started over. Now I'm just wearing nail polish. PLAIN nail polish. 😳 I had no plan and was too tired to be inspired so I guess I'll just figure it out tomorrow. And on that note I'm taking my tired self to bed. 🙂

I bought this pretty pale blue at Wal-Mart...

I bought this pretty pale blue at Wal-Mart after seeing it swatched on a blog. I had no idea that it was so shimmery! I don't think the shimmer really shows up in the photo, but it's there. Then I stamped it with this cool color-flipping polish that Keri loaned me. I love how it goes from purple to green to gold. I really like this swirly pattern, too, but it wasn't big enough for my thumb so I had to stamp it twice and then go in with a tiny brush to connect it. I think it looks messy, but I'm not too disappointed considering that I never freehand anything. LOL It'll do. 😃

I decided...

to go for this metallic silver with my green. Of all the grays, silvers, and golds I have this was the best one (I swatched on paper to be sure). I did this look with tape - super easy. Threw the stones on there for good measure. 😂 Had to make sure it was decorated enough. LOL