Subtle Stamping

Hi Everyone!

It has been a crazy week for me and although it is the weekend and time to relax for a lot of people, it is my weekend to work because I guess 'there ain't no rest for the wicked'. Ha! To make up for lack of time to paint my nails, I thought I'd show you another mani out of the archive. I've only got a few more to show you and then I will be all caught up. Gasp!

This mani is one that I wore last year for Hanukkah. The stamping turned out more subtle than I had anticipated and I remember being indecisive about whether I liked it or not. I'm still a bit torn, but definitely leaning toward liking it. Is there such a thing as too subtle?

Born Pretty Store Stamping Plate Review

Hi Everyone! I'm feeling sleepless in Seattle right now with lots of stuff on my mind that I would rather not think about, so I decided to write this post as a distraction. So far I am managing to keep up with my New Year's resolution of little by little showing you my stamping plate collection. Today I would like to show you Born Pretty stamping plates. Born Pretty Store has long been know to sell a variety of stamping plates from other lines, but it wasn't until late last year that they released their own branded plates. And speaking of random plates from Born Pretty Store, it seems so long ago now, but it was a promo offer of a free stamping plate from the Born Pretty Store that started my stamping addiction. Oh how time flies! Check out my first attempt at stamping here!

Born Pretty Store originally released 25 plates, then added another 10 around Thanksgiving and just a few days ago released another 20 for a total of 55 BP plates available right now. I've got the first 35 to show you today and more are on the way for a future post. With the success that they are having over these stamping plates, I expect to see more releases in the future!

Now on to the plates themselves. They measure 5.6 cm in diameter, which is the most common size for stamping plates. Each of the stamping plates comes with the standard blue protective film which must be removed prior to use. That is a 'tip' that I learned early on and as evidenced by that 1st stamping attempt linked above. Still rolling my eyes on that one. These plates come with a plastic backing to avoid sharp edges and include the Born Pretty name and website.

2 Curtsy or Not a Rose Princess

Hi Lovelies! I know, that is a rather cheesy title for this post, but I just could not resist mashing up the names of the two Dazzle Dry beauties used for this manicure. I was even tempted to throw in a third, but "2 Curtsy or Not a Rose Princess and Her Majesty" seemed like overkill. Right? Silly title aside, I really like this tone on tone floral manicure and I hope you enjoy it as well...

Flakie Firebird!

Hi Lovelies! Today I have more flakie nail art for you. This is another manicure that I created and wore a while back because I simply couldn't swatch the flakies and not enjoy wearing each of them at least for a little bit.

Dreamscape Ornaments!

Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate this holiday!

I loved my rhinestone/stud ornament mani from last year and so I decided that I need to create a new one this year. Lucky for me, I had some pretty new rhinestones to play with that arrived just in the nick of time..

Happy Hanukkah!

Hi Everyone! I want to wish a Happy Hanukkah to all of you lovelies who celebrate the holiday! This year I created two manicures to celebrate, the first of which I would like to show you today.

I'm always slightly jealous of the abundance of Christmas holiday stamping patterns available. Although I do make good use of those said patterns (so I won't complain too much), I wish more companies would create patterns to celebrate other cultures, traditions and beliefs. There is always a part of me that gets super excited when I see a pattern that I can use for a Hanukkah manicure. So queue the excitement and a dizzying game of dreidel...

Whimsical Winter Scene!

Almost three weeks ago Marta of Chit Chat Nails announced a nail art contest that she is hosting with a stamping plate maker Pueen. I was instantly intrigued because it features two of my favorite things, stamping and holiday nail art. I rarely enter contests, partly for lack of time, but largely because I disagree with the 'judging' process. Marta's contest, however, has actual judges which makes the process about talent rather than popularity. For me that makes the contest a challenge and I love challenges...

I've been thinking about what I want to create for the contest for the past couple of weeks and have been coming up blank. I knew I wouldn't be entering the contest unless it was something I was really proud of, so that I wouldn't kick myself later and think "I could have done better". That way loosing would mean someone created nail art that is better or more creative than mine, not because I didn't give it my best shot. Also, win or loose, I had a blast creating this manicure and at the end of the day that is what really matters to me...

In a Snow Flurry

Hi Lovelies! The Glam Polish Mid-Winter's Dream collection is launching today and I wanted to show you some nail art that I created with one of the shades from the collection. Inspired by the icy blue beauty itself and fighting the strong urge to stamp snowflakes, I decided to attempt a snowy tree scene instead...