TopCoatIt

We don’t usually have our down comforter on our bed because it’s too hot. Because I’m taking pictures of our house to list it for sale, I’m staging the rooms. I pulled out our fluffy comforter because I knew it would photograph well.
This was a fun design to make. I painted my nails with Sally Hansen White On, then added my top coat. Once the top coat was dried enough that I could touch it without messing it up, I pressed the lines in to it. I had a hard time finding a tool that was easy to work with and made the lines I wanted. I ended up using an earring to get the pillowy effect I was going for.

I find myself touching them a lot because they have such a unique texture to them. What do you think of textured nails?

I say this is a floral. I see oriental poppies in there. Hubby says it’s feathers. Peacock. I think I would go more turkey if I were going to go with a bird.
Whatever you see when you look at it, I love it! It was really easy to do and makes a bold statement. I used Sally Hansen White On and acrylics for this design. I topped it off with Chill Zone top coat.

So what say ye? Flowers? Feathers? Or something else?

I don’t think crackles are dead. There’s a time and place for them. They’re fun to get a little creative with too, like how I incorporated it into my fishtail braid yesterday.
Today, I’ve used two different blue crackles to create a gradient effect. I used OPI DS Temptation underneath and OPI Blue and Turquoise Shatters on top. Because you really only have one chance with crackles, I simply brushed them on. Blue at the cuticle and turquoise at the tip.

Are you over crackles or do you still use them in your designs?

Good Tuesday to you all! First off, I want to welcome a few new members to our group: Kelly, Lakeisha and Traci. Be sure to click their links below and give them a warm welcome.

This week we’re doing fishtails. I had to decide if I wanted to do a fishtail or a fishtail braid. I went with braid as you can see.

I have to say, I’m in love with my polish choices for this mani. A creme, a glass flecked and a crackle. Seriously, does it get any better? I used Sinful Colors Secret Admirer, Jordana Purple Bright and OPI Turquoise Shatter. LOVE!

Be sure the check out all the other manis today:

Amanda of Amandalandish
Anna of Going to the Showing
Anne of Grape Fizz Nails
Ashley of Art Evolve
Brandi of The Beaulieu Review
Chelsea of Nailed Blog
ChiChi of I’m Just Me…ChiChi
Cordia of Seriously Swatched
Elizabeth of Did My Nails
Jamie of Polish, Please!
Katherine of Haul of Fame
Kelly of Tuxarina
Lakeisha of Refined and Polished
Maribeth of Obsessive Cosmetic Hoarders Unite!
Marisa of Polish Obsession
Meredith of Polish and Charms
Nory of Fierce Make Up and Nails
Sarah of See Sarah Swatch
Traci of DrinkCitra

Getting your house ready to sell is a lot of work! I feel like it’s all I’ve been doing for months now. I’m ready to be done sorting through junk and painting and caulking. We’re in the home stretch though, so there is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel.
All the home improvement-ing has occasionally made it difficult for me to find time to work on fantastic manicures for you all. This past weekend was one of those times. I thought I was going to have to repost an old mani or just ditch out on it all together today. Then I remembered these gems. I did this mani for a guest post that has yet to be published, so I figured I’d put them to good use and show them to you today. I’ve been keeping my nails quite a bit shorter than this lately. I feel like they look really long here.

For this design I used Julep Vera, Alyson and Brandt. Any guesses as to what blog this mani was meant for? If you aren’t familiar with my argyle tutorial, you can check it out here.