My Valentine Mani

This is going to be a pic heavy post.  I used Zoya - Isla as a base & the LA Colors nail art deco polishes in Black & Silver.  I also used my SHANY fauxnad nail art stamps BM02, BM03, BM09, & BM11.  I decided to try a different stamp on each finger & after several tries, finally got the silver to work.  They're not perfect, but cute anyway.  I used one stamp multiple times on my middle finger just for something different with it.  Then I freehanded a black french tip on the top of each nail. 

I messed up with black, so I rubbed it off & re-did it with silver.

Missing part of the I, but it's cute IMO.

I didn't get all of the "stamp", but this looks kinda like a Coke logo.

thumb

index

middle

ring

pinky

upside down.

 I've only done my left hand, dunno if I'll do my right hand or not.  I may remove this soon and try another new polish!!



TOODLES Y'ALL!!

L.A. Colors - Fuel

I picked this polish up recently at Dollar Tree.  Not only did the pinky/purple duochromeyness catch my eye, but the name...Fuel.  It makes me think of the song Fuel by Metallica.

2 coats & you can still see the white of my nails.

When applying this polish I had a few issues.  The bottle wouldn't open, so I had to take some pliers to it.  That almost ruined my nametag on the lid.  These do not have and stickers or labeling with the names, so I made my own to remember what the color is called.  The other issue was it's extremely messy.  It's thin and runny.

I didn't really notice until I went to put a second coat on that if you use too thick of a coat, it runs to the sides of the nail.  I had to do 3 coats to get any sort of opacity out of it, 2 was just a little too sheer for me as you can see below.

inside/flash

you can see where i messed up my index finger

sunlight/no flash

I can't really complain too much about this polish because well I did only pay $1 for it.  I absolutely LOVE the color, but will have to remember when I use it in the future to have plenty of time.  I figure the best way to apply this would to use several thin coats.  If you use too much, it'll take forever to dry.

I don't know how long this would work before starting to show signs of wear, but again, I LOVE the color.

TOODLES Y'ALL!!!

Dollar Tree, Big Lots, and Wal-Mart haul...

As I said on Facebook I went to these stores today looking for the Revlon Perplex nail polish at Big Lots, and of course to look at other things.  Unfortunately, I didn't see it.

I found a few things at Big Lots that caught my eye, but didn't get much.  What I did find was a few stackable tray's, some Playboy nail polish(the colors do not have names), and some exfoliating foot scrub.

 The polishes were marked at $5, but rang up for only $3.  I think they'll look cool for some spring/summer water nail marbling.  The other items were only $1ea.

I think they're pretty!!

I will admit I went a little crazy at Dollar Tree, but not too bad.  I love the stackable container(upper right corner of the pic), I purchased 5 of them!  Yes, I bought more polish, BUT a majority of my polish collection were items that were around $1-$2, the only big name polishes I have are 1 OPI that I bought and 2 China Glaze that were given to me.  WITH the exception of a color changing one I purchased in Cozumel........I may do a blog at a later date showing all of my polishes.  

I saw this CoverGirl IceSlicks on Scrangie's blog (I absolutely LOVE her blogs) and thought I'd give it a try after I saw it.  As you can see in the pic below, the 2 packs retail for $6, and I got each pack for $1.  Both packs have the IceSlicks in Anti-Freeze.  The one on the left has a Crackle in Ghost, thought it was interesting.  The one on the right has a nailslicks in Midnight Forest.  

Next, I picked some LA Colors Nail Art Deco.  I admit the reason I purchased nail art stamps is because I suck at drawing, especially with a brush or nail brush.  I picked these up to add a little extra pizzaz to the fauxnad designs and I don't have to draw!!.  Any other brands of these range from $4+ each, and these were only $1 each.  So, you do the math. 

(L to R) Silver Glitter, Red Glitter, Silver, Green Glitter, White, and Black

Lastly from Dollar Tree we have......
2 LA Colors nail polishes in Radiation and Fuel.  I could've picked up more colors, but decided against it.  LA Colors Blush in Peach Rose, it looks to me like it'll be a pretty contouring shade.  An E.L.F. Candy Shop Lip Gloss tin in Mocha Maniac.  They're not even available individually on the ELF website.  And a NYC liquid eyeliner in Deep Plum.

My final stop today was Wal-Mart.  I saw some shelves on a YouTube video the other day and thought "OMG, I need those in my bathroom!".  Currently, we have 2 of the Sterilite 3 drawer carts that are a pain in the backside.  There's really no storage unless you want to shove everything under the sink and NO closet.  I have a separate vanity, but even it is overcrowded.  That's the main reason I wanted at least one of these shelves was so I could store my stuff in containers on the shelves and free up the counter space of my vanity.  Then, I had a thought that we could use one on the other side of the bathroom to hold our towels.  Trying to store the towels in the cart is the biggest pain.  So, we went to Wal-Mart and I found them.  There were 2 shelving units left and we got BOTH of them.  They're just under $20 each, and this will help SOOOO much.  Now I can shove the carts in my closet to use for seasonal clothing storage.  I apologize for the picture below as it was taken with my phone, I'd already dumped everything off my memory card from my camera.  These shelves are Mainstays 4 Shelf Bookcases.  I'm extremely excited to be able to organize my bathroom and make it look SO much better than it does right now.  Of course I'll post pics later when I get it all set up, but for now here's a pic of the box....

 
TOODLES Y'ALL!!

L.A. Colors Eyeshadow Swatches

These are the 2 shadows I got in my stocking, from Dollar Tree.  I have yet to try them.  In my Christmas Stocking blog, I showed these to you & stated my issues.  Here's what they look like...

I tried to "depot" these, meaning take them out of the container, but the plastic is one solid piece.  I can take the brush out, but the hole that the brush goes into is deep into the container.  So, I'll most likely either have to dip my own brushes down in there, or try to tap some out into the lid to use my own brushes.  

I think I mentioned on that blog that the brushes with these are complete & total crap.  If you click on the picture, it should take it full size to see how bad the brush is. 

I did some swatches, but did not use any primer.  Keep in mind I kinda blended the white out a little more than I did the black also.  Black is on the left, white is on the right kinda spread out on the top of my hand.

Inside without flash.

Inside with flash.

Inside with window open for light, can't remember if I used flash.

 TOODLES Y'ALL!

From my Christmas Stocking....

So, I'm finally getting around to showing y'all what I got in my stocking.  I totally forgot to bring some of the stuff in to take a better pic, so the first one I'm posting is the one I took the day of Christmas with my iPhone.  Of course, I picked everything out and there was also some candy, but this was more important at the time.  :D  SO....I'm kinda finding pics off the internet to show what each item looks like up close. 

EOS Lip Balm in Honeysuckle Honeydew: LOVE this balm, but not overly in love with this scent.  I prefer my Summer Fruit one which stays on my desk.  This one will stay on my night stand.  I believe I got this at Walgreens.

LA Colors blush in Pink Blush (BSB332):  I got this at Dollar Tree.  I'd never heard of this brand until I saw some YT vids from EleanorWhoLaughsAlot.  I really like this color and a little goes a long way.  

Maybelline Falsies Mascara in Blackest Black:  I really like this mascara.  I kinda wish I'd tried this BEFORE I purchased my ELF eyelash curler, but I can still use them both.  With this I DO NOT need to curl my lashes at all.  Not that I don't have like 15 different mascara's, but hey I like it.  Most of them were free from Sephora for redeeming 100 points.  I got this at Walgreens & it was cheaper than anywhere else at the time.

I think the one I have is called Crystal.

LA Colors Brilliant Shine Glitter Gloss:  Another one from Dollar Tree.  I've not tried this yet, but thought it was cute.  It has no "name", but I just opened it & it smells like bubble gum!  WOOT!!

LA Colors Shimmering Loose Eyeshadow with brush in Snow White(BES400) & in Black Pearl(BES405):  Dollar Tree again!  I haven't opened the white one, but the black I have.  It's kinda like those other mineral like drugstore eyeshadows with the brush.....VERY MESSY.  I purchased some small containers from Wal-Mart today to "depot" these for easier use.  The brushes on these are beyond crappy, the product goes everywhere, and it's just horrible.  I'm hoping to like them once I put them in small jars.

ELF 2 in 1 conditioning gloss in Plumtastic:  This is normally $3, and I found it at Dollar Tree.  I threw it in the basket.  I haven't tried it yet, but figured for $1, it's still better than $3.  Really, I just wanted the color.  The reviews on it are mixed as the color is separate from the clear gloss.  I'm sure I'll let y'all know what I think when I do try it.

Maybelline Green Coverstick Concealer:  I occasionally have some redness and green is supposed to counteract redness.  This works, though I have to use it under liquid foundation.  I got this at Walgreens.

ELF Minty lip Gloss in San Diego(reddish color) & Los Angeles(pink):  Another $3 product I found at Dollar Tree.  My sister picked this up at Target in TN for $3 and I believe she got Boston.  She LOVED it.  I am in love with these too.  I will have to get more and will definitely check Dollar Tree before I check Target.  It starts out minty and tingly then tastes kinda sweet (and not minty) later.

L'Oreal Extra-Intense liquid pencil eyeliner in Plum:  I blogged that this is a recent fav & I found this too at Dollar Tree.  I since found out this shade is discontinued & went back to Dollar Tree to find it with no luck.  I'll have to try another few stores around here.  This eyeliner is like a soft creme in a pencil & the purple I'm totally in LOVE with.  I'd never used purple eyeliner before this & now I'm hooked.  I'm wearing my ELF Creme Eyeliner in purple right now with this on my waterline.

Lastly we have NYC nail polishes....I'll post a pic below because I have a few & don't want to use individual pics for each shade.  I haven't tried these yet because I'm waiting on my Zoya stuff to come in.  I can tell you that the pic below has one shade, Big Money Frost #118, that was picked up at a later date with some Pure Ice polishes and I totally forgot I didn't get them with my Christmas stuff. Anywho, we have....Purple Pizzazz Frost #133, French Tip White #134, Empire State Blue #140, the green color, and White Lights Glitter #101A.  I am excited to get to try these and once I do, I'll post swatches and stuffs.  These were purchased at Wal-Mart for like $0.94 which is a lil bit less than ELF.  Not to mention there's more shades than ELF has. 

The pic above was taken with my cam, sorry for the flash.  I may do a blog/pic post of all of my nail polishes once my Zoya stuff comes in.

Overall, I'm happy with the things I picked out & really shocked at how much I like most of it.  Especially since all but 3 items were $1.00 or less.  I forgot to mention the toe separaters(sp?) from the Target dollar bin, and the hat/headband things from Wal-Mart that were like $1.00 or $1.50.  

TOODLES Y'ALL!!!