Cirque Vesuvius

I have managed to acquire quite a few Cirque nail polishes.  I have worn a couple of them and really loved them all but this one was special I didn’t want to take it off and I did wear it for about five days.  It wore so well I just love this polish.  The formula was great.  It dried fast.  I wasn’t real opaque so I did use three coats but I didn’t care because it was just so darn pretty.  This is definitely one of my new favorite indies and I got two glitter toppers that were beautiful.  I will post them this week I need to crop them.  I wish I had someone to do the cropping for me and all I had to worry about was writing the posts.  I used to post a lot more but going back and looking at what I was posting well, let’s just say I wish I could have some redos.

You can buy Cirque polishes at their website Cirque Nail Polish.  This particular polish was on the high end costing $15.00 but some are $13.00.  I do want to say the shipping is not high and you get your polishes really fast.  I think the turnaround time is about 3-4 days which I really liked.

Ciao for now,

Patty

Editorial.........Stop the Madness!

I just wanted to write about some thoughts I had that have turned into a positive experience.   I suffer from cystic acne.  Early in this blog, I wrote about it.   About two weeks ago, I started ti have a breakout.  I decided to change my skin care products but who was going to be telling me what to use?  The lady behind the Clinique counter? What's her training?  Does she really know what my skin needs?  No!  She is just going to sell me their three step program and that has never worked on my skin.  So, I put all my skincare products and my makeup bases in a bag and headed to the dermatologist, who one is not trying to send me a load of makeup and is really going to treat my problem.  She gave me samples of a a creme, which I think is great because you never know with those things.  It did irritate my skin so she called in some clindagel, which had worked in the past a low dose antibiotic.  Total cost: $62.00.  I think I would have spent a lot more money if I had just gone to the makeup counter.  I did ask what cleanser to use and she said that the Neutogena was fine. Then I asked what makeup was good, she basically told me all makeup can cause a breakout.  She recommended that when I use makeup. Take it off as soon as possible and just use a thin layer of the clindagel.  So, now I am on a quest for a different makeup.  I've been using Clinique but I've gotten some samples of some other ones and I think I found what I want.  I'll let you know

Ciao,
Patty

Mish Mash Challenge Grey

Grey is a nice color but in nature it just seems to mean rain is coming or is here. So, I tried to spruce up this manicure I used Nars Storm for the pinkie, middle and pointer finger with Lynderella’s Connect the Dots.  Then I did two fishtail/braided accent nails.  I just used a lighter grey and white.  This was simple and a design you can use with any color. 

So, that is my manicure for this challenge.  Let’s see what the other girls did.

What I wore with this……….

I have to say this summer was a TOTAL bummer to me.  There was no trip to the beach or anything.  Just homebound because of my husband’s Achilles surgery and I was pretty home bound because he was on Percocet and could not be left alone.  If you are in a relationship with a man you know what babies they are when they are sick.  Well, my husband is no different except he tries to do things he shouldn’t.   It is like taking care of a toddler.  At least my first husband just laid down moaning.  I would just get him to sleep and he was fine but this one no.  So, I had bought my summer wardrobe and never got to wear it.  I think I was able to wear 1/3 of it.  So, I did buy a lot of nail polish.  I just posted my August haul.  One day I was stir crazy, one of my girlfriends called and they were getting together for lunch a wanted me there.  My husband promised to be good and encouraged me to go I jumped up and grabbed the first shirt in my closet and got to painting.   So, this is what I came up with.

The Shirt

I used OPI Did You Ear About Van Gogh.  Then the first stamping plate I got Konad 48.  (I think everyone has that plate and if you are thinking of stamping this is the most recommended plate).  I used Konad Orange and Magenta polishes for the designs.  Now the shirt wasn’t too special but pair it up with a nice mani and you’ve got a great look.

Ciao for Now,

Patty

Mish Mash Challenge Holographic

This was a fast manicure I did today since I am not feeling well.  I used Jade psycodelica and Magica to create the gradient but used stripping tape at the top of the nail to show the gradient a little more proximately.  This is really easy to recreate and looks like you put some effort into it when really it wasn’t that hard.  I did have something else planned but this little cold front came across Houston and it kicked my hips.  So, next week I know I have something really cool and I can’t wait for you all to see it.  Oh, I forgot to say this manicure with the gradient and laser tape can be done with any type of polish, I think it would look really cool with a duochrome.  I have seen some really nice ones from ILNP, KB Shimmer and Ludurana.  So, if you love duochromes like me you can try this another one to try is one with a glitter base and a crème top.  China glaze has put out some really nice glitters for X-Mas I just know you have to put a top coat on the glitter before you laser tape and you can use two or three colors on the top that would look really cool.  I think I will do some of these so you can see them.  I might even try one with……texture.  So, that is all for today.   Maybe some of you have seen this manicure and it is old news but for some it might be new so I am just here to say it easy not hard at all and you will see a couple come from me before the end of the year.  Now let’s see what great creations the other girls came up with I already saw one and it is beautiful.

Deborah Lippman Wicked

In honor of the 10th anniversary of the wickedly wonderful play Wicked Deborah Lippman captured the colors of the play and I have to say she hit the nail on the head.  If you haven’t seen the play it is the preclude to The Wizard of Oz and how the wicked witch became so mean and green.  If you saw this year’s story of The Wonderful and Powerful OZ., they just jive I really wish they would have kept it in line with Wicked but whatever is going to make money that is what we get but this is to celebrate Wicked and the three wonderful characters in Wicked. 

So, the names of the polish are named after the songs in the play this one is called Popular sung by Glinda, the good queen, when she was young while the character represented sweetness.  There were times I just wanted to strangle her this pink is perfect for Gliinda.  Now, this polish is a jelly.  I love the way jellies look but I hate the dry time on them.  This one had a miraculously fast dry time.  (Wish this formula was on Daytripper).  I was blindsided but it has a bluish shimmer.

 

The pink is called Popular and represents the blonde squeaky clean blonde roommate of Elphaba

This is called Defying Gravity that wonderfully powerful song sung by Elphaba.  The formula on this is just like a lip gloss.  It went on so smooth.  I only used one coat and it did not need anymore.

The glitter topper which of course represents the city of Oz is called One Short Day.  This is not a chunky glitter and goes on like the the green with glitter. 

I am so glad I ordered this set.  THe formulas are like nothing I’ve ever seen from Deborah Lippmann.  I got this set at Nordstrom.  It cost $29.00.  The bottles are little but that is ok because every color except for Popular needs only on coat.  I used three coats on Popular but you could get by with two.  If you like these colors or know someone who does buy it for or give it as a gift.  It is funny.  I just saw a  commercial for the anniversary of Wicked.   I saw it around two years ago with my niece and we both wore green nail polish but if it comes to town again I’ll be there wearing one of these polishes.  

Ciao for now,

Patty

Mish Mash Challenge Pink

Our Challenge this week was to create a pink manicure so rather that just finding a really pretty pink.  I decided to paint all my nails pink and use a different technique on each nail.  I started with Cult Nails Enticing a pink jelly, on the pinkie I just dotted with Zoya Joy and China Glaze Platinum Silver.  The ring finger has a coat of Model’s Own Hot Stuff, the middle finger has a braid since the pink is a jelly it would work for a braid so I used OPI’s Mod About You and the China Glaze Silver.  The pointer finger is stamped with the new bundle monster plates BM 406.  Then on the thumb I used a dotting tool to make flowers. (these came out much better than last weeks) and that was it.  It was fun doing it because each nail has something different but using only three basic colors.

So, this my offering for challenge.

Ciao bellas,

Patty

KB Shimmer Press Release

Sunday, October 27, 2013

A Special Press Release - KBShimmer Winter 2013 Collections

Check out the full press release below including photos and descriptions of all 22 new polishes!

KBSHIMMER ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF TWENTY-TWO NEW POLISHES

KBShimmer Winter Polish Line Set For Release November 1st, 2013

KBShimmer is excited to announce the addition of 22 new colors to their 3-Free glitter 
polish line. Owner Christy Rose says “This winter, we are set to release the largest 
amount of new polishes to date. We were honored to work with a great group of bloggers 
to create a stunning set of winter and holiday inspired polishes. These eleven polishes will 
release alongside additional polishes designed by KBShimmer to capture the joy, color 
and wonder that surrounds us all.”

The blogger collection includes three glitter top coats, four sparkling jellies, two glitter 
creally polishes, one matte, and one shimmering cream. “We are launching eleven unique 
polishes that capture the feelings of winter and the winter holidays. Each blogger had a 
different idea, and it was so fun working with them to create a polish that told their story.” 
says Rose.

Returning this year a charity polish. “Kringle All The Way is this year’s charity polish. 
$4 from each bottle will be used to purchase toys for Toys For Tots. Last year we raised 
over $800 and we hope to top that this year!” says Rose. “In addition to several holiday 
and winter themed polishes, we are also excited to release our first set of multi-chrome 
and linear holographic polishes. We think that this release is our most exciting to date!” 
All 22 polishes are set for release Friday, November 1st at KBShimmer.com and will  
retail for $8.75 for a 15 ml bottle. KBShimmer will also be offering free priority shipping 
through 12/31 for all orders over $50.

KBSHIMMER – BLOGGER 2013 COLLECTION
Christmas Now - Crystal from Crystal’s Crazy Combos – A green jelly with multi-colored 
squares, circles, and stars.  3 Coats Recommended

Green Hex And Glam – Kayla from Kayla Shavonne - A forest green jelly with holographic 
hex glitters. Best in 3 coats.

I’d Rather Be With Blue – Lisa from Cosmetic Sanctuary - A light blue is a matte polish 
with subtle iridescent shimmer sparkles like the snow. 2 Coats Recommended

Snow Much Fun - Victoria from The Manicurator - A light blue jelly with light blue holo glitter, 
white glitters in several sizes and finishes, a sprinkling of micro holographic glitter, 
and white snowflake glitter. 3 Coats Recommended

Merry Pinkmas – Cris from Let Them Have Polish - A light cotton candy pink polish featuring red, 
green and neon glitters in a variety of shapes. 2-3 Coats Recommended

Plum Tuckered Out – Sheila from Pointless Café - A rich plum color with blue shimmer. 
2 - 3 Coats Recommended

Toast-ess With The Mostest - Valesha from Peachy Polish - A clear glitter topper loaded with 
glitters in shades of gold, silver and pink in circles and hex shapes to mimic champagne. 
1 Coat Recommended

I Only Have Ice For You – Sarah from Chalkboard Nails - Clear top coat with shimmering white 
flakes and holographic glitters. 1 Coat Recommended

Strung Out- Jackie from Candy Coated Tips - A black jelly polish with circle “light” glitters in gold, 
silver, green, blue, red. 1-2 Coats Over Black Recommended

Sand In My Stocking – Jen The PolishAholic - A golden toned sand inspired polish with pops of 
orange, aqua, and holographic stars. 1 Coat Recommended

Will Yule Marry Me? – Chelsea from The Nail Network - A navy blue creally with sparkling
 silver holo circle and hex holo glitter. 2 Coats Recommended

KBSHIMMER – Winter 2013 COLLECTION
Kringle All The Way- 2013 Toys For Tots Charity Polish - A glitter top with circle glitters in 
red, green, and silver. 1 Coat Recommended

All Elf’d Up - A white creally with hex glitters and micro slices in red, green and sliver. 
3 Coats Recommended

Snow Flaking Way - A deep indigo jelly base with violet and sky blue holographic glitters and
 sliver holographic snowflakes. 3 Coats Recommended

When The Doves Sigh - A warm gray creally filled with fuchsia circles, square and hex glitters. 
Turquoise, sapphire, and chrome hexes, micro slices and circles swim among micro holographic 
sparkles. 2 Coats Recommended

Pigment of Imagination - This multi-chrome polish shifts depending on the angle and the light, from 
blue, to purple, to red, and more. 1 Coat over Black or 3 Coats Alone Recommended

Myth You Lots (Holographic) - Similar in shift to Pigment of Imagination, this multi-chrome also
 has a linear holo! 1 Coat over Black or 3 Coats Alone Recommended

Shade Shifter - A multi-chrome polish that changes depending on light and angle from cyan, to 
blue, to red orange, to purple, and more. 1 Coat over Black or 3 Coats Alone Recommended

Rollin’ With The Chromies (Holographic) - Similar in shift to Shade Shifter, this multi-chrome also
 has a linear holo! 1 Coat over Black or 3 Coats Alone Recommended

Urban Camo - A multi-chrome polish that shifts from a pretty pistachio green, to a bright green, to 
silver, to a soft pink almost lavender color depending on the light and viewing angle. 1 Coat over Black
 or 3 Coats Alone Recommended

Pretty in Punk (Holographic) - Similar in shift to Urban Camo, this multi-chrome also has a 
linear holo! 1 Coat over Black or 3 Coats Alone Recommended

Maybe Navy - A deep blue polish is filled with shimmering flakes. 2-3 Coats Recommended

On Sale And Shipping November 1, 2013

KBShimmer products can be found at http://www.KBShimmer.com 

For sales outside of the US visit http://www.HarlowandCo.org

KBShimmer was founded in 2008 by the husband and wife team of Jason and Christy Rose. 
KBShimmer offers unique and colorful nail glitter nail polishes that are Big 3 Free, with all
 glitter formulas being completely free of chemicals such as toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde
 resin and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). KBShimmer glitter polishes feature a flat glitter 
grabbing brush for easy application. KBShimmer also offers a 2-free quick dry polish top coat, 
olive oil lotion, sugar scrubs, lip balms, cold process soaps and other skin care products.

If you would like more information about KBShimmer, contact Christy Rose by 
emailing sales@kbshimmer.com or visiting http://www.KBShimmer.com.

Sephora X

(This post is kind of dedicated to The Polishaholic)

I have to ask myself where have I been when I let a polish like this pass me by.  Yesterday The Polishaholic did her usual Saturday spam and I thought crap.  Now, I can’t do this post.  I mean let’s face it when she does a post on a nail polish do some of you ever just say, “Oh, well.  I’ll do mine later.”  because she gets all the new stuff.  I don’t know anyone who doesn’t read her blog.  This is how I feel she’s the queen and I am a lowly servant.  I would love to meet her.  She seems like a really nice person.  I love that she is on Facebook and is oblivious that some of us actually like admire her so much.  If you have blog you know how hard she works and it seems like she does it with ease and then has time to be on Facebook at night offering her advise or just getting along with the other girls.  I don’t see any of the other big bloggers doing that.   She seems to be the type of girl that you could go to the mall with and she would tell you if something looks good or bad on you.  She might even spot you  a ten if you needed some extra money for a really cool nail polish.  So, the reason I am saying this is because when it comes to glitter toppers she always is spot on but I kind of think that my combo is up to her standards so I am pretty proud of this combination. 

I was wearing Zoya’s Cassedy which in itself is a gorgeous color.  It is a greenish gray.  It slides on like a glove and of course stays on for a while.  While I was there the sales girls showed me the Sephora X line.

I looked at the Xpolosives line and saw Bionic which is what I decided to buy a couple of days later since I came home and could not find anything like Bionic.  I got it home and started swatching it on the Zenith line which I did buy the whole box because all of them are beautiful.  When I put it on Cassedy I was thinking wow this looks good.  So, take a look and tell me what you think.

The top three were taken outside.  The bottom two were taken in the light box.  I really liked the way this ring looked with this manicure.

So, this is how I decided to pair them up.  I think they looked really pretty and did get a lot of compliments even from the hubby.  The formula on this glitter polish is extraordinary.  It goes on great without fish and without minimal arrangement on the nails of the glitter.   I really like it.  Is it possible that the big companies are moving into the indie territory and how is this going to affect the small companies doing great but with more big companies like Sephora, Maybelline who ran an indie looking collection, Revlon and Hard Candy all producing what we love about indies.  I don’t know but I think there is room for everyone.  That would be like only have six clothing lines so I think indies are ok.  By the way if you read Polishaholic’s blog today it seems that KB Shimmer is coming out with a line that is a collaborative effort between herself and the big bloggers Jen from Polishaholic showed her collaboration today it is called Sand in My Stockings and is a beautiful glitter topper.  They will be up for order on November 1,2013 at KB Shimmer so save some of your money for that.  I know I am since I got no promotional samples but I know this is a Blogger Collection so maybe samples only went to the big bloggers oh, well, I will be ready to buy.

So, I hope you like this and try out or at least check out those Sephora glitter toppers.  They cost $12.50 and are sold in the store.  Keep an eye out in your mail for Sephora’s 20% off coupon.  It will be good for November 8 –11, 2013.  I will look into seeing if I can post the code.  I am not sure it might show excessive charges on my card and then everyone would lose that 20% off.  So, let me investigate and see if I can publish the code they are different, so if you got one great.  If not, all you have to do is register on Sephora’s website and you will automatically start getting reward points plus you will get your own coupon code but somehow I can’t help thinking everyone has one.

So, Ciao for now and don’t forget to check us tomorrow for our Mish Mash Challenge which is Pink.  I already did mine so it will be done on time.  I am starting to get good at meeting deadlines.  Yeah!

Patty

Mish Mash Challenge Rainbow

Who doesn’t love a rainbow.  To me it always meant hope for another day but a beautiful sunny day after a couple of days of rain.  I love when you can actually see three in the sky.  So, this was a special post considering all I have been through my rainbow came in the form of a good treatment plan for my I Fibromyalgia and Hypothyrodism.  I got my first shot today and I am hurting a little but I have been feeling better, everything has just been better and my dark clouds are going away.

So, this was really a pretty easy manicure.  I only used three colors from Zoya, Song, Elisa and Darcy.  I started with two coats of Darcy and then got a piece of makeup sponge.  In the middle I put on Darcy at the bottom of the sponge I placed red making sure that some of it went over the yellow.  On top of the other part of the yellow I placed blue making sure some of it went over the yellow then finally on top of the blue I placed a thin line of the red.  Carefully I sponged it on my whole nail and Voila! a rainbow.  You can also do it in two parts where you do the bottom first and then the top and really if you are new to gradiants that is probably the easiest way to do it.  I just did the whole thing because I did not think of the two way until I was finished.  So if you like it make sure to check the facebook thumbs up.

Then I stamped with Pueen plate 05. 

So let’s see what the rest of the girls did.

Ciao bellas,

Patty

Mish Mash Challenge Flowers

Everyone loves flowers sometimes I think they are nature’s gift to bring a smile to our faces.  I love getting flowers the only thing I hate is when they die.  I wish it was different.  My favorite flowers are daisies and sterling silver roses.  I’ve never really had a garden big enough for flowers, I had a really green thumb because I did take botany and genetics for my biology degree.  Right now, I usually just grow herbs, I don’t live in California but if I did.  Well…. let’s just say my Fibromyalgia would be well under control.  But if I had a garden I surely would grow flowers but somehow I think Goldie would decided that the flowers would be the best place to go do her business.  She likes this one flower bush and the community rosemary bush.  She is so funny. 

So, I did do one manicure with a dotting tool and flowers and just thought they looked a little too much like my niece did them.  I need some more practice.  So I did use a bundle monster plate from the third set.  All sets of stamping plates have flowers so that is easy to find this particular one is BM224.  The base color is Essie’s Parka Perfect.  I really should have taken a picture of that before I stamped just forgot.  I stamped with Konad special polish in magenta and the dots are done with KB Shimmer’s The Grape Beyond and Nubar’s Faded Putty.
















So, that is my offering.  Let’s see what the other girls did.
Ciao for now,
Patty