Digit-al Dozen: 5 Days, 5 Continents North American Artist

Greetings and Nailutations!

Why hello there!  It is a Digit-al Dozen week and our theme this week is 5 Continents.  This theme threw me for a loop and I kept trying to think of I wanted to do for each continent.  I finally decided on artists and my husband selected the North American artist Georgia O'Keefe - my husband loves Sante Fe style art.  She did some amazing macros of flowers, adobe homes, mountains and skylines.  I was drawn to one of her skyline images called Sky Above The Flat White Cloud II (mostly because I knew I could do the look with my simple nail art skills).

Now let's get to the details!

Digit-al Dozen: Black Zebra Print

Greetings and Nailutations!

I am back with another Digit-al Dozen week!  The theme this week is black.  What I love about Digit-al Dozen is that each theme can be interpreted in so many different ways.  For me this week I was focused ONLY on the color black.  I had to really push myself looking at different finishes and techniques.

Now let's get to the mani!

12 Day of Polish Giveaway: Day 3 It Girl Nail Art, Mrs P's Potions and Nails Redesigned

Greetings and Nailutations!

*Nothing to Disclose*
It's Day 3 of 12 Days of Polish Giveaway and today's prizes do not include polish so this mean - it's INTERNATIONAL!!  That's right - I will ship this prize internationally.

I love nail art and my favorite stamping plates are from It Girl Nail Art - the images are etched perfectly, the designs are so creative and she is always coming out with great new plates!  I had to include 3 plates from It Girl Nail Art.

I also had heard great thing about Mrs P's Potions cuticle balm.  It leaves my skin non-greasy and it smells delicious (pear).

The last portion of the prize are vinyls/decals from Nails Redesigned which were exclusive to the Indie Shop Event.

Rules:
Must be 18+, US only when the prizes contain polish.  There will be 1 international prize.  I am not responsible for the prizes once they leave my possession.  Prizes will ship a few days after each giveaway ends.  Winners will be contacted through email & displayed on this post through the rafflecopter widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka BeginNails

The Creepy Crelly Create and Halloween Manis

Greetings and Nailutations!

*Nothing to disclose*
The Creepy Crelly Crate is an adorable box that contains 5 polishes, a cuticle oil and a mani bomb all Halloween themed.  It is no longer available, but I figured I would share the swatches as well as the fun manis I created!

Now lets get to the manis!

Digit-al Dozen: Vampy Textured Pattern

Greetings and Nailutations,

I'm back with a textured pattern for the Digit-al Dozen theme: Vampy.  I was inspired by some dark and sultry velvet upholstry patterns.  Oh yes...sexy couches..haha!  I decided to tackle my nemesis - textured polish (I can't handle it for long periods of time on my nails - nails should be smooooooooth.).  I will admit that I loved the look - and I love the look of textured polish.  Maybe I can learn to love texture on my nails...(after a few glasses of wine).  And be sure to check the bottom of the post for some other vampy looks from my fellow Digit-al Dozen members!

3 Empties: Nails Redesigned Hand Scrub, Julep Body Milk and KB Shimmer Mani Shot

Greetings and Nailutations,

It's another installment of 3 empties, where I review 3 products I have used up and express my opinion on how well they worked, how they smelled, their packaging and if I'd make a repeat purchase.

Mitty Easy Peel Off Mani Tape Review

Greetings and Nailutations!

*Press Sample*
Today I am sharing a new product from Mitty - Easy Peel Off Mani Tape.  This product isn't like anything I have ever tried.  Easy Peel Off Mani Tape is very flexible and almost like a "second skin."  It's purpose is to help clean up after nail art that has the possibility to get all over your skin.  It completely conforms to your surrounding nail to make clean up a breeze. They come in an assortment of colors and ship from Australia.

Now let's get to some manis!

March Mani Of The Month Box Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

Today I have the super late review of the March Mani Of The Month box which features products from Heather's Hues, Nails Redesigned and Northern Star Polish.  Marches's box had the theme of Hop Into Spring and it also had a special guest contributor of Mango Bunny Polish.  Each box features a full size polish, a mini polish and assorted extra glitter all from Heather's Hues, an assortment of nail vinyl decals and Swarovski crystals and nail care items from Nails Redesigned and assorted products from Northern Star Polish (polish, nail care items and nail art iems).

This box came with bunny, daisy decals/vinyls, and rhinestones all from Nails Redesigned, and Northern Star base coat, top coat and cuticle oil in the scent of Bunny Kisses and a full size thermal from Heather's Hues as well as a mini glitter shimmer polish.  The special guest contributor included a full size glitter crelly.

Now let's get to some swatches!

St Patrick's Day Nails Using Bliss Polish and Drip Drop Nail Paint

Greetings and Nailutations!

As we approach St Patrick's Day - the green festive manis will be showing their "tips!"  The next few blogs posts will be dedicated to green themed manis!  I'm also doing this with a group of gals, so be sure to check out their manis at the bottom!

I started with Bliss Polish The Pay Off, a green glitter jelly with green and gold hex glitters as my main base.  I decided to make a pinky accent of Drip Drop Nail Paint's Gold Veined Mirrors.  I topped it with HK Girl Top Coat from Glisten and Glow and let dry.  I loved the base so much I had to take a photo of it and a macro and a brush shot!

Then I decided to add a gold accent design using Nails Redesigned stencil and Drip Drop Nail Paint's Gold Veined Mirrors.  My top coat here is Heather's Hues Heart of the Matter - because one must matte all the jellies!

Do you have your nail color or outfit picked out for St Patrick's Day?  Are you ready?  Be sure to check out all the amazing manis below that showcase St. Patrick's Day!

Happy Polishing,
Kristi aka @BeginNails

An InLinkz Link-up

It Girl IG108 Stamping Plate Review Part 2

Greetings and Nailutations,

*Press Sample*
Today I have the second installment of the new stamping plate from It Girl Nail Art.  There are 3 new plates available for purchase: IG107 (inspired by the art deco movement), IG108 (inspired by the Art Nouveau movement) and IG109 (features fine lines and intricate details).  You can also purchase all 3 for a great deal.  I'll be sharing the second half of the manis I created and my thoughts using IG108 plate in this post.  In addition to stamping plates, she also has scrapers with nail sizes on them (see below in the photo).

Now let's get to the manis!

It Girl IG108 Stamping Plate Review Part 1

Greetings and Nailutations,

*Press Sample*
Today I have a new stamping plate from It Girl Nail Art.  There are 3 new plates available for purchase: IG107 (inspired by the art deco movement), IG108 (inspired by the Art Nouveau movement) and IG109 (features fine lines and intricate details).  You can also purchase all 3 for a great deal.  I'll be sharing half the manis I created and my thoughts using IG108 plate in this post (the next post will have the second half of the manis).  In addition to stamping plates, she also has scrapers with nail sizes on them (see below in the photo).

Now let's get to the manis!

February Mani Of The Month Box Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

Today I have the February Mani Of The Month box which features products from Heather's Hues, Nails Redesigned and Northern Star Polish.  February's box had the theme of Bad Romance and it also had a special guest contributor of Savvy Naturalista.  Each box features a full size polish, a mini polish and assorted extra glitter all from Heather's Hues, an assortment of nail vinyl decals and Swarovski crystals from Nails Redesigned and assorted products from Northern Star Polish (polish, nail care items and nail art iems).

This box came with gold sparkly heart locks, silver glitter diamond decals and rose stencil vinyls, and rhinestones all from Nails Redesigned, and Northern Star base coat, top coat and cuticle oil in the scent of Decadent Chocolate and a full size thermal from Heather's Hues as well as a mini glitter shimmer polish.  The special guest contributor included 3 huge mani scrubs.

Now let's get to some swatches!

3 Empties: Nails Redesigned Cuticle Oil, Fortune Cookie Soap Solid Shampoo and L'occitane Moisturizer

Greetings and Nailutations,

It's another installment of 3 empties, where I review 3 products I have used up and express my opinion on how well they worked, how they smelled, their packaging and if I'd make a repeat purchase.

January Mani Of The Month Box Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

Today I have the January Mani Of The Month box which features products from Heather's Hues, Nails Redesigned and Northern Star Polish.  January's box had the theme of Alice In Winter Wonderland and it also had a special guest contributor of XO Soap Co.  Each box features a full size polish, a mini polish and assorted extra glitter all from Heather's Hues, an assortment of nail vinyl decals and Swarovski crystals from Nails Redesigned and assorted products from Northern Star Polish (polish, nail care items and nail art iems).

This box came with heart stencils and purple glitter tea cup decals and Vanilla Tea Cake cuticle oil all from Nails Redesigned, and Northern Star base coat, full size glitter topper and snowflake charms and a full size thermal from Heather's Hues as well as a mini of her top coat.  The special guest contributor included a teeny soap.

Now let's get to some swatches!

3 Empties: Nails Redesigned Sugar Scrub, CND Scentsations Lotion and KB Shimmer Mani Shot

Greetings and Nailutations,

It's another installment of 3 empties, where I review 3 products I have used up and express my opinion on how well they worked, how they smelled, their packaging and if I'd make a repeat purchase.  It's been some time since I have done one, so expect a few over the next 2-3 weeks to catch up on my box of empties that has been piling up!

Now let's get to those empties!

It Girl IG106 Stamping Plate Review Part 2

Greetings and Nailutations,

*Press Sample*
Today I have the second installment of stamping plate IG106 from It Girl Nail Art.  There are 3 new plates available for pre-order IG104, IG105 and IG106.  You an also purchase all 3 for a wonderful deal.

Now let's get to some manis!

Candy Drop Duo Trims The Tree

Greetings and Nailutations!

Today I have a Candy Drop Duo from Drip Drop Nail Paint (DDNP) and Candied Apple Polish (CAP)!  This was one of the December duos and the theme was the Candy Drops trim the tree.  This duo also came with some Christmas nail vinyls/stencils from Vinyl Quickies and soap from Glitter and Gratitude.

Now let's get to some swatches!

December Mani Of The Month Box Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

Today I have the December Mani Of The Month box which features products from Heather's Hues, Nails Redesigned and Northern Star Polish.  December's box had the theme of The Gift Box and also had a special guest of Dream Polish.  Each box features a full size polish, a mini polish and assorted extra glitter all from Heather's Hues, an assortment of nail vinyl decals and Swarovski crystals from Nails Redesigned and a few products from Northern Star Polish.

This box came with red glitter bow decals, swirl nail stencil designs and red and white crystals and a glass file all from Nails Redesigned, and Northern Star base coat, Classic Top Coat and cuticle oil in the scent of Candy Cane.  The special guest contributor included a cuticle oil in the scent of Sugar Cookies.

Now let's get to some swatches!

Indie Shop Event Experience

Greetings and Nailutations,

November 21st was a special (first of it's kind) event called the Indie Shop Event.  It was a chance for a group of indie brands (independent) to get together and showcase what they have to offer the folks in the surrounding nail community.  It was presented by Envy Lacquer, co-hosted by Bliss Polish, and took place in Southern California.  As some of you know, I live in the neighboring state and since my husband loves road trips, we decided to drive 5-6 hours for a long weekend.

After a fun day at Disneyland (photos 1 and 2 below), I met up with some amazing makers and polish loves at the hotel in the bar for a few drinks the night before.  Melody of Envy Lacquer, Yvette from Bliss Polish, Painted Polish by Lexi was there with her sister and Alice from Squishy Face Polish along with a few polish lovers (Mayra and Gen and one other whom I didn't catch her name..sorry!!) all joked and laughed and thought about playing drinking games to bad "polish words"....like Arminex.  (Two cookies if you get that joke!)

The next morning, I got up early and went downstairs to help set up the room.  I tried to be as helpful as I could without drooling.  I was amazed at the creativity of the tables and all the gorgeous colors being put on display.  I saw faces that matched with instagram accounts.  There was a little stress and panic, but the reassuring message of a line at the door made us all the more excited!  Below is Painted Polish by Lexi and Sea Lore Polish tables (photos courtesy of Mr. BeginNails).

Painted Polish set up - I really liked her presentation and the addition of lights to really show the sparkles.

Sea Lore Polish set up, she also had adorable bows/hair accessories.

Finally the doors opened (about 15 minutes late....SORRY!) and I saw girls walk in with wide eyes oohing and aaahing.  I heard screams of recognition, I saw hugs of brand owners caring about their customers, I saw kindness of customers admiring the beauty placed into a bottle...and I smelled....obviously polish.

Doors opened!  I am propping the one door open.  See, I am good for something!

Lavish Polish and the gorgeous product!

Stached Lacquer with her adorable table set up!

Melody (the planner) and her brand Envy Lacquer showing customers the love she places in each bottle.

Yvette, owner of Bliss Polish and her BoB's (Bliss'd Out Babes).

Lexi of Painted Polish and her sister.  

Lexi showing the sparkles of Painted Polish.

Sea Lore Polish and Poetry Cowgirl Polish talking to fellow polish addicts.

Yvette showing off the new collection of Bliss Polish.

Bad Bitch Polish up front (she sold out of most of her stuff) and Squishy Face Polish in back, updating her status about how great the event is going.

Sara from Nails Redesigned up front and the Nvr Enuff Polish owners toward the back.

I was given the opportunity to teach a demo during the event.  I wanted something easy and wanted to make it interactive.  I decided on water spotting and showed the gathering how to make nails look like turquoise (the stone).  My heart grew seeing folks learning a new technique and being excited about it.  I was also able to give out some prizes and coupons that some amazing folks sent me: Drip Drop Nail Paint, Polished Vino, CDB Lacquer, Heather's Hues, GG Indie Polish, Ellagee Polish, and Girlosity Cosmetics.

I came away with a HUGE haul of polishes (3 new to me brands: Poetry Cowgirl Polish, Bad Bitch Polish and Stached Lacquer) and some new friends!

Thanks for reading!  What polishes should I try first!?

Happy Polishing!Kristi aka @BeginNails

November Mani Of The Month Box Swatch and Review

Greetings and Nailutations,

Today I have the November Mani Of The Month box which features products from Heather's Hues, Dream Polish and Nails Redesigned.  Novembers's box had the theme of Thanks, Gracias, Merci and also had two guest contributors, Ever After Polish and Alter Ego Body Care Products.  Each box features a full size polish, a mini polish and assorted extra glitter all from Heather's Hues, a base coat, top coat in mini size and a nail care item from Dream Polish and an assortment of nail vinyl decals and Swarovski crystals from Nails Redesigned.  (Although this is the last month that Dream Polish will be a main contributor.  Dream Polish will still be around, but she has gotten so busy with her business she wants to place more focus on the expansion.)

This box came with brown feather vinyl decals, stripes and houndstooth designs and tan crystals all from Nails Redesigned, and Gem Stick base coat, Gem Glam top coat and Gem Glam Cuticle Oil in the scent of Grammy's Treats from Dream Polish.  The special guest contributors both included mini polishes.

Now let's get to some swatches!