the weather outside is frightful

We have reached the darkest of days. And I yearn to hibernate.

Once it gets close to nine in the evening I'm much too out of it to do anything. 

Crochet puts me to sleep. German? Forget about it.

Feels like lost time.

But I always try to look on the bright side.

In a week it will all be in reversal. 

This moment is fleeting.

I finally tried out my first half moon manicure after being inspired by the mercurial magpie.

 One word of caution though, don't use the plastic binder reinforcements, pain in the ass!

That's what I get for pinching work supplies (；一_一) 

It all worked out so wonderfully in the end though.

Essie - Gold as Gold & OPI - Incognito in Sausalito 

----

This mani I actually named - Snowfall at Twilight

Nail Pattern Boldness - Texas Tea is AMAZING!! 

This is only TWO coats of a glitter sensation. There is zero pigment in the base. Mind blown.

The colours remind me of Christmas lights, and the iridescent blue flakies lend the perfect glow.

Completely and utterly in love. 

I stamped with Bundle Monster & A-England Excalibur.

I think snowflakes have to be my favourite Christmasy theme. 

I'm not a big Christmas person. Every year that goes by it feels less and less special.

What I wouldn't do just to be able to sleep until the new year.

Ipsy December Glam Bag

I recently signed up with Ipsy , a monthly make up subscription box. 

For $15 ($10 in the US) you get 5 items picked out for you in a cute little bag. 

I didn't exactly know what to expect, but I'm impressed.

Now I'm not a beauty blogger, nor do I aspire to be, so I just have a couple photos and that's it.

In my bag...

Nicka K New York - Ripe Apple

Pop Bauty - Brighten Up Your Life (ha!) Eye Shadow Trio in Naturally Bare

Be A Bombshell - The One Stick in Girl Crush

Nxy - Extra Creamy Round Lipstick in B52

Demeter - Perfume Oil Roll On in Snow

Well I love the eye shadow that will brighten up my life. 

Still waiting for that, but the copper tones look great with my green eyes. Score!

The One Stick I will NEVER use on my lips, since it's frosted bright pink. 

However it's a very natural blush on my fair face. Score!

The lipstick is nice and subtle, creamy understated sophistication. Hat trick!

The roll on oil in Snow wasn't my thing at first. But after wearing it for a few hours it really grew on me.

The oil is such a wonderful, mellow scent experience, I like it a lot. 

In fact... I've already ordered another one of their scents. Major score!

And the Nicka K Nail Polish? (Have you ever heard of them before??)

Well here's a swatch for you. 

Perfect shade for the holidays!

I did another snowy-ish stamp job with it and some Northern Lights Topcoat.

I must have tempted fate because a day after painting this it snowed.

And it doesn't do that all the time here. I'm loving it, it's so beautiful.

But soon enough it will all be slushy disgusting. Yay. (._.)

Puddle jumping my way to my Saturday overtime.

What fun.

jeebjeeb

Jesus is Just Alright With Me

Hey all,

Yesterday was a strange day for me.

The first family gathering since my grandmother's memorial.

The conclusion of which was my acceptance of her ashes.

It's like some crappy coming of age moment.

Trying to come to terms with a 2.5 lb plastic canister that used to be so much more.

But it is better to have loved and lost.

I'm glad I'm experiencing all these thoughts and feelings.

It meant I felt. A great deal.

I wanted to do something my Nana would really like.

She was a good Christian woman, so only Jesus would do.

I was going for a Jesus meets Barbie theme. Barry M - Grapefruit was exactly the pink I needed.

The flowers remind me of sheets Nana had, which I didn't even realize till a day after painting.

All the stamping is done with Konad polish. I used MoYou Artist Plate 12 & BM224.

For that extra dose of wonder I added Northern Lights Topcoat.

I love how this manicure turned out.

I am not a practising Christian, there's definitely an element of humour to this.

But I absolutely mean no disrespect in any way.

I just want to send my Nana a message from beyond the grave.

I love you.

I've been playing this song the last few days. 

Even got it stuck in Lucas' head ヽ(^。^)ノ

So for your listening pleasure, I bring you, The Doobie Brothers

I hope everyone has a good Remembrance Day tomorrow.

I will be pondering life's big questions.

Take it easy.

jeebjeeb

The Dangers of Drinking - Barry M Gradient

Hey all,

This time I have two hidden gems for you.

Barry M - Grapefruit & Plum

I have been lusting after these polishes for a long time.

Too many amazing bloggers have done incredible manicures with Barry M's Gelly polishes.

Once I realized I could get them at Ninja Polish, it was only a matter of time.

I find their bottles incredibly aesthetically pleasing 

I knew I had to do a gradient with them right away. 

And I just purchased my first bottle of Konad special stamping polish.

So this is what happened...

My concept for this manicure is The Dangers of Drinking

Skulls accented by a shot of tequila, salt and a lime

Inspired by a recent hangover, and the plain truth.

Do you think the theme works?

The Barry M's were a delight to work with. Super opaque and vivid.

Great for gradients. I must add to my collection :)

I added a generous layer of Northern Lights Holographic Topcoat

Which never requires any justification at all.<3

I don't know about you, but the bottles really do it for me. 

The lines, the minimalism. My god. Perfection.

On the Turntable...

Today I have Nine Nine Nine - The Biggest Prize in Sports

If you look in my grade 6 year book you'll find 999 listed as one of my favourite bands.

And this album in particular was always my favourite.

I used to listen to it over and over again on my Walkman tape player.

I recorded the tape from this album. Then later I bought the cd.

Now it's on my ipod. Any format you want, I got it!

Oddly enough, this is the only album I can say that about.

I never realized how much I loved it.

Unfortunately I couldn't find any live performances of songs from this album. (dammit youtube!) So this will have to do.

Listening to this made me realize where my early love of the bass came from. 

Enjoy!

The clouds have come rolling in but it's still so lovely outside. I'm going to stay in and take it easy.

Giant blister on the bottom of my foot popped yesterday :P

I've been walking funny. And unfortunately I walk a lot.

Have a great weekend and an awesome manicure!

jeebjeeb

Stamp Sandwich

 Hey all,

Happy humpday.

What have you been up to?

I've been trying to crochet but the summer heat has made my baby blanket project much less appealing. 

In December it will be perfect. But right now, ugh. Don't touch me! Instant sweat.

A few years ago I switched to friendship bracelets in the summer. I should get on that again. It's been too long.

Since it's been so bright and beautiful I wanted the same for my manicure.

I started out with Zoya - Purity and topped it with Northern Lights.

I thought this was pretty damn fantastic all on it's own, but I had to continue. 

I wanted floral and squishy. So I stamped with Zoya - Raven

And then covered it in two coats of Zoya - Paloma

I love Paloma. I dyed my hair this colour when I was 15. 

It's probably my favourite shade of pink.

This reminds me of a Hawaiian shirt.

What do you think? 

Lately I've really been getting back into my record collection. Yep, good old fashion vinyl. There's something so special about records. The sound quality is so ...amazing. Fuller and richer than any digital file or CD (do people still listen to CD's? ...other than my friend Shade?) Even the sound dust makes adds to the overall experience. Sigh. I'm besotted. 

So I thought I would honour my love and collection with...

On the Turntable...

Adam and the Ants - Kings of the Wild Frontier 

I love this album. So much fun. Pirate songs. Cowboy songs. Adam's... quite a character.

But my favourite song is neither of those. I don't really know how to describe it.

"Ant music for sex people, sex music for ant people"?

And what does "Dirk wears white socks" have to do with anything?
Don't be Square be There is absurd, goofy, and has GREAT bass guitar. (drooling)
And for those reasons this has always been my number #1 on this awesome album.

Like Adam says, you might not like it now, but you will.

Enjoy!

Have a great week and an awesome manicure!

jeebjeeb

Jamaican Mon-icure

Hey all,

Happy Monday :|

How was your weekend?

I didn't finish my crochet project as I'd hoped. I spent too much time zoned out on the net :P

But it was worth it and not a complete waste of time. So new goal, finish project by end of the week.

I'm pretty leisurely when the projects are only for me. I actually started this one in June of last year. :S

Thankfully I was able to complete a manicure.

I did a lovely tape job using the other Nubar polishes from the same collection as My New Obsession

And I couldn't resist topping it with Northern Lights topcoat.

I have a feeling this is going to happen quite often :)

But after all that I didn't feel that the manicure was done yet.

3 colours and glitter, but just not satisfied.

So I decided I had to try water spotted nails

But I was in one of those incredibly ambitious AND lazy moods.

I re-watched some tutorials and was totally ready for a new challenge.

Except I didn't have any spray hand sanitiser (as most tutorials call for) and I was too lazy to go to the store.

Instead I searched my bathroom for anything in a spray container with alcohol as the main ingredient.

And viola! Lucas' old and unused hair spray! I was saved!

Well... maybe not. 

Here's a warning for you. If you are going to attempt the water spotted technique do not use an aerosol can.

I either sprayed too little or waaaaay too much, obliterating the polish. 

I should have known better. But I was determined to see it through.

 Despite my frustrations, I like it. I'm satisfied. manicure complete. 

What do you think? Did I ruin a perfectly good tape up?

 I'd have to say my favourite finger is the thumb on the right.
That was the first one I did and it looks the most like a true water spotted.
I used Sally Hansen - Blackout, Nubar - On the Radar, Resort Yellow & Into the Wild and Northern Lights.

Everyone at work commented on how Jamaican my colours were.
So that's why I named it my Jamaican Mon-icure.
And to continue with that theme...

Muse-ic

Of course I have to pick a Bob Marley tune.
But I never pick the obvious, no matter how much I love Jamming or I Shot the Sheriff.
Did you know before Bob was the king of rasta he was a teen hearthrob?
I didn't learn this till I recently watched Marley a documentary from 2012.
That's why I love documentaries. You learn so much!
Like Bob Marley and the Wailers covering American teen songs and infusing them with ska flavour in 1963!
Enjoy!

Have a great week and an awesome manicure!

jeebjeeb

7 Deadly Sins Challenge - Greed

Hey all,

It's that time again!

7 Deadly Sins Challenge! This week - Greed

Inspirations - Use your most expensive and precious polish & more is more.

On the top of my precious list is Enchanted Polish.

So I knew I had to do a Greed Gradient

I sponged the gradient over black, Zoya Raven, to make the polish pop

And since more is more, I topped it of with Northern Lights holographic topcoat to give it a little extra somethin-somethin

These polishes already contain this type of sparkle, so the topcoat is indistinguishable from the polish.

But my lord how it amps it up! 

I used Enchanted Polish - Mean Mr. Mustard & Magical Mystery Tour.

They are some of the priciest in my collection, but it's their uniqueness that makes them the most precious.

That and their Beatles song names :) 

Nothing more beautiful than polishes in sunset

I love these two together. When MMT is flashing purple it's like I have Hulk nails! 

And when it's flashing Teal, Mr. Mustard looks much more gold.

What do you think?

I hope everyone has a good Friday tomorrow. Any weekend plans?

I'm so close to finishing my crochet project, I'm so excited!

My goal is to get it done this weekend, but I'll have to do some serious stitching.

Be sure to checkout the other awesome Greed manicures below!

Have an awesome weekend and an amazing manicure.

jeebjeeb