12 Days of Christmas - Day 12

Hi guys!!
First of all let me say a very merry Christmas to everyone!!

Today is the final day of the challenge, I can't believe how fast it has gone! The prompt for today was Santa.
So here is what I came up with......

Santa was created by using a nude base on my  middle, ring and index finger. I then used Rio's nail art pens to create Santa's hats and face.
For my thumb and ring finger I used Barry M's Matte white and their limited edition christmas glitter.

Once again I hope you have a wonderful christmas!!

A x

Munchkin Mondays...

Happy Christmas eve everyone!!!

Today is the final festive edition of munchkin Monday.

Munchkin wanted candy canes and snowmen this time. So without further ado....

Base colour is Barry M's matte white and Rio nail art pens were used to add detail.

That's me done now!!! Just scheduled the final 12DoC post so I will be back after Christmas.

Happy holidays everyone!!

A x

12 Days Of Christmas - Day 11

I hope you're all prepared and ready for Christmas!! We went on the Santa train today with munchkin so we are well and truly in the Xmas spirit!! It never fails to put a lump in my throat when I remember how magical Christmas is for a child. I must admit I'm still like a child at Christmas, I can hardly sleep for excitement although nowadays it's mostly for my daughter than myself!!

Well onto the nails.....Today is the penultimate day of the 12 days of Christmas challenge and the prompt was tinsel.

I tried to recreate the look of tinsel wrapped around a tree with a Rio nail art pen, I then sprinkled with silver glitter and did an accent nail of a shard like silver glitter polish I picked up at the pound shop! My base colour was Barry M's raspberry, such a beautiful shade, these pictures really don't do it justice.

Don't forget to check out everybody elses tinsel nails!!

A x

12 Days of Christmas challenge - Day 10..

Hi guys!!

Well its Christmas eve eve today!!! 

It is also day 10 of the challenge, today's prompt is Elves, heres what I came up with....

Photos aren't perfect, but there's not very much natural light around here this time of year!!

Apart from being too impatient with my topcoat and smudging Mr Elf's eye I'm pretty pleased with how these turned out.

Polishes used were Barry M's silvery lilac and spring green. Rio nail art pens were then used to add the stripes and detail.

Don't forget to check out everybody elses elves....

A x

12 Days of Christmas challenge - Wreaths.

So today's Christmas challenge prompt is Wreath.

After I ruined my Saran wrap the last challenge I decided to recreate it and do it justice again for this challenge.

Here are my wreaths..........

I did the Saran effect using Barry M's spring green and watermelon. Once dried I stuck a page reinforcer on each nail and carefully went around it with Barry M's limited edition gold and then added the detail using my nail art pens.

So much happier with this mani than the last!! It's a shame I have to take it off so soon to do the rest of the challenges but I'm looking forward to them too!!

Don't forget to see how everybody else did on day 9....

A x

Festive nail art...

Hello Lovelys!!

I've had a couple of Christmas manis that I have been meaning to post for a while but kept getting side tracked.

The first is the most recent, I was so pleased with this mix and match I had it on for quite a while, the only reason I took it off was to do a challenge mani.

From right to left I did a gradient half moon, Saran wrap, glitter fade and stripe. My thumb (not pictured) was red and green water marbled.
I used Barry M's spring green, pomegranate and red glitter. Tools used were a make up sponge, cling film and striping tape.

The second mani I was so pleased with but looking back it's not all that great!! It was my first attempt at free hand and came about because I wanted to test out my new Barry M Gelly's.

The theme of this mani was ugly sweater....

Gelly's used were blue plum, pomegranate, watermelon and plum, The white is No7's Tip whitener and the design was done using a dotting tool and a cocktail stick.

Be sure to came back tomorrow for another instalment of the 12DoC challenge.

A x

12 days of Christmas challenge - Ornaments.

Hello lovelys! The 8th day of the challenge is upon us and today's prompt was "ornaments"

Now I had an idea in my head. It was going to be beautiful. I would Saran wrap my nails in 2 tones of green to give the effect of a Christmas tree, then using polish and nail art pens I would paint a series of interlocking baubles........ sound good??

This is what I ended up with.........

Not quite the look I was going for!! It was my own silly fault for not having a few trial runs with the nail art pens first but what with Christmas, a poorly munchkin and the usual joys of being a working mum I haven't had time, nor did I have time to re do the mani so alas, this shall have to do.

It all started so well I was ever so pleased with my Saran wrap...

But the baubles were just a disaster, oh well we can't win them all can we!

To do this mani I used Barry M's spring green, watermelon and raspberry. Then to do the mess detailing on the baubles I used Rio's professional nail art pens in black and white.

Check out everybody elses blogs to see how they got on with day 8

A x

Munchkin Mondays.

I hope everybody is having a lovely Monday, not long until Christmas now!!

Seeing as its that time of the year me and my munchkin have created another festive mani for you all today! This weeks mani is a Santa themed one. Munchkin loves it and "hopes it never comes off" I tried explaining to her that she'd look abit silly in July if she was still walking around with Santa nails.....She wasn't having any of it though!!

I love these, they look so cute!!

Santa and his hat were created using a dotting tool and the polishes used were. Barry M's black and pomegranate and No7's tip whitener.

I hope you like them!!

A x

12 Days of Christmas Challenge, Day 7

Wow! I don't know about you but I'm really starting  to feel christmassy!!

Today is day 7 of the challenge and the prompt was "Snowflakes" We haven't had any snow yet, lots of frost and ice but no snow. These snow flakes hit the spot though!!

I've been doing alot of manis with very bold, dark or vibrant colours recently and I wanted to tone it down a little and make it more delicate, I'm glad I did, I think the colours I chose go really well together and there was just the right amount of shimmer.

So here are my snowflakes.........

My horrendous photography really doesn't do this mani justice! 

All photos were taken in natural light and in the last one I tried to capture the lovely lilac shimmer in the snowflake.

I only used 2 polishes for this mani, Barry M's silvery lilac and Nails INC's Elizabeth street. A dotting tool was used to create the snowflakes and once they were dry I finished it all off with a coat of Seche Vite.

Don't forget to check out everybody elses snowflakes.

A x

12 Days of Christmas Day 6

Hi all!

Are we really halfway through already?!?


Before we get on to the nail art can I just give a big thank you to Pink & Polished and Over Polished for creating this challenge and giving me the opportunity to take part. I can safely say this will not be my last challenge. I've thoroughly enjoyed myself and although my nail art isn't going to win any awards I'm quite pleased with what I have achieved and feel as though I have progressed even in such a short time. So thank you Ladies, and thank you to my fellow challengers, you're all such a lovely bunch!!

So onto the nail art!!

Today's prompt was "Gifts". Easy peasy I thought......no!!

I was so pleased with my free handing for my holiday movie nail art I'd allowed myself to slip into a false sense of security. I figured I could free hand ribbons and bows on my nails!! Hmm....
I may share this disaster at the end of this post!!

After the horror that was my first attempt I decided to do something abit simpler and came up with this....

The first picture was taken with flash and the last two in natural light.

Polishes used were Barry M's pomegranate, red glitter, watermelon and spring green topped off with 2 coats of Seche. Striping tape was used to create the lines.

Here is my disaster........

 Not a good look haha!!

Be sure to pop over and see how everybody else is doing!!

A x

12 Days of Christmas Challenge Day 5

It's day 5 of the challenge and today's prompt is "holiday movie". The Nightmare Before Christmas is a popular film in our house all year round, but even more so at Christmas  I love it. especially when I'm tucked under a blanket with a hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and marshmallows!!

So here are my Nightmare Before Christmas Nails....

The first picture was taken in natural light (It's dull at the minute!!) and the last two were taken with flash.

This mani was created using striping tape, dotting tools, cocktail sticks, brushes and a make up sponge. Polishes used were Barry M's black and pomegranate, No7's tip whitener, Avon's coral beat & sunshine were used for the gradient.

I hope you like them!!

Don't forget to check out everybody elses blogs to see which movie they chose!!

A x

Munchkin Mondays

Good morning!!

I hope you're all having a wonderful Monday so far.

This week my munchkin is sporting a Rudolph mani.
It was created using a no name brown shimmer for the base, Barry M's black for the antlers, Barry M's red glitter for the nose and No7's tip whitener and Barry M's black again for the eyes.

As always she was ever so pleased with her nails and ran around showing family members and friends.
Check back next week for another festive Munchkin Monday!!

A x

12 Days Of Christmas Challenge Day 4

Is it really day 4 of the challenge already!?
Today's prompt was snowmen, so without further ado, here are my snowmen......

I used Barry M's silvery lilac and denim for my base coats, I then used No7's Tip whitener and Barry M's black for my snowmen and "snow" polka-dots and a coat of Rimmels glitter ball on the polka dot nail.

I cant wait to make a start on day 5's Christmas movie nail art!!

Don't forget to check out everybody elses snowmen!

A x

Leibster award

Wow!!! It seems I have been nominated for the Leibster Award 4 times!! Thank you so much Jessica @ anoNAILmous Sarah @ Play Polish :) Liz @ makeupobsesseddd and Amy @ Nail The Look . The Leibster award ( As far as I can make out!) Is for blogs with under 200 followers, a great way to get new followers, tell people about yourself, get to know about other bloggers and their blogs!!

If Nominated You Have To:

• State 11 random facts about yourself.
• Answer the 11 questions the person that nominated you asked.
• Tag new blogs that have less than 200 followers asking 11 questions of your own! (No tag backs!)

So here's my 11 random facts!

1. I'm 25
2. I live in the UK with my husband and daughter.
3. We have 4 pets, 2 Cocker spaniels, a cat and a turtle!
4. I'm a little bit OCD!
5. I like owls.
6. I have 4 tattoos, one flows all the way up my arm to my back and the smallest is my daughters name.
7. I stick out my tongue when I concentrate.
8. I'm a 2x college drop out only now re igniting my passion for learning and enrolling on a level 3 nail technician course.
9. Once qualified I hope to open my own nail bar.
10. I love watching Cheers.
11. I was devastated when I finished watching all the Harry Potters because it was "over"

Now onto the questions....

These are from Jessica.....

1) What is your absolute favorite and least favorite thing about blogging?
Favourite is being able to look back on how far I have come, even in such a short space of time, least favourite has got to be the lack of life I now have as I'm either painting my nails or blogging!!

2) What is your favorite book?
I love all the Harry Potters but I think Harry Potter and The Goblet Of Fire is my all time favourite.

3) Which do you prefer stamping, freehand, or wraps?
I prefer freehand because you can do anything you can imagine, stampings great for consistency and I'm not overly keen on wraps =/ 

4) What is your middle name?
Anne.

5) If you could have any pet in the world what would be?
An owl!

6) If you could be a part of any movie what would it be? (i wanna answer this one Harry Potter or Pleasantville prob the first)
All of the Harry Potters!!! 

7) If you could live anywhere, where would it be (think not leaving family or friends behind)?
A quaint English village....I know I'm boring!!

8) What genre(s) of music do you listen to?
Anything and everything!!

9) What is your favorite store to shop at?
Anything with nail polish! For clothes Topshop or BooHoo if I shop online.

10) Text or phone call?
Text.

11) Foil Method, Glue Method or Yellow Stopper for glitter polish removal?
Foil so far, have yet to try PVA.
and Sarah's....

1. What is your favorite color or a mani.
I think its got to be blue.

2. What made you start a blog.
I wanted to be able to track my progress.

3. Where do you shop for nail polish.
Mainly Boots and Superdrug as I can feed my Barry M addiction!!

4. How much do you love nail polish.
Lots!! Not more than my family though....I think!!

5. Do you make any of your own polish.
No I wouldn't know where to start!!

6. Did you check out my blog and follow me.
Yes

7. Is there a mani that you have just been dying to try.
I've got loads!! I keep a note pad where I jot all my nail art ideas down so I dont forget them!

8. How often are you doing a challenge.
The 12 Days of Christmas challenge was my first but I'm enjoying it so much I know it wont be my last!

9. Whats your favorite holiday polish this year.
Barry M's raspberry

10. Whats you favorite Indie polish.
I don't own one yet =(

11. What's your favorite form of nail art.
Freehand or polkadots

Liz's.....

1. Favorite Nail polish?
Barry M Denim.

2. Where did you grow up?
5 minutes from where I live now in Leeds!

3. Favorite Movie?
Any of the Harry Potters.

4. Person that has inspired you most? 
My grandma. 

5. Favorite Indie polish?
I don't have any at the moment =(

6. If you could be anyone else for 1 day, who would it be?
My daughter, she's four and the happiest little soul I know!!

7. What made you start your blog?
I wanted to track my progress.

8. Favorite makeup line and/or product?
Rimmel and I cant live without concealer and mascara!!

9. Dream vacation spot???
Cancun, Mexico.

10. Manicure you haven't tried yet, but want to?
Lots! I have a note pad where I jot down all my ideas and mani's I want to try.

11. Did you check out my blog and follow it....teehee ;)

Yes =)

And finally Amys....

1. What's your go to nail polish colour?

usually pastel blue.

2. How long have you been blogging?
A couple of months.

3. How much do you spend on make up products a month?
Usually around £15-20 

4. What do you think is going to be big in 2013, make up wise? (a brand, a style or anything)
I think nail arts going to be even bigger in 2013 than it has in 2012!!

5. Why did you start blogging?
To track my progress

6. Are you taking part in the 12 Days Of Christmas nail art challenge?
Yes, I'm having so much fun!!

7. Are you doing any other challenges? If so What?
Not yet.

8. What type of music do you enjoy?
All types, I don't have a favourite.

9. Do you have any pets?
2 cocker spaniels, a cat and a turtle

10. How old are you? 
25

11. Are you going to view and/or follow my blog? :) 

Yes =)

My questions to my nominees are;

1. Which manicure is you favourite?
2. What polishes do you prefer shimmer, glitter bomb etc
3. What is your favourite time of the year?
4. Who would be your ideal dinner date?
5. What is you ultimate indulgence?
6. Movie or book?
7. Favourite snack?
8. Do you have any pet hates?
9. Party Tricks?
10. What was your favourite subject in school?
11. What do you see as your biggest achievement in your life so far??

And my nominees are.........

indianlacquerade

polishmemanly

inkywhiskers

swishienails

sparkylienails

12 Days of Christmas challenge; Day 3.

It's the third day of the challenge and  today's prompt was candy canes.

I used striping tape for the first time to do this mani and for a first attempt I was really pleased with the results. After the original headache of cutting all the strips i found it relatively easy to use.

To do my candy canes I painted a base coat of No7's tip whitener and once completely dry I added the striping tape randomly across my nail, I wanted to achieve the candy cane effect by having lines of varying thickness. Once all my striping tape was on I added a coat of Barry M's pomegranate and a coat of red glitter for my accent nail.
Don't forget to pop over to everybody else's blogs to see how they're getting on!
A x

Wheeeeeeeeeeen Santa got stuck up the chimney.......

....he began to shout!
You girls and boys wont get any toys if you don't pull me out,
My beard is black, there's soot in my sack and my nose is tickling too,
Wheeeeen Santa got stuck up the chimney...........
Achoo!! Achoo!! Achoo!!

Today is day 2 of the 12 days of Christmas challenge and the prompt was "holiday song" in case you haven't guessed already, I chose When Santa got stuck up the chimney. I love this!! Every time I look at my hand it makes me giggle. So Without further ado, Here is my holiday song nail art.

The first two pictures were taken in natural light and the last with flash.

Polishes used were:
Barry M silver foil, pomegranate, blue plum, black and hologram hexograms. The white is No7's stay perfect tip whitener. I used a toothpick and a dotting tool to create my design.

Don't forget to check out how everybody else is getting on I wonder what holiday song they chose?!?

A x

Robin Red Breast...

Hi Lovelies.

I woke up the other day everything was covered in frost. I love the way it makes the world seem as if it made from glitter! When I see the frost I think of robins, which was the inspiration behind this manicure.

I bought some craft feathers to try in my nail art but haven't really found a way to incorporate them into my manicures up until now.

For the feathered nails I used a coloured  base coat of Barry M's Gelly in pomegranate. Once that had dried I did a coat of clear topcoat then gently pressed feathers (that I had already cut to fit my nails) down into it while it was still tacky, let it set for a while and then added another 2 coats of my topcoat. I then did an accent of Barry M's red glitter on my middle finger.

This technique is quite tricky but I'm sure with practice it will become a quicker and easier process. Although in my opinion the results are well worth the time and effort anyway. I was really pleased with these nails.

I hope you like them as much as I do!!

A x

Just Another Munchkin Monday....

Morning all!

Hope everybody is having a wonderful start to the week. I will apologize in advance for the photo quality in this post! Tiny finger nails + sparkle + phone cam = disaster!!
Anyway here it is....

This week munchkin is sporting Nails INC's "Sweets Way" 

Sorry for the short post, please all stay tuned, the blog will be undergoing a revamp and I am hoping to have it a little more organised real soon.

Happy Monday!!!

A x

12 Days Of Christmas Nail Art Challenge!!! #1 Christmas Trees!

Hello my lovelies!!

I can't believe I haven't blogged since Monday! I was doing so well.... Anyway as a result I have alot of nail art to back post plus the exciting news that I've joined a nail art challenge!

As you can see it's a Christmas nail art challenge, I have been so excited about this! I'm still like a child when it comes to Christmas and anything that adds to that festive feeling is a winner in my book.

So today is the 2nd of December and that means its time to start the challenge, today's nails are Christmas trees. I had so much fun doing these. They're not perfect detailed sketches...but they're not meant to be! I created these nails using a dotting tool and I think it gives a great effect.

Pictures were taken in natural light.

I used all Barry M polishes for this mani , My base coat is silver foil instant effects, the trees were made using spring green, watermelon, mint green, pomegranate, red glitter and gold...phew!!

Surprisingly quick and easy and really packs a punch something tells me I'll have a few requests to recreate these for people before Christmas is over!

Hope you like them!

Be sure to check out everybody elses Christmas trees!!