NOTD: Orly Goth w/ Swirliness

OK. I'll admit it, but probably only once. I guess, even though I've been calling them nubs the past few weeks, my nails are not really short. I've come to this conclusion because they are STILL too long to do a single stamp with the so-called full-nail Konad designs. So Konad, please make longer designs! Wider too, because my thumb is honkin' big, LOL.

For this mani I started out with Orly Goth, which is black with silver glitter, but even though I like it, there wasn't quite enough bling for me. These pics are without topcoat, since it had decent dry time & I didn't feel like I needed to hurry it along before Konading:


Then I added some additional bling with China Glaze OMG & Konad image plate m63:


One of my favorite patterns, although I do always have a hell of a time lining up my edges, but it is decently forgiving when I'm off a little so I don't mind (much).

Thanks for reading.

~Colette

Books 62 -67

#62
The Phoenix Transformed
The Enduring Flame Book 3
Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory

This Enduring Flame trilogy is set a few hundred years down the timeline from the Obsidian trilogy, which was also a collaboration between Lackey & Mallory, and so I was waiting for this conclusion for quite a long time, and it was well worth it. I would classify this not just as high fantasy, but epic fantasy, because the quest they're on will, basically, determine the fate of the entire world.

There were a few times in this book where I kind of doubted if the heroes actually would manage to pull it off, and the authors managed to surprise me right up until the end when everything got neatly tied up. I mean, there were a few loose ends, relationships that I wanted to see resolution to, & wanting to know what would happen when the survivors actually finally made it home, but overall I was satisfied.

#63
Cold Moon Rising
Tales of the Sazi Book 7
C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp

It's been a long time, I want to say over a year, since this author duo has had a book set in this world. The Sazi are shapeshifters - not just wolves, but lions, bears, snakes - pretty much any animal. And while the series has had books from the viewpoint of various characters, this book takes us back to Tony - one of my favorites - that was a hit man for the mob before one of his targets took offense to being shot with a non-silver bullet, mauled him, and he ended up becoming a wolf. But there's plenty of room in the Sazi's organization for someone who knows how to help clean up messes.

#64
Night's Edge
Anthology (Charlaine Harris, Maggie Shayne, Barbara Hambly)

Kind of a quick fill-in book, that I mainly picked up for the Charlaine Harris short. I actually enjoyed it more than I quite expected, because while it's set in her Sookie world, none of the characters from those books showed up, we got to be introduced to a whole new group in another city.

#65
A Touch of Dead: The complete Stories
Charlaine Harris

One of my problems with Charlaine's short stories is that sometimes they fit awkwardly into the overall timeline (which is why I liked the other one above better). But I still wanted to pick this up & read the few short stories that I had been unable to locate in their original anthologies.

#66
The Lightning Thief
Percy Jackson & The Olympians Book 1
Rick Riordan

This book is being turned into a movie that is set to release in February 2010. I found out about it from my friend Sam at work, and if you are a fan of the Harry Potter books I would recommend checking out this series. It's the same kind of story, even though they don't have much in common, if that makes sense. It was a quick, fun read, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

#67
The Sea of Monsters
Percy Jackson & The Olympians Book 2
Rick Riordan

Hmmm, hard to say much about this one without giving away spoilers for the first book like about who Percy's dad turns out to be ... but I guess I can say that he does return to his old stomping grounds, but not for long before he has to go on yet another quest to save his best friend.

As usual, even after all of these, I've got a considerable pile of books out from the library, and I think 3 right now just waiting to be picked up. I'm doubting at this point I'll even hit 100 by year end, but I'm hoping that I'll make it to 80. Time will tell.

I also didn't get around to answering comments last night. I started, then my mom had to use the computer to order some tickets for my dad. I lay down to wait for her, and, well ... never quite got back up again LOL. So I'll try to finish up tonight or tomorrow. And hope you'll forgive me if I fail =) Thanks for reading.

~Colette

Don't Let The Konad Get You Down!

Feeling down & frustrated with your attempts at nail art? Don't fall victim to konadaphobia!

konadaphobia: noun
Fear of doing a sucky Konadicure, often arising after several failed stamping attempts

Yes, I've been disappointed enough in my skills the last few tries that I had to create a word to describe my trepidation as I started this mani. Kind of one of those, "if you fall off the horse, get right back on" deals, because I refused to do a mani without Konad until I have redeemed myself. Which I think did.

This is done with Barielle Lava Rock as the base, which is a dark mauve from the All Lacquered Up Collection:


& then the Konad is done with China Glaze Joy, which is kind of a pinky plum chrome from the Romantique collection, & Konad image plate m69. The pic of just 2 fingers is a comparison shot before & after topcoat:


This Konad image reminds me kind of like a skyline or something from certain angles... I'd originally hesitated using it, I don't think I've seen it on the nail before, but it just seemed to go with this color combination & I like it more than anticipated.

I've also got to take a moment to say, I really do feel kind of guilty that I let comments pile up all week long. I sometimes have opportunity to read them, but not enough time to respond, because I really do like to give answers the attention & consideration they deserve. But I'm going to catch up before I go to bed, and resolve, as usual, to try & do a better job going forward =) Thanks for reading.

~Colette

Millennium Covers All Sins

In the end it all worked out, but this mani went through several phases. And they weren't all pretty. Oh, it stared out just fine, with Savvy Deja Blue as my base:


A really nice blue, dark but not so much that it looks black. The problem came when I decided to revisit plaid with the other pattern, from konad image plate m60, stamped with China Glaze Millennium. I did a total crap stamp job, just about every nail was crooked, and I didn't dare try to line it up straight for a double stamp so I added a french tip ... and ended up with this mess:


Horrible. And it was late, pretty close to bedtime. What's a girl to do? Cover up the whole mess with one more coat of Millennium, and try something fancy again another day:


But I will not let a bad Konad get me down! Tomorrow I will show you the mani that has renewed my faith in nails stamping =) Until then - thanks for reading.

~Colette

NOTD: Icing Purple Rain

I don't totally agree with this name, since it's more lavender than purple, maybe it could have been called Lavender Lightning, but in real life this Icing polish is called Purple Rain. It is pretty sheer, this is 4 coats & if I'd been wearing it alone I think the VNL would irritate me no end.


Since I was planning to cover it mostly with Konad, I didn't worry too much. But, the problem is my Purple Pearl Princess Polish. And I dare you to say that 5 times fast =) I forgot how crappy this polish actually is. The issue I have, and have always had with it, is that it doesn't come off of the stamper very well. The first stamp or 2 are fine, then no matter if I clean or don't clean or what I do, the image transfers lighter & lighter. I'm including a look at my left where you can really see what I'm talking about:


Also, I wandered over to Brooke's Blog & saw her using a better plaid image (from plate m60). I thought I'd give that a try ... bad idea. Another semi-failed mani coming tomorrow I'm afraid.

Thanks for reading.

~Colette

Kreativ Blogger Award

I got nominated for this fun little award by Brooke. I love Brooke's blog, and it seems like we think along the same lines a lot of the time LOL I'll go over there & think, "hey, I was just looking at that polish" or "now I want to do something like THAT."

Anyway, the rules are 7 facts about me & nominations for 7 other bloggers. Hmmm, these can sometimes be an excuse for me to ramble =) I'll try to keep it short:

-I can take a nap basically anytime, but for me to actually go to bed (like in pajamas under the covers) early is difficult.
-On the same note, I can EASILY sleep until after noon on the weekends.
-I'm a news junkie. If I have nothing else to do, I will watch it at 5, 6 & 10:00. I just like knowing what's going on & what the weather's going to do
-I spend every Friday with my grandparents & other family members
-I have over 10,000 songs on my iPod
-Other than music (which I can listen to at work) my preferred method of relaxation is yoga (which I do as soon as I come home)
-I currently have over 700 bottles of polish ... & counting =)

And here are my nominations:

Sakura
Astasia
Nihrida - even though I see you just did it! I was thinking of you =)
Kae
Olmi
Charming Nails
Wan

I have a lot of blogs I enjoy (have you SEEN my blogroll?) but I picked these ladies because they really do some of the most creative nail art out there. They are a constant inspiration, if at times a source of envy =) Thanks for reading.

~Colette

NOTD: Barielle Get Mauve-ing

So, after everything I went through to get this with a sticker on the bottom, I thought I better wear it LOL =) Barielle Get Mauve-ing, from the All Lacquered Up collection:


A very pretty color ... but kind of boring, I'll admit. So I went with what I consider a classic Konad design, one I've hesitated to attempt because I'm never quite satisfied with my freehand french tips, and even as nubs my nails are too long for the french tip plate which I do have. Plate m57 & Black Special Polish, tips done with China Glaze Liquid Leather:


I really enjoyed this. You can see I didn't get much streaking (only on my left in fact, which is kind of ironic), which can be a problem with the Black. In fact, I'm in the situation again that I kind of wish I hadn't taken this off because looking at pics I like it better than my new NOTD ... it's not a disaster, but I'll show you guys the issues tomorrow =) Thanks for reading.

~Colette

NOTD: Nubar Iced Licorice

So, this is the NOTD that I neglected to post yesterday. Chocaddict over at Mon coin a Moua got some Nubars the other day & reminded me that I have quite a few in my unworn pile, including this one, Iced Licorice, which I believe was part of their Sweet Nothings collection. In the bottle this looks kind of glittery, on the nail it is actually more of a textural duo-chrome, going between purple & kind of bronze-y. I tried me best to capture in pics, please do be sure to click to enlarge & really see the depth on these:


Going to try & throw up what was today's NOTD too before I go to bed. Thanks for reading.

~Colette

Sally Haul

Well, a 20% off coupon showed up in the mail, and I needed a few staples, so I went on Sunday & ended up leaving with a bunch of Orlys also, a few of which rang up for only $0.99 even though they weren't on sale =)


Top row, I believe the collection is called Matte Couture: Matte Vinyl, Blue Suede, Purple Velvet. Bottom row is from a few other displays that i don"t remember the names of: Goth,Glitz, & Twilight.

I'm falling behind with editing pics, I didn't get around to getting today's NOTD ready to show you so it will have to wait until tomorrow. Until then, thanks for reading.

~Colette

Barielle Comes Through

So, you may remeber me initially complainng about my missing label when I got my Barielle order, and more recently being contacted by one of Barielle's reps looking to remedy the situation. Well, when I was emailing with Adam from Barielle, he said that the stickers on the bottom are actually harder to replace than a full-sized product - maybe impossible as it turns out, since I got a package from Barielle yesterday that contained, not the missing label, but a brand new bottle of Get Mauve-ing. Not that I'm complaining! Just that I was surprised LOL. So now I have 2 bottles of this lovely shade.

I've got a shimmer dose of Nubar goodness for NOTD tomorrow, and the hope of sun in the forecast for what I'm starting to consider at this time of year bonus pics LOL. Thanks for reading.

~Colette