It's hot as hell! The temps for the past couple of weeks have been over 100 degrees. It rained today, so hopefully it will go down a bit. I hope, I hope.
Here are some nails from Nail Max Collections vol. 10. I'm way behind; volume 11 is due to come out this month. Sheesh.
08 July, 2012
13 May, 2012
Boutique Baking: Pictures
I am so thrilled with this book. I love how it focuses on actual recipes, but still offers tips for decorating that are attainable by the home cook who can't afford to make 100 fondant roses. :)
Honestly, I used to love the decorating aspect of pastry more, but the more I look into it the more I realize I find delicious food with a little flourish to be even more beautiful. <3
This does offer some very British treats, but if you're in the mood for something different and don't mind converting, check it out.
Nails!!
A week ago I got fake nails again for the first time in a year. :D
So glad I'm getting paid enough to do it again.
Isn't it pretty and summery? I just loved it. And the flower accents were a nice touch.
I really love all the bright colors that are out right now.
I went to get them touched up yesterday (my nails grow super fast) and I brought my own color.... it was a sheer purple with holo glitter by KleanColor. I've never actually used that brand before but I thought it would look beautiful. And it did.
The nail tech took a long time to do it, but they look so pretty I think it was worth it. :D
P.S. Check out my new shaaaaaades!
I've NEVER owned white sunglasses before, but these with their cute retro floral frames called my name.
So glad I'm getting paid enough to do it again.
Isn't it pretty and summery? I just loved it. And the flower accents were a nice touch.
I really love all the bright colors that are out right now.
I went to get them touched up yesterday (my nails grow super fast) and I brought my own color.... it was a sheer purple with holo glitter by KleanColor. I've never actually used that brand before but I thought it would look beautiful. And it did.
The nail tech took a long time to do it, but they look so pretty I think it was worth it. :D
P.S. Check out my new shaaaaaades!
I've NEVER owned white sunglasses before, but these with their cute retro floral frames called my name.
07 May, 2012
03 May, 2012
Link! (oops)
Here is the link to Peggy Porschen's new Boutique Baking that I meant to put up on the 30th. My phone's Blogger publisher does NOT like cooperating.
Deco Deco!
I've been neglecting my blog lately. Lack of things to talk about, no motivation, the heat makes me cranky...use whatever excuse you want.
Here are some images from my Deco & Deco vol. 7 to enjoy!
As much as I enjoy Japanese decoden, and as happy as looking at it makes me, I don't think I love it quite as much as nail art. Yes, nail art is just deco for the fingers....but when girls start bedazzling their freaking water bottle caps, I think it's time to calm down, don't you? (I'm not exaggerating, by the way.)
I want everything on this page!
I should add that one of the bloggers I follow has scans from the new Nail Up! on her blog, and I'm trying so hard to not look at them, because my own copy is on the way. However, from what I have seen so far, it seems that the quality of it has vastly improved...I think it might trump Nail Venus now. :O
Here are some images from my Deco & Deco vol. 7 to enjoy!
As much as I enjoy Japanese decoden, and as happy as looking at it makes me, I don't think I love it quite as much as nail art. Yes, nail art is just deco for the fingers....but when girls start bedazzling their freaking water bottle caps, I think it's time to calm down, don't you? (I'm not exaggerating, by the way.)
I want everything on this page!
I should add that one of the bloggers I follow has scans from the new Nail Up! on her blog, and I'm trying so hard to not look at them, because my own copy is on the way. However, from what I have seen so far, it seems that the quality of it has vastly improved...I think it might trump Nail Venus now. :O
30 April, 2012
Boutique Baking!
I know the last thing I need is another baking book, but when I heard that one of my favourite bakers was putting out another book, I had to buy it.
The thing I am especially excited about, is that unlike her other books, this isn't focused mostly on decorating, but on the baking aspect of making her delicious treats. As much as I love Peggy's sugarcraft skills, I'm really hankering to learn the secrets behind the fare she sells at her bakery.
The thing I am especially excited about, is that unlike her other books, this isn't focused mostly on decorating, but on the baking aspect of making her delicious treats. As much as I love Peggy's sugarcraft skills, I'm really hankering to learn the secrets behind the fare she sells at her bakery.
28 April, 2012
Nail & Deco: Let's Make Some Art!
Here are a few tutorials from my increasing collection of nail publications. One is from an issue of Nail Max, one is from Nail Venus, and the other is from the book Nail Super Design Collection. I thought they might offer guidance and inspiration for whoever sees my blog. :D
I am using the actual size of these images so you can see the details. (I have been uploading smaller resolution sizes lately.) Click on the thumbnail for the full size. Enjoy!
I am using the actual size of these images so you can see the details. (I have been uploading smaller resolution sizes lately.) Click on the thumbnail for the full size. Enjoy!
26 April, 2012
Nail & Deco: Bridal Dresses
Nail Max usually features wedding dresses and coordinating nails in their October issue, and sometimes in summer issues too. They also, of course, have tutorials to do your own nails. What I'm focusing on today isn't the nails, however, but the dresses that inspired them. When you think of wedding dresses, most envision something frilly and white...well, leave it to the Japanese to take the concept of a wedding dress and run off to Crazy Town.
I love this one! I would wear it. :)
I also love this one....not to get married in of course, but can you imagine how fun it would be for a costume party? Plus, I love her short gloves, that heart bouquet, and the giant fabric heart on the side.
I love this one! I would wear it. :)
I also love this one....not to get married in of course, but can you imagine how fun it would be for a costume party? Plus, I love her short gloves, that heart bouquet, and the giant fabric heart on the side.
25 April, 2012
Liquid Crystals
Finally the internet is back up!
I tried the China Glaze Liquid Crystals from one of my recent posts. :)
Oh, I wish I could get this to photgraph well! It's a silvery-blue base, with blue and purple highlights and multi-colored holographic glitter. It's amazing. I especially like it because so many glitter polishes I have look awesome in the bottle, but they're so sheer it's hard to use them as anything other than an accent coat over a solid color.
However, this is also pretty sheer, but I was able to get a good application with two coats.
This better shows the blue it has in it.
I tried the China Glaze Liquid Crystals from one of my recent posts. :)
Oh, I wish I could get this to photgraph well! It's a silvery-blue base, with blue and purple highlights and multi-colored holographic glitter. It's amazing. I especially like it because so many glitter polishes I have look awesome in the bottle, but they're so sheer it's hard to use them as anything other than an accent coat over a solid color.
However, this is also pretty sheer, but I was able to get a good application with two coats.
This better shows the blue it has in it.
23 April, 2012
Ergh
So, the Internet is down AGAIN....hence why I haven't posted for the past day or so.
Hopefully it will be back up soon, because uploading pictures from my phone is a pain.
Hopefully it will be back up soon, because uploading pictures from my phone is a pain.
21 April, 2012
Lemony Goodness
I tried China Glaze's Lemon Fizz once, and it was somewhat streaky and hard to get even. I was impatient and ended up removing it from my nails.
Well, I'm glad I gave it another shot, because it's actually awesome. I just had to take my time and build it up gradually.
I got so excited I took the picture before I even cleaned up my cuticles from the spare polish. Haha. :)
The glitter topcoat is Rainbow In The S-Kylie, and the accent nail is Shell Me The Truth, both from Nicole for OPI.
This makes me think of the first daffodils that come up, a sure sign of spring when everything bursts into life!
Well, I'm glad I gave it another shot, because it's actually awesome. I just had to take my time and build it up gradually.
I got so excited I took the picture before I even cleaned up my cuticles from the spare polish. Haha. :)
The glitter topcoat is Rainbow In The S-Kylie, and the accent nail is Shell Me The Truth, both from Nicole for OPI.
This makes me think of the first daffodils that come up, a sure sign of spring when everything bursts into life!
20 April, 2012
Some Goodies
Let me start off this post by showing the fake nails I currently have on. They are pretty and subtle, and only $5. For some reason, I have the worst luck getting fakies to stay on, but they are nice for a weekend. Feels weird to type with them, though....
I picked up some Burt's Bees cuticle cream, because I realized with how much I LOVE nail art and polish, I was embarrassingly not paying enough attention to taking care of my own nails. So, just like how I make sure I moisturize my skin, I will be doing the same for my nails.
Lastly, I picked up a Burt's Bees lipgloss in Strawberry color. It gives a soft boost of color and shine to my lips, which admittedly, are already a nice, natural pink. Plus it is scented like peppermint and makes them tingle! :)
Time to go do some cardio and take a shower. :)
18 April, 2012
Flower Sound Orchestra Book!
As much as I love Kanon Wakeshima, I can't help but be extremely jealous of her. She's a beautiful singer, she plays the cello, and she's also a great artist?!
Seriously, why is it that some people get so much talent and the rest of us have to muddle through? Sigh.
Flower Sound Orchestra is a mini artbook that was only available in very limited quantities at Con. At only about twenty pages, it was kind of pricey with a $18 price tag, but because I love Kanon and wanted to show my support of her, I bought it. Her art style is cute, feminine, and Gothic Lolita-flavored. It's a nice departure from the many overly-sexual anime and manga art out there.
I love this one especially because I have the album and got to see kanonxkanon perform it in concert. :)
I love Halloween themed images anyway, but this one is especially awesome because it's sweet and doesn't rely on pretty girls in skimpy costumes.
Seriously, why is it that some people get so much talent and the rest of us have to muddle through? Sigh.
Flower Sound Orchestra is a mini artbook that was only available in very limited quantities at Con. At only about twenty pages, it was kind of pricey with a $18 price tag, but because I love Kanon and wanted to show my support of her, I bought it. Her art style is cute, feminine, and Gothic Lolita-flavored. It's a nice departure from the many overly-sexual anime and manga art out there.
I love this one especially because I have the album and got to see kanonxkanon perform it in concert. :)
I love Halloween themed images anyway, but this one is especially awesome because it's sweet and doesn't rely on pretty girls in skimpy costumes.
17 April, 2012
...And a Rant
Of course I couldn't put all of those books without looking at them. That made me start thinking and lamenting over the deterioration of Nail Venus magazines.
This is one of the first volumes of Nail Venus I ever purchased, back in 2006. For several years, Venus was a strong competition to Nail Max for my favorite nail magazine. Though I personally hated---and still do---the stapled spine, as opposed to the perfect-bound spine of Max, the nails are equally beautiful. Or they were. Now, honestly, they bore me.
Look at these nails from the above 2006 issue:
Pretty! Unusual! A little extravagant on a couple but still very lovely and wearable.
Now, look at the Spring 2012 issue:
Well, the cover is nice. How are the contents?
YAWN.
I have noticed the shift in nails for the past year or so, and because of that have stopped buying pretty much all Nail Venus issues. The fact that Max continues to improve and showcase more beautiful nails with each issue keeps me content. Now, I know there's been a change in fashion from the more outrageous nails to simpler ones, but it doesn't explain how Venus's nails have started to bore me while new issues of Nail Max have simpler nails, but are still very exciting. It's disappointing, and frustrating. The only plus side to this is the fact that my wallet doesn't have to shell out money to buy two series' worth of issues.
Note: The Nail Venus Bibles, released once a year and very similar to Nail Max Collections, are still quite nice, though the 2012 edition wasn't up to par with the ones in years past. Still, I'm much more likely to buy one of those, than the regular issues.
This is one of the first volumes of Nail Venus I ever purchased, back in 2006. For several years, Venus was a strong competition to Nail Max for my favorite nail magazine. Though I personally hated---and still do---the stapled spine, as opposed to the perfect-bound spine of Max, the nails are equally beautiful. Or they were. Now, honestly, they bore me.
Look at these nails from the above 2006 issue:
Pretty! Unusual! A little extravagant on a couple but still very lovely and wearable.
Now, look at the Spring 2012 issue:
Well, the cover is nice. How are the contents?
YAWN.
I have noticed the shift in nails for the past year or so, and because of that have stopped buying pretty much all Nail Venus issues. The fact that Max continues to improve and showcase more beautiful nails with each issue keeps me content. Now, I know there's been a change in fashion from the more outrageous nails to simpler ones, but it doesn't explain how Venus's nails have started to bore me while new issues of Nail Max have simpler nails, but are still very exciting. It's disappointing, and frustrating. The only plus side to this is the fact that my wallet doesn't have to shell out money to buy two series' worth of issues.
Note: The Nail Venus Bibles, released once a year and very similar to Nail Max Collections, are still quite nice, though the 2012 edition wasn't up to par with the ones in years past. Still, I'm much more likely to buy one of those, than the regular issues.
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