Ciate's 2013 Christmas Advent Calendar

It is way too early to be thinking of Christmas, but I received an email a few days ago from Selfridges informing me that Ciate was going to be doing another nail polish advent calendar this year. I have checked it out, although it is not yet available to buy. 

I am a little disappointed that they have also decided to show you all the colours this year, where's the element of surprise? I understand the logic, people want to know what they are buying, but then on the other hand now I've seen the colour range (a mix of pastels, metallics and caviar beads) I'm not sold! My opinion may change the nearer we get to Christmas, when I'll have to face the dilemma of whether to get a traditional chocolate calendar or this little beauty again!

Until next time...

Ladybird Nails

I'm not entirely sure I remember how to even post on here, it has been so long! Anyway, I began to worry I had lost my nail art mojo as the months went by, but I rediscovered my love of all things nails a few weeks ago when procrastinating from having to do work by searching through Pinterest. I found this beautiful ladybird design and wanted to see if I still 'had it'...

I used Revlon's Coconut Crush (it actually smells like coconuts!) for the base of the little ladybird nails, and Rimmel's Red Carpet for my accent nail and the ladybirds themselves. 

I love this design, it is simple and understated.

Until next time...

Snow Blizzard Nails

Brrrr it's cold! Today's nail design is inspired by the current wintry weather conditions in the UK. 

This design included a sponging technique to create a snowfall effect. I have never used this technique before, so I'm not quite sure. 

Next I want to try out an ombre nail effect by using a sponging technique. 

Until Next Time...

Yaba Daba Doooo Nails

If you couldn't tell by the title of this post I have done The Flintstones inspired nails. 

I'm not usually the biggest fan of orange nails but I love this design; it's simple yet effective! Now every time I look at my nails I can't help but hum the show's theme-tune... 

Until Next Yaba Daba Dooo Time...

Marvel Comics: Spider-Man Nails

I have found some of my biggest nail art 'supporters' have been at work, people seem to take a genuine interest in my passion and for that I am extremely grateful. More recently people have even begun to give me design ideas and themes they would like to see. A comic book theme was suggested by a few people, so I decided to do Spider-Man nails. 

The hardest part was in fact the 'spiderweb French manicure' fingers, which I had to attempt several times. 

Until Next Time...

Sunflower Nail Art

After a wonderful Christmas break it is finally back to work tomorrow, so I decided to do a bright and colourful nail design to help lift my post-Christmas mood blues. 

As a New Years promise I decided my first port of inspiration should be Ciate Advent Calendar because there are so many polishes that are still hidden away behind each little door, which seems a little sad! As my theme was bright and colourful Big Yellow Taxi, a beautiful canary yellow colour, immediately caught my eye. Firstly it reminded me of my travels to New York (I think more because of the name than anything), and then sunflowers as it is nearly spring (wishful thinking?!). I wanted a bright base, so I chose to use Revlon's Blue Lagoon, which is a sparkly baby blue colour. 

Until Next Time...

New Year, New Beginnings!

Happy New Year!

I have decided this is going to be the year. The year for what? I'm not entirely sure, but I'm hoping for big things; wild adventures, fun, friends, happiness, family, creativity, and of course nail challenges! I am definitely feeling positive about 2013 but I know it won't all be smooth sailing. So I chose to start the new year off with a Yin & Yang design to help illustrate my feelings about the year ahead...

Until Next Time...