Hallow-Mani

Naturally.

Known for being anything but subtle, I chose coordinating holiday colors for my Hallow-mani.

Who doesn’t match their mani to their decor?

After applying a base coat, I doubled up on Sally Hansen’s pumpkin hued polish in Crushed. Letting that dry a few minutes, I followed with a swipe of Orly’s GOTH on the tips of my talons and with a slightly steady hand (I like to have two glasses of wine before attempting this step) I glided Salon Perfect nail art in Silver Plated between the black and orange colors.

Just sipping on the blood of my enemies.

No matter what mani I’ve just completed, I always use Seche Vite Dry Fast topcoat. Always.

Terrifying trio.

Always keeping it cool because that’s what a self-appointed Queen of Halloween would do, right?

I vant to suck your blood. Well, really I don’t because it might ruin my nails.

Happy haunting.

CBXB

Goodbye to Gma the Great

I’ve never been one to take my family or time with them for granted, so it was real bummer when my Gma passed away a few weeks ago. Not only was she one of my best buddies, I know I inherited her brutal honesty, ornery streak and love of having my fingernails polished.

An ode to my Gma, HJ who recently passed away…

Always one to laugh at surprises…

…you took to my photobombing like it was one of your most treasured prizes.

You never let anyone forget…

…when it was time to celebrate you bigger than the national debt.

I learned from the best…

…how to celebrate my life full of zest.

Now seriously Gma, you taught me to party harder than Mae West.

A love of leopard you instilled….

…which is now being passed down to the next generation, who’s thrilled.

It’s so fun you two met at a skating rink…

…even if after 44 years you still had to steal kisses quicker than an eye blink.

Although I took after Gpa avoiding kisses, rather craving a hard drink…

…you always insisted on showing your love, making sure everyone was in sync.

Beauty sleep and a hairnet was apparently all that you needed…

…but truly it was your hair ‘dos that always succeeded.

So it was with glasses and confidence that I superseded…

…the grace and confidence that you always heeded.

I wish I would have felt more impeded.

The Iowa State Fair you never did love,

probably because you couldn’t wear foot gloves.

It will never be the same, not bringing you a corn dog…

…and discussing how I ate my way through the fair like a prize-winning hog.

Circled blacked out dates always meant you had a companion…

…you always loved attention bigger than the Grand Canyon.

Attending every homemade Christmas pageant we made…

…and most likely secretly prayed…

…that I would never end up a lonely old maid.

The first to pass of five sisters, who lived out their misters,

…you loved being pampered more than a fever blister.

Your nails were painted the day before you passed…

…and Jell-O shots without you will seem so miscast.

Regardless of view near or afar, life will never be the same…

…without you as my shining rock star.

I love you Gma.

Megan

And the A-Mani-dy Award Goes to…

Oh how Oscar night is filled to the brim with sequins, sparkles and mostly handsome dudes in tuxes. So due to the fact I wasn’t getting all gussied up in a fabulously gaudy gown, I set my sights on dressing up my manicure in honor of the Academy Awards.

Recipient of the Best Supporting Nails award.

To achieve these award winning nails, you’ll need two colors. A solid gold (which I happen to have a bottle of Chanel that is going for $90 on eBay. Why did I ever open this gift?!) and something as glittery as all get out.

Chanel in Gold Fiction and OPI in Glow Up Already (which seriously must be named after a man).

After one coat of clear base, I applied two handsome coats of the Gold Fiction. I thought about leaving my nails a plain gold for all of three seconds.

Way too blah for the Oscars, yes?

I applied one coat of OPI gold sparkle, concentrating most of the polish on the tips, trying to create a slight ombre look. Then swiped my freshly painted nails with one coat of Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat (best ever in the history of top coats. I swear).

Bubbly and glittering gold nails. A perfect awards night combo in my book.

While no statues were given out in my mini manse last night, Ted and I practiced our acceptance speech with my glimmering nails wrapped tightly around the bottle of bubbly acting as a stand in for a naked Academy Award trophy.

Of course the first person he demand I thank was him, naturally.

“I’d like to thank the Academy of Ted…”

Gold Dipped Digits

A little afternoon pick-me-up never hurts, especially if your mani matches your mug.

Missoni for Target tea cup complimenting my nails.

I thought winter wasn’t a time for bright white (as I look about as pasty as a malnourished Cinderella and the colorless hue could possibly add to the dull of my skin) but I felt inspired after seeing Kitt Noir’s accent nail on Instagam and decided to put my own spin on the look.

OPI nail polish in Glow Up Already and Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in White On.

After one swipe of base, I applied two coats of White On and once semi-dry, I tipped my talons with a thick strip of Glow Up Already (this has to be my all-time favorite name of a nail polish thanks to many ex-boyfriends). Topping the entire mani off with a stroke of Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat (the best you’ll ever use) on each nail, I was happily satisfied with the look.

Even more delighted with how the mani complimented my cup.

Oh it’s close to happy hour…

My cup that’s filled with all kinds of fun on a Monday afternoon…

It’s five o’clock somewhere.

Skinny Pirate, anyone?

CBXB

Hallowmani

While trying to turn my mini manse into a haunted house during October, I also like to show my spooky spirit by coordinating my nails to the holiday (yes, very grown up I know).

Candylicious coordinating.

For this terrifying twist on a simple mani, I started by applying base coat. Followed by two coats of black sparkle in Orly’s GOTH, one coat of glitter orange in Orly’s R.I.P. (better hurry, only 5 left in stock on Amazon) and one coat of Seche Vite Dry Fast top coat (seriously the best you will ever use – I SWEAR).

A little sparkle and shine for Halloween talons.

Now I even match my witchin’ koozie (I know, I know. I’m cray about Halloween).

A bitchin’ brew with a matching mani.

What more could this witchy, bitchy gal ask for?

CBXB