Sally Hansen Grey Area

Have you ever pulled out a polish and had it trigger a memory? Maybe it's one you received as a special gift. Maybe the name triggers a memory entirely unrelated to the polish.

Sally Hansen Grey Area triggered a memory for me. I had been wanting to use it (again) for a while. It just didn't seem the right fit for several nail art designs I've done lately though. So the other day, I said EFF IT! Pulled it out and got to polishing.

And then BAM! came the memory. This polish is what started it all. I've loved polish since I can remember, but this is the one that started the collection and the searching for nail art ideas and finding blogs like Nail Nerd and Chloe's Nails and then starting this blog and then just everything.

And you know what? I still love this polish.

Purple Plaid

I've been meaning to post this since Monday, but time has really gotten away from me.

I joined a group a few weeks ago where the focus is on becoming a minimalist. The general idea is to simplify your life so that you can better enjoy it. That can mean getting rid of belongings so you can find what you need more easily or so you don't spend so much time cleaning. It can mean cutting back on social media or television or whatever so you have more quality time with your family. It can mean cutting out those toxic people in your life so your thoughts aren't cluttered and wasted on them. It's about living life. I've been mostly focused on getting rid of  items in our home as well as decluttering those time wasters. A lot of this for me has been cutting back TV to those shows that I really like (which is still a lot to be honest).

Another project of mine/hobby is meal planning. I love cooking, but it's hard to when you've got a cranky toddler at your feet (bless those of you who do it with multiples!). It's a bit easier though as T had gotten older so I'm trying to find simple healthy recipes for me to cook.

So onto today's mani!!! Lol

It's simple and classy, yet fun. My colors are OPI Parlez-vous OPI? and L'Oreal Tea and Crumpets (which has a crappy stiff brush but I love the color). I used black and white acrylic paint as well.

China Glaze floral skittle mani

Hello! Anyone have any fun plans for the weekend? Tomorrow we're heading to our state capitol in Madison. They do a wonderful farmer's market right around the Capitol Square. Then we'll hit up the free zoo there. The weather is looking to be nice so I can't wait to go! Sunday we're going to do lunch somewhere and then maybe a little shopping at a children's resale shop. Our little guy could use some more summery clothes.

I did this mani as part of a hashtag on Instagram called mani swap. The premise is that you and another Instagram-er pick a mani of the other person's and recreate it. Then you post a collage of all 4 manis. Be sure to check out my Instagram for my inspiration as well as the recreated mani.

I used all China Glaze polishes to create this look. The colors are For Audrey, Exotic Encounters, and White on White. The roses themselves are acrylic paint while the leaves are polish. 

Shiny Star Mani and Born Pretty Store Review

Hey all! I'm back! I really needed that break and I'm feeling much better about things from the blogging end. I see a lost a few followers too, oh well!

Today I have a review from Born Pretty Store of two different items (disclosure policy). Today I'm reviewing some gold studs and loose glitter.

I decided to use the glitter a bit differently and made star decals (check out my Instagram @rubytadpole for a little tutorial on how I did this!). I layered those and the gold studs on top of Barry M Blueberry. I loved how it turned out and the stud stayed on surprisingly well through diaper changes and all that.

Remember Born Pretty Store has free shipping everyday! Use the code below for 10% off

Blogging break

Hey all! I'm gonna be taking a break from blogging for a bit. I love sharing my manis, but just feel like a disappointment when I don't actually write anything here.

Click the link on the right to follow me on Facebook or I'm @rubytadpole on Instagram.

Gelish Cashmere Kind of Gal

Blah blah blah excuse why I haven't posted blah blah blah.

Sorry everyone, but life gets in the way.

Anyway I did these gel nails last Friday and they lasted well for me with no chipping. When I gave my son a bath tonight though, they all started peeling off. No idea why :/

Base: Gelish Cashmere Kind of Gal (I need three coats and it was sorta runny so I had a hard time keeping it from flooding).

Details were done using white acrylic paint.

Royal Madness Flowers

Normally I don't stick to seasonality in regards to polish colors. However, for me flowers really are a spring/summer MAYBE even fall thing. I love doing simple dotted flower manis too, and they've become a sort of go-to for me.

For this flower mani, I first used a base of Revlon Royal. Then I dotted on flowers (I tried to do some different sizes) with Essie Mojito Madness (that's where I tried to get creative with the title of today's post....not quite sure it worked). The white is my go-to, Wet N Wild French White Creme.

Sally Girl Brainy

When I went to Sally Beauty a bit ago, I browsed their Sally Girl mini polishes. They have some neat colors sometimes, and they're only like $1 or so.

When I saw Sally Girl Brainy, I KNEW I needed it because it looks just like Deborah Lippmann Mermaid Dream.

I used two coats for this mani, I think (it's been awhile). I also used Barry M Gold Foil and nail vinyls for the details. I loved how it turned out, and the wear time was pretty good too!

NOTD: Octopus

Quickie post today. I used China Glaze Sea Spray, Konad Sky Pearl, and Bundle Monster BM-401.

LynBDesigns TARDIS matte

Hey everyone! Super quick post here today. I've shown LynBDesigns TARDIS here before, but it's still one of my favorite colors. I wanted to wear it again, but in a fresh way for the blog.

So I just slapped some on and added Essie matte top coat. I love it!!! The mani lasted surprisingly well for how hard I am on my hands too.