Celtic deer: BB Couture Roasted Nuts

Hello ladies,

I love how the ancient Celts depicted animals. I am particularly fond of deer. I cherish the feeling of being in the woods and seeing a doe lift her face to look at me, before dashing among the trees. There is a stillness in such moments that bring me peace throughout the day.

I stamped the stag from plate H28 using Konad black special polish. A silver crescent Moon was added to the sky. With the striper from the Nubar nail art pen in Platinum, I created a thin line French. I adore the soft pearl appearance of this silver. It looks like I ran my nails across the snow.

While Roasted Nuts is too sheer for my preference on its own, I love the finished look of this manicure. This burnished gold polish is stirred with iridescent micro glitter. The sparkle looks radiant in just about every light.

I layered three coats of Roasted Nuts over two coats of Brucci 2 in 1 Nail Perfection, a whitening base coat. I wanted to keep the color as pure as possible for this review. For those of you who prefer an opaque polish, I recommend applying Roasted Nuts over one coat of a slipcover nude polish that matches your skin tone.

I hope you enjoyed a glimpse at this season's fauna.

Roasted Nuts was sent to me for review. This polish along with the seven others in the BB Couture Christmas Collection can be purchased at overallbeauty.com. Would you like the opportunity to win the entire Christmas Collection of eight polishes, Made from Earth skin care and a chic wristlet? Stop by the Get Festive Giveaway! to enter.

Image plate H28 was provided for my consideration. Please visit chez-delaney.com to see the entire line of stamping nail art products.

Happy painting, ladies!

Candied flowers: BB Couture Plums and Sugar

Hello ladies,

I have a simple and sweet manicure for you today. The drifts of snow made me long for the white petals of Spring. The blossoms and pearls look sugared on my nails, like candied flowers.

With Konad white special polish, I stamped the delicate flowers from design plate H28. I alternated the design placement. I added pale blue, lavender and cream pearls to the flowers centers. The pearls remind me of candy buttons.

Don't let your monitor engage in any trickery. BB Couture Plums and Sugar is purple!

Above are pictures of my niece Shannon in her tutu before her performance in the Nutcracker. As part of a local ballet troupe, she performed with the international touring Donetsk Ballet Co. from Russia. Shannon just turned 15. Isn't she beautiful?

Plums and Sugar is completely opaque in two coats. The application of this polish is salon perfect. The color is amazing as well. Red micro glitter along with blue and silver shimmer mingle in a purple base. Plums and Sugar is one of my favorite purples from any brand. Truly gorgeous and worth seeking out!

I hope this manicure and the ballerina added some sweetness to your day.

BB Couture Plums and Sugar was sent to me for review. This shade along with the rest of the Christmas Collection can be purchased from overallbeauty.com

Would you like the chance to win the entire BB Couture Christmas Collection along with a fashionable wristlet and skin care products? Stop by the Get Festive Giveaway to enter.

Image plate H28 was provided for consideration. To shop the full line of nail art stamping products, please visit chez-delaney.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Flower crown

Hello ladies,

I was imagining flower crowns when I was creating this manicure. I love the idea of the wreaths of flowers women would wear in their hair for celebrations such as weddings and dances. I have been reading the book Kristin Lavrandsdatter by Sigrid Undset and have been steeped in customs of long ago.

Beginning with Nubar Vino as the base, I chose a French tip design from fauxnad plate H28. I alternated the placement of the stamping so the flowers and leaves would move organically across my nails. I used Konad white special polish, accented by tiny silver beads from Bundle Monster.

Vino was opaque in two coats and easy to apply. I wanted to show this manicure on Saturday, but the sun wasn't cooperative. I took the photos late this afternoon. Vino has incredible longevity. I am truly impressed with how fresh and glossy this manicure appears two days after painting.

Vino was sent to me for review. This shade is part of the Nubar Venetian Glass Collection, available for purchase at bynubar.com.

Image plate was provided for my consideration. For the full line of nail art stamping plates, please visit chez-delaney.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Filigree band

Hello ladies,

Today I am wearing a jewel red jelly polish called Private School Girl. This shade is from the upcoming Fall Collection from Diamond Cosmetics. I love the pairing of red and black together. Preferring a simple design, I decided to create a decorative band on each nail. The pattern reminds me of lace trim and also filigree work on wedding bands.

I stamped the filigree design from image plate H28 with Konad black gold princess polish. I adore the added sheen from the metallic stamping polish. I placed a crystal at the edge of each tip. It's an elegant and classic look.

The bees and I share the flowers.



A bumble bee hovered, facing the camera. What a little diva!

The rest of the unicorn is just off frame.

Private School Girl is a jelly red with high shine. I am wearing three coats. Two coats will be slightly sheer, but still offers even coverage. The formula dries quickly. If you prefer opacity, the third coat requires little additional effort.

I have to admit that even though I like Private School Girl a great deal, I would have rather seen a deep blue or a royal purple jelly polish to round out the Fall Collection a bit. Diamond Cosmetics makes a good jelly. I would like a whole glossy rainbow of jelly shades added to their core line.

Private School Girl was sent to me for review. This color is part of the upcoming Fall Collection. I will announce release dates when they become available. US residents can purchase Diamond Cosmetics polishes from diamondcosmetics.com. International residents can see this post for available e-tailers. Stop by the Ladies Choice of Diamonds Anniversary Giveaway for a chance to win 12 polishes and a treatment product. The giveaway ends on Sunday night so head on over if you haven't yet had the chance.

Design plate H28 was provided for my consideration. For the full line of stamping nail art products, please visit chez-delaney.com. Check out the Pick Your Plates Giveaway for a chance to win your choice of eight stamping nail art plates.

Happy painting, ladies!