Red Moon, rainbow stars

Hello ladies,

I managed to catch a bit of sun today near red berries and goldenrod. It was largely overcast, the perfect weather to enjoy the scents of moss and leaves at the beginning of autumn. I wish I could make this post scratch and sniff.

Beginning with a base of Cosmic Polish, I stamped Halloween witches from image plate T29. I chose white Konad special polish to compliment the black with multihued glitter. I hung a red Moon in the sky.

If you click the enlarge any of the first few pictures, it will be apparent why Cosmic Polish is subtitled for space age nails. Love the starry glitter!

A black jelly formula with rainbow micro-glitter, Cosmic Polish was fascinating to wear. I love the holographic sparkle enlivening the classic black. The formula was easy to work with. It required only two coats for opacity. I appreciate how the smaller glitter particles yielded a smooth finish. Truly gorgeous!

Cosmic Polish was sent to me for review. This shade is available for purchase at eyeko.com.

Image plate T29 was provided for my consideration. To view the entire line of nail art stamping plates, please visit chez-delaney.com. Would you like a chance to win four Halloween and fall harvest theme design plates? Stop by Trick or Polish? A Halloween Giveaway.

Happy painting, ladies!

Porcelain flowers

Hello ladies,

Philadelphia has been beset by much needed rain. I spent the majority of the afternoon indoors. Something about being at home made me consider fine china place settings. Taupe and white form a modern palette. When I created this look, I imagined tiny flowers on porcelain.

From design plate H39, I stamped the flowers using Konad white pearl special polish. I added Marquis rhinestones to ornament the closed buds. I alternated positioning of pearls and rainbow crystals. When repeating a stamping design over ten nails, a slight change in gem placement can add movement.

A strand of amethyst over a violet purple scarf creates the backdrop.

I adore the retro label!

Russian sage at the Morris Arboretum.

Two coats of Posh Polish brought opacity. Application was tricky. The formula seemed a little thicker than I would have liked. I am always hesitant to add thinner to a new bottle of polish, especially my first time working with a brand. I used Nubar Diamont topcoat, which smoothed beautifully over the taupe creme, adding a glassy finish.

I am pleased with the final manicure. Posh Polish is a skin flattering taupe. There is a hint of purple in the base color. I was stopped by a woman who loved the shade and wanted to know the name of the polish. It was fun to say!

Posh Polish was sent to me for review. This shade can be purchased at eyeko.com.

Image plate H39 was sent to me for consideration. To see the full line of nail art stamping plates, please visit chez-delaney.com. Check under NEWS for more information about the Halloween contest and giveaway running through October 31st.

Happy painting, ladies!

Big Plate Giveaway at Chez-Delaney!

Hello ladies,

There is a fantastic contest and giveaway happening at Chez-Delaney. Two big image plates will be awarded.

The first chance to win involves submitting an original Halloween stamping nail art manicure. E-mail your photos to chezdelaney[at]yahoo[dot]fr.

The second chance is simple. All that is required is to sign up for the newsletter at chez-delaney.com. You will be automatically entered to win the big design plate pictured below.

You can access the contest information by clicking on NEWS in the left sidebar at chez-delaney.com. The deadline is October 31st.

I love Halloween. This big plate is such a great prize! What do you ladies think? Are you excited?

Happy painting, ladies and best of luck!

Windswept flowers

Hello ladies,

On such a warm and still day, I wanted to inspire Nature to stir the air. I decided to create the look of windswept flowers. These were a nice accompaniment as I strolled through the paths in Rancocas Woods with my friend Sarada.

From fauxnad image plate, I stamped the tumbling flowers in Konad white special polish. I accented the design with tri-color metallic gems from Art Club. I alternated gold and silver petals across my nails.

Sedum

Goldenrod

Mayweed

These mushrooms were so delicate and tiny. Many were smaller than thimbles.

I painted three coats of Tequila Sunrise for perfect opacity. I imagine this shade would flatter most skin tones. This base color reminds me of persimmons. There is a tint of pink beneath the orange. Gold shimmer adds a gentle radiance.

I love how Tequila Sunrise is a bridge of color from summer into fall. It makes me think of sun-warmed fruit and flowers.

Image plate H34 was sent to me for consideration. To view the entire line of stamping nail art plates, please visit chez-delaney.com.

The metallic gems are from the Art Club Pretty Shiny Things Kit. These were provided for my consideration and can be purchased from victoriasnailsupply.com.

Tequila Sunrise was sent to me for review. This shade is from the Cantina Nights Collection, available at overallbeauty.com. For the opportunity to win your choice of five polishes from Cantina Nights along with a beauty gift pack from Reviva Labs, visit the Naturally Beautiful and Polished Giveaway. The contest closes at the end of the day, September 25th. Please stop by and enter if you haven't yet had the chance.

Happy painting, ladies!

Birthday peacocks

Hello ladies,

This past weekend was such a busy and enjoyable experience. I attended my friend Denise's wedding on Saturday. She looked absolutely stunning! The ceremony ended with Monarch butterflies being released by the newlyweds. It's part of a Native American tradition in which butterflies are said to carry wishes to the Great Spirit. Each guest made a wish for the couple's future together.

Sunday was my birthday. After brunch with my friends Lisa and Cassandra, we walked through the grounds at the Morris Arboretum and enjoyed the blossoms, fountains and the peaceful shade. The rose garden was still abloom and fragrant. I walked among the roses with my parasol. Bees and butterflies shared in our pleasure of the flowers.

I returned to the city and had Thai food with my philosopher friend. I enjoyed a spicy yellow curry dish with mangoes. For dessert, there was homemade coconut ice cream. After dinner, I visited an old flame.

I had such a wonderful birthday! I am truly grateful for the love and companionship from the people in my life.

I decided a colorful peacock manicure would best suit the occasion. I began with BB Couture Huckleberry Martini, a rich purple shimmer. The color may lean towards blue on some monitors, but it is a true purple.

I stamped peacocks from fauxnad plate H45. I alternated placing purple, blue and green rhinestones in the center body of each peacock. I decorated the crest and the feathers with miniature spheres. You will notice the color of the sphere in the center of each grouping of three matches the marquis rhinestone.

From Victoria Nail Supply, I purchased a wheel of colorful spheres . I love these as an accent. The only caveat is the shades containing red pigment aren't wholly colorfast once quick dry topcoat is applied. I had no difficulty with the green, blue, copper and gold. For $3.95, the wheel is worth purchasing even if the red, pink and purple can be problematic to seal. My only other caution is these spheres are best for patient dispositions.

I painted three coats of Huckleberry Martini. Two coats brought satisfactory opacity, but three made the shimmer seem brighter. As with other BB Couture polishes I have tried, Huckleberry Martini offers salon quality application.

This manicure was a festive accompaniment to my weekend. I hope it brought you delight as well.

Huckleberry Martini was sent to me for review. This shade is part of the Cantina Nights Collection, available at overallbeauty.com. For the opportunity to win your choice of five polishes from Cantina Nights along with a beauty gift pack from Reviva Labs, please visit the Naturally Beautiful and Polished Giveaway.

Image plate H45 was provided for my consideration. You can view the full selection of stamping nail art plates at chez-delaney.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Pick Your Plates at Chez-Delaney Giveaway Winner!

Hello ladies,

It was a beautiful day to venture outdoors and unearth a mystery.

Amidst chrysanthemums and begonias we met Elf. He was intent on helping find the winner for the Pick Your Plates at Chez-Delaney Giveaway.

The 608 hand written contest entries were buried with a marrow bone. Elf would know what to do!

Elf senses something under foot.

And starts digging for information.

He noses around the premises.

He is not afraid to put some muscle into it.

He examines the situation from every angle.

But is not yet willing to share his discovery.

Not a detail escapes him!

With assurance, he offers up the last shred of evidence.

Ana is the winner!

Thanks so much, Elf! He is a master of detection!

Many warm congratulations to Ana!

Thanks to chez-delaney for sponsoring this giveaway!

A special thanks to my sister Claire for sharing the charms of her Miniature Pinshcer with painted Lady fingers.

There is also the Naturally Beautiful and Polished Giveaway with nail polish from BB Couture and skin care from Reviva Labs. Please stop by and enter if you haven't had the chance. Best of luck!

Happy painting, ladies!

Bluebirds of a crystal feather

Hello ladies,

One of my favorite things about being in Nature are the songbirds. I decided to create a bluebird manicure as an homage to all the little birds I see and hear throughout the day. One of my favorite pleasures is to listen to birdcalls as I am walking. I will pause and look up for the singing or chatty bird. Sometimes they sing a little more when they see me looking.

I began the tone on tone manicure with BB Couture Blue Bahama. From fauxnad plate H30, I stamped the bird image using Konad pastel blue special polish. I placed pale blue gems for the wings. I added a blue flower and pearl to the end of each branch. The bird design coupled with the embellishments creates a vintage feel.

Blue Bahama was opaque in two coats. I added a third coat before stamping. This polish is beautiful! On seeing my nails, both my nieces requested manicures with Blue Bahama for their first day of high school. The blue with a hint of green makes me think of the Atlantic Ocean.

I am very pleased with how this manicure came together. Of all the nail art I have done, this look feels particularly expressive of my style. It makes me happy to have bluebirds on my nails. I hope these little birds bring joy to your day too.

Image plate H30 was sent to me for consideration. Additional nail art stamping plates are available for purchase at chez-delaney.com.

BB Couture Blue Bahama was provided for review. This shade can be purchased at overallbeauty.com. For a chance to win your choice of five polishes from the Cantina Nights Collection, please stop by the Naturally Beautiful and Polished Giveaway.

The blue flowers are from the Art Club Technicolor Doll Nail Art Kit. This was sent to me for review. Please visit victoriasnailsupply.com to purchase. Would you like the opportunity to win two professional nail art kits? Check out the Art Club: Black, White and Bold Giveaway.

Happy painting, ladies.