skull

I have been wanting to use these skull nail stickers for a while.  I didn't want a super dark paint job (black nails) so I went with red.  It makes the skull look so girly with the matching bow.

There is nothing fancy or complicated about this paint job but it still fun.  If I were to do this paint job again I would go with a black background for the skull nail.  I didn't bring a black in my mountain kit.  A black base would really make the skull pop.

Sinful Colors - Tokyo Pearl
Nicole - Basking in Gloria

nude

Yes, I have done this look before.  I love it.  It is so elegant.  A nude nail with a very subtle metallic/glitter stamp over.  The stamp is a very fine swirl design.  It really shows up in the sunlight but is very mellow in normal light.

For a little change, I stamped a leaf/filigree design on my index finger.  I used a different polish for this stamping.  I like the design but the polish didn't really work.  It is too jelly-ish.  The delicate stamping is a nice upgrade to a nude nail without being too extreme.  Heck, even my grandmother liked this look.

OPI - Coney Island Cotton Candy, The World Is Not Enough
Sinful Colors - Super Nova
plate - cheeky CH26

nautical blue

I will admit to totally being inspired by the lake for this paint job.  Yes, each nail is different but it is all the same theme.  The ring finger has some blue anchors stamped on it.  The index finger has a silver base but a silver and blue jelly on top.

I really like this paint job.  I however feel like I need to be wearing white j.crew shorts with a cloth belt and a polo shirt with the color popped to compliment it.  And maybe some deck shoes.  I am not judging j.crew style, I love it.  I'm just saying this paint job looks a little funny with workout gear and baggy sweat pants.

Sinful Colors - Rain Storm, Precious Metal, Ice Dream, Why Not
Sally Hansen - Celeb City
plate - cheeky CH36

blue

I promises I wasn't trying to match all my paint jobs to the lake.  It just happened.  The color of the water changed every hour of every day.  It would go from super dark to light blue with just the pass of a cloud.  It became pink during one night's amazing sunset.

I love the main color for this paint job.  I am not too keen about the glitter accent nail.  The jelly glitter is okay but it is a bit too mermaid for my liking.  I don't know if that makes sense, but it totally looks like the bottom skirt of a Disney Halloween mermaid costume.

Nicole - Stand By Your Manny
Sinful Colors - Nail Junky

teal moons

This was a quick paint job.  I used paper hole repair stickers for the large moons (teal first, sticker, then the darker green on top).  I was so happy when I went out on the dock the next afternoon and the color of the water was exactly the same as my nails.

The glitter/darker color is one I have used before and really like.  I have never layered it over another color.  I love how it changed and some of the base teal is showing through.  Now I want to try layering it over a bunch of other colors (blue, purple, red, etc).

OPI - On Her Majesty's Secret Service
China Glaze - Turned Up Turquise

turquoise

I love this turquoise Essie polish color.  I do not like the formula.  It is very thin and prone to streaking.  It requires 3 coats minimum.  And with three coats of polish, even quick drying top coat still takes a while.

I then added a pink/silver halo to the ring finger for a little pop.  It was amazing when compared with the lake, all the colors worked perfectly together.

Essie - Turquoise & Caicos
Urban Outfitters - After Hours

lag in posts...

Last week I headed up to the mountains with a mini paint job kit (remover, file, a couple polishes, etc) with the idea that I would do a different paint job each day while icing my knees & feet after hiking/biking/kayaking/etc.  I would then be able to do a bunch of great paint job posts.  Little glitch.  While unpacking the car in the mountains, I realized that I forgot my entire laptop bag at home.  Everything electronic except my phone was in that bag.  Oops.  After a large face palm, I headed into town and bough a phone charger and came to terms with the idea of an unplugged week.  It was glorious.  I still did a ton of paint jobs, the posts will just be delayed.  Sorry for the lag but when steps from the house is the view in the photo above, it's nice to be unplugged.

may polish days - the number five

This month's 'Polish Days' challenge theme is 'the number five'.  Such a great theme or jumping off point.  Cinco de Mayo? Five fingers? The Count from Sesame Street? Five colors/flavors of Life Savers? Skittles candy (skittle paint job)?  I wanted to do domino's nails.  No, not the pizza but the game.  Put I just wasn't feeling a black and white paint job (but this idea will be used soon).
*more after the jump*