Quick Update

Hello my loves!

Tomorrow is my last final and then I'll be free as a bird!

Here's me:

Here's the inevitable: 

Here's me one more time: 

*cue ominous music* 

Anyway, my nails are OPI What's with the Cattitude right now with an accent of China Glaze Make a Spectacle. I'd show you but I hid my camera from myself so that I wouldn't be able to post manis during finals week. 

Woops.

<3

Rachael

China Glaze: Worlds Away LE Cirque du Soleil Collection Press Release

Hello lovely readers! This is the press release for an amazing new collection from China Glaze. These polishes are available now, but they are limited edition so don't miss out on these beauties!

China Glaze 

Cirque du Soleil - Worlds Away

Inspired by the upcoming Paramount 3D feature film

This collection features 12 polishes, including bright cremes, almost-neons, soft glitters and chunky indie-esque glitters. I'm really excited about this collection! 

 Bend Over Backwards 

 Creative Fantasy

 Def Defying 

 Escaping Reality

 Get Carried Away

 Hanging in the Balance

 Igniting Love

It's a Trap-eze!

I can't wait for this one especially- the name, and that gorgeous milky white base... ahhh, I die. I'll have several backups of this beauty. 

 Running in Circles

 Surreal Appeal

 Water You Waiting For?

Whirled Away

How beautiful are these? I'm really impressed with China Glaze's branch out into the glitters the polish world has embraced so fully from indie brands. I'm excited to get my hands on a few and get some swatches for you all! Coming soon!

China Glaze nail polish retails for around $7 a bottle and can be found at many retailers, such as Ulta, Beauty Brands, and Sally Beauty supply. This collection is limited edition and will not be around for long!

Love, 

Rachael

Essie Mint Candy Apple

Hello loves! Here's a quick little post about an incredible polish I finally, FINALLY got my hands on. Essie Mint Candy Apple!

It isn't HTF that I'm aware of, I just never ended up with it. I've been in love with it for months and months! I wish I hadn't waited so long to put it in my stash. So, after much ado, here it is!

This is two easy coats and a top coat of Seche Vite. Application was dreamy, probably among the easiest I've ever experienced. This simple, clean mani lasted five full days with no chipping and minimal tipwear. I highly recommend it! Such a beautiful color.

Hope you love it! Have a wonderful week!

Love, 

Rachael

China Glaze Holiday Joy 2012 swatches!

 Hello everyone! I know it's only the middle of November, but I've been getting in the Christmas spirit big time lately. I'm wishing for some A TON of snow and delicious holiday noms like buckeyes. I don't know if you've ever tried them, but buckeyes are very simple- peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate and chilled. There's something so special about them though... maybe it's the crack people put in them that make me eat an entire batch in one sitting, 'cause it can't possibly be my lack of self control... nah. Regardless, it isn't Christmas without buckeyes and pants that fit before dinner but certainly not after. And red nail polish of course!

Today I have four polishes from China Glaze's Holiday 2012 collection. There are twelve polishes total and many come in cute little gift sets that would make perfect presents for yourself other polish lovers. :)

First up is Cranberry Splash. This polish is a rich, warm red with gold shimmer. These pictures can't possibly do it justice. It may be the most beautiful red I've ever seen. The shimmer is subtle enough just to make the polish glowy and gorgeous. I got so many compliments on this mani, and everyone said it's the perfect Christmas red!

This is two coats, but it's perfectly opaque in one, and a top coat of SV. It wore for four days with only the most minor tip wear and would have lasted much longer without chipping.

 Look at that glow! Really beautiful. I'm in love with this polish!

Next up is Angel Wings layered over Cranberry Splash. Angel Wings is a perfect gold glitter with a scattered holo. This little lady is a must for Christmas. My nails looked like twinkling ornaments! One coat is pictured (I'm not lying!) and two coats would probably be totally opaque on their own. Truly beautiful.

and a blurry one... look a that holo! No top coat- I kinda like the slight grittiness of this polish.

Note- I've heard this is a dupe of the 2011 Ulta Exclusive Ulta-mate Holiday. So nice they did it twice!

Next up is With Love, a perfect blue based red creme. Perfect application! Two coats are pictured with no top coat. It has a wonderful shine.

And last but surely not least is Pizzazz, a delicious multicolored glitter. I can see red, gold, green, and purple glitter. This is one of those glitters that may look a little like DL Happy Birthday, or Confetti Tasmanian Devil, but it's really rather unique. Bottom line, you need it. I didn't have to dab this on- one coat and it was just right. The formula was a little thicker than the others but still manageable. Pictured is Pizzazz layered over With Love.

Glitter fiends unite!! 

I hope you loved these polishes as much as I did. I'm off to watch some Frosty the Snowman in my cupcake jammie pants and drink some hot chocolate. You're welcome to come join! Mind the cat hair and eau de disdain wafting on the air. <3

There are eight more polishes in this collection, such as a silver microglitter, berry creme, blue foil- all really gorgeous. They are available at Sally Beauty, Ulta, Beauty Brands, and other retailers for around $7 each. 

Love, Rachael

PS- With a pretty nail file and some ribbon, these could be super cute little Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers! 

Once Upon a Polish Queen of Hearts

Hello loves, how's your week been? It's Friday! I have absolutely nothing planned, except maybe a shower and I might be threatened into putting away a stack of laundry. I live a wild life.

Today's super belated (I'm sosorrysosorry) post features a polish I'm super in love with. These pictures are a few months old, but I'm actually glad I've waited to post. Now I can let you know how the glitters have lasted in their suspension base over time!

Once Upon a Polish Queen of Hearts is a mix of tiny white glitter, little gold and black hex glitter, large white hex glitter and black and red hearts.

From L-R: one coat of QoH over Wet n Wild Black Creme, two coats of QoH over Sinful Colors White on White, one coat of QoH over China Glaze Kalahari Kiss, and one coat of QoH over Zoya America.

I used two coats over white to sorta demonstrate that one coat really looks best! I did have to use a bit of the dabbing method but I didn't have to fish for hearts, which was awesome. This polish is so much fun. I'm a huge Disney fan, if you haven't noticed, and I think this sums ol' Queenie up so well.

To wear as a whole mani I used Queen of Hearts over China Glaze Kalahari Kiss. I friggin love this weird taupe-yellow-whatever color. It's the perfect neutral to make those gold glitters stand out!

Of course my Seche bubbled a little, so annoying.

Anyway, what do you guys think?? This polish has been on my shelf for months with no curling glitters, no bleeding glitters, and only a slight difference in thickness from when I first received it. It's really a gorgeous, unique polish with so much character.

Here's a picture of Her Highness for your viewing pleasure :)

Fabulous!

Once Upon a Polish can be found at Kimberly's Etsy shop. Queen of Hearts retails for $8.50 for 15 mL  (.5 oz) and is available right now, so don't miss out!

<3 Rachael

China Glaze Holiday Joy 2012 Press Release

China Glaze Holiday Joy 2012 Collection!

                           MAKE YOUR MANI MERRY AND BRIGHT

China Glaze® Debuts 12 Glittering, Shimmering, Ravishing Colours for Holiday 2012

The holiday season: it is truly the most wonderful time of the year – for nails!  From gorgeous glitters to rich crèmes, ‘tis the season to add sparkle and shine to any manicure and pedicure.  Celebrate the season in colour with the new China Glaze® Holiday Joy collection!

Bringing tidings of good cheer, the China Glaze® Holiday Joy collection features 12 merry crèmes, glitters and shimmers including:

·      Glistening Snow – Fine diamond-like silver glitter

·       Champagne Kisses – Bubbly rose gold glitter

·       Angel Wings – Delicate gold dust glitter

·       Winter Holly – Gold-flecked dazzling green glitter

·       Glitter All The Way – Exciting multi-color glitter

·       Pizzazz – Twinkling multi-dimensional glitter blend

·       Blue Bells Ring – Icy blue shimmer

·       Pure Joy – Fiery red glitter with gold particles

·       Red Satin – Silky blue-based red crème

·       With Love – Classic red crème with a hint of orange undertones

·       Merry Berry – Rich berry red crème

·       Cranberry Splash – Ruby red shimmer

The China Glaze® Holiday Joy collection also features 13 seasonally-inspired gift sets perfect for stocking stuffers, Hanukah gifts, Secret Santa, co-workers and Teacher’s gifts.  Gift sets include:

·     Ho Ho Ho: Merry Berry, Cranberry Splash, Red Satin, With Love, Pure Joy with First & Last base/top coat. MSRP $35.00

·       Holiday Charms: Mini bottles of Merry Berry, Red Satin, Winter Holly and Glitter All The Way. MSRP $16.00

·       Puttin’ On The Glitz: Cranberry Splash, With Love and Pizzazz. MSRP $14.00

·       Keepin’ Cozy: Merry Berry, Glistening Snow and Cranberry Splash with fingerless gloves. MSRP $21.00

·       Let It Glow: Champagne Kisses, Red Satin and Winter Holly with a pine scented candle. MSRP $21.00

·       Brrr…It’s Chilly: With Love, Angel Wings, Pure Joy and a mini snow globe. MSRP $21.00

·      Wings of Wonder: Blue Bells Ring, Champagne Kisses and Cranberry Splash with an angel key chain. MSRP $21.00

·       Santa Paws: Red Satin and Pure Joy with your very own plush puppy – “Joy”. MSRP $14.00

·  Trimmin’ The Tree: With Love and Glistening Snow with a festive snowflake-embellished ornament. MSRP $14.00

·      Cheers!: Angel Wings and Glistening Snow with a frosted shot glass. MSRP $14.00

·      Jingle All The Way: Pizzazz and Merry Berry with an adjustable Jingle Bell ring. MSRP $14.00

·       Makin’ Memories: Red Satin and Winter Holly with a “JOY” picture frame. MSRP $14.00

·       Stocking Stuffers: Pure Joy and Champagne Kisses with a mini stocking. MSRP $14.00

The China Glaze® Holiday Joy collection will be available in November 2012 at fine salons and beauty supply stores nationwide.  The collection will be available in 24- and 36-piece counter displays, a 36-piece rack and 36-piece prepack.

China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde.

China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, please visit www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Facebook (@ChinaGlaze), Twitter (@ChinaGlazeOfficial) and Pinterest (pinterest.com/chinaglaze).

China Glaze® is a division of American International Industries.

HALLOWEEN NAILS... 1.

H. A. L. L. O. W. E. E. N.

Sums it up.

Halloween. The time of year where Oklahoma finally gets down below "Screw it, I'm only wearing sweat today" temperatures and into what I call Shiver Weather. The time of year where every Reeses peanut butter pumpkin within a five mile radius eventually makes a happy home in my left ass cheek.

The time of year when all the hoes wear lingerie and cat ears and no one even minds. The time of year when it's socially acceptable to invite me children to your front door and offer them delicious noms. (And, if you're like the lady down the street from me, boxes of raisins and toothbrushes because she obviously hates her life.) The time of year when I say "the time of year" too damn much.

I dressed up as The Queen of Hearts a few years back... wanna see? Okay okay, here I am. 

Don't make fun. I thought I was hot. 

ANYWAY 

To the point :) This is two coats of OPI Don't Be Koi With Me, paired with my horrible skanky cuticles. We're not on speaking terms right now.

DBKWM is a black label I've had for at least eight years, long before my obsession with polish began. For some reason, even though I used to only wear pink polish, I held onto it. So glad I did! Black label OPI have theee beesstt formula. This was so wonderful to use. One coat of Seche Vite and it was perfect.

And, while they were drying, I caught my cat, Lily, nibbling on my middle finger, hence the hilarious little teeth marks. WTF Lil? that can't taste good.

A day later I was sick of plain ol' orange, so my first Halloween mani of the year was born. We're starting out simple so that when my equally simple (and potentially horrifying) manis come later, they'll seem more fancy. I'm tactical in my mediocrity. 

Kleancolor metallic black polka dots topped it all off. My bottle is almost gone and it's my favorite stamping polish... anyone have a bottle to spare??

I thought it was pretty cute! And later, I was all 

oh yeah.

Cupcakes for everyone!

Rachael

China Glaze Secret Peri-Wink-le and Candy Lacquer Frozen Treats!

 Hello hello!! Today is my 2 year dating anniversary with my sweet boyfriend. I'm all glammed out (I look fabulous!) and he's taking me to dinner in just a little bit. I am such a lucky girl :)

I've had this post ready to go for ages, wondering if I should post it. This is one coat of China Glaze Secret Peri-wink-le with one coat of Candy Lacquer Frozen Treats. Do you see that crazy bubbling?? That would be my awful Seche Vite, the bastard. He failed me miserably! Neither polish bubbled at all, so don't blame them, poor things.

Frozen Treats is chock full of glitter, mainly white shredded. It looks sooo cool in the bottle. I love the little pops of colored glitter! This polish was pretty thick, but I shook it half to death and that helped. Sorry about the bubbles... uuugh, Seche, Y U SUCK SOMETIMES.

It's beautiful!!

What do you think??

Cupcakes for everyone :)

Rachael

The Naked Truth: Part 2

This post is guaranteed to be MORE nakeder and MORE truthier! or something.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate the sweet comments on my last post. I was a little nervous about it, but you all made me feel supported and loved! <3

Today's topic: Bitterness and Anger

I have a few major reasons to be extremely bitter and angry. Some days, I AM very angry. Not at anyone in particular, but at my situation. I feel sorry for my parents and my boyfriend more often than myself. My parents... I'd be hopeless without them. I know for a fact my mother works as many 12 hour shifts as she does for my medical bills. And my boyfriend? He's an unwavering pillar of delicious smelling strength. He has painted my toes for me TWICE when I couldn't do it myself, for example. Without being asked. Right? What a guy! More often than not we end up on the couch watching bad TV. (Hello, new season of The Office!) He's the most tangible form of perfection I've ever known. I just wish I could be healthy for him. I wish I could be the normal girlfriend he deserves, the one who can go to movies and for walks in the park and even just to the grocery store anytime he runs out of cran-grape juice. It doesn't seem to bother him though. He has never, not ever, complained, or even mentioned how often we end up just watching Netflix, or just cuddling. It may not seem like much, but it's the world to me. What a special man he is.

sap sap sap, you know you like it. ;)

Anyway, back to being pissed off. Here's what irritates the tits off of me. And this is just me, being insensitive to the emotions of others.
"I'm so sick... I probably have a cold."
"My body hates me. I get pink eye like, twice a year."
"WHY ME, WHYYY?? Why do I have to get paper cuts? I HATE my life!"
and the ever popular
"Seriously, you don't know how hard my life is... I have like the worst luck. I have cramps for like two days in. a. row."

-collective sigh of disgust-

These are the Facebook statuses, twitter updates, emails and texts that make me want to eat a tub of cookie dough and then THROW IT ALL UP.

Granted, if I expect my feelings to have significance, then those people certainly deserve to have the same right. I would never, ever tell someone that their cold is NO BIG DEAL, or that they need to get over their 48 hour, ibuprofen cured cramps, or that pink eye is essentially their own fault. (hello, fecal matter + eye? doesn't happen to everyone.)

However, I do take a hefty double shot of "Take a deep breath, Rachael" (vodka works too) when I see stuff like that. True, colds suck. True, cramps are the devil roiling around in our uteruses. (is it uteri? idk) and I'm sure pink eye is no walk in the park, but pleeeease. I bite my tongue and remind myself that it's good that minor hurts are all these people know. I wouldn't wish pain on anyone  most people. I just get so jealous of their colds and cramps and paper cuts. I would kill for those problems. But that certainly isn't their fault.

Anyway. I can't expect the world to understand me when the world isn't me, but that doesn't mean I don't get frustrated. I feel like my life is on hold for now, like I'm just waiting to wake up and be better. It probably won't happen. But maybe it will gradually get better and be a simple annoyance, instead of a daily struggle. I'm waiting! Until then, I'll wear my yoga pants proudly, and my scars will just be a testament to the battles I've fought and won.

I'm losing weight, too. Almost twenty pounds so far! I'm hoping that 1) it makes my HS easier to manage and 2) makes my ass look more fabulous in my yogas. GOALS ARE GOOD RIGHT?

OH, and I really hope to start volunteering at an animal shelter soon. I friggin love animals. They never judge me for letting my bra straps show, or my coffee breath, or my frizz factor hair. Seriously, I can't be bothered to brush my hair every day.. who even does that? ....

At the risk of sounding like an infomercial, let me say this! If you are struggling with a disease or condition of any kind and would like someone to talk to, please feel free to contact me. No, seriously. I insist! I can be your source of witty banter, sarcasm, nutella recipes, and animal memes. Plus other stuff like positive encouragement and happy thoughts.

Love you too.

Rachael

YES

OPI Gargantuan Green Grape - stamped!

Welcome, Erma and Gerds, to my first nail post in many moons.

I LOVED this mani and actually wore it for three days. That's a big deal! The base is OPI Gargantuan Green Grape. I received this beauty in a Fall Secret Santa group from the lovely Dana at Polished Claws Up! She is so sweet, and really spoiled me. This color is TO DIE FOR. Minty goodness really butters my muffin, and I don't know why I don't have a thousand colors like it. I must rectify that! But first, here's the oddly named and perfectly formulated GGG for your viewing pleasure.

 Two easy coats, stamped with a new Bundlemonster 2012 plate (I'll get the plate number asap!) and then dotted with Kleancolor Metallic Pink. Topcoat of Seche Vite.

lurvely

What do you think? It kind of reminded me of a mermaid... maybe because I just want to BE a mermaid sometimes. Minus the shell bra. That just couldn't be supportive.

<3

Rachael

The Naked Truth: Part 1

It has been a thousand years since I posted. Okay, oozing melodrama already, but it feels like a friggin long time! I have 198 beautiful, wonderful followers, and I appreciate you all so much for sticking with me even though I've been MIA. I have really truly missed you! I've been faithfully painting my nails every few days and I was even taking pictures of fun manis up until a short while ago (camera is dead, ohh the humanity!) but I just haven't had any extra oompf left in me for posting. This next bit is mostly for my benefit because writing my feelings and thoughts down feels like I'm giving them away. I think that's the writer in me :) I realized recently how much writing means to me. Journaling every night has been so therapeutic. However, journaling is also very intimate, and I think baring my troubles to the world might just help me face the reality that my future is up to me. Let me explain.

Few of you know that I have a very rare skin/autoimmune condition called Hidradenitis Suppurativa. It isn't something I share with just anyone. The specifics aren't interesting, but the simple truth is that it is extraordinarily painful. Indescribably painful. I can honestly say that I haven't had a pain free day since early 2010, maybe even before. I've probably had HS my whole life, but it made its appearance in 2006 and has gradually become worse and worse. I've seen countless doctors who are so intimidated by the severity of my condition that they tell me not to come back to see them. (I am totally not fishing for sympathy, please understand. And if you think that, you can get lost anyway. Seriously.)

Most days I try to sit very still and keep necessary objects close by. If my camera isn't right on my desk when I paint my nails, I don't make the effort to go get it, thus.. fewer pictures. =/ It makes me sad, but it's pivotal to maintain some semblance of comfort. Despite how morose all this sounds, I do pretty well! I make it to class twice a week for a few hours and I really, really hope to get a job soon. No job = money for polish. I can hardly bear to ask my parents for money to put gas in my car every few weeks (Thank the LORD for my sweet little Honda! 30 MPG!) much less for $10+ for the indies I keep eyeballing, those gorgeous bastards.

I initially started painting my nails daily because it was something I could do without moving too much. Plus, if I have to sit around and do nothing at least I can look fancy doing it! Because I can do so little, I don't have friends anymore. After a major falling out with friends I thought I had last year I've essentially been going this alone. I have my sweet boyfriend, and my family. I have a few girlfriends that I really would love to hang out with more often, but it's embarrassing to have to make up excuses to leave early, or to wear yoga pants year round because jeans hurt too much, or to skip alcohol because I can't take pain meds and drink, or to avoid hot days because sweating makes me sick. It's hard to not be normal around normal people. So, most of the time it's just easier to be by myself. This breeds a great deal of loneliness. It's easier for me to be alone, but I have the personality of ten people, or so I've been told :) I crave company. I'm happiest surrounded by people. So you can see where I struggle with being alone. Luckily I have some pretty sweet blogger friends- you know who you are! <3

There isn't a definitive point to this post, really. I'm just glad it's out there. Now you know a little more about me. This is the less fun portion of these posts... the next one? Scandalous.

Stay tuned :)

Rachael

China Glaze Sweet Hook- Stamped!

Hi everyone!! How ya doing? I've been buying too much polish lately... HARE Midsummer's Midnight, Candy Lacquer Frozen Treats and Summer Sweets... yeah. Lots. It's been SO FUN. Can't wait for them to come in so I can show you!

Okay, onto the mani!

Two coats of China Glaze Sweet Hook, a light pastel purple from their Electropop collection. I'm in love with this polish. Application is smooth, no cuticle drag or bubbling. I am such a sucker for these pale colors. I love brights almost as much, but pastels are just so soft and delicate... 

purpley... purple...

STAMPED. :) Bundlemonster plate 317 from their new 2012 set. I used Kleancolor "It Purple" for the stamps. Kleancolor metallics are excellent for stamping. It's not perfect, but I love that the new BM images are wide enough to fit the whole nail. I had no trouble at all!

This adorable little guy is a cupcake full of strawberry cupcake scented lotion. It was a gift from my friend Jade from Jetleymess. You should check her out! 

 Purple on purple... rawr.

What do you think?

Cupcakes for everyone!

Rachael

OPI Nothin' Mousie 'Bout It

Hi everyone! Today's mani is from earlier this week. First I started with one coat of CND Stickey Base Coat, then two coats of China Glaze Hang-Ten Toes. HTT is a vibrant blue-based pink with a gorgeous shimmer. It dried to a satin finish, so shown below is one coat of Out the Door to make it shine. Application was effortless and dry time was surprisingly fast.

To jazz it up I added a coat of OPI Nothin' Mousie Bout It, from the Minne Mouse collection earlier this summer. NMBI is a sheer pink base filled with iridescent pink glass flecks and heart shaped glitters. The hearts are a pain in the ass to apply if you like uniformity, but I didn't have to fish too much. I stamped a bow on my ring finger with a random plate from bornpretty.com and Kleancolor Metallic Black. Out the Door topped it all off.

As adorable as the glitter is, I picked at the hearts all day. Maybe if I had a coat of Gelous or something on top it wouldn't have bothered me so much, but those little free edges.. grrr! MUST PICK 

What do you think?? This mani was fun but I got tired of it a little faster than I thought. I'm a little more impatient now!

What bothers you most about glitter?

Cupcakes for everyone

<3 Rachael