Nude Party Tape Manicure

I did a really fast (and sloppy) tape mani the other day. I wanted to do some cute nude nail art and to use Cult Nails Happy Endings which I hadn't used yet. I think it turned out cute even though I had a huge chunk of glitter stuck into the polish of my index finger O_O

I thought it would look cool to have a nude that matched my skin pretty good and then add a spike of color up from the ends. I used Zoya Helen for the nude and Zoya Paloma (a jelly polish) for the triangle background. I then added Cult Nails Happy Endings to just the triangle.

It kinda looks like an updated 80s style design. :)

Freehand Ocean Waves

I had a little fun the other day. It was quite rainy so I decided to do some nail art.

No tape used, just freehand waves. That is why they look so bad, haha!

Base: Sally Hansen Barracuda

Second layer: China Glaze Flying High

Third Layer: China Glaze First Mate

Last Layer: Sinful Rainstorm

April showers bring May flowers :)

Stampicure of the Day: Contemporary Design

I felt like stamping last night but I wanted a subtle background and a high contrast element in it. 

I finally decided on China Glaze Exotic Encounters as a base with Pure Ice Magic as a background using Cheeky XL C. There were two similar designs, one with a swirl and one without so I used the swirl design on my ring finger. 

I added a black tree/branch design on over it using Konad Black.

I really like how it turned out.

Exotic Encounters is like a cross between a pthalo green and teal with some grey. 

It's a very adult contemporary design ;) I like it, not too busy or crazy this time :D

Fruity Franken Mani: Still Going Strong

I made this polish awhile back when I saw a Brazilian polish that is very similar on a blog. I had no access to buying it and DIYed it. I added more little glitters than the original but this was the general idea. I used copper and mint green hexes and kelly green mini glitters. It kinda looks like the Essence Fruity color Kiwi a Day (without the big glitters). Super spring-y!

Close up

I wish I remembered the brand and color of the inspiration polish! This is still going strong, though, after 3 days. I am about to go play putt-putt golf with the husband and it ends up that this is a super cute putt-putt mani :) It is also a BEAUTIFUL day out! I am very happy.

Why I Won't Be "Lighting it up Blue" for Autism "Awareness"

*gets up on soapbox*

Okay, I am ready. Last year, I could have written this post but I did not, choosing to keep my trap shut. This year is different. If I see another blue Autism "Awareness" mani in my news feed on Facebook, I am going to offload in a NOT very positive manner. So, before that happens, here are my reasons for NOT sporting an Autism "Awareness" mani:

First of all...

Awareness? Is autism the same thing as cancer or something? I think a lot of people know what it is now and I am not sure that awareness will do anything but further stigmatize people with autism. They are people, first and foremost. How about Acceptance? I am all for Autism Acceptance. I myself have a problem making eye contact with people I don't know and I would hate to be pitied or judged because I am awkward. I would rather people just accept me for who I am and not worry so much about me! I know I have been called weird and treated strangely by people for my entire life. This is how I empathize with autistic people. Some people can't understand that and it is okay...as long as you accept that there are other ways of existing. I, myself, cannot understand being able to walk up to people and start a conversation or even flirting. That is okay.

Second...

Curing autism? Not sure how that would ever work and not sure it would be an option for everyone. PLUS---did you ever think maybe there are autistic people (and other neuro-diverse people) who DON'T want to be cured? Have you heard the phrase "nothing about us without us"? Organizations that claim to be charities (like Autism Speaks, a horrid excuse for one) are often created purely for the benefit of parents who have a hard time dealing with their autistic children. It isn't easy to raise a child with a disability as an abled person and no one would argue with that---however, that child has a right to be who they are and treated like a human being, not thrown into truly scary and damaging "therapies" or treated like a non-entity. 

Third...

I don't want misconceptions out there about autism and people with autism. I want them to speak for themselves, or if they can't speak, to count on the support of others in their community and culture to do so for their well-being and benefit. Disabled people have their own culture and they deserve to be recognized, their views validated. 

Here are some resources I have used myself to learn about people with autism:

Autistic Self-Advocacy Network

Disability and Representation Blog

What is Able-Bodied Privilege?
Discussion of the Puzzle Piece imagery

If you've supported organizations like Autism Speaks or Operation Rescue in the past, please reconsider your support going into the future. You can do more by spreading a message of acceptance and education rather than fear and misinformation. 

Note: If you are a parent or relative, or even close friend, with first-hand knowledge of autistic or neuro-diverse persons, please think of how they feel if you haven't before. It is never easy to be different and stressing the sacrifices and negative aspects of living with autistic people is damaging, not only to their self-worth, but to those autistic children yet to be raised by parents who believe it is the worst thing that could happen to their children. 

Thanks for letting me vent.

Here is my mani, a Solidarity Raised Fist with a franken I made:

Stampicure of the Day: Nude Sky

I think I have a bit of an obsession with layering metallic stamping over nudes :O

You be the judge!

Sorry for the blur, I didn't have my glasses on when checking the photos!

For my base, I used Essence Nude Glam in Cookies and Cream. I love this nude. It has bronzey metallic flakes in it that you can't really see in the photos. I stamped over it using Maybelline Bold Gold and Pure Ice Silver Mercedes using the Nailz Craze plate NC02. I have NC01 as well but I want them all O_O Darn low income :P

As you can see, I made a boo-boo on my ring finger here. The stamped image dried on the bottom before I could get it down, then it was put down in the wrong place! I was in too much of a rush I guess.

I also think that the lamp I have been using is too hot. It might be drying the images before I can get them down which is why there are so many missing parts to the stamping. I am thinking of buying a lamp that has a fluorescent bulb and a magnifying lens. It will help with beading, too :D

My other hand, which turned out better ><

I love the Nailz Craze plates. I just need to get the hang of stamping again, I have been too consumed by beading to bother. 

NOTD: Windestine Girl With the Best Smile

It is a gorgeous early spring day here in Central Indiana! Time for some finger-jewels :)

I fished in my mini polish box the other day because I have neglected them, ultimately. I found a franken I had made, inspired by OPI Thanks a Wind-Million and Zoya Bevin (the latter of which I have now) which is slightly more blue than those two.

I added Windestine Girl with the Best Smile on top (just one layer). If you have never tried a Windestine polish, what are you thinking?!?! Seriously, Jeweled Sand is a Holy Grail Glitter. It is amazing. So is this one, which is similar to Jeweled Sand but with pink, purple, and light green glitter.

Windestine's small glitter mixes look AWESOME over greyed colors. 

BONUS: Photos of Windestine Jeweled Sand over RBL 360, taken in August!

RIP Big Almonds :(

Anyhow, I <3 Windestine so much. I really want to buy her new polish called Wish Upon A Star which is a charity polish for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This charity sent my husband and his family to DisneyWorld when he was little. His brother received a liver transplant at 5 months old. I think they do wonderful work, lifting kids out of the gloomy world of medical problems and giving parents peace, knowing their child can forget about their problems for a little bit and enjoy themselves. 

I am proud to be a Windestine customer. She has wonderful polish that applies perfectly. It is also very well designed and feminine. 

Easter Bounce Back! Freehand Nail Art

Hello all! I have photos again!

Sorry for the long delay. I had to fix my camera. It is all patched up now and I am ready to post some manis :))

I painted with acrylic paint for the first time (on my nails, that is) and I didn't really like it to be honest. Not sure how people can stand it! It gets so gunky and goopy. Not my cuppa tea.

Thumb: Sally Hansen Barracuda with carrot

Index: NYC Lavender Cupcake with bunny

Middle: NYX Pastel Pistachio with a chick

Ring: Bettina Gladiola with quail

Pinky: Bettina Orchidea with chocolate bunny

I had a great Easter (or Bunny-Chicken Day as I call it) with my family. I hope yours was great!