The Digit-al Dozen inspires each other, Day 2: Drip Marble!

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Hello!


Today is the second day of The Digit-al Dozen's inspire-each-other week, where we pick manicures from other Digit-ers that inspire us to recreate.

As you know, I've been into drip marbles lately--I'm not very good at water marbles, plus I prefer the more random, geode-like effects of the drip marble. They're relatively easy and not nearly so messy...usually...but I'll get back to this point...

When I saw this mani Tiffany from Polish And Paws did, I fell in love--the colors are just so vivid, and the aqua goes with the purple so beautifully:  

I didn't have the exact polishes she used, so I did the best I could to come up with something similar. I used The Lady Varnishes Let's Get Dangerous and Here's Where The Fun Begins, from her Disney Afternoon collection; for the contrast I used Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Night Flight and Silver Stallion (aka Silver Sweep). Here's how mine came out: 

Drip marble with The Lady Varnishes Let's Get Dangerous and Here's Where The Fun Begins, and Sally Hansen's Night Flight and Silver Stallion

Drip marble with The Lady Varnishes Let's Get Dangerous and Here's Where The Fun Begins, and Sally Hansen's Night Flight and Silver Stallion

What do you think? The colors aren't exact, but I think I captured the spirit of it pretty well. I'm really happy with it except for one thing--I will never again do a drip marble with a dark blue. I went that route instead of black, and it was a mistake--I forgot how prone blue polishes are to staining, and it took me FOREVER to do the clean-up on this. I do think the effect was gorgeous, but I don't think I'll be repeating it. :)


I'll be back tomorrow with another recreation--in the meantime, check out the other ladies' manis, linked below. :)

Big hugs,
M. xoxo

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The Digit-al Dozen inspires each other: Day 1

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Hello!

This month, The Digit-al Dozen decided to choose a mani each day made by another Digit-al Dozen member that inspires us, and recreate it in some way. Today I chose a manicure that inspired me to do as close a complete recreation as possible; as we move through the week, I'll narrow in on certain elements I want to recreate.


The second I saw this mani Courtney from Polished Lifting did, I knew I had to recreate it:

I don't have this exact polish or plate, and I had one with a very similar image on the way, but it didn't come in time...So I used the next best plate I had.


I started with a base of Zoya Darby, and then stamped using MoYou London Mandala 14. I stamped with Kaleidoscope St-01 Black, and colored in with Kaleidoscope St-04 and St-06 Mint. Here's how it came out:

What do you think, did I do hers justice? I think hers is a bit softer, but I do like how the mandala worked in place of the succulent plant. I think both are pretty nice. :)


I'll be back tomorrow with another 'inspired' manicure--in the meantime, check out the other ladies' manis, linked below!

Big hugs,
M. xoxo

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Dixie Plates Camouflage 01!

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Hello!


Today we're going to take a look at another new plate from Dixie Plates, her Camouflage 01 plate...Here's the video review I did of the plate:

Here's a look at the plate:

This is a layering plate, designed to work together to produce different types of camo print. The first four images from top-left over are designed to work together; the last image on the top and the first two bottom left work together, and the final three go together. Of course, you're only limited by your imagination, so you can layer whichever ones you want for whatever effects you want.


My advice for using this plate is to start with the biggest print and move to the smaller print, starting with your lightest polish and ending with your darkest polish. That will make sure you don't just obscure your first layer of stamping as you go along. But of course, you can play around however you want! 


Here are four sample camos I made with the plate:

Of course you can use this plate to make camo prints in whatever colors you want. But you can also use these images for other types of background texture. For example, the first print looks like antiqued gold-leafing to me, and is so much easier than pulling out a pot of the actual leafing stuff you can buy for nail art. And how cute would that pink camo look under some Valentine's Day stamping?!


For my first mani, I wanted to play with a cool color combination for my camo. I started with a base of Zoya Isa and Ellie (also available from Zoya's website), and then stamped my images over it with Hit The Bottle Polish Purple Reign, It Mossed Be Love, and Pool Party (also available at Lantern & Wren): 

Dixie Plate Camouflage 01 over Zoya Isa & Ellie, stamped with Hit The Bottle Polishes

Dixie Plate Camouflage 01 over Zoya Isa & Ellie, stamped with Hit The Bottle Polishes

Something about this looks very 80's, don't you think? I love how well the bright colors worked together.


For my second mani, I wanted to create the look of a Hawaiian sunset with a smattering of clouds; I started with a gradient base made with Zoya Ellie, Minnie, and Missy. Then I stamped with a gradient of either Sally Hansen Night Flight or Grease Lightning and Zoya Minnie, and Sally Hansen Silver Stallion and Zoya Missy, to give the look of the colors being reflected on the clouds. Here's how it turned out:

Dixie Plates Camouflage 01 over a gradient of Zoya Ellie, Minnie, and Missy

Dixie Plates Camouflage 01 over a gradient of Zoya Ellie, Minnie, and Missy

I think the colors in this one are soft and tropical, and I love the ethereal way the 'clouds' look.


For my next look, I wanted to do something with the gold-leafing look I got with the metallics. I started with a base of Zoya Marigold, and then stamped Moyra SP-08 Silver, Messy Mansion Jingle Bells, and Hit The Bottle Polish Everyday I'm Truffling. Then I stamped over that with Dixie Plates DP-09, and Kaleidoscope St-01 Black:

Dixie Plates Camouflage 01 and DP-09 over Zoya Marigold, stamped with metallics

Dixie Plates Camouflage 01 and DP-09 over Zoya Marigold, stamped with metallics

This has a wrought-iron feel to me, like an old antique gate or balcony. This would be a great look for the holidays, with Christmassy images stamped over the top. I'm in love with how it came out.


I liked the look so much, in fact, that I did a second manicure with it. For this version, I put dots of Moyra Silver and Messy Mansion Jingle Bells on my index and middle finger, and I put Sally Hansen Blacky O on my pinkie and stamped the same image with Messy Mansion Jingle Bells:

Dixie Plates Camouflage 01 and DP-09 over Zoya Marigold, stamped with metallics

Dixie Plates Camouflage 01 and DP-09 over Zoya Marigold, stamped with metallics

 This version is a little less intense than the first--do you have a favorite?


If you're interested in getting the antique-leafing look, I did a tutorial showing you how I created it:

What do you think? Are you a camo person? What do you think of the versions I created?


You can find this plate in the Dixie Plate store, on sale now. You can also find this at Lantern & Wren if you're in the US and Canada, and you can keep up with Dixie Plates around the interwebs here:

Dixie Plates Facebook Fangroup: https://www.facebook.com/groups/461694520667496/

Dixie Plates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dixie_plates/

Big hugs,
M. xoxo

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Dixie Plates Lace 01!

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Hello!

How was your weekend? I made my very first strawberry-rhubarb pie, and OMG I think strawberry-rhubarb might be my favorite kind of pie. Tied with pecan and cherry...


Anyway. Focus. Today I have a new plate from Dixie Plates to show you, Lace 01! Of course I have a video review to show you, that tests out five potential looks:

Here's a closer look:

Dixie Plates Lace 01

What to note about this plate: This has classic lace images, but also a variety of styles, like the henna-look in the upper left. I also love the mix and match potential with the different meshes and similar patterns in the lace. And, I love the free edges she gives you to play around with!


Here are five quick ideas I put together for using this plate:

Five looks with Dixie Plates Lace 01

Here are the polishes I used in these looks:

(1) MM Chalk, hydrangea blue, Amalfi coast, Delft Blue
(2) Zoya Nahla, Kaleidoscope St 02 White
(3) Zoya Sandy, MM Dogwood Pink
(4) Zoya Jack, Moyra SP-09 Gold
(5) Zoya Snow White, Kaleioscope Black

On to some full manicures! For my first manicure, I wanted a softer, more elegant look, so I started with a base of The Lady Varnishes Here's Where The Fun Begins (which is on sale through today through Polish Pickup, so hurry if you like it!) . Then I stamped my image with Hit The Bottle Polish Champagne Shifter (also available at Beautometry), and added some studs: 

 

Dixie Plates Lace 01 over The Lady Varnishes Here's Where The Fun Begins

Dixie Plates Lace 01 over The Lady Varnishes Here's Where The Fun Begins

For my second manicure, I wanted to do something with a spring feel while I still can, since we're rapidly running out of spring...I started with a skittle base of The Lady Varnishes Here's Where The Fun Begins, The Lady Varnishes Let's Get Dangerous, and Zoya Saldana (from their just-released Sunshine collection), then stamped my images with Messy Mansion Lilac and Sterling:

Dixie Plates 01 over polishes by The Lady Varnishes and Zoya

Dixie Plates 01 over polishes by The Lady Varnishes and Zoya

For my last look, I wanted to go for something sexy and HOT. I started with a skittle of nekkid nails (ow baby!), Zoya Snow White, and Zoya Marigold (also from the Sunshine collection). Then I stamped my nekkid nails with Kaleidoscope St-01 Black, and added red and black rhinestones:

Dixie Plates Lace 01 over Zoya Snow White and Marigold

Dixie Plates Lace 01 over Zoya Snow White and Marigold

What do you think, which one do you like best?


You can get this plate on sale now in Dixie Plates' store, or, if you're in the US or Canada, from Lantern & Wren. And don't forget to check out Dixie Plates around the interwebs:

Dixie Plates Facebook Fangroup: https://www.facebook.com/groups/461694520667496/

Dixie Plates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dixie_plates/

Big hugs,
M. xoxo

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Zoya's Sunshine Summer 2018 Collection!

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Hello!


As usual, time is moving far too quickly for me. It feels like this year has just started, but we're almost to the unofficial start of summer. I have managed to keep up on several goals I've set for myself this year, so that's good--I finished one manuscript and am revising another, and have been cooking one new recipe a week (mostly). So, at least I'm feeling pretty good about where the year has gone so far. So bring on summer!


Today we're going to take a look at Zoya's Sunshine Summer 2018 Collection, which just released:

Zoya Sunshine Summer 2018 collection

To kick things off, we have Zoya Clementine, peach-coral with a golden shimmer:

Zoya Clementine

Zoya Clementine

Coverage: 2 coats (I'm wearing two)
Application & formula: Very nice--smooth and easy.

One of my favorites in the collection, I love the pink-gold shimmer to this that makes it look like some sort of rare opal gemstone. It has a soft bohemian romance that I adore.



Next we have Zoya Delia, a medium orchid creme:

Zoya Delia

Zoya Delia

Coverage: 1-2 coats (I'm wearing two)
Application & formula: Excellent

This polish makes me think of wildflowers by the side of a mountain path, and dresses with eyelets and embroidery. It's romantic and sweet and fresh.


Then there's Zoya Ellie, a fuchsia pink creme:

Zoya Ellie

Zoya Ellie

Zoya Ellie

Coverage: One coater! (I'm wearing two in the picture, but one covered fine for me)
Application & formula: Excellent

This is berries and sorbet and summer dresses. It's picnics and adorable bikinis while sunbathing by the pool. You know--basically, summer in a bottle. ;-)


Next up is Zoya Jack, a soft beige creme:

Zoya Jack

Zoya Jack

Coverage: 1-2 coats (I'm wearing two in the pictures)
Application & formula: Very nice--smooth and easy.

Jack is the perfect neutral--elegant, sophisticated, posh. I see trips to summer houses and Sunday morning brunches, champagne and caviar at sunset on the deck of a boat.

Then we have Zoya Karen, a cherry red creme:

Zoya Karen

Zoya Karen

Coverage: One coater! (I'm wearing two, but got full coverage with one)
Application & formula: Perfection

A classic, perfect sexy red--vibrant, vivacious, passionate, confident. This polish is for flirting and fun, elegant ballrooms and kisses under the stars.


And then there's Zoya Marigold, a candy-apple red with a golden shimmer:

Zoya Marigold

Zoya Marigold

Zoya Marigold

Coverage: 2 coats
Application & formula: Perfect. :)

My absolute favorite of the collection, Marigold is fiery, with a shine that seems to glow from within. It's riding in a convertible with the top down on a hot summer afternoon, it's pin-up girls in rockabilly dresses, it's salsa dancing until three in the morning. LOVE.


And for a softer look, we have Zoya Minnie, A soft salmon creme:

Zoya Minnie

Zoya Minnie

Coverage: 1-2 coats (I'm wearing two)
Application & formula: I had a little pulling with the first coat, but it evened out well after the second.

This is one of my favorites of the collection--it's soft and romantic, and almost universally flattering. This makes me want to put on a flowy dress and sip bellinis in a garden courtyard. 


Next we have Zoya Missy, a cotton-candy pink creme:

Zoya Missy

Zoya Missy

Coverage: 1-2 coats (I'm wearing 2)
Application & formula: Very nice--smooth and easy.

You don't get more girly and sweet than this pink--it's soft and versatile. It makes me think of little girls in Easter dresses, and soft, fluffy baby blankets.


Next we have Zoya Nahla, a gold glitter topper that can also be worn alone. Here she is on her own:

Zoya Nahla

Zoya Nahla

Here's what she looks like (one coat) over black and white undies:

And here she is (two coats) over Zoya Jack:

Zoya Nahla over Zoya Jack

Coverage: 3 coats when worn alone, 1-2 when over undies.
Application & formula: Excellent

Gold, gold, gold--this polish is rich and glamorous. It will add a touch of glitz to any mani, and is luxurious by itself. I adore it paired with Jack--elegant and blingy.


Our next polish Zoya Saldana, a blue topper with a purple shimmer that can also be worn on their own:

Zoya Saldana

Zoya Saldana

 Here she is (one coat) over white and black undies:

And here she is (one coat) over Zoya Missy:

Zoya Saldana over Zoya Missy

Coverage: 3 coats when worn alone, 1-2 when over undies.
Application & formula: Excellent

Saldana alone is like an Impressionist painting that captures the sunrise over a rippling river. The different sizes of glitter give it an artsy feel over undies, and I love how dark colors bring out the purple shimmer. Absolutely gorgeous!

Then we have Zoya Sandy, a medium Barbie pink creme: 

Zoya Sandy

Zoya Sandy

Zoya Sandy

Coverage: 1-2 coats (I'm wearing 2)
Application & formula: Very nice--smooth and easy. 

This polish make the song 'Barbie Girl' play through my head--it's a little bit sassy and a lot of fun. This polish needs a mini-skirt and some strappy sandals, thank you very much.

Finally we have Zoya Virginia, a watermelon-red creme that borders on a neon:

Zoya Virginia

Zoya Virginia

Coverage:  One coater! (I'm wearing two in the picture)
Application & formula: Very nice--smooth and easy.

This red flirts with the border of a neon--it's pretty much a neon in watermelon clothing. it's a little more tomato-y than it looks in the bottle. This polish feels like happiness to me--warm, vibrant, energizing.


So what do I think of the collection as a whole? This collection is like walking through a flower shop. The choice to stick with pinks, purples, and reds almost exclusively in a summer collection is unusual, and it allows the collection to provide a shade that will work for everyone. I think the toppers set off that spirit perfectly, giving a bit of edge, sparkle and fun to make the polishes even more versatile.


You can find the Sunshine Summer 2018 collection now on Zoya's site, and everywhere else Zoya is sold. :)

Big hugs,
M. xoxo

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