We’ve Moved!

Hello all!  I just wanted to let anyone who is still viewing my blog at http://www.topcoatit.wordpress.com know that it’s been moved!  I’m at http://www.topcoatit.com now.  Please update your bookmarks so you’re getting all the new posts!

Starry Gradient

I read quite a bit.  I haven’t always.  Last summer I started and haven’t looked back.I recently finished The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. I LOVED IT! Highly, highly recommend it. Another favorite is Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins. I’ve read it and listened to the audiobook more than once. This design is inspired by these books. One is fairly obvious from the title. The other, you’ll just have to read to see why. ;) I started with OPI Vant to Bite My Neck then sponged on some Jordana Smooth Blue and finished off the gradient with NYX Sepia. The stars are a vanilla colored acrylic. I love this gradient! So pretty.

If you’re a reader, you neeed to check out these books. They’re two of my top picks.

From the Vault: Big Sky

Home improvements and potty training are seriously rough on a manicure. I’ve been sanding and spackling and texturing, oh my! My poor hands are sooo dry lately. I’ve been trying to give them a little extra TLC and lots of extra moisturizer to make up for all the not so nice treatment.

While I repair my hands and find some time to paint my nails, I will re-show you one of my favorites from the vault. I should do another constellation mani. I loved it. I hope you enjoy this blast from the past today.

Originally posted 2/29/12, here.

I was eating my breakfast the other morning thinking about what I was going to do with my nails to post today. I was really happy with my franken from yesterday and didn’t really want to take it off. And then it hit me… Constellations. Perfect!Creating the design was pretty simple, but I had to do a bit of research to prepare for this one. I looked at a couple of websites then I remembered about a constellation book I have. I dug out my National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Night Sky and looked up the four constellations I’d decided on.

This picture is lacking a bit in quality, I did it on purpose though. I had a hard time photographing this mani because the reflection of the lights kept obstructing the design. It kept washing my stars out, hence, the poor quality. I also decided I would draw the constellations out for you to see them. I’m an Aquarius and my husband and daughter are Capricorn and Cancer. Cassiopeia is a constellation that is pretty recognizable for me. We vacation in “Big Sky” Montana each year and it’s near impossible to look up in the sky at night and not be able to spot constellations. Cassiopeia is just another one that I’m familiar with and is pretty easy for me to spot. I used OPI DS Radiance for my “stars.”

 

Peachy Latice

Since doing my 50 First Dates mani a few weeks ago, I’ve been wanting to try this “pineapple” mani again.Obviously these aren’t pineapple colors, but they’re still springy and make me think of the warm sun on my back. I used China Glaze Peachy Keen and Sinful Colors Hazard.

Twinsie Tuesday: Copycat Take 2

A while back we did a copycat theme week. Today is take two.

I was given Chelsea’s Nailed Blog to find my inspiration this week. I chose to do her Saran Wrap Mani.

Of course I had to put my own twist on it and try it as a gradient. After doing my base color of CND Asphalt, I painted half of my nail with OPI Do You Lilac It and the other half with Sinful Colors Innocent. Then went to town with my Saran Wrap. It made for a cool effect. What do you think of this Saran wrap gradient?

Be sure the check out all the other manis today:

Amanda of Amandalandish
Anna of Going to the Showing
Anne of Grape Fizz Nails
Ashley of Art Evolve
Brandi of The Beaulieu Review
Chelsea of Nailed Blog
ChiChi of I’m Just Me…ChiChi
Cordia of Seriously Swatched
Elizabeth of Did My Nails
Jamie of Polish, Please!
Katherine of Haul of Fame
Maribeth of Obsessive Cosmetic Hoarders Unite!
Marisa of Polish Obsession
Meredith of Polish and Charms
Nory of Fierce Make Up and Nails
Sarah of See Sarah Swatch
Tara of Polishy of Truth