Spellbinding Giveaway!

Hi guys!  Just in case Sarah Louise from Spellbinding nails didn't feel the love in my last post then maybe she might feel it now!  Ooops I'm like turning into a stalker, never a good sign!!  Any ways if you haven't already checked out the amazing Spellbinding Nails blog now is a perfect time to do so.  She has an amazing give away coming up as she has reached the awe inspiring 2000 followers on her blog which is amazing.  But no seriously her blog is gorgeous and I am really jealous of her stamp collection.

http://www.spellbindingnails.com/2012/09/my-2000-give-away.html

So the prizes are as follows:

1st prize


I would love this hint hint Sarah, pretty please with a cherry on top x

2nd Prize

Amazing also!!

3rd Prize



As you can see for yourselves 3 amazing prizes.

To enter you just have to follow the instructions which are basically being a member of her blog and joining her on other social network sites and that's it.

Definitely get involved for a chance to win!!!  Yippee so happy for her and of course the winners, you lucky, lucky girls!!!

Bites of Information:

My poorly princess Rebecca has fell in the garden

and fractured her ankle! Ouch!!!

Rebecca is being really brave.  She has a partial

cast on and will attend fracture clinic on Monday

for a full cast.  She is hoping for a pink cast

so keep your fingers crossed girls!!!

Dylan has had a great first week of afternoons

at school and hopefully a great week next

providing I can get him there and back.

Joshua has looked so handsome in his new uniform.

The school have now changed to wearing blazers

but I don't think he is too happy about it!!

I am so behind with my blog, aaarrrggghhh!!!  Everytime 

I start to follow up my ideas, something comes up.

Please don't give up on me back on course as soon as 

I can!!!!

Ok, that's it from me.  Bye for now!

Michele x

French Pearls

Hi guys!  So the kids are back to school tomorrow and Dylan has his first afternoon also.  He is too little and has only just turned 4 I hope he will be ok.

So I wanted to have a change from colourful nails.  I thought I haven't just done a french manicure for ages but I need to bling it up a little come on, just plain nails look great for a day but are totally uninspiring (boring).

When I was storing my XL Plate L I came across this plate that I have been dying to try out but sadly I had forgotton about.  I aim to try all these images at some point they are just absolutely gorgeous.



I got this plate from Amazon Cheeky Beauty
You can also purchase from Magno Nails

1.   I used Opi Nail Envy based coat.
2.   Sally Henson French Manicure Sheerly Opal 3017
3.   Konad Special Polish White
4.   Stamp XL C
5.   Add pearls (optional)

So these are my nails! Unfortunately they are not perfect but I know my mistake was being in a rush and not letting my nails completely set.  It was nothing to do with the stamp I assure you the image itself was crisp and perfect on paper.  I hope you like my nails and please share with me your attempts at using this plate I would love to see.

A big thank you to my hubbie for taking the pictures for me with his fabulous camera.  Much superior to my Iphone images I must say!  Thank you baby x

Ok, bye for now!

Michele x

Spiderman Dylan!

Hi guys! I'm feeling the love today.  So this is for my cool little man Dylan for his birthday! Happy 4th Birthday Dylan!!!

This was taken in London

Dylan in his Spiderman suit

with his Spiderbaby from 

Build-a-bear

First of all I need to show you my new plate I received.  It is a continuation of my XL plates but instead of getting them from Cheeky on Amazon I got it from Magno Nails. It is plate XL L and it came super quick, less than a week, so I was really pleased.

It also came with idea sheet.

How cool is that!

I was interested in particular in this image.  As my young man has feel in love with Spiderman I thought this image might help me out to create an image dedicated to him. So here goes.

I used Konad R5

Konad Special Polish Blue

Konad Special Polish Black

Konad Princess Special Polish Silver

Also M1 and BM 13

So that's it for me.  Happy Birthday Dylan!!!

Ok, bye for now!

Michele x

Spellbinding!

Hi guys! When I was presented with the Liebster Award there was one girl I wanted to nominate but as the rules state you have to have under 200 followers I couldn't include her. I was super gutted as in my opinion this girl deserves an award!

If you haven't already heard of her she has an amazing blog with an awesome and heavenly stamp collection. She always seems to be in the know well about the things I want to know about at least. She has also been super kind to me. She was the first follower of my blog and she has also made friends with me on other sites.

She has super cute nail designs and I am always excited to read one of her posts!  Well I would like to highlight one post in particular that has pleased me know end and has provided some gorgeous pictures.

I am talking about the gorgeous Sarah Louise from Spellbinding Nails! Check her blog out immediately if you have not already found it!!! The post I would like to highlight is if you hadn't already heard she has confirmed the rumours about China Glaze Hologlam Collection 2013 and provided pictures for us to ogle at. Super kind as always.

So this is my little thank you to Sarah and please check out her post at http://www.spellbindingnails.com/2012/08/china-glazes-hologlam-collection.html

Please don't be embarrassed Sarah, you are too cute!!

Just a short one for me but I will be back shortly with plenty of pics soon!

Little bites of information:

It is my son Dylan's 4th Birthday today! So a very Happy Birthday 

mate.  I love you and super proud of you!!!

We have also had a poorly princess over the holidays and

she is feeling a lot better now! (thankfully)

Hopefully Pizza Hut tonight for the birthday boy!!!

Ok bye, for now!

Michele x

Liebster Award!

Hi guys! Cripes so happy about this right now.  I have been nominated for the Liebster Award!! Yikes!!

I have been nominated by http://addictedtoopi-yum.blogspot.co.uk/  So thank you so much for that. She has a gorgeous blog filled with lovely pictures and interesting detail. As you know I am only just starting and am learning as I go.  So I feel really pleased that people are finding my little blog ( it was supposed to be a secret, sshh!!) and that someone thinks I am doing well enough to deserve a little award.  Aww this has pleased me beyond words.

Here's how it works:
1) The recipient must post 11 fun facts about themselves
2) The recipient must also answer 11 questions created by the award giver
3) The recipient must give the award to 11 new bloggers with less than 200 followers and post 11 questions for them to answer
4) These 11 bloggers must be told they have been given the award
5) They will in turn pass the award on to 11 new bloggers of their choice (no tagging back the award giver)

11 Fun facts:

1.   I am happily married to my husband Gary.  We have 3 beautiful kids together, Joshua 13, Rebecca 6 and Dylan will be 4 next week.

2.   I am 4ft 11 or 5 ft depending on who measures me.  My husband is 5ft 11 and towers over me.  But he is a gentle giant or I'm a bossy dwarf and we love it this way.  I have little woman's syndrome and I make a lot of noise and I talk a lot but he is Mr Chill and is so layed back. It did take some getting used to at first but we kiss with me on my tip toes which is quite nice actually.

3.   I don't know if its my height or if I genuinely do look young but people are always surprised that I am 32 and are doubly surprised to realise I have 3 kids especially that one is a teenager.  Good genes I guess plus I have tried every cream (that I can afford) out there so something must have paid off.

4.   I love high heels that is my one true love other than polish ( I need the height).  But as I  have only size 3 feet I struggle to get the shoes I like, which sucks.  Josh is 13 and he is now nose to nose with me and has size 5 feet.  I think I might need a step on those days when he needs a clip round the back of the head ( ha, ha!!)

5.   Walking is a passion of mine and I have always been a big walker.  The last few years I haven't been able to do as much as I like but I am hoping to change that this year.

6.  We have a dog called Chip but our first dog was called Chocolate. We only need one more called Cookie and we will have  had the set ( ha, ha!!) 

7.  I am extremely fearful of spiders and will think nothing of screaming my head off at them (like that will help things!) 

8.  I love candles and have a ritual every night of throwing away the old tea lights and putting new ones in and lighting them all.  I love the lights, the smell and the activity of actually doing it.  Good thing my husband loves it too!

9.  I love to laugh and love funny people.  I could watch Lee Evans with the sound off just his body language and actions are funny to me on their own.  But my kids worry about me when I get laughing as I have a tendency to cry when I get going.

10.  I stopped smoking 7 years ago and have never looked back.  I saw a hypnotherapist about it but you still need will power to get you there.  Although I went out with the girls a few months back and ending up having a cigarette but I was too drunk to remember it really.  A crazy moment that I won't be repeating.

11.  This may be boring but I love and live for my family and would do anything for them.  Nail polish and blogging are my little outlet to have my own little identity outside of them but that's it.  I am just a simple girl really.  I don't want much just to be happy and at peace.

1) When and why did you start blogging?

I only started blogging this year in May, although I had thought about it for awhile but I am a bit shy.  My husband built a little display unit for my nail polish and all that jazz and that gave me the push to decide to create a blog of my own.  Also I had been taking pictures of my nails for awhile and my Iphone and Computer both went down at the same time and I hadn't backed them up.  I lost everything, all my pictures so this blog was created to be a more permanent place for them and to encourage me to use all the stuff I have.

2) How many bottles of polish do you own?

I would say I have about 250 polish about 50 stripers and about 40 Konad Special Polish for stamping.  So a lot but its my little thing and I love it.  My collection is probably small compared to others but in my house which is very small it is a massive collection that is slowly taking over the house. (oops sorry to the hubster x)

3) What color do you have the most of in your collection?

I would say without even looking it would be blue.  I love blue and if someone is wearing blue on their nails, I just fall in love with the colour, the design and the pattern if they have one and I will do anything I can to hunt down the colour and try to emulate their nails.  Freaky I know but I can't help it!  It could also be pink as well because my Rebecca loves her some pink so when I get this colour I think of her.


4) What is your first memory of nail polish?

My Auntie Christine and Auntie Janice both had long nails and wore red nail polish.  As a little girl I was fascinated by their nails.  My mum didn't wear any polish so it was really pleasing to me to see these shiny nails.  I think right then and there a nail addict was born!!

5) What do your friends/family think of your hobby?

My husband and kids think it is great.  My husband bless him is really supportive but I think he would wish I wasn't quite as obsessed for the sake of our house.  My Mum loves it but she can't really be bothered with nail polish herself.  My Dad thinks I am crazy when I tell him I am buying more polish he says "But you already have all that, why do you need more?"  The thing is I don't need more, nobody needs nail polish I just love it.  My friends just know that's me and that's who I am.  But they are always really surprised how long I keep my nails when I have the 3 kids.

My family knows but I haven't mentioned to any of my friends that I am blogging.  It just hasn't come up in a conversation and I guess I am still a bit shy about it all really.  I will in time...!!

6) What are your hobbies other than blogging?

I love reading.  I devour books when I get chance.  I could sit and read all day long and do as often as I can.  Walking is my head clearer.  I love to walk and get all the jumble mess that is my brain all untangled from the heavy stressful knot that is life so there is calm and organisation inside once more. (if only!)

7) What's your favorite nail polish color?  

I would say For Audrey China Glaze.  Inspired by the Tiffany's blue.  It's not a perfect dupe but very similar.  I don't have it any more, it ran away not sure where.  But will be purchasing again in the near future.

8) What would be your dream polish?

I love Holos but I would love a polish that you stripe on and it would be rainbow effect or polka dots, that would be really cool.  Well a girl can dream.  I would just settle to being able to buy China Glaze 'OMG' without the £50 price tag.  Although I have heard a little rumour they are bringing out a new Holo set called 'Hologlam' in 2113, so watch this space. (please let it be so!!)

9) What is something you love, but everyone else hates.  

Honestly, I have wracked my brain but I can't think of anything.  I am a laid back sort of girl and so are the people in my life, there' is nothing I hate nor do they.  Oh except maybe the crazy frog, I can't stand that thing!!

10) What trends do you love?

I love One Stroke nail art, Stamping on nails or hand drawn designs, and glitter nails.  I love, love, love kawaii japanese nail art I think it is amazing.  Those girls have some style!!


11) What trends do you hate?

I wouldn't say I hate but not sure about stilleto nails.  Don't get me wrong they look great in pictures and on some celebs but I don't think they are practical for everyday.  But to be fair I have never tried them personally so I guess I need to try them before I can really set an opinion.  I am just kind of scared I might take one of my kids eyes out or something like that!!


I am passing this award on to 11 lovely, talented ladies. Here goes:

http://beachingnails.blogspot.co.uk/

http://radi-d.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.thepolishedmommy.com/

http://glitznglammer.blogspot.co.uk/

http://nuthinbutanailthing.blogspot.co.uk/

http://nevernakednails.blogspot.co.uk/

http://stampaholicnailart.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.timeonmynails.com/

http://nearlynaturalnails.blogspot.co.uk/

http://cutesvilledaily.blogspot.co.uk/

http://kayleyart.blogspot.co.uk/

Congratulations girls!! I hope you get chance to check out their blogs as they have some super cute nail art!!

Well that's all from me.  Super happy right now!

Ok bye for now!

Michele x

Green Squares

Hi guys!  Its been a hectic summer holidays for me and it hasn't turned out quite as planned but never mind.  I am still struggling to get time to do my nails, infact I haven't even painted them for myself all summer ( boo hoo!!)  It is just coming up to midnight now and I am squeezing this in before I go to bed.  This was just for fun so I hope you don't mind.

1. Opi Nail Envy

2. Konad Princess Olive Green, Princess Apple Green and Princess Pop Green

3. Paint each colour on the sponge and dab onto nails. It doesn't have to be perfect.

4. Clean up your nails and skin the best you can before stamping as the sponging can get really messy.

5. Make sure your nails are dry before you proceed.

6. Use this image from XL Plate B  

This image just stood out for me and I feel it has turned out really well. A nice crisp, clean image and design.

Yes I know it is not entirely perfect but its midnight, what you gonna do!

7. Black Konad Special Polish

8. Konad Silver Glitter Top Coat  ( no special reason for this, it was just for a change and to make the nails more attractive)

You could keep it matt if you prefer ( no top coat as shown in previous pics) or just use a normal top coat.  The nail art is quite dark and this just for me made it stand out more.

So I know its a really quick post tonight but I promise I will get time to be more creative with my nails soon. I hope you enjoyed this design and I will be back sharing more pictures with you.

Ok that's it for me, bye for now!

Michele x

Aztec and Butterflies

Hi Guys!  I am having one of nights where it doesn't make sense but that's kind of the point.  I am just doing what I do having fun.  This was not planned, you might say it was a happy accident because I think it looks kind of neat but just my opinion.  I was just playing with my brushes and acrylic paint, practising 'one stroke' technique.  Then I just went from doodling on paper to on my nails. And with the help of Bundle Monster it turned out quite good.

I think the fact that they are so different from each other that somehow

it works together.  I like the contrast and it's almost like they 

contradict each other!

This is just the pallette I work with.

So I had already prepared my nails and had OPI Nail Envy on them.

Flat Edge Brush

I just pushed the brush back and forth up the nail like one big petal.

I did this twice letting it dry in between coats to give a more

 vivid colour.

I use this over the acrylic paint before stamping.

Bundle Monster 315

Using Konad Moss Green

Then on the left hand

I used white and purple and swiped it up my nail.

Then without cleaning the brush I used white and blue. 

So it had a stripy effect and I just smeared the colours

together.

A bit like marbling

I think it looks pretty!

Again over the acrylic before stamping.

Bundle Monster 307

Konad Royal Purple

So it may be weird but I think kind of wonderful also.  I really like the background under the stamping on both hands.  However I am partial to purple and blues and of course those lovely butterflies. So for me my left hand is my favourite.  But the the design on the right hand is still pretty awesome.  I have really enjoyed playing with my nails tonight.

Some bites of information:

OMG how bad has that Kleancolor Metallic Pink stained my nails. They still have a shade of pink to them.  I have cleaned them off with nail polish remover.  I have also used a nail brush with some lemon and bicarbonate of soda.  I have buffed my nails and it is still not coming off.  I swear I used two coats of OPI Nail Envy before starting and it has still seeped through.  If any of you have any tips on how to get rid of it please let me know. It is such a shame because I liked the colour but please go away now.

We are all still pretty sick.  We have all got barking coughs and my daughter has been sent home from school now because she now has it also.  Poor poorly princess!!

I re-tried those Bundle Monster plates I told you about that don't work for me and they still do not work so I will be contacting Amazon and Bundle Monster and I will let you know the out come.

What do you think of the colours and the designs?  It is so distracting having two totally different nails on  each hand but it's kind of cool also.  I hope you have liked my nails tonight.  Let me know what you think of them.   Do you have contrasting hands on occasion, and do you get a good response when you are out and about?

Ok, that's it from me. Bye for now!

Michele x

Bundle Monster 323

Hi guys! So I am still feeling really sick however I thought by doing my nails it would make me feel better.  Plus I need to show you some more of the new Bundle Monster Images.  Today I decided to use the big roses from plate 323 also in addition I used my new Kleancolor polish.

So base coat is OPI Nail Envy then 1 coat of 158 Kleancolor Metallic Pink.

Not cleaned up yet, sorry!

Now I don't normally use a Top Coat before I do the stamping, I have never had a problem before until now that is.  You know that I have told you that I will share the good the bad and the ugly, well here is definitely the ugly.  I used Konad White Special polish then soaked my nails for a minute in cold water to prevent smudging like I always do.  Then I used Konad clear polish and it went on ok and then bit by bit this pink started to spread on the white.

So I thought that's ok I will just do it again.  Which I did.  I then waited a good hour before I put the top coat on over the pink.  I performed the stamping action again. Soaked my nails again and then waited a little while to put the Konad Clear Top Coat on.  Again it looked fine.

The roses are gorgeous and they have transferred with ease. They are clean and crisp and perfect. They look so nice over the white.  It doesn't show in the picture but the metallic polish has a sheen to it and obviously the white is a matt colour. So it has that contrast there which in turn makes the white much more vivid making it stand out a lot stronger. 

Urgh!!!  Irritated!  Just as I am typing this blog I realise the pink has spread again only slightly but still annoying.  I don't know what else I could have done other than maybe wait a full day with the pink before stamping.  But other than that I felt the image it self was a good result.  

The Kleancolor polish is a really strong, vibrant colour.  It is really pigmented that's why I only used one thin coat and that was enough.  Maybe this is telling me that the metallic polish is not to be used in conjunction with stamping.  I will do some more experimenting and I will let you know.  It would be a shame because the metallic set has some really nice colours as well.  Before I forget, I would definitely recommend soaking this polish off because it will stain your skin and your nails.

Oohh!!  In between doing the second attempt on my nails, I painted my toes, yay!

Ok so I hope you like these nails and I will do more of the Bundle Monster designs very soon.

That's it, Bye for now!

Michele x