Guess who's back, back again...

Hi all!

I feel like hugging this blog, it's been so long! So, quick update on my life now: as you may know, I graduated from my bachelor's degree in May but you (probably?) don't know that I am now working on my master's! As well trying to get everything in order to apply for a post-doctoral program in the fall of 2014. I'm busy, to say the least. I often feel like I'm drowning in coursework and just life in general. That sounds sadder than it is, lol. In fact, the only reason I'm blogging now is because I'm procrastinating doing some school work but today I just got an overwhelming desire to blog again so here I am! It helps that I really like this mani :D

Right, nails, that's why you're here. For this mani I started with a base of Illamasqua Jo'Mina and then saran-wrapped-sponged Illamasqua Nomad on top. Then I stamped with the silver Color Club holo and MASH 39. These even got the boyfriend seal of approval with a cheery "Ooohh look who's back!" when I showed him.

The pictures aren't perfect and I have to re-tweak the lighting because my setup changed since I wasn't using the lightbox but I'm just happy to have these up!

Sappy time: I am really happy you're all still following this blog and to show my gratitude, I'll be having a giveaway soon! Nothing huge, but I do have some things I've stashed away for an occasion such as this. As for the future of the blog, I do strive to continue blogging but I am definitely not pushing myself too hard. Sometimes I just have time to paint my nails in a single color and no nail art, and I'm actually still falling back in love with doing my nails since I was often naked during the break so I don't want it to become a chore again.

See you soon! :D

ABC Challenge 'T' - a-England Tristam

Hi all!

Super short post, I'm very sleepy and have a massive headache at the moment but I really wanted to get this post up today!

I believe this was just one coat of a-England Tristam, which has been a lemming ever since it came out and it is finally mine thanks to Radha from The Polish Owl! Then, I added some holo stamping with Color Club Harp On It (because scattered holo + super holo = happy me at work) and a Pueen stamping plate (if anyone is interested in a review of these plates, please let me know).

I'm very sorry about the tip wear, this is another mani I've been wearing for almost a full week (still wearing it as I type) and last time I tried to fix the tips it looked all lumpy so I figured this time I'd show just how well its wearing. Needless to say, I love this mani to bits.

Have a great day loves!

Dirty Waters? (Illamasqua Cameo + Stamping)

Hey all and happy Friday!

You might be able to tell that I have no idea what to call this post. I think it's because I find the color combination a bit odd. Don't get me wrong, I loved this manicure lots and lots but its not a combo I would typically go for. Am glad I did though, I'm working on getting out of my comfort zone.

I started with two coats of Illamasqua Cameo, which is the most amazing vivid periwinkle I've ever had and want 25 bottles of it (I'll probably just settle with the one I have) but it was a bitch to photograph. This color really spazzed my camera out so I have to apologize for the swatches, I tried to color correct but I'm pretty sure I failed. For the stamping I used DRK-A and Color Club Beyond.

There are some color accurate swatches on Vampy Varnish and Ommorphia Beauty Bar.

I thought it looked like dirty water with oil in it and my mom said it looked like you were looking at the sea through a chain-link fence. She's very creative, lol.

What do you think? Agree that its an odd color combo or does it seem totally obvious to you?

Have a great weekend, loves!

Rainbow Over Blurple

Heeey everybodah! IT IS FRIDAY.

I am very excited about today's post because it is one of my favorite manis that I have done in recent memory. Truth be told, when I get inspired I end up with things I really like, its only when I force myself to come up with something that I find they're lackluster. Now, if you follow me on Instagram (@hookedonpolish) then you've already seen it but now you get better pictures. If you don't, then you totally should because I post manis on there that never make it to the blog and I have a really cute dog.

I used two buttery coats of KIKO 337 (courtesy of mom, as you may have seen on my last post). KIKO 337 is a bright periwinkle/violet color that is an absolute pain to photograph. I *think* I got color accurate pictures by messing with the camera settings but it's so in between blue and purple and so bright that it really just confused the hell out of my poor camera. Next, I stamped with Mash-47 and Color Club Harp On It from their 2012 Halo Hues.

Obviously, this was way more holo-y than I could capture but you can see a tiny rainbow in that last picture. I really loved wearing this mani. Even as I type, I feel like recreating it. I won't because I have about a bajillion untrieds sitting there but I think it's very representative of my style and it was such a clean stamping job for me that I can't help but love it.


How about you guys? Any plans for the weekend?

Have a great day and I'm off to respond to comments on my last posts! *flies away*

Bling-a-ling-ling! (Feat. Born Pretty Store glitter)

Hey guys,

Today I have a post for Polish Days! I really enjoy these monthly events so I didn't want to miss out on this one (although I'm a day late). This month's theme was 'Bling' inspired by the fact that Ms. Polly Polish herself got engaged (Congrats Hannah)! Her ring is absolutely beautiful and unique so we went blingy for the occasion. 

I really wasn't planning this mani, sort of just sat down and painted my nails with what I wanted. As luck would have it, it turned out pretty nice! I started with two coats of Color Club By Design, a lovely plum creme. Then I added a coat of Orly Miss Conduct, normally a pink scattered holographic polish but layered over the dark plum it looks berry-colored. Or something. It's just extremely pretty, I really can't stop staring at my nails.

The diamond glitters are from Born Pretty Store, of course! I received this a little while ago and saved it to use for this event. Since it's diamond shaped and holographic, what could be better for a blinged out mani? As usual, this glitter comes in a little tub with way more glequins I could ever need. I love these so much though! I already have a couple of ideas on other ways to use them.

I really tried to capture the sparkle in this as best I could, but methinks I need a new lamp. Just trust me, you're better off if you get yourself a bottle of Orly Miss Conduct. I almost didn't because it's so pink (here is a color accurate swatch) and I never wear pink but I'm so glad I did. I even semi-killed a lemming with this combo.

If you're interested in these specific glitters, you can find them HERE (Item id: 791) and remember there's a 10% off code!

Monday's a Day for a Color Club and Stamping Fail!

Hi, it's Monday. I feel like I haven't rested in a while, I need my alone days in my house just vegging or I get cranky.

This is another really old mani that I never got around to posting. The fail here was with the fact that I wasn't expecting the polish to be so sheer and then the stamping. Dear Lord, the stamping. It wasn't great. It was kind of crooked and hurried and I just didn't like it when I was done. One of those "doesn't-look-like-it-did-in-my-head deals".

This is Color Club Hydrangea Kiss. It's a very pretty blue but it was just a runny and streaky mess while applying which made me lose my polishing patience. I then stamped with Sally Hansen Silver Sweep and BM-221 for the misplaced mess.

I also wanted to take a minute (paragraph) to say thanks for your comments on my Cupcake Gradient post, I haven't had a chance to respond yet but it really meant a lot to hear the nice things you all said and to hear from the ones that are usually lurkers and made themselves known :D. You're all the reason I blog. Well, that and I don't really have much else to do with all the polishes except shove them in other people's face and be like "ISN'T THIS PRETTY?!".

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend and your father's day celebrations!