China Glaze Swanky Silk

China Glaze Swanky Silk from the 2012 Bohemian collection
This polish hasn't got much love in the reviews I have read, but when I saw it in the store, I thought it was interesting, so it came home with me. This polish appears to shift between pink, golden and soft jade in the bottle.
The formula was very easy to work with and it only took two coats to be opaque. However, my biggest complaint about this polish was the very visible brush strokes- I had to do a third very careful coat with the least number of strokes possible because they bothered me so much. With the third coat, they were minimized enough where no one else seemed to notice them.
It was a very pretty not quite nude and I enjoyed it quite a bit!

Kleancolor Chunky Poppy Holo

This is two layers over OPI on Collins Ave. In the bottle this was dense, had a great shift of colors, and really did look like poppy magic! This was my first real experience with Kleancolor polish, though I had been warned that they were stinky. Despite being warned about the stink, I figured since my sense of smell wasn't the best, and Seche Vite does not phase me much, I would be fine- oh my, I was in for a surprise! Upon opening the bottle I was hit with a stink that burned my throat- I probably should have stopped there, but in the name of glitter, ventured on. I was easy enough to work with, but did take forever to dry.

I was pretty happy with the final pay out and got several compliments on it, nevertheless, the smell has scared me off. I think this will probably be my last Kleancolor purchase unless they change the formula.

OPI OPI on Collins Ave

This was the perfect orange, pink, coral-ish color to suit my summer needs! The creme painted like a dream and required almost no clean up. Two coats and I was good to go.
I really liked the shiny finish that this polish had. I hope you enjoy it too...

New York Summer Hot Sky Blue

As I was going through my pictures, I found pictures of New York Summer Hot Sky Blue that I swatched back in May but never shared with you.
This is one of the New York Summer jellies- I believe the pictures have two coats of polish. I have mixed feelings on jelly polishes since I do not like visible nail line, though I do enjoy them quite a bit for layering.
Enjoy!

Pahlish Train Underwater

Every now and then you find a polish that takes your breath a way... You see it, your eyes light up, you pick up the bottle and examine every detail. Pahlish Train Underwater is one of those polishes. The first time I saw it was on a weekend together with friends- I think it was impossible to ignore the drool dripping from my chin, because when a dear friend of mine magically ended up with a second bottle, she was so sweet as to gift it to me.
This polish has blue, purple, silver, and green medium hex glitter with finer blue glitter in a blue jelly base. These pictures show just a single coat over China Glaze Manhunt. I was quite pleased with the texture, since I was able to use a coat of Color Club clear to tame it.
This is an indie polish I can't imagine passing up! Hope you enjoy this as much as I do

China Glaze Manhunt

China Glaze Manhunt from the 2012 On Safari collection

The first time I purchased some polishes from the On Safari collection, I left this one behind thinking I had too many similar blues already. When I saw the collection a second time, I could not stand to go home without it! Manhunt is a great blue- it manages to be both bright and rich at the same time. The shine on the polish is quite impressive too! My first coat of this polish had almost jelly like results- a bit sheer, visible nail line, though with just two coats this reached opacity. The formula on this was so impressive though- this polish required no clean up what so ever! When was the last name you were able to say that about a blue like this?
If you haven't purchased this one already, I really recommend getting it while it is still easy to find.

Liebster Award!

I was so flattered to have nominated for two Liebster Awards in a single week!

Let me say thank you to Emily of http://canvasnails.blogspot.com/ - if you have not checked out her blog, give it a look! She recently did a great job covering some indie polishes...

I was also nominated by Kristi of http://haphaphappyhands.blogspot.com/ - her awesome blog covers nail polish and more. She seems like a lovely lady!

So, here are the rules:

THE RULES:
1. Each person tagged must post 11 things about themselves.

2. They must also answer the 11 questions the "tagger" has set for them.

 3. They must create 11 more questions to ask bloggers they have decided to tag. 

4. They must then choose 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers and tag them in their post. 

5. These lucky bloggers must then be told. 

6. There's no tag backs.

11 Things About Me:

1. I'm oringinally from Wisconsin but have lived in California for the past 20 or so years.
2. I have two pets- my dog, Malmac, and my cat, Twitch.
3. I have been a polish junkie since grade school- it did help me stop biting my nails.
4. After 10 years of a career in customer service, I decided to go back to school, and now work as a legal assistant.  
5. I also really enjoy baking! I've been told I'm quite talented in that area as well.
6. Speaking of food, I also host a local food review web series, What's Good Fresno? . If you ever want to see more than my hands, go to whatsgoodfresno.com .
7. I met one of my best friends in real life on a nail board online!
8.  I just celebrated my 7 year anniversary with my husband- I still love him very much :)
9. My favorite color is purple, but as you can tell from my blog, I also love blues and greens on my nails.
10. I am a huge fan of Freddy Mercury. I seriously think he was one of the most talented singers ever!
11. Andy Sandberg is one of my favorite comedians/ actors. Most of his stuff is hilarious!

The questions from Emily

1. Why did you decide to start blogging?
I had a little extra free time when I went back to school, and wanted to share my love of polish with more than my immediate circle of friends.
2. What color do you have the most of in your collection?
I think purple or blue. I have trouke saying no to a good purple.
3. How many bottles of polish do you own?
At least 600.
4. What do your friends/family think of your hobby?
Most are very supportive- My husband is shockingly supportive of my habit.
5. What are your hobbies other than blogging?
As I mentioned, eating and baking! I like food quite a bit.
6. What would be your dream polish?
A rich blue purple linear holo with a touch of unicorn pee (Clairns 230).
7. If you could have any super power what would it be?
Either the ability to stop time or read minds.
8. What is your favorite food?
Depends on the weather and where I am- if I can see the ocean, sea food, if it's winter, pho, if it's summer, sushi, and I always love GOOD Italian, which is hard to find.
9. What trends do you love?
I do like the geek chick, because I've always been a geek, so no it's just more socially acceptable ;)
10.  What is your first memory of nail polish?
I was painting my nails with a navy Wet'n'Wild polish, my dad came in my room and complained it smelled like paint thinner in my room. Haha!
11. If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?
Rome, Italy. My grandfather was born there and I have always imagined going to see it and meet family I have never met.

11 Questions I'd love ask

1. What is your first polish memory?

2. Is this something you share with friends, or do you keep your 'polish play time' to yourself?

3. How do you keep your polish organized?

4. What is your favorite color?

5. What is your favorite finish?

6. What is your favorite polish brand?

7. What else do you do with your free time?

8. Do you have any pets?

9. What is your vision of a 'perfect day'?

10. What is your favorite book?

11. What is your favorite movie?

I am tagging:

1. Debbie at http://manicuresandme.blogspot.com

2. Jenny at http://lavishlayerings.blogspot.com/

3. Crowtoes at http://thepolishedcrow.blogspot.com/

4. Finch at http://mommyspenseive.blogspot.com/

5. Hello Kitty Queen at http://www.ohmynails.tumblr.com/

6. Jay Bird at http://polishedpirate.blogspot.com/

7. Posie at http://thefrustratedfashionista.blogspot.com/

8. Solveig at http://nailinit.wordpress.com/

9. Suggrr at http://blog.honestbabes.com/

10. Tink at http://perfectlypolishedtips.blogspot.com/

11. Turtle Chick at http://turtlechicksnailsntales.blogspot.com/

China Glaze Lasso My Heart

China Glaze Lasso My Heart from the 2008 Rodeo Divas collection

It was recently my seventh anniversary with my dear husband. Deciding to play upon this theme, I chose this color just as much for the name as the color. Lasso My Heart is a purple with hints of pink and a lovely shimmer. The formula on it was a bit watery than I like, but still was very manageable. The first coat was very sheer to the point I worried that these was a polish that would have benefited from undies, but by the second coat, was nice and opaque.
If you are a fan of shimmery purples, like me, these is a great choice, and the cute name only adds to the charm!

Butter London Trustafarian

I'm torn here. There is a big part of me that wants to whine about the fact that I paid $14 for just one polish. Yup, my normal polish purchases range from a mere $1 to about $8- I am normally a pretty frugal woman. However, I really can't complain too much, because I did choose to buy it after all. So, how does this silly spend-y polish end up in my basket? First, it is a linear holo- one of my favorite finishes! Second, I don't have anything like it in my collection. No ma'am, there was absolutely no soft green linear holo polish in my collections, so I had to change that when my eyes met Trustafarian.
The polish is a bit sheer, but I found that OPI Stranger Tides made the perfect undies for this polish. I was also very easy to paint with, and this is just two coats. I also have to give the polish so much credit for its great wear! I was unable to snap pictures on day one, on the second day I was stuck going through an incredible numbers of files at work, although I didn't get pictures until my third day of wear, look at how pristine this polish is!
I am so happy I begrudgingly submitted to this beautiful Butter London. Sorry if these aren't my best pictures- linear holos are so hard to capture with my camera!

In case you're curious, trustafarian is a term for a privileged child who chooses to portray a hippy or counterculture "hipster" lifestyle. It actually is a great name for this polish because with that $14 price point I complain so much about and it's green rainbow appearance, it really does fit the very definition of the name.

CND Sapphire Sparkle

I think the CND Effects are awesome, and I regret that I don't use them more often. CND Effects are top coats designed to add that extra sparkle or shimmer to your manicure. Sapphire Sparkle is a stunning top coat which shifts between a purple and blue sparkle. I layered this over Catrice Hip Queens Wear Blue Jean, and this really brought the manicure to a new level.
I really recommend picking some of these up if you enjoy layering!

Catrice Hip Queens Wear Blue Jeans

Today ladies, and gentlemen if you're out there, I will start by begging your forgiveness. Why? Because I'm showing you a polish you can't get stateside. I'm sorry, but this polish is just far too awesome to keep to myself.
This glorious almost denim like blue was pure perfect in just one coat. Yes, you read that right- a single coat. Now, how could I make this better? What if I told you that this polish was so easy to use that I only had to do clean up on a single nail -which was completely my fault by the way. Seriously, this may be the best dusty blue creme ever!
The only downside was that in the bottle, this polish had a fine blue shimmer, but I really didn't see it on the nail... we'll fix that in my next post!

OPI Mediterranean Moonlight

An oldie, but a goodie, this polish was originally released in the 1994 Mediterranean Collection.  After the awesome glitter explosion that was Crowstoes Cheshire, I decided I needed something a little less busy. 

This is a dusty pinky peach polish with a bit of shimmer in it. Like most OPI cremes, I had no issues with application. I believe it took two coats to get it fully opaque, but I was quite happy with the results. I think this would be a great pick for a pink to wear in the summer when your skin has been kissed with a tan.

Crowstoes Cheshire

I recently received this indie polish in a swap of sorts. I have a friend who has the same polish, but because this is an indie polish and each batch is made by hand, there are some slight variations. For example, her bottle has much more purple glitter where as mine is heavier on gold.
This polish is VERY thick, though I am not complaining at all- with my handy bottle of thinner, I can always make the polish thinner, however, if the reverse were true and the glitter was sparse/thin to start with, I could not do much about it. This polish has some super chunky glitter, which looks fantastic on the nail. I was quite pleased with how easy the glitter was to spread, and what a great variety I got on the nail with minimal effort.
The only thing that was less than thrilling was the removal. Ladies, get your cotton balls and foil ready for this one, and Google the term "nail polish foil removal method" if you have no idea what I'm talking about with that recommendation.
This is two coats layered over a purple creme. Can't you just see the Cheshire cat smiling back at you?

Finger Paints Amethyst Atelier

Finger Paints Amethyst Atelier

This is a super rich purple creme. It really makes me think of a purple after dark, lurking around the cool of midnight. The polish was very easy to paint with, and if I recall correctly, two coats at most gave complete coverage.
I hope you like this too!

Finger Paints Art You Wondering?

Finger Paints Art You Wondering? was a gift from a friend. Boy does she have good taste!
This fine teal glitter twinkles in any light, and you can't help but simple when wearing it. Because it is so fine, it doesn't leave a gritty texture, like some courser glitters can. You could probably use three coats of this glitter on its own if you wanted to wear it solo, but I prefer to wear glitter layered over a solid color.
As shown, this is two coats of Art You Wondering? over Barielle End of the Rainbow and OPI Ski Teal We Drop