Hi Everyone!!! Yay for the weekend! Today it's a nice sunny brisk day here in Wisconsin. No huge plans for me this weekend but we are doing some Spring cleaning in Fall lol. Windows, walls, floors and ceilings are getting washed and we are steam cleaning the carpets. I'm hoping to get over to Michael's and pick up some cinnamon pine cones too! I love those things SO much and love having my house smell like cinnamon and vanilla
I'm also trying to find some time to catch up to the Bingo game we have going on in the Advanced Nail Stamping Group. We have a winner already but the rest of us wanted to keep playing. Now I have to do a skeleton and a black cat mani! I have a great idea for my skeleton mani too!!! Hopefully I can pull it off. I was thinking of combining and doing a cat skeleton but let's face it my free hand is not good and so far no one has come up with a skeleton cat image for stamping. I hope someone in the know is reading this for next year!!
I do have this pre Halloween mani to share with you today. I find myself enjoying the sort of scary but not gory Halloween looking things. I guess the more gothic looking images. I did this one hoping for an overgrown cemetery feel
I did free hand the cross here and was actually pretty impressed with my efforts!
I wish this picture wasn't so fuzzy but this is one of those mani's I didn't take many pictures of for some reason
I used my CZ grass plate again, can't believe how much I love this plate! And Bundle Monster assisted with the raven. Hauled out one of my OPI Sands for the non accent nails--really like this just dark black sand with no glitter to it.
I'm pretty sure there will be tons of Halloween mani's this week, hopefully this one that hasn't been done before.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
Hi Everyone! How about that great first day of our fairy tale week?! Creepy wolf stuff going on yesterday but some nice girly girl princess and Cinderella stuff too. I have a great idea cooking in my head right now for one I'm going to do hopefully tonight and you'll know soon enough if it turns out good enough to post!
Today I am doing something pretty simple but at the same time very stark in it's simplicity. Today I am showcasing Snow White and Rose Red an original Grimm Brothers fairy tale about 2 sisters who both wind up married to princes and doing the happily ever after thing after saving a poor starving bear
I thought about doing some black reverse image roses over my white but then thought better of it and I think I made the right call.
My white textured is the lovely OPI Solitaire from the James Bond collection!
I stamped with Sally Hansen Insta Dri Red-io Active using one of my MoYou Pro plates. Probably one of my fave Pro plates is this one with the rose images
For as simple as this is I really love it!
I'm heading over to check out what everyone else came up with for day 2!
My dad died from complications of chemotherapy in August of 2012. He was the greatest man I ever knew. He was loving, nurturing, supportive and he was my rock and shelter in every storm I weathered. When he died I honestly did not know how I would be able to face a day without him. How do you go on when the one person you've had in your life as your strength leaves you? His death was not the first time I suffered the loss of a beloved family member. My beautiful sister, Lisa, preceded him in death so I do know what it feels like to have your heart ripped out of your chest, torn into shreds and then put back because you know you have to go on, only you are not whole, nor will you be ever again.
My father's death was much harder on me than my sister's. Sometimes I have great guilt over that. Lisa had been sick for a long time, and watching her suffer was very hard on me. The day my sister died her long suffering was ended and I found joy and comfort in knowing that. Like my sister, my father also suffered from cancer. But his leukemia was supposed to be the slow progression kind that would outlive him. But this is not what happened. One chemotherapy session put him in the hospital. His kidney's started to fail, his oxygen level was off, and despite the chemo killing the white blood cells as it was supposed to do, it compromised my father's system. He valiantly fought back and went from the ICU to a regular room where he was supposed to come home that week. Instead his brain hemorrhaged and with the weakened state of his body and a system compromised from chemotherapy he did not survive.
Unlike my sister we didn't have to see him suffer for years. One minute he was with us talking about being able to go home and how happy he was that he could finally eat a decent meal, the next he was vomiting from the intense pain and excruciating headache caused him. Then he started slurring his words and his body started posturing as he slipped into a coma. The horror was unimaginable.
The day I had to return back to work after his funeral. I started falling apart walking out to my car. I am the oldest daughter. I was very strong throughout my sister's illness and death. I was very strong for my family when my father died--but now I was alone without anyone around to see me and I was a mess.
I actually thought I would crumple to the ground my sorrow was so severe, and then I looked to the sky and saw the most beautiful rainbow I had ever seen. It seemed to fill the entire sky and was so bright. And in that moment I felt as if my dad was reaching out to me. That he was letting me know that he was still with me, that he would always be with me. And that I would be able to go on, because I had to go on.
Whenever I see a rainbow now I think of my dad. I think of how even in death he was still supporting me, holding me help, helping me move on through another horrible occurrence in my life. Today, on Father's Day, I share this mani with you in memory and great honor for my dad, Alan Lutze
For all of you with dad's still with you on this Father's Day hug them tight and let them know how much they mean to you.
Hi Everyone!! Happy Friday! After last week's short week this one seemed to last forever! I'm looking forward to some down time and hoping to get some much needed Spring cleaning down around the house this weekend.
I decided to haul out one of my A Englands for a manicure because every one of them I have is just so lovely. I love the glowing effect you get with a scattered holo. A Englands never take away from the gorgeousness of their color with a strong linear holo which is why I tend to love the scattered holos a bit more.
For this one I grabbed my fave--Briarwood and paired it with OPI Honey Rider and some simple stamping
Briarwood is such a gorgeous chocolate cherry type color
I think those might be my favorite type of brown colors the ones with the hint of red in them.
Honey Rider is a lovely gold textured and these two looked great together
And I found another use for the ginormous Pueen Buffet set too, I may get some use with these plates after all.
So I've got Spring cleaning for some plans this weekend how about you all? Anyone doing anything exciting?
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you all have a fabulous day!
Hi Everyone!! Happy Monday! All of our snow here in Wisconsin is nearly melted. We can see tons of grass but still have those ugly brackish black mounds of snow stuck with debris hanging out. To me this is the worst part of the transition between Winter and Spring--that ugly brackish snow. We had a couple of days in the 40's but this week is supposed to be chilly for us again.
To stave of the blahs about the weather not being exactly what we all want it be be now I went for a few flowers to cheer me up. I didn't want to go Spring crazy though because we're not quite there yet. I settled on some lovely blue and brown to get me through the day
I'm wearing Sea Spray from China Glaze on my index finger and OPI What Wizardy Is This on my pinkie. I did a saran wrap mani with Sea Spray and White on the middle and ring and then stamped with Loreal Brownie Points--a great brown for stamping--with Lily Anna 06
I think it's a perfect little mani for that transition time between seasons!
I had a great day yesterday hanging out with my friend Emily. We tried to do some water marbling and it was a huge FAIL but we did a couple other ideas using techniques we've seen and those were great successes! I'll be sharing them with you all this week!
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you all have a fantastic day!
Hi Everyone--it's that dreaded time of year for me again. The month that everyone comes out of the wood works raising awareness for breast cancer. When your sister, who happens to be your best friend dies of breast cancer, you are completely aware of breast cancer. You see everything as it happens to the person you love, then you become aware of what happens to you, and even after she dies you are continuously aware of the devastation breast cancer causes.
So YES--yes we are all aware of breast cancer. We know it is a cancer that affects both men and women. We know it affects every race. We know if affects both young and old. But here are some little known facts about breast cancer you may not be aware of
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women after skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer.
The left breast is statistically more prone to developing cancer than the right--and scientists still do not know why.
The incidences of breast cancer is highest in more developed countries and lowest in less developed countries.
The United States has more cases of breast than anyone else in the entire world
White women have a greater risk for developing breast cancer than African American women, however more African America women die from breast cancer than white women.
Breastfeeding has been shown to greatly reduce the risk for getting breast cancer. The longer the duration of breastfeeding the great the benefit to you.
While long thought the risk of developing breast cancer increases if there was an occurrence in the mother's side of the family, the risk is just as great if there were occurrences in the father's side of the family.
The BEST thing you can do is educate yourself. Get a mammogram if you are 50 and older. If you have a history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer in your family start before you are in your 40's. Go to your yearly OB/GYN appointments. GO TO YOUR YEARLY OB/GYN APPOINTMENTS! You should not be afraid of your OB/GYN. You should go with a doctor YOU like and feel comfortable with. You shouldn't pick a woman just because you are a woman--you shouldn't feel like only a woman can know how you feel because you are a woman. Don't stay with someone who don't like or feel comfortable with just because you were told he/she is the best.
Your doctor should be your advocate and help you do what's best for you. Don't lie to them about your lifestyle. They need the right information to help you be healthy.
My Manicure today for Breast Cancer Awareness is how breast cancer affected me. My sister was not a survivor and while I rejoice for all those who are--breast cancer will never be about surviving for me.
My index is Zoya Arabella and the rest are the lovely OPI Pussy Galore.
I think Lisa would die of embarrassment if she knew I was wearing a polish with the word "pussy" in it! LOL!
I stamped using BM418 on the index and BM411 on the middle and ring.
Here's a lovely shot with flash--I think we all know I love a textured polish!
I miss my beautiful sister Lisa every single day. They say it gets easier but what they really mean is you learn to tolerate the emptiness you feel inside.
Here's a picture of one of the happiest times I spent with my two sisters! They are both beautiful--I could not have asked for a better family than the one I have.
Lisa is on the left, Lynelle is in the middle and that leaves me on the right this was our last ever Lutze family vacation. We went down to visit our parents in Florida in 2007. It was the best time EVAH!!
I hope someday no one has to lose their sister, or mother, or daughter, or aunt, or wife, or best friend to breast cancer.
Hi Everyone!!! Happy Hump Day!!! Woot we are halfway through our week! I've got a super fun mani to show you today! I finally got my hands on all of the Bond Girl Sands--I've been wanting them forever. I thought it would be fun to put some cute skittles together with them along with my a plate from my new Bundle Monster set!
Here we have James Bond in his dapper tuxedo and with him is Tiffany Case, Honey Rider and Vesper. I stamped using BM-420.
Don't worry!!! I didn't leave out the lovely Pussy Galore!!! She's on my thumb!
I have loved seeing what my friends have come up with everyday!! What's up for today??!
Hi Everyone!!! Hope everyone is have a great week. I am SO busy I can't believe it. Haven't had much of a chance to stop and breathe at all this week for crying out loud and to top it off my cable box died so I couldn't even see the first episode of Season Three of American Horror Story last night! DANG IT!
Of course cable was closed by the time I got off work tonight too! Come hell or high water I am taking that thing in tomorrow!!!!!
I got the Forever 21 Textured's I order the other day and am in love with all of the colors! OMG they have some really unique ones in this bunch. The one that drew my attention the most was a caramel brown. Burnished Gold is the name and they have a Red Gold as well. Along with those two I paired Zoya Solange and OPI Jinx to make an Autumn textured gradient!
It's hard to capture the beauty of a textured polish I think, it's so sparkly!
I just cannot get enough of these textured polishes!
Here's a few pics in natural lighting
I stamped using my Bundle Monster Holiday Set BM-H11
I'm really enjoying the versatility of these plates--fun images for all seasons and holidays!!
I've said it before but I'll say it again--I just love Autumn!!!
Hi Everyone!!! Happy Hump Day!!! I'm working some long hours these days and will be from now until after the first of the year. 10 hours to 12 hours a day doesn't give me a lot of time for myself, which I hate! It gives me less time for nails which I hate even more!
Last night I was trying to think of what to do for today and since I had just received a package full of the OPI Bond Girl sands I wondered if you could needle drag with them
So I tried it!!!!!
Turns out you CAN needle drag with textured polish!
I hauled out OPI Solitaire and Tiffany Case and added Zoya Sunshine and London to match my work blouse!
First up some pics without flash
Not the greatest combo of colors I know but it totally matched my work blouse!
It's hard to take a pic yourself--especially so it's not just a boob shot!
I snapped some pics with flash too
I may try this again only stamp over it!
If you have some textured polishes get em out and do some needle dragging!!!!
Thanks for stopping by!! I hope you all have a fantastic day!
Hi Everyone!! At the beginning of the month I had the extreme pleasure of meeting up with some nail polish friends. Meeting them, hanging out and doing nails all day WAS A BLAST! I got to check out some plates I didn't have (yet) and some polishes I didn't have (yet) and teach them my gradient technique and the nail decal method. It was so much fun and we did a lot of really cool mani's that day.
Some of them you've seen with the Digital-Dozen Does It Again but here's one I didn't show you yet. It's my favorite one from that day.
My friend Deb was kind enough to let me try OPI Can't Let Go and I fell in love with it IMMEDIATELY! OMG I love this dark textured so much!
I paired it with a Sally Hansen Gem Crush but it's Danielle's so I don't know the name! It's red that's all I know!!!
I added my favorite image from DRK-B and called it a gorgeous mani!
After that weekend I bought Can't Let Go because I knew I could not let go of not having that polish!!!
I hope you all have nail polish friends you can get together with and brainstorm for some ideas, and hang out--it's so much fun. We're wanting to do it again next month and come up with some great Halloween ideas!
Thanks for stopping by!!! I hope you all have a fantastic day!
Hi Everyone!! Today we're doing animal for our theme. Who doesn't love a good animal print mani??!!! I think it's probably one of my go to images when I want something quick. I was able to get OPI Peace, Love & OPI and Alcatraz Rocks the other day and they look absolutely perfect together--so I chose them for my animal mani today.
First up some shots indoors sitting at my desk
You can see the purple to green shift here
Peace, Love & OPI is a really rocking duochrome!
Look at this great bottle shot I got!
Then I went outside to get some cool shoots
Look at that sparkling green!!!!
Talk about gorgey town!
Thankfully my friends were with me so I didn't look like a complete wacko standing outside taking pictures while on break at work!
Got some nice shade pics outdoor as well
I used my favorite leopard print image for this mani BM221
I just think you can't go wrong with an animal print and pairing these two great polishes together along with it is a win, win!
How wild did all my friends get???!
And I'm sure you're getting sick of hearing all about it BUT there is still time to get in on the Spectacular September Giveaway!!
HERE'S your chance to win $200 to the etailer of your choice
