I took up French boys and wine and I studied psychology.

A glitzy French manicure for a date.  ;)  I like the colors together, but alas, I ruined it at work today - even wore gloves for every service!  Don't mind the dry skin around my nails, it's all that acetone.  And I even moisturized just before the photo was taken...

Next I'll show you a similar French mani with different (better!) colors.  I absolutely adored it!

China Glaze Tinsel Town and Snow Globe.  Orly 3-in-1 Topcoat.

Everyone's looking to the urban scene for inspiration now.

Another acrylic overlay with colors!  She says I'm improving, and she'd tell me if I wasn't.  ;)















Part of an Urban Outfitters gift set, none of the colors are named.  :(  CND Topcoat.

A sea setting us upon the ice has brought us close to danger.

Initially, I planned on this being an icy blue set...  but I think it looks more like a nice beach.  Too bad we got our first real snow this week!

I used OPI Not Like The Movies, Teal The Cows Come Home, China Glaze Blue Year's Eve, and a sparkly blue that doesn't have a name from Urban Outfitters.  CND Base and Top.  A cheap craft store jewel glued on with polish.  I don't like it.

Excuse Moi

I did acrylic overlays on my sister (no tips) to strengthen her nails - I'm not very good at them, and I don't offer them at work, but they turned out pretty well.  OPI Excuse Moi is over them.

A slightly better photo than the last one, but I'll still practice!  (And have someone else do it whenever possible in the meantime.)

Life is Made Up of Marble and Mud

I apologize for the bad photo quality...  I'm not improving, and I always have someone around to take a photo for me!  My cousin asked me to try the water marbling on her, so if you can see it, here it is!  It's been several weeks (months?) since this happened, so another apology for being busy.

And I know I fail, but I don't remember what I used...  The pink is from OPI.  :(  Better next time!

Here's what I was doing instead:

It's chocolate cake with peanut butter buttercream, and a peanut butter cup detail...  I was going to send it to Fred (I wanted to test how mailing a cupcake would go) but I got busy and distracted.  Next time, Fred.

I also made bread for the very first time.  I got the recipe here, and it was so good.  I gave the big loaf to my daughter's teacher right before Thanksgiving, and we tried the little one.  We made another loaf for Christmas, and will surely make more pretty soon!  Next time, my sister suggests we replace some of the liquids with orange juice...

At Christmas play and make good cheer, for Christmas comes but once a year.

My sister informed me tonight that I need to get someone else to take the pictures....  As if I didn't know! The ones my five year old daughter took are better than mine.  :-/  Next to my baby toe we have holly or mistletoe, then a gift/bow, a white tree, a snowman, and candy canes.  The rest were mixing and testing new colors.


I used Lippman Collection Hydrating Base Coat and On A Clear Day Topcoat, Fingerpaints Scenery Greenery, Sally Hansen Cherry Red, OPI Black Onyx, China Glaze Velvet Bow and Ring in The Red, Orly French Tip, Venique Twinkling Glitter.

If someone offers you a breath mint, accept it.

I finally broke down and painted my hands again.  I'm still working at the spa, and I think I've decided to go to school this winter instead of trying to get a professional job.

I used Lippmann Collection Hydrating Base Coat and On A Clear Day Top Coat, Orly French Tip, China Glaze Ring In The Red.