Book Review - "Homemade Nail Polish: Create Unique Colors and Designs for Stunning Nails" by Allison Rose Spiekermann

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of the book for purposes of review. All opinions are my own.

I'm a color junkie, and my color preferences change rather frequently depending on my mood, the season, trends I see, etc.  And we all know that nail polish is a quick and easy way to hop on a trend without spending buckets of money.  But sometimes it's super hard to find just that right color that you are looking for.  Or maybe you are looking for one-of-a-kind nail art.  Have you ever just thought "I wish I could just make my own polish."?  If so, then this is the book you have been looking for.

"Homemade Nail Polish: Create Unique Colors and Designs for Stunning Nails" by Allison Rose Spiekermann

To be honest, when I first scanned the book, I was a little intimidated, there's a lot of information and recipes with ingredients I'd never heard of.  But, when I started from the beginning and actually read the text, I relaxed.  The goldmine in this book is the first chapter, she really breaks down what ingredients are in polish and what you will need in order to create the looks you want.  Allison really takes something that seems super complicated and makes it simple.

While I didn't have time to tackle any recipes right now, I will in the near future (I didn't even want to go there with my 6 year old home with me for the Summer, this will be a project best attempted when she is out of the house).  I'm going to dip my toes in with the polishes made with eye shadow and then the holographic top coat.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is remotely interested in creating custom nail colors or just wants to be able to get a unique look that they can't find.  So much fun!

What I Bought - April 2013

Here are the goodies I brought home this month.  This is a pretty typical month for me.

1. Prabal Gurung for Target dress - $10.48 on clearance at my store

2. Merona basic tee from Target - $6 on sale

3. Covergirl nail polish in Forever Fawn - $5

4. Flower nail polish in Eye of the Tiger Lily - $5

Total out of pocket for April = $26.48

Go forth and shop responsibly!

Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link

My Five - Donna Karan Spring 2011

My favorite looks from this really neutral collection.  Enjoy!

And one detailed image of a shoe, great shoe, but I really want to know what that nail polish color is.  LOVE it!

Images via Vogue.com

Happy Thanksgiving (signing off early)!

I absolutely don't have a Uniform Dressing for you all today.  I'm tired, I'm mentally drained and am tapped out for the week.  We've had quite an eventful past couple of weeks, I wish I could say full of parties and fun, but it's more like trips to the doctor (including one to the ER), not getting any sleep and a dinged up car (thank you mr hit and run).  So inspiration is not coming at the moment.  I think a little break for Thanksgiving is just what the doctor/pediatrician/life coach ordered!  We are going to stay put and celebrate here just the three of us, so I'm going to be getting my chef's hat on and tackle making my very first turkey.  I've done a turkey breast before, but never a whole turkey.  That paired with some mashed potatoes and green bean casserole should make me feel so much better - yum!  I'll also be making some of my famous artichoke dip for when we get our football on!  Also as a special treat I'm planning on making some French Onion soup tonight with a salad as a light prelude to the full on eat-a-thon that will be tomorrow!  I'll miss the families, but it just didn't work out this year.  I hope everyone has a safe and happy turkey day and make sure you take some time to think about all the things you are thankful for!

I'm not going to leave you totally high and dry - here are a few little tidbits until I return!

A part of an outfit I wore recently - I'm trying to figure out how to get pictures in this house, it ain't easy.  That will be something I will be fiddling with behind the scenes.  But anyway, it's just basically a long sleeve black shirt, kimono-like striped F21 cardigan (loved it so much on Jill I had to buy one myself), jeans and two necklaces (one vintage and the elephant one is from F21).  I cut my head off because I'm so beautiful the internet can't handle it - ha! - now that's comedy!

I also made a little detour on my way out of Atlanta a couple of Saturdays ago to an Ulta so I could pick up some new nail polish!  I was on the hunt for OPI's Ski Teal We Drop:

Oh yeah, it's good stuff - the only issue is that it comes off a little dark, I would liked for it to be a shade or two lighter.  I also picked up OPI's Glitzerland and Essie's Midnight Cami  - both are awesome!  Glitzerland is like wearing gold lame on your fingertips and it's not too flashy so it works for day and night. 

Midnight Cami is a fab midnight blue with a bit of iridescent cobalt undertones.

 

Why does nail polish always cheer me up?  Am I the only one? 

Images via moi and nail polish images via Amazon.com

I want this! - Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen Fall 2010 nail colors

How much am I loving designer Tracy Reese's Fall 2010 nail color collection for Sally Hansen?  A LOT!  Such beautiful neutrals.  Read more about it here.

Image via Sally Hansen via Beauty Anonymous

I want this! - MAC Nail Lacquer "Light Affair" - Another Update!

I've been flirting with the idea of greyish nails, why?  I don't know.  I ran across this color (Light Affair) from MAC and it's a lovely pale grey/taupe/mauve.  It appeals to me.  Nails are a great way to change things up, so this might be worth a shot!  Anyone tried this trend?  Any opinions?

*UPDATE*  I purchased this and it's such a nice warm grey.  I almost want to say it comes off as the palest lavender with more red than blue.  Does that make sense?  I painted my toenails with it and I love it!  I will not subject you to my icky, dry feet right now, so I haven't posted a picture.  I say YES to this trend!

*Another Update*  I painted my fingernails and here's a (blurry) picture, just so you get an idea.  I'm loving the color!

Image via Nordstrom(top) and me (bottom)

Color of 2010 follow up

Saw this little blurb about turquoise being the nail polish color of 2010 on InStyle's website earlier - and so it begins...

Go here to read my post about Pantone's color of 2010.

Image via InStyle.com

Metallic manicure

While I'm not going to be on the green manicure wagon, I do find this manicure featured in September's InStyle magazine quite appealing.  What do you think?

Image scan via InStyle magazine September 2009

I'm on the fence about this one...

The August issue of Allure magazine is saying that green is the "color of the moment" in nail polish. I like the dark, almost black of the color shown (Lord knows I wear my fair share of dark shades) but for some reason green on my nails doesn't really appeal to me. Sort of seems moldy to me. Right? Should I just build a bridge and get over it? I don't know...

Scan of Allure August 2009

I have it!

I love Nars makeup, his colors, his formulas - all amazing! I've raved about his blushes, now I'm gonna rave about a nail polish color he has called Schiap. It's a lovely bright, blue-based pink - his homage to the great fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli's signature color. I am currently sporting it on my tootsies and am loving how it just brightens everything up (including my mood). If you need a little pick-me-up I highly recommend it!

logo from Nars website, go there and enjoy the beauty!