HEARTS. JUST PEACHY.

Evidently winter is not over. Once we don't get any fresh snow for awhile, it's so easy to delude myself into thinking spring is almost here. As usual, I was wrong. We got at least a couple of inches last night and another few inches is expected. I did luck out because Kev is home. I'm guessing since his car is in the shop right now the neighbor must have assumed I'm here alone because once again he plowed the entire driveway. Nice!!

While we were in Illinois I managed to have my other thumb nail pop off for no apparent reason, and yesterday at work my right index nail came off. WTF. They have only been on for a week so I have no clue what the hell I did wrong this time around. 

Today I was picking up some clothes to put away and felt my left index nail go. Seriously! So I had to make the decision of either gluing it back on or just doing a total soakoff.

I went with the soak and reapplication. I really hope I have better luck this time because I cannot figure out where these loose nails are coming from. Maybe I just was trying to go too fast and didn't use enough glue last week. I really took my time today so I'm hoping for the best. 

I took the time to do nails last night, figuring I'd knock out another Valentine themed mani. I just grabbed one of the polishes I bought in Illinois, China Glaze More to Explore.

For the hearts I used an image from the DRK-A stamping plate and Konad white.

This one is cute. I really love that color, and I have always liked this heart pattern. I didn't find it as cute when it was just a single index nail lying on the bed.  I would have worn it for another day if I hadn't decided to remove my nails.

Now I'm typing this with nekkid Custom Nails wondering what I want to do. I can pretty much guarantee it won't have hearts because I've just about hearted myself out. 

In the meantime, while I ponder, I'll just eat some cinnamon hard candy and watch a 3 episode marathon of Gotham. 

I know. You are totes jealous of the ever-so-exciting life I lead.

NO WORDS FOR HOW MUCH I HATE THESE CANDY HEARTS

Another lovely Illinois day. Evidently the good weather will be here next week. Typical. I arrive and it sucks. I leave, and it will be good. Who the hell jinxed me??

One thing nice about coming here is Sushi Train. No place to get sushi in No-Wheresville-Escanaba. Six pieces later, and I am stuffed. Plus watching a 3 year old wolfing down miso soup is hilarious. That kid is redonk.

Kev arrived today so the Griffster is one happy boy. He is obsessed with his Grampa Kev. That's one of the best parts of having a grampa that isn't even 40 yet...he's still young enough to act like a 3 year old.  Of course, he was also a grampa at 25 so he's got some experience under his belt.

A few weeks ago CNS requested mani's, and this is one they wanted. I hate it SO effing much!! I just cannot manage writing anything small enough for my damn nails. 

Seriously, every time I look at this I'm annoyed. I'm so glad I didn't have to be seen in public with it. I'm even more annoyed that it might show up on some other blogs somewhere. Maybe I shouldn't have watermarked it. Unfortunately for me, my damn hand pose gives me away a lot of the time. lol

Gotta' give me credit, though, people. At least I'm a good enough sport to show the crap mani's, too.

EARLY VALENTINE'S DAY TUTORIAL - "KINDA" LOOKS LIKE HEARTS

I can't win this winter! Bitter cold, snow - lather, rinse, repeat. Seriously. Yesterday was freezing and Kev left; warmer today, 8 inches of snow. Come on already! Somebody up there must really hate me. I don't know what to do about that damn driveway since the hubster won't be home until next Wednesday. Can I get a break, please? I'm begging at this point.

I'll post this mani now that it's up on the NailIt Magazine website. They've put up two of my tutorials in the past week or so!! They've also requested another one from me that I need to do sometime before Valentine's Day.  I also need to buckle down and finish my latest tutorial article for Les Nouvelles, but I really have to be in the mood for that.

I started off with two coats of Sephora by OPI's Ruby Without a Cause. I really could have just gone with one coat, but since I wasn't sure, I did two.  Once the burgundy was dry, I moved on to working one finger at a time. I did another coat of burgundy, and while it was still wet I used my dotting tool to put a thick dot of gold down each side.

Then I immediately used my smallest dotting tool and very lightly started at the top dot of gold and dragged all the way through to the bottom dot.

The dotter makes a notch in the top of each dot so that it forms an abstract heart shape, connected like vines.

I love Ruby Without a Cause. It's such a nice rich color, and the shimmer in it is really purdy. Orly Luxe is a great gold, too. 

I had actually tried to do this once before without success. I had a little bit better luck this time. I don't know if I used the wrong polishes the first time or what, and even though this one turned out, I still think the hearts could have been better.  I do like it, though, so don't yell at me about how I'm too critical of myself. lol

Even though it's a bit early for Valentine's Day mani's, I did wear this for a couple of days.

See? Told ya' I like it!