Donald J Pliner Forum Shops & Dopamind Boxing Fundraiser Event!

Press Sample

SHOES. They're my one TRUE love...sorry Chris, if you're reading this. They've always been there for me, and even through pain, and sometimes blisters, my love is unconditional. I love them all, heels and flats, wedges (even though I suck at walking in them) and platforms, even stilettos. The only shoe that I just can't get behind is the kitten heel. I just don't understand it, but I digress.

Last night there was an event that really was a perfect fit for me. It was at the Donald J Pliner store here in Las Vegas, so it satisfied my love of shoes, but it was also paired with something that tugged my heartstrings–an organization that works with people who have Parkinson's disease, and having a close family member afflicted by it, I was SO happy to be able to be a part of it.

Please hit the jump to read more about the event, the shoes, and the amazing organization!

Do I Need a Loub-otomy? Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Swatches & Review

Nothing to Disclose

Yeah. I did it. I didn't mean to, it just sort of...happened. I feel a little nauseated, a little giddy, and a little guilty. I just wanted to look at it. To hold it. I shouldn't have brought my purse. When I reached the apex of that moving sidewalk in front of the Venetian Sephora, my heart skipped a beat...maybe two. I was within feet of having my hands on a bottle of the first nail polish from fabulous shoe designer Christian Louboutin. You know, to hold. Not to buy.

My first mistake was applying it to a single nail...at first. Then I found my way to the Nail Studio...I had to try this stuff on naked nails, surely it couldn't be a one coat red, could it? I removed the Elevation Polish Yeti Finds an Oasis that I've had on my nails for the last couple of days and sped back toward the entrance, where there was a glorious display of those spiked bottles of red awesomeness. I don't think I have to tell you the rest of the story, I think it's fairly obvious where this is going! :-P

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you know I'm not partial to reds. There are a few standouts, but on the whole, I'd rather spend my money on other colors. So why, you ask, was I so entranced by this red? I'm not going to lie. It was the packaging. I'm SUCH a sucker for great packaging, and this is GREAT packaging. It's sexy, dangerous, and sleek, and is a polish that is definitely not going to live inside a Helmer (not to mention the fact that it wouldn't really fit!).

I will admit, that even with the astronomical price tag, I was expecting a microscopic bottle. I was wrong, it's a fairly decent sized bottle which contains .4 fl oz of polish vs. a .5 fl oz bottle of Seche. The formula, as I mentioned above, is quite opaque, and I was able to obtain full coverage in one coat. For the pictures in this post I used one coat of polish and NO top coat. It is REALLY that shiny.

Let's address the price. Yes, it's expensive. Yes, it should paint my nails, and then buy me dinner for that price. I'll be the first to admit that I probably shouldn't have purchased it, but I have little to no willpower, especially when two of my favorite things collide–nail polish and shoes. Who knows, I may have buyer's remorse when I wake up tomorrow at 4:45 am for work, but maybe not, because dammit, I'm worth it.

This nail lacquer can be purchased at select Sephora stores and at Sephora.com, as well as Saks 5th Avenue, and Christian Louboutin boutiques for $50 USD.

What do you think? Would you have splurged on it? HAVE you splurged on it? Do I need a 'loub'-otomy? Tell me in the comments below!

Off the Wall

I've been saving this design for a while now, because I have to wait for TODAY to do it. Why today, you ask? Because it's Chris' birthday today, and this design is tailormade for him...he LOVES Vans. LOVES. I mean the guy is a 42-year-old skateboarder for god's sake, it's kind of a natural fit. He even has a size 66  Vans shoe (no, really) that he keeps at the house. This thing is massive, and it is a large-scale version of a normal Vans shoe. Chris even got me hooked on Vans; as someone who suffers from foot pain from most shoes (even sneakers), the surf shoes are some of the most comfortable I've ever worn, and I've actually even worn a few pairs out. :D

Today's design is part of my way to celebrate Chris' birthday - the iconic checkerboard pattern, the "OFF THE WALL" logo, and the pattern from the sole of the shoes (both the waffle pattern as well as the pattern across the ball of the foot where it changes).

Join me in wishing a Happy Birthday to my better half! His age is the answer to the meaning of life, the universe and everything! :-P

I used:

Mustard: Barielle Aura Angora
Medium Brown: China Glaze Mahogany Magic
Dark Brown: Barielle Unraveled Rust
Camel: American Apparel Trenchcoat
White: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear White On
Black: American Apparel Hassid
Red: China Glaze Hey Sailor
Topcoat: Seche Vite topcoat
Basecoat: Seche Vite basecoat  <----I'm adding this because I get asked so much what basecoat I am using.

This BIG shoe!!

The inspiration for part of  this manicure:

Image courtesy of Sneakerpedia.com