Meet The Beatles!

Ok, so yesterday I did John Lennon nails in honor of his birthday today, and while I was thinking about those nails, I decided that I REEAAALLLLY wanted to do the Beatles nails that I have had on my list to do! I've always been a huge Beatles fan, amongst other 'oldies' tunes... in fact, I pretty much listened only to oldies stations until I was about 16 or 17! I love ALL of the Beatles albums, but Abbey Road is definitely my favorite, and my favorite Beatle is Paul, even though Ringo is pretty funny to watch. Favorite Beatles song? Has to be 'A Day in the Life', I love that song, in fact, it's one of my favorite songs of any group/artist! Also LOVE the Jeff Beck version, do yourself a favor and check it out, it's badasstastical. Anyway, I digress...to the nails! I think I need longer nails though (even though they're borderline too long already) so I can fit the ENTIRE Beatles logo on them without squishing- or cutting off part of the 'B'.

I used American Apparel Summer Peach as a base on the band member nails, American Apparel Hassid for the outline and hair, Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud for the eyes and teeth. For the Paul nail, I used Zoya Yummy for his collar, and Pure Ice Wild Thing for the background, for Ringo, I used Zoya Robyn in the background, for John, I used Essie Foot Loose in the background, and for George, I used CND Electric Orange for the background. For 'The Beatles' logo, I used American Apparel Hassid as a base, with Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud for the logo. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

And somebody spoke and I went into a dream...Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

War is Over! (If You Want it)

He was part of the British Invasion, one of those mop-tops from Liverpool that we all know and (whether you are too hardcore to admit it or not<---you know who you are) LOVE. There isn't a person today that hasn't heard of John Lennon or The Beatles, and the awesome that springs from them. Did you know that there is a little known bootleg album called 'A Toot and a Snore in '74' which is the only known recording where Lennon and McCartney played together after the breakup of The Beatles. The album was recorded during Lennon's 'lost weekend', the 18 months he was separated from Ono and was living with his former assistant, May Pang. Also on the album were Linda McCartney, Stevie Wonder (at one point Lennon asks, "You wanna snort, Steve? A toot? It's goin' round", in reference to cocaine), Harry Nilsson, May Pang, Bobby Keys, and Jesse Ed Davis. It's definitely an interesting album if you can snag it. (and if you're a Lennon fan) I have to say though, one Lennon song that I will ALWAYS love, Christmastime or not, is 'Happy Xmas (War is Over)'. I <3 that song. The title lyric is based off a poster campaign that John and Yoko did in 1969 in protest of the Vietnam War. Yoko's Official Flickr has the posters in several different languages available for download HERE. Plus- if they don't have your language- all you have to do it translate that phrase into your language and email them, and they'll make it!

In honor of what would have been Lennon's 70th birthday tomorrow (Oct. 9), I did the IMAGINE cover on my nails today! <---So you guys can do it for tomorrow!!

 I used American Apparel Cotton as a base, with American Apparel Hassid for the black, Essie Foot Loose for the hot pink hair. CND Electric Orange for the orange hair, Color Club Ms. Socialite for the mouth, Pure Ice Wild Thing for the nose, ALDO Sea You in Ibiza for the left side of the glasses, and a mix of ALDO Sea You in Ibiza and Essie Foot Loose for the right side of the glasses. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Imagine.

La La La La La La La La La La Laaaaaa.

Try getting THAT out of your head!! *muahahahahahaha* Ok, anybody who's ANYBODY knows who the Smurfs are, and how...Smurfy they are. :-D I remember many a Saturday morning growing up waking up and watching the Smurfs on tv, since I grew up in the boonies, we didn't have cable, *GASP* (yes, that's for REAL. My parents STILL don't have cable) so Saturday mornings were the only time that cartoons were on TV, so we definitely made the most of them, most likely eating S'mores cereal, maybe Count Chocula, or perhaps my dad's amazingtastical fried eggs. (I am 29, and I STILL can't make fried eggs as well as he can.) Ahhh, the memories....

Can I also mention that two of my friends (and readers) got married today!! Congratulations Len & Sarah! I wish you both all the happiness in the world!!

And now, on to the nails! I did Papa Smurf on my thumb, Painter Smurf on my index finger, Smurfette on my middle finger, Vanity on my ring finger, and Brainy Smurf on my pinky. :)

I used Zoya Yummy as a base, with Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud for the hats and eyes, Eyeko Saucy Polish for Naughty Nails for the tongues (when you see 'em, the stem and spots of the mushroom, and Papa Smurf's hat. For Smurfette's hair, I used American Apparel Manila, which I also used for the center of the flower on Vanity Smurf's hat. For the top of the mushroom, I used butter LONDON Minger, which I also used for the paint splatter on Painter Smurf's hat. For his paintbrush, I used American Apparel California Trooper as a base, with a mixture of Color Club Best Dressed List and American Apparel Manila. For Vanity's flower, I used Color Club Ms. Socialite, then I used a combination (not mixed, just whatever I picked up on my brush) of Pure Ice Wild Thing, L.A. Girl Army Green, and Zoya Shawn, and as always, I used American Apparel Hassid to outline everything.

I have to say, I think this manicure is pretty smurfy. the only nail I'm not loving on my left hand is Smurfette, she was the first one I drew before changing my technique, and she looks a tad wonky. Ah well.

Sorry, no Gargamel this time, perhaps when the Smurfs movie comes out next summer. :-D

Radiator

Yeah, so the name is lame, I know, I really couldn't think of anything clever for this one, and since everything radiates from the black line out, 'Radiator' it is. I wanted to do an abstract design today, and I've had this one on my mind for a few days now, so I thought that I'd finally do it! I love the dots, they remind me of halftone dots, which, being a designer, of course I love.

I used American Apparel Cotton as a base, with American Apparel Hassid for the black line and then applied with a dotting tool for the black dots. For the gold lines, I used China Glaze 2030 from Khrome Collection. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Only 7 days left!! WOOOT! (because I'll have accomplished it, not because the blog will be over- I LOVE it too much to quit!!)

Radiator

Yeah, so the name is lame, I know, I really couldn't think of anything clever for this one, and since everything radiates from the black line out, 'Radiator' it is. I wanted to do an abstract design today, and I've had this one on my mind for a few days now, so I thought that I'd finally do it! I love the dots, they remind me of halftone dots, which, being a designer, of course I love.


I used American Apparel Cotton as a base, with American Apparel Hassid for the black line and then applied with a dotting tool for the black dots. For the gold lines, I used China Glaze 2030 from Khrome Collection. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Only 7 days left!! WOOOT!

Made With Real Cheez

Hot & Spicy, White Cheddar, Original, Cheddar Jack, Pepper Jack, Scrabble®... you name 'em, I'll eat 'em. (except the reduced fat ones *hork*) Cheez-Its have been a staple in my diet since my days as a software designer, where all us crazy kids, Boz, Jordan, Joe, and David would munch all day long. One time Boz and I figured it out, and between us, we had eaten over 10,000 Cheez-Its in a matter of a few months. We also collected the box backs as trophies when they said 'GET YOUR OWN BOX', and we wallpapered the wall of one of the cubicles with them. I can only find a picture that has part of the wall covered to show you, but it'll have to do. I dedicate this manicure to my pals from the SZ, I miss you!!!!! Boz- I think we need to go for another 10,000...long distance?

I used butter LONDON Minger as a base for the Cheez-It nails, and Eyeko Saucy Polish for Naughty Nails for the red nails. For the shading on the Cheez-It nails, I used OPI Ginger Bells, with Essie Bone Chilling White sponged on lightly for the salt. For the hole in the center of the Cheez-Its, I used American Apparel Hassid and for the ridges on the free edge of the nail, I used a mixture of OPI Ginger Bells and Barielle Unravelled Rust. For the Cheez-It logo, I used Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud, with American Apparel Hassid for the shadow, and American Apparel Manila for the gradient behind the red band that contains the logo. I also used American Apparel Manila for the 'GET YOUR OWN BOX." slogan, with American Apparel Hassid for the shadow. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

The partial Cheez-It wall...

Found this picture when I was looking for a Cheez-It wall pic. I was helping a photography student friend out, he was photographing an icy/snow queen type thingy, and yes, that's tin foil I glued to my face. :-P

Photo credit: Andrew Johnson

Lauren Luke Cosmetics Sale on Hautelook!

Makeup from the YouTube guru Lauren Luke (Panacea81) is on sale at Hautelook! Her palettes are half off their original price!! :) Very pretty colors, too!!

Check out Lauren Luke Sale at Hautelook!