Napkin or tablecloth?… All the way down to the stitching.
Summertime fun.
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All these colors (painted in this order) and white acrylic paint (with a size 5/0 precision paint brush) for the “stitches”.
Maybe it’s just a colorful plaid. lol
Category Archives: OPI
A Few Stripes
China Glaze – “For Audrey” 
OPI – “Did You ‘Ear About Van Gogh” 
OPI – “Jade Is The New Black” 
a la Renee
So now that I’ve spent wayyyyyyy too much time viewing Love4Nails youtube videos….. [THANKS RENEE!!!]
I went out and purchased a couple new brushes.
When I got home, I realized I already had one of the brushes Love4Nails uses in her nail art…. one I NEVER use. (I have about 21 nail art brushes… and I use dotting tools more than anything. Twenty-one. I probably didn’t need to purchase ANYTHING.)
I also made a few realizations….. I like synthetic brushes better. Liners are better than spotters. Acrylic paint is easier for me to control because the consistency doesn’t seem to change. And I need to practice….. on others.
I wanted some graphic art of my own because I really liked Renee’s:
OPI – “Heart Throb” 
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And I practiced a little on my crazy sister’s nails. Yes, crazy. This crazy girl didn’t even want color on her nails (WHAT?!?!)….. well, with the exception of her thumbs. And she wanted smiley faces with their tongues sticking out on those. She LOVED the one I made a mistake on…. because it looks like a smirk expression instead of a smile. SMH. I love my sister 
.
Shall-Lounge’!!!
Yes, as in: CHALLENGE! lol
challenge [chal-inj]:
–– to arouse or stimulate especially by presenting with difficulties
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Michelle ^^^ in her pretty, strapless, summer garb requested a manicure inspired by her dress print. (Hot mama!)
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I started with a basic white nail. [China Glaze – White on White] And I truly wanted to just stop there. I love this chic look!!
But then I TOTALLY succeeded with a TAPE manicure!!!! [OPI- Windmillion] Can you believe it?!?! Shocked the mess out of me. I may even attempt another tape manicure again in the future.
Followed by a free hand design with acrylic paints and a black nail art striper.
So Michelle??? What do you think? How did I do??
my first love
I remember so clearly the first time…
I was visiting Chicago in February 2001. Contemplating life. Contemplating moving.
I went to get a manicure on the referral of a friend. My nails were probably a good inch long above the free edge (a bit longer than they are now). I rarely let ANYONE touch my fingernails. I just didn’t trust them – still don’t. I HATE filing-happy manicurists in much the same way a lot of Black women hate shear-happy hairstylists, lol. My nails are natural! I feel like that abundance-of-filing-crap habit comes from doing acrylic or gel nails…and the like. So, NO, I do NOT want you weakening and splitting the shit out of my nails with your wretched emery board or buffing square. GO AWAY!
So this nail salon visit was RARE!
I took the train and got lost. After finally finding the correct building, I made my way to the elevator. My poor naïve soul happened to land an elevator ride with a young man reeking of weed. He was done. High as hell. And his half-opened eyelids ratted him out big time. In my wonderfully sheltered existence, I wasn’t aware at that time, weed is not the “drug” that makes folks dangerous. So my ignorance made me skeptical and worried. He kept looking at me so I was absolutely certain I was going to have to fight him or something. I was so relieved when the elevator dinged on “my” floor…
..but why did this dude get off right behind me????….. slowly…. and head in the same direction I went. OH NO!!! HE’S FOLLOWING ME!!!!! 😦
We both went into the nail salon. The manicurist spoke to him…. he had a seat…..
oh. -__- no harm was to befall me. smh.
I sat and waited as she polished the client before me who had this STUNNING polish on her nails. So, I queried, “What color is that?”
“I’m not really a waitress.”
“I’m sorry.” WTH?! These people are weirdos! I didn’t ask what she did for a living though. “No, I was asking what the name of that polish color was. I like it.”
Turning and facing me with a chuckle, “That’s the name of the polish. I’m Not Really A Waitress.” Then she AND the manicurist laughed.
Embarrassed and still slightly puzzled….. “Really????”
That was my introduction to the wonderful world of OPI. LOL.
Their polish naming is probably more popular than their actual polish for most folks. I have since been in an unfaltering love relationship with “I’m Not Really A Waitress” and OPI. It’s my favorite nail polish brand, barring none other that I’ve tried. My second favorite colors are “La Paz-itively Hot” for my toes, and “Cozu-melted in the Sun.”
My love hasn’t died.
My knowledge of weed…. well, now I understand. hahahahaha
OPI – “I’m Not Really A Waitress”
😉
Super Duper Wonderful Pretty Plaid
Could NOT resist the green/pink plaid design by Lace: A Nail Art Blog. (top row, 2nd from left)
Apparently the majority of the great designs require this horizontal line thingy. I’m going to just have to keep practicing. It’s so much work. But eventually it’s going to be easy for me, and then y’all ain’t gon’ be able to tell me NOTHIN’!!!!! lol *cue Kanye music*(link) nuh unh you can’t tell me NOTHIN.
OPI – “Green-wich Village”
Essie – “Chastity”
As expected, I have some shaky stripes going on…. but at this rate, I may have super straight lines by Christmas. 
. I attempted a silver glitter nail art striper on my left hand thumb nail, but decided it was too much and actually detracted from my love of the design. Sometimes less is more. A LOT of times, less is more.
Hanes
Light Green.
This color definitely looks like a pair of Hanes briefs I purchased in an assorted color pack of women’s underwear. LOL. At least in the bottle.
It’s a pretty pastel green. It took 3 coats to get this coverage. As big a fan as I am of OPI…. well, this one I would only recommend for Easter or something…maybe poolside. It looks great on my toenails. Perfect for summer sandals. It’s not a neon, but it does have it’s own allure, especially against my brown skin. It’s more vibrant than I could capture in the pictures. (Will have to try sunlight.)
I like the way it looks on my nails, but I’m sure this will be off my fingernails in WAY less time than those Cherries lacquer strips were. Because I have nail polish ADD.
By the way, those Sephora lacquer strips were NOT trying to come off. No chipping or peeling or ANYTHING. And I was working hard to get them to chip. Ultimately, I had to just get nail polish remover and remove them. So they are definitely long-lasting. They wore well.
OPI – “Gargantuan Green Grape”
Half Moons
This was my half-way reputable attempt at the manicure phenomenon that is the “Half Moon.”
Umm, these are WAY harder than I thought. I’ll have to practice my reinforcement sticker placement. My half moons are ALL OVER THE PLACE. LOL. – But y’all know how I feel about “tape” manicures. “Hated them.” Still do.
But I do like my color combination. 
OPI – “I Have A Herring Problem”
This blue has this sparkly silver frost shimmer all through it that matches super well with the silver frost that is:
OPI – “Birthday Babe”
Pink Camo
OPI –
“Sparrow Me The Drama”
”Kiss Me On My Tulips”
”You Don’t Know Jacques!”
”Did You ‘Ear About Van Gogh”
Happy Mother’s Day
I had a really nice day with my Mommie today. 
I am so happy to have my mother and my aunties. I do miss my grandmothers.
I felt compelled to have a special manicure today. A Mother’s Day special.
OPI – “Heart Throb” 
Pretty pretty pink. With flowers . Seemed totally apropos for a Mother’s Day event. My Mommie really liked the flower…. and the flowers I gave her. So, it was a good day.
Happy Mother’s Day to you all!!!!
Polish2Times 