It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

... because I can eat Oreos with red creme in them! NOM!

I think the Oreos look like anti-hero oreos... just a little bit evil >:D

Isn't this snowman polish adorable? I got one in white opalescent glitter (like China Glaze Snowglobe) as well.  These were available at Rite Aid a month or so ago, but I'm not sure if they'll still be around now.  From what I understand, though, they come out every year  <3

Unrelated find: Yesterday at CVS I spotted this cheapo, $2.99 palette for the holidays:

If you see it, I recommend picking it up.  Its style is quite reminiscent of Guerlain, Dior and Lancome Spring 2012 with the embossed flowers.  I found the pigmentation to be quite nice and the texture soft and easy to blend.  It's definitely higher quality than I expected!
This time of year can be all about extravagance, but it's nice to find joy in small (budget) pleasures ^.^

NOTD: No fewer than two GUYS complimented me on this!

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips in Plaid About You (limited edition Holiday 2011)

 Holding on to a patent faux-croc wallet from NY&C:

Just a word of caution: I noticed these showed mistakes in application and some tip wear far more readily than other patterns I've tried.  If you haven't used nail wraps before, I recommend starting with a lighter-colored pattern.
<3 Sarah S.

NOTD: Black Lingerie and Pumpkin Spice

Happy Halloween <3

Two coats of Revlon Black Lingerie, two coats of Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Pumpkin Spice, and one coat of Seche Vite Top Coat

Stila's First Nail Polishes!

 I would have pegged the color called "chandelier" for the nail polish version of Kitten!  Isn't every brand doing a color like "icicle" this holiday season?

The nail polishes look a little dupable and come out to $6 apiece... less than Essie but unproven.  I'm not sure I'll indulge, but I think it's exciting Stila's dipping its toes in the nail polish game!

NOTD: Sally Hansen Real Nail Polish Strips in Ghoulie Girl

...and Halloween Oreos! NOM!

NOTD: Sally Hansen Real Nail Polish Strips in Spun For You and a Reminder

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for U.S. Followers HERE!  The contest ends on October 10th (this Sunday,1 minute after midnight, EST).  Best of luck!

You could win all this  <3

NOTD: Incoco nail polish strips from September's Birchbox

Monday... >_<
Anyways, sorry I forgot the name of this polish color by Incoco! They were in my Birchbox for September. Did you guys try your Incoco strips yet? What do you think of them?  This picture is from this morning... I applied them Saturday afternoon, so I've had them on about a day and a half. So far so good!

I've been too busy to wait for wet nail polish to dry!

Aren't the subtle holographic glitters pretty?

NOTD: Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips in Skinny Jeans

September is the month all the stores are really pushing jeans, so I thought now would be as good as ever to bust out the denim on my nails.  These polish strips are a cinch to apply (I did it during the first 20 minutes or so of the True Blood Season Finale), don't get smudges or creases if you go to bed soon after application, and I usually cheat out two uses per box by ripping the strips from one pack to fit all my nails.  I have also previously tried the following patterns: Kitty, Kitty (leopard, two boxes), Fly With Me (butterflies), Check It Out (houndstooth), and Girl Flower (60's flowers).  They always last at least 4 days before I get tip/cuticle wear, and usually they last closer to 7 with little sign of wear.  The longest I've had them last without signs of wear is 10 days.  These totally rock <3 Snap up the LE Halloween ones, if you can. If you know me, you know I like skulls so I bought two boxes of the skull and crossbones LE Halloween print. It's not limited to Halloween for me; I'd wear those any time!

Review/Preview: OPI Axxium Gel Lacquer in Brisbane Bronze

Happy Friday! Yesterday after work I went with my sisters to get our monthly pedis, and decided it was about time I tried that new-ish long-wearing gel nail lacquer by OPI (on my fingers, not toes).  I think there are other brands available elsewhere but my salon carries OPI Axxium.  I wanted a metallic color that wouldn't look particularly Fall-ish or Summery, and I'm really into mixing metals (as in jewelry) lately.  My toes are silver, but the Axxium color I settled upon is Brisbane Bronze, a kind of bronze-rose-gold-copper-penny-shimmer. It's sooo pretty!

My nails are hella short and weak right now because they've been breaking a lot lately, so I got a regular manicure beforehand.  My nail guy painted on a couple of clear base coats that had to be set under the UV light between each coat, then he applied a couple coats of the gooey-looking lacquer color.  Each layer required a short time under the UV appliance.  A couple of special top coats later and he told me I could probably go pick a fight with my sister and the nails wouldn't smudge (ha ha).  It cost $25 at my usual place but I've heard it go for more or less.  It should last 2-3 weeks but I might wind up soaking it off with acetone at home beforehand, because I'm fickle about my nail color.
I'll update you guys later as to how long it lasts, but I can attest to its pretty glossiness at this time.
Have a great (non-chipped manicure) weekend!

I am absolutely LOVING Orly Oh Cabana Boy!

I don't have much love for red or pink nail polish. They tend to be dupable and remind me of my grandmother (which isn't a bad thing, I just mean they seem dated or aging).  For some reason, though, I am adoring this blue-pink, almost duochromey shade by Orly.  I got the mini bottle at Ulta for $4, I think.  I ought to get the large bottle because I love this on my toes, too (and it looks really pretty with little white flowers detailed on top).  I'm a funky color nail polish kind of girl, but I am loving this!

I couldn't get a photo that does this color any real justice or captures its highlighter-pink brightness, but this photo does capture its wearability.

(Sorry there's a little tip wear because I struggled to open a compact this morning). I've seen this swatched elsewhere but I really prefer it on short nails like I currently have to avoid looking cheesy.

Oh Cabana Boy by Orly

I can't stop looking at you!