#ITrustIndies - Literary Lacquers

Hi Goddesses

Today, we rejoice in the world of indie, and a few bloggers and fans are choosing today to share their favourite indie brands and manis.

Out of all the madness, malarkey and yes, mentality of this week, I have been overjoyed to see so many fans coming together to support indies.  If you've never tried an indie before, please don't let the Mentality crap put you off - indies in general are amazing, crazily-gifted ladies (and a few men) who understand great customer service and will bend over backwards to be helpful.

I thought long and hard about which way to go with today's post, and in the end I decided to share a mani from MY favourite indie brand, Literary Lacquers.  Here are a few reasons why I love this brand -

- great product.  Amazing colours, mixes, finishes, as well as that fabulous literary theme
- good price point
- great quality - good brush, lasts decently, no sinking glitters etc
- holos to die for, and Amy's special holo trademark, a unique glitter and holo mix that's just g-g-g-gorgeous
- a maker who genuinely loves her customers and encourages interaction.  Amy's is the first "fan" group I remember on Facebook and she uses it to genuinely connect with her fans, run competitions and invite ideas.  It's a lovely, friendly place, with exactly the right sort of vibe
- super customer service.  You're not a number to Amy, you're a PERSON, and she treats you like a friend

I've been VERY lucky, and I have swatched for Amy for 2, 2 and a half years now.  That means I get to experience most of her amazing products for free.  However, I started out as a buyer and a fan, and I am still a buyer and a fan.  If she releases exclusives, I *still* go to her shop for them, and I am NEVER disappointed.

Today is not the time or the place to show you my favourite Literary Lacquer polishes.  It IS the time to explain why Indies are awesome, and show you a lovely mani done with 2 of Amy's polishes.

You have been watching a painted gradient of Blue Lullaby over Thermofish, with white stamped swirls from MoYou Sailor 07.

Links
Literary Lacquers Etsy shop
Literary Lacquers Facebook page
Literary & Lacquers Fan Group (Facebook)

An InLinkz Link-up

De-Vaulting - Summer Silver Seas

Hi Goddesses

The de-vaulting exercise has been quite interesting for me in terms of understanding why stuff gets stuck in there.  This is another example of a nice mani ruined by bad lighting.

The base is the beautiful Summer Seas by The Polish Bar.  It's a gentle, twinkly blue holo that just begged for some watery nail art.

The stamping is another MoYou Sailor 07 stamp - seriously, I love that plate to death.

De-Vaulting - OPI Wharf Wharf Wharf Stamping

Hi Goddesses

Sometimes, I am stupid.  It's a well known fact.  Ask me why THIS October mani is still in the vault and I Have No Ideaaaaaa.

I even love it!  See, stupid.   Base polish?  Love it.  Stamping job?  Love it.  Overall effect - one of the manis I was happiest with last year.  You can't legislate for stupid lol.

So this has OPI Wharf Wharf Wharf on base, a lovely dark blue texture (but not quite navy) from the Frisco collection.  I loved the drama of this polish.

I didn't realise stamping over texture would be so cool.  Or so GOOOOOD - wow that stamping adheres!   To match the theme of the polish, the stamping is from MoYou Sailor 07.

Siiiiiigh.   Yep, stupid.

#33DC Day 17 - Your Favourite Brand

Hi Goddesses

Today's choice was a toughy.  What IS my favourite brand?  In truth I ....
a - do not know
b - cannot say, because that would spoil what I have planned for December ;)
c - both of the above

Lol.  There's probably 5 brands I could have chosen for today, but as one of my favourite brands is creating its own little Mount Untried, I went with the Aussie Awesomeness that is Lilypad Lacquer.

The polish you see above is Baby Boy Blue, a bright, light, serene pale blue holo.  This is pure and beautiful.  No dustiness, tinges of other colours, just pure baby blue.  Lovely.

I topped it with 2 stamps from MoYou Sailor Collection 07, a divine plate full of waves and tumbles.

The silver and the blue collided beautifully together - you can almost smell the sea spray.

Both polish and plate are the definition of easy and effortless to use - a great combo :)