The Digit-al Dozen does FESTIVENESS - Snowstorm

Hi Goddesses

I admit, I've been in a bit of a bubble this week, trying to deal with family issues and just get through.  Nothing however prepared me for the shock of yesterday's awful news from Connecticut.

As a mother, what happened is pretty much my worst nightmare, and my heart goes out to everyone who lost someone precious yesterday.   A lot of bloggers today are posting white nails to mark the loss of innocence.  I won't be, purely because I've got a lot of other things to do today, but my heart and my thoughts are in the same place, and I am immensely proud to be part of a community that would pull together like this.

Today's mani is a simple one.  The first day of Festiveness featured THIS mani, and I knew it was too beautiful not to recycle.  Eventually, I picked this delicate pattern on MJ7, which you can buy from My Online Shop.

There's something very peaceful and pure about it, and I hope that eventually, the people of Newtown can find some peace in their hearts.  Innocence should ALWAYS be cherished and protected; it's the greatest sadness of our modern life that heartfelt values seem to be melting away like the winter snow.

Peace xx

The Digit-al Dozen does ... FESTIVENESS - Snowfall

Hi Goddesses

Ah, this month is EXTRA exciting for The Digit-al Dozen.  Not only is it nearly Christmas, but we've added a few superstars to the group.  There's now slightly more than 12 of us, but last month with hurricanes, illnesses, and general "life challenges" we ended up with only 9 of us posting, so we're hoping this way we can keep it consistent :)

This mani is the equivalent of the chicken or the egg - which came first, the idea for the mani, or the polish ?  the polish.  This mani was inspired by Diamonds and Pearls by The Polish Bar.

I don't know if this is the same all over the world, but in the UK, the first hint we get that snow is on the way is that the sky takes on a lilac tinge.  So this is a super soft lilac gradient, sweeping from soft lilac down to white.

Polishes -

base of Zoya Megan

hint of Sally Hansen Delphinium at the base of the nail

KIKO 329 - Pale Grey

OPI - My Boyfriend Scales Walls

This was done as a standard gradient, with a little bit of extra retouching at the nail edge to give the white more depth.

The snow comes courtesy of Diamonds and Pearls - doesn't it look PERFECT ?  I love how the teeny holo glitter catches the light and sparkles how real snow does.

I think this is the gradient I am most proud of EVER.  I really did sit and keep staring at it.  The tragedy is that it made a perfect base for nail art, and yet I coudn't bear to cover it up !  Eventually, I did stamp on it, and that might be my Day 5 mani.

In the meantime, enjoy, and don't forget to check out all the awesome ladies :) xxx

Best of 2012 - Lilac Polishes

Hi Goddesses

As I am sure you are ALL aware by now, purple is my favouritest colour, so doing 1 post for all my fave purples of the year was just NOT a goer.  Instead, I've divided it into 3 - purple polishes, purple glitters and, today, the lilacs.

I find lilac a really calm and soothing colour to wear.  In the same way that I can rely on orange to perk me up and make me smile, I can always rely on lilac to restore the equilibrium.  As before, click on the name of the polish to go to the original post with more photos.

Barry M - Prickly Pear

Silky smooth and super glossy, this was love at first swipe.  Beautiful, luscious and elegant. Love

Cult Nails - My Kind of Cool Aid

I'm pretty sure this isn't a 2012 polish, but I only got into Cult Nails this year.  This is heavenly and complicated - a deep dusty lilac with loads of shimmer.

Pretty and Polished - Tart

THE lilac glitterbomb of the year, this is confection perfection.  Light, frothy and fun, this is perfect for summer.

Butter London - Muggins

Another winner from their Spring Collection, Muggins is smooth, creamy and elegant.  Ultra glossy, super perfect.

Zoya - Megan

Cashmere in a bottle.  Super fluffy and delicate, this is the gentlest lamb of a lilac you will ever find.

Nails Inc - Charlotte Mews (coming soon)

A recent find, I have no idea when this was released.  Blue toned and creamy.  Cool and classy.

Where does lilac rate in your favourite colours to wear?  And are there any other winners I've missed out ?  I don't feel lilac was very well represented by the big brands this year - oh well, maybe 2013 will fix that !

Enjoy xx  :)

Work Wear Wednesday - ZOYA Megan

Hi Goddesses

Sometimes I resist Zoya Collections, but eventually, I always come to realise that resistance is futile .... and cave :)

Megan is almost a year old now, but I only bought her a few weeks ago.  Mainly, I bought her as a base for art manis, but wow, you can't deny how beautiful she is on her own.

Megan is a heavenly, lush, dreamy, creamy grey, sprinkled with just one lavender petal.  She is exquisite.   The tinge of lilac gives the grey a perfect cashmere quality.  I love it.

She does dry a tiny bit cooler and darker than the bottle (tell me a Zoya that doesn't dry darker than the bottle) but we really are talking half a smidge.

What's especially delicious is how she manages to be both warm and cold at the same time - fluffy yet aloof; soft yet distant.  Gorgeous.

And if you're wondering about the weird poses and where my index finger has disappeared to in most of the shots, well, you should know by now that can only mean one thing:  I'm hiding something !!  Lol.  In this case, a very wonky nail wrap.  Oops.


Enjoy xx :)