Digit-al Dozen DOES Nail Heroes - Chalkboard Nails and Barry M

Hi Goddesses

Today marks the start of a wonderful week on the Digit-al Dozen - Nail Heroes.  It's a chance to honour the people who have inspired us, influenced us, and who we just wouldn't be the same without.

I'm starting my week with one of the bloggers who influenced me the most, Sarah of Chalkboard Nails.  Sarah started her blog at a similar time to mine, and I watched, green with envy as she shot into the stratosphere with a skill and simplicity I just couldn't match.

What I loved most about Sarah's blog has how every now and then she'd create a facepalm moment.  A nail design of such epic simplicity that I'd scream "why didn't I think of that!".   And The Ruffle was just such a moment.

The Ruffle uses a dotting tool to create rows of dots which then overlap.  When Sarah first did this, she did it in crazy colours and called it The Carmen Miranda because it looked like a great big chintzy skirt.  I've done this method sooooo many times.  It's simple, quick, and ALWAYS looks great, whatever the colour combo.

For my polishes, I used Barry M.  Barry is the biggest and best High Street brand in the UK, and reasonably priced, and for 2 years I was supremely proud to be one of their official bloggers.  The way they dumped me still stings a little, so I don't quite have the fervent devotion I used to have, but the fact remains, if you're looking to build a collection of good colours at a reasonable price, you won't go wrong with Barry M.

Don't forget to check out everyone else's link.

An InLinkz Link-up

De-Vaulting - OPI Miss Universe 2013 Nail Art

Hi Goddesses

For the longest time I was determined not to buy last year's Miss Universe collection, but eventually and inevitably, I cracked.

Miss You-niverse - This Gown Needs A Crown - I'm Feeling Sashy 

As a trio, they are perfectly formed - the dark, the medium and the sparkly - and they are born to play together in the same mani.

For this mani I used the lovely Sashy on base, and then skittled over the top in a ruffle pattern.

As you've seen before, Sashy isn't a dupe for the classic Parlez Vous OPI, but it's a good substitute (and easier to get hold of).   Dusty purples are my weakness.  Sigh - what's not to love about this baby?

Digit-al Dozen DOES Red Gold and Green - Ruffle

Hi Goddesses

I'm continuing my theme of Christmas patterns rather than art, and today is one of my favourite nail art patterns - the ruffle.

If I'm honest, I'm not totally sure this works.  There's a hell of a lot of colour going on, and I may have been better not using 8 polishes lol.

That said, it does look like a crazy cheerful pair of socks or tights, and it does make me smile with its brightness.

For the most part, this used Barry M polishes, and then for extra gold dazzle I added a coat of Cirque's gold leaf top coat, Au.

What do you think, success or fail?

NEW31DC - Final Day! Recreate Someone Else's Mani

Hi Goddesses

Sob .... sob ..... sniff .... sob.  It's the last day!!  I'm gutted!  I've enjoyed this challenge sooooooo much that I'm really sorry to see it end.    I'll do a round-up post over the weekend, but for now, I leave you with my mani inspired by Jin from Superficially Colourful.

I love simple nail art, and there's nothing much simpler than a dotting tool.  I also love ruffle manis, and I've done several of them, but it blew my mind when I saw Jin post THIS orange one.  An orange ruffle - wow!

It hadn't even occurred to me that I might own enough oranges to do a ruffle justice, but I did!  (surprise)  There were also different shades, tones and textures - I really think polishes with different finishes are the key to a great ruffle.

So what polishes do we have in the mix then ?  Well the base is The Arches by Elevation Polish, a stunning brick terracotta.  2 KIKOs, 368 and 236, Icing Funky Femme, a super bright glitter, Essie Chubby Cheeks, w7 Burnt Amber and the sensational holo-tasticness of Enkelini Lainey Lou. 

The win of this mani is totally in the textures, and in something quite accidental.  Usually, my holo stripe has been in the middle, to break things up, but quite accidentally it was the last layer I added this time, and wow oh wow does it make it pop.

I can't believe how much drama and light there is in some of these photos - just - wow, I'm gobsmacked and super happy.

So that's it.  It's over.  Thank YOU for reading.  Thank you Ashley for designing the poster.  Thanks to all the amazing ladies who took part and .... if you thought it looked fun, why not join in ?   It starts all over again TOMORROW when the slow version heads out of town.  Same challenges, but at a pace of 2 manis per week.  If you want to take part, just come and join the Crumpet's Nail Tarts, or click the logo in the top left.

Lots of love - see you for a round up at the weekend xxx