Wednesday 31 October 2012

Only 25 more followers to go until the GIVEAWAY!

We're HALF WAY to the giveaway! Hopefully I'll be able to get another 25 followers ASAP and get this giveaway going!!!

You can enter easily using Rafflecopter below! A few rules, as always!..

  • This blog giveaway is only open to the UK 
  • You MUST follow this blog (via GFC) to validate your entry - this will be checked upon drawing a winner. Subscribe over there >>>>
  • There is no cash alternative
  • The winner must respond the winner email within 72 hours or another winner will be drawn
I think that's pretty much it. I've had a ton of entries where people are just entering but not following the blog which is just pointless really. I want my giveaways to be for people who are interested in what I do! Anyway - good luck! And spread the word, the sooner those 25 followers arrive, the quicker you might have your prize! :o)

> a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hey, Hey I Wanna Be A Rockstar!

So as it's Halloween..I had 553354564 million people knocking at the door wanting sweets which meant painting nails was difficult! I did do a really cute floral pattern but it got smudged in the door opening and sweet giver-out-ing! So I decided on a simple but fun mani using the rockstar ring finger.

I decided to chuck a blurry photo in there as it picked up the different colours nicely!

USED: Models Own Hed Kandi Hedonist and Barry M Silver Cascade finished with Out the Door Top Coat.

I <3 Models Own. It actually becoming my new obsession. I just can't seem to get enough of it! All their polishes are a nice thick consistency and apply to the nail really nicely, giving a nice smooth, glass like finish - which I LOVE.

Do you use Models Own? What's your fav?

Monday 29 October 2012

H Is For..

So this post is a little early this week as I feel like I've not posted in forever! We normally post our ABC of Nails on Wednesday so I'm a day early!

I did originally choose Hello Kitty but my attempt was shocking. She looked like she'd been in a fight with a pair of scissors..and lost. So seeing as it's the right time of year... H is for.. HALLOWEEN! (Dur..!)

Pretty simple design using Bundle Monster plate BM-222.


Stamps are a little messy but I think that's down to the quality of polish I'm using! I really need to invest in some proper stamping polish!!

How are you wearing your nails this Halloween? 

Wednesday 24 October 2012

Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse!!

So you know I made a nice little order from Models Own a few weeks back..? Well I ordered the Mini Beetlejuice Collection. I'd not really looked over the little guys but last night I wanted something nice but that wasn't going to take me forever to do!

I decided on 'Pinky Brown'. As I hadn't used it yet, I thought I'd be a good time to try. Well..from the first nail I was INSTANTLY in love! The first coat didn't quite give full coverage, but 2 was perfect. It looks a metallic purple but under the light it picks up hints of brown (hence the name, but I'd say it's more purple than pink!). I can't even describe it. It's just beautiful! Take a look...



These pictures show 2 coats of Models Own Pinky Brown with one top coat of Out the Door.



I tried my hardest to capture my nails in different lights to try and get the mixture of colours across. It's such a beautiful polish that it's gone right up there in my favourites! It's ideal for Christmas, too! Now I'm excited to try to out the other polishes in the Beetlejuice Collection!

Have you used any Models Own polishes? Which ones do you love?

G Is For..

My 'can't paint my nails for a week' rule went out the window - especially as it's Wednesday which means it's the ABC Challenge over at Llama Nails!

I had a few ideas for G but decided to go with something I love...GAMING!


I was pretty happy with the results. I just based it on the button of an Xbox controller. I love my Xbox so made sense I should put it on to my nails! :)


What do you think to gaming nails?

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Hey lazy!!

So it's been 7 days since I've even posted - sorrrrry guys!

I had my nails done on the weekend because they were horrible! Whenever I get my nails done I try my hardest not to paint them for at least a week. So at the moment I'm just rocking the au naturale white tips! But it won't last long so I'll have something new to post soon!

In the mean time - have you entered my first giveaway?! Up for grabs is the gorgeous 'Pencils & Polish' set from Frontcover.

The ONLY mandatory thing you need to do is follow this blog via GFC. Once I have hit 50 followers, I will draw the prize. The winner will be checked before announced to make sure they are a follower! This competition, as mentioned previously, is only open to the UK this time round.

Only thing left to do is wish you good luck! And don't forget, spread the word, every girl needs a self-pampering set!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
  

Wednesday 17 October 2012

F Is For..

Really?! Wednesday already?! Well that only means one thing.. Llama Nails 'ABC Challenge' time! So my choice this time was a bit of a cop out on my part! I've been crazy busy every evening this week so haven't had a chance to sit down and give my nails love! Luckily, I had a mani I could use which I have already posted about - Fishbraid. Here's a picture for anyone who may have missed it..


Luckily I absolutely love it so I didn't mind sharing it as my 'F' choice - I did plan on doing Frankenstein as it's so close to Halloween but I went out my a meal with my family and didn't get back til' late! Excuses, excuses! 

Anyway - hopefully I'll be a bit more creative next time (and less lazy!). Until then, here's some hilarious nail photos I found that describe me to the ground!


Ohhhh you know it made you smile! :)

Don't Forget - Frontcover Giveaway at 50 Followers!

Hi guysss,

Don't forgot I'm running my first ever giveaway as soon as I hit 50 followers! You can enter below using Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Feel free to share the competition with all your friends and followers!

Don't forget to keep checking back to see if you're the lucky winner!

Good luck!

Sunday 14 October 2012

The Weekend!

Hellllloooo! I have joined "The Weekender" link-up over at Love, The Skinnys - go take a look! The button is over there! >>>

RULES
Not really rules... because who follows rules on the weekend?!
Guidelines:
Post a photo from last weekend.
Tell us what you are looking forward to this weekend.
Grab a button for your blog.
Link up.

So mine's a little late..seeing as the weekend is over! But I'll tell you what I did and what I'm looking forward to this weekend!

So this weekend started quite rubbish. I've been suffering really badly with migraines and I woke up Saturday morning with the mother of one! So I had plans to go shopping with the girls but had to cancel :(. Instead, I went to get some tablets for my head and went home and laid in bed.. All day. I watched a few films on LoveFilm - Beetlejuice being one of them - can I just say - How have I never seen this before!? Heart this film!

Saturday night had been planned for a while. One of my friends moved home from London and is now living in a lovely little flat with another friend so we had a flat-warming party with vodka jellies, karaoke, red plastic cups and balloons! I haven't been out (or drank..) since July so I was drunk after my first drink which only meant for a good night. The night ended with a lot of McDoanlds food eveywhere (boo hiss boo to me! NOT a good diet move, but was such a great idea at the time! Dreading weigh-in on Tuesday!) and lots of prank calls. All in all, another awesome night with some of my favourite peoples!

  
I know, I know - post A picture. But the night was eventful and I felt I needed to add a few to get the dynamics of the evening. I did look smart(ish) before I started drinking haha! 

Sunday consisted of tidying up the mess we made, bacon and sweets (again, not diet friendly!), the boyfriend and films! It was nice to just chill out and do nothing although I did need a power nap because I was SO tired! Dad made us home-made steak burgers and chips which was exactly what I needed! 

THIS WEEKEND! Well this week is a good week. I'm only working 4 days as I have Friday off to go to Thorpe Park Fright Night with Craig. I'm super excited. We've been for the last 3 years and always have the best time! That means Saturday I'll have achy feet but will probably spend the day watching Craig play football before we go to the cinema that evening. I think we're going to go and watch Sinister so that'll be fun! :)

Anyway. Hope you all had a lovely weekend..only 4 days to go til the next one! :) 

Thursday 11 October 2012

Blue Leopard

I love my Bundle Monster stamping plates and feel like I've been neglecting them so decided to base this mani around one of the stamps! I also just got my Models Own sale haul so really wanted to use some of those! I decided to go for the trusty leopard print stamp (Plate BM-221 I think!). Base colour used was Models Own True Blue. This reminds me of denim and I absolutely love it. The stamp polish used was Barry M Gold Foil. I think the 'Foil' editions by Barry M are awesome stamping polishes!



As most people who follow my blog, I can never just stick to a plain colour or design so decided to just switch it up a little by reversing the colours on the index finger. Lesson learnt? Darker Models Own polishes are a brilliant stamping polish, too! Good to know!

 Do you like the design and colours used?

E Is For...

Hi guys,

It's that time again! The next installment for the Llama Nails 'ABC of Nails' Challenge.

I found E quite hard one to think up. It's was a tough choice between the one I chose Eruption, Eeyore and Earth. Anyway, with some input from the creative brains at work, I decided on...

ELMO!


It didn't turn out as brilliant as hoped but I still kinda like it! :)

What do you think? Any ideas for 'F'?! 

ALSO! My 'giveaway at 50 followers' is still running! I've changed it slightly, so the only mandatory line is to follow the blog! :) Enter below using Rafflecopter..


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday 5 October 2012

Here Fishy, Fishy!

I've seen Fish Braid nails a few times before but never really sat down and given it a go. Well that all changed tonight! It's not as difficult as I first thought and I actually really enjoyed doing it! :)

If anyone is interested in a step by step tutorial on this design then let me know and I'll be sure to get one up!


I used China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy (my fav at the mo!) for my base colour. I then created the fish braid using Barry M Silver Foil and Models Own Dream Stream. Finished with a coat of 'Out the Door' Top Coat and I was done!



I smudged one nail (boo!) so me being the perfectionist I am took it all off and started again! I absolutely love the colours together. I think this design will stay for the whole weekend - a big thing for me! I'm lucky if I keep the same design a day!

Have you tried fish braids? What colours did you use that worked well?


Radioactive Monster Polka Dots

I really wanted to do my nails but had a complete mind blank with what pattern to do, so I went for good ole' polka dots - always a winner!

I went for some colours that were nice and bright and ones that would clash! I'm loving clashing colours at the moment so why not!


The only place I could capture the extreme brightness was against a white background! The were almost too much to look at - I LOVED IT!

I used Charlotte Russe 'Neon Pop' in Mint Green (another holiday bargain) with China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy for the polka dots. Coated in 'Out the Door' Top coat and voila! My radioactive nails.

What do you think? Do you like the clash or is it a bit too much for you?



D Is For...

I was just browsing the other day when I stumbled across Llama Nails.

It's a cool little nail community on Facebook where everyone gathers to share and show off their different nails. At the moment, they have an awesome group challenge going called 'The ABC of Nails..'. So basically, every week is a new letter of the alphabet so you then use that letter as inspiration for nail art. Then every Wednesday, everyone goes on the group and shares their pictures!

 I've joined a little late so I've started on 'D'. I chose to do dinosaur!



Excuse my dry skin :( - Anyone got any tips for those little buggers? I love the winter but I HATE what it does to my hands!!

Anyway, what do you think to my little dinosaur? And what do you think I should do next week for 'E'?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Supporting SweetJellyBean

This post is dedicated to the brilliant SweetJellyBean.

She's currently running a campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness and will continue all throughout October.

If you'd also like to get involved head then click here. Her post gives some brilliant tips on what you should be looking for and why it is so important - I hope you can all spare just a few minutes to give it a read! You an also grab a banner which can be seen over there >> to help link people to her post.


sweetjellybean.com 


As I am fully supporting her, I decided to base my next set of nails on the campaign. These nails were designed for SweetJellyBean but I would love to share them with you too! :)



They're super simple but cute and so effective. I've already had quite a few people comment on them and ask 'why?' to which I can tell them about the campaign throughout October. 

Are you doing anything for Breast Cancer Awareness Month?  

Wednesday 3 October 2012

Nominated for a Liebster Award

I've been nominated for a Liebster Award by the lovely Louise at Purple Wolf Nails.
Apparently "this award is all about discovering new blogs and helping those with less than 200 followers to get recognised" and the rules to follow after being nominated are:
 

1. Each person tagged must post 11 things about themselves.
2. They must also answer the 11 questions the 'tagger' has set for them.
3. They must create 11 more questions to ask bloggers they have decided to tag.
4. They must then choose 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers and tag them in their post.
5. These lucky bloggers must then be told.
6. There are no tag backs.

So here I go with the 11 things about myself:
1. I have been with my gorgeous boyfriend for just over 5 years <3
2. I am a massive West Ham United fan! IRONS!
3. I work in a graphic design agency
4. I have 2 beauuutiful Labradors called Bertie and Bailey who I love so, so much!
5. Painting my nails keeps me sane! People don't get how I have the patience for it, but I just...do?
6. I am a huge Xbox fan. I spend so much of my life playing Call of Duty!
7. My fav colour is piiiink!
8. When I die, I'd like to come back as a shark! They're so fascinating!
9. I used to represent the UK in the U16's 100m Athletics
10. I take so many pictures, it's ridiculous! But I like being able to revisit those memories whenever I like :o)
11. I've snorkeled with sharks!

My questions from Louise are:

1. Why did you start blogging?
I started because I wanted to have somewhere to store all my photos of my nails and pretty things and I enjoy writing, so it just made sense really..!
2. Which famous people would you invite to a dinner party (dead or alive) and why?
Is there a limit on numbers? I'll pick 3. Number 1. Snooki - Who WOULDN'T want her at a dinner party?! She's hilarious! Number 2. Buddha - So I can rub his belly and get me some lucks! Number 3. Rachel McAdams - Cos she's HOT! (Lesbi-crush!)
3. What is your favourite scene from a film?
In The Notebook, where they're out in the canoe, and it starts to rain. They're both just laughing but then she asks why he didn't write her and that she'd been waiting for him, to which he says he wrote 365 letters - he wrote every day for a year! And then says it still isn't over and grabs her and kisses her! <3 Just can't get bored of that film!
4. Did you watch any of the Olympics. If so, which was the best bit for you?
I enjoyed watching Jess Ennis completely SMASH the Triathlon! There was so much pressure on her to do well that she was almost expected to get gold! Glad she rose to the occasion!
5. What do you like to do most when you are not blogging?
Play Xbox, work, spend time with my beautiful boyfriend, see my lovely girls!
6. What's the first thing you would do if you won the lottery?
Cash the ticket in....haha.
7. If you could be anyone else for a day who would you be?
Ohh tough one! I'd probably be Richard Branson - so I could donate all that surplus money to places that really need it!
8. What is the last movie that you saw at the cinema?
I can't even remember! Probably something scary. We're getting our Unlimited Cinema cards back soon though - YAY!
9. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Entirely depends! Work I have to be a morning person. On the weekends and when it's party time, I'm the night owl! :)
10. What do you have that is of great value to you but of no value to anyone else?
My memories!
11. How far away from your birthplace do you live now?
I live about 5 miles away from the actual hospital I was born in, so pretty damn close!

My 11 Questions for those lucky enough to be nominated are..

1. What came first, the chicken or the egg?
2. What's your fav music?
3. Are you a flats or heels kinda girl?
4. If you could bring one person back from the dead for the day, who would it be and why?
5. Sweet or savoury?
6. What's your biggest fear?
7. If you could rewrite your life, would you change anything?
8. What did you always want to be when you were growing up?
9. What's your favourite quote?
10. What's your fav animal and why?
11. Where is the one place in the world you want to travel to before you die?

My nominations for this award (in no particular order) are...

That's Just Lovely

Sweet Jelly Bean

The Charmed Cupcake

Sparkles and Such

That One Blog

Snook Pie

Laughing Through The Silences

Helen Hearts

Not Your Average Baby Blog

Spellbound Nails

My Pretty Nailz

Make sure you go check these blogs out! All brilliant in their own lovely ways!

Well that's me over and out! I hope you've enjoyed learning and little more about me! And to those I've tagged, please let me know when you're done so I can read your responses to my questions! :)

Models Own Summersale

Models Own were running a huge 50% off summersale on all their products! Being a nail polish addict, I couldn't resist placing a little..ahem..order! Unfortunately the sale ended yesterday (boo!) but I hope that some of you were lucky enough to get in on the action!

So, what did I buy you ask? Let's have a look..

Beetle Juice Collection - Indian Ocean &  Disco Mix - Glitter - Both £5
    
True Blue &  Tropical - Coral Reef - Both £5
 Hed Kandi Collection - Hedonist & Ibiza Mix - Both £5
  Luis Lemon - £5
 Beetle Juice Mini Collection - £8
 Pink Nail Art Pen - £6
 
Blue Nail Art Pen - £6

Prices shown are the original prices as I was lucky enough to get all that half price! 

What do you think to my new polishes? What did you buy?
 xoxo

Tuesday 2 October 2012

Countdown to 50 Followers GIVEAWAY!

Some of you may have seen yesterdays post regarding my first ever blog give away!

The giveaway will run until Tales of Nails hits 50 followers. Rafflecopter doesn't seem to make it clear so the rules of entry are as follows;

1. Follow Tales of Nails on Facebook
2. Follow Tales of Nails on Twitter/Tweet about the competition - this can be done directly through the Rafflecopter app
3. You MUST follow this blog!
4. Leave a comment on your favourite post or even leave a suggestion of what you'd like to see!

Following the blog is absolutely mandatory and is the whole idea of the giveaway so this will be checked before any prize is issued. Fans of Facebook and followers on Twitter and any comments left will also be checked before the winner is annouced.

Don't forget to share the love! I'm sure your friends and fellow bloggers would love a chance to win too!

Good luck!
XOXO

 a Rafflecopter giveaway