Rave / Rant / Review \\ SUMMERTIME SHADES by SMITH & CULT

Smith & Cult Suburban Warrior (L) and Gay Ponies Dancing in the Snow (R)

Some days (especially rainy ones), 'Related Posts' lead the charge to hours of experiential entertainment. Recently, while reading about the retail woes of GAP and learning 10 tips I didn't know about my iPhone, I stumbled on an older 'related post' about Gay Ponies Dancing in the Snow. Refinery29's article piqued my interest in Smith & Cult's most popular nail lacquer, with its rave review of both the product and the brand's naming convention. In an on-again-off-again relationship with nail art, I was suckered in. I read up on the brand, called their hotline and uncovered a nearby salon that carries a healthy selection of the Jekyll and Hyde-esque nail lacquer collection. After enduring a dramatically demanding week at work, I justified my first $18 purchase of Smith & Cult as an accolade of corporate survival. Keep reading to see how it fared on my fingers...  

LUXURY LACQUER BY LOUBOUTIN

Christian Louboutin Windows at Saks Fifth Ave, NYC featuring Loubiville

After twenty-three years of red-sole splendor, the Louboutin brand pushes prestige to a new level. On July 25th, Christian Louboutin unveiled Rouge Louboutin--the first of 30 shades of nail polish--at Saks Fifth Avenue and all 15 Louboutin Boutiques. To promote Louboutin Beauté, the windows at the Saks Fifth Ave. flagship feature Loubiville, an albino metropolis inspired by the shapes and angles of the Louboutin nail polish bottle. Keep reading for the details... 

NICE NAILS [Part 2 ]! Q&A with NAILED IT

Nailed It's blog header [source]

Kate Spade's spots and Rebecca Minkoff's double french manicures on the Fall 2012 runway inspired my impulsive foray into nail art. In browsing DIY tutorials, I stumbled on Katy Parsons' blog Nailed It and have been hooked ever since! Katy is a self-taught nail artist and owner of over 800 bottles of nail polish. Her blog, Nailed It is a repository of nail art ideas, product trials and how-to's. Recently, I had the chance to catch up with Ms. Parsons. Keep reading to find out what she has to say about her favorite polish colors, challenging nail art and where she finds inspiration for her designs...

NICE NAILS! A STYLISH CANVAS OF EVOLVING EXPRESSION

Nail-related items that have been bestowed on me over the last year--So many options!

Nail Art has blossomed in new and exciting directions over the last few years. From Katy Perry's Obama-themed nails to Kelly Osborne's $250,000 black diamond manicure, stars, stylists and the style-conscious have entered a new age of self-expression. Fashionable fads in the form of charms, chains, stamps, stickers, tattoos, texture and caviar are stealing thunder from the stylish simplicity of a traditional french manicure. Keep reading for a glimpse into the history of nail art...

Rave / Rant / Review \\ DIY Nail Stamping

Saturday showers make way for indoor activities, namely a Nail Art! Make-A-Long at NYCResistor. Taking a rare opportunity to trek outside my creative comfort zone and into into a bordering borough, the 2-hour session provided the perfect distraction from the torrential downpour. DIY Nail Stamping was on the agenda and it proved to be easier than I imagined. Keep reading for the outcome and how to create your own... 

Pre-Friday Fun at French Connection

The ladies of Valley Nails being creative and Elizabeth Monson standing on the right in pants that match the nail design of the night

Monday began a week-long countdown to tonight's Spring Nail Art event hosted by Elizabeth Monson and Keiko Lynn at French Connection's Soho Flagship. While fashionable femmes shopped spring styles and sipped on bubbly, a nail station staffed by Valley of Nolita gave manicures with the night's featured flower print. As I awaited my mani-makeover, I had time to browse the latest offerings at French Connection. Keep reading to see the completed mani and style standouts.

Rave / Rant / Review \\ Halloween Nails

Fingrs Boxed Halloween Nail Art

Though Essie's Ballet Slipper polish is my standard go-to, I thought it'd be fun to change it up a bit and rock spooky nail style for Halloween. While stopping for cake pop supplies, I get sidetracked by the seasonal section and the vast selection of stick-on nails. Of the available options, I decide on a pack of stick-ons from Fingrs, since the length is similar to my current nail length and nail wraps hadn't worked that well in the past. Plus, the $2.97 price tag had me sold. Keep reading to see the results!...