Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, Fireflies!

Today, I did some simple stamping of different spooky images on a shiny deep purple base!

Halloween Web Decals

Hello, Fireflies!

We're getting closer to that big, spooky day!  I saw this cool, abstract web design from ArcadiaNails that I wanted to do, but instead of free-handing the web like she did, I decided to make a stamp decal!

Sinfully Halloween

Hello, Fireflies!

I was so excited when I saw these glow-in-the-dark spooky polishes from Sinful Colors!  I love some unique glitters, and the black skull and crossbones and holo crescent moons are just too cute!

Ghost Tips

Hello, Fireflies!

Time for the last 'Funky French' for this month's NCC challenge.  I am totally stealing inspired by CDBNails post this month, and had to do my own version of her very cool ghostly tips.  Check out her post - she even has a video tutorial if you want to learn how she did them!

Gray Hair? What Gray Hair? #CoverYourGray

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

While I've been getting the occasional grey hair since I was about 14, I have really been in denial about how much grey hair I have now.  I've been plucking whichever greys I see since that first one, but now it's getting too much for me, and I'm looking for other solutions, without totally changing my hair color.

Jellied soap?

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

When I first started expanding my blog from just nail polish to a wider range of beauty products, one of the things I loved most was discovering new niche products that I'd never heard of before - whether it was a new ingredient, or a whole new way of looking at a product.  I'm so glad I had the opportunity to try a couple of products from Zakia's Morocco, because one was a new mask experience, and the other totally changed how I see soap!

Holo-ween Skulls

Hello, Fireflies!

Today's Sunday Stamping challenge is, "Holo-ween" - keeping with the theme of Halloween, but using a holographic polish in either the base or the stamp.  I'd been wearing the beautiful NARS Black Fire for a few days, and decided it would make a great base for this challenge!

Cheshire Leopard

Hello, Fireflies!

I reached back into the vault to bring you a little glitter nailart today! I don't do a lot of leopard print, but I couldn't resist these adorable leopard spot glitters.

Protecting My Curls with Arvazallia #proteinhairmask

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I admit it, I'm kinda vain about my hair.  It took me such a long time to love it - all I wanted when I was a kid was to be like the women in the hair commercials that had long, straight, flowing hair.  Mine was snarled and frizzy, and anything that touched it would stick to it like velcro.  Now that I know more about how to care for curly hair, I gravitate towards products that are nourishing and protecting of my hair, like Arvazallia's Fortifying Protein Hair Mask.

My Oily Skin Has Been Waiting For #ForlanBBCream

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

As a beauty blogger who tests a lot of skincare, I'm used to regimens that take multiple steps.  I'm also constantly trying to walk the line of finding products that are nourishing to my aging skin, but don't exacerbate my oily, blemish-prone skin.  Forlan BB Cream is a one-step product that moisturizes, has anti-aging properties, and leaves my skin smooth and ready for makeup - and no breakouts!

Chic Chevron Funky French

Hello, Fireflies!

Happy 'Back to the Future' day! I don't have any BTTF polishes, but I'm going to celebrate in today's post by diving into the vault for some older pictures that meet this month's "Funky French" challenge.  The polish I used as the base for this look was inspired by a movie made in the 70's, but it's coming back in a few months in a new way!

Makeup and Nails in Browns and Greens

OFRA Blush Stripes and Forlan BB Cream are Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I love brown and green together.  I have this dress that has patterns in browns with details in emerald green, and I decided to match my makeup and my nails to my outfit!

More Aaahs and Zzzs with Aroma Zzar! #AromaZzar

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I've written about my love of essential oils before, and I've always just used them in a little oil warmer that I have.  I thought that was the way to do it.

Oh, have I been missing out.  That way was like the Ford Fiesta way of enjoying aromatherapy.  The Aroma Zzar is the Cadillac way.

Shiny Stamped Snakeskin

 Hello, Fireflies!

Today's AIS challenge is, "Snakeskin and Other Reptiles."  I chose the lesser-known holo-flakie reptile to emulate.  His pattern is more like a fishnet than scales, but we do what we can with what we have.

The Smart Way ...Weigh #choosethesmartweigh

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

A trip to the Post Office seemed easier when I was younger.  I don't remember long lines (except, maybe at lunch time!) or so many options for shipping that could vary so much based on the weight of a package.  Nowadays, I can simplify my postal needs by weighing at home and choosing options from a webpage before I even go to the Post Office with my SmartWeigh Shipping and Postal Scale.

Oh, I Wish I Was A Bar Of Naked Soap...#‎NakedBarSoapCo‬

Press Sample. All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

My husband's grandfather used to sing a little song about how he wished he was a little bar of soap, "I'd go slippy, slippy, slidey - over everybody's hiney, Oh, I wish I was a little bar of soap!"

Well, if I could be made fresh, from amazing ingredients and pure essential oils like the soaps at Naked Bar Soap Company, maybe I'd want to be a little bar of soap, too.

Artsy Nail Art

Hello, Fireflies!

I belong to a group of nail polish enthusiasts that sometimes have little nail art challenges. I participated in two of them, and I wanted to share my nailart with you, too!

French Blue Dots

Hello, Fireflies!

"When in doubt, dot!"

That does seem to be my motto for nail art challenges! Time for another Funky French, so I'm dottin' it!

Lots o' Lipsticks #BHCosmetics #HoneyBeeGardens #Catrice #Clinique

Hello, Fireflies!

Nail polish may have been my gateway drug to the cosmetics world, but lippies have given me some of my best buzzes.  I love lipsticks the most, and today I want to show you some swatches of lipsticks I've bought that I haven't really blogged about yet.

Naturally Charming Eyes #ButterLondon

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

No matter how many neutral eyeshadow palettes I own, I can't seem to get enough.  And when it is neutral with a pop of color, well, that makes me weak in the knees!  The new Butter London Shadow Clutch is so versatile, I can slide in my fave neutral shades, and then use their duos to add in some fun colors! Then, I can change out the colors and create a whole new look.

Disco Dancing

Hello, Fireflies!

Today's AIS Challenge is to create 'Disco Nails,' so I'm taking us to Studio 54!

Bottles, Bottles, Bottles! #Fruitissimo #CB8ozClearGlassBottles #CBCobalt2ozBottles

Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I grew up with a mother who saved plastic containers and bottles to reuse and re-purpose, so I became a person who also saves bottles and jars to reuse and re-purpose.  But, then I found out that the store-bought water bottles are not only bad for the environment, they can leach chemicals the more you re-use them.  And plastic bottles bond with oils and fats, so they're not good for re-using, either.  Today, I have a few bottles to share with you that I've been loving for my bottle needs!

Face like an Italian Garden

Hello, Fireflies!

I love Fall makeup more than any other season.  I love makeup sets, and if they include brushes, all the better.  So, when I got a look at Laura Geller's Italian Garden set, I went weak in the knees!

The Hair Grows In, The Bumps Come Out...#Kerahlane

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Most everyone I know has some hair somewhere on their body that they remove regularly, whether it be legs, armpit, chest, face, or body.  Removing it is one thing, but then dealing with the regrowth can be another drama.

That Funky Emily

Hello, Fireflies!

It's a new month, and a new theme for the NCC! This month, we're getting down and funky, with funky French manicures.  I had just received my order of A England's new collection, inspired by Emily Bronte, so my nailart features that gorgeous collection!

Inspired by a Green Dress

Hello, Fireflies!

I guess I've always been a matchy-matchy kinda gal.  I remember in high school, I was chastised by a friend for matching my socks to my shirt while wearing my Chuck Taylor sneakers - because no rebel would match their socks to their shirt, right?  Well, this rebel does what she wants - and this dress called for some green and blue eyes and nails!

Revive and Resurface with RevivSerums

Press sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

As I get older, my skin shows my age in a myriad of ways - losing elasticity, getting dull, drying out.  I do what I can to keep my skin hydrated and nourished, but sometimes I just have to help my skin shed the old, dead, dull layer on top.  I've been doing this lately with RevivSerums Resurfacing Serum.

Sunday Stamping - Fall Leaves

Hello, Fireflies!

Today's Sunday Stamping challenge was to use a plate that ended in '27'.

Nerd Is Not A Bad Word #Nerdwax

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

When I was a kid, there was a familiar playground rhyme, "Boys don't make passes at girls who wear glasses!"  Well, I didn't believe it then, and I don't believe it now! Geek-chic is here to stay.  And one accessory I just discovered - Nerdwax - can help my glasses stay, too - on my face!

Skincare for the Green Urban Lifestyle #elbanaturals

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I think my alter-ego would be a city girl, at home in skyscrapers and graffiti-covered neighborhoods, shopping at the corner bodega. She would be the target audience for Elba Naturals - a company dedicated to helping those who live an urban lifestyle get the best natural skincare to help mitigate the damage an urban environment can do to the skin.

A Good Hair and Skin Day From Maple Holistics

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Having clear skin and a good hair day can really add to my confidence and put a big smile on my face. So, when Maple Holistics offered me the chance to try a couple of their products that put me in a pampering mood, I was pretty happy about it!