Let's be real (and my gradient tips)...

I've agonized over not posting regularly. I'm so busy and when I'm off work I'm trying accomplish all the things I can't do while working. But above all else: I'm being a mom to four, sweet, growing kids. Plus I dig into freight boxes on a near daily basis. My once gorgeous nails are a little battle worn. It's, for reals, sad. You have been warned.

For some reason gradients are a go to for me. They feel easy and look amazing even if your clean up isn't 100% on point (which mine is not). My biggest pet peeve is having to clean so far from the cuticle to get clean lines but, eh, life moves on.

My gradient tips:

• I use a standard makeup sponge triangle. I cut it in half and then in half again to get a surface about the size of my nail. It's easiest to line up this way.
• I start with my middle color in the center and work out with my colors for even application of color. For this look I have (from base to tip) Orly Liquid Vinyl, China Glaze City Siren, Julep Jackie, Sinful Colors Anemone, and China Glaze Peachy Keen. I HIGHLY recommend when starting out on gradients to use 2-3 colors. It's a challenge even for me to get 5-6 colors on one nail.
• For brighter colors use a base of white. I used OPI Alpine as it's a squishy white so it doesn't play with some of the sheerer colors like Julep Jackie.
• I will usually go over my gradient twice. So I load up my colors, sponge (sponge on straight and then daub up and down slightly to mix the colors), then I load and repeat. I use one sponge for each hand. 
• I don't ever wet my sponge first. I've read this as tip, but I find it messes with color intensity and dry time so I don't do it. Ever. 
• Finally I finished my look here with China Glaze Fairy Dust. I don't always finish with a glitter topper and this is NOT what mixes the colors together. The daub up and down with the sponge is what does it. But it's a nice touch don't you think? ;)

There you have it. Gradients are my absolute favorite. I don't know if I'll be regularly posting again anytime soon. But my blog is never far from mind, as are all of you. I love my nails and my polish still, but life is just so chaotic right now. I wish you all the very best. Until next time (whenever that may be)!

How to pick your summer peach (comparison post)

I've been on a mega peach polish kick lately. I love them all so much! As I type this there's another peach not included in this post that I obtained. They are just fantastic.

To be fair two of these polishes are fairly easy to get ahold of and two of them aren't so easy to get. But if you happen to have them in your collection or were wondering about whether there was something close out there here's a side by side of Julie G 9 to 5, Julep Hayden, China Glaze Peachy Keen, and Essence It's a Peach Not Cherry.

I think the two most true peach toned would be Julie G 9 to 5 and China Glaze Peach Keen. Julep Hayden is more of a neon hued peach and Essence It's a Peach Not Cherry has more of coral pink tone to it.

Formula wise they all build quite nicely as you can see (all are two coats) and all are cremes. 

Julie G is probably my summer pick just due to how creamy and bright it is.

Hubby's Picks gone wild! (HP27)

So this week's line up included some refreshingly bright colors and a bit of contrast. Try as I might I just could not resist the call of the gradient. It's like Hubby's Picks meets Lisa Frank this week!

So the line up this week was Kleancolor Coffee Addict, NYC Empire State Blue, China Glaze Peachy Keen, and Color Club Hot Like Lava. I've never done a leopard print manicure so I thought that now seemed a good time to try!

Mixed media ME-YOW!

• First I lined up my colors up to see how they looked next to each other. I wanted the gradient to repeat on the first and last nail so I planned the gradient from there. I cut down my sponges, sponged the pointer and pinky first (three thin layers to build colors), then sponged the other two fingers. Immediately I cleaned up after I finished each finger.
• Next, using a dotting tool, I created the leopard splotches alternating the dotting sizes. This part is easy and fun since the splotches look best imperfect and mismatched. You'll notice the splotches are done in the third gradient color not present on that nail. So Hot Like Lava on the Peachy Keen to Empire State Blue and so forth.
• Last I went back and used my last color, Kleancolor Coffee Addict, to add a splotchy line on either side of each colored splotch to complete the look.
• Top with topcoat and presto! Wild Lisa Frank like leopard print manicure!

I have to say this is one of my favorites so far! Luckily the tools for this and some other goodies will be present in an upcoming giveaway. Wait. What?!
Yes you read correctly. Hubby and I have come up with a Hubby's Picks themed giveaway for my two year blogeversary! I will be announcing it next week (I'm waiting on one additional goody to arrive) and I've known I was going to do it for over a month now and just can't wait much longer to spill the beans! So stay tuned.