BPS Nail Art wheel Promotion

Born pretty store is giving away nail art wheels for free. Go on to their BLOG for more info.

All you need to do is add their banner to your blog(s) . . . Need more gifts do a blog post . . .

You can check out their nail art wheels here . . .

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Day 4 "The totally doable I have a life Challenge" Hearts Nail Art - Holo Hearts

I am up to my neck with work and struggling to complete this challenge even if I am late :P

So the day 4 challenge is hearts . . . I wanted to try a technique which i was skeptical to try . . . But I did and it was easy . . . I mean easy . . . really easy . . . Dragged hearts

I wanted to use my holos for this one; so am using the two holos I own. Born Pretty store holo # 4 and Milani 3D holographic gold. The combination is a blast . . . but so damn difficult to photograph. . . I took these pictures under direct sunlight.

Just look at those holos . . . Aren't they pretty . . . Milani doesn't have that much of holographic properties. But BPS Holo is gorgeous. I am changing my mind about textures. . . I want holos. . . *besotted*


Sorry for the strands of hair . . . Noticed it much later

It would have come out well if I had used a more pigmented polish. But I have no regrets.

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Day 3 "The totally doable I have a life Challenge" XOXO Nail Art

Its just day 3 and am already pressed for time . . . *Sigh* So here's day 3 challenge. XOXO Nail Art.

This was done totally freehand so be patient . . . The inspiration do the kisses freehand was a kisses nail art video by cutepolish.

The polish I used for this is Sonic Boom by Sally Hansen. Sonic boom is a gorgeous bright pink leaning towards red. This is such a gorgeous polish. But the application is tricky. I had one failed attempt using this polish but the second time it worked. Instead of doing thin coats the usual way; do 2 thick coats and you get a gorgeous, streak free, even finish. But the polish is so difficult to capture.

The silver in the nail art is acrylic paint.

See the polish bottle in the last picture . . . Thats the color . . . But see how my nails look reddish *sigh* I took atleast 100 pictures but not even one photo showed me the exact color.

Base Coat - Maybelline Color Show Nail Polish Crystal Clear

Base Polish - lSally Hansen Insta Dri Sonic Boom

Polka Dots - Silver Acrylic paint

Top Coat - Sally Hansen Insta Dri Top Coat

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Day 2 "The totally doable I have a life Challenge" - Polka Dots - Polka Tip aka Mushroom

Yaaayyyy!!!! I did my day 2 challenge too . . . And it happens to be purple too so this is my entry for the World Cancer Day Mani. . .

And why is it named Mushroom . . . I asked hubby to name it for me . . . And he named it mushroom *sigh*

When it came to polka I knew what polish I was gonna use. . . My absolute favorite purple polish Pitter Patter by Butter London. Its a gorgeous purple which is a very close dupe of the Purple Rain by Nars(which is my dream purple polish). It is a dark purple polish with red shimmers. It will look more gorgeous on gals with medium skin tome.

For the polka dots I used Lillibeth's Jubiliee again by Butter London. Both the polishes are a part of the "The Royals Collection" which I got as my birthday pressie . . . Lillibeth's Jubilee is a gorgeous lavender silver foil.  I cant see myself wearing this on my nails but definitely more nail arts with this one. 

This is a super easy nail art and looks gorgeous on my nails too. I remember seeing this nail art on youtube but don't remember the nail art guru who created this one. So if any one knows, just comment I will add credits.

Base Coat - Maybelline Color Show Nail Polish Crystal Clear

Base Polish - Butter London Nail Polish Pitter Patter

Polka Dots - Butter London Nail Polish Lillibeth's Jubilee

Top Coat - Butter London Hardwear Top Coat

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Pink Leopard

This is yet another challenge by the very talented ladies from the Facebook page Indian Lacquer Ladies. 

The topic for this week is "Animal Print". The truth is I haven't done any animal print at all. I never had the confidence for it but this time I just thought ... Lemme try. Well!! I never thought it'd be this easy and gorgeous too.

I knew I wanted to do a color block leopard print. But the color selection wasn't easy. I wanted a pink in the combo but then.... which pink. I almost did a color block with pastel colors but then I spoiled the mani. Well!! I decided that it wasn't to be and then finally went back to my original color selection. (*phew* sooo long. But then am a woman and am allowed to change my mind. Any one object???)

The color I finally chose for color block is china glaze "Light my Tiki". It is a corralish pink or maybe reddish pink with purple shimmer. (I always thought it had gold shimmer but imagine my surprise when I found purple shimmers when I took snaps in the sunlight). The base for leopard print is "Gold Digger" by Barielle. It is a super pretty gold with gold shimmers. The combination is a blast. See for yourself.

I did it all free hand so please forgive my clumsy lines. I went over my little finger again and again with my topcoat and it dragged my nail art ... Totally my mistake!!

Base Coat - Maybelline Color Show Nail Polish Crystal Clear

Base Polish - China Glaze Nail Polish Light my Tiki

Color Block - Barielle Nail Polish Gold Digger

Leopard Prints - Rimmel London 60 Sec Nail polish Hot Black to Go, Brown Polish by Lakme True wear(the name tag tore off)

Top Coat - Sally Hansen Insta Dri

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Day 1 "The totally doable I have a life Challenge" - Glitter Gradient - Disco Ball

This is my first nail art challenge.Its the "The totally doable I have a life challenge" by Californails. I don't normally participate in challenges since am not sure if I can finish the challenge. But this time I was tempted when my friend Dhara from thehappitherapy.com whatsapped me the details.  I almost backed out if it wasn't for her. So babes this mani is for ya ....

The challenge for day 1 is glitter. The moment I saw the word "glitter" I knew which glitter I was gonna use.I got this teeny weeny bottle of glitter which looked like silver glitter of different sizes. But on close inspection I could see silver, gold, pink, red, blue and an occasional green too.... It was like a disco ball .... Such gorgeousness .... And this disco ball glitter was just Rs.5. I was waiting for a special occasion to wear it. And this seemed to be appropriate.



The base color was to be either black or fuschia pink. I don't wear black for anything other than other than blogging purposes. And since I had to be at my in-laws place today, I decided against black.



I used a cheap eye shadow brush to take the glitter and applied it by dabbing it on wet polish for the gradient effect. I think loose glitter works better for the gradient effect than the glitter polish. Again that's how I feel....

This is a macro picture to show the glitter. Please excuse me for the sorry state of my cuticles.



P:S The pictures in this post were taken at night with white light. Not ideal but had to do it since I completed the mani past 11 on 1st Feb

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Chicken fry in egg wash

Before going further I'd like to say this recipe is by my hubs. While I am safe cook, hubs is a adventure cook. He is the one who creates new stuff in the kitchen. I learn from him and then get all the credit for all the yummy food. :D

So straight to the recipe. The inspiration for it is from our usual Japanese food stall in US. Whenever we go to the mall (which is pretty often. Got my hubs hooked onto window shopping) we definitely go there. So, whats the name of the restaurant . . . Oops! I don't remember. *shame faced*

I have given an approximate and as per my taste. And I like it HOT, SPICY and SALTY. So reduce it if you like it less spicy.

Ingredients:
Boness Chicken    - 250 grams (cut to small pieces)
Egg                       - 1 nos
Salt                       - to taste
Turmeric               - 1/4 tsp
Chilli powder         - 1 1/2 tsp
Coriander powder - 3 tsp
Dash of Vinegar
Oil to fry

Optional:
Ginger garlic paste. You can add or not. I do it both ways depending on my mood.

Steps: Pictorial

1. Wash chicken thoroughly before starting the marinating process. I wash it with turmeric tinged water. Add  one whole egg. You can beat and add or just add it. Your wish. Mix the egg thoroughly with the chicken so that all the chicken pieces are coated with egg.
   


2. Add a dash of vinegar. I have made this with balsamic vinegar. I also have used vinegar and chilli vinegar too when I didn't get balsamic vinegar. But I like it best with balsamic vinegar. You can use other options if you dont get balsamic vinegar. Mix it well with the chicken.


3. Add salt to your tastes.
   


4. Add 1/4 tea spoon turmeric powder.
   
5. Add 1 1/2 tea spoons of chilli.
   


6. Add 3 tea spoons of coriander powder. My formula normally for Chill powder vs coriander powder is 1:2. It always works.
    
   
   


7. Mix everything thoroughly, cover it and set it in the fridge for 30 min to an hour and let it marinate.
   


8. Heat a kadai and add oil. Once the oil is hot; add the chicken and reduce the flame. I prefer to cook it in the lowest flame and keeping it covered. It takes time but the chicken comes out juicy and not dry.
   

Thats it!!Yummy chicken fry ready. This is the favorite chicken fry recipe back at home. Mom always asks me to make it. 

So tell me . . . What's your go-to chicken fry recipe.

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Butter London - No More Waity Katie

So here I am . . . Back after a brief hiatus . . . This is my homecoming nail art . . .

I love doing my nails. I mean . . . adorning my nails. My favorite ways to adorn my nails are glitter, rhinestones, studs, glequins :D . . . I like talking to you guys . . . OK! So what am I trying to tell you. I DONT LIKE TAKING PICS. (So says the woman who claimed to love photography. *sigh* )

So many manis I adored, have gone about without taking pictures. Do I regret that!!!! No! I dont :P. I am just lazy. While I don't post often, I do manis whenever I can. Many go without being photographed and some I do and they sit idle in my lappy.

So, I decided to visit them all and pull my favorite out. And here it is. . . Butter London No More Waity Katie . . . You can't go without falling in luv with this one.

"No More Waity Katie" is a greyish purple base with lilac glitter. I could see some silver glitter too but is it just me? I used 3 coats. The first coat may be a little daunting when you apply it. But after 3 coats you get such a gorgeous finish. 

I didn't want anything to take away its loveliness so I thought I'd do Glequin french manicure. This was uber pretty to look at. 

Removal was a bit difficult for me. You can see the glitter remnants in the cuticle area. But if you are using the foil method it will be a breeze to remove.

A little picture taken in direct sunlight to show you guys the glitter more clearly.

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Sandwich my flowers . . .

This is something I tried a few weeks back but didn't post. I didn't have the confidence to post it. But it actually got me compliments :)

The original nail art that inspired me is by oliveviewfashion. I actually saw this  few months back and wanted to try something similar but I couldn't find the original one so I did it from my faulty memory. But I did manage to track it down finally.

I did 2 layers of Sinful colors Just You Wait and then did a few flowers and then a layer of the polish before doing a few more flowers and one coat of the polish. Finally applied top coat over it. Its super easy and looks gorgeous too. Sinful colors Just You Wait is not a jelly; its rather a sheer creme.

Base Coat: Sephora 3 in 1 Base Coat
Base Polish: Sinful colors Just You Wait
Nail Art: Acrylic paint
Top Coat: Butter London Hardwear P.D Quick Topcoat

So how do you think it is???? Did you check the new post "Its You" on my other blog MyBlissfulbeat.

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Starbucks Polka Dots #ILLnailchallenge

Me and my girl gang from the ILL group are doing a weekly challenge. #ILLnailchallenge I don't normally do challenges but this time is different. It's by our gang and I decided I was doing it no matter what. The title for this week is ""Polka Dots"

I decided I was gonna do the usual polka dots. And then i went to starbucks. The cup holder for hot stuff was a gorgeous pink with their insignia in green and white. I then decided it was my colors for polka dots. And hence the name "Starbucks Polka Dots" #ILLnailchallenge

I used my all time favorite Jordana Berry Parfait as my base. I luv it everytime I wear it.

Base Coat: Sephora 3 in 1 Base Coat
Base Polish: Jordana Nail Polish Berry Parfait
Nail Art: Maybelline Color Show Nail Polish Tenacious Teal, NYC Nail Polish French White Tip
Top Coat: Butter London Hardwear P.D Quick Topcoat


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Life without TV, Facebook and Twitter

I was putting Jake to sleep when I suddenly thought about my stay as a Paying Guest when I  first joined work. After 3 months in my aunt's house and 3 months in a horrible hostel(they call themselves PG) I was desperately looking for a new place to stay. I dont care for more than 1 roommate. So with the price range in the equation it was too complicated. I finally found one and when I was ready to move my parents was super scared. My mom even had one of her friends check it out. The room(board + food) was heaven for the price range I was looking at. And me the only person there was the topping. It ate away half my salary but it was great. A few months later my friend joined me for a few months but for many more months I was alone.

It was then, I started reading voraciously. I used to read even in school and college but not much tho'. This time I found a good library which actually was ripping me off. But it was ok for me. I got books. It all mattered. I used to rent once a week (twice a week sometimes) with 4 books each time. I even took up walking early morning. I used to wake up at 6 am and walk around. I still remember the feel of the early morning sun on me.

But I never tweeted, no facebook, instagrammed . . . anything. I didn't have a laptop or computer with me then and no Tv either. I used to talk on the phone so much, racking up bills. (I still dunno how I managed on the salary). The moment I reach home, I would take my book and read until, dinner comes. Then read somemore continuing thro' my dinner, till I sleep. Fridays I read up late, talking on the phone and so. Books and Sleep were my companion in equal. As much I read books, I slept too.

It may sound boring but I still remember this period as the best period in my working life. Weekends was window shopping in malls with friends. Window shopping was not about looking at clothes. It was about having fun with friends. We talk, we tease and we have fun. Later(after tsunami) I was introduced to the social arm of the company I was working then. After that, every Saturday, we'd go to the villages affected by tsunami and meet with the kids and spend the morning with them. I learnt so much from them. They have so much courage and even after all they went through in their lives, they were so strong. And oh! we have been to catamaran rides too; twice; in a fishing boat; and met dolphins. It was so much fun. The humid cool air hitting our faces with the splashes of sea water. . . And come back badly tanned. And spend the next few weeks trying to remove the tan.

And then the time with my friend "Amie", who joined me later, was really great. We did the same thing; read books and sleep. But I got a companion for my Sunday walk to the church nearby. We'd walk to church; pray; then to the nearby Coffee Shop and get "Death by Chocolate". That was yum. I've never tasted anything better. We never had the drink in the coffee shop. We'd walk to the nearby skating rink and then just sit there watching little tykes learning to skate. They were so adorable to watch. Then walk back to our room for dinner.

But I never tweeted, no facebook, instagrammed . . . anything. And I never felt bored. And that period is something I remember as being happy.

Now I cant remember a day we don't get onto twitter, facebook or watch a movie or TV show. And I dunno what I'd do without them. I'd get bored. But what has changed? What happened to those simple pleasures in life. It all seems a little naive now but I was happy.

If I went back to that period again; Will I be bored or be rejuvenated??????????????

Oh I still read books too. I read it online. But you cant beat the feel of a book in your hands, turning the pages. Setting bookmarks. Whatcha say?????

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Glitter Gradient with Loose Glitter

This post is one thing am going to be spot on . . . My Birthday Mani . . . I did it the previous night . . . I wanted a super simple yet glittery one. *was almost tempted to use my Butter London Royal collection*. I had plans for it early on. So here's my Glitter Gradient with loose glitter.

I mixed silver holo glitter, baby pink glitter, silver hexagonal glitter and baby pink  hexagonal glitter over a base of Deborah Milano Shine Tech Nail Enamel # 10 *my most used and my super favorite polish* So what do you think . . . As I tweeted . . . Its messy, its not perfect but I love it. Am in luuuuuuvvvvv . . .

I had no time to take it on 25th as I was super busy and when I got free the sun had set *grrrrrr*. So apart from one picture I could not get any more pictures in the sun :(. Also the color shift and the real glitter was so damn hard to capture. That's so irritating. That apart . . . My mani is so cute that I keep looking at my nails now and then . . . just to watch them glitter . . .

*Picture Spam*

 

*Macro picture of the glitter*

And finally my birthday gifts . . . Gifts from my love *Butter London The Royal Collection and Urban decay Naked 2 Palette* and from Sephora *Benefit goodies*

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Glitter Gradient

I didn't do any mani for rakshabandan but later on decided to use this mani for rakshabandan. Why????? I remember rakhis having multitude of colors (you know what I mean). . . Glittering. That's how I remember it. We don't have the custom of rakhi in our community though.

I am not so much of a glitter person on my nails but recently I have been wanting to do it . . . Dunno why. And then I saw this Nicole By OPI *Selena Gomez Edition* Confetti Fun. Such a gorgeous glitter. I could see silver, blue, gold, pink, green and what not. 

I didn't take a mani picture at first. I was so busy enjoying the polish. Then I decided to re-do it with little change. I used two base colors this time. (Will tell you the reason later) First time I did it with pink base. It was so gorgeous. I mean seriously pretty with all those colors winking at me. 

The next time I did it, I did two finger in black and the rest pink. I wanted to show you guys how different they are over various colors and how they seem to reflect the base color too without completely overpowering it. Look my ring finger how the glitter seem to project various colors but in my thumb it seems to be predominantly pink.

I used the dab dab method to apply the glitter. It was pretty easy to apply. It seems to go off easily too when   using the foil method . . . I use the foil method to remove my nail polish pretty much every time.

Base Polish: Jordana Berry Parfait and Rimmel London Black out
Glitter Polish : Nicole by OPI Confetti Fun
Base Coat: Sephora 3 in 1 Base coat
Top Coat: Butter London Hardwear topcoat.

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Please click the links and have a look at the gorgeous mani's my talented friends have come up with.

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