Cult Nails Blog: July 2010

Friday, July 30, 2010

My Brother's Wedding, Outfit of the Day & Makeup Review...

As you all know by now I am visiting my family in MA and the reason for the visit was my brother's wedding. I finally have a minute to sit down and post some pictures. His wedding focused on the vows, all the other fluff was removed. There were no attendants or center pieces, or grand anything. They focused on becoming husband and wife and sharing a great night with family and friends. Great food, great music, great time. I have to say it was the best wedding I have ever been to. We didn't get to bed until 4 in the morning. The wedding was at a campground and they reserved several cabins so we could have a bonfire and continue the party after the reception. Everyone brought coolers with drinks and they provided hot dogs and smores for the after party. The above picture is of the lodge at the campground. This was where the reception was held. Simple and elegant.

My brother and his wife. Gorgeous!

Dinner - Yum!!!

My outfit of the Day. I found this dress at a boutique in St Augustine and just had to have it. It was a casual wedding, so I thought this would be perfect. I did make one little change though. The dress is extremely low cut, so I went out and bought some fabric and made a little insert that I attached to the dress so I wouldn't be a boobie show for my bro's wedding. (I took some pictures, so if you want me to post a how to, just let me know.) I saw this dress and fell in love - price tag be damned. It cost $72. So that was an unthrifty moment for me. So worth it if you ask me!

Everyone wore lei's for the wedding. The family did walk down the aisle and stand to either side of the bride and groom. No specific color schemes, nothing, just whatever we wanted to wear. It still came out beautiful. As you can see the shoes I wore are my awesome $9.50 Old Navy sandals! Can you imagine wearing these to a wedding? AWESOME!

I forgot to take pictures of my nails! Of all things right? I cropped out my nails from the picture above. I wore Zoya Maura.

Since I knew it was going to be a long night, I had to figure something out to make my makeup last all night. I went to Ulta and one of the Sales Associates there recommended Urban Decay All Nighter. It is a spray that is suppose to set your makeup for 16 hours. It retails for $29. I bought it at Ulta, but I know Sephora also carries it.

I wear tinted moisturizer and usually I get about 4 or 5 hours of wear before I have to touch up. I hate it, but I need some coverage and can't stand foundation, so I deal. I had high hopes for UD All Nighter, but I brought my makeup bag with me just in case. I did my makeup around 2pm. Let's see how it held up, shall we?

Here I am around 4pm. So just a few hours after makeup application. It was about 90 degrees out!

Here I am with Juan towards the end of the reception. This was just before 11pm. Makeup still looks pretty good if you ask me! I was seriously impressed with this stuff at this point.

This is a horrible picture - but by this point I forgot I wanted to keep up on taking pictures of how my makeup held up. This is the after reception party in the campground. This was somewhere in the neighborhood of 2AM. I have two drinks in my hand, a glow necklace on, and my bra is hanging out! Terrible! (Look at the guy passed out behind me! Too funny!) But the makeup is still in place! Seriously LOVE this stuff! A new addiction has been born. The other day I didn't use it and Juan took pics of me around 5 in the evening and it looks like I have no makeup on! UGH! I have been using it religiously since.

I wish I had Juan take a picture of me the morning after. My makeup was still in tact! With only 3+ hours of sleep, it wasn't a top priority. But I did get a picture of everyone waking up and meeting back up at the campsite the morning after. My Sister In Law's sister came with coffee and donuts. So nice of her! I have more pictures of the night, but I won't show them here! HA!

Well today is our last day home before we begin our trek back to FL tomorrow morning. I hope you enjoyed my non nails related post today! I will be on and while we drive home. Feel free to join me there. Have a great weekend!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

OPI DS Diamond

I spent about 45 minutes this morning writing my post today and hated it. So here I am starting over. It had to be the worst post ever written. We have just two more days at home and then we start our drive back to FL. I am so not ready to go back to work. Boo! I want more time off! Well I have been working each morning a little so I am not totally behind when I get back to work on Monday. But that does take a little bit away from the vacation when you have to do that. Unfortunately, just because I take vacation, doesn't mean my job does. So I could leave it, but then I end up working 10 - 12 hour days just to catch up. So I am doing just enough to keep me at the 8-10 hour range when I get back. I am working anywhere from just 1 - 3 hours each morning while the kids are sleeping, and I think that is just enough where I won't go back and be stressed from taking a vacation. We were planning on taking the girls to the beach today, but it looks like it is going to be a rainy day. We are visiting my grandma today too, so I guess that is OK. My brother's and their families will be here tonight, so we get to hang with them. Unfortunately my allergies are driving me nuts in my mom's house, and I feel like crap. I am going to take some medicine and get ready and leave her house for as long as possible today. Hopefully that helps keep my allergies at bay.

Today's NOTD is OPI DS Diamond. This is suppose to be holographic, but it was just subtly holographic in my opinion. And even worse, it photographed even less holographic than it was in person. Inside it barely is more than just holographic glitter. Here is an indoor shot.

It is a bit more holographic with a flash, but not much.

Outside is where you can really notice the holographic properties of this color. And as you can see it is still quite subtle. When I wear a holographic color, I want it to be hugely holographic.

But overall with my expectations aside this is a very pale pink/purple color and it is very pretty. It took two coats and applied easily, so no complaints there. But I really wish I got just a bit more bling from this one.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

China Glaze Secret Peri-Wink-le

This vacation is just flying by way to fast! We had a blast at Six Flag's yesterday. We ended up not doing the bungee thing, which is just fine with me. I did ride a few roller coasters and with my fear of heights, that is a huge deal. I even kept my eyes open for the entire time for the last two. Ha! I love roller coasters, but my fear of heights keeps me from truly enjoying them while I am on them. I really need to find a way to get over my fear.

Today we are heading to my cousins house to chill by the pool before heading to my parents house for the night. Just a few more days before we head back home and back to reality. (Are you all hearing the Eminem song in your head now? ha!) Anyway since I am behind schedule already, I am going to get straight to the polish.

This is one of my favorites. It's China Glaze Secret Peri-Wink-le. I first saw it on Hannah from Hannah's Ramblings and knew I had to have it! It is such a soft purple/blue color. I love it. Yet another win from China Glaze! I just love their polishes. This one was two coats and the application was perfect.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Six Flags Here I Come!

This should be a fun day, we're going to Six Flags today with my in-laws and my SIL and her family. So six adults and six kids to Six flags. This should be a blast! I am not a huge roller coaster junkie, but I love going to amusement parks and pushing myself. I say I hate roller coasters, but the reality is I am afraid of heights. I love the roller coasters but the fear rules. Once I am back safely on the ground, I am always glad I went on them. But today my niece has me convinced I have to do this bungee swing thing they have there. I have been bungee jumping once before. Since I am deathly afraid of heights, I thought this would help cure me. It was exhilarating and the worst thing ever all at the same time. So since my niece doesn't enjoy roller coasters much, but loves this thing, I thought - OK if she can do it, I can do it. Did I mention I'm afraid of heights? Why did I say I would do this? I am already a wreak over agreeing to this. But I can't be the aunt that backs down, so I am going to have to do it. So if you don't see a post from me tomorrow, it's because I didn't make it out alive. Wish me luck!

Today's mani is another one of my favorites. This is China Glaze Side Saddle. When I got this one, I wasn't sure what to expect. If I am careful with my application, I can do a great mani in two coats. I love this one in two coats. Unfortunately for me most of the time I am not careful and I need to do three coats, It still looks great, but it changes color - sort of. Here it is with two coats. Notice the sparkle and the purpleness here?

Now here it is with a third coat. In the first picture you can still see the base is purple, but now it is taking on more of a brown hue and losing that awesome obvious purple.I haven't seen the Vintage Vixen collection in person, but this one kind of reminds me of that based on the pictures I have seen. I love these kinds of polishes where the glitter is micro-glitter and it looks like it shimmers from within. I can't wait to get my hands on the Vintage Vixen Collection. I just haven't had a chance to order it. Maybe once I get back from vacation, I can order it. Anyway on to the photos with three coats.

I also wanted to show a photo inside with flash. This is what the color looks like inside. I feel this gives a true representation of what the color looks like. Well unless you live outside of course. And the best part - even though it says $2.99 on the bottle, I grabbed this one on final clearance for $1!!!

I better go get ready now, otherwise everyone will be waiting for me and I'm sure they won't like that! Have a great day!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Greetings From MA

What a weekend! If you have been following me on twitter, you probably already know that I got to stop in NYC and hit up Rescue Beauty Lounge in person! YAY! No Ji, but I was able to pick up two more RBL polishes to add to my collection. The guy I spoke with at the salon said the new Fall colors are amazing in person, but unfortunately I couldn't get a sneak peak. But I did pick up Look Rich Be Cheap and Noisette. I had no intention of picking up an RBL glitter polish, but my daughter zoomed in on that one, so I grabbed it. Noisette was one I wasn't planning on getting either, it is a brick colored polish with gold micro glitter throughout. I didn't remember ever seeing this one online, but it captivated me. I went on to the RBL website after and realized it is not on there. I wonder if she has other colors that aren't on her site, strangest thing. I can't wait to try this one out!

I also had the opportunity to stop at Inglot in Times Square and I picked up three of their new Fall colors. They released 12 new colors for Fall! Oh how I wish I could have grabbed them all! One of the polishes I grabbed is a purple that looks similar to Chanel Paradoxal. I grabbed it so I could do a comp when I get home. I don't think they will be exact dupes, but I was curious. The other is a baby blue and the other is a slate blue/grey color. I even grabbed three Sinful colors from the new Darkness Collection that I saw at Walgreens. These looked pretty cool so I decided I would grab them. So once I get back from vacation, I have some great swatching to do. I can't wait!

My brother's wedding was awesome. It was absolutely great. I'll be posting some pictures later in this week and I'll talk more about the wedding then. Yesterday we spent the day at my in-laws and got to see a ton of Juan's family who I haven't seen in at least 10 years. Unfortunately I wasn't my usual happy self since I was up until 4 in the morning the night before partying at my brother's wedding. I was a bit mellow and by 10:30 I just couldn't hang anymore and I went to bed. I know I suck! But at least at that point it was just Juan's sister and her family at his parent's house and since we are going to stay with her tonight, I didn't feel so bad.

Today's NOTD is one that has been in my polish drawer forever. I haven't posted it on here yet, but I definitely wear it. It is one of my favorites. It is the one and only OPI DS Glamour. I don't think I need to say anything about this color. Look at this amazing holographic color. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this color! This is two coats.

Amazing isn't it? Hope you all have a great week!

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Bringing it all together now...

I should be at my parent's house by now. Today is the big day for my brother and his fiance. I just have to say, I feel so fortunate that my brother's fiance is going to also become my sister today. She is such an amazing person and we are lucky that he found her. My older brother married his wife last July and he also married an amazing woman, so I am now doubly lucky. Makes me wish I lived closer to my family. Then I could "Paaak ma caaa in haaavaad yaaad" more often. HA! I completely lost my MA accent, so don't imagine me talking like that all the time. I never really had a huge accent to begin with, but when I go home and hear everyone talking, what little accent I did have tends to come back. One thing I can't lose even though I no longer live in MA is saying "wicked". I mean I say it ALL the time. It's sick actually. Here is how you too can join in on the "wicked" speak: "That's wicked cool." "Oh wow - that's wicked awesome!" "What? That's wicked stupid!" "Wow look at that color - it is wicked red!" "We have to go there? It is wicked far away!" "What are you talking about, it's wicked close to here." "I'm wicked tired." "I'm wicked hungry." "He is wicked ugly." "Oh my GAWD did you see him? he is wicked hot!" I can go on, but I think you get the picture. Wow - I just totally went off on a tangent there.

Today I am going to show you the previous 4 golds over Sally's mini: Fire! Fire! (Or was it Liar! Liar! - crap I can't remember now!) Anyway here it is alone:

And now here it is with one coat of each gold on top. From left to right: China Glaze Medallion, China Glaze 5 Golden Rings, OPI Dazzled by Gold and Nubar Gilded Gold.

Close up time!

Medallion

5 Golden Rings

Dazzled by Gold

Gilded Gold (Sorry for the crappy pic of this one - it looks so much better in person)

Friday, July 23, 2010

China Glaze Medallion

Good morning everyone! Have you been following me on or ? If not, you should be! I bet you have missed some real fun parts of our trip? Either that or you can just help me pass the boredom of the long car ride! Come on over and keep me company and chat with me!

Today's gold polish is China Glaze Medallion. WOWZAS!!! This is some intense gold glittah! It is so sparkly and it has some rainbow colored glitter in there mixed with all that gold. This is just such a cool in your face kind of polish! LOVING IT!

Here is one coat.

And here is three coats. GAH! Look at this polish!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

China Glaze 5 golden Rings

As you read this post, I am most likely sitting in the car on my way to MA for my brother's wedding. I scheduled today's through Saturday's posts since I doubt I will have much time to post between now and then. I will however keep up on my and pages. If you don't follow me, why not? HA! Come join me on my vacation, just click on the links here or in my sidebar and keep up on our adventure as we drive up the Atlantic Coast. We will be stopping some along the way, so why not join us. I think overall it's just great to be on vacation. I am excited.

Today's polish is China Glaze 5 Golden Rings. This is quite similar to OPI's Dazzled by Gold, just not as intense. It is almost like a more muted version. And you know what? I got this one on clearance too! I must be attracted to clearance golds because tomorrow's gold I grabbed on clearance too!

Here is 5 golden Rings with one coat.

Now here it is with 3 coats. You can see that it is more sheer and much more muted than OPI's Dazzled by Gold.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

OPI Dazzled By Gold

I just have to thank everyone for all the supportive comments for Juan taking over my blog yesterday. I spent a few hours on Sunday swatching and watermarked and uploaded a bunch of pictures on here, so all I have to do now through when we get back from vacation is pick a color and write. So when Juan offered to write for me after an exhausting 12 hours of work, packing ahead of me and some other stuff to take care of, I just couldn't pass up the chance. It was definitely a much needed break.

But now I want to back track just a bit before going forward with today's post. I started the week with Essie Shift Power and then yesterday's NOTD was Nubar's Gilded Gold. I had intended on this week being gold week and showing some of the many gold polishes I seem to have. I've had Gilded Gold for a while just sitting in my unused drawer. When I put it on yesterday it reminded me of Chanel Illusion D'or. Not an exact dupe - but real close. It has the same flakiness texture to it but it doesn't have that Chanel Shimmer. I actually like it a little better than Illusion D'or. But that could just be my own personal preference. If you didn't get Illusion D'or and if you want something close, you might want to consider giving Nubar Gilded Gold a try. Someone asked what it looks like over darker polish. Well hang in there a few more days, I am working my way there. I have a few more buildable golds to show you and then after I show them all I will show you the four buildable golds over a red polish. I chose red because that is what I used Chanel Illusion D'or over, so this way you can compare.

Today I am showing you OPI Dazzled by Gold. This is another one that has been sitting in my untrieds. It is quite sheer with just one coat. I can definitely see this one layered over other colors.

I added a few more coats though and then it really dazzled! It is so shiny and stunning. I couldn't stop staring at my hands! The dress I am wearing for my brother's wedding is black with red, orange and mustard yellow designs going through it. (I'll do an outfit of the day post with it.) I intended on wearing Hard Candy Lava for my pedicure and Zoya Maura for my manicure, but for whatever reason I keep getting bubbling. I think I am doing it to thick because I am in a hurry. This is the third brand of red I am trying and each one is bubbling, so I know it has to be something I am doing. I am thinking of changing it to a few layers of Dazzled by Gold instead. I mean just look at this!

And the best part about this polish? I got it on sale 50% off the sticker price in a final clearance at a salon. Yup $2.00 for this amazing OPI!!! WAHOO!!!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Juan, the Rockstar!

Ladies Ladies Ladies! Good morning to you all... this is your guest blogger Juan (aka Maria's husband). After a gruelling 12 hour workday, followed by an exhausting evening of beginning the packing process for our upcoming drive along the Atlantic Coast, Maria was truly "tuckered out". So, I offered to do today's blog post for her. I figured, "Hey. I've got skills in the writing department! I can do this!" Now, if I could only think of something to say...

As the minutes go by, I struggle to determine the right topic for this post. Heck, as the saying goes, a first impression is a lasting impression, and this will be your first impression of me. Talk about pressure! The good thing is, no one knew I was going to be writing today, so it's not like you've got expectations. Well, here goes nothing!

I've sat and watched Maria knock out post after post of this blog for months and I find myself wondering where she gets the motivation for each individual post. Life's events drive some, family occurrences are the kindling wood for others, yet her passion is the catalyst for all of them. Some how, some way, they all lead back to what she loves. So I think now, what's my passion? That's easy... music!

I've been playing guitar for many years and often end up in bands wherever we are stationed with the military. Music is my motivation. There are days where all I can think of is getting the work day done, getting the kids situated at the house, pouring a glass of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey and strumming some tunes on the six string! I equate this to doing nails in that it's my release. Whenever I'm playing, I feel so far removed from reality. I feel powerful and vulnerable, at the same time. But mostly, I feel creative. Music allows me to express myself. I can show my mood simply by the songs I chose to sing! Lately, I've put the electric guitar down and have been playing lots of acoustic (think Jack Johnson). It's just so relaxing.. and living in Florida, what better to do with a warm summer night than sit back and jam!

Though I'm currently not in a band, writing this I can't help but feel the desire to do so. Being on stage is invigorating! At my previous assignment, the band I was in played out a few times and got tremendous reactions. I tell you all, I've missed my calling! I love that feeling! Not that I'm a center-of-attention type person (which I totally am), but having all eyes in the room watching you play is surreal! It makes you feel so alive! You find yourself acting like a rockstar...even if there are only 100 people watching!! It's impossible to describe unless you've been there, but believe me.. it's awesome!!! Unfortunately for me, as the assignments come to an end, so does the music. Whenever we move, the first thing I do is find out who the local musicians are and start jamming. It's something I can not live without. It's my gold!

Here's a picture of me acting foolish for the camera. As I said... acting like a rockstar! I even gave myself a two horned mohawk to add to my "image" for the night!

Enough about me...right? Bring on the polish Juan! That's what you're all thinking... well, since I said music is my gold, Maria thought it appropriate to show you Nubar's Gilded Gold. Since polish is NOT my area of expertise, by any means, I'll refrain from adding any comments.. I'll leave that to y'all!

I'd like to thank you all for putting up with my rambling today. I've got to admit, I was nervous! That hasn't happened to me since I took a Speech class in college!!! I hope you've enjoyed the post. But, most importantly, thanks to all of you for supporting R3 Daily. I know Maria's passion for this blog has been immeasurable from day one, and your support and dedication is what continues to drive her!!!! Take care, everyone! And who knows, maybe one day I'll get invited back to guest blog again! Fortunately for you all, Maria doesn't get this tired all that often....

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