My Secret Santa Gift

This year for Christmas, several members on Polish-aholics Anonymous took part in a Secret Santa gift exchange organized by the groups Admin, Krissi. She went above and beyond organizing it! I sent an international package to Kerrie in the UK (she's already gotten it, yay). Closer to the beginning of December, I received my Secret Santa gift all the way from Romania from Theodora. I was so excited! I love getting stuff in the mail anyway, but receiving a Christmas gift with surprises inside from Romania got me super excited. I was literally bouncing! :)

Everything except for the candy was wrapped up. Which I love. I got to concentrate on opening each thing.

Here is everything completely unwrapped. I got Nivea pomegranate lip balm, some yummy looking candies, Tenet Nail Decorations, a face mask, a beautiful bracelet that she made herself (I love love love it), and of course polishes.

From left to right: Essence Magic Wand!, Flormar U07, U18, U25, and an Alix Avien (they don't have names). I absolutely love Essence polishes and was beyond thrilled to receive a magnetic one. Before this, I did not own any. I had never heard of Flormar or Alix Avien, but they are gorgeous. 

Last but not least, I took some up close bottle shots today, so you can get a better idea of what each polish looks like.

Essie Shine of the Times over Alix Avien

I know I've been behind on posting regularly, but I promise I have a few posts coming this weekend.

Today I have a lovely layering combination to show you! First I used a lovely polish that I received from my Secret Santa on PAA from Romania, Theodora (I will have a post about my gift this weekend). The brand is Alix Avien. The polishes do not have names at all, and since its my only polish from this brand, I'm just going to call it by the brand name.

This polish is a pretty burgundy with a subtle shimmer. I used two coats and no top coat. The polish could have been a one coater for someone with shorter nails, but I had just a hit of visible nail line. The application was great. It went on smooth and the consistency was practically perfect. Not too thick, not too thin.

Against the red toned backdrop, Shine of the Times flashes green, copper, gold and orange. We are nearing the Winter season, but this combo is the essence of Autumn. All the leave colors condensed into one lovely space.

This is one coat with a thick coat of Poshe on top. I love how many flakes are in one layer of this polish! I cannot wait to try other combinations.

Candy Cane Nails

Its been a few days since I posted a manicure. Life has been hectic with Christmas, among other things. My little brother is going off to bootcamp next week. We did Christmas for him over the weekend since he'll be gone. I'll show you all the mani I did for our early Christmas later on this week.

Today I have a candy cane design to share! I've been wanting to do candy canes because of my love of peppermint. And this week's challenge on PAA was Stripes/Rainbow (the vote tied).

Each hand ended up looking different. I stamped my left hand and was unhappy with the design, so I tried to freehand the stripes on my right hand. I actually like my right hand better for once, with the exception of my index finger.

Right Hand

Left Hand

I definitely want to do this mani again this month. I'll remember to freehand it all. The base coat of white is Sinful Colors Snow Me White with red stripes of Love My Nails New Love. I also added one coat of Ulta Glitter Top Coat to give them a little sparkle.

It should annoy me more that my hands are different styles of stripes, but where I work, no one pays much attention to my nails. And I put too much effort into it to remove it just yet.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to their week! :)

Versatile Blogger Award

Thank you to Amber from Nails Like Lace and Kimberly from Nail Reflections for passing this award on to me! I am extremely flattered. I literally blushed. I love both of their blogs so much, you must check them out!

There are a few rules for this award:

1. List 7 things about yourself
2. Pass this on to 15 other bloggers

About Me
1. I will buy pretty much anything with a penguin on it.
2. I'm very in to crafts. I sew, paint, make jewelry, and a ton of other crafty things.
3. I'm short; if I stand up really really straight I'm 5'1 1/2.
4. I have a cute little fuzzy child (chihuahua) named Butterscotch.
5. I'm early for everything. Usually very early.
6. If my blog was read in my voice, you'd hear a Southern accent :)

The nominees are... :)
Adventures in Acetone
Blinger Nails
Captivating Claws
Happy Nails
I'm Feeling Nail-venturous
KK Nails
Lacquered Lover
Lacquered Me
Nailed to the T
Neverland Nail Blog
Peace, Love & Polish
Polish and Charms
Rebecca Likes Nails
Something Creative
The Trace Face Philes

Untrieds Day 30 - Color Club Hot Like Lava

Today is my last post for this challenge. It has been so much fun! I loved being encourage to break out my untouched polishes. I buy polish much faster than I use it.

Can you tell yet that I love pink? :) For my last post of the challenge, I am wearing Color Club Hot Like Lava. Amazing application and only needed one coat. I have to say, I love Color Club! I have not had a bad experience with their polishes at all. Nothing but good things to say.

Have you enjoyed seeing me tackle my untrieds? :)

Please check out the other lovely bloggers participating in this challenge. :)

Alexandria at Je T'aime Lacquer

Alyssa at Always Polished

Amber at The Polished Momma

Andrea at Addicted to the Allure of Beauty

Caitlin at Something Creative

Carly at Lacquered Lover

Caroline at Good Lack, Nail!

Caroline at Shadow's Nail Art

Chelsea at Pretty and Polished

Ingie at Limited Addiction Nails

Jacki at Adventures in Acetone

Jamie at Nails Adored

Lindsey at Nailtopia

Nory at Fierce Makeup and Nails

Rachel at Cherry Glam Girl

Sarah at Lucky Lacquers

Shaina at Haute Lacquer

Taylor at Nailed to the T

Thalie at Glazed Talons