nails | Shoe Daydreams

Adore-able! Sally Hansen Nail Effects for Spring ’12

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Shoe Daydreams

Sally Hansen… you keep doing it so right!

Not only was Valentine’s Day heart-filled and sweet, but you’ve totally hit the mark for Spring. I mean, how much more perfect could these be for a “Pastel Ice Cream Sundae” spring theme??? I really need every single one of them… okay, maybe two of each!

Seriously! How cute are these? I got the ones below and am just missing Not A Peep! (a must have I will need to track down). I may need to get another Pink-a-Dot too.

I found mine at Ulta but usually CVS has them too. Keep an eye out and grab them when you can!

Images via Nouveau Cheap (top 4), Mine

Instant Access – 12/4 – 1/22

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Shoe Daydreams

I can’t believe that it has been more than a month since I’ve done an Instant Access recap. But given all the craziness of the last few weeks, I feel like (except for the last two weeks of the year), I’ve been running from one thing to another. From my grandmother passing away and having to travel for that, to ending at one job, starting another, traveling for work and then for fun, it’s been a whirlwind!

There were, of course, plenty of polish changes including…

Essie’s Luxeffects Set In Stones

China Glaze’s Mistletoe Kisses

China Glaze’s Party Hearty over Essie’s Marshmallow

Sally Hansen’s Salon Effects in Peppermint Twist

OPI’s Russian Navy (suede)

OPI’s Warm & Fozzie

A half-moon manicure with Zoya’s Pasha over OPI’s Designer… De Better!

And my favorite red, China Glaze’s Phat Santa.

Christmas was fun and quiet. The dogs were excited for their gifts.

And, among other things, I got the Miu Miu glasses I’d been pining for.

Picked up more Salon Effects – Love Letter, Brattlesnake and Sweet Tart-an

I’m ready for the time to change and more sun, so I’m already putting out my Valentine’s Day centerpiece.

And did I mention we brought home Briar the goat. You have to check out all the pictures!

My new job and been going well. Busy but good. I’ve used my little Lunch-Crock nearly every day. This is the best thing if you hate planning for lunch. I just plug it in and lunch is all warm and ready when I am.

I have an actual office with a door, so I’m very excited. Walls! I’ve brought in some pictures and met some people. I have a Twin Star at work who loves a lot of the same things and happens to have the funniest blog ever! You have to go read some of her hilarious day to day life (she actually talked about me on there too. Ha!)

I hope your weeks have been going well too! It’s a new year and there’s lots to do.

Zoya Polish Promo

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Shoe Daydreams

It’s all nails and shoes around here, isn’t it! I know I’ve been skewing a bit polish/nails heavy around here but I wanted to make sure you saw this offer. Zoya is giving 2 free polishes for just the cost of shipping. Shipping is $6.95, so I think it’s a pretty good deal!

Details are:

So from now through 1/9/2012 11:59 PM ET we are going to let you try any* 2 bottles of Zoya Nail Polish for FREE on ZOYA.COM. All you pay is the standard shipping charges.

As a bonus, you can purchase an additional $25 or more of Zoya or Qtica products and get FREE Shipping Too!..Bonus!

Use Code: ZOYA2012

*Promotion Excludes True & Fleck Effect Collection Colors

The two I got are Cynthia (part of the Smoke Collection) –
A smoky, blackened peacock teal with soft warm undertones. A very uncommon shade of blue for a subtle but funky look.

And Barbie – Soft, warm medium baby pink with very subtle hot pink shimmer. An adorable girly shade to accent any outfit.

I can’t wait to try out these polishes! What ones will you buy?
Disclaimer: Nail swatch images not my own.

Change of Heart

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Shoe Daydreams

I went into the drugstore just the other day… the day BEFORE Christmas… and the shelves were already lined with Valentine’s Day candy!!! What the heck, people?!?! I haven’t even started eating the candy from my Christmas stocking yet!

But, while I think it is very wrong to have candy hearts out already, I was very excited and happy to get the surprise my Sweetie brough home to me – the Valentine’s Day themed Sally Hansen Salon Effects!

He knows I love these and brought me 4 of the 5 designs (buy one, get one 50% off at CVS, by the way). These were the 4 I would have picked, so good job!

I love this pink/red/purple graphic design called “How Romantic”.

The gradient, holographic pink hearts on white are adorable as well – “Speed Dating”

This swirly pattern is so pretty – “Are You Single”

And how cute are the Xs and Os done as hearts??? – “Cross My Heart”

My least favorite (and the one he didn’t buy) is the word design “Love Always”

So not only should you go and grab these super sweet designs, you will be excited to know there are new core patterns coming for 2012 as well! Check them out…

I want to get Sweet Tart-an, Queen of the Jungle, Spring Fever and Love Letter.

How sweet!!!

I got my SHs at CVS but they are also available on/at ULTA.

Seasonally Spectacular – Sally Hansen Salon Effects Holiday 2011

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Shoe Daydreams

As much as I was excited for the Halloween Sally Hansen Salon Effects, I’m even MORE SO about the Holiday 2011 designs.

I went into Target over the weekend and, as I turned the corner, I found they had them out and I knew instantly that I would have to get them. There is no waiting on these limited edition designs. If you see them, get them for yourself!

I got four out of the five designs.

The reds – Plaid About You, Peppermint Twist and Snow Bunny – go with everything I’m wearing, from pleated skirts and velvet blazers to Fair Isle Sweaters and tights.

I loved the black and metallic silver Prep’s Cool but held off on the Winter Fun-derland as I have so many glitter polishes I should use.

These colors and designs are perfect with my Fall-Winter 2011 Themes but would go great for anyone. Who isn’t wearing a bit of red or some snuggly tights during the season?

UPDATED: Images 1, 3 and 4 are via Nouveau Cheap and her reader Christina of “and all things girly”.

Instant Access – 9/26 – 10/23

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Shoe Daydreams

It’s been a busy few weeks around here. Furniture Market for my clients, a trip to New York to work with some blogger friends, a brief bout with a cold, opening our pub, backyard movie nights and spending time getting ready for the cooler seasons while finding them already upon us.
In the midst of that are, of course, shoes!

From my copper Marc Jacobs’ oxfords…

Candy colored Converse….

Acquisitions over the last few months required a reworking of the shoe cabinets. Only the extra special ones get prime placement…

While giving the cabinets a reshuffle, I played with some old friends, including Fendi’s Cinderellas…

Louboutin…

YSL…

A random Tuesday needed some sparkle…

And then there were two pairs that I’ve been pining for. First, the super shiny Alexander Wang tasseled pumps…

And then the over-the-top glitter Miu Miu sneakers….

Did the whole Seasonal Swap of clothes where I realize I have way too many grey and black sweaters.

Oh, yeah, my other obsession nail polish.

China Glaze’s Phat Santa is my new favorite red.

Sally Hansen’s Halloween designs are so fun. This is Numbskull…

To match my new glitter sneakers I wore black matte tips and black shatter over China Glaze’s Midnight Kiss.

In between all the hubbub, I found a few moments to nap in the hammock.

While others hogged the heated bed on a chilly night.

Oh yeah, I found this guy – a stapleless stapler!

Fall is starting off amazing!

SD Review – Revlon Expressionists Collection Nail Polishes

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Shoe Daydreams

I am a BIG fan of glitter and have to admit, I’m a sucker for glitter nail polishes. So, when I was in ULTA the other day and saw the display for the new Revlon Expressionists collection, I had to grab a few of the polishes.

And they are stunning. There are 4 colors in the nail collection: Smoky Canvas, Facets of Fuchsia, Blue Mosaic and Starry Pink. I got all but Smoky Canvas.

The colors are stunning. Jelly base polishes with small round and large hex glitters. I can’t wait to try these two.

What I’m wearing right now is Facets of Fuchsia – a sheer black base with purple glitter. This color is elegant, subtle and stunning.

Deborah Lippmann has made glitter polish upscale and classy, but Revlon (especially with this near dupe of DL’s Bad Romance) is hot on her heels. I was is love with this polish from the first brush stroke.

If you can find these polishes, get them. The price is great and the colors will totally impress you.

I also bought one of the eyeshadows. I’m less thrilled with this, as I find glittery shadows to be too “chunky” but the colors are cute too.

Images source via web and not my own.

Spooktacular Nails

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Shoe Daydreams

I love Fall. And now that I’m having a total love affair with nails and manicures and polish, I can’t wait to try all my darker colors and fun effects.

But October is going to be even more spooktacular because the polish folks really get into the season!

I’ve already shared that I nabbed the OPI Pair’em Scare’em polishes – glow-in-the-dark “Zom-Body-To-Love” with the black shatter.

But today when I was in CVS, I found that Sally Hansen’s Salon Effects are out in awesomely cute Halloween designs. I. LOVE. Them.

They are (from left to right):
– Numbskull
– Hot Wired
– Ghoulie Girl
– Wish Nets
– Spun for You

I had to get Numbskull and Spun for You.

Squee!!! I can’t wait to wear them!!!

I found mine at CVS, but you can order them at Ulta too.

SD Review – Sinful 24-7 Neon Pink Nail Polish

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Shoe Daydreams

Just a quick review. I’ve been searching and searching for true neon pink polish and this is it – Sinful Color’s 24/7

It goes on pretty well, I used two coats, and got the great neon below.

It’s definitely bright. So much so that even my totally white skin looks almost tan. It’s a perfect punch of neon and worth grabbing.

Color Smitten

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Shoe Daydreams

I have never ever had nice, long, strong nails. Nooo, I have to have crummy nails that break when you so much as look at them and have no nail beds to speak of so even short nail look lousy.

But I’m trying to do better about taking care of them in the hopes that they will grow and look nice. And I’m becoming a bit obsessed with nail polish.

I’ve recently done a big sweep at Ulta and Bergdorfs to get some gorgeous colors. Colors that I hope will incent me to take good care of my nails.

I don’t typically buy Chanel polishes as much as I do their lipsticks but I really wanted this pretty orchid-y pink-purple Lilac Sky.

Then last night I went to Ulta for more:

For fun I got a small bottle of Orly’s VIP pink glitter which I think I’ll wear over a pale pink base .

The main reason I was there was to find a pale yellow to match the Lemonade Converse I want to get. And funnily enough, this Orly color is called Lemonade as well!