A Posh New Color By LBD Nail Lacquers

Hello friends, and happy new year.

I don't know about you, but I'm not a new year resolution type of person.  I've experienced too many backfired hopes and ambitions.  You know,  the ones where you swear to lose 10 pounds, but end up gaining 15. At best, I simply don't live up to my expectation, which is such a downer.  So, I make no promises, swear no oaths, and make no well-meaning, but unrealistic plans for the year.  Instead, I'm simply grateful that me and the people I love and care about made it to 2017. And if you're reading this, then happy new year and congratulations, you made it too. 

I'm starting this new year with a new, not-yet-released color by Little Black Dress Nail Lacquer.  This color is a very elegant hue that is best described by what it's not.  It's not gray and it's not beige. It's a perfectly indescribable greige, with a cooler cast.  This is one of those colors that you wear to work to appear trendy,  and you wear it in the evening or to an elegant event for that simple, sophisticated flair.  This polish will be released this month and will be available in the LBD Etsy shop.

Do you have any resolutions for 2017? What are they and how will you make it happen?  

Until next time, 

Ciao for now!

Frozen...No Really, I Feel Frozen!

Hi Ladies,
I don't know about the weather in your part of the world,  but here,  it's cold.  I'm not fond of cold weather, but it's that time of year where I dread my day ahead the moment I open my front door.  I think I must be allergic to cold weather and I should be able to work from home every day that doesn't reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit, (or 21 degrees Celsius).  I may take that up with my supervisor.  I won't lose by asking.

I figured maybe I could trick my mind into accepting the cold, so I did a wintry manicure.   It sort of reminds me of the movie Frozen.  I like Elsa ,  maybe I can handle the cold if I just let it go.

Ciao for now !

Polish,  Limpet Shell

Lilac And Lavender Ombre Manicure

Greetings Lovely Ladies!

I'm loving the lilacs and lavenders lately.  Lastly, a little layer of floral stamping, leaves a lingering impression on this lightly holo ombre look.  I had to let loose with the L's because who can say 'lilac and lavender' without wanting to string a slew of L words after it?  Right?  Ok, it's out of my system now.

I'm doing a little (a lot) fall cleaning this week, in preparation for a visit from my Dad.  I don't mind my house being a bit out of sorts on an average day. Functional disorder is acceptable for me because we're a pretty busy family and I gave up any delusions of environmental perfection years ago. I have two boys so perfection doesn't exist anywhere in my world.  But when Dad and Mama D say they're coming to visit, my head explodes and I convulse into fits of panic because I know it's impossible to pull my house together enough to make them think that I run a tight ship and have it all together.  Nope, the truth comes out when they come to town. As much as I try to pretend, I don't have it all together, and most of the time I'm just floundering through each day trying to keep order and get the important things done in a reasonable amount of time.  I know they don't have crazy expectations and I'm sure they don't think my home sucks, (because it doesn't) but I have this thing about impressing them.  It's this unnecessary and unrealistic compulsion that I have to make them proud of me that I can't seem to put into perspective.  And it's just them.  Anybody else could come visit and I straighten up like everybody does before they have company.  But Dad and Mama D aren't just anybody. They're the two people in my life who I respect and look up to more than anybody else.  What they think matters.  And even though they are the most non-judgmental people on the planet, that somehow makes it even more important that I don't screw up.  It's a vicious cycle. 

To keep myself from driving myself crazy, I have to make a reality list of things to do and not do. I can include things like washing the dishes and scrubbing the floor and cross out retile the kitchen backsplash and add wainscoting around the walls.  I can add vacuum the carpet and take out the trash rather than repaint the walls, strip the paint off the furniture and re-stain the tables.  See how I have to keep things in perspective?  So, I will refrain from rushing out to buy new dishes, new curtains and new furniture and instead, settle for something more along the lines of picking up groceries and a jar of Dad's favorite instant coffee.

With reasonable expectations on myself, I can feel my blood pressure going down.  Ok, I can see where to start now.  Toss in a load of laundry, do the dishes, and vacuum.  Great start. Oh, I can't forget, Mohinder Suresh needs his fish bowl cleaned, and the plants could use a drink of water. 

I'm out of panic mode. Now I just have to stay sane and stick to the revised, realistic list.  Wish me lots of luck.

Ciao for now!

 

A Splash Of Blue For A Monday Morning

Hi Ladies,

Today is Monday, so I thought I'd post a manicure with a touch of blue. Monday blues, and all.  I did this one a while ago, and I don't remember what colors I used.  I can't even tell you if I used an MdU stamping polish (almost the only stamping polish I use).  All I can say for sure is that I polished my nails with two unknown colors and used a stamping plate (also unknown), with an unlnown blue stamping polish.  That's pretty descriptive, right (I'm being sarcastic of course).

Hopefully my next post will be a little more informative.  But, hey, it's Monday.  And it's 7:30 in the morning for me, and I'm not quite awake yet.  This was he best I could do.  Perhaps if I had my Starbucks I'd be able to say something interesting.  Next time, right?

Ciao for now.

Hi Ladies,

Today is Monday, so I thought I'd post a manicure with a touch of blue. Monday blues, and all.  I did this one a while ago, and I don't remember what colors I used.  I can't even tell you if I used an MdU stamping polish (almost the only stamping polish I use).  All I can say for sure is that I polished my nails with two unknown colors and used a stamping plate (also unknown), with an unknown blue stamping polish.  That's pretty descriptive, right (I'm being sarcastic of course).

Hopefully my next post will be a little more informative.  But, hey, it's Monday.  And it's 7:30 in the morning for me, and I'm not quite awake yet.  This was he best I could do.  Perhaps if I had my Starbucks I'd be able to say something interesting.  Next time, right?

Ciao for now.

The New Spicy Mustard Polish By Little Black Dress Nail Lacquer

Hi ladies,

Before I get started with todays manicure I'm going to ask you to do something for me. Follow @LittleBlackDressPolish on instagram. I'll wait while you do that...

Ok, you're back. I have one more thing to ask of you (last one), take a look through the Little Black Dress online store. You can find it here. Or you can use this link https://www.etsy.com/shop/littleblackdressnail. 

That took a little longer, didn't it?  Well, thank you so much. You've been great. don't forget to pass on the word!  

Ok, now that that's out of the way, let's move on to today's manicure.

I used a couple of techniques to achieve this look. First, I applied a coat of a spicy yellow mustard polish and sponged an ombre effect using a green polish.  Last, I stamped a pattern using a gold MdU polish. 

When you were looking through the Little Black Dress shop, you probably ran across this Spicy Mustard Pantone Fall 2016 polish. It's one of the popular polishes chosen by the Pantone Institute for the fall season this year. This polish is a warm yellow with flecks of "spice". A perfect color for the season. 

I'll feature more of these popular seasonal colors in future posts so keep a watch out for them. You'll find sneak peaks of pre-released polishes, and you'll be able to purchase them here before they even hit the market. How great is that!.

Till next time,

Ciao Bellas!

Blue Stamping Over A Deep Gold Base

Hi friends,

I enjoyed my nature walk last week. Or rather, a walk to the CVS.  There were leaves, trees, and foliage along the way, so does that count?  In any case, it did the trick.

I'll tell you what inspired this manicure. No, there's no deep philosophical meaning behind it.  I just wanted to see how blue stamped over a dark metallic color would look.  Yup, that's it. So now I know.  There is a philosophical meaning behind the beautiful little bird, though. Just kidding, I had nature on my mind, that's all.

Maybe next week I'll ponder something philosophical and post a mind blowing revelation.  I doubt it, but it could happen.

Ciao for now!

A Nature Walk In Lieu Of A Much Needed Spa Day

Hi Ladies,

September is here! And I'm excited for the upcoming Labor Day weekend.  School started a few weeks ago, and I still haven't gotten into the swing of things. I'm trying really hard to keep everything running relatively smoothly, but I seem to keep running into little hiccups along the way. Already, I could use a vacation. Better yet, a few hours in a spa or a mindful yoga class or group meditation activity.  I'm dreaming of a spa day, but my cousin (the one person who I would enjoy a spa day with the most) is unavailable.  So, I'm going to wait.  In the meantime, I'm going to find time for a nature walk to clear my head. 

This manicure was inspired by the relaxing restfulness of nature and the peaceful cleansing it brings. 

I used reverse stamping for the leaves, and a chevron patterned stamping plate on which I painted shades of green and blue for an ombre effect.  I used a clear base coat.

I'm gonna go take that walk now.

Ciao for now!





Getting A Little Personal

Hi friends,
Today's post has nothing to do with manicures or nail polish at all. In fact, if you want details about this manicure leave me a comment and I'll tell you anything you want to know.

Today I want to talk about my personal life, which I usually avoid doing online.  But, against my better judgment, I'm going to do it anyway.

I have really good friends who love me and my kids and want nothing less than the best for us. I love them too and sometimes wonder how I could make it without them. They simply want me to be happy and fulfilled. Of course, so do I. But sometimes their idea of happy and fulfilled and my idea of happy and fulfilled are not the same.

I feel content and satisfied with my life, but many of my well-meaning friends think that I can't possibly be happy until they find me a date. Ok, it's been almost 2 years since my husband passed, and they tell me it's time to get back out there and jump back into the dating pool and catch myself a fish.

But here's the thing, I'm doing great.  I don't want to jump in a pool, toss out a line and go fishing. A fish will not enhance my life. And quite frankly, my kids have already expressed their intent to kick any fish down the stairs.  I'm not making this up guys.

Well, that's not something they need to worry about.  I have them, my friends and family, and their friends too (since they're always around). Adding a fish to the pot would only make it boil over. And who wants to clean up smelly fish water?  Ok, enough with the fish analogies. Mohinder Suresh (my beta fish) wouldn't take too kindly to that).

Well-meaning friends say my boys won't be with me forever and I'll become lonely. But I have to laugh at that.  What I wouldn't give for my kids to be all grown up and living good, productive lives that don't include coming home every night to my house. Trust me, I already have plans for their rooms.

So, dear friends and loved ones, I am quite happy and fulfilled as I am. I don't have time to date anyway, and I like things just the way they are. Now, if you want to hook me up with concert tickets, great.  But if you want to hook me up with a date, I know a lovely young lady down the street that would give her right arm for one and I'll gladly give you her number. Your matchmaking efforts won't go to waste.


Please excuse (or ignore) my personal rant.  My next post will include nail polish talk. I promise.  Thanks for reading. 
Till next time,
Ciao Bellas!

Boy or Girl??

Hi ladies,

I got some exciting news last week. My coworkers niece is having a baby! Yay! In her honor, I decided to do a baby themed mani. We don't know what the gender of her little ball of joy will be, so I used both of the traditional baby colors, blue and pink.

I can't wait for the baby shower.  I love shopping for baby stuff.

Till next time,

Ciao Bellas!







These polishes will be available soon at  Little Black Dress Nail Lacquer 

Fuchsia and Teal Manicure

Hi friends,
Summer vacation is slowly coming to an end. Some kiddies are back in school or counting down the days until school starts. Parents are picking up schools supplies and shopping for new uniforms and school outfits.  I have done none of these things.  Not because my kids aren't going to school soon, and not because I'm a super mom and already have everything ready to go.  I'm just trying to hold on to this last week of freedom. We took a second mini vacation last weekend, and today I'm playing hooky from work.  By Friday, I'll be ready to start shopping for school supplies and uniforms.

I have very mixed feelings about the fall.  My schedule picks up and I'll find myself back in the rat race again.  On the plus side, however,  a return to normalcy comes with a sense of familiar security.  Are you ready for fall?
Ciao for now.

Birthday Luxe

Hi friends,
I admit I've been neglecting my nails lately. Too busy for proper grooming. I'm wearing plain polish (no glitter, sequins, holo, or adornment), my cuticles could use a deep moisturizing treatment, and the claws need trimming. In spite of my gross neglect, I still had to dig deep through my archives for a photo or two of manicures that didn't make the cut.  Honestly, it's better than revealing my failing phalanges.

My birthday is fast approaching and I find it interesting that I would post this particular manicure today. I'm not a designer brand driven type of girl. Don't get me wrong, Designer accessories and clothing are great, but if I can't afford the ones I really want, then I'd rather do without. And the fake ones are out of the question. Nothing wrong with them, but I'm just not interested enough to be sure I have a good enough knock-off. So, by choosing this manicure today, does that mean I have latent desires for designer wear? A therapist might analyze that a simple Chanel bag or a pair of Louis Vuitton shoes might satisfy a need I didn't know I had. So, If you guys want to put together a few birthday bucks and buy me a designer accessory, I would greatly appreciate it. In retrospect, I knew I shouldn't have been so stingy with the kids allowances.

Ciao Bellas!

Back To Fashion For Inspiration...Where's My Muse?

Hi friends,
It's been a super busy summer for me.  I can't tell you how many times I've tried to sit down and prepare a post just to find out (at the last minute) that my oldest has a basketball game/practice , or my youngest needs a ride across town to hang out with his friends.  And when I finally get settled in to do a manicure, I run into painters block. Color minus the creativity. Let's face it, that's probably not what you're here to see. I can't even decide on a simple stamp to use.  I've got nothing ladies. I'm drawing a blank here. Zero, nada, nani mo, nichego, niente, rien. Or in the words of my childhood friends,  not a doggone thing. So what do you do when your brain and all your creative energies have gone on vacation?  I pull inspiration from any place I can, that's what I do.  After a recent shopping trip (much needed retail therapy), I used colors from a new outfit for my muse.  Peach is a popular color this year, so I pulled out a peachy polish, a coordinating plum and a splash of gold. The design didn't come out quite like I planned, so I threw on a clear holographic topcoat because nothing solves a problem like holo or glitter (or both in this case).  And voila! A light, summery peachy mani.

Either I keep shopping for clothes and bust my budget, or I do what I did last year and flip through magazines and surf the net for drool-worthy furniture and room decor that I can't afford.  Now that's inspiration! So you might be in store for a few upholstery recreations. Odd, I know. But it works. Go with it.

Help me out. Tell me what you want to see.  Drop me a comment below. Until next time,
Ciao for now!

Hot Floral For Hot July

Hi friends,
It's July, (my birth month) and the heat has finally hit hard. Some days I think I'll melt before I make it to my car. Despite the heat, I'm at my uptown office (Starbucks) sipping a hot Venti dark roast in the middle of the day. I'm always relaxed when I come to my uptown office. It's where I do my best work. Too bad I can't do nail art here. Maybe I could talk to the manager... No, I'd have a better chance getting free coffee than setting up a table to polish my nails. Perhaps I'll go for the free coffee then.

Today I have a hot floral design, well suited for summery flowers and sweltering heat. I used the reverse stamping technique. But if you're a regular reader, you knew that already, because you're familiar with my artistic handicap. I can barely draw a straight line, so flowers are out - abstract or otherwise. Im still trying to sign up for pre-K art classes, but the schools here are age biased and I haven't found one that will let me sign up. I'm a little older than 5 which seems to be one of the main requirements - silly rule I think. I'm not giving up though. I don't quit that easily!

Until next time,
Ciao for now.

To My Jackson/Caldwell Family

I'm jumping up and down, waving my hands frantically in the air, hoping my family will catch this post. AUNTIES, UNCLES, COUSINS, THIS IS FOR YOU.
It's been a long, long, long, looooong...long long time since I've seen you guys, (holding my head down in shame).  But, if all goes as planned, I'll see you soon.

My boys and I are traveling to my family reunion next month and I simply can't wait!  It's probably been more than 5 years since I've seen them (yeah, shame isn't it?), and soooo much changes in 5 years.  I'm looking forward to catching up and making plans to stay in touch. Hopefully, I can convince them to hold the next reunion closer my way (hint hint).

Today I chose to do an orange (our color this year) and green family tree design

We'll have a great time and then I'm going to write about it. You've been warned.
Ciao for now.

Family Reunion Orange

4th Of July Glitter Glitter Glitter

Hello P&P friends,

Glitter glitter, oh how I love glitter. Red white and blue just wouldn't do.  A simple adjustment and...prefect. Switching out white for silver turned this patriotic mani into a sparkling star spangled banner.



I'm featuring a super dazzling glitter polish by Little Black Dress Nail Lacquers.  I used two coats on my pinky fingers for a bright flash of silver white. I also used it over vinyls on my ring fingers.


Have a happy 4th of July and,
Ciao for now!

O. P. I. - athon: Tiramisu For Two... And A Cup Of Java, Please

Hi friends,
Ahhh... tiramisu, that light creamy, rich, cocoa, espresso flavored, choclatey goodness. Who can say no to a teeny tiny taste? My mouth is watering thinking about it. The name tiramisu means "pick me up" probably because of the espresso and cocoa in it. This polish is from the Fall 2015  Venice Collection inspired by the great city itself. So, this is how it works. Our eloquent O.P.I. team of polish naming magicians were taken to a top secret, national security level, Quantico sealed, undiscoverable location where they perused maps and viewed the art, architecture and any other notable treasures of Venice, devoured the local foods (hence tiramisu) while brainstorming names to suit the chosen polish colors. I take vacations that don't compare to their brainstorming sessions. Polish Naming Magicians who are you and how did you get that job???  Those powers cannot be taught. Are you Chosen Ones, groomed from birth to bless the world with your creative talents?  I believe they actually have true magical abilities to pull those names out of the hat. They couldn't have attended Hogwarts could they?  I mean that is a fictional place...right?

The magicians must have gotten fat from tasting, testing and sampling the local cuisine judging by the fact that many of the names in this collection seem to have been food inspired.

Since coffee is one of the main features to a good tiramisu , I decided to do a coffee themed manicure.  It's my personal Ode To Starbucks, with whom I have an ongoing love affair.

I think I'll make a coffee run now. Bucky misses me.
Ciao for now.

O.P.I.-athon: Designer Series Tourmaline

DS Tourmaline

Hello O.P.I. lovers,
The last polish we looked at was a neutral cream, so today I have something a little more exciting.  This O.P.I. polish is one of my favorites because...? You guessed it, GLITTER! It sparkles, it shines, it puts you in a daze if you stare at it too long (like I do).
Tourmaline is a sparkling rose pink glitter polish from the 2014 Designer Series, Polished Quartz.

Pink is often symbolic with breast cancer awareness, and although this particular hue is not bca pink, it reminds me of a souped up fashion forward version of it.  So, I decided to do an awareness manicure and I think it turned out pretty nice.  O.P.I. has supported breast cancer awareness since 2006, and in 2014 created a small awareness collection called Pink Of Hearts.  For this campaign, O.P.I. donated $25,000 to help fund research and promote awareness. O.P.I. is no stranger to charity. They have contributed millions of dollars to charitable causes, focusing mainly on women's health, but also including diabetes and blood cancer. Their charity extends beyond health issues though. At the launch of their Nicole line, O.P.I. raised money benefiting environmental causes. You feel good buying from a company that goes over and beyond.

Until next time,
Ciao for now.

O. P. I. - athon: Withstands The Test Of Thyme

Hi ladies, gents, family and friends,

For the first polish featured in our O.P.I.-athon, I chose a beautiful summery green cream polish named Withstands The Test Of Thyme.  This polish is a favorite for two reasons. First, it reminds me of a garden trellis scene complete with chirping birds and butterflies. It's a refreshing color that makes you want to sip lemonade on the front porch or on the patio. The second reason why I love this polish so much is because of its name. O.P.I. is famous for choosing names that are fitting to the color, whitty, puns, commical, creative, naughty, delightful and just plain old fun. Hands down, they own the Polish Naming award (if there were such a thing).

Choosing colors is serious business for this company. It's heavy, laborious work if traveling to great places, being sequestered for eight hours in top secret brainstorming sessions (and eaing cultural foods, ) sounds like heavy labor to you. What goes on in these top secret sessions? Probably a whole lot of laughter and fun when you consider the outcome. I sure would love to be a fly on the wall. Better yet, I'd be more than willing to work for them for free.  Yes, FREE!  That means I would pay my own traveling expenses and hotel and sit for eight hours or more even if I could only sit  outside the meeting room door. HEY O.P.I. FREE LABOR OVER HERE!!!!!!  I'll scrub your floors, empty your trash.  I do windows too!! I think I'm going to send them a letter begging them to work there for no pay and do anything, even the jobs that nobody else wants to do. I wish I could say that I was just joking, but....

Until I'm recruited to work for O.P.I., I'll keep posting and sticking with my day job.

Ciao for now.

[Correction: O.P.I. polish naming brain children might not actually travel to theses great places, but their hours long secluded polish naming sessions are probably a close second.]

Biker Chick Manicure

Hi friends,
Today I'm enjoying watching the rain fall outside my uptown office window (neighorhood Starbucks).  Sometimes the rain can be so soothing, and this is that type of rain. Reflecting on my week I think this was a good one. I got a lot of work done at the job, and at home. I got though prom, and I've been checking things off my To Do list (slowly, but surely). I had some enjoyable moments as well. I hung out with a few of my YouTube friends, and I'm looking forward to a grown up play date next week in a YT friend's makeup room.  Can't wait. (I promise I won't go to Ulta, Sephora or MAC to buy more makeup. I promise, I promise, I promise...this is my mantra for the week)

Awww, budget be damned, I'm gonna get me some makeup! A girl can never have too much eyeshadow. UD here I come!

But really, even though this rain today is cleansing and refreshing, I'm inclined to think of hopping on a motorcycle and riding off into the sunset. I call this manicure Biker Chick. A hot purple blend glitter over a sweet neon pink. Add matte black vinyls and silver studs, and voila!! A perfect manicure for a biker chick.

Anybody here a biker chick? I see more and more ladies on the road each year. Girl power!
Ciao Bellas!

"B" For Bored

Today's manicure is brought to you by the letter "B"
...for boring.

Ladies, you know that I love glitter, rhinestones and all things sparkly. If it's overdone, I love it.  If it's outrageous or gaudy, then I'm probably wearing it.  If it's just on the side of ugly, I might like it (especially shoes, there's no limit with shoes).  But today, I went outside of myself. I channeled simplicity and went for a sedate manicure.  Ok, it's a little laid back for me.  However, I'm proud of myself for overcoming my fear of plain.

Since I've achieved my goal of plain and simple, I can at least show a few pairs of not-so-simple shoes that I like, and would wear if I weren't already a million feet tall. Ok, here we go.

I say YES! to these!

And I say NO! to this.

I admit that I have a whole lot of NO'S and too few of YES!  But, If I weren't a trillion miles tall (wait, just a second ago I was a million feet tall. What happened?) I would wear 6" stacked heels and destroy my feet before I turned 50.  I can make up for that, though, in makeup, jewelry and nail art.

What fashion do you go all out for? Nails, hair, accesories, shoes, makeup, purses...Leave me a comment and we can share our obsessions.
Ciao Bellas!