Spooky Candle

This was the week that I was being super un-creative and just copying other peoples beautiful designs. These were designed by Michelle aka Sonoma Bento -- One of my all time favorite nail artists. Her original set can be seen here. Can we just talk about how creative this girl is for a second here? These were part of her 31 day challenge and these were for the gradient day. UMMM that's amazing! This is such an awesome take on gradients. Everyone is so used to the typical gradients, but Michelle took it over the top.

I first discovered Michelle's work via Robin Moses, who posted Michelle's adorable tribute nails to Moses' dog Fishay, which can be seen here. Then, without knowing it, I saw more of Michelle's work in Leslie's (from Polish Art Addiction) "Good Enough to Eat" Contest. Michelle entered her awesome trout nails. I showed them to my friend who loves fishing and I think he fell in love a little bit. Then FINALLY Michelle started her own blog and now I find myself checking her blog more often than I check my email!

I hope that if you do anything today, it is to check out (and follow, and comment on) Michelle's blog. She is the best.

Liz's Birthday

My friend Liz turned 22 this year (I know, you never would have guessed). Her birthday is May 7th and she's one of my best friends so of course she needed extra special nails. She got balloons, numbered birthday candles, regular candles, a cake with her name on it, and for an even more personalized touch: a crew paddle! (I'm sure there's a name for the paddle that one would do crew type things with, but I don't know it). Liz started coxswain-ing and discovered a new passion -- screaming at a bunch of fit guys. No, really though, she loved it and I think it's one of the great things that defines her!

Mark's birthday

Every year for my friend Mark's birthday, he changes his profile picture on facebook to a photograph of a red panda that is "wearing" a photoshopped party hat. So for his birthday nails, I decided to run with that theme. I painted candles on my pinkys and middle fingers, red pandas on my ring fingers, and party hats on my pointer fingers.

And of course, on my thumbs I painted some yummy looking cakes. Mark is an awesome baker, so usually when he makes cake it tastes way better than these look, but hey, I can't be perfect.

 

This is me pretending to blow out Mark's candles. I think I had too much time on my hands.

This is the red panda actually *wearing* the party hat.

Here is the actual panda with the party hat!