Vacation Haul! Picture Heavy Post

Wow look at that unintentional blogging break! In early August, I spontaneously (well, like 9 days notice) decided to head over to Europe to check out some sights. Little fact: I'm obsessed with the claymation Wallace and Gromit. When I went to London in 1996 (or around that), I found out about them, and have loved them ever since. So when I found out about Gromit Unleashed, I had to go. So I did. Then decided I needed to see Paris.

Then I got back, and four days later decided to go to San Francisco and less than 24 hours later, I was packed and ready to go. Very unlike me. But I liked that. So here I am today sharing my nail polish hauls AND the fact that I got to meet three bloggers/polish friends during my travels!

First London! I sported Dior Delice which was perfect and cheery despite the  grey of London. Because traveling with luggage and unpacking, etc. the polish chipped pretty fast. I barely had time for a mani change so I took a Barry M I purchased in London and created French tips. Here's the only picture I snapped of it.

Dior Delice with Barry M Papaya tips:

Then I just had to wear Zoya London in London. Here is two coats of Zoya London with some typical British Breakfast Tea. 

When I went to Bristol to see Gromit Unleashed, Kim from The Ides of Polish joined me. I made her walk for hours looking for Gromits. There were 80 total and we saw 31, which was an accomplishment for me. Here we are with the pirate Gromit! It was such fun, despite our feet being DEAD.

Here is my entire haul from Europe. Could have been a lot worse, but I restrained! I decided to try some new brands too! Check out my new Shakespeare duck that I got at Shakespeare's home in Stratford-Upon-Avon!

Model's Own Toxic Apple, Boogie Nights, Danicing Queen, Sunset Chill

Barry M Guava, Blueberry, Greenberry, Papaya, Key Lime

Random brands (close ups below)

Accessorize Dragonfly, 2true Shade 48, Accessorize Pink Spice

GOSH Frosted Purple (texture), No. 7 Star Shower, Seventeen Cameo Crush (texture)

Kiko Sugar Mats: 643, 644, 645

Kiko LEs: 427, 429, 432

Brown that my sister stole before I wrote it down *edit it's 373*, 338, 388

I came home to a wonderful package from my polish bestie, Jen at My Nail Polish Obsession! She had recently gone on vacation to Hawaii and sent me this amazing package! I may have eaten some of the Hawaiian nuts before I got to picture taking :-D In fact, I ate them in San Francisco.

Top row: OPI Alcatraz Rocks, OPI Rumple's Wiggin, Island Girl Island Heat and Hula Girl

Bottom row: Zoya Carter, Kiko 389, Tony Moly glitter, Crowstoes Love Stinks, KPT Being in the Pink

Then I went to San Francisco, and of course, I had to wear OPI Alcatraz...Rocks, which Jen sent me. Unfortnately, tickets at Alcatraz were sold out for the next 9 days (you read that right), so we couldn't go in but here's a picture with Alacatraz in the background.

The only polish I bought in San Francisco was one of the new Wet n Wild textures! It's so pretty. I also found the Claire's polish for 50 cents in a closing Claire's.

Wet N Wild Beauty is a Battlefield, Claire's Graffiti

While in San Francisco, I met up with Paulina from The Gore Princess. How fun! She showed me the Mission District and I tried a beer brewed in San Francisco.

On the last day, I got to meet Jen from My Nail Polish Obsession. We kind of always have ongoing packages to each other and I think I actually talk to her every day! I think it's awesome we got to make time to meet (and I met two of her adorable kiddos).

Our nails matched! How crazy!? She was sporting a purple (I forgot) with Lynnderella Oh Eric and I was wearing Polish by KPT Being in the Pink (another awesome gift from Jen).

Well I hope you understand my blogging break! You know fall is my favorite, so I can't wait to get back into nail art, especially with Halloween around the corner!

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Vacation time!

Hi Ehmkay Nails followers! Last week I decided I needed a vacation so this very last minute (and overseas) vacation starts today. I will be offline for about two weeks so until then, happy polishing! I look forward to show you my highlights of this vacation once I get back. I've got Dior Delice on my nails for the flight and can't wait to buy polish while I'm away!

If you wouldn't mind, I've entered a nail art contest (post on the art to come soon), and would appreciate your vote. The link to my entry:

http://www.itssoeasynails.com/nailartvoting/index.php?photo=455
 
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Red and Wine Holographic Polish Comparison

Today I have a red/wine holo comparison that I randomly threw together. In a group I’m in, someone posted a bottle shot comparison of Enchanted Polish June 2013 and Elevation Small Batch Prototype Socompa and I wanted them on my nails. June 2013 arrived today, so I put it on along with other red holos I have.

Two coats of each polish.

Thumb: Enchanted Polish Stay Classy, San Diego

Index: OPI Crim-sun

Middle: Enchanted Polish June 2013

Ring: Elevation Polish Socompa

Pinky: Cirque Polish Vesuvius 

Stay Classy, San Diego is well pigmented and a much brighter red. OPI Crim-sun is somewhat frosty and much thinner formula (that would not dry on me! I smudged my nail three times, sigh). I have to say I’m not in love with June 2013 but it is my birthday month. The base is kind of mauve, and not the good kind (to me). Elevation Socompa is much darker leaning more red-wine than red. Lastly Cirque Vesuvius is a much darker red than appears in the bottle but actually comes close to Socompa (but lacks the purple undertones). 

I've taken pictures in all different lighting to help you see the colors. 
 

Red and Wine Holographic Polish Comparison: Shade

Red and Wine Holographic Polish Comparison: Direct Sun

Red and Wine Holographic Polish Comparison: Indoor, no flash

Red and Wine Holographic Polish Comparison: Indoor, no flash

Red and Wine Holographic Polish Comparison: Indoor, no flash

Red and Wine Holographic Polish Comparison: Indoor, Flash

Red and Wine Holographic Polish Comparison: Indoor, no flash

Red and Wine Holographic Polish Comparison: Indoor, flash

No two are alike, so I will keep them all! Hope this was helpful!

If you wouldn't mind, I've entered a nail art contest (post on the art to come soon), and would appreciate your vote. The link to my entry:

http://www.itssoeasynails.com/nailartvoting/index.php?photo=455
 
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Monarch Butterfly Nail Art

I know, I know. You've probably seen butterfly nail art a million times. Doesn't mean it still didn't look awesome on me. Just saying. I was going to do a crazy gradient, blah blah blah, but sometimes, simple is better!

I had been saving Rescue Beauty Lounge Santa Fe Road for a Monarch Butterfly manicure. Since then, I acquired the BEAUTIFUL Pure Ice Twinkle, so I decided to alternate oranges, since not all monarchs are the same orange. Two coats of each. Dare I say I liked the formula of the $2 Pure Ice better than the $20 RBL? Both are still gorgeous! The shimmer in Twinkle is much more prominent. Then with a black creme and white creme, I went in with a striping brush and dotting tool.  I'm pretty happy with my precision. Pure Ice Twinkle is on my index and ring nails. RBL Santa Fe Road is on my thumb, middle, and pinky nail.

Monarch Butterfly Nail Art

Monarch Butterfly Nail Art

Monarch Butterfly Nail Art

Monarch Butterfly Nail Art

 With flash:

Monarch Butterfly Nail Art

Monarch Butterfly Nail Art

 Colors alone:

Pure Ice Twinkle and Rescue Beauty Lounge Santa Fe Road

Pure Ice Twinkle and Rescue Beauty Lounge Santa Fe Road

Look ma, both hands!

Monarch Butterfly Nail Art

I loved doing this nail art. I got SO many comments on them. It's amazing how four simple colors can make such awesome art. 

If you wouldn't mind, I've entered a nail art contest (post on the art to come soon), and would appreciate your vote. The link to my entry:

http://www.itssoeasynails.com/nailartvoting/index.php?photo=455
 
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Red Dog Designs eMerald Knoll with Up Verde 360

We are almost at the end of Red Dog Designs week, but no worries because I have so many more to show you that I've already worn as pedicures (including the neon sands, Besame Mucho, and many more) and I even have a few still untried. I love this brand for the mix of polish finishes and the quality.

eMerald Knoll is a one off Gina created. If you hadn't known, ehmkay nails is after my intials (MK) as it has always been a nickname of mine. Gina sent me THREE awesome green-themed MK-named customs! A green holo, a glitter topper (this one), and a holo based glitter! I still haven't worn the other two, sheesh.

First I started with two coats of Up Verde 360. It's a gorgeous green holographic polish with an amazing formula. I love holos like this. Linear but not super linear like China Glaze OMGs, if that makes sense. There's still a scattered feel to it. I then applied one easy coat of eMerald Knoll. This glitter is amazing; eMerald Knoll is basically every green glitter ever! It's so sparkly and so perfect for me. Gina knows me perfectly. There's every shape with matte and shiny glitter. Just perfect.

Red Dog Designs eMerald Knoll

Red Dog Designs eMerald Knoll

Red Dog Designs eMerald Knoll

Red Dog Designs eMerald Knoll

Red Dog Designs eMerald Knoll

Up Verde 360

Up Verde 360

Up Verde 360

Although this was a custom, there are tons of great glitters in the Red Dog shop. Might I suggest Mele Kalikimaka, one of my favorites! You can purchase Red Dog Designs polishes HERE for $8.75 and shipping is always fast!

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