Even though I am not much for the writing today, I have another manicure for you today.
This one was done for one of the challenges, and even though I was thinking of skipping this prompt, in the end I liked this manicure too much not to share with you.
Gorgeous green base is another Polish Pickup exclusive, and my first My Indie Polish - Lake Couchiching Monster.

Gorgeous green jelly full of multi colored flakies, so squishy and so pretty! Because this one was so sheer, it required 4 coats, but it was so worth it. It is totally drool worthy.
Images are on my recently procured stamping plate from the fellow blogger, and my first Mundo de Unas stamping plate, Mdu Zodiaco.

Price was right, and I am glad I actually used this plate. Sometimes I just buy stuff just because I can, because I want to try and not waste too much money and then realize that it was trash... This one was not, stamped wonderfully, and images picked up clearly. I actually had some mishap with the stamping on the middle finger, and I had to double stamp - even though my lining up of the image was ever so slightly off, you can clearly see every line, letter and number.
​For stamping I used Essie - Good as Gold.
Yes, I am Taurus - earthy, stubborn and creative (at least I love to think so).
Have an amazing day.
​Cheers!

Winter did not even start officially yet, and I can't wait for the Spring!
Even though this was not planned as a spring manicure, it just ended up looking like the one. I guess, when you let your subconscious pick every item here, this is what is my biggest desire - to feel, smell and see all that Spring has to offer.
I started with some Monday blues...
Holographic beauty is Color Club Lacquer - Piece Out, while blue crème is Bourjois - Adora-bleu.
All images I used are on Lily Anna - 09 stamping plate. 
First, I stamped knitted like image using the Piece Out, and even though there were some glitters in, I have to admit it stamped better than I hoped. I just wanted little bit interest in the background.
Then I stamped all with Hit the Bottle - Snowed in, then I used colored polishes to add layer upon a layer for colorful, Spring like manicure.
Incidentally, today is my friend Lisa's friend, and this one is for her.
I am not really inspired today for many stories, so this one is short and sweet.
Have a wonderful and easy day, so your week can start on a good footing.
Cheers!

Last item I received from Born Pretty Store is super cute stamping plate by Nicole Diary-121, item #47640. I love stamping plates, and this one is welcome addition to my collection.
This plate features over 30 different images featuring lines, dots, florals and astral images.

​Isn't this such a pretty and very modern mix! You can use images individually, or combine few of them, you can go as minimal as you want, or go full scale - whatever suits you.
What I love the most about this plate is image size. There are several images that are suitable for very long nails, and but in the same time, you can break them down or apply on any nail length and not really loose much in the process. Let's face it, most of us do not have extra long nails, as we have a life, and a job and household we need to take care of. This plate is geared to the women like us.
I wanted something really feminine and super pretty for this one, and I went pink...
I used two of the Color Club Lacquer polishes as a base: Peace out purple (fuchsia pink), and Wicker Park (bubble gum pink).
I used the same polishes to stamp first layer - Dotted gradients in opposite colors.

I actually liked this very much, and I almost just left it like this. Almost. This plate features so many pretty images,  I could not just pass on them, so  using a Born Pretty - Black #3 I purchased myself, I picked up one more image. I colored in the flower with white polish, and applied image over the dotted gradient on both middle and ring finger. For visual interest, I placed the second image in the opposite directions.
Boy, did I ever liked this one! It made it really hard to remove, I wanted to wear it for a while. I was surely glad I placed another image over as this was now finished manicure.
For all of you looking for more stamping supplies, go to bornpretty.com and pick something for yourself. Don't forget to use my discount code SHGK31 for 10% off, and you will also get a free shipping worldwide. 
Thank you Emily for sending me these beautiful items.
To all of you, thank you for stopping by, and have a wonderful day.
Cheers!

*** Products used were sent to me for my honest review. All opinion is mine, based on my use of the product and my experience with the same.
For all pricing inquiries, as well as for availability please refer to seller- all links provided. ***

Today, I will review two of the items I received from Born Pretty Store.
First item I want to show you is gorgeous green stamping polish BP-ML01 Scenery, item number 42859-1.
It seems that I am forever in a search for that perfect green stamping polish, and I was really looking forward to try yet another green.
Scenery is that perfect green color I was looking for, now the ultimate stamping test.
I tested this green over the white and black, and you really do not have to take my word for it - picture speaks for itself.

As you can clearly see, this baby did amazing over both of those colors, and what I love the best is the fresh, bright color. Stamping polishes like this one make my heart sing!
I knew that I had a winner on my hand, and I wanted to use it in manicure with one of the stamping plates I got in my review parcel.
​Plate I got is Nicole Diary-108, item #46776.

This plate features some full nail minimalistic images, and single images on the top. I was especially excited about cat tails, and lily of the valley.
On the swatch above, I used first image in the third row, and you can see that those are pretty fine lines, that transferred without any problem, and are so crisp and clean, and once again, very visible.
I was so happy with the way Scenery performed on my swatch, I wanted to put it through the ultimate test - stamping over metallic polish. In my experience, reflective polishes make all the stamping invisible, or barely visible, but I had zero problems using this stamping polish, and delicate image from the pretty plate I got.
Polishes of the choice for the base were Essie - Leggy Legend, and China Glaze - Pearl Jammin'. Whole scene I created reminded me of the sun that is trying to burn through the fog over the marsh, hence the title of this post. I just liked the bog better, as it rhymes with fog...
As always, use my discount code SHGK31 to save. Born Pretty also has a free shipping worldwide, and for all of you in Northern America, there is also a US Outlet that will make shipping faster, and waiting shorter. 
Cheers!

In the keeping with the Autumnal and animal theme, I have a little fox that came here just to say hi to you all.
For this look I used two of Color Club Lacquer  polishes - Take it all off (darker shade) and Stripped away (lighter shade).
I got lots of nude and brown polishes lately, and I have to try them eventually... and two at the time makes for the faster move from the untired shelf...
Both of them applied really nicely, and were fully opaque in two easy and smooth coats.
Over Take it all off, I applied China Glaze - Moonlight the night. Few years ago I did a black and white base swatches of this topper, and I was so surprised by the results - over the black (dark) base, this glitter topper shows exactly like in the bottle - olive green, bronze, gold and teal - such a pretty and unusual combo for which I purchased this topper. It was unlike any I had on hand... then it came as a surprise to me that when you apply the same topper over the white (light) base, all of this is replaced by blue, purple and pink! I did not even know that glitters can do that! You can see little of that over the middle two nails.
Now that is a topper - two in one, and color difference is so dramatic, I had to check if I used the same topper! This was accidental discovery at the time.
Couldn't resist to use again cute plate by Clear Jelly Stamper - CjS-135. I am obsessed with the layering images, and this plate has so many to offer, it is hard to get bored with it. When I thought I might not use this plate so much and almost talked myself out of purchase... crazy, I know!
Used several different stamping polishes : Maniology - Pumpkin Head + Red Sea ( use code SANJA10 to save); Hit the Bottle - Snowed in, and Painted Polish by Lexi - Stamped in Sand to mention just some of them...
I had to do this in matte finish, and my matte coat of the choice was Lucky 13 Lacquer - Elemental Ward - We're All Matte Here.
Have a wonderful day you all!
​Cheers!

Harvest Party is another soak-off gel polish by Madam Glam, from newly released Give Glam Collection, that is inspired by Thanksgiving.

On the swatch above, I am wearing two coats of the color over gel base coat and topped with No Wipe Top Coat. It applied smoothly and evenly.
This is really interesting and unique shade. On the site, it is described as a soft brown nude, but that would not be my description. Harvest Party I would definitely call olive green leaning brown. I actually liked it more than I hoped I would at the first sight. I am trying really hard to recall where actually I had seen this shade, as it is not really unfamiliar to me.
I was actually pleasantly surprised how well it agreed with my olive skin tone.
My first thought was - this would look amazing matte, and I was right. You can see the matte finish in the photos below.
Once again, images for this manicure I found on Dixie Plates - but this time on Autumn 03. Bread grain images were perfect for the color with the name Harvest Party.
I kept stamping really simple, and this time I used crème stamping polish - La Femme - Amarelo.
In the end, I really liked this simple Autumnal look. 
You already know that you all are welcome to my discount code SANJA30 that will save you 30% off of your purchase.
I love that I found perfect prop for this manicure in my own kitchen... too bad my squash was too big to fit into the frame...

*** Product used was sent to me for my honest review. All opinion is mine, based on my use of the product, and my experience with the same.
For availability, as well as for all pricing inquiries, please refer to seller - all relevant links included. ***

Day before yesterday, I received the little review parcel from Born Pretty Store, and today I have one of the four items I received.
I received item #46760, 16 pc/lot transfer foil.

This is the mixed lot, which means that you getting 16 different patterns - in this pack there is mix of floral, lacey images and some animal print. Foil sheets are 4x20 cm in size, and that is plenty for several manicures with a single sheet! Unfortunately, this particular foil mix was out of stock when I was writing this post, so I could not give you direct link, but if you click on transfer foil or here, link will take you to the page with all the transfer foils, and there is plenty to choose from.
Why did I picked the foil my old nemesis? Well, I thought I picked a new gel for foil transfer, and I figured some new foils would be good fit... oopsie… I guess, that will be for some future reviews.
While lacking that new product, I turned to the foil glue I purchased from Born Pretty eons ago, and even though little bit goopy, it still worked pretty good. 
I started with pretty base - decided to go with muted green, as I really did not feel like a black, and in the same time, I wanted to show you that you can use the foils on any color. Color of the day was Gosh - Drizzle. Black will give you most drama, but I like to show you that you can wear the foils every day, not just for the special holidays or occasions.
What I like the most about the foil is that sparkle, especially with the holographic one.
To transfer the foil, you have to make sure that your base polish is completely dry, or you can use gel polish. I applied thin coat of the foil glue, and I waited a bit until the glue changed color from the cloudy white, to clear.
I placed the foil on the nail, and you can either apply the smaller piece with the desired design, or you can go for the full nail coverage. Full coverage is what I attempted this time, even though that is not easiest thing to do when you have a very pronounced curves... you get creases all over the sides, and beauty of the pattern is that pattern will hide most of it. I decided to use a different foil for each nail, and that is the reason I stayed in the same color scheme. This is the first time I went with foil on each nail - I usually just do couple of them only, and staying in the same color scheme gave me most comfort.  
I gently pressed foil with the pad of the finger, and then removed clear film. Pretty easy so far. Important note though - place the matte side of the foil on the nail! Some foils are easy to figure out, but this is very important trick you need to successfully transfer the foil images onto your nail. 
Few sentences ago, I mentioned how I love the sparkle, and to preserve that sparkle might be a challenge.
I am yet to try to use gel top coat over the foil, which supposedly will not affect the foil. What I had was whole bunch of the top coats that I was playing with. I had the foil on the both hands, and as I got older, I become slightly smarter, and I was playing with the top coats on the opposite hand...
This is the verdict: you need a water based top coat, and you are golden. Fast drying top coat would cloud the finish before it would even dry, and few other top coats did not pass the test.
One that I used here is Moyra - SP. Aqua Top Coat. 
I also heard that some of the ladies use UNT - Ready for take off - Base coat over the foil, then when completely dry, they apply the regular top coat.
Personally, I did not try this method, for one reason only - my water based top coat worked well.
Before I show you the end result, I wanted to remind you that I have a discount code that will save you 10%, and also that Born Pretty Store has a free worldwide shipping. Use code SHGK31 to save.

On November 1st, Madam Glam released brand new Fall collection inspired by Thanksgiving, and they named it Give Glam Collection.
I received four shades even before the launch, and it was really hard to sit on them for couple of weeks before I reveal them to you. I prepared 5 different looks, and will show you some of them this week, and some of them next week. Next week there will be even more surprises for you, but I have to keep it contained till then.
First of four I want to show you today is Soak off gel named - CORNY.

Just let's make something clear - I could not pass on the polish with name Corny! LOL! Gorgeous color is bonus. On the site, this color is described as a brick red, but to me it is more like a rusty brown, or milk chocolate and caramel - so warm and yummy, super pretty especially at this time of the year. Not sure where the name ties in, but definitely does not evoke image of the corn...
This is three step gel, and requires gel base coat, and gel top coat. on the swatch above, I am wearing 3 coats of the color.
Please feel free to use my discount code SANJA30 to save at Madam Glam.
I wanted to keep with the harvest theme, and I searched my plates for appropriate images for this collection.
I found image that had corn in it on Dixie Plates - Thanksgiving. Zig-zag image is also from the same plate.
For stamping, I used Mini Mani Moo - Gold stamping polish.
I finished this with the glossy top coat, but this color (and all the colors from the collection I received), looks amazing matte.
I included a matte photo, so you don't need to trust my word here. LOL!
I hope you like this one as much as I did.
​Cheers!

Next one in my animalistic menagerie is a super rare, very elusive - Rainbow snake. If I learned one thing, it is if you see the snake with bright colored diamonds, run as fast as your legs can take you! Why? Chances are - they are poisonous...
I love bright and saturated and just plain fun polishes, and one of those is Glisten & Glow - Young Wild and Pink, done in collaboration with Young Wild and Polished and Different Dimension.

This is such a happy color - girly pink with contrasting blue shimmers, and is bit brighter in person. It is such an mood lifter especially in a grey days of the late Autumn and Winter...
It was on the sheer side, and on the swatch above, I am wearing 3 coats and no top coat.
This was a perfect opportunity to use my new Maniology - MXM018.

This was the second plate in last month's Mani X Me Express kit I am subscribed to. You are more than welcome to use my discount code SANJA10 to save at Maniology.
This plate has some cold blooded, reptilian images, and I used couple of them.
Decided to go colorful, and I used quite a few different stamping polishes for this look, but in the end, I loved how it came about.
Luckily, on our hemisphere, colder months are upon us, and we do not have to worry about any snakes, thanks heavens.
Have a wonderful day.
Cheers!

Living in the valley, surrounded by the mountains sometimes means that you see the fair amount of grey clouds. These days, most of them produce some kind of drizzle, and as long as it is liquid, I have no problem with it.
Unfortunately, as temperatures get cooler by the day, we might expect something much more solid pretty soon - personally, I think that white stuff should keep at the top of the mountain... just saying...
Even though I used a pretty dark base, this is a happy manicure. I needed a darker base so my bright gum boots and umbrella would pop out. It is so much fun to skip through the puddles in bright colored gum boots, that will keep your feet dry and warm.
As a base, I used Enchanted Polish - January 2014.

I adore the midnight blue and that ultra holo finish. Polish itself is super opaque, and you would get a full coverage in one smooth coat! Loving the one coat wonders. It also stamps, had to try it out.
All images I used are on Maniolgy + de_briz - BM-XL215.

I love buffet style of the plates, and this one is super cute. It has all four seasons here, and I can see myself using it quite a bit in the future. As always, you can use my discount code SANJA10 to save when shopping at Maniology. 
First, I stamped rain drops using old Avon - Metallic Blue, and clouds are stamped with Clear Jelly Stamper - 007 stamping polish.
Then using different polishes to pick up the image and to color it in, I applied decals over the rainy images to brighten it up. 
​All was topped with glossy top coat.
Wishing you sunshine all the way.
Cheers.

Today is Remembrance Day here in Canada, and is also known as Veteran's Day in some other parts of the world.
Red poppies pins are worn on the collars, and I did a red poppy manicure, but in a very saddle way. Actually, I worn this manicure most part of the last week, and what I liked the most, was the fact that it was not in your face, but very elegant.
As a base, I used Picture Polish - Nemesis.

I adore everything about this polish! Nemesis is so deliciously creamy, applies so smooth, it is very opaque and on the swatch above, I am wearing 2 coats and no top coat. Did I mentioned that I love this color, and added multi chrome shift is a bonus, as well as that holographic sparkle!
I could wear this one every day.
I used the image from Maniology + Paulinaspassions - BM- XL216 stamping plate.
For stamping, I used Hit the Bottle - Magna Opus, multichrome stamping polish that was Polish Pickup exclusive. Absolutely in love with this color combo.
Considering that is the Stat, I will have some extra rest, and time to do choir or two that I was putting off for a while...
To all of you I am sending warm hugs.
Cheers!

With the days being shorter every day, and nightfall is so quick, I needed something bright, and it was time for me to reach into my neons, and I picked brightest color I could see in my untired caddy...
Today's pick was Color Club - One Love.

Have to admit that my swatch is not color accurate. This baby was almost glowing in person.
It is very aptly named, fully opaque in one creamy coat without any white "undies". Just because camera will pick up any flaws in application, I added one more thin coat to even it all out, and be on the safe side.
While making this manicure, I discovered that I have many tiger images- just head or almost whole body - but none of the leopard full animal images. When I came across this head image, that was it - it could pass for the leopard, and that was good enough for me.
Image is on XY-S07 plate I got ages ago from Ali Express. First, I stamped with Avon - Metallic purple, but I did not think that there is enough of the contrast, so I picked up my new favourite stamping color by Maniology - Red Sea.
I used the same stamping polish to pick up image from Maniology - MXM017 stamping plate that was in my Mani X Me Express kit I am subscribed to.
I am pretty excited to get my November kit, especially now when I am getting caught up with some of my previous purchases... To save at Maniology site, use my code SANJA10.
This was just fine as is, but in the same time a little bit boring, so using the dotting tool, I added some randomly placed lighter spots using Painted Polish by Lexi - Stamped in Sand.
On my pinky, I added a two coats of Blackheart Beauty - Rose Gold Stargazer.
There had to be little bit of sparkle here. 
Have an amazing weekend.
Cheers!

It always amazes me how small world become, in this age of internet and social media.
This is also a world that introduced me to really amazing woman, my bestie Sharon IG@sharnailstar.
Always generous and supportive, she was my rock to lean on in really difficult time that I went through two years ago. We may live miles apart, in a different countries, but one day, we will get together, and then we will rock this planet. LOL!
I tried so hard to channel my inner Sharon, but she was very shy, and all I got was Sanja. LOL! I better stop with my cheezie joke attempts and concentrate on my manicure.
Good thing that I have a day job, or I would be a one starving comedian...
Thing is, Sharon is master of layers, she would stamp layers and mix them up, that some days I have to stop and think how the heck she done it.
I did a layers myself here.
First I stamped a gradient using Clear Jelly Stamper x Taliasnailtales - CjS LC-13 plate and using L'Oréal - French Riviera (it would be so nice to be there now), and Color Club Laquer - Age of Aquarius.
My second stamped layer was one from the Maniology x YaGala - BM-XL208, and that image reminded me of fan brush. Stamping polish used here was Kaleidoscope - Turquoise.
Next step was double stamping the image from Lina - Twirls & Swirls 01, using Born Pretty - Black and Winstonia - Silver Bullet.
It is special occasion, so I added some glitters on my ring finger and thumb, and glitter is by Blackheart Beauty - Meteor Shower. On the ring finger, over the glitter I stamped some balloons using Turquoise, then Happy Birthday with Black and Hit the Bottle - Snowed in. Those images are on MoYou London - Happy Birthday - 02.
Phew! I just got some good finger exercise just typing all the stuff I used here.
All I want now is to wish a happiest birthday to my bestie.
Cheers!

I love a good crème polishes, and one I am wearing here is fantastic.
Love everything about it: Brilliant color, smooth application, creamy formula and the fact that is was fully opaque in one smooth coat.
Polish I am wearing today is Girly Bits Cosmetics - Petal to the metal.

Girly Bits Cosmetics is Canadian Indie maker, and I do have few polishes from them. This is not the newest shade, but I love intense colors like this, so it is perfect for me.
Even though it was opaque in one coat, I am wearing two coats and no top coat on the swatch.
On my index finger I added another Girly Bits Cosmetics shade - On the nice list - last year Black Friday gift with purchase. Love that sparkly polish, but I though it was not the best choice for this manicure.
All images are on Clear Jelly Stamper - CjS-135 stamping plate with loads of layering images. I wore the images from this plate few times already, and I just couldn't resist this cute little racoon, especially with the Little Bandit lettering.
As you can clearly see, I had so much fun adding layer upon layer here. I used about 10 different stamping polishes, and I will not really name them all. 
I hope you will like this manicure as much I did. I wore it to work for few days, and had to smile every time I would look at my nails.
Have an amazing day folks, as weekend is around the corner. Yay!
​Cheers!

I love Autumnal manicures so much, I have another one here for you.
What I love the most about the season is the riot of color. Burned out, tired leaves of the Summer, become this flaming, bursting with color kind - like a last hoorah before they slowly fall down into the rustling, crunchy carpet with that earthy aroma.
This is what I wanted you to see, feel and smell here...
Naturally, all started with the smell of the nail polish, and as I base I used Painted Polish by Lexi - Catching the Canal. 

This is another Polish Pickup exclusive. Beautiful multicolored flakies in periwinkle crelly base.
so pretty. Lexi makes the best crellies.
Image I used is on Uber Chic - Lovely Leaves 3 stamping plate. 

I was late in purchasing this one last year, and did not got much use, as Christmas was right there, so I wanted to have as much use as I could this year.
I used more stamping polish than you thought is possible for such an simple manicure, but here is the list: Esmaltes da Kelly - Dolly;  Hit the Bottle - Orange you excited?, Drop Red Gorgeous and It Mossed be Love; Maniology - Sequoia (use code SANJA10 to save at Maniology).
Have and amazing day, and if there are still some leaves where you live, just stop for the moment, look at amazing trees around you, take a deep lungful of natural cycle of life that is happening around you every year. Isn't it amazing how we take for granted all the beauty around us. Today's lifestyle just made us run like a hamster on the wheel. That my friends is our reality.
This is all from me for today.
Cheers!