Monday, October 31, 2011

Moonlight Masquerade

Hello ladies,

I hope you are all enjoying the festivities of Halloween! Last weekend, my sister and I read Tarot at a costume ball set in the haunted Mt. Holly Library in New Jersey. The spooky decor helped transform the library into a place fit for spirits of the night. 


Day of the Dead

I adore the crystal skull vase! 

I love these spooky vignettes.

Bemused glitter skeleton and smiling pumpkins.

Doesn't the piano look like it will start playing itself? 

The Medusa Lisa

Behold her snake eyes!


A frightful silhouette!


Probably better she isn't looking. 


A haunting portrait...


Becomes even creepier!
























































































You can take a peek at last year's Moonlight Masquerade as well.

Happy painting, ladies!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Health and Whimsy: The need for speed

Hello ladies,

This Tuesday, I began posting a food diary throughout the day on Twitter. Adding a tweet for three meals plus snacks has been making some ladies reading my timeline crave healthy foods! Consider yourself warned.

For dinner, I tend to make a vegetarian stir fries. If you are an omnivore, it would be simple to replace any of the soy products with chicken, beef or seafood. The majority of the dishes work well over rice or pasta. I'm not advocating an exact meal plan, but rather showcasing what's being prepared in my own kitchen with foods I enjoy.


A fellow veggie lover.



























This past weekend, I took a scenic walk in Smithville Park with my friend Judy. She's also doing a health and fitness series on her blog, BeautyJudy.  We had a great time exploring the park and sharing our experiences about diet and fitness. The blue heron on the lake watched us walk across the floating bridge. A murder of crows filled the trees near the creek. They were an incessantly chatty group, filling the air with their caws!

I was struck by the difference in walking through Smithville than my usual route along the Schuylkill River. We saw an elderly couple, alternately using their walking poles and holding hands. There were locals about walking dogs and several people on solitary outings in the woods.

While there are people of varying fitness levels enjoying the Schuylkill River path, there is a concentration of seasoned joggers and cyclists, along with college and professional athletes. While this is often inspiring, it also can foster surprising instances of competition. It can be challenging when other people on the path are not wholly aware or comfortable with their current fitness levels.

Since I have been power walking for almost a month, I've been able to build my strength and increase my pace over time. I had an instance with a woman who must have parked in a nearby lot and ran by me pushing an all terrain stroller. I have total respect for her efforts. It is challenging enough to exercise without involving a baby and the weight/resistance of the stroller.

I caught up to her quickly without any extra effort as her run/walk pace with the stroller was understandably slower than my fast walking. I smiled and politely made an effort to pass her and was going to say something encouraging. She saw me and immediately took off running with her baby. Again, I caught up with her. The third time, she turned around and saw me coming and ran before I could start moving to the left to pass. This absurd dance continued for over a mile until she finally moved off to the side and checked on her infant. Afterwards, she continued on behind me at a growing distance. That is going to be one competitive baby!

I had a similar experience with a big man and a small, fluffy-bottomed dog. On this occasion, the dog was the one who kept turning around. I guess it's hard for a man when a woman walks faster than he can run/walk. I think he would have abandoned all such pretense when he acquired the fluffy bottomed dog, who was quite cute and as white as a marshmallow.

The lesson of these situations is not to let anyone else dictate your pace when you exercise. If someone decides they feel the need for speed over courtesy, they may end up finding you are faster. This isn't to say I am the fastest walker! I am doing well, but I have lots of potential for growth. A grey haired lady in her 50s sped by me in her marathon race walking t-shirt. She was wearing the same sneakers as me. Though I only saw the back of her for about a minute, she's my hero.

For those of you ladies, who like stats: This past week, I lost three pounds. This makes eight pounds for the month of October and 14 total pounds lost since September 1st. 


Behaviors that helped this week:

  • Working out a grocery shopping schedule. I found if I pick up staple items (soy products, tempeh, cheese, yogurt, cereal, nuts and can goods) at Trader Joe's and buy my produce from the Korean grocery, it's the most economical and convenient arrangement available.   
  • Packing an assortment of healthy foods when traveling. I visited with my sister this weekend and her family eats differently than I do. I brought dried fruit, peanut butter granola bars, cheddar soy crisps and barbecue flavored almonds. 
  • Making a plan for fitness with a like minded friend. It's a great way to spend time with people in your life while committing to your goals. 
  • Adding distance to my walking program so that my time each session is a solid hour. 
  • Posting my meal plans on Twitter. It definitely has kept me focused on variety and interest in my eating choices. 
  • Incorporating more fruit into my diet. 





Goals for next week:

  • Organize my kitchen storage. I want my assortment of teas and cooking herbs to be easy to access. 
  • Finish getting all of my home fitness accessories in one place. This was on last week's list, but I didn't have the time I needed to devote to completing the project. 
  • Add a daily fiber supplement. When changing dietary habits, I feel it's healthful to be assisting the digestive system. 
  • Make my walk a meditation. I've reached a comfort level where I can move from attentive focus to a more diffuse awareness of my form and speed. I want to work on using the hour for positive thinking. It may be as simple as thinking about nail art designs or extend to deeper subjects. 
  • Home fragrance. I have a large assortment of herbal incense and scented candles along with an oil burner. I need to make use of these lovely scented products every day. It's great for relaxation and quality of life. 

How has your week been going? Do you have any health related progress, concerns or ideas to share?

*Health and Whimsy is designed to be a journal of my personal experience. Please consult with your doctor before making changes to your health plan. 

Happy painting, ladies! 






Thursday, October 20, 2011

Health and Whimsy: A new weekly feature

Hello ladies,

Welcome to the new weekly feature at Painted Lady Fingers: Health and Whimsy. I have been working on restructuring my diet and fitness routine since the beginning of September. Pleased with the results, I thought it would be beneficial to check in once a week and share my progress. 

The focus of Health and Whimsy is going to be about presenting ideas for healthy living and sharing my regimen with you. I'll be detailing behaviors that have helped me keep focused over the past week along with goals for the coming week and month. I also welcome feedback and suggestions based on what you would like to see discussed and what works for you. 

While Health and Whimsy is not specifically a weight loss journal, I am happy to disclose when I do lose weight or experience changes in my body based on adopting a more healthy way of life. I want to maintain a positive space where woman of every size and shape can feel open to comment about their health and well being. Science is proving that thinness does not necessarily equal fitness. My purpose in sharing will be primarily behavior based content, not honing in on numbers on the scale. I'm more interested in my strength and energy levels and overall good feeling. 

I'll also be addressing situations many of us face on the path to better health: what to do when people comment on your body, how to politely (or cheekily) shut down those who try to sabotage your efforts, how to deal with unnecessary competition, how to create and maintain a routine and how to connect with your motivation on days of indifference.




















My body has ranged from a size four to a size 16 over the past decade. While I am currently at the larger size of that spectrum, I maintain positive self esteem at whatever size I happen to be. I tend to gain weight when I am not exercising even while engaging in healthy eating habits. This past year especially has been challenging while helping my sister back down the road to health and deciding to end a long term romantic relationship. Recent health concerns have led me to make exercise a priority.

What initiated this particular phase of my journey was signals from my body at the end of August. I started developing a burning pain along the calf of my right leg, which was discovered to be a form of nerve damage. The sensation feels a bit like the flash burn of spilling hot tea on the skin. Sometimes the pain felt like the a rush of warmth, other times as hot as a fever. Thankfully, it is a condition that can be easily treated with good nutrition, additional vitamin supplements and regular exercise. The nerves will most likely repair themselves over time. Since adhering to a walking program six days a week, I have had very few occurrences. I feel confident my body is healing itself and I am thankful the solution was something easily within my control to fix.

During the month of September, I worked on refining my eating plan. I am a ovo-lacto vegetarian, which means I don't consume animal products other than eggs or dairy. My diet was healthy to start, but I focused on cooking more and having an abundance of fruits and vegetables in my fridge. I also used measuring cups to help make sure I was consuming proper serving sizes. Just by making small changes, I lost six pounds.

I felt it best to devote a month to fine tuning my diet before increasing my exercise levels. For me, it's easier to form a routine and make changes over time. My body seems to adjust better and I feel more encouraged as my energy levels increase. I began power walking at the beginning of October and have been slowly increasing my speed and endurance. The first week was exhausting, but as my body became accustomed to regular cardio, I looked forward to walking almost every day. So far this month, I am down five more pounds.

I will admit that walking along the river can be entertaining. My neighbor, Cate, and her schnauzer have kept me company on a few occasions. Sophie, my personal trainer in canine form, likes to pull forward up the hill by the museum and look back at us with pure insistence. Today, while on my own, I suddenly was surrounded by about 50 shirtless guys from the La Salle Rowing Team, jogging by en masse.


Behaviors that have been helpful:

  • Investing in exercise attire that fits well and coordinates. This doesn't have to be expensive. I went to Franklin Mills, a local outlet mall, with my friends Lisa and Sarada. The Nike Factory Store sells walking sneakers that are priced at $20 less than the website. Sarada quipped that she was looking for comfortable knitting sneakers. The entire Old Navy was promoting an additional 40% all purchases. While I understand the idea of not feeling the need to dress up for athletics, I find value in dressing in a way that helps me feel attractive. 
  • Cooking with fresh produce. I made an omelette yesterday with mushrooms, avocado, extra sharp cheddar and French herbs. Simple to prepare, it tasted like a restaurant brunch offering. 
  • Keeping my fridge stocked with healthy options. I have little interest in take out when everything I need to cook is at hand. 
  • Starting a walking program. I do best when I have an easy to follow exercise plan. For me, that entails power walking six days a week. 
  • Incidental exercise. I live in a city environment, which necessitates a lot of walking. It's not uncommon for me to walk 20 blocks one way to go see a movie. Every grocery bag is carried from the store for three to ten blocks and up two flights of stairs to my apartment. 


Goals over the next month:

  • Adjust sleeping schedule so that I can start exercise earlier in the day. 
  • Continue working up to a 15 minute mile pace. 
  • Put together a routine for daily stretching. I know basic stretches, but I feel it's useful to do some focused stretching based on where my body feels tight. 


Goals for the next week:

  • Eat fruit daily. Bananas are especially helpful because they provide natural pain relief for sore muscles. 
  • Stop by the farmer's market. 
  • Organize exercise videos and fitness accessories (weights, yoga mats) so everything is easily accessible. This will require a bit of wrangling from my four closets and various cabinets. My goal here is to have an easy back up plan if the weather is inclement. 
  • Slightly extend walking route. Because my speed has increased, I am finishing my walk each day in about 55 minutes instead of an hour. I would like to cover more distance and keep my schedule to an hour, six times a week. 
I hope you enjoyed the first installment of Health and Whimsy. Look for this feature once a week on either Thursday or Friday. 

Have any of you ladies started a health and fitness regime lately? Are you feeling like you need to re-focus on health and exercise or have you developed a comfortable routine? What activities do you enjoy?  


Happy painting, ladies!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Festooned with Ribbons: Diamond Cosmetics Head over Teals

Hello ladies,

Today my nails are festooned with ribbons! I thought yellow and blue would be a cheerful pairing for a sun filled day.

Beginning with Head over Teals as the base, I formed a line down the center of each nail with a white Art Club striper. I used nail glue to adhere pale yellow bows from Born Pretty Store. Composed of silica gel, the bows have a soft texture that requires nail glue for secure adhesion. I bejeweled the stripe with assorted golden pearls and topaz gems. 









Head Over Teals is a creme formula with turquoise glitter. In bright sun, this polish appears closer to turquoise, leaning more toward teal in diffuse light. The glitter presents a disco of flash in the bottle, but is more subtle on the nail. While I tend to prefer glitter in a jelly formula, Diamond Cosmetics did a good job mixing a creme polish with a compatible glitter. Using a thick top coat, there is a pretty sparkle and the polish appears smooth on the nail. I am showing two coats. 

I hope my ribbons and jewels brightened your day! 

Products mentioned were sent to me for review. Part of the Fall 2011 Collection, Head Over Teals can be purchased in the US at diamondcosmetics.com. For international residents, check in with boozyshop.nl for availability. 

Happy painting, ladies!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

New Color Club Fractured Shades!

Hello ladies,

Color Club has really been having a tremendous year! I really adore their Fractured line and am looking forward to working with these four new shades. I have to mention that Do You Want A Piece? is one my favorite polish names of all time. So cheeky!  

This past weekend I was shopping in Five Below with my friends Lisa and Sarada. They both purchased the Funky Fingers brand version of The Great Divide. Funky Fingers is also produced by Forsythe. If you have any difficulties finding Color Club locally, there is some crossover between brands. The Great Divide is absolutely gorgeous! I'm most looking forward to that shade of the four. 

Burgundy Burst looks like a lovely shade for autumn. I'm excited to see it layered on the nail. 

What do you ladies think of these colors? Are any beckoning to you? 

Below is the press release information:

New York, NY: October 2011. From New York based veteran nail polish brand, Color Club, are four shades that BREAK the mold. Do You Want A Piece?, Burgundy Burst, Explosion and The Great Divide. 

Look out for these brand new Color Club Fractured shades coming soon on shopcolorclub.com and also in stores at your local retailer. 

About Color Club: A favorite of celebrity manicurists and nail polish fans worldwide, Color Club is renowned for its high performance, rich shades and its exceptionally safe products.  From the brightest neons to glitter and French, all nail colors are vegan, Formaldehyde, Tolulene, DBP and paraben free; and made in New York, NY with the best raw materials. Color Club products are never tested on animals. Color Club is available in over 95 countries worldwide. 





Do You Want A Piece? 

























Burgundy Burst





Explosion





The Great Divide




Happy painting, ladies! 













Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Klorane: Soothing Eye Make-up Remover with Cornflower Water

Hello ladies,

For the past few weeks, I have been using Klorane Soothing Eye Make-up Remover with Cornflower Water each evening. This product does an impressive job of dissolving waterproof mascara and professional pigments. With its simultaneously hard working and gentle formula, this remover is a must try for those who enjoy creating dramatic eye looks. It is also worth having on hand for quick removal of mascara and eyeliner. The scent of this product is as pretty as a wildflower bouquet. 

By saturating the center of one cotton round with Soothing Eye Make-up Remover, I can whisk away the majority of pigments, liner, mascara and primer from both eyes. I typically require a second piece of cotton to remove any traces of fine cosmetic glitter. 

The performance of Soothing Eye Make-up Remover is remarkable. I appreciate how gently it works to return my eye area to a natural look, free of cosmetics. Even with sensitive eyes, I haven't experienced any redness or irritation. I absolutely love that the formula dissolves makeup with no scrubbing required. 

The product will leave a faint blue coloring on cotton. I find this beneficial because I can easily ascertain how much remover I am using without over-saturating the cotton. Having this guideline will help conserve product. 

Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover has a lovely botanical fragrance. I first became acquainted with the perfume of cornflowers through their appearance in floral scented loose leaf tea blends. The blue petals make a winsome addition to my teapot and are equally auspicious in a quality eye make up remover. 

Cornflower Water has a healing affect on the eye area. With natural astringent, antibacterial and antioxidant properties, cornflower calms inflamed skin and guards against infection. 

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Poloxamer 184, Hexylene Glycol, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Acid Blue 3 (CI 42051). Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Trisodium EDTA. 

If you are searching for a professional quality remover that dissolves even the boldest colors with ease, I can definitely recommend Klorane Soothing Eye Make-up Remover. It has quickly become my go to remover of choice.  

I purchased my bottle of  Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover locally at Beans Beauty. A 6.76 fluid ounce (200ml) container retails for approximately $15.95 USD. For more information about the brand, visit kloraneusa.com.  

Happy painting, ladies!


Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Burt's Bees: Orange Essence Facial Cleanser

Hello ladies,

Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser has been a staple in my fall and winter skin care routine for years. I rely on this cleanser to remove night creams in the morning and makeup and sunscreen in the evening. It's natural formula is hydrating and calming for my dry skin. This cleanser smells, quite blissfully, like orange marmalade.

























For those who have always wanted to try a natural oil cleanse, but prefer the ease of a traditional product, Orange Essence Facial Cleanser offers the perfect balance. The oil based formula has a gel consistency that is user friendly. The principle of cleansing the skin with plant oils, such as olive oil,  is the molecular structure is similar to the oils of the skin.

The natural oils in Orange Essence Facial Cleanser will dissolve excess facial oil and remove debris, makeup and pollution without stripping the way chemical surfactants can. Because of the blend of nourishing oils along with moisturizing glycerin, this product is definitely best suited for normal to dry skin. I find this cleanser a little too rich during humid Philadelphia summers; I use it regularly October through May.

I love how much this cleanser contributes to my skin's softness and hydration. I find my moisturizers work better when applied after washing with Orange Essence Facial Cleanser. It makes such a difference during cold weather when the skin's natural oils are in balance. Skin that has been overly cleansed will need extra moisture just to maintain adequate levels of hydration. I appreciate that this product can help my skin look and feel as supple in cold December as it does in temperate May.

The scent of this product is pure delight. It smells much like marmalade or the sticky filling in a fruit cookie.

Ingredients: Vegetable Glycerin, Olive Oil, Orange Oil, Oat Flour, Lanolin, Oat Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Vegetable Oil & Beta Carotene, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Quillaja Extract, Rosemary Leaf Oil.

Olive oil has been used as a cleanser since the time of the ancient Greeks. Olive oil is rich in essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6. It also contains flavenoid polyphenols, natural antioxidants that help prevent and heal free radical damage, which contributes to the signs of pre-mature aging.

Quillaja Sarponaria is also referred to as Soapbark Extract. Containing a wealth of saponins, this Chilean tree bark is a natural surfactant. Quillaja Extract cleanses while providing a protective moisture barrier for the skin.

For ladies with normal to dry skin, Orange Essence Facial Cleanser can be a useful ally in a maintaining a radiant complexion during the cooler weather. I have been a devoted user of this product for years and highly recommend it.

I purchased this product locally. Orange Essence Facial Cleanser is available at burtsbees.com. A 4.34 ounce (123 grams) tube retails for $8.00 USD.

Happy painting, ladies!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Diamond Cosmetics Fall Collection 2011 Preview (tell me your picks)

Hello ladies,

I am greatly anticipating the arrival of the Diamond Cosmetics Fall Collection. From the color dots, these shades appear to be a grouping of shimmer and pearl formulas.

Head over Teals, Plum-crazy for You and Love Letter are intriguing me the most. I am curious about Whisper Softly. I wonder if this shade will be similar to Seafoam Spray, one of my favorites.  

With so many other brands releasing cremes for fall, it's refreshing to see an entire grouping with sparkle. What do you ladies think of these shades? Do you have any early favorites from this collection?

















There is also a Halloween special with four glow in the dark glitter toppings plus a bottle of white to use as a base. These would be nice to hand out to your favorite Trick-or-Treaters. When I was a girl, my neighbor always had a tiny bottle of perfume or a sweet lip gloss to go in with my candy. I could understand how these polishes could be difficult to give away!





















The Fall Colletion and Halloween Special are currently available at diamondcosmetics.com. International residents should keep an eye on boozyshop.nl for purchasing.

Happy painting, ladies!

Monday, October 3, 2011

My little Mermaid kitty

Hello ladies,

I am happy to introduce the newest member of the Painted Lady Fingers' household: Mermaid! This sweet and playful kitty was rescued off the street by my friend Stacia from college. I offered to help my friend Drew place her in a good home in Center City. Once I saw her, I knew she was meant to live with me and my ragdoll cat, Fortune.

Mermaid has been with us for just over a week. She acquired her name because of an usual grey marking on her forehead that resembles the tail fin of a mermaid. She loves the bathtub and is fascinated by the sound of water emerging from the faucet. Like mermaids of myth and legend, she also adores collecting treasure. The area beneath the futon serves as her sea cave. There she keeps all of her trinkets. If her toys are missing, I have an idea where they have been assembled. Anything that catches her fancy can be found there. I once saw her trotting across the apartment with a dish glove.

Mermaid enjoys sharing food with me. Her favorite treat is rose petal jam on honey wheat bread. She also loves sweet potatoes, peanut butter with strawberry preserves, marinated tofu and garlicky marinara sauce with romano cheese.  She has no interest even in the best quality cat treats.


My name is Mermaid.

You are welcome to adore me.

The birds outside the window are making such delicious sounds .

I am the Queen of Sunbeams!

Can you see my mermaid's tail?

It looks a bit like what my dolphin friends have. 

With all this modeling

I must rest my cheekbones.








































































































































































I hope you all enjoyed Mermaid's introduction. Do your pets have any interesting food preferences or entertaining habits?

Happy painting, ladies!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Hello Kitty!: Color Club Nomadic in Nude & Foil Me Once

Hello ladies,

I decided to create a manicure devoted to perhaps the world's most popular feline: Hello Kitty. This is a playful and girly look. I wanted to put together an all over nail design that resembles wallpaper with our most beloved kitty aesthetic.

Beginning with Nomadic in Nude as the base, I used a size zero sable brush from the art supply store to paint the pink diagonal stripe. I sealed Nomadic in Nude with quick dry topcoat before creating the line with Foil Me Once. As the Foiled Collection polishes dry fast on their own, I was able to apply the Hello Kitty decals after striping all ten nails.

I used tweezers to position the decals. Since the adhesive is strong, I would advise planning your manicure before adding the Hello Kitty decoration. I secured pink and translucent gems, hearts, and bows along with pearls to embellish the diagonal lines of color.  




A friendly bee






I have worn Nomadic in Nude on four different occasions since the Back to Boho Collection arrived last month. The polish is a very pale beige with a grey undertone. Ladies with porcelain skin will find this shade in the range of a mannequin hands color, with the grey tint keeping it from being a true flesh tone (unless you are a zombie). 

In over two years of blogging, Nomadic in Nude has been one of the most remarked upon shades when I have been out enjoying the day. Application was perfect. If you are looking for a fashion forward neutral, I highly recommend Nomadic in Nude. 

I hope you enjoyed my Hello Kitty nail art and the sweet design brough some cheer to your day!

The products featured in this post were sent to me for review. The Color Club Back to Boho and Foiled Collections are available for purchase at victoriasnailsupply.com. You can visit the company site at cosmeticgroup.com


Happy painting, ladies! 


Born Pretty Store: Hello Kitty Nail Art Decal Stickers and 3D Flowers

Hello ladies,

When I was a little girl, I would visit the Hello Kitty store in the mall with my grandmother and come away with a little trinket. Even now, as an adult, seeing Hello Kitty brings instant delight to my day.  I'm excited to share my experience with the Hello Kitty Nail Art Decals from Born Pretty Store. These are sturdy, professional grade decals that lay flat and adhere well. Most importantly, they are adorable!

I also had the opportunity to try the 3D Pale Orange Flowers. These can be implemented to create a dramatic focal point in an elegant manicure. For those ladies who enjoy decorating tech items like cell phones and ipod cases, these flowers could certainly be used for such artistic endeavors. 


Four cute designs, one sheet per package.

10 packages of Hello Kitty Nail Art Decals

3D Pale Orange Flowers
















































































The Hello Kitty decals are sold in sets of 10. Each sleeve contains one sheet. I was amazed at the quantity offered for a little over $5 USD. I gave away several packages to eager friends. These would definitely be worth purchasing for holiday gifts.

Although these decals are slightly thicker than the usual drugstore variety, they conform beautifully to the nail. I used tweezers to apply them over dry polish.

I had no problem sealing them with top coat. The decals are completely colorfast and presented no issues of smearing or fading. There is a coating of fine glitter atop each decal that adds iridescent sparkle. Here is a post that showcases the Hello Kitty decals on my nails.

The 3D flowers are made from a sturdy resin. These will sit up high on the nail and will not conform to the nail shape. I think they would be best suited to decorate one or two nails on each hand. You will need to use nail glue for proper adhesion. I also layered a nail art sealer topcoat from Art Club across the top of the flower to provide extra security for the center rhinestone and sprinkling of glitter.

Even if your nail beds are curved, you can still work with the 3D flowers. A sealer topcoat will fill in any gaps along the sides and the nail glue will hold the flower in place for days. The flowers did not come off until I used the foil method and 100% acetone for removal. The foil method involves soaking a piece of white felt or cotton in acetone and wrapping a piece of tinfoil around the nail for about 5 minutes or until nail polish/glue dissolves.

The 3D flowers can be reusable. I would advise against prying the flowers off the nail. When removed with care, there should not be any damage to your nail beds.

For an example of the flowers on the nail, you can view my Sunlit Blossoms manicure. I am really interested in trying more of the 3D embellishments from Born Pretty Store. They make striking centerpieces for any formal nail look.

I really enjoyed working with the Hello Kitty Decals and 3D Pale Orange Flowers. Are you ladies interested in trying either of these items or is there something else from Born Pretty Store that is tempting you?

The Hello Kitty Nail Art Decals (item #1109) and the 3D Pale Orange Flowers (item #1397) were sent to me for review. These are available for purchase at bornprettystore.com. Through October 31st, you can use the code PLFK31 for 10% off your order.

Happy painting, ladies!