Feminine and Fabulous: Pretty Jelly Roseate

Hey everybody!  I have such a lovely polish to show you today.  I recently placed a Mother's Day sale order with Pretty Jelly, one of my very favorite indie brands, and got three lovely new holos from the Spring/Summer collection.  I was going to post all of them together, but they are too gorgeous to simply lump together into one post.  So today I will start with an exquisite shade...with a heavy dash of awesome...Roseate.

"Roseate: rose-colored / optimistic"

One reason Liz of Pretty Jelly is one of my very favorite polish designers is because she names her polishes the most wonderfully intellectual names.  You simply can't imagine a Pretty Jelly polish called "Vulture Vomit" or "My Real Name is Mrs. Clooney".  Another reason is because I love Every.Single.Thing she makes!! :/  Roseate is even lovelier than I thought it would be: a delicious pinky-rosy-nude that plays office nicely but explodes in the sunlight.  I'm serious.  It looks like a very well-behaved neutral, but pass by a window, and your secret's out! :)

I'm sorry...is it just me, or is this divine? :)  I'm not usually one to brag about something looking good on me, but I absolutely LOVE Roseate on me.  It seems to have been designed for my skin tone.  And that gorgeous holo flash! <3  I used two coats, and as with other Pretty Jelly holos, did not need to do anything special for the application.

Do you love Roseate as much as I do?  Roseate and other beautiful polishes can be purchased on Etsy.  But be forewarned:  Liz doesn't make anything that isn't stunning. :)  Stay tuned for more holo goodness later here in my Reverie!!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a lovely day! <3

My First A-England: Briar Rose

Hey everybody!  I hope you're doing well this week.  Well, as the title of this post suggests, I've finally acquired my very first A-England polish.  After months of going back and forth about which one I wanted as my inaugural A England experience, I chose the one I had a feeling it would be all along...Briar Rose, from the Burne-Jones Dream collection.

I'm not going to repeat what you've read about this polish a hundred times already...about how striking it is, how strong and dense the scattered holo effect is, how easy it is to apply.  Nah, I'm not going to bore you with all that. :)  Instead, I'll tell you about the other things I like!  

First off, I adore Pre-Raphaelite art.  I've always related to those sad-eyed, juicy-bodied maids of old.  My 1998 (back when all you guys were about 3) calendar was an Edward Burne-Jones calendar that contained one of the paintings from whence came this collection's inspiration, The Rose Bower.

Other reasons I love this polish, in no particular order:

1.  I love Sleeping Beauty...well, particularly Maleficent, but Aurora was pretty nice too.

2.  You can't make a mistake with this!  Very helpful for somebody so clumsy that she just smashed her elbow whilst putting clothes in the dryer.

3.  It's that color that sucks me in every time...a metallic, slightly wine rose.

4.  A-England is just a cool brand.  I mean, I love the Camelot legends, AND I have John William Waterhouse's The Lady of Shallot over my bed (you'll see that one on my wish list)!??!!

5.  The best reason of all:  this polish looks dusty.  Like it's literally covered in dust.  Magic dust.  It gives it such an antiquated feel.  It makes you want to break out the heirloom jewelry...

...or at least the 10-year old jewelry that was designed to look antiquated. :P

So my first experience with A-England was a marvelous one.  The legends are true.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a lovely day! <3

China Glaze City Flourish: What a Pansy and Strike a Rose

Hey everybody!  I have returned after a 2-week long hiatus, during which time I was house sitting for my traveling sister, AND I broke four (4) nails.  And I can't stand my nails short.  I think they make my fingers look like little bratwursts.  Oh well...last time I checked, I loved me some sausage.  So I'll  have to make the best of things whilst Duri Rejuvacote works its magic. <3

You all know I love winter.  I hate to see spring coming.  Our spring lasts approximately 47 minutes, and then it's summer for the next 10 months. Sigh.  I do like spring polish collections though...not as much as I do winter ones (i.e. vampy), but they are usually pretty, eye-pleasing colors.  Today I have 2 picks from the City Flourish collection by China Glaze, a floral-inspired (and named) group of pastels.

The first one was hand-picked by my number one polish shopping buddy, my dear hubby.  And he picked it because he loved the name...What a Pansy.

What a Pansy is a periwinkle creme that is more purple than blue.  It also looks a touch dustier in real life than the pics.  This polish had a strange formula...the first coat went on very patchy and thin, so I applied the second coat a bit heavier, and it just sort of sat there and didn't level on its own.  But I will say my top coat did level out the unevenness of the polish.  What a Pansy is pretty shiny too, and I like the color a lot...very feminine, yet a bit edgy. :)

My other pick from City Flourish is Strike a Rose.  "What?" you ask..."an indecisive pinky-coral shade that you always find so offensive?"  Uh...look!  Pictures!!

I can't help myself.  This is SO pretty.  Strike a Rose is...yep...a dark rose pink with a lovely subtle shimmer.  It really is mostly rose with just a *speck* of coral, so I guess it's really NOT that color I hate.  Whew.  I feel so much better. :P  The formula on this one was good, and I used two coats with no issues.

Blasted little shorties! :(

The City Flourish collection is made up of 12 really pretty pastel shades.  I have read that some people had a lot of trouble with the formulas.  While What a Pansy was a little troublesome at first, it didn't behave too horribly for me.  Overall, I liked both of these quite a bit and sort of wish I'd picked up the mustard-esque yellow and lime green ones.  Do I need my head examined?? :)

Thanks for stopping by, and thank you for sticking with me while my nails grow long again. :P

The Cheapskate Files: Essie All Tied Up

Hey everybody!  It's a pretty exciting day for me...we are actually getting to experience a little part of the massive cold front that's currently affecting the country.  I'm not sweating!! :)

When I was on vacation last month, I managed to snag several bottles of my favorite type of polish:  cheap. :D  Oh...I shouldn't say "cheap"...it sounds so...cheap.  How about calling it "polishes I found at an excellent price"?  Yes...much better.  I found a bottle of Essie All Tied Up, from their Summer 2012 collection, for something like $3 at TJ Maxx.  I can honestly say that I don't own anything even close to this color!

Essie's website describes All Tied Up like this:  "this rustic bronze with subtle golden shimmer glistens with a restrained, yet warm and sensuous charm that will leave him totally tongue-tied."  Well now that's different.  Not only would I not call this color "bronze", but for some reason I'm never thinking of how I can render some guy speechless with my manicure.  For somebody who loves vampy shades, I'm more like Goldilocks. :D

I would personally describe All Tied Up as a medium rosy terracotta.  How's that for a description?  Hey, it's better than bronze! :)  It does have a lovely golden shimmer.  I love shimmer! <3

I used 2 coats of All Tied Up for the photos...then my camera got all upset upon seeing me wearing a color that hailed from the Orange-esque Dynasty and paid me back by portraying me as Wilbur the Pig.  You'll have to trust me when I say that I still look my regular color in person. :)

Let's talk formula...oh Essie, WHY can't you make everything like this one?  It was just perfect...creamy and easy to apply.  And it really is a lovely color.  It's just that my camera and I aren't used to seeing me like this.  It's a sort of "not-very-me" neutral. 

Bonus Points if you can spot what's wrong with this pic!!! :)

So...how about that?  I'm wearing ALL kinds of new things!:)  Do you have a color like this one?  What color does it turn your skin?  And most importantly, SHOULD nail polish be considered a lethal weapon against a man?? :)

Thanks for stopping by, and have a lovely day! <3

Understated Elegance: China Glaze Strike Up a Cosmo

Hey everybody!  How has your weekend been?  Mine was good...my sister is a volunteer at the county animal shelter, and yesterday she and I took a sweet little dog on a three and a half hour road trip to go live with his new owner.  Nick, a Miniature Pinscher mix, was an adorable boy, but my goodness, did that little dude ever smell bad.  He hadn't gotten a bath since he'd been at the shelter...Melanie and I were dying laughing because it was so bad.  I never thought a car ride with a thoroughly smelly pooch could be so hilarious. :D

But on a MUCH more elegant note, today I have a polish from the China Glaze Autumn Nights collection that has completely stolen my foil-loving heart.  I pretty much fell in love with the whole Autumn Nights collection, but one of my favorites was Strike Up a Cosmo, a gorgeous, golden lavender-pink.

Look at that beautiful rose gold color!  UGH, I love this.  It sparkles and glistens and looks ever so Christmas party-ish. :)

I used 2 effortless coats for the photos...true to typical foil application, you pretty much can't mess this one up.  What a huge plus this always is in my world of kindergarten paint jobs. :D

This polish reminds me so much of the holiday season...I think it's the faint resemblance to sugar plums or something Victorian.  Uh, does anybody know what I'm talking about, or do I just need some cocoa and a good night's sleep? :P  

See?  Look!  Strike Up a Cosmo is all ready for the punch and presents!  Wow...I hadn't realized I was THIS ready for Christmas season...

And I have a question for you all:  I have read that so many people just detested the Autumn Nights collection, but I am crazy about it.  Am I in the minority?  Becoming unfashionable?  Reading the wrong blogs?  Wait...I guess that was technically three questions, huh...

Thanks for stopping by, and have a lovely evening! 

Texture, Italian Style: Layla Softouch Effect

Hey everybody!  I hope you're having a wonderful weekend.  Today I am featuring a brand of polish that I really love, Layla.  Layla is an Italian brand (I bet you figured that out from the post title) that, until recently, has been available in Ulta stores.  But alas, Layla has now gone the way of the dodo as far as Ulta's carrying it anymore.  When I discovered this, I picked up no less than a dozen at half price for my collection! :D

Layla introduced a line of textured polishes called Softouch Effect ALL the way back in 2012, before everybody else introduced theirs.  There are different types of finishes within the Softouch Effect line.  I've got four to show you today.  Molto bella!

First up is Layla Softouch Effect #5, also known as Cherry Diva.

#5 Cherry Diva is a deep rose with a hint of peach.  It has a fantastically serious gold shimmer and a suede finish.  This one has a wonderful application and is very easy to work with...quite the opposite of a diva. :)  The photos show 3 coats of #5 Cherry Diva and no top coat.  Can you tell it loves the camera? ;)  This is one gorgeous polish...and yep, I don't own anything else like it.

Next I have Layla Softouch Effect #3, also known as Stone.

How unusual is this one?  #3 Stone is a grey with a hint of taupe and a lavender shimmer.  It dries to a soft, velvety finish.  I used 2 coats for the photos and no top coat.  The formula on #3 Stone is a little thin, but it's still easy to work with and any cleanup required pretty much just flecks right off. 

Third on today's feature is the vampy side of Layla, #8 Fire It Up.

 

  

It's a four alarm fire!!  Look at that red!  #8 Fire It Up is BOLD and bright, and in real life it looks slightly more the color of tomato paste.  Bollente!!  This one dries to a matte satin finish...but *danger, Will Robinson!!*...you CAN make a mess with Fire It Up.  I used 3 coats and still had my trademark visible nail line, but I promise you won't. :)

My last Softouch Effect today is both textured and neon!  Feast your eyes on #4, also known as Neon Pink.

 

Such a beautiful pink!  Yes PINK!!  Seriously, this is so pretty.  #4 Neon Pink has an intense silver shimmer and an ever-so-slight blue undertone.  And sure enough, there's the VNL after 3 coats, but you all have pretty much stopped paying attention to that, right?  Good.  This one dries not as satin matte as Fire It Up but not as suede as Cherry Diva.  Uhhh...what would that be?  Polyester?  Heh heh...

If you hurry, and by that I mean get your purse right NOW and head to Ulta, you could still possibly find one of these beauties on the clearance shelf.  But if you prefer to point and click your way into nail polish heaven, Layla polishes can be found in limited quantities on Ebay and Amazon.  But Ninja Polish is your best bet for selection.  Layla is good stuff, and I'm really disappointed that my second home Ulta isn't going to carry the brand anymore. :(

Do you like any of these color/finishes?  Do you have many/any Layla Softouch Effect polishes?  And have you all figured out yet why I love pink??  GRRR!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a lovely day! :)

Because I'm Fancy: China Glaze Dress Me Up and Luxe and Lush

Hey everybody! :)  I don't get excited about movies very often.  But it seems like the ones I do get excited about are always the ones for which somebody makes a corresponding nail polish collection, like Alice in Wonderland and Oz the Great and Powerful.  Oh, and I was really excited about Rise of the Planet of the Apes, but I suppose "Orangutan Orange" would have been a bit much.  Anyway, I recently saw the new trailer for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and OH yes...I can't wait for that one. :D  It made me want to revisit some of the polishes from China Glaze's Capitol Colours Collection that came out in conjunction with The Hunger Games.

In my opinion, China Glaze Dress Me Up was the real standout of that collection.

China Glaze Dress Me Up

Dress Me Up is what I call "my kind of neutral."  I can't wear cream-colored polish, and most neutrals look dreadful on me.  Since my hands are white, I need something with a neutral feel but a bit darker, and Dress Me Up fits the bill perfectly.  And it just so happens that I love to dress up. :) Heh heh...

China Glaze Luxe and Lush

For my accent and thumb nails, I used a coat of China Glaze Luxe and Lush, also from the Capitol Colours Collection.  It's a gorgeous, fiery flakie topcoat that I have worn numerous times in a little thing called a jelly sandwich.

China Glaze Dress Me Up and Luxe and Lush

The formula on Dress Me Up is so surprising...it's a creme, but oddly enough, I have no problems with it at all.  Cremes would have to be my least favorite polishes because I always make a hearty mess out of them.  Dress Me Up applies so well that I have no cleanup.  Amazing!!  

The color of Dress Me Up is very unusual too.  Are any of you familiar with rose-flavored foods?  I LOVE rose-flavored foods, especially rose Turkish Delight.  Well, I would describe the color of Dress Me Up as rose-flavored cocoa.  Oh my WORD that sounds delicious!!

The Capital Colours Collection was a good one.  I have 2 more polishes from it, and they're beautiful as well.  But Dress Me Up is still my favorite because I love, love, LOVE the rosy oddness of it. 

What's your favorite neutral? :)

Thanks for stopping by, and have a lovely Friday!