Nails of Gold

As any blogger knows, I can't do this job alone.  Luckily for me, my friends are great about texting, calling, and emailing nail "tips" to me all the time.  Giving credit where credit is due, my good friend Mikey called me after leaving the New Museum to tell me about real gold nails he saw there.  The inner Cleopatra in me (you know we all have one) went straight to the museum's website to investigate.  It seems that, in honor of MBFW, Dzine has set up a pop-up nail salon within the New Museum, in collaboration with Salon94 and The Standard Hotel.  How much swankier can you get?  For three Saturdays this month, museum goers can receive free nail designs courtesy of Dzine, in relation to Kustom Kulture.  While the mobile salon is already totally booked, you can score a set of gold nails to do at home - if you have an extra $250.    Dzine's Pinky Nails Edition includes a set of 40 totally unique 24 karat gold-plated nails, including wild 3-D designs and some gem-stones (available in New Museum Store and online.)  Maybe King Midas was on to something?  

images via

Fashion, Baby.

For those of you living under a rock (aka not in NYC) tomorrow begins FASHION WEEK.  I have mixed emotions about this bi-yearly event.  For starters, fall Fashion Week is always a little more intense than the spring week.  The trains become jammed with models, PR girls, and all kinds of fashion house lackeys which makes for fabulous people watching during my commute.  Lincoln Center transforms into every ballerina's worst nightmare - super-slim models prancing all over their turf.  The usually outrageous looks shown during Fashion Week, while tormenting to those who live on a teacher's salary, set the tone for the next season and inevitably spur knock-offs and budget looks at every corner (I'm talking to you, H&M.)  While the next week can be incredibly crowded, frustrating, and over-the-top, it is sort of fabulous to know that the rest of the country and the WORLD look to New York for what is in.  

In the world of fashion, the spring 2011 shows (which actually show clothes for the upcoming fall season) predicted big trends in nail art.  As far as predictions go, the runways were right on the money.  You can't turn your head without seeing fabulous nail art, crackle polish, and 3-D designs.  Nails are loud right now - which is fine by me.  Here are some looks from the spring shows:

  

Moon Mani's by Butter London and Ruffian, via

Funky French Manicures at Ruffian, The Blonds, and Jason Wu, via

If I were a betting woman, I would guess that these fall shows are going to give us a more tone-downed nail palate for spring.  I don't think nail art and funky polishes are going out the door, per se, but I do think a lot of designers are going to get back to the basics with rich jewel tones and clean neutrals.  One indicator - Jason Wu, now collaborating with OPI, is using the brand's neutral colors in his show on September 9.  Your guess is as good as mine, but here are a few standout shades from OPI that the designer du-jour may have selected:

Sweetheart

Mimosas for Mr. and Mrs.

And my personal favorite...

Skull and Glossbones

Time - and every newspaper I touch for the next 10 days - will tell the trends.  Here's to fashion, no matter how much (or little) you chose to participate in it.  

End of Summer Blues

September is here and I have to say, it's very bittersweet.  I have to admit, while autumn if by far my favorite season, it's always hard to let summer go.  It feels like just yesterday I was hitting the shore for Memorial Day, and now I'm packed and ready to celebrate Labor Day (what are we celebrating?)  In honor of the occasion, I applied a fresh coat of polish (obvi.)  Since so many of us are having a hard time saying farewell to summer, I chose blue (get it?)  I have seen too many shades of pastel blue, aqua, and teal all summer long.  While I love pastels and brights, I am ready for a change.  My go-to winter blue has been Russian Navy by OPI for the past two winters, and while I love it, I'm just not ready to take the plunge quite yet.  I picked up Royal by Revlon at Duane Reade today and it's just what the doctor ordered.  Not too bright, not a pastel, and not quite as vampy as a navy, this shade is the perfect way to  transition to a new season.  

Bonus - It dries in 60 seconds!! (for real)

Please excuse these budget photos of my nails.  Yes, those are my pink leopard pajama pants used as an unfashionable background.  Don't judge.

All That Glitters

Something about glitter nail polish screams FUN and FUN has been calling my name.  My original inspiration for this post comes from my girl Shanna Moakler (the former Mrs. Barker.)  Please don't act like you didn't watch Meet the Barkers, and I won't act like I don't search for it on Hulu and Amazon on a monthly basis - withdrawals I tell you.  Anyways, the former Miss USA tweeted a nail pic recently that got me itching for glitter. 

While glitter may feel a little too "special occasion" for everyday use, this look is very wearable - and daytime appropriate, when done right.  Here are some amazing glitter-flecked polishes you can wear anytime (special or not.)

Happy Birthday by Deborah Lippmann

Across the Universe

Some Enchanted Evening

Last Friday Night by Katy Perry for OPI

Just in case you ARE saving glitter for a special occasion, here are some more dramatic polishes to take your sparkle into evening.  

Bad Romance

Lady Sings the Blues

Boom Boom Pow (contains real 24K Gold Dust!)

Sephora by OPI in Traffic Stopper Copper

Topshop polish in Gypsy Night

So obviously, Deborah Lippmann has cornered the nail polish market - especially in the glitter department.  The manicurist to the stars also has a big tip on the major downfall to sparkling polish - removing it.  She recommends soaking cotton balls in remover, and applying one to each nail before wrapping each fingertip in foil.  Let them soak for a few minutes, pull off the foil and, voila! Easy breezy glitter removal!

I'll leave you with the reality couple that will always remain number one in my heart...

via

Arm Candy

Things I love: Autumn.  Nail Polish (obvi).  Shoes.  Baubles.   Purses.  I would like to thank the good people at Essie for combining a few of my favorites just in time for the new season. Aptly titled "Brand New Bag," Essie's new fall polish collection is to die.  The six rich shades just scream luxury (!) and are aptly named for a girl's best friend - bags.  

via

I am loving everything about these glam new shades.  While the colors are eye catching - and totally perfect for fall - the names really do say it all.  

Carry On - rich plum (a must-have this season)

Glamour Purse - I'm calling it now, this season's "Mink Muffs"

Case Study - a rich neutral

Power Clutch - a chic grey

Very Structured - screaming "pumpkin spice latte!"

Lady Like - super girly pink, muted for fall

I am itching for fall and everything it has to offer.  I can assure you that the "Brand New Bag" collection is going to be my gateway drug to usher in the season.  

  

Night Moves

One of my friends asked me last week what my opinion on metallic polishes.  Easy.  Love them.  I especially love a strong metallic nail for fall and winter.  Some especially pretty new metallics fell into my inbox today by way of NARS.  The masterminds behind Orgasm blush (my life has never been the same) have a new fall makeup and nail polish line out, aptly titled Night Series.  The collection includes this to-die-for eye-shadow palette (the inner drag queen in me is screaming in anticipation) as well as four fabulous polishes - with even more fabulous names.

(L to R) Night Rider, Night Porter, Night Breed, and Night Flight

Fall Fashion

I feel like everywhere I looked (and every link I tapped) I found fall fashion today.  Maybe it's because I consider myself to be 1/2 psychic (no, REALLY, I am) but I also saw about a million articles and tips for fall nail colors.  OK universe, I get it, my post for today is obviously all about fall nail trends. 

 First up on my radar was the Refinery29 review of OPI's new Touring America Collection.  These fall colors have me ready to kiss sundresses and sandals goodbye.  All of the colors are really rich, and, as always, have catchy names.  I can literally already see a few of these shades on my hands for fall.  I'm so ready for jeans-and-sweater-weather (I meant that in the most non-frumpy was possible.)   Here are a few showstoppers:

Uh-Oh Roll Down the Window

Suzi Take the Wheel

 

Get in the Expresso Lane

Color to Diner For

On to the next nail polish find of the day - my girl Rachel Zoe.  Bravo's tiniest fashionista included some nail gems of wisdom today in The Zoe Report, and I would feel remiss if I didn't pass them on.  By the way, if you aren't receiving Zoe's daily emails, shame on you.  Today, her report included Rachel's "10 To Die for Shades" of fall nail polish.  I am loving a lot of her picks, which doesn't surprise me.  I am especially hot for Chanel's Peridot (far left.)

My third and final piece of fall nail news is brought to you by my favorite fall trend (at least so far): Tribal Prints.  I am dying for some Navajo in my wardrobe this fall.  Here are a few looks I'm lusting over:

Lindsey Thornburg Cloak via

Urban Outfitters Cardigan (comes in 2 color combos!)

A jean jacket could carry this into fall...and only $20! via

Totally obsessed with this sofa! via

I've definitely mentioned my love of WAH NAILS before, but I just need to reiterate how amazing their tribal manicure looks.  I absolutely love it on all ten digits, but I could see how that would be a little much, especially for a nine-to-fiver.  I've said it before, one great way to rock a whole lotta look is to wear it on an accent nail or two.  

Aztec 

Egyptian/Aztec

The perfect accent!

My True Obsessions

For as long as I can remember, I have had an affinity for two things: celebrities (and all of their gossip) and leopard print.  In high school I covered the ceiling fan blades in my bedroom with celebrity "hot boys" (yes, I actually used that exact phrase to describe the mod-podged mess I looked at each night.)  I almost had to go to rehab for my Olsen-Obsession in college (I wanted to be their "triplet.")  I would be lying if I told you I didn't drink the Kardashian Kool-Aid a few years ago.  While I would like to think I have grown beyond all of these short-lived but oh-so-addictive phases, I know that will never be the case.  The first thing I check when I get home everyday is dlisted.  I have at least 4 celeb-gossip ap's on my phone.  I cancelled my subscription to Us Weekly because by the time I received the mag, everything in it was "old news" to me.  

Moving on, one thing that I do use my shameless Internet and glossy addiction for is - INSPIRATION.  This is the Dream Board I have in my apartment.  My roommate and I made these by tacking up spray-painted silver cork board squares onto a fabulous chartreuse accent wall.  It's one of my favorite things in my apartment (and obviously, a conversation piece.)  

I am not lying when I tell you I have magazine cuttings from at least 7 years ago on this thing.  I have everything from shoes, hairstyles, overall style, apartments, quotes, and fashionable celebs on my dream board.  There has been a fabulous leopard mani posted on this board for quite some time.  I have tried to recreate the look many-a-times, always with results that look like I had an epileptic fit while while I was painting.  Here is my signature print (classy, I know) in all of it's manicured glory:

This is the most ghetto picture ever, but you get the point.  My phone does not take the most glamorous photos in accordance with the harsh recessed lighting.  I love the gold, coral, and black leopard look.  This is so old I can't even remember where I saw it or what magazine I cut this from, but it's been front and center on my board and in my mind for quite some time.  I am thrilled to say, I have finally mastered this look!  Thanks in huge part to this tutorial from @Jezebel leopard print nails are now a part of my reality.  Their step-by-step breakdown is way more concise than mine would be, so I"ll let you follow this link to achieve this look for yourself.  *Hint: if all-over-leopard is a little too much look for you try doing an accent nail or two per hand.  The good thing about leopard is, you can try any color-combo you want (traditional or wild!)  Here is my finished product, as inspired by my dream board: