Trend Alert

Nylon Magazine is forever tweeting fabulous nail pictures, looks, and trends.  Today, the hot topic to catch my eye - Magnetic Nail Polish.  It's not what you think, your nails will not stick to your refrigerator.  Think more Magna-Doodle, less Electromagnetism.  Nails Inc. has three shades of the polish, currently sold at Sephora.  You paint your nails as you normally would, then wave the magnet-laden polish cap over your nail and voila! totally unique nail designs.  My mind is already conjuring fabulous nail designs and fun color combos I can create with these lacquers.  

colors L to R: House of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben 

images via Sephora 

Put A Ring On It

I have had two weekends of back-to-back wedding dress shopping.  Not for myself mind you, (always a bridesmaid...) I am on the verge of starring in a bootleg sequel to 27 Dresses.  This white dress is for my very best friend since birth, Cary.  She and her amazing fiance got engaged in July and I have been bugging her for a wedding-bling nail pic ever since.  She finally came through this weekend...sort of.  

Her very of the moment nails feature slate grey and eggplant in various colorblock designs.  I love them!  I was raving over them! Until I saw her other hand...

Being engaged MUST be exhausting, because she was "too tired" (her words) to colorblock her right hand. I can't fully blame her - precise nail art can be very time consuming.  

decisions, decisions...

I came home from a grueling day in the classroom to a real treat - new nail polish!  My roommate saw two shades of MAC lacquer that he said were screaming my name, and bought them for me - in the name of fashion and blogging.  The first shade actually made me elicit a squeal of delight - In the Buff, a cream shade.  I am ALWAYS on the lookout for good neutrals and this one definitely fits the bill.  I can picture this perfect taupe on my nails with chunky gold jewelry and the perfect black dress.  The second polish, a frost finish, is called Style Clan.  While to the naked eye, it looks like a smokey grey-brown, it's actually flecked with bronze shimmer.  Now that I am in possession of two fabulous new little bottles, the only question is: which do I use first?  

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.