One Trick Pony?

Lets get one thing straight, I'm team Britney.  There was definitely a point in time when I thought I would open AM New York and read "Britney Spears Body Found."  Totally morbid, I know, and I swear I just knocked on wood after I typed that, but it's so true.  Homegirl hit a serious rough patch and I know I am not alone in saying thank God she pulled through.  For real.  I recently saw photos of Brit Brit looking A-MA-ZING at a charity event for the St. Bernard Project, benefiting survivors of Hurricane Katrina.  Here's a look at pop's once and future princess proving why she deserves to reign.  

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After perusing pictures of Brit on every website and in every glossy, I came to realize, she just cannot change it up with her nails.  You know that Britney ALWAYS rocks square tip acrylic french-manicured talons. You can take the girl out of the strip mall in LA but you can take the...... I have just come to accept she is forever warped into my "save up all my babysitting money and get mom to drop me off at the salon circa 1996" nail look.  

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If I said I would really live for a new nail look for Ms. Spears this summer (perhaps taking a cue from tour partner Ms. Minaj??) would you hold it against me?

Of Course They Are...

I'll admit it, I used to want to be the blonde Kardashian.  I fell for their glamourous lifestyle and addictive reality show hook, line, and sinker.  Since they are literally EVERYWHERE and doing EVERYTHING right now, it should come as no surprise to anyone that Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe have teamed up with OPI for their own line of Nail Polish. This revealing tweet by Kim pretty much sums it up:  

@KimKardashianKim Kardashian

Were shooting our ad campaign today 4 our new GLAM line of nail polish for Nicole by OPI. You guys are gonna faint when u see our new polish

Glitz and Glam has my name painted all over it.  While I am no longer Kardashian-krazed, these girls give good hair and I would die to raid their closets.  That being said, I'll give this polish a whirl.  Here's to hoping the colors are as fashionable as these sisters are.

I'm Just a Summer Girl

I know I'm not the only one who cannot get the Country Strong Soundtrack out of my head.   So what if I listen to Leighton Meester trying pull off country-pop on repeat.  That being said, I am seriously on the countdown to Memorial Day weekend, aka kickoff to Summer 2011.  I'll be at the Shore (Jersey) with fabulous friends and couldn't be more excited about it.  While NYC clearly hasn't gotten the memo that summer is just around the corner (rain, rain, rain, and more rain with chilly temps all week) my nails sure did.  

This was a very deliberate nail for me.  I was in search of the perfect shade of icy-minty-pastel-turquoise.  I couldn't get my hands on the right color so, as I often do, I improvised.  I slapped on one coat of Revlon's Jaded, topped with Kathy's Baby Blues by Brucci, and then added another layer of Jaded.  The palm tree was a true experiment.  I drew it myself, using nail art paint (that comes equipped with the tiniest brush ever.)  I have to say, my artistic skills surprised even me.  My right hand is slightly wonky - my tree looks a little wilted, but you can definitely still tell it's a palm tree.  Now, bring on the sand, sunshine, and country pop dance party.  

So Gel-ous

I have decided that my gel manicure was not up to par.  It was totally destroyed in exactly 7 days.  I know that I "helped" it along by peeling and biting (ugh, I know I know, so many told me not to!), but I am still disappointed.  I was hoping for a solid two week manicure.  That being said, two of my girlfriends have just had some recent luck with gel manicures of their own.  My friend Cary got a Shellac manicure at the same salon I had mine done. She just sent me a pic and her nails are going strong.  Beyond jealous.  

On to the next friend.  Erin sent me a picture last night of her Gelish manicure.  Her color is "Go Girl" and her ring fingers are "Grand Jewels."  I am loving every little thing about this picture.  The only thing that would make it better would be if you could see her major wedding bling on her ring finger (Happy 1 Year Anniversary!) 

I would be willing to go for a Gelish manicure.  According to Erin, Gelish is not as thick looking as Shellac or OPI gels.  Either way, I love that I have friends who send me nail pics (and I especially love Cary's glass of wine in the background.)

'Cause All I See Are Stilettos

(I guess I never got the memo....) Okay, all Miley Cyrus references aside, Stiletto nails are happening.  Love 'em or hate 'em, they are fashion so let's discuss.  Stiletto nails are basically intensely filed pointy oval talons (how did you like that description???)  You have seen them on the likes of Rihanna, Fergie, and most recently, GaGa in the Judas video.  

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In my humble nail-blogger opinion, these nails are best when they are totally over-the-top.  Since the shape is already exaggerated, I like them loud, bright, and bold.  Beyonce's gold and Rihanna's neon pink and orange are MUCH better than Fergie's neutral polish.  What do you think???

Anchors Aweigh!

I finally did it - my first gel manicure.  I've been dying to get one forever, so while visiting my mom in Annapolis for the weekend, we went together.  Here are my pros and cons:

Pros:

 - Easy process - about 45 minutes total

 - Super shiny nails (I can't stop looking at them)

 - Manicurist swears they'll last 3 weeks

 - Nail art can be done (and it was, rest assured)

Cons:

 - Very limited color choices (I honestly cannot remember the exact "brand" this was, I know it wasn't Shellac or Opi)

 - I already peeled polish off of one thumb and two other nails are dangerously close to being chipped away unless I sit on my hands...

 - It looks sort of thick (not as thick as acrylics look, but thick)

This bright coral was pretty much the best color American Nails in Annapolis, MD had.  I am still willing to give this whole gel thing another whirl.  Nine of my nails are still going pretty strong (I got crafy at home and blended colors to fix my thumb), and I think now that I'm back in NYC I can find a salon that uses a different gel polish brand (better colors).  Also, I think the reason why I had an issue with a thumb is because my manicurist was a little distracted and rushing - a very loud woman kept asking how much longer it would be for her acrylic fill ON HER TOES.

Coming Up Roses

I know I am not the only lady out there who has a mild obsession with rose gold right now.  One of my girlfriends just gifted me with a rose gold cocktail ring that is to die for.  There are quite a few rose gold baubles  out there that would look a lot better in my jewelry drawer than they would in stores.  Lucky for me, Nylon Magazine is reporting that the major rose gold trend has carried over to, you guessed it, nail polish.

left to right: Estee Lauder in Satin Gold, YSL in 140 Pink Gold, Chanel in Django, Nars in Adelita

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This gold tinted pink will look great on every skin tone.  It's great for the girls who have a hard time stepping away from subtle pinks and neutrals - the gold gives this shade just the right amount of edge without trying too hard.  

Posh Polish

Last Royal Wedding post (I swear!)  First of all...that dress.  A-ma-zing.  Kate was the picture of a princess (as if we had a doubt) and I swear I started bawling when she stepped out of the car.  Second, Kate's nails were perfection.  She wore barely-there polish, reportedly a blend (gasp!) of Essie's Allure and Bourjois Paris' Rose Lounge.  I have to say, I approve.  Anything more would have detracted from her understated elegance.  Not to mention, when you are wearing Diana's sapphire and diamond bauble on your finger, who needs nail polish.  I am almost disappointed that the wedding is over now.  I literally loved every minute of it - here's to hoping Pippa and Harry hook up next?!

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Now to the good stuff.  Can we please talk about Katy Perry's Royal Wedding tribute nails???  She tweeted this festive photo.  I knew we were nail soul mates.

Katy is clearly a Minx queen.  This must be a custom look courtesy of the brand.  Completely over the top?  Yes.  A little tacky? Yes.  I can't help but love them.  I could get used to seeing those Brits on my nails all day long.