Swatch & Review: January Polish Pickup – Crystals & Gemstones

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I made it! I did it! I managed a full week at home with the kids!! I love that the older they get the more they understand that just because they are out of school that work doesn’t stops for me. They even took extra special care of me and made me lunch, #mygirlsarethebest! Even though I’ll miss their company next week, I am looking forward to my peace and quite.

I’m sure by now you’ve been up to your eyeballs with out of town relatives, stood in the ridiculously, longest of long lines at the store and cooked every dish and dessert known to man. To reward your astounding efforts, you deserve a little something, something for yourself. How bout some crystals and gemstones??? ….the kind you can actually afford.

Next week on Jan. 5th, make sure you shop til you drop on all the newest, January PPU polishes!!! From rubies to opals to quartz inspired, these crystals and gemstones polishes shine bright as a diamond!

Let’s take a look! Enjoy…

December 29, 2017April 24, 2018 by queenofnails83

Swatch & Review: Colors by Llarowe (CbL) January 2018 POTM

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So fun fact #547 about me is, my dad and I use to bond over music. He’d play music and I’d have to guess the name of the song and artist. He played everything from Michael Jackson, Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, EWF, The O’Jays, etc. As I’m sure you could tell, he loved his ‘oldies but goodies’. He made sure that I had a love and appreciation for all genres of music so we’d listen to gospel, rock, county and pop. Those are the memories I’ll never forget!

As I was doing my swatches and preparing the post for the January POTM from Colors by Llarowe (CbL), I kept hearing, “I Hear a Symphony,” by the Supremes. So I plugged up my iPod that only my dad added music to and behold it was there.  

“You’ve given me a true love and ev’ry day I thank you love
For a feeling that’s so new, so inviting, so exciting
Whenever you are near, I hear a symphony….”

Now with over 6k songs on my iPod, anytime I am missing my dad, I just plug it up and have a good fashion dance party in the kitchen with the kids playing guess the song. Thanks, dad!

So without further adieu, here is Symphony, the January PotM from CbL. Enjoy…  

December 28, 2017December 27, 2017 by queenofnails83

Swatch & Review: LynB Designs – January 2018 POTM

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Are you one of ‘those’ people that make New Year’s resolutions? I have been in the past because for me, goal setting is a must. It’s never anything too outrageous, just something I know is obtainable for me. Like losing 100lb, while it’s do-able, it’s not usually one of my goals. Instead, I resolve to eat better, cutting out soda and limiting my sweets and junk food intake. Then, if I do lose weight in the process, it’s an added bonus.

For 2018 I am focusing on ‘new experiences’ for my family. There are things we want to try and do and we’ve come up with a list that we can do together. Because let’s face it, as the kids get older, our time together becomes less and less. Heck, the 15 year old is hardly home as it is. Yesterday, we all went to our club house gym and honestly… it was a lot of fun. The kids enjoys it and encouraged each other, we got out of the house and did something all together and you know the saying, ” a family that exercises together, stays together.’

But of course, in all of this, great nails are a must! Maybe your New Years resolution is to #buyallthemultichromes, hint, hint. Whether it is or isn’t, the upcoming POTM from LynB Designs should definitely be part of your collection.  

Let’s take a look! Enjoy… 

December 27, 2017December 27, 2017 by queenofnails83

Swatch & Review: Taupe Coat – Pop, Fizz and Clink Collection

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I just wanted to send a Happy Holiday shout out to all of you! Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanza, I pray that you all have a happy and safe holiday season. I pray that you are able to spend time with loved ones and enjoy the season!

And in the spirit of if officially being winter, I’ll say it one time and one time only, let it snow!

There, now that’s out of the way, we can get on with our feature collection for the day. Today’s 3-peice set comes for a ‘new to me’ brand out of Southern Cali. Taupe Coat is 100% women owned and black owned, how’s that for a little #blackgirlmagic?! When the owner was diagnose with Crohn’s Disease at 19, she became very aware and mindful of the products she used in and on her body and began experimenting and creating her own polish. Taupe Coat is for the hard-working women, always striving for the best version of herself!

Each small batch is handmade, 5 free, cruelty free and vegan friendly. AND!!! There is just a $2.50 flat rate shipping on all orders and FREE shipping over $40!!! Taupe Coat also offers custom creations for that special occasion or gift to someone special.

So without further adieu, let’s take a look at the Pop, Fizz, Clink Collection from Taupe Coat! Enjoy…

December 22, 2017December 22, 2017 by queenofnails83

Swatch & Review: Literary Lacquer – Alice in Lacquerland

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Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, the real name of Lewis Carroll, was the author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland which arose in the early 1860’s after a boat trip on the river Isis with Reverend Robinson Duckworth and the sisters Alice, Lorina and Edith Liddell. This infamous date is known as ‘The Golden Afternoon’. Many sites say, Dodgson invented the story while he was telling it,” which in my personal opinion are often the best stories.

150-ish years later, this fairy-tale is still a classic! With characters including Alice, Caterpillar, Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts and White Rabbit, it’s no wonder Literary Lacquer chose this story as inspiration for their upcoming 6-piece collection, Alice in Lacquerland. This collection releases the day after Christmas, so you’ll get to enjoy opening gifts and spending time with family and then take some time for yourself to do a little holiday shopping. And guess what….. there is also a Limited Edition Gift with Purchase (LE GwP) polish too!! Are you excited yet?

Keep reading to find out all the details….

December 21, 2017December 22, 2017 by queenofnails83

Guest Blogger: Yvette Price of YvyVernis – Nativity Scene Nail Art

Wassup!!! It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve posted but the reality is, it’s only been 4 days. I promise you that I have over here working hard on swatches for upcoming collections and releases and I’ll have a full lineup starting next week. I’ve also been working hard on some upcoming updates and changes for the Queendom going live in 2018. So no need to fret, sometimes silence is a good thing….lol

Until then, I have a new friend I’d like to welcome to the Queendom, Yvette Price of YvyVernis. Yvette so graciously accepted the call to be a guest blogger for me today and in the spirit of the Christmas holiday, she has prepared an amazing tutorial for a timeless scene known and loved around to the world.

So stay seated and prepare to be blown away!

Enjoy….

December 20, 2017December 20, 2017 by queenofnails83

Swatch & Review: Lemming Lacquer – You Are What You Worship (YAWYW) pt 1

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Ok, today I’m back with part 1 of the You Are What You Worship (YAWAYW) Collection from Lemming Lacquer. If you recall, I featured part 2 earlier in the week? If not, no worries, take a sec to go check it out, I know there are a few goodies that you won’t want to miss. But before I show you part 1 which is currently available, I thought it only appropriate to take a second now to find out a bit about the brand and its maker.

Lemming Lacquer is a labor of love started and created by Cassie Border which began with researching and testing in 2013.  All polishes are custom-blended, handmade in small batches, and hand poured. Cassie also personally designed the labels and is responsible for wrapping and shipping orders.  You can rest easy knowing that Lemming Lacquer is a 5-free and cruelty free brand.

Creativity is pulled from various media outlets such as television, movies, books, music, as well as conversations with friends, and whatever else strikes. YAWYW Collection is inspired by the gods and beings introduced in the first season of American Gods. Inside is a rich world of ancient myth and folklore at war with technology, modern media and globalization against the backdrop of America’s byways.

In my research to find out about the brand, I asked myself, “why the name Lemming Lacquer?” In the polish world, a lemming is a nail polish or other item you highly desire.  It’s a must have. It can be used as a noun or a verb: “That is my #1 lemming!” or “I’m really lemming that polish.” But I bet you didn’t know that a lemming, according to dictionary.com is also “any of various small, mouselike rodents.” Which, if I had to guess, is the inspiration behind the brands label. Cool, huh?

  Welp, let’s turn this over to the swatches!!

Enjoy!

December 14, 2017December 14, 2017 by queenofnails83

Swatch & Review: Lemming Lacquer – You Are What You Worship (YAWYW) pt 2

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Hey y’all! So I took a few days off from blogging to get my entire life together. With the holidays right around the corner and still getting the house organized and kids, I hardly have 5 mins to do my nails. But nevertheless, I am a firm believer in taking care of oneself and how I relax and unwind is with nail polish.

I’m doing things a little bit backward today in that I featuring part 2 of the You Are What You Worship (YAWYW) from Lemming Lacquer before part 1. But patience my little grasshopper, I’ll have part 1 on Thursday, so be sure to check back then!

You may be asking yourself why did I do it this way? Well, I’ll tell ya! part 1 is currently available and if you’re interested you can find swatches in the shop or IG or FB, I wanted to get you part 2 so you had enough time to get your shopping list all squared away before the big day… December 15th!

Enjoy!

December 12, 2017December 12, 2017 by queenofnails83

The Queen’s Critique: Lina Nail Art Stamping Plates

Hey y’all! Everyone knows that the only way to celebrate the holiday season is with a fresh, unique, festive, creative mani, right?! Just me? Ok, well just go with it.

Because I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler, nail art stamping has become a way of life and nail art for me. There is a bountiful supply of brands and images to choose from but one brand that stands out for me is Line Nail Art Supplies.

Located in my ideal and dream vacation spot, New Orleans, LA, Lina ships worldwide and is offered via host of stockists. To date I have been able to acquire all the plates offered from this brand. Some I have purchases via the site, some through a destash and others through The Stamping Shop group buys on Facebook. Regardless of how I got them, I knew after my first use that I needed them all.

You have seen images probably without knowing in my Swatch & Review Series but starting in the new year, I plan to include the nail art info in my reviews. But nonetheless, I use these plates because they are reliable and unique. What I mean by reliable is that I know they pick up and transfer effortlessly. And the images, they are fun and take my mani to the next level. I can’t tell you the number of compliments I get from perfect strangers when I have a stamped mani.

So, the time has come to check out the 4 newest plates released just in time for the Winter/Holiday season. Enjoy…

December 6, 2017December 6, 2017 by queenofnails83

Moore Nail Mail: Moo Moo’s Signature – The Last Night of Pompeii

Hey y’all!! Today I want to show you a gorgeous polish I was able to snag thru a destash! When I saw initial swatches on IG I knew I had to have it but my dreams were short lived because I found out that the polish was a group exclusive for One More Polish based in Russia. I figured by the time I figured out how to order and determine IF they shipped to the US, the shipping rates would be OUTRAGEOUS. But thank goodness for destashses and one mans trash…. well, you know the rest. Now whether or not the polish is still available or not, I’m not sure but, if you like it enough maybe you can score it is a destash like I did!

I bought this polish back in November but because of the move and having to do a change of address, the PO ‘misplaced’ it for awhile resulting in delayed delivery. I just opened it last night and knew immediately that I had to get it on my nails first thing. So I said good-bye to my Ho Ho Ho-liday Mani and indulged myself in The Last Night of Pompeii by Moo Moo’s Signatures.

The first thing I literally said out loud to myself was, “CRAP!!!”

I felt so many emotions while I applied the polish. Like, why? Why did it take me so long to try this brand? How I have I gone this long with out this polish?

But enough of all that, let’s take a look! Enjoy…

December 5, 2017December 5, 2017 by queenofnails83