Woo! Nail Art Selfies!

The Costume Closet

I've recently taken on a new venue for belly dancing and had to overhaul my professional costume collection for repairs and size changes AND I got to add a few new ones to the mix :) I've been trying to figure out where the 'holes' are in my dance wardrobe. You know, that one skirt that makes 6 new costumes or that one bra and belt set that blows open your color options?

This is the pride and joy of my costume collection- I've been wanting a Pharaonics Great Loop costume of my very own for YEARS and I finally nabbed this beautiful set! The sequins are holographic royal blue and the beads holding them down are purple iris so it shimmers between blue and purple and has such lush thick fringe. There were a few challenges with shipping because of two orders placed near the same time that got confused and as a result, the shop sent me two free skirts as a thank you for my business. SCORE!! The sent me a skirt like this one:

 

and another one called a 'double skirt' that has a turquoise layer and a royal blue layer so it's amazing with a layer slightly tucked up to reveal the other color and it's reversible.  (The one in the picture below doesn't have the turquoise under layer but it gives you the idea).

The costume order that got confused with it was for this beauty of a turquoise fringe monster :D

Obviously I've got the 'blue' spectrum well covered at this point so I have to keep telling myself NO when I see another beautiful blue set. Oddly enough, I don't see too many teal costumes. Teal is my favorite color but apparently not popular with dancers or perhaps just the Egyptian designers...

Some of you may remember my progress pictures from making The Green Monster? Love this one and just discovered that I can sneak a fluffy circle skirt over the lycra and ruffles and tuck it under the attached skinny belt embroidery for a whole new look!

Then there's my old favorite coin costume which you may also remember progress photos from. This one had some serious reconstruction needed because a metal ornament that was forming the center of all the coin and chain belly drapes snapped earlier this year. I replaced it with a vintage necklace from my grandmother and viola!

I have an ivory lace costume with iridescent crystals and pearls that I made a year or two ago that still feels like it needs something. I haven't been able to figure out why it still looks awkward. The top is gorgeous but something ain't right with the skirt. Thoughts?

This flame costume is a black velvet with red metallic foil and LOTS of crystal rhinestones.

So I've got blue, turquoise, emerald green, mixed metal (with teal base), ivory lace and pearl, and red and black flames with gold accents. That leaves purple, black and white, silver, and pink which will likely never happen (not a color I enjoy). Must plot designs...

Going, Going, GONE!

Twice a year Jamberry retires a ton of amazing nail designs to make way for a new season of style. As of this post we have 13 days to claim our favorites from Fall of 2013 before they're gone forever!

http://kissmytips.jamberrynails.net/category/going-going-gone

They are retiring almost HALF the catalog! We have over 350 designs- that is a LOT. I'm going to be over on my pinterest making my Fall Farewell Wishlist. You can check it out if you're curious what I can't live without.

Visions Are Dancing...

Ok, I'll admit it. I'm a nail art addict. Not only am I completely in raptures over the Jamberry nail wraps that you can get on the website but they have this little thing called... The Nail Art Studio. *gulp* Want to see my latest creation?

I have visions of all the mermaid rainbow flashing from the tips of my fingers! Each curved end goes against a cuticle so what you're looking at is a sheet that will do around 4 full sets of manicures or pedicures. Throw some glitter top coat on top of these and I will be a gonner for sure :D I'll be ordering sheets of these before the end of January- once I try a few more color combinations to make sure I've got my favorite ;)

Radiant Orchid is All the Rage for 2014

Tie together your own pretty purple style with 4 newly released nail art styles from Jamberry Nails. We're talking about major savings in time and money at about $4 a manicure and about 15-20 minutes for application time- you do it at home WITH YOUR BLOWDRYER! Woah.