tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73277548349231661672024-03-11T18:19:09.704+00:00MaybelaterNAILART AND STUFFclairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-70911058925142986312015-05-18T12:30:00.002+01:002015-05-18T12:30:31.301+01:00Vintage Teas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-77649644487452288752013-12-27T14:46:00.001+00:002013-12-27T14:49:24.783+00:00Negative Space Candy Cane Inspired Festive ManicureCough cough!<br />
Is dusty around here..here is my little effort to glam myself up today. It's been all too domesticated and wholesome lately. I used BUDGET polishes, nothing over three pounds, and the fun little crystals were around a pound from B and M.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMiw4Lit8o3iNw0bcufubATq0GsOG9luwLbzEqtv-Dt5-jeu2hS8ZkmXODKmRzXZ2K7VrcxMRfLtK2d3mum5k1tp-yvNTpRyULcdc0nANLbDxm3TcS_3pM3LK4vwlxCXjehz94ieexAW1/s1600/mani+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMiw4Lit8o3iNw0bcufubATq0GsOG9luwLbzEqtv-Dt5-jeu2hS8ZkmXODKmRzXZ2K7VrcxMRfLtK2d3mum5k1tp-yvNTpRyULcdc0nANLbDxm3TcS_3pM3LK4vwlxCXjehz94ieexAW1/s1600/mani+1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">whoa! grainy city...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNtuSvs27cq6nqr_7Vry0Q7rCb0eU8xoZj1q81g59FSRPeVfzuQwRWjLfW8DAzgq8lkER_4FbuFwx8DBQpH_wPflHyon0y5IIeTPo67SZrVyYi26-ZqLBZXCwXp8L9Jtzx-cjfwscOqH7/s1600/mani2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNtuSvs27cq6nqr_7Vry0Q7rCb0eU8xoZj1q81g59FSRPeVfzuQwRWjLfW8DAzgq8lkER_4FbuFwx8DBQpH_wPflHyon0y5IIeTPo67SZrVyYi26-ZqLBZXCwXp8L9Jtzx-cjfwscOqH7/s1600/mani2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a little touch of glitter</td></tr>
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<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-73281751038137938622013-11-03T14:23:00.001+00:002013-11-03T14:23:52.742+00:00Update and Feeble Excuses For Not Being HereHi there<br />
I started decorating, and then life got in the way and then I started a diploma in Art and Design so everything has got really hectic lately. I hope everyones Summer was good and Winter is nearly here, I am sorry for not being around.<br />
I want to move all my crafty bits to a new blog and just leave this here as an archive really of some lovely nail designs and a journal of my blogging start. My hands are now always in clay and paint so I just don't have time to do the nail art anymore really.<br />
I made some lovely friends along the way and miss you interacting with me, but I still follow everyones news in a big blog binge session, though sadly not everyday like I used to.<br />
To all those going forward I wish you the very best, and take care xxx<br />
<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-7378917857363036672013-08-02T09:57:00.000+01:002013-08-02T10:02:36.901+01:00Polymer Clay Friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7DBlazj-IXaOy9aH3lHUW3sppEg8azPsvF2bQ9qU7-XHMAMmvV9d3c5AIJKmghhyphenhyphenXQmaK0vJrm71wnap0R8_Xop-sKCBXRuBonnMNInMibYVBeCNxFKfCfltG2Pcj9yf1Vc6TTGBpTsn/s1600/bunting+mices.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7DBlazj-IXaOy9aH3lHUW3sppEg8azPsvF2bQ9qU7-XHMAMmvV9d3c5AIJKmghhyphenhyphenXQmaK0vJrm71wnap0R8_Xop-sKCBXRuBonnMNInMibYVBeCNxFKfCfltG2Pcj9yf1Vc6TTGBpTsn/s640/bunting+mices.png" width="588" /></a></div>
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Two new friends have moved into Casa Maybelater. I made them out of Sculpey and covered the fat mouse in OPI Skull and Glossbones gifted by Wendy from <a href="http://www.maspooase.com/" target="_blank">MASPOOASE</a> and the fat lavender mouse is a Kriston lilac. They arelocked in an endless power struggle and I like to mess with them by splitting them up when they whizz about too much.clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-42695466875812479742013-07-31T11:04:00.000+01:002013-07-31T11:04:28.985+01:00Boba Tea ManicureI am intrigued by this delicious beverage that has lovely big pearls of chewy tapioca in it. Reminds me of being little and being made to drink barley water for some reason. Anyway, my lovely friend Wendy sent me the Ballet Slippers by Essie and so I have been dying to exploit its gossamer sheerness. I dotted black NP with a cocktail stick and after 3 coats of Ballet Slippers I went back over some of the dots to give it an impression of the black pearls in their milky sea.<br />
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<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-72835605391713768332013-05-22T14:30:00.000+01:002013-05-22T14:30:35.104+01:00The Great Gatsby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love a good scapegoat film. The Great Gatsby is about as good a scapegoat film as I'm likely to get. Baz Luhrmanns production of the novel is Moulin Rouge-esque whacked out hip hopped technicolour splendour. So I wanted to do a 20s inspired mani, but there are already so many nude moon exquisite creations about that I had to put my own twist on it.</div>
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I used a cream for the bottom coat, red for a second coat, not taking it all the way down to the cuticle, and used a thin paintbrush with nude on to drag a raggedy half moon upwards. Glitter on the top third of the nail for sparkle and you're done. </div>
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<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-71369075026997724212013-05-21T12:00:00.000+01:002013-05-21T12:01:16.366+01:00Clinique Concrete Jungle Review<br />
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I was paying for the Urban Decay Naked Basics pallette in Debenhams yesterday when my eye was caught by Cliniques new nail polish line. Lindsey the Clinique Assistant explained that they were formaldehyde free and had all the baddies taken out, yet the ingredients tell me there is still a form of cyanide in there. To be honest, Ive never lost much sleep over the Big 3 anyway.<br />
I fell in love with Concrete Jungle instantly. It's cool and sophisticated, doesn't knock you out with mannequin yellowness..just a gorgeous groomed shade of white-grey-cream.I coughed up £12 and couldn't wait to get home and play with it. <br />
I like the heaviness of the bottle and the shiny cap. It will stand out among the almost exclusively black lids in my NP drawer. It comes in a box which always feels special, but will be lost in a fortnight.<br />
Even my friend who abhors nail colours of any kind said it was pretty!<br />
It applied easily with the brush which, though wide is not cuticle splodging wide. and was completely opaque after 2 coats which dried within 5 minutes.<br />
Sadly, after washing up and emptying my hoover filter this morning, it is wrecked. When I'm reviewing I don't like to add top coats and unfortunately, my new treasure did not survive its ordeal.<br />
I shall just reapply anyway because I love it.<br />
So, worth it for the colour and opacity, but definitely needs top coat.<br />
<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-36246367942638758292013-05-14T19:19:00.001+01:002013-05-16T14:35:10.525+01:00Mint For Life ReviewAKA Mint Candy Apple dupe..I HAD to have this as soon as the weather started getting less snowy and more..well. Let's leave it there. Available for the small sum of £2.99 at Superdrug and many other places I'm sure.<br />
I adore the colour. The glass bottle feels expensive and the longer handle is helpful for pudgy fingers..I'm talking to you Chanel.<br />
The brush is a paddle shape, and there are strange indents running vertically along the shaft (!) which I presume to be helpful to wick polish to the brush.<br />
The colour is rich, one coat is opaque but a little patchy so 2 is your best bet. It dries super quick, and I could eat pizza almost immediately after the second coat, but I did leave a good 15 mins between applications. Of course it shows up the red in my fishwifes hands, but for the sheer joyfulness of the summery minty aqua green, it is so worth it.<br />
In essence, I'm mint for life!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYtSoTFmjzXODIQX5NgklE_hOj2ITp-L0HvuH0B7ImdQg4nv88sVthdpKrnc4-V07uWR8L22-RdejkJ5smmWzsTDYE3NFhCY2pFkJp6ZEQU52K5iXRfMxK8woJ6g34b6BMd3olhJtCwhb/s1600/maybelline3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYtSoTFmjzXODIQX5NgklE_hOj2ITp-L0HvuH0B7ImdQg4nv88sVthdpKrnc4-V07uWR8L22-RdejkJ5smmWzsTDYE3NFhCY2pFkJp6ZEQU52K5iXRfMxK8woJ6g34b6BMd3olhJtCwhb/s400/maybelline3.png" width="370" /></a></div>
*UPDATE*<br />
After 2 days of wear I broke my nail so I have to remove the stuff.<br />
Notes: there is a little tip wear that I would be able to very quickly touch up. However, I haven't washed up in those 2 days (I'm unashamed) and only had 2 baths so not the most strenuous test. Also this 'gel finish' polish is considerably less glossy than on Day 1.<br />
Not bad for the money, but clearly, the only way to get a gel finish is to use a gel product.<br />
Still love the colour though<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqV1wLP076YwuQxa9-_c8hoLxuXNWYuMSwSdu5bw401ZIDEaqSuFuMMeDgrp8NdZeIjQdfuIdR8ui7abiqhylczbJugNifP7lQ0iAzGrivReHzjEih7t52qlMyM5dIMMeutoS4JKTnQtx/s1600/mayb+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqV1wLP076YwuQxa9-_c8hoLxuXNWYuMSwSdu5bw401ZIDEaqSuFuMMeDgrp8NdZeIjQdfuIdR8ui7abiqhylczbJugNifP7lQ0iAzGrivReHzjEih7t52qlMyM5dIMMeutoS4JKTnQtx/s400/mayb+2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-12516940557393645492013-03-08T16:09:00.002+00:002013-03-08T18:22:11.106+00:00Washi Tape Manicure<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51ju2wf8X0O0rU4Yr872RugKh7zA8-SNq_qdhMoL2XzQji6gvuSITqUjFqsi0vThhI8c9eaufr1XuY7NHT8GJgu7gWPxjR8qqvv2N9FWYYrvz9NiqWpXh823WFYKMxPFva3DZLTnAuB6W/s1600/DSCF2516.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="hello kitty manicure" border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51ju2wf8X0O0rU4Yr872RugKh7zA8-SNq_qdhMoL2XzQji6gvuSITqUjFqsi0vThhI8c9eaufr1XuY7NHT8GJgu7gWPxjR8qqvv2N9FWYYrvz9NiqWpXh823WFYKMxPFva3DZLTnAuB6W/s640/DSCF2516.png" title="washi tape manicure" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was so excited to receive an unexpected extra in my order from my absolute favourite online store <a href="http://www.fushigishop.bigcartel.com/" target="_blank">Fushigishop</a> this weekend and as I'm sporting long false nails these days, I immediately saw the lovely candy stripe tape as a manicure feature.<br />
It took around an hour to do these nails, and that consisted of sticking anything and everything on them I could find. I was going to do little fabric bows, and really wish I had, but I had to go out for cocktails and never felt the urge when I got back home. We're so emotional with our little works of 'art'<br />
Hope you like them..let me know!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TD-x5oos-0Y3CRQdPVOZ6q_7cdThahFkKQg3D-bdL8Vm76QfT1-pjU0SADtY5CmmMf5qi2Z1aAXbpXPppCSFpD4A2KdU0S9VcYp0kltqcFAKWW2ouwYIQQI2efcpKwjwFD81kx4Purns/s1600/washi+tape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img alt="MAnicure Tutorial" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TD-x5oos-0Y3CRQdPVOZ6q_7cdThahFkKQg3D-bdL8Vm76QfT1-pjU0SADtY5CmmMf5qi2Z1aAXbpXPppCSFpD4A2KdU0S9VcYp0kltqcFAKWW2ouwYIQQI2efcpKwjwFD81kx4Purns/s640/washi+tape.jpg" title="Manicure Tutuorial" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39ixCIc20zApk8dpFD2eJ9BUIqkifVB1VtWK0lhX3laC7plbptF-raM9xZ5Fx-GZDPkP-bFK_U3-cML8H09O1Zb4r8xmDIzKoO_Wwf1SNxAUfWQcPIu_cEQauS9FVx0Uwd8lRo-CP7OsK/s1600/washicollage.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39ixCIc20zApk8dpFD2eJ9BUIqkifVB1VtWK0lhX3laC7plbptF-raM9xZ5Fx-GZDPkP-bFK_U3-cML8H09O1Zb4r8xmDIzKoO_Wwf1SNxAUfWQcPIu_cEQauS9FVx0Uwd8lRo-CP7OsK/s640/washicollage.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-21853532028861588262013-03-01T09:30:00.000+00:002013-03-02T09:58:23.468+00:00Wild Nailart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgG_5mGvDkz0Nv3Bw4CzF9g-AvVCUOkrEOwwwYcfr1A_vFyPrFlCAfysJQ05yp9PRCitzAtq_Azd4X6BxVPGJRBlMke2F2l8qhhaVVxBfMrJBBn-OMNqY3hN0tbbm6h1oAJ_cRIvbRk89/s1600/wild1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wild Nailart" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgG_5mGvDkz0Nv3Bw4CzF9g-AvVCUOkrEOwwwYcfr1A_vFyPrFlCAfysJQ05yp9PRCitzAtq_Azd4X6BxVPGJRBlMke2F2l8qhhaVVxBfMrJBBn-OMNqY3hN0tbbm6h1oAJ_cRIvbRk89/s1600/wild1.jpg" title="Wild Nailart" /></a></div>
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<br />
So nothing about the almond shape says demure to me.<br />
These nails are so vulgar and over the top, only a tinny Jaguar ring accessory will do. I adore them. I wouldn't leave the house in them, especially coming from Wythenshawe, but as an experiment in how far you can push a pink, gold and black classic manicure, I'm pleased with them for sure.<br />
I used the ever present Max Factor Pinkandescence, Revlon Gold Coin and Kriston 56 (Black) and a number 1 nailart brush for smaller lines, everything else was straight off the polish brush.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MtMg8TCyhKdQsacX_Ss2aDWb9zKbWJsnjhAIsGmmUe2U1U0NNigMIw1gmxEHntFsz02z5U9-Wa_HLBLluLHdWR_63KHLX2NFQQD9GhWY18ve4S08ZJzyJ0Bq3jzTUNsanJfIo3zLTEOL/s1600/wild2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wild Nailart" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MtMg8TCyhKdQsacX_Ss2aDWb9zKbWJsnjhAIsGmmUe2U1U0NNigMIw1gmxEHntFsz02z5U9-Wa_HLBLluLHdWR_63KHLX2NFQQD9GhWY18ve4S08ZJzyJ0Bq3jzTUNsanJfIo3zLTEOL/s1600/wild2.jpg" title="Wild Nailart" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmadiWMrHJounb0BQE-uagZD9Za963E3f0CyX2htGwJJlQn2x1GrIOX4Q0fG5qENz6nFdVZ9Ip1jLW_e4izXhQX_QWU1ONB9h6mWSKZD6evs35R4ph9MVR3JBJT7oFcCYH67WDci4_kXmW/s1600/wild4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wild Nailart" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmadiWMrHJounb0BQE-uagZD9Za963E3f0CyX2htGwJJlQn2x1GrIOX4Q0fG5qENz6nFdVZ9Ip1jLW_e4izXhQX_QWU1ONB9h6mWSKZD6evs35R4ph9MVR3JBJT7oFcCYH67WDci4_kXmW/s1600/wild4.jpg" title="Wild Nailart" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_giazVX5Zml5T-KdZyO5fC_BteE0Vig0-oPyhsIuMZEx1rNc7C5suWv9OjRPbY2o7PrkBw1f_zkZBCMlTWRGSKlQEsHhFx3hXfd7X2X2nriVXiUKeWSwwQ8Xi1dhBpX-BhPYPWOXGhwM/s1600/wild3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wild Nailart" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_giazVX5Zml5T-KdZyO5fC_BteE0Vig0-oPyhsIuMZEx1rNc7C5suWv9OjRPbY2o7PrkBw1f_zkZBCMlTWRGSKlQEsHhFx3hXfd7X2X2nriVXiUKeWSwwQ8Xi1dhBpX-BhPYPWOXGhwM/s1600/wild3.jpg" title="Wild Nailart" /></a></div>
<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-3714897656384863782013-02-28T10:47:00.001+00:002013-03-02T10:03:52.976+00:00Neon Studs and NudesYou will have noticed my nails getting shorter on each post and though I've done plenty of short nailed manis I really, really wanted almond long talons. Good old Ebay.<br />
A bit of shaping and filing and I'm really happy with the look.<br />
My nude polish kept sliding off, but for a first attempt they'll do.<br />
I used Revlon Smoky Canvas, Max Factor Pinkandescence, American Apparel Neon Yellow and Orange, inP 48 (pro colour) Fruit Vibe (?) in lilac, studs from Ebay and Seche Vite top coat<br />
<a href="http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/rachelleahhh?_trksid=p2047675.l2559" target="_blank">Link to Ebay seller I bought the studs from</a><br />
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*UPDATE*<br />
Exciting News: The ever lovely <a href="http://www.maspooase.com/2013/03/neon-and-nude-nail-art.html" target="_blank">@Catfink (Wendy from MASPOOASE)</a> and <a href="http://www.unnakednails.com/2013/02/nails-inspired-by-rita-ora.html" target="_blank">@unnakednails (Catrine from unnakednails</a> have also done posts on this theme so click the links and treat yourself to some neon nudey eye candy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbQznMvuEvjR-wGgvqKBjwQQS7q2H9Fsa5tCppth8j270VfSXLGrqvCfaqzrXi9CIEm7To9DSFznGeQNvCRYECiFp1kLIstg3nI-vP7Enwjv7gJZGOLyWxKyV2KEdKHJcp0OGMVnuPlPC/s1600/DSCF2452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbQznMvuEvjR-wGgvqKBjwQQS7q2H9Fsa5tCppth8j270VfSXLGrqvCfaqzrXi9CIEm7To9DSFznGeQNvCRYECiFp1kLIstg3nI-vP7Enwjv7gJZGOLyWxKyV2KEdKHJcp0OGMVnuPlPC/s1600/DSCF2452.JPG" title="neon studded nailart" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XtjKWoSLFu5R0nywHXCu-iusaetdcPXkno2l-g0CTEc1CQuZd5Sw-svkuUP8HX0niIZrxtkvIrfHEDYMJzb7jLMbC8cDZGQnCOOwGcnyEKA3hEJPGHRtbL-pTUMEutcPsdI0bttOHwA5/s1600/DSCF2453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XtjKWoSLFu5R0nywHXCu-iusaetdcPXkno2l-g0CTEc1CQuZd5Sw-svkuUP8HX0niIZrxtkvIrfHEDYMJzb7jLMbC8cDZGQnCOOwGcnyEKA3hEJPGHRtbL-pTUMEutcPsdI0bttOHwA5/s640/DSCF2453.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-79216698706429520112013-02-27T09:49:00.005+00:002013-02-27T09:51:18.524+00:00Glitter Stripe and Studs Manicure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwStftHujDqGU_utR_yeIVmNaiWWFdtQYlzfbP9zIfJ-WQWULhq4ENInkWoD_hxsnvgs21x0-0mZQ25NgpJfFMV3rTYtbMwckcMbQdQdkuRcP_O1fOrXrhsxbaGoeM97dxLxIlKqtbVR5/s1600/NAILS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="glitter manicure" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwStftHujDqGU_utR_yeIVmNaiWWFdtQYlzfbP9zIfJ-WQWULhq4ENInkWoD_hxsnvgs21x0-0mZQ25NgpJfFMV3rTYtbMwckcMbQdQdkuRcP_O1fOrXrhsxbaGoeM97dxLxIlKqtbVR5/s640/NAILS.jpg" title="glitter manicure with studs" width="640" /></a></div>
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clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-57146838852466337902013-02-13T16:19:00.001+00:002013-02-13T17:22:23.304+00:00Breaking Up With Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKY_HLWY56aa_h4ZkcRaxVtLZL1ne2O9pG6slWkOn2X6SZ1q-zcfl7H7uJxOALcSUTbzaP5TS2ahuYLzq8xsnXx3SONdII7hogqsRc-YGKoWzzGE8GZDWoGsZwy0QnkAaSCh-6yXKALIv/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKY_HLWY56aa_h4ZkcRaxVtLZL1ne2O9pG6slWkOn2X6SZ1q-zcfl7H7uJxOALcSUTbzaP5TS2ahuYLzq8xsnXx3SONdII7hogqsRc-YGKoWzzGE8GZDWoGsZwy0QnkAaSCh-6yXKALIv/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.grahamandgreen.co.uk/baby-lapin-nightlight-in-pink" target="_blank">Banish The Dark With Baby Rabbit Lamp</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.kaleidoscope.co.uk/products/por-trade-eirion-dawn-chorus-teapot/_/A-66D559_?cm_mmc=Affiliates-_-awin_79682-_-HomeAndLifestyle_KitchenAndTableware_Teapots-_-66D559&catreqmedia=K0979&ordermedia=K0539&name=10PERCENT&orderoffercode=PP2P&entry=3&AWAID=79682&AWGID=0&AWBID=0&AWPID=618558845&AWCR=644644711" target="_blank">Cheerful Tea In A Pot. No Sharing.</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.beautybay.com/nailcare/orly/gumdrop/" target="_blank">Gumdrop for Beautiful Springtime Nails</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/bags-and-purses/pieces-mint-green-gava-clutch_274444937" target="_blank">Be Free With A Clutch</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.dune.co.uk/langbury-leather-lace-up-brogue-0076506080004535/" target="_blank">The Perfect Trans Seasonal Shoe</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.fushigishop.bigcartel.com/product/barranqilla-one-off-necklace" target="_blank">Only One In The World Necklace, Just Like You</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">"It's not me, winter. It's you"</span><br />
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<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-68842846458860259022013-02-11T22:57:00.000+00:002013-02-11T23:14:47.323+00:00What's Your Problem?<br />
<a href="http://blogs.nailsmag.com/maggie/archive/2013/02/08/Blurring-the-Smile-Lines.aspx" target="_blank">This article</a> came to my attention tonight on Twitter.<br />
It seems to be written by a professional Nail Technician with a serious disregard for us 'short rounded' nail bloggers. It seems to be saying we're ruining her noble and thankless industry by deflecting attention away from acrylics and the geniuses that apply them. It seems to be a poorly written rush job, purely posted to incite extreme comments and draw traffic.<br />
Much has been said about bloggers versus professionals, be it food, fashion, finance,beauty, nails, rainbow cakes. Basically it seems some professionals have a huge chip on their shoulder at anyone who appears to be as good or better at their own game, without all the hours spent chained to health and safety lectures and the tedious IT lessons.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">"I feel like the real industry is getting</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large; line-height: 14px;">overshadowed and everyone’s telling me that </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">no one does acrylic anymore, while I spend </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">every day covered in acrylic dust"</span></span></div>
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So the author is still getting the work then? Enough to keep her covered in dust? </div>
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What exactly is the problem? No I mean really, what is she saying? </div>
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Maybe she had a deadline and nothing backed up.</div>
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I can see no other reason for her 'hatin' on a bunch of people who may or may not be professionals, and as far as I can see have done nothing but breathe life into an industry that was becoming a cliche?</div>
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We (nail bloggers) are not killing the profession any more than a food blogger is killing the food industry. </div>
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It is only in the comments section that the author clarifies her intention in response to some very angry feedback</div>
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<span style="background-color: #f6f6f6; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My point-- and it is made in the post*-- is that natural nails and polish/art have not, as yet, dominated to the extent of representing the entirety of professional nail services being done in salons. And I'm a little irritated (but not exactly hateful) that my own industry resources have been so quick to forget that many of us are still doing "fake nails" on a regular basis... making a living doing them, in fact.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">*no it isn't</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">So what she's really saying is her own industry's publications are selling its members down the river by favouring the decorated, natural nails rather than show artificial nails? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Is that what she's saying? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Because I don't see L'Oreal and Chanel calling up nail bloggers consistently to do manicures for their collections. If anything, the industry is as nepotistic and elitist as it ever was. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">What we do, and I speak for all bloggers whatever the field of interest, pro or noob, is employ ourselves as curators or counsellors of passion.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">We might break things down so readers and fellow enthusiasts can try something they never thought they could do.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">We might tell you the truth about something that has a misleading but unstoppable marketing campaign behind it. </span></div>
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We might be up all night editing photos and text and re-doing things until they're reader worthy. </div>
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We might do it for an audience of 5 or 5 million.</div>
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We are here to stay, and if forward projections are to be believed, the majority of the human race will have a blog one day. I see value and importance in everyone's private lives and thoughts, not just professionals who already reap the rewards of their craft daily.</div>
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We're also pretty good at forming a sentence or two, something the author might want to look into. You know, when she's bored with annoying a sizable and vocal section of the internet.</div>
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clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-58428024753245812772013-02-11T17:52:00.000+00:002013-02-11T18:58:48.777+00:00Pretty Valentine Nails<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvTuQrqawdbOF_VP-p88jdfGlq_HMGFp-f8wPop-pkCXGTINMhw8xuI_cBFosgOJDc24wrWvynecHCO8uYr7B4xT0jai9vx6Hb7PnnlXA1Xymn4gZts_pRJbZtflwkrsPgMzTKSYBQ6mf/s1600/saipua+nails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvTuQrqawdbOF_VP-p88jdfGlq_HMGFp-f8wPop-pkCXGTINMhw8xuI_cBFosgOJDc24wrWvynecHCO8uYr7B4xT0jai9vx6Hb7PnnlXA1Xymn4gZts_pRJbZtflwkrsPgMzTKSYBQ6mf/s1600/saipua+nails.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLKFAkHkSUeT_-NkzL2LknXiidyx8vypiT4xGDpP5witvuD9F5hygjWURlWQTh7L1E9BZjvxbyST5cFt78SQkfqGuetIAzzcSztsy42bU1Oyhhyphenhypheno75HD70isqvYhl-mfxd92UrLiiqzTN/s1600/making+petals+with+nail+polish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLKFAkHkSUeT_-NkzL2LknXiidyx8vypiT4xGDpP5witvuD9F5hygjWURlWQTh7L1E9BZjvxbyST5cFt78SQkfqGuetIAzzcSztsy42bU1Oyhhyphenhypheno75HD70isqvYhl-mfxd92UrLiiqzTN/s1600/making+petals+with+nail+polish.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-73056397665409570502013-02-08T18:30:00.000+00:002013-02-08T18:30:00.993+00:00Simple Valentine Nails<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUg7835ZHcPby6hZ1yT-Hcu2l0HpDLBVuO-EaaIpv89dMyd5EB9VIWWGRt0DihAOIIBecmjbR_dqPYtDAfGQZ_s56PwFe2jvif2KlEU8l3pOSSrcPmZ3RdlPnRcX82B0pmuopA70NOiYp/s1600/love+nails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Graphics and hearts on a white background" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUg7835ZHcPby6hZ1yT-Hcu2l0HpDLBVuO-EaaIpv89dMyd5EB9VIWWGRt0DihAOIIBecmjbR_dqPYtDAfGQZ_s56PwFe2jvif2KlEU8l3pOSSrcPmZ3RdlPnRcX82B0pmuopA70NOiYp/s1600/love+nails.jpg" title="Simple Valentine Nailart" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQP9I7WUX6FEYwcZa0fasdZu3sJe9BTpaqzQLbfNuDTr9nbMqpzHHPQAyYYb4VEyimF4dqHB2AKWcrxLVnOeCwkw6nG_hWmC-sKWuI0-yxmBoedP_uMnFmVWFCW_O-nRxEPxClZyNOsXf/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQP9I7WUX6FEYwcZa0fasdZu3sJe9BTpaqzQLbfNuDTr9nbMqpzHHPQAyYYb4VEyimF4dqHB2AKWcrxLVnOeCwkw6nG_hWmC-sKWuI0-yxmBoedP_uMnFmVWFCW_O-nRxEPxClZyNOsXf/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-7149075339310059662013-02-04T18:30:00.000+00:002013-02-04T18:30:02.168+00:00Cute Jars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rrOpI9ePNixwTdqjqJv_HGS-CVBY-xsxcIIuNbZg70PwOzLwzb0nHYcEHHUWldE0pJUglfyEPebCvtjkWyovdXJuxY6BBNNVDo7UuI2G5SP8TiBoAWHipIZEH13gtnHQXIvLzBt3pqq3/s1600/cute+jars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Repurposed jars" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rrOpI9ePNixwTdqjqJv_HGS-CVBY-xsxcIIuNbZg70PwOzLwzb0nHYcEHHUWldE0pJUglfyEPebCvtjkWyovdXJuxY6BBNNVDo7UuI2G5SP8TiBoAWHipIZEH13gtnHQXIvLzBt3pqq3/s640/cute+jars.jpg" title="Cute Jars" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-82885056220917106242013-02-01T18:30:00.000+00:002013-02-08T09:12:17.252+00:00Cupid Nailart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEE1O3HZsbNyP3nf110ORSFqAeyrWyIQGucvxKP3EhT9Ljdc6uaaQRET-tfCldPorebTw06lENgVZAsuAtRMuZxWWPM-Nx5wTOixXgms1NuLe-v2-uYNxjQOPm4Rw1Mr3TUrVqkbP3QRX/s1600/cupid7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEE1O3HZsbNyP3nf110ORSFqAeyrWyIQGucvxKP3EhT9Ljdc6uaaQRET-tfCldPorebTw06lENgVZAsuAtRMuZxWWPM-Nx5wTOixXgms1NuLe-v2-uYNxjQOPm4Rw1Mr3TUrVqkbP3QRX/s400/cupid7.jpg" width="393" /></a></div>
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Tis the season of love and even though I am a bitter old hag, to let the love fest pass without doing something, anything would be terrible. Because of course I really do believe in love. An old fashioned kind of love I think now</div>
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The kind of love that can make you forget your inhibitions, worries and fears. Love that is reflected back at you with commitment, loyalty and desire. May you find that love if you want it and if you already have, hold tightly onto it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLZX-QB12x9QE9I5LRLkxMaO_GRVUAmeYHbwHuHLTLNccyWRo8idM8ncerzqN6lwlQjBgRfPy7dfWLGY4QuTt2HwcCGDPgwA8Hm_aiLQhmN_uoLMMe66eW2Zu9XQQXn45yQQH4QwrcuY5/s1600/nails+better.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cupid Nailart" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLZX-QB12x9QE9I5LRLkxMaO_GRVUAmeYHbwHuHLTLNccyWRo8idM8ncerzqN6lwlQjBgRfPy7dfWLGY4QuTt2HwcCGDPgwA8Hm_aiLQhmN_uoLMMe66eW2Zu9XQQXn45yQQH4QwrcuY5/s1600/nails+better.jpg" title="Cupid Nailart" /></a></div>
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<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-63360051626722587592013-01-31T10:53:00.001+00:002014-06-10T18:15:25.785+01:00Let's Go To LA<div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="http://www.roosbros.com/?p=4830#more-4830" target="_blank">The most beautiful pictures of LA at night by Vicky Moon Via Roos Bros</a> stole away from me all sense of time and place. I'm not even scheduling this post, I want everyone to go and see these. Go now. Quickly.<br />
I was just looking at my camera and thinking<br />
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'<span style="font-size: large;">Poor sad thing, all you do is take pictures of nails in this little room. You should be out, living, having adventures</span>'</div>
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and I came across these wonderful pictures I should be filling my little bored friend up with.<br />
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I am an image whore. <br />
I could look at art all day, not even art, just pretty things. Classical, architectural, modern, pixel emoticons, you name it. I file them in my brain and they make me try harder to be better...at something.<br />
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I get most excited by night time urban photography, and especially decaying urban scenes.<br />
After all, I am from Manchester, a splendidly decaying Urban scene<br />
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<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-82349787166724708182013-01-31T09:31:00.001+00:002013-01-31T09:31:30.793+00:00Let's Go Shopping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEQ0gs0ptXvskRRimx_dL_D62Nhu4CXZYeF9cePJMYAqF8QSOzfmdildvOmVtPJNL1GLtSunJ7BN7xN1W8nTQqBJKnDe-CjoAPAK3f2hc39ccgfCWip_L-K9YujUlBbc3rN1Zhb8fy9M4/s1600/crazycatlady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="SELECTION OF CAT ITEMS TO BUY" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEQ0gs0ptXvskRRimx_dL_D62Nhu4CXZYeF9cePJMYAqF8QSOzfmdildvOmVtPJNL1GLtSunJ7BN7xN1W8nTQqBJKnDe-CjoAPAK3f2hc39ccgfCWip_L-K9YujUlBbc3rN1Zhb8fy9M4/s1600/crazycatlady.jpg" title=" LOTS OF CAT THINGS TO BUY FROM SHOPS" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-pc-Japanese-Cat-Fish-Small-Bowl-150-947-/150599139191?pt=Dinnerware_Serving_Dishes&hash=item2310687f77" target="_blank">CUTEST DISH TO PUT TREASURES IN</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-pc-Japanese-Kokeshi-Beckoning-Cat-Bento-box-280-225-/350364194725?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51935557a5" target="_blank">SHINY BENTO BOX FOR DELICIOUS LUNCHES</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.johnlewis.com/243568/Product.aspx" target="_blank">ALESSI IS TOO TOO PHAT FOR CAT FOOD</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.strapya-world.com/products/53836.html" target="_blank">HANGING ON THE TELEPHONE WITH FAT CAT</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/K5D-Pearl-Crystal-Rhinestone-Cat-Ear-Headband-Hair-Band-Headwear-Punk-Hair-Wrap-/251221137442?pt=UK_Hair_Accessories&var=&hash=item3a7df25822" target="_blank">SO FETCHING IN CAT EARS</a><br />
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<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-55887812043975989152013-01-28T10:00:00.000+00:002013-01-28T10:27:26.712+00:00No Yeast Bread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCxa1tjYDPcA9tGzBSOLiYA_iBxUl3GSt5_zxqj4t_huF3iofkG70QHqs62VCOwxzzZm80ZMJr8U0GnlweEd0ND_Lb2RPGuRPjw13F-twbJm5HeAPQLX7cj9Mt8g9yg5Ar4f8bOy5VVFr/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Step by step bread making tutorial" border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCxa1tjYDPcA9tGzBSOLiYA_iBxUl3GSt5_zxqj4t_huF3iofkG70QHqs62VCOwxzzZm80ZMJr8U0GnlweEd0ND_Lb2RPGuRPjw13F-twbJm5HeAPQLX7cj9Mt8g9yg5Ar4f8bOy5VVFr/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" title="No Yeast Bread" width="640" /></a></div>
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For when whatever you have in is just not enough.<br />
2 cups of flour, half a cup fo room temperature water, a little salt, baking powder and Oregano (my preference) when mixed together make a wonderfully satisfying dough.<br />
Knead for a while, no need to prove.<br />
Tear plump little dough balls off, flatten and fry.<br />
Serve with lovely soup, or just eat it straight from the pan*<br />
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*must be a well loved battered old pan<br />
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<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-58397204649565933002013-01-27T20:41:00.000+00:002013-01-27T20:42:13.929+00:00Fat Pants<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1V3WuX4mGEMWdlTgAUcR9liPBHjQyLEZMCEW2pY5L6gZAi-WxbL1nCmdFLXZ9Pgy7ZTjAn34cvWP03tGrdhx_9MeSpPaHyQrN6cz4YlUeAcchcvIzKiIMs6YN6bajJKYDKF2fX1i3IcBW/s1600/fatpants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1V3WuX4mGEMWdlTgAUcR9liPBHjQyLEZMCEW2pY5L6gZAi-WxbL1nCmdFLXZ9Pgy7ZTjAn34cvWP03tGrdhx_9MeSpPaHyQrN6cz4YlUeAcchcvIzKiIMs6YN6bajJKYDKF2fX1i3IcBW/s400/fatpants.jpg" width="357" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tried to find original image source but couldn't. Used under creative commons license</td></tr>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">The scene</span></u><br />
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Tescos, looking at huge, comfy 'full briefs' <br />
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Redhead: Just get the pants. No-ones going to see them<br />
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Me: OK<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">24 hours later</span></u><br />
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Me: You know you're not hot when your OWN sister makes you get fat pants because no-ones going to see them.<br />
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Redhead: NO NO I didn't mean that<br />
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Me: Take me home pleaseclairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-73677177320658557482013-01-26T11:11:00.000+00:002013-01-26T11:11:00.172+00:00Winter Floral Nailart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQDc1JiRBMO2IfoWIXhYTCfZmbIi1XKfCcoNsa_zxVCR7zJEFyZflWK0STM0MhZuCgeG9BbEKtoY1GSjKLiwyehk56l3F3tjPV-fTZ0wyo6cIoz8Rk_9vC10xmw2FWouVDgmkFxyQWwrY/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nailart in white on a pink base coat" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQDc1JiRBMO2IfoWIXhYTCfZmbIi1XKfCcoNsa_zxVCR7zJEFyZflWK0STM0MhZuCgeG9BbEKtoY1GSjKLiwyehk56l3F3tjPV-fTZ0wyo6cIoz8Rk_9vC10xmw2FWouVDgmkFxyQWwrY/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" title="Winter Floral Collage" /></a><br />
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Totally inspired by, but not doing justice to the <a href="http://saipua.blogspot.co.uk/">SAIPUA</a> {Finnish for soap, which is what the business started out being} website. They do the most amazing natural floral arrangements from a lovely shop in New York. Ranunculus and daisies and winter berries tumble in white from a nudey pink background.<br />
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Shouldn't it always be like this?<br />
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<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-66812998941505656612013-01-25T17:10:00.000+00:002013-01-25T17:24:38.211+00:00Illustrations<div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgsxmUh60m9TlKxidXJXoMECWVwN1e8fxEjziYqPBNx-0U8N5s56hLh14tXVuVx9hoLzuaR0PARBC0h6w-_HtfMdOx83oBWBjqi-ke67y0i1db0H6SxW1-vg8aoYoFKh_1ojMKIqOqOvJ/s1600/baby+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgsxmUh60m9TlKxidXJXoMECWVwN1e8fxEjziYqPBNx-0U8N5s56hLh14tXVuVx9hoLzuaR0PARBC0h6w-_HtfMdOx83oBWBjqi-ke67y0i1db0H6SxW1-vg8aoYoFKh_1ojMKIqOqOvJ/s640/baby+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij60GcmVUH52ACDKSUxt_0UtZQwbTsURxfjOl1KZfXlsjRcufple7hbXm31WGhL8weMo3atpoZTkvUIATAfs-203HxkLRVJxHjzfhJijTqU_oPclJBvwbSPZVhuOklrEtiRYCiPCgcyHFH/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij60GcmVUH52ACDKSUxt_0UtZQwbTsURxfjOl1KZfXlsjRcufple7hbXm31WGhL8weMo3atpoZTkvUIATAfs-203HxkLRVJxHjzfhJijTqU_oPclJBvwbSPZVhuOklrEtiRYCiPCgcyHFH/s640/PicMonkey+Collage2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyKB7QWMUiqAha8vHuQFVW2c5IEJSWSrtRH8mu1KmgRibRi_DElFQyynyXz7cITXF4GMoRrsenHm_2ov7Yu8SC8h13WjhiX_-jFJNBd6vUEouKxlrqJmQN_3FwzJazTs9so3DRzZeMvJ-/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyKB7QWMUiqAha8vHuQFVW2c5IEJSWSrtRH8mu1KmgRibRi_DElFQyynyXz7cITXF4GMoRrsenHm_2ov7Yu8SC8h13WjhiX_-jFJNBd6vUEouKxlrqJmQN_3FwzJazTs9so3DRzZeMvJ-/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kC6KcUJxD8knAstvL39gpSqwdMfDO_crlC011-VRhx3QdH5UF98J39NoqRE7v877nu1Ew13z88OgzCwMFiv0xwqccs5hBnaegSqR7fm7tBlVrihk7rDSjhOCaVUHjdlKdWHEZr34EmEp/s1600/pony+flash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kC6KcUJxD8knAstvL39gpSqwdMfDO_crlC011-VRhx3QdH5UF98J39NoqRE7v877nu1Ew13z88OgzCwMFiv0xwqccs5hBnaegSqR7fm7tBlVrihk7rDSjhOCaVUHjdlKdWHEZr34EmEp/s640/pony+flash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've been drawing since I was a kid. I thought I'd be a high rolling
graphic designer, or change the world with my exquisite works of fine
art when I first started out. <br />
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The more art I studied and took
in, the harder I tried to emulate my heroes, and the more disappointed
in my own abilities I became.<br />
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So I 'packed it in' and concentrated on real things instead, like babies and a marriage jobs that paid the rent.<br />
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I
still doodle, and now the marriage is gone, the babies are young men.
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I spend too much on art books though, and too much
time doodling when I should be cleaning or studying, and it breaks my
heart that I never tried harder to get better at putting the things I
dream about onto paper....a cautionary tale to the young there...<br />
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Sometimes,
I'll start a drawing, and amaze myself with the accuracy or the ease
the images appear...other times I'm surrounded by scrunched up pieces of
paper and overwhelmed with my own inadequacies...but I never stop
trying.<br />
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Sometimes I'll spend ages sharpening pencils and never commit them to paper.<br />
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If any of this strikes a chord I'd love to hear from you.clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327754834923166167.post-40467966732253309092013-01-22T14:25:00.000+00:002013-01-23T15:14:55.442+00:00Let's Go Shopping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKLM819RcfJ8xmw_mJi4QV974jzggAJPVCnP0c3Ldk4r4B6g6_A1UTWGFk8nJ_qSNNRB0jUQjRbXK6TLhoWVlFSw4TPjy8PrsQ6HPAU6Ku-phFgEvQWpMfvtJ7lYV5L3MWMG759AIxtRC/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="selection of lovely things to buy online" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKLM819RcfJ8xmw_mJi4QV974jzggAJPVCnP0c3Ldk4r4B6g6_A1UTWGFk8nJ_qSNNRB0jUQjRbXK6TLhoWVlFSw4TPjy8PrsQ6HPAU6Ku-phFgEvQWpMfvtJ7lYV5L3MWMG759AIxtRC/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" title="shopping collage" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just nice things for wintry days. All links open in a new window. Ipad users, I'm sorry <br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62207414/tiny-silver-disc-sterling-silver-tiny?ref=sr_gallery_3&sref=sr_8e4cc709942a4dad2ddd437f39c714b9c34b6659c5387d6b55e95b06c334fa60_1358860799_14209215_tiny&ga_search_query=tiny+silver+pendant&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=GB&ga_page=7&ga_search_type=handmade" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">PRETTY LITTLE NECKLACE</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.frenchconnection.com/category/Homeware+Collection+Cushions+And+Throws/Cushions+Blankets+Throws.htm?f_distinct_base_colours=brown" target="_blank">CUSHION WITH WHICH TO SEDUCE</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://uk.strawberrynet.com/perfume/clean/#7047" target="_blank">PERFUME TO DREAM OF SUMMER WITH</a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/116619024/iphone-5-case-wood-geometric-white?ref=sr_gallery_43&ga_search_query=geometric&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=GB&ga_page=7&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=geometric" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></a> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/116619024/iphone-5-case-wood-geometric-white?ref=sr_gallery_43&ga_search_query=geometric&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=GB&ga_page=7&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=geometric" target="_blank">CUTE IPHONE CASE</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/109468809/woodland-creature-wolf-bracelet-silver?ref=sr_gallery_6&ga_search_query=woodland+creatures+bangle&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=GB&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=woodland+creatures+bangle" target="_blank">FOXY BANGLE FOR FOXY LADIES</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://direct.asda.com/george/womens-knitwear/cable-knit-boyfriend-cardigan-cream/G004168095,default,pd.html" target="_blank">BOYFRIEND CARDI SO PEOPLE THINK YOU'VE GOT A BOYFRIEND</a> </span><br />
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<br />clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03472937005125579188noreply@blogger.com3