Not Just a Name, A State of Mind: I Love NP - Part Three

 

This is my last,but not final post, on ILNP on this beautiful Memorial Day weekend. Here is the recap on I Love Nail Polish, lovelies: 

Vegas created and made by Barbra, ILNP specializes in glitters and creme-jelly glitters. The line recently expanded into a limited-edition Holographic release and also featured a Spring limited-edition creme selection.

The creativity behind this line blew me away. The branding, the packaging, the color concepts, and the quality are amazing for an independent line. ILNP's customer service standard is stellar- professional, timely, and lovely!

Time to show you the lacquer...

This is a pic heavy post highlighting, Forever & A Day, No Place Like Rome, and Truffle Shuffle.

 

Forever & A Day is a romantic shade inspired by that iconic New York city jewelry store. A shower of gold and teal glitters, this shade is elegant over pastels, nudes, and whites.

 

No Place Like Rome is bold and super sexy. It is a brilliant tornado of ruby squares, circles, and micro hexes. Barbra is quoted as saying that, "(this shade) looks good over any complementing color, but, it looks practically illegal when applied over dark shades – especially shades of black! We're definitely not in Kansas anymore!"

 

Truffle Shuffle was inspired by pure, rich, and dreamy chocolate. This shade is the equivalent of a heart shaped box of strawberry and cherry filled truffles. It consists of pink, red, and brown hex glitters of various sizes. 

 

 

(Forever & A Day featured OPI's My Vampire Is Buff and Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Green Tea and No Place Like Rome and Truffle Shuffle featured Zoya Dulcinea & Tosca)

 

Please check out ILNP at the following venues:

http://www.ilnp.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ILoveNP

http://blog.ilnp.com/

Prices are currently ( as of 05/27/2013- prices to change at discretion of the manufacturer) $10 USD for full size and $3.75 USD for the ultra mini (featured here).

All items reviewed were purchased (gladly) with my own funds.

Share the comments, share the love... 

 

 

Not Just a Name, A State of Mind: I Love NP - Part Two

 

Here is the recap on I Love Nail Polish, lovelies: 

Vegas created and made by Barbra, ILNP specializes in glitters and creme-jelly glitters. The line recently expanded into a limited-edition Holographic release and also featured a Spring limited-edition creme selection.

The creativity behind this line blew me away. The branding, the packaging, the color concepts, and the quality are amazing for an independent line. ILNP's customer service standard is stellar- professional, timely, and lovely!

Time to show you the lacquer...

This is a pic heavy post highlighting, Strawberry Crème, Cheshire Blues, and, A Golden Orchid. 

 

Strawberry Crème is a reminiscent of a sweet strawberry milkshake. This is a stunning creme-jelly polish featuring of pink, fuchsia, and red circle glitters. (Please note that per it's description it is 75% opaque.)

Cheshire Blues is a flirtatious and fun selection of purple, fuchsia, and light teal hexes with a scattering of pale pink heart glitter. On this polish, Barbra says, "If you're in the market for uncontrollable cuteness on your fingertips – Cheshire Blues is the polish for you! I mean it! Seriously... you're already 10 times cuter for considering it. Imagine what will happen when you wear it!" Love it.

A Golden Orchid is a true glitterbomb, that is a cacophony bold jewel toned glitters: gold, emerald, purple, and fuchsia. 

 

 

(Strawberry Crème and Cheshire Blues featured Zoya Dana and Jaime and A Golden Orchid featured Zoya Julieanne and Solange (Pixie Dust) )

Please check out ILNP at the following venues:

http://www.ilnp.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ILoveNP

http://blog.ilnp.com/

Prices are currently ( as of 05/12/2013- prices to change at discretion of the manufacturer) $10 USD for full size and $3.75 USD for the ultra mini (featured here).

All items reviewed were purchased (gladly) with my own funds.

Share the comments, share the love... part three is coming...

Not Just a Name, A State of Mind: I Love NP - Part One

 

Tell me lovelies, that says it all- right? 

It is my absolute pleasure to share the creations of style maven, Barbra, and - her passion, her pride, her brand- I Love Nail Polish. This polish has been featured by some of the loveliest lacqueristas on the web, but you know I have to represent this only like I can. 

Vegas created and made, ILNP specializes in glitters and creme-jelly glitters. The line recently expanded into a limited-edition Holographic release (I am amazed by AC Slater, Touch of Mint, Chloe & Monterey Bay) and also featured a Spring limited-edition creme selection.

The creativity behind this line blew me away. The branding, the packaging, the color concepts, and the quality are amazing for an independent line. The best part, which you will only find out about if you jump on in ( this is a 75 degree infinity pool on a sunny yet breezy day without a cloud in the azure sky),  is the customer service standard. Barbra is professional, timely, and lovely! I had a fan girl moment when she followed me on Instagram. She commented not only on her products, but other pictures and products I use. Class act alert.

As I always say, on to the business at hand...

This is a pic heavy post highlighting, Up to Snow Good, Bohemian Peacock, and So Ghoul. 

Up to Snow Good is an avalanche of matte, prismatic, pearlized, and translucent glitters in teal, blue, white, and aqua. Barbra said ,on her Etsy description of this color, "The polish reminds me of those mints that we all tried to bite on in the dark to make spark. I never could get that to happen… must have been a conspiracy to get gullible children to buy mints instead of chocolate."

Bohemian Peacock is a glitterbomb of orange, green, blue, and teal. Barbra said her inspiration walked straight off the catwalks at Fashion Week. This will make you work. Fierce. 

So Ghoul is a another atmospheric top coat. This is a haze of gunmetal, gray, black, citrine, and slate glitters. This color to Barbra is "reminiscent of a lonely tombstone". It reminds me of Disneyworld Florida's Haunted Mansion or a steamy Boston night... don't ask. 

(All shades are featured over Zoya's Delicata. Thanks to Radha for her selection of this neutral for this post.)

 

 

Please check out ILNP at the following venues:

http://www.ilnp.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ILoveNP

http://blog.ilnp.com/

Prices are currently ( as of 05/12/2013- prices to change at discretion of the manufacturer) $10 USD for full size and $3.75 USD for the ultra mini (featured here).

All items reviewed were purchased (gladly) with my own funds.

Share the comments, share the love...

Happy Mother's Day to my mom, Marina, who is dying to try ILNP in July! xoxoxo

Also, all the best to those who are Moms or the special women in your lives...

Guest Post from Hayley of Polished At Heart: Butter London's Two Fingered Salute

Hello lovelies, another ECKlipsed by Color first... a guest post! 

I am so happy to introduce the lovely Hayley from Polished At Heart. She and her sister-in-law Jackie, share their corner of the internet in order to stay connected with not only the latest trends, but each other. It is such a thoughtful and delightful blog!

I was introduced to Hayley through Katie at the Daily Varnish, while testing our "Name that Essie Skills." Since then she has become a great friend and sista in polish. With this the "floor" is now Hayley's... Enjoy!
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I was so honored to have Elena invite me to guest post for her.  I am new to the blogging world and never dreamed someone would like my posts enough to want to include them in their personal blog.  Being that we both love shades of blues and mints, I decided to use butter London’s Two Fingered Salute.  I love this shade because it’s so unique and perfect for any time of the year.   Two Fingered Salute is a lovely patina green with a pinkish copper shimmer that has an eggshell finish on the nail. 

 

The formula is fantastic and this was 2 easy coats.  I wore this shade during winter when I got it, and I think it transitions easily into spring.  In fact, I’ll be wearing it again soon when I get to be an honorary Greek for a day in May and celebrate Easter since I didn’t really get to celebrate my Easter last month!

I am thankful to have met Elena through the polishverse and she is a great gal to know!  Thanks again for having me. :)

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Please check out Hayley's blog Polished At Heart- you will be impressed!  Share the love, share the comments...

Holy holo! Fetch did happen. : Bigmouth Lacquer's Fetch

Gretchen: That is so fetch!
Regina: Gretchen, stop trying to make fetch happen! It's not going to happen! 

Lovelies, I am invoking 2004's Mean Girls to present to you Fetch by Bigmouth Lacquer. Bigmouth Lacquer is a fantastic indie brand out of Kalamazoo, MI created by the talented Erica. Her shades are sassy, bold, and futuristic just like the music, television shows, and movies that inspire them. 

Fetch is a Limited Edition Spring 2013 release. Erica refers to it as a minty-grassy holographic. It is that and then some. The color some how is bold yet demure. I have worn this in the office and out for drinks and been spot on in both locales. She is a number one stunner and will not do you wrong. 

The formula is incredible. It is chock full of Spectraflair and the viscosity is great. The shade reaches opacity in two coats. Without further adieu I present the photographic evidence...

 

After four days of wear

One coat of Fetch

 So... here is the exciting part- yes, even more exciting than that awesomeness above- Erica is sharing an exclusive coupon with the readers of ECKlipsed By Color. She is offering 20% off of the purchase of two or more polishes at her Etsy store for a limited time* with the code APRIL20.

As always.. share the comments, share the love. Please check out Erica, I truly look forward to featuring more of her lacquers.

(*Subject to end at any time at discretion of Bigmouth Lacquer. Please inquire directly through Etsy contact features. Thank you.)

Suit & Tie: Inspired by Justin Timberlake's The 20/20 Experience

"Let me show you a few things..."

So what a week it has been, lovelies... I had these ready to post last week, but didn't feel quite right due to the tragic events surrounding the Boston Marathon. 

This post will be a bit brief, due to a few things: 1. there aren't too many people left who haven't heard this song ( How is that rock you are living under? Just checking) 2. It's nice to let the color speak for itself and 3. self-explanatory nail art really can stand on it's own.

The featured lacquer is Orly's High on Hope from the Hope & Freedom Fest Collection. This is a stunner, it takes my favorite Winter nail shade and flips it into Spring and Summer perfection. High on Hope is a Prussian leaning navy blue with heliotrope shimmer. She is craveworthy. Indoors it plays as a demure office and event ready shade, but in the light it knows how to turn it up. The refraction and shimmer is off of the charts. I can't wait to rock this as a pedi as well. 

The nail art was executed with Nail Candy Art Pens in White and Black to illustrate the front of a tuxedo and pinstripes. I think I have to pause and say a fine looking man in a pinstripe suit does things for me... ( especially you, Mr. Jes). The look was finished with some rhinestone embellishment. 

This is manicure goes out to Tux of Tuxarina. Tux is Kelly's particular and refined tuxedo black cat. He definitely wears his tuxedo for no reason...

I do want to take a moment to remember those lost on Marathon Monday, those injured and their families. Also let's keep in mind all the Boston, the Massachusetts, and the New England residents affected as a result of the aftermath. May the memories of the lost be eternal and may strength be present in everyone's lives. 

Taken yesterday in Boston at the site of one of the memorials.

 
We all together are BostonStrong.

Strawberry Bubblegum: Inspired by Justin Timberlake's The 20/20 Experience

"Hey pretty lady, this goes out to you..."

Well, lovelies, it is a mellow day, because I have had The 20/20 Experience cranked to 11 since I purchased it.  Justin Timberlake is Midas, in my humble opinion. So as a tribute to this pop/R&B phenom, there will be four posts of Inspired By looks based on songs.

This also gives me the opportunity to share the Orly Hope & Freedom Fest Collection. I absolutely love every shade. First up, Elation Generation is a stunning bubblegum pink jelly with an immense amount of holographic glitter suspended in it. I paired it with Boho Bonnet, a dusty pastel periwinkle creme. Both were amazing in three coats; they applied thinly and evenly. 

As JT says, "Strawberry Bubblegum, I'll be your Blueberry lollipop..." hence the nail art. The half-tone dots were done with Nail Candy Nail Art pens in white and pink, to mimic a bubbly and fizzy feel. The lollipops were done with Nail Candy Nail Art pens in white and turquoise. Clear rhinestones were set to accent the mani and give it that girly feel. This was a total departure for me, but I received a lot of complements on it, and really do love Elation Generation. 

Special shout outs to my girls just as obsessed with this album as I am... first and foremost Jasmine's amazing Nailista- her daughter. We can totally sing to this whole album sometime... Speaking of, Jamie and Kait... yeah, we totally did that.

Stay tuned for more nail art in 20/20 vision... it's about to get formal in here. I wonder what is up next...

Spring Fling Challenge Day Five: Watermarble or Gradient

Welcome, to the final day of the challenge! Just a recap this is a cooperative effort between myself and Kelly of Tuxarina, the Spring Fling Challenge is a five day mini skills showdown. We are fortunate to be joined by five others representing both the US and International nail blogging communities:

Hayley of Polished at Heart
Jackie of Polished at Heart 
Erin of LovelyLacqueredLife
Ghila of Nails Noob
Lynette of Pink & Purple Dots

It was my intention to attempt a Watermarble, but the week after vacation is a crash landing. I solemnly swear you will see a Watermarble soon! Instead, I bring you my (in)famous "Lazy Glitter Gradient" a.k.a. "Fake It Until You Make It and Let the Glitter Distract". I started with a base of Sinful Colors' Candy Coated, a periwinkle leaning lilac, then I coated the top half of each nail with Julep's Julia, a stunning gold-purple micro shimmer. The entire nail was swept with Sally Hansen Complete Manicure in Snowglobe. Next three quarters of the nail was painted in KBShimmer's The Square. The Square is a purple-plum jelly with a cacophany of square glitters in a range of sizes suspended in it. The colors dance between purple, white and gold to turquoise and cobalt. This is an amazing instant jelly sandwich... or as I like to say "preserve press". The mani was topped with another coat of Snowglobe. It's not perfect, but it's fun! It's Friday, and I am going with it...

I can't wait to see what all the ladies have done! Please share the comments and share the love...

Thank you so much to all of the girls for participating! Lynette, Ghila, Hayley, Jackie, Erin you did an amazing job and stayed so dedicated! Love to all of you! A special thanks to my challenge partner in crime, Kelly. This is our third challenge together since October... what are we going to cook up next, dear? Hehehe...

Happy Friday, lovelies... enjoy!

Spring Fling Challenge Day Four: Bunnies!

Welcome, to day four of the challenge! Just a recap this is a cooperative effort between myself and Kelly of Tuxarina, the Spring Fling Challenge is a five day mini skills showdown. We are fortunate to be joined by six others representing both the US and International nail blogging communities:

Hayley of Polished at Heart
Jackie of Polished at Heart 
Erin of LovelyLacqueredLife
Ghila of Nails Noob
Kylie of SparKylie Nails
Lynette of Pink & Purple Dots


As another reminder for days two through four, I will be sharing a new product with you, Nail Candy Nail Art Pens. I am very fortunate to have a dear friend and comrade in fashion, June at JM Princewell on the Oval in New Hampshire. She is the reason I am laced in Pandora, adore Paddywax, and am addicted to Tea Forte. Her taste is impeccable and the experience of her store is unsurpassed. She has a firm commitment to US Made, NH Made, Fair Trade, and For Women By Women products. This is a commendable effort. June is helping to underwrite my challenge by asking me to test the nail art product. Today's effort was a bit more streamlined, but still whimsical.


Thanks to Amanda Z. at The Nail Polish Enthusiast and Amanda A. at Fashion Footing for funding today's manicure! The polishes came from swaps and gift exchanges. These ladies have been very generous, and I appreciate it! The need for China Glaze's It's a Trap-Eze came from seeing Lynette's stunning nail art and swatches... Thank you, my dear!

 

My Tarina Tarantino Kyoto Carnival Bonnie Brae earrings in Candy Floss

My nails were painted with a combination of a few shades. First up, Essie's Where's My Chauffeur? a Winter 2012 release. I would definitely call this a Tiffany Blue shade. I topped these nails with Black Cat Lacquer's Let Them Eat Cake- a pastel glitter topper.  The next shade was also a holiday release from the China Glaze Cirque De Soleil inspired line. It's a Trap-Eze is a stunning indie inspired lacquer that is a multi-glitter suspended in a perfect milky white base. My bunny design (inspired by socks that Amanda A. sent with my Secret Bunny exchange package) is simple- but super fun. Couldn't resist adding some a bit of bling on the bunny tail...


I can't wait to see what all the ladies have done! Please share the comments and share the love...

To be concluded- tomorrow wraps up the challenge... watermarble or gradient!

Spring Fling Challenge Day Three: Patterns of Fashion

Welcome, to day three of the challenge! Just a recap this is a cooperative effort between myself and Kelly of Tuxarina, the Spring Fling Challenge is a five day mini skills showdown. We are fortunate to be joined by six others representing both the US and International nail blogging communities:

Hayley of Polished at Heart
Jackie of Polished at Heart 
Erin of LovelyLacqueredLife
Ghila of Nails Noob
Kylie of SparKylie Nails
Lynette of Pink & Purple Dots

As another reminder for days two through four, I will be sharing a new product with you, Nail Candy Nail Art Pens. I am very fortunate to have a dear friend and comrade in fashion, June at JM Princewell on the Oval in New Hampshire. She is the reason I am laced in Pandora, adore Paddywax, and am addicted to Tea Forte. Her taste is impeccable and the experience of her store is unsurpassed. She has a firm commitment to US Made, NH Made, Fair Trade, and For Women By Women products. This is a commendable effort. June is helping to underwrite my challenge by asking me to test the nail art product. I got a bit more fierce with day two...

Spring has definitely sprung and it is evident with the change in fashion, jewelry, fragrance, nail collection releases, and spirit. Warm weather brings out fun and bold style, and I am in love. I took inspiration from a favorite clothing store of mine and as Kelly says " I love me some trigger manicure", so of course I did that, too. This gave me the opportunity to feature two patterns: a modified European toile and a bold Bohemian embroidered pattern. 

I also was fortunate to purchase the entire Essie Resort Collection when I was in Florida, I featured In the Cab-ana yesterday, today I'll bring you two more- First Timer and Under Where? This collection is a summer must! Great formulation and it is soft yet fairly universally flattering.

First Timer is a crisp minty-blue creme. (Now that I have accumulated six Essies in the pastel mint-spearmint-fresh mint range there will be a comparison post after the challenge.) The design was created with Nail Candy in Turquoise and Gold Sparkle. Under Where? is a flirty, fierce, luscious lilac creme. The design was created with Nail Candy in Fuchsia and White.

I can't wait to see what all the ladies have done! Please share the comments and share the love...

Stay tuned for day four... Bunnies!