Fashion Inspiration: The Oil Slick

Posted on March 11, 2016March 11, 2016 Posted in Fashion & Beauty, styleTagged ASOS, beauty, Dr Martens, fashion, fashion blogger, fashion inspiration, hair, makeup, montreal blogger, nails, nastygal, oil slick, photoshop, stan smith, trends1 Comment

oilslick2000
As a kid, I remember being mesmerized by pools of gasoline on the asphalt near the park where I played. I thought they looked like the edgier, tougher older brother of rainbows. I’d be staring at the ground mystified and sure enough, my dad would yell “Get away from that! Don’t touch it!” Anyway, here I am, a grown up, still fascinated by this blend of colours. I’m not the only one, it seems, since I’ve noticed the pattern popping up in fashion over the past few years. Here’s a collage to round up just a few.

Leggings from Urban Outfitters
Dr Martens Shoes
Duochrome Nail Polish: Peace, love and OPI, Essie “For the twill of it”, Nars “Disco inferno”
T-Shirt from Asos
Mini Clutch bag from Proenza Schouler
Eye makeup via Bows and Curtseys
Headphones by Nastygal
Oil slick hair found on Reddit

Picture from my Instagram

Summer Trends I Love – Part One: Stacked rings + turquoise stones

Posted on May 21, 2015May 21, 2015 Posted in Fashion & BeautyTagged accessories, beauty, boho, fashion, festival fashion, hands, jewelry, modern hippie, nails, photoshop, rings, stacked rings, summer trends, trends, turquoise8 Comments

I’m really loving this modern hippie/bohemian festival faerie look that’s everywhere, and I love that it extends itself into little details, like decorated hands. Anything that allows me to feel like a fortune teller in broad daylight is a welcome trend in my book. I’ve been noticing stacked rings of mixed metals and sizes, moon shapes, and gemstones on quite a few people, and mentioned it back when I wrote this post. Since the turquoise is my December birth stone, I’ve always had a special appreciation for it, and I find it complements every skin tone. Who needs a manicure when your hands are adorned with gems and metals?
The collage above was made with images I found on Pinterest.

How great is this image below? It makes me think Blue-Lagoon-meets-The-Craft.

For a more subtle look (probably less heavy too!):

Are there any trends that you’re currently into?

Easy half-moon nails

Posted on April 2, 2015April 2, 2015 Posted in Fashion & BeautyTagged beauty, DIY, manicure, nail polish, nail tutorial, nails, spring nails, turquoise nails11 Comments

My hands feel extra fancy these days with the combination gold half moons + Tiffany blue on my nails. The colours conveniently divert my eyes from the dry winter skin that only some warm weather will eventually cure. Thanks to these French manicure adhesives that a roommate gave me, the process was easy. Easy like Sunday morning.

You will need:
-a solid colour nail polish
-a metallic nail polish
–Sally Hansen French Manicure Kit adhesives (although if you have binder protectors lying around, those will do the trick)
-base coat (optional)

1) Start by applying the base coat. Follow with 2 thin coats of solid nail polish, letting each dry really well in between and after.
2) When you think your nails are dry, do a test-try on one nail with an adhesive: apply it check if the polish comes off when you peel it.

3) Good to go? Then add adhesives just below midway on your nails. Gently press into the sides to ensure a clean line. (I tend to reuse mine, that’s why some have paint on them).
4) Paint a thin coat of metallic polish, starting from your nail bed going upwards (it’s ok if some gets on the adhesive)

5) When dry, carefully remove adhesives and marvel at your hands!
This pretty antique dish that I keep jewelry in is what led to the inspiration. Nail colours are Revlon Gold Coin (cheap!) and Nicole by OPI My Lifesaver.

Pinning Vs. Doing

Posted on March 2, 2015March 17, 2015 Posted in Fashion & BeautyTagged beauty, nails, pinterest2 Comments

I love Pinterest. As a person who works best with visuals, it’s an ideal way to track and categorize my interests.

I took a step away from it awhile ago, because I noticed I was spending much more time looking up things I wanted to do/read/bake/craft rather than actually doing them. The same way I sometimes spend an hour browsing through Netflix and adding films to my list rather than settling on something and watching it. I’m not sure how, but doing things I was supposed to enjoy just added up became another to-do list, and I wasn’t getting excited about it.

So here’s a little step towards the doing. These nails were one of the first things I pinned when I started using pinterest years ago, and this week I decided it was time (also my nail polish collection had time to grow and I finally had similar colours). Kind of superficial, and yes they clash with almost every outfit, but hey, I can’t help but feel happy every time I look at my hands.

Silver band and crown ring from these guys. I love everything they make!

Vintage brass ring and watch. Nail polish (top to bottom): Nicole by OPI My Lifesaver, Etsy Pink About It, Etsy Lilacism, Etsy Tart Deco.

You can follow me on Pinterest here.

Eyes on the Back of my Hands

Posted on February 25, 2015March 17, 2015 Posted in Fashion & BeautyTagged beauty, illustration, nail art, nails5 Comments

A few weeks ago during a yoga class, I found myself distracted by this tall bronze goddess practicing next to me. She must have been 5’ 9”, fresh back from a trip down south, with full eyebrows and strong limbs.

When I peeked over at her hands, I noticed she had the coolest manicure: black nails with blue evil eyes drawn on each fingernail. She accentuated her hands with tons of silver rings, many of which were adorned with turquoise gemstones. Her dark tan just made everything pop. I’ve never had nail art done before, since I usually do my nails myself and don’t really have the patience or the skill. But the next time I get a professional manicure, I might just have to try this out.

The above image is a visual rendition I attempted with watercolours (it came out pretty messy, I know). It definitely doesn’t do her justice, but I hope you get the idea.