Preppy and Polished

Winger Cover Inspired ManicureIf it wasn’t clear from my MCM post yesterday, I’ll tell everyone again… I enjoyed Winger very much! It was unique, fun and heartwarming in an immature teenage boy kind of way. I seriously laughed out loud… so loud, in fact, that my roommates made me close the door! And at the same time, it had me crying through the end. I love books that take me on a journey through a whole range of emotions, and Andrew Smith accomplished that with this contemporary YA novel.

This was the book I picked up for National Readathon Day, but I would have finished it just as quickly had it not been the holiday. I knew exactly what I wanted to paint on my nails before I even turned the last page. Manicures that have a clear look in my head always give me the most joy to paint, and ultimately remind me why I started all of this!

So less talk and more polish!

Tools I Used // Essie
Tools I Used // Essie Find Me An Oasis + After School Boy Blazer + Julep Sheila

It finally happened friends. For the first time in the history of Novels and Nail Polish, I didn’t have a color I was looking for. I have every shade of blue EXCEPT for navy, and I came to that stark realization when I was furiously looking for the colors to complete this manicure. I had to take a break (and a trip to two different stores) to go out and find Essie’s After School Boy Blazer before painting my nails.

Winger Cover Inspired ManicureAside from having the perfect name, After School Boy Blazer was exactly the right color to be the base of this manicure. I think one coat would have been enough, because the second coat made it look almost black. To represent the shirt, the powder blue of Find Me An Oasis took care of the accent nails.

I used red striping tape for the diagonal tie stripes across my three nails. Here’s the deal with that: totally a lazy move and I’ll admit it! On the one hand, they look straight and perfect the first time around, no messing with them or worry they’ll smear with a top coat. On the other hand, even with a clear coat, striping tape starts to peel up just hours after applied. That’s why I normally never use it in place of paint.

Bottom line: need a shortcut? Striping tape. Need a lasting mani, use paint.

Winger Cover Inspired ManicureFor my accent nail, the loose schoolboy tie was a given. I ended up using a dotting tool to paint the thin red lines because all of my brushes are too thick. A tip I’ve come to realize when painting something based on the cover is to draw it out on a  piece of paper beforehand, so you have a feel for where you’re going to take the design!
Winger Cover Inspired ManicureIf you’re on a contemporary kick like me, don’t miss Winger, that’s for sure! Happy Reading!

{Man Crush Monday} Winger’s Ryan Dean West

WingerI’ve been on a contemporary kick lately, and Winger didn’t disappoint!! The quirky, awkward, sex-obsessed teenage protagonist is my Man Crush today because he was so much fun to follow (in the most ridiculous way of course). Ryan Dean West tries, fails, grows a pair and then learns a lot about love and life throughout the novel, and I love the visual story he takes us on.

Winger Cover Inspired ManicureI’m excited to share my mani with everyone tomorrow because I was so inspired to paint it as soon as I put the book down!

Have you read Winger? What did you think about Ryan Dean West? Happy Reading!

Pretty, Pretty Polish {Mint Polish Review & Swatches}

Mint Polish Bottles

There are a lot of awesome nail polish brands out there – some big and some small, but no matter the size, equally as awesome. Mint is an LA-based company with beautiful bottles and smart shades that apply as easily as they look on the eyes. As  a self-proclaimed lover of pretty things that function as decor in addition to their original use (case and point – Louboutin’s nail polish), I fell head-over-heels the first time I found this brand and their perfume-inspired bottles on Instagram. It only got better when I learned their polishes are 5-Free and brewed & bottled in sunny Southern California!

Mint Polish

Now that we’ve seen the beauty of the bottle, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. The formula and brush are honestly equally as wonderful as the bottle’s design. I love the long brush and “stem,” if you will, because it allows for fantastic control while painting. The colors look great with one coat if you’re in a rush out the door, and the second coat leveled beautifully for fully opaque coverage.

Moonlit Stroll

Mint Polish - Moonlit Stroll

Out of Mint’s new collection, this color was the one I HAD to have. It came out just after Pantone announced Marsala as their 2015 Color of the Year, and the second I saw Moonlit Stroll, I knew that was the perfect way to wear that trend. It’s definitely not your mother’s mauve, with a wonderful gold shimmer built into the rich pearlescent shade. It applied opaque in two coats, and looks like a dream!

Mint Polish - Moonlit Stroll Mint Polish - Moonlit Stroll

Fancy

Mint Polish - Fancy

What came first, the polish or the name? Because they reflect each other to perfection! Talk about a barely-there grey cream that is the essence of classy. It’s hard to find good grey polishes, and there’s no doubt in my mind that Fancy will be the bottle I grab next time I’m looking to freshen up an elegant look!

Mint Polish - Fancy Mint Polish - Fancy

Ice Cube

Mint Polish - Ice Cube

Ok, let’s talk mint nail polishes. Some people think they’re overdone, but I adore ’em! I featured Mint’s namesake, Original Mint, in my gift guide this past holiday season, and Ice Cube is the perfect subdued version of that! It’s soft, feminine and classic, yet filled with personality!

Mint Polish Ice Cube

Slumber Party

Mint Polish - Slumber Party

I think the description on Mint’s website says it all – Girls just wanna have fun, and wear Barbie Pink on their toes! It’s totally the truth! If you’re looking for fun and flashy, Slumber Party is everything. Rich and opaque in one coat, brightening up a look for spring or summer has never been this easy!

Mint Polish - Slumber Party Mint Polish - Slumber Party

Have you tried Mint before? If not, and you’re looking to support a wonderful LA company, try their polishes out! Happy Reading!

{Woman Crush Wednesday} Rainbow Rowell

GUYS, I’m really excited for this new series! As some of you might know, I’m a social media coordinator at an agency in LA, so in true social-obsessed fashion, I took some cues from trending topics and decided to create a Woman Crush Wednesday/Man Crush Monday series. We’re kicking it off today!

I give this lady a lot of love on Novels and Nail Polish, so it’s only right that I should start off this series with none other than… Rainbow Rowell!

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

I’ve now read all of her books, and two have already been inspiration for my manicures. And on top of being an incredible writer, she seems like a funny, down to earth woman (via social media of course).

Landline Inspired Manicure

One thing that makes her stand out from so many other authors is her ability to tell timeless, relatable stories. Whether it’s one of her YA books or an Adult Contemporary, the themes can relate to anyone. She’s the perfect example that YA isn’t just for kids, and it only means the main characters are young, not the lessons and complexity.

Fangirl Quote

Thanks for being an incredible addition to women authors, Rainbow! Happy Reading!

Unexpected Attachments

Attachments Cover Inspired ManicureAnother day, another dollar for Rainbow Rowell. And in her case, another dollar is another incredibly written novel! Attachments was the last of her four books out that I’ve read, and honestly, I was a little bit worried. I’d heard that it paled in comparison to some of her other books, and while the story felt a tiny bit dated in a way that Eleanor & Park didn’t, I still adored it!

Attachments follows Lincoln, an “internet security officer,” whose job is to snoop through company emails, looking for sordid and inappropriate conversations. He quickly finds himself immersed in the lives of Beth and Jennifer, and soon they’re the Three Musketeers, except they don’t know he’s involved.

This book made me smile, laugh and cry purely out of happiness. I love LOVE, and this novel found a special place in my heart that I’d thought had frozen over. And, just like her other books, the cover is perfect for a manicure!

Tools I Used // Julep Sheila + Sally + Essie Bikini So Teeny
Tools I Used // Julep Sheila & Sally + Essie Bikini So Teeny

The cover has a very vintage vibe and theme, and I had the perfect colors. Julep Sally is described as an “antique ivory,” which means it was born to be the base for this mani. Julep Sheila is a “cherry pie creme,” and is so compatible with Sally. I also wanted to bring in a bit of that pretty periwinkle that just accents the cover color palette, which is where Essie’s Bikini So Teeny comes in.

Attachments Cover Inspired Manicure

I liked the idea of color blocking with the ivory and red to bring in the design of the two-toned title. I used striping tape to get the randomized, classic feel of the blocks, and threw in a couple of blue polka dots and stripes for fun. Once all of that was dry, it was time to decide what designs I was going to paint.

Attachments Cover Inspired ManicureI knew I wanted a paperclip from the beginning, so that was an easy choice. I used the fine-tip nail art pens from my Sephora kit to paint both of the designs. The desk chair came about more on a whim. I honestly didn’t think I was going to be able to pull it off, but I did, and I’m quite proud of myself! I practiced once on a piece of paper, and then just went for it! This, plus my Landline manicure, is another reason I love Rainbow. Her covers push me to try new designs and be a better artist!

Attachments Cover Inspired ManicureHave you read Attachments? What did you think? Happy Reading!

A Year Of Reading Challenges

I’ve never been one to set a reading challenge for myself. I usually just read whatever I’m feeling at that moment, whenever. But over the past couple of months, I’ve seen quite a few challenges that have caught my eye! I’m thinking about making a page on here to track my progress, and people can follow along if they so choose!

Rory Gilmore Challenge

Who doesn’t love Gilmore Girls? And what bookworm doesn’t worship the ground that Rory walks on. Some fantastic human went through the entire television series and came up with a list of every single book mentioned or seen, and let’s just say it’s pretty epic. Out of the 339 books on the list, I’ve read 35. Not too bad of a start! I don’t necessarily think I’ll base my reading choices this year off this list, but it’s definitely a bucket list challenge to complete it!

Popsugar Reading Challenge

Popsugar’s challenge is a bit more realistic, especially because you can check off multiple entries with one book. Plus, it’s a super cute graphic that you can print out and check off as you read!

Popsugar Reading ChallengeAre you planning any reading challenges this year? Check back to see my progress on finishing this list and meeting my 60 book goal! Happy Reading!