2013 in review - My favourite blog reads!

Hey all!

These are some of my favourite blog reads. Feel free to pop along and have a look - they really are good.

1. Em's Little Corner

One of my favourite blogs - simply because she has such unique nails and hand poses - I would know them anywhere. She loves dots (so do I) and is honest in her opinion of anything she reviews, which means a lot when I'm going to spend my money. Emma is one of only a few bloggers who rocks short nails. She really does have beautiful nails and I am looking forward to what she brings in 2014.

2. Kitty's Painted Claws

The lady who runs the Pokémon Gen 2 challenge. She has beautiful nails and is my first stop every day on my blog reads. She is another shortie rocker, although she does go between short and long but she never lets this stop her from posting beautiful nails. She's also very quirky and posts all sorts of geekery which is another reason why I love reading her blog.

3. UKNailRunner

Possibly my biggest source of nail porn. EVER. Her swatches are unreal, photos are beautiful. I sometimes have to remind myself to stop drooling over the photos and read what she's written. 

4. Special Girl Nails

My one stop shop for all things indie. Especially UK indie. She's also a wonderful stamper and has gorgeous nails!

5. Nail Lacquer UK

AJ has beautiful nails. I often admire them over a cup of tea when we go into town. Even so, I still love to check out her reviews and her freehand nail art is just out of this world. Stunning!

2013 in review - my favourite manis!

I can't believe 2013 is almost over! 

It hasn't been a particularly good or bad year for me.. but I have to say, I have passed much of it by painting my nails.. so I think thats definitely a good thing!

Here are some of my favourite manis from this year.

My first successful gradient!

My first attempts at tribal (below) and dreamcatcher (above) nails.

My favourite work polish.

My back to school nails (above and below) from September

Nails for the Black and white challenge. 'Faux Fur' above and 'Recreate with colour' below.

My Comic-con week nails - My favourite tv show Ranma 1/2 (above) and my favourite video game - Sonic the Hedgehog (below)

Beauty and the Beast Rose inspired nails for the Disney challenge

Poppies and sunflowers - my two most liked instagram pictures of the year (and some of my favourite manis) both from the Flowers for Mom challenge.

Rainbow weave nails and abstract skittle nails - both done as guest posts.

Jack o Lantern nails for the Halloween challenge

Golem freehand for the Pokémon Gen 1 challenge

Ampharos lightning nails using Sinful Colors Green Ocean

Cyndaquil freehand

Mew freehand nails

Corsola nails with Sinful Colors Blue Glitter

Chinchou nails using my favourite Mentality polish as a base.

Did you like these? Were there any others you liked? Let me know!

Rachael xxx

2013 in review - my achievements!

Hey all!

Don't worry - this isn't a long post! Just a few things that I am proud of this year.

1. I plucked up the courage to start nail blogging. It's harder than you think - especially with so many other beautiful nail bloggers out there! Here is a photo from my very first post. Cringe!

2. I got accepted to review items for companies - big thank you to all those who asked me to review for them!

3. I finally 'got' stamping!

4. I improved my photos - my hand poses, my lighting, pretty much all of my photography improved!

5. The best one - I made some fantastic new nail friends, and joined some fantastic nail communities. Thanks everyone!

What did you do in 2013? 

Rachael xxx