Nicole by OPI, "I Shop Mintage"

Happy Mani Monday!

Nicole by OPI Partners with Kellogg’s® Special K® on Nail Lacquer Launch

Encore of a Colorful Collaboration!

Nicole by OPI Partners with Kellogg’s^® Special K^® on Nail Lacquer Launch

Expanding on the momentum of last year’s partnership, Nicole by OPI has once again collaborated withKellogg’s^® Special K^® to launch three custom nail lacquer shades for its "Shine Brighter" campaign.  The campaign inspires women to be their best selves - healthy, confident and positive, to look better, feel better, and shine brighter. 

“Nicole by OPI is excited to offer exclusive lacquers to Kellogg’s Special K consumers for a second time, because last year was such a big hit!” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “We encourage women to show off their confidence in a positive way through color.  When you look good, you feel good!”

The three custom shades include: Challenge Red-y (crème red), Live in the Momentum (crème blue) and My Sol Shines Brighter (crème coral). Shoppers will have the opportunity to receive free full-size bottles ofNicole by OPI nail lacquer by signing up for the Kellogg’s Family Rewards program and entering codes from specially marked boxes of Special K products, while supplies last.

With the purchase of three eligible Special K products, consumers will receive the shade Challenge Red-y. After submitting the purchase codes from five eligible Special K products, consumers will receive two lacquers -Live in the Momentum and My Sol Shines Brighter.

Nicole by OPI Signature edition Special K packages designed by Suzi Weiss-Fischmann will be available exclusively at Target. The designer packages are available only for select flavors (Original, Red Berries & Chocolatey Delight). 

Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality.  This promotion will be available April 2014 in the US where Special K products are sold.

Nicole by OPI Announces NEW Limited Edition Roughles Textured Nail Lacquers

Nicole by OPI Announces NEW Limited Edition Roughles Textured Nail Lacquers

Nail Color that Rocks! 

This March, Nicole by OPI launches Roughles (“ruffles”) -- 4 new textured nail lacquers featuring speckled, pastel shades of purple, pink, turquoise and yellow.  When the lacquer dries, Roughles lacquers reveal a unique pebbled finish.   Roughles should be applied without a top coat to achieve a matte effect.

 “Chic pastels were a major trend throughout the runway collections at spring/summer 2014 showsand textured, matte nails are going to be one of the hottest looks this spring,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  “Wearing these feminine shades on fingers and toes is a refreshing take on this trend.  Pair these lacquers with candy colored fabrics and flirty floral prints to really make a statement!”

Roughles shades include:

I'm Stucco on You

I terra-"cotta" have this textured purple on my nails!

Rock the Look

The edgy side of girlie...a textured pink all your own.

On What Grounds?

Stop in the name of this textured turquoise beauty!

Sand in My Shoe

I "beacha" just love this grainy golden yellow in me.

Nicole by OPI, "Carrie'd Away"

 I'm carried away by the sparkles of "Carrie'd Away!" :)

Nicole by OPI "Color Me Country," "Some Hearts," "Matte Top Coat"

Hello!! I changed my nail polish again. I've really been into shaping and painting my nails lately.

I find it a very relaxing activity. Plus, I take every chance we get some sun to take nail photos! It was pouring half the day today. I spent 3 hours watching the first 3 episodes of Pretty Little Liars. I've heard a lot of buzz about the show and I think it's okay. It doesn't really draw me in, it's a suspense/mystery type show with teenager girls. It's similar to mean girls without the humor. 

Anyhow, I'm still really into Being Human (US version). It's similar to True Blood but with a splash of humor. Who doesn't love a good show with vampires, werewolves, and ghosts? 

I looked through my polishes and picked the most Valentine's Day like colors to swatch. I think pink and red fit the bill! 

The formula of the new Nicole by OPI Matte Top Coat is really good! The texture feels velvety smooth like NARS makeup packaging. That's the best I can describe it. lol

Nicole by OPI, "Sweet Surrender"

Nicole by OPI "Sweet Surrender"

I have recently changed my nail shape. ^_~ I decided to give almond nails a try and I'm so glad I did because I absolutely love this change! It wasn't very easy for me to achieve this shape. It took some trial and error before I could get it down. I think the next time I paint my nails I will have a better idea of how to file them to be more almond.

I feel it's very feminine nail shape and makes my hands look longer and more slender. I'm wearing my favorite new off white polish from Nicole by OPI called "Sweet Surrender" one of the many fabulous additions to polish family for 2014. It's the perfect off white, creme, light beige polish for the new year. :D

I've been so busy working this month that I haven't had a chance to sit down and write a blog post. I love staying busy with but I do miss the blog world. Time flies by so quickly now! Wake up, go to work, come home, eat dinner, the week day is nearly over by the time I get any free time! lol

I'm exaggerating but it feels like that most days. Today, however I had a lunch meeting with a loan officer I'm starting to work with in real estate. We had the Mahi Mahi Tacos at The Ram Restaurant while we talked about the real estate industry. It's been really fun for me to meet and connect with new people. I've learned so much from everyone I've come across so far.

I still have lots of paperwork to catch up on but I felt like taking sometime for myself today after I got home. I cooked a pot of Vietnamese Soup Mang Cua (Crab and Asparagus Soup), and I learned how to bake banana bread from scratch thanks to Youtube. :) It's been baking now for 60 minutes and is just about ready. I'm excited because I've always wanted to make my own banana bread. And now it's done! I used my new Kitchen Aid mixer for the very first time also!

Anyhow! We started a series on Netflix called Being Human. One of the main characters Josh (werewolf) on the show is the kid from Jungle 2 Jungle all grown up! lol I knew he looked familiar.

The show is really good! I love watching through Netflix because we just go from one episode to the next.

Over the weekend, I saw Frozen ~ it was a really good Disney movie. I love the direction Disney is taking with their Princesses. Girl power! :)

I hope everyone has a wonderful evening. Thanks for reading! -Steph

DOVE Chocolate + Nicole by OPI Sweepstakes!

DOVE^® CHOCOLATE AND NICOLE BY OPI^® RING IN THE NEW YEAR

WITH AN IRRESISTIBLE SWEEPSTAKES

25,000 winners to receive DOVE^® Dark Chocolate-inspired nail lacquer kit 

(WOW! That's a lot of winners!)

Better After Dark

 Promises in the Dark

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (Jan. 3, 2014) – DOVE^® Dark Chocolate and NICOLE by OPI^® celebrate the New Year with the launch of the “Discover Your Dark Side in the New Year Sweepstakes.”  The Facebook-based promotion will randomly award 25,000 entrants with two exclusive NICOLE by OPI^® nail lacquer shades inspired by DOVE^® Dark Chocolate: “Better After Dark” and “Promises in the Dark.”

As the #1 solid dark chocolate on the market[1], the unique, silky-smooth taste of DOVE^® Dark Chocolate lives up to people’sexpectations of what chocolate should taste like. Available in four varieties, including new DOVE^® Silky Smooth Sea Salt Caramel Dark Chocolate, DOVE^® uses carefully selected cocoa beans to deliver its signature taste and a special process that delivers the unique, silky-smooth texture.

“In 2014, we want to encourage people to discover the delicious taste of DOVE^® Dark Chocolate, which offers a creamy taste experience that shatters the perception that dark chocolate tastes bitter,” said Roy Benin, Chief Consumer Officer, Mars Chocolate North America. “With this sweepstakes, we’re putting the silky-smooth taste of DOVE^® Dark Chocolate at people’s fingertips with the always smooth nail polish experience from NICOLE by OPI^®.”

Enter the “Discover Your Dark Side in the New Year Sweepstakes”

From now through February 5, 2014, DOVE^® Chocolate Facebook fans can enter once per day for a chance to win one (1) of the 25,000 NICOLE by OPI^® kits, which include:

§  A coupon for a free DOVE^® Dark Chocolate Bar (1.34 oz. - 1.44 oz.)

§  Better After Dark NICOLE by OPI^® Nail Lacquer Bottle

§  Promises in the Dark NICOLE by OPI^® Nail Lacquer Bottle

To enter, simply “like” the DOVE^® Chocolate Facebook page and click on the Sweepstakes tab (https://www.facebook.com/dovechocolate/app_548734081871225) to enter your name, email address, shipping address and date of birth.  The Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 United States who are age 13 or older on or before December 27, 2013. All winners will be selected at random by an independent agency in the week following the sweepstakes. 

For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/dovechocolate or www.facebook.com/nicolebyopi.

Enter at the Dove Chocolate Facebook Page! It's easy!

Nicole by OPI Half Charming Half Alarming

 This is the red orange creme polish of Summer 2013!

 Nicole by OPI Half-Charming Half-Alarming from the Tink Collection (see my swatches of the collection here.)

 Half Charming / Half Alarming

This coral is perfect when you're feeling unpredictable.

 Two coats of this polish get you the perfect red orange manicure. :)

We dropped Anita off at the airport early this morning at 5AM. It was really nice to wake up early and getting out of the house. The Sea-Tac Airport was surprisingly busy and full of life. It was so fun having Anita stay with us, I miss her already!

Nicole by OPI Pros & Confidence

The perfect magenta pink polish for me.

Nicole by OPI Pros & Confidence

I'm trying out Nail Tek Foundation Xtra for the first time and it makes my nail polish peel off by the second or third day of wear. : / I've heard a lot of great things about Nail Tek products but I guess this particular base coat doesn't work for me. I'll continue to use it as a base for my toe nails though since they don't make my toe nail polish chip. I started combining my bottles of Seche Vite Top Coat and recycling the empty bottles. I never realized how many bottles I had! It really is a wonderful glossy, quick drying top coat. It also starts to get thicker once you use up half so combining the bottles makes it easier to dip and brush.

Nicole by OPI Special K Collaboration Pros & Confidence

This is the second time I've worn this shade of magenta pink polish. I love it very much! I'm constantly getting new nail polish so I rarely wear the same polish twice in the same 6 months, but there's something about this magenta pink that just works for me.
It also matches the hydrangeas from my front yard. :)

I took a short break from my frequent blog posts these past two months. I still have to tell you all about my engagement! I want to start blogging more regularly again and updating you on my life on a more personal level like before. I feel like I have so much to tell you all about! 

My dogs, Timmy and Wally are doing fine. I'm thinking about buying a big kiddie pool for them since it's summer. lol I'm so obsessed with my dogs. It's true. 

One of our old friends is visiting from LA. Her name is Anita (we call her Anita bonita :), and she's Armenian American (think Kardashian sisters!) lol. She has the best eyes, eyebrows and eyelashes ever. OMG. I'm obsessed with her. lol She's a makeup artist and a lawyer. My kind of woman! ;) I've been asking her so many questions about her Armenian culture. I absolutely love learning a ton about the Middle East. We chat about Shahs of Sunset lol, and the Kardashians! Did you know the exterior "Jenner House" on keeping up with the Kardashians is actually a "stage" house. From what I've read, the exterior of that house has been used for other TV shows as well. Anita lives in Studio City, CA where the house sits and can be see off the public hiking trail. The Jenner/Kardashian family live in Calabasas (they're always showing the sign on the show) which is a different city. If you Google, you can read more about it. I don't know why I still get excited over this stuff lol. It's just interesting to me since I watch E! and Bravo all the time!! It's just funny because sometimes we believe everything we see on TV. lol

Bf and I have been showing her around Seattle and having so much fun spending time with her. We went on the Ride the Duck tour of Seattle! The last time we saw her in person was nearly 5-6 years ago! She's one of his best friends from law school and if it wasn't for her, we wouldn't be together now. (do we love her or hate for that? lol jk) :D Time goes by so fast, it's crazy! Facebook really does help you stay in touch, but I think it will never replace spending quality time together in person.

Nicole by OPI Tink Collection

 Fairy Fairy Quite Contrary
Not, it's NOT orange...it's tangerine. So there!

 Hi there! I wanted to share with you news on Nicole by OPI’s newest partnership with Disney’s Tinker Bell! Six limited edition nail lacquers will launch exclusively at Walgreens in July 1st. :)

 I received four of the six polishes from the new Tink Collection from Nicole by OPI. 

From left: Sweet on Pete, Tink's in Pink, Half Charming / Half Alarming, Fairy Fairy Quite Contrary

 Sweet on Pete
This lime green is the "key" to Pete's heart!

 Sweet On Pete paired with Pixie Glitter would define Tinker Bell nails!

I'm going to visit Walgreens later today to see if I can find the Pixie Glitter and How Fairy Nice of You! to complete my Tink Collection! :D

 Tink’s in the Pink
This happy fuchsia makes me, well...happy!

Paint on Pixie Dust!

Nicole by OPI Announces Tink: NEW Limited Edition Lacquers, Inspired by Disney’s Tinker Bell
 
Nicole by OPI launches its Tink collection, featuring six new limited edition shades inspired by everyone’s favorite fairy, Tinker Bell, including a brilliant glitter gloss and vibrant shades of tangerine, coral, fuchsia, pink and lime green. 
 “We’re excited to celebrate Disney’s feisty fairy,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Co-Founder & Artistic Director.  “Big things come in small packages just like Tinker Bell, and this collection packs color with a punch. Our Tink collection is all about self-expression and having fun with bold colors. The vivid pigments created for this promotion capture the fairy magic and mystique, with alluring shades like the signature sparkly Pixie Glitter and the playfully pink How Fairy Nice of You!”

The Tink collection includes:

Pixie Glitter
This clear gloss is sprinkled with tiny rainbows.
 
 

How Fairy Nice of You!
This sweet pixie pink gives me wings.

Tink’s in the Pink
This happy fuchsia makes me, well...happy!

Sweet on Pete
This lime green is the "key" to Pete's heart!
 
Fairy Fairy Quite Contrary
Not, it's NOT orange...it's tangerine. So there!
 
 

Half Charming / Half Alarming
This coral is perfect when you're feeling unpredictable.

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July and wonderful weekend ahead!

Thank you for visiting me! :D
 

Nicole by OPI’s two new neon mini kits!

 Hi everyone! I have swatches of the neon shades from the two new kits by Nicole by OPI. I preferred the white base in these two kits much better than the one from my previous post about the OPI Neon Revolution set.

 Along with white base, Notorious! Neons includes: Green Neon (this gossip-stirring green is the talk of the town), Fuchsia Neon (this fuchsia is famous for being unabashedly bold), and Orange Neon (this outrageous orange doesn't know the meaning of meek).

 Nicole by OPI Announces Two New Limited Edition Neon Mini Kits, the Brand’s First Neon Lacquer

Nicole by OPI launches its first neon nail lacquer with two limited edition mini kits. Scandalous! Neons includes vivid shades of blue, purple and pink while the Notorious! Neons includes vibrant shades of green, fuchsia and orange.
Each Neons kit includes a special white base coat, to be applied before adding color, allowing true neon pigments to pop. “These kits offer the hottest hues in a mini size to complement summer styles,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.  “Think of your nails as a blank canvas.  With these color combinations, there are endless options for creating works of art.”

 In addition to the white base, Scandalous! Neons includes: Blue Neon (this blatant blue is deliberately belligerent), Purple Neon (this attention-seeking purple is a real publicity hound), and Pink Neon (this pink's purpose is to provoke your senses).

 “The shades included in both sets are perfect for accessorizing fingers and toes with bright pops of color,” adds Weiss-Fischmann. “The first step is to apply the white base coat followed by the desired neon shade; finish with one coat of Nicole by OPI Top Coat Plus to achieve intense neon color with a glossy finish.”