a-england Lady of the Lake

 Today is the last day to enter my giveaway!

I'm so glad a-england had their free shipping promo a little awhile ago because I really had a great opportunity to try an amazing brand. I mentioned this before, but Adina the founder is so kind. She is also truly passionate about her product. These are things I love about a company, and to top it off her polishes are spectacular.

As nail blogger, or as just a nail polish addict in general it's amazing how far those extra nice touches in a brand. When we purchase mainstream brands, we may get a great product, but it's not always followed with great service. That's not to say we get bad service, but obviously you're not going to get the personal touches from OPI or China Glaze that a smaller brand can offer you. These extra touches really make you feel special as consumer, and make you want to go back for more!

Without further ado..here is Lady of the Lake!

Lady of the Lake

Lady of the Lake is deep purple with scattered holo.

What I love about this besides that it's holographic, is the richness of the base color. I dislike how we see with more recent holos that the holo pigment totally engulfs and dulls out the base color. The purple in this is rich and deep. The holo in this is just complimenting this perfectly. It really is the perfect balance. You really can't go wrong with a color like this. I must say along with the blue holo Tristam, Lady of the Lake is definitely must have.

You can find a-england polishes on their website. They retail for £9.00 which equates to around $14.36. These are totally worth the price, even without free shipping. I know for many of us it would be special everyone-once-in-awhile purchase, but it's one I don't think you'd regret! 

Happy Friday! 

Top 20 of 2011: Part 1

It's that time of year! I've been compiling my Top 20 list since summer. I've added a bunch...scaled back...added a bunch...scaled back...contemplated my choices..etc..etc..multiple times. This is a difficult process!

Unlike last year, I will be featuring polishes that were released in 2011. If I were to do all my favorites from any year I'd be posting favorites for a month. The good thing though is that there are so many colors this year that were spectacular!

Without further ado, here is Part 1 of my Top 20 list. These are in no particular ranking order. They are in alphabetical order due to how my photo album is set up.

a-england Lady of the Lake---The Mythicals Collection

When a-england polishes first burst on to the scene. I knew somehow I had to get my hands on the two holo polishes. Lady of the Lake is stunning. I love the pigmentation of the purple with the scattered holo. Check out my full review.


a-england Tristam---The Mythicals Collection

Same story with Tristam as Lady of the Lake. If I had to choose I think Tristam inches just slightly ahead of Lady of the Lake. The base on this is beautiful deep shade of navy unlike any color I've seen before. This is scattered holo done right. There is a perfect balance of holoness and pigmentation of the base. Check out my full review.


Butter London Wallis---Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection

This is so not a typical color for me. I think that's why I ended up loving it so much. This shade is stunning the green-gold shimmer looks rich. This color truly took me by surprise. I ended up wearing it for a full week. I did not want to take it off! Check out my full review.


China Glaze Life Preserver---Anchors Away Spring 2011 Collection

I love this dusty take on a orange. It is a very flattering shade, and it's unique. You know those colors that you can wear with just about anything? I found this color to really suit any attire I wore. It's not too bright, it's not too pale...it's just right! Check out my full review.


China Glaze Papaya Punch---Island Escape Summer 2011 Collection

Never, ever, would I have imagined putting a bright orange on my Top 20 list. This color changed orange for me.  I started purchasing more oranges after my experience with Papaya Punch. This color is just fun, it pops, and makes a statement. This was one of my favorite colors this past summer. I wore it on the cruise I went on to the Caribbean, and it suited the atmosphere perfectly! Check out my full review.

Be sure to check out the blog tomorrow for Part 2!


Happy Tuesday!

Bottle Spam Saturday: $10+/High End Edition

This week's bottle spam consists of polishes that I have that were $10 or more in price or high end brands. I have a lot more than I thought. I must say this category definitely has some of my all time favorite polishes in it.

Be sure to vote for next week's bottle spam!

 a england Lady of the Lake, Merlin & Perceval

 Iseult, Tristam, & Avalon

 Butter London Wallis, Knees Up, & Bluey

 No More Waity Katie, Victoriana, & Big Smoke

 Nfo-oh #52, #51, & #61 (sadly a dud)

 Illamasqua Jo'mina, Phallic, & YSL Wintergreen

 RBL Under the Stars, MAC Bad Fairy, & Chanel Peridot

 Deborah Lippmann Razzle Dazzle, Across the Universe, & Glitter in the Air

 Cult Nails Iconic, Crusin' Nude, Enigmatic, Let Me Fly, & Hypnotize Me

Devious Nature, Captivated, My Kind of Cool-Aid, Quench, & Living Water

Happy Saturday!

Bottle Spam Saturday: Top 20 Edition

This week's bottle spam will feature my 2011 Top 20. I hope you're not tired of seeing these yet!

Enjoy! Tomorrow I will share the Best of 2011 results. :)

 a england Tristam, a england Lady of the Lake, Butter London Wallis, China Glaze Life Preserver, & Papaya Punch

 China Glaze Glittering Garland, CND Sheer 24K Sparkle, Cult Nails Captivated, Time Traveler, & Unicorn Puke/Clairvoyant

 Essie Smooth Sailing, Your Hut or Mine, Finger Paints Heavenly Hydrangea, Maybelline Cool Couture, & OPI It's My Year

Orly Frisky, Frolic, Venique Twinkling Snow, Zoya Kristen, & Rica.

Happy New Year's Eve!