Hello, princesses.  It's vary rare for me to share sale announcements or any type of advertising on my blog, but this one is way too good not to point out!  One of my favorite make-up sites is having a sale on one of my favorite things... nail polish!  Behold:

   To make this a little more interesting I'm going to share a few of my favorite brands to buy from Cherry Culture, and specifically the products I enjoy most by those brands!  Working in brand-alphabetical order...

China Glaze

   This brand is one of Cherry Culture's more recent additions.  I love my China Glaze polishes.  Their cremes tend to be especially good and work perfectly for water marbling!  China Glaze can be pricey in beauty shops or salons unless you find them on clearance, and their prices have even been raised a bit on some of my other discount nail polish sites.  Currently on Cherry Culture you can get most of their colors for $2.99 a bottle (once you apply the 25% off code), which is dirt cheap!

Up & Away collection:

   Some of my most-loved and most often used colors come out of this collection.  These are great performing 2-coater pastels and brights that are a wonderful addition for anyone who enjoys colorful nails, or needs some basic colors for nail art.  I own all but one from this bunch!  Also, these tend to be hard to find in stock, because of their popularity.  Right now Cherry Culture seems to be well-stocked for the sale, yay!

Electropop collection:

   Yes, more cremes.  Good cremes, though!  Really good cremes.  I especially love Aquadelic, Dance Baby, Kinetic Candy and Sweet Hook.  One thing to note is that Wicked Style is practically a dead-on dupe for Heli-Yum from the Up & Away collection.  Both are colors I love, but you don't need both!

Island Escape collection:

   This is an older collection but it includes three of my most-loved glass-fleck polishes: 108 Degrees, Blue Iguana, and Senorita Bonita!

   There are bunches more that I could point out specifically, but I'll just throw in a link to the very popular shade Fairy Dust and let you explore the rest on your own!  (If you don't have Fairy Dust, get it.  It is the best prismatic goes-with-everything microglitter topcoat ever!)

L.A. Colors and L.A. Girl:

   For being "cheapie" polishes these tend to be very good!  I've got a bunch of them.  The website swatches really don't do them justice.  My suggestion is to look up swatches of the collections Online!

Color Craze 2012 collection:

   I'm pointing this bunch out because of the few very unique glitters they released last year.  See my swatches here!  This is a dollar store polish line but I can't usually find very many locally, and it's just as cheap to buy them on Cherry Culture when I earn free shipping.

3D Effects collection:

   Did you love Zoya's Storm and Aurora polishes?  If so, this collection is for you.  They have the same holographic microshard glitter in jelly bases!  I just finally managed to snag a few during this sale for myself, as they were out-of-stock before.  From looking at swatches Online it seems that their Purple Effect polish is a dupe for Aurora.  If you like the sparkle but not the colors, grab 3D silver - it contains the glitter in a clear base.

Magnetic Nail Polish collection:

   Of course I had to include these!  I only own a couple, but their price is good, the polishes are full-sized, the magnets are easy-to-use and have unique designs available.  Hello, ring-shapes on my nail!  Not everything has to be stripes and waves...

Glitter Addict collection:

   Can you tell I love a lot of L.A. Girl collections?  What can I say, they are good quality and affordable.  These glitters-in-a-clear-base are great basics for layering, and my top pick is the black glitter, Uninhibited.  It was one of the first available black glitter toppers, before the black glitter craze even hit!

Metal Nail Polish collection:

   If you like metallics, and in particular foils, have a look at these.  Most of the shades here are highly-pigmented, wonderfully formulated foils.  A few are metallic shimmers.  Again, you'll find swatches Online if you search for the color you're interested in.  My favorites are Chromium Green, Graphite, and Pink Steel.

Rock Star collection:

   This one has a little bit of everything.  Awesome dark shimmering shades, fun glitter and shimmer toppers...  Once again I suggestion looking for swatches of the collection Online rather than going by the dinky site swatches.

   Okay, okay.  Enough of the L.A. Girls stuff.  Moving on...

Milani:

   A drugstore brand, but I can't usually find all the colors in my local CVS, and Cherry Culture tends to stock them cheaper.  Their newest collections, Retro Glam and Exotic Plumage have both had highly favorable reviews, and you'll find them both here.  The special black & white glitter toppers are listed separately, however.

One Coat Glitter collection:

   Super-sparkly, textured glitter polishes to be found here, as well as a few glitter-packed but not "sand" or "sugar" finish ones.  I very recently used Pink Flash!

3D Holographic collection:

   I have been using and loving these for quite awhile now.  They are affordable linear holographics with user-friendly formulas.  Their rainbow effect isn't crazy-strong, but they really are stunners!  I think it's because of the holographic microshards in them.  These can be worn on their own, but my Mom and I have found them to be excellent for layering over other shades.

Nyx:

   I like a lot of Nyx products, and their nail polish as well!  I buy almost all of my Nyx stuff from Cherry Culture because I can get it so cheap during their various sales!

Nyx Girls collection:

   Really low-priced polish, really nice colors, glitters, and formulas.  I have quite the assortment of these!  My absolute favorite has to be Dreamy Glitter, thanks to it's beautiful little pink stars.  Grab it if you're into delicate glitter toppers!  I haven't experienced any duds from this line of polish, but I have been happiest with the metallic, glitter and shimmer shades.

   I hope you enjoyed the peek at some of my favorite polishes, and where I buy them!  Head over to www.CherryCulture.com to take advantage of the sale using the code NP25 - you have until August 13th!  Orders above $40 get free US shipping (which is pretty easy to do, ahem).  If you do buy anything let me know what you picked out in the comments below!  =)

   Ahh, the close of Google Reader and Google Friend Connect.  I don't know about you, but it crept up on me.  Fortunately we have one week left to make up our mind about how to keep up with our favorite blogs before these tools officially close on July 1st.  Let's take a look at some of the ways you can keep following Princessly Polished.

You could stick with Google...

   Apparently Google wants everyone to move to their Google+ service, essentially the new GFC on steroids.  I have a Google+ page where I post updates from Princessly Polished, and you can find that here.  Honestly, though, I don't think that Google+ is a very good way to manage your blog reading list, and I don't enjoy their layout much.  This is definitely more of a social service than anything convenient to reading blogs.

...use one of my FeedBurner services...

   This is another service owned by Google, but I haven't heard anything about it shutting down.  You can use FeedBurner to subscribe to my blog posts by E-mail.  This is handy if you don't want to make an account somewhere, but you will usually be getting "yesterday's news" with this option.

   You can also access my RSS feed and choose your own reader to follow my blog.  This is quite utilitarian.  Gets the job done, but not many bells and whistles.

...or try Bloglovin'!

   This is my new first choice in blog feed managers.  The site is well-established, easy to use, and you can find Princessly Polished there.  I already made the switch by importing all the blogs I followed in Google Reader, which is as easy as one click!  Bloglovin' has several options to customize the service to your own blog reading style, and it doesn't clutter up your life with extraneous social features.

   Another bonus to the Bloglovin' service is the ability to use the mobile app to keep up with blogs on the go.  It is available for Android and Apple devices, and free for both!  It is smooth and clutter-free just like the web version.  I've installed the app on my smartphone and am impressed by how well it works.

   Obviously there are many other blog readers out there.  These are just what I have had experience with.  If you're using something different and loving it please share in the comments below!  And if you were like me, using GFC to follow blogs, don't forget to switch how you've subscribed to Princessly Polished before July so you don't miss out on my future posts!

   Hi Everyone!  Exciting news today: I have a new job!  Well, maybe not exactly a new "job"...  I've teamed up with Missi from Different Dimension nail polish to help name some of her colors!  They just became available today so I want to share them with you!  Please note that none of these pictures are mine - they came straight from their Etsy listings.  So here are 4 new polishes that make up the "Love's a Punny Thing" collection:

   Love Her? I Don't Even Lacquer! - see listing on Etsy

   This started out as a custom requested polish.  I came up with that name and knew it needed to be a black and white heart polish!  Missi asked if it could be part of a new collection, and I said yes.  I'm so happy to share one of my polish creations with everyone else!  And it helped open the door to me naming more pretty polishes...

   A Love Hue - see listing on Etsy

   I'm second-most excited about this one, because look at all that pink!  I can't wait to try it!

   Aorta Miss You But I Don't - see listing on Etsy

   I love this purpley-pink-red blend...  And yes I'm quite happy with the name!

   All Red-y In Love - see listing on Etsy

   A mix of hearts, circles, and microglitter...  I really like those pink circles!

   ...More like October 2012 Updates, haha!  =P  Honestly I misplaced a few of the things I picked up over the month of October, so rather than my usual big group shot I'm just going to share some of my Instagram pictures and blab about what's been happening...  (I'm fighting a yucky cold, cut me some slack!)

  

   New Jeffrey Campbell Blyke shoes!  I had been wanting a pair of these and snagged them when they went on clearance - yay!  This is the baby pink suede color.  They are really soft to the touch...  And yes, they don't have heels!  They feel like regular heels, though.  Love them.  =)

   A peek into my cell phone...  My husband was kind enough to root my smartphone, and now it is looking very pretty!  Prettier since this capture, in fact.  I've switched to a new live wallpaper that is more delicate, but still black with teal, white & purple!  Time for another screenshot, I guess.

   One other gift from my other half was a new washer and dryer set!  They are white high efficiency models by LG,  No pictures of those but they are wonderful~  ^-^  Finally, no more toting laundry out of the house to get it done.  I did the Happy Housewife dance that day.  =D
 

   New Layla nail polishes from www.FabulouStreet.com!  Must swatch these soon!

   One of the reasons I've been away from the computer is that I've gone on a sewing kick...  Mom let/made me take a bunch of her sewing goodies and fabrics.  My sewing room was in a state of chaos thanks to all the new doo-dads that had to be put away, and I'm sure that is why I'm missing a few things around here!  Still, I got it back in working order and finished a few projects, as well as made this crazy nightcap for my guy.

   How can that not put a smile on your face?  =D  He loves it and now his noggin stays nice and toasty through our chilly autumn nights.  It is made of flannel and love.

   One day I was feeling depressed and had very little motivation, but I got myself to mix up a franken polish that I had dreamped up forever ago.  It helped lift my spirits and after that I was productive again.  This is Stardate, and it is a black jelly packed with holographic glitters!

   I'm wearing it right now but it has been on my hands since last week and is not at all worthy of photographing.  It came out very nicely, though!


   Well, that's all I've got for this quick post.  Once I have the rest of the clutter cleared out of my sewing/crafting/nail polish/shoe stash room maybe I can share some photos!  =)

The amazing strawberry shortcake with ice cream that I shared with my husband last weekend.  Yum!

It's time for a huge MEGA blog sale update!!

complete with a polish purge!!  (and freebie purge, read on!)

   That's 71 bottles of polish, many of them "vintage" and out of production colors! I've listed them for super cheap! ...And I have to say that my pictures of the Avon colors look so much more drab than they really are... There are many beauties!

   Also:

    To see my updated sale page you can click this link, and I'm also updating my WishList...   reasonable offers won't be refused!

Please take a look, and share my sale with your friends! 

Thanks so much~ ♥

   Today marks 4 months since my husband Joe and I were married.  I have said very little about our wedding, wanting to take the time to explain what went on and why I was away longer than expected.  It took more time to put in writing than expected, but it let things settle in my mind.  Here is the tale of how we got married while dealing with unexpected complications.

   It was April, we were deep in wedding preparations for our chosen date, May 5th.  Our wedding was going to be a simple affair, with the ceremony in the early afternoon that Saturday and a dessert reception to follow.  We had found a place to live; Joe was waiting on the keys still so he could move in.  I was busy with making a dress for my maid of honor.  At last on April 18th we were able to pick up the keys to our new home, but at that same time we came to a tragic realization...  Joe had the chicken pox.

   In the interest of organizing my blog better I'm creating more specific tags, or labels.  These are so you can find a certain type of polish quickly.  Brand name tags have already been put in use.  All nail polish tags will begin with "np-", and the types will be defined as follows:

   ~ Finishes ~

Creme - also known as cream, but hey, that's a color!  Creme polishes are pigmented, opaque, shiny colors.  True cremes contain no shimmer or glitter.  Think of shiny enamel paint.
Effect - what I'm dubbing the crackle, shatter, and graffiti colors.  Also includes color-changing, glowing, and magnetic polishes.
Flake - contain larger, odd-shaped and usually iridescent reflective pieces.  Think of fish scales.
Frost - or pearl, these polishes can usually be identified by their brush-stroked look.
Glitter - polish containing glitter!  Often meant for use as a topcoat.  Sparkly!
Iridescent - polishes that change color in different lighting, or have "flashes" of a color in them.  Other terms can be lustre or duochrome.  Think of soap bubbles, insect wings and oil slicks.
Jelly - these polishes are sheer, yet have depth and look almost squishy or wet.  Very shiny, good for layering.
Matte - flat color with no shine after it dries, which is quickly.
Metals - polishes with a metallic, mirror, foil or chrome quality.
Prism - or holographic nail polishes contain special glitters that reflect a whole rainbow of color.
Satin - polishes that dry to a sheen somewhere between a creme and a matte.
Shimmer - these have smaller, fine microglitters or "glass fleck" particles that sparkle faintly.  May only show in strong light.

   ~ Colors ~

Bright -  vibrant colors, and neons.
Dark - deep, dark colors of any hue.
Light - all pale or pastel shades.
Mid - any mid-range color that doesn't fall in with bright, dark or light.

   ~ Other ~

B3F - stands for "Big 3 Free".  Polishes that do not contain Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde, or Toluene.  Besides those chemicals posing potential health risks, polishes that do and don't contain them often don't work together well.
B3+ - my term "Big 3 Plus".  Not only are they b3f, they also exclude other risky ingredients.

   This is my list, made up according to how I describe things myself and usually see things described as.  It may be updated or added to from time to time.  I do try to be accurate, so if anyone would like to offer corrections, suggestions or refinement please comment below.  I really hope that these tags can be of benefit in the future for anyone searching for specific types of polish I have posted about.  If anyone else wants to use a similar tagging post on their blog go right ahead, but if I inspired you a link back here would be great!

   We have another trend coming our way.  Nail polish with metal particles that respond to a magnet being held close to them, thus creating beautiful effects on your nails.  These aren't entirely new - people on the other side of the globe have had them on their fingertips back in 2007 with the brand Le Magnetique, and then in 2010 with Alessandro and Essence polishes.

   I had heard of these polishes before but passed them by as unattainable.  Finally they are being sent to the Americas in 2011.  LCN is a German brand, and Layla comes from Italy.  I want to share a quick overview of what the brands are offering, and how this stuff works.  First off, both of these brands are claiming to be Big-3-free.  Their formulas don't contain DBP, Formaldehyde or Toluene.  I say claim because I have not seen an official list of what they do contain, but I'm sure these high-end brands aren't going to mess with their customers.  So, this is great news for people (like me!) who are avoiding these ingredients.  Of course, if you have allergies to metals, these polishes have a whole different reason to be skipped.

Each Brand has put up a video on how to apply their polishes:

Cool, right?  A few more pics, details and my own thoughts after the jump!