Wet N' Wild - Under Your Spell

Happy Friday everyone! Another vampy polish today. This is Wet N' Wild's Under Your Spell, which is a dark burgundy with red shimmer.

Sorry for the obscene amount of reflection on my nails. I'm still getting used to the light in my apartment and not having the best of luck with it.

I bought this on a whim last year and never had the desire to wear it until now, but I love it for the Halloween season! Although it's a very dark polish, it never looks black and pairs well with pretty much everything.
Look at that, I'm starting to sound like I'm talking about wines...



I haven't decided what I to dress up as this Halloween, have you?

Taggity

A few weeks ago, Mandy from Chocolate and Cream Cake tagged me to do this fun question taggy thing! Sorry it took me so long Mandy!

The Rules: 
1. You must post the rules (yes)
2. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post. (yes)
3. Create eight new questions to ask the people you've tagged. (yes)
4. Tag eight people with a link to your post. (er)
5. Let them know they've been tagged (haha)

And now for my answers:
1. What's the best gift you've ever received?
Probably my engagement ring, it's the most precious thing I own.

2. What book are you most looking forward to being released?
I I had answered these questions last month, I would have answered J. K. Rowling's The Casual Vacancy. I just finished it, and it was visceral and heartbreaking.

3. If you had the superpower that allowed you to shapeshift into an animal—but it could only be one animal—which animal would you choose?
This is a no-brainer. A falcon, keen eyesight, ridiculously fast, and of course, the ability to fly!

4. What cancelled TV show would you most like to see rebooted?
Pushing Daisies, I thought it was adorable when it came out.

5. What's your dream vehicle?
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione :3
However, as only 500 units were produced, that dream will remain most firmly a dream.

6. Would you rather travel forward in time or backward?
Can't I do both!? Probably backward...I love history and would love to see previous eras

7. What is your favorite shape or pattern?
Tartan or hounds-tooth, but paisley was a close contender for my top 2

8. If you could trade places for one week with a famous (or quasi-famous) person, who would you choose and why?
I don't think I would want to trade places with anyone in particular, I would much rather have the chance to work with someone famous or well known. If I could do that instead, I would choose Meryl Streep. I think she's brilliant and would love to learn from her. 

And now for the questions I came up with:

1. What is your favorite film genre?
2. List a beloved seasonal memory from your childhood.
3. If you could only write in one color pen for the rest of your life, what color would you choose?
4. What was your worst subject in elementary school?
5. What is your favorite type of cheese?
6. Do you like your tea sweetened or unsweetened?
7. Who is your favorite literary character?
8. What is your ordinary superpower?

As I don't know many bloggers, I tag you! If you'd like to answer the questions, go on and do it, and leave a link to your post in the comments!

Essie - Fiji

Not much to say today, other than this is Essie Fiji and it is a little difficult to work with. It's a bit chalky which lends itself to being streaky, but 3 coats evens it out.



Lovely baby pastel pink, perfect for spring or fall :)

See you guys next week!

A Miniature Trip To Oregon

Last weekend Craig and I took a small trip to Oregon for a wedding, and it was simply lovely:

sunset along the river


I learned how to shoot a .22 rifle and my subsequent target


woops! Our beached crabbing boat. Long story short, we were able to save the boat and all the crabs!


A romantic wedding at sunset :)


I'll be back tomorrow with a more beauty-related post!

Rescue Beauty Lounge - IKB:2012 and Comparison

Can you believe it's nearly October!? I know I say that every single time the month changes, but I'm still gobsmacked.

Today I have a lot of preparation to do! Craig and I are taking a long weekend to Portland, Oregon for a wedding, and I am super excited! I love the west coast and cannot wait to go back, and we leave tomorrow!
ahhh....it's now 3PM and I haven't gotten anything done :/ Oh Pinterest, I blame you.

In the interest of full disclosure, I have nothing on my nails right now. Zilch. The pictures below of Rescue Beauty Lounge's IKB:2012 were taken a few days ago:





How GORGEOUS.
I swatched these without a top coat because I wanted to show you the texture of the polish itself. It does not dry shiny but has an odd, suede finish. The formula is workable, but not what I've come to expect from RBL unfortunately. I think this has something to do with the fact that the polish is almost pure pigment.

This post is really painful to write. IKB:2012 is unfortunately no longer available from Rescue Beauty, and I feel horrible for posting about a polish you can no longer get (unless you were to succumb to Ebay scalpers).
I not only regret that, but also because this color brings up evocative memories of a certain special mad man and his little blue box. And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Because yes, IKB:2012 is TARDIS blue perfection.

HOWEVER I have an alternative!

Revlon's Royal is not (in my books) remotely close to IKB:2012, but I think for the price, the differences can be negated. ($6 vs $20? I think so)


Royal on index and ring, IKB:2012 on middle and pinkie

At any rate, Royal is much more jelly-like, darker and deeper, and more purple to my eye. I almost regretted buying IKB:2012 when I purchased Royal because the formula is miles better, and the color is so much richer. I think that for some, Royal might be an acceptable alternative.

Dupe? I would say not a chance in hell, but an alternative certainly.

See you guys on Friday! I'll be trying to update while in Portland, but I can't make any promises. I'm notoriously bad at blogging while away from my desktop!