franken-polish "Mo Duinne" {inspired by Outlander}

Mo duinne, "my brown one", as Jamie affectionately calls his Claire.  At least, as he calls her in  Book One, Outlander, and Book Two, Dragonfly in Amber.  After this, the phrase magically changes to the correct Gaelic translation, mo nighean donn.  Okay, so mo duinne as a term of endearment may have been an accidental fabrication, but it is still heart-grippingly sweet when bestowed upon the heroine by her adoring warrior husband.  So let's just suspend disbelief for a moment, and savor the sentiment.  Shouldn't be too difficult, really; after all, that's what romance is all about!

When I set out to create this polish, I decided I didn't want it to simply mimic the natural, obvious brown of Claire's hair and eyes.  I felt it needed to reveal Claire as Jamie saw her: with warmth, and passion, and radiant, rosy love.  I started with a rich reddish brown, and infused it with a haze of sweet shimmering pink, like rose-colored glasses.  Flecks of gold and silver, and a gossamer rainbow veil, emulate the nimbus radiated by a loved one in the eyes of their lover.  The face of a person you love always shines a bit brighter to you than the rest, does it not?  When Jamie says "my brown one", what he really means is "my everything".

>>> mo duinne <<<

 

franken-polish "Molly Weasley" {inspired by Harry Potter}

The other day I randomly, without searching or planning or really even thinking about it, pulled China Glaze "Glimmer More" and Wet n' Wild "Undercover" out of my "for frankening" box together, and I thought, PERFECT.  It was immediate chemistry.  A beautiful blushing fall bouquet!  I'd been intrigued by "Glimmer More" as an autumnal component, but hadn't quite thought about how I might use it, and then it all came together at once.  I added China Glaze "Material Girl" for rosy sparkle, and Milani "Golden Romance" for a luminous glow.  It turned out exactly like I hadn't yet imagined!

After I was done, I thought about what I should name this autopilot franken, and the retrofitted inspiration came to me as quickly and effortlessly as the creation had: Molly Weasley!  Molly Weasley, the magical mother of six assorted wizards and one brave witch; warm, generous, fiery Molly with the heart of a lioness.  She is a woman brimming over with cozy sunshine and a fierce protectiveness for those she loves.  It's a glowing love that I thought this franken exuded with great joy ♥️

>>> Molly Weasley <<<

 

Molly Weasley

*First Blogiversary + Birthday Giveaway!!!*

Hello and welcome, goddesses!!  August 13th was officially Tiny Twinklings' first blogiversary, hooray hooray!  I closed out that year with several other big firsts- graduating from college in June, starting my first real career job in August, etc.- and am starting this second one out with a few more... buying my first house, namely among them. (!!!!!  Closing in just a few short days- let the pandemonium ensue!)  And in two weeks I will also be a Birthday Princess, which I take very seriously ;)  Tee hee.

So in celebration of my blog's birthday and mine, I am so pleased to offer you the chance (many many chances, in fact!) to win a couple of my very favorite things: Rainbow Honey Mystery Bags!  They've made many monthly appearances here on Tiny Twinklings, and in fact my very first post ever featured the July Mystery Bag of last year.  I've been saving my double of the August 2014 Mystery Bag and Limited Edition polish all year, and together with this year's August 2015 Mystery Bag and featured Limited Edition polish complete our fabulous prize!

In total, that prize includes:

>> AUGUST 2014 MINI MYSTERY BAG <<

"Modern Hearts" nail polish

"488nm" nail polish

"Royal Fruits" perfume roller ball

"Royal Fruits" cuticle balm

"Royal Fruits" scented topcoat

"Summer Juice" body splash

>> AUGUST 2014 LIMITED EDITION<<

"Crystal" nail polish - full size!

>> AUGUST 2015 MINI MYSTERY BAG <<

"Mr. Saturn" nail polish

"Jelly Red Sandals" nail polish

"Fruit Juice" bath oil

"Fruit Juice" bath tea

"Fruit Juice" perfume roller ball 

"All Your Base" basecoat - full size!

>> AUGUST 2015 LIMITED EDITION <<

"Celestial Hydra" - full size!

The fabulous contents of these mystery bags pictured above are my personal (duplicate) set; yours awaits, brand new and unopened :)

Your prize!!!

This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only.  The giveaway will be open for two weeks, starting now until Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 11:59PM Mountain Time.  You must be 18 years of age or older to enter, please.

First Blogiversary + Birthday Giveaway!!!

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ♥️ <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

It has been by far too long since my last post, and I want to convey my sincere gratitude to my darling readers who have stuck through the droughts with me.  I'm looking forward to my life finally settling into place again... I've missed this!!  I've missed you!  Thank you so much for celebrating this crazy, exciting month with me ♥️  

Good luck, and enjoy!

XOXO
Marisa + Sprinklepuff

Hare Polish "On the Road Again"

Hello darling Twinklings! I really am on the road again (or in the air, rather), and I thought it fitting that I am typing this particular post from the Seattle Airport en route to my summer holiday in Alaska!! And just in time, too; I'm in the mood for exploring :)

>> On the Road Again << 

"On the Road Again" is a nomad mauve crelly dusted with burnished copper shimmers, lacy white hex glitters, icy iridescent film glitter, and UCC flakies shifting from gilded bronze to mossy green, and on precious occasions to peacock blue. This muted balance of dusty lilac and vintage rose is quietly feminine, though the sun-drenched metallic and frost-sheathed crystalline elements evoke an unexpectedly intrepid nature- a delightful twist on an old classic. The result is an impressively versatile manicure that could sip sweet tea with a demure Southern belle, and then just as easily dance in the desert with a gypsy wanderer, festival music in the air and swaying feathers in her hair. Free-spirited and timeless, like an age-old daydream.

HARE lacquers are consistently of the highest caliber in terms of both composition and formula, and "On the Road Again" is no exception. This glitter crelly applied very evenly, and dried quickly (always a merciful and cherished quality in this restless soul's polishes). I used three coats in my swatches for full layered impact, though two layers were also quite satisfactory. The surface dries smooth and fairly glossy, necessitating only one layer of topcoat. I used my new summer favorite, Rainbow Honey "Twisted Ice Tea" scented topcoat, and loved its blissful synergy with this polish :)

"On the Road Again" debuted this spring 2015 as part of the Stir Crazy Collection. HARE Polish may be purchased at their Etsy shop or online etailer Llarowe. (Apologizes for the absence of helpful links; I am typing this on my tablet, and have not yet aspired the sophistication of inserting links on the Blogger app interface :/ At this time of writing, I am not even yet sure how to insert pics, but if you are reading this now then I have been successful in that particular endeavor and am doubtless very pleased with myself, teehee.)

Anyone else on the road again this summer??


XOXO
Marisa + Sprinklepuff

Springtime Giveaway!!! Sephora Formula X "Inspiring" + Nails Inc. London "Floral Street Mews"

In two months from this very day, I will have finished my last college exam, quarter, degree EVER (hopefully ever, anyway).  TWO MONTHS.  There is still so much to do before that time but my joy of anticipation cannot be eclipsed.

Two months left of school for me... so how about two polishes of springtime joy for you??!!  IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Happy April, by the way!  It's been pretty quiet on Tiny Twinklings lately, and likely the crickets will only keep chirping these next couple months as I careen towards graduation.  Many readers will know by this time that I am an architecture student at the University of Oregon, and am currently hammering out my thesis studio project (topic: architecture for happiness / typology: community center / location: Anchorage, AK).  The enormous importance of this project, by necessity and yet to my dismay, has begun to preclude energies dedicated to this beloved blog, but I wanted to assure my darling readers that however infrequently I manage to get posts up in this final, frantic interval of college, once the mortar board has flown, Tiny Twinklings will be BACK.

This giveaway is my way of thanking you, my precious Twinklings, for sticking with me through the thick and thin of my first half year of blogging!  Your thoughts and comments especially bring an amazing community energy to Tiny Twinklings, and so I owe a very special thank you to many dear, familiar faces out there.

I also want to extend my warmest welcome to new faces bringing fresh life to this blog- twinkle on!!  Since Tiny Twinklings' inception, my greatest rewards have been the wonderful and invaluable opportunities to come to know some of my fellow nairies, and as this adventure continues I am very excited to know more and more of you, so welcome, welcome!!!

I have been impatiently looking forward to hosting a giveaway for what feels like a VERY long time, so let's get started, shall we??!

The prize: a cheerful and charming duet of old spring favorites, as the season comes into full bloom!!  One lucky reader will win Sephora Formula X "Inspiring" (a pearlescent turquoise shimmer) and Nails Inc. London "Floral Street Mews" (a floral glitter topper with peach, white, and sky blue pearl glitters in hexes and blossoms).  This first giveaway will be open to the United States only.  (To my 9% international readers, joining us from as far away as Iraq to Lithuania to Belgium to South Africa: first of all, WOW!  I am so honored to have you with us, and am determined to improve my giveaway sophistication so that all my highly-valued Twinklings will have the opportunity to win fun things in the future!!)

This giveaway will be open for two weeks, starting now until Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 11:59PM Pacific Time.  You must be 18 years of age or older to enter, please.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, Twinklings!! ♥

I wish I thought to bring my own bottles of these beautiful flower-ful polishes with me to Oregon to model for you, but alas!  In addition to an enormous deficit of time, I also broke a nail to the quick the other week (the nubs are growing back surprisingly quick, but for a while there I didn't even recognize my own hands!), and then last week broke one of my full-spectrum lamps; idk what the deal is, it's just been one big hot mess around here.  So I've just been casually enjoying my favorite season for polish (I'm really such a spring), and dreaming of summer... and freedom :)

XOXO
Marisa + Sprinklepuff

These prizes are provided and were purchased by me for the purposes of this giveaway.

Rainbow Honey: March 2015 Mystery Bag!!

Hello, Twinklings!!  The Rainbow Honey store is open again, and with it comes a new Mystery Bag!!  As you know, I just love my mysteries, (ironically, I am obsessively re-watching Sherlock as I edit these photos) and must apologize for the lack of one last month...  the February mystery bag was fabulous!  (The fragrance Carnival Candy is my new love.)  Alas, time was not on my side :/  But we are back on track this month, and oh, what a great one it is shaping up to be!

Hare Polish: "Oh What Fun It Is To Love" + "Test Your Love!" + "Love You To Pieces!"

Happy happy Friday, gorgeous!!  The ominous 13th it may be, but for myself, I am looking forward to a peachy Valentine's Day tomorrow, and choosing to disregard the sinister portents.  What's a superstitious day against an auspiciously delightful polish on the nails, anyway?  And if you're needing some ideas for a love lacquer to suit your Valentine mood, well, I might have some ideas... :)  Are you a natural beauty in need of a cozy, rosy hue?  A fearless flirt for whom only bright and bold will do?  Or perhaps, an enigmatic temptress, glimmering in the sultry darkness?  Or, are you something else entirely...?

For inspiration, I have assembled all of my *love*-themed Hares, and mood-wise, they run the gamut, but they do have a few things in common: dazzle power, and awesomeness.  They are especially precious to me because they were all first worn and loved by my most favoritest Lacquer Slacker Liz.  Each time I indulge in sporting one of these HARE polish treasures, I am simply in awe of her generosity in sharing these stunning creations with me, and feel like if anyone is channeling Cupid's divine spirit this year, it would be darling Liz for uniting me and HARE in true lacquer lurv :]

Hare Polish "Oh What Fun It Is To Love"

Hare Polish "Test Your Love!"

Hare Polish "Test Your Love!"

Hare Polish "Love You To Pieces!"

Hare Polish "Love You To Pieces!"

 

♥ * ♥ * ♥

Liquid Sky Lacquer : Valentine's Day Duo "Love is in the Air" + "Thinking of You" ♥

Well hello, dahlings!  I've missed this.  I just had my midterm review, and I thought a review of a different genre might be a nice way to wind down after the past couple days' cram.  The moment February dawned I immediately began slathering on all of my love-themed polishes, and have been so anxious to share them with you!!  This duo was released for Valentine's Day last year, but I've been picking them off during sales and such, just in time for this year's celebration of love ♥

Liquid Sky Lacquer "Love is in the Air"

Liquid Sky Lacquer "Thinking of You"

Rainbow Honey: January 2015 Mystery Bag!

Hello there, fairy friends!  Long time, no nothing, I know.  It has been a busy and wonderful week, exploring Portland and the Oregon Coast with my darling man, but as he returned to Montana so did I return to reality (including the dwindling window of primary relevance for this post, haha).  I now have both a mystery bag subscription and my change-of-address in order, so next month should be much more timely, Twinklings!!  And so, on that harried note, I present the January Mystery Bag (WHEEE)!!

OPI: Gwen Stefani Holiday 2014 Collection ["Rollin' in Cashmere" trio, etc]

Hello darlings, and Happy Monday to you!  What with school started up in full force once more (for the last semester of my life!!!) the posts will be fewer and farther between, most unfortunately, and despite a desperate backlog of swatches, holiday and otherwise :(  However, I just had to get this one up for multiple reasons: one, because all of these polishes were popping up for excellent deals immediately after Christmas at TJMaxx, Marshall's, etc, well in advance of when I would normally expect these to appear at discount stores (uh, usually next year!).  But indeed, the Rollin' in Cashmere trio featured here (incorporating "Rollin' in Cashmere", "Comet in the Sky", and "Snow Globetrotter") was snapped up at TJMaxx for *$9.99* by my savvy Auntie Deborah, who very kindly loaned it to me for swatching and news-sharing, before she tried them even.  Thank you oh so much, Auntie!!  You may consider this your bargain-hunting hit list, kittens.

Laquerlicious "Snow Much Love!" & Serum No. 5 "Snow In Love"

Happy King's Day, kittens!  Well, this is it I suppose.  Even I can't stubbornly sustain the holiday season any longer.  Not that I won't probably still be posting "winter celebration" type posts now and then, since I still have some holiday swatches out on my desktop ether... hope y'all don't mind!  Winter break didn't exactly proceed as planned, and now that I am back in Oregon and school is in full march, I haven't had and won't have terribly much time for posting  :(  Until June, my thesis studio owns my soul.  And then it will all be over, mwahaha haha!!!

Well so anyways, yesterday marked the Twelfth Day of Christmas, and today is the official End of All Seasonal Splendor, therefore I am determined to squish in my Christmas Day polish pick, plus my Twelfth Night lacquer look.  Snow and love are two of my very favorite things, so of course I was powerless to resist these charming polishes!!  If these two were not insentient bottles of chemical and color, I would guess that, should they meet, they would be the most bestest of friends.

Lorac : Party Eye Shadow Palette {Ulta Exclusive}

Happy New Year, angels, and a Merry Tenth Day of Christmas, too!  If you're celebrating all the way up to Three King's Day on Tuesday, and are needing to elevate your holiday eye look, I might take a peek at Lorac's new Party Palette (released exclusively at Ulta on December 26). 

Glam Polish "Dancing Through Life"

Happy (belated) Ninth Day of Christmas!  Yes, I know, it is actually the Tenth Day of Christmas currently here on the West Coast, but I've been wanting to post this polish in honor of the *nine ladies dancing* for weeks now, and while I was indeed panic packing yesterday for my move back to Portland today and wasn't able to get this post up at that time, I hope you'll agree that that the occasion is worth revisiting for this stunning showstopper!!

"Dancing Through Life" was released this past November as part of Glam Polish's Broadway Collection.  This awesome little company has been going nuts down there in Australia, debuting new amazing nine-part collections (plus occasional smaller collections) every month for a while now!  I mean, the creative stamina is just astounding to me.  I thought this one was just so perfect as a delicately chic winter polish, even after the holidays have come and gone.

Orly "Explosion of Fun" - Sparkle Holiday 2014

New Year's Eve sneak up on you?  Yeah, me too.  Like seriously, I thought yesterday was still the 29th, even though I was well aware that the day before that was in fact the 29th, so I've been all kinds of confused today.  If you're needing some last minute festivity for tonight, allow me to suggest the Orly Sparkle collection for Holiday 2014, in particular "Mirrorball" (as we'll see tomorrow) or, my personal favorite, "Explosion of Fun"!  Feeling midnight party-ready yet??

Serum No. 5 "Holly Dazed" + Candy Lacquer "Rudolph's Rum Punch" Holiday NOTD

Happy Third Day of Christmas, Twinklings!!  Anyone got their three French hens yet?  Just kidding, I'm totally afraid of chickens.  As cute as French hens do sound in theory, I really can't get over their dinosaur claws and rubber wobble gobbles.  Though I do have to say, when I was forced to pet a barred Plymouth Rock hen a few weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that their feathers are amazingly, incredibly soft.  I was almost okay with those hens.  What I am not okay with are the demon chickens that live next door to my boyfriend's house, who will chase each other down like the hounds of freaking hell if one finds a kibble or worm or something.

And now that I have ruined the Twelve Days of Christmas, I thought I'd show you one of my favorite holiday manis from before I went back to Illinois/dropped off the face of the interwebs.  You know, to cheer you back up :)

Serum No. 5 "Holly Dazed" + Candy Lacquer "Rudolph's Rum Punch"

 

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Candy Lacquer "Rudolph's Rum Punch"

Happy Monday, Twinklings!  Three days to Christmas... is everyone ready??  I am patently not; the season has really blazed by for me, and seeing as how I'm currently in Illinois for my grandma's funeral, we can anticipate that Christmas is going to be something of an improvised affair, but while I love traditions I'm surprisingly okay with that.  After all, these blank slate occasions are when new traditions are made.

❄ * ♥ * ❄ * ♥ * ❄

Now that Rudolph is the most popular reindeer, I'm sure he throws simply smashing Christmas parties (responsibly, and after all the toys are delivered to all the girls and boys, of course).  Thankfully, Candy Lacquer has bottled up the holiday spirits (tee hee) so that even those of us who can't conveniently attend North Pole soirées might appreciate the warmth and cheer of a good rum punch ;)

Laquerlicious "Warm Sugar Cookies" Holiday 2014

Sprinklepuff want a cookie?  Sprinklepuff is a unicorn- Sprinklepuff DEFINITELY wants a cookie.  I'm sure many of you have been confused by this mysterious Sprinklepuff, but rest assured; the lovely Casey of Glittering Elements and I are working on something special in honor of my favorite magical friend, and when it is finished, we will get to meet Sprinklepuff at last!!  ♥

Sprinklepuff and I are both in luck because there are literally mounds of delicious holiday cookies in my kitchen right now.  The holidays just aren't the holidays unless sugar is absolutely everywhere, amirite?  And then there's this polish, which is like cookie camouflage in the Christmas goodie (Candy Cane) forest.  Those cookies aren't even going to know what's coming until... OM NOM NOM.     . .. . ... (crumbs.  . .. . these are crumbs. .. . . {Sprinklepuff hungee} .. . ...)

Laquerlicious "Warm Sugar Cookies"

❄ * ♥ * ❄ * ♥ * ❄

Rainbow Honey : December Mystery Bag!

Happy Sunday, darlings!  Another month, another mystery bag!  This is a special month for the mini mysteries, because Rainbow Honey has new mini bottles and they are AWESOME!  The mini polishes used to be 5mL, but they have now upgraded to 7.5mL, though the price is set to remain the same!  I mean, when was the last time that your favorite product experienced a relative price DECREASE?  Fabulous.  Another thing I love about these minis is that the long-handled, regular-sized brush does not compromise polishing comfort or efficacy like many tiny polish bottles out there, cute and fairy-like as they are.

This month's mystery bag was inspired by "fictional characters of Russian literature", which is just brilliant for a holiday set.  It makes me think of the Russian lacquerware you see in Alaska, so deep and intense and fantastical, hand-painted with folkloric scenes of legendary figures riding swans and reindeer-drawn sleighs through gold gilt forests.  I think this mystery bag definitely captures that storytelling spirit of grand, mythological splendor!

Fair Maiden "Holiday 2014" Limited Edition

There are a lot of things to love about Fair Maiden Polish- gorgeous colors and finishes, fantastic formulas, fairy tale inspiration, outstanding branding, friendly and personal interaction, homegrown roots- but I think one of the reasons that this new lacquer brand has garnered such an enthusiastic following so quickly are the awesome and unique promotions that have been popping up!  There is just something so welcoming about the way that Sarah & Adrienne do business; but then, they are Minnesota girls, after all!!  And you know what they say about Minnesota nice... it's the nicest.  (Except for maybe Montana nice ;) ).  Anyway, I'm a big one for promotions, so the events that Fair Maiden has been putting on since they opened up shop just over a month ago have really been working on me haha.  It's a rare quality for a small polish business, and I just want to take this moment to thank Adrienne & Sarah for showing their customers such love!!  You two are the best, and I am just so excited to see where your imaginations take you next!  ♥

Fair Maiden "Holiday 2014" LE

Truth be told, this isn't a very fair post, and for those of you who missed this limited edition bonus over Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend, it may even be a cruel one.  Fair Maiden offered, as part of their amazing sales, a free Holiday 2014 Limited Edition polish for all purchases over $25, plus 25% off plus free shipping plus a free mini polish!!  I mean, it was crazy!!  I had actually bought almost the entire shop the week previously, but decided to round out the rest of my holiday collection and pick up a few gifts at the same time because I suspected that this Limited Edition polish would be amazing... and it is.  So while it is no longer available ( :[ ) there are a few reasons I wanted to share it with you anyway: 1) because it is beautiful and practically demands to be seen and admired ♥, and 2) because I hope the precedent will help inform you in the even tof future mystery LE polishes, and give you the extra enabler nudge so that you'll never miss out on greatness again!

Pür Minerals "Let It Glow" bronze, blush, & brighten cheek trio

It was only when I started typing out the name of this holiday set that the name hit me: "Let It Glow".  LET IT GO.  I guess now we know why I felt an irresistible draw to the set... it's that flurrying Elsa power, at it again.  Serendipitous indeed that I randomly decided to swatch this box for the last day of my Frozen swatchathon! ❄

"Naughty & Nice" ... "Sugar & Spice" ... "Glisten & Glow"