frankenpolish "Vintage Hydrangea"

There is a special time on a winter night when the milky sky will gather up all the snow-reflected light, and create from it an opaline mauve glow.  This color reminds me of that phenomenon, one of my favorites and most treasured during the year.

I love winter, as anyone who knows me even a little bit can attest, and I love flowers, and I think this twinkling muted mauve strikes a lovely balance between the two for this romantic month of February.  I think it might be a relatively easy one to make, too!

>>> vintage hydrangea <<<

*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

Fair Maiden Polish "Change Your Fate"

Happy Friday the 13th, again!!  In the Celtic spirit of upcoming St. Patrick's Day, I just had to share with you this powerfully pretty polish inspired by Scottish princess Merida of Brave, and, fittingly enough, part of Fair Maiden's debut collection titled *Be Your Own Heroine*.  Merida was indeed her own heroine, and if this teal tribute was an arrow, it would be flying straight true to the heart and free spirit of The Bear & The Bow (as the story was originally called!).

Merida the Brave

*     *    *    *  *  *   *    *     *

Can't you just see the moss-dappled mountain glade, blankets of heather cushioning your footfalls as your breath parts the curtains of mist lingering in the early morning chill...?  The shadows are yet deep in the gathering dawn, and through their nocturnal curls a tiny ephemeral light flickers and skips: the ever-elusive dance of the will-o'-the-wisp.  And along their shivering path... fate awaits.

*     *    *    *  *  *   *    *     *

a rare two-faced bottle!! :)

Icing : Cashmere "NYE" *starring Auntie Deborah*

Happy New Year's Eve, all you Twinkling goddesses out there!  Since I started this blog, I've been collecting pictures of manicures I have done for friends, as swatches and NOTD fun, but more importantly, as proof and validation that beauty reigns in all hands (and humans in general) regardless of nail shape, age, industry, etc.  My Auntie Deborah, once a makeup artist, now my fairy godmother, kindly posed for these swatches way back in September, but with a name like "NYE" I thought it only fitting that this polish, and my first guest feature, should debut on the last day of the year!!  Here's to a sparkling night of champagne kisses, and a most wonderful 2014!  Let this post and this night be a celebration of the profound beauty in heart, body, and soul that shines in all of us.

Christmas Eve NOTD: Girly Bits "Eggnogaholic" + Orly "Halo"

You know, I'm not usually all that into eggnog, but I was having a lovely tea time with my dear friend Grace yesterday, and kind of rediscovered the eggnog magic.  Every time I have gone to make tea during the last week I would look in the fridge at the eggnog, and ask whoever happened to be nearby if they thought a dash of it would be good in tea, and everyone unanimously was like ew no gross Marisa, what the blazes are you thinking, but then yesterday I finally just went for it because whatever YOLO and, you know what?  It was absolutely amazing.  I made everyone in the house try it, and they all agreed that it was delicious.  A big ol' mugfull of hot water steeped in Celestial Seasonings Nutcracker Sweet black tea, plus equal parts eggnog and skim milk, plus a bit of agave nectar for extra sugar with that spice... heaven.

Unfortunately, today when I went to recreate my scrumptious treat, I was quietly devastated to discover that we were out of both Nutcracker Sweet and eggnog.  :(  Bigelow Eggnoggin' black & green tea blend was just not the same.

Thankfully I have a beautiful eggnog confection that my giant, college-football-playing brother cannot devour, like he does any and all other edible things: the aptly-named glitter crelly by Girly Bits, which served as the base for my Christmas Eve manicure.  Inspired by snow angels, shining stars, and all things beautiful and bright, I was and am so in love with these heavenly lacquers together in seraphic harmony.

Different Dimension "Ready, Set, Snow"

Well hi, snow angels!!  I wasn't actually sure if we would have a white Christmas here in western Montana, and was feeling a little blue about it... but then, low and behold, come Christmas Eve a light, sparkling snow began to fall, and by Christmas morning everything was blanketed in winter white.

We usually do have snow, and the mountains are always snow-capped in winter, but down in the valley we are a bit more susceptible to warm spells traveling inland from the Pacific.  It comes and goes, so snow is always a precious presence for me.  We had been bereft for several weeks, but then last Thursday afternoon, a few hours after my dear grandma passed, a few magic flurries breezed through.  While the forecast had already predicted some snow for the day, I liked to think that Grandma Marilyn was fluttering her new wings, and shaking down some snowflakes for me.  In memory and celebration, I painted on this shimming snow polish, and watched the snowy sky dance.

Fair Maiden "Sleigh Bells In The Snow" & "The Stars Are Brightly Shining"

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas // just like the ones I used to know // where the treetops glisten // and children listen // to hear sleigh bells in the snow..."

I cannot help myself; these polishes make me want to sing!  There's the obvious cause of blatant suggestion - "O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining..."- but also, these lacquers are so radiantly gorgeous that you might just be inspired to "fall on your knees!".  You may even "hear the angel voices!"  Oh night divine, indeed.

 

"Sleigh Bells In The Snow" + "The Stars Are Brightly Shining"

❄ * ♥ * ❄ * ♥ * ❄

Lorac *The Royal* holiday eye shadow palette set

Hello there, princesses!  Seeking some shimmering shadows for your next royal ball?   Well good, because PRINCESSES ONLY*; we're talking about *The Royal* Eye Shadow Palette Set, after all.  (*Princesses-at-heart absolutely do count.  Welcome to Tiny Twinklings, Your Highness.)

I think I'll let the pictures do the heavy lifting in this post, since there are quite a few of them, and also because I'm feeling lazy after all dis photographing :P  Several of you have asked for eyeshadow looks to go with your eyeshadow swatches in the past, so I've been having a go at it lately.  Has it been helpful for you?  If this kind of post is working for you, or if there is something you would like to see, pretty please let me know in the comments so that I can optimize these reviews for you.  Because hey, my readers really are royalty around here!  ♥

Crowns of Copenhagen

This set hasn't received much press at all, though by merit of its packaging alone one would think it should.  These crowns look exactly like the three kroner that stack in a spire over every old government building in Copenhagen, and the ones imprinted on the Danish krone coins.  The colors also remind me of the Rosenborg summer castle interior; I lived four blocks away from the slot during my time in the Danish capital so it is a fond place for me.  I often walked, picnicked, and sketched in the castle grounds; once we even did a zealous group workout on the lawns.  Just imagine, a whole bunch of us out there in front of a fairytale Renaissance castle, doing lunges and pushups and planks... in honor of the Queen, of course.  Anyways, these palettes are kind of nostalgic for me, so I was bound and determined to own this set, even if the colors aren't wildly unique or imaginative.  This regal collection full of precious metals is quite perfectly suited to holiday soirées and parties, or anytime you just need a little glamour in your life and on your lids.

Rosenborg Castle

♔ * ♥ * ♔

Different Dimension "No One Elsa But You" {Frozen: Day 5}

Happy Tuesday, Twinklings!!  Ever since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to be a snow fairy.  I looovvve snow, but it is a precious, ephemeral, and oh so fragile phenomenon that is here one day and possibly gone the next, so the idea of being able to make it everywhere I go (or fly!) is so divine!  Watching Frozen for the first time was like seeing my wildest dreams play out before me, and there is no question: if I could be any Disney lady, it would absolutely be Elsa. 

Today's Frozen-inspired lacquer comes to us from Different Dimension, lovingly made by the incomparable Missi out of Ohio!  Missi makes all kinds of delightful pop-culture, "out of this world" nail polish (if you love astronomy, you need to take a peek at the stuff she's been making lately), but as we know, there was no help for me when she released "No One Elsa But You" as part of her holiday collection for this year.  I can almost see the snowflakes forming as I twirl my liquid ice-plated nails about...  ❄

"No One Elsa But You"

Bath & Body Works "A Thousand Wishes" & other sparkles

Bienvenue, mes belles!  ♥  I'm almost a little embarrassed at how long I've had these poor photos sitting around, waiting patiently to be reviewed... I captured these on October 11.  That was eight full weeks ago!  Oy.  I'm sorry, pretty pictures.  I had hoped to share you before Black Friday and the official "A Thousand Wishes" release, but then, I hope for many things.  Just goes to show how busy life has been, I guess.  And in truth, there are many many more albums still to be shared... another day.  For now, it is these holiday beauties' time to shine!  (Beauties plural, because *surprise bonus mani* hooray!)

B&BW "A Thousand Wishes" // Ulta "Starry Night" + Ethereal Lacquer "Rosé Ravira"

Serum No. 5 - fall polish swatches [Twilight Sparks, Sleepy Holo, Second Spring]

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." - Albert Camus 

Happy Sunday, Twinklings!!  I've had these swatches sitting around for aaa-ages, and it suddenly occurred to me that I could maybe, I dunno, do something with them :)

Serum No. 5:  a few spontaneous polishes from various fall collections

Rocky Horror Picture Show: M.A.C. "Formidable!" & Picture Polish "Rocky"

Dammit, Janet!  It's Rocky Horror Picture Show time!!  I see you shiver with anticipation (name that song!).  This year will be a very special RHPS at the historic Wilma Theatre of Missoula, because starring as Rocky is none other than my very own heart throb: my incredibly talented boyfriend, Kellen!! <3  In honor of the opening show tonight, I have some Rocky-inspired nails that might just make you want to "give yourself over to absolute pleasure".

Rainbow Honey : October Mystery Bag!!! swatches & sniffings

IT'S HERE AT LAST!!  Two weeks of bated breath, and I could've hugged the postman when he finally delivered the Rainbow Honey October Mystery Bag a few hours ago.  I guess it was only two weeks; it felt like an absolute eternity.  I have no patience at all anymore, it seems; and yet I look forward to the Rainbow Honey Mystery Bags so keenly that I can't help it!!  But it's here, and it most assuredly satisfied the anticipation!

Unboxing the Rainbow Honey October Mystery Bag!

...

Butter London : Top of the Pops box swatches [[ La Moss, Toff, & Earl Grey winks and lacquers and lippies, oh my ]]

Hey there, gorgeous!  Today I have for you an awesome limited edition box from Butter London that is currently on sale for $19 at Ulta.  I don't imagine that it will be around for much longer so if you like any of the colors I wouldn't wait to snap this one up.  Any University of Montana Griz fans in the house?!?  You're going to looovvve this box, with its chic shades of silver and maroon that really are great (GRRrreat, that is) for any occasion but are especially perfect for game day.  Go Griz!!!  <3

The Top of the Pops *Greatest Hits* box includes a Lippy liquid lipstick in "Toff" ($18), nail lacquer in "La Moss" ($15), a Scrubber 2-in-2 Prep & Remover Wipe ($1), Wink cream eye shadow in "Earl Grey" ($18), and a Wink eye pencil, also in "Earl Grey" ($18).  So you can see, this is truly a fabulous deal!

Butter London : Top of the Pops box

Nails Inc. Ballet Sheers "Mayfair" & Garden Party "Westbourne Gardens"

Happy Hump Day, darling readers!  I've been sitting on these swatches for a while now; sometimes, I'm just too lazy to write about things.  It requires thinking, you know.  Also, I knew they'd come in useful right about now, when time is of the essence and every moment is under siege with a million things to do.

One of my very first posts (the second, in fact) was about the Nails Inc. Ballet Sheers Collection, but it was missing one polish... which we shall see today!  Oy, it's a little embarrassing to look back at my early posts.  Such struggles to hold onto that nail polish bottle... like most newborn things, it's so awkward that it's almost kinda cute.  And yet, that was a mere two months ago!  Ah, well.

Anywhoo, here's "Mayfair" and "Westbourne Gardens" for ya. 

Nails Inc. "Mayfair" + "Westbourne Gardens"

Wet n' Wild : Enchanted Halloween : Happy Hour Hop, Roadwork, Pot of Gold, & Under Your Spell

Hello, Twinklings!!  It's my last week in Montana before I have to go back to school, and it's been bumming me out but I can't be too sad because it's my birthday week!!!  Whee!!  Yes, I am unabashedly a birthday week person.  I can't help it, I just love birthdays.  Secretly, I've been kind of having a birthday month, mostly because it has been my last-ditch validation for all of my makeup shopping :)  As a result of Birthday Month activities, I have lots of fun new stuff to show you before I become bogged down with thesis research next week.  My fall collections packages have begun arriving *today* so while I'm swatching those like crazy, I wanted to share with you part of a collection that has come as a pleasant surprise to me: Enchanted Halloween!!

Wet n' Wild : Enchanted Halloween

Stila: Eyes Are The Window "Spirit" [eyeshadow palette]

Happy weekend!!  Today is one of those idyllic early autumn days, with a most perfectly pure periwinkle sky saturating the blushing landscape with sunshine and contentment.  It's a treasure of a day.  And speaking of treasures...

Stila: Eyes Are The Window "Spirit"

...witness Stila "Spirit", a mystical eyeshadow palette sheathed in an luxe metallic compact of romantic rose gold and opulent white gold.  Something about this particular palette has the feel of prophecies and mysterious magic to me, like fate parting the mist before you.  Wistful and ethereal, this Eyes Are The Window installment so elegantly illustrates the element of spirit in shimmering mists, roses, and precious metals.

Stila: Eyes Are The Window "Spirit"