What? October is almost over?

What a terrible host I've been for the October mani challenge. I'm -still- sick! I can't believe this nonsense, but regardless, sick or not, I'm going to upload all of my photos so far tonight and update by week. Back to regular programming after that, I'm done letting this cold win!

Benefit 2014 Advent Calendar "Candy Coated Countdown"

Quick post, not back from my little break, but this one was an easy one.

I've noticed a lot of people talking about the Benefit 2014 Advent Calendar already. Last year's calendar was great and came with a price tag of $79. This year's advent calendar has a whopping $40 markup coming in at a massive $119. What's with the markup? Is it really worth it?

So here's what it looks like in the package, quite pretty, as usual for Benefit.

Now for the good stuff. The contents. Spoilers, my dears, if you don't want to know what's in there, don't read any further.

All of the products are sample sizes.

Day 1: Heart Paper Clips

Day 2: Ultra Plush Lipgloss "A-Lister"

Day 3: They're Real Mascara

Day 4: Stay Don't Stray (lt/med)

Day 5: It's Potent

Day 6: Porefessional

Day 7: Silver Hair Tie

Day 8: Holiday Post It Notes

Day 9: Ultra Plush Lipgloss "Dandelion"

Day 10: Stay Flawless

Day 11: Benetint

Day 12: Total Moisture

Day 13: Posietint

Day 14: Hair Tie w/ bow

Day 15: Ooh La Lift

Day 16: High Beam

Day 17: Holiday Notepad

Day 18: That Gal

Day 19: Pink Polkadot Hair Tie

Day 20: Ultra Plush Lipgloss "Fauxmance"

Day 21: Watt's Up?

Day 22: Bad Gal lash

Day 23: ChaChaTint

Day 24: Fake Up Concealer in 02 Medium

So what's different from last year? Not much, honestly. Here are the differences:

2013 contained the following products that 2014 does not:

Girl Meets Pearl

Hoola

Dandelion

Coralista

BadGal Liner in Black

Ultra Plush Lipgloss in Coralista 

Ultraplush Lipgloss in Sugarbomb

2014 new products:

They're Real Mascara

Ultra Plush Lipgloss in Fauxmance

Stay Flawless

Watt's Up

Fake Up Concealer

You might notice that this advent calendar has actually lost products. In 2013's Advent Calender there were three days containing non Benefit products (a bracelet, a necklace and a barette). In the 2014 Advent Calendar we see six days without Benefit products (paperclips, post it notes, 3 hair ties, notepad).

Is it worth the price hike? Well, that's up to you, but I think I'll be investing in a David's Tea Advent Calender this year instead. Which holiday products are you excited for?

Quick Update

I'm so sorry I haven't been posting my daily swatches like I planned to, I have literally been sick since the first of October and still am not quite well. Hopefully I will be able to play catch up soon and get back to regular posting. In the meantime I have still be uploading daily mani's on my Instagram. I'll be back soon!

Amazing Autumn Mani Challenge Day 1 - Moss

Day 1 of the October Amazing Autumn Mani Challenge! Today's theme was "Moss" (green).

I've used two coats of Colors by Llarowe Army of One and a tiny bi of saran wrap stamping using A England Dragon.

I apologize for the lack of great quality content today, I have a really nasty cold and this was all I could muster. I promise more fun in future.

Amazing Autumn Mani Challenge! - Participants

As promised, before we begin our month of fun, I have a list of those participating and where you can find them.

Myself, here on the blog as well as on Instagram.

Tina with We Didn't Miss It, and Instagram.

Deb with The Bold and the Beauty Fool, and Instagram

goddessofblue

Natalie

Laura

I will edit this post if others decide to join in. 

I'm looking forward to getting started tomorrow!!

October's Mani Challenge - Amazing Autumn!

In continuation of the mani challenges that the wonderful Tina over at We Didn't Miss It has been coming up with, this month she asked me if I wanted to create the challenge 'chart' since October's idea of autumn colors was my suggestion. The ladies loved this idea and Tina and I have been chittering about our excitement to get started since then. So about a week ago I finally caved to the desire and wrote out the color chart. Who doesn't love Autumn colors?! I can't wait to get started!

Previous Monthly challenges I have participated in are August Is Indie Month and the first portion of September is Stamping Month. Unfortunately I've had some nail casualties and am working with shorties for the time being, so I've ducked out of stamping. Stamping is difficult enough working with nails the images actually fit on! Haha.

In the meantime if you'd like to see what I've been up to with my shorties, I'm still posting some of my manis on my Instagram, follow me there!

Now, for the good stuff.

This is October's suggested guide for the daily mani challenge. Participate on the days that you are able or want to, there's no requirement to do it daily, though I will be trying to. I will be following this guide the best I can (I'm still missing a few colors and they may not arrive in time!). The first 18 days are guided in color choice and the last 13 days are open to your interpretation for color or design, just follow the theme! Show us what color your favorite teacup and lap blanket are. ;)

Some guidelines I want to remember which you may choose to follow (or are welcome to ignore):

• Follow the color guidelines when you can and substitute something when you must
• Blog and/or post nails to instagram every day
• Try choosing an untried polish first or showing a favorite
• Write a quick (but honest) review of each polish that you choose to blog about
• Pick indies before big brands #supportindie !!
• Link back to the maker where possible on IG or FB
• HAVE FUN!*

If you want to participate, let me know! Drop me a message or leave me a note with links to where you'll be posting your Amazing Autumn manis. I'll be posting a Participant list soon. I will be sharing my manis here on the blog and daily on my Instagram (#amazingautumnmanis and  #octobermanichallenge). Let us know where you'll be posting yours so we can check it out!

I cannot wait to get started!

*You're not allowed to ignore this guideline. It's a must!

Final Stamping Month Update & Upcoming Blogs!

It pains me to inform you that I am out of the stamping challenge for this month as my nails started breaking at the quick and I was forced to file down to the nubbiest of nubbins. However I am planning a challenge for October and will participate in that one whether my nubs are nubby or not. Hopefully a couple of weeks will be enough time for them to grow out so I can make them look at least half decent. It happens to all of us. :(

So this means that instead of daily nails, I'll be working on some other reviews instead. 

Stay tuned! I have lots of exciting things in store even if it's not my nails.

And as a last update, this was Day 12 of Stamping Month - Bugs