Le Lacquer Hook Up Turns 4!: Revlon Plum Seduction + Essie Penny Talk

Self-purchased

Le Lacquer Hook Up turns 4 today! I can't believe how long this journey has been, and how long I've been doing this hobby! Though nowadays I've been destashing to achieve a more "normal"-sized collection, I'm still very much in love with nail polish: the array of colors, finishes, and endless possibilities that only exponentiate with nail decorations, stamping, and acrylic paints! Thank you for joining me on this journey. I hope to continue it as long as I enjoy it.

I've finally updated the blog's design to celebrate! I really like the minimalist/modern theme since it's the sharp, clean look I've been wanting.

Revlon Plum Seduction is a vibrant pinky plum crelly. It looks far pinker in the swatch since it's actually a bit of a deeper purple in real life. It's a very pretty berry shade, and was perfect for the holidays! 2 coats, but it was super close to being a one-coater. The formula was AMAZING. It was super easy to apply, very pigmented, and dried shiny. No top coat. I can say no more, except that I totally recommend this polish!

Essie Penny Talk (accent nail) is a rose gold chrome. 3 coats. Because it was a chrome, it was difficult to apply. I had to make sure not to go over areas more than once and to paint quickly because the paint would curl up and come off once it was partly dried. (Chromes dry fast!) Brush strokes also showed once it dried, though that could be remedied by sponging on the polish to blur the strokes. But the great thing with chromes is that they're wonderful as stamping polishes! I think I'll start using Penny Talk more for stamping, though I think it's still great for the occasional accent nail. With top coat.

Thanks for looking! Happy New Year!

Michelle

Le Lacquer Hook Up Turns 3!

Le Lacquer Hook Up turns 3 today!

I am both surprised and happy that my blog has lasted so long. Even though it didn't grow much this year, I treasure the fact that I'm able to make LLHU into something that I enjoy. I love that I'm not met with the unrealistic demands and pressures that big blogs face.

I have a few things for LLHU next year in mind. However, nothing is promised yet. I will most likely be taking the next huge step in my life (provided that I don't suddenly decide to minor in something). It's going to be an enormous change, one that I'm not sure I'm ready for yet. (Then again, how many people are for this kind of change?) I'm not sure what route I'll be taking on this journey, but I'm thinking going with the flow may be my best option right now. (Along with beefing up my resume... Ahem.) Anyway, I definitely plan on swatching more of my collection next year, which has steadied over the past month or so. I'm really glad because I'd really like to play with the polishes I already have.

Goals I have in mind for LLHU for the new year (Can you believe it's already 2015?!) :

1. Do my best to swatch more of my collection.
2. Only buy polishes I really like and will wear more than twice.
3. Don't pressure myself to swatch and review. Remember to take my time and enjoy life.
4. Settle on a nail shape. I'm always changing between rounds and squovals. It's annoying.
5. Turn to painting my nails (and playing with my precious cat baby) when I need to destress or distract myself from what life throws my way. Because we all need something to do as therapy.

That's really all, honestly.

I hope to continue this journey with you all! Happy New Year!

See you on the other side of the day!

Michelle

Le Lacquer Hook Up Turns 2!

Happy birthday to Le Lacquer Hook Up! You turned 2 on December 31, 2013!

 (I'm several days late with this. The holidays and New Year's are always hectic... And I admit, I just want to vegetate before I go back to school!)

Blog Anniversary: Romance de la Luna Turns 1!

December 31st.

One day before the new year starts.

Time will never cease to go onwards.

Romance de la Luna turns ONE!

I honestly didn't think I'd reach this milestone. It's been quite a long year. I remember when I first applied to college (2 years ago!), I used a past prompt from the University of Chicago or some other college to inspire me. It asked me to choose an object from the kitchen or garage and explain why it personified me. I wrote that I was a tire. The following words are taken from the closing paragraphs of my senior project back in high school: "In the beginning of the school year, I wrote that I was a tire. That I rolled over pesky trash bags, cups, dogs... That I ran over cracked streets and jagged terrain. I still am a tire". The last five words have never ringed so truly before. I still am a tire. There were, and still are, many obstacles on the path I created for myself. However, I know these falls from grace are necessary for my growth. It's been one year, and I've been through quite a lot. Let the new year come. Let us embrace these continuing cracks and jagged terrain that lead us to something more. May we stand up and "keep on truckin'," as my AP Spanish Literature teacher liked to say. (Good teachers stay with us forever.)

"Nevertheless, I still strive forward."

I will see you on the other side of the day.

Thank you so much for your love and support.

Michelle