Crossposting — Wind Suits & Leotards

As you read these words, just know that it's incredibly difficult for me to write this message to you because I am laughing so much... Ahhh. I keep losing my train of thought. The 2012 Olympics are on FIYAH and my friends Alison and Kathryn (AliKat; it was meant to be...) have started up an Olympics-focused blog, Wind Suits & Leotards, that is... well, a picture's worth a thousand words. Check this out.

Polishment is a "nail polish-only blog," but I know you guys are interested in more than just polish, right? Right. So I really hope you get a kick out of Ali and Kat!

agetwentysomethingvirgo, Francesca

The Gold Standard — Missy Franklin and Her Awesome Nailz

Oh, the pageantry of the Olympics! The patriotic colors, the glittering costumes, the questionable hair styles! And now, custom paint jobs. I am tickled by how creative some of the female athletes have been with their manicures.

I wore a uniform in high school, and I remember how my friends and I would always manage to add a little pizazz to our standard-issue ensembles. Whether through fun earrings, sparkly hair ties or, of course, nail polish, we still found a way to express ourselves.

And that's what I love about the manicures I've seen at the games so far; very few are simply a cool color or a French tip; the manicures that our Olympians are sporting (pun intended) are their way of proclaiming their excitement to be at the games, sharing some personality, and showing off their national pride.

If you've been watching the games, then no doubt you've become a huge Missy Franklin fan. Her smile, grace, good sportsmanship and positive attitude are a true inspiration. And her swimming's not half bad, either. :)

If I could award Missy with a gold medal of my own, I sure would — for having the best nailz of the games! Missy sets the gold standard in and out of the pool.

Her star-spangled manicure is charmingly American; a blue left hand and a red right hand, with her ring fingers and thumbs painted as accent nails, adorned with American flags. She is CUTE AS A BUTTON.

Although Missy is my ultimate fave, there are quite a few Olympians with some pretty awesome manicures. So get some inspiration, check out Buzzfeed's post, The Amazing Nails of Women's Olympic Swimming.

I hope you all are enjoying the 2012 games as much as I am!

goteamgo, Francesca

Spotted: LaLa and Her Essie Bikini So Teeny

I've said it before and I'll say it again: the girls at my office really keep me on my toes. Or, shall I say, fingertips. My colleagues are a constant source of inspiration... and the occasional bout of nail envy.

My friend LaLa got a blue-tiful mani just the other day. Recognize this? It's Essie Bikini So Teeny. This is a must-have for a good collection because the color is just so unique.

If you've got a hankering for Bikini So Teeny, be sure to enter my Essie Summer Collection Giveaway! Call for entries ends at 11:59pmPT on Sunday!

LaLaLovely, Francesca

Oh. My. MEOW.

I have been admiring Mimi @ Makeup Withdrawal's handiwork for weeks now. She's got a great eye for color, a fantastic stash and a wonderful writing style.

Just when I thought I couldn't enjoy her blog more... she shared a meow-nicure this morning.

I was already a fan — but now that I know she is feline-inclined... this takes my lurve to a whole new level.

Yes! It's true! I am a Cat Lady. A fur-covered, meow-speaking, cat-crazy woman. Astute readers may have noticed cats in the background from time to time, or a rogue orange tabby hair stuck to a nail. A bad foster kitten made a cameo once, if I recall.

I leave you with a treasured photo of my two cats. Because if there's one thing crazy cat ladies love to do, it's make strangers look at pictures of their cats, lol. (Return the favor and comment with your cat names or photos!)

Meowmeowmeow, Francesca