Essie Debuts "Sleek Sticks" Nail Stickers

Well well well, Essie. It was only a matter of time, I guess. You got with the program and came out with some natty magnetic polishes, and now you're upping the ante... with appliqués!

Now you know I've been tough on nail stickers in the past — does the "Sephora by OPI: Chic Prints" Disaster of 2012 ring a bell? And my adoration for Sally Hansen Salon Effects is well-known — Frock Star even made my Top Ten! So if these Sleek Sticks are going to attempt to elbow their way into My Stash, they're gonna have to be good. Real good.

That said, I am very eager to try one of these... Essie Sleek Sticks. The patterns and color palette are so fresh! Essie's taken a much more sophisticated approach with this sweet little dozen than its rivals have. Well, mostly.

"Love to Love You" and "Don't Cheetah Me" are making me yawn. But "Stickers and Stones" and "Over the Moon" are making me gasp. And "Embrace the Lace" could be a very pretty look for Valentine's Day if you don't want to take the expected route of reds & pinks.

Even though I vowed to count my pennies a bit more carefully this year... I think I can justify a little splurge. :) Rumor has it they retail for ~$10. Mark my words, I'll give these a whirl as soon as I can to let you guys know if Sleek Sticks are a must-have... or just a well-packaged dud.

Which of these new Sleek Sticks options are you eyeing?

mynewyearsresolutionsnoooooo, Francesca

Happy New Year! / Ciaté Mini Mani Blitz

Happy New Year, ladies and gents! Hope you all had a lovely holiday. I took some time off to kick back and relax with the fam and my three cats. Yep, I'm up to three. >^..^<  >^..^<  >^..^< The news of my recent adoption has been met with some skepticism. But you know what? Daenerys Targaryen has three dragons and nobody has ever, not once, not in the show nor ye olde canon, said "Gosh, Dany. Three? Do you really need three?"

So it's 2013, man oh man... I remember when it become The Year Two Thousand. I liked to say "The Year Two Thousand" like a robot; that's why I loved Flight of the Conchords' "The Humans Are Dead" after just one listen. And now that it's 2013, I feel like the future really is here. I guess it's the addition of the "-teen" that's tripping me out.

Let's start 2013 with a bang. My friend Kevin bought the most wonderful Christmas gift for me: The Ciaté Mini Mani Month Collection. Wheee! I'm aiming for a fresh manicure each day, so brace yourselves.

here'stoagreatnewyear, Francesca

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Congrats, Erika! You've Won The New Black / The Digital Underground by Madeline Poole!

Aaand we have ourselves a winner!

This giveaway was for Polishment followers only, and it thrills me to say that Erika's been a follower for quite a while. It means a lot to me that Lady Luck smiled upon her and I'm able to say thanks.

This is one awesome polish set (that Riviera blue! Ferrari red! and that multi glitter, omgggg) so I know you'll have a blast.

xxo, Francesca

Giveaway — The New Black / The Digital Underground by Madeline Poole

It's that time of year! The season where you skulk around the mall finding all the best sweaters and gift sets and trinkets and baubles... and purchase them for someone else to enjoy.

They say 'tis better to give than to receive, I know, I know. And I can only imagine all of the selfless holiday purchases my Polishment pals have been making... That's why I want to send one of you a special Christmas treat!

The New Black collaborated with Los Angeles-based nail artist Madeline Poole. Aren't familiar with Poole? I've included some of her handiwork below; she's one of the best nail painters in Hollywood. Click the pics to explore Madeline Poole's website. Or better yet, follow her on Twitter!

As you can see, Madeline has quite the eye for color and is no stranger to nail art. She designed three sets for the The Digital Underground collection. You can buy them here at Sephora for $24... or enter below for your chance to win "Nile" from yours truly.

Entering for your chance to win is easy — all you need to do is make sure you're a Polishment follower!

The cutoff is 11:59pm Pacific time on Sunday, December 16th. The winner will be randomly selected through Random.org. For this giveaway, only winners with U.S. shipping addresses are eligible. (Sorry for the inconvenience!) For the amateurish legal details, click here.

meowychristmas!!! Francesca

And Now, The Lone Wolf Accents Hand Chain Winner!

Hey gals! Let's get this party started. And by party, I mean "giveaway."

Congratulations, Alexandra! I hope you enjoy your hand chain!

And because I just couldn't have a giveaway without polish involved, I've got a bottle of Sally Hansen Gem Crush for Alexandra called Glitz Gal — a dark charcoal gray glitter infused with holographic glitter — that I think will look great with that hand chain.

As for the rest of you little sugarplums, get ready because I have another giveaway up my sleeve...

happyholidays, Francesca