Distressed Nails, Unemployment, and Inspiration

Hey everybody! This past week has been strange, terrible, and wonderful all at once. 

The strange: On Wednesday, I went into work only to be sent home around noon...

The terrible: ...due to the fact that we have hour restrictions at my job (900 for the year), and I need my remaining 180 to work an ocean trawl survey this upcoming week. Obviously that means I am currently an unemployed homeowner who needs to find a job for income. But it also means that...

The wonderful: ...it allows me to focus more on my nail hobby, and this weekend I had my two first official "clients"!

Some of you may be familiar with the fact that this past summer, my husband and I bought a house together. We have some spare rooms and, as we have no children, I turned one into a "salon" of sorts; just someplace I could store my nail polish and paint my nails without continuing to ruin our coffee table 😣

I painted the room, and those chevrons, myself... Ladies. 

Brand spankin' new salon table (thanks, Mom!)

My humble collection, so far. 

Orange closet door to match the chair, because, attention to detail. 

Coffee table damages (sorry, honey)

My friends have been asking me to paint their nails for them for some time now, and I figured now would be the best time to start. I had so much fun doing it! I should have taken pictures of their manis to post, but, maybe next time. 

In the whirlwind weekend, I did find time to paint my own nails as well. I found a great tutorial from Chalkboard Nails for a Distressed Mani (check out her IG and blog if you get a chance; great stuff! chalkboardnails.com). 

I think it is important to recognize where we draw our inspiration from. I'm trying to learn to come up with my own designs and ideas using natural inspiration around me, but as of now I am inspired by the work of other nail artists I find on Instagram. 

Chalkboard Nails explains it better in her tutorial, but basically this look was achieved by layering swipes of different colored polishes for a distressed/watercolor look. I think her color scheme was a little better, but I don't think mine is too shabby! 

Colors used L to R: OPI in Alpine Snow, Do My Back, Please?, Can't Find My Czechbook, You're Such a Budda-Pest! and Sinful Colors in Black on Black. 

Wish me luck on the job hunt, and come see me if you'd like your nails done!