Affirmats are Pretty and I Want One

Have you seen these yoga mats? I think they're awesome. I really really want one. I do have a growing hole in my prAna revolution mat, so I am coming up on mat replacement time anyway. I just might go for it because Affirmats are just so pretty and happy. They're not as wide as my current mat, so that would take some adjustment, but I think it's worth a shot.

"Natural eco-pvc blended with biodegradable jute fiber to create 
an amazing non-slip (really) surface."

Size: (5MM) 68 x 24 

Check them out Here - for Affirmats Yoga Mats ($64) and Yoga/Sports Towels ($32).

This is not a sponsored post. Photos via Affirmats. 

One Love Lacquers Summer Collection Review

*Products provided in exchange for an honest review. Please see my disclosure policy for more info.* 

So excited to share the latest collection from Victoria over at One Love Lacquers! I was lucky enough to review her first Peter Pan Collection and even luckier still that she asked me to review her new summer looks :) 

I am seriously digging the polishes she's come up with this time. They are the perfect summer colors, with neons, glitter, and shimmer, oh my! My soul has been craving colors like these and I am completely in love with them. I suppose that's why they're "One Love" lacquers ;)

Just Peachy is exactly that, peachy and fabulous and peachy! It's a lovely light orange creme jelly (crelly) with some subtle and beautiful gold shimmer to it. The formula was excellent and I had no issues with thickening as I applied more coats. Always a plus in crellies! The shimmer is subtle enough to add just enough interest without going overboard. This is 3 coats.

Just Peachy - Direct sunlight

Just Peachy - Indoor Lighting

I decided to show the rest of the polishes in the collection over a white base color because it really makes the neon pop and I think you get more out of your summer colors. 

Tan Lines is a fabulous neon coral crelly that, if you're blindingly white like I am, will actually improve your tan. This color is so bright and fun that it makes you look tan in comparison. Perhaps the perfect color to ease into summer with. It took 3 coats to opacity and had a great formula. 

Tan Lines - Direct Sunline

Tan Lines - Indoor Lighting

Fly Away is light blue crelly that over the white base color looks baby blue (and I love it). It has small gold, silver, and light blue glitter to add some interest and had an excellent formula. No fishing whatsoever for the glitter and applied great. Shown is 3 coats over white.

Fly Away - Direct Sunlight

Fly Away - Indoor Lighting

Blow My Heart Up quite literally did that. I fell madly and deeply in love with this polish. I'm not normally one for wearing bright pink by itself, but OH MY WORD. I love this polish. It's another neon crelly (3 coats, shown over white) and has purple hexagon and magenta square glitter. It's to die for in my opinion. I think the square glitter sold it for me. I love it. 

Blow My Heart Up - Direct Sunlight

The formula for this was also great, though I did have to fish a bit to get the glitter out. I do think that is to be expected with bigger glitter like this though, so it definitely not a deal breaker. 

Blow My Heart Up - Direct Sunlight

Blow My Heart Up - Indoor Lighting

Yet again, I am completely in love with and enamored by this summer collection. Great formula all around and really fun and bright colors that make you want to go layout by the pool, like yesterday. My picks would definitely be Blow My Heart Up and Fly Away, but I really enjoyed wearing the whole collection.

You can buy One Love Lacquers at Victoria's Etsy shop for $10 for a full bottle, and $5 for a mini.

Happy Polishing :)

Dynomighty's Artist Collective's Skull Wallets

Dynomighty Design is a Brooklyn-based company dedicated to empowering personal expression through their products. Home of the Original Mighty Wallet, which has spawned numerous Tyvek® Wallets around the world, Dynomighty began when artist Terrence Kelleman turned to product design while working as a photographer in his former day job at the MoMA. Recently, Dynomighty launched it's Artist Collective which is unique crowd sourcing challenge that lets the public decide what will be the next cool Mighty Wallet design. Open to artists, illustrators, designers, musicians or any visually talented creative, the Artist Collective challenges each designer to secure 30 sales in 30 days. Any Artist's design that meets the challenge will be printed and the artist receives 15% of the total sales. The Artist Collective gives every artist equal opportunity to prove themselves and their art and supports them with a step-by-step promotional school that gives them the best chance for success. The motto of Dynomighty is “Be Mighty” a slogan that is meant to encourage other artists, entrepreneurs and dreamers to go for their dream.

Here is a sampling of some of the skull motif wallets available by artists Ali Gulec and kduce.

Skull 4

Lace Skull

Vintage Skull

Skull 2

Neon Skull

I love a site that gives visually creative people the ability to put there designs on a product. These wallets are made of Tyvek which is a very durable material, one of my favorites! For people that carry wallets, you know the woes of a wallet that doesn't withstand daily use. These are not only durable, but a beautiful way to carry around many things you need daily. They are reasonable priced for a wallet, and part of that money goes back to the artists, which is wonderful.

Look for a giveaway from Dynomighty for a special wallet designed by Brian Christopher, in June.

FaceOff: Skull Appreciation Day 2013

I'm very excited to announce the details of this year's celebration of Skull Appreciation Day!

Skull-A-Day and Street Anatomy have joined forces to bring together the greatest collection of skull art, to celebrate the 3rd Annual Skull Appreciation Day! The resulting exhibition of skull inspired art works co-curated by Noah Scalin and Vanessa Ruiz will be on view at the International Museum of Surgical Science, in Chicago May 31 - August 25, 2013.

Featuring

Mike Egan

Tom French

Emilio Garcia

Ali Gulec

Joshua Harker

Meyoko

Nicholas Obery

Rx Skulls

Dan Springer

Rob Tarbell

In addition to showing their existing work, each artist has been asked to complete a frontal view of a skull in their own style using a template we provided. These skulls will then be split apart (digitally) and combined with other artist’s skulls to create a dynamic and unique collection of skull art prints. Each skull will be comprised of the work of two different artists, one from Skull-A-Day and one from Street Anatomy. At the end of the exhibition the respective skull halves will be brought together allowing us to see each artist’s complete skull piece. To kick it off, Vanessa and Noah have created their own original mash-up for the show poster!

The show opens with a reception on Friday, May 31, 2013 from 5-9pm. Hope to see you there!

And stay tuned for more details on how you can participate even if you're not in the Chicago area!

FACE OFF: Skull-A-Day VS Street Anatomy

May 31 - August 25, 201

International Museum of Surgical Science

1524 N. Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL

May Nail Art Challenge - Flowers

Hello lovelies! I have a super super quick post for you tonight.

I think I said something similar at the start of last month, but holy cow! Can you believe that it's already May! Happy May Day to you all :) I'm doing another monthly nail art challenge for this month and the first theme is flowers again! I love me some flowers. I put these together in about 20 minutes so that's why there isn't too much going on with them. I think I like them? I keep going back and forth on them! 

I used Zoya's Neely (ZOMG AMAZING) as the base color, and the flowers are made up of SOPI's Leotard Optional, and Lime Crime's Milky Ways and Lavendary. What do you think?

Happy Polishing :)

[CONTEST REMINDER] Win a Skull Snake Scarf from Sasha Berry

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED! Thanks for participating!

Don't forget you have until 11:59pm Eastern USA Time Friday, May 3, 2013, to enter the giveaway from Sasha Berry. Three Skull Snake Scarves are being given away. You can find the original contest post by clicking the side bar ad, or this link.

[NOTE: If you are reading this on Facebook or Google+, you must go to THE ACTUAL BLOG POST HERE to enter this contest! You CANNOT enter this contest by commenting on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+]

Shine Out!

via YogurtYoga

PS - you can totally do this pose way closer to the wall for a much smaller backbend and it will still feel delicious. To try it - get way up next to the wall (try 3 or 4 inches away) - kick up into a handstand and slowly lower your butt onto the wall. Hold for a few breaths - or a minute. Press back up straight to your handstand to come out.