Current NOTD: Mickey Mouse Stamping

Okay, yes, I've been gone again, but I have two really good reasons this time: with one last big push, we finished up all the projects needed to get our house on the market, then the very next day after we listed it for sale, we left for a vacation in southern California, most of which we spent at the Disney theme parks there. I got back late last night, and my nails even now are sporting the Mickey Mouse manicure I did for the trip.

I did my nails just before we left for the airport, so the only photos I got were at the restaurant we ate lunch at before we caught our flight out. I put on Qtica Nail Growth Stimulator first, then Sally Hansen Insta Gel Strips in Pink Pong. Solid strips? Yep, becuase that meant no dry time needed before I could stamp, which I did with Salon Express Nail Art Paint in Bold Black (which I found in a two pack with a white somewhere, maybe Walgreens) and images from MJ plates JR-5 and JR-27. Most of my nails got allover Mickey faces, while one thumb got a flirty Minnie and the other got a slouchy Mickey. After the stamping, I topped each nail in turn with the Sally Hansen Gel Top Coat and cured with the mini lamp. (Lamp from the starter kit, which I reviewed way back in 2012.) A quick swipe with a cleansing wipe (I had one from the box of strips, but I've also just used rubbing alcohol on a cotton round before), and I was off to the airport.





Today, nine days later, my mani is still in pretty good shape. The topcoat is still shiny without me having to do anything to it. I did get a chip on my index finger near the end of the trip; I touched it up with Joe Fresh Nude (a close match to Pink Pong).



As for the trip, it was mostly fun, though the theme parks were more crowded than we'd expected, plus I got sick halfway through, so we weren't able to do all the things we'd planned. Still, we enjoyed most of our time there and sure got to experience things we can't at home. The parks were decorated for Christmas already and looked especially good at night.



My favorite part of the new nightime parade was this color-changing truck float. I wanted to just follow it down the street and watch it make all the different patterns and hues.



It got cold at night but we didn't let that stop us from having fun. One night just before the park closed, we rode Dumbo; only four people on the ride at the time.



My being sick meant I spent only enough time on the beach to see the sunset one day, which was totally worth getting out of bed for.



I am really truly hoping to be posting more regularly now that I'm back, but we'll just have to see if I can manage that. I still haven't really established a routine in retirement. Seems about time I should do that.