To my fellow Canadians, I’m wishing you a very Happy Canada Day!
Today, our beautiful country turns 145 years old. (That’s a lot of candles to blow out on the cake, isn’t it?)
I hope that you’re having a lovely Sunday, spending time with family and/or friends.
Do you have a barbecue planned? Going swimming? ‘Tis the season!
Now, you’re probably surprised that I’m showing my nails on a Smorgasbord Sundays post. Usually Sundays on Swatch And Learn are free of nail polish. However I couldn’t resist sharing my Canada Day cupcake manicure with you.
It’s not my best work (actually, it’s very messy because I did it in 30 minutes…haha!), but it’s timely, and I didn’t want to show it to you after the holiday.
For my manicure this year, I considered painting a maple-leaf or flag design. Finally, I decided to wear a sweet treat on my nails that was also festive. Red and white cupcake nails fit the occasion and my busy schedule.
Yup, I didn’t have much time, but this look is verrrrry quick and easy to whip up. Mine turned out very sloppy, and I made a major design mistake, but it still brought a smile to my face, so that’s what’s most important. (And at least this year I put in more effort than last year’s Canada Day nails…haha!)
If you decide to try out the look, I suggest taking your time. You’ll achieve way better results! 😉
If you’ve seen my Cupcake Nails nail-art tutorial, this design isn’t really new. It uses the same techniques, but different colours.
Here are a few photos of my rushed manicure:
After painting my nails, I realized that this look has a Christmas feel to it. Reminds me of Santa Claus…or I guess Mrs. Claus. 😉
So this look could be appropriate for any Christmas in July manicures you’re doing.
Oh, and originally I put white stripes on the red portion, but I didn’t think it looked right, so I hastily went over the white with red. Thankfully, the red I used (Nubar Sensual Red) has a translucent quality, so the stripes still showed through nicely.
Here’s what it looked like with the white stripes in case you’re curious:
If the stripes were black, it would be better for the contrast. But, the white stripes and white frosting were too much together.
Here’s What I Used:
- Nubar Foundation Base Coat
- Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
- L.A. Colors Art Deco Nail Art Lacquer (White)
- Nubar Sensual Red
- China Glaze Snow
- Cinapro Dazzle Decoration Kit (Red heart sequins)
Some Canadian Facts:
- John Cabot was the first explorer to reach Canada in 1497
- The oldest person in Canada was Marie-Louise Meilleur who lived until she was 117 years old
- Newfoundland was the first part of Canada explored by Europeans, but it was the last area to become a province
- The rules of ice hockey were first published in the Montreal Gazette in 1877
- Canadian James Naismith invented basketball
- Canada has 9% of the world’s renewable water supply
Happy Canada Day!
How will you be celebrating Canada Day? If you’re not from Canada, have you ever visited? Where’s your favourite place in Canada to live or visit?
Happy Canada Day! I have lots of family over there so they’re celebrating big time!
Naomi recently posted: Lattice Tips with Tutorial
Hey Naomi!
Thanks so much! 🙂 Last night I got to see some fireworks while coming back home late. So pretty! You know…I’ve never done any fireworks myself, other than dinky sparklers…hehe!
Happy Canada Day Mary!
I’m spending this beatuiful day with my fiancé and puppy-dog.
I don’t have a Canada Day manicure planned for today, but will be painting my nails 🙂
I hope you have a great day!! Enjoy the beautiful weather and everyone you’re spending the day with 🙂
Hey Erica!
Thank you! 🙂 Happy Canada Day! I did have a wonderful time, and it’s great enjoying this long weekend. Today, I’m relaxing at home. Going to be doing a little blogging, some housechores, and nothing strenuous. Oh, the luxury!
Which colour did you wind up painting your nails? Nail-obsessed minds want to know. Hehe. 😉
Hi Mary,
Happy Canada Day! :~)
I love, your nails. I don’t think it looks sloppy at all. It really does remind me of cupcaks. You did an awesome job. Have a great day. Awesome job as alway. :~)
Hey Melissa!
Thank youuuuu! 🙂
Haha, really? It looks really sloppy to me because I wasn’t even paying too much attention when I was slapping the polish on. Usually I take my time. :S Haha, so thank you for not beating me with a stick over the manicure!
Happy Canada Day! How do people usually celebrate Canada Day? I’ve never been to Canada, but it is definitely on my “must-visit” list :). I do like your nails better with the red stripes–the white stripes look like the frosting is melting all over the cupcake, haha.
Hey Jessica!
Thank you! 🙂
To celebrate Canada Day, a lot of people go to the park. There are always lots of events going on. There are fireworks at night. And some people have barbecues.
This year, it was really casual. During the long weekend, I just chilled at a friend’s place, we enjoyed some mixed drinks, and I finally got to see the documentary, Being Elmo. I also spent time with my mom, brother, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew. And although I didn’t do any fireworks myself, I got to enjoy them on my way home last night. 🙂
Is there a city in Canada that you’d especially want to visit?
Sounds like you had a really nice, relaxing weekend with your loved ones! Being Elmo sounds like an interesting documentary.
Montreal is definitely top of my list, followed by Vancouver and then Ottawa. But I would love to see more places in Canada as well–since I live in the US, it’s a pretty accessible travel destination.
Oh yes! The beginning of the weekend was quite jam-packed, but then nearing the end of the long weekend, it got more relaxing (which was greatly appreciated).
Being Elmo was really inspiring. It reminds you that if you follow your passions, you can become successful. And being successful means being happy with what you do for a living. 🙂 I think that a lot of people equate making money with success. I’d much rather make less money, but have greater job satisfaction.
I’ve been to Montreal, and it has a lively social vibe. The shopping’s good, too. But you should also check out Toronto – lots of things to see and do. The times I’ve stayed in Ottawa, I found it was a very relaxing place…haha, and very clean, too! (It was also pretty funny because the friend I stayed with while I was there for a week had around 5 pubs within 5 minutes’ walking distance from her apartment! Haha!) I don’t know much about Vancouver…haven’t been there, but I have one friend who lives there and has a band.
I love documentaries with a positive message. I definitely agree with you on the whole job statement–my goal when I finish college is to find a career that I love, even if it means I’m not going to be rolling in money.
Thanks for your feedback! I love getting insider perspectives.
Good for you for wanting to follow your passion instead of money. You know…I have a friend who makes a heck of a lot of money at his job, but he’s very disgruntled and bored with what he does. That’s really not a good way to live. But if you have passion, it really is a wonderful motivator…plus you feel happier at work. That’s priceless. (Of course, if you can combine your passion AND get great pay for it, even better!)
Whooo! Happy Canada Day! I’m just staying at home and avoiding going out because the Italy/Spain soccer game is going to start soon. I also happen to live in a town dominated by Italians so I cant escape it Dx
But later I plan on going to a friend’s house for some snacks and what not and going to watch the fireworks at Canada’s Wonderland since we’re near by :3 Should be fun!
Hey Lawren!
I saw a little bit of the pre-game show. They were so creative – performances like that always inspire me. The choreography can’t be easy with so many people!
Hope you had a great time at your friend’s place and enjoyed the fireworks! 🙂
Happy Canada Day!
Happy Canada Day! Hope you have good day with your family and friends.
Hey Samantha!
Thank you so much! 🙂 I did have a lovely time. Still enjoying today off…relaxing! What a treat!
Hope you had a very Happy Canada Day Mary! 🙂
Stephanie recently posted: Jamberry Nail Shields in Blue Hexagon (and a giveaway!)
Hey Stephanie!
Thanks so much – I definitely did. Still enjoying my long weekend! 🙂 Hooray for holidays! Hahaha!
Mhhhh! Happy Canada day to you too Mary!
I must say, I wish I could have invited you and ten of these scrumptious cupcakes up to the cottage with my family and I 😉
These look AWESOME!
Marta recently posted: Nail Polish Canada HUGE Shellac Giveaway
Hey Marta!
You’re so lucky to have enjoyed going to the cottage. 🙂 When I was a kid, my mom’s friend would invite us to hers on Lake Simcoe. I always looked forward to going there, swimming and canoeing. It’s so peaceful also just sitting on the dock and watching the sunset.