a few bits & bobs: 6 month overview & the liebster award (kind of)

Hi everyone :) Today I haven't got a new design to share with you, but I've decided to do an overview of some significant moments of the past six months. While doing this, I'm going to attempt an alternative Liebster Award post - I can't quite believe I've been nominated by six different bloggers over this last week?! Crazy times! Anyway, you're probably already aware, but the Liebster Award is a bloggy-thing that involves accepting a nomination, answering the questions that were asked, inventing your own questions, and then nominating some of your favourite bloggers with under 200 followers. It's kind of like a chain letter, and is really good to promote some of the lovely blogs you follow. 

HOWEVER, since the Liebster Award is currently whirlwinding around the nail art community, it's caused quite a few complications. Since I've been nominated by six different bloggers, it'll take farrrrrr too long to answer sixty six different questions. What's more, so many blogs with less than 200 followers have already been nominated, completed and passed on the award. I don't want to just nominate people for the sake of it, because that feels a little bit false to me. 

So instead, I'm just going to pick a selection of my favourite questions from my nominators, which I think will help you to get to know me more :) Then I'll complete this post with a few little 'shout outs' to some of my favourite nail art girlies. Throughout, I'll jazz things up a bit with a few images that illustrate the happenings of the past few months. This is my version of an 'honorary' Liebster Award (kind of!), and a look back at Little Tip Off's beginnings!

First and foremost, I'd like to say a great big THANK YOU to my nominators: Sassy Little Nails, Take Me To Your Lacquer, Neverending Nails, Nail Jems, Bite No More and A Shi...pload of Polish!

Mix-and-Match Animal Print - one of
the first designs I was really proud of!
1. What is one nail polish/product you cannot live without?

This is an easy one... Without a doubt, it's Essie 'Good To Go' top coat. It's rapid drying, applies beautifully (thanks to Essie's wonderful brushes), and the finish is always smooth and shiny. Easily the best topper I have ever tried!

2. What's a beauty rule you preach... But never ACTUALLY practise?

Eeeeek... I probably shouldn't admit this, but I am FOREVER telling people to moisturise their cuticles regularly. Unfortunately, I don't follow my own advice. I should do it every day at least, but sometimes it's only a twice-a-week occurrence, if not less. Slap on the wrist for Amy! 

This was the design that made me realise I could actually
DO nail art (not to sound bigheaded!) I love love love
the kiwi fruit, it's so effective.





3. Where did your blog name come from?

I wanted a name that was original and didn't necessarily immediately suggest a nail art blog. I liked 'The Tip Off' to begin with, but that was taken. I eventually settled for 'Little Tip Off', which I wasn't too keen on at first, but it has definitely grown on me! It's cute, catchy, and has a clever play-on-words which I very much enjoy (English geek!)

4. What was your dream job as a kid?

I vividly remember being five-years-old and regularly announcing to anyone that would listen: WHEN I GROW UP I AM GOING TO BE AN AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR. I still really want to write, and ideas for novels/short stories are always in the back of my mind, but I really need to find the time to sit down and actually DO IT. I don't sketch anymore (when I was little I was never without a pencil!) but I guess nail art is now my creative outlet in that respect :) 

This was the first time somebody 'big' noticed my blog.
I still can't quite believe it! All of the positive responses I
receive about Little Tip Off are greatly appreciated, but
there's something extra special about being complimented
by the Cosmopolitan UK Beauty Team :) 


5. What's the best thing that's happened to your because of your blog?

To be honest, there have been so many positive outcomes that it's hard to pick just one. The picture to the left is a good example: Little Tip Off has gotten me noticed by lots of big brands and amazing people, which makes me so happy :) I've also met so many lovely, likeminded people. You know who you are!


6. Who are your favourite nail artists and why?

I love the work of many nail artists, but the first person that springs to mind is Alice from One Nail To Rule Them All. All of her designs are so original, and she's never afraid to try something different. She really stands out against the other 'big' nail art bloggers.
My 'junk food' manicure is my most stolen design, which in
some ways can be considered a negative thing, but I
suppose I should also take it as a compliment! I regularly
see it floating around other peoples' Instagram accounts,
and some have even had the audacity to crop out my
watermark, pfffft! Oh well, I can't really blame them, it IS a
very sweet design :p

7. What other hobbies do you have after nail art?

To be honest, not much! These days all I seem to do is job-hunt and paint my nails! While I was at uni I spent a lot of time studying, so the only other activities I took part in involved lots of wine and dancing... I suppose I like baking though, and going out for meals/drinks with friends.

8. What is your dream job?

I would absolutely LOVE to be able to write for a magazine, preferably a local, community-focused publication. I'm also currently toying with the idea of becoming a content editor for a gallery/museum - I would love to create the literature for articles, brochures and events.
The first PR sample I received was from Jacava,
a luxury nail polish brand, and I was unbelievably
excited when it arrived! Initially I thought I
would only get one polish to review, but the
lovely ladies at Jacava spoilt me rotten and sent
me three gorgeous shades.

9. Favourite and least favourite colour?

Like most girls, I have a real soft spot for pink. However, I also love yellow (not necessarily for my nails though), and I've got a real thing for minty colours too. I can't actually think of any colours I don't like - maybe weird greeny golds? 

10. What superpower would you most like to have?

Hmmm... I think I'm going to have to go for invisibility! You could get away with absolutely anything. But I also regularly wish I had Sabrina the Teenage Witch's powers when it comes to tidying up/getting ready, sometimes it would be soooo much easier to just point my finger to get the flat clean and me dressed!



I was so excited when I won e.l.f. Cosmetics' Rock vs
Vintage nail art competition. My vintage floral nails
received so many 'likes' and shares, it was kind of
unbelievable! My prize was also amazing - I won
a 14 piece nail cube filled with lots of lovely colours,
including my all-time favourite glitter polish,
'Dream Maker'.
11. Summer or winter?

Definitely winter! Although I often moan about the cold, wind and rain (pretty standard in Manchester, any time of year!), my ginger locks and pale skin mean the sun is definitely NOT my friend. Plus I love Christmas!

12. Any advice for starting a nail art blog?

This one is easy - just do it! No matter the size of your polish collection, the steadiness of your hand, your computer-know-how or general confidence when putting your work out there, just go ahead and get blogging! The nail art community is so lovely and welcoming, and nobody should ever feel like they're not good enough. I also think it's good to get involved with other social media platforms alongside your blog, because you'll get chatting to lots of people :)

So there you go, my alternative Liebster Award post and a quick overview of Little Tip Off's life so far! Before I go, I'm just going to let you know about a selection of my favourite nail art bloggers - they are all worth checking out! 






Thanks for reading, and I hope I didn't bore you too much with my answers! I'll be back very soon with some brand new nail art, I promise :)

Askruk46

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