fantasy art and tree chatter of aquariann

For those souls that aren't starstruck by Jamberry Nails yet to know about their Sister's Style Exclusive , they release a different design every month that is only available to buy during that month. June's star nail art dazzled me instantly! I didn't have to gaze very long at it to decide that was the 4th of July manicure for me, especially after seeing it was named "Born to Sparkle." As Jamberry described, "This month's Sister Style comes straight from the sky. Inspired by glimmering, shimmering stars, these nail wraps are a funky take on the night sky and feature an assortment of constellations, incorporating glamorous red glitter flecks and silver ombre sparkle. This is a 'There's More' design and features multiple patterns on each sheet." Half the nails wraps are red, and the rest are like the accent nail on my ring finger. That means I have enough left to repeat this manicure next Independence Day, but the ombre effect will...

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Justbyou Kim for submitting the randomly-chosen 5th entry. Summer just started and I've already gorged myself on watermelon! After seeing the cute jamicure above, I can't wait to apply my own set of watermelon tips. One reader could even get treated to that sweet style for free - Canadian Senior Lead Jamberry Consultant , Tanya Masse, is giving away one Jamberry Nails sheet of winner's choice. Each non-toxic sheet contains enough nail wraps to complete at least two manicures. Tanya spreads her love of Jamberry very generously - I won one of her giveaways back in April and she offered to sponsor another! After browsing over 300 designs for the zillionth time, I finally picked Black Floral . Jamberry's nail art options are immense! <a href="http://blog.aquariann.com/2014/06/beauty-giveaway-jamberry-nail-wraps.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.co...

After taking prickly pear flower photos at the state park last weekend, a beautiful butterfly landed on a nearby flower. My excitement fluttered and fell, because my camera refused to focus on its bright wings before it flew away. If real butterflies elude your picture captures, too, turn to Etsy for butterfly beauty. I found so many blue butterfly hair accessories during my spring search that I returned to feature pretty blue butterfly jewelry for summer. 1. Ethereal Leather Butterfly Necklace by Beadmask 2. Bronze Filigree Butterfly Charm Necklace by Mythical Folk 3. Silver Butterfly Bracelet Bangle Stackable Set by Frosted Willow 4. Resin Transparent Blue Butterfly Earrings by Ya-Tomka Store Disclaimer: This post was inspired by Beadmask , a wonderful blog sponsor that pays for advertising space and featured listings like above. If you think your items would fit in with my whimsical ramblings, please consider supporting my blog and becoming an advertiser .

Does it make me a vampire if I like the smell of dragon's blood? Although the masculine scent is pleasant, I'm certainly not tempted to drink Joie Joelle Creations' room spray . And don't worry, no dragons were harmed to hand make the aromatherapy product. The mist might protect my home from angry beasts, though - it can be used like a sage spray to banish negativity. I spritzed it on my curtains to increase the positive energy throughout my lair. Room sprays are a great alternative to incense and wax tarts, if lighting them is too dangerous in your environment. However, if you have a dragon's heart and are a fan of fire, don't miss your chance to enter Joelle's candle giveaway to win sweet midsummer night's dreams before July 10, 2014! Disclaimer: I received this free spray as a thank you gift for hosting a candle giveaway. If you think your creations would harmonize with my whimsical ramblings, learn how to sponsor a giveaway here .

"Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." - Henry James Last Friday afternoon was the first time I'd been to Cape Henlopen State Park since mom and I climbed the World War II Observation Tower in early spring. The prickly pear cacti are celebrating the start of summer by blooming with gorgeous yellow flowers! The transparency of the pretty petals give them a similar sheen to tissue paper.

Things really do happen in threes! I couldn't resist the siren song telling me to feature another magical treasury by Beth from Tabachin for the third week in a row. Her ocean gift ideas include real sea shell pendant by Creations Of True Fairy, sugar starfish earrings by Rubipotamus and my underwater mermaid art print .

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Judy Thomas for submitting the randomly-chosen 652nd entry. Even fairies that dance the night away need to rest eventually! If you have trouble winding down, turn to Joie Joelle Creations for a sweet midsummer night's dream. Joelle is giving away a sleep spell kit to celebrate the summer solstice. The candle set includes 2 sleep votives, 5/8 dram sleep oil, 1/2 oz sleep incense and 1 full size of sleep spell tarts. Sleep spell candles are handmade with pure beeswax, dressed with magically charged sleeping herbs and scented with lavender and vanilla essential oils for relaxation. Not only has Joelle practiced candle magic for years, she's also a psychic medium and metaphysical healer. After getting results from her creations, her friends and family encouraged her to open an online store to share her positive energy with the world. Her spell, bath and other aromatherapy products have now helped many to "create th...

A heatwave hit Delaware just a few days before the summer solstice. Round and round, I kept hearing warnings from the news media to stay hydrated. If you need help remembering to drink this season, take a page from Alice in Wonderland's book. Simply surround yourself with terrific things that tell you to "Drink Me" like these cute tea party accessories I found on Etsy. 1. Drink Me Alice in Wonderland Gift Tags by Crafty Pagan 2. DRINK ME Pink Floral China Teacup Charm by Open Hand Jewelry Art 3. Alice in Wonderland Set of 4 Drink Me Stacking Tea Cups by More Than Porcelain 4. Alice in Wonderland Drink Me Bottle Necklace by Life is the Bubbles Disclaimer: This post was inspired by Life is the Bubbles , an enchanting blog sponsor that pays for advertising space and featured listings like above. If you think your items would fit in with my whimsical ramblings, please consider supporting my blog and becoming an advertiser .

"I've been waiting for that bright sunshine to show up and shine in my back door someday." - Oscar Wilde The beautiful yellow lily that Ogre bought me last spring multiplied like mad! I've been watching them start to bloom through my back door for days, but it didn't occur to me to water them - until right before I took this flower photograph, of course.

The wolves must have had a ball last weekend - the Honey Moon was bigger and brighter than I've ever seen it! Howl along with Beth from Tabachin if you missed it. Her wolf gift ideas include beaded wolf paw medicine bag by FaeMoon Wolf Designs, tribal wolf necklace by Zzzonk Owl and my winged wolf art magnet .

Guest Post by Denise Boudreau of Nail Embellishments I rarely wear blue, unless you count blue jeans. But as soon as I saw these Zenna Henna nail wraps, I fell in love with them. The pop of red, white and yellow against the different shades of blue jazz up the henna-inspired pattern. They are perfect for summer because they look so pretty with jean capri pants, jean skirts, jean shorts and practically anything else. I love wearing sandals and showing off my pedicures. Looking down to see brightly colored nail art just makes me smile! Denise Boudreau became an Independent Consultant with Jamberry Nails in April 2014. She is anxious to grow her business, Nail Embellishments , and wishes to build her team by welcoming new customers and mentoring anyone wishing to find out about the company and the business opportunity. Jamberry Nails was launched in Canada in September 2013 and so the potential for growth in Canada is exponential. You can contact her by email at nailembellishments@...

"A flower blossoms for its own joy." - Oscar Wilde I can't decide if the middle of a magnolia tree blossom looks more like a miniature pineapple or banana bunch from an alien planet. Either way, the fantastic flowers make me smile.

What redecorating projects do you have cooking for the summer? Beth from Tabachin turned up the heat during a SPSteam game. Her kitchen decor ideas include orange monarch butterfly embellishments by Karla's Kreative Korner, peppers photography print by Sue Petri Photos and my fire dragon art magnet .

Growing up, I wasn't fond of birds. My parents bought a parrot before I was born and he screeched louder than any sibling could have when he wanted more attention. Over the years, I grew to appreciate birds' beauty from a distance. Although I don't ever want another as a pet, I wouldn't mind owning beautiful bird jewelry. I searched Etsy for some feathered friends and found these magnificent magpie accessories. 1. Iridescent Leather Magpie Barrette by Beadmask 2. Black and White Magpies with Silver Glittery Heart by stars&scars 3. Magpie with Treasure Earrings by ruby and the paper parade 4. Magpie Earrings Over Blue Background by Tailfeathers Jewelry Disclaimer: This post was inspired by Beadmask , a wonderful blog sponsor that pays for advertising space and featured listings like above. If you think your items would fit in with my whimsical ramblings, please consider supporting my blog and becoming an advertiser .

EDIT: Giveaway is officially over. Congratulations to Brittney House for submitting the randomly-chosen 624th entry. The solstice may not occur until June 21, but summer season starts every Memorial Day weekend in my beach town. A local nail salon is advertising a summer special for $20, but I can apply at least two full manicures from a sheet of Jamberry nail wraps for less money. And not have to fight the traffic or sit in a waiting room! One of you will get an even better deal on nail art to freshen up your summer fashions - Jamberry consultant , Denise Boudreau, is giving away a $25 gift card. If you've ever won any of my giveaways, you can actually thank Denise - she was the first to ask me to host a jewelry giveaway . I may have never started offering such pretty prizes if not for her! She's also helped me earn free nail art by buying sheets through my Jamberry parties before becoming a consultant. You read right - you don't have to win a giveaway to get your han...

"Every tree is an angel!" - Mehmet Murat ildan The kousa dogwood trees are full of white flowers, and the blossoms on the magnolia trees should be following suit soon to turn their faces toward the heavens!

Last week we chased the White Rabbit down to Wonderland , and now we're being whirled away to yet another magical world. Ensen from Dr. Claude's Emporium researched how to find Oz. His Wizard of Oz gift ideas include Tin Man decorative plate by Crankyhayes, There's No Place Like Home print by The Color Happy and my flying monkey art bookmark .

Amazon.com Widgets Although Jamberry Nails remain my favorite nail wraps because they're gentler to remove than brands made of nail polish, I couldn't resist commandeering the Ama-Zen design from the Sally Hansen Salon Effects line. I wish I would have known about nail wraps before my pirate wedding back in 2012 - this flower nail art would have perfectly matched my black and gold bouquet, which you can see on my pirate postcard . Want to be a guest blogger for my Manicure Monday when I don't have new nails of my own to show off? Please contact me using the form on my contact page if you're interested in a free feature. Or if you've done a gold manicure in the past, comment with the link and I'll add it to my featured finds below. Black and Gold Flower Nail Art Finds: Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the Sally Hansen brand, but if you decide to buy nail art (or any other Amazon product) by clicking my referral link, I'll earn a small ...