Orly - Sparkling Garbage (feat. Orly's Monster Mash) - Review!

I've been noticing a pattern in the nail world lately - more and more companies have been following the trend of creating holographic polishes and I can't help but falling in love with them.  I've been searching for a new color to put on my nails and I've had the opportunity to find this particular gem at my favorite beauty supply store.  Orly's created their new Summer 2013 collection with their fun neons and cremes, but this beauty stuck out and I knew I had to pick it up.  Sparkling Garbage is a gel-like sea green base with a holographic glitter.

From the bottle, the color doesn't look like much because it seems to be so opaque, but once I painted my nails, the glitter shines and glistens throughout the entire polish.  I love this color, but you'd need at least three coats to get the right intensity.  Two coats still seem to a bit sheer, but the glitter still shows throughout the polish.

These photos don't do the polish enough justice because of the lighting.  Under the sunlight, the polish sparkles in the sun and I adore the color.  My fingers have become mini gems!  I've added Monster Mash to accent the ring finger, and one coat changed the color of that sea green to a bright forest green. Monster Mash also gave the polish some depth, but the holos still shined through.

This color is definitely a keeper!!!  If you're looking for a beautiful holo, Sparkling Garbage is the way to go.  As always, Orly's formula is 3-free and are safe for your nails.  Enjoy!

Jump From Paper Bags - Review!

Hello all!  I'm on a trip right now and I'm lounging around in Orlando, Florida.  I'm running around all the theme parks because I have a three day pass to Universal Studios and I've got a ticket to Disney World... it feels so nice to be a kid again!  As I was walking around Islands of Adventure today, I stumbled upon a bag I've been thinking of buying for quite some time, but I never could find it in the city.  All the stores the website said they'd be sold at were either closed or they were no longer selling the products.  I can't believe I'd find them in Toon Town at Universal Studios, of all places.  These bags are made by a company called "Jump From Paper," where they have found a way to create an actual handbag with a 2D perception.  These bags look like they were drawn, colored, and pulled out of a sketch pad.

At first glance, the design of the bags are simply adorable.  The colors pop, it's eye-catching, and these bags really look like they "jump from paper."  Upon a closer look, however, I was disappointed.  The bags are not as large as they seem to be and most of the space in the bag can fit no more than a large wallet, possibly a small tablet of sorts, keys, and a phone.  They're completely flat in design and open up to about two inches in depth.  I was even more disheartened to find that the bags were actually poorly made, with a cardboard-like front and back cover within a canvas fabric.

As you can see from a distance, the bag looks large, but is actually only about 3 inches in depth... maybe it's large enough to fit a book or a small laptop.  The price range of these small bags range from $80 - $110.  I would have loved to take one of these home, but they are too small for me in comparison to what I'm usually used to.  As disappointed as I am, however, I do hope that Jump From Paper attempts to change and modify their concept purses in order to allow them to be more functional.  I would like to see them take this design and expand on it, or even make it better and much more spacious.  Overall, it's a cute idea, but it's just not my cup of tea. 

If you are looking to purchase these bags and you think it'll be large enough to hold what you need, you can always purchase them from their website, Jump From Paper.  If you're in the Orlando, FL area, you can pick it up from Toon Town at Islands of Adventure as well.  Anyway, I'll be getting back to my vacation, so I hope to hear from you all soon!

Orly's High on Hope - Review (feat. ILNP's Cheshire Blues)!!!

I was walking through my favorite beauty supply store when I stumbled upon Orly's new Hope and Freedom Fest collection.  Some of the colors were already missing but I happened to find a real gem sitting at the very back of the display.  After pulling the bottle out, I knew I had to have it.  Orly came out with their collection around the time of Coachella (for those of you who don't know, it's a two week music festival noted for the demographic wearing hippie-like clothing.... almost like your modern day Woodstock).  I grabbed the last bottle of "High on Hope" and brought it home.

I am a big fan of Orly's nail polish, especially since the formula always applies so evenly throughout the nail.  I never have a problem with any of their glitters and shimmers, even when there is meant to be some form of texture in the polish.  High on Hope contains little iridescent purple flecks of shimmer that fade to a warm orange hue depending on the lighting and the angles.  The base color is almost a slate blue, comparable to their matte creme, Blue Suede.  Of course, the formula glides through the nail with ease, and the brush is easy to hold due to the gel-like comfort grip.

If you look at the bottle itself, you would think the actual color of the polish would be more of a dull grayish-blue tone, but the dullness disappears once you paint your nails, leaving a cool slate (almost navy) blue.  I used two coats to achieve the perfect shade.  I simply adore the slight multichrome effect it brings onto the nails.  This one's definitely a keeper.  Here's one more swatch for you.  :) 

I think these photos do this polish its justice.  Just for some added fun, I dressed up this particular polish with I Love Nail Polish's "Cheshire Blues" from their Valentine's Day collection.  This glitter polish contains purple, freesia, and teal glitters with just the right amount of pink hearts to brighten your day.  ILNP's polishes are $10 a bottle and are beautifully packaged in their own signature black box.  Enclosed is their lacquer with a formula specific to their company alone, in a grip-friendly bottle.  You can purchase any of their lacquers on ILNP's regular website or on etsy.

Of course, both ILNP's and Orly's lacquers are always 3-free (Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate, Formaldehyde) and is never tested on animals (yay for fluffy pets!).  That's always a plus in my books.  Orly's polish can be found for about $8.00 in most drug stores, or if you look hard enough, $5.99 at certain beauty supply stores.  I plan on exploring the rest of their Hope and Freedom Festival collection because there a few others I have my eyes on.  Anyway, have a great week everyone!!!  It's 2AM again.  I need my beauty rest!

Nail Polish Addiction

I have a nail polish addiction.  This is my current polish rack (yes I own a rack) that can't hold anymore polishes.  I actually have three more bins filled with nail polishes hiding out in my room.  I don't know what it is about nail polish, but I do know I can be very creative with what I do on my nails and how I want things to be placed.  What I really love about polish is that you can express yourself through your manicures.


I am an essie girl, as you can see, but I am also a big fan of Orly, OPI, China Glaze, Nicole by OPI, and Nails Inc.  I've recently begun to discover some great indie brands, such as I <3 NP, Rainbow Honey, and BG Cosmetics, just to name a few.  All these companies are 3-Free and they have created their own unique formulas that I trust and have grown to love.  Each brand has their own style that show's the company's personality.


I would like to show all of you my designs, swatches, and tutorials with nail polish and how a little bit of color can brighten up your day!

First Thoughts

Hello all!  My name is Katherine and I enjoy many things... one of which is blogging.  I used to be part of the Xanga world way back in the day, but I have migrated onward to modern day writing on my own blog.  I'm here to talk about fashion, makeup, hair, working out, nail polish, my artwork, and general health.


I got the name of my blog because I'd spend most nights thinking about many things... insomnia usually kept me up until 2 in the morning.  I'd do so much in the middle of the night, as compared to some of the things I should have been doing during the daytime.  My best artwork and manicures always came out better at night than during the day.  There's something about being awake at 1AM that makes me feel a little more alive (even though many people are already asleep by that time).


I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Medical Technology Studies from Farmingdale State College.  I am an AFAA certified personal trainer and Zumba instructor.  I am also CPR certified and have acquired two Associates degrees from Farmingdale State College and NCC.  I guess you can say I've been around the bush quite a few times and I'm a jack of all trades.


Please feel free to contact me at kat@thoughtsat1am.com if you ever have any questions about anything.


Props to chicbananas for helping me with this website!  Check her out!
Thank you to Elizabeth Lee for allowing me to use her drawing of me on my banner!