It’s funny how my feelings about my birthday have changed over the thirty #$%$# years I’ve been alive. Growing up an only child, my parents spoiled the pants off me so it’s no wonder that I spent my teens and 20s turning my day into a week that was “all about me.”

When I hit 30 the world was ending, of course, and now that I’m more comfortable with that first digit in my age, I find myself not caring so much about the celebration as I used to. I just remember how lucky I am to have two amazing parents who think the world revolves around me (it does doesn’t it?), a boyfriend/partner who goes above and beyond to make my life complete and a wonderfully diverse cast of characters who are more like family than friends. And of course, I’m so so lucky to have all of you supporting me and sharing the polish love.

Today’s polish choice was a no-brainer since today is my birthday. Cue the fanfare, ha! I started off the month with a polish named Happy Birthday so it seems fitting to close it out the same way. This time with Deborah Lippmann Happy Birthday and guest star I Know What Boys Like from the Summer 2011 color collection.

Happy Friday Fanatics! I hope you all have something fun planned for the weekend. We are finally, FINALLY, seeing the sunlight at the end of the rain tunnel that has enveloped Cleveland and I plan to enjoy it.

So with all this good weather, what am I doing wearing jet black on my nails? Well tune in tomorrow as you’ll see that I have a very good reason for going to the dark side with my manicure. Until then check out one of the best black polishes on the market, CND Blackjack.

Today made me realize why the Bangles sang a song called “Manic Monday.” This was one CLUSTER (as my friend Nancy would say) of a day.  I spent my morning aiming a hair dryer at the wall of ice in our beer fridge so I could save the two kegs inside from spoiling.  The rest of my afternoon included getting prices on garage door openers since mine decided to die over the weekend while the boyfriend was away at a hockey tournament, of course.

By the time I got around to removing my Inglot 646 manicure, I should have expected to find that it STAINED my nails Smurfy blue.  After all everything comes in threes, right?  Even though my precious Orly Cutique removed most of the staining I was so not in the mood to even think about applying a light colored polish.  Instead I decided to itch the brown nail polish scratch that Estee Lauder Chocolate Crave started.   I went hunting for an untried brown and stumbled upon Essie Little Brown Dress.

Tell me you can hear those lyrics and NOT clap your hands. Go ahead, tell me! This Spring, OPI is venturing down south to the Lone Star state of Texas. In the past OPI has focused on areas within the US (Painted Desert, New England) or specific cities (New York City, Chicago) but this is the first time I can remember where and entire state has been the inspiration for a collection.

The OPI Texas Collection for Spring/Summer 2011 is standard in that it consists of twelve polishes but for the first time there is a definitive dividing line between each set of six shades.  OPI is introducing their take on the beloved jelly texture with six “sorbet” style polishes; semi-sheer colors with a lucite look.  Before we tackle the sorbet lacquers let’s examine the creme & shimmer polishes.

The color is Violet Groove from the Lancôme Spring 2011 collection, Ultra-Lavande.  The collection of purples and pinks also includes Le 54, a sheer lavender glitter polish, and together they make one killer combo.  Keep reading to see for yourself.