I got a bunch of striping tape but never used it. I decided to tackle it for the first time, and boy was it a challenge. It's a really simple design, with just two fingers embellished, but it took THREE HOURS to do both hands. I don't understand why I find it so hard. But, I really, really like the finished product. It's probably one of my favorite manicures, and it looks good on short nails. 

I'm not the hugest fan of Valentines Day, and the nail designs bore me because they usually consist of hearts, hearts and more hearts. I noticed the trend with Japanese gel nails for Valentines Day was based heavily on designs that looked like chocolates, and I really liked that idea! It was unconventional, and really cute. So I went with chocolate for my nails. 

I really like the dripping chocolate, and although I do have a heart, I tried to make it look like a cherry cordial. For some reason, though, that particular foil really hates me. So it looks pretty meh. For my pinky and thumb, I drizzled some "chocolate" over a pink "candy." Fun!

The other thing about these nails is...I didn't have brown polish. So I had to mix my own, in two different shades. Not too shabby, if I do say so myself!

I also decided to do my nieces nails since she was spending the night. I used some pieces that I made in the silicone molds, but I discovered that they kind of melted with regular nail polish. I'm still not sure if it would work with gel nails. I'll figure that one out later.