The Manicurist

My mother used to be a manicurist. I was around ten years old, and I distinctly remember going with her some days to the salon where she worked. I even gave a little old lady a foot massage once, where she proceeded to give me a five dollar tip! Big bucks when you're ten! I loved watching my mom work on nails. She even did a house call to my second grade teacher, who became one of her regular clients. I was mesmerized by the pretty, shiny nail lacquers that littered the floors of our house while she practiced different techniques. Mannequin hands and nail tools strewn about the kitchen table. Bottles and bottles of nail polish remover, cuticle oils, and nail files. To this day, when I pass a salon and smell the acetone, it brings back fond, happy memories of my mom's days as a manicurist.

Yes, I believe this contributed to my love affair with nail polish. I'm an addict. Thanks, Mom.

This is my little nail station. I recently bought the storage container from Wal-Mart. It was around five dollars. I love that it has three roomy drawers, perfect for separating and sorting by color.

First drawer: Reds, Corals, Peaches, and Wines

Second drawer: Nudes, Pinks, Purples, and Lilacs

Third drawer: Blues, Greens, Greys, Taupes, and other miscellaneous shades that are more unique in my collection.

I love all brands, but I actually own more Essie than any other.  I have to say that Zoya is my new obsession.

I also keep my tools, base coats, top coats, and cuticle softeners right next to my nail polish stash.

How and where do you store your nail polish? Although my collection is large, I don't feel overwhelmed by it as I did when I stored my polish in a small bin a couple months back. However, I do need to downsize and stop buying more. But just as any addiction is difficult to break, so is mine!

♥ Noelle