Holiday 2010 manicures

Happy almost-Thanksgiving! What is everyone doing this year? I'll be frying two turkeys... no, scratch that. Husband will be frying two turkeys. I'm pretty excited. But there are pressing matters before all this jazz.

Holiday nail polish.

I've never been one for beauty products, but when it comes to nail polishes, I'm a bit of a freak. I never get professional manicures because after a few days, I'm ready to try something else. This holiday season, I'm trying to find the perfect sparkly manicure that doesn't look like I just stepped out of a stripper bar. So, I could take a few opinions. Here are my sparkly, holiday options:

Left to right: ULTA Twilight (shimmery without specks of glitter); Sephora by OPI Looks Like Rain Dear (shimmer and glitter specks); Essie Hot Coco (opaque brown/taupe color); and Sephora by OPI Already Famous (taupey, shimmery goodness)

Of course, to get the perfect manicure, I layered. Below are the outcomes... which do you like best? (Granted, they look quite similar... but they are all different.)

1: Looks Like Rain Dear, by itself
2. Hot Coco layered under Looks Like Rain Dear
3. Twilight with one layer of Already Famous
4. Twilight with one layer of Looks Like Rain Dear

Personally, I think #3 is best because it's shimmery without being too overwhelming. Opinions? Suggestions? Thoughts that I've gone mad because clearly these are all basically the same thing? Hmmmm...

Need advice... stat!

OK lovies... now it's time for you to chime in on what you think (please?). I bought the black Chelsea Crew Nanette-Lepore-look-a-likes from Piperlime and got them yesterday. They are super cute in person! However, the sizing is all off. I knew from other reviews of this brand that the size is funky, so I immediately ordered a 39 instead of a 38, especially since I have a 8 1/4 foot (argh). And... well... they're a hair too small. I blame it on my monkey-long toes and a rounded toe-bed, but that's neither here nor there.

Also... they are not the best quality ever. Obvi. That's what happens when you get $65 shoes I guess, but still. The inside of the rosebud almost looks like it's coming off. It is attached somewhat securely, and I don't run marathons in heels, lets be honest. But I just feel torn between knowing these are not a perfect shoe for me and being in love wiht the style and look. What ever should I do?! Suffer and smile, or wait for "The One" to come around (which, honestly, I'm way too impaitient for. In shoes, at least)?

HELP MEEEEEEEEE....

(an image of the poorly made rosebud)