So maybe limited edition nail polish collections and sci-fi teen fiction trilogies make unlikely bedfellows, but just like Greasy Sae’s mice meat, pig entrails and tree bark stew, something about this one just works.

China Glaze pays tribute to the tributes of The Hunger Games with the new Capitol Colours Collection, which catches fire on shelves at Sally Beauty and Ulta stores, and beauty salons early next month.

Playing with these polishes was almost like reading the books. I couldn’t put ‘em down! — and as I let the 12 polishes ($7 each) parade across my fingertips this afternoon, I wondered which ones Cinna would choose for Katniss…

From the left: Riveting, Electrify and Luxe and Lush

Hook and Line, Stone Cold and Smoke and Ashes

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Pairings that unexpectedly work…

Chocolate and chili powder
I had a chocolate and spicy chili gelato once and was surprised by how much I liked it — after the first few bites, which, yeah, were definitely weird.

Karen and Tabs
El Hub and I were actually dog people up until Tabs came along… Talk about unexpected detours down Crazy Cat Lady Lane!

Celebrities and shoes
Dude, I never thought I’d say this, but some of those celebrity shoes are really cute! I practically live in my Fergie boots. And if I had a nickel for every time a pair of Jessica Simpsons at Macy’s stopped me dead in my tracks…

The brights and pastels from the new Essie Navigate Her Spring 2012 Collection
Seriously, creamy avocado and shimmery hot pink? I know! But don’t these polishes look good together?

I’ve been neglecting my poor paws all winter long, but the six new shades in the Essie Navigate Collection ($8 each) promise to change that. Available in February, the playful pastels and bold brights in both cream and shimmer finishes offer an almost endless supply of unusual color pairings for fingers and toes.

Bottles from the left: Ole Caliente, Orange It’s Obvious and Tour de Finance

From the left: A Crewed Interest, Navigate Her and To Buy or Not to Buy

I never would have thought to pair some of these colors together, but standing side by side, I think they look pretty darned cute.

Swatches clockwise from my thumb: A Crewed Interest, Tour de Finance, Navigate Her, Ole Caliente and Orange It’s Obvious

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I’ve been keeping a secret from you.

No, I’m not a billionaire or a costumed vigilante…although I bet Tabs would look so cute in his little sidekick outfit!

Here it is: I’m a rock star.

Or rather, I would like to be.

Cat’s out of the bag! Yep, one of my resolutions this year was to channel my inner rock star, and no, I don’t mean by fronting a band. I mean someone who’s confident and bold enough to tear it up in front of thousands of people on stage. Someone with wicked style, too, like my own lead singer in a one-woman band. The Gwen Stefani of Novato, California.

But wait — it gets cheesier! To remind myself to “embrace my inner rock star,” I leave a lot of Post-Its around the house…

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When you work for a demanding, fashion-forward kitty dictator model/boss, you come to really appreciate the extra time that results from only having to apply one coat of nail polish.

When you’re on call 24/7 and have to be ready for anything, every second counts, and NARS Diamond Life Shimmer Nail Polish ($17) fits my hectic lifestyle. One electric, shimmery layer, and I can move on to more pressing matters, like reorganizing Tabs’ toy collection by theme — feathers, strings, catnip-filled, and crinkly balls.

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Aha! I always knew (or hoped) that those countless hours spent watching Pop-Up Video would pay off eventually. Yup, it was while watching Britney shake her moneymaker in the Toxic video (one of my faves) the other that day that I came up with this idea for a Mixed Metal Mani.

You know that nude bodysuit she wears with the diamonds? Wouldn’t that look pretty chic and blingy on your nails? — a minimalist nude nail layered with gold and silver glitter?

Let’s find out!

I started with a base coat, and then slipped on two layers of creamy beige Essie Brooch the Subject, which would be my nude background color.

I wanted a subtle sparkle from the golden glitter — nothing too overpowering — so I chose Essie as Gold as It Gets for its tiny flecks of golden glitter in varying shapes.

(NOTE: Next time I give something like this a try, I just might add a top coat and stop right there. Coupled with a nude background color, I think it’s a very pretty, subdued way to approach glitter.)

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