anyone else find getting nail polish out of carpet harder than it looks?

Blot, never rub. Then non-acetone remover on a white cloth, dab from the outside of the stain inwards, moving to a clean bit of cloth each time. Pure acetone is the thing you read about - it melts some synthetic carpet backing and bleaches some fibres, so if you go that way test it in a cupboard first. Hairspray works on dried polish too. Finish with dish soap and water and blot dry. It won't come out in one go, expect three or four rounds.