Mani Monday

While I know you didn't come here to learn how to paint your nails pretty or even to look at pictures of my nails painted pretty, you're here. I have no other highlights to share with you. I also know that posts will soon be more exciting. They will be filled with stories of luggage successfully making it around the world, our new digs, and awesome pictures from a brand new culture. Just consider this the boring calm before the storm.

 

Lately in the evenings I've been trying to enjoy being at Brandon's side instead of hiding in my sewing cave. I will have time for that and may already have projects planned for when he leaves. It's pretty hard for me to sit still and just watch TV/movies/reruns/football so when I'm not folding laundry or multi tasking with other household chores, I bust out the polish and paint. A lot. Because I love to and I can.

 

This is my latest favorite twist on a French manicure. For the base I used Marshmallow and then for the dotted tips I used my favorite mani trick + Good as Gold. They remind me a little of gold banded china. Fancy right?

 

Of course I've seen ombre nails online several places but never had the right gradient of any one color. I was looking through my collection when I realized I finally had enough to do a pink version of the ombre nails. How convenient leading up to Valentines Day.  From left to right I used Fiesta, Mod Square, Lovie Dovie, French Affair, and on my thumb not shown is Ballet Slippers.

 

There you have it. Sorry folks. It was this or more pictures of my dog.

 

Lauren

 

 

a little nail he{art}

I painted my nails with a fun pretty pink,

then after awhile I started to think.

It'd be really cute, it'd be really smart,

If I added a tiny, white little heart.

 

 polish // Essie // mod square

 

quick tip** I use the embossing stylus I stole from my craft supplies to add different designs to my nails. I feel like a genius but I'm sure I'm not the first to think of it. The metal tips make it easier to clean than a brush. Dip your polish brush, use the stylus to grab the 'big goop' that drips off. Use the sides of the bottle to get the right amount of polish you want on the stylus. Apply to nail in whatever design you wish. You can practice first on scrap paper or scotch tape to get the feel for it. It looks like this and can be found at most craft stores. Let me know if you try it. I'd love to see what you come up with. 

 

Lauren

A Real Secret

I use this blog for many things. It is a place I document milestones in our life. I share recipes. I tell stories. I let you preview things I've sewn or crafted. I hope that you get to see who I really am. I probably share more here, than I do in real life. Maybe more than is necessary. I have felt for almost a year now to share something with you that is really personal and every time I try to write it, I decide that it isn't something that needs to be shared. With summer temps being here, I am reminded of this thing daily. I feel that maybe if I share, I can finally accept it and move on. Maybe I won't, but I'll at least be one step closer. 

I've struggled for years now with skin that breaks our more times a year than a bar fight. I have let this, my outward appearance, keep me from so many things.

Years ago, I struggled with acne on my face. In college, I remember taking natural medicine and my roommate and friends thought I was crazy. I tried Proactiv. I made several dermatologist appointments and spent money on almost any and every type of 'skin clearing remedy' anyone recommended. I skipped going out because make-up just wouldn't cover it. I worked at a restaurant where people always saw my face. I also worked at a bank where again my face was exposed. One time I was asked if I got hit by a truck because I had a very large broken out area on my chin. As an 18 year old girl, how do you respond to this? My parents supported me and probably felt helpless because they knew their child was hurting on the inside and there was no quick fix. I was picked at by my brothers and sister but I know they were deep down trying to help ease the situation. We use comedy in our family so much that I wish now I wouldn't have gotten so offended. And I apologize to them if I ever made fun of them for any reason. I had one serious boyfriend before I met my now husband. Sadly, I can't remember him ever calling me beautiful or pretty. My friends knew it was a sensitive subject and more than not it was never talked about, unless of course I brought it up.

That's been years ago, and since my skin has cleared..on my face. Which leads me to my back. 

On my wedding day, I put this fear aside. I knew that not ONE person would say anything to me about it. I felt beautiful and flawless the way every bride should on a couple's special day.

Other than that, I've been hiding it for years. I currently have my hair as long as it's ever been to help cover it up. I pick out only clothes that will not leave my skin exposed. I skip out on invitations to the pool or beach, and often give those who invite me a lame excuse instead of telling them why I don't want to go. I've missed out on way to many pool dates with my sister to count and she graciously understood and we did other things.

I've allowed this to control me. I'm ready to face that fear or at least admit to you that I'm not perfect and that I have insecurities. I know that it isn't going to be easy. I'm going to put on tank tops or dresses and at the last minute change my mind and put on something to cover it up. But here is the thing, it really doesn't matter. 

This is me, this is who I am. I know with my whole entire heart, I would never lose a friend over this and this would never interfere with making new friends. They are going to love me for me, not for my skin. I should know better than this. I can however lose friends because of an ugly heart, an awful attitude, being negative, saying hurtful things, lieing, gossiping, and not being true to myself. 

I encourage you to look inward for the real source of beauty each and everyone of us have been given.

1 Peter 3:3-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 

Also, a quick special thank you to my encouraging and loving husband who makes me feel beautiful every single day. 

New Looks & Random

First, tomorrow morning I'm packing up again and moving to Memphis. For real this time. Since we won't have internet hooked up until Tuesday I thought I'd leave you with a wee ol meaningless post to hold you over. I've been staying in MO with my parents while BD was out of town on their first long road trip. No sense me being lonely when I can be home with my crazy family. Which brings me to this. My new look. Not really, I don't need glasses. I thought glasses were the new fad. Apparently these aren't the new stylish ones. 

Don't I look adorable? Actually I look almost exactly like my brother Jake. Freaky I know. It gets goofy around here when my family is home. All six of us were together over Easter weekend, no +1s and we had a good time. 

Normally Easter week is for coloring eggs. This year I decided to color something different.

This girl has NEVER, not once in my whole 24 years and 11 months of life have I ever put any color on my hair. I was scared but I did it anyway. Ombre much? I'm thrilled with my BOLD decision. But it's just hair and I can color it back if I change my mind.

Today I may have stooped to a new low in spoiling my husband. I've been driving his truck and I'm either super paranoid that it's going to get dirty or I really love him and treat it exactly like he does. I'm a little on the messier side. I don't mind a car that looks lived in. He on the other hand has it empty at the end of everyday. So today I headed to the car wash, with a step stool. I'm 5'6 so not that short but I can't reach the top of that bad boy. Silly? No. Genius I tell you. Plus it made him happy to know I cared so much about getting the top clean too.

And finally to top off most of the nothingness that is this blog post. I started this thing that has just caught on. This is the third week of Winstagram Wednesday. I find something usually at random from my craft box that is already made that hasn't been sold or given away and I then give it away. It's usually and hour to two hour window late Wednesday night. All you have to do is comment to enter. Since there aren't too many entries, I write them all down and pull a name from a bowl. Yes please picture it just like hunger games! I've really enjoyed giving something I've made away each week and I think I'll continue to do it. Hope you'll join me next week...from Memphis!!

Shellac Review

Hey hey! Can you guess what I'm going to tell you about today? I'm gonna share with you how I got Shellac'd and try to break it down so YOU can decided if you want to get Shellac'd also.


I won't get all technical on you cause that's no fun. It was like a regular manicure except you have to let you hands set under a light so the polish can cure. They use a base coat, two coats of color, and a top coat. Basic right? Once the top coat cures under the light you are out the door, of course after you pay, but there is zero dry time. It lasts for up to two weeks. I personally made it 13 days before I had to say adios. To remove, you have to soak your nails in pure acetone for ten minutes and it should come of in one piece. 


Three isn't a HUGE selection of colors because its still a new technique. Give it a few years and I'm sure there will be hundreds.

Here are some photos from the beginning, day  11, and day 13.

Day 1

Day 13 - No chipping

My personal review of a Shellac manicure:


Color: Its going to last for almost two weeks so pick something you know will go with whatever upcoming event you may have. If you like to change often this may not be a good thing for you. I LOVE to change often but I enjoyed not worrying about chippy polish.


Wear: AMAZING! I think my favorite thing about it is that I tend to do some heavy cleaning and the polish didn't chip with my hands being in water and chemicals. (Yeah, I don't wear gloves) 


Price: I paid $25 dollars. I think the range is anywhere from 20 - 40 depending on location. It is worth it if you are either like me and have somewhat small case of OCD with your nails or you are only getting a Shellac for special occasions. I do love it but I don't want to spend this much getting my nails done every two weeks.


Removal: If you do it right its easy. I learned the hard way and didn't use PURE acetone. That was my mistake and hopefully next time I will have an easy removal.


Do I recommend this product? YES! I do. Its great and wears for a long time. Longer than regular polish. It also is harm free to your nails and helps them grow if you are wanting to add length. It shows in the photos how much my nails grew out while Shellac'd.

Final Notes: Do your research. Not all manicurist have years of experience with this new product. It takes time to learn how to properly apply each coat. If done incorrectly, bubbles or wrinkling may occur.


Happy Shellac'n

Toes

It is summer, thus making it prime time for my mild case of OCD to be in full swing. I am always on the lookout for new colors or fun ways to paint my nails, toes and fingers. I was on a hunt for a 'shattered' or 'crackle' nail polish and found something that I think is just a touch cuter. The cashier at Sephora, where I was looking for a shattered polish, had a few of her nails painted this fun sparkly way with Teal and Gold. It was awesome! I knew I wanted to try it immediately. The look is created by concentrating glitter at just the tip or end of the nail. Its no real pattern but that is what makes it fun, you can't mess it up. 

[French Affair-Only Gold for Me-Wild About Shimmer]

 First you pick your base color. Let dry. I used French Affair by Essie because it was 50% off at Walgreens and a great summer hue. Then I used Wild About Shimmer brushing just on the tip. Finally I follow with a drop of Only Gold for Me on the end. I use my finger to push the polish back onto the nail. I tried using the brush but the big glitter chunks stuck and defeated the purpose. Its not the most simple way but it was the directions I was given. 

It is hard to tell how sparkly and fun it really is in pictures. I tried and tried to capture it, I did my best. I was wearing my favorite type of summer sandal: the wedge. These are by Unlisted and I believe I snagged the bronze beauties at Shoe Carnival for under $20. Let me know if you have any fun painting pointers.

I am linking up at http://www.iheartnaptime.net/ 's Sundae Scoop. Go check out some other awesome crafty blogs.

Color of the Week

Remember when I told you about my obsession. Here is my color pick of the week.

tart deco

Yum. Doesn't this make you want an orange push-up ice cream treat? Matches perfectly with a summer tan. Guess I just won't match. Haha.

I will be on vacation next week but I think I'm going to use my free time to invest in working on my bloggy blog blog, hit up the pool, and catch a few baseball games. I think I still owe you an update from the Chocolate Ball. I've been having some internet issues so hopefully that will be resolved and I can post more than once a week. Until then my friends...