The Digit-al Dozen Does Thankfulness: Family

Day three of The Digit-al Dozen Does Thankfulness and today I am thankful for my family. Don't know if you can tell that this is suppose to be a tree. This is my family tree. My family is a close family, we all get along and like to be around each other, weird right? Without my family I know I wouldn't be the person I am today. They have taught me about like and helped me to know right from wrong and have the morals that I have. They are my roots in life. I know that I can always count on my family no matter what. 

I have represented all of my family in the tree. The two hearts (yes, that is what they are suppose to be) are my mother and father. My mother passed away in 2006, I miss her dearly but I know she is in a better place and is no longer in pain.

My index finger upper branch is my brother (three years older than me), his wife and their three kids. See how each are represented by a leaf.

The lower branch on my index finger is my other brother (five years older) and his wife.

My middle finger is my sister (seven years older) and her husband and five kids.

And lastly on my pinkie or baby finger and I am the baby in the family is my leaf.

Though my family isn't broken, but we aren't perfect but we are good, still good.

I used OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls as the base. The tree is OPI It's All San Andreas's Fault with the leaves Color Club Tribe and True and A England Dragon. The hearts are BarryM Blood Orange.

Don't forget to check out the others and their thankful manis!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Digit-al Dozen Does Thankfulness: Freedom

Day 2 and I am thankful for my freedom. It seems fitting to post about this on November 11, Veterans Day in the US (Remembrance Day in Canada and England and Armistice Day in France and New Zealand) (among other countries as well). It is a day we remember those who have fought for our freedom. It is also the day in which the"major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect" (source).

I am thankful for the freedoms I have; the freedom of religion, speech, agency and the power to choose. I am thankful for all the men and women who have fought to protect this freedom all over the world. I'm thankful for those who have given the greatest sacrifice for their country. It is by these noble men and women that we are free. 

I am thankful for the founding fathers of America and all that they stood for in order that we may have certain unalienable Rights.

The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription

---

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. (source).

 

I used Milani White on the Spot as my base. I stamped on my first two fingers using BarryM Blackberry and Winstonia W107. The quill and ink well (yes, that's what it is, it's not a boat!) is stamped using Konad Black and Vivid Lacquer VL018. I stamped using BarryM Blood Orange and Winstonia W107 for the other two nails. I used OPI My Pointe Exactly to age and and blur the images a bit. I then used Zoya Matte Velvet Top Coat to smooth it all out. It's not perfect, but either is our country. But I am glad and thankful to be a part of it.

 Don't forget to check out the other ladies and their day 2 manis!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Digit-al Dozen Does Thankfulness: My Health

It's another month and another Digit-al Dozen theme with this month about being thankful. This theme turned out to be tricky. Some things that you are thankful are hard to incorporate into nail art, so you try to be specific, but then it gets to be little things. Well this week I did some grand non-tangible things and a few fun things that I am thankful for.

Today though, I am thankful for my health. All of it. As much I suffer with depression and anxiety I am still thankful for it. Because without going through what I have gone through I wouldn't be the person I am today (and no, I'm not talking about the panic-ridden person in bed, though that too! Hahaha!). I know that my depression has made me an old soul. I've always been mature for my age but dealing with depression since junior high has caused me to grow up a bit faster in a way. Almost 20 years dealing with a disease that is now only really getting any time in the spotlight and being allowed to not carry so much stigma.

There will always be people who say: "you can change things if you wanted to" (really!? really?), "if you just went to church more and prayed more" (right, because this is a punishment?), and "snap out of it" (if only!). But I would honestly happily keep depression and anxiety over what some others have. We always think we have it the worst, but if everyone's problems where put in a pile and we got to see all of them, pretty sure we'd want our own back. It has made me who I am. I know myself more deeply than some others know their selves. Do I ever wish I didn't have it? Sure, but if this is my struggle, then I'm perfectly fine with it.

I have met (also read that as "met") some amazing people who share my plight. Some I can visit with daily in person, buoying one another up. Others through Facebook groups and blogs where we reach across continents and oceans and soothe each other by listening and understanding. 

So yes, I am thankful for my health because it has made me a stronger person. I've been so far down and have come back that I know things can only get better. I thankful also for those who have offered me their hand as I have walked through the darkness, offering aid and support. With you there by my side (both physically and through words) I would not be here today. Thank you.

To show my thankfulness I chose to do the awareness ribbon. I used Barielle Autumn in Seoul as my base. I stamped using A England Dragon (I slay my own personal dragons each day!) and Bundle Monster BM321. I added Essie Matte About You to get it that hazy look of the fog that we wander through daily.

Here it is before the matte top coat. So shinny and happy. Which, under that fog of depression and anxiety there is happiness, even if for a moment.

        

                                     source                                                                  source

 source

Don't forget to check out the other ladies and their thankful manis!

An InLinkz Link-up

Empties: Skin Care and a Bit of Polish

Ok, so I finally finished editing the remaining video. Phew! It's a tad bit longer than the other one, but I had a ton of empties! I'll try and do this more often so they are shorter and so that I'm not such a big dweeb in them! >_< If you even like these types of videos.

Enjoy! If you watch all of it. Near the end I talk about a product that just might take away my blogging card. *holds head in shame*

Barielle Fall 2014: Jetsetter Review

Have a new collection from Barielle to show you today, this is the Jetsetter Collection and it is gorgeous! This collection "embraces the cool, crisp tones of this perfect time of year. The rich hues of the color palette let your fingers travel to many exciting spots and capture the essence of this wonderful time of year" (Barielle press release).

Kiss Me Kate: "a creamy beige/pink". This is a gorgeous polish. I love it! It's perfect for me and creates mannequin hands! This is one fabulous coat! Perfection!

Autumn in Seoul: "a deep, copper shimmer". Oooh! This is such a warm cozy perfect brown polish that screams fall! It is beautiful! It is a bit streaky and needed two coats to be completely opaque. I can't wait to use this this season!

Irish Eyes: "a creamy, moss green". What a stunner! I have a lot of greens in my collection but I really love this color! This is one coat! The formula was perfect! Such a calming color!

Rain in Spain: "a creamy, light periwinkle". This is a beautiful color, a bright crisp color. It is a bit more purple in real life. The formula on this one was a bit thicker than the others, this is one coat, but you can see the different thicknesses on my nails as it didn't really level out for me. I'm sure two coats would make it better.

Gondola Ride: "a creamy, sage green". A celery green! Yay! I love it! but this color was kind of sheer, this is three coats. But it's worth it, so pretty!

Midnight in Paris: "a creamy, midnight blue/purple". Rarely do blues really speak to me, but this one is stunning! I did a little gasp as I wore this. It's so deep and mysterious and beautiful! This is two coats.

I created a dotticure using the Jetsetter Collection. I really love how dotticures allow you to use so many colors. And all these colors are beautiful together! I really like this collection. I had a few issues with some of the formulas but none too bad as to never use again. Barielle, you've done it again! Fabulous job!

All of Barielle polishes contain no formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl-phthalate, camphor, or formaldehyde-resin. They are 0.45 fl oz (13.3ml) and are suggested retail at $8.00. You can find them at Barielle.com

You can find out more about Barielle's products by visiting:

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So which of these were your favorite?

Empties: Hair Products

It's been awhile since I've done an Empties video so I thought I would create one (and then have to split it apart because it's too long). So today's video is on hair products that I have used up (not necessarily started during this time but used up none the less).

I hope you enjoy! :)

TAG: Procrastinating Beauty Blogger

photo source

So I have some fabulous post ideas that I have been wanting to do as fillers between nail art. I love reading these types of posts, I hope you do too! I got this TAG post from Oh Hello Mango. Don't judge me too much by my answers! Hahahahaha! :)

Name a beauty regime that you rarely do?

Floss. Eeks! I am the worst at this! I try to remember to do this but I never do. You see, I have two fake teeth (veneers), my top incisors, and I have to be careful when I floss them. The floss gets stuck in the part of the veneer that attaches to my actual teeth. I'm paranoid that they will fall out! Guess I should be better at flossing then! :)

Is washing your makeup brushes something you do regularly?

Erm, uh, working with makeup all day long you think I would. >_< Sadly I don't have a set schedule for this. I don't deep clean my brushes that often, maybe once a month? But I do use a makeup wipe to wipe my brushes over after use. On that thought, I think I'm going to go wash mine! :)

How long will you last with chipped nail polish?

A day? We can't have chipped polish at work, but if it's not too noticeable, I might extend it to two days.

How long will you put off buying/replacing a beauty product, even if you need it?

Until the last minute. But buying extra stuff that I don't NEED I do all the time! Eeeks! >_<

What is your worst beauty habit?

Picking. Yes, I am a picker, it comes with the anxiety. I hate this habit so bad, I'm embarrassed of it. I hate the way it makes me look and feel. Actually I probably wouldn't call it a habit because of the time I spend. I would classify it as a disease, Dermatillomania, though I have not been diagnosed with it, this is just my opinion.

 

Name something non-beauty related that you put off doing all the time?

Serious budgeting. I really need to follow budget system more closely. And exercise (though this could be beauty related), I never do this, and I need too.

When going out somewhere, do you leave getting ready until the last minute?

Nope. I get up at least 2-2 1/2 hours before having to leave to give myself enough time to get ready. I hate being rushed!

Can you commit to spending bans?

For a day I can. I wish I was better, but I work at Ulta so I get pulled in by all the fun stuff! But seriously I think I do pretty good at not always buying things as an impulse buying. I wait for awhile to see if I really really need it.

How organized are you makeup and nail polish collections?

Very organized. My polishes are sorted by color in two Melmers and a plastic drawer thingy. My makeup is organized in two drawers (one face makeup and the other eye shadows). I also have a container of unused items!

Do you like these kinds of posts? It really makes me think about what I am doing and what I NEED to do and what I need to STOP doing! >_<

Epic Nail Mail of Epic Proportions!

So, I have this amazing polish buddy, Ali from Fixin' to Faff, and she has sent me some EPIC nail mail! She lives over in England where she can get some of the real goods. I found out that she was coming to Texas to visit family and I asked her if she could bring me some goodies. And oh how she delivered! See that big FedEx box? It's huge! In side of that was another box! (makes me think of Yzma from Emperor's New Groove). I have shown them next to a bottle of China Glaze Fairy Dust for comparison. Also, the little note pad on the top is to cover mailing info. 

Are you ready to see what's inside?

Look! British candy! Mmmmmmm! I love these! But look how packed this box is. I wonder what's in it?

Oooh! Look at those bottles! Eeek! So excited! Let's open them up! (which took awhile and I squee'd each time!)

Boom baby! Check it out! I now have the complete BarryM Gelly Collection along with the Matte Collection! Two MoYou plates (Bridal 06 and Fashionista 08) and a super cute owl! The owl came from a stall at the Newent Onion Fayre. It's now sitting next to my other little polish buddies that watch/guard my polish. 

I am so freakin' excited! Happy dance and Kermit the Frog arms flailing all about!

Top Row BarryM Matte Collection: Espresso, Malibu, Miami, Caramel, Waikiki, Crush, Vanilla, Cancun, Copa Cabana, Rhossili, and Mocha.

Second Row BarryM Gelly: Elderberry, Dragon, Coconut, Sugar Apple, Olive, Rose Hip, Huckleberry, Blueberry, Prickly Pear, Key Lime, and Damson.

Third Row BarryM Gelly: Almond, Satsuma, Green Berry, Pink Punch, Blue Grape, Passion Fruit, Mango, Kiwi, Papaya, and Blood Orange.

Fourth Row Gelly: Chai, Cocoa, Mustard, Chilli, Cardamom, and Paprika. An extra sparkly of BarryM Rose Quartz Glitter!

And they all get their own special box! I can only fit one more in there! This also includes the eleven BarryM polishes I already own. :)

This makes my heart super happy! Thank you so much Ali! You are so awesome! Best swapping buddy ever!