A Sunday Ramble

The past four years have had the fabulous moments (helping in starting The Digit-al Dozen, meeting a bunch of fabulous bloggers, finding an "in") and some not so great moments (computers crash, hang nails, depression, anxiety, no longer part of The Digit-al Dozen). I chose to step down from the Digit-al Dozen as I haven't been very active on my blog. It was really heart-wrenching and the DD ladies have become some of my closest friends (only having met one in real life). But life and my depression/anxiety got in the way. 

So why no nails?

I would get physically ill when I sat down to do my nails. The anxiety was so bad that I just couldn't do it. If I did manage then I wasn't satisfied because my manis didn't look like the other DD ladies. My manis never really blossomed or got better over time. I just wasn't that good and having that pressure would stir up the anxiety even more. I always want my nails to look like so-and-so and have the painting and artistic ability as what's-her-name. I'm not satisfied with my own talents and abilities (and not only with nail art) and so therefore feel the need to step back (but say that to my stamping plate group buys. What is wrong with me!? Hahahahaha!). 

For some reason, this past year has been really rough on me. I am not at all where I ever thought I would be in my life. Ever. I thought I would be married with kids by now (I'm turning 35 in less than a month). I am almost sure that I will never marry; I don't allow myself to be in situations that create an opportunity. And it I did find someone? I don't think I could put them through what I have to go through. I would be too draining, too much for them. How could I bring anyone into what I go through? How does anyone that have mental health issues bring up the issue while dating. I would see it as almost a red flag for most people. 

Oh, but to have that someone who would be there and just tell you that you are not alone. That you can make it through it again. To be aware that you actually exist and that they actually care for you. That they are aware of you and that there really is something wrong when you say that you're "fine". That is my dream. Anyone else have that dream?

Currently working on tapering down on one of my medications. My new doctor was surprised at the dosage I was on and said that this medication is one that you don't want to stop suddenly and that this high of dose could be causing more anxiety. So for the next three months I will be cutting down by 0.5mg. We shall see what happens. He already lessened another medication I was on, because again, I was on too high of a dose. Seriously, what was the previous doctor doing to me!?

I realized that I have been medicated for more than half my life. Crazy to think about that. I am very interested in see how I would be without any medication. A lot has happened with my body and brain since I started any medication, heck, I went through puberty! But I am also very nervous about trying to go without (with the help of my Doctor, of course) my meds. I have no issue or negative thoughts about being on medication for the rest of my life, but I feel they may have been become almost a security blanket, and that makes me nervous.

I keep having thoughts of adding makeup info and photos and whatnot to my blog because it is what I am interested in now. But I feel again, that I am second rate compare to all those that I follow across social media. Aren't we our own worst enemies? Pfft. Would that be anything anyone would be interested in? If there is anyone still out there still looking at this blog. I have no idea.

So yeah, that's my ramble. No real rhyme or reason to the order of my thoughts, just wanted to get  some thoughts out there, or were those too many thoughts? Ramble ramble ramble. 

Please let me know if there is any interest for me continuing with any aspect of the blog. Yeah, yeah, I should be blogging for myself and what I want to blog about. But let's be truthful here, we all really want to know that people really do care about the fact that we put forth the effort to blog. Yes, it's an outlet but I also want it to be an outlet that I knew was being listened to and visited.

Welp, there's that. 

And here's my eye look from Saturday (and I'm wearing contacts, eeks!). I got so many compliments from my coworkers, it was really nice. There are three different Lit Glitter colors on my lids. :) 

Irresistible Me Royal Remy Hair Extension Review

Hello Owlets, it's almost been two full months since I last posted (I will explain all of that in another post) and today I have for you a different kind of review. Sorry about the photo quality. I believe my camera is dying a slow and horrible death. Maybe I should ask Santa for a new one!

I was contacted by Irresistible Me to review a product of theirs, hair extensions. My curiosity was peaked, hair extensions + pixie cut? Is that possible? I goggled and searched and you tubed and was only able to find a few with my length of hair. Hmmmm, I thought, interesting, I wonder.....let's play!

So the extensions come in the box shown in previous photo. They then come in these cool looking zippered pouch. Why the two compartments? Well, the smaller one holds one clip in extensions that you can take out and test the color before opening up the entire package. How cool is that? If you chose the wrong color you would simply return it and that larger bundle could be used again! How thoughtful and very economic.

Here is the clip in that you use to check to make sure you chose correctly. And I did! As you can see it also comes with extra clips that you can replace lost ones if needed, like the little bag of buttons that come with fancy shirts.

I chose Royal Remy Hair in Medium Brown (#4), 14 inches, and the 200g set as it gives more pieces.

Next I am showing you the four different clip in pieces that you receive.

This is the largest and obviously the fullest and heaviest piece. This four clip in gives a lot of volume.

These are the three clips. I liked to use these first to give my hair a more natural look.

Five two clip clip ins. These are great fillers to help blend the hair all together.

And finally, two one clips. These are great to use to fill in as well, I only wish there were more of these.

A closeup of the clips. They are those bendy kinds, so they are easy to put in. This closeup also shows some of the different colors in the hair which gives it a much more natural look.

So here is me rocking my own hair (and an awesome shirt!). My hair here is longer than I normally have it, I'm due for a hair cut. But I figured this length would blend better than even shorter hair. (ugh! I hate taking pictures of myself!)

Ok, now I am in no way an expert on hair extensions, I know these don't look all perfect; but I think I did a fantabulous job putting these in.

It was so fun to wear them around. I haven't had long hair in over 20 years, and then it wasn't even this long. I felt like a mermaid! :)

As you can see, the color is perfect! As is the thickness/volume of the hair, meaning I don't have a poof of hair around my shoulders. They weren't heavy and there was no pulling (except for me pulling hair off my lips when it would get stuck in lip gloss. New experience for me).

I am definitely wearing these more often. I think I'm going to take them to my hairdresser to get them trimmed/styled a bit so they frame my face more. Still deciding. But you can color and curl these, possibilities are endless!

I had no issues with the extensions (well, one of the clips came loose but one little stitch and it's fixed, no problem) and would absolutely recommend anyone and everyone who's ever been interested in trying hair extensions to go through Irresistible Me. They also have other products on their site: styling tools, hair care products, and accessories. A little bit of something for everyone.

Thank you Irresistible Me for letting check something off my bucket list of having tried hair extensions!

What's Up Wednesday - October 28, 2015

So I was going through my blog feed a couple months ago and came across this really cool post from Steph's Spot Blog. She links up with other bloggers (Mix & Match Family, Pinterest Told Me To, The Larson Lingo <--- The ladies who created it). So I thought I would try it out. :)

What I'm Eating this Week:

Let's just say this pertains to everything right now. :)

What I'm Reminiscing About:

My years at University. My niece is headed to the same University that I attended and I've been helping her find housing and deciding on classes. It totally made me want to go back 8-10 years ago (graduated with my BS in 2007, but I'd redo two years) and be back in that school atmosphere. I miss it so much. Do I miss the homework and all that junk? Hmmm, yes and no. The stress - no; but the learning - yes.

What I'm Loving:

That it is fall and all the Owl themed items! Yay!

What I've Been Up To:

Coping. Can I just say how well Allie from Hyperbole and a Half, perfectly describes everything! Bah, I want her books so bad.

What I'm Dreading:

Black Friday. Ugh, customers. Don't want to deal with customers. And why are we open on Thanksgiving. Thankfully as far as I know I don't have to work on Thanksgiving, but definitely Black Friday.

What I'm Working On:

Trying to get more organized so that I can get my blogging more consistent.

What I'm Excited About:

All the new holiday gift sets for makeup and nail polish and everything! I love holiday gift sets!

What I'm Watching/Reading:

Watching: I think the question would be what am I not watching! Bahahahahaha! I did binge watch the Heroes Reborn (now caught up). Yay! Hiro is back! Also The Walking Dead (but am not caught up so no spoilers!) and Grey's Anatomy.
Reading: Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan. This is a very very interesting read about an investigative reporter who has no memory of month of her life to a disease in which she lost the ability to move or speak. Also in the middle of My Story by Elizabeth Smart which is about her kidnapping back in 2002.

What I'm Listening To:

Youtube, youtube, youtube. It's playing constantly in the background of everything that I do. ItsKeerstin, Wayne Goss, grav3yardgirl, and RawBeautyKristi are just a few that I watch/listen.

What I'm Wearing:

Today (day off): jeans, tshirt, and cardigan. My normal work day: black, black, and more black. Oh, just bought some more black pants today too! :)

What I'm Doing this Weekend:

Halloween. *joy* Ugh, not may favorite thing. Don't want to walk around, wah!

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month:

The Digit-al Dozen theme of Pinterest Inspired!

What Else Is New:
I got a new to me vehicle! A 2007 Ford Escape, 62,000 miles! Woot woot! (well, not for the car payments though, but I got a great deal).

What do you think? Do you like these types of posts?

I've Got Stuff to Do and.......oh! Pinterest!

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Oh my goodness. As I am writing this post I seriously just got distracted for 15 minutes pin jumping. The topic? Pinterest itself. Yep. I pinned some and liked some and looked down and saw it had been like 15 minutes. Geesh. Yeah, just counted 19 new liked pins, that's not counting the ones I did pinned, on the topic of Pinterest alone. 

Who knew that someday there would be a this great and wonderful system that we could look over and get distracted by! I wish I had, man I could have made some money! :)

I remember when Pinterest was just starting! Yep, showing my age here (hahahaha!). Seriously though, at the beginning (ok, anyone else just sing that Anastasia song? Now you did huh!) you had to be invited to Pinterest. (ok, I know you can still invite, but this was like you had to have one). Yep. No signing up willy nilly like. Well, you could but you were put on a waiting list that could take months! Months! Crazy.

I don't remember the blog I first heard of Pinterest. She was handing out invites and could only give out so many. I asked for one. Didn't get one. Sad face! But then found someone else handing out these golden tickets and lo and behold I was a member! I was part of that exclusive club that was Pinterest. 

I would tell my friends about Pinterest and they would look at me like I was crazy. They just didn't understand. The OCD in me was so happy to have a visual bookmarking system! No, really, you should see my bookmarks on my computer, folders in folders etc. Ooh! Pinterest needs sub-boards! Boards within boards or boardception!

So I just check on some of my oldest boards for the oldest pins. I've been on Pinterest since 2011. Four years? Huh? It was launched in 2010. Wow, it totally seems like it's been around so much longer! But see, I was near the beginning. When it was starting to really get big I had friends ask me how I could only have my first name for my profile. When I signed up you didn't need your full name. Now it looks like you can change it, but why fix something when it ain't broke.

I also remember when my friends and family members finally joined and they were so excited to share pins and I was like, yep-saw that a year ago. I remember when you kept seeing the same pins each time because there weren't a lot of users. But now? Good golly! New pins every second that my feed updates itself (grrrrrr! I hate when I lose my spot and have to restart because it refreshes!).

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Ah yes. Remember when there was a time in which Pinterest didn't tell you you had already pinned an item? Oh I didn't like that, I think that was one of the best updates ever! Though I still see some duplicates on my boards (le gasp!). Also, that feeling of did I pin this already because I don't want others to see I have double pinned something. You know that feeling right? So you like the pin and check your board and either pin or unlike it so that you look awesome! Would this be like pin-shaming? 

Good old Pinterest (well, not as old as I once thought, though I knew it couldn't be really old). Seriously, what would we do without you? We now have new lingo because of it. We now know how to tie scarves 22 different ways and how to fix a scratched CD with a banana (uh?) and fix cavities with butter (say what?) Be careful what you pin. *Think before you re-pin!* Seriously though, this is a pet peeve of mine (and I'm guilty of it).

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But I really do try to click through the pin to see if it's an actual live pin with truthful info, unless it's a photo like this:

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And then I sit there and laugh out aloud, alone, at midnight. Wow. Yep. Sorry for the cuss word, I try not to use them but I have a whole secret board that my sister, niece, and I share with pins that we find that some of our followers wouldn't approve. So we read them together until we are crying!

Ah Pinterest. Thank you so much for being you!

So the reason for this post was why I haven't been posting so much. Well, truthfully? I get distracted and I blame Pinterest. Yep. It's all Pinterest's fault.

Hope you enjoyed this um random post. :)

PS: Don't get me started on being on Facebook when you HAD to have a .edu email to be allowed on. No thirteen year olds then! Or when the status updates had to be in third person: Kirsten is...trying to figure out the wording for this awkward status update for her facebook.