The one where I feel so loved!!

Harri over at It's a Beautiful Day in the Trailerhood AND Amber over at  Rainbows and Sparkles AND Miss Kari over at Got Polish? gave me a Kreativ Blogger award :)

Here are the rules...

Write 10 facts about yourself.
Pass the award to 10 bloggers and tell them about the award.

1. I have a 6-yr-old I love more than life itself.
2. My husband isn't all that bad, either.

3.  I had a really bad accident chasing my son. Almost bled to death.
4. I wish I could have a dog but my husband is allergic and my house is tiny :( I couldn't imagine having a pet and making them live outside.
5. I have lived in Indiana (in the same general area even) all my life.

6. I have had many jobs - medication deliverer for a pharmacy, newspaper reporter/photographer, financial counselor at a hospital, stay-at-home mom. and i'm currently the secretary at the church where I am a member.
7. When I was in college, I lived in the same dorm as Jared Fogel aka The Subway Diet guy. I knew him very well and worked with him in the dorm store. I even have a Christmas card from him.
8. I did many things in high school - academic team, marching band, concert band, pep band, student council ... and I was the school mascot my senior year.

9. i find it's easier to type in lowercase with my impairment
10. I type hilariously because of my impairment. Every finger on my right hand and ONLY the ring finger on my left hand.

10 blogs I follow and want to recognize :)

http://polishinsomniac.blogspot.com/

http://www.polishgalore.com/

http://muchadoaboutpolish.blogspot.com/

http://prettyedgynails.blogspot.com/

http://southernsisterpolish.blogspot.com/

http://thenail-goddess.blogspot.com/

http://polishedandfrosted.blogspot.com/

http://www.thepolishaholic.com/

http://gotpolish.blogspot.com/

http://trailerhoodchic.blogspot.com/

I tried to choose ones that hadn't already been chosen - but I think two of them have hahahah Only 10 more followers for my giveaway?

The one with Zoya Dea ... and terrible stamping practice

I've come to think I'm just not cut out for stamping lol  I know I've only been trying for two days, but with my impairment it just might be too soon for me to really be able to get into image stamping.

But anyway, I have on the most gorgeous color - Zoya Dea! She is the most luscious shade of chocolate brown. I decided to get her during the Earth Day promo because I have aspirations of doing a mani with sprinkled donuts that I saw somewhere on the 'net. Anyway...

Out in the bright sunshine. And it's about time! It's been so rainy and stormy and dreary here I haven't been able to get many good photos. Application was a dream, as always with Zoya polishes. Base of China Glaze Strong Adhesion, two coats of Dea (altho if I'd been careful, I could've gotten by with one) and then topped with ORLY Se'nDry.

Inside with the flash, she looks even more like melted chocolate. I really, actually fought the urge to bite my nails today. So today I decided to play with my stamping set. I thought China Glaze For Audrey and OPI Strawberry Margarita might be good with this gorgeous chocolate brown. WRONG. And my stamps kind of suck hahah

A dolphin in For Audrey

A dolphin in Strawberry Margarita

A Hello Kitty head in Strawberry Margarita

...and the only one that really worked even halfway, Hello Kitty head in Pure Ice Superstar

I think maybe I might have to give it a while before I try again. I dunno if I just can't be fast about it because I literally can only use one hand ... and the fact that I'm not entirely steady. *shrug* Time will tell.

**DISCLAIMER**  I was not paid for this review by anyone. I either purchased these polishes myself or were given gifts as friends because I could not find the particular shade I wanted myself.  I am not a professional nail tech, nor do I want to be. I'm just someone who enjoys polishing my own nails :)

The one where I don't know what I'm doing...

I got my free Hello Kitty plate from Born Pretty Store last week ... and I had NO idea it would get here so fast, so I hadn't even ordered a stamper :) Well, I ordered that from Amazon, and it arrived today :)

 Isn't it cute? DOLPHINS!! And some flowers, grapes. And here's the stamp equipment...

I rushed over to my friend Pam's shop because I promised her I'd show it to her when it came in. Pam has OPI polishes in her shop, so I grabbed Jade is the New Black, one of my fave colors, and set to work.

YEAH. Not so good. I kept trying and trying and trying ... and nothing was working :( So I was like "whatever, this sucks" and started to pack up my stuff ... when my finger slid across the top of the plate, and I noticed that I could barely feel the grooves...

Yes. I didn't take the clear plastic covering off the top of the plate. I felt so stupid! lol ANYWAY. This is what I got on my final try:

I fully intend to do a dolphin mani. Like yesterday.

The one with my new Zoyas!

My Zoya Earth Day promotion polishes arrived :) I saw on the FedEx site that they had been delivered to the post office, so I drove myself over to pick them up (rather than wait until the mail carrier brought them tomorrow). Cut out the middleman, and got my polish faster :)

front, from left, Haley, Pippa, Robyn, Mimi
top, from left, Riley, Dea, Buffy, Miley, SoHo Punch, Jade

Lucas has decided Riley will be the first polish I use ... and it will be tonight. I've got a nail that is growing thin - and I hope it doesn't break! During the photo shoot, Lucas decided to join me at the kitchen table...

Mr. Potato Head stole Riley!!

I thought I had 37 followers yesterday, and today I have 36. Gain some, lose some? lol I guess I'll use the polishes I bought to give away ... and get others when it's time to actually have the giveaway.

The one with Sinful Colors Rise and Shine+Frenzy

Yay for Sinful Colors! I wish I lived closer to a Walgreens or Target so I could go there all the time and slowly build my SC collection. I have two lovely colors up for manicure today - Rise and Shine and Frenzy.

I love this color. It's a great greenish teal with a slight shimmer. So gorgeous. Shown is only one coat because I am layering :) It dries fairly like a matte, but that can be taken care of with a glossy top coat. My friend Sheena had a pedicure done in China Glaze's Turned Up Turquoise and ended up getting a chip. I swooped in to the rescue and fixed it with this color! Yep. Dupes.

FRENZY! It's a clear base with purple and blue glitter. I just LOVE it. I only put one coat of it on top of Rise and Shine. I probably should have used another. However, I did get a lot of compliments at church on Easter Sunday on this manicure and how it sparkled under the flourescent lights :)

You can buy Sinful Colors at various places, including Walgreens and Target for around $1.99.

**DISCLAIMER**  I was not paid for this review by anyone. I either purchased these polishes myself or were given gifts as friends because I could not find the particular shade I wanted myself.  I am not a professional nail tech, nor do I want to be. I'm just someone who enjoys polishing my own nails :)

The one with OPI Moscow in Midnight ... and tips! Plus, giveaway polishes!

First off, this manicure was not by me. It was by my friend Pam who owns a salon. My nails were in desperate need of fixing, and I just couldn't do it myself.

I'm not sure how to describe it. My first instinct is chocolate brown with golden orangey shimmer. With some redtones? Whatever it is, I love it. But I did a lot with my nails between Monday and Tuesday evening, which led to tipwear. I had read about doing tape manis ... which is basically just using a piece of Scotch tape as a guide on the nail, so I decided to try it with some colored tips...

Boy did they suck lol It was hard to get the tape to lay down flat on the nail ... so you can see in my pointer and middle finger were the polish got up under the tape a little bit. I used Sinful Colors Rise and Shine for the tips. I didn't mind the look, it just looked horrible hahahah I got a lot of compliments on it when I had to go to the funeral home last night. That was ... weird.

Right now, my nails are naked as I await my new Zoyas from the polish exchange :) I have my 10 polishes ready to donate, and I am going to take them to Hoosier Hills PACT next week :)

ANDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD...
I went ahead and bought the polishes that I plan to giveaway when I hit 50 followers. Maybe if I show them off, the followers will flock? :)

from left, China Glaze Blue Sparrow (neon), Sinful Colors Cloud 9, China Glaze Solar Power and a China Glaze Peppermint cuticle oil. All bottles were purchased by me ... and will be given in a random draw should I ever reach 50 followers :) I thought these three polishes were perfect summer shades!

The one with the Zoya Polish Exchange!

About this time last year I got hooked on Zoya nail polishes, thanks in large part to the company's Earth Day promotion!

Exchange Info

Basically you take your old, unwanted polishes and trade them for discounted Zoyas! Last year, I ordered 10 polishes and mailed 10 of my old polishes to them. This year, I again ordered 10 polishes, but they are allowing us to donate our old polishes to worthy causes! I am donating my polishes to Hoosier Hills PACT, a local organization with a women's shelter. Most (if not all) of the polish I am donating is new and unopened - but if you choose to send your old polishes to Zoya, they don't have to be full or unopened. They can be old, crusty, thick or half empty bottles :)

The one where I talk about my accident

I realized this morning that I mention my accident frequently and not a lot of you have any idea what happened to me. So this post is just kind of an information post - so when I mention my accident (and it's anniversary) everyone will know what I'm talking about.

I'll open with my Livejournal post from two days after the accident.

Apr. 29th, 2006
I'm the talk of the town
I had a major accident Thursday. I put my arm thru a glass door. I just got out of the hospital this morning. I'm typing this with one hand. My left bicep was practically shredded. I cut a major artery, nerves, muscles, tendons, ligaments and everything. I had to have 4 hours of surgery at the hand center at Jewish Hospital in Louisville. I'm going to have to have therapy to bend my elbow.

How did this happen you ask? My son.

I am on the Dogwood Festival Queen committee and I was dropping off prize money to the treasurer of the festival. She owns a sportswear store in Orleans on the square. Lucas figured out how to open the door, and was outside, running toward the highway. I took off at full speed after him, and when I hit the door, I missed the wood panel and my arm went right thru. I fell on the pavement and scraped my calf really good.

At first I didn't know my cut was that bad. I grabbed Lucas up with my right arm, and I hitched him up on my right hip to check him over for cuts from the glass. He started screaming and pointing at my left arm, where lots of stuff was hanging out.

Lots of people helped me. I lost so much blood, they had to bring the fire trucks to hose off the sidewalks. Some people keep saying if there had been safety glass in that window, this wouldnt've happened.

I have to go lie down now.

My son, Lucas, was 21 months old at this time. I was 29 years old. This April 27 will be 5 years since my accident. I have a LOT of use of my arm and hand back, but there are still spots, particularly the underside of my thumb, pointer and middle fingers on my left hand that  feel asleep all the time. And they may stay that way. I type with the ring finger on my left hand and my right hand. it's kind of funny to watch me type I guess. This is why me being able to paint my own fingernails is important to me!! I was told I may never do it again. I was told I may never use my arm again or hold my son again. Even my surgeon was impressed with how far I'd come. Here's hoping, at some point, I get everything back.

I tried to put the pictures behind a cut, but I'm not sure if it works hahah There's nothing bloody or gross about them - just a bunch of stitches, staples and scars.

The one with China Glaze High Hopes

I got a professional manicure today! I was in dire need of one. I wish I could keep up with my nails 100% on my own, but it's just impossible. One day it will get better. This year is the fifth anniversary of my accident, and the feeling keeps coming back more slowly and slowly. Truth be told, I was hoping it would all be back by now...

ANYWAY.

This is my previous manicure, that I polished all by my lonesome. I think it might be a little on the bright side for me, but *shrug* everyone else seemed to like it.

 China Glaze High Hopes! This creme is a heavy coral that is perfect for summer! I've got a base of China Glaze Strong Adhesion, two coats of High Hopes and a top coat of ORLY Sec'nDry. The application was a tiny bit thick, but not so thick that it distracted. Two days after I painted my nails, my middle finger chipped. Unfortunately, I hadn't taken a photo yet because it's been icky and raining ... however, I hid my nail a little into my ring finger and you can't tell hahah

STILL NEED 22 MORE FOLLOWERS FOR MY GIVEAWAY!  I have purchased the polishes ... so I guess I'll just wear them if I don't get any more followers lol

**DISCLAIMER**  I was not paid for this review by anyone. I either purchased these polishes myself or were given gifts as friends because I could not find the particular shade I wanted myself.  I am not a professional nail tech, nor do I want to be. I'm just someone who enjoys polishing my own nails :)

The one with Zoya Tallulah

Hands down my favorite of all the blues, it's Zoya Tallulah! For a week or so Zoya Breezi gave her a run for her money, but I inevitably went back to Tallulah.

Natural sunshine! Isn't she gorgeous? Zoya.com's description of Tallulah is "Medium electric cobalt blue with fine bright aqua shimmer." I think she's just the prettiest color. This is a base of China Glaze Strong Adhesion, two coats of Tallulah and a top coat of ORLY Sec'nDry.

Here's Tallulah in the shade. Still just as glossy, just as pretty. The application is flawless (as is the case with most Zoya polishes on my nails).

She even stays pretty true her natural shade with a flash! She's a staple in my collection. I am going to start doing nail art stuff soon, as I got the free Hello Kitty plate from Born Pretty. There's a dolphin on the plate ... and I think Tallulah will make BEST dolphins :)

22 more followers until my giveaway!

**DISCLAIMER**  I was not paid for this review by anyone. I either purchased these polishes myself or were given gifts as friends because I could not find the particular shade I wanted myself.  I am not a professional nail tech, nor do I want to be. I'm just someone who enjoys polishing my own nails :)

Another great giveaway :)

Harri's got a nice little giveaway going on over at TrailerHood Chic :)

 Pictures above is the haul!

The one with Zoya Tamsen ... and a ladybug

I think I have a new favorite red. It used to be China Glaze's Ruby Deer. It's been replaced at the orangey brick red of Zoya Tamsen.

Let me tell you the story of Tamsen ... I was experiencing some peeling on my nails, so I decided to go a day or two (or five) without polish. I manicured, buffed and filed my almost-nubbins and put a coat or two of Nail Life to protect them. I then found some Avon Nail Experts Nutri-boost and topped it with a coat of that - which, btw, I think smells like Juicy Fruit gum. My husband didn't think so at all and walked around with the collar of his t-shirt covering his nose and mouth for a while.

While we were sitting down watching the TV, the bottle of Tamsen sitting on the computer desk kept calling my name. Finally, I threw my hands in the air and gave in. Two coats of Tamsen topped with ORLY Sec'NDry later, and this is what you get. I love it. Application was smooth like butter and there was absolutely no VNL after one coat. I went ahead with the second coat out of habit. I could wear this color forever.

Then enter my son...

"Mom, you need to make one of those a ladybug. That one right there," he said, pointing at my middle finger on my left hand. Now, I SUCK at nail art. I'm horrible at it. Mostly because my left hand is impaired to the point that it's a miracle that I am able to use it at all. (So painting my nails myself is a major deal! *smile*) But after he asked me seven times, I decided to give it a try.

Here's what I used: Zoya Tamsen (obviously), Wet n Wild Wild Shine in Black Creme, Pure Ice Superstar and Confetti in Ice Ice Baby. And here's the finished product:

How lame is that? lol I tried to use scotch tape to do the back wings, and it turned out okay ... I hadta use a toothpick for the line up the middle and the dots. As for the actual tip, I just freehanded it. I have trouble with the French tip guides anyway. And here's a photo in natural light, outdoors (you know, where ladybugs should be!):

I went with the Confetti top coat because my other nails were kind of jealous :)

Only 22 more followers for my giveaway :)

**DISCLAIMER**  I was not paid for this review by anyone. I either purchased these polishes myself or were given gifts as friends because I could not find the particular shade I wanted myself.  I am not a professional nail tech, nor do I want to be. I'm just someone who enjoys polishing my own nails :)

The one with the mani my son helped me choose

My son, while such a little manly man, sometimes enjoys occasionally helping Mom pick out polish. On our recent trip to CVS, he helped me pick out two polishes ... which I layered together to make a cute mani :)
First I started with this cool minty color, Mint Sprint, one of the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri colors...

The formula was really, really thick. Shown on my nails is just one coat over a base of China Glaze Strong Adhesion (I will sing the praises of that base coat forever). The color really is beautiful on its own, but I needed to dress it up...

...so I topped it with the other polish Lucas picked out, Party Palace Blue, in a brand I had never tried before, Confetti. It's this really pretty barely-there blue gel, packed with glitter. Then a top coat of ORLY Sec'nDry. For a cheaper drug store brand ($1.99) the Confetti topped my polish very nicely. I don't have any of the regular colors yet, just two jelly-like glitters, but I love this one so far. With my purchase, I got $8.00 in Extra Care bucks, so I went back and bought another heheh

And on another note, I'm almost halfway to the amount of followers I want before doing my giveaway!! Once I hit 50 followers I will have a polish giveaway with China Glaze polishes and Sinful Colors polishes. Who doesn't want free nail polish!?

**DISCLAIMER**  I was not paid for this review by anyone. I either purchased these polishes myself or were given gifts as friends because I could not find the particular shade I wanted myself.  I am not a professional nail tech, nor do I want to be. I'm just someone who enjoys polishing my own nails :)

The one with three more Wet n Wild Fast Dry polishes

My favorite. Buffy the Violet Slayer. It leans toward blue, but still stays true as a purple. I bought an extra bottle of this because I anticipate wearing it a lot. Easy application. Depending on the day, sometimes it's two coats, sometimes three.

Saved by the Blue. I've heard it's a dupe of China Glaze's Frostbite. I'd compare if I could find my bottle of Frostbite :(  This is two coats of SbtB - and application was nice.

And now the not so nice - FuchsiaRama. The polish was thick and goopy, and it didn't go on very well. After three coats I just stopped painting and left my nails with thin patches scattered all over. Plus, it bubbled horribly ... even tho I waited at least 5 minutes between coats. If you enlarge my photo, you can see the bubbles - that's NOT glitter. Weird for a "fast dry" polish.

**DISCLAIMER**  I was not paid for this review by anyone. I am not a professional nail tech, nor do I want to be. I'm just someone who enjoys polishing my own nails :) All of these polishes were purchased by me or my friends at CVS or Rite Aid for $1.99 per bottle.

Follwers, followers, followers.

I want to have a giveaway. But I need 50 followers first. There will be China Glaze polishes, maybe some Sinful Colors polishes in the giveaway, and maybe some other things. As soon as 50 followers rolls around...

The one comparing Zoya Mira and China Glaze Grape Pop

What a beautiful day to take swatch pictures outside! I wish I had more time today, but I had enough time to get my first 'dupe' comparison on the books ... or the camera, rather :) My two polishes for comparison are Zoya's Mira, one of the new Summertime collection polishes, and China Glaze's Grape Pop, from the Up & Away collection.

 Side-by-side in the bottle, it appears as if Grape Pop is just a tad darker than Mira. I assumed when looking at the bottles that might be the case, but I've been deceived before and wanted to make sure for myself.

I used a base of China Glaze Strong Adhesion, two coats of each polish and a top cost of ORLY Sec'nDry.

At first glance, you can't tell. My husband couldn't tell. He had no idea I had two different polishes on. But he's a guy - and they don't notice things. I can tell, just vaguely, that Grape Pop is darker.

Check out the difference here. It's pretty evident in this direct sun photo of the difference...

...but not as much of a difference with inside, artificial lighting. Just glancing at my nails I can't tell the difference. Bottom line is, for me, these polishes are close enough in color, that it wouldn't bother me to just own one of them. But I love them both, and I'm glad I have them both. Ya know, one can never have too many purple polishes...

**DISCLAIMER**  I was not paid for this review by anyone. I either purchased these polishes myself or were given gifts as friends because I could not find the particular shade I wanted myself.  I am not a professional nail tech, nor do I want to be. I'm just someone who enjoys polishing my own nails :)

The one comparing Gray's Anatomys

Two more Wet N Wild colors - of the same name - for comparison :) This time it's the two Gray's Anatomy shades, one Craze edition, one Fast Dry.

You can tell right in the bottle just how different they look. The Craze version is silver-grey, while the Fast Dry has green, blue and purple shimmer running thru it. There is no getting them confused or even thinking they look alike at any time.

The Fast Dry version was never opaque in the slightest. I think I've got four coats (maybe five?) and, as you can see on my pinky, LOTS of VNL. The Craze version, however, went on amazing in two coats. I put a third just for good measure. I'm sure the Fast Dry version will be nice layered over other polish.



**DISCLAIMER**  I was not paid for this review by anyone. I either purchased these polishes myself or were given gifts as friends because I could not find the particular shade I wanted myself.  I am not a professional nail tech, nor do I want to be. I'm just someone who enjoys polishing my own nails :)

The one comparing 9021Oranges

Hi all! :) I'm back again comparing some Wet N Wild polishes. This time it's the two polishes named 9021Orange - one in the limited edition craze collection, the other in the available-everywhere Fast Dry collection.

In the bottle they don't look very different, especially in the sunlight. The Craze version looks a teeny bit darker.

On the nail, however, in sunlight, you can see a vast different starting. The Craze version is indeed a deeper orange, leaning toward some red. It also has a shimmer running through it. The Fast Dry version is lighter and glitterier (is that a word?). It was jam packed with glitter. I'm thinking both polishes took four coats - the Craze version because the formula is thinner; and the Fast Dry version because the color is more sheer.

I do like them both, so I can see many manis in the future involving them both. Maybe layering the Fast Dry over the Craze version?

**DISCLAIMER**  I was not paid for this review by anyone. I either purchased these polishes myself or were given gifts as friends because I could not find the particular shade I wanted myself.  I am not a professional nail tech, nor do I want to be. I'm just someone who enjoys polishing my own nails :)

and another!!

PolishAholic blogiversary giveaway

lovely giveaway :)

Another giveaway :)

100 follower giveaway!

Great giveaway from a blog I follow :)

a polish giveaway :)

I follow this blog, so if you are so inclined (and want nail polish lol) you should too! :)

1 year Blog-o-versary Giveaway @ Imperfectly Painted