Friday, August 31, 2012

Nail Files

To my loyal followers, sorry that I went MIA for the most part of this week. I'm traveling the Phoenix, AZ, "country-side" and it is just wearing me out every day. And I'm late on two more school assignments (which I should be doing now). Which means when I get back to the hotel, I have to my end of day stuff AND school work to keep my grade somewhat afloat. Ugh...

Anyway...on to the real reason for this post:



So, I found a black polish this week for a reasonable price (didn't feel like spending over $5 for something this week):



It's Maybelline "Onyx Rush". And that is only one coat (however, my coat my be different than everyone else - drop the brush all the way in, let it drop once, then start painting). I like this! It has the tiniest hint of shimmer to it, but not a full on glitter-fest.

In other news, can someone recommend a base coat that makes for a great strengthener? I've been using Essie "Grow Stronger". But as you can see my by random nail lengths, it is clearly not doing it's job properly. In Essie's defense, I wasn't wearing her for the better part of the week. It is never a good idea to travel without proper nail protection...especially for my brittle nails!

Well, thanks for joining with me this week. Come on over to Tara's place and join in the rest of us and show us what your nails look like!

**For those that may (or may not) be wondering, I haven't posted any Julep colors lately because I've declined my last two boxes. July was Mr S birthday and August, well, you saw what I did with my Julep money in the Ulta store. Maybe September will be better.
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Thursday, August 30, 2012

Thursday's Through The Lense - Best of August

I'm pretty sure I say this every month, but I can't believe how quickly the year is flying by. I mean tomorrow is the last day of the eighth month! Really, can we just slow things down a bit?

Guess that would be to easy. Oh well, on to this week's pictures. Today, I bring you the best (in my opinion) of August!

I think this was taken in Northern Washington around the beginning of the month.

Santa Monica Beach from Santa Monica Pier

 Flower booth at the Farmer's Market

Mr S and I finally made it to Cars Land in California Adventure!

The new "Partners" statue in California Adventure on the redone Buena Vista Street


As always, enjoy!

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Friday, August 24, 2012

Nail Files - Week 34

I am going to overdose you on nail colors/pictures this week! I finally got to play around with the rest* of my haul from last week:




And let me tell you, I'm not disappointed in my choices!! So...here we go...

First up, OPI Brand New Skates:
I'm not overly impressed. This is with two coats, and it's still very sheer/translucent. It might do better over a a thinker/darker/solid gray or black as it has a bit of shimmer to it too.




Next is the OPI New York City Ballet set:
VERY light & pale. I mean, you can't even tell "Don't Touch My Tutu" and "Care to Danse?" are even there! They look like clear polish in this light while "My Pointe Exactly" adds a gray sheen to my pinky. I didn't try the "Pirouette My Whistle" as it's a clear base with glitter and I didn't feel like wrestling the glitter off my nail. OK, so maybe I'm a little disappointed in how light this set is. But it's a good set to fall back on when an event calls for "clean" nails. Or I just don't feel like going bold colors.

Next is the OPI Dutch Treats set:
This is just a fun set of colors! (I want to go back and get some more from this set!) It's a good mix up in the box as you've got a dark, two brights, and a light shimmer. Ultimately, I chose my colors of the week from this box:
Red Lights Ahead...Where? on my ring fingers, and Kiss Me On My Tulips on the rest.

Oh, and I'm joining up with this, again, to showcase these lovely colors:



Happy Friday!!


* The only color I didn't play around with is the pink bottle. It's OPI Strawberry Margarita. When I was in the store I couldn't decide between this one and the regular sized Dutch Treats Kiss Me On My Tulips. They looked very similar in the bottles. When I found the Dutch Treats set had a small KMOMT, my decision was made - I purchased the regular sized SM!


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Thursday, August 23, 2012

Thursday's Through The Lense

I figured since I'm attempting to get back on track with everything, I should get back to this weekly post as well.  And since I bombarded you with pictures on Tuesday, I'll limit myself to one...or two...today.








These are from my Seattle trip at the beginning of the month. No edits; taken with my iPhone.

Enjoy!

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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

So What Wednesday

I really think this might be one of my favorite link ups! It's basically a chance to say, "I don't care" and share my lack of caring with the world. I love it! This and Friday's Letters. Again, another chance to say the things I'm thinking and not get in trouble for them!



So What If:

* I did my nails on the two hour conference "call" (read online, adobe classroom type setting) today. Not only did I do my nails, but I also had time to change the polish after experimenting with some new colors. Hello....I was online with this training for 2 hours!!  (to see what I decided on for my nails this week, tune into Friday's episode of The Nail Files)

* I find myself slacking in my school work a bit again. I think I may be a little burned out. But I refuse to quit! I want my degree, dog gone it! However, I am veering off plan next term and taking French.

* I don't NEED French to complete my degree. I've always wanted to take it and I've never had the chance. So I'm taking it next term. Even though it has absolutely nothing to do with my degree plan.

* I'm actually think of changing my degree plan. There's a possibility the school I'm in will be adding a communications major to their online repertoire. I'm in psychology right now. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying it. But I wonder if communications might make me a little bit more marketable later on.

* I had to look up the spelling of "repertoire" before I used it in the above. You do not want to know how I planned to spell it. OK, I'll give you a hint - why can't we spell things the way they sound?

* I'm tired of my mom saying, "That's not like you" when she asks my course grade and it's not an "A". Yes, I was that kid in high school and junior college. No, I am not that person any more. I just want my degree. I'm not concerned with my grades and GPA like I used to be. I have other things to worry about. I'm just happy to pass!

* I am a little concerned with my GPA. I have failed two classes and withdrawn from two. I need to get it up some so I can come off academic probation. Ha! Me...on academic probation! There is a first in the life of Stephanie! My mom would flip her lid if she new that! (So keep it to yourself)

* I think I've talked about school this whole post. Wow! Sorry folks...but that's the beauty of this blog. I get to talk about what I want to talk about.

* Apparently I'm feeling a little snarky today. Maybe it's time to step away from the keyboard.

So what are you saying So What to this week? Come join the fun over at Shannon's place:  Life After I "Dew".

Happy Wednesday!
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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Tuesday's Traveler - Chicago

I love the windy city! I've only been once, unfortunately, to the downtown areas. I've been to the ghetto suburbs once as well. (clarification: the area I was in was ghetto. not all Chicago subs are)

But my favorite part was, by far, being downtown.



This was not a solo trip, which I'm very thankful for. Had R not been with me, I wouldn't have gotten to do as much. Plus, R was the one who "trained" me, which is what this trip kind of was as well. We worked together the first day, then split the next two days at the conference. One day I worked the afternoon and he worked the morning and the next I worked the morning and he the afternoon and breakdown of the booth. We also ventured to Navy Pier together. So. Much. Fun!



In my afternoon off, I stumbled into the Chicago Cultural Center. Until my research for this post, I didn't realize it was 5 floors. I only made it to two. The CCC houses the worlds largest Tiffany glass Dome:

 I didn't know what I was looking at then. But you can see parts of the Tiffany Dome in the picture.

But what really caught my attention, and had me lingering on the second floor for so long, was the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Rotunda, Hall, and Annex.
















The detail. The architecture. The listing of the different battles in the south over the doors. It was just a really cool section of the CCC.

I had such a great time exploring. The CCC was a block behind the hotel we stayed at, so I didn't have to wander far to find something for my camera. (These are all taken with my little Olympus point & click...I can't imagine the fun I'd have with my DSLR!)

I hope to go back to Chicago someday. And I hope Mr S can come with me. I think he'd enjoy it, as long as it's not a cold day!


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Friday, August 17, 2012

Friday's Letters

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Dear hotel chains,
  Could you do something about the doors? I mean, if you're not careful, they close on you while you're still trying to get in. And the heavy door slam that rattles the whole floor has got to go! I'm sure there is something you can do to fix that?

Dear hotel patrons,
   Until the hotels fix their doors, do you think you could refrain from letting yours slam and shake the whole side of the upstairs. I don't need my door to rattle every time you enter or exit your room.

Dear weather,
   Thank you for being so wonderful yesterday up here in Lompoc. What are the odds you could follow me home? I'm sure Temecula Valley would LOVE the 75 degree weather over the heat we've been having lately.

Dear ants,
   I understand you made a re-appearance while I was gone this week. That is unacceptable. You have not been invited and you must leave. Apparently more drastic measures are to be taken with you little buggers (because spraying the ENTIRE apartment wasn't enough).

Dear self,
   STOP USING THE CREDIT CARD!!! You're trying to pay it off. If you don't have the money, don't buy it!

Dear Mr S,
   I miss you! But I'm coming home today! I will be very happy to back by your side...when you get home from work tonight.



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Nail Files - Week 33

This week I stumbled into an Ulta for the first time. Wowza!!! Nail polish heaven!! And I spent the $50 to prove it!



The only polish in the picture I DIDN'T buy at Ulta is the dark gray OPI and the dual Revlon polish. The dark gray OPI was a Target find last week, and was the intended color for this week. And then I stumbled across the dual Revlon in a Walgreens Wednesday.

Revlon's Moon Candy in Supernova
 


They also had a black with more clear glitter. But I already have two different brands of the clear glitter, so I didn't see the point. I just need to check my stash at home for black polish to try it on. And if there is no black polish, anyone got a good brand they can recommend?

Also, I would like to thank everyone that talks about the Seche Vita Quick Dry Topcoat. I also found that at Ulta and snatched up a bottle. LOVE IT!!!  THANK YOU!!

Oh, and for those who aren't normal followers, I've linked up with Tara and Vicki again this week for Nail Files (their logo is a little too big for my current format, but click one of their names and head over to link up with the rest of us!).

Happy Friday!


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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

So What Wednesday

It's Wednesday. I'm so very glad it's Wednesday. Once again, I'm on the road. This time I'm still in California, but I'm not in my own bed at night so does it really matter? No, not really. But in two sleeps I'll be able to head back home. And that makes me happy!

In the mean time, I'm linking up with Shannon again for




So what if:

* I've come to rely on my chiropractor way too much. And I've only been going every other week for a month. Dude works wonders on my whacked out back (which, by the way, is much worse than just regular old back pain according to the X-Rays)

* I think I'll be seeing someone tomorrow I'm really not looking forward to seeing. I hope not, but I have a feeling I will. I hope I can avoid any after work invitations.

* I thought I'd have more to talk about than just this. Must be a boring week.

Sorry, folks, but that is all for this week!


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Sunday, August 12, 2012

Sunday Social - Week 10

I've joined up with Neely again for

Sunday Social

Here are this week's questions (all about food!!):

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
On the assumption that since it's the only thing I'll ever eat again, it must lose all it's calories/fat/carbs/any other bad stuff - Chocolate cake

What's your guilty pleasure/comfort food?
Ice cream - preferably chocolate or vanilla with chocolate swirled in

What's the weirdest/craziest thing you've ever eaten?
bacon and lime sherbert - it was actually pretty good

What meal reminds you of your childhood?
Hot dogs, macaroni & cheese, and green beans. That combination was my favorite meal as kid. When mom would do meal planning, this was on the menu at least once a week.

Share one of your favorite recipes and the story behind it.
I don't know that I have a favorite recipe that I make. I'm not much of a cook and all my baking is done via boxed cakes/cookies or straight from the recipe. But any type of baking brings memories of baking with my mom as a kid, especially at Christmas. We would make at least 5 types of cookies, plus fudge, chex mix, and a couple pies. 

Now it's your turn. Join up with Neely and the rest of us Sunday Socialites. You just might meet a new blog friend!

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Friday, August 10, 2012

Friday's Letters

Dear people of the world (or more specifically, Target),
  Whatever happened to shopping manners? You know, if you walk between a person and the shelf they are facing, you say "excuse me". If you're pushing a buggy, look both ways before bolting out of that aisle into main flow traffic (yes, I said buggy...it's a Southern thing). And for the love of all things Target...reign in those hoodlums you call children.

Dear teenagers walking through the parking lot,
   It's called a sidewalk. Use it. It runs the full length of the lot and all the little building in between. They even have crosswalks for you!

Dear Ben & Jerry's,
   Thank you!

Dear Sex & Gender text book,
   Why do you have no pictures?? The one class I've been looking forward to for months now, and I'm given such a boring book. Even the book for my last class, History & Systems of Psychology, had pictures...and that class was BORING! I'm very disappointed.

Dear clothes,
   Any chance you'll wash yourselves tonight while I sleep? Hello? Bueller?

Dear Farmer's Market,
  Thank you for being as wonderful as I thought you would be last week. I'm hoping to repeat the experience tomorrow. White peaches here I come!!

Dear wonderful Mr S,
   Thank you for being who you are and what you are. I love you so much! Thank you for indulging my need to step into new territory for us - the farmers market. And thank you for getting just as hooked as I did.

This post brought to you by:

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Come share those letters you've always wanted to write but really couldn't!


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Nail Files - Week 32

Here we go again - my weekly adventure in DIY Manicures! I got bored and adventurous last night, and decided to do a reverse french. I've seen different tutorials that used the hole reinforcement rings you can buy at your local store that sells office supplies. So I thought I'd give it try:




It's a little sloppy, but I'm pretty impressed for my first try! The colors I used were Julep's Katie (from my July box) and China Glaze's Smoke and Ashes (from their Hunger Games colors that came out a few months ago).

For this lovely "show & tell" I've linked up with Tara and Vicki. Come see what everyone is doing and join in the fun!

Happy Friday!
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