My first crackle!

Good afternoon, my darling readers!  I know crackle polishes are no longer all the rage now, but I've been wanting to try them since I first saw them awhile back.  When I saw this for sale on Wishes of a Blue-Eyed Girl's blog sale here, I knew I had to get it and try it.  Since this is blue, I thought it would look pretty cool over the China Glaze Strawberry Fields I was already wearing.  This is 1 coat China Glaze Crushed Candy over CG Strawberry Fields, which is reviewed here.  I finished with 1 coat of Out the Door.

Without further ado, for your viewing pleasure:

I love the blue over the pink.  This is the truest as I could get the colors.

Even though crackle isn't as popular now as it was, I like the effect.

I'll definitely be using Crushed Candy again.

I know the trend has gone away from the crackle polishes, but I do like it and I've never really been a trend follower anyway as I pretty much march to the beat of my own drummer and always have.  Have you used a crackle polish in the past and how did you like it?  Do you still like to use crackle polishes even though the 'trend' is now over?

As always, thank you for spending a few minutes of your day with me!  Huggles!

Wanna walk through Strawberry Fields with me?

Good evening, my darling readers.  I must thank you all again for your patience with me.  We've had another  weather change that my body isn't coping well with.  I decided the heck with it and I'm going to try to at least do a few things I like doing to get my mind busy at least.  :0)

Today, I have a polish my hubby bought for me.  He is of the opinion that I have enough polish, but we can't ever have enough polish, can we?  ;<)  This one is China Glaze's Strawberry Fields.  It was in the display with the Breast Cancer Awareness stuff when I picked it up and I mistakenly thought it was one of that collection, but quickly realized my mistake once I got home and looked it up to see which polishes were included in that collection for this year and last.  I do like this color though, it isn't too pale and it isn't too dark.  It's more of a hot pink with a shimmer.  If it has shimmer or glitter, then it has my name ALL over it. *giggle*

Lately, I've been using a new base coat, Beauty Secret's Ridge Filler, because I've noticed several of my nails have developed ridges recently.  As I am no where to being a professional nail tech, I have absolutely no idea what causes ridges or why I've suddenly developed them, but I know I don't like them.  Some are just barely noticeable while others are quite ridged.  For this mani, I used 2 coats of the ridge filler, 2 coats of Strawberry Fields, and 1 coat Out the Door, the formula on this polish is very nice and went on without any difficulties.

Without further ado, for your viewing pleasure, the photo's:

Isn't she a pretty pink?

If you look just right, you might be able to see a hint of shimmer here.

The shimmer decided to be shy and hid from my camera in this shot.

I can see myself using this polish quite often in the future.  Do you have this polish and if so, do you like it?  If not, would you consider buying it?

As always, thank you for spending a few minutes with me this evening and I hope you come again soon!  Huggles!

A little history

Good Tuesday morning, my darling readers.  Today I have decided to share a bit of my story with you.  I suffer from a spinal cord disease called Arachnoiditis.  It's an inflammation of the nerves in the spinal canal.  I'm including a link here if you'd like to read more about it.  As a pain control option, I decided in 2003, to have an implant done called a Spinal Cord Stimulator or SCS, for short.  My first actual implant was done October 19, 2004 (our great nephew was born that day) and was a St Jude/ANS Genesis system (non-rechargeable).  It was supposed to last about 5 years.  Unfortunately, it didn't.  My 2nd system was implanted on January 16, 2007 (my hubby's birthday).  The system I have now is a St Jude/ANS Eon (rechargeable). You can read about the St Jude's/ANS systems here.

This past Thursday, I had an appointment with the company rep from St Jude to check and see approximately how much battery life is left on my system.  We can't get an exact reading but know we're getting close to it being at the end of life of the battery.  Unfortunately, after we were done checking everything out, I didn't realize my system was turned off until 3 am Sunday morning, but by then, I was in so much pain, I'd been in bed for over 24 hours because I could barely move.  Without my SCS, my pain becomes absolutely unbearable and even the smallest things become nearly impossible to do.  Just going from a sitting positing to a standing position was making me feel like I was dislocating both of my hips, even with pain medication.  Thankfully I finally realized the SCS was turned off and I got my remote and turned it back on.  It took a few hours to start feeling more human again.  Now I'm feeling much better and am finally functional again.

So now y'all know why I disappeared over the last few days.  And if I disappear in the future, it'll most likely be because I've had some kind of flare up that I've needed treatment for.  Which just reminded me, it was recommended at my last appointment that I have an injection done in my SI Joint, which my hubby and I have talked about and I decided I am going to do, so I will be off my feet for a couple days after I have it done, but since I'll know about that ahead of time, I can be prepared for it. :0)

I want to thank you all for your patience with me and to let you all know how wonderful I think you are!  This is a great community to be part of and I thank you all for accepting me into it.  I do have a nail post planned for later this afternoon, so keep your eyes open for it later today. :)  Have a great morning!

And as always, thank you for spending a few minutes with me this morning!  Huggles!

No H8: Let's Stop Hate in the Nail Blogging Community

Good early morning, my darling readers!  I'm standing today with my fellow nail bloggers in the movement to denounce hate in the nail community.  We're all wearing purple mani's, since that is the color chosen to represent the anti-bullying campaign.  As a child who was bullied, this is something I really feel strongly about since bullying is NOT okay.

Bullying is not funny. It is not cool. It is not right. And more importantly, it is not okay. 

Most of us are, thankfully, residents of countries that support tolerance and many of our families have settled in these places simply for that reason. Generations later, it is our responsibility to perpetuate that message of tolerance across our new social platforms, including the internet.

As members of the nail polish blogging community, we all share a love of beauty, color, and lacquer. Other than that, we are remarkably different: from our race to our religion to our hair color...even to our polish application techniques. To marginalize anyone because of those differences is completely unacceptable and today I take a stand against that. I refuse to allow other people's view of "normal" dictate how I behave, believe, and blog. 

You may recognize this from when I did my Chronic Pain mani because it is the same polish.  I will upload another photo of my current purple mani later today as it is currently 4:38 am and I really need to get myself to bed since I have a doctor's appointment in the morning.  I just had to post this before I could sleep though.

As always, thank you for stopping by to visit with me for a few minutes.  Have a good morning!  Huggles!

Bloggers Against Hate and Bullying!

1.	Amandalandish	84.	Ambibugs nails	167.	Gelic' nail art
2.	DeltaCephei.nl	85.	The Beauty Delicacy	168.	Nail Polish Goddess
3.	Cakepie	86.	Taneja's Bride	169.	Nails for the Sake of Sanity
4.	I Relish Nail Polish	87.	Lozlosa (Lisa Chakan)	170.	JenerallySpeaking
5.	Southern Sass and Sparkle	88.	The Ides of Polish	171.	Thoughts of Beauty
6.	Epitome of Feminine Allure	89.	Older Ladies Like Color Too	172.	Mimi Manicures
7.	Harajuku Girl FL Beauty	90.	My Beauty Dish	173.	iHeartPrettyPolish
8.	Claudia @ Nailingthis.com	91.	Crystaliciousss	174.	gl0ssy
9.	Beauty Info Zone	92.	esstur	175.	Nailed
10.	Peace Love and Glitter	93.	Dema Pixie	176.	Esmaltoterapia
11.	Leona Carolina	94.	Paperbacks and Polish	177.	Mimi's Mani's
12.	Cosmetics Aficionado	95.	LinvanT	178.	College Polished
13.	Pinked Polish	96.	PishPosh and Polish	179.	9ml Universe
14.	Fox Claws	97.	VWolfe	180.	osiris and loki paint their nails
15.	Nory from Fierce Makeup and Nails	98.	Packer Lacquer	181.	Nailspt
16.	Ishah x Beauty	99.	Supermaxxx	182.	Polished Peripherals
17.	Captivating Claws	100.	Sonya Parks	183.	Pink & Polished Nails
18.	Polish Ninja	101.	Imperfectly Painted	184.	Grape Fizz Nails
19.	ChiChi	102.	polish insomniac	185.	fashionpolish
20.	MakeUpMom123	103.	Karine's Vernis Club	186.	Yasmin
21.	Nailing it by mystie	104.	PrettyKittyClaws	187.	Kara (Never Gonna Give You Up)
22.	Meredith Anne	105.	embellished nails	188.	Lissa's Polish Addiction
23.	shortwidenails	106.	Its' All About the Polish	189.	polish cart
24.	Posh Nail Art	107.	Jen's Wonderland	190.	Elfleidy's Stuff
25.	Nailant	108.	Every Sensory	191.	Elena AiokaIemanja
26.	Lacquer Buzz	109.	Nothing But Nail Polish	192.	Partly Cloudy With a Chance of Lacquer
27.	llarowe.com	110.	StyleInspire.nl	193.	Mandy @ Chameleon Stampede
28.	Nails by Carol	111.	Hand-y Feats and Other Treats	194.	The Polished Bookworm
29.	Never Mind Suzi	112.	Go Polish Yourself	195.	Lit From Within (Nidia)
30.	Gatita's nail art	113.	Lydia's Nails	196.	Nailified
31.	Angel	114.	Menina	197.	Swatched Nails
32.	Kimpelling Beauty	115.	Pamela H	198.	dania
33.	Belessa	116.	Omg! Polish 'Em!	199.	Kimberly Williams
34.	Natasje.nl	117.	The Crumpet	200.	Life In Color!
35.	Marlevi	118.	Oooh, Shinies!	201.	Crystal's Crazy Combos
36.	Inky Whiskers	119.	The Sweet Escape	202.	Follow the Yellow Polish Road
37.	Nails by Ms. Lizard	120.	Lisa Nail Polish Creations	203.	3 Girls, 3 Mines and 3 Shades of Despair
38.	TheFabZilla	121.	The Lacquerologist	204.	Cuticle Pusher
39.	Lacquer Or Leave Her!	122.	Polished Grad	205.	Gorgeois
40.	Polarbelle	123.	Polish Etc.	206.	Patricia Knetzer
41.	nailsandstuff-shannara	124.	Abominable Attempts At Pretty Nails	207.	Chickettes
42.	Melanie's Fancies	125.	Polly Polish	208.	Janet Planet Nails
43.	Beauty by Miss L	126.	Lifes Little Blessings	209.	Sarah's Minnie Studio
44.	Neverland Nail Blog	127.	♥ KT world Music ~ Life ~ Beauty	210.	Patty Greenberg
45.	Lacky Corner	128.	NAIL ME	211.	MandysSecrets Part 2.. NO H8 FOTD
46.	Jen of Sweet Tips Nails	129.	Horcrux Nails	212.	Nailed It
47.	JennaFroggy	130.	Bunny Nails	213.	Men and Nail Polish
48.	GoingtotheShowing	131.	MandysSecrets	214.	Fab.Lush.Luxe
49.	Nailart-Addictions	132.	Lucy's Stash	215.	Tara's Nail Art & Polish
50.	Art Evolve	133.	ManicuredSlayer	216.	play polish :)
51.	Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom	134.	The Blahg	217.	Donner's Nails
52.	Moxie Reviews	135.	Polish Insomnia	218.	Nail FREAK
53.	Lacquered Lover	136.	The Daily Lacquerista	219.	Pamper with Polish
54.	The MakeUp Diary	137.	Sirantha's Nails	220.	Hooked On Polish
55.	Superficially Colorful	138.	a teachers secret nailblog	221.	Glamfiend
56.	A Ginger's Nail...	139.	Polish Pauper	222.	Lauryn Lofgren
57.	Beyond Beauty Lounge	140.	JanMLoves	223.	datyorkLOVES
58.	Beauty by Arielle	141.	Jennie	224.	Shenailigans!
59.	Lacquer Dreams	142.	Nailphotos by Lani	225.	MsPrickle
60.	MixedMama	143.	Nails done by a blimbo	226.	Didoline's Nails
61.	Nails Adored	144.	The Nail Adventure	227.	Kas at Varnished Valkyrie
62.	Red polish or bad polish	145.	NailsLikeLace	228.	femketje
63.	Sonya Parks	146.	Once Bitten Nails	229.	+10 Kapow
64.	SoFlaJo	147.	Just for fun	230.	Addicted To The Allure Of Beauty
65.	Andra Williams	148.	Nail Polish Wars	231.	baroqe fool
66.	Amber Did It!	149.	Jazz at Glitter Infatuation	232.	shine eye
67.	Kristina Masten	150.	The Colours in my World	233.	Mie Louise Joergensen
68.	Rebecca Likes Nails	151.	Nails N Stuff	234.	George from Varnished Valkyrie
69.	...And Then There Was Polish	152.	Ooooo Shiny!	235.	pippi 101 dingen in 1001 dagen
70.	EntirelyNails	153.	Nail Loopy	236.	Seriously Swatched
71.	Rin's Nail Files	154.	Sonoma Nail Art	237.	Lisanne blogt
72.	Spellbinding Nails	155.	nail crazy	238.	netballnails
73.	Sincerely Stephanie	156.	Danielle at Totally Nailed	239.	Lacquer Lockdown
74.	lovenailpolish for NO H8	157.	Annie	240.	http://www.zitzjvnoqg.com/
75.	Très Beau Glamour	158.	Natalia	241.	http://www.qqowaenybp.com/
76.	Beauty and Fashion Tech	159.	Oh! Look at my Nails	242.	http://www.zpjugpcunp.com/
77.	Myfashionality	160.	Cel	243.	http://www.gasuhrxrmw.com/
78.	MommyLovesNailPolish	161.	Saving the World One Nail at a Time	244.	http://www.udcfqjjgia.com/
79.	Painted Pixies	162.	Enigmatic Rambles	245.	http://www.megjussfcy.com/
80.	Erica's Nails and More	163.	ChrissyAi	246.	http://www.nmncfttgfw.com/
81.	NailpolishHeaven	164.	Glitter Me This	247.	http://www.drrrafcifs.com/
82.	Nail Craze with Dayze	165.	See Jodi Polish
83.	Makeup Chic, Literary Geek	166.	pretty tough nails

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

And now some more Different Dimensions

Good evening, my darling readers.  As you already know, I ♥ me some Different Dimensions polish!  I have two of her polishes to share with you this evening.

Since yesterday was Election Day and I got this polish when Missi had a promotion on her Facebook page a couple months ago, encouraging voter registration, I decided to wear the polish she sent me, which is called Right to Vote 2012.  Application of this polish is a dream.  It glided on smoothly and the glitter applied pretty evenly over the nail and I had no issue with any sticking up anywhere.  It has a slight hint of bluish grey to the base with white hexes and the glitter is red and blue.  This would also make a great 4th of July polish.  I used 1 coat of Beauty Secret ridge filler as my base and 4 coats Right to Vote with 1 coat of Out the Door to finish it off.

Without further ado, for your viewing enjoyment:

Look at those pretty blue & red glitters.

Can you see those white hexes too?

Overall, I think this was the perfect polish choice for Election Day, for me.  :0)

Up next, Red Room of Pain, after the jump.

Quickie post-UPDATED with photo's.

Good afternoon, my darling readers!  Just a quickie post for now.  I got nail mail today!  On Halloween, I won the Scariest Nail Bottle in the US Contest that Love Nail Polish held on her blog Addicted to OPI-yum.  The original prize was 4 glitter polishes to replace the 'scary' bottle that I entered.  For several days, other polishes were added to the prize kitty's (there were two prizes) until the first prize totaled 11 polishes and 2nd place totaled 9 polishes.  Well, I received my polishes today and am so excited!  I also received a handwritten note that will be going into my nail scrapbook and be treasured.  I'll update with photo's later tonight.

The box has arrived!

The first thing I saw when it arrived was this lovely hand written note. ♥ it!

What is that I see peeking at me?

All nestled in bubble wrap just waiting on me to unwrap them.

If you want to see what I received,  unwrapped, please click on read more to continue.

A Leopard Print FAIL!

Good afternoon, my darling readers.  I hope everyone is having an excellent Sunday!  I've spent the last several hours trying to get the mani I'm now working on just perfect and just been irritating myself.  All because this new 'coalition' of women who call themselves "Clean Up or Die" can't stand to look at messy manicures and it's made me extremely self-conscious now and feeling a bit unwelcome in the nail world.  Thankfully, I started my blog for myself and my friends and anyone else who happens to want to stop by and visit.  Those who are bothered by my clean-up methods don't have to stay and look at it, there is a little X at the top right hand of the screen up there, please place your cursor on it now and click your left mouse button to exit my blog now, thank you!  For those of you who are staying, thank you!  I appreciate your time and I appreciate you!

Now on to today's mani.  I tried, I really did, to do a leopard print and it was all going well, until I got to the part where I was supposed to do the outlining of the spots.  And then it all went wrong somehow.  Now it looks more like some kind of abstract art piece to me than leopard print, so if you want to consider it a sucess for abstract art, then that is good, but as a leopard print, it's not so good.

And now, for your not so good viewing pleasure, lol:  (I started with 1 coat of Beauty Secrets Ridge Filler as my base coat)

The base color, Wet n Wild, Megalast, Disturbia-2 coats.

The darker pink dots are China Glaze Strawberry Fields and the lighter pink dots are LA Colors, Color Craze, Summertime.  (I apologize for the white polish everywhere.  I didn't notice it until after I took the photo's.)

The white outline is Sally Hansen, Hard As Nails, Hard to Get.  I then topped everything off with 1 coat of inm Out The Door.

What do you think?  Is this a leopard print or does it look more like an abstract art project to you?

Thank you for stopping by to visit with me today and I hope you come again to see what tomorrow's mani will be.  Huggles!

My first attempt at nail art...for Halloween!

Good evening, my darling readers.  We had our trick or treat tonight.  Not as many treaters out tonight, thanks to the cold, wind, and rain so we had a bit of candy left.  It's also the first time in awhile that I didn't really dress up to pass out the goodies either.  Just didn't feel up to it.  I hope everyone else had a good evening.  I've been attending an online blog party being held by Addicted to OPI-yum on her blog and Twitter and have been having a blast!  She also announced the winners of her "Scariest Nail Polish Bottle in the USA" and I am the lucky first place winner!  What a surprise and honor!  This is the bottle that took first place.  

Scary looking bottle, isn't it?  The blog owner was so nice she decided to send all the entrants a prize.  Wasn't that sweet?

Halloween Nail Art after the jump