tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91738186552132412782024-03-14T04:20:14.073-04:0031 LacquersI've got that 31 Day Challenge on repeat.Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-68150163708849832672012-06-13T19:24:00.000-04:002012-06-13T19:24:26.138-04:00Day 17: GlitterGlitter polishes are my favorite. I couldn't decide which glitter polish to feature, so I'm giving you three!<br />
<br />
First is the very affordable L.A. Colors "Goddess." This polish surprised me; when I first bought it, I just knew it would be stupidly sheer and take a million coats. Wrong! "Goddess" is actually an opaque glitter! It's gorgeous, and it only cost me $1. This is two coats in the shade because the images I took in full sun didn't show the polish's true color.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iOIL1D7yS9o/T9keODUPUXI/AAAAAAAAAYk/epJjQtweAM8/s1600/glitter+-+la+colors+goddess.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iOIL1D7yS9o/T9keODUPUXI/AAAAAAAAAYk/epJjQtweAM8/s400/glitter+-+la+colors+goddess.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NGyR4wu4PKk/T9keI56KXHI/AAAAAAAAAYc/dP5ASO93bxI/s1600/glitter+-+la+colors+goddess+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NGyR4wu4PKk/T9keI56KXHI/AAAAAAAAAYc/dP5ASO93bxI/s400/glitter+-+la+colors+goddess+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Goddess" is a great summer polish. It's a light golden color with different sized glitter. Just look at those big ol' honkin' silver hex shapes in the bottle!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next is another inexpensive glitter: "Ants in My Pants" by Spoiled. This is one of the CVS exclusive polishes, and I'm 99% sure it's a dupe of Wet 'n' Wild's "Behind Closed Doors" from the limited edition Halloween 2011 collection, which I'm 99% sure was a dupe of a fancy Deborah Lippmann polish.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qIWO06va3oo/T9keFSnIrMI/AAAAAAAAAYE/GU0sfZri4pk/s1600/glitter+-+ants+in+pants+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qIWO06va3oo/T9keFSnIrMI/AAAAAAAAAYE/GU0sfZri4pk/s400/glitter+-+ants+in+pants+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6coF7i0jmI/T9kd9HIK8pI/AAAAAAAAAX8/KQxBihR-OiU/s1600/glitter+-+ants+in+pants+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6coF7i0jmI/T9kd9HIK8pI/AAAAAAAAAX8/KQxBihR-OiU/s400/glitter+-+ants+in+pants+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I took these photos at my Mom's house after doing yard work, so you can see some tip wear. Overall, though, the polish held up really well. And it is gorgeous. This is one coat over black. The only problem with this Spoiled polish, and with the other Spoiled glitters I own, is that the formula is so chunky it's like painting your nails with molasses. Don't care, though, because my crappy photos do not do this polish justice. "Ants in My Pants" is a sheer black jelly that is jam-packed with red hex glitter. ME GUSTA.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally, I have an expensive polish to show you: "Ruby Slipper" (yes, just one) by Del Sol. This is one of those color changing polishes, and of the several Del Sols I own, "Ruby Slipper" is by far the one that has the most dramatic color change.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are before and after pictures. The "before" was taken in the shade, and the "after" was taken out in full sun. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9wJegBkiEc/T9keGFD6wtI/AAAAAAAAAYM/9dX9U6H6SBE/s1600/glitter+-+del+sol+indoors.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9wJegBkiEc/T9keGFD6wtI/AAAAAAAAAYM/9dX9U6H6SBE/s400/glitter+-+del+sol+indoors.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xqBpZZ-Fh-A/T9keGosAx_I/AAAAAAAAAYU/lDeVQH1SzWE/s1600/glitter+-+del+sol+outside.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xqBpZZ-Fh-A/T9keGosAx_I/AAAAAAAAAYU/lDeVQH1SzWE/s400/glitter+-+del+sol+outside.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you go to the Del Sol web site, the demo bottle of "Ruby Slipper" they have is silver glitter that turns red. Mine, though, is gold glitter that turns red. I don't know if I got a dud or what, but I like the change from peachy gold to red. I liked it so much I made a daggone video of it and put it on YouTube! See?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7gldQTFvxjM?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh, by the way... I mentioned the last time I posted a blog entry (about a month ago!) that if I hit 50 followers, I'll do a giveaway. Well, despite the fact that I am the laziest blogger on the Internet, I have 51 followers! And I have prizes! I just need to get my junk organized. Stay tuned! ;)</div>Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-5885916934880323382012-05-22T20:52:00.000-04:002012-05-22T20:52:19.623-04:00Day 16: Tribal Print<div style="text-align: center;">
I had a hard time coming up with a design for this challenge. Here are two attempts at a tribal design.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V9FDHIe5ZbI/T7wzpj94-zI/AAAAAAAAAXY/y4SToTblEUU/s1600/tribal4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V9FDHIe5ZbI/T7wzpj94-zI/AAAAAAAAAXY/y4SToTblEUU/s320/tribal4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The above design was created using a grey base color and some cheap-o water decals I got at Dollar Tree. It wasn't really "tribal" enough for me, so here's what I tried next:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbBLFYk1wew/T7wz4mpO12I/AAAAAAAAAXo/JinVCAbcwnE/s1600/tribal3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sbBLFYk1wew/T7wz4mpO12I/AAAAAAAAAXo/JinVCAbcwnE/s320/tribal3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1L8kJwgX1qA/T7wz4JCEB3I/AAAAAAAAAXg/O-t0K5LPhyE/s1600/tribal2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1L8kJwgX1qA/T7wz4JCEB3I/AAAAAAAAAXg/O-t0K5LPhyE/s320/tribal2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This design is more "tribally," but I still didn't like it. Anyway, the inspiration is from a YouTube video by an overly chipper young woman.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aZNA_2rPAog?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-79015380284807691352012-05-07T21:44:00.001-04:002012-05-07T21:44:08.293-04:00Day 15: Delicate PrintI am not a delicate person. These nails are not delicate, either. However, this is as close as I could get at the time. <div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vNKO8yMeOOg/T6h6FuZLiAI/AAAAAAAAAXE/FekxN7waD88/s1600/delicate+nails+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vNKO8yMeOOg/T6h6FuZLiAI/AAAAAAAAAXE/FekxN7waD88/s320/delicate+nails+2.JPG" width="313" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sTASCzraQic/T6h6GMgtbFI/AAAAAAAAAXM/Ewn1r0WEUbY/s1600/delicate+nails+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sTASCzraQic/T6h6GMgtbFI/AAAAAAAAAXM/Ewn1r0WEUbY/s320/delicate+nails+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The color is really shitty in both of these photos, and I can't remember which polish I used. My bad.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-26555463078280296102012-05-07T21:41:00.001-04:002012-05-07T21:41:16.473-04:00Day 14: FlowersI hate both of these manicures, but I'm trying to get caught up, so here ya go. Day 14 is supposed to be flowers. Here are two very lame attempts from mid-March.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dAlAIKvfV8w/T6h5avmpD9I/AAAAAAAAAW0/nRn7V035VcU/s1600/flowers-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dAlAIKvfV8w/T6h5avmpD9I/AAAAAAAAAW0/nRn7V035VcU/s400/flowers-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e1y3K9kjozg/T6h5bP8VVfI/AAAAAAAAAW8/5svoQr2TVMM/s1600/flowers-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e1y3K9kjozg/T6h5bP8VVfI/AAAAAAAAAW8/5svoQr2TVMM/s400/flowers-2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
NO ME GUSTAN. =(</div>
<br />Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-73574882374756814132012-04-15T17:00:00.000-04:002012-04-15T17:08:34.959-04:00Not Nail Polish: I got left behind.I'm finishing up my penultimate semester in my MA program in TESOL and Applied Linguistics, so on Friday, I figured it was about time to get my fat ass to the library to do some much-needed reading for my final projects. I got to the library around 12:30 p.m. and went up to the 3rd floor of O'Kelly Library at Winston-Salem State University. My first thought was, "Huh, it's kinda <i>dim </i>up here." They must have switched to using motion sensors to save on electricity because the lights came back on all the way as I walked around. Anyway, I picked out a private study room and pulled out all my crap from my book bag... laptop, cables, mouse, two big ol' honkin' binders, snacks, etc.<br />
<br />
Time flies when you're reading about MMORPGs, gaming, communities of practice, and forum posting, so around 4:30 p.m., I went out for a smokey treat and to stretch my legs. Then back to the study room I went, setting my iPhone's alarm for 7 p.m. That time comes and goes, so I set the alarm for one more hour; I figure that way I'll have time to check out the books I need and get to the shuttle parking lot and home before Rajiv gets home from work at a little after 9 p.m.<br />
<br />
So, 8 o'clock rolls around, and I pack up all my junk again... laptop, binders, books on virtual communities.... As I leave the study room, again I think, "Man, it's really dim in here," but no worries. I head down to the 2nd floor to pick up a few papers from the printer queue, and then I realize, "Shit, it's not just dim. It's fucking DARK in here."<br />
<br />
Apparently, I got left behind.<br />
<br />
Come to find out, the goddamn library closes at 6 p.m. on Friday nights.<br />
<br />
I'd been alone in the library for almost 3 hours.<br />
<br />
The shuttles stop running at 9 p.m.<br />
<br />
FUCK ME UP THE ASSHOLE.<br />
<br />
I did see a little movement on the first floor, but I don't think that cleaning lady saw me. I used the self checkout machine thingie to get my two books, and if anyone from O'Kelly is wondering how I managed to check out books at 8:54 p.m. on a Friday night it's because YOU MOTHERFUCKERS LEFT ME ALONE IN THE SCARY ASS LIBRARY ALL BY MYSELF FOR ALMOST 3 HOURS!<br />
<br />
I could have died up there.<br />
<br />
Then, to make matters worse, the stupid shuttle had already looped past the library stop, so I ended up calling the daggone campus police to come get me. See, the shuttle lot is Lot FF, which I realized Friday is code for FUCKING FAR (see map below). And WSSU has a <i>serious</i> problem with keeping the campus well lit (and they wonder why <a href="http://www.wssu.edu/administration/campus-police/police-reports.aspx" target="_blank">there's so much crime on campus</a>), and there was no way in hell I was walking my admittedly fat ass about a mile up the road in the spooky dark carrying a full backpack. Uh uh.<br />
<br />
So, a really nice lady answers the phone with campus police, and she sent a cop over to help me. Campus police was actually really good about helping me out Friday, so big ups to them.<br />
<br />
And yes, I told the cop that I was left alone in the library, and that I was scared to walk across campus because it's too damn dark. He agreed with me.<br />
<br />
MORAL OF THE STORY: Don't go to the library alone. Ever.<br />
<br />
Fuck you, library. Fuuuuuuck youuuuuu.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
According to Google maps, it's about 0.9 miles from the library (A) to shuttle lot FF (B). Zoom out to see the letters. Doesn't look too bad when you see it from satellite during the day, but at night, this shit is spooky dark. Like, setting for a horror movie dark. Seriously.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="450" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Wssu+Dr,+Winston-Salem+State+University,+Winston-Salem,+NC+27110&daddr=36.08122,-80.221071&hl=en&geocode=FSSwJgIdv9s3-ylfB-4W-q5TiDFb1yXHyV2HOA%3BFUSOJgIdcew3-w&sll=36.081147,-80.22061&sspn=0.001268,0.002411&t=h&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=36.08556,-80.22371&spn=0.00866,0.00648&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Wssu+Dr,+Winston-Salem+State+University,+Winston-Salem,+NC+27110&daddr=36.08122,-80.221071&hl=en&geocode=FSSwJgIdv9s3-ylfB-4W-q5TiDFb1yXHyV2HOA%3BFUSOJgIdcew3-w&sll=36.081147,-80.22061&sspn=0.001268,0.002411&t=h&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&ll=36.08556,-80.22371&spn=0.00866,0.00648" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>
</center>Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-6745718246172182072012-03-26T19:56:00.001-04:002012-03-26T19:57:35.962-04:00Day 13: Animal Print NailsHey, y'all. I'm back.<br />
<br />
This is a manicure from the end of January for my Day 13: Animal Print Nails. I found these awesome Kiss Stick-On Nail Strips at Dollar General for just $3. They work infinitely better than those piece of shit Duracolour ones.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UEgKdx9uLIc/T3EBGBg-8rI/AAAAAAAAAUE/Hh23UTbX5NA/s1600/kiss-stick-on-strips-front.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UEgKdx9uLIc/T3EBGBg-8rI/AAAAAAAAAUE/Hh23UTbX5NA/s320/kiss-stick-on-strips-front.JPG" width="256" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6rRhTOLUgRM/T3EBFMpSnsI/AAAAAAAAAT8/s72zakab8Bs/s1600/kiss-stick-on-strips-back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6rRhTOLUgRM/T3EBFMpSnsI/AAAAAAAAAT8/s72zakab8Bs/s320/kiss-stick-on-strips-back.JPG" width="251" /></a><br />
<br />
There are 18 stickers in each package. I think these are version 1.0 of the nail dress stickers that a bunch of bloggers got in their Voxbox from Influenster. I won a set of those, the version 2.0 ones, from Kiss's Facebook page. ;) Those come in a plastic box package and have 28 stickers plus a little booklet of ideas.<br />
<br />
Anyway, here are the pink zebra stripes on my nails. They only lasted a few days for me because I didn't use any top coat and because I kept picking at them. Since my nails are so short, it was hard to get the edges cut properly. I trimmed them with scissors before applying them, which helped some, but filing the ends down was tough.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ACJDnxuHwIU/T3EBCAaN5AI/AAAAAAAAATk/ITaixXxmP9o/s1600/kiss-stick-on-strips-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ACJDnxuHwIU/T3EBCAaN5AI/AAAAAAAAATk/ITaixXxmP9o/s400/kiss-stick-on-strips-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfywBq4ud_U/T3EBC38icQI/AAAAAAAAATs/exi_exGy9Xo/s1600/kiss-stick-on-strips-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfywBq4ud_U/T3EBC38icQI/AAAAAAAAATs/exi_exGy9Xo/s400/kiss-stick-on-strips-2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YIb2LcxU7FU/T3EBDpIfHAI/AAAAAAAAAT0/-Os5XsBLZ8E/s1600/kiss-stick-on-strips-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YIb2LcxU7FU/T3EBDpIfHAI/AAAAAAAAAT0/-Os5XsBLZ8E/s400/kiss-stick-on-strips-3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The benefit of having short nails, though, is that I have enough of these stickers left for another manicure, and maybe even a pedicure. Wheee!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Have you seen this version 1.0 of the Kiss nail stickers? Have you tried these or the other version yet?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com5Winston-Salem, NC 27103, USA36.0564654 -80.332451436.0051179 -80.4114154 36.1078129 -80.2534874tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-8704889555579163362012-02-20T14:23:00.002-05:002012-02-20T14:23:53.945-05:00Not Nail Polish: Language & SmokingI've been wanting to post something about my Dad and then get back to nail polish, but first, I want to say a few words about the language used in regards to smokers.<br />
<br />
1. I have smoked off and on since I was a teenager; I'm 36 now, so I've smoked a lot. (At one job, e.g., we took so many smoke breaks that I have no idea how we got any work done.)<br />
<br />
2. I've smoked unfiltered Luckies, Camel Lighrts, Salem Lights, Winstons, Marlboro Reds, Marlboro special blend, Newports, and off-brand cheap smokes, but I always come back to Camels. They don't burn out as fast, and they taste better to me. And I found out this weekend that my maternal grandfather used to smoke them; his wife smoked Luckies, and that's who I stole my first cigarette from. They also used to sharecrop tobacco, so I often joke that I'm just following in tradition and supporting the (failing) local economy.<br />
<br />
3. People who don't want you to smoke don't really do anything about it because they don't want to offend anybody, which leads me to the following examples:<br />
<br />
<br /><br />
1. At the hospital in Danville, there are countless signs proclaiming the hospital campus as a no smoking zone. This makes sense since it's a hospital. However, I only had <u>one</u> encounter during the entire 8 days I was up there with Daddy where someone actually asked me to move off hospital property. It was raining and gross outside the first weekend we were there, so my Uncle Harold and Aunt Bertha and I would hang out near the door with a few other smokers, huddling under the entrance awning to stay out of the rain. <u>Only one security guard</u> had the balls to tell us to move, so even though she got on my nerves, kudos to the chunky black security guard lady for actually enforcing rules. Other people would exit the hospital (and this always happened during off hours, not during the middle of the day when patients were coming in) and then mutter under their breath or gesture about us smokers as they walked away. Not a single one of them stopped to say anything to us, despite my overly loud taunting of someone to say something to my face, and the occasionally muttering of "Feeling froggy, motherfucker? Then jump."<br />
<br />
2. I'm in graduate school at Winston-Salem State University, which has a "no smoking within 100 feet of any campus building" rule. Like the hospital, though, no one enforces this rule. I've been outside smoking lots of times, but today is the first time anyone actually said anything to me. "You do know that you can't smoke within 100 feet of campus buildings, right?" she said. "Yes," I replied with a smile. Of course I know this. There are signs all over the place. But did she ask me to move? Nope. Did she ask me to put out the cigarette? Nope. She just said that I could get a ticket for smoking too close to the buildings. Big deal, thought I. Bring on your stupid useless tickets.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Moral of the story:</u></strong><br />
<br />
If you are a non-smoker or someone who is a stickler for rules, and you catch someone smoking where they shouldn't be smoking, don't be a pussy. <strong><u>Tell the smoker that they need to move.</u></strong> Don't just mitigate your speech by framing your anti-smoking comment as a question. Fuck your questions. If you want to change someone's behavior, try asking the smoker(s) nicely to move to another location. I was outside with my Saudi Arabian friend, and I told her that if the woman had actually asked me to move -- instead of being borderline passive-aggressive about it -- I would have gladly moved away from the building. Just asking me a rhetorical question isn't going to cut it, and I'm pretty sure other smokers agree with my way of thinking. <br />
<br />
A rule is only a rule if you have the cajones to enforce it.Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-48072115795995310842012-02-12T00:54:00.000-05:002012-02-12T00:54:48.201-05:00My Dad Died =(<a href="http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/godanriver/obituary.aspx?n=henry-thomas-pettigrew&pid=155832973">Henry Thomas Pettigrew Jr. Obituary: View Henry Pettigrew's Obituary by Danville and Rockingham County</a>:<br /><br /><a style="font-size:13px" href="https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pengoopmcjnbflcjbmoeodbmoflcgjlk">'via Blog this'</a>Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-73193632627404677402012-02-01T14:56:00.002-05:002012-02-01T14:56:30.491-05:00Update that's not really an updateWhy, hello there, Dear Reader. Fancy meeting you here. I know I've been away a while, so let me do some 'splainin...<br />
<br />
1. My dad is dying of cancer. Big deal, you think, everybody's dying of something. Well, fuck you, this is MY dad I'm talking about, not some random homeless person. He's in Stage 4 of renal cell carcinoma, and after a decade of being in remission, the cancer came back hard core last fall and is pretty much kicking my dad's ass. My mom is out on FMLA leave, and we're down to counting the weeks, if not days, Daddy will still be with us. Needless to say, I haven't been very motivated to do anything, much less paint my nails, which is a bitch because I really, really want to make this blog successful. I've been spending the days in between my graduate classes at my parents' house, and I've brought nail polish with me, but when I get up there, I have to do so much caretaking that I just don't have time to paint my nails.<br />
<br />
2. I have a shit ton of research to do this semester. I am determined to finish my TESOL master's program in May so I can finally get a job. I've been unemployed for more than three years now due to budget cuts (who needs a history teacher who can't coach?), and I'm about to go crazy with boredom and guilt that I'm not contributing financially and relying totally on my husband.<br />
<br />
3. I seriously need to clean the apartment. We are living in the smallest place I've ever lived in, and I brought decades of accumulated crap into my marriage, crap that is threatening to take over our 950 square feet of living space -- and this is after some SERIOUS reduction in the amount of junk I own. I've gotten rid of 99% of my paper scrapbooking and crafty junk, as well as lots of old holiday decorations. I even donated more than half the books I used to own, but I've still got way too much shit. Part of me wants to throw it all away, but then another part is like, That's just stupid because the stuff you've got left is education-related junk you can use if you ever get another teaching job. Rajiv (my husband) says trash it and promises to buy new stuff if/when I need it, but it's hard to just get rid of hundreds of dollars worth of ancillary teaching materials, as well as materials I created during my seven years in the classroom.<br />
<br />
So, those are the top three reasons my poor little blog is being neglected. I do have some new nail polish stuff to share with you (awesome eBay haul, Spoiled glitter swatches, nail strips that actually work), but they'll have to wait a few more days.<br />
<br />
See you soon.Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-52802081511893558862012-01-20T14:42:00.000-05:002012-01-20T14:42:06.073-05:00Nail Fail: Nailene Duracolour Nail StripsMy local Dollar Tree had several different styles of the Nailene Duracolour Nail Strips for sale back during the summer, so of course I stocked up. I'd been thinking about trying the Sally Hansen nail strips, but they are way too expensive. I figure this would be a cheap alternative, and even if they didn't work, I'd only be out a dollar. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here's a shot of the package and one of the strips on my left thumb:<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NV47YJHgGFM/TxnBgUxFc7I/AAAAAAAAARQ/W2XURS9F38s/s1600/Nailene_Duracolor_Nail_Strips_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NV47YJHgGFM/TxnBgUxFc7I/AAAAAAAAARQ/W2XURS9F38s/s400/Nailene_Duracolor_Nail_Strips_1.JPG" width="293" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Anyway, this is #77650, which is a lovely red color. The package contains 36 strips in 18 different sizes. However, when I applied these full-nail stickers to my nails, look what happened:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJl_pzpRn68/TxnCIbgOuyI/AAAAAAAAARY/9EaQy94Mo2o/s1600/Nailene_Duracolor_Nail_Strips_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJl_pzpRn68/TxnCIbgOuyI/AAAAAAAAARY/9EaQy94Mo2o/s400/Nailene_Duracolor_Nail_Strips_2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Apparently, my nails are shaped like marbles. I never noticed how round they are until I started putting these nail strips on. What a big ol' mess. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's a shot of my right hand:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8F8F6BkgX08/TxnChu_nYfI/AAAAAAAAARg/gk8zXdKc8WQ/s1600/Nailene_Duracolor_Nail_Strips_4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8F8F6BkgX08/TxnChu_nYfI/AAAAAAAAARg/gk8zXdKc8WQ/s400/Nailene_Duracolor_Nail_Strips_4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I only wore these a few hours but look at the damage. Maybe my nails are too short for these nail strips. Or maybe they have too much curve. Or maybe these Nailene strips are just crappy and "real" Sally Hansen ones would work better. No clue. All I know is that I have way too many packages of these nail strips, so I do believe I'll be hosting a giveaway soon to get rid of them. ;)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0URhhB1U3zE/TxnDJAnRnMI/AAAAAAAAARo/EPOKYZkgnzI/s1600/Nailene_Duracolor_Nail_Strips_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0URhhB1U3zE/TxnDJAnRnMI/AAAAAAAAARo/EPOKYZkgnzI/s400/Nailene_Duracolor_Nail_Strips_3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
</div>Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-1709575060860723972012-01-19T22:56:00.001-05:002012-01-19T22:56:46.196-05:00Day 12: Stripes - Color Club: Cold Metal and Silver IciclesA lot has happened in the past week.<br />
<br />
My dad, who is in Stage 4 of renal cell carcinoma, has gotten a lot worse. I was at my parents' house last Saturday, planning to just hang out with my mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, and nephew. Unfortunately, when the home health care nurse came to assess my dad, his blood pressure was WAY too low, and he had some other complications as well. We had to take him to the ER Saturday night, just a few hours after I painted my nails. The manicure is messier than normal because my two-year-old nephew just <i>had</i> to help his Aunt Tonya paint her nails. I actually let him try to paint my pinkie nail with the base coat, but I ended up with clear polish all over my finger. Then when we were at the hospital, I had to entertain my nephew, who kept whining about finding the damn basement at the hospital. I was like that tour guide from <i>Pee-Wee's Big Adventure</i>: "There's no basement at the Alamo!" Instead, we rode the elevators about a dozen times while my mom and the rest of the family helped get daddy registered in the ER.<br />
<br />
Anyway, here is Color Club's "Cold Metal," a vibrant blue from the Foiled collection. This is just one coat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1sgWw7JWofk/TxjkPeOSf-I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/-NDxYZTBXV8/s1600/Color_Club_Cold_Metal_blue_Foiled_collection.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1sgWw7JWofk/TxjkPeOSf-I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/-NDxYZTBXV8/s400/Color_Club_Cold_Metal_blue_Foiled_collection.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Stupid me forgot to bring my nail polish remover with me to my parents' house, so I'm a little Smurfy around the cuticles.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next, I used two silver polishes to create stripes, but I didn't want to do a traditional stripe design. Instead, I drew lines of different lengths to create the illusion of icicles. I used the brush from the Art Deco silver glitter dipped in Wet n Wild's "Silvivor" to draw the lines. Then I added a little of the silver glitter for a bit of added bling.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4QDxxfSPv0/TxjkvG7mJ_I/AAAAAAAAARA/6LBdUumK_4U/s1600/Color_Club_Cold_Metal_blue_Foiled_collection_stripes1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4QDxxfSPv0/TxjkvG7mJ_I/AAAAAAAAARA/6LBdUumK_4U/s400/Color_Club_Cold_Metal_blue_Foiled_collection_stripes1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KQv31hvdKrM/TxjkwIZMOHI/AAAAAAAAARI/SerEkOHccc8/s1600/Color_Club_Cold_Metal_blue_Foiled_collection_stripes2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KQv31hvdKrM/TxjkwIZMOHI/AAAAAAAAARI/SerEkOHccc8/s400/Color_Club_Cold_Metal_blue_Foiled_collection_stripes2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, that's it for stripes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-37496730554908452142012-01-13T22:59:00.000-05:002012-01-13T23:01:49.635-05:00Valentine Kisses: The Valentine Kisses January 2012 Mega Giveaway! Win 65 Items!!!At first I was like, "Valentine Kisses"? Seriously? But then I checked out her profile page, and her maiden name is Valentine, so I overcame the cuteness and took a look around. ;)<br />
<br />
You've got to see this giveaway package to believe it. Over 65 items! Good luck.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://xoxovalentinekissesxoxo.blogspot.com/2012/01/valentine-kisses-january-2012-mega.html">Valentine Kisses: The Valentine Kisses January 2012 Mega Giveaway! Win 65 Items!!!</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-weu0u-6Oic0/TwtrXP4SkjI/AAAAAAAAJyM/yi4hduPadZ4/s1600/January2012Giveaway_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-weu0u-6Oic0/TwtrXP4SkjI/AAAAAAAAJyM/yi4hduPadZ4/s400/January2012Giveaway_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-19290145583123052882012-01-12T22:43:00.001-05:002012-01-12T22:56:01.087-05:00Day 11: Polka Dot Nails - Confetti: Belle of the Ball, Color Club: New Bohemian, NYC: French White TipI kept trying to think of what to do for my polka dot nails. Pink with black dots? Red with white dots? Hmm... Then I looked down at my feet:<br />
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2zemYFUZUvU/Tw-o125hwkI/AAAAAAAAAQA/7CUybChoOws/s1600/polka-dots-socks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2zemYFUZUvU/Tw-o125hwkI/AAAAAAAAAQA/7CUybChoOws/s400/polka-dots-socks.JPG" width="397" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
DUH. These socks are amazing. They keep my feet warm and cozy without making my feet feel too hot or sweaty. Luckily, I had just received an eBay haul with the perfect purple color for the base: "Belle of the Ball" by Confetti. I used a dotting tool to apply "New Bohemian" by Color Club for the blueish-teal dots on all my nails, then added white dots to my ring fingers and thumbs for accents. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8nSgwDEBW0Q/Tw-pTLpbaiI/AAAAAAAAAQI/CjuZ4Qz39mw/s1600/polka-dots-Confetti-Belle-of-the-Ball-no-dots.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8nSgwDEBW0Q/Tw-pTLpbaiI/AAAAAAAAAQI/CjuZ4Qz39mw/s400/polka-dots-Confetti-Belle-of-the-Ball-no-dots.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hey, look! That's my right hand! Here's another view of "Belle of the Ball" on its own, back in my left non-dominant hand:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ENEnAZ7MIdg/Tw-pdq1nurI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/HCFF9zXM1H4/s1600/polka-dots-Confetti-Belle-of-the-Ball-left-hand-no-dots.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ENEnAZ7MIdg/Tw-pdq1nurI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/HCFF9zXM1H4/s400/polka-dots-Confetti-Belle-of-the-Ball-left-hand-no-dots.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And here's the finished product with the cute little polka dots:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ei2hf94Gao8/Tw-pqQ5189I/AAAAAAAAAQY/A6eWmHReRSA/s1600/polka-dots-all-three-bottles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ei2hf94Gao8/Tw-pqQ5189I/AAAAAAAAAQY/A6eWmHReRSA/s400/polka-dots-all-three-bottles.JPG" width="341" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I should have added a few more white dots on my ring finger. Oh, well. Here's another view of the dottiness:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BJDGenxoC0M/Tw-p2oQsl1I/AAAAAAAAAQg/X-iMpaoEGVk/s1600/polka-dots-nails-no-bottles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BJDGenxoC0M/Tw-p2oQsl1I/AAAAAAAAAQg/X-iMpaoEGVk/s400/polka-dots-nails-no-bottles.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The color is a bit better in this shot. Overall, I was very pleased with how well the polishes matched my socks. The colors were almost exact matches! And I received several compliments on the cuteness of these nails -- including from the cashier at a store I visited today! My friend Noura told the woman that I have a nail blog, and the cashier asked for the web address! I hope she (and you!) become an official follower using Google Friend Connect. I've got some new goodies I'm keeping for a 50 followers giveaway. Now I just need 50 followers! ;)</div>
</div>Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-37226694560927615312012-01-09T20:33:00.000-05:002012-01-09T20:38:38.756-05:00Hauls: Two great deals from eBayI have a confession to make: I'm addicted to eBay.<br />
<br />
My husband always falls asleep before I do, so I wait until I hear him snoring, and then, BAM! I open up the eBay app on my iPhone and start shopping! This is probably not a good habit, since I already have too many nail polishes and other random crap, but I can't help it. I haven't gotten to the point of needing an intervention or an episode of "Hoarders" yet, so I think I'm doing OK.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway, I have two hauls to share with you today from my late-night eBay sessions. Basically, I don't bid on nail polish unless (1) it's extremely cheap or (2) contains one of my long-time lemmings. In November, I found a deal by eBay seller "sexytrxy" for a damaged lot of Wet n Wild polishes. From the pictures and my communication with her, the polishes worked fine; they just had polish on them from other bottles. I bid on them, and won the auction for just $1.04. Shipping was $4.99, so I ended up with 10 Wet n Wild polishes for just $6.03!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3hX2VTsI-Kc/TwuRr_-DziI/AAAAAAAAAPo/9BiSUioM44s/s1600/wet-n-wild-ebay-haul-from-sexytrxy-seller.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3hX2VTsI-Kc/TwuRr_-DziI/AAAAAAAAAPo/9BiSUioM44s/s640/wet-n-wild-ebay-haul-from-sexytrxy-seller.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This auction lot included "Limitless," "Flirty Rose Creme," "Femme Fatale," "Deep Wine," "Nail Fortifier," "Heart's Desire," "Inferno," and "Jade," as well as two unnamed polishes. I didn't have any of these colors, so I was happy to get them for about 60 cents a bottle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
More recently, I found an eBay deal for a collection of 12 polishes from different brands. At first, I was like, "Meh, I don't really need these," but I noticed a little gem in the picture from eBay seller "eskimooz":</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8npo6EbPbww/TwuTXxWtFhI/AAAAAAAAAPw/W4SX2cf5u2Q/s1600/essie-in-auction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8npo6EbPbww/TwuTXxWtFhI/AAAAAAAAAPw/W4SX2cf5u2Q/s320/essie-in-auction.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yup! Tucked in between a $1 Art Deco polish and a mid-price CG polish was "Ruby Slippers" by Essie! This is one of my top lemming polishes, so I just HAD to bid on this auction! Luckily for me, I was able to get this auction lot for just $7.99 plus $5 shipping. That means I got my "Ruby Slippers" and 11 other nail polishes, including 2 Sally Hansen Xtreme Wears, for just $12.63. Again, I got a dozen polishes for about a buck each! Woohoo!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's what I got in this second eBay haul:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTqZrdmIrTc/TwuUBALLyDI/AAAAAAAAAP4/znroGvyMbpI/s1600/ebay-haul-from-eskimooz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="608" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WTqZrdmIrTc/TwuUBALLyDI/AAAAAAAAAP4/znroGvyMbpI/s640/ebay-haul-from-eskimooz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I received two Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear polishes in "Going Green" and "Twisted Pink;" L.A. Colors' "Rainbow Glitter;" Cover Girl Continuous Color "Copper-cino;" my first Confetti polish in "Belle of the Ball;" my first LaRosa polish, a crackle in "Hot Orange;" L.A. Colors Art Deco striping polish in "Bright Orange;" two more N.Y.C. polishes in "French White Tip" and "Empire State Blue;" my first two Shades of the Seasons polishes in "Black" and "Yellow;" and my first Essie polish, the fantabulous "Ruby Slippers." AWESOMESAUCE!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've got another eBay haul coming from an auction I won this morning, and I think I can finally say that I don't need to stalk eBay for rare OPIs... I can't wait to share the results from that haul with you! If you've read my other blog posts, you should be able to guess which VHTF OPI I've finally acquired! Wooohooo!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Can't wait for the mail to come! ;)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-16498001072215795592012-01-09T19:34:00.000-05:002012-01-09T19:34:16.201-05:00Day 10: Gradient - Color Club "Shabby Drab" and "Rad Nomad"My inspiration for this gradient manicure is an ornamental cabbage that my parents have. It looked like this back at Thanksgiving:
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_LCzEC36t_E/TwuFf0sIawI/AAAAAAAAAPI/vf92uYwJk4g/s1600/inspiration_gradient_ornamental_cabbage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_LCzEC36t_E/TwuFf0sIawI/AAAAAAAAAPI/vf92uYwJk4g/s320/inspiration_gradient_ornamental_cabbage.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now that it's January, though, the purple has faded deeper into the green, so the plant is almost totally purple even though there is still a hint of green. When I tried to recreate this gradient on my nails, though, I couldn't get the shading right. Here's what the first attempt looked like:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PdWWEPt7HNM/TwuF3r6y7hI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/TUacKeczyJg/s1600/gradient_Color_Club_ShabbyDrab_and_RadNomad_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PdWWEPt7HNM/TwuF3r6y7hI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/TUacKeczyJg/s400/gradient_Color_Club_ShabbyDrab_and_RadNomad_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This photo was taken at dusk with a flash, but you can still see how pretty the purple leaves of the cabbage look. I started with a layer of Color Club's "Rad Nomad," a dark lavender from the Back to Boho collection, and then sponged on some OPI "Green-wich Village" at the base of my nails. I then sponged on some Color Club "Shabby Drab," a lighter lavender from the Back to Boho collection, and then more of the "Rad Nomad" at the tips. I wasn't happy with how the gradient looked, so I stippled on some no-name glitter mixture from that Pretty Woman set I got for Christmas. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I re-did this design a couple of days later, but I think it looks worse than my first attempt:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F_7yHCB3NFs/TwuGm2bLDlI/AAAAAAAAAPY/IIT0NLGYMLE/s1600/gradient_Color_Club_ShabbyDrab_and_RadNomad_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F_7yHCB3NFs/TwuGm2bLDlI/AAAAAAAAAPY/IIT0NLGYMLE/s400/gradient_Color_Club_ShabbyDrab_and_RadNomad_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4XZh90s-FLc/TwuGnve_zwI/AAAAAAAAAPg/hk6cvdRXLY0/s1600/gradient_Color_Club_ShabbyDrab_and_RadNomad_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4XZh90s-FLc/TwuGnve_zwI/AAAAAAAAAPg/hk6cvdRXLY0/s400/gradient_Color_Club_ShabbyDrab_and_RadNomad_3.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I left off the green and the glitter and tried to fade the lighter "Shabby Drab" base into the darker "Rad Nomad" on the tips. Maybe I should have used different colors because I still don't like the end result.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What do you think? I had a hard time getting my gradient to "gradiate." Do you have this problem, too?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-44356590729572418982012-01-01T18:21:00.001-05:002012-01-09T19:34:35.951-05:00Day 9: Rainbow - Nyan Cat!Since y'all don't know me in real life, you probably aren't aware that there are two things I really enjoy: random internet stuff and kitty cats. So when I happened upon <a href="http://www.prguitarman.com/" target="_blank">Nyan Cat</a>, it was a match made in heaven!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5pLnC0uNBfk/TwDkfiYJ1jI/AAAAAAAAAOE/EUf4gL_XR4U/s1600/poptarticon.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5pLnC0uNBfk/TwDkfiYJ1jI/AAAAAAAAAOE/EUf4gL_XR4U/s1600/poptarticon.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
I knew I had to do a Nyan Cat design for the first rainbow challenge, but I had no idea it would be as difficult as it was. The final manicure ended up being a hot mess, which was a shame because I really wanted to wear this for a few days. Instead, the stupid thing ended up peeling off my nails the very next day.<br />
<br />
Here's what I did. First, I used my Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen in white to dot out the areas for the rainbow to make sure I had enough room for all the colors. I also drew in an area for the cat, but instead of drawing him like <a href="http://youtu.be/E0dqgXVU6wA" target="_blank">Cute Polish</a> or <a href="http://youtu.be/GBVqXAgeGkE" target="_blank">Professional DQ</a> and others have, I turned the kitty on its head. ;)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gkLcnLwNYHM/TwDlRnnWFrI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/QE-pfGo3OpI/s1600/nyan_cat_rainbow_colors2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gkLcnLwNYHM/TwDlRnnWFrI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/QE-pfGo3OpI/s400/nyan_cat_rainbow_colors2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Unfortunately, I kept messing up the Pop Tart so I ended up removing the outline. I moved on to the rainbows. I used the following colors:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Red ~ OPI: Color So Hot It Berns</li>
<li>Orange ~ Wet n Wild: Everybody Loves Redmond</li>
<li>Yellow ~ Fake OPI I got from an eBay seller</li>
<li>Green ~ Another fake OPI I got from that same crappy eBay seller</li>
<li>Blue ~ L.A. Colors Color Craze: Static Electricity</li>
<li>Purple ~ Ulta Mini no-name from a Halloween 2010 mini collection</li>
<li>I added two coats of Wet n Wild: Hallucinate for some sparkle.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8dqtaPnXAGo/TwDlwTfXT7I/AAAAAAAAAOc/myZVEgjsc8A/s1600/nyan_cat_rainbow_colors3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8dqtaPnXAGo/TwDlwTfXT7I/AAAAAAAAAOc/myZVEgjsc8A/s1600/nyan_cat_rainbow_colors3.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I wish I would have had some acrylic paints instead of nail polish because the colors went on too thickly and messily. I got so mad working on this design that I had to take a smoke break! But then I thought, "Holy crap, my nails are still wet so how am I going to light a cigarette? My hands will explode!" Grrrr. Anyway, that's what my rainbow mess looked like. I should have used a different orange since the two colors look too similar, making the yellow and green too bright; the whole thing looks more Rasta than rainbow.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
What a mess. Like I said, the whole thing made me mad. After I (messily) painted in the rainbow, I mixed up some colors for the Pop Tart and for the cat. Here's what the final version looked like:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1DvglBsO020/TwDmPc2mXyI/AAAAAAAAAOo/o0hulNwHe3A/s1600/nyan_cat_rainbow_colors7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1DvglBsO020/TwDmPc2mXyI/AAAAAAAAAOo/o0hulNwHe3A/s1600/nyan_cat_rainbow_colors7.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-klXLSQLtiB0/TwDmRIfI5fI/AAAAAAAAAOw/kGien18sMMU/s1600/nyan_cat_rainbow_colors6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-klXLSQLtiB0/TwDmRIfI5fI/AAAAAAAAAOw/kGien18sMMU/s1600/nyan_cat_rainbow_colors6.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I used my Kiss Nail Art Pen in black to outline Nyan Cat. I used dots instead of solid lines to give it the 8-bit appearance of the original online graphic.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyway, what do you think? I love the way the cat looks, and I'm ok with the Pop Tart, but the overall effect is just <i>blech</i>. Blech, blech, blech, blech, BLECH. Working on this design reminded me why I prefer nail art stickers and stamping to freehand designs. I suck at it. </div>Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-65713280181336576942012-01-01T15:59:00.000-05:002012-01-09T19:37:42.259-05:00Day 8: Metallic - L.A. Colors: CopperDay 8 brings with it a metallic nail polish. This one is from L.A. Colors, and like the name says, it's a "Copper" metallic polish.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UK5yckFIUWo/TwDHNwADAfI/AAAAAAAAANM/4aILd-2dRaU/s1600/LA_Colors_Copper_BLQ377_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UK5yckFIUWo/TwDHNwADAfI/AAAAAAAAANM/4aILd-2dRaU/s400/LA_Colors_Copper_BLQ377_1.jpg" width="329" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I bought this L.A. Colors polish from the Dollar Tree. I've been on a hunt for more than a decade now for a dupe for OPI's "Down to My Last Penny," which was the first OPI polish I ever wore, but alas, this color is still not what I'm looking for. It is a nice metallic, and for only $1, I don't feel like I made a mistake in buying it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I printed off the name of the polish and it's ID using my handy-dandy Dymo label printer since most of the L.A. Colors polishes (especially the Color Craze ones) don't have a name tag on the bottom of the bottle. Luckily, this one does. See?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fv6PDZDWcKs/TwDHzscIaJI/AAAAAAAAANg/HXB71awR-tM/s1600/LA_Colors_Copper_BLQ377_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fv6PDZDWcKs/TwDHzscIaJI/AAAAAAAAANg/HXB71awR-tM/s400/LA_Colors_Copper_BLQ377_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
"Copper" applied nicely and was opaque in just one coat, but I could still see where the tips of my nails peel so I put a second coat on. It still didn't cover up the problems I have with my tips, though. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's another shot of L.A. Colors "Copper" outside on an overcast late December afternoon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vh0CZjt9oJI/TwDIM28MYfI/AAAAAAAAANs/Oou3sLcdhUw/s1600/LA_Colors_Copper_BLQ377_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vh0CZjt9oJI/TwDIM28MYfI/AAAAAAAAANs/Oou3sLcdhUw/s400/LA_Colors_Copper_BLQ377_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally, here's a photo I took inside using a flash so you can see the shimmer better. It's really a lovely polish for just a buck, even though this last picture makes the copper color look more orange than it is in real life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WfAMO3iTBog/TwDIYzdWzKI/AAAAAAAAAN4/B7WILj9o-as/s1600/LA_Colors_Copper_BLQ377_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WfAMO3iTBog/TwDIYzdWzKI/AAAAAAAAAN4/B7WILj9o-as/s400/LA_Colors_Copper_BLQ377_4.jpg" width="355" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, dear readers, do you have this L.A. Colors polish, or do you have OPI's "Down to My Last Penny"? It's such a VHTF polish, but I can't help wanting it, just because it was the first OPI I'd ever worn. Also, do you have any suggestions for products I can use to stop my stupid nails from peeling? They've always done this, regardless of what basecoat or strengthener I use. =(</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-15943732960784657002011-12-26T21:19:00.000-05:002012-01-09T20:33:53.140-05:00Christmas Haul 2011I believe I may have reached my nail polish saturation point -- or at least my husband thinks so. He about had a fit watching me open up four different packages containing nail polish and another that included stamping plates. Besides, my Snapware containers that I use for my nail polish are about to burst, so I guess I'll push pause on buying any new polishes... unless I can find that elusive China Glaze OMG collection cheap on eBay! ;)<br />
<br />
Here are the polishes and plates my sister gave me for Christmas this year. I got three sets from Color Club: "Back to Boho," "Beyond the Mistletoe," and "Foiled," and one set of no-name polishes from a brand called Pretty Woman. I also got a set of 21 new nail stamping plates from Red Angel.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ME1TbrdWRU/TvkluxwBhuI/AAAAAAAAAMg/NxdtQRPp3lc/s1600/Color_Club_Back_to_Boho_collection_overview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ME1TbrdWRU/TvkluxwBhuI/AAAAAAAAAMg/NxdtQRPp3lc/s1600/Color_Club_Back_to_Boho_collection_overview.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DSL2Opju-os/TvklvXBMdVI/AAAAAAAAAMo/a7PUucOWEPs/s1600/Color_Club_Beyond_the_Mistletoe_collection_overview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DSL2Opju-os/TvklvXBMdVI/AAAAAAAAAMo/a7PUucOWEPs/s1600/Color_Club_Beyond_the_Mistletoe_collection_overview.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJunjMe4WGE/TvklvgLtY0I/AAAAAAAAAMw/jsHx64PjSqQ/s1600/Color_Club_Foiled_collection_overview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJunjMe4WGE/TvklvgLtY0I/AAAAAAAAAMw/jsHx64PjSqQ/s1600/Color_Club_Foiled_collection_overview.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JarAnxFpLFs/Tvkly2TqTCI/AAAAAAAAAM4/U4w2JGr4Kv0/s1600/pretty_woman_nail_glitters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JarAnxFpLFs/Tvkly2TqTCI/AAAAAAAAAM4/U4w2JGr4Kv0/s1600/pretty_woman_nail_glitters.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e_wy41xwZFI/Tvkl1oZhdqI/AAAAAAAAANA/1HEl_tEexLc/s1600/red_angel_nail_stamping_plates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e_wy41xwZFI/Tvkl1oZhdqI/AAAAAAAAANA/1HEl_tEexLc/s1600/red_angel_nail_stamping_plates.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love those new polishes, but I am most excited about using the new <a href="http://amzn.to/rT2lXY" target="_blank">Red Angel nail art stamping plates, which you can buy for around $12 from Amazon.com</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What sorts of nail polish goodies did Santa bring you this year?</div>Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-24684500981258862752011-12-26T20:46:00.000-05:002011-12-26T20:48:43.248-05:00Holiday Nails: Santa Skittles!Isn't it interesting how nail art ideas can change from what you envision to what ends up on your fingertips? I knew I wanted to use some nail art stickers I bought from an eBay seller (<a href="http://bit.ly/rIwpeo" target="_blank">here's the auction listing with close-up images of the stickers I received</a>), but I wasn't sure what to do. The nail art stickers I ordered included some extremely random Christmas designs, such as <a href="http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/smoothdealer/18803_12.jpg" target="_blank">Santa in an airplane</a> and <a href="http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/smoothdealer/18803_22.jpg" target="_blank">Santa doing kung-fu</a>. Seriously.<br />
<br />
However, when I sat down to paint my nails Christmas morning, I realized I didn't have a lot of time to spend on a manicure, so instead of painting them green and then using the stickers, I applied a quick basecoat and then chose 10 different Santa designs. I placed a different Santa on each of my nails, then used China Glaze "Mistletoe Kisses" to draw a very narrow French tip. I added some glitter from L.A. Colors Color Craze "Sparkling Diamonds" (BCC 555), and finally another clear coat. BAM! Holiday nails in an instant!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6lnhx-8qGa4/TvkY1WnkpDI/AAAAAAAAALw/PhsfHJhlTiU/s1600/santa_skittles_2_christmas_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6lnhx-8qGa4/TvkY1WnkpDI/AAAAAAAAALw/PhsfHJhlTiU/s1600/santa_skittles_2_christmas_2011.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J7iGRZiZmlo/TvkY57Ah6OI/AAAAAAAAAL8/cWbpXfamq6Y/s1600/santa_skittles_5_christmas_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J7iGRZiZmlo/TvkY57Ah6OI/AAAAAAAAAL8/cWbpXfamq6Y/s1600/santa_skittles_5_christmas_2011.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are the 10 Santas I used from the package of 24 different nail art sticker sheets from that eBay auction. I copied and pasted the individual designs from the images of the sticker sheets on my auction listing, but <a href="http://bit.ly/uWecWF" target="_blank">you can see all the stickers on eBay</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z74zF_KCyso/Tvki56SW1fI/AAAAAAAAAMU/I2RNXWPFn_8/s1600/santa_skittles_nail_stickers_closeup_from_ebay_seller_smooth-dealer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z74zF_KCyso/Tvki56SW1fI/AAAAAAAAAMU/I2RNXWPFn_8/s1600/santa_skittles_nail_stickers_closeup_from_ebay_seller_smooth-dealer.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: left;">These Santas are about twice as big as the stickers on my nails. None of the nail art sticker sheets had 10 of the same Santa design, so that's why I ended up with Santa Skittles.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyway, this was the cheapest auction of Christmas stickers I could find when I placed my order around Thanksgiving; however, the international mail from Hong Kong was slower than normal. I've bought things from ebay sellers from HK before, so I expected it to take about two weeks for my package to arrive, but this auction didn't show up until almost a month later. I barely got these in time for Christmas. Luckily, these sticker sheets include a lot of snowmen and snowflake designs, as well as bows and other doodads, so I'm sure I'll be using these again throughout the winter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What did you do for your Christmas nail art this year? Did you wear a solid color or draw a fancy nail art design? Or did you cheat like me and go for stickers?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-15757698128293661912011-12-24T18:34:00.000-05:002011-12-24T18:34:47.211-05:00Holiday Nails: Christmas Crack!By now, you've seen hundreds of nail art designs for Christmas. I'm lazy and not patient enough to recreate those designs for you. Instead, I have a couple of images I'm calling "Christmas Crack."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hs6rhKFWbWo/TvZdqV9NE5I/AAAAAAAAALc/lXxgJP0rWzk/s1600/crappy_christmas_nail_art_designs_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hs6rhKFWbWo/TvZdqV9NE5I/AAAAAAAAALc/lXxgJP0rWzk/s1600/crappy_christmas_nail_art_designs_3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
These designs feature Pure Ice Crackle: "Show Stopper" (a red crackle polish) over different greens. In the image above, the greens are: Icing "Lucky Luis" (first two nails), Max Factor Diamond Hard "Momentum Moss" (red and silver diagonal stripes), Sally Hansen Color Quick "Green Chrome" (vertical crack and red glitter striping), China Glaze "Zombie Zest" (red glitter striping curves and cracked swoosh), and China Glaze "Mistletoe Kisses" (random vertical cracks). If my nails were long enough, I would have done them like the swooshy design.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LyoCIXXGiiE/TvZdu8Z_QaI/AAAAAAAAALk/rfrjJH3bLKI/s1600/crappy_christmas_nail_art_designs_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LyoCIXXGiiE/TvZdu8Z_QaI/AAAAAAAAALk/rfrjJH3bLKI/s1600/crappy_christmas_nail_art_designs_4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The designs above have the same "Show Stopper" red crackle polish over Max Factor Diamond Hard "Momentum Moss" (diagonals), Sally Hansen Color Quick "Green Chrome," fake mislabeled OPI green color (two nails), and then some green color that I can't identify. Oops.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Basically, this was an experiment to see if the Pure Ice crackle would work better on these greens than it has for me in the past. I have tried using "Show Stopper" over white, but ended up with a smeared pink mess. I let the greens dry a LONG time before using the crack polish, so most of the designs turned out ok.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Do you have any of the Pure Ice Crack polishes? I also have the white one, but I'm not 100% satisfied with it or the red I used for these swatches.</div>
<br />Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-82137987511956161972011-12-24T18:14:00.000-05:002012-01-09T19:37:59.599-05:00Day 7: Black & White - Holiday Music Stamped DesignWhat's black and white and red all over? Day 7's manicure! Mwahahahahaa!<br />
<br />
Day 7's theme is black and white, but since I did this manicure just days before Christmas, I wanted to do something fun and festive. I also haven't used my nail art stamping stuff in a while, so I looked through my plates and found Konad m73. This plate has an intricate sheet music design that I haven't used before.<br />
<br />
I used L.A. Colors Color Craze "Energy Source" as a white base coat, then added a layer of OPI's "She's Golden" to give my nails a bit of shimmer. I then stamped the design using Konad Special Nail Polish in Black and added a few Christmas stickers I got from an eBay seller from Hong Kong to cover up the stamping mistakes. Here's the finished design:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bx1DWhff0A4/TvZW6pti3_I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/WW-luV4tswM/s1600/Christmas_2011_nail_art_stickers_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bx1DWhff0A4/TvZW6pti3_I/AAAAAAAAAKQ/WW-luV4tswM/s1600/Christmas_2011_nail_art_stickers_1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I knew there would be no way for me to keep the staffs straight on all my nails, so I angled the design so my crooked lines would look like I meant them to end up that way. And the crappy top coat I tried for my pinky nail (Wet n Wild Fast Dry) smeared like a bitch, so I switched to Sally Hansen Double Duty for the rest of my nails.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are some pictures of the progression of this manicure:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F33Vzs4QuWw/TvZXtU8GSWI/AAAAAAAAAKc/ZfOCBDCZp5c/s1600/LA_Colors_Color_Craze_Energy_Source_white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F33Vzs4QuWw/TvZXtU8GSWI/AAAAAAAAAKc/ZfOCBDCZp5c/s1600/LA_Colors_Color_Craze_Energy_Source_white.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can always find a wide variety of L.A. Colors nail polishes at my Dollar Tree. They're not the most opaque shades, but for $1, they're all right. What I don't like, though, is how the actual name of the polish is only printed on the packaging and not on the bottle. The bottle shows the number only, so after buying several L.A. Colors polishes on various occasions, I finally thought to tape the name information to the brush handle. Duh.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8XY4Le6fNgA/TvZXwfvIl8I/AAAAAAAAAKk/2Mwr11QoYWo/s1600/OPI_Shes_Golden_over_LAColorsColorCraze_Energy_Source.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8XY4Le6fNgA/TvZXwfvIl8I/AAAAAAAAAKk/2Mwr11QoYWo/s1600/OPI_Shes_Golden_over_LAColorsColorCraze_Energy_Source.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Aaah! Much better. I'm a sucker for a shimmery polish. "She's Golden" is way too thin to wear on its own, and it really gives "Energy Source" an extra kick.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xKLGxSIn76s/TvZX1px4GeI/AAAAAAAAAKs/3UfagE5WrKk/s1600/special_polish_black_m73_music_notes_Christmas_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xKLGxSIn76s/TvZX1px4GeI/AAAAAAAAAKs/3UfagE5WrKk/s1600/special_polish_black_m73_music_notes_Christmas_2011.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Konad's bottles are so pretty. This is one of the black polishes from a kit, I think. Or I may have ordered it off eBay. It's been over a year since I first started nail stamping, so I can't remember where this polish came from. I've used regular black polish in the past, but this one has a nice shimmer. (Are you sensing a theme, here?)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qY5lSXTwcDQ/TvZX3Aq-OUI/AAAAAAAAAK0/BYfIFAudIAo/s1600/m73_music_notes_Christmas_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qY5lSXTwcDQ/TvZX3Aq-OUI/AAAAAAAAAK0/BYfIFAudIAo/s1600/m73_music_notes_Christmas_2011.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's a look at the stamping plate itself. I have very short nails, so I never have a problem with the length of the images on Konad or other brand plates. However, I have fat fingers and a wide nail, so that's where I usually have the most trouble. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XS6DmRjn17Q/TvZX5DrP_kI/AAAAAAAAAK8/nrp5pYAzcEw/s1600/Salon_Express_tools_with_Konad_m73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XS6DmRjn17Q/TvZX5DrP_kI/AAAAAAAAAK8/nrp5pYAzcEw/s1600/Salon_Express_tools_with_Konad_m73.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally, here are two images of the tools I used to stamp this design. The double-ended stamper, scraper, and plate holder are from an "As Seen on TV!" product called Salon Express. I bought this at Sally Beauty on Black Friday this year for $9.99, but I saw the kits for sale at CVS this week for the same price. <a href="http://nouveaucheap.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-as-seen-on-tv-salon-express-nail.html" target="_blank">G. over at Nouveau Cheap has a great review of this product</a>, and I can add to her positive comments. A double-ended stamper, whether it's a real Konad or fauxnad one, will cost you almost as much as the entire Salon Express kit -- which comes with the stamper, scraper, plate holder, and 5 random plates! That is a serious bargain!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZdpZ001qVM/TvZa9AAA2cI/AAAAAAAAALQ/wcQVEYcxZrA/s1600/Salon_Express_tools_with_Konad_m73_double-ended_stamper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZdpZ001qVM/TvZa9AAA2cI/AAAAAAAAALQ/wcQVEYcxZrA/s1600/Salon_Express_tools_with_Konad_m73_double-ended_stamper.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="text-align: left;">I bought the kit primarily for the stamper. Here you can see how the small end compares to the size of a Konad design. The rubber end has a nice feel to it when stamping, and I didn't need to roughen up the end of it to make the design adhere better. And even though the tapered shape of the stamper looks a bit like a small dildo, it is easy to hold while stamping. ;)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="text-align: left;">I also found the plate </span><span style="text-align: left;">holder to come in handy. I used double-stick tape to secure the base of the holder to a piece of cardboard then plopped my Konad plate in the center. Worked like a charm since the tape wouldn't stick to the back of the Konad plate.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Have you tried nail art stamping before? If not, the Salon Express kit is a great way to get started. It's MUCH cheaper than Konad and fauxnad (fake Konad) products you'll find online.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-22085852639559960602011-12-24T17:43:00.000-05:002012-01-09T19:40:02.086-05:00Day 6: Violet - Maybelline Express Finish: Purple PassionDay 6 celebrates the awesomeness that is purple, so I present to you Maybelline Express Finish's Purple Passion, a very old polish that I've had in my stash a long time.<br />
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sb-6p-wVXDs/TvZSdhxZYHI/AAAAAAAAAI4/-1isslZgDIY/s1600/maybelline_Purple_Passion_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sb-6p-wVXDs/TvZSdhxZYHI/AAAAAAAAAI4/-1isslZgDIY/s1600/maybelline_Purple_Passion_2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yes, it really is that shiny in person! This is three coats with no top coat. Actually, this is the second day of this manicure; day one was just two coats, but since my Purple Passion is old, it's "express" isn't what it's cracked up to be. I had a few dents here and there where I had hit my nails against things. So, on day two, I painted on another coat and took these pictures. ;)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hij0tycJBbc/TvZVdIaWMqI/AAAAAAAAAKE/Q8x5dQADUHo/s1600/maybelline_Purple_Passion_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hij0tycJBbc/TvZVdIaWMqI/AAAAAAAAAKE/Q8x5dQADUHo/s1600/maybelline_Purple_Passion_1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And since it's almost Christmas, I decided to try a few different festive designs. I'm only showing you the two candy cane stripes since of the 10 things I tried, these are the only two that are worth sharing:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nWTa7eGR50k/TvZUeqy63GI/AAAAAAAAAJw/Atm3IObnm2g/s1600/maybelline_Purple_Passion_with_candy_cane_stripes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nWTa7eGR50k/TvZUeqy63GI/AAAAAAAAAJw/Atm3IObnm2g/s320/maybelline_Purple_Passion_with_candy_cane_stripes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The white stripes were made using LA Colors Nail Art striping polish, and the purple stripes were made using Kiss's lavender striping polish. I like the way the purple-on-purple stripes look, but you can see how messed up the nails are, so I just removed all this pretty purple and moved on to the next day's challenge.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sigh.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-10548231771241094992011-12-19T17:52:00.000-05:002011-12-19T17:52:45.857-05:00Not Nail Polish - An Irreverent Rant About Christmas Music<i>This post has nothing to do with nail polish and everything to do with Christmas songs. There's also a lot of cursing, so fuck off if that sort of thing offends you.</i><div>
<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My friend M-L blogged about <a href="http://carymilkweed.blogspot.com/2011/12/jingle-hell.html" target="_blank">"Jingle Hell</a>," and I posted a few comments on her blog, but I wanted to tackle the subject of weird-ass holiday music myself. Some people hate it, other folks think you should wait until Thanksgiving to start playing it, but not me. Personally, I'm all for starting up the Christmas music just as soon as you hand out the last Halloween candy. At any rate, I listen to a <b>lot </b>of holiday music; I've got a 147 mp3s on a CD in my car as a back-up for when Sirius XM's Holiday Traditions channel starts playing the Beach Boys. Fuck them and their harmonies.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway, let's pretend that the Christmas songs that have been playing non-stop for weeks now are classmates, and I'm the lucky person in charge of doling out senior superlatives. Here's how I'd label some of the more popular kids:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Most likely to get you arrested for date rape</b> - "Baby It's Cold Outside"</div>
<div>
Extra creepiness awarded to the <a href="http://youtu.be/nVtkKwhcOmo" target="_blank">Brian Setzer/Ann Margaret version</a> because I'm pretty sure she's old enough to be his momma.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Most likely to make me want to eat all the cookie ingredients</b> - "Marshmallow World"</div>
<div>
I don't even like marshmallows, but dammit, <a href="http://youtu.be/al896JFvQNg" target="_blank">this song</a> makes me want s'mores and Lucky Charms. And I knew I should have gotten some whipped cream today... Food Lion had it 2 for $2.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Most likely to screw up grammar and pronunciation</b> - "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"</div>
<div>
Where does the comma go? <a href="http://literalminded.wordpress.com/2010/12/25/merry-gentlemen/" target="_blank">God rest ye, merry gentlemen? God rest ye merry, gentlemen?</a> And why the fuck won't people just say "comf'rt" like they do in real life instead of over-enunciating it to "com-FORT"? Sidebar: The mash-up of "GRYMG" and "We Three Kings" the <a href="http://youtu.be/HGVNzgUxE-g" target="_blank">Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan released</a> is my favorite version. (Honorable mention in this nerdy category goes to "Jingle Bells." No one gets "up-sot;" it's not a true rhyme. Which leads me to...)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Most confusing performance</b> - <a href="http://youtu.be/z2lRSk0MWAY" target="_blank">"Jingle Bells" by Barbra Streisand</a></div>
<div>
What. The. Hell. Some parts are too fast, some are too slow, and even BARBRA says "upsot." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Most likely to inspire a holiday cruise</b> - Tie between <a href="http://youtu.be/OfuUlZdUtbg" target="_blank">"Mele Kalikimaka"</a> and <a href="http://youtu.be/R8pTGKiXvHs" target="_blank">"Christmas Island."</a></div>
<div>
Seriously, I want to be on a Carnival ship every time I hear these songs, especially the old versions with Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters. I can't help but imagining a tiki idol or one of those Easter Island statues wearing a Santa hat. (Sidebar: Do you think Bing ever banged the Andrews sisters, either singly or in a four-way? Just wondering.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Most likely to not really be a Christmas song</b> - "My Favorite Things"</div>
<div>
What the fuck? How did this song become associated with Christmas? I'm not convinced that the lines about "brown paper packages" and "snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes" are strong enough reasons for this to be a Christmas song. Sorry, <a href="http://youtu.be/5eaGxLZrLuk" target="_blank">Julie Andrews.</a> You know I love you, but this song does not belong here.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Most likely to remind me of childhood Christmas pageants at Sledd Memorial United Methodist Church</b> - "O Holy Night"</div>
<div>
We were Methodists when I was a kid, and I remember being in some Christmas pageant where I had to carry a candle as an old guy sang "O Holy Night." Now whenever I hear "O Holy Night," I think of wearing a too-big-for-a-child choir robe. And Gomer Pyle. <a href="http://youtu.be/G1fntRft9PM" target="_blank">Jim Nabors' version</a> is just so bad.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Most likely to make me want to watch more claymation stop-motion cartoons</b> - Tie among "We Three Kings," "Carol of the Bells," and "Here We Come A-Wassailing"</div>
<div>
Way back in 1987 when the California Raisins were THE SHIT, there was a Christmas special created using claymation -- stop-motion animation using clay figures -- that only aired once on television. Not surprisingly, it was called "A Claymation Christmas Celebration." This TV show is THE SHIT, and you need to stop right now and go download it off the Internet. I'll wait. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Stop the presses! While I was looking for links to the songs, <a href="http://youtu.be/9N1xdirv9Rg" target="_blank">I found the WHOLE DAMN THING on YouTube</a>!!! Go watch it before some douchebag deletes it because of supposed copyright infringement. "We Three Kings" starts at 2:05; "Carol of the Bells" starts at 5:45; and "Here We Come A-Wassailing" is a running joke throughout the show because no one knows what the heck a "wassail" is.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Most likely to be covered by a slutty singer in an attempt to be cute, usually while wearing a slutty Santa outfit</b> - "Santa Baby"</div>
<div>
Eartha Kitt first recorded this song back in 1953. All you other bitches need to give it up. <a href="http://youtu.be/DeNhjPaP53I" target="_blank">Your version will never be as hawt as Eartha's</a>. Madonna, I'm looking at you; your cover makes my ears bleed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Most likely to worsen your holiday depression</b> - "Pretty Paper"</div>
<div>
Roy Orbison first recorded this, but Willie Nelson's version is <a href="http://youtu.be/4_1CLPH9rqs" target="_blank">just so damn tragic sounding</a>. Oh, Willie, why you so sad?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Most likely to make me think of "scary ghost stories" at Christmas time </b>- <a href="http://youtu.be/Nbu_b5mLAXE" target="_blank">"Zat You, Santa Claus?"</a></div>
<div>
I don't know where Louis Armstrong grew up, but apparently, you couldn't even trust Santa Claus not to rob, rape or mutilate you. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Most likely to make me vomit</b> - "Christmas Shoes"</div>
<div>
What the ever-loving fuck made NewSong write <a href="http://youtu.be/0a_Y1wAJ2MU" target="_blank">this atrocity</a>? I understand that folks get sick and die, and some of them do so at Christmas. Hell, my dad is wasting away from Stage IV renal cell carcinoma RIGHT THE FUCK NOW, but he ain't asking for no goddamn shoes. You know what he wants? Whoppers. He wants those malted milk ball candy things, NOT FUCKING SHOES. I can't think of a single person who lies on their death bed, remembering "tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago," and says to their loved ones, "You know what would make my final Christmas the best Christmas ever? NEW SHOES. Because Jesus is so fashion-forward that I have to have NEW SHOES if I die tonight and end up in heaven. I CAN'T MEET JESUS IN MAH BAREFEETS!!!" </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I hate you, NewSong, and now whenever I get new shoes for Christmas, I just want to puke and puke and puke all over them.</div>
</div>Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-60799318619842051322011-12-17T04:00:00.000-05:002012-01-09T19:39:38.192-05:00Day 5: Blue - OPI: Just GroovyToday's color is blue, and instead of a bright primary blue, I picked out this Smurfy OPI color: Just Groovy. It's a pastel blue that I decided to use as a base for a wintery holiday design. First, here's Just Groovy by itself:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xvcfARqU8hM/Tuu-wyChBgI/AAAAAAAAAH4/tQw3jOnv-K4/s1600/OPI_Just_Groovy_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xvcfARqU8hM/Tuu-wyChBgI/AAAAAAAAAH4/tQw3jOnv-K4/s1600/OPI_Just_Groovy_1.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love OPI nail polish. This color went on opaque in just one coat! Me gusta.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kPWerziG55c/Tuu-yAVsQnI/AAAAAAAAAIA/4I_8JxvnEQ8/s1600/OPI_Just_Groovy_2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kPWerziG55c/Tuu-yAVsQnI/AAAAAAAAAIA/4I_8JxvnEQ8/s1600/OPI_Just_Groovy_2.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh, look! Are those penguins in the background?! Yup! Apparently, every nail blogger and her momma has done a penguin design this holiday season. I had a few penguin nail art stickers, so here's what I came up with:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mckDCgC128c/Tuu-zQjAe8I/AAAAAAAAAII/k0z9pGWbRPo/s1600/Penguins_in_Christmas_tree.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mckDCgC128c/Tuu-zQjAe8I/AAAAAAAAAII/k0z9pGWbRPo/s1600/Penguins_in_Christmas_tree.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I added white to the tips for snow banks, then stuck on my penguins. I then layered some glittery top coat, then stuck my hand in the Christmas tree for this photo. The white I used was a no-name piece of junk that ended up being a hot mess to work with. The Seche Vite shrank the edges, which I've never had happen before. No me gusta. I left this design on a couple of days, but the polish started peeling off. Bye-bye, penguins.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Have you tried a penguin design for the holidays yet? How did yours turn out?</div>Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9173818655213241278.post-69094218812744680592011-12-16T16:51:00.000-05:002012-01-09T19:39:21.790-05:00Day 4: Green - Sally Hansen Quick Color: Green ChromeThanks to a <a href="http://nouveaucheap.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-big-lots-haul.html" target="_blank">tip from Nouveau Cheap</a>, I was able to find this awesome green from Sally Hansen at Big Lots. Yup, Big Lots -- one of my top two favorite stores (it's tied with Dollar Tree for numero uno). My dad once said, "How can you get this close to a Big Lots and NOT go in?!?" I totally agree.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MjMUPvvUNts/Tuu6rLiH4WI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/ZLPeArvUf_M/s1600/sally-hansen-color-quick-green-chrome-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MjMUPvvUNts/Tuu6rLiH4WI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/ZLPeArvUf_M/s1600/sally-hansen-color-quick-green-chrome-1.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I got one of each color they had since they were just $1.50 each. I'd never used the nail pens before Thanksgiving, but they work great. I painted my nails with the red chrome while standing outside in the cold Thanksgiving night waiting for Toys R Us to open for their Black Friday sales. I just shook up the pen, pumped the end a few times, and had shiny red-pink nails in just a few minutes. Granted, doing a manicure before an insane all-night shopping trip might not be on your to-do list, but if you're in a rush, I highly recommend these Sally Hansen pens -- especially if you can find them at Big Lots. I also saw these at my local Dollar Tree recently, and they had the blue chrome there that Big Lots hadn't, so of course I had to buy it. =)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWmJ0CAg278/Tuu74HsGwTI/AAAAAAAAAHY/nvMPiFsvYl0/s1600/sally-hansen-color-quick-green-chrome-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWmJ0CAg278/Tuu74HsGwTI/AAAAAAAAAHY/nvMPiFsvYl0/s1600/sally-hansen-color-quick-green-chrome-2.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The only problem I had with this green was the brush. Look at this mess. What the hell, Sally?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8WQSt416vD0/Tuu8GLdIprI/AAAAAAAAAHg/rxBduJri-bI/s1600/sally-hansen-color-quick-green-chrome-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8WQSt416vD0/Tuu8GLdIprI/AAAAAAAAAHg/rxBduJri-bI/s1600/sally-hansen-color-quick-green-chrome-3.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And since I painted these in a hurry at the library, I decided to try a new crackle polish over top of the green for day two of this manicure. I used Funky Fingers: Teal Scales, which I got for about $3 at a store called Five Below, a discount store similar to Big Lots and Dollar Tree, but nothing costs more than $5.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wjlpatDYukM/Tuu8nE4FRyI/AAAAAAAAAHo/43K3AtW_8Io/s1600/Funky_Fingers_Teal_Scales_Crackle_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wjlpatDYukM/Tuu8nE4FRyI/AAAAAAAAAHo/43K3AtW_8Io/s1600/Funky_Fingers_Teal_Scales_Crackle_1.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Too bad the shimmer doesn't show up on the nails as well as it does in the bottle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELtEojTdSmY/Tuu8ohELzHI/AAAAAAAAAHw/JTjw7vk9c_o/s1600/Funky_Fingers_Teal_Scales_Crackle_2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELtEojTdSmY/Tuu8ohELzHI/AAAAAAAAAHw/JTjw7vk9c_o/s1600/Funky_Fingers_Teal_Scales_Crackle_2.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, have I inspired you to go to Big Lots, Dollar Tree, or Five Below? I usually have really good luck finding interesting nail polishes there. How about you?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>Tonya Kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15566165611603083943noreply@blogger.com1