Monday, May 31, 2010

BlogLovin' Anyone?

I signed up for BlogLovin' recently. I have to say I like it better than google reader - I still have to check to see if there is an app for it - I am hoping so. But hey anyone who has an iphone, do you have a blog reader app that you would recommend?


Anyway - If you want to follow me on BlogLovin' you can follow the link on the upper right of my page. I also added other options right below that to make it easier for you all. So what is your favorite reader?


I took some pretty great polish pics Saturday and I am planning on trying a funky design today - so I hope to have some great stuff for you all soon. But my camera battery is dead and charging and my husband is sitting beside me with his camera out. That is his hint that he wants my Mac. See - we went to Gatorland in FL yesterday and we have a ton of pictures of that too. I'll post a few of those here for you all to enjoy too (but probably not until tomorrow). 


In the meantime, I have China Glaze FYI for you. At first I thought this color was just OK, but it grew on me. I am a nude fan and I love holographic polish too. This is a cross of the two. It is a subtle holographic slightly nude color. I would wear this when I need to be neutral, but want some fun at the same time. 


Here it is inside in front of the window with the light behind me. There is no holographic effect inside - totally acceptable for a more conservative office if you ask me.


And here it is in direct sunlight.


 


Sunday, May 30, 2010

A Retrospective on My Nails


As you all know I have a passion for doing my nails. When I look back over the last several years I am amazed at the changes I have made. I have always excelled at doing acrylics or gels. I would do all kinds of designs. I would only consider painting my entire nails with a polish when I was tired. Most of the time I had some type of design going on. Whether it was a funky french, painted designs, embedded flowers, ruffian, moon manicure...you name it, I did it. Then when we moved to FL I decided I was over it all. It just all seemed like too much work. I debated on starting to go back to a salon and having them do my nails for me. But the reason I didn't go to salons to begin with is because they ruined my nails. I could never seem to find a well educated nail tech.  All that filing led to paper thin nails and getting a fill was painful from all the filing. At one point I woke up and realized they were damaging my nails and I just started doing my own nails. I realized that my nails were not being damaged when I did them myself. There was no pain and they looked a lot better. So after years (15+ years) of some type of enhancement I decided to quit wearing them. 


I stocked up on some restoring and strengthening products and I cut my nails down super short and went from there. Within weeks I had long and strong nails. Overall within 3 months my nails were so strong and I was so careful that I had some dagger length nails. At one point I was wondering how long I was going to let them get. I eventually broke one and cut them all. At first the thought of growing my nails long seemed to be the only goal - so I kept growing them long and then when one would break I would cut them all and start over. Well in recent months I have been swatching a lot and not being as careful and attentive as I used to be, so now I notice I have breaks more often. I also don't really want them long anymore, except when I miss doing some funky designs that I feel look best on longer nails. I think I found my current length suits me best 99% of the time. It works with my lifestyle and they are easy to maintain. But part of me wants to have more fun with my nails and think that they should be a bit longer for that. I want to start wearing the funky frenches again and the ruffian and the half moon manicure.

So I decided to go to all you for your opinions. Which length do you think is best for me? Do you agree that my current length suits me better?


Here is how long they used to be when I first stopped wearing enhancements:
This is RBL Stormy. I look at this and wonder if I can even get them this long again. I can't believe my nails were this long before!

And my nails today:

Wearing Color Club Special Effects. This is about as short as I am willing to go - but it seems to be a good everyday length for me. 

Or should I go for an in between length? Hmm, I actually think I like this length best now that I am looking at the pictures.

I'm wearing MAC Blue India here. 


So which length is your favorite? 

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Another Fashion/Nail Post

I was trying to figure out what I wanted to share with you all today and decided I would do another fashion post. Although this one  is a pretty simple outfit. My cousin had a surprise birthday party last week, which of course meant everyone got to get a new dress for the occasion. I was looking for a light summer dress and in the end picked something that I could not just wear this once, but could also wear to work. I selected a Calvin Klein dress I found at Ross for $50. It is a black high collar linen dress with buttons down the front and a tie around the waist. But for my height, it was just a little too long.
Here is the dress after I bought it. Hey it was a long day at work - ignore the hair and face. But you can see it's just is a bit too long for my body. When trying on dresses though I always have to keep in mind that some brands like Calvin Klein make their dresses for someone who is 5' 7". So I knew I was going to need to take it up some. I debated on how much I should take it up, but I decided just grazing the top of my knee would be the best option for me.
This is the after photo. Hair and makeup are now done. This is the new length. I think this is a much better length for me.

I added my accessories for the evening, which I forgot to get a closeup of when I was wearing them, so here is a close up of the accessories I took for you guys. 
I took this picture on my Daughter's (read: Husband's) drums. No surprise here, I got all the accessories at Charlotte Russe. Or at least I think that is where I bought the earrings. I bought them all at different times, but I think they work well together. They usually have their earrings and bracelets 2 for $8 and the necklace was maybe $10. Sorry I don't remember.
I so wanted to sit in the golf cart and act like I was driving away for this photo. But I didn't have the nerve. By the way the shoes are Jessica Simpson peep toe patent leather pumps in nude. I got these at Dillard's for $80. The most expensive thing I am wearing. I love these heels! By the way - it was so hot that night! I can't believe how shiny my face was when I look at these pictures. They didn't have the AC turned on in the place until after we took the pictures. 

There was only one manicure I could think of for this dress and it was Chanel Kaleidoscope. Actually I picked this because I wasn't sure if I was going to go with silver and red accessories and red heels or the accessories and heels I wore, and this can lean taupe/gold or silver, so it was the perfect neutral for the undecided. (I still had on OPI On Collins Ave on my toes for anyone wondering.)
 
Well that is all for today. Hope you enjoyed this post. Have a great weekend!


Friday, May 28, 2010

I Have My Own Domain Name

I am now officially www.r3daily.com!!! YAY! It may take a few days to get it all working properly, but you should automatically be redirected to the new domain if you use the blogspot address. Or you can just use the www.r3daily.com from now on! There will be more changes I am working on behind the scenes, but it may a be a bit longer before I can release that. I can't wait!

However there are a few things I have learned and need your help with. Now that I am http://www.r3daily.com/, you will need to put the new address into your blog reader of choice (i.e. google reader) to continue following the blog. My posts will no longer show up in your reader if you don't. Hopefully you love reading my blog so much that you will make this change. :)

Next if you have my blog in your blog roll, you will have to update the address to http://www.r3daily.com/ - otherwise my blog won't show up in your blog roll. If you don't have me in your blog roll - :(

And the last thing I ask is if you have a blog and follow me, please leave a comment with your blog address. I didn't realize all the blogs I follow would be removed from my blog roll and I lost you all! NOOOO! I am too lazy to put anyone in my reader, so I just log into my blog and read from there. So if you leave a comment with your blog address, I will update my blog roll this weekend.

(The reason you all see this now is because I posted this under the r3daily.blogspot.com when I realized you can't see me in your reader or blogroll  and then switched back over)

Ok - one last thing for real now - the rest of you that follow my blog - thank you! But would you mind leaving a comment letting me know you saw today's post OK so I know it is working? Thank you!


 
This is Color Club Rule Breaker. This is a tealish green color with lots of shimmer. This was two coats. Application on this one was pretty standard for what you would expect from Color Club. Smooth application, no issues. I can't believe I am going to say this - but there is nothing really special about this color. It is similar to Nubar Earth, just not quite as stunning. 

Thursday, May 27, 2010

A Break Today




Unnamed Charlotte Russe




I try to post everyday. I think I may have only missed a few days since I started this blog, then on Sunday I didn't post and today I have nothing. Well I have something, I just got lazy and didn't watermark it yet. I typically get everything ready the night before so I can post first thing in the morning when I get up before heading to work. Well I had the worst headache yesterday. Not quite a migraine, but close. It got better towards the evening, but it left me just exhausted. I can't even explain it. I still have a bit of the headache today, it actually feels like it is getting worse again. Anyway last night I walked in the door and the family wanted to go to the beach. UGH! I never thought I would say I didn't want to go to the beach - but I really did not want to go to the beach. I love the beach! I feel at home when I am on the beach, so for me not to want to go - you know it is bad. But I sucked it up and went. I wasn't very productive - I tried to read, but I just couldn't get into it. The waves were horrendous (unless your a surfer) so I was panicked just watching the kids and Juan play in the water. It was too cold for me to even contemplate getting in the water myself. It was in the low 80's and for me to get in the water it has to be at least 90 degrees out. But in the end it was nice to be at the beach and I was glad I went. If only I had a pina colado with me....

Ginger & Liz Trance
When we got back home there were people from Juan's work sitting outside our house. Now normally for anyone coming home and seeing your boss and co-workers sitting outside your house - that would probably be a bad thing. But in the military - that only means one thing (Well as long as your husband is home safe and not off in the middle east somewhere.) It means a promotion! My husband found out he will be making rank. The Air Force is weird. When you receive the announcement that you are being promoted, it doesn't mean you will walk into the office the next day a higher rank. It just means they plan on promoting you and they will assign you a number and when your number comes up, you receive the promotion. So you know months in advance. But none the less, it is still great news to know that in a few (or several) months, he will put on rank, which of course for me just means a bigger paycheck and for him probably longer hours. But still good news! I am so proud of him. Unfortunately because of how I was feeling, I really didn't show it last night. I was tired and out of it and in bed by 9. Poor guy. I will make it up to him this weekend for sure.
Color Club Wild at Heart
Since I didn't get anything ready last night, I am just posting random polishes that I love. I figure it's is ok to repost them right? So anyway - that is today's post - just some random polishes I posted in the past, because I was bad and did not prepare last night and went to bed instead. Hope you enjoy my random spam.

Butter London Billy No Mates w/ Color Club Magic Attraction

OPI Jade is the New Black with Dazzle Me on top

I hope you all have a great day!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Can I Get to 500?

As I sit here getting ready to write this morning, I am amazed at how many followers I have. I am amazed at all the amazing blogs I have found. I am glad to know I am not the only one out there who loves doing my nails. I am glad to have had the opportunity to "meet" some of you and getting to know you guys through your blogs and comments. This is such a wonderful community and I could not have anticipated how much fun it would be or the friendships I would make. I also could not have anticipated how much work it could be and that I would become obsessed with watching the number of followers on my blog grow. Are you like that with your blog or am I alone in this new obsession? I remember when I started this blog my goal was 200 followers in 6 months. Today I sit here, 4 months later with over 340 followers wondering, can I reach 500 in two months? In a month? So that is what I am going to set out to do. So I ask you, my friends, how can I make my blog better? What would you like to see more of or less of? Any new features you would like to see? I am open to all suggestions. I would like to make my blog one that you all call one of your favorites. I would like to make my blog one that you feel compelled to check every day. One  you can't live without. I would love your help getting there. Just let me know.
With that being said, let's move along to today's NOTD, Milani 3D Holographic Polish in Hi-Res. I have to say this wasn't super holographic - but the name Hi-Res is accurate! This polish was definitely Hi-Res in my opinion. The glitter was amazing. It was so bright and blingy. This is a fun polish! It covered in two coats and was smooth to apply. I was quite impressed with this color.
By the way those of you who have been following for a while, know the issues I have been having with my cuticles and that I switched to Mango Mend about 2 weeks ago now. I can not believe the difference! Look how great my cuticles are looking now! The bad part is that they look so good I have not given myself a proper manicure or cleaning in this time. Even with all the swatching I have done. This stuff is great for me. I know different products work for different people, but this is the stuff for me. If you are having problems with your cuticles, you might give this a try. I apply it twice a day.


Tuesday, May 25, 2010

C'mon Baby....Let's Twist & Shout

I have no idea where I got this polish from or when it arrived in my house. My assumption is that this is one of my kids polishes since I would never in a million years have bought this polish! Bright Neon Green? No thank you! This is something for a teenager not the mother of a teenager! This polish brand is Nail Fantasies and the color is Twist & Shout.
So if that is the way I feel, then why am I continuously finding myself drawn to this polish? Why am I oddly loving the way it looks on? Now I probably wouldn't be caught wearing this to work or a friends wedding, but I definitely think I may be rocking this over Memorial Day weekend or at the beach.  It is bright and fun and I really kind of like it! Who knew? I guess sometimes you just have to give things a try that you don't think you will like and just see what happens. It just might surprise you.

This polish applied pretty well. It applied opaque like this in two coats. There is no top coat with this polish. this applied pretty smoothly as well. Anyone know where you find Nail Fantasies polish? Is it a pretty good brand? Any info would be appreciated. I'd love to try some more from this brand.





Lastly, would you wear a bright neon green like this? 

Monday, May 24, 2010

An OPI Blue Comparison

I don't have much to say today. It was an amazing long weekend for me. Now back to work and back to reality - so let's just ease our way in with a comparison today.


I have three blue purchases that in the bottle looked so similar to me, I decided to do a comparison photo with them. I used Suzi Says Feng Shui, Ogre the Top Blue and No Room for the Blues. (Same order in photo below)
As you can see in the bottle, the colors aren't identical, but they are pretty similar. Worth owning all three? You decide. 

L to R: Ogre the Top Blue, No Room for the Blues, Ogre the Top Blue, Suzi Says Feng Shui. (My daughter messed the bottle marbling and didn't clean it. nice huh?)
Top to Bottom: Suzi Says Feng Shui, Ogre the Top Blue, No Room for the Blues, Ogre the Top Blue
L to R: No Room for the Blues, Ogre the Top Blue, Suzi Says Feng Shui

My thoughts:
No Room for the Blues is a great light yet bright blue. This blue reminds me of a Robin Egg color. 
Ogre the Top Blue is a bit more blue and less light than No Room for the Blues. This is a true blue color. 
Suzi Says Feng Shui is a bit more of a murky blue. It still has the bright blue tinge to it, but it also has the dusty quality that is hot right now.

All three colors are a shade or two different from each other. All three are great blues. But it would be nice to see OPI take blue to a new level rather than including a just a slightly changed blue in their collections. If I had to choose just one of these blues, I would go for Suzi Says Feng Shui. Of the three, it is the one that I think is the most unique.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Some More CND Love

Ok - I just have to say - I am in LOVE with the CND polishes. Have I said that already before? I think I may have even found a new favorite polish color. While most of you may have a blue or green or even a purple as your favorite color, mine is a nude. CND Dessert Suede to be exact. I think this one may even edge out RBL Grunge. I am tossed up between the two. This one is just amazing. This one wasn't a one coater like Eclectic Purple. But in two coats it was perfect!
This color is the perfect nude for me! I love it! After swatching I put this one back on and have been wearing it all week. Not so much as any tip wear with this one!

Of course for the purpose of swatching, I added a layer if CND Effects Ice Blue Shimmer to this one.


This gave it a cool blue shimmer effect. But I think I was feeling the creme alone, since I didn't bother adding this one to my manicure after all the swatching I did. Which way would you wear it, with or without the effects?

Friday, May 21, 2010

It's Time For a Revvvolution...

Yay it's Friday! I am actually off work today, so I am in a super good mood. I love having a long weekend!  Unfortunately I don't have any great plans. I did have some great plans for the weekend, but I have a prior commitment for tonight - which should still be fun and I will share more with you about it later. Then tomorrow night my daughters are having their end of the year bash. Today is the last day of school before summer vacation for them. So they are each having a few friends spend the night tomorrow night. So my house will be packed with about 15 11 - 15 year olds. Should be fun! For them! My husband is going to set up the PA system so they can dance and sing. I am sure the polish will come out some time in the evening with me doing the girls nails. I bet I will be exhausted come Sunday. So if you don't see a post from me on Saturday, you know why! HA! 


I recently purchased Color Club Revvvolution. The photos I have seen have made this one look so amazing. I have to say mine did not turn out so amazing! What's up with that? I may have to give this one another try - what do you think?





Thursday, May 20, 2010

Do My Nails Match My Outfit?

I have another outfit for you guys today. A friend of mine had her Birthday party at a local restaurant last Friday night and since I was getting all dolled up - I figured I would use this one as a feature in my new "Do My Nails Match My Outfit" posts that I am going to occasionally throw in here. I might need to think of a better name for these posts though, because I realize that most of my "going out" outfits are in the black color family. Either that or I need to add some color to my wardrobe. If you have an idea of what I could call it when I feature fashion and nails, let me know. You just may get to name it for me! 


One of the pictures is hilarious! It just so happens that it shows the outfit the best, but my face looks like I am going to kill someone. See, this is what happens when I pretend I am a model - I look murderous! I crack up every time I see it. So now here it is for all of you to crack up with me. It didn't help that we were running late and took all these pictures in about five minutes!
Does it get any angrier? This is too funny to me! Ok, Ok stop laughing. Well Ok - you can keep laughing, but here are the details to read while you laugh. This outfit is pretty much entirely from Charlotte Russe - even though I got all the pieces at different times. The top is a sheer top from Charlotte Russe and it retailed for about $20. I had to get a black bandeau top to go underneath it which I grabbed at a store called Body Central for $7. The shorts and wedge sandals are both from Charlotte Russe and I paid $20 for the shorts and I think $25 for the sandals. The belt is the most expensive item, I grabbed it at Express and I think I paid $30 for it. The earrings and the bracelet are also from Charlotte Russe and they usually retail their accessories for 2 for $8.  The ring which you will see a close up in an upcoming photo is my daughters. We got it for her at Aldo's for Christmas last year. She just had to have it. I think it was $25. And gasp.... I am wearing matching tips and toes!!! I am wearing OPI On Collins Ave.
Juan & I getting all artistic with the photo taking.

A better view of the wedge sandals

A close up of the ring and my nails. How cool is this ring? The clutch I grabbed at target for $10


Juan and me at the end of the night. Isn't he a hottie? Me however - what is with the tan lines! I wear sunblock - so what the heck?!?


OPI On Collins Ave

 

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