Holiday Nails with Kiss Nail Art

 

 

I don’t know about anyone else, but attempting to paint my nails at home is akin to torture, especially if I am attempting to do any kind of trendy design.

 I diligently paint every digit.

 

 

I patiently wait for them to dry. This is where shit gets real.

 

Lastly I attempt any of the following—adding glitter, ombre, or French tip. Instead of turning out beautifully I wind up with a streaky mess of crap on my hands.

 

 

Fortunately, Kiss has come up with a clever way to make your nails look perfect.  Kiss Gradation Polishes gives you a set of three polishes that all work perfectly together to make glittery ombre nails. The bottles are clearly labeled (1, 2, 3) to let you know what order to apply. It also comes with instructions so that you can achieve a salon look at home. The polishes also dry insanely quickly, which pleasantly surprised me. I was totally dry within 30 minutes, which for me is perfect because I can paint my nails and have them dry in less than one episode of Real Housewives. I call that a win.

 

Fun Filled Adventures

 

While I don't have photographic evidence (at least none in which I look attractive), I did do stuff this weekend. My friend, Kala, celebrated a milestone birthday while in Mexico with her bf, so we did an easy birthday celebration at her house on Friday. She was dogsitting her bf's dog, Dock, so I spent most of the evening giving that big boy some loving. Dock is a brindle boxer, just like my Tigger, but he is normal size not a famine victim like Tig. I also find it amusing that Tig is considered small, yet weighs 50 lbs. He’s just special.  

On Saturday, Big T came over to teach the Mr. how to add crown molding to the ceiling. We are adding cabinets, bookshelves, and re-building the fireplace mantle. My Dad is a jack of all trades and is not only doing this project for us, but teaching the Mr. how to do these things well. I white washed the bricks on the fireplace and the plan is to paint the ugly gold doors black. I can’t wait to see how it all turns out!  

While the boys were working on the fireplace project, I was working on a gift for baby LRD.  After Big T left, we went to my friend Lucy’s house so that I could give her the gifts. I love giving gifts and I try my hardest to make them as personal as possible. The colors of baby LRD are gray, navy, and orange and the theme is owls. I ordered the cutest vinyl monogram a few weeks ago of Sassysteals and I adore it! I came out beautifully and all I had to do was rub it onto a picture frame. I also embroidered an owl print “L” on a fleece blanket, which is one of the easiest ways to personalize something. What are some easy ways that you personalize gifts?  

Overall, it was a pretty chill weekend. The only sucky part is that while on the way to Kala’s house on Friday the Neon got hit by another car trying to edge past us into the turn lane at a stoplight. I couldn’t be mad about it though because the driver was just a baby and didn’t know any better. She was crying and crying and her car was worse than mine, which is funny since her car was a Honda CRV and way bigger than the Neon. If I can say one thing about the Neon I would have to admit it’s a sturdy sucker. It’s better than a bumper car in accidents.

Fall Carabox

I participated in the Carabox exchange again. I loved getting to know my ladies last go round, so I thought I'd do it again. Again, it was a blast! This time around instead of having only one month to get to know my two ladies I had almost two full months, as Carabox is now 4 times per year instead of monthly. I think that this gave me more time to be thoughtful about what I was picking out for my girl. The theme this time was Fall, which I had to try really hard not to make Halloween (since that is my fave fall holiday!).

 I sent a box to Tiffany at In Pursuit. She is a lovely lady expecting her first baby (whom she calls Charlemagne), has the cutest fur baby, and takes amazing photos! I have loved getting to know her over the past few months. 

I received my box from Abby at Always Abby. Abby is a super sweet girl who I have a ton in common with! She works with kids, loves playing with hair and makeup products, and we also share a love of books. Abby took the time to get to know all about what the Mr. and I were up to around our new home and all the little things going on in my world. I received the cutest dish towel that I set out immediately, the cutest pumpkin patch decor block (it also got set out immediately), pumpkin spice smell good stuff (which I LOVE), a big mug that has a lid (perfect for work), nail polish, and a cute Halloween headband! Thanks, Abby!

,. 

Friday Fuzzies

I needed something happy to talk about since this has been an up and down shit week. So, I decided to talk about the things that are making me happy lately. Life has a lot fo twists and turns and sometimes I get a little motion sick from. Life, this is why I don't ride roller coasters you crazy bitch! But on to the greatness :)

• We are working on our living room this weekend. On Thursday night, I white washed the brick around our fire place and I am going to paint the fireplace doors black this weekend. Then, the Mr. and Big T are going to put in cabinets and bookshelves. The pinsperation for this project:

 

• My clinical training plan got approved, which I am super, massively excited about. As a social worker, this is the next level of licensure that I can get. For the next few years I will learning to be a better social worker! Woot!
  
  

 

• We are celebrating my fabulous boo thangs birthday tonight with his parents. Every year we go to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and have a delicious meal. This year is no different. I am going to get off work, stop to buy his present (it was too big to hide), and go tart myself up for a fun night out!

 

Wedding Wednesday What I Won't Do's

And in the age of the 72 day marriage. I am honoring Miss NeNe Leakes on lasting more than 10 years, making a bunch of money, getting divorced, and then marrying the same man. Love it!

Three things I do not need to do at my wedding (trust I am not hating if you do these):

1. I will not be wearing more than one dress. I just am too cheap for that shit.
2. I will not force my guests to change clothes (here's looking at you Adriana of RHOM).
3. I will not run hours late (again, looking at Adriana of RHOM). Be on time, people will be getting hungry and let's be real, people are just there for the food anyways!

What things wwould you not do? What things shoudl I not do? Let me know so I don't mess up!

Veteran's Day aka Thanks Dad!

My Dad aka Big T :) He was just a baby.

 

I don't know who all knows it or not, but today is Veteran's Day! This is a big deal, like Christmas style big deal. My Dad, my dad's dad (grandpa), my dad's dad's dad  (my great-grandpa).... and many more men in my family are all Vets!

 

This past weekend, we held my grandfather's funeral in Seneca, KS. While there we had the chance to visit the Nemaha County Veteran's Memorial. I know, who in the world knows where that is at?! Well, on this wall was my Grandpa Larry's name! It was nice to be able to see his memory living on when we were there at a time to honor his memory.

 

It is a point of great pride for me that my father served in the military. I love that there is an entire day dedicated to the men and women who protect our country. My dad retired with after serving more than 20 years in the Army. It makes me proud. In my parent's home we have an entire room dedicated honoring the men in our family who have served. I love to show people this room so that they can see how the military is a part of so many people's lives. I wish that we could do more to honor them on an everyday basis.

 

Do you have loved ones who have served or are serving? How do you show your pride?

 

 

 



Veteran's Memorial in Seneca, KS

Grandpa Larry, Great-Grandpa Bud (Leo), and Great Uncle Gary all served proudly

Engagement Photo Previews

 

 

Eeewwww. I know playing kissy face is gross, but I just had to share these pictures with you all. The Mr. and I met with our wedding photographer for a quick 45 minute session. We had both just gotten of work, so I am glad we don't look a hot mess. I thought that I didn't want or need "engagement" photos, but now that I have them I am super, duper excited. Truthfully, I had given up hope that the Mr. and I would ever have a good picture of both of us, together, at the same time. I mean the stars have to align for this to happen. Or he needs to be drunk, but not me once I get drunk I get red and have glassy drunk eyes, so not cute.

 

 I personally love the one lying down and the standing on the bridge in front of the stone wall.

 

What do you think? Which is your favorite?

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's like Glee, But Different.

Sooo... you know how some bloggers have been writing posts about how blogging is like high school. It has made me think back to my high school days, especially as I have a reunion coming up! While I realize there are cliques, I often feel that we project the image we expect to see on a group of people. I think there are those people who can, and do, fit in with all people never realizing that they are supposed to act a certain way with a certain group, they just flit around. I would say that was me in high school. I did competitive drama (who know there was such a thing?!), cheered 2 years, participated in plays and musicals both onstage and off, managed the boys soccer team, and was student body president my senior year. I didn't care what I was called by who, just that I liked what I was doing.  While Gloee was amazeballs for all of 2 seasons, it was absolutely nothing like that. I mean doing plays and musicals is about all Glee has in common with public school performing arts.

Soooo.... for all of you who didn't have a chance to participate in drama club. So courtesy of buzzfeed, I give you a little peek into that world.

Auditions filled you with so much hope every time. What if this was your year?

 

The day you got a part other than “chorus” was a glorious one. Lezzzbehonest. I can't dance or sing, so I was always grateful that I every made it into the musicals. Although one time I did have like 5 lines and an actual name.

 

But being a chorus member/dancer had its perks, like having more time to hang out with your friends backstage.

You collected all the playbills of the shows you were in. And I have many of them framed :)

And you viewed drama club banquets as rehearsal Tonys. OMG! Winning was the highlight of your year! You knew big things would happen next year because of this win!

 

You may not have been as popular as the athletes, but people still filled up the auditorium to see a show you helped put up, and that was really validating. Shit my mom came to every show... and I mean every show, one day I found her sitting in the lobby reading a book because she had seen that show that many times.

 

You got to go on field trips to see live theater! Didn't everyone take a class called Give My Regards to Broadway and travel to New York? No? Just me and the 12 other dorks, gotcha.

What clubs were you in? Have you ever heard of competitive drama? Tell me about it!

Current Shopping Obsessions

To go along with my hoarding tendencies I also internet shame shop. I troll websites and look at all of the pretty things and have to convince myself that I don't need all the chevron scarves, chandelier earrings, pretty fall leggings. I call it shame shopping because I do it by myself with no one around and always have a hint of buyers remorse if I actually do purchase anything.

I have to admit, Amazon is my number one shame shopping site, but others out there are just as good! Groopdealz is also one of my faves. You need a monogrammed tumbler? I'm sure you can find it there. It is a flash sale site that I adore. I also love the site Sassy Steals, it is the same concept of Groopdealz. There are daily flash sales that are deeeeeppppllly discounted. I totally bought my fleece lined leggings from there. And if you were ever wondering if fleece lined leggings were worth it, I can tell you they are. But remember, just because they are fleece lined does not mean leggings are pants!!! If they were pants, they would be called pants.

What are some of your favorite online shopping sites? Becuase I totally need more :)



Silicone Watches on Sale Today on Sassy Steals



Personalized Iphone case on Groopdealz