Life Events

Sometimes a lot of big and important things have to happen and change in your life in order for you to grow. Very recently, one of those big and important life changing events happened to me.


I changed the shape of my fingernails.


GASP!!!  


I know. This brings out a lot of mixed emotions in you right now. It's ok.  Society puts come very heavy pressures on nail shapes and I think it's time we as people got together and talked about this. As adults. As people. As one.

There is no steadfast rule that says I am bound to a nail shape!
I didn't sign any papers and it's not a question on my credit check! (in 2013)

So when I let my nails grow long...aka I've been too lazy to cut and file them... I decided that I would try some Pinterest Projects for you guys to do some in depth 20/20 style reporting on nail art. Ya know...get into the heart of the story.  But my first project was the ever pinned Reinforcement Sticker Manicure.  Which is a quick and easy way to get a rounded french manicure.  

And here was the problem. It's gonna look better on round filed nails.   I don't have round filed nails. I'm a ride or die Squoval!

But what I needed was a Round or Almond shape.

So there, in the hot light of the bathroom one early summer night.  I took to my file and I rounded my nails.  That's right, I did it.  I went out the next day and ya know what......noooo one cared!!!!    Because seriously, who cares about the shape of my nails??  Well, Ali does, but she don't live here no mo'.

So they've been round for a few weeks now.  And it's going surprisingly well!! Except that I haven't quite gotten the filing down so I have to concentrate and it takes me a lot longer, which is why I haven't been filing them, which is why they are soooo long right now that I hate them.  So I did my Pinterest Project tonight so that I can cut these suckers tomorrow!

Pinterest Project: Reinforcement French Manicure

 Tools: Nailpolish(s), Reinforcement stickers, Polish remover (Not shown:) Tweezers, q-tip 

Reinforcements from any office supply aisle or store or old box of school things. Polishs Left: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Slick Slate Right: Color Club Wanderlust Collection in Reign in Spain

 Start with a DRY base color, or clear. 

 Get stickers in place on all 10 fingers. 

You don't want to adjust stuff with wet polish.  

I used 2 for my thumbs. 

My other hand was lined up better.

 Apply 1 coat of color. 

Try to make sure you're using a fairly opaque polish. You don't want to have 4 coats on the end of your nails, it will make a deep line and chip much faster. 

Apply 2nd coat to one hand. Remove stickers with tweezers.

Then proceed to 2nd hand for 2nd coat of polish. 

Clean up edges with remover and q-tip. 

Apply a good top coat and that's it!

Yeah, this hand has a bit of a widows peak happening on my thumb. My right hand is done much better. But if anyone actually complains about it, they are far too close to my personal bubble and we have a whole other set of issues besides my thumb nail. 

Conclusion:  SUCCESS!!   Super easy. Very fast. Tons of possibilities.   

However I'm cutting my nails immediately.   

I can't live like this. 

I'm A Greedy Gus

Shout out to Big D, aka my grandmother, for teaching me that phrase and countless other gems!

But yes. It's true.  I'm a Greedy Gus.  Because June's Birchbox arrived!!!

It actually got here last week, 2 hours before my shipping notification email came.  I'm not complaining. That was awesome.

June's Birchbox is titled Wanderlust.  

Because aren't we all itching to get somewhere this time of year?

1. Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo: a 2.5oz sample is a simple stubby travel bottle. The no fuss label makes me think this is meant for business! It says it has moisturizing Indian fig extract and olive oil.  

Are my homeland figs moisturizing?? I need to look into this. 

The label itself says for dry & frizzy hair. Oh, I'll be the judge of that, for sure.  The scent hits me at first like dish soap. Seriously, a dish soap. I can't put my finger on which one. So at first it's like...uh oh, but if you can get past the first 2 seconds, you can start smelling other things. Citrus and just light, very clean...something.  It's not bad! I could dig this. 

2. Davines Love Smoother Conditioner: Now this one says for Harsh & frizzy hair. I don't know that means. I've never heard of anyone refer to hair as harsh.  Is my hair harsh?? How do I find out?? Don't fail me now, Google!  I can't sniff this one because it's in a sealed little pack. 

3. Davines Oi/Oil Absolute Beautifying Potion: Well this sounds promising! It says it contains Roucou oil. You're killin me June Birchbox!! I have lots of things to Googlize. This says it's an "antioxidant-packed potion to instantly tame frizz and strengthen hair over time."    

It's a very small packet, but I'll give it go one day.  When my Moroccan Oil isn't looking. 

4. This might be my faaaav! LAQU & Co Lil' Lip Duo: This fat little lip pencil isn't like the rest. I can't compare these to my beloved tinted balms, because it's not! This comes out like a full satin finish lipstick! The color is amazing and rich and very pigmented, with one swipe I have complete full lipstick!  But, like the tinted balms, it's still got the mintyness that I love!  Recap; hot pink lipstick, in a small lip pencil, that is creamy and minty and feels amazing. There is nothing not to love here.

If you're hip to the Birchbox and have 'liked' their facebook page, then you already know that this product is exclusive to Birchbox and was one of the products that every member in June received! Birchbox sells these in a duo pack, exclusive to Birchbox, for $16! The one I received is called Pink Man and here's a photo to demonstrate just how awesome these colors are for every skin tone! 

5. Furlesse Elevens Frown Line Reducing Patches: So these are suppose to be patches that you put in certain spots on your face that reduce the appearance of lines as you sleep. This pack of Elevens is for the frown lines between your eyes. They have other patches; Crows, obviously for eye lines ; Lip-sticks, for lip and expression lines and Rows, for the forehead lines. 

I don't exactly have these lines, yet, so even if I try these, I'm not sure I could review them very well. 

There are 3 patches in this trial pack and each is shaped like an open Japanese fan. Just the right shape for between the eyes! Now I just have to find someone to try these out....

6. Color Club Nail polish: This is actually Birchbox + Color Club, who have come together to make a Wanderlust Collection just for Birchbox! And I am ecstatic about this color! It might not read very well on screen, but in person this color is a neon peach. And I am in such lust with it!   I have quite a few nailpolishes. More than I should, and of those, most are brights. This is the one color I don't have and I'm beyond excited to wear it! 

Again, if you were hip to The Box, then you would know already that every box contained one of the Wanderlust Collection polishes. I'm so happy I scored the one wanted.  50cent Bubble Prize Machine Vindication!!

7. To round out the Wanderlust box, Birchbox sent along 5 postcards of different cities around the world. Each one has a little blurb on the bottom called One Perfect Day where it gives you a great day's itinerary for each city.  Who doesn't love postcards??

If you're still unsure if you want to sign up for a Birchbox of your own, let me just say this...

DO IT!!!!   Seriously...have you not been paying attention?? Did you not see what I've been getting??

Just click on this link and sign up. It's 10 bucks. That's less than 2 fancy coffees.  And you can stop them at anytime! You know you want to!