30-day-Challenge : DAY 1

Although it’s unknown (at least to me) what exactly my mental drawbacks are – I have learned of late that my mental wellbeing are made worse when I allow myself to get bogged down both emotionally and physically.

For instance, when my weight gets very high and I am as inactive as I can get it effects my emotional and mental health. I get angrier when I’m mad. I get sad to the point of depression when I’m disappointed. Situations that would make a normal person sad or angry for only a few hours put me into a downward spiral for days or weeks at a time.

These reactions do not, of course, completely disappear when I am healthy, fit and active. But, they are of a much more manageable state.

For these reasons I am beginning a self-challenge, if you will. I bet with myself that I cannot lose 10 lbs in the next 30 days.  I will begin today – May 14^th 2015. The challenge officially ends June 14^th of 2015.

I have numerous other faults in my life that desperately need attention as well, but, this is my first step in the right direction. You have to walk before you can crawl, as they say.

I welcome any of you that maybe reading this to join in. Take the 30-day-challenge with me. Together we can make one small change that just may be the first of many.

Anti-Winter 80's throwback Nail Design

Hi you lovely Creepers you!!!!

I'm so happy to be back, and with a happy and bright manicure too.

I don't know about any of you, but with the late start to our winter weather here in Chicago I was finding myself craving something fun and happy after Christmas. Something to combat the after-Christmas depression I usually go through.

It turned out very neon-y...I wasn't planning on that. My co-workers also said it reminded them of mint chocolate chip ice cream....I don't know about that. But, I'll admit my subconscious must be wanting summer time cause that's what this mani screams to me!


So, Let me tell ya how I did this bad boy!

The base of this design is done with Fresh Paint's Honeydew. A neon pastel green. This polish is quickly becoming famous in the stamping world for it's ability to stamp over black almost as well as a Mundo De Unas polish. But, I've become a lover of using them as polish too because they are a one-coater!

The last touch I gave my base color is adding a bit of Fresh Paint's SugarCrush (Thank you Judith!!!!) on the tips. This is a flaky glitter and I love using it to give a base color some dimension or sparkle.

 

 For the stamping I used two different shades and textures of blue. Since the base is more subtle with not a lot going on like a gradient or sponging, I wanted a slight gradient in the stamping.
I used SinfulShine's Set the Mood for a darker creamy blue. And, KleanColor's Metallic Aqua for a lighter and sparkly blue.
When stamping: instead of applying a single line of one color of polish I applied half the KC and half the STM. When scraping the extra polish I scraped multiple times moving the scraper slightly each time to give the transition between colors more of a flow.

For my thumb, pointer and pinky fingers I used this image from W204. Both plates I used are from the Wistonia 2nd generation set.

To me these images had kind of an 80's vibe and went well with the blue and neon green.

The other image I used on my ring and middle fingers. This image is from W203.

I think this image could be quite versatile with a little creativity and I've already been thinking of odd ways I could incorporate it into some new
designs.







And, that's it!! A bright, slightly retro and very fun manicure to pull you out of your winter blues!      Hope this inspires some more bright winter manis :)

Attempt 2,165,837 at quitting smoking

Hello creepers....

I am preparing to quit smoking tomorrow.

This is far from my first time quitting. I've quit many times and tried it a different way every time.

Sometimes I use the nicotine patches, sometimes I don't (usually when I'm quitting because I can't afford tobacco that week)

I usually always figure out a replacement hobby or action that I use instead of smoking a cigarette.
The first time I ever quit was for over a year. That time I used the patches for 9 weeks. This is when I started collecting Pyrex. Thrifting was my replacement action.

Since that first time I've quit dozens of times, once for 7-8 months, but most times for only 2 weeks to  a month and a half. I've used shopping...any kind of shopping as my replacement. I've used food (and, I mean MASSIVE gorge fests here). I've used gum, candy, suckers....

The last time I quit was for about a month and I used the gym and working out as my replacement. That worked pretty good....until it didn't.

This time I have no cash for patches, or shopping. I managed to make myself buy a bag of dum-dum pops and jolly ranchers to use this weekend. But, other than that it's a cold-turkey go at it this time.

Why am I quitting this time? Well, it's being initiated because of my Atlanta trip next month to my parent's house. My sister lives with them and she quit smoking 7 months ago. I either know they'll not allow me to smoke while I'm there or I will cause my Sis to relapse while I'm there if I am allowed to.

The point of this is.......I've felt different health-wise for 3 months now. I can feel my weight problem and my smoking changing my body. Probably in a permanent, non-reversible manner. I've continued to smoke anyways. I quit once two weeks ago for ONE FUCKING DAY! I smoked a cigarette that night before I got home from work and blamed it on a traffic ticket ...

I've always said to my family ... "I do bad things, like smoke, eat badly, drink nothing but coffee and diet Dr. Pepper. But, I would stop them ALL in a SECOND if I became sick or knew I had no choice but to or my health would suffer drastically"

Well, Bridget. Here you are! You're here. You are slowly becoming mildly ill and your health will suffer drastically if you do not stop. So, why the hell haven't you?

Eyeshadow Sale @ Ulta!!

Mornin' Creepers!

Hope you all had a glorious weekend. I spent mine being lazy and doing absolutely nothing.

So, Friday on the way home from work I discovered a new Ulta that is 15 minutes from my house. I got so excited I detoured 3 blocks to circle around back to it - I just had to see what nail polishes were on clearance! Unfortunately, nothing that I couldn't live without. But, on the way out the door I saw all the individual Ulta brand eyeshadow pots were on sale 3 for $9! Depending on the collection or type they normally range from $6-$9 each.

                              Here's what I walked out with <3

I chose two of their Cream Eyeshadows, They look to be Ulta's version of the Color tattoo eye shadows. After using them I am kicking myself for not getting three. They are hyper pigmented and almost "stain" your eye lids with color.

I wore them in my Front Porch Christmas sampler haul video - if you'd like to see them in action.....

Link to video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j2U1VX7DL0&list=UUg1clC3WFLAemYX-rv_g_Xg


So, let's see the colors already!!.....

TAUPE - this is the one I regret buying, only because it's a regular powder eyeshadow and I wish I'd gotten three of the cream shadows. But, that aside - it is a beautiful and sparkly taupe! It is a very silky and soft formula, no chalkiness here at all. I foresee this being a go-to shade in the summertime.

BRONZED - I freaking LOVE this shade!!!! It is shimmery and metallic, though not too sparkly that it can't be worn in the Fall and Winter months. It is rusty and coppery looking and after swatching it I finally experienced for the first time that euphoria of excitement over a new makeup product I've always seen beauty gurus lapse into in their haul videos but never felt it myself.

ROSE GOLD - Love this one (almost) as much as Bronzed. It is rosy - golden  goodness and although it is very sparkly I will still be rockin' it all winter because it's that GORGEOUS!



Although it wasn't planned as such, the three together make a perfect trio, as if they came in a palette together!!

Love them and can't wait to collect some more in this brand.

Hope y'all have a great week & REMEMBER - Find your own shade of awesome and wear it like a BOSS!

Cute Halloween Mani <3

Hello creepers!

I really enjoyed coming up with my latest Halloween themed mani and thought I'd share how I did it with you.

The only plate I used was MoYou London's Suki #10.

For my pointer and pinky finger I used Julep's Ledi for my base color. I stamped the spider and web image with my Konad princess white stamping polish and finished it off with red almond shaped gemstones on the spider's body for a pop of color that coordinates with the Orange fingers and also adds dimension.

For my thumb and middle finger I used a cheapy Orange polish from Sally Beaty Supply. I stamped the bat full nail image with both my Klean colors metallic black and Sinful shine Nouveau Purple for an ombré effect.

 For my ring finger I used Sinful shine's Nouveau Purple as my base color. I stamped the two largest bat images from the bats I used on my orange nails with my Konad princess white stamping polish. Lastly, I used a dotting tool to add dots of glitter using Sinful color's Black Magic.

I hope this at least inspire's someone to try something different this week for Halloween. Thanks for reading :)

Julep Maven - Welcome Box

Hello creepers!

I know, so soon for a 2nd post. I was inspired!! And, also didn't think this warranted an entire YouTube video....

I have again, taken the Julep dive and decided to re-join the club. There's something about receiving nail polish in the mail that is just so hypnotic, don't you agree?

Anyways.

Their club has changed a little bit since I was last a member and I will let you know of these changes as we go..

The premise of the company is: you pay a monthly fee to receive a box of nail and beauty items in your mail box. There are 5 different styles to choose from:

* Boho Glam
* It Girl
* Bombshell
* Classic with a twist
* Modern Beauty

There are also two levels of subscription box:

*My Maven box
*Maven Luxe

The Maven Luxe box is more beauty based and less nail related. It is also more expensive...

You will initially choose one of the 5 styles, but you have the freedom to choose a box from one of the other styles any month you'd like.

As a member, your selection for the month's box opens up to you for changing on the 20th of every month and you then have until the 24th to finalize your choice. During this time you can also choose add-ons to purchase and items from "your secret store", which if I am understanding it correctly is a set of items available to only you for purchase with your box.

On the 24th you are charged for your box along with anything you might have added and you soon after receive a shipping conformation email.

It is worth mentioning that in the past they allowed you the option of skipping any month that you wanted. That has changed and you now "earn" ONE skip per every 6 months. I guess they had one too many individuals signing up for the free welcome box, then, skipping for the next 8 or so months.....(I didn't do that)....*cough*

Now onto the fun stuff.....what I got in my Welcome Box

Your items come in an over sized pink box, very cute. But, I wonder how they ship this box via Fedex for only $3....?


Along with your items, they also include a pick slip listing the items you've ordered, a very colorful pamphlet and this time they sent a coupon code for 50% off my next purchase which is good until January 15th 2015! I am already plotting what I will buy with it after Christmas (of course).

Their packaging has changed, and I am really digging it! They used to send the polishes without a box. They now have these gorgeous white boxes with gold lettering. Very simple and classic looking.

They also now have this swatch square on the lids: very helpful if you keep your polishes in drawers like I do.

 The last, but best, change they've made is they've widened the brush!!! I absolutely LOVE wide brushes! Although Orly and China Glaze come out with the most amazing shades and textures, I HATE their brushes.
Here is an old Julep and the new Julep brush.

 Ana - a matte, white bar and chunky glitter. They call this a "Spray paint top coat"
I love paint splatter type of glitter polishes. they are great to use on an accent nail or in skittle manicures.

Mary Lee- A red satin finish. I really appreciate their variety in finishes within a box. I personally like textured, glitter, matte polishes. So, this was a pleasant surprise for me :)

Ledi - A black shimmer/glittery polish. I have several polishes similar to this, but was still not disappointed to receive this one! I like it, it's very, very vampy which is exactly what I love to wear in the fall and Halloween months.

Lastly - the beauty item I got was a gel pencil liner in Black. I really like this eyeliner! It went on so smooth and almost felt silky upon application.... (to my hand). 30 minutes later it did not smudge or move at all when I ran my fingers over the swatch. It has staying power.

First Post EVER!!

Hello fellow internet creepers.

I'm going to start out by telling you a bit about me - Bridget Jimenez.

I am 36 years old next month (getting ever closer to the big FOUR-ZERO....)

I am a service award coordinator and have been at my company for 7 years. It is a love/hate relationship....as is everything.

I've been married for 5 years, and....we celebrated our 4th anniversary this year (because we are dumb-asses) and missed our first milestone. True story.

I have 3 stepchildren, they have a love/hate relationship with me as well. But, we are family and always there for one another.

I have a rabbit and 4 cats.....we are animal lovers and take it to the extreme.

I love nail polish and nail art, I am active in many facebook groups and feature videos related to nail art on my YouTube channel. I also am a wax and candle fanatic, I also am part of several wax groups on facebook and over half my videos on my channel are wax related.
If that strikes your fancy, then feel free to take a look....
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg1clC3WFLAemYX-rv_g_Xg

 Lastly, I am a picker. I love American Pickers and I collect antiques and vintage anything.

This blog will be a combination of all three loves in my life: my pets, my family and my hobbies.

Hope you stay for awile :)