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 :)