Press On Manicures: Yay or Nay?

So for the latest Influenster box I received, I must say I was much less than thrilled. Before I go any further, I should explain what was in this box.
The contents of this box actually intrigued me at first I must say. I know I've said it before, but I'll explain a little again. My nails essentially are the worst things on earth. I hate them. I kind of wish I could just wear mittens all the time without sweaty nasty hands, so I wouldn't have to let people see them. My body has a serious issue with keeping my iron levels at even a meager level. Where the "normal" for most people is 14 (insert appropriate unit of measure here), mine is forever sitting between 1 and 1 1/2. And, where the simple fix would be to take iron pills, again my body will have none of that! I have a tendency to actually be unable to digest the pills, and end up throwing them up within about 10 minutes. Same for the liquid, except in a much accelerated pace. Oh. Fecking. Yay. So, as a result, my nails peel. I can literally peel them off in layers. The crack, and break and are just not pretty. The only real way I've found that works to deal with this, is to either keep them super short to try and prevent the peeling (which really isn't as effective as I would like) or to use gel nails or something like that. When I found out that the Influesnter box I was getting contained the Broadway Nails imPRESS press on manicure, I was actually excited to see if this was possibly something that would work for me. Before this, I honestly think the last time I used press on nails, I was like... 6? So I wasn't too sure what to expect. When you get the product, the nails are actually in a polish bottle shaped container, which I must say is a cute idea. While I wasn't the biggest fan of the designs I received, after looking at them on Instagram and at my Walmart, they do have some really adorable designs that I would quite enjoy wearing. And those two things are about the only positives I can think of about this product in my opinion. I think I've also mentioned before my nails aren't the most normal shape, especially my thumbs and my middle fingers. So right away I had an issue fitting those nails with some of the press ons. Fitting these to my fingers was reminding me a lot of me trying to go shopping for jeans. If they fit my waist, they never fit my legs. If they're the perfect fit in the leg, they definitely don't fit in the waist. The nails were either too wide, or too long for me. The length for my thumbs was absolutely perfect. The width, not so much. The jabbed into my cuticles, and almost ended up lifting the skin around my nails. Not happy. The ring finger and pinkie weren't terrible, but the length was totally off. Where the others were all the same length and were a totally manageable length, these two fingers made me look like I had an Edward Scissorhands thing going on. I still tried to stick it out. They say that when applied correctly, they can last up to a week. I really can't vouch for this because mine didn't even make it two hours. I've heard from a few other people that they were able to wash dishes, and shower and do all their normal activities with these contraptions on. Not I. I attempted to shower and while massaging my shampoo into my cranium, I actually ended up pulling out a fair amount of hair that got caught under one of them. Before I showered I made sure everything was well pressed down, because this is definitely not one of my favorite things to have happen. So, after exiting the shower, I promptly removed them, and haven't had any interest in reapplying them. Honestly, if I had to give a score out of 10, I would probably have to go with maybe a 3. Only because the colours and designs are really awesome, and the packaging is cute. Otherwise, no. I will probably never buy these or really recommend them to anyone. What about you? Has anyone else tried them? What say you!?

VoxBox #2: Mystery Brand Challenge!

I'm now 10 days post surgery. And I'm going insane. I've left the house once in total, and being stuck at home is driving me insane. Daytime TV is terrible, and staring at the ceiling isn't much better. I'm finally at the point I'm able to get up and hobble around (think Igor) the house a bit before swelling kicks in and I have to go back to bed with my ice packs. So for my trek today, I figured I would check the mail. I was quite honestly expecting bills, hoping and praying for a big fat check. I found neither. Instead, I found this:

Which of course I had forgotten I was chosen to receive. So not only was this exciting to find, it also gave me a little ray of happy! After I wobbled back upstairs and tucked myself back in, I got down to business. First thing I noticed was the smell. Normally, when you get a package with a smell, it's not always a good thing. But this smell... Magical. It's all I can smell right now, and my nose is in heaven. Once I finished sniffing the box and actually opened it, I found 3 bottles.

One bottle of shampoo, one conditioner, and one split end serum. Obviously, I needed to remove the caps and sniff them (product quality assurance folks!) even more. Okay, now that I was again sated, I finally read my instructions. The run down is fairly simple. This VoxBox has two parts to it. Week One, which I just got, has 3 bottles of mystery product from L'Oreal. For the next week, I will substitute the mystery product in place of my usual shampoo and conditioner routine. The product is "specially formulated to reconstruct hair's strength by 90% from root to tip, it repairs hair and prevents further damage." What makes this possible? It contains Phyto-Keratin Complex, and Cupuacu Butter. Let me also point out, when I first read Cupuacu, I definitely read Chupacabra. (I told you I've been watching a lot of TV.) 

Since I just showered this morning because of a ridiculously early doctors appointment, I'll have to wait until tomorrow to try out my products. But being that simply by touching my hair, I know that it is dry, and a little damaged thanks to my straightener, I'm quite curious to see what kind of impact these three items will have, and how much of a difference I'll notice. I'll make sure I do a follow up in a couple days to let everyone know if I notice anything, and when the second box comes in about a week, I'll follow that up, and give a final opinion. If nothing else, the smell is fantastic!

Day 10: Follow up on My Sally Hansen Nail Polish.

So, if you remember from my last post, I was sent three complimentary bottles of Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure nail colour from Influenster. You may also remember that it is the preferred nail colour after ten days length by a test group of women. Now, here we are 11 days later, and lets see shall we:

 For the most part, I have to say this nail colour held up pretty damn good. I"ve been deep cleaning my house and prepping for my upcoming surgery, so I've spent the last ten days doing several sinks of dishes, thousands of loads of laundry, showering multiple children multiple times, scrubbing bathrooms, showering myself... Well, you get the drift.  Normally, after even one sink of dishes, my nails look like I painted them six months ago. With this stuff, I noticed that it chipped first around my cuticles, which for me is very common. However, it didn't chip as much as other brands I've tried. I also noticed my right hand chipped worse than my left, which makes sense. My right hand is my dominant hand, so that was the one scrubbing the dishes, and grabbing the laundry. Considering all of the abuse I put my hands through, and will continue putting them through in the next two weeks, I have to say despite my initial skepticism for this nail colour... I'm pleasantly surprised, and quite pleased.

Something A Little Different: Salyl Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Review

I spent the afternoon yesterday taking my three year old shopping for her birthday. Which, if you've ever been shopping with a three year old, you know to be a time consuming, repetitive action. I think we walked all the isles about four times each, and each time she was compelled to touch everything. Lets just say after that, I was ready for a nap. Once we were home and I was comfortably tucked on the couch working on 

some orders, Ginger decided to check the mail. Lo and behold I had a package (YAY!!). For a few minutes, I really had no clue what it was, and I was really just praying it wasn't a grenade or something. After prying it open (and cutting my thumb on it) I find nail polish. I fought with the bubble wrap, and was delighted to find that my Influenster package had arrived! When I had received the email that I was in the running to review some products, I honestly wasn't too excited. I'm that person that enters continually, but I never get picked. So I applied and kind of forgot. A couple days later, the next email came: I was in. So that was exciting for me, and made my day! Friday, I got the package, and was excited to start. So, before I get all into my review, let me just say a few things. First, these products were complimentary from Influenster, and were sent to me for testing purposes. Which of course, YAY! Second, I am not the person who always has fabulous nails. If anything, I have ugly awkward hands. I have three kids, and almost everyday I'm up to my eyeballs in cleaning, dishes and messes in general. So long ago I gave up trying to have nice hands. I don't do the gel nail thing anymore, nor have I been big into nail polish, mainly because it seems every time I do my nails, the polish can't hold up to the intense dishes/cleaning/showering/bathing regimen that occurs in my house. I also have lousy nails that peel and chip no matter what. So 

of course I keep them cut short. Low, low, low maintenance here folks. On the other hand, (haha, that was awful) I enjoy painting my toes and making them look pretty. You can thank me now, I'm not going to post photos of my feet. The nail polish, which is Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure, according to self-assessment from 375 women, is the preferred brand after 10 days. Each bottle has a base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, colour, top coat, chip resistant, and gel shine finish. Obviously, not having to do a base coat and then colour, and then top coat saves me time, and makes me happy. As for the chip resistant, I'm hoping for the best. I received 3 bottles to test; Pat on the Black (510), Red My Lips (470), and Jaded (540). I decided to try out Jaded first, because the colour is gorgeous, and, out of all the nail polishes I own, I don't have a turquoise colour. The bottle recommends two coats. Personally, I thought it was still too light, so I did three.

Second coat.

                                                  Third Coat.

The three colours I got. So far overall, I'm pleased with the coverage and colour saturation. It's yet to be seen how it will hold up to daily wear in my life, but so far, I'm happy! I think I'll do another update at day 5, and then at day ten just to show how it has held up. Here's hoping this is the first of many VoxBoxes!

Have any of you used the Sally Hansen CSM line? What did you think about it? Let me know!

Catching Up, and The Mad Man Knitting.

Whew. The last few months have been.... Busy. As some of you may know, I have three little monsters  darling children. :) My oldest is going to be 7 in February, and this year is second grade. She's always been a kid who absolutely LOVES school, and is completely devastated when it's the weekend or any kind of day off. So the fact that she's been having some difficulty settling down and getting in trouble has been a source of frustration, concern, and just all around craziness. However, we're now almost two months in, and we seem to be hitting a bit of an even plateau, so I'm hoping it continues on. Middle child started kindergarten. She becomes equally distraught and devastated if there should be a weekend or a day off. However, she is flourishing, and is doing absolutely amazing so far. Middle has Sensory Processing Disorder (as do I), and it has proven to be a huge hurdle the last year or so. The best way to explain it is like a traffic jam in the brain. She has different limits for different things than most kids, and if she's pushed too far, she tends to just shut down. And we know that's happened when I get the blank, unwavering Wall Look. When I see that, I know it's time to go have some quiet time in her room, working on resetting and getting back to a place where she can cope with everything. And in this crazy house, it can happen a lot. We recently completed Occupational Therapy for her SPD, and I"m thrilled to say that the ladies who worked with us are fantastic, and helped me learn what to look for, and how to handle what the disorder throws at us. I also learned a lot about myself, but I'll save that for another day. Little, she's a bit put out that she's the only one who doesn't go to school, and keeps telling me "In two weeks, I gunna go my school maaaaaaam!!!" Mmmm, sure. Two weeks. Try a year and a half. Whatever makes you happy though.

So over summer, I had a herd of orders all due towards the August/September dates, which I worked like a crazy person to finish. One of the first orders was for a twin set.

Each set also had a hat and bootie set with it. Next, I had photo prop sets to finish for a very close friends incoming bundle. The decided they wanted baby to be a surprise, so I designed a boy set and a girl set. This was the result:

Excitingly, they had a baby girl whom they named Eliza. Mommy sent me photos of her in her outfit, which I will post once I finally upload them. Next was a layette set. Now, this set is a 4 piece set, and I have photos of each piece. I really do love it, and wish I had been able to make something like this for my girls when they were little. However, I wasn't a crocheter at the time. This set however, has been a source of frustration, and strained friendship.

 

 
Seriously, how cute? I was SO proud of this one. So, when it came time to deliver it, the recipient told me she hadn't taken her break yet, and hadn't been able to go take money out, which I said was fine, and to drop it off when she had a chance. Fast forward three months. I've messaged her numerous times, and was told each time she would be dropping off the money, which never happened. Finally I asked either for the money, or the set back. Her reply was that she would be dropping it off, and that she was sorry she hadn't addressed this before, she's just been tight on money. I understand that. I know how it works as a single mom. I know how hard it is. And honestly, I wasn't trying to be a giant ass and take every last penny. Had she messaged me and simply said, look, I'm broke, and I can't pay, my response would have been something to the effect of, that's fine, just let me know when you're more prepared. When I started selling things, I knew that there would need to be a line drawn between professional and personal relationships to some degree, but I never wanted that. I wanted it to be friendly, and much like a family. I want the people who love my things to be able to talk to me, and should a trouble arise, be able to come to me, and even if they don't want to go into detail, just let me know it might take a bit longer. I know the struggles, and I know the frustration or  anger behind not having money. Even now, with a husband who works and provides for us, we still run into snags and find ourselves having to rethink a lot of things and cut back. Life is never easy, and I hate knowing that people close to me feel it more than others. This also brings me to the final part of my nattering session. I was flipping through Facebook, and someone had posted a link to a blog written by a man. Who knits teddy bears. At first, I was like whaaaat?? And after the first post, I found myself scrolling back, and reading his whole story. What I found, was an awesome story of perseverance, strength, determination, and behind it is a man and his cat who simply won't take the hits of life laying down. His Facebook page is Mad Man Knitting, and his blog is http://madmanknitting.wordpress.com/ . Go take a look and read his story through. It's heartbreaking to read, but that isn't the purpose of it. Making his way and building a life for himself is the main goal, and any of you that head that way and go look at the amazing bears he has will be helping. Know someone who needs a teddy bear, or just someone who could use some love from a soft cuddly friend? Gregory has what you're looking for!

Finally Ready

I remember sitting in 8th grade English class while they discussed the accident. I remember Mr. McDougall asking if anyone knew you. I remember raising my hand. And I remember chickening out of your funeral. I was terrified. Maybe if I don't go, don't acknowledge it, maybe it'll go away, and you'll be there tomorrow in the hallway, just like every other day. Maybe I'll wake up from this nightmare, and won't be left with an empty spot. Denial. Works great for a time. Until everything catches up to you. And now is my time. I spend alot of time thinking about when we were little,  and would spend every single day together. You had so much patience and tolerated the pain in the ass I'm sure I was. I remember watching Friday the 13th and Freddy Krueger movies with you, and knowing that I didn't need to worry, cause you were there. I remember building forts in your backyard with the tarp and picnic table, and spending hours in our own little world. Even now,everytime Kokomo comes on, I think of you. The way your hair was frizzy and stood straight up for a good amount of time because you electrocuted yourself.  You asking my dad to pull you behind his car on your snow racer (he always thought you were crazy). Letting Star drag you around the neighbourhood like a rag doll. Sitting under the pine tree in the middle of the park. Paul teasing us about being boyfriend and girlfriend. Theres SO much I remember, but at the same time, theres so much I can't recall. Like why we drifted apart. Where I put the news clipping about the accident. Anything to do with it really, I've effectively blanked out. I've spent  alot of nights up crying, thinking about it all, wondering if I could have changed anything or made a difference. Wondering why now, that I need these answers, they're nowhere to be found. All I want is to be able to come see you, and say all the things I should have said years ago. I'm sorry. I miss you. I wish you stayed with me. I need you. I love you. I'd give anything to be able to tell you these things. And so I'll continue looking. I love you Joey. I hope you knew that.

My Invisibility Rant

I've been scrolling through my Pintrest, and there's a lot of pins about awareness for 'invisible' diseases like fibromyalgia, lupus, or arthritis. And that got me thinking. Why does someone need to be outwardly ill looking for us to be considered sick? My aunt had rheumatoid arthritis, and went undiagnosed for almost 15 years. You can see the havoc it has wreaked on her hands and feet. It's more visible than other diseases or sicknesses. On the other hand, my dad and I both have what would be considered invisible diseases. My dad has been sick his whole life. At age 54, they still can't tell him exactly what he has, what caused it, or what will fix it. Because they don't know. This is going on about 13 years of doctors, medication, testing, monitoring and whatever else. And still we don't have a firm diagnosis. All they can tell us is that his blood pressure and volume is low, and the main arteries to his heart have a habit of shutting off and depriving the heart of blood, which causes black outs, and potentially strokes or heart attacks. The testing in the last bit has become more intense, and we're hoping that there's an answer coming. But to look at him, you wouldn't have a clue that he deals with this every single day. You wouldn't know that at any given time his body can shut down and possibly kill him. We don't know either, and that's the scary part. It's taken a toll on him, my mom, my brother and I, on my parents marriage, and other relationships around them.
I guess in some ways I might be considered luckier. I have a diagnosis. I know what is wrong with me, and I know what to expect, and what I can and can't do. What I don't have, and never will have is treatment or a cure. I was about 23 when I was diagnosed with Ehler Danlos Syndrome type 3. Basically, it's a hypermobility disorder, that can affect your joints, heart, and cause other problems. I had been having knee pain for a while, and I was sent to physio for it. My therapist is the one who sent a recommendation to my doctor about it. She diagnosed me. Done. Until I researched it. Looking at it, it really isn't the most horrible thing to have. There are far worse, and more lethal, type I could have, and I think I definitely caught a break on this. Right now, I'm in the middle of testing for osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis because the joint pain is beginning to affect my life. I just finished blood work, xrays, and on June 17 I'll be going for an MRI. Once a year I have an ECG done to check the collagen around my heart and make sure it isn't depleting. I also need to e more aware of myself everyday. This disease (syndrome, sickness?) causes the joints to become hypermobile and sublex more easily. AKA, I'm double jointed in almost every joint in my body. And as much as fun as it sounds like, it isn't. In two years, it's gotten to the point I can't sit on the floor and play with my kids anymore, because my hips and knees lock and I'm unable to move. I can't give piggy back rides or shoulder rides because my hips and knees have a tendency to give out and cause me to fall. Sleeping is becoming more and more difficult because I can't get comfortable. Less sleep means I'm crankier with the kids than I want to be. In reality, it isn't the worst thing to have. But there are days it seems like it's consuming me, and my life. But to look at me? I look like a healthy, normal, slightly tired, mother and wife. Inside, it's a vicious fight to see what syndrome or illness is going to be dominant that day. No one sees it. My mother thinks I over exaggerate and use it as a poor me excuse. My mother in law thinks I'm a flat out liar and that I'm faking everything. Yes. Because I fucking love hospitals and doctors and all that SO FUCKING MUCH. Ugh. But that's my point right there. They can't see what's wrong, or the pain, so they assume it isn't real. But it is. It doesn't matter if it's something small, or something huge. There's millions of people out there with 'hidden' or 'invisible' illnesses. Don't write them off and assume they're lazy, or faking it.   These aren't fake, and they are hurting the person who has them, and people who are close to them.