Think "Biggs"

Howdy,

I know I haven't gotten a post up in awhile, and honestly I don't know when the next one will go up, but this has been heavy on my heart for awhile...

Today's manicure is inspired a wonderful young man that has changed many lives and continues to be an inspiration to others.  On January 22nd of this year, a dear friend of mine lost her youngest brother in a tragic car accident.  The driver of the vehicle was drunk and lost control at high speed.  God's only mercy was that Brice "Biggs" Contreras, a passenger and not driver, was killed instantly and did not suffer.  I have experienced a great deal of death in my life, too much of it alcohol or poor choice related.  But this one was still extremely difficult, just in a different way.  I did not know Brice directly, but I felt like I knew him.  And, I know that he was starting down a very rewarding path when God took him home, but because of a young man's determination to drive under the influence I will never get to meet Brice in this life or see him become a great man that changes the world.  But my difficulties and grief arefor his family.  They have to find a way to make it through each day and he has two newborn nephews that will never feel his warm touch here on Earth.  His older nephew keeps asking when he'll be back from Heaven.  Tragedies such as these CAN and SHOULD be avoided.  If you drink, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not drive.  Nothing may happen, or you may make many people's worlds stop turning.

The base color of this inspired manicure, OPI DS Magic (which by the way applies beautifully and I adore), was actually given to me by Brice's mother and as soon as I saw it I knew that the first manicure I did with it had to honor Brice (and each after would remind me of him).  He loved the Dallas Mavericks and this blue just screams of Mav spirit.  The stamping is done with Orly Luxe faded into Orly Dazzle and Konad Image Plate m83.  I know the Mav's colors do not include gold, but hear me out (besides it's not obvious at all).  The pattern reminded me of both plants and fire.  So I used the gold and silver to be representative of it all.  Why plants and fire you ask?  Well, Brice was showing immense growth at the time of his death and he has caused immense growth in others.  Also, Brice had an inner fire that spread to those around him anytime he was around.  He was warm and caring, a friend to all.  How do I know this if I never actually met him myself, you ask?  Because I know people that knew him and he made a difference in them.

The world needs more people like Brice and fewer people driving drunk.  Please think before you get into a car under the influence or not, you are in control of a weapon that can end lives.  Please pay attention and be mindful.  Think "Biggs", because you're actions are bigger than yourself.  In April, Brice's family and many friends walked with MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) to raise funds and awareness.  They are in the process of creating a website for a foundation created in his memory, Think "Biggs".  Please check www.thinkbiggs.org periodically to see how you can help once the website is up and running.


 Thanks & Gig 'em!

It's Independence Day, but Everyday is Memorial Day and Veteran's Day

Howdy!

I know today is Independence day (and I am sporting a red, white, and blue mani toady since I can't stand wearing a mani that is chipped :/), so this post seems a little out of place timing-wise, but I truly mean the sentiment in the title.  This day 230+ years ago a group of very brave men put their lives on the line by taking a stand.  Many of them went on to do so on the battlefield as well.  The tradition of proud, strong-willed Americans defending freedom continues today.  So, in my humble opinion, today we should all not only think of and celebrate the men that began that tradition, but the men and women that continue it.  I know the American government isn't the most popular subject or entity around, at home or abroad.  Honestly, I'm not always a fan.  But I am still proud to be an American, and I am more proud of the men and women that have fought, do fight, and will fight for America.  I am always humbled to say thank you to a veteran or soldier.

So, I decided to do some nail art inspired by those wonderful men and women in fatigues in hopes that if someone noticed it I would get to remind that person of the people that inspired them.

I used Essie Mochacino and then painted a side tip with Essie Armed & Ready, then stamped it with Konad Special White and plate m7 across the tip.  The intention was that the bottom of the bow would land where the two colors met.  I didn't quite manage on every nails, but close enough that the general public was impressed lol

Have fun and be safe today.  And, do me a favor if you get the chance, tell a service man or woman thank you.  And not just once, but every chance you get.

Thanks & Gig 'em!

A Diamond Jubilee!

Howdy all!

In honor of Queen Elizabeth II's 60 year a few of us nail bloggers decided to celebrate on our nails!  We all used different combinations of British brand nail polishes to create a British Day Jubilee Manicure.  For mine, I started with butter LONDON Slapper and then sponged on a gradient of a-england Princess Tears.

I started out liking it a great deal, but as it set and dried the Princess Tears changed colors! It ended up looking more like Princess Sabra/Tristam's Tears.

Then I got the bright idea to add a bit of art... I used Konad plate m40 and Konad Special Polish in White to put a crown on my left ring finger.  Of course, I only had one crown, because there is only one Queen ;)  But, again, I couldn't stop there.  I added a little square rhinestone that had an AB finish (kinda hard to see in the picture :/) that I applied in a fashion that we in the jewelry industry would call kite set to the center point of the crown to mimic a diamond ;)

I must admit, I'm not in love with this manicure.  What do y'all think?


Thanks & Gig 'em!

P.S.  Make sure to check out the rest of the fabulous bloggers celebrating the Diamond Jubilee!

They're Different, Not Broken - Autism Awareness

 

I know in today’s society many feel that people that don’t function “normally” must have something wrong with them.  There must be a cure or solution.  A pill or treatment to fix the problem.  Well I’m sorry if I offend anyone or lose any of my few readers, but… Autistic child/people are NOT broken!  They do not need a cure or solution.  They need to be understood.  I’m not saying that research shouldn’t be conducted to find a cause (if we even can, human biology is extremely complicated and sometimes things just seem to happen.  I know, I know… another foreign concept in our society that we, including myself, really struggle with if someone says it) or attempt to find ways to improve the quality of life that many with autism are thrown into.  But, I am saying that we should not put autistic people in a box with a pill and ignore them or treat them as incompetent.  Many, if not most or all, are HIGHLY intelligent people.  The general public fails to discover, let alone understand, this because they don’t take the time to learn a new communication style!  In my experience, autism really boils down to a communication disorder, not a disease that must be contained and cured immediately.  Much like someone that has lost their ability to speak coherently after a stroke, autistic people usually know what they want to say but have difficulties getting it out.  Yes, they tend to have what seems to be certain quirks that throw some people off, like generally preferring not to be touched and structured schedules.  But, heck, my sister hates to be touched and she is far from autistic.  These are also preferences that change with culture!  In some cultures there is nearly zero physical contact generally speaking; and, some cultures value a rigorous schedule closely adhered to, while others adhere to a very loose schedule.  I find that people believe autistic people incapable of emotion.  This is LUDACRIS!  All the autistic people that I have met and/or spent time with are highly sensitive to both your emotions and how they feel and are treated.  They just express these emotions differently.

My point is I think instead of the general public focusing on what’s “broken,” they should be educated on, or by in many cases, what autism really is and what those special people we call autistic really deal with.  In my experience, they are often some of the sweetest, most sensitive, most loving, most caring, highly intelligent, curious, creative people you will ever have the honor of meeting and spending time with.  Learn their “language,” spare a minute to be blessed…

Ok, so now I will get off my soapbox and show you my nails for Worldwide Autism Awareness Day today.  If you missed out on fun and educating today, don’t worry this month this Autism Awareness Month so you can participate as much or as little as you like :)

I started with Orly Snowcone as my base because I felt it to be the closest match to the Light Up Blue Campaign Logo I’ve been seeing.  I then used a dotting tool and Essie Blanc to create a puzzle piece on my ring fingers (I will try to persuade my camera to work properly and make a tutorial for my version of a puzzle piece soon).  And since like I said I feel like many autistic people are misunderstood and are actually very loving I stamped a heart from Konad plate m18 with Konad White Special Polish on my thumbs.  I layered “A”s going all different directions from Konad plate m17 over this with Konad Blue Special Polish.

 

Thanks & Gig ‘em!

Jessica

ASPIRE to Reach the Stars

So I am Executive Chair (President) of an organization ASPIRE (Aggie Scholars Promoting Incentives, Resources, and Encouragement) at my university and we had our Annual Awards Banquet and Parents’ Luncheon today.  Normally I would have done a blue mani with gold or yellow stars to match our logo, but I ended up with a new blue shirt to wear instead.  Sooooooo, I decided to be bold and wear bright red shoes with my blue shirt and black pencil skirt and of course I had to complete the outfit with a stunning manicure… luscious red with gold stars.

I used China Glaze Ruby Pumps as my base color.  Then I stamped the ring finger with Orly Luxe and Konad plate m42.  (Please ignore the date stamp on the photos.  My camera decided to change it’s settings… :/)  For any that have never seen or used Ruby Pumps, let me just give you a little advice… RUN, don’t walk to your nearest beauty supply and get it NOW!  This is an AMAZING, INDESPENSABLE color.  I love the formula, too.  The more layers you add the deeper and richer the color gets.  The top two pictures were taken in direct sunlight, but inside (the last photo) the color is a bit darker and the glitter flashes and dances in and out of sight.  I find myself staring at my nails anytime I wear Ruby Pumps – walking to class, sitting on the couch, knitting, driving (not such a good idea), everywhere.  And, I get tons of compliments.  It’s very eye catching :)

Sadly, I will be changing it tonight.  But!  It is for a great cause – Autism Awareness.  Tomorrow is World Autism Awareness Day.  Therefore I will be sporting blue nails and with any luck a white puzzle piece.  I’m hoping to get the regular blog post up tomorrow and then make this manicure  my first tutorial, hopefully, and have it up shortly :)

Keep an eye out!

Thanks & Gig ‘em!

Jessica

Some Old NOTDs - Beware Pic HEAVY

I thought I would do a quick post with some of my previous manicures.  Not that any of them are very advanced, but would you like to see any of these made into tutorials or some tips on them?

My first attempt at nail art lol  Essie Sexy Divide and Essie Blanc

This was done with China Glaze Ruby Pumps and Essie Blanc.

China Glaze Stone Cold with Essie Play Date and Turquoise & Caicos

Essie Play Date, Bachelorette Bash,
Fruit Sangria, Blanc, and Orly Blue Collar.
Inspired by Creativenailart

China Glaze Fast Track stamped with
Orly Rose Radience and Konad plate m63
(one of my fave manis EVER)

Orly Goth and Forever Crimson

Tip to cuticle:  China Glaze Spontaneous, Orly Dazzle, Butter London Marrow

Sponged glitter gradient done with OPI Vampsterdam and Essie Carnival

OPI Extravagance stamped with Orly Luxe and Konad plate m36

Orly Steel Your Heart and Essie Tour de Finance
stamped with Orly Dazzle and Konad plate m3

Essie Eternal Optimist
stamped with China Glaze Unplugged and Konad plated m16

China Glaze Strawberry Fields
stamped with Orly Glitz and Konad plate m59

OPI DS Reserve (one of my fave colors)
stamped with Konad White Special Polish and Konad plate m71

OPI DS Reserve stamped with Orly Luxe and Konad plate m18

Pre-clean-up:  Essie Raise Awareness
stamped with Orly Steel Your Heart and Konad plate m63

Zoya Dannii with Butter London Henley Regatta
layered on the accent nail

What do you think?!