This Blog Is Dead & I've Moved On

Hey everyone, I'll be blogging over at Radium Girl...I'm leaving this up for you know, shits and giggles. :)

Link Love: 01.17.14

I'm trying to get back into this whole blogging on the regular and the best way to do that is to go around the interwebz and find new blogs to discover. So here's 5 of my favorite posts that I've discovered this week!

By The Shore: I love her post here. It's got lovely pictures of her in the snow in a very casual outfit, which I love. I love that one of them is black and white. A lot of fashion bloggers forget to play around with their photos using sephia and black and white. They all like actions and filters but that's it. | X

Seven Lives And More: This blog is kind of a 365 project but what I loved most about this post was the focus on the cat stickers on her wall. I just want you to share in my Cat Craziness and fall in love with these wall clings too. She posts in English and in French so, w00t go me for brushing up on my French. | X

One of my favorite blogs ever is The Curious Cupcake. I found her last summer and was amazed that she loves to chase tornadoes! I do too! Living in the Mid-West until I was 12 and then having a very close run-in with a tornado when I went to my Family Reunion back in May. I just HAD to catch up with her and she's apparently feeling "nutty" and taking pictures of squirrels. THEY ARE SO CUTE! | X

I like to follow this blogger and designer Sarah, who recently moved her blog. Her most recent post is a tip about Pinterest and how to get your pins noticed more! I'm going to try it out and see if it helps. | X

Being in Cosmetology school I'm definitely more into hair and make up blogs just because that is what I am going to do from now on you know? So when I found Confessions of a Hairstylist I was like "yes, this is the tits!" The link I loved most was one of her reviews on a pair of shears. I just liked the style and there are definitely other product reviews worth checking out. | X

What are you reading?

What are your favorite blogs?

Wednesday Want List: Jackets

Good Morrow my lovely readers! I have decided that I am cold this week even though I am in California and I have my A/C on because it's 77 degrees in my house. Yes, I know, so tragic while the rest of you freeze your butts off in subzero temperatures. But hey, why not have something pretty to look at?

1. Navy Trench | 2. McQueen Nubuck Leather Biker Jacket | 3.  Givenchy Black Toggle

4. The Importance of Being Forest Coat | 5.  Burberry Stud | 6. Vampire Jacket

I mean, don't get me wrong I love that I can go out in shorts and a t-shirt, wear flip lops and not have my teeth chatter. But you know what I miss? Cuddling in jackets and struggling to get warm, cupping hot chocolate with floating marshmellows at the top to heat my hands. So I present to you, 6 jackets I wish I owned or could even get away with wearing in L.A while all of you get to actually, I don't know, wear a jacket?

1. First up is a full length A-line Double Breasted Navy Blue Trench Coat that is absolutely stunning. My favorite part about this jacket? The belt at the waist and flare over the hips. It would be slimming on anyone and paired with brown knee boots and jeans it is casual. But throw it over a dress and it's exceptionally dressy. You know me, I like versatile.
2. I'm not a big fan of brown. Kind of reminds me of poop. But this? If it's poop it is definitely the shit. Made by the Fashion God Alexander McQueen, it rings in at a whopping $4,225 (£2,575) and can be purchased at Harrods. Not that I'll ever have the money to buy it but if ever anyone would create a brown jacket I like it would be McQueen.
3. If you didn't expect a black jacket to be in this you haven't been paying attention. You should know I love expensive things. But I've got Crystal taste on a tap water budget. This jacket is no exception. It's a lovely black wool jacket from Givenchy with toggle fastening. Gotta love those toggles. It also has a silver-tone curb chain trim at the waist to give it a more feminine shape. It's on sale for $2,689 from $3,361 at farfetch.com
4. This lovely green coat from ModCloth, is titled The Importance of Being Forest Coat. Don't you just love their creative naming? It's one of my favorite things about ModCloth; those punny titles. This coat, slightly more reasonable but not reasonable enough to tempt me into purchasing it when there is no need for it in California but for you my lovely penguins, it's a steal at $153. The high neck will keep you super warm and look lovely behind your trendy scarves and it has the same feminine shape at the navy blue trench from above!
5. Now, you had to see this coming. If you didn't you don't know me at all and I am offended. Black, studs, expensive? This to die for Burberry Brit Cotton & Leather Trench Coat with Studded Trim is a ridiculous $2,485 but it's oh so pretty. It's on my most-wanted-but-not-needed list, you know the one I send to Santa every year with my ridiculously priced fashion requests. I must have been naughty this year because I got nothing, not even coal for Christmas. Rude. Also, are you even paying attention to what Burberry is doing with their mens line? I watched the Burberry Prorsum Menswear Autumn/Winter 2014 show (you can watch it here) last week and if I had a boyfriend he'd be in nothing but those jackets. I can't wait to see the Spring/Summer '14 lines, especially the mens line because my future ex-husband is one of the main models (P.S he's the hottie blonde with the shades in the front row next to Tinie Tempah in the live stream I linked to)! YUMMY.
6. This last one is really just a gas. I saw it and immediately was like "this is going on the collage!" It is titled the "JAWBREAKER MOULIN ROUGE VAMPIRE JACKET" and it is very vampire-like indeed. Could you imagine someone wearing this to keep warm in winter and not as a costume? I love the goth culture and know that there are people who do wear these things for everyday instead of just as a kind of "dress up" but it is definitely not practical to wear for warmth. It sure is pretty though and actually the most affordable jacket on here at $82.

That's it for this weeks WWL. Let me know if you have ideas for next time because I definitely could use them!

Where would you wear these jackets?
What would you pair them with?

A Long Silence & My Explaination For It

I used this because it's Leighton
(& because it's Blair Waldorf & everyone loves Queen B).

Let me start out with the sincerest form of "I am sorry" you will ever hear. I'm not saying I'm sorry to you of course. If you are still around, if you're still reading this then I doubt you care really. I'm saying that I am sorry to myself and to my blog. Mostly my blog.

Let me just say that since the 4th of July (which was my last post, before yesterday's of course) it has been a weird kind of thing for me. I have been struggling, there have been a lot of health issues and to top it off I've just been outright lazy.

Let's start out with struggling. I've never been unemployed for this length of time. I've been working since I was 15. In ten years I've been unemployed for maybe a cumulative total of a month. I've never been so dependent on anyone. I don't like it. It has made me depressed. When I started this blog, with it's two weekly columns I had a steady job with a steady income. I was secure. But I moved and California is less forgiving than anywhere else except maybe New York City. The jobs are few and far between and expectations are higher than they should be really. I had a job for a few months and the company went under and I was let go.

The anatomy chapter kicked everyone's ass.
This was the online test for studying.
Luckily, it ended up being open book in real life.

So then I went to Cosmetology school. I've always wanted to do it, I have a vested interest in hair and make up (obviously) and it was a good move. But its kept me busy and way too busy to get even a part time job apparently. I applied but because my hours are so limited they wouldn't take me for even seasonal work. That angered me.

The other reason I couldn't get a job was in July my mom had a heart attack. I'd never been so scared in my life. We thought it was anxiety. She'd been having some problems with the bottle. My mom was addicted to cocaine in the early years of my life. She went to jail, learned the error of her ways and has been clean ever since but alcohol is legal. She can't go to jail for drinking but it can kill her. She got into a fight with my Grams and we thought she was having an anxiety attack. She takes meds for it but it doesn't always help. After we got home and just before bed when she was still feeling sharp pains she decided she needed to go to the Hospital. When the doctor said heart attack my whole world tipped on its axis and spun backwards. The wind was knocked from my lungs and if I wasn't already sitting I would have fallen over. It sounds dramatic but until you're knocked off your feet by news that you never expected you don't really see things as they are. It's like going to the doctor one day for a full body check up, they do a bunch of tests and declare you healthy and the next day you feel a sharp pain, go to the doctor and they tell you its cancer that wasn't there yesterday. You feel safe and secure and then you're not. When they took my mom for tests I lost it. The nurses had to ask me if I was ok, if I needed anything. You know what I asked for? A hug. It was weird for me to request it. Not just because I hate hugs but because they meant water or a box of tissues. I just wanted to be held. But I couldn't ask me mom because she was gone and really she was dealing with enough she couldn't know that I was reeling from this.



It was my worst fear realized. First my dad and then my mom. Before I even had the opportunity to do anything. I was instantly reminded that all the things my dad was missing out on would soon be things my mom would miss getting to have with me. It wasn't fair. So once she recovered I made a doubled effort to be with her.

Then just after my birthday the stomach pains I'd been having became severe enough to keep me from school. In fact they almost killed me. You see I'd developed gallstones. I went to an Urgent Care center, spent $80 for them to tell me I needed an ultrasound. The ultrasound was $200 cash. So I'd spent $280 for them to tell me I had gallstones but couldn't do anything because my gallbladder wasn't infected and they only removed them if they were infected. They gave me a prescription for meds that were supposed to minimize or dissolve the gallstones. 12 hours later my urine was brown and I was calling the urgent care center I went to and asked if this was a side effect of the medication. They never called me back.  At 3 am, I wake up and I am puking black and yellow like a Wiz Kalifa song and I wake my mom up and tell her it's time to go to the ER. She wanted me to go when we were picking up my Rx at Walgreens and I was doubled over, crying because of the stones.

This was my BFF in the hospital

I get admitted quickly, they try to take blood and by try I mean they stuck me 9 times because they couldn't find my veins and blew out the few they could find. They discovered I had pancreatitis and my liver was shutting down because a gallstone got out of my gallbladder and lodged itself into the duct of my pancreas. My liver and pancreas were secreting bile to dissolve the stone but really it was just poisoning me. They said if I had waited much longer I would have died. I wasn't allowed to eat at all until the surgery because they needed my pancreas to stop being so inflamed so they could operate. That was awful. I love food and they were keeping me from it. I was on my period and craving chocolate. So I went into the hospital on a monday, they scheduled surgery for that Thursday.
The surgery was a fuckstorm if ever there was one. First, they came and got me early and NO ONE was there. I called my mom frantic because I didn't want her to show up to my room and me not be there, especially after having a heart attack. We waited for 3 hours for them to take me when the surgeon comes in and goes "they won't give me a time and I have other things to do so I am rescheduling your surgery for Saturday at 6am."

I freaked out. I read into "I have other things to do" as in "I have BETTER things to do" and I flipped out. They had to sedate me. I was literally screaming for them to get it out of me, use a butter knife and a table from the cafeteria and cut it out. I told them I didn't even care if they knocked me out for it because anything had to be better than what I was going through. Not eating, not sleeping and for a week. I'd done that before and I knew what would happen. I hadn't eaten or kept anything down for an entire week. I hadn't showered because I couldn't get my IV wet. My hair was gross, I felt gross and I slept only when drug induced. I also don't have health insurance so that was two more days, plus a day of recovery. I didn't want that at all.

gruesome tummy staples

They ended up doing it the next day and I was out by that Saturday but I was forced to take a leave of absence from school and though I didn't need 3 weeks off, for the first week after I was winded simply by going from my bed to the toilet. I couldn't shop even though I wanted to because I couldn't walk around so going to get groceries was out. I still can't eat certain things because otherwise I spend the whole day shitting my brains out. I walk around with not just Midol and Excedrine Migraine but Imodium A.D now. Ridiculous.

So while I'm recovering from that and back in school some other family has health issues and it seems that between October and November there is a health reprieve. Until Christmas. That's when my Grams has a heart attack.  She thought she was having an asthma attack. She couldn't breathe. Get to the hospital and they do the same thing to my mom as was done to me. They pull the rug right out from underneath us and say the words "heart attack." Though this time we know the drill. We know what questions to ask.What are her heart enzymes at. 1.9 (the ideal is 0.0 obviously). So though not as major as my mom's was (her was 5.8), it was still life threatening. You see my mom's was from stress. There was no blockage. Her heart expanded and almost exploded and the muscles have been weakened as a result. My Grams had 3 veins blocked in her left atrium and they were 95% blocked. They couldn't put in stints because they were at a crossroads so putting a stint in any one of them would have blocked the others. How annoying right? She's much better now but that ruined our Christmas and our New Years. For us it is just another day but those days mean something to my Grams who is extremely religious and never misses Christmas Mass. She had surprise plans for my mom and her boyfriend and my uncle who came to stay to go see this play and have dinner, ect. So she was upset about that. Now she's worried about being a burden.

But you see, this is why I need this blog. Why I need to be writing. Writing is who I am. It has been since I was a girl and first discovered the beauty in the written word. The beauty in getting lost in my own head and then coming out of it long enough to write it all down and revisit it. I need to be writing whether its my novels or this blog. I have been so lost these last 6 months. I've been lost without you. I don't want to get that lost again. So don't let me. Don't let me leave you guys ever again.

Currently: Apologetic

Loving/Hating; I am loving that I'm in California in 70 degree weather while the rest of the country freezes to death. Loving that it is nearing the Super Bowl and the two teams I follow are in the playoffs. I hate that my Colts lost to the New England Patriots and am hoping the Bronco's and Peyton stomp the Chargers and then go on to the Super Bowl.

But what I really hate is that I haven't blogged since July. So much has happened. Let's see... first my mom had a heart attack then I got sick and almost died in September and most recently my grams had a heart attack, had to have a triple bypass surgery and is currently recovering from her Christmas and New Years in the hospital. I've just been a mess really. I hate that I haven't been inspired to blog and I'm still unemployed so no money to purchase new make up or hold giveaways or anything. It's rather disheartening.

Reading;  I've been re-reading the Mortal Instruments series and of course my own work of fiction that I've set a goal of having the first draft edited by the end of Jan.

Watching; My usual series. I'm very excited for The Fosters, The Originals, Reign and a few other CW shows to start back up. OH AND OF COURSE - GIRLS.

Anticipating;  Not much these days. I just want to be finished with school so I can get a job and move past whatever it is that is holding me back.

Listening to; My favorite stuff right now is by a band called The Darling Buds. Teasers: X | X

Planning; Trips to Europe to take my mind off what it is I think I am missing from my life. It's hard to plan a trip with no money. :(

Working on; Editing my book and reviving my blog.

Wishing; I wish that I could find a way to make more time for myself to blog and also to get a part time job. I also want to be in England. I could kickstarter that right? Sponsor me?

What are you up to?

Happy 4th of July

I hope everyone will be safe today. My family and I are going to our relatives down in Redondo Beach where it is a lovely 76 degrees (as opposed to our 112 degree weather we have here) to watch the fireworks and gorge ourselves on festive eats.

The 4th of July used to be one of my favorite holidays. I grew up in corn country so every 4th I used to go out and test the "Knee High by 4th of July" theory with my dad. He'd stand out there and if it wasn't to his knee he'd say it was going to be a bad year or if it was over his knee he'd say it was going to be a good year. Then we'd head a town over to pick a spot at the park and watch the fireworks. Every now and then we'd drive to Omaha to Rosenblatt Stadium to watch the fireworks there on the hood of our car and we'd listen to the music that accompanied it. We'd eat hamburders and hot dogs and I'd chase my young cousin with sparklers and we'd smash pop-pops on the sidewalks.

Then as I got older I loved the history behind it. How we fought against the Mother Country for our freedom. The noble Fathers of our nation lost everything they owned, people they loved were killed and then somehow they created a skeleton for the people after them to build upon and bring about "the greatest country in the world."

But as I have gotten older I have become more and more aware that those "Fore Fathers" are just as mythical as the freedom we claim to have. Until just recently anyone who was homosexual in certain states were not allowed to marry. How free can you be if you can't even proclaim your love for someone and it be recognized by someone besides yourself, while others can marry whomever they choose and it be recognized globally?

I am a woman and if I so chose to have an abortion because I become pregnant and cannot care of the child and refuse to subject it to the adoption/foster care system I am forced by my government to have that baby. There is a whole body of MEN, who don't know me, have never met me and apparently don't give a rats ass about me trying to decide what is right for ME. How free am I if I cannot do with my body as I wish?

In Texas just last week Wendy Davis, a Democratic senator stood up in front of hundreds of people, many of them State government officials and spoke for 13 hours without food, water, a break to use the restroom or any type of relief from speaking in an effort to stop a bill from passing in the state of Texas that would shut down thousands of women's clinics. Just before midnight, the entire body of State officials called an illegal vote after midnight and there was a complete uproar. Hundreds of people charged the steps of the Capitol Building and began protesting. Many of those protesters were arrested even though it is their "right" as an "American Citizen" to protest, to speak out against their government and hold them accountable for their actions. Yet, they were denied that right and instead granted a free meal and an overnight hotel stay in the big house known as County Lock-Up.

That same bill that Wendy Davis talked for 13 hours straight to filibuster will be back up for "debate" as the Republican government in Texas is supposed to hold another special session and that bill is sure to be on it. You can read more in an article by the Washington Post.

But I can't celebrate 4th of July like I used to. It doesn't hold the same aw and wonder that it used to. Because I live in the land of the supposedly free instead of the land of the free as proclaimed in song. People in this country are still oppressed by their government. Certain unalienable rights that were promised to us are still not in our grasp.

So go out and celebrate your independence if you think you've got it, because from where I sit and what I've learned in all my 24 almost 25 years of life is that NOTHING in life is free.

Happy 4th of July.

Currently: Busy!

Loving/Hating;  Loving school but hating that it has basically left me no time to blog. :( I only go to school from 8:30-2:30 but afterwords I go to my Grams and help out there or I come home and do homework and sometimes I do homework after being at my Grams (like on swim days which are Monday's, Wednesdays and Saturdays). It doesn't leave me much time for blogging. I mean I had to take my first test 3 days after starting class on subject matter everyone else had 3 weeks to learn (I got 81% and beat out half the class) and then today I took another test and tied with three other people for highest grade with a 97% (I missed one freaking question and they wouldn't tell me which one - RUDE). So it's not like I've been laying around or anything. Well, yesterday I did because I got food poisoning and I left school early because I got sick again but I took my test damn it!

Reading;  I'm not really reading anything besides my cosmetology textbook but believe me it is an interesting read. I've basically learned that everything I've been doing cosmetically since I was a toddler is wrong. Seriously, I've held scissors a.k.a shears wrong my whole life. The way I blow dry my hair? WRONG! The way I apply my make up, clean my face, wax or tweeze my eyebrows? WRONG! WRONG! WROOOOONNNNGGG! So to say it has been educational is an understatement but I love it.

Watching; I just finished The Carrie Diaries (Can't wait until October when everything comes back!) and I just started Revolution.

Anticipating;  4th of July. There's a big pot luck at school the day before, then I'm possibly meeting up with Ashley and Katie and taking them to my fam's place in Redondo Beach. I'll be taking lots of pictures I am sure. Thank Goodness I have it off from school!

Listening to; I am really into Paramore's new album as well as a lot of stuff from the radio. Pharrell has been busy lately and everything he is on golden. I LOVED Get Lucky with Daft Punk and his colab with T.I and Robin Thicke in Blurred Lines? Genius. The song is so dirty but so catchy I can't help but love it.

Planning; I'm thinking of no longer doing WWL or Make Up Mondays and instead just doing fashion and make up posts whenever I can. Sticking to such a strict schedule does not seem to be working for me after a year of doing it. I guess it is just not practical..

Working on; Today was test day at school so we start a new chapter on Tuesday (Saturdays are purely clinic days and we have Sun/Mon off) so I could get started on my workbooks and flash cards but I won't. LOL.

Wishing; I wish that I could find a way to make more time for myself to blog and also to get a part time job. I really need to start applying to places again. There is a lot of hidden costs in attending Cosmetology school and I hate being without money. Sponsor me?

What are you up to?

Manic Monday Sans Hair Tutorial

Ok so I know there was supposed to be a hair tutorial today, however I have some rather exciting news! If you didn't watch my video from the weekend where I essentially had a mental break down (don't worry I'm over it already) then you didn't hear. If you did watch it, thanks, but you already know what is coming.

I AM STARTING COSMETOLOGY SCHOOL TOMORROW!

As you can tell I'm uber duber excited about it. I should have done this forever ago. I actually started once. I was accepted, has a small scholarship and everything and then I moved to California and the school, even though they had one in LA, they wouldn't transfer the scholarship and I would have had to reapply. Then it was too far of a drive, yada yada. So I never went. I did my traditional blah blah blah and now 5 years later I'm finally doing it. So I want to wait and kind of use Make Up Monday's to impart on you the wisdom of what I am learning in school.

I have to wear all black, which you'd think wouldn't be an issue for me because I basically look like I am going to a funeral all the time. I raided Lydia Deets' closet ok? But seriously I have to go out and buy pants and shirts because I have actually toned down my black as of late. Literally, I've made a joint effort to not buy black clothing and now it is biting me in the ass. They will give me one school shirt and a smock to wear but that's it. So basically I am going to be wearing nothing but leggings for the next year. WOO!

So yeah basically I've spent the weekend combing my mom's closet and my gram even tried to get me to wear some of her "old lady clothes" but I ended up going to Kohl's because my grams had a ton of coupons and they had their Father's Day Sale so t-shirts were like $6 a piece and I got one pair of workout pants that were black. I figured they'd be comfy and I would get double use out of them later. I'm super annoyed because I asked if I could wear tights and shorts and they guy had no clue but he was like "shorts, dresses or skirts have to come below the knee." So I asked if I wore opaque black tights under it would that be ok and he kind of studdered like he didn't know. So I'm going to wear black tights with black shorts and a black shirt and be like "what up, is this cool?" He also said no heels. Heels? Really? You think I'm going to stand on my feet for 6+ hours doing hair in heels. You are joking right? I had a good chuckle over that.

I also already made a friend. Granted she's almost done with her program but she saw me come back multiple days and introduced herself and said she would introduce me to more people tomorrow. I have been dying all week with excitement and I'm so glad it is finally here. I'll only be going from 8:30-2:30 T-S with my weekend being Sun/Mon, which is perfect for me. I can still do Family Day on Sunday and then I have a weekday to do like doctor appointments or whatever. That schedule allows me to go 30 hours a week and still hold a part time job. Woo!

What have you put off that you've always wanted to do?

Do you think you'll ever do it? Why did you put it off?

Currently: Ugly Crying Like Kim Kardashian

I'm going to warn you that I am writing this at the height of my emotional breakdown and that it will be full of hateful self-deprecating remarks. If you can't hang, it's best to leave now and come back on Monday when I will have some news that won't make you want to bitch slap me across the face.

THIS IS ALSO GETS GRAPHIC (NC-17 / NSFW), SO KIDS LOOK AWAY.

10 Things I Will Never Do

So I stole this from Nessa @ A Life of Our Own, who stole it from Shelly, who has the link up on her website. *phew* That was a lot huh? Anyways, I saw this on Nessa's blog and thought it was a cute idea!

1. Not freak out when I see a cockroach
2. Not stand up for what I believe in
3. Eat an insect. (I mean willingly.)
4. Not want to visit Ireland or the UK
5. Say "it's ok" if a man hits me. IT IS NEVER OK.
6. Not laugh at a joke
7. Try and be a blonde again. It's just not a good look for me. Streaks yes, whole head = NO.
8. Have more money than I can spend. Trust me, if I won the lotto I would know how to spend each and every penny of it.
9. Go skinny dipping in the Antarctic. (Just not my style, LOL)
10. Like Spinach. (It's just so gross.)

What are 10 things you'd never ever do?
Or do you never say never?

Wednesday Want List: Polyvore Editorial Favorites

So I didn't really have an idea for what to do for this week's WWL. This kind of sprang up on me as I logged into Polyvore and saw some cute stuff and just started "hearting" everything. After awhile it finally clicked... "let's make a 'best of'... POLYVORE!"

1. Black & White Striped Skirt | 2. Sheer Floral One piece | 3. Studded Peep Toe Booties

4. Jackson Leather Shoulder bag - Coral | 5. Studded Peplum Dress | 6. Golden Triangle Ring

I tried to keep the jewelry down to a minimum because I did Jewelry last week but hey I like what I like. It's like the skulls thing, I try not to include it too much but they weasel their way into my heart and take root.

1. I wish I could wear skirts. I can't. I have a bubble butt and every skirt I try on that isn't high-low or floor length ends up with me flashing my buns to the world. Not that they aren't great buns but I'd prefer if only a select few were privy to viewing. This one however I'd make an exception for and wear with leggings or something. It's just too cute not to. It's got the whole Beetlejuice thing going on and it's only $30. That's doable right?
2. This is adorable right? I can't wear onesie's at the moment but it's definitely a goal for next summer. Oh hell I live in Los Angeles, I can wear summer clothes all year 'round. So basically it's an on-going goal. If I start with this one it will be cheating since it isn't exactly one piece, it's two but they do go together. "Organza suit with vest top and shorts, embroidery flowers printing, in black." They are sold together that is, so that counts right? How about that it's only $53 and too cute to resist?
3. These booties! I put them on here, because they are on and will stay on the ultra DO WANT list. Namely because they are about $1500 and who the hell has that to spend on shoes? Oh right. Khloe Kardashian because that's the Polyvore it came from. Ugh. Hate those girls. I've met them, worked for the company that runs their website remember, so I can say that. Still, the shoe can't help who buys them anymore than I can help falling in love with them despite their price tag. They are available at Barney's for any males who'd like my hand in marriage. Forget the ring, bring the shoes.
4. I've probably added 3 or 4 handbags in this particular style and color. First off it's listed as "Coral" and comes in Camel (read beige, light brown, tan) but it looks more salmon to me. Don't you think? Plus, this is a brand I've never heard of and well, it's $223 so its redeeming qualities stop there. Polyvore and I have something in common.
5. I am going for a studded theme today or what? This dress would be perfect for birthday parties, date night or just going out for drinks with the girls and at $60 you can spend the money you saved buying this instead of some ridiculous expensive ensemble on drinks!
6. I saved the best for last. Seriously. It's yellow gold and $465 but in spite of it's many flaws I am still just so drawn to it. This ring is so simple that I can't help but love it. It kind of reminds me of the Deathly Hallows symbol. Ya feel me? 

I liked this spontaneous WWL didn't you? I am going to need to brainstorm some ideas for what to do for the up coming weeks. It's getting much harder to do these. Suggestions are very much welcome!

Should I do a monthly "I heart it" from the Polyvore editorial?

What is your favorite thing they've posted lately?

Make Up Monday: Kat Von D Tattoo Eyeliner in Trooper

First Make Up Monday with the new format. EEEEEK! Just a little excited. If you have no clue what I am talking about you can read my previous Make Up Monday blog that explains what is going on. If you already read that, then let's continue.

First Impression: 
My first impression of this was based on the brand. I've tried lip gloss, lip stain and eye shadow by Kat Von D and I was not let down by those products. Plus the gal at Sephora said she was wearing it and it looked good on her. My first impression was "oh yeah this is going to be fantastic."





Ease of Use:
This is maybe the best feature of the eyeliner. It is so easy to use. The gradual point of the eyeliner makes it easy to draw thin lines or you have the option of making your eyeliner thicker. It really just depends on your taste or the occasion. It is also fabulous for making wings for that cat eye look that is always in style.

Price:
The price for this is $18 at Sephora. That's not too bad considering that her other products all fall in the same range. Sephora brands liquid eyeliner is $12 and the liquid black eyeliner from Mac is $17. So there are products that are similar out there that are cheaper.

Quantity:
The tip is instantly loaded with a lot of the actual eyeliner on it. However, I have found that from the very beginning I would need to go over my line once or twice after my initial application because for me, it was too thin, almost as thought it was at the end of the barrel. Even if I tip it down and shake it, you know so the liquid goes down into the tip like you would a pen. It didn't help.

Packaging:
The packaging is very simple and small. I love that it is a consistent shape unlike some of the others I have purchased in a liquid eyeliner. Sephora and Mac have little bulbous pots at the bottom. While it's not a big deal I feel like I can fit more stuff in my make up bag with this eyeliner not taking up a lot of space.

Would Re-Use:
I have been using it since I got it. I used it in my review of Yes To Tomatoes Make Up Removing Wipes and I also had it in my make up bag earlier this month. I like the ease of use and the packaging. My only complaint is that it is not very durable and though it is supposed to be waterproof it does tend to smudge after a long day. I will re-use this unless I fall in love with something else.

Recommend:
I highly recommend this for anyone who is wanting to try using liquid eyeliner for the first time. The only way to be able to master the art of using liquid eyeliner is to practice. With this eyeliner you can hold it like you would a pencil eyeliner and drag it across your eye in short strokes, taking care to not blink or blink in between "strokes" so that you don't end up with weird dots all along your eyes. Plus, one some of the other liquid liners when you pull the applicator out of the pot or use an eyeliner brush a lot of the liquid can get on there and that's what I think discourages people from using it because it ends up being ridiculously think in some spots or uneven on the eyes.

Overall Score:





That's it for this week's Make Up Monday. Next week there will be a hair tutorial. After all, hair goes with make up! Also if you buy anything I review because of the review, take a picture with it on and tag me on any social media. I'd love to see your photos! 

Based on what you've read will you try this product?

What do you think of the new Make Up Monday format? Thumbs up or Thumbs Down?

Being a Tourist in Solvang, Ca

Like I said in yesterday's post, on Tuesday my mom, my grams and I went up to a wine tasting and then the casino and a lovely little picturesque tourist town called Solvang.

Solvang is pretty much a touristy replica of what little towns look like in Denmark. I wouldn't know, I've never been but I hope it's true. Otherwise I demand a refund! My pictures are but a mere fraction of what you can see and do there. Seriously, it's so cute and so big and festive. I'd love to live in a little town like that and have a neat little soap shop right there!

Because wine tasting isn't enough, my mom stole my flask to put gin in for my grams and herself.
I realize my family looks like a bunch of alcoholics right now and I can't even care.

These windmills are everywhere in Solvang. I'm not sure if they work....

Flag

Danish Targis?

The cutest little bakery.
In the window where it says 'open' is a mechanical rabbit rolling dough

Breakfast and Cocktails? YES!

I'd totes put my kids in these and/or would have worn this as a child

Fairytale Lane

I hate the glare but it's too cute not to post a giraffe in viking armor!

Oh and I almost forgot. I got this cute little mint "tin" but I threw away the mints because they tasted like caca and I'm going to use it to put my SD cards in. So cute. It was between this and sugar skulls. My mom and my grams said fox. Looks like you guys aren't the only ones who are sick of the skulls!

Would you like to visit Solvang?

Has anyone been to Denmark & can confirm this is what it is like there?

Wine Tasting in Santa Ynez

On Tuesday my mom, my grams and I went on a little trip up the California coast and went wine tasting at the Gainey winery and then went onto Chumash Casino (it was dreadful) and after that we stopped for some picture taking in Solvang. My grams lives in a gated elderly community and they do these outings every once in a while and my mom and I like to go with my grams because whenever my grams wants to do something we humor her. As she puts it, "I'm old. I have to do it while I'm able! Since Louie passed I can do some of the things we wanted to do but couldn't do and I want to do it before I can't!"

The Gainey vineyards were spectacular. They were established in 1984 (so not much older than myself) and are completely family owned. We were given a tour, followed by a tasting and we spent about an hour and bought one bottle of their delicious wine.

Wednesday Want List: Jewelry

So.... Jewelry? Big on it or a jewelry minimalist we all at some point wear it. My tastes, as in ever subject, are varied. I like creepy, to unique, to classic but nothing too over the top.

1. Gathering Skeleton Ring | 2. Twig Bracelet by Maria Nilsdotter | 3. My Pet Octopus Necklace at ModCloth

4. Green Magnesite Pendant | 5. Multi-Colored Skull Bracelet by Dorthy Perkins | 6. Pamela Love Dove Ring

See? There's some skulls, and some cute things, but nothing too gaudy and of course - gemstones! I'm big into gemstones. I visit a lot of metaphysical shops or another place to get them if you live or visit the west coast is Native American Indian reservations. A lot of them make jewelry and other wares and sell them. I like to help you, you know since one of my ancestors kind of massacred a bunch of them. Fun little fact about moi!

1. I think I featured a ring like this before, it was saved to my items but I went back through and couldn't find it. Who's a religious reader and knows? Anybody? Alright then I just thought it was neat and though I don't wear rings often due to my fat stubby fingers this is something I'd adorn my hand with every once and a while. It's $14 so it won't set you back too much and it's perfect for Halloween!
2. I actually know I've used this bracelet before. I bought a similar one at a thrift store and have somehow managed to lose it! I seriously cannot find it anywhere and that bums me out because I love it. It goes with basically everything and it bums me out. This bracelet is from a gal named Maria Nilsdotter and she makes GORGEOUS nature-themed jewelry. Seriously, check her out. This bracelet would set you back $180 but I'm telling you it's worth it.
3. Who doesn't like a little whimsy every now and then? This octopus necklace is sure to gain compliments and turn heads, believe me. Why? Because if I saw you wearing it I'd tell you it was fabulous, ask you where you got it and quite possibly leave the impression that I'd rip if off your very neck when you weren't paying attention. But since I know it is $15 and from ModCloth, eh, I'll let you go. This time. ;)
4. Told you I liked gemstones. My favorite is Onyx and Brit likes to chide me that I like it because it is black; like my soul. L-O-L. This necklace will set you back $35 but for Green Magnesite that isn't too bad. That's about what you would pay at any metaphysical shop, maybe $40 depending on how much it cost them to acquire it.
5. Colorful Skulls? What is not to like? I bought a bracelet similar to this, in all black. Don't judge me ok, there weren't lovely pastels or excuse me PALES like this available. They were all weird colors and it looked like a clown would wear it. Seriously they would match NOTHING I own and I have some pretty crazy stuff in my closet.  Mine set me back $3 but the $6 one here is sold out. I blame supply and demand for that one. :(
6. Now this ring? ADORABLE! It's two birds *almost* kissing for Pete's sake! How can you not love that? Or like it a little bit? I say almost, because they are totally going for it. If it wasn't for that pesky gap in the mold their beaks would touch. Actually, I'm not sure if birds kiss or how they would but it would be cute ok and wearing this on your hand? Even cuter. It's $220 though so I think that this particular ring will stay on my DO WANT list.

Welp, that is all for this week's Wednesday want list. I don't have much else to report except that I'm STILL waiting on a domain transfer and if it doesn't go through tomorrow I am going to call and complain. Again. I hate doing it but this is negatively affecting my website and I can't have that.

P.S: You guys will be pleased to know that I had the opportunity to buy something with skulls on it and instead I bought the one with the fox on it. But you'll see that later this week ;)

What kind of jewelry do you like?
Are you a Yellow Gold or White Gold kind of person?

Make Up Monday Paused + New Format

Hi guys I have decided that I would like to take on a new format for my Make Up Monday reviews. It will be a little bit more time consuming but I think it will look nicer. Weigh in the comments please!

First of all each item will be graded on a scale of:

No love

A little love

Kind of love

Love

ZOMG LOVE

Make up will be graded on a variety of things based on the product. For example I can't always evaluate if an item is oily. Sure Liquid Foundation, BB Creams, Primer, ect can be oily but Pressed Powder Foundation won't be oily, Loose Eyeshadow, Pressed Eyeshadow, ect won't be.

I will however always have these 8 categories: First Impression, Ease of Use, Price, Quantity, Packaging, Would Re-Use, Recommend and Overall Score.

 I was going to do my first review using this format today, however, because I know page views will be low because my domain isn't working I definitely want to wait until that is up and running again so that people will get the full impact. I'm going to have to work twice as hard to get people back here since most will think I just called it quits. :/

Oh why couldn't this have happened during my hiatus? Whatever, one of life's little punches I guess. But I'm super excited because I have a review using the new format planned AND THEN guess what? I have a tutorial! Yup, I'm going to show you this cute new way I have found to style my hair. I made it up, but I doubt it's very original but perhaps it will be new to you? I might vlog but I might also use pictures. Which do you think would be better? Comment and let me know!

P.S: I still haven't received that transfer code that was supposed to be e-mailed to me. Luckily I found that I didn't need it because my new registrar sends the codes it needs to the default e-mail on file with my "previous" registar. Guess what the e-mail is? MY CURRENT E-MAIL and not my old one. Gee whiz! If you have no clue what I am talking about scroll down or click here.

So what do you think of the new format?
Should it stay or should it go?

Customer Service Blues

I'm not sure how many of you check reviews on services or items (like on Amazon) but I think since you might often come here for my reviews on make up that you might like to be warned about something that I experienced with a company I was a long time customer of and am no longer willing to do business with.

I don't know how many of you have ever worked in Customer Service but it really is a thankless, shitty job. You get maybe one or two really nice people but those are never the ones that stick with you. You can be the happiest, bubbliest person in the best mood ever and one grumpy cat is sure to send you to your lunch break crying in your oatmeal. When I worked in retail if someone came up to me and said "I need to speak to your manager," I always smiled, asked what it was in regards to and then happily turned them over. Even if it was my fault and I knew this person was going to tear my manager a new one because of me I never hesitated.

I used 1and1.com for the last, I don't even know, 3 or 4 years? I've never had an issue until now.  I discovered yesterday that my domain was not working. It kept continually saying that it could not reach the server. I knew blogger was working so I tried to log into my account to check what was wrong with my domain or see if 1&1 was having problems. I had to e-mail tech support because I also could not log into my account.


I am first informed that my account has been deleted, due to non-payment. My billing and my contact information has not changed since my renewal last year. I never received notification that my renewal date was near. That is mostly my fault because I am supposed to keep track of that shit even though I never do I rely heavily on e-mails to remind me. I never received a renewal e-mail.  No big deal I'll just pay the renewal now and in an hour or two everything will be golden. Right?

Wrongo! I'm going to quote the rest of the e-mail now:

"Regarding your domain, if you wish to activate it, transferring the domain from inactive account to an active account is no longer an option because of the status of your account. However, you can transfer your domain from 1&1 to other registrar. We have sent you the authorization code of your domain to be able to transfer it away."

RUDE!

So let me get this straight; you'd rather me take my business elsewhere than just renew my domain and get it working? I immediately respond to this bullshit e-mail asking for the authorization code and definitely point out that you should never as a business tell your customer to go elsewhere (most businesses like to retain their customers) no matter how nicely you put it that is still insulting, not to mention a bad business practice. They reply with instructions to contact billing support.

So I call billing, try to explain the situation and am immediately cut off and transferred to tech support, who then try to connect me back to billing. I finally land back at tech support somehow and explain to the rep if I get transferred one more time I'm going to flip out. I get e-mails telling me to contact this department and that department and then I get transferred like a ping pong ball back and forth on the phone I was just over it.  I don't know why, I blame it on my horrid morning but this whole ordeal stressed me out so bad I cried. I'm trying to keep it together on the phone but I'm sniffling and know I sound all nasal so after a bit the guy was just like I just e-mailed you the authorization code and I think I waited like 20-30 minutes and I still didn't get it so then I ask if I can speak to a supervisor.

He gives me the run-around. I worked in retail dude, I know the supervisors are busy and they don't have time for this but they have to make time; it's part of their job and if everyone else had done their correctly I wouldn't be bothering them. He kept stalling and stalling and then told me I had to e-mail someone but I was firm and polite as I could be and kept insisting that I speak to someone.

NEVER ONCE DID I YELL. 

I DID NOT THROW A FIT LIKE I AM FIVE YEARS OLD.

I want to stress that those are not how you get someone to help you. Ever. You don't stomp your foot, or yell and cause a big scene (we were on the phone so they only ones amused would be my cats but I've seen this countless times in the stores I've worked at) because that gets you nowhere but barred from the store (yes they can do that).

Finally I got to talk to a supervisor, after about 20 minutes on hold and I tried to calmly explain the whole ordeal from yesterday to what I experienced today and let him know that it wasn't ok and that someone who in charge of the structure of their company needs to review their policy.

FYI: I was told by the supervisor that my case would be escalated as an apology and it has now been 2 hours and I still haven't received that e-mail with my authorization code so I can transfer my domain.

Five points to your house if you know where this is from.

This isn't the first time I have come a crossed this. I had a similar issue with AT&T but theirs was more a money issue. They wanted to charge me $500 to turn my cellphone back on after I lost my job and had it as a suspended line instead of the $300 it was to cancel my contract. I took the cheaper route obviously. I wasn't going to pay more to be a customer, I didn't like them that much.

Moral of the story; if a company treats you like you are a dime a dozen take your business elsewhere!

Have you had a similar bad customer service experience? 

Where was it? What happened?

Thrifty Thursday: Thrifting in Iowa

One thing that I love about Iowa? Antiques. They are everywhere and they have auctions all the time and you can find some really neat things. My Gram's cousin took us to Pappy's in Newton. I collect Fiesta dishes thanks to my Grams and so whenever I go into a thrift store I look for them. I got some bowls in a color that I didn't have before and that was awesome. Here are a few interesting things I found.

I never got a picture of the outside so I got this off Google

Picture from third level to second and then fourth level. Crazy!

These are all pencil sharpeners

What looks like the OG Holy Bible - LOL.

Handmade and handmade packaging - Lye Soap

Stay Puff

Cool pipes

I like old books

I don't think I would drink any of that beer if I were you!

Vinyl

My Grams insisted on a picture of the "speakeasy" next door.

After we left the thrifting area we HAD to go get some blue cheese from my grams favorite place. She special orders this stuff and has it sent to her because she won't eat anything else.

I guess that is it for my family reunion era posts! Time to get out there and take pictures of something original? Nah!

Do you like going thrifting?

Do you collect anything?