Author Archives: MonicawithRA

Bundle Monster Turns 5! Nail Art Challenge Day 6: Macaroons

06 Friday Jun 2014

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Today’s prompt is macaroons! Weird things, macaroons. They are bright, funny colors and look like mini hamburgers. They never quite made sense to me!

I was kind of at a loss for what to do with this manicure so I just chose to use the colors I usually macaroons in and stamp that sort of resembled them.

I am still working on my stamping skills but I hope through this month I will just get better and better at it!

 

ImageBase colors in order from pinky to index finger: Zoya Reece, Color Club Twiggie, Urban Outfitters Westside, and Milani Dark Coffee.

I stamped with Essie No Place Like Chrome and Bundle Monster plate BM 322.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

The Crumpet’s SIMPLES Challenge: Week Three- The Ombre Manicure

06 Friday Jun 2014

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It took me a while to come up with the pairings I wanted and even then I do not think it came out quite right. I wish I had a better purple for my index finger.

I do like how ombre between the pinky and third finger though! (I just realized they are all Sephora by OPI nail polishes! Go figure!)

 

ImageIn order of pinky to index finger – Sephora by OPI Caffeine Fix, Mrs. Can’t Be Wrong, Domestic Goddess and Milani Vivid Violet.

I used Essie Matte about You to tone down shine and shimmer. This really helped tie the colors together.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

A Study in Sleep

04 Wednesday Jun 2014

Posted by in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Two weeks ago, I wrote a post on my continued insomnia. This is still a huge problem but some things have changed.

I, still, for the life of me, cannot fall asleep! If I am really desperate I will pop a couple of Benadryls to make me groggy but I really wish to start sleeping on my own. Once asleep, I sleep soundly through the night. I just cannot fall asleep until 3 or 4 in the morning!

 

There were a few days I could not stay asleep because of the pain I was in. Whichever way I slept, the pressure on my joints kept me awake. I can no longer sleep on my right side because of the massive pain in my hip.

Unfortunately, this is the only side I can fall asleep on.  It is painful on my left side and on my stomach, but it more bearable.

 

I keep records of my medications and what time I take them and noticed I was taking my pain meds early in the evening.

I lowered my dinner dose and added Tramadol before bed. This really helped! Even though it does not help me fall asleep, it ensures I stay asleep.

 

Now, I just need to shut off my brain a little better so I can drift peacefully off to sleep.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Bundle Monster Turns 5! Nail Art Challenge Day 4: Red Velvet

04 Wednesday Jun 2014

Posted by in Nail Art

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For today’s Red Velvet prompt I thought of two things: red velvet cakes with cheese cake frosting and velvet cushions. I wanted to sugar-spin the frosting but did not want to use a cupcake stamp because there is a cupcake prompt later this month. So, I mixed both themes together!

My red velvet cushion cupcakes with cheesecake frosting and sprinkles on top!

 

ImageI used 2 coats of Zoya Cheryl and 1 coat of Sephora by OPI Mr. Right Now as my base.

I stamped with Bundle Monster plate BM 310 and Konad Special Polish in Red.

I sugar spun with a mix of Julie G White Orchid and Revlon Parfumerie Fresh Linen. I love the pearlescent color they add to icing!

I gently added glitter pieces (with a toothpick) from OPI Polka.com and Sephora by OPI Be-Claus I Said So to the top of the frosting.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

Bundle Monster Turns 5! Nail Art Challenge Day 3: Sprinkles

03 Tuesday Jun 2014

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Today’s theme for Bundle Monster’s 30 day challenge is sprinkles! I thought it would be fitting to use one of my “sprinkle” nail polishes and some spun sugar!

ImageI used 2 coats Julie G White Orchid as my base. On the middle and ring finger I also added 1 coat of Nails Inc. Sprinkles Sweets Way and 1 coat of Serum No. 5 Happy Special Day!

I stamped with Bundle Monster plate BM 322 and Konad Special Polish in Black.

I sugar-spun with Milani Vivid Violet and Peacock.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

World Cup Nails 2014 – Ecuador

03 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by in Nail Art

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The lovely Emily from Nailsxo invited me to take part in her World Cup Nails 2014 challenge. Each participant was given a country playing in the World Cup and asked to create nails based on it.

I got Ecuador! I am not too familiar with Ecuador except it is next to Peru, which so happens to be half of where I am from!

I was a little nervous for this challenge. I butcher flag manicures and I am not the biggest fan of futbol/soccer. I know, I know, I make the worst Peruvian-Indian EVER given the sport is so huge in both countries!

I took to the internet and upon further research I learned the Galapagos Islands are part of Ecuador! I had no idea! Being a Zoology major, I have studied quite a bit about the Galapagos so I decided to base my manicure on that very large part of the culture.

 

Did you know? Ecuador is considered the most biodiverse nation per kilometer!

 

I included a couple of photos because I L-O-V-E how wonderful the base of these came out!

 

Image

 

ImagePolishes Used:

  • Sephora by OPI Go My Own Way
  • Sally Hansen Triple Shine Slick Black
  • Zoya Crystal, Yara, Opal
  • Urban Outfitters Blue Velvet
  • Milani Peacock, Power Periwinkle
  • Deborah Lippmann Mermaid’s Dream
  • Essie No Place Like Chrome
  • Seche Vite top coat

Supplies Used:

  • Small artist’s brushes
  • Sponge-tip applicator
  • MoYou London plates 04 (Princess collection) & 08 (Sailor collection)

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Crumpet’s Nail Tarts June TPC #1: Turquoise, Coral, Nude

03 Tuesday Jun 2014

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Here is my submission for the first June Tri-Polish Challenge.

I originally wanted to do a dotticure layered underneath a water marble. I was going for a cool 3D look but it did not come out quite right. I should have added two coats of Seche Vite but I was hoping my one generous coat would be thick enough. For now, I will just be happy with my dotticure.

I’m sorry everyone, I am really unhappy with my photos right now…my new lightbulbs are in transit and hopefully I should have another lamp soon!

 

ImageI used 2 coats of butter London Tea with the Queen as my base.

I detailed with Milani Quick Teal and Sephora by OPI Cover Me in Petals and three sizes of dotting tools.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.