23 Saturday Apr 2016
Posted in Nail Art
Ah, the life of luxury. It must be nice to be a pet.
All they do is sleep….
And sleep….
And, you guessed it…SLEEP!
But, every so often, I try to take back my bed…
And fail miserably.
Does this look familiar? Let me know in the comments!
Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.
23 Saturday Apr 2016
Posted in Nail Art
Today’s post is not really a blog post but a musing.
Everyone always says quality is better than quanity. Take my time, produce my best work and people will respond to that.
But is that true?
Whenever I post nail art every day or every two days my Instagram following increases and views on my blog also sky rocket. When I post daily I definitely do not put the same amount of energy into my photos or posts as I usually do because, I’m going to be honest, I just don’t have the time.
But! When I post sporadically and meticulously work on all parts of my post, I find that my social media presence remains stagnant or decreases.
What do you think of this phenomenon? Do people really only care if I post a lot??
Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.
22 Friday Apr 2016
Posted in Nail Art
OPI’s polishes are sometimes a hit or miss for me. Some of the formulas and colors are fantastic, while others are just “meh”.
However, Guys & Galaxies, from their recent Starlight Collection, is one of my favorites. The formula is sheer and the color is similar if not a complete dupe for Sephora by OPI’s (SOPI) Mr. Right Now. This would not be a shock as both brands are OPI but it is nice to know there is another option since Sephora dropped OPI in favor of Formula X Nails.
For today’s O post, I did a quick and simple stamping look!
I hope you like it!
Base: OPI Guys & Galaxies
Stamping: Mundo de Unas Stamping Polish Copper, Pueen Cosmetics stamping plate PUEEN44, clear jelly stamper from Born Pretty Store
Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.
18 Monday Apr 2016
Posted in Nail Art
I jumped into the nail art and blogging world without an introduction. I never actually said how I got into nail art which really surprised a whole bunch of people.
(above) Check out some of my nail art through the years!
Growing up, I was a huge tomboy. I wore boy’s clothing and makeup was not my best friend. I always loved nail polish but only wore it on my toes because (even then!) I hated chipped nails.
Fast forward 10 years, add a Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis and I was placed on a medical leave after over-working. I had nothing to do for two weeks. I could marathon Netflix for days but two weeks? My brain would turn to mush. Reading was always a must but just like well, everything else, I got distracted by all the books and mixed up my plots!
I needed something else so I stopped by a nearby Ulta and picked up six Zoya polishes on sale. I spent all two weeks trying different combinations, different techniques, photographing….and the rest was history!
Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.
18 Monday Apr 2016
Posted in Nail Art
No, I’m not super fly nor a good dancer but I am a good nail artist. So, for the L prompt I decided on a quick, easy nail art look. “Let the Beat Drop” is a fantastic neon glitter topper from the nail polish brand China Glaze!
I am so thrilled with how this glitter gradient turned out. It is a super RA-friendly look and the glitters just melted right into the base.
I hope you like it!
Base: Barry M Gelly Chai
Glitter Topper: China Glaze Let the Beat Drop
Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.
18 Monday Apr 2016
Posted in Nail Art
Ah, my first pet. Ever. Well, not exactly. I always had fish and hermit crabs but those don’t really count, do they?
We adopted Marmalade just a week after my mother passed away. I was 12 and a half years old and my father was speaking to our veterinarian (later, my boss) who mentioned they had a hospital cat looking for adoption. My dad thought it was time to give me a little more responsibility and get my first pet.
Actually, one of the veterinary technicians I worked with owned Marmalade (known as Samantha (ick!)) but she moved away to an apartment where she couldn’t keep pets. This all happened around the same time my mother passed away so it really was fate that Marmalade landed in our lives.
She is 15 years old and grumpy. I’d chock that up to age except that she was always grumpy. She was a 10 year old cat in a 1 year old’s body. She pretended she disliked everyone but really was a social, loving, maternal cat.
It’s weird to think she could have been someone else’s cat. I don’t think she would have been as wonderful with someone else. When I take a nap, she protects me by screaming and slapping anyone who tries to wake me up. When I’m ill she does not leave my side. She actually follows me around at my heels, which may or may not be a good thing as I constantly trip over her. If I’m bed-ridden she either sleeps by my side or stands guard outside my door. If I move or yawn she comes running to me, sits on my lap and stares at me to make sure I’m not on Death’s door. She won’t eat or drink or use the litter box until I’m asleep and immediately returns so I don’t miss her.
But, of course, when I am a-ok all she wants is her fishes!
Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.
17 Sunday Apr 2016
Posted in Nail Art
Do your cats knead? My cats knead a lot.
There are many beliefs about why they do this.
Honestly, all three ideas are extremely possible.
Which do you think it is? Do you have any other speculations? Let me know in the comments!
the Rite of Aging...early 