NAIL Feb. Theme Three: Gradient

02 Sunday Mar 2014

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This constant spine pain has me running behind on everything. I love the NAIL themes (hosted by Craftynail, Brijit’s Digits and Eeeek! Nail Polish!) for February and I wanted to get to them, even if they were super late.

Have you noticed I like my sugar-spun? I love the Picasso Swirl just as much. I tried it again, after a long hiatus, during the Nail-Art-A-Go-Go challenge and still have it on my mind! I also wanted to give my neglected polishes a little love.

 

ImageI used 1 coat butter London Cotton Buds as my base. I used 1 coat of Seche Vite to protect it.

I used a toothpick to create a Picasso Swirl gradient with Zoya Suvi, Milani Key West, and Cult Nails Deal With It (order from cuticles to tips).

 

Why did this Cult Nails polish get left in the dust? It is so vibrant and happy and NEON! I will try to use this baby a little more.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

GOT Polish Challenge: Orange!

27 Thursday Feb 2014

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I did a relatively laid back manicure for the Crumpet’s Golden Oldies Challenge (Facebook Group: Crumpet’s Nail Tarts) I am in all sorts of discomfort right now. There is increased inflammation in my spine and it is effecting everything.

I am taking a couple days from the Nail-Art-A-Go-Go challenge. I have a really good ideas for the last couple of prompts but I am lacking the dexterity for the moment. I’m really upset I won’t finish on time but I have to accept the flare-ups that come with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Fast, simple design for now but hopefully I will be up and running again soon. I hope you enjoy it!

 

ImageI started with 2 coats of Urban Outfitters Westside as my base.

I sponged with Zoya Gwin, Color Club Wham! Pow! and Cult Nails Captivated.

I stamped with Bundle Monster plate BM 308 and Color Club Wham! Pow!. Some of the points in the design did not transfer properly so I added a little sponging to blur the edges.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Progressions

26 Wednesday Feb 2014

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The last two weeks I have felt completely unmotivated in life. This last flare left me tired, run down and painful. I barely drag myself out of bed in the morning, keep up with my gluten-free diet or care about anything. Usually, I would say this is just the depression but my mood has been great.

I lowered the prednisone after the main fire of the flare burned out. However, it is too low a dose. I really should be on at least 11mg but I cannot bring myself to take that much.

My mood is awesome. I have not felt “this good” in a very long time. I feel floaty and fun, I have more energy and overall in higher sprits.

But, I feel like the arthritis is in a progressive stage. No matter what I do or how much pain medication I take I just feel difficult. Everything takes 4 or 5 times more coordination, strength and will power.

It is an oxymoron in my body.

There is more inflammation in my toes and fingers. My knees are slightly more bruised. I have constant back and spine pain. Even my jaw hurts when I chew.

Is this normal?

It does not feel like a flare. It feels like a constant, dull ache.

I should increase the prednisone dose back to 11mg. Maybe the RA is progressing so I have more inflammation, making everything a little harder. What if increasing the corticosteroid is not the answer? What if I consistently have the same amount of inflammation?

Worst yet, my pinky gets stuck in certain positions and I have to massage the joint out of locking. It is super painful, annoying and disheartening. It is only my pinky but I know soon enough my other joints will follow suit.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Nail-Art-A-Go-Go Day 25: Watercolors

25 Tuesday Feb 2014

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I looked forward to this prompt since the beginning! I love marbling.

For this look I decided to marbled all the colors together since I usually marble separately. I wanted to push myself  and get more practice with the traditional marbling technique.

This manicure came out so much better than I hoped! I love how I can still see the marbling under the Nimbus technique. It looks like a true watercolor!

 

ImageI used 2 coats of butter London Cotton Buds as my base.

I marbled with Sephora by OPI I Come in Peas, It’s Totally Karma and Cab Fare. I protected the marble with 2 thick coats of Seche Vite.

I then used a cotton swab, Zoya Remove +, Zoya Giovanna, and Sephora by OPI Cab Fare for the “nimbus”. I protected it with 1 coat of Seche Vite before finishing with 1 coat of Zoya Opal.

 

Eeep! I really love how multi-dimensional this is! It came out exactly how I wanted except better!

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Nail-Art-A-Go-Go Day 24: Abstract

24 Monday Feb 2014

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I realize I should have switched today’s manicure with yesterday’s but I guess they work well for both! 🙂

I used the “Picasso Swirl” method for this manicure.

Enjoy!

 

ImageI used 2 coats of Milani Black Cherry as my base.

I “swirled” with a toothpick and Zoya Yara,  Sehora by OPI It’s Totally Karma, Ms. Can’t Be Wrong and butter London Cotton Buds. 

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Nail-Art-A-Go-Go Day 23: Oils

24 Monday Feb 2014

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I used a big square brush and a rolling motion to add the colors. I couldn’t capture the thickness of the polishes but it is a very 3D look!

 

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

For the detailing I used Urban Outfitters Blue Velvet, Milani Quick Teal, Deborah Lippmann Defying Gravity, Color Club Pucci-licious and Julie G Gumdrops Sugar Plum Fairy.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Nail-Art-A-Go-Go Day 22: Surrealism

22 Saturday Feb 2014

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When I think surrealism I think abstract…but there is going to be an abstract prompt.

I went with a cartoon time warp idea because I still get surreal “beyond reality” with some semblance of truth…if that made any sense! 😛

Enjoy!

 

Image

 

I used 2 coats of butter London Cotton Buds and 1 coat of Seche Vite as my base. 

I “water-colored” with Julie G White Orchid, Sephora by OPI Caffeine Fix, Mr. Right Now and American Apparel Neon Red. 

I matte the color with Essie No Place like Chrome. 

I stamped with MoYou London plate 04 from the Princess Collection and Konad Special Polish in Black.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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