Brrr! It’s Cold Outside!

12 Tuesday Nov 2013

Posted by in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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To see the accompanying nail art, click here!

Yesterday, it was nearly 50 degrees.

Today, it stayed between 30 and 40.

 

I am very lucky that weather does not affect my symptoms, especially because the DC weather changes gradually!! But, when the weather changes at the drop of a hat my body goes haywire.

I felt ok when I woke up, my wrists were a little stiff, as were my fingers but I did not think too much of it. After all, I got about 8 hours of sleep and I was no stranger to morning swelling and stiffness.

 

I had to drive into the city with my father because of parking (so he could get his passport renewed and I could “stand” or circle around).

I found ROCKSTAR parking across the street and walked to the nearest Starbucks. I was not outside for very long. But, on the drive home I started feeling a little….heavy? It is hard to explain the feeling I get when a flare is about to start…maybe it’s numb? swollen?

Anywho…

I got home and lay down. I knew the flare was upon me. The pressure on my wrists, fingers, shoulders, hips, and knees was painful. Even laying on the side of my face made my jaw tingle. I could not bend my legs and my spine felt swollen.

I proceeded to sleep for four hours straight. Hah. There is my off-work “rest” day!

 

My wrists and fingers are swollen but I am feeling a little better. However, I am on the most pain medication I can safely be on, so I think my next step is to increase the prednisone.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Forever 21 x Disney’s Mickey & Co.

12 Tuesday Nov 2013

Posted by in Nail Art

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I do not know about fashion. I love it, I keep an eye on it. I love shopping.

But my expertise only goes as far as looking for pieces that fit, wearing them multiple ways, and accessorizing them wonderfully. I do not know the science behind it.

However, the Forever 21 Disney collaboration really caught my eye! I was perusing the local Forever 21 store and saw racks upon racks of Mickey! I was psyched!

I did some research and found that Forever 21 collaborated with Mickey & Co. (the leader in Mickey Mouse-inspired clothes) on a 41-item collection. It spans sweaters to Converse-style footwear and jewelry!

 

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Photos used from forever21.com

 

Some of my favorites have the intense pops of color or really work the black and white 80’s feel.

Initially, I spent my time in the store with almost six or seven pieces from the collection. Magically, I walked away with just the cropped black and white sweater. Though, I am itching to go back and pick up the pj pants, shoes, and plaid shirt!

 

I have a soft spot for my childhood favorites and I think Forever 21 really nailed these great Mickey designs!

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Nail Clean-Up Secret Weapon

12 Tuesday Nov 2013

Posted by in Nail Art, Reviews

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Over the last couple of manicures I noticed my clean up got exponentially better! Finally!

I wanted to share my secret weapon! Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes in Evening Soothe. (I love the smell and it is a little more moisturizing than the others in the line).

After I take off my nail polish, I rub a towelette over each nail with a little nail polish remover (Zoya Remove +). It takes off any residual color from the nail and cuticles. It also moisturizes the cuticle a little so they look even better.

The quilted pattern grabs the polish and removes it completely without spreading it over the skin. It is like the nail equivalent of the Swiffer Sweeper!

I use a painter’s brush, q-tips, and pure acetone to clean the area after I apply polish. I do a quick rub down with the same towelette and Zoya. A little moisturizer and my nails are ready for a photo-shoot!

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Nail Art: Messy Marble

11 Monday Nov 2013

Posted by in Nail Art

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Apologies on the clean-up. The greens really stained my skin and try as I might I could not shake it from my cuticles.

 

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I love how the flakies look under the marbling! I added a blurry picture to show it off 🙂

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I used 2 coats Zoya “Suvi” as my base.

I added a sheer coat of Nfu Oh Opal 51.

I added a thick coat of Seche Vite so the marbling would pop on top.

I first marbled with Sephora by OPI “It’s Totally Karma” and Orly “Bonder” base coat. 

I then marbled Sephora by OPI “I Come in Peas” and Orly “Bonder” on top.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Nail Art: Eat Your Leafy Greens

10 Sunday Nov 2013

Posted by in Nail Art, Reviews

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To see the accompanying recipe, click here.

 

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I used 2 coats butter London “Tea with the Queen” as my base.

I used dotting tools to apply Color Club “Twiggie” and Sephora by OPI “It’s Totally Karma”. 

I applied a coat of Seche Vite to even out the dots.

I stamped with Milani “Quick Teal” and Bundle Monster plate “BM 310”. I am not going to lie. This was a hassle to stamp.

First off, it came out more sheer than I expected. It still looks good, but not exactly what I was going for. Furthermore, I had to clean the stamping plate after every use or it would not transfer to the rubber stamper. I do not know if this was because of the “quick-dry” formula or the consistency but it definitely was not worth the aggravation. I will not be stamping with Quick Teal any time soon. It is a shame because I love the color, the formula and how it looks as a nail base but for stamping, it is not so great. Also, it stains like mad so clean up was a pain.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Dumb Sh*t People Say: RA Edition – Series Four, Part One

09 Saturday Nov 2013

Posted by in Dumb Sh*t People Say Series, Rheumatoid Arthritis

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“Don’t you feel lazy when you have to sleep most of the day or rest?”

 

To see the accompanying nail art, click here.

 

I did not. Until you said that. And now I am angry at you.

Seriously? Obviously, you are able-bodied. The problem with rheumatoid arthritis is I do not know if I am going to flare up or when.

What I do know is if I over do it, I will flare up and I have no choice but to rest.

Sometimes, medications just do not cut it. I have to sleep. I have to stop, let me body rest, and re-coop.

Sometimes, a nap is enough to keep my energy levels up and pain levels down. Sometimes, I have to take more than one nap a day. Sometimes, I have to sleep all day.

Medications are great, they make me feel great….or greater than I could feel. However, sleep is the best medication.

 

So, what is the difference between you sleeping all day when you have the flu and when I have a flare? Nothing.

So, why should I feel bad when I rest?

 

I will not lie. I wish I did not have to nap as often as I have to. I have things I want to do on my days off from work, I have errands to run, a life to live…

It is just one of those unfortunate “side-effects” of having an auto-immune.

And you know what? If taking a “rest day” ensures I can function for two or three days at a time, I am going to take it. And not feel lazy.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Nail Art: Flower Power

08 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by in Nail Art

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I am going through a stamping phase. I want to do it, practice it, get better at it!

 

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I used 2 coats of Milani “Quick Teal” for my base. I could not photograph the teal color at all! It came out as a baby blue. In reality it is a bright teal.

I stamped with Urban Outfitters “Blue Velvet” and Bundle Monster plate “BM 321”. 

I did a second stamp with Milani “Peacock” and Bundle Monster plate “BM 311”.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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