Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Nails From Long Ago

I haven't had polish on my nails for over a month. My right index fingernail has broken twice, and my cuticles look horrible. So, I will take you back in time a bit.

LA Girl Metal Antique Gold with a Nicole by OPI Brilliant Idea gradient accent


I topped that combo (somewhat haphazardly) with OPI Turquoise Shatter and a full coat of Brilliant Idea on all nails.




Daily Felid

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Not Monday Muppets




It seemed fitting to allow Jim Henson (with the assistance of Frank Oz) to sing Happy Birthday on his own birthday.

I have been watching a lot of Star Trek lately, which is probably why I'm reminded of the following speech in remembering Jim Henson.
 
Image of Death is that state in which one exists only in memory

And that leads me to the final stop on this fragmented AV assisted train of thought.


I really wish I could pull my thoughts together a bit more eloquently, but it is difficult to articulate the respect I have for a man I never knew, and harder still for me to  explain why I mourn his loss still today.   I don't worship or idolize him, but genuinely respect him as a fully flawed person capable, with an amazing group of people, to change the world. The changes that really matter, the ones that have a lasting impact, are the small changes made by caring people, for they grow with us. He changed the world with puppets... what will you use?

Things of Which I Should Be Ashamed

The best picture I have of myself is on my driver's license.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Overheard at Fail House

Eli - "You know that frog that's been showing up on the back doors? I'm calling him Ned. I wonder if he's out there now."

*wanders off to look*

"Hey, there he is... and there he is again; there are two of them!"

Eli's Mom- "Well, two Neds are better than one."

Monday, September 19, 2011

Things of Which I Should Be Ashamed

I don't understand Tumblr or Twitter. This isn't an issue of not understanding why people would utilize such things, but a genuine stupidity as to the functioning of the things. I stare inquisitively, but have never mustered enough interest to try to figure them out. I understand what they are meant to be, but there just seems to be too much going on in a way that I can't decipher what is trying to be communicated to me. At 25 years old, I think I am meant to understand these things intuitively. Instead, I take a disturbing pride in my obliviousness.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Things of Which I Should Be Ashamed

Things I don't quite find shameful, though I know I probably should.


I go through a lot of dishes for a lone person. The five cats are fed about three times a day, plus there are bowls for dry food and water that need to be washed often because they are disgusting (both the cats and the bowls), all of which adds up to a lot of dishes. Plus, I do occasionally eat, and sometimes I even cook. I usually have to run the dishwasher every day, or at least every-other day.

I unload the dishwasher (a cabinet that also cleans!) about once a week. I pull things out as needed, and when I need cat dishes, or am out of spoons, I add dirty dishes to the clean dishes that were left behind. Things that aren't used often sometimes get to go on three full rides through the water-park before I muster the energy to carry them a few feet to their homes. While this certainly doesn't conserve energy in a fossil fuel burning sense, it most certainly conserves my energy, a far more limited resource.

Overheard at Fail House

A new series documenting things said (usually by me, as the cats aren't good with English) within the walls of my little house. 


"Why are you sitting in pee?" 

Monday, September 12, 2011

Passion and Compassion

Cross-posted here

I'm not a person who feels moderately about things. My opinions and loyalties tend to be rather adamantly on one side, or of unswayed, absolute indifference. That said, it has been a while since something has caused me to feel intense abhorrence and more than a little ill. I am non-violent, and a supporter of human rights for all, but violations of those principals will be a life-long battle, and are on a plane different from my other objections and feelings of injustice. I wouldn't want you to think me completely unfeeling, though I'm not entirely sure why.

The issue that has me fuming is the fate of the Barnes Foundation Gallery. I'm sure this is something of which well-cultured individuals are acutely aware, but I do not travel in such circles, which caused this to come as a shock to me. The appalling account of government officials (Ed Rendell, for one) and charitable trusts grabbing at a priceless art collection, blatantly counter to the will and intent of the man who amassed, curated, and shared it with students, is told in the documentary The Art of the Steal. Now, I'm sure this documentary is a bit biased toward the side of those wanting to keep things the way they always were; but I'm kind of okay with that, mostly because I know there is almost nothing that could sway me to the other side of the argument. As much as I am a liberal who loves change and progress, I am also a natural historian, moved by things that evoke the past.

Watching Rendell brag about destroying a national treasure, a landmark of art and education, is disgusting. The argument that it is for the good of the people, and will turn Philadelphia into a great city is pathetic. Even if moving the collection into the city makes Philadelphia a must see location for art lovers, it is done at the expense of justice and of art itself. Dr. Barnes had the insight and foresight to purchase these great works when galleries across the world passed them up, and scoffed at their validity as art. He, therefore, had sole rights as to the fate of these works. They do not belong to the people, they belonged to one man. Rendell talks about the need to have the works readily available to viewing by the public. At what point, in his mind, do personal possessions become fair game for public ownership? I know that it isn't so cut and dry, as there was a foundation set up, making them not really personal possessions, but violating a will, a trust, is a personal attack; a personal attack on a dead man. Perfect, he can't fight back.

I would love to see the collection, but I don't think I could force myself to walk into the new location; it would be akin to crossing a picket line. Maybe I shouldn't form opinions using such limited source material, but when I have a physical reaction to a person's defense of his or her actions, it tends to be an accurate assessment. Sometimes, first impressions are the best impressions; and even if they aren't, they are the most lasting of impressions. This film got to me first, and has shaped the way I will see this issue. I seriously doubt the ability of the people on the other side to be able to speak as passionately about the collection, the art, or of the intent of its original collector, the things which are important. Anyone who can muster any passion for speaking about increasing tourism or the standing of a city is a person not worth listening to, for their passion is really for money and power; the combination of which seldom leaves room for anything else.

I've been a bit obtuse in my description because I hope that anyone interested will watch the film, or read about the situation. I don't think there is anything that can be done to stop the move, as things are well on their way, but sometimes outrage is best directed at things the imminent. There need be little plotting, strategic management, or holding back when there is no chance of success. There is nothing to lose, as everything at stake is already gone. That lost can still be mourned, remembered, and the actions of those involved examined and extolled or condemned. From my perspective, one side is severely lacking passion and compassion, though I think they might disagree (even if they didn't really believe it). Is a mission to bring something of intrinsic value to the people a noble quest even if it is achieved in an unethical, or at the very least, unsavory, way?

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Daily Felid

More of the same, for this is the blanket that never ends, due in no small part to the furry beast cuddled inside of it. I need to get some nail polish pictures, but my hands and nails are in a rather dreadful state at the moment. I haven't had polish on in about a month. I'm either knitting, will be knitting in the near future, or my hands are so sore from knitting I couldn't possibly hold a brush. It's not pretty, but I hope the end results will be.  Note- This blanket is not the only thing on my needles right now.

Spot On

I always enjoy looking at the categories Netflix divines for me; every time I click back to my "Watch Instantly" page it's like shaking a Magic 8 Ball.
Cerebral British Television Documentaries... 
Oh, Netflix, if only everyone understood me so well. Your ability to produce only four items in that category was rather disappointing, however, and may force me to watch More Things Like Phineas and Ferb instead.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Daily Felid

... or what I've been doing instead of blogging. I've been knitting, and the cats have been helping. It's a bit slow going.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Sickly

I think I have bronchitis... in the summer. My immune system seems to actively recruit pathogens. To top off all of the fun I'm having, Scarlett has a urinary tract infection, which explains why she has been peeing on things, and Mika sneezed blood today. I'm a little terrified about the bloody nose, but am glad Scarlett was finally able to see her veterinarian, and was given a shot instead of pills. I hope to get back to regularly scheduled programming soon.

In other news, I'm knitting a giant thing, and writing a pattern for a not so giant thing. The temperature has dropped just enough (it's only getting into the high 70s indoors) that I can start on holiday knitting projects, so I have stacked up about 3 times more than I will likely be able to finish. It's my nature. The parts of my hands I can feel are already sore. There is a good chance this doesn't end well.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Eddie Izzard Franken Collections Swatches and Recipes- Part I

I still have a couple of polishes to add to the Doctor Who Collection, but I don't have them finished yet. I  have very specific colors in mind, and have done a lot of testing. I'm also having an issue getting all of the shimmer out of the bottles I want to use.

To keep me from going completely bonkers, I started another collection that has been in my head for almost a year. This is part one of that collection, inspired by Eddie Izzard. This collection is 12 polishes, divided into two sets, Executive Transvestite and Action Transvestite.

I took pictures for these and had more trouble than I normally do. Before I uploaded them, I decided to take a picture of one of the cats. When I went to change the setting on the camera, I realized it was already in "cat" mode. Most of the pictures were crap, and I had to redo them, which explains my terrible cuticles. I wore one polish from this collection last week, and took photos of it then, which accounts for the difference in nail length, and disappearing henna.

Speaking of henna, please ignore the giant gap on my index finger. Acetone eats henna, and I really like this design. I was especially glad I left the giant gap after I had to redo swatches.

All swatches are over Gelous, and topped with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri. The recipes were mixed in 0.45 fl oz bottles, and I recommend adding the most abundant color, or clear (when used) last as to prevent overfilling.  Now, on to the photos.



Executive Transvestite - dusty mauve with a hint of red shimmer and glitter (1 coat)


Saturday, July 23, 2011

FingerPaints Fall 2011 Fall Fashionista Swatches and Review

I stopped by Sally Beauty to pick up some Gelous and better clips to use when I cut and henna my hair. I noticed a new display of FingerPaints, and my mom pointed out the buy two, get one free deal they were running. I love FingerPaints, I love dusty and murky colors, and I really love free things. I got six of the nine, and decided to swatch them before they are lost in the yet to be sorted and stored nail polish abyss.

All swatches are over Gelous and topped with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri. You can click to see them bigger, but they are all cremes, so you're really just going to see the air bubbles brought on by the absurd humidity. I feel like I'm slowly drowning, accumulating a bit of water with every breath. Not only is it sticky and miserable, but it's not conducive to smooth nail polish, especially cremes.

Cordur-Orange



Cordur-Orange is a spicy, medium orange. The second photo is most color accurate, though it did change slightly in different light, losing the dusty quality and appearing a brighter orange.  This is one coat.


To-Teally Chic


Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Steamed

I haven't been doing much of anything lately, I'm in a bit of a funk. It doesn't help that Scarlett has started peeing on the furniture. I clean the couch and recliner everyday, it's like Groundhog Day, but with cats and pee and without Bill Murray, so maybe a little bit better than Groundhog Day.

In trying to clean up the pee, I turned to steam. My Shark steamer decided to stop working entirely, so I got  out my My Little Steamer. Steam is steam, right... well, not really, but in this case it would do. I filled it up, added a bit of vinegar to help with the pee smell and my very hard water, and fired it up. Now, I've added vinegar before, it's like cleaning out a coffee maker. I did not expect it to start shooting out boiling water (I would have expected that from a coffee maker, however).  It burned my feet a little, and nearly got Emi, who has a fascination with steam that I really don't understand.

Because I don't learn, I assumed that the issue was vinegar related, and tried it again the next day (maybe not so much better than Groundhog Day) and again burned my toes with the fountain of boiling water that spewed forth from my little yellow steamer. And, again, Emi was nearly caught in the line of fire. I did have enough sense to scoot her out of the way, but not enough to move my feet.

Determined that steam would be my ultimate weapon against pee, I decided I needed a new steamer, though I did contemplate using the steam mop on the couch. My nocturnal nature meant that it was after 9 PM when I made this discovery. I struck out at Wal-Mart, but was able to find a garment steamer at Kohl's, plus I got some Kohl's cash and a cute dress. The steamer is great, but I'm having trouble keeping up with Scarlett.

I've started taking her to the litter-box a few times a day, because I think the issue is that Jasper and Emi like to watch her. I'm hoping it will work, because I'm really sick of cleaning up pee, and I like my furniture and can't afford new. Furniture protection and cat transport has been taking up all of my energy. It's an exciting life.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Daily Felid

Doctor Who Franken Collection Swatches and Recipes - Part Four

New Who II 


All swatches are over Gelous and topped with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri topcoat.  The first two pictures in each set are taken in a lightbox, the last is under a lamp. Click to enlarge pictures. I'm a bit embarrassed to post these swatches; I did them in low light while I was trying to eat. It wasn't my best idea ever.

I used 0.5 fl. oz. bottles to mix these. I recommend adding the most abundant color or clear (if it's used) last to prevent overfilling.

For more information, see Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.

Always Take A Banana To A Party - pale yellow jelly full of glitter, 3 coats





1/2 bottle Maybelline Sheer Whisper (most peach/pink sheers should work)
1/4 bottle Orly Lemonade
40 drops Cover Girl Gold Rush (small gold glitter)
40 drops Wet 'n' Wild Party of Five Glitters (there are several dupes for this one)
40 drops NYC Starry Silver Glitter ( Sally Hansen Ice Queen is similar)
20 drops Milani Gold
20 drops Wet 'n' Wild Black Magic (the only polish I've ever bought on eBay)
20 drops Milani Disco Lights (similar to Wet 'n' Wild Sparked or Atlantis)
20 drops Revlon Star
20 drops Confetti Ice, Ice Baby

Medusa Cascade - pink leaning orange jelly with golden yellow shimmer and blue and teal glitter, 2 coats





Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Doctor Who Franken Collection Swatches and Recipes - Part Three

New Who I

(Eek! I lost most of this post and had to redo it.)

All swatches are over Gelous and topped with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri topcoat.  The first two pictures in each set are taken in a lightbox, the last is under a lamp. Click to enlarge pictures. 

I used 0.5 fl. oz. bottles to mix these. I recommend adding the most abundant color or clear (if it's used) last to prevent overfilling.


Bitchy Trampoline- cream jelly with hidden pink and orange shimmer, 3 coats



under lamp, enlarge to see shimmer



30 drops  (1 part) Sally Hansen Pale Lilac Opal
30 drops (1 part) Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Peach Daiquiri 
60 drops (2 parts) Finger Paints Warm He-art-ed
60 drops (2 parts) Orly Lemonade (China Glaze Lemon Fizz dupe)
60 drops (2 parts) Maybelline Sheer Shining Star
180 drops (6 parts) clear
240 drops (8 parts) Confetti White Wedding


Odd Ood- grey leaning taupe jelly with red glitter, 3 coats







Monday, July 11, 2011

Daily Felid

Monday Muppets



I have watched this clip countless times, and every one of those times I have thought about how much Frank Oz must have enjoyed performing this.  I also think about trying to pull off that look, only to remember I am not a puppet or an international sex symbol.

I would look like I'd accidently spilled acid on my clothes, and, after having reached my limit for public nudity by having to use the emergency shower,  was only able to find a clothing store that catered exclusively to little pageant boys.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Doctor Who Franken Collection Swatches and Recipes - Part Two

Classic Who II - Part One is here, and contains a brief explanation.

All swatches are over Gelous, and topped with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri. The first two are two coats, the others are three. The first two photos in each set are in a lightbox, the third is taken under a lamp. Click photos to enlarge. Recipes were mixed in 0.5 fl. oz. bottles.

Time Vortex





180 drops Sally Hansen Salon Sheerly Beloved (I recently picked up a bunch of these at Big Lots)
60 drops Confetti Blue Bombshell
60 drops Confetti Rock The Night Away
60 drops China Glaze Rainbow
60 drops China Glaze Mommy Kissing Santa
60 drops OPI Chick Flick Cherry
40 drops Orly Lunar Eclipse
30 drops Maybelline Gold Star (another Big Lots find)
30 drops Wet 'n' Wild Burgundy Frost
30 drops NYC Penn Station
30 drops Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Blue It!

Gallifreyan Sky





Doctor Who Franken Collection Swatches and Recipes - Part One

I decided to create a Doctor Who franken collection, and it grew a bit huge. I will be posting pictures and recipes for all of them, but will break it up into sub-collections. There are two main collections, Classic Who and New Who, and each is divided into two sub-collections plus a bonus polish or two. It sounds far more complicated than it is, I promise.

This is Classic Who I, I hope you enjoy it.

All swatches are two coats with Gelous as a base coat and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri as a top coat. The first two pictures in each set were taken in a lightbox, and the last under a lamp. As always with my nail polish posts, click the pictures to enlarge. I used 0.5 fl. oz. bottles.

Brigadier 





1 part Revlon Top Speed Electric
1 part China Glaze Midnight Kiss (gold foil, similar to Orly Luxe)
2 parts Wet 'n' Wild Black Creme
2 parts clear
2 parts Finger Paints Greenery Scenery
2 parts Sally Hansen String of Pearls
4 parts Sally Hansen Pure White Opal
6 parts Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Green With Envy
12 parts Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Mellow Yellow

Omega's Will 




Friday, July 8, 2011

Happy (Belated) Birthday Jasper

Yesterday, we celebrated Jasper's 2nd Birthday. I can't believe he's been with me for nearly 2 years. In some ways, it feels like we've been together for an eternity, but also like he has grown from a squirmy little kitten, with a short little tail, into a beautiful and energetic cat, with a ton of personality, in no time.

I intended to post this yesterday, but my internet connection went kaput. I couldn't even get Safari to work on my iPhone! So, this is a slightly late tribute to my little orange boy.


DSC_1025

Happy birthday, Jasper Gaius!

Monday, June 20, 2011

5 Cats, A Girl, and The Pizza Place

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and exhausted lately. I haven't really been doing much, but I can't seem to get myself together. I think it is the allergy season. It has completely knocked my on my arse. I have so much I want and need to do, but most days I can't drag myself off of the couch, and have trouble just lifting my arms. I'm currently stuck in a migraine stupor, which isn't really helping. Yet, I can't sleep.

Also, I want pizza, and not that frozen gluten free crap. I want Pizza Place pizza! I could really go for my favorite deli sandwich, too.

These are the moments I long to be normal.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Monday Muppets

Sally Hansen Crackle Overcoat Swatches and Review

I bought these before they were reviewed, because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to find them. Also, they were on sale. I have been a bit disappointed, but not enough to return them, and I think they may have grown on me. First, the negatives. The weird wrapper on the cap is dreadful, and turns around freely making it difficult to open and close the bottles. Some of my brushes were wonky, but nothing too bad. I have a MAC, that I paid serious cash for, that came with a brush that looked like it had a previous life in a kindergarten art class. Wonky brushes don't kill the deal for me, but this one tends to stick in weird positions, because the polish dries on it so quickly.

The real problem with these, the thing that can't really be fixed, is the formula. It is very thin, but also clumpy, like bad potato soup. Once I figured out how to apply them, it was okay, but with so many other crackle options, there is no need to have to try so hard.

I do like the jelly-like finish of Distressed Denim and Smashed Cherry, and neeeeded a gold crackle, so am glad to have Antiqued Gold, even if it is disappointing.

I was told that it was best to use a thick coat, so that's what I did in these first swatches. They are without topcoat, and over Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Jumpin' Jade.
Smashing Cherry and Distressed Denim


I was in a hurry to get these done, so I swatched on my right hand, which made for some awkward photography.

Vintage Violet and Antiqued Gold

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Friday, June 10, 2011