The Great Pretender

My birthday was yesterday.  I took Friday off since my day was on a Saturday.  I refuse to work on my birthday.  I always do something just for me whether it be a spa day, or buying myself a splurge item.  This year it was either a new iPad, which I need, or a new camera, which I want.

I went with the camera.  It's one of those fancy DSLR ones, a Canon EOS Rebel T5i for those out there who know these things.  I'm the first to admit, I have no idea what I'm doing and will definitely be taking some classes to learn how to use it to its potential. Let me just say, it takes amazing pictures.  I actually took my mani pics with it and you'll see those in a few posts from now.

The bummer is, I used to be able to crop and manipulate my pics on my point and shoot, then upload and write my post.  Apparently, the fancy cameras don't let you do that.  I did figure out yesterday that on the CD that came with the camera, there is a program for editing.  Just one more thing I need to figure out.

I've decided I want to take nature photos.  Of the birds in my backyard, the hummingbirds in flight, trees etc. I will start another instagram page for that stuff. I'm all sorts of excited.  I already know a tree that has flowered that for years I've wanted to take a picture of.  I just hope the storms the other night didn't make all the flowers fall off.  Cross your fingers as I'm going later today to take pictures of it!

On my actual birthday?  I sprayed my driveway for weeds.  Yup, my life is all sorts of excitement!  I spent literally 3 hours bent over spraying every inch of my very long driveway.  It is so overgrown though, I fear I will need to do some touchup next weekend. I do have 2 gallons of the stuff mixed up in my sprayer just for that.

Let me just say that when I was done?  I was in pain and am still in pain today.  My back is sore and my right thumb is still numb literally from holding down the spray button.  I sure hope I get the feeling back in my thumb!

Anywho, a while back I showed you my original Clarins 230-that elusive rare polish that I just love. Well today's polish is touted as a dupe.  We shall see if it is.

Here is your silly bottle shot.

This is Rescue Beauty Lounge Moulin Rouge, Colors by Llarowe The Great Pretender and Bettina Chic.

I started with skittles.

Sun

Sun

Indoor Sun

Indoor Sun

Oh how I love this Rouge!  So dark and vampy!  Next I simply added a layer of Pretender.

Indoor Sun

Indoor Sun

Sun

Sun

Serious shimmer goodness here people.  But is it a dupe?  Not for the Clarins, but it IS for the Max Factor Fantasy Fire that was big a while back.  This has the same blue jelly formula as Fire does.  So if you missed out on Fire, get this!

What do you do for your birthday?

Until next time people.  Any thoughts out there?

Colors by Llarowe Holos!!!!

The day this posts will be the day before my birthday.  My plans are to go to DSW, which stands for Discount Shoe Warehouse, and buy new high heeled combat boots since mine are getting very old and the soles are almost through to my feet!  Then I am meeting an old coworker for lunch to catch up on what's been happening. On my actual birthday?  I will be outside, spraying my very long driveway with weed killer. It usually takes me about 3 hours to do it.  Right now, the dandelions are winning big time.

Don't be jealous of my super exciting plans!

The other weirdness in my life?  I went from not doing Facebook at all, actually taking a stand to NOT do Facebook, to having my own holo group and being a member of 10 others. WTF?????  Damn you Facebook for sucking me in!

Actually, I'm having fun with it and have killed several Enchanted Polish lemmings of mine.  I'm down to really only 'needing' two more in my collection.

As I may have told you before, I am a holo freak. When Llarowe first started making holos, you bet I bought them up.  Only to find that for me, I was not happy with them. The brushes are wonky, the formula jelly like and just not very holo at all.

Imagine my surprise when a friend in one of my groups, convinced me to give them another shot.  That they have been vastly improved.  Let me just say right now that she was so right!  I bought up replacements for the old ones I have and will be selling those to collectors who want the old stuff.

Here is the silly bottle shot.

These are Zipper, Young Turks and Black Gold.  Note the bling already!

I started with skittles.

Flash

Flash

Indoor Light

Indoor Light

OMG!!!!! Pass me the sunglasses would ya?????  These are ahhhhhhhhmazing!  I am so happy right now!

Next I think I ruined this, but no matter, the rainbows are awesome!  I simply used this same Black Gold and stamped using MoYou Festive plate 4.

Flash

Flash

Indoor Sun

Indoor Sun

Close Up

Holy Moly these have some strong rainbows!  I mean this is classic linear holo to the core!  Man I have a new love and it is Colors by Llarowe!

Wait til you see what else I've got.

Until next time people.  Any thoughts out there?

Dots and Stripes, Bettina, Dance Legend

I'm going to start this by saying I'm not a mean girl.  I don't say mean things to others, but I do love to people watch and sometimes, things are said, but only in my head.

My birthday is getting closer, and I'm all sorts of excited.  I absolutely love my birthday. Always have.

My BFF in the whole wide world, is 8 days older than me.  He and I have been besties since we were 7. We are turning 46, the wrong side of 50!  Yes I get that age is a number, I don't feel anywhere near 46, but it is what it is.  And I HATE that phrase!

Anywho, I had texted him his Happy Birthday, you're an old man thing as I do every year, but included my photoshoot pics with it.  He said I look all sorts of hot, which of course, I really do! HAHA.  You'll see them, I promise!  He sent me one back of him and we started talking about people from high school.

Let's just start this off with the premise that he and I were not in the popular crowd.  We did not do sports, I was in band and choir, and if you didn't do sports, you weren't cool. There were two particular people who were the IT couple.  All the boys wanted her, all the girls wanted him, myself included.

So my bestie then texts me pics of how they look now.  Let me just say-YIKES!  They have not aged well. You know those people who peak in high school and then nothing? This is them.  He and I of course felt better about ourselves because we think we look way better now than we did then.  Sometimes little things like this make you feel a little better about yourself.

And if that is mean, so be it.

Here is the silly bottle shot for today.

Oh yeah people, we are playing with brown today!  This is Painted Polish by Lexi Bells of Ireland, Bettina Camel and Dance Legend Robots v Humans.

I started with skittles.

Sun

Sun

Indoor Sun

Indoor Sun

Ahhhhhh, attack of the super nubs!  Yes, once again, I have had to go super short.  I'm growing out the damage from the gels I tried and they had split and peeled bad.  But I will still ROCK the nubs as I always do!

Did you know someone left a mean message on my Instagram? Saying, but they're so short though.  I replied, yes they are always this short!  Why do people feel the need to be mean?  I will never understand that.

Anywho, you can see the subtle holo sparkle in the Bells blue.  It's a stunner for sure. And don't get me started on the brown holo!  It's one of my all time faves!

Next I carefully did a tape mani then added dots.  It took so long, that on my other hand? I did dots instead of messing with the tape.  No one knew the difference!

Indoor Sun

Indoor Sun

Indoor Sun

Sun

Sun

See? Nubs can be awesome too!  There is no reason why you can't rock the nubs with me!  I LOVE this mani, could not stop staring at it.

I just think these colors go well together!

Do you think I'm a mean girl?

Until next time people.  Any thoughts out there?

Enchanted Polish March 2014 and New Bettina

Yeah, I've decided to give up the weird titles.  I thought I'd try it this way and see if I get more hits.  And actually, the last post I did.  Instead of my regular 200 a day, I got 250.  So that's something eh?

Lost my cool this past Friday.  I told you about the stress at work with my coworkers? Well, they called yet another meeting with my boss, to bitch some more about all the changes.  They wanted to do it earlier in the day, and I'm all like please do.  Of course, I had another clinic to take care of.  So they decided to hold off til I could attend after my clinic.  Joy.

So my clinic went long and one of my patients, who is the nicest person is not doing well, so that upset me. The meeting was for 1, but at 12:45 I just finished my clinic and hadn't had lunch yet.  I was shaking with hunger.  I decided then and there that I was going to boycott this meeting.  I just could not and would not sit and listen to bitchfest part 2000000000.

I got my lunch, and while sitting at my desk, just lost it and started crying.  At that moment I was alone, so it was ok in my mind.  Next thing I know, my boss comes in, thinking the meeting is to take place in our office and sees me crying.  She asks me if I'm all right, and I just let loose and tell her that I just can't sit and listen to any more bitching, that my coworkers have been doing it all week and I just can't deal.  She was very cool about the whole thing and let me skip it.

I'm NOT the one with the issue right?!?

After she left, I also realized I was probably having major PMS that is contributing to my meltdown, but it's all good.  They came back, said they missed me at the meeting and that it went well.  Man I so hope that is true.  I do not want to start the new week listening to any more moaning.

Plus, later this week is my birthday!  My own personal holiday.  Of course, since it's on a Saturday, I just had to take Friday off!  More on that later.

Here is your silly bottle shot.

This is new Bettina Sunkissed and Key Lime with Enchanted Polish March 2014 in the middle.

I started with skittles.

Sun

Sun

Notice anything missing?  YAY no marked out areas!  Yes, finally I have stopped picking my skin and making badness happen.  This is also what I wore to my photo shoot I told you about.

After I got home, I finished this off by stamping using Cici&Sisi plates 3 & 5.

I decided this was missing a little something and added a light layer of Colores de Carol holo top coat.

Flash

Indoor Sun

Indoor Sun

Close Up

Now I am going to break my own rule I set when I started this blog.  You see, I don't like when people post their feet online.  It's just a thing I have.  I appreciate when people warn me it's coming.

This is your warning!  I matched my toes sort of for my photo shoot by wearing Picture Polish Kryptonite.

Unfortunately, the angle is not capturing this gorgeous polish very well.  Trust that the sparkle in this is amazing!

Do you like seeing people's feet?

Until next time people.  Any thoughts out there?

Enchanted Polish April 2014

It's pretty obvious what today's mani is about.

But first, more updates.  Remember way back when, when I was told that the others with my job title were going to be made to do the things I do?  Well that day has finally come my friends.  At least in theory.  It has not been actually implemented yet.  So I am still leery that it will take place.

I can't get into specifics, as I don't want people to figure out who and where I'm talking about.  Let's just say that I work part time, and am responsible for three clinics and all the work that entails.  Just me, no one else. There are three coworkers who all contribute to the same job-as in it takes three people to do what I surmise really takes 1.5 people. They are full time and have never had to get off their ass and run a clinic.  I have always thought this very unfair ever since I started working there.

Last week, we were called into a surprise meeting.  I had no idea what it was about, as I've told you I have a new boss who is making tons of changes and making people unhappy.  Well, imagine my surprise when it's three of the very high ups, my boss and my three coworkers in this meeting.

The topic?  The reality that is the fact that they need to start doing several clinics.  Oh you should have seen the look on their faces.  Heaven forbid they actually have to finally do some work.  At the time, I did not know what I found out later, so I spoke right up saying I have no more time to spare and cannot pick up yet one more clinic.  Little did I know, they weren't expecting me to.

After this tense meeting was over, of course, they all started in with the bitching and moaning.  Oh my God, how will I get all my work done? Things of that nature.  Inside, I'm just smiling.  However, I wanted to have a one on one with my boss.

This is something no one knows.  I went to my new boss, telling her how unfair it has felt to me all these years and that I hope the higher ups realize how much I actually get done.  I was told that yes they are aware and that's why they didn't push for me to take on more roles in this meeting.  I finally felt like they now see just how much I do, and how little the others do.

My issue is, they are being told it's temporary, just for the next three months.  But my boss told me, in reality it is permanent.  I don't think it's a good idea to lie to them like this, but what can I do?  Work since this meeting has been nothing but them bitching behind my back, whispering and actually crying.

What I don't get is, don't they see the discrepancy between what I do and what they don't do?  I'm told they do, but I'm not so sure.

It's just a very uncomfortable situation that I'm actually elated about and hope it actually happens.

I'll keep you posted.

Here is your silly bottle shot.

This is Enchanted Polish April 2014 and Bettina Cobalt, from the new Spring collection of 10 that I just got!

I started with April and an accent of Cobalt.  It's a much darker blue IRL.

Indoor Sun

Indoor Sun

April is such a lovely periwinkle blue.  Swoooooooon.  Because I didn't want to mess with it too much, I simply added some dots.

Indoor Sun

Indoor Sun

I just love these new colors, don't you?

Until next time people.  Any thoughts out there?

Difficult Tape Mani

People-I have so many updates for you, it ain't even funny.  I will spread them out over the next three posts.

But which one to start with?

I had my photo shoot this past weekend.  Let's just say I am no model.  I may have been more relaxed had I not been among strangers.  I am awkward until I am comfortable with the people around me.

There was a professional photographer, professional makeup artist and my hairdresser of course, since it was her photo shoot, and two random guys.  One kind of hot, definitely built, the other? Not even of legal age!  Maybe 16-17?  I didn't ask.  We will get back to that later.

So I had had my hair freshly dyed a few days before, so that didn't have to be done again.  My hairdresser started with my hair, doing a really cool 60s mad housewife bouffant from back in the day.  Damn my hair was big!  I then went to the makeup artist's station and he did a really cool cat's eye liner and makeup.  I have to say I looked good.

I changed into an oversize white button down shirt, wide black ribbon used as a belt and it was time for the first pictures.  I stood in front of a white paper background.  I never thought to ask what was going to be in the background once the pics are done. As I said, I am no model.  I did what I was told.  Turn this way, look happy, don't smile, grin-let's just say I was stiff and awkward.  She had to position me a few times.

The next outfit was a bandage dress.  For those who do not know what this is, it's a dress, made famous by the designer, Herve Leger, and looks like you've been wrapped in an Ace bandage.  This was not my dress as I don't own a little black dress.  It was short, it was tight as hell and I felt like I should have been on a street corner. I held a black and red boa for those shots.

I stayed in that dress, returned to get my hair changed.  This time, tons of hot pink hair extensions were added and then my hair was pinned up with some of the pink hanging down.  I went back to makeup and they slutted up my eyes to a heavy black liner etc.

Then back to pictures.  This time, holding an all black boa.  I was finally able to take off this tight dress, back into the white shirt and this time, I was going to take pics with one of the guys.  Did I get the kind of hot guy?

Hell no.  I was with the underage kid.  I felt kind of dirty-the pictures were not sexy or anything like that, but it just felt weird to be 45 with an under 18 kid.

I do have rough pictures I had them take with my iphone, but I am going to wait til I have the finished professional ones before showing you guys.

As you know, I work under a pseudonym and don't show my face.  So I'm not comfortable showing you pictures that haven't been finished.  I promise you, I did look at her camera pics and some are really awesome if I do say so myself!

My parents were visiting that weekend, and when I got home with the hot pink and slutty makeup?  My mom was underwhelmed!  HEHEHEH.

Overall, it was very fun. I've never had professional makeup and photos done before. It was a once in a lifetime thing.

OK.  Now onto the topic at hand.  Here is your silly bottle shot.

This is Painted Polish by Lexi English Mint, A England St George and OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls.

I started with skittles.

Indoor Sun

Sun

Indoor Sun

Sun

This Mint is a brand new to me.  It is touted as a subtle holo.  I call it a holo for one, since the wearer is really the only person meant to enjoy it!

Next I placed a lot of tape to make an intricate design, then dotted and was so tired and frustrated by the time I finished, I did not do my other hand!  Yup, I went on in life with only one hand done.  The other just swatched.

Indoor Sun

Indoor Sun

Sun

Sun

Close Up

Oh how cool is this????  So worth the trouble, yes!  I love these colors together.  I was very happy with how this came out.  Not perfect, but good enough for me to enjoy!

Have you ever done a photo shoot before?

Until next time people.  Any thoughts out there?