Always, Alli

Before I left for Orlando, I wanted to get a pedicure and manicure. Unfortunately I didn’t have the time to head out for an hour or more, so I decided to do it myself. Specifically I tried paint french tips by myself.

I had seen the Sally Hansen French Manicure kit in Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, etc. and never actually got brave enough to buy it. And then last Wednesday it was calling my name. I bought it and later that afternoon I tried to make it work.

The key to a nice french manicure is a crisp line between the white line and the rest of the nail. The kit gives these guides to stick on your nails, after the base coat is fully dry. I swear, I swear I waited until the base coat was dry. But it didn’t matter. The guides totally messed up the base coat, pulling it up or smudging it. I started over and tried again, but the same thing happened again.

I gave up, left the nasty base coat as it was. I added the pretty white line, did the top coat. But it still looked awful.

I finally took it all off yesterday and I have to say, my fingernails are so tough I can’t even bite them. And I am a fingernail biter. I have been needing to bit them all day and I just can’t do it. I know pregnancy is partially to blame, but I bet Sally Hansen has something to do with it too. While I like pretty nails, I miss biting them. I’m sure once this baby joins the family, I’ll be able to go back to my sad bad habit.

Technorati Tags: Sally Hansen, manicure, french tips

Hello, I am Alli’s new backpack.

In Alli’s mind, I speak with a Mexican accent. Similar to Esteban, the Mexican Mayor/ Drug Lord from Weeds. And no, I do not like to spank women. I just have the accent.

Alli bought me from Zappos. This is also where she bought her previous bag. And conincidentally, her previous bag and I are both from the same manufacturer- Dakine. Alli loves the fabrics Dakine uses in their women’s products. And you will notice Alli picked the bag with the orange accents, because you should know orange is her signature color.

Alli isn’t a bag lady. Sure her husband might mention how many bags she already has, but what Alli means is, she doesn’t like carrying more than one bag at a time. Her backpack has to be a workhorse. So, seeing a backpack with an insulated cooler pocket (perfect for kiddo’s snacks), zipper organizer pockets, and a hidden pocket at the top for her cell phone and/ or sunglasses? It was love, love, love at first sight.

As workhorses go, when she travels, I have to carry both Alli’s laptop and her camera stuff. Since she upgraded to the DSLR (fancy pants camera), she struggles keeping it safe and carrying the extra stuff she needs. I meet her needs, with the help of the new camera bag (kind of like Cesar, Esteban’s helper-dude on Weeds). There is also room for the various cords and such required for the technological lifestyle Alli leads.

The new camera bag is an insulated lunch tote made by the fine people of Thermos. Alli found it at Target, after she was drawn in by the pull of the polka dots. Alli’s previous camera bag was also an insulated lunch bag, but it was smaller and did not meet the needs of Alli’s upgraded digital photography lifestyle.

This bag carries all three of Alli’s lenses, the camera body, her external flash, extra battery, remote, and one hood. Alli realizes she doesn’t use all of these items on most outings, but when she travels (like she will be doing in September), she wants to have everything on hand.

It was very nice to meet you. Alli wants everyone to know her previous bag was well loved and is going to a good home. Her needs changed and since she is pregnant, a backpack seemed like a safe, yet stylish option. She is pleased to introduce me to the world and looks forward to carrying me with pride everywhere we go.

Esteban, out.

Technorati Tags: Zappos, Dakine, backpack

Vanessa: My girlfriends tell me that the first couple of months are the hardest.
Juno: I didn’t notice it at all, actually. I’m more concerned with when they have to put that like elastic band, ya know, in the front of my jeans.
Vanessa: Well, I think pregnancy is a beautiful thing.
Juno 2007

Tomorrow Fuller and I will pack up the car and head north once again to visit my mom. She is moving in August and needs some help with stuff. And since I will have to actually pack up some clothes to take with me, I decided I had to take clothes which actually fit and don’t bust open when I sit down.

Sunday I was wearing a pair of capris that snapped in the front and the snap kept flying open at the most inopportune times. And since I feel the most comfortable in the most unladylike of positions- with my pants unzipped and belly hanging out- I decided I had to get into the attic and pull out the maternity clothes.

I’m not in need of a total wardrobe overhaul, but I need more space in my pants, so finding the pieces with elastic bands and stretchy panels were the first to come out. After a quick fashion show, I was so pleased everything fit me just fine. Sure, some of the panels are big because I’m not huge, but my belly bump was happy not to be encased behind some zipper and snap combination.

I am pretty surprised to have to pull out the maternity clothes this early. But it gives me something positive to look forward too, helping move my anxiety levels even lower. So really, pregnancy is a beautiful thing.

Technorati Tags: pregnancy, Juno, maternity clothes

I meant to post this on Sunday, but due to morning sickness masquerading as evening sickness, I didn’t bother. And then yesterday I suffered from post-announcement let down, where I felt yucky and didn’t feel like I had anything to show for it. Sure, my pants are tighter and eating five times a day are to be expected, but then again, I could just be getting fat.

Anyway, Saturday I went and got my hair done did. (That is the correct expression, I promise.)

Before I left, I did this quick before self portrait. No make-up, no styling, just me and my wet hair.

I had an excellent time at the stylist. First she waxed my eyebrows (at my request, of course) and she did it with such enthusiasm. Every time she ripped one of the cloths off my eyebrow area, she screamed for me. Not that I have ever screamed when getting my eyebrows waxed. But it probably does call for a little auditory exclamation, and she provided it for me.

Then I put myself in her hands that held scissors and product. She lectured me on the importance of moisturizer for my hair (which I agreed with) and proceeded to remove lots and lots of hair. I was automatically five pounds lighter, and in love with how easy it is to manage.

This is not the most flattering after picture, but it will have to do:

Still no makeup, but obviously less hair.

I have been using the leave-in conditioner and moisture control products I purchased and kind of just leaving my hair to its own resources. Then this morning I had to be at a dentist appointment and decided to NOT wash my hair and just use the straightener on it.

I ended up looking pretty good for the events that unfolded today, and people keep commenting on it.

So, I guess I’m having a good hair day. And I love my hair cut!

I’m so silly.

My husband has commandeered my camera for a work project, so I took today’s SPS picture with my camera phone. I think it is pretty decent. I tried several times to not squint and not look dumb. Maybe I succeeded, I don’t know.

Play along by putting your pretty, pretty face up on your blog! Leave a comment on Cass’s Midlife Musings.

Technorati Tags: Self Portrait Sunday, camera phone

This picture isn’t technically a self portrait, but it is of me. And in the spirit of getting in front of the camera more, I think it is fine to post. Cass will correct me if I’m wrong.

Our family’s A Game experience was much better than expected. We enjoyed gorgeous weather for most of the day (it rained while driving home) and when the sun shines, football games are that much more enjoyable.

Damon took this picture and apologizes for not taking a good one. He was dressed as Auburn Elvis (of course) and I think his sunglasses may have interfered with his viewfinder eye. But I still like it, because of the tattoo.

I have a thing for temporary tattoos. I like them a lot. Either for spirit, or decoration. I have no problem putting one on my ankle or shoulder for a special occasion. I like the temporary nature of it, so I can change them out whenever I want. I used to want a real tattoo, but that desire has passed. I’ve always been very scarce in the jewelry area (small earrings, only my wedding and engagement rings, and a necklace), but I really do like the idea of body art, in a temporary nature.

I need to find out how to best remove the temporary tattoos because I had to really, really scrub my face to get it off for church this morning.

On a health note: you can practically see my chest area turning red as you look at that picture. We did put sunscreen on, but I forgot that section of my exposed skin. My advice is to always put sunscreen on at home and in front of a mirror.

Do you have a self portrait to share? Post it on your blog and leave a comment on Midlife Musings, so we can all check out your mug!

Technorati Tags: Self Portrait Sunday, temporary tattoos, Auburn A Game

I received a sample of a new shampoo and conditioner on the market: Naked Naturals. I have a love affair with my hair, and care significantly about the products I use on my hair, but I am not set in my ways. When it is time for me to replace shampoo or conditioner I can usually be found musing what to try next, not necessarily reaching for the same products over and over.

The pamphlet I received with the samples told me the shampoo and conditioner were not made with harmful chemicals. I also learned about a Keravis, a main ingredient in the Naked Naturals made from plant protein and proven to make hair stronger, more flexible, and reducing breakage.

Maybe I am vain, but I already see my hair as flexible and strong. And since I have so much hair, if it breaks, I don’t really notice it or cry over it. But the sample was free and I thought I would give it a go.

The ultimate verdict was I like both products. I felt my hair was clean from the shampoo and the conditioner rinsed clean. When my hair dried, it was soft and manageable, which allowed me to let out a sigh of relief. I scrutinize conditioners a lot more than shampoo and I have used conditioners which left my hair feeling tangled and icky. Naked Naturals gave me the softness I love. And as a bonus, I really believe my hair was even shinier after using Naked Naturals.

I would like to say my hair was stronger after using the sample, but unfortunately I was unable to really. Maybe my hair really is super strong (and it isn’t just in my head) or maybe I just needed to be able to use it more on a daily basis to give a fair shake. But I would recommend this shampoo based on the natural aspect of it. Using a natural shampoo and less chemicals in my hair is healthier in the long run, so it would be for you too!

Technorati Tags: Naked Naturals, shampoo, conditioner, hair product

This isn’t a self portrait (obviously) but it is a picture I wanted to share from my Orlando trip. The quintessential picture with Mickey!

When our group (Courtney, Trevor, and me!) arrived in Mickey’s Toontown Fair there were two houses- Minnie’s and Mickey’s. You could tour them and take pictures, which I thought would be fun. I didn’t realize the houses were actually staging for the line to meet Minnie or Mickey.

Trevor explained the characters didn’t really walk around the park anymore. You wouldn’t just “happen” on Mickey or Minnie in Tomorrowland or find a princess mingling in Frontierland. Instead the characters have specific locations to hang out and people line up for their photo op.

When I found out Mickey’s house was actually the line to see Mickey, I made the group wait the 45 minutes (maybe longer?) for my photo op.

When we got our audience with Mickey I was surprised at how short he was. And I said it out loud! Poor Mickey gave me some body language that he wasn’t too thrilled with my statement. It’s not like I told him to go buy some weight loss pills. But he was sweet and still took a picture with me.

If you have a self portrait to share, please post it on your blog and leave a comment on Midlife Musings! We would love to see your mug.

Technorati Tags: Disney, Mickey, photo op, self portrait Sunday

Last Friday Damon and I took some time in the evening to look at the stars through his dad’s telescope. We found Mars and I marveled at how clear the stars were.

While we had our necks craned backwards I felt something creepy crawly slither down my back. I reached into my shirt, pulled something wiggly from my bra strap and threw it on the ground. We went inside to check out something on Sky an Telescope’s interactive sky map. As I stood there in the living room I realized what I threw onto the ground in disgust- my necklace.

I went back outside with some light and found the necklace (broken), but was distressed to not find the four leaf clover charm usually found on the gold chain. I looked again the next day with the sun to help and still no charm.

The gold chain was a gift from our friend Linda (aka Todd’s Mom) on the day of my college graduation (not one of those online universities). The four leaf clover was from Damon, given also on the day of my graduation. I wore them pretty much all the time. It was light and just the right adornment for my taste.

And now, my neck feels naked and I wonder what to get to replace it. The same thing? My vintage typewriter necklace? Or should I just drop heavy hints to someone special in hope that he know what to get me?

I just wish it hadn’t broken. Then I wouldn’t even have to think about it.

Technorati Tags: broken jewelry, necklace

I’m getting a hair cut.