Monday, December 29, 2014

SUMMERANA™ - PHOTOSHOP ACTIONS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

Summerana is having a Giveaway over on their site!
 
GIVEAWAY PRIZES (there will be 10 winners):
      1. One winner wins the following (value of $3,399.00): Winner’s choice of a Nikon D810 Digital SLR Camera or Canon Digital SLR EOS 5D Mark III Camera
  1. One winner wins the following (value of $199.00): A Thebossi Camera Bag in Studded Gravel by Theit
  2. One winner wins the following (value of $38.95): Scarf Camera Strap by PhatStraps
  3. One winner wins the following (value of $45.00): Winners choice of Camera Coat by Camera Coats
  4. One winner wins the following (value of $175.00): Product Pricing Guide Book by Go{4}Pro Photos
  5. One winner wins the following (value of $75.00):  Zin Frames Gift Card by Zin Frames
  6. One winner wins the following (value of $149.00): The POSING & MOORE guide by Michelle Moore
  7. One winner wins the following (value of $39.00): “Create your Dream Clients: Building the Perfect Clients” workshop bundle by Michelle Moore
  8. One winner wins the following (value of $29.00): Photographer’s Charm Necklace by Clickin Moms
  9. One winner wins the following (value of $16.00): A telephoto camera lens kitchen timer by Clickin Moms   

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: The Summerana – Photoshop Actions for Photographer’s New Years Giveaway will run from 12/22/2014 until 01/12/2015 at 11:59p.m. CST. Ten winners will be chosen via the Rafflecopter and will be announced on our Facebook Page and email newsletter. You will have 48 hours to claim your prize so be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss out on the announcement!
To enter, simply complete any of the steps in the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post. The more steps you complete, the more entries you will have! <3 This giveaway couldn’t have been possible or as awesome as it is without it’s participating vendors/sponsors! Thank you thank you vendors/sponsors
Better Hurry!! :) ♥


 http://summerana.com/summerana-photoshop-actions-for-photographers-new-years-camera-giveaway/

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

(Late Post) Born Pretty Store Stamping Plate

Original Date: November 5th
I am super excited to receive my first bornprettystore.com stamping plate. These are their first ones from them that they actually made. I have purchased some them before but not their own brand.
I got the #2 design, which is different kinds of lace!
8 individual designs on one circle plate.
I like the designs and I want to try the other that they made as well.
I was a bit hesitant to try them cause I didn't know how well they would work and this was their first ones. So you never know but was very pleasantly surprised!
They stamps are very nice looking and they are actually easy to pick up.
I used several different polishes and two stampers with both ends and two scrapers.
Images picked up well and stamped great on my nails. I stamped my nails, my husbands (lol), some fake nails and even glass.
Don't ask me why. I just did lol

The price is good. The plates are great. I want the rest of the collection :)

Here is the Born Pretty 02 Plate

For a discount use my code: NARYX31
Here is where you can get your own :) 
And the one I got is changed a bit now but this is the new one:

P.s. Not sure if I need to write this... But I was not paid to write this. Just telling my opinion and thoughts. Thank you!

Monday, December 22, 2014

(Late Post) Halloween ♥

Original Date: October 31st
My daughter got to pick her own Costume this year.
She originally wanted Minnie Mouse cause she loves her more than anything lol
but they were out everywhere in her size. She's 2, almost 3, but even 2T is big on her and all we could find was newborn or 4T and bigger : /
It was a bummer and when I found one I wanted online, we thought we could find one in store. 
Not at the Halloween shop or even Walmart...
So we let her pick any costume in her size.
She chose a purple witch outfit.
I have to say, she did a great job at picking out her own costume.
She looked so adorable. I know I'm biased but I wasn't the only one saying it lol

We had a great night and she got a ton of candy that took a month to finish and that's with my hubby helping :)
And I did my nails lol It took a couple different tried to get what I wanted. As usual.

Here is some pictures:







Thursday, December 18, 2014

(Late Post) Mini Birthday Bundle Monster Haul

Original Date: October 30th
I LOVE my hubby!! Or more like HE loves Me!!
For my birthday this year he let me buy some Stamping Plates.

I spent under $30 and got a ton!
This is my Mini Birthday Bundle Monster Haul!

2013 Holiday Collection- Full Set - 25 Nail Plates
2012 Nail Stamping Plate BM321- Love Hope + Lace
Postage + Travel Themed Nail Art Effect Decal Stickers 
Spider Web Halloween Glow in the Dark Nail Art Effect Decal Stickers
(Couldn't find but they have some different ones)
5pc Acrylic Nail Art Carving Brushes
2mm Icy Blue 3D Enamel Half Cut Pearl Shaped Nail Studs

Total Paid: $25.21
Can you believe that?! I was so happy and they arrived maybe a week and a half later! 
I ordered near the beginning of the month so I could get them for my birthday.

Here are some pictures. 


Don't know if I need to add this but I was not paid to write this post and I paid for everything I got from them. Just sharing my nail mail!




Monday, December 15, 2014

(Late Post) My Birthday Nails

Original Date: October 26th
 I went through a lot of different designs for these. I started with just drawing and my own art and then I remembered I had some Birthday stamping plates from Bundle Monster! :)
I definitely wanted to use my new OPI polishes my Hubby got me for my birthday.
OPI Mod About You
 (It is my new favorite pink)
OPI Charged Up Cherry
Sally Hansen Hard as Nails No Hard Feelings
Kiss silver glitter striping polish.
I also used Snow Me White from SinfulColors.
I hand painted the cupcake on my ring finger and used some ordinary loose glitter for the frosting.
Not the best but I was happy with the results :)

LOVE, love my Bundle Monster stamping plates and my new OPI colors.
Hope you enjoy.
OH. Just in case, the stamper and scraper I used were the XL black stamper from Born Pretty Store!


P.s. Not my real nails. I used Gelish Foundation gel to make them longer and thicker.



Friday, December 12, 2014

(Late Post) Took my Gel off

Original Date: November 20th
Okay. I took off my Gelish gel nails, just wow.
I usually don't have them on for very long but this time they lasted just over a month and two fills.
My nails, when I get hem done Acrylic or Gel, never really hold up that well. they usually start to peel and separate after a week or two. I did file them a little more than usual and did a different technique to do the Gel Foundation. 
This was my Process. I use the Gelish Soak-Off Gel Kit.
(I will try to see if I have pictures)

Step 1: File and prep your nails.
I remove all polish. File and lightly trim. I file down the top layer of my nails and clean with some Alcohol. This is all pretty general lol
Lightly buff all nails and sweep gently with the Ph Bond that comes in the Gelish Kit.
(If you want to apply tips to lengthen your nails, add them before the ph bond)

Step 2: Apply a thin layer of Gel.
Wipe off most of the Gel from the brush. Almost all of it.
I start at the top of my nail near the cuticle and slowly wiggle the brush up towards the cuticle and back and forth.You want it to seep into your nails and by wiggling the brush and 'massaging' the gel into your nails makes it a better bond. Do all 4 nails. Cure for 15 seconds.

Step 3: Thicker gel.
I don't have any builder Gel so I make do lol
For this step you have to apply the Gel and cure ONE finger at a time. I use the LED cure lamp that came with the Gelish Kit.
Take your brush out of the bottle and wipe just one side.
Blob the rest in the middle of your nail and let it settle for 1 second.
Flip your hand over and have your nails settle towards the middle for 2-3 seconds and place under the lamp to cure for 45 seconds.
Doing this may make your fingers a bit warm cause the light has to go deeper to cure the Gel. It is does start to feel like your nail is getting hot. Remove from under the light and place back under when your temp returns to normal. I had to ask about that lol

Step 4: Correcting
After you finish all 4 fingers. This is the time to make any corrections or fill any small gaps. I have to say that I did not have very many. Some small gaps near the sides of my nails but that was it.
To do this just apply gel where needed and small blobs where there might be a bigger gap.
Add a thin layer of Gelish Top It Off.
Cure and wipe with a cotton ball soaked in Alcohol.

Repeat on other hand and then thumbs.
That's it!! Now you can apply any regular polish or nail art or a Gel polish!

It worked for me but might not work for you. I don't know. I am not a professional in any way and I suggest you follow the instructions on the box or online from the Gel company you are using!

Here are some pictures of my Gelish Gel nails and after I took them off.


Getting ready for fill...




No more MOBILE!

We moved again and plan on moving before the end of January. So, when I blog, I use my phone to write and post. Using the Blogger App! I have a Samsung Galaxy S5, which I don't think matters, but some say that Android apps don't work as well?!?
I write, review and post from my phone and check back daily.
It shows that I have posted all my blogs. Even my little updates I do.
Now going onto my laptop and signing into my Gmail and now my blog...
NOTHING!!! No posts since OCTOBER!!!
What the heck is going on?!?!?
Needless to say, I am getting upset with Blogger. It has updated on my phone at least 4 times since October and every time after I go into the app and it still shows my posts are live.
I don't understand. Some would say to just pay for a 'real' blog but why do that when I just ramble and this is a little outlet?
I don't need an expensive or fancy-pansy blog for something like what I do. It's kind of like an online diary?!
I am still kind of bummed about my phone or app or whatever not working but I think just carving the time out for me to do this, even at night, I will feel better. I like to jot down my thoughts have them with me on my laptop or phone to add to or remove. One of the things I like about this advanced time we live in lol
Other than moving, nothing has been going on. I will be making some posts now to be scheduled, cause I finally figured out how to do that :)
Christmas is around the corner. My countdown says, at this exact moment, it is... 12 Days, 17 Hours and 36 Min away lol
My baby girl turns 3 in January :(
My goodness, time sure does fly. I sometimes hate that saying.
The Hubs and I are thinking about finding a place in Alaska. Always wanted to move there and so does he. I love Oregon but maybe it's time to move somewhere else.
I had finally given Saudi Arabia an okay and we didn't go...
He definitely doesn't want to move to Washington, even though I love that state too.
He just really wants to move to Alaska lol
I'll go where ever he wants to move. If I don't like it, he'll reassure me and then I'll fall in love with the idea and we'll go anyways.
Love... It's grand lol

That's all for now. On to posting from here from now on. thinking about emailing Blogger and seeing if it's just me?!?
Have a great weekend y'all.

OH! And Merry Christmas!! ♥

Friday, October 24, 2014

I feel silly...

When I say silly, I mean stupid.
Here I am blogging every week and not seeing my posts and wondering why they are showing up in my posts feed but not on my blog...
SCHEDULED BLOGS!! I scheduled them all for November... No idea how or why!
I have done it before on some posts that I have an urge to write but don't want to bombard people with them, but always on purpose.
I will be paying very close attention to ALL of my posts now and their dates. I really feel so silly and a bit disappointed in myself. No more blogging from my phone until I can fully figure it out! That was where I was writing from for a long time cause we were always away from the house and I don't take my laptop everywhere we go, but I take my phone.
So... Anywho...
How goes the Boudoir Challenge?!? I have to say it is really hard for me to do this one. I may/may not post some of mine. I am a bigger gal and have issues lol
But I will try to break out some from my comfort bubble.

Next on my never posted blogs, I went to Ulta again for some much needed pink polish. Okay, maybe not needed but much wanted. And OPI had a buy 2, get 1 free going on... So I got 3.
The perfect light pink, Mod About You.
A dark kinda red/pink, Charged Up Cherry.
And, an almost sheer nude, Mimosas For Mr. & Mrs.
LOVE them all!!
OH!!  And for my Birthday, which is this Sunday, my hubby got me some Bundle Monster Plates!! I am so excited about them and will post some that I have tried already. I got the 2013 Holiday Collection, which has every Holiday and Event. I did some Breast Cancer Awareness nails and some Birthday nails so far. Next I will do some more Fall nails and Halloween ones too!
They have a lot of cute ones for Thanksgiving and Christmas, too.

Lets see...
I took a lot of picture of my daughter. I took a lot on my phone, especially lately, and was fiddling with some apps for editing and a movie editor that I really like. Will post those soon too.
For now, I will let you go and I will be back to posting every week, like normal.
Thanks!!!

Monday, September 22, 2014

October Boudoir Self Portrait Challenge

Photography is my hobby, and Boudoir is my passion!
This is an 'interpret-as-you-wish' kind of self portrait challenge! It gives you a general order and you take the days challenge and photograph what you feel it means. I over explain things to much :)
You are all smart enough to know lol
I hope you enjoy this months challenge. It will be out of my comfort zone but I'm gonna try it. Now I know how clients feel lol

October Self Portrait Boudoir Challenge
1- Lips (closed)
2- Eyes (open)
3- Eyes (closed)
4- Mouth (open)
5- Small Smile
6- Head Profile
7- Hands
8- Wrists
9- Breasts
10- Chest/ Collar Bone
11- Belly Button
12- Shoulders/ Back
13- Lower Back
14- Buttocks
15- Hips (side)
16- Hips (front)
17- Thighs
18- Ankles
19- Toes
20- Legs (front)
21- Calves
22- Legs (back)
23- Feet
24- Full Body Silhouette
25- Face Profile with hair spilled
26- Blindfolded
27- Lace
28- Ribbons
29- Eye Lashes
30- Lingerie
31- Costume

Enjoy!! :)

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Summer is over

We had a blast this summer. We had some downs but mostly we were all happy and had a great time! I was lacking a bit on my photography, or at least I wasn't posting anything. I don't know why but sometimes I just like to take pictures for myself and don't really feel like sharing with the world lol
They are mainly of my daughter and family. So, those are for me and sometimes only me and my family. That's okay. I want to do more location photography. I think this Fall and Winter are gonna be great for that!!
I have also been setting up an Etsy account for my grandfather to sell some of his work. He makes things out of boxes and most recently he has been making pollen boxes and urns! They look amazing and are a fraction of what funeral homes sell them for...
I will post a pictures and a link to it when I finish.
My mom is also now helping him. They do etchings and paint them and stain them!

On to what I was talking about. I was going to post some of our summer pictures.
And my ideas for our Christmas cards.
I was hoping to do a Santa cookie theme. I want to take pictures of our daughter pacing the cookies out and maybe sneaking a bite or sip of his milk.
Something simple and cute. She loves doing these little shoots I put her through lol
I also want to do some birthday pictures for her at the beginning of the year. She turns 3 this January. My husband and I are hoping by her birthday that we'll be somewhere studier, so we can try for another baby!

On to the picture :) I will also post some pumpkin inspiration.
(Some may be reposts...)




Jones Beach

Motor Fish lol
Seaside




Playing Water Football

My Two Loves ♥


Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Ulta and Walmart nail adventure

I went to Ulta to find an OPI polish from their Nordic Collection. I couldn't find it at Sally's and I didn't want to order it online. I am always afraid it will break lol
I found it. I didn't look at Ulta first cause when I did earlier this month, it wasn't there. It's a deep purple called,
Viking in a Vinter Vonderland.
It is now my all-time favorite!!!
I will post pictures below.
After that we went to Walmart for some Glue and a Minnie Mouse doll lol
I ended up getting two Sally Hansen Hard as Nails polishes for water marbling.
I got a light pink and purple. The pink is called Party Hard-y and the purple is No Hard Feelings.
I made an amazing swirl marble that I have not been able to replicate since :/
I am going to keep practicing and hope I somewhat get good at it. (The nail I show with the swirl also has a sugar spun I was playing with, just ignore that lol)
That was it for that adventure.  I have some new Julep I will share in my next post and I am also starting our Christmas cards and planning our daughters 3rd birthday party!!
Thanks for reading.

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Un-Halloween Nail Art Contest on Instagram

An awesome Indie Polish maker named Kayla or known on Instagram as Creative Cuticles Nail Polish, she is having a fun contest that she named Un-Halloween.
There are 3 categories to enter into. Beginner, Intermediate, and Pro.
It runs from August 23rd to September 13th.

I know I am posting this kinda late but you still have time if you wish to enter.

Prizes?! Kayla makes some really amazing polishes. You really have to go check out her store and Instagram! Especially if your like me and obsessed with polish lol
So, of course, the winner will receive TWO amazing Un-Halloween special polishes.
One is named Vegan Zombie and the other is Acid Rainbow!
Both are amazing looking and I hope that if I don't win, I can buy them!!

What is Un-Halloween??
In her words,
My Un-Halloween is best describes as opposite day on Halloween!!! Anything that is normally a good, non-scary thing, is now your worst nightmare. AND the things that are normally terrifying, are now tame & harmless!!! Get it?!?! ;) So.. example.. butterflies are soft & sweet, BUT on Un-Halloween they are vicious & blood sucking (or something else horrible)!!!

So, I thought this was a really cute, fun and awesome chance to see what people could think up! It is! I did a simple Zombie/Killer Snowmen theme on my nails cause I am feeling Christmas-y a little early this year. I LOVE what the other nail enthusiasts have come up with! It's amazing to see them. They are ranging from killer Mickey Mouse to Sweet pumpkins and flowers on the Grim Reaper... It's endless lol
I loved one I saw of a surfing skeleton! It was adorable!

If your interested in entering this contest, it is on Instagram only and I will leave links below to her page and site.
Thanks for reading!!

http://www.ccnp.storenvy.com 

http://instagram.com/creativecuticlesnailpolish

http://instagram.com/p/sgUufEyGHj/?modal=true






Friday, September 5, 2014

Mini Sally Beauty Haul

Today we went shoe shopping for our little girl. We found some cute everyday shoes but need to look for some winter boots. Her boots now are getting a bit tight when she wears them with socks.
Anywho, next to that store was Sally Beauty Supply and I always stop in to see what deals they have and new stock. Today I wanted to look for a new top coat and when I got in there, I forgot about it. I found instead a sort of base coat.
 
It's called Nail Life - Nail Revitalizer.
I got the formaldehyde free formula, cause the lady in the store recommended that one. It was only $5 and a huge 1 oz. bottle!
Next to all that, my daughter saw the little Sally Girl nail polishes. So, I got her three.

Your Majesty, a nice purple.
Bikini, A chunky glitter topper.
And Way 2 Disco, a fine holo glitter topper.
And an Orly FX for me, in Star Trooper :)  Plus a nail file by beauty secrets lol

And added to this haul, I went to Ulta for a red eye shadow (which I didn't find the one I wanted) and got a red glitter gel shadow from a Halloween display. While I was there, I got a China Glaze polish on clearance.
It's a black jelly with super fine red glitter. It's called Lubu Heels. 
I also picked up a new E.L.F. smudge brush for clean up.

So, that was pretty much it. I don't always buy a lot of polish and only when I see one I really, really want.
 
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Anxiety

So my last post was the 12th and on the 13th, I had a major anxiety attack. I haven't had a big one like that in almost two years. It lasted two weeks and I am still recovering but more in control. After about a week and half of not eating and only keeping sprite down, I was eating at least once a day and more fluids. I was dehydrated and weak. I couldn't do anything and that made my depression worse. I finally started eating on my regular schedule. My husband came home from work with a cold, that my daughter and I got. I, of course, got it the worst and my nose it still runny and I have a cough as I am typing. But, I'm getting over it all and trying to move on. I deal with my issues everyday and hate it the most when my attacks effect the ones around me. Mainly my daughter. She starts to have nightmares and has to sleep in the bed with us or she screams bloody murder all night. She screams in her sleep and gets scared when we wake her. I feel terrible and try as hard as I can to make things better for her. When I go through these attacks, usually triggered by a lot of stress or an extreme event, I get sick and my body shakes uncontrollably all day and night. I can't eat, sleep and I get light headed and dizzy ti the point of fainting. Just making food for someone else gets me sick. I am the only one at home with our daughter and it scares me, which used to make my anxiety worse, but now it makes me angry and I try even harder to stable my mind and body. I don't want to pass this on to my girl and I don't want her to see me like that. I know deep down I can be better but it is a struggle and a process. I am now somewhat back to my 'normal' self. I didn't want anyone to know about my problems or try to help me at first because I thought I was failing. Failing my daughter, my husband and just being a failure to myself. I went to a great therapist, learned some new techniques and I try not to be too hard on myself. I take it all one day at a time and that's is okay with me. My daughter no longer has nightmares and is in her own bed again. My husband doesn't feel as stressed about my anxiety or health. I am taking care of my family and myself, once again! I started taking more pictures and doing my nails again. My girl even lets me stamp on her nails and do some art. As long as she holds still lol she is only two. But closely reaching three!
As long as we are safe and healthy, I am good. I will always have trouble but I can overcome it!
I have the most amazing and understanding husband! An incredible daughter and a family of support.
Thank you for reading and I hope you all have a great week!
Bye for now, Kayla.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Summerana - 1 Day and 12 Hours to go...

The Summerana.com Photoshop Overlays and Actions giveaway is almost over!!
You have, as of right now, 1 day and 12 hours to get last minute entries in...

The winner gets a choice of Nikon or Canon 85mm 1.8 lens!!
I am in love with all Summerana products! This giveaway is extremely generous. That's just the way the roll lol

So go now and gets your chances in!! Good luck to everyone and a HUGE thank you to Summerana!!!

http://summerana.com/summerana-photoshop-actions-for-photographers-25k-camera-lens-giveaway/

Store:
http://summerana.com/

Thanks for reading,
Kayla

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Ulta Mini Haul (and Special Offer)

I went to Ulta yesterday to look for some polish and they had an awesome sale going on. I took advantage of it lol
If you bought $19.50 worth of Ulta products, online or in-stores, you got a free purse full of makeup valued at around $80! The purses (picture of mine below) come in metallic pink, gold or black!
They all contain the same products.
To get mine, I bought 3 full size nail polishes and a body butter. The polishes were all $6 each and the body butter was $4. I got a $3 discount I had and taxes off. Making my total just under $16. I was a little more than excited!! :)

Now on the what I got and whats in the bag.
3 Polishes:
Snow white
Pinata-Yada-Yada
Blues Cruise
and
Fresh Lilac Moisture-Intense Body Butter with Shea Butter and Sweet Almond Oil
Which is amazing and smells so good. Not over powering at all.

The purse:
Sunkissed Blush/Bronzer Duo
Mini Ulta Nail Polish in Sunset Bronze
Glitter Eye Shadow Top Coat, Bronze Bombshell
Eye Shadow Quad- Sunrise, Toast, In The Buff, and Mink
Eye Shadow Quad- Naked, Grace, Organza, and Plum Noir
Eye Shadow Quad- Bone, Khaki, Sage, and Molten
3 Makeup Brushes- Blush, Sponge Tip and Eye Shadow
Super Stretch Fiber Mascara- Jet Black
Dual Ended Eye Liner- Deep Brown and Black
Brilliant Color Lip Gloss- Guava
Extreme Wear Eye Shadow Primer
And Ulta Lipstick- Feeling Peachy

I will post pictures and the direct link to the sale.
I am not doing this because Ulta or anyone else paid me to! I am just sharing my haul and how you can get the same deal!!
Thanks for reading!!

 http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/specialOfferDetail.jsp?promoId=0000120378





Thursday, August 7, 2014

Missed post

So... It looks like the last post I made was only saved and not published. That was my bad. But then when I tried to publish it, it was deleted. I honestly don't think I did it but either way, it's gone.
So I will make another. I planned that post to be a follow up and my summer mani post and explain how I did one or two of those. I have since culled and saved my photos on my phone to my laptop and don't have the pictures or videos for those. And since I'm on my phone, we'll look at my recent mani instead :)
This was a simple purple jelly sandwich with glitter. Nothing to serious or complicated. It turned out good and I liked it. I want to get the rest of these glitters (you'll see in the picture) from wet n wild. My local store doesn't have them anymore, so I'm still looking.
I used Sally Hansen Hard as Nails,  Rock Bottom. And Wet n Wild,  At Will Call!
Rock bottom is not a jelly. I just used it like one cause I don't have a purple jelly and that's what I wanted for this look. I hope you enjoy!
Thanks for reading!
Kayla

Friday, August 1, 2014

Summer nails

I like summer. Nor as much as fall and winter, or spring for that matter, but I love the colors that go with summer.
Bright and sometimes neon nails!!
I like bright colors. I don't wear them as much cause I don't tan. I'm not against tanning, I just can't. I burn... But when I tan, I just look really red - ish brown and kinda dirty lol
I have a creamy white with pink tint skin. It's not the best for tanning but I still like the summer sun. Recently though I have had some good luck with tanning my arms, but then it looks weird compared to the rest of my body lol
So on the nails...
Here is three nail designs I did for summer so far, with the help of my daughter!!
I hope you enjoy and on Monday I'm thinking of making a small tutorial on one of them!!
Thanks for reading!
-Kayla