Holiday Photography Challenge

Sorry, I posted this a little late :(

More Nails?!?

Yes, more nails. Just catching up a little. I have a ton of things I want to do for Christmas that I will be starting soon. I plan to do at least one a day.

And I want to start uploading my photos as well. I still have anxiety about posting those...

I know, I'm weird!!

Well here you go. Thanks for visiting.

Not my finest :/

Right before I used Gel again!

Natural nails are good too

I wore my nails all natural for two months. Mostly out of laziness and I was running your of gel.

Seemed liked a good time to go natural and still paint them of course ♥

Here are some from August. I really should remember to post these...

Here you do :) 

Thanks for visiting!

The start of Dark Polish ♥♥

Really fast month and New blog?!? (Short post)

It seems like this whole year has flown by. And that's not always a good feeling to me. There was a lot more I wanted to do and get done. Luckily most of it can still be done. 

On to preparing for Christmas, and a birthday this January.

Plus our family trip next year. A lot on my mind and some time on my hands.

I have considered posting on here about my weight loss journey and all that I do. I'm still thinking about it. There isn't much information I can give you, I obviously don't know everything.

But just to track my progress, keep me in check, and help with my goals. As I always say, this is more of an online, not too personal, diary thingy lol

I post a lot of this kind of stuff on my Instagram centered toward that journey.

My other Instagram is my personal, and nail account. And makeup lol

I'm all over the place... I need more organization in my life.

Anywho, I have a lot of planning and online browsing for presents and some travel ideas.

I like buying some stuff early to try to save money and not blow a whole check at once. 

It's not always fun having Christmas and then her birthday :)

OH!! And I know I don't post all the time but for some reason this site hates me sometimes and I can't find any of the posts I actually do post. Especially the more I post. I might also be looking into moving my blog to a different site. Not sure yet...

Thank you for reading and have a great weekend!

Very Confused

I have written a post every single week and hit publish. From my laptop, not my phone. And they are no where to be seen... Not in my drafts, not copied down anywhere either. They are just gone... I'm actually really upset about this. I know it's not something huge or terrible but it means something to me. Usually when my posts don't get uploaded, it's my fault. This time, I have no idea what happened. I saw them on my list, saw them published, and now they're gone. Even the end of September post! I feel bad but I know it's not that big of deal. I just want to be more consistent, for my own sake. I will make another post next week also. This one is from my phone. I also emailed support l, just to make sure it wasn't something I did and could be fixed. I'm still so new to this and I've been blogging for years lol I have a bunch of photos to post and plan on taking so much more! Especially the ones from my Fall photo list. I will sign off for now and hopefully this stays posted.
Ttfn -Kayla

Fall is my favorite time of the year

I been super busy taking lots of pictures and spending some quality time with my family. 

I will post some of the pictures in the next post. 

And I am editing some more now that I'll also add to that post. 

I haven't really had the time to post anything on here and that upsets me, so I want to try to post more and every week in October. 

I have some Fall photo idea checklists that I'll put below and I want to complete that as well. 

I am going to post those in October, which surprisingly to me, is in just a few days... 

Time really does seem to fly sometimes. Did that even make sense?!

Anywho, I hope to be taking more pictures and posting them on here and on my Flickr. I don't really post on Facebook anymore, at all. And I want to do more on my Instagram as well.

Fingers crossed ♥

Here is that checklist (I don't remember where I found it):

Feed the Good Wolf

All time favorite quote. I love this and live by it. 

Lets all try to stay positive and love each other for who we are.

Be amazing at being ourselves.

13 Photogrpaher Quotes

A friend emailed this to me and I have no idea you made the list.

I loved it and wanted to share it with you...

1. “Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.” - Marc Riboud

2. ”Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph.” – Matt Hardy

3. “In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality.” – Alfred Stieglitz

4. “A good snapshot keeps a moment from running away.” - Eudora Welty

5. “A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it.” – Edward Steichen

6. “Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.” – Imogen Cunningham

7. “Sometimes I do get to places just when God’s ready to have somebody click the shutter.” – Ansel Adams

8. “Photography is the story I fail to put into words.” - Destin Sparks

9. “It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are.” – Paul Caponigro

10. “If you see something that moves you, and then snap it, you keep a moment.” – Linda McCartney

11. “What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.” - Karl Lagerfeld

12. ”I always thought good photos were like good jokes. If you have to explain it, it just isn’t that good.” – Anonymous

13. The camera’s only job is to get out of the way of making photographs. – Ken Rockwell

Why do we buy art?!?

When you buy from an independent artist you are buying more than just a painting or a novel or a song. You are buying hundreds of hours of experimentation and thousands of failures.

You are buying days, weeks, months, years of frustration and moments of pure joy. You are buying nights of worry about paying the rent, having enough money to eat, having enough money to feed the children, the birds, the dog.

You aren't just buying a thing, you are buying a piece of heart, part of a soul, a private moment in someones life. Most importantly, you are buying that artist more time to do something they are truly passionate about; something that makes all of the above worth the fear and doubt; something that puts the life into the living.

-Unknown

First Firework GIF

I really like how this turned out. Not too shabby for me ♥

One long month...

I keep saying I'm going to blog every week or two and I am never on top of it... What can I say, I suck at this. ♥ I'll get over it lol

On a good note, this month is almost over and it is getting closer and closer to Halloween and CHRISTMAS!!! Yay! I always get a little stressed and anxious around that time due to slow work and lower income. Now I do because I don't wan that to effect our daughter and I try to make things really great for her. And this year will mark the 3rd Christmas without my dad :(

I don't want to spoil my daughter in the sense that we get her everything she wants, but I want her to be happy and have us happy around her. Unfortunately, I have noticed that most days my mood effects hers and if I'm sick and anxious... So is she. I hate that!!

My husband and I have been trying to save like crazy and we seem to not be able to save anything... I really hope for all our sake and sanity, his hours remain the same as now. That's really all we can do. We don't really have family to help us or to fall back on anymore. 

Have to stay strong and optimistic!!

Enough of that... Good vibes...

I have decided to do a 31 day (nail art) challenge next month. It's going to be so exciting. At least for me lol but if you'd like, I will post the blog page with all the details down below. 

I will anyways...

This post will be short, as I don't have much to update you on. It's been a long, tired, and hot month here. My husbands hours changed, so we're getting used to that.

My daughter is getting so much better at learning and keeping info. She can say her alphabet so much better now. I don't care if that's not a big deal to others, she's 3 and perfect to me lol

I will try to post some of my art, pictures, and nails more often. I think I'm going to do short little posts of maybe one picture and some info and call it good... What would you call that?! I'll think of something. Probably not too catchy or original :/

And as I sign off, I wish all of you a happy, happy weekend and rest of summer. I cannot wait for it to be officially FALL!!!

Here is the link to challenge:

http://www.chalkboardnails.com/2015/08/the-31-day-nail-art-challenge-2015.html

Enjoy!

-Kayla

Late Post, I know...

Better late than never, right?!?

Here is some of our 4th of July pictures. 

I hope you enjoy them (please don't steal them ♥)

Indeed Labs Nanoblur Review/Test?!

Okay, I need to say this first...

I am still working with this product and trying out new things.

Not everything I try at first works with my skin type and texture. Saying that, here is my so far review on Indeed Labs Nanoblur.

Here we go... I first tried it the way the bottle said. Try it alone or lightly dab over your makeup.

That did NOT work for me. AT ALL!! Sorry...

I will post photos below and an explanation to what you see.

As for trying other methods, under my foundation, didn't really work for me then either.

The only way I have gotten some good results using this product is to mix it with my face lotion. Which says you can on their website.

Directions: nanoblur may be worn without, applied under, mixed with, or over makeup which makes it unique and in its own category. May be mixed with moisturizer for drier skin types.

I'll leave a link below for that as well. I liked the feel of it, as far as it didn't feel greasy or drying. But for my skin, which is very dry already, I don't need to mattify my face all the time. I decided to try it when the weather was hot and we were outside. I ran around with my daughter, got a sheen to my face and tried it then. It did take most of the sheen away and my face wasn't almost reflective in pictures anymore :)

http://indeedlabs.com/nanoblur

https://instagram.com/indeedlabs/

 https://instagram.com/influenster/

My Referral Link: www.influenster.com/r/274951

 #NanoBlurred

So here is what I tried:

The products I used in the photos minus the lipstick, I cut that out :/

 

The photo on the bottom right is my face (be nice) without makeup or nanoblur.

The surrounding pictures are after I applied my foundation then nanoblur. I was doing my eyes when I looked down at my nose and saw my makeup almost separating. I freaked out and washed my face after I took pictures. I knew I was going to a review and wanted to show what happened.

 These two pictures are before and after I used nanoblur on its own. You can see that it does make a difference and it does mattify my face a bit! 

All in all I do like this product. I will keep trying to use it and see what works best for me.

Thank you to Indeed Labs and Influenster.

I received this product free to review and all opinions are my own! 

CoverGirl Outlast Stay Luminous Foundation Test/Review...

I have loved Covergirl for years. I love all their products and they seem to work great for me and with my skin type. I got sent to review one of their foundations.
COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Luminous in 810 Classic Ivory.
They actually sent the right shade for me, so double the excitement!
I also got sent the Outlast Longwear + Moisture Lipstick in the shade Pink Pow.
I usually don't wear a lot of pink shades, especially such light colors, but it applied so smooth and stayed on so well. I had to give it a chance.

At first I tried it with a primer I also got to review and that didn't work for me at all. I will be posting about that one next. I still have hopes for it and plan to experiment more with it.

On to the test...
I LOVE this foundation! I have really dry skin and most foundation nowadays is Matte or it doesn't have my shade. So I was excited to try this one and see if it kind of masked my dry spots with a luminous glow :)
I did!! Even after hours of going to the park and beach with my family.
I'll be posting some pictures below as well.
It added just the right amount of coverage and glow.
The lipstick stayed in place and stayed soft. I used a straw that day and while it did transfer, it barely took away from the opacity on my lips. And it has a nice scent to it!

I will definitely be repurchasing the foundation when I run out and I have already been looking for a new color to the lipstick for me :)
Thank you to Covergirl and Influenster.
#GlowTheDistance

 Find these products for purchase here:
http://www.covergirl.com/beauty-products/face-makeup/foundation-makeup/outlast-stay-luminous-oil-free-foundation

http://www.covergirl.com/beauty-products/lip-makeup/lipstick/outlast-longwear-moisturizing-lipstick

My Referral Link: www.influenster.com/r/274951

I received these products free for review and all opinions are my own!

I Do VoxBox from Influenster (Long post...)

I was pretty excited to get the I Do VoxBox.

I was going to attend a wedding at the end of June. I didn't get the box in time but it would have been really helpful. Instead of using the items for the wedding, I used them in my everyday life.

I will list the items I got and my short review of each. I will also have some pictures and links listed below as well as my referral link for Influenster. 

I did receive these items free for testing purposes and ALL opinions are my own.

Referral link: www.influenster.com/r/274951

Skinnygirl Tasty Nutrition Bars

Est. $4.99 for 4

I got the Dark Chocolate Almond with Coconut.

I hate coconut lol

I don't like it at all or with anything. I don't like coconut water, milk, ect...

I just don't like it :(

But I love dark chocolate and sometimes almonds. I gave it my husband and daughter to try and my hubby said I had to at least try it. He said you could barely taste the coconut.

So, I tried it. And... It was Delicious!!!!

I could still taste the coconut but it was bad and it didn't have the coconut texture.

It was so good, you guys!! I actually want more and I cannot wait to try the other flavors.

The chocolate chip cookie dough... MINE!! ♥

All in all... GO get you some!

#SkinnygirlGetsHitched

You can find Skinnygirl products here:

 http://www.skinnygirldaily.com/

http://www.target.com/p/skinnygirl-dark-chocolate-almond-with-coconut-tasty-nutrition-bar-4-count/-/A-16710360?utm_source=influenster#prodSlot=medium_1_10&term=skinnygirl

And their social media here:

https://twitter.com/SkinnygirlDaily

https://www.facebook.com/SkinnygirlDaily

https://instagram.com/SkinnygirlDaily/

URGENTRx Ache & Pain Relief 

Est. $1.39

I did give this to my husband.

He works 9 hrs a day and during this time, in the sun...

So I told him to try it out. He also likes Lemon-Lime flavor :)

Although it does lessen the pain in his feet from standing all day and walking, it doesn't help his injury pain he's had for years. I would say its for just that, achy back or feet kind of pain from a strenuous day at work or out and about.

I cannot say how it would work for me, I am thinking we'll go buy some more and see what I think in a different flavor. He said it was tart and tasted like this old bottle pop candies?!

All in all... Not sure. Just go try it for yourself :)

#MyUrgentRx

You can find URGENTRx products here:

http://www.urgentrx.com/single/ache-pain

(Walgreens, Walmart, CVS....)

And their social media here:

https://twitter.com/urgentrx

https://www.facebook.com/urgentRx

https://instagram.com/urgentrx/

Sahale Snacks Grab & Go

Est. $27.46 for 18

I got the Classic Fruit + Nut Blend trail mix.

Soooo gooood!!

I loved the whole mix! I sound like broken record but I liked this more than other other snack.

It had cranberries, apples, cashews (my fave ♥), and so much more!!

My husband and daughter liked them too! We're buying more lol

These are perfect for our walks we go on. We can go for a walk and be back in an hour or three...

It all depends and having a small snack like this for them while we're gone is perfect and we all love them. That is not an easy find! And a great price!

All in all... We will purchase over and over again!!

#SnackBetter

You can find Sahale Snacks here:

http://sahalesnacks.com/

(Walmart, ect...)

And their social media here:

https://twitter.com/sahalesnacks

https://www.facebook.com/SahaleSnacks

https://instagram.com/sahalesnacks

Indeed Labs nanoblur

Est. $19.99

I had never heard of this company before this box.

I used the Smashbox primer for awhile now and while I like just fine, I don't use primers a lot unless I'm going with a full coverage makeup look.

Smashbox has a silicone/silky feel to it and it makes me think of grease even though it isn't greasy. You know?!? Well nanoblur, doesn't feel like that at all. It super smooth and soft. Goes on nice. It's white out of the tube but clear on my skin. It has an almost sticky feel to my skin after I apply it. Not gross sticky or glue sticky. I don't know how to explain it :/

It just helps adhere my foundation better to my face!

And it creates a very smooth surface.

All in all... I'll have to wear it more for a better take on it but I like it so far!

#NanoBlurred

You can find Indeed Labs here:

http://indeedlabs.com/

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod11651005

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/indeed-laboratories-nanoblur/ID=prod6184104-product

And their social media here:

 https://www.facebook.com/indeedlabs

https://instagram.com/indeedlabs/

https://twitter.com/indeedlabs

Neutrogena Hand Cream

Est. $3.99

 OH MY GOODNESS!!

As you can tell from my blog and Instagram, I love doing my nails.

And while doing my nails, I use a lot of removers, acetone and things that dry out my nails, cuticles and hands. It's a pain and I'm basically a moisture junkie now!

I hold to my Burt's bees like no other and I use it everyday...

This just took its place!! It's so smooth and it leaves my hands so nice and soft.

My cuticles look good. My hands feel good!! All around amazing! 

You don't need very much. It goes a long way. 

All in all... I will be repurchasing!

#JustADab

You can find Neutrogena here:

http://www.neutrogena.com/product/hand+cream+-+fragrance+free.do?sortby=ourPicks&from=Search&utm_source=influenster

(Walmart, ect...)

And their social media here:

https://twitter.com/Neutrogena

https://www.facebook.com/Neutrogena

https://instagram.com/Neutrogena

 CoverGirl Outlast Stay Luminous Foundation

Est. $11.30

I got the Shade 810 Classic Ivory.

Don't know how they got that right?! Anywho, it matches my skin tone pretty close! If I buy a foundation, that's about the shade I get. Most times I have to get a lighter shade, if they make it. 

Most don't :(

But this shade is good. And a very nice coverage! I'd say it's full coverage, I don't have much to cover up. Not bragging!! I just have very dry skin and most foundations make me look flaky and gross.

I have to keep using this one to see how my skin reacts with it. So far so good.

All in all... Really love it so far.

CoverGirl Outlast Longwear Lipstick

I got the shade Pink Pow! and it's soft pink.

Goes on very smooth with a nice look. Build able for me.

I like the shade and feel. I lean towards more matte lips but I do like this one and I've been reaching for it more often than not lately.

I want to look into getting more colors!

All in all... Love!!!!

#GlowTheDistance

You can find CoverGirl here:

http://www.covergirl.com/beauty-products/face-makeup/foundation-makeup/outlast-stay-luminous-oil-free-foundation

http://www.covergirl.com/beauty-products/lip-makeup/lipstick/outlast-longwear-moisturizing-lipstick

(Everywhere lol)

And their social media here:

https://www.facebook.com/covergirl

https://twitter.com/covergirl

https://instagram.com/covergirl

 AND... That is it!!

I know this was a lot. Sorry!

I hope I did the box some justice. I really enjoyed trying new things from this and finding new favorites. 

Ask any questions or leave a comment. Thank you.

YouTube Video of everything: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSDUEfa-0nw

Summer Nails

I haven't done a lot of summer nails yet but we have only just begun.

I plan to do a lot more soon. Read my last post as to why I haven't been doing my nails in a few days.

Here is some that I have so far. I post all my nail art on my Instagram. There is a link to that on the left side, feel free to check it out or follow me there!

I will try to list what I used on each Mani down below. 

Here are some of them:

Goofing around and used way to much glitter...

This particle design stayed on for 1 week!

Same design on both hands!!

My favorite. The Treasure Map!

More glitter...

1st Picture:

I used glitter from my local Dollar Tree and my Gelish Gel Top Coat in between layers. There was a lot of layers and it took hours to get off...

2nd Picture:

My Neon nails.

I used a white base and white before color on the flowers.

Black- Zoya Willa

Orange- Sally Girl Crazy

Green- Orly GlowStick

Yellow- BornPrettyStore S033

http://www.bornprettystore.com/nail-sweet-polish-varnish-shiny-polish-colors-p-15722.html

Glitter on ring finger- INM Northern Lights in Silver

3rd Picture:

Silver- Julep Stevie

Pink- China Glaze Pink Voltage

Essie- Matte About You Top Coat

4th and 5th Picture:

Black- Zoya Willa

"Pink"- Sally Hansen Coral Reef

Gradient colors:

Light Pink- Sally Hansen Peach Beach

Orange- A Franken polish I made :( Sorry!!

6th Picture:

Started with a white base.

Nude- OPI Mimosas For Mr. & Mrs.

For the burns I used 1st:

SinfulColors Nirvana and

Zoya Willa with a makeup sponge

Stamped with SinfulColors Black On Black and

Bundle Monster BM-510

From their ocean set here: http://www.bundlemonster.com/catalog/product/view/id/10158/s/10pc-beach-ocean-themed-nail-art-stamping-image-plates-2014-sun-kissed-collection/

For the water- Salon Perfect Blue Ribbon

7th (Last) Picture:

Glitter Accent nail- SinfulColors Nail Junkie and

Wet n Wild Stick it to the Man, Sponged on the tip.

The blue stud came from Bundle Monster and the diamonds came from my local Dollar Tree

Gradient: 

Light Blue- Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Blue-Away

Dark Blue- Salon Perfect Blue Ribbon

Stamp- Bundle Monster BM-502

 (Same Link as above)

 with SinfulColors Black On Black

Glitter- Pure Ice Strapless

4th of July 2015 / 4 Year Anniversary

This year was one of the best 4th of July we have had in a very long time!

We went out to our friends house and had a great day in the river and sun.

A mush needed break and weekend! We all had so much fun. Even though I burned so bad.

It's been 4 days and I can just now move with minimal pain in my shoulders and legs.

I am very fair and thought I had enough sunscreen on, apparently I didn't and now I'm paying for that. Please always wear sunscreen!! ♥

Our daughter had a terrific time and she got to float the river in a inflatable cooler :)

Still makes me laugh thinking about it. She luckily did not burn but has a slight tan in her arms now.

I did end up doing my nails for the occasion. Several times until I ended up with very simple nails and I loved them. 

I will show them down below. 

I will also make a post on some summer nails I have done so far and I need to remember to blog more. Still... :/ What can I do?!?

I didn't end up taking a lot of pictures, we were just having fun for the weekend. I did take some and our friend took some. I don't know if I'll post any of those yet. We didn't watch the local fireworks show. It wasn't very good and didn't last long. I will be taking some pictures of the fair and the fireworks show this weekend! And the county fair and rodeo is also coming up, which we plan to go see. There isn't mush going on otherwise.

We're just staying cool in the heat. Going to the park and water for some fun and rest.

General summer activities ♫ ♪ ♥

For now, I think we are just enjoying our time together and the weather. It's been a strange feeling for me. Not doing anything but loving our own company and not bothering with people we don't want to be around. We're keeping drama out of our lives and the people who bring it.

We are staying positive and moving forward. I like it.

I'll now be able to go back to working out more than my legs. I never really realized how important my shoulders were to my range of motion... 

I know, I'm weird. Anywho, that is all for now and I'll be back soon with some more nail art and possibly lots of pictures. I stopped posting those for a while, mainly due to lack of confidence and drive. But I don't give a hoot what people say about me or my photos. ♥

Goodbye for now

My first set. Loved them! The blue paint stained so bad..

And I did my Daughters too!!

Second set. I really liked them but the red would bleed so bad.

So I redid them and kept them white with glitter.

And my Cinderella nails (right hand) were left simple too.

Products on nails used are:

First Mani- Red, White and Blue Acrylic Paint

Stars are stamped with BM-H25 stamping plate from Bundle Monster

Link to the collection: http://www.bundlemonster.com/25pc-holiday-collection-manicure-nail-art-image-stamping-plates.html

Second Mani- Red Polish: OPI What's Your Point-Setta?

Blue Polish: Revlon Urban

Glitter Polish: Hard Candy Soda Pop

White Polish: Pure Ice Super Star

Nail Vinyls: Bundle Monster Pack

Link to the Vinyls: http://www.bundlemonster.com/13pc-nail-vinyl-bundle-super-sized-collector-s-set.html

Third Mani- Same as above minus the red polish and vinyls.

The glitter topper I used: INM Northern Lights in Silver

Last Mani- Same red and blue from above and same glitter topper. 

I stamped the star burst with Sally Hansen White On and

Bundle Monster BM-H14 from the collection above.

My daghters nails were all done in acrylic paints and a top coat.

And yes, I know I need a fill. I'll do it soon!!