Saturday, January 26, 2013

Netflix Ennui

26 January, 2013

I really like to have something on in the background when I am doing things.  Be it podcasts, radio, music, television shows, it doesn't really matter but I like it there.  Recently I've been on a Richard Armitage kick, (I blame The Hobbit followed by North and South) which has led me to some interesting shows on Netflix.  But I am still not satisfied.  Back when Doctor Who was all new to me, I was set for a few months.  I continued onto Torchwood and some other shows but it seems I've run out of things I truly am excited to sit down and knit to.  Sometimes I want to watch something rather than listen to it and I can't seem to find that something.  So right now I am settling for the original Star Trek series.  I figured, if I get into it, I'd be set for a while with all of the series to watch.  After all, I was raised by a Trekkie so I know the characters, I just haven't fallen in love with it yet.  This ennui has taken over my knitting time.  Instead of knitting, I spend time watching the first few episodes of shows to see if I'd like to continue watching.  I'm sure something will turn up but for now I am stuck in my Netflix ennui!

I am sporting a new manicure that promises to make up for the failure of the last one.  (Did I mention that after 3 days the polish went dull (which hasn't happened to for years) and chipped/peeled like crazy! Total disappointment!) This is 1 coat of Barielle's Berry Blue and 2 coats of Finger Paints Motley which is from their flakie collection.  That collection was so fabulous and I cannot believe I have waited so long to wear this polish.

I've also been somewhat productive on the knitting front.  My vest, which took up the first 3 weeks of January, is finished and now up on display in the local yarn shop.  I've also done a bit of spinning with some fiber I got from work.  It is absolutely gorgeous and I've no clue what to knit with it.


Hopefully this ennui clears up soon!

Until next time,
Happy painting and crafting!

The Nailventuress a.k.a. Melanie

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Down time

20 January, 2013

It seems this weekend I have had more down time than I have had in past weekends. Of course that means that I have been entirely unproductive, unless you count a walk to one of the local yarn shops yesterday.  The weather has been nice, although incredibly windy, and it hasn't snowed since Friday so perhaps I'll venture out again today.

I did take advantage of an earl arrival home on Friday to paint my nails.  Of course, they needed to be trimmed due to the cold making them weak (my lack of conditioning and increase of using my hands underwater doesn't help either).  I threw on a dark, barely purple purple that looks fantastic, but was a pain to apply.  The color is Elizabeth by Julep, this is my first time using a polish I own from Julep, and, while it looks great on the nails, the bottle shape, brush and formula were such a nightmare, I don't know if I will be using the other polishes I own from them.  The bottle is so long and thin, it won't stand up on its own with any sort of stability and there is basically no polish in the bottle itself (how is this worth $14?).  The formula was thing and gloopy and didn't spread well on the nail (and it took forever to dry).  The brush didn't assist the application at all, instead, it helped to keep the polish congealed in one spot.  And, after just over a day of wearing it, I've got tip wear.  Needless to say, I am not impressed.

On a happier note, I purchased some spectacular looking sock yarn during my walk yesterday.  I've never heard of, or tried, this yarn before but it looks and feels great so I may be casting on for some socks later today.

I've also nearly finished the vest that I have been working on for my class.  I have an inch more of the back to knit, then it is just finishing up the button band and arm hole ribbing.  Perhaps I'll finish the back today and the rest tomorrow?  This also means I can get back to knitting other things again!  Like the 2 shawls and cowl I'm currently working on.  That also means, I can cast on for the previously mentioned socks, a cardigan, and a shawl or two.  I have found the pattern for the shawl that I want to knit for my wedding, I've just got to get the yarn for it!

Below, I have posted a little blog auf Deutsch.  This is for me to practice my German more than anything else so I'll just leave it there for now.

Until next time,
Happy painting, and crafting!

The Nailventuress a.k.a. Melanie


Dieses Wochenende habe ich nicht so viel gemacht.  Ich habe ein Wolle Geschäft besucht und dann habe ich gestrickt.  Auch habe ich Star Trek von 1966 und Doctor Who von 1973 gesehen.  Jetzt möchte The Hobbit noch einmal gesehen, aber es kostet viel Geld und ich muss mein Geld für andere Sachen benutzten.  Vielleicht nächste Wochenende kann ich den Film sehen, weil ich das Hollywood Theater besuchen kann.  Dieses Theater kostet nur $2 pro Film und das ist billiger als Regal Cinemas, obwohl ich habe The Hobbit 6 mal gesehen, immer bei Regal Cinemas.

Morgen ist es nicht so kalt wie am Freitag, aber diese Woche soll sehr kalt sein.  Ich glaube, dass das Tageshochtempuratur ist um 12 Grad.  Vielleicht gibt es keine Schnee, wenn es so kalt ist.  Viele Pullis habe ich gestrickt, aber ich denke, dass ich Handschuhe und dicke Socken und einen warme Schal brauche.  Ich kann diese Sache stricken und ich habe viele Wolle aber ich wollte an meinen anderen Projekten arbeiten.  Auch wollte ich meine lila und grüne Wolle spinnen.  Am Wochenende habe ich sehr viel Zeit, aber keine Lust diese Aktivitäten zu machen.  Habe ich ein Problem?

Diese Idee gefällt mir!  Ich kann ein Blog auf Deutsch jede Woche schreiben, damit ich mein Deutsch üben kann.  Ich habe kein Deutsch Zeit 1. December gesprochen, weil ich keine Deutsch Klasse oder Pratikum hatte.  Auch kann ich deutsche Filme auf Netflix sehen.  Da gibt es viele Filme, die ich in meiner deutsche Filmeklasse gesehen habe, zum Beispiel Metrolpolis und Der Untergang und Der Baader-Meinhof Komplex. Ich muss sehen, ob es lustige Filme auf Netflix gibt.  Mal sehen.

Bis später,
M

Friday, January 11, 2013

It's Friday!

11 Jan 2013

It's Friday again!  Who doesn't love the weekend (although, weekends aren't as desperately needed as they used to be with such a fantastic job to keep me busy!)? Especially when it means the fiance is coming to visit.  To celebrate, I am spending the night before he comes with a pot of my favorite tea (Samurai Chai Mate from Teavana anyone?), the last few episodes of Gossip Girl and some knitting.  The rainy chill that has plagued the day only helps to add to this perfect Friday!

For now, I will leave you with a manicure and some knitting!

This was a pre-christmas manicure that I ended up wearing for close to two weeks.  I love glitter nails but I hate the clean up, so...I settled for glitter tips.  Saves on the clean up and still sparkles.  The glitter is Twinkle Lights from the China Glaze Holiday 2011 collection.  The green is Jolly Holly from the China Glaze Holiday 2010 collection.  I have a history of not caring for green nails, however, this combination was pretty fantastic.  If only the holidays lasted longer so I'd have more time to paint more glitter combinations!


On the knitting front, this is my first Color Affection.  I've since knit one for the fiance and I'm currently working on my third (using yarn from Holiday Yarns, my fantastic job!) However, that will have to wait while I finish a vest I'm working on for a class.  My magpie inspired mind seems to think multiple works-in-progress isn't enough as I've made plans to stop in at the local yarn shop for some yarn for yet another project.  Well, at least I'm meeting one of my goals for 2013...knitting from my stash? Who am I kidding...At least I'm knitting more, which was one of my unspoken goals.  


Enjoy the weekend!
Until next time,
happy painting and crafting!
The Nailventuress a.k.a Melanie

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Internet!

5th January, 2013

I finally have internet installed in my apartment! How exciting! It is great to be back in Syracuse and now, I will have less trips to the library to take advantage of the free wi-fi.  This also means I should be able to start working on one of my 2013 goals, blogging more.

There will be lots to talk about of course.  Knitting, polish, adventures in New York.  2013 is going to be a great year!  And, for starters, I think I'll make a chili for dinner.

Until next time,
happy painting!

Melanie