Apparently, I still haven't gotten over The Hobbit...

5 February, 2013

I really do have his insignia
 tattooed on my leg!

I love JRR Tolkein.   I have JRR's insignia tattooed on my leg. It's safe to say I am a fan.  I've read the LoTR trilogy twice.  I've read The Hobbit 5 times.  I've see the trilogy so many times I've lost count.  I saw The Hobbit 6 times in theaters (this is what happens when you have multiple families to see it with). I thought that after the 3rd time of seeing the movie, it would start to lose it's appeal but apparently it hasn't.  Here is how I figured it out.  Since seeing The Hobbit I have watched Love Actually, North and South, BBC's Robin Hood, The Vicar of Dibley, BBC's The Office, BBC's Being Human, and Captain America (and the LoTR trilogy again...and again...).  All of these shows/movies feature at least one actor from The Hobbit.  On top of all that, I've picked up a sweater that has sat un-knit on for almost a year simple because it is a Martin Freeman sweater.  So, apparently, The Hobbit is still on my mind.  That's alright with me.  I've got to find some way of passing the days until the DVD is released, right? And, I have not been disappointed with any of these finds (except for Captain America).  But, I do believe they were the cause of the episode of ennui from last week (as I finished most of them and then felt hopelessly lost on Netflix.  Such a sad life I lead).

Speaking of ennui, my attack of Netflix ennui from last week has gone away thanks to some helpful recommendations (thanks again!) and some further research of my own.  I've started BBC's Shameless which has some great British humor and 100+ episodes...so I think I'm set for the next little while.

As for manicures, I've still got on the manicure from the last post.  It has faired so well that I haven't felt like taking it off just yet.  So, instead of a new manicure, here is an old one that I wore the first time I came to Syracuse.  It was a bunch of fun, pastel colors that are more suitable for Spring but I wore it in Autumn like the daredevil that I am.  The mint is Orly's Jealous Much and the pinky peach is Orly's Cotton Candy.  The glitter was from a Color Club mini set from a few years ago and I believe the white  is OPI's Alpine Snow.  I absolutely loved this manicure so I might have to recreate it come Spring.

Back to the aforementioned sweater... I am a huge fan of BBC's Sherlock, so, of course, I had to knit the sweater that John Watson (played by Martin Freeman) wears in the first season.  I started it last year and for some reason, put it down after the split for the front and back.  However, on Saturday, I was hit by a huge desire to pick it up again...so I knit...and knit...and knit.  By Sunday night I had finished the body and was casting on the sleeves.  Needless to say, I am glad I acted on my urges.  Now I've got just got to keep knitting away on the sleeves.  Normally, I hate sleeves.  Sleeves are not friendly.  They are awful things that taunt you endlessly.  However, I have come to the realization that the sleeves on this sweater are sleeves with a purpose (of course, all sleeves have a purpose, serving to keep our arms warm, but these are purposeful sleeves).  Specifically, the gorgeous chevron pattern and 6 stitch cabling from the sweater is also knit on the sleeves.  Therefore, I've got repeat after repeat to keep me happy.  These sleeves make me smile every time I cross off a number on my notes sheet.  I feel like I am actually making progress when I sit down and knit three rows. Why? Because the crossed off numbers on my notes sheet tell me I am! No more endless stocking knit tubes for me (on this sweater...).  Nope, I am knitting purposeful sleeves with purposeful repeats.  In all reality, these sleeves are probably going to take me longer to finish because of all of the patterning.  Do I care? No!

Image source:

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lposq2mW2O1qhrq0j.jpg

Until next time,
happy painting and crafting!


The Nailventuress a.k.a. Melanie

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

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

Graduation Nails!

So I meant to have some knitting to attach to this post as well but I finished my nails at 2:00 am and my graduation is at 9:00 am. After four fast years of college, I am graduating with a B. A. Of German!

This is my first ruffian manicure and I chose the colors to match my dress. I think there will be many more ruffians in my future but I need to watch the thickness of the coats I use to avoid bubbles. This is one coat of China Glaze Refresh Mint and two coats of The Face Shop BR80.

Until next time,
Happy painting!

The Nailventuress

Christmas 2011 Nails

15.1.2012

This is an old manicure but I never posted it and absolutely loved it!

I used Illamasqua's Base Coat and then applied China Glaze's "Holly-day" for the green and OPI "Thrill of Brazil" for the red. Then I added a line of China Glaze's "Twinkle Lights" to add some sparkle and topped it all off with some Seche Vite. This was so much fun to wear for the holidays :D

Until next time,

Happy painting!

The Nailventuress

Finger Paints Flecked

8.1.2012

Imagine my surprise when I walked into my local Sally's and actually found the new flakie effect collection from Finger Paints. I had gone in so many times before and never found it that it wasn't expecting it to be waiting for me, practically untouched. I grabbed Motley, Flecked and Twisted, three flakie combinations that I do not own. Asylum and Flashy were to similar or boring for me to justify picking them up.

Although I already had Orly's Androgynie on my nails, I topped it with a coat of Motley and then a coat of Flecked. Motley was a bit hard to see at first, but Flecked is absolutely perfect! M is a gorgeous blue gree duochrome shift that is so intense it does not require much movement to see.

To add to the excitement of this manicure, I took pictures with my new camera (a Canon Rebel T3)! I still have to play around with the setting when taking nail pictures but I am pleased with these first pictures!

Until next time,

Happy painting!

The Nailventuress

Nails Inc. Magnetic Nail Polish

November 20:

Magnetic nail polish is one of those things I have wanted to try since I've seen it pop up on European blogs. Thanks to Nails Inc. being sold at Sephora, I have finally gotten my hands on some. It is just as amazing as I thought it would be (even more so when I found out the design shifts on nails to look 3-d).

Here is two coats of Trafalgar Square. The way this works is you paint on coat of the polish (or any base color you want) without using the magnet. Then on the second coat you go one nail at a time. Polish, magnet, polish magnetic, until all nails are complete. I'd let this sit for at least five minutes before adding topcoat because I got some dragging (thought nothing too terrible). This polish dries really really fast and is great for an out the door manicure, however, I found it to be very chippy. It wasn't as bad as holo polishes but be warned it is not a good choice if you want something to last (like going on vacation without painting your nails would not be a good idea).

Overall, I am in love with this. I bought both shades Nails Inc. had to offer and I cannot wait to try some more!

Until next time,

Happy painting!

The Nailventuress

Butter London Wallis

November 19:

School classes are done, now all I've got left are finals. To celebrate I've been listening to Christmas music and wearing glittery nail polish, however, I feel as if I haven't paid my fall polish colors enough attention!

Here is Butter London's Wallis. This is a gorgeous bronze-y green that I picked up while on a mini-vaction. The color always appealed to me and I figured if I was ever going to buy it, it would be on a shopping trip! I am so glad I did bring this polish home because it just glows.

This was three coats to be safe. It lasted a long time, was very easy to apply and really stood out on my nails. This was also my first Butter London to try and I am so happy it was a good experience. Luckily, I have two more Londons to try (they had a buy two get one free sale but I split it with my mom and then got one for my birthday).

Until next time,

Happy painting!

The Nailventuress

Manicure catch up!

August 25:

Has it really been a month? Woops.

Here are some manicures that I have sported recently!Fourth of July Manicure

Zoya Areej (a gift from Rita, thanks!)

Milani Cyberspace

Sally Hansen Cafe Au Lait

Until next time,

Happy painting!

The Nailventuress

The End of an Era: Harry Potter Nails (Pic Heavy)

July 15:

I can't believe that the Harry Potter series has come to a close. I started reading the books when I was ten and now I am twenty. It was hard waiting for the last installment of the movie, however, I kept telling myself to enjoy this anticipation because that meant the series wasn't over just yet. Now I've seen 7.2 and it was everything I could have ever hoped for in a Potter movie...well it was missing Peeves but what were the chances they were going to include him after leaving him out for the other seven films. Anyone else think Peeves was the best character (besides Fred)? Anyone?

For my manicure, I painted images from all seven books as well as Harry Hedwig and Harry's scar.

Left:

Pinky- sorcerer's stone and mirror of erised

Ring- Tom Riddle's diary and the sword of Gryffindor

Middle- Buckbeak and the time turner

Pointer- the goblet of fire and three wands to represent the triwizard tournament

Thumb- Harry Potter

Right:

Pinky- Harry's scar

Ring- Voldemort's eyes and the Deathly Hallows symbol

Middle- the Half Blood Prince's book and the horcrux locket

Pointer- a Phoenix to represent the Order of the Phoenix and 13 for 13 Grimwald Place

Thumb- Hedwig

Anyone else go to the midnight release? I can't believe it's all over but I truly loved the last film and the whole series! Oh, I totally cried through most of the film and then got teary-eyed when the credits came up, good thing I had water-proof mascara.

Until next time,

Happy painting!

The Nailventuress

Do Zombies exist?

July 6:

I am sitting in bed contemplating this question right now. See, I watched a horror movie and now I can't sleep because I've frightened myself into thinking I am going to fall victim to a random zombie attack. This is why I shouldn't watch horror films. Anyone else get like this? (Perhaps I am the only one haha, I get scared much to easily)

The one positive outcome of my zombie scare is I can post pictures from my China Glaze "Zombie Zest" manicure which I forgot to do a while ago. Perfect timing, no?

This was three coats of ZZ. I was lucky enough to grab ZZ and Ick-A-Bod-y for $1.99 at Sally's a while back. ZZ is gorgeous polish and quite a bit different from my other green polish. I think ZZ gave of some yellow flashes but I don't know if I would go so far as to call it a duochrome. The lack of opacity in the formula surprised me. I assumed it would be a two coater, though three is fine with me, but in the end I think being a sheer polish helped add to the overall effect. This is exactly what I think of when I think of Zombie skin...creepy? Just a bit.

Later today I am going for my first professional pedicure (or nail treatment) since I started on my nail polish obsession. I don't trust anyone with my fingernails but I figure a pedicure should be safe. Wish me luck!

Until next time,

Happy painting!

The Nailventuress

Essie Van d'go

July 3:

Essie "Van d'go" has quickly become one of my favorite pinks of all time. It is kind of peachy and makes my hands look tan and my nails look perfect. I wish I could wear this color all the time!

On a side note, I am about to head over to Sephora to pick up Tarte's new True Blood palette. Has anyone else seen/obsessed over this yet?

Until next time,

Happy painting!

The Nailventuress

Canada and Virginia: Pic Heavy

June 25:

We made it to Ohio so it is time for more manicure pictures!

Three coats of OPI's "At Your Quebec and Call." This is another polish that I got from Rita and I am in love with it! The olive green is so gorgeous and it flashes orange occasionally.

Anyone know what this is? Sadly I only had an ice capp the morning I left Canada and now I will forever be craving it! Why can't we have Tim Horton's in Illinois? Why?

Three coats of Essie "Flirty Fuchsia" (thanks Rita!) and one coat of Sally Hansen's "Byte." Fun and bright to go along with the hot weather in Virginia.

Outside the White House. This was kind of hard to take a picture of but so much fun!

Crumbs cupcake. Ever had one? It's amazing! We stopped at Union Station and I was surprised to see Crumbs there, I have only been to the one in Chicago.

CQ polish I picked up at Rite Aid. Idyllic looks like a berry/green duochrome.

Some cross stitch I did in the hotel.

Three coats of OPI's "Yodel Me On My Cell." Such a beautiful turquoise blue I cannot wait to put Deborah Lippmann's "Across the Universe" on top!

My travel knitting! A colorful stripped Noro scarf that I have only knit on while in the car. So much fun!

Until next time,

Happy painting!

The Nailventuress

Canada nails continued...

June 25:

We are heading to Ohio today and plan to stay overnight and enjoy Cedar Point tomorrow. I am so excited! The trip has been great and though I only ended up picking up a few polishes, I am very very happy with the ones I got. While in Virginia I grabbed a CQ polish from Rite Aid that I cannot wait to try out seeing as it is all duo-chromy and all. And waiting for me at home is a gorgeous bottle of Deborah Lippmann's "Across the Universe." AtU is my first Lippmann polish and I cannot wait to get back and put her on. I even painted my nails with three coats of OPI's "Yodel Me On My Cell" in anticipation of slapping on AtU as soon as I unwrap the packaging.

Here is my GOSH manicure. Miss Mole was my first GOSH and oh my goodness was it wonderful! One coat (though I am wearing two) was perfect and the color lasted for five days without chipping on me!

I have a few more manicures from this trip to post so I think I will do them in a large post. In the mean time here are some pictures from my stop at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto...otherwise known as one of the best days of my life!

Go Hawks!!!!! This picture was taken while we were still the reigning champs...congrats to the Bruins though I would have rather seen the Canucks win. (On a side note: I'll miss you Brouwer and Campbell!)

Until next time,

Happy painting!

The Nailventuress

Day 1 and 2: Niagara Falls, ON and GOSH polish

June 12:

So far our trip has been wonderful. The drive to Canada wasn't bad at all, I knit and slept for the most part. Yesterday we relaxed after we arrived. Today we went on the Maid of the Mist and ate a Tim Hortons (I'd been wanting to do this for a while!).

My sister and I asked our dad to take us to Shopper's Drug Mart and I was lucky enough to score some GOSH polish on sale for $1.99!

Meet Miss Mole and Miss Sweety. Tonight I think Miss Mole is going on my nails. This is my first time owning/using GOSH nail polish so we'll see how it goes. I might have to go back for more.

Still haven't found any Joe fresh polish but maybe when we go to Toronto I will.

Until next time,

Happy painting!

The Nailventuress