Fashion Friday: Nailing it (in the parlance of our times)

I was recently offered a free sample of Jamberry nail decals.  I decided to demo that against my typical routine as the packaging suggested a 7 day challenge.

You can see the Jamberry website for examples of what they offer.  You can also watch a video on how to apply and remove the decals, which is how I started.  Then I gathered my materials.

 I started by really cleaning my nails, including buffing down the ridges, which is rare.  So perhaps I didn't do my usual routine- I really pushed myself to start with a nice canvas.

 I happened to have a close match of color so as to have some design sensibility with my one trial of the decal.  My understanding is that one pack comes with enough to be able to do your hands about 3 times.  This one trial, I was able to get onto three nails- but then I have small fingers...

 I decided which nail I was going to go for based on how the width of the decal measured to my nail bed.

 The video instructions instruct to use a mini heater- I used a blowdryer in order to warm up the decal. I also didn't have the fancy stick they had, so I used a wood skewer.  (I like to improvise.)

 After applying all of the decal (I had to use my handy scissors to shape one portion to fit, but I didn't want to waste.) I used my usual trio; a Seche base coat, polish and a Seche top coat.

Terribly I didn't take an after shot- but what I will say is that I put my hands through a major workout for a week.  I knit, I gardened, I embroidered, I hand washed dishes, I painted, I used harsh chemicals, and all sorts of other things.  For the most part (I had one actual nail break and trimmed it down.) they looked the same from day one to day 7.  I was impressed with the Jamberry decals, and even with my polish.

Maybe I should buff more regularly... Happy Friday and see you at Summerfest!

R & R (Rest and Remodel): AB's week off

We have been both busy and resting over the past week.  AB's week of vacation coincided with framily visits, band practice, his birthday and the usual remodeling.

Things kicked off last Friday with an impromptu climbing trip with Willie and Heather who were visiting from out of town.  I got my first glimpse of the terrain of Baraboo on the way to Devil's Lake.  Being new to Wisconsin means that I am still a tourist in a place that I have now lived a good 2 years.  AB pulled out his climbing gear and I asked lots of questions and I got my first lesson.  AB did really well for having not been in about 8 years.

We recovered the next day by continuing work on our vanity (just the thing that holds the sink up- not our egos) in the upstairs bathroom.  About two weeks prior we purchased the walnut veneered plywood that would become our vanity, of top priority then was getting the sink in.  We have been living more in more in the upstairs of the last 9 months, but with the wedding prep in October we stopped and while we had a toilet upstairs, we were still using hand sanitizer in the middle of the night.  This week brought the completion of the sink and STORAGE!  I will write another post that describes the basics of how we completed that project.  

Additionally we completed tile work around the shower stall, we are working with a local company to get the glass shower set up soon.  The final tiling needed to be completed in order for our final measurements to be taken.

We took a whirlwind trip with Marcel, first an evening of band practice in Milwaukee.  AB's band Hell on Heels is prepping to play SummerFest on June 27.  Marcel discovered the wildlife that lives near a great lake and attempted to make friends with the family cat.  From Milwaukee we departed in order to see AB's family in Green Bay.  The day was topped off with a trip to Bay Beach, which is a pretty fun and reasonably priced place to play. 

We did discover that the stomach's tolerance for things like tilting and whirling may not go past late adolescence.  Regardless we had a good time, but we did have to recoop a bit.

We got back to Madison with the dog just in time to clean up the house and yard and neaten our projects in order to have a birthday celebration. We invited friends over and we enjoyed the great weather.  We enjoyed the downtime and while some of our friends attempted to steal our carrot cake all things were good.  We also had good friends set up and submit images to the new AB look-a-like tumblr, MaybeAB.  Check it out from time to time to see what is new and send us pictures should you see a doppleganger.