Love It!

I had all but given up hope in finding another bottle/kit of French Tip nail polish that I loved as much as the Sally Hansen kit I'd had before. The white polish was the perfect consistency, the brush was thin and teeny- perfect for painting with precision (even without those sticker things that never worked for me anyway)...the pink was a nice, healthy, natural kind of pink. And then I ran out and couldn't find a replacement kit. Well that's not true...I bought one or two and the white brush was always a normal-sized brush. Which was ridiculous. I returned them. I even bought one of those pens. Mistake. Too runny and unpredictable. Never lasted more than a couple hours.

And then...then I found these beauties by Rimmel.

 

They didn't come in a kit, which was fine by me...there were a couple of pinks to choose from anyway. The white brush is oh-so-teeny, and the consistency of the polish is perfect. The pink is pretty and natural...in fact, I was drawn to the pink first- I was looking for a new nail polish and imagine my happiness to find the white I'd been looking for!

Also, another very pleasant surprise (probably hard to tell my picture)...

the pink brush is big! Wide! Which means fewer strokes! I have large nails, so for me this was so exciting! I wanted to take a picture of the brush on my nail...but um...do you know how hard it is to take a picture of yourself painting your own nails? Hehe. I actually was able to get a shot but it's not really in focus, so...we'll just skip it. :)

Anyway, I just got these yesterday, so I'm not sure how long this Rimmel polish holds up, but I have high hopes. I'm so excited to be able to do French tips on my nails again!* So clean and pretty and classic. Hooray!

I will say I'm still addicted to my Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat and almost always use it (unless I've run out) whenever I paint my nails. That way I can avoid those darn fabric patterns pressed into my nail polish!

Anybody else out there have a favorite brand of nail polish, French tip or otherwise??


*I know, this post may seem a bit more "girly" than usual for me...and some of you reading this (especially the few men out there I know who read this) may not care one bit about my nail polish preferences. Oh well.

A Gift From Afar

My new friend and coworker, T, gave me a present! This beautiful shawl from India. Yup, directly from India. Her mom picked out a couple for me and my other coworker and then we chose one at work last week. The other one was black and white and also very beautiful! Tough choice!

These pictures don't really do it justice. It seems the color is a bit different in each picture...and it probably doesn't help that I took these with my phone, at night, with bright white lighting. Regardless, it's pretty.

Isn't the detail amazing?

T showed us a couple ways we could wear it, but she told us she usually wears hers as scarves. So, that's what I did- folded it up lengthwise a couple of times and wore it as a pretty scarf. Love it!

Thanks T!! And T's mom! :)

CrushGate Update Part 2: The Little Engine... That Could

When I was little my mom used to tell me the story of The Little Engine That Could when I was scared to do something or had a tough task ahead. I remember her telling me to say to myself "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can." Well folks, that was me this afternoon. After my previous post I tried telling myself I could do it, it was the perfect set-up, low risk, blah blah.

But of course, I started getting nervous. I even ended up hooking myself up to our biofeedback program (basically it's a way to measure a physiological stress response so you can learn to get a handle on it and calm yourself at will). My average heart rate was around 110- really high for just sitting at a desk! I should've saved a screen shot ...you could've seen a real stress response. Anyway, I tried to get calmed down and my coworker was sort of helping...but then she said, "You need to do this before 3:00 you know." She wanted to know what the outcome was before she left for the day! Turkey! A little bit later, when I was ready to flee, she looked at me and said, "Heidi, you really don't look good right now." I have such supportive coworkers. :)

So I finally took a deep breath and, just like I'd done before, picked up the phone and dialed before I could think much more about it. I figured I'd end up leaving a voicemail, but dang it, he answered right away! We chatted a little bit about something lame I started with, then I followed-up about the student. I'll be honest here...he did not sound happy at all and I really toyed with the idea of ending the conversation after I did my follow-up.

But I didn't.

I said, "OK, something totally unrelated--- what are you doing for the game this weekend? Are you going to be around?"
He said, "No, actually [a coworker] and I are going down to Chicago to hang out, watch the game. We've always said if the Packers and Bears play we should go down there and so we decided to do it."
Me: "Are you tailgating?"
Him: "No. We'll just hang out at a bar. He says he can get tickets, but I'll be honest with you....I don't really want to go and freeze out there."
Blah blah blah talking about the game and the weather forecast and the crazy cold weather we're having right now.
Me: "Well, I was going to say...K-Dog and I will be at the bar watching the game and I wanted to invite you. Plus, we never got to have you come out with us after he mentioned it to you before. Also, I owe you an apology for that...apparently it was my job to remind K-Dog to remember to invite you, but um, I didn't know it was my job {he sort of chuckled at that} and actually, we haven't gone that often since. {insert a little more work talk here}.
Him: "Yeah that sounds like fun. Let me know when you guys go next, I'll definitely catch you the next time. Once the semester starts and things settle a little it will be busy but I'll squeeze it in. So let me know."
Me: "I will. Have fun in Chicago, stay warm, blah blah."
Him: "I will, thanks. I'll talk to you after."

And then as I hung up the phone I whispered, "Let'smakeoutyoucompleteme."

But not really.

And in the words of the Little Engine, "I thought I could."

The end.

PS- After it was all over and I was exhausted from all my anxiety and after my coworkers said "That went really well!", my one coworker said, "Heidi, I'm sorry, but I really thought you were going to vomit earlier, you just did not look good at all!" Me too, my dear. Me too. 

CrushGate Update: "Heidi Stops on Green"

So. It's been a long time since I've had a CrushGate update. It's been kind of a rollercoaster since my last update, but I've no time for details now.

Yesterday I was sitting at my desk when our front desk staff called and said The Crush was on the phone for me. I thought, "Hmm, I wonder what this is about." Before the call was transferred to me, I kept reminding myself "Social skills, social skills, social skills." We exchanged hellos ... and even though I've been telling myself for a month that it's not going to happen and to let it go, as soon as I heard his voice it all started again- pounding heart, dizziness, that oh-so-special vomity feeling I get. Yes, this is why I need to remind myself to use social skills and to remember my own name. It was actually kind of surprising to me how hard it all hit me again- things had gotten better with my increased interaction with him last semester! Apparently a month of zero contact resets my internal freak-out mechanism. {Seriously, what IS IT about this guy? It's killing me.}

Anyway, I asked how he was doing, then asked if his holidays went well. He replied, "Eh, they came and went, how about you?" I replied briefly while thinking, "Gosh, we're chatting so much more than usual, I wonder what this call is about??"

Then he said, "So are you watching the game this weekend?" {You know...the big Packers game...it's a real big deal around here.}

It's hard to describe everything running through my mind, but I know one thought was along the lines of, "HOLY crap, maybe this is why he called, maybe he will ask about watching the game. I should let this play out a little."

I replied, "Yeah! I hope to!" and internally I was thinking, "Heidi, don't start rambling about not having functional TV channels to watch the game and then explain that yes you have a TV but don't have any stations..." Sigh. So I kind of left it at that. Then said, "The games last weekend were a lot of fun to watch, the Steelers game was intense!" He proceeded to tell me he ended up falling asleep during that game "to conserve his energy for the Packers game" and I teased him some.

All while this was happening I was thinking, "Heidi, invite him to the bar with you and K-Dog for the game! This is the perfect chance!"

Did I invite him, my dear readers??

No. Because as my friend BK puts it, "Heidi stops on green." As an aside, near the end of last semester, K-Dog did tell TC that he should come out with us some night after work to our favorite place for wings and beer. TC was open to it but it ended up never happening for various reasons. Seriously, I already had a perfect chance to ask him and I didn't. I'm still not sure exactly why, but I do know I missed an opportunity {although, honestly when he called yesterday, K-Dog and I really hadn't made plans to go to the bar to watch the game this weekend. We do now.}.

We ended up talking then about the real reason he was calling and I don't think he was too happy with my response, but I did the best I could to be helpful. I encouraged him to follow-up with me so I would know the outcome and so I could also do my own follow-up, if needed. He hasn't.

Soooo...if I can work up the courage right now... I'm going to follow-up with him about the student he called about. And I'm going to try my very hardest to just invite him very casually to watch the game, eat wings, and drink beer with me and K-Dog.

I can do this. I will not vomit or pass out.

Easy Peasy

I've been thinking a lot more about small changes that make us happy (happier?) in a big way. I'm guessing it's because of all the great ideas I've seen out there in blogland, but I think it's also a bit related to the book I just finished. {More on that book later, I promise.}

I knew buying a house and making it my own would be a process, but I don't think I expected I would sometimes sort of "forget" that it's my house and I can change things, darn it! But every once in a while I will catch myself thinking, "grrr, this drives me nuts" or "I don't like that" and every once in a while I will realize, "Oh yeah! I can change that!" Does that sound crazy? Any other somewhat-new homeowners out there feel similarly?

For example...how long did I live with this hateful door before I took it down? Or the ugly-floral-print-swag-thing draped ever so carefully over the curtain rods in my bedroom? What about those dark curtains in the bathroom I recently mentioned?

I mean, my DIY Homeowner Heroes certainly do not wait to change things around!! I've been inspired ... and I am giving myself permission to start changing things I don't like! Especially when the changes are relatively simple things I can do in a short amount of time!

I made a very quick, very minor change today...really it was more of a rearrangement...and it made me smile. And again, I thought, "Why? Why didn't I think of that sooner?" It's too boring to explain, but basically I rearranged the curtains on the patio door/window so that they would no longer get in the way when I opened and closed the door (it's not a sliding door), plus without my make-do quick-fix, it doesn't look so ridiculous.

It's with a tiny amount of embarrassment that I share this next easy change...The other day I took out a shelf in my small bathroom closet so I could fit the garbage can inside. See, my dogs are the type that will get into the garbage, even though they've been disciplined for it countless times. So after I was entirely fed up, I just started leaving the small bathroom garbage can on top of the back of the toilet. It didn't really fit elsewhere and in the moment it was easy to do...yet...a little embarrassing. I mean, my garbage can was on top of the toilet. {In my defense, other people don't use that bathroom too often.}** Finally, I rearranged a few things and took out a shelf so the garbage can would fit neatly inside the closet! Voila! No more surprises when I get home and the dogs don't get yelled at! Now...if I could only keep them out of my laundry baskets...

**{OK, OK, if I'm being totally honest, I ended up with the garbage basket on top of the back of the toilet in my half-bath downstairs. I've since removed a lot of random crap from the teeny cabinet under the sink and stored the basket there.}

Small Change, Big Improvement!

I was reading one of my favorite blogs the other day, Mabel's House, when this post got me thinking about the small changes we often put off making for whatever reason. And how sometimes those tiny things make the biggest difference and we wonder, "Why the heck didn't I do that sooner?"

Raise your hand if that has applied to you at some point. Yup, I thought so.

Long story short... I have a bathroom that needs a few changes. For now, things will basically stay the same... but there will be some updates in the future... and probably a moment or two when I need your help and suggestions!

But first, a quick fix I did so long ago that I practically forgot this post existed a while ago and haven't talked about yet! My bathroom has a window, which is very nice for natural light! Though it was covered by the green curtains you see below. The previous owner left them. And yes, they do match the shower curtain. So it was like a giant wall of green.

Quite dark...and yet... as you can see, the curtains were a bit see-through.

My bathroom is right across from a window in my neighbor M's apartment. Always felt a bit weird, especially at night, when I'd change and whatnot. But after a few bucks and a little time, I had this!

Yes, more window film! Problem solved! And I can even keep the curtain open (though it still weirds me out at night). It's so nice having natural light!! You can't tell in this picture, but trust me, it makes a huge difference!

But this was months and months after I recognized the problem. It took me forever to do (and even longer to blog about)...I'll admit money was a bit tight in the beginning, so I did spend it on more important things. But seriously, window film isn't that expensive. 

It doesn't stop there though... once again, months later I came across some extra long shower curtain liners at TJ Maxx for about $7! I needed some new extra long liners, but hated to spend $15 or more on each liner at places like Bed, Bath, and Beyond (I need 2). It wasn't as though the liners I had were all nasty or anything, don't worry. But they were an off-white and opaque. Combine that with the dark curtains and minimal room at the top (I have this weird track system, more on that in another post) and you can imagine how dark it was in the shower. Seriously. I was practically giddy about finding extra long liners so cheap!

When I got home, I took down the old liners and curtains and put the new liners up...of course I chose translucent liners this time... they let lots of light in! And I decided I was not putting those hateful curtains back up. Sure, maybe right now not having a proper shower curtain looks a little...ghetto-chic...but I'm OK with that because I absolutely LOVE having more light in there. While I was at it, I took down one of the curtain panels on the window too! I definitely didn't need that much fabric for that size window. Again, HUGE difference!

Sadly, no picture. :(

'Fess up...what relatively easy or small changes have you made in your life lately that you've been happy about but also made you wonder why you didn't do it sooner? House stuff? Life stuff? What?

Discovered!

Run, don't walk (figuratively speaking) to this blog near you: 1000 Awesome Things

I just discovered it and must say, it's a good thing. It brought a few smiles to my face just now (which I needed...who doesn't??)! I am sure it will be one I check on regularly.

So...am I the last to the party, yet again? Did the rest of you already know about this little gem??

Today...

I had a lovely lunch (a Club Brie half-sandwich & half lobster pasta salad) with two lovely women who are quickly becoming good friends.

I am so tired but not totally sure why. Maybe it has something to do with the stress of yesterday's football game...and social gathering with oh-so-many energetic children and lots of people I didn't know.

I managed to stop at the grocery store after work, even though I really didn't want to.

I did my Pilates/yoga dvd after grocery shopping, even though I just wanted to lie on the couch.

I prepped a roast and veggies for the crock pot tomorrow morning. Yay for awesome dinner waiting for me tomorrow night!

I'm nearly finished reading a pretty good book- more on that later.

That's my day in a nutshell. What was your day like?

More Reverberations

So, I keep thinking about some of those Reverb10 prompts. They're helping me think more about what I want for myself this year. Here's another prompt that really got me thinking...

Beyond Avoidance. What should you have done this last year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? {Bonus: Will you do it?} {Author: Jake Nickell}

Sadly, I think there are lots of things I could say I avoided last year. Or didn't have enough time or energy to complete...

Too scared? Uh, asking The Crush out. People constantly told me to do it, but I swear I'd break out in hives and start hyperventilating at the mere thought. Bonus question-- Will I do it? Um...um...

Moving on...

Unsure? Picking a paint color for my kitchen/dining room. I know, I know, it's just paint. People say you can repaint it right away if you decide you don't like it, but gosh, that seems silly to me. I think because those rooms are so big and a little complicated to paint, it feels a bit daunting. I can't imagine the effort to redo it. Plus, I don't have the cash to just blow on gallons of paint simply to end up hating them. Will I do it? It's on my list for this year...and I think I've narrowed down the paint colors!

My bedroom revamp could fall under this one too, I suppose. I wanted to find bedding that I liked and was affordable first, then paint. Finding bedding has not been easy. Will I do it? Absolutely! In fact...I found bedding! Yup! I found a duvet cover for a great price at TJ Maxx! Now I want to find some other layers and textures, just like my inspiration pictures. And yes, one of the first things I did was pull out the paint chips I've gathered...but I think I'll grab a few more before I make any decisions.


Busy? Worried? Otherwise deterred? Yes, submitting the paperwork for my license and taking the national exam. I swear I was making awesome progress on studying in September and October and had the best intentions of getting everything underway. Then things at work got so busy and I was just exhausted and worried and just trying to manage everyday tasks. Will I do it? Well obviously, yes. I need a license. Good news actually, I ended up getting my application to the State in the mail right before the end of the year! I buckled down and finished things one day while at my parents' house after Christmas. It felt SO good to get that in the mail. Now I'm just waiting to hear back from the State- the next step is for them to approve me to take the national exam. Then I will apply to take the exam, pay, and set a date! Woohoo!

Your turn! What didn't you get to do in 2010? Did it make your list for 2011?

The Bed Post

I'm just dying to revamp my bedroom. Remember Funshine Bear from the Care Bears?

Super cute and cuddly. I used to have one when I was young. Love the color on Funshine Bear...not so much regurgitated in my bedroom. My bedroom walls, ceiling, inside of the door, closet doors, baseboard. All Funshine Bear yellow. And the curtains that were left behind have these purple flowers on them. I have mismatched bedding. It's a mess, which is why I'm dying to change it up and create a lovely, comfy, oasis for myself. Something that makes me say, "Ahhhhh." when I walk in.

Obviously, the bed is the most important thing... doesn't this bed make you want to just jump in? It's all fluffy-looking. And layered. And comfortable. 

This bed doesn't look as fluffy, but I do sort of like the purple fabrics, the different textures, and the layers. I'm also considering purple in my room.

Love the light, airy feel to this room. Here again is a bed I would love to just jump into. I'm also diggin' the turquoise.

Hello cloud-like bed!

I love all the lights here...and the layers and textures. I actually would love that wall color in my dining room...

I think the common factors here are layers and textures, fluffiness, and a lived-in comfortable look. I think I also like the combination of solids and patterns.

What else do you think makes the bed (pun intended)?? A headboard? Certain sheets? Do tell... I'd love to hear!

My dream room will also have:

• a place for my books, including some space on or in the bedside tables. I'm constantly stacking books and magazines all over the table and eventually they overflow to the floor. 
• higher bedside tables (my bed is pretty high) and good (and pretty) lamps.
• curtains or shades that block light at night (I love a dark bedroom), but don't make the room feel like a dark cave during the day.

I want the room to feel lighter and brighter than it does now, but I think repainting the ceiling, trim, and doors white will help with that right away. Obviously having some accessories in the room will be good, but that will come in time. Plus, I don't want it to be overdone or cluttered.

The bedding will help me finally, finally pick a wall color. Though I have been wanting to paint my room grey (or is it gray??) for like a year...

So. Any tips? What else makes a bedroom a relaxing oasis?


**Credits: Pottery Barn,  Real Simple, House Beautiful, Pottery Barn, IKEA.

Stuck On You!

My Lilly...

I should've named her Velcro.

Anywhere I am...

she is.

What a girl.