Blurgh, I need a routine

Hello everyone I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Christmas and holiday season! May the food angels watch over you as you create new and unique recipes from leftovers :D

I had my first Christmas dinner at my house this year; my in-laws came over, and my mummy and brother and sisters and step-dad, and my Grandma stopped by with a friend and it was all over a lovely time, but I have. So. Much. Ham. Leftover. Lol!  Luckily I'll be able to pull out all the ham recipes I never use, because this is the only time of year that my husband and I eat it. so we'll see how that goes :)

I've noticed something horrible.  I'm so upset...DANDRUFF!! ARRRGGGGHHH.  I haven't dealt with dandruff in like...ten years.  So I'm really frustrated, but I think I know what's causing it.  I've been using the Wen cleansing conditioner a little more than usual because it's easy and I've been short on time and also my hair has been up for two weeks in a row basically because it's been really cold at work - they are working on our heater, and I don't like wearing my hair down over my six layers of clothing so the combing of the hair back all the time, and the Wen I think are the culprits.  I'm going to try and get back into a routine here now that it's slowing down a little and honestly it's not too bad, just disheartening.  I hadn't changed up my routine in years so when I made the switch to solid shampoo bars, it really messed with my hair ecosystem, but I'm still very happy I did it.  I am going to try a different, cheaper conditioner because I'm going through the giovanni stuff really fast.  I might keep it around to use it on days that I wash and then maybe use their regular conditioner for other days.  We'll see. I've also stopped oiling regularly because I'm not using a shampoo that can get it all out, but I might lightly oil my scalp and length tonight before washing or at least do a honey, egg, and avocado treatment to see if that helps.   It's interesting, I honestly don't do near as much for my hair as I used to when I using a detergent based shampoo, but now that I'm using the chagrin bars, I haven't really felt that urgent desire to either.  And my hair is happy, so I must be doing something right.

I've also decided that I've officially made "long hair" stage.  I hit waist length a month ago and now I'm starting to get past it with the ends of my layers, but even though I've been with waist length hair, it's now starting to feel really long because I'm finding that it's getting caught in things more, I have to start learning to move with long hair again, and I almost freaking burned it all off the other day over the stove when I was making popcorn.  It was HORRIBLE.  I leaned over to pour my popcorn in a measuring cup and was like, "what's that smell"? I looked down and saw my hair against the burner and oh my goodness my stomach dropped to the floor I was so scared.  I ran into the bathroom going, "no no no no no no no no no no no" (Poor husband, he went in to make sure I was okay and held me when I almost started crying), but so far I can't really tell where I singed it; I could when it first happened, but nothing too bad or noticeable to anyone who wasn't there, and I've conditioned it since and I can't tell now.  I'm angry at myself for having been so careless, but I guess it was God's way of telling me to be extra careful from here on out.

I've also started sleeping with my hair down at night, which I know longhairs out there are probably gasping and going "NO!!!" hearing that, but interestingly enough, I've experienced less in the way of tangling in the mornings, and my hair is easier to manage in the shower, which is nice.  I'm not noticing an increase in splits, and maybe just a few breaks here and there, but I'm getting more of those, because my hair as been up for so long - it needs a break.  I'm going to wait until February or March of next year and then I'll trim my hair and shape it up, but until then I don't feel like losing any of the length.

Well...is that enough silly, shallow, hair stuff to make you urp yet?

30 Day music Challenge Part 2!

Okidokies everyone, here is the finished list of my 30 day Music Challenge: 


DAY 21: A song that makes you want to break things - " Baby Baby " by Justin Beiber.  I'm sorry if you are a Belieber, but I can't stand this kid.  


DAY 23: A song that you haven't heard in YEARS - " Bye bye bye " by Nsync.  There is a reason we have not heard this song in years. 


DAY 24: Best song to break up to - " Apologize " by One Republic with Timbaland.  I know this is cliche song, and honestly I don't agree with it.  I don't think one should ever be predisposed to never accept a heartfelt apology, but I completely understand where, being in a breakup, this is how one would feel.  I've been there, done that, I've been betrayed to the point where I could never - and I still struggle with this - accept ones apology.  


DAY 25: A song that illustrates your overall outlook on life - " How the day sounds " by Greg laswell. 
Words cannot describe how much I adore and love this song and the music video.  And this song very much depicts my overall outlook on life.


DAY 26: A song that you enjoy whose lyrics are in a different language - " Inner Universe " by Yoko Kanno - I'm very much a fan of Yoko Kanno and this song for me really illustrates the talent this composer has.


DAY 27: A song for when you just don't want to think about anything - "The way I are " by Timbaland - to be honest I didn't really have a song for this one, but since I like to listen to this piece really loud when I'm just vegging it seemed appropriate.


DAY 28: A song that is loved by people close to you, but not by you - " Yellow Submarine " by the Beatles - my dad and brother love this group, and I used to be a big fan too, but I kinda got burnt out.  Especially on this song. That being said, my next choice: 


DAY 29: A song that has an awesome bass-line - "Come together" by The Beatles - this is my favorite Beatles song and I just like this song in general.

DAY 30: A song that helped you pull through something difficult - " Things left unsaid " by Disciple in Loving Memory of Allison Miller; I miss you my dearest friend ♥

Okay! Well, that concludes my 30 Day music challenge, thanks for listening; ready; watching, all that fun stuff and I will post later on! 

Hello to all!

Hello there!

I'm just going to shoot a quick email to say hi to the cyber world and to post another finger art picture:

As you can see, this is my FEEBLE attempt at drawing music notes on my fingers and then tipping them with gold.  It's pathetic, but I like the concept, so I'll be trying this again with different colors.

Other than that, not a whole lot, I did get in a new order of Chagrin Valley Shampoo so I will be sharing my experiences with that as soon as I get through a decent number.  I've only tried one so far.  I will also share more of my 30 day music challenge, probably tomorrow; I think I'm on the last day. 

See you later! 

30 Day Music Challenge Part 1

NOTE: I can't figure out why my wording is all highlighted; you'll have to forgive me.


I'm sure all of you Facebook users have seen the 30 day music challenge circulating around and have participated, and I thought I would compile all of my choices here to share with everyone.  Enjoy! 


DAY 1: A song that makes you want to drive FAST - "Animals" by Nickleback.  I think this one really doesn't need any explanation 


DAY 2: A song from an album you can listen to all the way through - "Damaged (extended version)" from Plumb's album "Chaotic resolve".  This song really speaks to me on a number of levels and I absolutely love the album and listen to it often.


DAY 3: A song from an artist that isn't really your thing, but that you can respect - "Living my life" by Los Lonely Boys.  I use to be really into Los Lonely Boys, but anymore if I hear "Heaven"'s opening notes I kinda go crazy.  I think too much of a good thing.

DAY 4: A song for gettin' busy! - "All I ever wanted" by Basshunter.  I will admit, this wasn't my first choice, my first choice would be anything off of David Crowder's "Sunsets and sushi" album, but I couldn't find a video for that one.


DAY 5: Your favorite song from a movie soundtrack - “All love can be” with Charlotte Church.  I couldn't find a decent recording, but the "Main Theme" from the same movie is almost better in my opinion.


6: A great LIVE performance of a song - "Master of puppets (S&M)" Metallica Live S&M 1999.  What can I say? I love me some Metallica. 


DAY 7: A song that is the very DEFINITION of what a great song is - "Lifeline" by Imogen Heap.  Okay, I have to rant and rave about this woman; she is my hero instrumentally, and vocally.  She is so innovative and amazing and how she brings her songs together is simply wonderful.  This is the one artist in the world that I can't complain about in any way at all.  She is my #1 favorite.


DAY 8: The perfect song for chilling out - "Merry Happy" by Kate Nash.  Haha this girl is just an awesome artist; and I love how she sings.  It's raw and honest. I also love "Mouthwash". 

DAY 9: A song from an artist you would LOVE to see in concert - "All I need (Say)" by One Republic.  I love the message behind this song.  We worry so much in our lives and this just reminds me that in the end, it's going to work out.  You don't need all this stuff, you don't need to rely on temporal treasures.  


DAY 10: A song that reminds you of back in the day - "Macarena" by Los del Rio.  Oh bother.  I hate that I just put this in here, but who reading this has not, at some point in their young life, danced to this song at a wedding, dance, school function, etc. etc.?  It reminds me of a much less worrisome time in life.


DAY 11: A song that sounds much older than it is - "Stray cat strut" by Brian Setzer.  Love this dude, and he is SO much fun to watch live! His hair....


Day 12: a great COVER of a song (by a different artist): "Turn the page" by Metallica.  I will admit, I don't really like it when artists do covers, but I felt that Metallica really did a great job. 


DAY 13: A good song with not-so-good memories attached to it - "Cry me a river" by Diana Krall.  Arrrggghhh I hated this one, because I love this song so much, but I hate the memories. It was also very much a tie between this song and "I'd be lying" by Greg Laswell.  Again, EXCELLENT song.  Memories attached to it? Not so much.


DAY 14: A song which has lyrics you absolutely agree with - "Hossana" by Jason Morant.  I chose this one for a number of reasons.  One, I connect with music deeply and on a level that doesn't necessarily require lyrics. I "agreed", if you will, with every part of this song musically.  Two, even though the song didn't necessarily "proclaim" something in the sense that Jason was attempting to convey a point.  It seems to me that he is more observing and simply bringing a message of that which is....if that makes sense...


DAY 15: A song to honor someone who is gone - "El Paso" by Marty Robbins.  I'm not going to lie, I almost started crying when I was listening to this song, which I chose in memory of my Grandfather, Antonio Ruiz.  Marty looks a LOT like how my Grandma looked too. Love you, Grandpa.


DAY 16: Best song to wake up to - "Invader Zim opening theme song" - by Kevin Manthe.  I am ADDICTED to Invader Zim and everything about Invader Zim and let me just say that I feel like conquering the world when I wake up to this song.  I also recommend the "End credits".


DAY 17: A song from an artist who you feel is seriously underrated - "The benedy glen" by Déanta.  Now I would have originally put down Imogen Heap for this section, but as her new album is being released, more and more people are realizing how amazing this person really is, so I went for something different.  I don't listen to a lot of Deanta, but I love her voice and I love that someone is carrying on the tradition of traditional folk music, especially traditional Irish traditional.


DAY 18: A song that makes you wish you could play an instrument THAT well - "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2" by Liszt as performed by Jung Lin.  The reason why I chose Jung Lin's performance over others was the unique way she chose to present Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody.  The abrupt, yet very well timed, way she interprets the music is very different than how you would normally hear this piece played.


DAY 19: The first song you can remember loving - "Dive" by Steven Curtis Chapman.  I remember this song well.  My dad gave me this CD that he found and it was the first time I had heard contempory music of any sorts.  Before then I was traditional folk songs and oldies rock.  I was hooked immediately and loved it.  I still love Steven Curtis Chapman's music, though I have moved onto different genres. 


DAY 20: A song you loved the very first time you heard it - "Goin' gone" by Nanci Griffith.  My mummy raised me on Nanci Griffith and I still love this lady so very much.  I also recommend "Love at the five and dime"




Okay, well this is my Part 1, I will be back with the following ten song choices in about ten days :)

Okay, so I'm realizing that this blog is so girly it's insane...oh well.

For all of you out there, I'm not really this obsessed with all things girly and hair and makeup and nails and stuff; I just happen to have some free time on my hands in the morning before I go to work so I've been experimenting. (Okay, I really am obsessed with healthy hair).

My nails are really icky; they have lines in them and they crack and they look dry and they turn blue, so I've been covering them with a clear top coat of late, but then decided to get experimental (It all started when I saw a coworker with the glue on tips and I decided I wanted my nails to look like that), so I'm going to post my attempts at having awesome nails.  I don't have the colors that I used handy; I'm a Walmart kinda person when it comes to this type of thing.  These are all done freehand, and it's very obvious especially since I've never done anything with my nails other than a straight color.

Okay, so this was my first attempt EVER.  I tipped the nails with a teal color and then one coat of clear top coat.

I was not as pleased with this attempt; the red flaked off the tips way too easily and it just looked a little messy.  You can't really see here, but I used a gold coat, then red tips with a clear top coat.

I'm pretty happy with the results of this one - which I did this morning - yikes my nails are long!! Don't like.  (A little bit of background: I never did my nails, because I'm a pianist, so cut our nails really short to prevent them catching in between the keys, clacking, and it slows you down too.  Same with typing.  And I type about 90-100wpm, so yeah.  I've since learned that I can get away with about 3mm of length, but obviously these are longer than that.  I enjoy really long nails for about two days...and then they start snagging and ripping and catching and all sorts of icky, so I chomp them off.)  AT ANY RATE; I painted "chevron" like tips with a gold color and then applied two coats of clear coat.  And that's it.  I'm pretty happy with these because I didn't have to be as exact with the tips and it was easier to work with when I used my left hand. 

Well there we go, I will post more as I experiment more.  I haven't bought any more soap bars, but I'm almost out of my current stash, so I will probably make a purchase here in the next week or so. 

Bye!