Last night a D.J. saved my life...

Good day!

I've been sporadic lately because I'm on a serious no-buy. I've been banking my mail polish money to blow on Orly Cosmic Fx and Plastix. So it's left me with time on my hands and less nail polish on my fingers. For reals, I went to work today WITHOUT polish on. I hated every moment of it!
Anyway, that explains my randomness as of late.

One constant I do have is music. I'm not just the metal girl but a full blown, annoying music geek. I know this about myself but I do often fancy myself a normal person without massively passionate obsessions. As if!
I get back down to earth as soon as I find myself talking music to the non musically obsessed. The glazed eyes, bored expressions and fidgety body language say it all. Why do I mention this? Because of the book I am currently reading and sadly relating to.

Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life

It's pretty funny and at times indulgent and pretentious. Most memoirs are and seeing as this is written by a self-described "Drooling Fanatic," one should expect nothing less. I've done and said a lot of the same things as the author and I find myself both embarrassed and proud. But there are some things I've done that were a special kind of idiotic.

For instance:

I once spent a day speaking in song lyrics to an employee at work. Aside from the things I had to say that were work related, I really spouted nothing but lyrics. Why did I do this? Because I thought it would be funny. Not so much. It was more like bewildering and pathetic.
This was no easy task. I got desperate for material 15 minutes into my shift! Thank bob for my iPod, my trusty red notebook and the store's music network!  I kid you not, I referenced Air Supply, The Carpenters, Rick Astley, Def Leppard, The Scorpions, Katatonia, Moonspell, Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye. Just to name a few. I have learned my lesson for now. But at the time I was so All Out  of Love, though I was Never Gonna Give You Up because I wanted to be Close to You...
(See? Not funny. Well, maybe to me.)


I cannot stress to you enough that I have truly awful taste in music. Aside from my heart's blood (METAL) that is. Ok, I love me some Motown and that's good. Love some country like Patsy, Johnny and Dolly. You know I love Punk, how could I not? But none of that matters when I tell you that I truly adore Air Supply. Yep. And Eurovision. I live for melodramatic, overwrought power ballads. I get chills when I hear heavily Bulgarian accented English in a cheesy pop song. As far as I'm concerned, Moldova is the center of the universe of all things musical. Next to the Czech Republic.
Are you recording a song about broken love featuring a symphony, a spoken word monologue in the middle and a gospel choir? It will be my new favorite song and I will sing it loudly and poorly at work.
Are you an Eastern European willing to sing in a non-native tongue to overly produced synthesized music that aims to pair your country's folk music tradition with dance beats? I will instantly "Like" you on Facebook and have your song as the default ringtone on my phone.
Seriously people, NEVER let me be in charge of the music at your party.

Speaking of parties, this was the playlist at my wedding:

Guests arriving and seating : "The Way You Look Tonight" "Having A Party" "Born To Run" "Your Love is King"  (The Springsteen deserves explanation, I know. But all you need to know is that it is an in-joke between me and Matt.)

Parents being escorted to their seats: "Sentimental Journey"

Me walking down the aisle: Really wanted it to be "Christmas Canon Rock" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra but decided NOT to embarrass my parents and found a generic recording of Pachelbel Canon.Could have been worse. I seriously considered "Catch The Rainbow." But then I would have had the ENTIRE song played and it is not brief.

Reception: (This is simply a taste...) "Melt With You" "Dancing in The Moonlight" "I'm On Fire" "Sleep Together" "It's No Good" "No One Like You" "Making Love Out of Nothing At All" "When She Begins"

It doesn't seem too bad but realize I was being on my best behaviour. My husband and my family know how I can be but I thought it best not to shame them in front of company.

Other annoying things I have done:
Disrupted my high school history teacher's lecture about World War II by mentioning Iron Maiden songs that related to and referenced events in the war.
I did a presentation in high school English showing the influence of literature in heavy metal music.
Freshman year of college, my final paper for Writing 101 regarded my experiences at a Slayer concert. I received an "A."
Taught clients the lyrics to "All Night Long" by Lionel Richie. Which we sang probably fifty times in one day. I now despise that song.
I also hold dance parties when we wax the floors at work. Have I mentioned that I dance like a stripper? It's not okay.

Now you know. I will be impressed if any of you still choose to associate with me after these confessions.
With that, I say goodbye for now. Thank you for stopping by and Long Live Rock and Roll!

The spirit of our song remains the same

Good morning!

As promised yesterday, I have some recent nail art to show you.

I've been playing more an more with sponging and it's been a little hit or miss. I definitely need a little more work.

Orly Snowcone and Lemonade, China Glaze Heli-Yum

sponged over Nailene Hard and Healthy French Manicure base
Sponge blended and topped with Nina Ultra Pro Molten Opal

Cat hair courtesy of Gus and Dita.

I'm not getting a lot of success with a look like this. I think I need to mark out the areas I want to sponge and then blend later. It's okay and it's kind of cute but I know I can do better.
Lemonade hard to clean up, it really wants to cling to your skin. I'm a little sad that it's not more sparkly but Molten Opal did give it a nice iridescence.

Next we have a polka dot mani that came out pretty cute despite my having super shaky hands that day.

Base is my franken, Bermuda

Dots are Orly Country Club Khaki, Orly Pink Chocolate and China Glaze Grape Pop

I did the the thumb differently. I was inspired by a look I saw on one of the other blogs and I'm a complete jerk for not remembering who exactly. Their look is waay better than mine so if anyone knows who it is, please let me know so I can provide their link. You will like it.
Anyway, getting back to my business. This is the thumb.

Base is Orly Country Club Khaki

Dots are China Glaze Grape Pop and Four Leaf Clover

and Orly Pink Chocolate.

I don't think either came out too bad but I definitely need more practice.
Have you done any nail art lately that you're really proud of? Any looks that made you want to cry?

That is it for me. Thank you for stopping by and have a pleasant day!

I Do Not Like Amon Amarth (As if!)

Good morning!

I have another nail art post coming up but I wanted to take a moment to post something about music.
I'm really excited about some new releases in the metal world. New Kataklysm? Yes, please. New Witchery? Already on my iPod.  Kamelot? Like you had to ask me. (Also disappointed that the closest concert date is in San Francisco. I have no more vacation time until March!!!)
However, I've been on a major Amon Amarth kick. Much of their music is rather anthemic and it really gets my blood pumping. It could also be a case of channeling the Viking spirit to make it through some tough work days!


Many years ago, a Dr. Seuss inspired poem about Amon Amarth made the rounds of metal listservs and email groups that was simply brilliant and I have FINALLY found it. (It's not obvious that I've been on the internet a long damn time or anything.)  It is sublime. Please enjoy!

Once, in the land of Zimble-boo,
Where honkweed grew and brimbles flew,
There lived two fans of heavy metal
Who had a great big score to settle.

One, named Nod, was into stuff
That could never be True enough
He always said to his friend Barth,
"I do not like Amon Amarth."

Barth, instead, was just the kind
To try and have an open mind
He worshiped metal in all its forms
And any music outside the norm.

At the Frizz-Frazz Works, all day they worked
And Barth thought Nod a tiresome jerk
For from his truck, he would go get
Graveland, Darkthrone and Negura Bunget.

"I have here bootleg tapes of Mayhem,
I will not hesitate to play them.
They feature both Dead and Euronymous
You don't like these? Ha! You wuss!

Their freezing grimness frightens thee
And flays your soul and sanity.
Thou art untrue, my weak friend Barth.
That's why you like Amon Amarth."

"But Nod," Barth said, his voice a-quiver
"I have catalogs from Spinefarm and Shiver,
Necropolis and House of Kicks
Some bands have learned a few new tricks.

And while it's true these newer bands
Have killed no one by their own hands
There is no law in Zimble-boo
That says all metal must be true."

"Fuck off, you poser!" Nod exclaimed.
"May thy weak ass perish in flames!
The corporate labels are your friends,
To them you look for mindless trends.

"I will not like your Borknagar,
So please don't play it in your car,
I'd sooner hacksaw off my ear
Than listen to Dimmu Borgir

"God Dethroned just makes me laugh
Cradle of Filth incurs my wrath
And most of all, my lame friend Barth,
I do not like Amon Amarth."

"But would you like them, Nod, if soon
They did a record for Full Moon?"
"Not e'en on vinyl, you buffoon;
I would not like them on Full Moon."

"But would you like them, Nod my friend,
If they did a record for The End?"
"Those corporate followers of trend?
Not on your life. I will not bend!"

"Well, how about Necropolis?"
"On them I take a healthy piss!"
"Surely you like Misanthropy."
"You Christian tool, begone from me!

"Please do not mention Hammerheart
Those thieves of diabolic art
Your head is so far up your ass
You might as well say Nuclear Blast

"And mention not Century Media
Or else I will be forced to beat-y ya
Please, Metal Blade? Have you no balls?
Those bastards signed the Goo Goo Dolls!!"

"But Nod," Barth cried, "this band is good
They hate the Lord, just as they should
Their sound is great, which is what you get when
It's engineered by Peter Tagtgren

And though it's all been done before
It kicks much ass, you can be sure
So take it from your old friend Barth,
You'd really like Amon Amarth."

At this, Nod flew into a fit
And tore poor Barth to little bits
He murdered him with Satan's might
Then went to jail without a fight

And there, he only got to hear
What people taped for his imprisoned ear
He could not buy from catalogs
From Breath of Night or from Moonfog

No compact discs could he possess
Only dubbed tapes, to his distress
But then one day, he got a mix
From some homely Goth pen-pal chick

She taped him Emperor and Dawn
Dark Funeral and Apollyon
She even filled all of side two
With bands like Opeth and Lilitu.

And when our Nod was forced to hear
These different bands, his pagan ear
Was startled, and his beady eyes
Did widen in complete surprise

He liked these bands! Yes, quite a bit!
It made old Darkthrone sound like shit!
It wasn't kult, to be quite fair
But, he realized, he didn't care!

And on the end of this cassette
One more surprise waited yet
Amon Amarth, the very band
That made Nod kill his bestest friend

The final song that was in store,
"God, His Son, and the Holy Whore,"
From The Avenger, their new CD,
Came blasting out of Cell Block Three.

Why, Nod was startled and perturbed:
"Where is this place called Gothenburg?
That buzzsaw sound, these catchy songs
I could enjoy this all day long!

"I've seen the error of my ways
But who is this right now that plays?"
He checked the listing on the tape,
Then laughed and said "For goodness sake!

"Barth, had I but listened to thee
You'd be alive, and I'd be free
So hey, I owe ya one, ol Barth
I do so like Amon Amarth!"

Thanks for reading. I leave you now with my favorite get inspired Amon Amarth song:

Flower, cursed be thy fruit

Good day guys!

Today I'm sharing my submission for Polish Hoarder Disorder's weekly challenge.

The theme was to interpret a song on your nails. I'm sure my choice is a snotch obscure but it's one I love from my favorite band, Moonspell. The extra challenge is for you to guess the song in question. I've chosen to interpret a verse from the chorus. I think it came out really awesome!

The base is a Sally Hansen mini from last year's holiday gift set. The stamps are China Glaze Millennium and Wet n' Wild Black Creme and French White Creme. I mixed black and white to stamp the middle flower on my middle finger. The stamps are fauxnad K05 and E02.
I also used the black and white to smudge and darken my nails to give the effect of both ashes and decay. The decal on my pinkie is from Fingr's Royal Punk collection.

Be sure to leave your song guesses in the comments. First to get it right gets a virtual cookie! (Googling, as ever, is allowed.) Thank you for looking!

Just like honey from the bee

Good afternoon.

I am showing you something inspired by a very unlikely occurrence. The weekend before last, I was on my way to do some shopping and I was stung by a bee! We had the windows down and I felt a ticklish then stinging sensation on my arm. I looked down and there it was! The bee stung me twice and then flew out the window. Not before I scared the hell out of Matt with my yelp of surprise. It was unsettling but not terrible.

This is where it gets really weird, so bear with me. I'm not allergic to bee stings but I do have weird allergic reactions to insect/arachnid bites. Like mass swelling, unbearable itchiness and what I describe as skin necrosis. Yeah, it's pretty gross and terribly uncomfortable. The reaction I had to the bee stings this time were just like any other bug bite I've ever had. So strange. Anyway, I have a nasty looking mark on my arm and I will say no more because it's gross and you really don't want to know. However, it's healing very nicely and stopped itching. Yay!
Is that a weird inspiration or what?

Base is Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Lightening.

Stamp is from plate B02 and done with Wet n' Wild Black creme

The "flight patterns" are in Black Creme and done with a striper brush

This came out pretty cute! I don't have a problem with bees in general and appreciate their place in things. But I could do without being stung if the reaction I had occurs again. Just saying is all. Mind you, this was only the third time in my life I've had a bee sting so I guess I'm good. ;)


So, what do you think? Cute or creepy?

Thanks so much for stopping by!

It would be so fine to see your face at my door

Good morning!

I decided it was time to throw something up here to let everyone know I did not die or move into a cave.
What is surprising is that I actually had a social life. I'm pretty much a homebody so this is really outside of my element. However, I have the privilege of knowing some amazing and lovely people and they are super fun to be with.

So what have I done over the past week(s)?

As you know I went to a concert.
I took pictures of my cats:

Gus eating my fingers

Dita playing peek-a-boo

I  went bowling:

This is my friend, Jeromie's, bowling ball.

It is teh awesome.

This did not end in a strike.

I hung out with some special friends:

Left to right: Sugar Mama, Papa Bear and me

My girlfriend gave me a purse that her mom made:

It's a clutch, belt bag, you name it. It is gorgeous!

Finally, I did some nail art:

Base is Orly Star Spangled

Stripes are Art Deco gold glitter and Art Club black stripers

That's just a brief overview. I also went to Seattle for the day to see my best friend, Pixie. I will post the pictures of her and her sweet puppy later as well as that of the gum wall. (If you've been to Seattle's Pike Place Market, you may have seen the gum wall. It is...stunning and disgusting.)

Today is my Friday so I hope to be visiting you all this weekend and maybe have more nail polish to show you. Have a wonderful day and thank you for stopping by!

I'm gonna break my neck tonight

Good day!

On Friday night I had the opportunity to see the Scorpions in concert. This is their farewell tour and I'm so glad I was able to see them. They've been on my list of want to see bands for years.The Scorpions were an early favorite when I first got into metal. In a way, they were my gateway to even harder and heavier music.

Naturally, I had to celebrate and pay homage to the Scorpions with an extra special manicure!

There's no one like you, baby!

I started this with two coats of  Tip Toe in Crushed Grapes. Then I added two thin coats of Orly Star Spangled. This mimicked the look some have shown of China Glaze Ruby Pumps over a black creme. Or the what many wish was Lubu Heels mani. What made this different was that it wasn't as dark since my base was a vampy purple. It really gave the red glitter a chance to glow and shine.
Then I added the scorpion stamp from my fauxnad plate K05 and stamped that with white Konad Special Polish  and China Glaze Millennium.
I placed rhinestones from the Nailene Bedazzled collection on the tails of the scorpion stamps and on my index finger. Finally, I chose the crowned heart decal from the Fingr's Royal Punk collection for my pinkie.

This pretty much rocks like a hurricane...

I'm really happy with how this turned out. I think it was a pretty fitting tribute.

Now to wrap up, I'd like to share some of the pictures I was able to get. All pictures are clickable to enlarge!

Performing "Sting in the Tail."

Performing "Big City Nights."

Saying goodnight and farewell.

As I said before, the show was simply amazing. They went all out for a fair show and it was brilliant.
Goodbye, you crazy Germans and thank you for letting the good times roll!

The Bedazzeld  rhinestone decals were provided to me by Nailene for consideration.

Since you been gone... I'm out of my head can't take it

Good morning!

I've been a busy Lamb with work but I was able to spend some time with two of my besties. We had super good times on Saturday night just hanging out, talking and laughing. We don't get to do so very often and it was amazing!

I'm really behind on everything but I wanted to show some previous looks I sported that I had posted on Twitter but not here. Please enjoy them!

First up is a layering combo:

Two VERY thin coats of my franken, Bermuda.

(Yay for Ange for coming up w/ a brilliant name for it!)

Topped with two coats of Sally Hansen HD in DVD

Photo taken with my EVO.

Nope, not the best picture but I'm still finagling with my phone and learning everything. This mani taught me that I need to apply Bermuda in a slightly thicker coat for best coverage. It prolly would have helped to not have done this in the sun room with a breeze coming in either. Oh well...

Next we have another layering combo:

Three coats Milani Techno Red

Topped with two coats L.A. Girl Rock Star in Electric Guitar

Again taken with my EVO

This one was super hot! I love, love, love Techno Red. I did not think I would because it's a jelly, more of a coral-y red and well, I only got it because I needed a "neon red" in my stash. Now I'm starting to love the jellies and this color just makes me so freaking happy. I'm so glad to find Milani!

I've never done a proper swatch of Electric Guitar and it will be coming up. That said, I love that too. It's a beautiful burnished gold with glorious holo glitter. Layered over Techno Red, it made the color more orange. Loved the golden shimmer and well, you know how I love glitter so the holo glitter pieces made me exceptionally happy.

I did this to refresh a two day wear of Techno Red and it's similar to some layering I've shown with OPI DS Treasure but this is way better. But glitter makes almost anything better!

Finally, I have my most favorite layered look ever: 

(I do recommend clicking this and enlarging it.)

Base is Golden Rose Holographic 115

Topped with two coats OPI Paris Couture For Sure

Sponged with Nina Ultra Pro Grin and Bear-y It

and China Glaze Towel Boy Toy

Finished with one coat Paris Couture For Sure

and Out The Door Northern Lights Top Coat

I went a little crazy with this. My original look had been the green holo of Golden Rose. The next day I added Paris Couture. Wore that for two days. I needed to change it but I just couldn't bring myself to do it so I decided to sponge half of the right side of my nails with the Nina. Then I sponged half of the left with Towel Boy Toy. I left the green showing at the base and blended it all together with Paris Couture and Out The Door.
Oh. My. Word. This was glorious. The Nina really went purple and its blue shimmer stood out nicely. Towel Boy Toy complimented the green beautifully and none of its shimmer was lost. I stunned myself with how well this came out.

That's going to do it for today. What has been your favorite layered look you've done? What are you go to colors for layering? I do love to layer and am always on the lookout for interesting combos!
Have a wonderful day everybody!