Pink Gradient for Breast Cancer Awareness Pt. 2

So if you checked out my post earlier, you'll see I've done a mani for Breast Cancer Awareness month.  When I said I've added to it, I bed y'all thought I was stamping over it, huh?  Nope, I didn't want to ruin the beauty and I most certainly would jack it up somehow. 

So what did I do?  I used my Butter London Matte Finish top coat that I recently got from Coterie when they opened. 

Just in case you didn't see my earlier post, the colors are (base to tip) KleanColor Sheer Pastel Pink, Wet N Wild Candy-licious, and Dr's Remedy Hopeful.

This matte top coat is different from any other matte I've ever used.  It's slightly thicker and takes a tad longer to turn matte.  However, the result is WAY BETTER, in my opinion, than any other matte top coat I've used also.  It's amazeballz.  I'm sure I'll be using it like CRAZY too. 

Pink Gradient for Breast Cancer Awareness

I haven't done any awareness mani's in a while & finally sat down to do one.  I let my kiddo pick the colors out for this one and I think he did a great job.

KleanColor Sheer Pastel Pink(which I showed by itself yesterday), Wet N Wild Candy-licious(I think he just liked the name of this), and Dr's Remedy Hopeful.


I started off with 2 coats of Sheer Pastel Pink, sponged on a little bit of Candy-licious on about 2/3 of the nail, then sponged Hopeful on the top 1/3 of my nail.  Cleaned it up and topped it off with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri.

The subtle transition between these shades is perfect.  I think my son did an amazing job with his shade choices.  I think I've mentioned this before, but when doing a sponging mani, I always take a lip balm & rub it around the nail bed on the skin to make clean-up easier.  Otherwise I end up staining my skin like crazy.

Make sure to check in later as I took this one step further.

DR.'s REMEDY® PUTS PINK IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS OCTOBER

Get Gorgeous Tips and Give Back During BCA 2012 

   

Pink is the go-to hue this fall as beauty brands tap into every gradation of the standout shade in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Dr.'s REMEDY® leads the way in the fight for the cause by teaming up with Living Beyond Breast Cancer, whose mission is to empower all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life.  The good-for-you ingredients and lack of toxins in Dr.'s REMEDY® Enriched Nail Polish offers a safer, healthier option for nail care, giving you peace of mind.  And, during the month of October, Dr.'s REMEDY® is tickled pink to donate 10% of the proceeds from the sales of three pink shades to Living Beyond Breast Cancer, an organization who ensures that women who are newly diagnosed, in treatment, beyond treatment, at high risk or living with metastatic disease are well cared for by providing educational resources and support services relevant to their age at and stage of diagnosis.    Made with organic ingredients, vitamins, wheat protein, tea tree oil, lavender, and garlic bulb extract, Dr.'s REMEDY® 100% Paraben free, vegan nail polish is the #1 podiatrist recommended brand.  So, polish your nails with pride and show your support in the hopes for a better battle with breast cancer with Dr.'s REMEDY® Enriched Nail Polish, the healthier nail polish choice, in three inspiring shades: HOPEFUL Hot Pink: A Hello Kitty-meets bubble gum shade NURTURE Nude Pink: A damsel-in-distress, barely there beautiful PURITY Pink: A ballet slipper, sheer hue          Dr.'s REMEDY® Enriched Nail Polish is available for $17 online at www.remedynails.com or by calling 1-877-323-NAIL.   About Dr.'s REMEDY® Dr.'s REMEDY® is a line of doctor-inspired cosmetics that is dedicated to using clean, hypo-allergenic ingredients. The brainchild of two New York-based podiatrists, Dr. Adam Cirlincione and Dr. William Spielfogel, Dr.'s REMEDY® proves quintessentially-perfect for any person looking to better the condition of her skin and nails. Their Enriched Nail Polish is the first-ever nail polish on the market created by doctors and approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association.  Made with organic ingredients, vitamins, wheat protein, tea tree oil, lavender, and garlic bulb extract, Dr.'s REMEDY® vegan nail polish is the #1 podiatrist recommended brand.  Dr.'s REMEDY® is sold online at www.remedynails.com or by calling 1-877-323-NAIL. About Living Beyond Breast Cancer For twenty years, Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) has been empowering women to live as long as possible with the best quality of life regardless of educational background, social support or financial means. Founded in 1991, LBBC has been committed to providing national educational programs and services that include a website, lbbc.org; a toll-free Survivors' Helpline, (888) 753-LBBC (5222); national conferences; free teleconferences; networking programs; quarterly newsletters; publications for medically underserved women; healthcare-provider trainings; recordings and the Paula A. Seidman Library and Resource Center. #  #  #

OPI's Sixth Annual Pink of Hearts Promotion Press Release

 I've been kinda behind on Press Releases since I've been sick, so here y'all go.



Pink for the Cure

OPI Supports Breast Cancer Awareness with
Sixth Annual Pink of Hearts Promotion

OPI announces the launch of its sixth annual limited edition Pink of Hearts

promotion, featuring the classic pale pink shade I Think in Pink and the new sparkle-

packed hue You Glitter Be Good to Me. This duo pack is designed to raise awareness

and funds for breast cancer research and support. In 2012, OPI will donate $25,000

in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) to Susan G. Komen for the

Cure®. OPI will also donate $5,000 to Rethink Breast Cancer in Canada.

“Organizations like Susan G. Komen and Rethink Breast Cancer offer hope

to everyone whose lives have been touched by breast cancer, and OPI is proud to

aid these organizations’ global effort in eliminating this disease,” says Suzi Weiss-

Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Breast cancer afflicts millions of

women worldwide, and Pink of Hearts is OPI’s way of creating new visibility to honor

those who have valiantly battled breast cancer, and support those who continue to

Pink of Hearts 2012 includes two shades sold in one pack – the pale pink I

Think in Pink and the vibrant You Glitter Be Good to Me. This sparkly lacquer is

packed with both micro and macro glitters in pink and magenta, and can be worn alone

or layered on top of I Think in Pink. Each bottle of I Think in Pink and You Glitter Be

Good to Me nail lacquer has a special pink-ribbon cap wrap in support of breast cancer Both lacquers in the Pink of Hearts 2012 duo pack contain no DBP, Toluene, or

Formaldehyde, and each includes OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in

application.

Pink of Hearts 2012 will be available September and October 2012 at

Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure

Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $14.95 ($20.95 CAN) suggested retail.

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI

on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

###

About OPI
As the world leader in the professional nail care industry, OPI is committed to providing high-
quality products and services to both salons and their customers, along with a focus on industry
safety and innovation. Known for its exceptional formula, fashionable colors and iconic names,
OPI’s heavily-pigmented lacquers are super rich, long-lasting and chip-resistant – offering an
affordable luxury to consumers. OPI nail lacquer is available in over 200 shades and contains
no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. Each lacquer features OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for
the ultimate in application. Currently, OPI is available in over 100 countries and retails a full line
of professional items, including nail treatments, finishing products, lotions, manicure/pedicure
products, files, tools, gels and acrylics.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her
power to end breast cancer. Today, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® works to end breast cancer
in the U.S. and throughout the world through ground-breaking research, community health
outreach, advocacy and programs in more than 50 countries. Visit komen.org. Connect with us
on Facebook and Twitter.

About Rethink
Launched in 2001, Rethink is the first-ever, Canadian breast cancer charity to bring bold,
relevant awareness to the under-40 crowd; foster a new generation of young and influential
breast cancer supporters; infuse sass and style into the cause; and, most importantly, respond
to the unique needs of young (or youngish) women going through it.

Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day - mani included

I told y'all at the beginning of the month there would be a few serious posts this month.  This is another one.  I'm also opening up a little and talking about something that even some of my friends don't know about me.

I'm going to show the mani first, for those who may not want to read my story.  The colors are pink and blue, most ribbons show this as pastel colors, but I wanted to use a little bit of both.

 This is what I used along with a picture of my 5 year old when he was in Pre-K(last year).  Left to Right:  China Glaze Fly, China Glaze Sky High-Top, Sally Hansen Insta Dri Blue-Away, and a no brand pink from a BBB gift set.

I started off with 2 coats of Fly, a quick dry top coat, and then taped some lines to apply Sky High-Top.  I did kinda mess up a little, but it's all good.

Then I took Blue-Away and the pink made some blobs on a laminated card & drew lines using a dotting tool (I really need to get a brush similar to yet shorter than a striper brush).  I put blue over the pink and pink over the blue.  It's not perfect, but again I'm ok with that.

For some reason lately, my Sally Hansen Insta Dri top coat has been bubbling.  I put thinner in it and it was fine, until I'd used it several times and it started bubbling up again.  This mani isn't perfect, but NOBODY and NOTHING is.  It's ok to have set backs, but it's how you handle them that defines who you are.

Now, to the story.......

I, Harriett, have been affected by the loss of a pregnancy.  In 2002, just before Mothers Day, I found out I was pregnant.  It wasn't planned, but I was excited.  I've always loved kids and there have always been small children in my family.  I grew up babysitting my younger siblings, my cousins, and my hairstylists kids.  I was craving chocolate & ice cream like crazy.  I went to the store and bought $60 worth of ice cream.  No lie.

It was kinda difficult to tell my family, but they took it a lot better than I thought they would.  Even my Granny.  I went to my doctors & was informed I was due just after the new year, 1/03/03.  I was gaining weight and doing great.  NO morning sickness what-so-ever.

Ten weeks into my pregnancy, I started spotting and called my doctor.  I went in for tests and waited for the results.  Unfortunately, I didn't get the results because just a few days later on June 15th, it was worse.  I didn't freak, but had my mom call 911.  The EMT's were wonderful and we joked around about how hard it was to get an IV in me.  Just before we got to the hospital I saw the Hot Sign on at Krispy Kreme and wished I'd had a phone to call my mom and tell her to go get me some.  I don't think I'd realized yet what was happening.  That is, until I got into the ER and they switched me over to a bed and off the stretcher.  I think I'd left a few pints on the stretcher and knew then it was bad.

My mom, and the childs father were there then my dad, step-mom(long story, but she raised me with my dad), & her husband showed up for support.  I was in excruciating pain, talking them to keep my mind off of it.  I was about to cuss someone out if they didn't get me something for the pain.  They couldn't even do an ultrasound because I was in so much pain and couldn't stay still.  Finally they gave me something which made me sick and made me pass out.  My nurse was someone I'd gone to school with, but couldn't remember for some reason.  She was wonderful and tried to get me to squeeze her hand even though she had a brace on it.  I woke up the next morning wondering where I was.  At the age of 23, I had my first overnight hospital visit and was really confused.

I was finally able to go have an ultrasound done and later got the bad news.  The baby was stuck in my tubes and never went any further, meaning my pregnancy was ectopic aka tubal.  Fathers Day, and I'm telling this man that he's not going to be a father again(this would've been his 2nd child) and telling my dad he's not going to be a grandfather just yet.  My dad was so sweet, he brought me my favorite drink from Starbucks in a mug that I still have.  I followed up with my OB and was informed they were going to do something new and give me a pill rather than a DNC.  It was an outpatient procedure, and one I went through alone.

A few weeks later, on July 4th, I was at a BBQ and started having pains again.  The "man" I was with thought I was faking and trying to get attention and ignored me.  Most of my family was already at the ER with my aunts(by marriage) dad.  The only other person with me besides myself that could drive was my step-mom's husband(he's like a father to me too), so he took me.  I was down the hall from where family was in a room, being poked & prodded for blood tests & iv's.  The nurse from my previous visit saw my mom and the rest of my family and came to check on me.  The doctors weren't sure what was going on, so they told me to follow up.

My step-dad, as I call him, took me to that appointment so that I didn't have to drive in pain.  Ultimately, the doctor had to do a DNC.  It was extremely painful, but went almost fully away afterwards.  It took me a while to heal & during that time I broke up with the guy for various reasons.

I was so fortunate to have family and friends who cared.  Even one, who is now my SO, who took me out on HIS birthday and got me completely trashed.  It took a lot of strength, a lot of crying on the shoulders of friends & family, and time to heal.  I've never fully gotten over it, but it's gotten easier with time......unless I'm constantly reminded of it I tend not to think of it.  Yes, I should have an 8 year old child, but I have a wonderful 5(almost 6) year old boy who depends on me.  He is my life.  Nothing else matters.  Because of my previous miscarriage, I waited until I was through the first trimester to tell people I was pregnant with my lil boy.  I didn't want to disappoint a whole bunch of people and myself all over again. 

I always say things happen for a reason, and once I got the help I needed, I moved on with my life.  When something happens, and you continue to wallow around you'll NEVER fully recover and move on....from ANYthing in life. 

I know I'm not the only one who's been through this, but if you have and you're not seeking help you should.  That's just my opinion.  There will be some links below for resources regarding Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day, as well as info on these sights about how to get support.  I fully believe that if I hadn't gotten support/help I'd probably be a full blown alcoholic with a severely damaged liver.

I hope this helps someone understand they're not alone and enlightens those who've not been through this before about what can happen. 

Links:

• October 15th
• National Share
• Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness & Research Institute

TOODLES Y'ALL

SRS post is SRS

I may have a few serious posts this month, so please bear with me.  In these posts, you will be learning a little bit more about me and things I rarely open up about.  I've learned in the past that talking/discussing/venting is therapeutic.  Also, I apologize if this post goes back & forth a lot....I've only had 3 hours of sleep & thought it would be a good time to draft this post at 3:30am.

A few days ago I was feeling just kinda blah & down.  I wasn't really sure why.  The next day it hit me like a ton of bricks.  A year ago I lost a cousin to suicide.  I'm not going to go into complete detail about it, but I will say a few things.

It hit our family really hard.  I knew someone in high school who committed suicide but I wasn't really friends with him.  Growing up, my cousin was more like a brother to me.  We were extremely close.  I stayed at their house all the time...me, him, and his brother would help out with the horses, ride bikes. etc.  They taught me how to defend myself, how to jump bike ramps, all sorts of other things.  They never took it easy on me either.  We would play tackle football in shorts on the grass.

As I got older in high school I didn't really see them as much as I got busy with AFJROTC and sports.  But afterwards, I'd run into my cousin all the time at the bar I frequented.  He was much taller than I am, so it was hard for me to miss him & people couldn't really believe we were related until they looked at our skin/hair.  We still hung out and even went out a few times together.  Because we're both tattoo'd and pierced (he even pierced my tongue), we always kinda felt like the black sheep of the family.  There were other reasons we felt that way too.  But it only made us closer.

He once told me he was like a redneck trapped in a freaks body.  He always cracked me up.  One of his favorite sayings was "Don't sweat petty things. . . .pet sweaty things".  He even had a tattoo on his chest that read "Phil's Good".  I never asked him what he actually meant by that, but I always took it as either he's good or feels good.  Knowing him, it was probably both.

Now to some seriousness for a minute.  If you're depressed or have thoughts, don't EVER feel like you're alone.  You're not.  I've battled depression off and on most of my life, but I've sought out help and learned how to manage it without medication or hurting myself.  You're not weak for getting help.  You're not weak for needing medication.  You're never alone.  There is always someone who's been there or who can help.  Suicide only causes more problems and doesn't solve anything.

Also, if you know someone who is battling depression, don't hesitate to reach out.  You never know how bad it may be.  There are a ton of websites with info on suicide awareness and prevention.  Just a few are save.org, suicide.org, and suicidology.org. They also list warning signs, ways to help, and provide phone numbers to get help. 

I am in no way a licensed professional, but I can say that as most websites, medicines, and doctors will say that as with any medication do not stop taking it without first speaking with your doctor.  This is just one of many of the triggers of suicidal thoughts.  I, myself, stopped taking anti-depressants years ago cold turkey.  Mainly because they made me feel worse than not taking them at all.  I felt like a zombie.  None of the alternatives that the doctors gave me at that time made things any better.  So, I quit taking them and learned how to cope.  While I did completely stop seeing a professional, I didn't stop talking.  I confided in family and friends.  This is how I deal.  It doesn't work for everyone and some people do require medication.  I just feel it's not for me, but I have no shame about asking for help when I need it.  Especially since I have a wonderful child that I have to be here for every day.  He deserves the best that I can give him and nothing less. 

Only a professional can advise you what form of therapy can and will work for you.  I followed the advise of professionals and I'm better.  Drinking, doing drugs, shopping, etc. are not good forms of therapy.  The good feelings don't last long and are not going to go away if behavior like that is repeated. 

Now back to my cousin.  I know it's not my fault, and I don't blame myself, but I really wish I'd reached out when I saw the slightest hint of a sign.  I can't and won't dwell on it.  I know I have an angel looking over me just like he always has in life.  And when I get the funds I plan to get a tattoo in his honor.  I'm still waiting on a finished drawing of it from one of my cousins so I won't post the rough draft yet.  What I will do is share a few photo's of me and my cousin.

 When I was 16....we were visiting my grandparents & I watched him washing his new car.  My hair was pulled back.  I still LoL at the socks/sandals.

This was our Christmas get together at the grandparents.  I think most of the pics my Granny ever took were of me with a Coke in my hand.  Even though I was 21 in this pic, I would not drink in front of her.  I have to laugh at this pic because I'm sitting on a Bulldog pillow on his lap because his legs were so boney.  I now have that pillow that belonged to my Granny.  :D


I'll end todays post by saying thank you for taking the time reading my rambles.  I am not suicidal nor depressed.  I just wanted to share my story and spread some awareness.

TOODLES Y'ALL!!!