Mani Mania!

I've kind of become obsessed with nail art recently, and I wanted to start a new blog feature showing off my manicures each week. To do this, I figured I'd start with a bigger post of the manicures I have pictures of, and keep in mind these are taken before I cleaned up the edges (which I will be doing for all my manis before I share pictures from now on). So, allons-y!

Colorblocked with some star stickers

Fishtail accent nail


Meownicure made with temporary tattoos

So there we are, my most recent nail art triumphs! I think I'll be posting these on Mani Monday every week. Thanks for reading!
-Andi

"It's been a very volatile year!" "...In the stock market?" "Yeah, sure."

Wow, so this month has been insane. So much good and so much bad happening around me all at once. My grandmother and step-uncle passed away. My grandmother's death is still really devastating to me at times. I'm so confused about it, it's hard to believe that someone who was once so vital, can quickly turn into a delusional shell, and then just...fade away. Her passing was beautiful, mom laid pansies on her chest. They were her favorite flower, and the last thing she planted in her garden before she got really sick. It looked way too much like she was just sleeping. I named my doula business after her, I think she'd like that.

Speaking of my doula stuff, I had an interview with a local hospital about a new volunteer doula program they're starting! It sounds like a great opportunity, I'm actually going there again tomorrow to do some orientation stuff. I also started a blog and facebook page for my business, so check them out!

Iris started walking and has two teeth now! She's too big, I want her to be this age forever.

We'll be moving soon, mid-August. I'm 90% sure I know where, but who knows what Nate has to say about that. He keeps changing his mind. The place I like has a pool, playground, tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts and a fitness center with a sauna! I'd love to be able to start exercising, but that way even if I don't I can sit in the sauna and relax and come back all sweaty and say I did (just kidding!)

I learned how to crochet, it's a lot easier than knitting, but knitting is prettier. I'm not sure which I like more because of that, it's almost a toss-up.

I started playing Amnesia: The Dark Descent, and then just....nope. Too scary without Nate here! So I started playing Sword and Sworcery instead. Wow! Amazing game! Try it out, it's available on just about every system except the Virtual Boy! Also I purchased both games in the Humble Bundle, which I've talked about before. They're worth watching as well.

I'm going to try and push my limits as far as blogging goes, because I feel I've been unreliable. I'm going to try to actually use my social media accounts (twitter, tumblr etc) and blog here or on Franklin Birth and Prenatal every day, alternating days. Keep up with me, won't you?

It's Allliiiiivvvveeeeeee!!!!

I swear I haven't left you all, my laptop screen has begun malfunctioning so posts may be infrequent for a while until we get at least one of our home computers functioning. Just a quick update as far as that goes! Hope to write more soon!

Big Fat Summer Challenge

I'm thinking I'll do Jasifer's Lions Club's Big Fat Summer Challenge, just to push my comfort level a bit.

The challenge runs through July 31st, and she's running a contest on her blog (visit here for details) for who has the best outfits. Go join in the fun! I'm excited for some like the "Hi-Lo" challenge, but I won't lie, some of these sound really daunting to me. I'm 4' 11" so the "maxi skirt or dress" makes me think I'll be swimming in fabric, and don't even get me started on the cropped top! However, I will persevere (and maybe the cropped top challenge will motivate me to finally get off the couch!) How about you guys? Which challenge seems the scariest? Which would you enjoy tackling the most?


Fatkini or No?

GabiFresh has brought a lot of attention to the fatkini lately, and it's a welcome change! I feel like for so long the public opinion on the whole has been that bikinis are a thin person commodity, but the reality is that different bodies wear clothes differently. Does different mean any less attractive? Realistically it shouldn't. Some bikinis (and other items of clothing) that have been designed for plus-sized women would look awful on a lot of straight sized women, so why would we expect a woman with an ample bosom to feel comfortable in a string bikini top? That's what this trend comes down to honestly, comfort. By all means, if you do not feel comfortable exposing that much of your body in a bikini, then don't. Modesty is not a "fat person only" emotion.However, if you have the courage to feel confident in one of the most revolutionary modern swimwear designs available then do it! Why? Because if we desexualize our own bodies, media will continue to. Being plus doesn't make you less of a woman, so why should you hide your assets while others flaunt theirs? Personally, I wear a swimdress (which I recently noticed is much longer now that I'm not pregnant.)


I purchased it at walmart, when I was in a much lower place with my self-esteem. I don't plan on replacing it anytime soon, due to lack of cash, but when I do replace it, I believe I will be making the move to a "fatkini". I love my curves, and so does my husband, and those are really the only two opinions that matter. My final word: if a bikini, or slinky club dress, or tube top, or sheer blouse is what makes you feel sexy, then wear it! Confidence is the best accessory!

Pinterest

Are you on Pinterest yet? Why not? It is eye-candy galore! Check out these neat Pinterest finds.

 




1. Pineapple Flowers-Annie's Eats / 2. Almond and Berry Floral Cake-Lisa Hubbard Photography / 3. Braided Bun- The Beauty Department / 4. Sock Bun- My Thirty Spot / 5. Weekday Brunch Bag- Obaz.com / 6. Ombre Tights- BZRshop / 7. Cute Outfit Idea-What Would a Nerd Wear / 8. Sweet Cardi- Francesca's Collections

See what I mean? So many beautiful things to pin until I have the millions I need to buy them. Not only that but wonderful recipe ideas, and practical life suggestions. Follow me, won't you?


Follow Me on Pinterest

All pins referenced here can be found on my boards.

The Humble Bundle





Hey, just some quick indie developer love here guys. It seems the creators of Amnesia: The Dark DescentLIMBOPsychonautsSuperbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP; and Bastion have teamed up with Child's Play (an amazing charity run by the guys of Penny Arcade) to sell their games (and game soundtracks) in a "Name-Your-Price-Bundle" format, and you decide what portion of that goes to charity! On top of all that, the games are available for Mac, Windows and Linux!! Any price over a cent is accepted, but we should show the guys some love right? Go there now and pick it all up!

Where I Came From


It's important to remember where you come from. The above picture is what made me who I am today. When I was ten, I was in a car accident. We were on our way home to Iowa from vacation in Oklahoma, visiting my Aunt and Uncle. My step-dad's boss told him he needed to either be back the following day or find a new job. My parents had taken turns driving, but my mom handled most of it due to my dad needing to be "work ready".  We made it to Kansas, at sometime after six in the morning, and my mom fell asleep after driving all night. We crossed a bridge, and she started driving toward the outside edge. My step-dad woke up and swerved the wheel toward the middle railing. My memory of the many retellings is a bit fuzzy at this point, but basically the van ran into a guard rail which sliced through the right side of the vehicle. On the left side of the van sat my mom, six-month-old sister, and four-year-old brother. On the right, my step-dad, grandma, and I. Nobody on the left side of the vehicle was harmed physically, however my brother soon after talked to my grandma about the desire to become superman and lift the rubble off me and I'm sure in deeper talks you could find he was more deeply affected than that.

My mother still feels a plethora of emotions based on that day. It's hard to tell what she's thinking, but the main two I've seen are guilt, and gratefulness. This is understandable, but wholly unnecessary. The day the accident happened, is the day I began my unending journey to being the best I can be. Everyday is another step, sometimes forwards and sometimes backwards, but whichever direction I go I know it's what I need in the long run. My journey began when I was told I wouldn't be able to walk again, and I decided that I would. After months of therapy, and years of practice, I returned to a normal life free of crutches and stair-climbers. I blossomed, and participated in cheerleading, and school plays, and even tennis. Despite my moanings soon after the wreck that nobody would love me because of how my leg looked, I fell "in love" time and time again, and actually just got married.

I promise myself everyday now that this is the body I have, and I need to love it. As long as I'm eating well and exercising, then this is the best I can be. I didn't used to feel this way, in my past I've battled with various eating disorders and compulsions, but I still remember the first body-promise I made to myself. After the accident I promised myself I was never allowed to dislike my legs, because I should be lucky to have them at all. I've never once broken this promise. I could spend all day listing the imperfections in my body, but my legs would never be mentioned. Why? Firstly, ten-year-old me was right. I am lucky to still have my legs. Yes, my condition has impaired me in more than one way. I spent a year and a half battling a bone infection, which resulted in my pinkie toe being amputated. I have severe mobility issues which affect my ability to exercise. My severed nerve causes spazms frequently, and I have to wear a brace which does not allow for much choice in foot wear. All that being said, I can still go on a walk with my husband, chase my son around the park, and dance with my daughter. Even more than that, the accident provided me with strength and endurance. I've had a lot of rough patches in my life, but because of going through my recovery I have an ingrained understanding of the phrase "this too, shall pass." It also led me to the belief that beauty has broader definitions than "tall, thin, and tan".

My scar my not be what I came into the world with, but it will definitely be there when I leave. Honestly, I don't want it to go. It's a constant reminder that I am different, and because of that I am strong. The pain I went through because of the accident motivated me to push through my daughter's birth as I repeated to myself "Hey you, we've been through worse." I try my hardest to apply how I feel about my leg to how I feel about the rest of me. Sometimes it doesn't work, but usually it does. My hair will always be frizzy, but it will also always be mine. As will my butt, and back, and stomach and arms, so why not roll with it. Not everyone agrees with this, but once everyone else has to wear my skin then I'll start counting their votes. You are you. Be beautiful, however you need to be, and rock what you got!

And The World Keeps Turning

Hey followers, it's been a while. I've had some big changes too. See you again soon!

Iris Sakura, our newest addition

  

A beautiful union.


A big brother.

 
And a bright, new outlook.

I'll be able to post more often now, do try to keep up <3