Anikkicreations

Friday the 13th

2014-06-13T12:36:00.001-04:00

Happy Friday the 13th! Or should I say, Ahh! Run! Hide, try to stay alive! It's Friday the 13th!

When we vacationed to the beach recently we were on the 14th floor by reservation. However 13th was skipped completely in the elevator and on all literature so technically .....we were staying on the 13th floor. I had no idea that this was a 'thing' among hotels. All I can say is, it sure had some Great views!

Personally I always saw the 13th as somewhat lucky or even a blessing! My best friend's birth was on a Friday, the 13th. Another best friend/sister's re-birthday (recipient of a heart transplant) was on the 13th. As much as I've enjoyed the day I can see why people began urban legends about the date as history is packed with bad/sad events that happen to fall on those dates. The two best examples I can see for the orgins of the superstition are:

On Friday, 13 October 1307 King Philip IV ordered Jaques de Molay, Grand Master of the Knights Templar, and 60 of his senior knights and scores of other French Templar's to be simultaneously arrested. Thousands of Templar's were arrested and subsequently tortured. They then 'confessed' under duress and were executed.

Biblical times: Some believe the 13th guest (Judas) at the Last Supper betrayed Jesus.

But the superstitions don't just end there. As we all know there are superstitions about breaking mirrors, black cats, opening umbrellas indoors, walking under ladders etc....but did you know Friday was unlucky? Yep, Friday. The most wished for day, our beloved TGIF...was UNLUCKY!

Check http://urbanlegends.about.com/cs/historical/a/friday_the_13th_3.htm

"LEGEND HAS IT: Never change your bed on Friday; it will bring bad dreams. If you cut your nails on Friday, you cut them for sorrow. Don't start a trip on Friday or you will encounter misfortune. Ships that set sail on a Friday will have bad luck, as in the tale of H.M.S. Friday. One hundred years ago, the British government sought to quell the longstanding superstition among seamen that setting sail on Fridays was unlucky. A special ship was commissioned and given the name "H.M.S. Friday." They laid her keel on a Friday, launched her on a Friday, selected her crew on a Friday, and hired a man named Jim Friday to be her captain. To top it off, H.M.S. Friday embarked on her maiden voyage on a Friday — and was never seen or heard from again."

If you ask me, it's all just another day. Bad things happen on any given day not just Fridays and not just Friday the 13ths. If you live your life worrying over what could happen then you will never really live. So go out there, walk under those ladders, break some mirrors and change those stinky sheets on a Friday. Live a little!

I quit smoking

2014-01-29T16:43:00.003-05:00

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Tough Times

2013-11-21T01:58:00.001-05:00

I just looked at my last post and saw all this positive energy and excitement that Summer had finally arrived and here I am writing again and its nearly winter.

I really don't feel like explaining much but I have had a pretty terrible summer and autumn was...rough. We lost my Grandmother to Lung Cancer (she was not a smoker) 6 weeks after she was diagnosed. One day healthy, next day a cough. We thought it was something simple like bronchitis, then suddenly next thing you know she's being admitted to the hospital and learning it is stage 4 cancer. Nothing in this world prepares you for that. Nothing in this world prepares you for what you and your family will go through. I wish there was a course, or a lesson somewhere to take to teach you how to be a supportive daughter and grand daughter. Some book or hand-out that said something about how to give your Grandmother her painkillers when you know she needs them but she refuses because she doesn't like feeling like she's not in control. Or some book that told me how to help my own mom say good bye to her mommy. Because maybe if there was some book, some...hand out that gave me all the information I needed I wouldn't feel so horrible. Yes I know, there is bereavement literature out there and there is grief counseling. I know that and I know I said all the right things and I know....I was there and I helped in all the way s I could before my grandmothers passing and after. However it doesn't FEEL that way. I'm still grieving and I'm still mad...but it is nothing in comparison to what my own Mom feels.

At any rate...I went way further in detail than I had intended. But, that's my excuse for lack of blogging, lack of videos and whatever else I've failed to do these last few months. Here's praying winter treats me and my family much better.

Thanksgiving is around the corner and we're still sorting out where we are celebrating. I'm thankful for my family and all the blessings we do have ...but this will be hard celebrating with out her.

I wish this post could have been more positive but it is what it is. Everything has a season. We have our ups and we have our downs. I'm hopeful for the ups. With every storm comes a rainbow. Bring on the unicorns!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

PS I am officially 63 days tobacco free.

Nautical Nails

2013-06-08T18:31:00.000-04:00

It is officially Summer! HOORAY! So I say...bring on those family bbq's, those wonderful smelling honeysuckles, bring on those cute firefly's, and hand me another ice tea by the poolside! Oh and did I mention nautical inspired clothes!

Nothing screams Summer like nautical clothing, but why stop there? Take the nautical to your mani as well. Grab some of your favorite nautical inspired clothing, clippings from newspapers, magazines or even online and create your own fun design.

Here are my inspirational photos.

I went to Walgreen's and found some really fun blues perfect for any nautical manicure from SinfulColors and a new line to my knowledge called the SinfulShine. I just ADORE these polishes. Extremely colorful, very opaque and as if that wasn't enough to make me go buy more. They were only 1.99 and only needed 1 coat of polish. WOOT!

The colors were so fantastic that I didn't want to take away from their beauty so I simply created cute line work on my ring fingers with manicure tape. Easy, quick, and affordable. This will look amazeballs with any of your nautical inspired outfits! Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/4XTZ4Zw6DJM

Hair Robbers oh my!

2013-06-07T01:13:00.001-04:00

Have you heard the latest news? Remy human hair extensions are being robbed forcefully around the larger cities of the states. I've read stories now a few times and had to share this one. Click the link...you won't believe me otherwise. CRAZY!

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/hair-extensions-hot-underground-commodity-100600130.html

Velvet French Manicures

2013-04-03T19:39:00.001-04:00

Spring is finally here and what better way to ring in the new season than with a fresh cute mani?!

The hot color for spring is Mint, and all the rage lately has been velvet lipsticks. So I decided to combine the two and create a soft mint french tip.

Uber fast and easy because all you need are two polishes and a sponge. Doesn't get much easier or faster than that! To view my tutorial on this simple but elegant look make sure to check it out on youtube! http://youtu.be/TEImIE9J_uk

Fast Rant

2013-01-04T09:04:00.001-05:00

Just attempting to connect all my social medias together...sounds so easy! Should be super simple, but boy oh boy what a hassle!! I made a huge mess I'm afraid lol.

I have entirely too many things going on! I have my graphic design/ photo editing/ online gaming tour page website, I have my beauty channel on YouTube, and I have of course my own identity with family and friends on facebook. In able to merge all of these on one facebook would be horrible. Those who want creations that are only makeup would see digital art creations and vice versa soooo I decided to create different pages for each.

So offically I get to say me, myself, and I and really mean it as I have 3 official identities on facebook. My personal page, my web page/ digital art/ photo editing place to connect, and now my YouTube beauty connection place. I'm also a 'manager' on two other pages on facebook for friends/ family.

OK end of rant, I promise to not use this blog to vent or whine ...toooo much!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2012-12-24T11:05:00.001-05:00

It is the most wonderful time of the year!

The holidays are here! That time of year where everyone is a bit nicer, we celebrate our traditions, spend time with our family and friends and celebrate! I take time each year to remember all the blessings I have in my life. I try to every day but especially from Thanksgiving until the new year.

I'm so thankful for my family, my Mom most of all, my friends, my loved ones, my cat Joe Joe, my health, the roof over my head, the simple joys in life, my electricity and running clean water, the clean air I breathe, and oh not to forget my coffee!

I know some of those things seem silly but to some those things are a luxury and we can't ever stop being grateful for how easy it is to just turn our sinks on and have clean water!

I hope you take the time to remember to be thankful! Take time to remember the true reason for the season, and to simply be kind to one another this holiday and all through out the year.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas (or happy holiday season to be PC) and a Happy New year!

Pictured below are my holiday themed nail arts. Deck those halls, and those nails! :)

Plum Numb??

2012-11-28T22:48:00.001-05:00

One of the many trends I've been seeing is Dark eyes paired with a Deep Plum lip.

This look is pretty daring. For some reason I've never had a problem with a dark smokey eye but when it comes to those deep reds or wine shades for the lips I've shied away. It could be because I have a smaller mouth and darker colors seem to make them seem even smaller. Or perhaps it just seems too dang bold for my personality??

I think fashion and makeup are all about finding what fits you as an individual or taking inspiration on something from a runway and simply making it your own. So go ahead and paint those lips and find a shade that works for you. Sometimes even just the finish of a color can change things drastically. Matte, Shiny, Satin. So, experiment and have some fun! After all it is JUST makeup!

Me with a smokey eye and a ...BERRY lip :) Close enough!

Happy Halloween!

2012-10-29T14:13:00.000-04:00

Hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween. Hurricane Sandy is pounding the east coast so I pray you're all safe! Where I live in VA it is currently snowing / raining with some high wind gusts but nothing major! Hope it stays that way too!

Here is a fun cute nail art design I created today. Check out the tutorial on YouTube! :) I call this one..Spooky Tree. I was inspired by a lot of the retro Halloween movies and cards you would see with the huge moon and spooky tree silhouette. It's pretty easy to do as long as you're patient and allow things to fully dry...which of course I'm not ! ha! Good luck with your own designs and Happy Halloween!

Spidey

2012-10-16T04:14:00.002-04:00

I attempted to create spidey nails ...lemme just say for the record! I wore more polish on everywhere... but my nails.

Yep, arms, hands, even my right knee. My black polish went EVERYWHERE. No idea why but it went voodoo hoodoo on me! Fittingly enough for halloween nails right? My spider is lack luster but, hey I tried! lol

Happy Halloween!

50 shades of Grey....crazy clouds!

2012-09-26T00:52:00.001-04:00

9/25/12 I took these photos of crazy Undulatus Asperatus clouds.

"Undulatus asperatus (or alternately, asperatus) is a cloud formation, proposed in 2009 as a separate cloud classification by the founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society. If successful it will be the first cloud formation added since cirrus intortus in 1951 to the International Cloud Atlas of the World Meteorological Organization.[2] The name translates approximately as roughened or agitated waves."--Wikipedia

Apparently it is just a crazy looking cloud that really doesn't do much beyond look really groovy! It rained but that was after the cloud show.

Pc Crashes

2012-09-19T21:06:00.001-04:00

That moment when you realize your not going to be able to save any of your programs, music, photos, or even your favorites list on your browser.....Yeah, not fun!

For the past week I've been doing nothing but troubleshooting, restoring, running programs to find out what the heck is wrong with this machine, then thinking I had it fixed! For it to only crash again and I lose all that I just thought I had restored to start all over with breaks of crying, screaming, and oh yes, kicking my feet!

Yes, I know I should have backed up everything it IS my fault and I do understand that but who really does stay on top of backing up? Maybe there are those smart insightful individuals who say oh yeah, I'm goin to save all this right now and back up my PC! IF you are one of those people...I applaud you! I sadly just am not that girl.

Anyhoot, good news is I at least have the bare bones of what I need for my pc. However I spent a good day or so trying to reinstall windows movie maker for youtube to only find out that my pc drivers are not compatible with the new 2012 version. Now I'm back to the 2011. What a headache. I'd not complain about it at all if it was listed somewhere on the download page. Something that says YOOHOO yeah, you! The one with the HP! You can't use this program sorry!

Ok, I'm done ranting! I'm going to smile, be merry and try to learn to backup my pc. New year resolution this year, forget the diets...BACKUP instead!

Autumn Leaves

2012-09-19T20:57:00.002-04:00

Really? Another autumn design...why YES of course! I can't help it, really I can't! I just love autumn and all things that go with it so much! The other day was my local flea market and I had fun smelling every candle I came across. One specific lady whom I bought candles from before sold soy candles which I had to have. I loved "Harvest" and "Pumpkin Crumble" candles. I mean...how good does that sound? Not as good as they smell, I promise. MMM!

I had a lot of fun creating this nail art. I knew I wanted to create a marbled effect background for the canvas to some falling leaves. I wasn't sure how well it would turn out and I'm happy with it! In fact it was one of the easiest nail art designs for the non-dominate hand because you just slap on the color to a sponge and tap, tap, tap! Don't ya just love easy? lol

Autumn is almost here!

2012-09-05T01:34:00.000-04:00

Hands down, Autumn is my favorite season. The slight chill to the air that tingles your nose and fingers, the smell of chimneys, home-made apple butter, and apple cider. The wonderfully perfect skies and yes...those beautiful vibrant fall leaves! LOVE IT!

I am already inspired by the thought of the colors and so I created an autumn inspired makeup creation thingy-bop. Yes, thingy-bop IS a technical term or at least it is in MY world. (enter scary manic laughter here MUAHAHAHA) No, it isn't a Halloween look, although by that laugh I would understand if you thought so. It is a vibrant colored cut crease with browns, oranges, reds, and gold baby yeah!

Do you have a favorite season that you like to draw inspiration from?

Effie Trinket Inspired - High Impact Autumn Manicure

2012-08-31T00:29:00.000-04:00

Hey guys! Hope you're all doin' well! Autumn is just around the corner so I thought I would kick it off with a really Fast & Easy manicure that had high impact.

I just watched The Hunger Games, (yep I'm behind times!) and really loved Effie Trinket's bold color choices.

This nail art design is inspired by her cute nails however I have used a darker autumn plum base by NYC # 220B "Canal Street". It has a metallic finish that has warm golden undertones perfect for the autumn months.

NYC in a New york color Minute dries in 60 seconds. I applied two heavy coats. This entire manicure literally took me approximately 10 mins MAX, including drying time for even the top coat! *cheers to fast manicures!* So if you're on the rush to have a fast cute mani, this ones for you!

After your base coat and 2 coats of the Canal Street dries you simply sponge on your favorite gold glitter polish on the center tips. Make sure to focus the gold more in the middle and allow it to fade outwards to the edges of your nails. The perfect part of this manicure is it takes zero talent! Just use any sponge. I used a sponge wedge that is for makeup applications.

Tutorial on my YouTube channel so make sure to check that out and other fun nail art designs as well as some makeup :)

Fun oil painting manicures

2012-08-22T19:41:00.001-04:00

Oil Painting Manicure

Inspired by the paintings we all adore and admire I decided to take it to my manicure. I was feeling somewhat creative and wanted to paint but I didn't have canvas but thought how silly of course I have canvas. I have my nails!

You can easily make your own nails your own masterpiece with the right tools.

I used non toxic water based Acrylic paints, a few nail art brushes and a bit of creativity and topped it all off with a heavy clear nail polish top coat. You can find the paints on eBay or at your local craft store.

What do you think of my sunset nails? I think they're fun and very colorful. Next time you're bored of same ol' same nails why not try it! Good luck!

Goodbye Norma Jeane

2012-08-05T13:04:00.001-04:00

Lemon Sugar Scrub-licious-ness!

2012-08-03T23:58:00.000-04:00

Home-made Lemon Sugar Scrub!

I love those sugar scrubs that leave your skin silky smooth and smelling so fresh, but the price..not so much! I decided to make my very own scrub and I must say, it is aweeeesome.

You will need

2 cups of white or brown sugar (I used white)

2 lemons

2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil (can you sunflower oil, grape seed oil or whatever you wish)

1 glass jar with fitting lid. (Purchased mine at Walmart for 2.00 "Mainstays" collection)

In a bowl mix sugar and break up any big clumps. Using a grater or zester: zest about 1 lemon into the sugar. This is mostly for the oils the lemon zest extracts into the sugar and the wonderful lasting scent.

I squeezed 2 lemons into my scrub. If you have very dry skin skip this step.

Then simply mix your oil! If you skip the lemon juice step you will need to add more oil. Just remember you want it to be wet enough that is doesn't dry out and isn't flaky.

Pour into a glass container w/ a lid and you can store in the refrigerator for 3 weeks.

*TIP* Sugar scrubs are much more gentle than salt and even soft enough for the face. However test small areas before scrubbing entire face or body to make sure there is no irritation.

If you do store in the refrigerator: The day of your scrubbing I would remove and let come to room temp. Make sure if you exfoliate to do so BEFORE Shaving. And never use a scrub on any broken skin.

Scrub skin down before your showers, and exfoliate the skin. Rub in gentle circular motions to remove any icky dry dead skin. Your skin will thank you with a wonderful shine and softness!

WARNING: This scrub smells so good it will make you want to dive head first and bathe in it! Refrain from doing so cause that is some STICKY stuff! lol

Quick easy ways to whiten your Natural nails!

2012-07-29T07:57:00.002-04:00

Even when we use a base coat our nails can start looking all sorts of FUNkay from using nail polishes after a while. Mine recently were turning more yellow and I thought why not try baking soda it whitens my teeth and clothes... why not my nails??

I was happy with the results and made a video on youtube on how to do it up yourself at home. The less money I spend the more I can spend on polishes errr..I mean save!

I love at home tips and tricks! Other ways to whiten your nails that I've heard of are using denture cleaner tablets. You toss them into water and soak those funky yellow nails lol.

You can spend a few bucks and buy at home whiteners as well...however I think the baking soda technique is more gentle on your natural nails and hands and not to mention much gentler on your wallet!
(bought my baking soda at the dollar tree. Oh ya babe!)

Give it a try and let me know which works best for you!

2012-07-23T01:24:00.002-04:00

'Spirit Indestructible' Nelly Furtado's latest video was full of inspiration from her lyrics to the makeup. She had a great black and white jacket and blinged up yellow eyes with matching earrings in part of the video which I adored. I decided to recreate the look! Below are the inspirational photos as well as my own creation!

Here is my inspired creation.

Dual Purpose Quickie!

2012-07-14T20:18:00.002-04:00

I love this quick easy dual purpose. Next time you see or use a aluminum drink can you can start saving the top popper or tab opener and make your own piggy back clothes hangers. You can spend a lot of your hard earned money buying hangers to save you space and to organize your closet.

Instead save that cash and recycle with this quick dual purpose trick!

Simply pop the tab off an aluminum can and slide your hanger through one of the holes attach your other hanger to the bottom. You've easily saved money, time and organized your closet by 'piggy backing' your clothes! This trick works best with slim necked hangers.

Great way to match your suits and save space in your closet. You can even add your favorite scarfs, belts or accessories to the hangers as well. Save that space by going up and down instead of cramming all your clothes side by side!

I love the idea of recycling when we can and this is an easy dual purpose thats recycling something we already may use and just toss away. If you don't personally use the cans you probably know someone who does and they would probably be more than willing to give up the tabs!

2012-07-05T01:28:00.004-04:00

Hope everyone had a safe and Happy Independence Day!

I had a blast taking pictures of the fireworks this year and I scored a few great shots woohoo!

2012-07-04T00:18:00.002-04:00

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

So far my plans are pretty much in the air with all this heat and storms we have had on the east coast I'm not entirely sure what festivities will still be in the works however I have heard many places will indeed still have fireworks! Woot!

I wish you all a very safe and happy July 4th!

Isn't this make-up just hot lol. I love it!

Photo : http://www.maybelline.com/

2012-06-29T01:55:00.002-04:00

New nail art design ...I hope everyone has a Fun and SAFE Independence Day!