I just looooove cats don't you, lol? So yesterday I finally went to the doctor, hooray for me! I've been sick with a terrible upper respiratory infection for two weeks and it has been the most miserable two weeks of my life since 2000. I was sick like this back in 2000 for three weeks. I had just switched jobs and my insurance hadn't kicked in so I had to suffer through. Since I stuck it out back then, I thought I could do it now too, but I didn't seem to be getting better. I tried several home remedies, nearly drowned myself in teas and chicken noodle soup and even tried sleeping my way through the sickness; all to no avail. I had to see a doctor....and so I did. The kindly doctor told me I could have avoided all this had I been using a humidifier as soon as winter started. She said that dry air aggravates the mucous membranes thus causing the risk of infection to increase. So for all you out there in winter wonderland and dry air, get a humidifier STAT! Along with her stern motherly advice, the good doctor also prescribed a course of antibiotics and a very strong prescription strength cold syrup. I took the syrup last night before bed and was out like a light. Though I'm supposed to take it three times a day, I probably won't. I don't much care for drugs and the way they make me feel. At any rate, I'm hoping the antibiotics will kick in soon so I can get back to my old self.
Mr. Sandman by Milani
Other than that, I've been practicing applying makeup (i.e. eye makeup/blush, I no longer wear foundation) and resting my sickly body. I'm nowhere near close to making my January goals (sad face) due to my illness, but I'm going to do my best to knock out as many as I can. In the meantime, here is a pic of the second Milani polish of the month...
I'm not a fan of this color but I have to say, I love Milani nail polish. The formulas are almost always smooth, they're usually opaque in two coats, the brushes are perfect to me and they have some really beautiful colors. One thing I do dislike about Milani polish is the fact that they take FOREVER to dry. Even with the miraculously fast drying Poshe base and top coat, this polish took forever. Mr. Sandman actually smudged and dimpled because I didn't wait long enough for it to dry before I went to bed. C'est la vie.
And just for your viewing pleasure (and some constructive criticism) here are some makeup looks I created...
Products unknown. Shades of gray smokey eye.
Milani Eyeshadow in Flare on the lid, ELF shimmering dark brown shadow in the crease/outer corner, Mabelline shimmery beige shadow on browbone, Sephora Lash Plumper Mascara in Black on lashes, Sephora Flashy Liner in Deep Black smudged on waterline, NYX blush in Copper on cheeks, Mabelline ColorSensational Lipstain in Bit of Brown topped by ELF Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Maple Sugar on lips
Sephora's Flashy Violet liner on the waterline with a smudging of black shadow underneath. NYX Jumbo pencil in Iced Mocha on the lid blended with 2 ELF shadows on the inner corner, outer v and crease. Sephora's Aspen Summit on the browbone. NYX Vixen on the lips and Mabelline's Lash Discovery in Very Black on the lashes.
Another really sick day. Sephora Flashy Liner in Flashy Violet on the upper & lower lashlines, Sephora Flashy Liner in Black on waterline, Mabelline Full&Soft Mascara in Very Black on lashes, Sephora Aspen Summit on Brownbone and Milani Mineral Blush in Sunset Beach lightly dusted on cheeks, clear gloss on lips.
I really don't like this look and I was feeling especially sick the day I did it. NYX blue on lid, NYX gold in crease, NYX cream on browbone, Mabelline sapphire liner & Mabelline Crazy 4 Coffee on lips.
Lancome 4Passion on lid, Lancome Pink Veil on browbone, Mabelline Black Smoke in crease/outer corner, Mabelline Unstoppable Liner in Onyx on upper lashline/ smudged on waterline, Mabelline Crazy for Coffee on lips, L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara and NYX Desert Rose on cheeks.
Dark shimmery orange NYX shadow on lid, brownish wine NYX shadow in crease/on outer corner, light shimmery orange NYX shadow on browbone, dark brown matte ELF shadow on upper lashline, Sephora Flashy Liner in Flashy Ultra Brown smudged on waterline/lower lashline, Maybelline Full&Soft Mascara in Very Black on lashes, NYX Copper blush on cheeks and Mabelline ColorSensational Lipstain in Bit of Brown topped with ELF Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Maple Sugar on lips.
Products unknown. Shimmery neutral eye with winged liner.
Products unknown. Shimmery neutral smokey eye.
Products unknown. Pink and purple smokey eye.
Those are the looks I did when I wasn't too sick to apply makeup, otherwise I was bare faced and in bed. So what do you think? Any tips or pointers?
How cute is that kitteh? He looks exactly like the cute little 7 month stray that found his way to my door earlier this week. As much as I loved that cute little nugget (and that's what I named him), I had to take him to the animal shelter after the third day. I'm allergic to most furry animals and with me being sick, Nugget aggravated an already aggravating situation. I miss his cute little self though. Here are a few pictures of Nugget, my Sun, myself and my BFF...
The little nugget
How cute is he? The little rascal was very high energy and loved to run and pounce on EVERYTHING. He was also very affectionate, he loved to jump up into my lap and have me pet him. He had this vibrating purr that reminded me of race car engines, lol.
Here's Nugget bonding with my Sun, me and my BFF. He loved my BFF the best, lol.
I really miss the little nugget but I don't miss the itchy nose, eyes and tons of cat fur floating around. I'm sure someone will adopt him and love him as much (if not more) than I did. but other than that...
I caught a really bad upper respiratory infection from my Sun and daughter last week and I have been so out of commission it's sad. I don't get sick often but when I do, it's usually really bad...and what I'm dealing with is pretty damn bad. As a result of this, I haven't felt like doing much of anything other than drinking lots of hot tea, eating tons of chicken noodle soup and trying to rest. Despite all my efforts though (and plenty of home remedies) I don't seem to be getting better. My next step is to go to a doctor (I hate western medicine) and accept the bottle of antibiotics I know they're going to prescribe. This will no doubt cause additional problems (hello yeast infection, ugh!).
Before I got sick, I filmed a video about an issue that's been weighing heavy on my heart for a while. Check it out...
This video doesn't even begin to scratch the surface about body image, self-esteem, healthy vs. unhealthy habits, etc. but, it's a start. Conversations need to be had, especially with teen girls, about how to maintain their health and self-esteem. Just like there's a natural hair movement picking up steam and empowering women, there should be a movement to empower women and girls to accept/love themselves and respect their journeys. Let's encourage one another starting today!
