Versatile Blogger and Liebster Awards - Again! :D

 

Hi everyone! I was recently nominated for the Versatile Blogger and Liebster Awards again by Caroline Jewel of Caroline's Nails! Thank you so much! :D Caroline Jewel is relatively new at blogging. She primarily swatches and reviews nail polish, but there are also beauty product reviews and makeup looks here and there. Check her blog out!

7 Facts for the Versatile Blogger Award:

1. I have been a huge fan of Animal Crossing ever since it came out for Game Cube. (Does anyone still remember that console? It was back in the early 2000's when it debuted.) I have Animal Crossing for Game Cube, Nintendo DS, and Wii! It steals my heart every time and I honestly don't know why! Maybe it's the appeal of creating your own world and leading your own life without having any responsibilities...

2. My nickname is Boss. (Yeah, I'm cool like that... Did I say this fact already???)

3. I found out about Korean and Japanese music in 5th grade and have been listening to it ever since. (I do listen to English music -and some Spanish music- if you're wondering.)

4. I'm going to start my second (and, hopefully, second to last year) year of college soon! (Throughout the summer, I really wanted to see my college friends, but now, I just want to stay at home with my parents. ;__; )

5. I have over 100 CDs of Korean and Japanese music.

6. I love manga and anime. I'm trying to get back into that world.

7.  My favorite literary pieces are Las Ataduras (The Bonds That Tie) by Carmen Martín Gaite and San Manuel Bueno, el mártir (Saint Manuel Bueno, the martyr) by Miguel de Unamuno. Both are Spanish works. I think El Burlador de Sevilla by Tirso de Molina is really funny. (Love the servant's name, Catalinón. *giggles* )

11 Questions for the Liebster Award:

1. Why did you start your blog?

I started my blog because many of the big time bloggers don't really review drugstore polishes (Sally Hansen, for instance) while some swatches of brands like Love & Beauty are really hard to find or nonexistent. I wanted to provide a one-stop blog for both drugstore and salon (such as OPI) polishes. Once I get my hands on some indie polishes, I will swatch them as well! :D

2. Do you ever feel like you won't get more followers? Do you ever lose hope and think 

that blogging was a bad idea? Why?

At times, I do. Many polish blogs are popping up nowadays. What makes my blog truly unique? I don't post everyday while other bloggers do. As such, they get followers more quickly than I do. However, I can't write posts for the sake of posting everyday. I just try to be honest with myself and remind myself that I'm doing this because I think it's fun.

3. What keeps you motivated to keep blogging?

Definitely trying to find a swatch of a polish, but end up finding absolutely nothing!

4. What is your favorite brand of polish?

For drugstore polishes, Sally Hansen. For "brand" name polishes, OPI. I am always impressed with the quality of their polishes.

5. What is your favorite nail art trend?

Right now, I'm really loving the block/stripe gradient trend!

6. How do you wear your nails most of the time? Long, short, medium? Plain color? Crazy art? Stamping? I want to know!

A lot of the time, my nails aren't polished at all. As for nail art, it really depends on my mood and if I'm willing to spend time doing it. I like short-medium length nails because I can do labs without them being cumbersome and they still protect the skin that is attached to my nails so it doesn't feel sore.

7. What is your favorite manicure that you've ever done? Post a picture or link!

Unfortunately, I don't have one. Whenever I paint my nails, I usually leave them plain. I really need to play with my nail art tools!

8. With nails, beauty, and blogging out of the way, what are your other hobbies or pastimes?

Recently, I've become addicted to Animal Crossing: Wild World for Nintendo DS again. ;___; (Why did this have to happen 2 weeks before college starts again?!) I also like sleeping, listening to K-pop and J-pop (Korean and Japanese music, respectively), and drawing. I really miss drawing!

9. What is your favorite song?

This is really tough, but it has to be 검은 행복 (Black Happiness) by T (also known as Yoon Mi Rae). T is a rapper and singer in South Korea, and is half African American and half Korean. However, she was born and raised in the U.S. This song is about how she was bullied because she was mixed, how people treated her mother, her guilt, and how music saved her. She, her husband (also a fellow rapper), and their really young son also got really racist backlash from some South Koreans. (Despite their advancement, South Korea is still pretty conservative.) I urge you to listen to 검은 행복 and follow along with the English subtitles. 

10. Who is your favorite band/artist?

T. Hamasaki Ayumi and Kalafina are close runner-ups though!

11. What are your top 5 favorite blogs?

Scrangie, Vampy Varnish, Let Them Have Polish!, Burkatron (DIY projects, FOTD, and nail art!), and Dr. Frankenpolish (which is now pretty much defunct). 

Aaaaand... Sorry for the lack of posts recently. As I've mentioned, I'm studying for the DAT (Dental Admission Test) that I have to take during my winter break and packing for college. All my nail polish is packed up and I don't want to mess with it.

See you guys on the other side of the day!

Michelle

Liebster Award - Again! :D

Hi everyone! I was nominated for the Liebster Award again! This time by Lauren from tales about nails! She has very high quality and consistent photos. I love her macros! She mixes things up by posting both swatches and nail art. Check her out!

11 Questions for the people I tag:

1.What nail polish can you not live without?

Hmm, there isn't one actually. I can live without any of my polishes. Don't get me wrong. I do like my polishes, but I just don't think nail polish is something you should kill yourself over. 

2. How did your love for nail polish start?

It first started when I was little, but then I went through a "tomboy" phase in middle school. It started again in my last two years of high school. I came across a picture of a mani of Essie Mint Candy Apple. Really, who can resist such a pretty color? (Although I don't even have it in my collection...) 

3. To glitter or not to glitter?

To glitter, that is my answer! I do it whenever I'm down or want something fun on my nails. Glitters are great picker-upers. :)

4. One food you could spend the rest of your life eating.

Wow, this is hard. There's SO MUCH good food out there... I don't know. On the spur of the moment, I guess sticky rice and Chinese sausage? I love to see it on the table when I come home from college during the holidays. Though lamb gyros, In-n-Out cheeseburger and fries, takoyaki, green tea ice cream, chili cheese fries, smoky ribs, bacon, s'mores, good mac and cheese, and zucchini fries are great too... Actually, this list can go on forever. I'll just stop now before I make myself hungry.

5. What do your family/friends think about your nail polish obsessions?

"You have too much/more than enough nail polish." "Stop buying nail polish." Am I going to listen to my parents? Probably not... Though I should stop for a while. (Which I've been good at doing so far.)

6. If you could have the wardrobe of one celebrity, who would it be?

I guess I'd like Taylor Swift's. I really like vintage, classy, chic. From what I've seen, her closet fits the bill.

7. One song you are so over and never want to hear ever again.

Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" and Adele "Rolling in the Deep". You guys have great voices and the songs are nice, but I'm tired of hearing those songs of yours EVERYWHERE. (Well, "Rolling in the Deep" back in high school. We had a senior talent show and I swear people sang that song back-to-back! And then my friends and I went to the mall afterwards and the radio played it! Argh!)

8. What do you love about the nail blogging community?

I LOVE how everyone is so nice, supportive, and tight-knit with each other! :D Makes me think the world is nicer than it actually is.

9. What are your pet peeves?

Since I'm picky and a perfectionist, I have a lot. But the thing I truly cannot stand, and will glare at you until you stop and run away for, is inconsiderate jerks being loud or obnoxious in any way when I'm in the library or dorm basement to study! If you're going to play your music loudly and drawing on the table surfaces loudly (and can't hear me when I politely tell you to lower the volume) or talk about your private parts or tell your friends about that one time you were drunk (and underage) and made out with a girl who you thought was ugly, then don't bother being in the study areas! Jerks! (Yes, all are true stories. And to think they will be future pharmacists and dentists...) Sorry for the rant...

10. Signature dance move?

Um, does the antisocial-girl-over-there-in-the-corner (or most-likely-in-her-dorm-room) count? XD

11. What is your favourite nail polish brands and why?

For drugstore, Sally Hansen. For salon/higher end, OPI. I'm always impressed with their quality and range of colors. (I mean, did you SEE OPI Every Month is Oktoberfest from OPI's upcoming Germany collection?!)

Well, that's it! I did everything already in my other post.

See you guys on the other side of the day!

Michelle

The Liebster Blog Award!

The Liebster Blog Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have fewer than 200 followers. The Meaning; Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.

I was nominated for the Liebster Blog Award by I Relish Nail Polish! just this morning! Talk about a great start to the long day I have ahead of me! Thank you so much, Jenni Lee! She photographs amazing, high quality swatches and writes very informative posts about nail polish-related things (such as what those weird pictures mean on the polish bottles and great reviews of top coats). Not to mention she has beautiful nails! Her posts are very easy to read; I like how she is terse and direct. Her blog has a nice, simple layout that allows the reader to focus on what's important. The background does not distract the reader from the swatches and reviews. Make sure to check out her great blog!

Requirements:

1. Each person must post 11 random facts about themselves.
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. Remember, no tag backs.

11 Facts About Myself

1. I LOVE sleeping. And I sleep very deeply. It is very likely that it will take you at least 5 minutes to wake me up.
2. I have 3 Ulta boxes completely filled with nail polish, and 2 small Julep boxes that have a few polishes in them. (It seems like a lot, but I only have 128. A collection that pales in comparison to those of other nail polish bloggers.)
3. My favorite color is turquoise. Mint is a close second. Then rich purple... Actually, this list can go on and go. :/
4.  I like cold weather. I feel vegetated in hot weather... Which is my city's weather of choice.
5. I haven't watched TV in years (well, okay, I do watch it occasionally with my family). I'm alive and well. Probably smarter too since quite a few shows are sooo dumb nowadays. (Where are those awesome 90's cartoons?!)
6. I really love drawing, but I haven't had much time since I got to college. (Swatching and reviewing only takes 15-25 minutes. When I draw, I like to go full out.)
7. I played the piano until 5th grade and learned how to play a few chords on the guitar in 6th grade for an enrichment class.
8. I'm short. Like, REALLY short... ;___;
9. My nickname is "Boss". Cool, huh?
10. I like love 9gagging. Check out 9gag sometime! (And your soul shall then be stolen...)
11. I can't think in the mornings because I'm so tired. Like right now. Zzzz. (That's why I sound so loopy.)

11 Questions Asked By I Relish Nail Polish!

1. What are you looking forward to this week/month?

I'm looking forward to Thursday and Friday! On Thursday, I'll get my WAH Nails Book of Nail art and, on Friday, I'll get to sleep in and take the day slowly. I'll be able to swatch... And then have to study.

2. What have the last few years taught you?

You have to face everyday with courage and the strength to keep on going. Nothing's going to stop for you. You make your own way in this world. The future is far away, but the hard work is worth it. Always have hope... Something that lingers inside you. Something that gives you strength.

3. What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

Lots of yogurt, organic milk, carrot juice, Naked Green Machine juice, some Vietnamese food, and boiled eggs. That's all I remember right now.

5. How many close friends do you have?

Seven. I choose my friends carefully (my close ones especially so). I don't care about how many I have, just about who they are.

6. If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?

I'd put quite a lot of it in a bank account to invest, another large bit to organizations/charities that I support, pay for college (so my parents won't have to), keep my grandparents strong and healthy, and save a little for personal expenses. My family and friends have all they would ever need and more. They're happy (or should be).

7. What was the last movie you went to see?

I believe it was The Artist at my college theater.

8. What is the last book you read?

Does my organic chemistry book count? Haha. If not, then La Muerte y El Ser Humano (Death and the Human Being), a philosophical book written in Spanish that I found in my college library. I, unfortunately, only had time to read several pages before it was due.

9. Age and do you feel your age?

I'm 18 (19 next month!), but I feel like an overprotected teenager who can't do anything she wants and can't have a life until she gets into dental school. (The latter were true words from my mother.)

10. Children and or pets?

Pets. I feel like they truly care and love you more. I also do not like children. (I tolerate them if they are well-behaved though.)

11. Why do you think people follow your blog?

I like to believe they follow me because they like what they see and think my blog has potential. (I also believe some of my followers, who are bloggers I follow, know how hard it is to gain support.)

My Questions for the Nominated

1. Why did you decide to blog?
2. What polish is on your nails right now (or was recently)?
3. What colors do you usually wear on your nails?
4. What have you learned in the past few years?
5. Five years ago, what did you think you'd be doing now? What did you want to do? 
6. When you were little, what did you want to be?
7. What was the last book you read?
8. What was the last song you listened to?
9. What was the last movie you saw?
10. What website do you regularly visit? 
11. Why do you think people follow your blog?

The Nominated! (This was very hard so there aren't many.)

http://www.rialovespawlish.com/
http://alisnailnews.blogspot.com/
http://www.burkatron.com/
http://lacquerandlattes.blogspot.com/
http://www.nailnoir.com/
http://veganclaws.com/

Versatile Blogger Award!

I just checked this blog's e-mail awhile ago and lo and behold, I received this!

The e-mail, sent by Maria G., was actually sent yesterday (I should really check that e-mail account more often!) A HUGE thank you to Mrs. Maria, whose blog you can visit here: http://www.rialovespawlish.com/

Rules:

1. Nominate 15 fellow bloggers who are relatively new to blogging. 
2. Let them know that you have nominated them. 
3. Share 7 random facts about yourself. 
4. Thank the bloggers that have nominated you. 
5. Add the Versatile Blogger Award picture to your blog post.

Seven Random Facts About Myself:

1. I love reading manga in my spare time! I'm currently enjoying Freezing! There are many other manga that I'm also reading (Kuroshitsuji, Yotsuba&!, Angel Heart, Cage of Eden, Bartender, etc.), but this one has my heart at the moment.
2. I am in an accelerated pre-dental program right now (everyone in this program is a biological sciences major) and that's why I don't post too often... But when I do, I post late at night. (A meme reference that brings me to my next random fact...)
3. I am an avid 9gagger! And PROUD! I LOVE MY MEMES!!! Be careful of going to http://9gag.com/ , though. Your soul WILL be stolen. You have been warned...
4. My favorite nail polish colors are turquoise and mint.
5. I love stuffed animals! I brought a few with me to college. :3 Maybe I'll introduce them to you guys some day.
6. I believe happiness is being able to snuggle into your fresh-out-of-the-dryer blankets and bed lining. <3 Which happened yesterday when it was hailing, raining, and thundering. Double the happiness!
7. I have a problem with organization; everything must be color-coordinated, facing one direction, stacked in same-height piles, etc. I am not yet diagnosed with OCD.

I was actually in the middle of studying when I decided to take a little break, so I'll get back on the bloggers that I will nominate. Thank you again to Maria G.! :)


See you guys on the other side of the day!


- M