The return & 16 manicures!

Hello readers, if there are any of you still out there!

I disappeared for a few months here, and with good reason: I was writing my Master's thesis. I thought I might be able to keep up with my blogging, but with two jobs and various life-craziness-health-related things going on, it just wasn't possible. But: on Friday, I turned in my thesis, and now I'm trying to remember how to resume a normal life! I just turned 25 in October, and finishing my Master's degree is a big deal for me. I finished my Bachelor's in 3 years (I was already a year ahead in high school, too), and after that I sort of lost my way. I turned down a full scholarship to do grad work at Emory University (after driving all the way down there with my stuff, no less). I took some time off and went back to the University where I got my Bachelor's. I did 3 semesters of grad coursework and then... never wrote my thesis. The university gave me a lot of trouble, they kept "forgetting" to notify me about course sign up and advisement.... and I inadvertently took a (calender) year off. This made it harder to get the project going, as to do your thesis it's good to have a current relationship with a professor, so they can serve as your advisor. I seriously considered abandoning my grad work. I was 23, burnt out on school, and feeling drunk on freedom. But... in the end, I opted to go back and finish, and I'm so glad that I did. It was a huge accomplishment, and I graduate on December 5th (finally!). I've considered going back to do Ph.d work, but that will be for another time in my life, I think. My Master's is in English, my focus being American literature, specifically Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Over the months, I did manage to take a few pictures... My nails have been of varying length over this time, tending towards the nubbin side of things... they're still kind of finicky. I hauled a lot too: Burlesque, NARS vintage, RBL sale, ChG holiday, and lots of Old OPI's that I've been acquiring... But anyway... what I have to show you isn't representative of everything, to say the least, but it's something.

Random spam for the last few months:

OPI Wing It!

Barielle June Bug (wore this for 4th of July... that's how old this is!!)

OPI Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous

Sephora OPI Midnight Mambo

China Glaze Foxy

OPI Diva of Geneva

China Glaze Midnight Mission

China Glaze GR8

Streetwear FX Flash (green) (awful pic, sorry... hard to capture)

Borghese Nero Magico (seriously gorgeous... underrated)

MAC Bad Fairy

OPI Show Bring on the Bling

NARS Midnight Express (I think this was day 2 or 3, looking a bit worn)

Color Club Pucci-licious

Orly Galaxy Girl

My Current Nails: China Glaze Zombie Zest (a bit late, I missed Halloween!)

The varying lengths are kind of amusing. Hopefully I can get back into the swing of things here! Not sure I'm up to posting every day or anything, but I'd like to keep it up :-)

Thanks for looking!!

MAC Blue India

Oh, MAC. You and I used to have a major cosmetic-based love affair. I spent so much time and money buying you and following your collections. It's been a year since we fell out of love, but it's all good. I've sold off most of my collection, but I still adore your makeup, especially your lipstick. Best colors and formula hands down. Aside from your shitty mascara, your second worst effort is usually your nail polish. For years, I had one: Gee Whiz. I think you discontinued it but it was a really great bright fuchsia creme. Unlike others, my main complaint with MAC polish is that there never seemed to be much thought put into the colors. They were mostly boring. Until last year's Seasonal Peach and Peppermint Patti. You guys were way ahead of the game with that mint. Also, the gray On The Prowl from Hello Kitty. I'm sure there are others, but those are the three I bought. Now, with today's release of Liberty of London, we get another gem: Blue India. An amazing slate blue creme. Kinda like a drab blue, so awesome. I hemmed and hawed about shilling out the cash for this, but now that it's on my nails I don't regret it one bit. It's part of MAC's recent collaboration with Liberty of London. (Is it bad I have no idea who/what Liberty of London is except that they are also doing a collaboration with Target, which I only know about because I've seen the commercials?? I mean, I'm relatively fashionably inclined, but I have no clue!)

I don't have a problem with MAC's formula like some do. This is 2 coats, and the formula on this is excellent. You almost don't need the second coat. Dried very well and Seche Vite made it SUPER shiny. These pictures pull a bit brighter than it is in real life, it's a bit more grayed. Anyway, if you haven't already gotten it: RUN. It's already sold out online. My counter had plenty, but I live in a not-so-major city (we do have 2 MAC counters though).

And the packaging, which is CUTE. I love those little flowers, they remind me of a tattoo idea I've had for a long time.

Also, I walked away with an eyeshadow for the first time in forever. I've spent so much time selling off my collection on eBay and Livejournal, I haven't bought anything new except to replace stales. This shadow, Birds & Berries, is a gorgeous blackened teal and it just called out to me when nothing from MAC has in so long. I doubt the MAC bug is biting again (I still have so much!) but it was nice to see something good from them. I wanted the gray but it was chalky in real life :-( But here's Birds & Berries:

Anyway--long post. And makeup related! Still a MAC junkie at heart I guess, once one always one.

Thanks for looking!