Pedicure ideas!

Hello beauties!!

I hope you had a lovely weekend. It was my birthday on Saturday (I'm now 28), so I want to thank all of you who made my day special and sent me messages!! We had a good time!!

I was wondering what I should blog about today, when I thought I should probably do something nail related, because I haven't blogged about nails in a while. Then it hit me that I always post cool nail art ideas, but I never talk about toenails!! Well, today that changes. And considering it's summer in the north and you folks are going to be prancing around in sandals and flip flops, it's not a minute too soon.

As always, I found most of these on Pinterest and the rest on Google. Enjoy!!

There are some pretty cool ideas here don't you think? And even if you're in the same boat as me, with winter swiftly approaching, you still have no excuse not to glam up those babies! :)

Remember to read the novel and vote if you haven't yet. Will Roxanne and her friends be gobbled up by a giant snake? A toad? A dragonfly maybe? Or a lizard? You get to decide, so get your vote on!! The poll closes on Wednesday, so don't forget to vote before then. Thank you once again for all the support in my story!!

Stay beautiful and be kind to animals,

Yolandie

Book review - Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Hello beauties!!

This was our book of the month :

I just finished reading it yesterday (just started then too...) because I was busy with other books and I have to be honest and say I haven't read much since the start of the pregnancy.

It was a really easy read, with easy English and concepts which were simple to grasp. I'd say the main target group for this book would be young teens, aged 10 to 14.

Basically it's the story about Percy, a 12 year old with dyslexia and ADHD, who gets posted from school to school each year and is branded as a troublemaker. He never knew who his father was and his mother, who is a gentle and caring soul, is married to a really smelly, slob of a man.

Through some events, Percy learns he's a half-blood, the son of the god Poseidon, which makes Percy a demigod. He ends up at camp half-blood, with a bunch of mythical creatures and others like him, where they train and learn all summer long. Some of the campers stay throughout the year, because it's too dangerous for half-bloods to be in the real world.

After a week at the camp, Percy is given a quest, and he learns that Zeus' lightning bolt was stolen and his father, Poseidon, was accused of the theft. Percy, his best friend Grover (who is a Satyr) and Annabeth, the daughter of Athena, must go on a journey to the Underworld, where they must retrieve the bolt from Hades (because they believe he took it).

A lot of things happen on their journey; they fight Medusa, a chimera and the Furies amongst others, but eventually they reach their destination, only to find Hades didn't steal the lightning bolt and his helmet of shadow was stolen as well.

It's an innocent story, about a misunderstood young boy who really just wants his dad's approval.

Without giving away too much, Percy manages to return the helm to Hades as well as the bolt to Zeus and stop a war between the gods, only to uncover a greater plot. Tam tam taaaaam...

OK. First up, I have to say that I was put off almost immediately, when I discovered the book was written in the first person. I REALLY don't like to read this kind of book. Sure, there are some first person books that redeemed themselves in my opinion, like the Merlin trilogy by Mary Stewart and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. But overall, it's torture to make me read first person novels and I rarely finish them.

I found this whole story sweet. If you know me, you know I've always loved ancient mythology, so this kind of thing has been cool to me forever. But sweet was it. Where the Harry Potter series is also for kids and the story begins with a younger character, it's got a quality to it that even grown ups can relate to and enjoy. The language is simple enough for kids, yet the humour, logic and references were sometimes more for adults and I really enjoyed the series. Percy Jackson didn't bind me at all. If I never read the rest of the series, I'll be fine, because the childishness of the book almost put me off. I know I'm annoying fans worldwide right now by saying that!! :)

Maybe if it had been written in third person I would feel differently. I bet you I would have felt differently if I'd read this when I was twelve myself. But in the end, for an almost 28 year old, it was cute and fluffy and I won't be bothered with the rest of the series.

Would I read it to my kid? Sure, why not. But would I read it out of free will? Unlikely.

Also, if you're a purist like me, DO NOT watch the movie. Because they cast a brunette as a blonde character, they left out entire fight scenes, changed the layout of many of the structures and pretty much gave away the traitor way before his time in the book. Not to mention bringing in characters that were DISTINCTLY left out of the book. Persephone anyone? Even Twilight did a better job at casting and keeping truer to the storyline. And that says something.

Overall, I'd say (from my perspective) 5 out of 10. It was mildly entertaining, learned the life lesson not to give up and to stay true to your friends, and was a pretty easy read. If I were a kid, I might have gone with 7 out of 10.

Enjoy your weekend!

Stay beautiful and be kind to animals,

Yolandie

Eye tattoos

Hello beauties!!

All of us have seen the lip tattoos, which became a massive trend about two years ago. Then there were the stick on nail polishes and eyeliner tattoos too. Now, the newest edition to the temporary tattoo family is this one, eye tattoos. Some are like eyeshadow and some are like lace stuck around the eyes. It looks really delicate and pretty, but what I want to know is, IS IT COMFORTABLE??

I also think there's something very satisfying about taking out your eyeliner and making a lace design on your face with that. You know how much effort you put into it and you feel accomplished when you're done and receiving compliments. But with this? You wet it slightly, rub it onto your face gently and you're done. No accomplishment there, except maybe if you can do it without tearing it.

But these are my opinions and I'd like to hear yours!! But first, on to the pictures.

What do you think? Would you wear it? Lemme know!!

Please remember to read and vote!! There is still time until next Wednesday to do it, so don't forget!! :)

Tune on tomorrow for my book review of Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, which is our book of the month. You still have some time to get your hands on it and read it if you haven't yet, it's quite an easy read.

Stay beautiful and be kind to animals,

Yolandie

Light my fire!

Hello beauties!!

Before we get to today's post, a reminder to read and vote for the outcome of the novel!! Shameless self promotion, I know. :)

Today we're going to play with matches. A LOT of matches. Artists Ryan and Trevor Oakes made these amazing sculptures out of matches, and nothing else. I can't find an indication of an exact amount of matches anywhere, but it's obvious that there are thousands.

The only problem with a sculpture like this is that you'll need to keep it far from fire! Can you imagine if one of them sets alight!!

Stay beautiful and be kind  to animals,

Yolandie

How to blow dry naturally curly hair

Hello beauties!

Drying curly hair is a lot more difficult than straight or wavy hair, because of the texture. But there are some easy techniques you can follow to get your hair dry and looking amazing, without too much hassle or time. Famous curly haired beauties include Taylor Swift, Halle Berry and Alex Kingston, aka River Song. (How I love that woman!!)

And so, in keeping with my promise after last week's post about blow drying hair, here's a post on drying your curly locks. I've got four vids for you, of which two show you how to use a diffuser to dry your curly hair, in different ways. As a bonus, I've found videos on both long and short hair for this!!

Because all of us always want different hair than we naturally have, I included two videos showing how to blow dry curly hair straight, one on yourself and the other if you have to do it for someone else, and both of these videos do it without the help of a straightener.

Obviously, you're going to need a blow dryer for both of these methods, with either the diffuser or nozzle attachments. If you don't know what a diffuser is, it's the big round attachment at the bottom of the hair dryer, as pictured here.

You're also going to need some brushes for the straightening part, but I already did a post on brushes and combs, so click here for more on that. It's got the breakdown on what size brushes to use, as well as what different brushes and combs are used for etc.

On to the videos then!! First, the diffuser ones.

Now on to straightening. I apologise for using a video with such bad sound quality (the last one), but I couldn't find another video that showed the process of getting the hair straight so well. I tell you, there are thousands of vids showing how to straighten hair with a flat iron, but few good ones that show how to blow dry it straight!! :)

Next time in this little hair basics series, we'll talk about the other tools of the trade, the flat and curling irons and how to use them. I'll probably include straight and curly hair then, because the technique's not so different for the different hair types.

If you haven't yet, please read and vote for my novel's outcome in the next episode. If you don't want the lizard to  win, you need to pick one of the other critters and vote for it. :)

Stay beautiful and be kind to animals,

Yolandie

Amazing makeup looks

Hello beauties!

Hope you had a good weekend. To all of you who celebrated mother's day, I hope you were spoilt rotten. My weekend was OK. I spent Friday with Jan and my parents, had brunch with Liani on Saturday and went to eat at my mom's on Sunday. I wasn't in the mood to do much, because I've been feeling really bad since last Thursday, with the return of the morning sickness, after it let me eat somewhat normally for a whole week.

Thank you to all of you who read the story on Friday, but here's a reminder to read and vote if you haven't yet. Your support, emails and good wishes are really appreciated. :)

Just a short post today, but I rounded up some pretty awesome makeup looks for you to enjoy. So, without further rambling from me, here it is.

Some of these are simply incredible. I love the use of unconventional colours together! Looks so cool!

Anyway, enjoy your week!

Stay beautiful and be kind to animals,

Yolandie

Part Seven

Hello beauties!

I can't believe it's part seven already. O_o Feels like just yesterday when this project started and look how far it's come already! Unbelievable! Anyway, today I'm bringing back the two favourites from the last polls, Rocket and Dusk, due to popular demand. So for all you fans, enjoy!

Part Seven

"North? What's there?" Roxanne asked, flipping a strand of hair over her shoulder.

Reinhart looked at her and his mouth fell open in disbelief. "Most beautiful lady, you do not know?"

"She's not from here, my big friend." Oliver said with a smile and the knight seemingly relaxed, nodding his head in understanding. "The Grey Marshlands are North. We'll follow the road for a while, then cut north-east through the last part of the Ka'Roh Forest, from where we'll turn northwards and march through the marshes. Not a pleasant journey, but it is by far the fastest path into the Blacklands, where the Trickster resides. Questions?"

Roxanne shook her head, a feeling of foreboding on her. She didn't want to go through any marsh, but if she had no choice...

Reinhart happily fell in the lead and started their march. Roxanne didn't want to ask why they weren't taking a transport and were walking, for fear of sounding stupid. Just as the thought crossed her mind, she imagined the words sprawling over the page in her book and groaned aloud. Oliver cast a sidelong glance at her, an eyebrow arching at the noise, but he said nothing.

They had marched for some hours before night fell and they set up camp in a small closing between some trees, just off the road. Before long they had a little fire going and Oliver was roasting some quail on a stick, while Roxanne mashed the potatoes he had been boiling. Reinhart was on the watch, searching for danger from every possible corner. When she had finished the potatoes, Roxanne boiled some water in a small kettle and made some aromatic tea.

They ate their dinner in silence. Roxanne was grateful for the food, realising that she had eaten nothing all day long, with all else that had happened.

After dinner, Roxanne promptly fell asleep in her sleeping roll, while the men kept watch. She had offered to watch as well, but they would have nothing of it, so she let it be. When the day broke, they ate some cold meat left from the night before and Roxanne made another pot of tea before they set out once again.

They marched all day long, pausing only here and there for short rests and to drink some water. The day passed without event, and another, and then another, and soon Roxanne realised that they must have been on the road for five days already. She couldn't believe how the time was speeding by. They set up camp for the night and made dinner much as every night before, with Reinhart on watch.

None of them were as surprised as he when there was suddenly a fourth face amongst them.

She was a very slender woman, almost pixie-like in stature, and clad all in black, from her boots to her gloved hands. Her hair was obsidian, with some electric blue parts peeking through here and there. Her eyes were slanted upwards and were just as black as her hair, and had a mischievous glow to them. She smiled a plump smile and cocked her head sideways.

"Oh, Reiny, when will you learn to keep your eyes open?" she asked in a surprisingly deep voice for her petite size.

"By my honour! Such failure! I should be flogged!" Reinhart cried in despair.

"Let this be your punishment." Oliver laughed and slapped the big knight on the shoulder, before smiling warmly at the woman. Roxanne was surprised to feel jealousy bubble up in her throat, and she suppressed the feeling immediately.

"I take it the others are near?" Oliver asked and the woman nodded. "Come on out!" he called into the darkness and two more figures came into the firelight.

The first was another woman of medium build and height. Her skin was milky pale and freckled with a million little brown dots, and her hair was short, shaven at the back, but longer at the front and styled to a point on the left. Her eyes were pale blue and striking, even as they were behind a pair of goggles. She was wearing a long brown coat, with very short tan pants and a white shirt. Everywhere about her were utility belts and tools, though Roxanne had no idea what these were for.

The second was a rotund man, almost as tall as he was wide, dressed in what was obviously a chef's coat. There were sharp meat cleavers in his front pockets and on his back he carried a pack very near his own size, from which spicy aromas were escaping. His hair was grey and thinning, and Roxanne was struck by the idea that he was older than he seemed. His face held a happy smile and many lines that testified of constantly grinning. He made a flourishing bow to Roxanne and laughed merrily.

Oliver started the introductions. "Roxanne, meet the rest of our party. The little one is my cousin Dusk. She's sneaky, so keep a tight hand on your valuables. The ginger is called Rocket, an Engineer. She's brilliant and crazy. One too many explosions when experiments went wrong." He smiled fondly at her and she just said "'S true."

But before Oliver could introduce the last member of the party, the big man was speaking. "And I am Baron Claudius von Strom, celebrated culinary wizard. Not a real wizard, mind you, " he chuckled and continued, "Let's just say that you'll never turn back once you've tasted my cuisine!"

"We call him Cookie." said Dusk wryly. "Because he cooks."

The big man laughed heartily. "I do!"

The party spent some time chatting and getting to know Roxanne. It seemed their questions about her life wouldn't end. She felt ashamed for her earlier bout of jealousy and found that she liked all three of the new members of their group. Finally, after what felt like hours, she was allowed to go to sleep.

They set out the following morning with a constant banter and laughter accompanying them. But then the smell crept up on them as the forest trees thinned, insuring Roxanne that the marsh was near. And all too soon, she stood looking down at a murky mess of land.

She decided that they had named the place perfectly; for it was grey and desolate, no more than a stagnant pool of filth. Mosquitoes made a constant droning noise and were on their skins, drinking their blood before long. There were giant marsh worms sloshing through the pools and things that drifted on the surface of the water that made Roxanne shudder. The bantering and laughter had died down to an eerie silence, only broken by the noise made by the insects.

But then there was a sudden crash and a yell, as something grabbed Rocket by the ankle. Roxanne turned in shock to face the biggest creature she'd seen in her life, even as it slung Rocket to one side. She landed with a splash in one of the pools. The creature was grotesque and it made a deep, throaty roar, which made the hair on their necks stand on end.

Roxanne was afraid.

And now you need to vote before you can go enjoy your weekend!!

What is attacking them?

A giant swamp lizzard

An enormous green snake

An oversized dragonfly

A massive, slimy toad

www.poll-maker.com

Stay beautiful and be kind to animals,

Yolandie

Simple blow-drying techniques

Hello beauties!!

I was talking to Liani the other day about her hair. You see, since I met her, her hair has always been short, except for the time before she got married, when she grew it out. I told her that she looked really cool with the long hair and she agreed, which brought us to this topic. Because she'd always worn her hair short, she didn't know how to style her longer hair. And I realised that even though I've basically had long hair for the most of my life, I didn't know how to do the basic styling techniques until I was out of high school.

So I thought I'd do a couple of posts on the very basics; how to blow-dry, how to flat iron, how to curl, how to style curly hair, how to style short hair and stuff like that. Because I figure there are a lot of people out there who are still learning about their hair, just as they're learning about makeup and for that matter, everything in life!! So if you have ideas for this series, please let me know.

Today we're talking about blow-drying hair. I found four videos which show different techniques and two have long hair, one has a bob hairstyle and one is for short hair, so everyone is covered. I'll do a post exclusively for curly hair, because I think our curly haired friends deserve a post just for themselves!! :)

Before we get to the videos, just what you're going to need. Obviously, a hair-dryer. The best kinds come with different heat settings and clip on attachments, like a nozzle and a diffuser. Mine is a Dischem brand one, and I promise you, after hundreds (that was a exaggeration) of hair-dryers, it's one of the best I've had. You don't need a GHD, but do some shopping and ask around before you purchase one. Then you're going to need brushes and / or combs. I did a pretty extensive post on that a while back, so I'm going to point you here if you want to learn more about the right brushes for your hair.

On to the videos!!

I really hope this post helped something. Even I learned a thing or two!! Haha!

Tune in tomorrow for part seven of the online novel. If you've fallen behind, no sweat! It's not so much to read and catch up. :)

Stay beautiful and be kind to animals,

Yolandie