Two Years at Crazy Combos!

Hi Lovelies,

Can you believe today Crazy Combos is 2 years old?  I know I’ve been pretty quiet over the last 6-8 months, but a lot has happened in the corner of my world.  I know I’ve mentioned it many times, but yesterday I’ve been at my new job for 6 months now!  I’m working as an accountant within a law firm in Chicago.  My previous position was as an executive assistant and I always enjoyed that field.  I figured I would go back to school to do something within business, but never found exactly what I wanted.  It wasn’t until I was placed in this current role that I’ve realized my love for accounting.  I think it works for me because numbers always balance out if you’re doing it correctly!  You can’t get clearer than that, and I like clear cut.  So I’m about 98% positive that is what I’ll be returning to school for.  And depending on what my research uncovers, I assume I have quite of bit of school ahead.

I also started commuting, so my day is quite a bit shorter with those 3 extra hours it takes me to get back and forth now, considering I went from 10 minutes a day for my old job.  I thought working out 3 times a week would mean my transition wouldn’t be too bad, but I found muscles I didn’t know I had power walking from the train! Haha I miss the gym and my amazing class instructor, but I’ve been eating way healthier and am finally seeing some weight loss!  Halleluiah!  Why didn’t I do this in addition to working out all these years?  Duh. haha

Even though I haven’t been posting, I’m always thinking of my blog and all of you readers that I reach.  It’s something I can’t even express how much it means to me that people care about me and wish me all the best, as well as want to see what I have to show or read what I have to say.   Thank you so so much.  It’s why I started Crazy Combos in the first place, because I LOVE TO SHARE when I find something I love and believe in.  I’m so glad that I could be here from the beginning of Indies to watch how much they’ve evolved!  And to see fellow bloggers grow before my eyes over these past few years has been amazing!  I see how much effort everyone puts into their work and they deserve all this credit!  

Maybe I need to start a reference page that people can use?  I know I have favorite blogs listed here, but maybe a favorite shops page of where I find my goodies?  It can get confusing with so many different places to shop.  Comment if you’re interested and I will see what I can come up with!!  ;-)

So back to my thoughts…On one side, I feel completely frustrated with myself for not doing more.  However, on the other side, I know that my days are shorter and my head can only take so much.  I also think because I’m so behind with reviews, that all I see is the big picture of everything that needs to be finished.  I won’t lie, it breaks me down to tears some days that I just can’t do it.  I’m motivated during the day as I think of my to do’s on the way home, but I walk in that door and there are dishes and clothes to be dealt with, and don’t forget dinner, plus I cherish the time I have with my husband, so let’s not forget him.  I’ve also tried to give Coda, my German Shepherd, more of my time, as he often doesn't get to play like he should.  How do you ladies (and gents) do it?  And with kids?  Mr. CC and I plan to try in the next couple of years, as right now it scares me to add that in!!  I know I would love to be a mother, but timing is important too!  I suppose part of it is because I’m still learning a lot in my current job, whereas before my job was so natural to me, I could do it in my sleep.

So I have this internal struggle and am constantly trying to figure out how to handle this.  I’ve struggled in private, but I want to express my feelings since I did exactly what I never wanted to, and that was disappearing.  Maybe I’m putting too much pressure on myself to do it all, but for how much my husband does, it’s only fair that I keep up and do my share too.  I know for a fact that I left a lot up to him while I blogged more steadily before.  This would be a great time for someone to mention that book they have, you know the one that tells me exactly how to make my life fit within the allotted hours given…haha Ok so since that doesn’t exist, I just have to try my best.

OH! And don’t even get my started about technology.  Part of my absence is due to that.  I’ve been having computer problems for ages.  Since it’s so old, I know it’s time for an upgrade, but we haven’t had the extra funds for that.  My phone is also maxed out on storage.  I can’t even take a picture, which makes swatching impossible since that is what I use!  People say “well, why in the hell don’t you delete your pictures?!”  My answer for that is my phone is like a walking directory of polish.  I use it DAILY (well when full time blogging, I did!).  I’ve gone through to clean up unnecessary photos, but I still have like 5,500 pictures on there.  And yes, they are backed up to my computer, but I just love to stroll through them, as so many brighten a bad day (they aren’t ALL nail pics haha, but mostly).  Mr. CC and I plan to get new phones soon at least.  I’ll definitely be getting more storage :-D

I can’t really do anything else but apologize for the way things went down in the past.  I know I let a lot down with not posting reviews, and for that, I am deeply sorry.  I never meant to be so unprofessional, but it just became too much and then I had zero time to think about it during the job switch.  My first few months, I would get home, maybe put something in my stomach, and pass out!  I’m glad that I can stay up now without falling asleep in my soup, but now I need more sleep, since 5 hours a night seems to NOT be working haha.  On a side note, my house is looking the best it has in years.  Yes, years.  I have this hoarding problem! If you’ve ever seen my polish stash, you can tell – I hoard.  The last two months have been a destash of my junk.  It felt great! Anyway, I think I’ve mentioned before, but if you want to talk to me directly about a review that is owed, I definitely want to make things right.  Please feel free to email me at CrystalsCrazyCombos@gmail.com.

I’ve been trying to come up with ideas to move forward.  So what I think will happen is that I break down collections into daily posts.  That is how I started almost two years ago and it seemed to work well.  I want to mix things up with swatching old and new, tape manis, maybe some other fun nail art stuff – who knows.   My main focus is to take it day by day, step by step.  I do have a ton swatched though.   It’s just the editing that I’m stuck on.  If I can break it down into one polish per post, it shouldn’t make me feel that much anxiety, whereas  5+ polishes per post can end up taking a lot of time to make everything look right with a well written post.  Being a perfectionist isn't always helpful either!

After thinking more about it, I've realized blogging was a second job to me.  Or maybe I should say it turned into one.  Don't get me wrong, reviewing polish is FUN, but work does go along with it.  I loved it.  It was an outlet for me to use my creativity and brain power, since my old full time job wasn't pushing me enough.  To be on the opposite side of that now, I understand that if I want to continue with my blog, it can't be something that is a second job.  If I can accomplish all my personal goals this year, blogging included, I have to set limits and figure out a plan to incorporate everything a little bit instead of some things to excess.  I want to blog again because I love it and enjoy it, not because I have to hurry and catch up, or put out something that I'm not 100% happy with.  I want to get back to why I started in the first place, which was to be a place you could come to look at polish! As well as to decided if you needed it!! (Let's be real, you probably do *need*'it hehe just kiddin)

So I hope you'll continue to stick around and see what's ahead!! I miss being involved in the nail community and hope to be around more :-) It overwhelms me how amazing everyone is, and I want to talk to everyone, but it can sometimes be hard with trying to keep up.  Thank you guys for the support. I hope 2014 can be a better year here at Crazy Combos!  And I have this awesome giveaway for a gorgeous home decor wreath HERE! !! Custom made based on what you want!  And I have a two polish giveaways coming too!!

Best wishes in this new year to you all!!

Much Love,

Crystal