Update and some Disturbing Potions!

Hello Everyone!  What a crazy week!  I just want to thank everyone again for all of the love and support in the passing of my Grandpa!  Yesterday was his funeral.  He received a beautiful military ceremony with a final resting place of peace within a military cemetery that is breathtaking.  During the ceremony, a couple of birds flew into the pavilion.  With the beautiful sunny day and slight breeze, the temperature was perfect and it was a very comforting setting surrounded with loved ones.  One of the birds rested on a bar above the casket and I thought it was almost like a sign or something, as it caught my eye.  It actually had a nest there that it flew to and stayed there for the rest of the service for our family.  With so many people around, I was surprised it felt so comfortable in there.

Later, my Mom reminded me how when we were little, that my cousins and I would call my Grandpa, Grandpa Birdie.  He actually would whistle like a bird too.  I can't believe I forgot that.  Of course, being so young and as time passes by, it's not until events like this that you start to think and really remember.    I have to say what a perfect closure that was to saying goodbye to him.  It may have just been a coincidence, but I love to think of myself as very intuitive and in touch with nature.  I am constantly amazed by this world and the nature within it.  It makes me appreciate these little types of moments and signs like this, and I will always cherish them when the coincide.  

I also wanted to explain part of why I've been MIA lately!  I was offered a position downtown (Chicago) and will be starting in a couple weeks!  It is an incredible opportunity and I am looking forward to the change in atmosphere, both in business and location.  Since I had been interviewing a lot, it made it difficult to keep up on everything.  I know I still have A TON to do, so I apologize for the delay, but thank everyone for being SO extremely patient with me.  It means a lot to me to have the support.  

I'll be going from an Executive Assistant to a Legal Staff Accountant.  I'm excited to join a law firm and experience that aspect of business.  I know that my transition will be a lot of work as I adjust, so I ask for more patience (I know, I know, I have been asking for that for a while now).  I do really appreciate it though and do have a current giveaway (Enter HERE!) and a couple more coming soon!  I just want to thank you all for sticking by me and hope that you'll stay for a while as I figure things out.  My hope is that while commuting on the train, I'll be able to blog and work on social media before and after work :-)  It will be an extra 2-3 hours of commuting, while I previously only worked about 5 minutes from home!  haha!  Crazy, I know, but how else do you think I got my blog name? hehe

So how about some swatches?  I know it's been a while, so I have a bunch of stuff from Disturbing Potions to show you!  Some was for review, but I also love to buy polish and lotions!!  Annette, the owner, is fantastic!  She offers great stuff for great prices!  You can shop with her at http://disturbingbehavior.net/.  She is also on Instagram and regularly updates information there - @playwanet.  She sells lots of polish (naughty names) and amazing lotions!  Polish + Lotion = Potions ;-)

****I must warn you though, if you are under 18 or maybe offended easily, please feel free not to read the rest of this post!  Disturbing Potions has some naughty names, so I'll put a page jump here!****

Farewell to my Grandpa!

Hello Everyone!  Some of you may have saw the picture I posted last night about my Grandpa passing away early Sunday morning.  I've posted it below.  It is an older picture of us two, but one of my favorites.  He was a wonderful man.  I still remember being very little and he would pop out his dentures.  I was beyond confused and it freaked me out, but now I look back and laugh at his silliness. 

I know my Dad is taking it hard losing his father.  We have been very fortunate in my family to not have very much death, and this is the first grandparent on my side to pass.  Unfortunately, my Grandma (his wife, my Dad's mom), is very sick too.  I try to see the beauty in that they will meet and be together again very soon.  It's never easy to lose a loved one, but I know that he is in a better place and looking upon us from above.

I was able to see him a week prior to his passing.  My Dad had warned me that he probably wouldn't recognize me.  As soon as I walked in, his face lit up.  I, on the other hand, started bawling.  I asked him how he was feeling, although it was apparent, and he said, "To tell you the truth, absolute horse shit."  Even in pain and suffering, he could still make me laugh.  He was in and out of it because of the morphine, but he actually said my name at one point, telling me how happy he was to see me.  I will always cherish those last moments with him.

At one point, he did ask Mr. CC if he smoked.  When he said no, my Grandpa said, "Oh, that's a shame."  At the time, we weren't sure what he meant.  Later, I was talking to my Mom and she said he was probably looking for a cigarette!  That little stinker!  He unfortunately smoked almost his whole life.  We're lucky to not have lost him sooner.  

The incredible support from everyone brings me to tears.  I cannot express how much your kindness means to me.  I'm constantly amazed to be apart of such a caring group and cherish all your condolences, thoughts, and prayers.  Thank you.  Also, thank you for letting me share this with you.  Tomorrow we will remember him and Thursday we will say goodbye.

Pretty & Polished - Blogger Collection (Giveaway!!)

Hi Everyone!!  It seems it's always something at Crazy Combos lately haha ;-)  At least we haven't lost power this week (lost it so many times last week), and my internet is currently connected! Yay!  But even that has been spotty the last two weeks (service call Saturday - hope it can be fixed!).  I know, First World Problems, but I've realized how much I do love my power and internet!! haha Anyway, even though I haven't been posting, I do have polishes swatched and ready for you guys!!  Hopefully things will get somewhat back to normal here soon!  Thanks for sticking by me! ;-)

I'm excited to review for you the Blogger Collection by Pretty & Polished!  Chels, the owner, asked me to come up with some ideas in order to have a polish created in representation of my blog.  What an absolute honor!  So I started thinking white - holo - circle glitter!!  And thanks to Chels, Crazy Circles was born!  I am in love with it.  It has black, silver, and a few shades of pink circle glitters.

Images Courtesy of Pretty & Polished

You can purchase these today, June 2 at 6pm EST at Pretty & Polished on Etsy or Pretty & Polished on My Shopify. You can also find out more information, upcoming collection information, along with swatches on Pretty & Polished - Facebook, on Twitter @prettynpolish, on Instagram @prettyandpolishd and at http://www.prettynpolish.com/. I highly recommend taking a look around, as Pretty & Polished always has awesome creations and an amazing formula!

Before we get on to swatches, at the bottom of the post will be a rafflecopter to win the collection!  Best of luck to everyone!!

First up, I'm so excited to show you Crazy Circles!!!!  These pictures are in my light box.

I used 2 coats of Crazy Circles along with Swift Sparkle, the Pretty & Polished top coat.

Close up!  I put the bottle upside down for a minute to make sure I had all the circles floating around to get them on the nail!! Chels did an amazing job!  I love this!

Here is Crazy Circles in my kitchen lighting.  It is a white with holo base!  You can see some of the shimmer in these pics below!

Love this bottle shot!  You can see all the gorgeous pinks, silver, black and the holo in the white base!

Close up!

And these next are outdoor.  I know, so many pictures!  Sorry, but I am most definitely in love! Can you tell?  This is in the shade.

And these are in the sun!

I came up with the name because of my blog, sticking with C's.  I also LOVE circle glitter, so I wanted to make sure to have a bunch in here!  This has been a great combination of my favorite things!

Close up!  I hope you love it!!  I'm SO proud of it :-)

Next up, we have Me, Myself, and Cacti by Sarah of Chalkboard Nails!

For Me, Myself, and Cacti, I used 2 coats along with Swift Sparkle.

I absolutely love this bright green jelly with black hexes, black circles, and white hexes!

You can visit Sarah's blog at http://www.chalkboardnails.com/.  She is fantastic at swatching and does amazing nail art!  Definitely check her out!

Close up!

Next up, we have Queen You Dig It? by Shipra of Taneja's Bride.

For Queen You Dig It?, I used 2 coats along with Swift Sparkle by Pretty & Polished.

This polish is a gorgeous mix!  I love the gold fleck in the white base, along with gold circle glitter and blue hexes and smaller maroon hexes!

You can visit Shipra's blog at  http://tanejasbride.com/.  She reviews nails, but also makeup!  Love her reviews!!  I don't normally wear lipstick, but she has me wanting to start!

Close up!

Next up, we have Adventures in Polish Making by Amy of I'm Feeling Nail-Venturous.

For Adventures in Polish Making, I used 2 coats along with Swift Sparkle by Pretty & Polished.

This gorgeous grey jelly is filled with beautiful teal/blue and purple glitter!  I absolutely love this combination! Simple and stunning!

You can visit Amy's blog at http://imfeelingnail-venturous.blogspot.com/.  Amy is a sweetheart!  I also love her nails and designs!  She does amazing looks that I wish I had the talent to recreate!!

Close up!

Last, but certainly not least, we have New York City Lights by Carly of Lacquered Lover.

For New York City Lights, I used 2 coats along with Swift Sparkle top coat.

What a stunning polish!  It has beautiful iridescent flakies along with shimmer!  It's so much prettier in person, as the camera can't even begin to pick up it's sparkle!

I tried, but this isn't the most flattering picture! ha!  But look at that bottle!! Stunning, right? These next two pictures are bedroom lighting.

You can visit Carly's blog at http://www.lacqueredlover.com/.  She has beautiful macros and swatches.  She also reviews makeup, including her face of the days!

Close up!

I hope you enjoyed this look at Pretty & Polished Blogger Collection!  I'm still feeling a little bit shocked to be included in this collection!  I am SO honored that Chels of Pretty & Polished reached out to me with this opportunity.  Thank you so much, Chels!  And to be included with such a great group of bloggers, I can't even believe it!  These polishes are gorgeous and I'm so glad to have the chance to review them for you!

BUT WAIT!!  Here is your chance to win a set of your own!! ;-)  Thank you to Chels for offering this generous gift to my readers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Following Blog, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook will allow only one point each, per person. You may tweet this giveaway as many times as you would like, with one point given per day, per person. This giveaway is open internationally - so best wishes and good luck!

In case you missed above, you can purchase these today, June 2 at 6pm EST at Pretty & Polished on Etsy or Pretty & Polished on My Shopify. You can also find out more information, upcoming collection information, along with swatches on Pretty & Polished - Facebook, on Twitter @prettynpolish, on Instagram @prettyandpolishd and at http://www.prettynpolish.com/. I highly recommend taking a look around, as Pretty & Polished always has awesome creations and an amazing formula!

Have a great day!

Much Love,
Crystal

*These products have been sent to me for review. All thoughts and opinions are that of my own.*