Polished Indie-d

Happy Polishing,
-Jess

I apologize once again for my absence, it's been hard to be away from blogging for this long. I thank you all for sticking with me through this time. I actually thought I could be delayed again, as someone very close to my family passed away on Thursday morning, and I had driven 5 hours back to my mom's hometown the day before in hopes of getting to see our family friend one last time before she passed. It's been stressful, and I'm still trying to deal with it, but I'm back home and trying to catch up.

Speaking of home, I will, sometime in the coming months, be moving. For the first time in my life, I will be living away from all of my family. I have never lived more than 60 miles from them for the 3 years I wasn't living at home, and between those times, I've still been living at home. However, thanks to some really wonderful friends who have really been more like family, and more supportive of me than my actual family, I will be moving across the country to start a new chapter of my life. I'm scared as hell, but I'll be living with a friend, and honestly this has been a long time coming. I need to move out, get away from the stress and negativity that surrounds me here at home, and be an adult for the first time in my life. It's going to be an amazing opportunity for me, and I'm so grateful. Obviously that'll mean another hiatus, but not for a while.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to edit some pics, and will hopefully have a 'coming soon' post up in the next 24 hours!

Happy polishing,
-Jess

Hello again readers,
I am sorry it is taking me so long to get new posts up. My health took an unexpected turn back in June, and since then I have just been exhausted on a daily basis, to the point where I sleep most of the day. So far all they've found is some mild anemia and some odd lab values. I went in last week for more tests, but as of yet haven't heard anything. I have been editing photos when I can find the energy, and I should have a post up in a couple of days. However this coming week will be busy. I have to schedule a doc appointment for myself, a vet appointment for my mom's dog, who has bilateral ear infections, and then next weekend a friend of mine is flying in for a visit and we will be going to see The Wanted and Carly Rae Jepsen. Bear with me, I'm trying! You guys are awesome for sticking with me.

Happy polishing,
-Jess

Hey guys, Jess here, dropping in to give you an update, but first, our giveaway winners! Congrats to Leah and Cecilia, I'll be getting your prizes shipped as soon as possible.

   Now for the announcement: I have been working hard over the last month. It's my plan to bring you new reviews, show off some awesome stamping (with huge thanks to Ruth at Chocolate Vanity for the plates), tutorials, etc.
   However, last month a former schoolmate of mine passed away. She was also the partner of one of my close guy friends. They had two adorable little girls together, one is 4 months old, the other is two years old. My friend is now a 20 year old single father of two kids under 3, a monumental task. I've offered my help whenever needed, as my disability keeps me from working, therefore I'm rarely busy.

So, lovely readers, if you stick with me, I'll be doing my best to get posts up in a somewhat regular fashion, but you must know that my friends come first. I've been swatching and photographing every chance I get, and I'm compiling a bunch of images so I can sit down sometime soon and type up/schedule a bunch of posts.

Hang in there, I'm working on it!
- Jess :)

Hey all, as you know, the Grand Opening giveaway ended yesterday. I have picked the winners and they have been contacted. If you are down about not winning, or just want more fun nail art prizes, check out the giveaway by Beaching Nails!

^CLICK ME!^

Natalia over at Cats-n-Nails is giving those of us around the world a chance to win some awesome Aussie polishes! I figured since I'm on vacation, I might as well share the love! I've entered, have YOU? Click "Read more >>" for her Rafflecopter widget. I didn't want to confuse everyone by having two widgets on the page!

NOTICE: PLEASE COMMENT ON Cats-n-Nails GIVEAWAY POST HERE TO GET THE COMMENT ENTRIES. COMMENTING ON THIS BLOG POST WILL NOT GET YOU THE ENTRIES.

Just some reminders:

• Open Internationally
• Ends May 31st, 2013
• Winners will have 48 hours to respond, if no response is received, a new winner will be drawn
• Enjoy!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hey guys!
Tomorrow is the big day, the launch of our Grand Opening Giveaway! I realized I had yet to post all of the information, as I got distracted making last night's prize post. So, here's the details:

• Launch will be at 12am CDT tomorrow, Sunday, April 14th
• Entry will be open internationally
• Giveaway will end on May 31st, 2013
• Winners will have 48 hours to respond, if no response is received, a new winner will be drawn
• Chocolate Vanity and MASH Nails prizes will ship from the companies themselves
• All other prizes will be shipped by me as soon as possible after the winners provide their information

As for the prizes, I've decided to split them into two prize packages. Contents of each, as well as a slideshow of the products shipping directly from me (slideshow will not include the items from MASH Nails & Chocolate Vanity) are below!

At this point, the giveaway will just be going ahead. If more prizes come in, awesome, they'll get added to the list. For now, here's what's up for grabs:

I know, the giveaway is late. My fault, as I had forgotten to return an email to one of the wonderful indie creators that was donating prizes. The giveaway will go up within the next week, as soon as the last prizes arrive and I get them photographed. I apologize for the delay, and will have everything up as soon as possible!

Thanks for your patience,
- Jess

Hey guys, today I'm here to tell you about Franken Femme!

I learned about Franken Femme from Becca, the blogger behind it all, through a polish group on Facebook. She put out a call for bloggers, and I sent her a message right away. She asked me what kinds of polish I like, so she could get an idea of what to mix up for me. Her blog is great for anyone interested in frankens or trying to franken themselves. She reviews everything from bases, pigments, glitters, and polishes themselves. She also includes a list of ingredients and polishes she used and where to find them. My favourite posts are her glitter tests. For each new glitter, she places them in suspension base to test them for any bleeding or curling issues, it's very informative! So, onto the other bit of this feature :)

So cute!

Hey guys, I know, I know, getting some flack about the blog being down. This was totally unexpected, and I am trying my hardest to remedy the situation and get back in full working order. It might take a while longer, but I'm going to do my best to get some posts up. For now, I'm pushing up the announcement I've been holding onto. So here it is:

I will be holding a giveaway! I'm still waiting for some of the prizes to arrive, but so far we have lovely sponsors, including:

MASH Nails
Chocolate Vanity
Feenix Polish
Daring Digits
CustomNailArt
Darling Diva
& More to be added!

To polish makers: If you would like to donate/sponsor, email jessvenom [AT] gmail [DOT] com but first check your "other" messages folder on Facebook :) If I have forgotten to list you, email me and I will get a link put up immediately! 

To everyone else: I will be photographing the prizes that have been donated so far, or posting photographs if I do not have the prize in my posession (some prizes are being mailed directly by the sponsor). The official entry form will be put up in either the first or second week of March, depending on how long it takes for some of the prizes to get here. I will NOT be requiring you to follow my blog for the giveaway. So, while you're waiting, pass this announcement along to all of your friends, families, swap buddies, everyone!

This giveaway will be open internationally. The prizes were provided free of charge by the sponsors. You will not be required to follow this blog for entry into the giveaway. Giveaway will go live in either the first or second week of March. A two day advance notice will be given before the giveaway post goes live. 

The other night, the charge cord for the computer all of my blog info and pictures are on started on fire. Needless to say, the blog is gonna be down for a few days, until the new charger gets here. I'm sorry to everyone, but when I get back, there will be two new reviews and a HUGE announcement ASAP.

-Jess

I know I've been M.I.A. for a while, I've been dealing with quite a bit recently. December 7th was my Step-Father's birthday, December 10th was my birthday, and of course Christmas & New Years. I also found a lump in my right breast on December 23rd, and in the process of ruling cancer out on Christmas Eve, was told I possibly have a brain tumor. I had to wait until after Christmas to have my scans, and while the lump was benign, the MRI of my brain was inconclusive. I am currently awaiting test results from the Endocrinologist I was referred to.

Then on January 11th, my mother's dog got underfoot as I was walking down the stairs. I managed to clear two steps and land my full weight on my left foot. My ankle buckled, and immediately swelled horribly. At the ER, I was treated by a doc who seems to think I'm a drug seeker. He ordered x-rays, slapped an ice pack on it, gave me inadequate pain medication, then discharged me. They forgot to splint my ankle and give me crutches, and I was in so much pain I didn't question it. I walked on the ankle for 3 days in agony before seeing my GP on the following Monday. She gave me a gel splint, refilled one of the medications the ER had given me, and gave me a referral to my old Orthopaedic surgeon. I was in so much pain that my mum, concerned I'd truly mangled my ankle, found an orthopaedist closer to home, and with an earlier appointment. I went in and was told I had, in fact, royally screwed my ankle. I was immediately slapped into an Aircast, indefinitely. It's been almost a month, I will be returning to the doc exactly one month post-injury to see if things are healing or if something else needs to be done.

To top everything off, I caught the flu, even though I got the flu shot. Misery is the only word I can use to describe it, but though I'm not quite well, I'm back.

Since today is Super Bowl Sunday, I bring you a team themed mani! Had to use non-indie polish because I needed the right colours. Who am I rooting for? These guys: