High Five for Friday (the 13th)

Nerd alert!!! 

Did you know??

The fear of Friday the 13th is called friggatriskaidekaphobia.

According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, NC an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States are affected by a fear of this day making it the most feared day and date in history. Some people are so paralyzed by fear that they avoid their normal routines in doing business, taking flights or even getting out of bed. It has been estimated that $800 to $900 million is lost in business on this day. 

Fewer accidents and reports of fire and theft occur when the 13th of the month falls on a Friday than on other Fridays, because people are preventatively more careful or just stay home.

Are you afraid of Friday the 13th?

This week was slow going...there just aren't enough Friday's in the week.  Give yourselves a big H5...you made it!!

My son went shopping with my Mother one afternoon, and surprised me with these pretty earrings!!  He was so excited to give them to me.  He said when he saw them that he just knew I would love them because I like the color blue.  After he gave them to me he said "Will you write about them in your blog?"  :)

Thanks for the best present ever my sweet, sweet Trey!!

I had a shellac manicure yesterday.  I was skeptical (to say the least) because that morning on GMA they had a section discussing the dangers of such manicures.

You can watch the GMA clip by clicking this link.

 I thought about it while I got a lovely hand/arm massage from the nice Vietnamese gentleman (he sure did have some soft hands)...he was asking me if I wanted the shellac manicure during the "massage."  Immediately I flashed back to what I saw on my TV earlier that morning....I told him I needed to think about it....I decided to accept his offer after breaking my silence by asking several questions about it and discussing the price...ooook..he talked me into it.. I am sure by now I have sucker written all over my face..next to the fear that is clearly evident from my 50 questions and my hesitation....I will do it... just this once....to see for myself what I think about it.

What are shellac nails you ask?

1 thin layer of shellac base coat
(hmmm...cool!!)

10 seconds of curing in a UV lamp

(seemed like 10 minutes)

1 thin layer of shellac color coat
(again??   uhh..o..ok)

2 minutes of curing in a UV lamp

(seemed like 2 hours)

2nd layer of shellac color coat
(yawn)

2 minutes of curing in a UV lamp

(2 more hours?)

 Fortunately this nail salon serves complimentary wine..

Bartender, I'll have another..please..

1 thin layer of shellac top coat

(I need a nap)

2 final minutes of curing in a UV lamp

(Really??!!)

Wipe nails with 99% isopropyl alcohol

(Do you have to-go cups?  I'm kidding Mom!!)

Apply solar oil to nails
(wait??  you.. mean... that's it??  **insert sarcasm here**)

Seriously....Shewwww....that is/was an ordeal!!




( I must note that the entire process of "shelling" only took about 15 minutes total...still entirely too long in my opinion, but..ok..no buts.)

 I will honestly admit that I didn't even "catch" the color of my polish because I was having a silent anxiety attack thinking that I spent way more time than I should have under the UV lights.  The GMA clip about the lady that developed sun spots after 6 months of using these lights kept flashing in my head...I was seriously freaking out!!  (Apparently I need to visit that stress management/phobia institute/center I mentioned above.) 

So, I took it upon myself, and quietly removed my hands once I thought they had been "baked" long enough. The little Vietnamese guy had basically left me alone and I know it was more than three minutes before he came to check on me..  Basically this shellac process is the same as getting fake gel nails (with several added steps) except this goes on top of your own nails. 

They do feel very hard and strong as if they were the fake nails.  This is supposed to last 2 weeks or more without chipping or fading.   I recommend them only at your own risk.  The only known dangers are the overexposure times spent under the UV lamp.  I panicked a little more than usual because UV rays + lupus = nothing good!!  The Dr on GMA suggested wearing sunscreen on your hands, or asking the nail technician to cover your hands with a towel..I did neither....hence the silent mental breakdown of my hands aging 10 years in 10 minutes.

They are a pretty neutral-ish peachy color...it is not my fave...I think I panicked myself into picking a color. I just wanted to hurry and leave. 

I'm checking on that center/institute now...kidding!!!

I also got a pedicure (before the manicure)  It was a much less stressful event in my day...  This polish color is OPI My Chiuaua Bites.

It is a very pretty summery melon color

Did you all have a happy Easter?  I enjoyed looking at this adorable carrot "wreath" that my husbands Aunt and Cousin made for me.  They saw something similar on Etsy and Pinterest and surprised me with it.  I came home one afternoon and my sweet little Mother-in-Law had it hanging on my front door.

She recycled an old Christmas tree that she had not used in years...I love it!! 

Once a week I use this rinse on my hair.  It is called So Silver by Matrix.  The idea is to "rinse" my blonde of the dull residue that causes brassiness.  I have used it for about 5-6 years...once a week.  It really does work, and helps freshen and brighten my color in between salon visits.  My Grandmother was a beautician and I remember her using something very similar on her little old lady clients to help keep their silver/white hair shiny and new.

***** Update***** 

When I got to the office this morning my Dad stopped me and asked what I had done to my hair?  I wasn't quite sure how to take that.  He went on to say that it looked like I had it highlighted again...he was asking what I had done differently.  See this stuff really works!!  I just did the rinse last night!

I made homemade whipped cream for Easter Sunday dessert.  It was soooo good.  I literally ordered everyone to the kitchen to taste test this.  

I added fresh strawberries to it and used it as cake topping. Sweet delicious goodness!!

I never noticed the recipe (sans strawberries) on the side of the heavy whipping cream carton...I should pay attention more often!

 

I will now send you off to begin your weekend by ending my H54F with my favorite furry friends.

Sebastian wanted to sunbathe on the porch one sunny afternoon

Scuba was catching some rays as well..

Is it just me, or does he look guilty?

Scuba's favorite spot to sit in the mornings

Best friends!!

Thanks for stopping by for a little H54F fun!!  I hope you all have a fantabulous weekend!!

Enjoy!

Carrie