Website Love: http://www.8ty8beauty.com/

This category should be called "Websites You Should Know About if You Want to Go Broke in No Time at All."

Last month I ordered five new nail polishes from 8ty8 Beauty Supply. I was led to this website after going to Sally Beauty Supply and looking through the China Glaze Bohemian collection. We got to talking about China Glaze holographic nail polish collection coming out this summer (I want ALL of them).  In 2009 China Glaze released holographic shades in the OMG collection. The woman helping me dig through a bin of polishes said that by the time she heard of the OMG collection she couldn't find it anywhere and had to order off of 8ty8 Beauty Supply. How she described the website it sounded like an archive (or elephant graveyard) of hard to find nail polishes.

I was a little off. It's more like a no-frills website that sells China Glaze, Color Club and other name brand polishes at lower prices.

I made order in early October.

I ordered China Glaze Twinkle Lights, China Glaze Tinsel Town, China Glaze Cast a Spell, Color Club Cloud Nine, and Color Club Angel Kiss.

China Glaze polishes sell at Ulta for $7.50. 8ty8 Beauty Supply sells the same polish, with the same release dates for $3.00.

The polishes are packed together well in boxes that hold three polishes each. If you order a number of polishes not divisible by three, then they pack that space with newspaper. They ship USPS  priority mail out of New York. I received my first order three days after it shipped.

The only downside I have found, is that shipping is expensive! It's $11.00! And, you have no clue how much the shipping will be until it invoices.

I look through the polishes they offer, and look them up on Google. Generally, Scrangie has covered the older (pre-2010) polishes, and The Polishaholic covers current polishes (2010-present).

I just made an order yesterday! I'm so excited.

Strictly Platonic

Last summer, I posted on Craigslist looking for friends. At the time I didn't find this sad. I didn't have a job and volunteered with kids under 16 all day. There weren't many chances to meet people my own age.

But now, I find it dreadfully sad that I'm going to post again. Now, I have a job, but haven't made any real connections. My work friends and I talk about doing things but don't follow through.  I haven't seen my friend from home who moved up here in over six months. Most of the time, I feel really alone.

When I was a kid, this was the norm for me. I'd go to school, hang out with school friends and come home to be by myself. Once college started, that wasn't an option. I lived with people. I also had an almost intrusive network of friends who I saw outside of school often.

I'd like to talk to someone who isn't Jared more often. I feel like when I go to work, I'm too chatty and unprofessional, because I'm attention starved.

So, here we go again.

Happy Halloween! (EARLY)

Not Really a Blog Post

I just spent an hour trying to make a VLOG and it's all useless. The problem is that I have nothing to talk about. Anyways, here are some videos I like.

Finances Update, Pinterest, Makeup Post

Finance Update + House Update

Week 1 of my 26 week financial fast is complete! I made a small slip and bought a replacement waist belt. I broke the one I would use often and I needed it for the majority of my dresses to fit right. Darn thick arms, broad shoulders and a normal sized waist!

I did my weekly total and should be able to put away enough for a down-payment on a house in September and for my San Francisco trip in May (or possibly June, I'm still working out the details).

As for real estate ... we saw a few houses two weeks ago that weren't up to snuff. This week another house dropped in price, but is further north than I want to live. Seeing that the last apartment we saw on the only day we looked at apartments was perfect, the house in Platteville sold just in time for us to move into said apartment, I learned of my volunteer gig just before it started, my contracting job started soon after my volunteer gig ended, my contracting job ended and my real job started... and we met Gizmo and adopted him in the same day... and everything that has happened seems to just happen in a timely manner - I'm going to bank on just the right house appearing on the market just in time. What can I say? I'm lucky.

Pinterest

I joined Pinterest this week. It took me a little while to figure out what was going on and the best use for the website. Now, it's kind of addicting. It's a great way to keep tracking of street wear blogs I like, and to keep track of home decorating ideas on Apartment Therapy.

I would suggest it.

Makeup Blog posts

I am considering making a weekly post about makeup I own and have tried often enough to form an opinion. I'd like to get an idea of my audience before embarking on this. Mostly, I wonder if I have an audience and whether you, my audience, would want to read something like that. Comment on Facebook, message me, comment here - whatever works for you.

Corgi Rodeo Gif

Gizmo the Corgi

My dog has a Phlog

Holley Sweeps

I've had two days off from my summer program, because of the severe heat. This means I've been couped up indoors for more than 48 hours! To keep busy, I'm entering online sweepstakes. I think it's pretty awesome, and from filling out resumes over the last two months, I feel like I'm qualified to fill out an entry form. Here I will list a few of the blog sweepstakes that I have entered and a little about each one.

Green XC is holding a Limited Edition Stones and Bones Bracelet Giveaway at their blog. I really love the styling of the skull bracelets.
wearing my big girl pants is having a My Olivia Jewelry Giveaway featuring pretty, simple wrap bracelets.
An Uncommon Thread is holding a The Beautiful Cristina Scarf Giveaway from Latin Threads Trading Co. The scarves are handmade and beautiful.
Sweeps4Bloggers is giving away a PonyUp! Kentucky Handbag. The bags are very cool and feature a customized name plate.
Leslie Loves Veggies is holding two separate giveaways: One for a NAVOH Handbag, and another for a VIETA Handbag. Both of which are beautiful and affordable.
Marvelous Mommy is giving away Luscious Metals Jewelry which can be inscribed and personalized.
Confessions of an Over-worked Mom is having a giveaway of Tuita USA products. I really love the flamingo handbag.
Natural Mama is giving away a pair of Aetrex Sandals! They look comfortable and supportive.
The Nurse Mommy is holding a giveaway of Nellie's Natural Laundry Soda.
Susan's Disney Family is giving away Prem Soaps and a salt scrub and a lip balm!
Win Lose or Blog is holding a giveaway for Grateful Body Skin Care (all natural, organic, vegan products!)

I entered a bunch of sweepstakes over Facebook yesterday. Fingers crossed!

Personalized Ringtones

As previously mentioned, I am not a smartphone gal. However I do love my phone, because it is pretty and functional. Plus, I don't pay for a ton of apps that I might if I had the accessibility of a smartphone. I do like to have fun ringtones for my phone. Instead of purchasing ringtones like I usually do, this time I just edited down songs I already have on my computer. I used this handy Lifehacker guide, created my own tones, and set them to my nearest and dearest.

Short entry is short because of all kinds of copyright infringement for commercial use.

30 Future Blog Topics

I hate being stumped, and I'm not updating this blog as often as I would like. I'm compiling a list of blog topics to cover. I am avoiding negative topics the best I can. I think a big part of not updating is that my life isn't moving forward fast enough to be vicariously exciting. I'm really enjoying my time volunteering, but my days aren't too inspiring.

1. Why I Have Only 136 Friends
2. My Ultimate Sales Pitch to Move to My Neighborhood
3. How I Plan to Save the World (Or at Least a Small Part of It)
4. Top 5: Facebook Edition
5. How to Work with Call-Center Customer Service
6. What to Do When You’re Broke
7. Topics Not to Blog About on a Public Website
8. Why I Wouldn’t Mind Joining a Cult
9. Weird Houses I Want to Live In
10. Things I Preach About but Don’t Actually Do
11. Top 5: Things You Can’t Price Point
12. Cheap Food I Love
13. What I Can Do When I Finally Find Employment
14. Top 5: Great Things About Being Unemployed
15. Timeline of What I Want(ed) to be When I Grow Up
16. If I Had a College Do-over
17. Top 5: Movies That Owe Me Time and Money
18. How to Spot a Troll
19. Assumptions Make an Ass Out of Those That Offer Advice
20. Pet Peeves: Truth-telling, Nay-saying, Lady-shaming and Tight Clothes
21. My Son Is Getting a Stove-top Play Set
22. Isolationism and Why I Don’t Talk About Politics
23. How to Recognize If an Argument Is Pointless
24. Tactics to Get Out of a Screaming Match
25. Top 5: Classes I Took in College
26. Why I Don’t Believe in Internet Anonymity
27. Your Actions > Your Adjectives
28. Scale of Candy Bars by Deliciousness
29. Halloween Costumes Ideas for Freezing Temps
30. How I Would Fight Vampires, Zombies, Werewolves

Happy 100th Post, Here Are Some Stats

If you are a using a PC to view this website on Firefox after clicking a link on Facebook, you are in like company. It is also possible that you won't even see this entry, because you're too busy watching a gif of a corgi in a swing. Happy 100th post, ya'll.

100 Things That I Love

Today I read articles on minimalism and happiness. The article on minimalism spoke of Dave Bruno's 100 Thing Challenge. The article on happiness was about how hard it can be to pinpoint what makes us happy. Because my brain is really into remixes, I bring you the 100 Things That I Love list.

1. I love reading about the news online, but hate televised news.
2. I love movies that have good Rotten Tomatoes ratings and explosions (e.g. The Rundown), but generally dislike movies with amazing Rotten Tomatoes ratings (e.g. Gran Torino).
3. I love bar-b-que.
4. I love any show or movie that is set in space... but I don't like Star Wars.
5. I love prints, but hate stripes.
6. I love long hair --- on anyone else but me.
7. I love dancing solo or with ladies, but hate dancing with a guy.
8. I love to see people get what they deserve.
9. I love to window shop online. I spend hours filling up a cart and then close the tab.
10. I love making Excel charts.
11. I love trying new foods.
12. I love hanging out with one person at a time, and feel a little lost in groups.
13. I love being out in the sun no matter how bad it is for me.
14. I love customizing everyday items.
15. I love unexpected uses of everyday items.
16. I love that I can solve most problems with vinegar.
17. I love cheese bread from Domino's pizza with ranch dressing.
18. I love that outside smell that you can't bottle. You just have to go outside and let it sink in.
19. I love anything from the Rosebud Perfume Company.
20. I love affordable shipping rates.
21. I love 7 for $25.50 undies sales at Victoria's Secret.
22. I love catfish.
23. I love that I can realistically sketch anything in front of me.
24. I love the Barenaked Ladies. If I was trapped on a desert island, they could serenade me everyday.
25. I love mnemonic devices.
26. I love portmanteaus. (I even love the word "portmanteau.")
27. I love small, pretty things with excellent design value.
28. I love Jane Tran bobby pins.
29. I love TOMS classics.
30. I love jigsaw puzzles.
31. I love crossword puzzles.
32. I love cryptoquotes.
33. I love zucchini bread.
34. I love asparagus.
35. I love spinach, but I hate lettuce.
36. I love flea markets.
37. I love garage sales.
38. I love big concerts, but hate the crowds.
39. I love vinyl records.
40. I love plants.
41. I love campy movies.
42. I love puns.
43. I love satire.
44. I love exaggerated facial expressions. 
45. I love to make loud, weird noises.
46. I love Heavenly Hash ice cream from Food Club.
47. I love The Beatles, but hate Across the Universe (the movie) and The White Album.
48. I love Doctor Who (2005- ), but grow very tired of Doctor Who (1963–1989).
49. I love blue cotton candy at the movies.
50. I love a Chicago style hot dog with cajun fries.
51. I love laughing so hard my chest hurts, and I'm out of breath.
52. I love Colin Firth. He's easily my favorite actor.
53. I love SNL Celebrity Jeopardy.
54. I love regular Jeopardy.
55. I love Whitest Kids U Know.
56. I love Flight of the Conchords.
57. I love funny t-shirts, but hate text t-shirts.
58. I love talking about anything that isn't religion, politics or sex.
59. I love having close friends who can tell me all about their personal lives, but hate when complete strangers tell me their business.
60. I love being honest, but hate that I have a reputation for being brutally honest. (There are things I keep my trap shut about.)
61. I love being able to look up anything I want online.
62. I love corgis. (You guys knew that was coming.)
63. I love shopping and going to museums alone.
64. I love talking with food in my mouth. (True story. Ask Jared.)
65. I love RED RED RED.
66. I love our cushy orange chair.
67. I love documentaries.
68. I love reading about real life tragedy.
69. I love Amelie.
70. I love purses, but hate backpacks and messenger bags.
71. I love floral tapestry print luggage.
72. I love having painted nails.
73. I love David Sedaris's biographical short stories.
74. I love brightly colored houses.
75. I love colorful, interesting socks.
76. I love sweet tea. (Or, for you Northerners, Iced Tea with sugar.)
77. I love heavy-handed design from the 1970s.
78. I love furniture that is multi-functional, but I hate multi-tasking.
79. I love short sentences that clearly get a point across.
80. I love my bed.
81. I love anagrams.
82. I love pizza.
83. I love notebooks. (Especially Moleskines. And, I'm okay with how hipster that is.)
84. I love cliches.
85. I love fruit flavored, sugarless gum.
86. I love silhouettes.
87. I love snarky cross-stitch.
88. I love Coke.
89. I love my insoles.
90. I love cheese. (Especially goat cheese, Havarti and aged cheddar.)
91. I love smoked oysters and clams.
92. I love shell fish.
93. I love bracelets.
94. I love copper anything. (My copper piggy bank is amazing.)
95. I love finding new television shows to love.
96. I love making my own sound effects and theme songs.
97. I love straightening things.
98. I love really well seasoned salsa.
99. I love metal works.
100. I love lamp(s).

Holley Projects

I've done a little renovating on the blog tonight. Previously, I was deciding on the best blog title for my post-move blog. Well, the decision has been made. I chose "Holley Projects" because of the word play of the heteronym.

Holley Projects can mean the following:

Holley's series of projects, or great tasks that require effort
Holley directs her voice "so as to be heard clearly in the distance"
Holley forms a new plan or intention for...
Holley "juts out"
Holley "communicates vividly"
Holley makes a picture appear on a screen

As my first project of Holley Projects, I am going to get some sleep. I have a nice day out to attend tomorrow followed by Senior Show at the University of Wisconsin, Platteville.


P.S. I was quoting the dictionary above
.

Corgi in a Swing GIF

My favorite news source is doing it's own version of March Madness. I've been on Team Corgi since Day 1. 

Blog Title

We are a wonderful 16 to 28 days (depending on when Jared's job ends) from no longer being Wisconsin Residents. Admittedly, I am nervous about the move and am using over-planning to soothe my nervousness. (I'm making tons of lists, Excel sheets, maps of our future apartment... you name it.) But, that's not what this post is about. This post is far more minimal and unimportant. It's only the future of my blog.

Once the Wisconsin to Minnesota transition is completed, having a blog titled "WI to MN" is no longer relevant. I've been ruminating on what my new blog will be called. Here is a list of all considerations thus far:

Holley Today
Holley Lately
A Typical Holley
Minnesota Ametuer
Holley Moly
Whittier Holley
Miss. Minn.
Frozen Hottie (Now, I'm just brainstorming.)
Urban Catfish
Holley Projects

That's all I have right now.

Also, I've been considering getting a tattoo. I'm always considering getting a tattoo. But, I have a hard time committing to a hairstyle or agreeing to a blog title (both of which can be changed at anytime). I seriously doubt a tattoo will be in the immediate future. What I've been considering lately is a tattoo of a catfish. At first I was considering a koi. Let's be a little honest here: I am not a koi. My Dad is from New Orleans, LA. My Mom is from Oneonta, AL. I grew up in sweltering heat and high humidity in the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village." I grew up poor in a rich neighborhood. I'm stoic in nature and take whatever I can get. I'm not saying that when I die from unnatural causes Donald "Ducky" Mallard is going to find a license plate in my stomach. I'm saying that if middle classed suburbanites are tilapia, upper-middle class are salmon and I'm a catfish. I certainly am not a koi. I suppose if I could choose, I'd be a pompano, but those fish are far less recognizable without color. End fish rant.

Please contact me with title suggestions. I don't think anyone is going to connect "Urban Catfish" with the young woman reviewing their restaurant then ranting about corgis on blogspot.

Photo Source

My Bookmarks Bar

Facebook
is a social networking website that has brought us words like "facebooking" and is nationally (internationally?) recognized by the shortened term "FB," which originally was associated with the Farming Bureau. Pros: Makes keeping up with three high schools' worth of friend easier. Cons: Ever increases my list of internet peeves. Rumored to be ideal for narcissists as well as kill your authenticity.

Gmail
is a email brought to you by Google.  Pros: Ever expanding inbox, searchable mail, linked to other nifty websites. Cons: Glenn Beck hates Google... oh wait that's a pro.

 Hulu
is a website that streams television shows and movies. Pros: Pretty good selection of television, interesting selection of movies. Cons: House is a week behind and most television shows only have the last few episodes.

Blogger
is self-explanatory if you are reading this blog that is brought to you by Blogger. Pros: Linked to my Gmail Account, easy interface. Cons: Has yet to invent a filter to stop me from posting things that I shouldn't.

Get Rich Slowly
is an excellent blog on personal finance. It gives tips from debt to stability as written by someone who was doing just that. Pros: Excellent articles, consistent and frequent updates, guest articles. Cons: Hard to find articles about saving for your future that don't involve being thousands of dollars in bad-debt.

Lifehacker
is a website with links to articles as well as original articles that focus on tips and tricks on getting things done. It's very tech based. Pros: Interesting DYI articles. Cons: I feel that Lifehacker's general population is a slightly more grown up version of the anonymous entities that believe there are no women on the interweb.

Jezebel
is a website with links to articles as well a original articles that focus on women in the news and articles that women would be interested in. Pros: At times can be very feminist in viewpoints that express the power of women while including fluff pieces on celebrities and adorable bunnies. Cons: At times can be very feminist in viewpoints that express a general distaste for fluff pieces on celebrities and adorable bunnies.

The Mary Sue
is a website that just started up that focuses on geek girl culture. Pros: So far, everything it posts is awesome. Cons: You cannot create an account for commenting. If you want to comment, then you can log in under your Facebook account. I don't like mixing social networks. Favorite daily article: Thing We Saw Today.

Geekosystem
is a website for geeks. Pros: Interesting links to articles. Cons: More difficult to navigate than Lifehacker or Jezebel. Favorite daily article: Geekolinks.

Newser
is a website that summarizes new articles into short paragraphs and links you to the full article. Pros: Provides photos, so I don't have to Google Image search celebrities. Cons: Allows readers to vote on their reaction to the article.

Three Panel Soul
is a webcomic that is the newest chapter in MacHall. I'm catching up after forgetting about it for a spell.

Best InfoGraphic Ever

All rights reserved by Billy Ray's Residual Self Image

Girl of Your Dreams

My cousin Rachel had a dream about me and posted it in her blog.
HYPERLINKED

Old Photo

My Aunt Leigh just posted this on Facebook. It's one of the best photos of me... ever.

The Weekend Update

Thursday I worked an extra shift to make up for taking off Saturday for Joe and Brittany's wedding.
Friday Jared and I went in to Madison, visited a book store on State St. and ate some gelato. We had dinner with Jared's parents. Jared's mom makes wonderful bruschetta.
Saturday was Brittany and Joe's wedding. It was small and nice. Jared refused to dance at the reception at all. We came home that night after swinging by Woodman's.
Sunday I was back at work having a quiet, slow day.
Monday work. Went to Dubuque afterwards to grab a skirt I passed up a week before and a burger to split at Red Robin.
Tuesday work. Jared starts his job at the Cheese Factory. I call in to Foodshare to do my interview.
Wednesday work.
Thursday is my day off. I make all the business calls: city planner, water and sewer. I pay the internet and electricity bill. I pay off my credit card for this week. I also got a perm.
Friday is today. All I've done is dishes and messing with the layout on this thing.
I put in to ask for Saturday and Sunday off. I don't know if I'll survive a 7 day work week. Answering phones all day is mentally exhausting. I'm investing in caffeine.

Here is a treat from deviantart. http://einen.deviantart.com/