Friday, September 30, 2011

Purple Nails, Purple Nails

Barbara: We’ve talked a lot here about embracing your true self and not bowing to pressure and all that, but thanks to one of my adorable nieces, I have found myself expressing not my true self, but someone entirely different—and embracing her as well!

I don’t know how long the fling will last—probably not long, I’m guessing—but here I am with purple nails.

I was visiting my sister the other day and my 8-year-old niece asked if she could paint my nails. The colour choices were magenta, blue and lavender purple. I may have told you this before, but I’m not a big manicure person—in that I hate the time need to sit still and unoccupied while the stuff goes on and needs to dry, I hate the being all delicate with your hands afterward, because I also really hate the fact that it chips and looks tawdry within days.

On those rare occasions that I do get a manicure, I usually pick something very discreet, something that makes my nails look polished and clean, maybe a subtle French. I do love the way I feel all grown up and sophisticated. If I’m gonna put on any persona, I think I’ll go for “grown up and sophisticated”. But I figured I could make the kid happy, let her have fun with her auntie, and then take the stuff off as soon as I got home. I chose the purple.

But here I am two days later, still rockin’ the colour. It is NOT “me”, it won’t ever be. But I do feel pretty sassy, a bit trashy, and way fun. And that’s a great trip too.

Deb: Barb, you couldn’t look trashy if your life depended on it. Nice to see that the nails stepped up to do some skanking though. Yeah, I’m afraid I can’t give you the other side on this one. I, too, like a subtle polished simple nail. However on my toes I can go ... red ... or pink ... or white. Yeah, I guess that doesn’t count. Did do turquoise last summer for a while. You are a good aunt. She will always remember that you did it without question. And you will always remember that you rocked it for no reason. 

24 comments:

  1. Aww Barb that looks really good. I love the purple nails . Your niece did a great job on then. That's sweet that you did that for her.

    As for my nails well they are to short to do anything with. They are getting linger but for right now all I can do with them is make them look pretty. As far as my toes yes I go crazy. I am usually walking around with two different colors on, or sparks on them. I hate to go with just one color one them. You all should try the glow in the dark nail polish. Thats pretty cool.

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  2. As you might have guessed I have had my nails every color under the rainbow until I went to acrylics (which last flawlessly for two weeks) and now it is white tips and light pink. Just think of black and orange nails for Halloween (my birthday). It is fun to step out of the box and see what happens. I also can say my hair has been so many colors, cuts and everything in between. There is even a kit for the nether region hair I have tried for fun. The purple looks marvelous on you and I am impressed with the neatness from your niece.

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  3. I LOVE that color, Barb! Purple is my favorite color! I don't really paint my nails but I definitely paint my toes all the time! Which, for me, happen to be dark purple! :)

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  4. I don't go for manicures often but when I do I invariably end up with a french. It's the one thing I can not do on my own nails and I love how it looks.

    For years I couldn't wear nail polish, I worked in autobody so my nails were kept short and my hands were always filthy looking no matter how I scrubbed them so I never bothered.

    Now here's the flip side, I now paint my nails about once a week and I use every colour under the sun. I paint them red and white for Canada day, bright blue and purple over the summer, orange and glow in the dark for halloween, vibrant red or green for Christmas and so on.

    I use fast dry single coat polishes since I hate the waiting to dry part as well and I always take it off as soon as it chips but while its neat and clean I love it.

    I'm not a girly girl never will be but this is my one concession, my way to tell everyone around me that just because I can and do traditionally male things on a regular basis I'm still a woman gosh darn it!

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  5. Lyndsie, love the nail options! I pictured that on you, for sure. Madge, well, so SO impressed with the experimentation -- nether hair colour, woo baby! And Holly, I have often worn a really dark purple on my toenails -- for some reason that feels me. And Erin, I love that you flaunt your girly side in that one specific, perfect way. Love the contrast thing!

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  6. Oops, sorry, guys! Like Deb before me, I singed in on the wrong profile. That was me (points up). And I also forgot to say -- yeah, Madge, I was also truly impressed with my niece's painting skills. Not a single stroke out of "the lines". Maybe that's why I ended up liking it so much too!

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  7. And (wow, I am so distracted) that should be "signed"...

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  8. I'm not brave enough to do anything with my nails. My daughters look adorable in their pink toes and fingers. When I do it, I just look ridiculous. At least that is how I feel about myself when I see them. I love when other ladies to it, but I just can't. So, I will admire all of you and your lovely nails whether they be subtle or wild. Barb, yours look great!

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  9. You all should try the sparkly black light nail polish. It's pretty cool to look down at night and see your nails and toes glowing in the dark.

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  10. LOVE this because it honors LOVE more than image. I'm right with you all the way re: the rarely do my nails (hate wasting my time at a salon), wreck 'em right away doing dishes & making art--but if I'm gonna do them, I'll do a french manicure to look groomed and sophisticated. however, I too, have rocked the purple for my daughter and loved every second of what it meant. 10 reminders of the bond we share that goes waaaaay beyond nailpolish color.

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  11. I wish I could paint my nails again...nursing school has taken away that privilege. *sigh

    Looking good though, Barb!

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  12. Lyndsie, that just may be my niece's next idea! Thank you, Lori, as always, such a gorgeous response and thought. And Kelly, maybe a mad weekend off in the future?? (after all, they nly last a few days anyway)

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  13. Just found your blog AND lovin' it. I guess I'm a little beyond the middle of ages, but not if 60 is the new 40. Looking forward to reading more of your posts over the weekend.

    YaY to you, Ladies!

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  14. I think your nails look awesome, Barb! More importantly,you made your niece happy! That's the best thing. :)
    I like to do trendy, fun colors on my nails. Earlier this month, I had on a gunmetal gray shade. Edgy, but not too Goth. lol

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  15. Hey Renae, welcome!!! So glad to meet you and hope we see you around lots.

    Beth, gotta say: would love love to do the gunmetal myself.

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  16. Barb, do you think you and I are the only ones humming Prince's tune when we read the title? Surely not.

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  17. oh, dear god, Kate, I hope it's not just us...

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  18. Barbara - Thank you for feeling the same way about manicures as I do! I feel reaffirmed that I am not some for of circus freak that cannot keep fingernail polish on and looking good. Okay, maybe I am a circus freak, but this at least is not proof of it!

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  19. And, Tammy, can you imagine how hard it must be for a circus freak to keep nail polish on?!

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  20. I bite my nails, always have, so I don't wear any. My daughter has quite the collection of bottles and does my mother's nails every so often. My mother has used the same shade of "bleah" for YEARS. When my daughter takes over, all bets are off. Electric blue, sparkling pink, PURPLE with pink dots added over the main coat... you name it, she's done it.

    I get fake nails put on for special occasions, and I really like a particular shade of coral, or at least something in that family. Makes me feel all pretty. Then I inevitably bite them off and life goes on. :)

    *wonders about the circus freaks with those 6-foot long nails*

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  21. I've never had a manicure or pedicure. Am I deprived?

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  22. Aw Barb, that's so sweet. That will be a cherished memory of you for her whole life, and probably yours as well. hugs xox

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  23. P.S. "I on-ly want to see you laughing with your Purple Nails. Pur-ple Nails, Purple Nails..." :)

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  24. Aw, thanks, Karen. And for the song too.

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