Alexa Ray Joel - Rhinoplasty

Alexa Ray Joel, daughter of Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley, has admitted to People magazine that she's had a rhinoplasty (nose job). According to the New York Daily News,

"I was thinking about getting this for years," the 24-year-old singer told People magazine. "[It's] always bothered me a little bit. I was self-conscious of pictures taken from the side." She said she underwent rhinoplasty earlier this month.

The only photos I've seen are from the front, not the side. From the front she looks a bit straighter, but otherwise the same. It sounds like she had a bump on her nose that she wanted removed, one of my favorite things to do.

Her father is one of my favorite singers. Piano Man, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, River of Dreams, Rosalinda's Eyes, Vienna, Say Goodbye to Hollywood, etc. etc. He rocks. Awesome concert performer too. I would give my left leg for a private concert with Billy.

Thanks for reading.
Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon
Anthony Youn, M.D.:

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It Only Takes a Spark-le to Start a Fire!

So yeah, yesterday was one of those days that you wish never happened, started, etc. I was one of the 'lucky' people at my company who lost their job yesterday. Sweet, huh?! (if anyone knows of any available awesome jobs in the Vegas area, please let me know!! :-D) I'm trying to look at it as a blessing, there are a ton of roads I could take at this point... I could work at night, and go back to school to get a culinary degree, I could get another graphic job, I could get a bartending or cocktail job, I could work at the casinos... the possibilities are pretty endless. I'm going to turn this situation on it's ass. :-D For today's nails I really wanted to do something fun and sparkly, so I used the new Nubar Sparkles polishes I bought at the International Beauty Show to do an ombre. :) These polishes officially kick ass, I can't stop looking at my hands, they're SO sparkly. I even ended up doing a matching pedicure!! :)



I used 3 coats of Nubar Petunia Sparkle, with Nubar Violet Sparkle sponged on the tip half of the nail. Topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat to smooth out the glitter coats. :)

So... what should my next endeavor be?

Volcom Oz Footage of Chima and Dustin

Don't like pictures?

Here's the footage from that same Volcom Oz tour

with Dustin and Chima

Zoya Perri Vio-Fio

Hello Dear Sweet Nail-art Lovers.
Finally got some inspiration, it is been a while that i made some one stroke nails with acrylic paints. The base color is Zoya Perri - love it - so perfect for sponging and gradient look, and overall just a really nice shade.
I also sponged the ring with this nail polish so it matches color of the nails. I hope you like it.

Chima & Dustin In The Skateboarder's Journal

Recently Chima & Dustin did a tour of their backyard

for the U.S. Skateboarder Mag and

Australia's The Skateboarder's Journal.

Here's the scan of the Aussie version:

Cards and Schaaf Get Chrome Balled

Cardiel is on Chrome Ball talking about

his all-time favorite skate photos.

Check it here.

Max Schaaf gets the Chrome ad walk

down memory lane here.

i know

Melbourne Friday 30th April 2010

i know you're thinking that

i didn't post last friday,

and that  this is a shonky blog operation.

we'll your possibly right.

but,

the reason I've been slow in moving

is  E.H.R.

Early Hybernation Response Syndrome

I've found wearing this badge helps.

So if you suffer similiar,

fork up $10 and i'll post it to you,

anywhere in australia, iceland, finland or alaska.

hand made original

recycled timber badge
one only

very good.

go

before  you can't

SOLD 

(Hobart, Tasmania)

Sidekick Girl

Sidekick Girl is Valerie Upton. Upton lives in Metro City and always wanted to be a Superhero. Unfortunately for Upton, she didn't quite have what it takes to be a Superhero (at least in Metro City). She has settled nicely into the role of professional sidekick.
Sidekick Girl is the brainchild of Erika Wagner and Laura Cascos. At the Motor City Comic Con in 2009, Wagner told me it all started as a "Wouldn't it be funny if..." kind of thing. Like a lot of silly conversations (and I have had many) it kept growing and growing.
Unlike a lot of conversations, Sidekick Girl became a reality. It took a lot of hard work from the pair. Wagner told me, "We figured if they worked on it together, we won't flake out on it."
I was intrigued by the idea of a story about a sidekick to a Superhero. This isn't Robin to Batman. Sidekick Girl is obviously the real star of this story and Erika and Lore are the stars behind Sidekick Girl!

Laura Cascos and Erika Wagner in Novi, MI-May 2009.

Spring Daisy Manicure

Hello my Sweet Nail-Art Lovers.
Here is my spring Daisy manicure, which is hand painted with polishes. Quite a rare thing for me those days wit all those stamps and acrylic paints.
I really love how it turned out, kind of simply bu intricate. I used Zoya Dana (flash collection) for the base color and i think this is what helped pull off this manicure. Dana is probably my favorite color from the entire collection - it is very smooth and bright.
I hope you ll enjoy this nail-art

Philly Am this Weekend

Oh, Quit Your Waning!

So I think I may be tired lately... there are two nights this week so far that I've passed out on the couch, etc. before 8:30 PM! :-P Last night it was about 6:45, and I slept the whole night. That can't be good, right? So much going on lately! Next Friday, I need to make a wedding cake for my friend Jessica's wedding... I'm a little scared because it's the one cake in a person's life they're not likely to forget. :-/ I also need to make some ice cream for class on sunday, I'm thinking Chocolate Cayenne, Fresh Strawberry, and Vanilla Bean. (Banana, too, if I can find ripe bananas at the supermarket). I'm hoping to do a 1-tier practice of the wedding cake on Saturday, and I hope to GOD it looks awesome. lol On the bright side, tomorrow is Friday, and at least over the weekend I won't have to worry too much about work, just personal obligations! :)

Today's nail art was inspired by the phases of the moon, which are: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Las Quarter, Waning Crescent, and Dark. (according to wikipedia.org) As of the time of this blog post, we are nearly at the full moon! :-D I only used TWO colors for this art- black and white! Oh, and by the way, the ring finger on my right hand is new CND Shellac, which would explain why it's not decorated with art.. lol I'm testing their 2-week claim, because if if can stay on me, it'll stay on anyone.





I used American Apparel Hassid
for the background, as well as mixed with American Apparel Cotton for the greys, and also used American Apparel Cotton
to lightly sponge over the base to make 'stars'.

What is going on with this blog? First, all the talk of 'brazilians', and now a Waxing Moon?! :-P (bad joke, I know)

CURRENT MOON

moon phase info

CAT TAILS

I added some more greens to the reeds and more golds in the open pod.
These are finished – at least as far as I’m concerned. Not one of my better paintings, but it made a good demo!

Ch-ch-ch-Chima's New Real Ad...sick.

Vans Flow Trash Shine in Zoo Field Report

A number of our East Coast flow guys

killed it in Zoo York's Field Agent Report:

Literati Glitterati

This is another in a series on celebrity authors.

Years ago, my friends Jim and Cuzz Gekas and I were going up to Michigan to see a football game at the University of Michigan. We decided to read a book prior to the trip and cast it into a movie on the ride to pass the time. Jim and I stumbled around a bookstore and eventually came across Bahamarama, a mystery (and debut) novel by Bob Morris. Clearly, this was a case of serendipity.
Bahamarama starts with Zack Chasteen being released from a Florida prison after serving about 2 years on trumped-up charges. Chasteen attempts to go to his love, Barbara Pickering, but his journey is derailed by the man who framed him before. The rest of the book is filled with fast-paced action, colorful characters, interesting plot twists and even some humor.
As I was finishing Bahamarama, I was already hoping for another adventure with Chasteen. Fortunately, there have been four more novels in the Chasteen series, including the recently released Baja Florida. Each one is new and exciting, but comfortable and familiar at the same time, as we continue to learn more about the complex character of Chasteen.
Chasteen's creator Morris is an interesting person. Morris is a fourth generation Floridian and grad of the University of Florida. He worked for a number of newspapers and now is a freelance writer and editor.
When I asked Morris when he started to think about writing his first novel, he told me, "I always wanted to write books, especially mysteries, from way back when I was a kid in journalism school. John D. MacDonald, the godfather of all Florida mystery writers, was a giant influence. Heck, I even named our younger son Dashiell MacDonald Morris after JDM and Dashiell Hammett. But I had to make a living and journalism (then) seemed the best way to get a regular paycheck. So I thought about the books and the character for years and years, and then when our sons were finally out of the house and in college I figured it was a good time to go after it."
Thinking and developing the character for so many years might be the reason that Chasteen has so many layers. He's not your average P.I. Morris continued, "No, he's not a P.I. at all. He would bristle at that notion. He's an amateur sleuth, a guy who just seems to step in shit wherever he turns. I was walking down a beach on Harbour Island, Bahamas, one afternoon and the idea of a series set on different Caribbean islands just sorta popped into my head. Went back to my cottage and started writing and Zack Chasteen just started talking to me. Guess I was off my meds..."
I had to laugh at the line about his meds, but the key line for me was that Chasteen would bristle at being called a P.I. That is one of the things that gives him some depth and color. He didn't solve one crime and suddenly hang a shingle and become super human. Chasteen is very human.
Having read the first four books and looking forward to the latest, Baja Florida, I asked Morris about long-term plans for Chasteen. He told me, "Well, there's a real arc to his character. When we first meet him in BAHAMARAMA, he's just getting out of prison and trying to connect with his girlfriend, Barbara, in the Bahamas. Now he and Barbara are married and have a daughter, Shula. So that arc will continue wherever it might lead."
Will it lead to a movie and who could capture the true essence of Zack Chasteen? According to Morris, "First two books have been optioned but who the heck knows and I don't put money on anything that originates in Hollywood. My wife wants Jeff Bridges to play Zack. A good fit, I think..."
Who am I to argue with Morris or his wife? Bridges sounds good to me.
I really want to thank Morris for his wit and wisdom. I also want to thank Morris for Zack Chasteen and all of his friends and foes. They have brought me much enjoyment as I have followed their lives. These books have everything you could want in an action-mystery novel, including an author who is just as entertaining.

Bob Morris in Florida-late 2000's.

Lady Gaga - Poker Face or Plastic Surgery Face?

Rumors have been circulating recently that Lady Gaga is considering plastic surgery. A source has been quoted as saying:

"She's desperately unhappy but keeps talking about having thousands of dollars worth of plastic surgery. She really thinks that could fix everything."

This has led to a slew of blogs claiming that Ms. Gaga is planning to go under the plastic surgeon's knife. Not so, says someone in the know:

A spokesperson for the Poker Face star told the news provider he was "categorically denying" the reports, describing them as "ridiculous and untrue".

So, we've established that she is not planning plastic surgery now, but has she had it in the past? A rhinoplasty perhaps? My Magic Eight Ball Says: Signs Point To Yes.

I really like her music. Let's Dance is great, as is Poker Face and that GAGARARARA Bad Romance song. Her videos are really strange though...yet I can't not watch them when they are on.

Thanks for reading.

Michigan-based Plastic Surgeon

Anthony Youn, M.D.:

Maloof Money Cup is Coming Up

...and if you can't make it to NY in June or OC in August you're in luck. The Maloof Money Cup presented by Vans will be broadcast live on Maloof Money Cup FUEL TV for the first time this summer, with two hours of live television coverage each day during the New York contest, June 5-6 as well as the Orange County event, August 4-8.

Read the rest...

Wet Paint sale on Ideeli!

Hey all!! Just a note to let you know about the Wet Paint Glaze System sale on Ideeli.com today!! Everything is deeply discounted- there is a set of 15 polishes for $50, original price is $150! It's a pretty neat idea, and with those 15 polishes you can create 102 different colors!!



Here is the link! Wet Paint Sale on Ideeli

US Shipping only unfortunately. :(

Picture is from ideeli.com

Oh, How Tacky!

Hi everyone!!! I hope that this lovely April day finds you well ( and not wind-blown, like here in Vegas!! lol) Today's nails were inspired by something at work- my cork board!! :) I thought it'd be something different, and plus, when I did the dinosaur nails the other day, I thought the background looked like cork, so I thought I'd used that idea as a design! :)



I used MAC Abalone Shell (I wish I'd picked up multiples of this- I <3 it), with Zoya Dea pretty heavily sponged over it, then topped with CND Super Matte, which BTW isn't MATTE AT ALL!?!?!?, don't get it. After that failed, I went to my go-to matte topcoat, Essie Matte About You. Next, for the thumb tacks, I used CND Green Scene, American Apparel Downtown L.A. for the red tack, Pure Ice French Kiss for the blue tack, American Apparel Poppy for the orange tack, and CND Bicycle Yellow for the yellow tack. I mixed each with American Apparel Cotton to highlight, and American Apparel Hassid to shade, except the yellow tack, which I mixed American Apparel Poppy with to shade. for the metal part of the tack, I used American Apparel Hassid mixed with China Glaze Millennium. FOr the items tacked up, I used American Apparel Cotton for the white, American Apparel Hassid for the black, and American Apparel Downtown L.A. for the red. For the shadows of the tack on each nail, I used a mix of topcoat andAmerican Apparel Hassid. Topped the tacks off with a coat of Seche Vite top coat, being careful not to get any on the matte portion of the nail.

Totally tack-y, right?!

And, as a bonus sneak peek into part of the giveaway prize.... (hand screened by yours truly)

New Steampunk Jewelry - 28th April 2010

Here's just a few of the new Steampunk Jewelry available in my ETSY boutique .

Steampunk Ring with Dark Green Bloodstone

Steampunk Ring with bermuda Blue Swarovski Crystal

Steampunk Necklace - Rare TIBETAN AGATE and AMMONITE FOSSIL

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade CatherinetteRings.etsy.com

Some exciting art journaling news!

I am so happy to share with you about the new artist journals that are coming out very soon by Strathmore Artist Papers.  I was asked to submit the work I do on watercolor paper in my visual journals (girl and sisters) for the NAMTA (national art materials trade association) show this April.  The visual journals have just debuted at the show and will be available to purchase in July I believe. They were produced with the thought of having heavyweight paper that can hold up to the rigors of mixed media and watercolor.  There will be
a product line of Visual Journals that include high performing papers such as heavyweight drawing, mixed media, bristol and watercolor.
I will be sharing more soon...
What do you create in for your visual/artist journals?

Daniel Lutheran on Shred or Die

Shred or Die's new Logan Kincade File

features our little guy, Daniel Lutheran.

Bucky & Omar sign in Guam/Cab in Santa Cruz

Tomorrow, Thursday Night April 29 starting at 6pm

Bucky Lasek & Omar Hassan will be signing autographs in Tumon Bay, Guam!

Are you a Guammy Bear?

Then go to DNA EVOLUTION and KICKS/HI GUAM tomorrow.

Then this Saturday May 1st, Cab will be at

Santa Cruz Skate and Surf Shop

912 41st Ave Santa Cruz Ca. 95062

from 12pm to 2pm PST.

Go say what's up to the dudes.

The Grobber

It seems like Les Grobstein has been around forever. I remember him from the old WLS 89 AM, where he did sports reports. He really hasn't been around forever, but he pretty much has done it all. Currently, he does overnights on WSCR in Chicago.
Grobstein has an unbelievable memory. He can recall stats and events like few people and he is interesting. He doesn't just spew out data.
Grobber is a Chicago sports icon. I have listened to him pretty much my whole life, yet even I didn't realize just how much he has accomplished.
Grobstein's website is a virtual museum. The dozens of pictures alone are worth the trip.
I met Grobstein at a charity bowling event held by WSCR many years ago. We talked sports for a few minutes, which was a few minutes more than he had considering how busy he was. Still, he didn't shun anyone.
If you still haven't found something interesting, go to YouTube and search "Lee Elia rant". It is one of the most famous audio clips in sports history and it is the result of a question Grobstein asked then Cubs Manager Lee Elia.

Les Grobstein in Arlington Heights, IL-mid 1990's.

The Iron Man 2 Premiere in Hollywood

Last night was the Hollywood premiere of Iron Man 2. Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, and Scarlett Johansson were among the stars out and about on the red carpet supporting their soon-to-be blockbuster sequel. If you haven't yet seen the original, rent it tonight! Iron Man 2 hits theaters on May 7.

Photo: Alex J. Berliner, Berliner Studio/BEI Images

MIA

If we lived in MIA, we'd probbly have a party a week too!

I'd Like the Brazilian, Please!

OH MY GOODNESS! For those of you that are new to the blog- WELCOME, or bem-vindos!! (I hope that translated correctly on Google Translate! lol) I am SO excited and thrilled from the HUGE HUGE HUGE response on my blog yesterday from the country of Brazil! I received 112,000 page views yesterday!! (thats about two-thirds of what I generally get in a MONTH!) So in honor of all my awesome new readers- I give you today's nail design- the Brazilian flag. :) Obrigado!!!



I used CND Green Scene as a base, used tape to tape off the diamond shape, painted CND Bicycle Yellow, then removed the tape. For the blue, I freehanded a circle with Pure Ice French Kiss, then used Sally Hansen All the White Stuff for the white band across it, as well as little dots (for the stars). I also used CND Green Scene to paint little squiggles for the words Ordem e Progresso ("Order and Progress"), since I can't paint letters that small. :-D Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Thank you to all my new readers, Brazilian, American, or whatever country you're from!! You rock, and I appreciate you!!

BTW- keep an eye out for a giveaway in the next few days- I was planning to have one for 1500 followers, but the follower count went up by 100 in a day, so I wasn't ready for it! lol Still finishing part of the prizes, and figuring out what the contest rules should be!! :)

WOW what a great movie! "Who Does She Think She Is?"

We had our Artist Success Circle  movie "Who Does She Think She Is?"by Pamela Tanner Boll. Thank you everyone for sharing this inspiring movie with us it was a great success with our fabulous discussion after. If you get a chance to see this documentary do! The movie came with discussion cards that I thought I would share with you.

Discuss: If you're talented, it comes easily, right?

Question: Have you put your creative life on hold for your family?
What were/are the costs to you?
Did you go back to your work?

Discuss: If she's passionate about her art, she won't have anything left for me.

Discuss: "I didn't want my children to look back and say; 'My mom was never there for me.'
I've had to put my art in the background and I struggle with that every day."

Discuss: If I had more time,I would...

Question: "I had lots of people telling me that I was selfish."
Is it selfish to do your own work when you're responsible for the care of others?

Discuss: My secret passion is...

Question: Does your art make people feel uncomfortable?

Question: Janis is inspired by mischievous fairy tale characters.
What inspires you?

Discuss: In the U.S., 51% of all visual artists are female and women hold 53% of all art degrees, but 80% of the faculty members in art departments are male.

Discuss: Single women make 90% of what men make.
Women with children make 73% of what men make.Single women with children make 60%of what men make.

Discuss: Women writers won 63% of the awards but less than 30% of the money in awards reported by Poets& Writers (Jan/Feb'03 issue).

Question: What would be lost if you lived your dream?

Some things to think about.
We are designed to create!
Next: " Artist Success Circle" is Monday May 24th all creative people are welcome!
You can follow my blog by clicking: http://lisascala.blogspot.com/

Clay Flowers

My apologies for the tip pull & cuticle line chips on the "finished" photos this week. I forgot to take these until the manicure was five days old. My bad!

I decided it was time to break out the clay canes again, though I'm not very good at slicing them thin. Here's what the end of this cane looked like before I started slicing it:

After slicing, lots of little flowers...

Then I started with two coats of Essie's "Angora Cardi".

Then I placed the clay circles. I was going to use two on each nail, but considering how thick I sliced them, I decided just one would be better.

Then I used Essie's "Secret Affair" and a toothpick to make dot trails from the flowers (I may have mentioned I'm in a "dots" mood?).

And that's it - two coats of top coat to seal, and clean up afterward. If I could have gotten the slices just a bit thinner...

 
Obviously, I need to practice more with the clay...think I may order pre-sliced next time. They're still kind of fun though, and I actually liked the 3-D effect on my nails.

My apologies for not picking up my awards last week - things were kind of crazy around here. I'll do it this week, promise...

Next week, I feel cloudy skies coming on...until then, happy polishing!

Daniel Lutheran on ESPN

Nieratko catches up

with our bouncy, baby boy, Daniel Lutheran.

Check it out here.

Cubs Killer, Steve Rogers

Steve Rogers pitched his entire 13 year career for the Montreal Expos (now the Washington Nationals). He had a career record of 158-152 with 2 saves. He was a much better pitcher than that record indicates, as he made five All-Star teams.
When I met Rogers last year, I joked with him that he always seemed to beat my beloved Cubs. In fact, he was 21-13 during his career against the Cubs. Rogers joked that he was just lucky, but did seem to be in the groove a lot against the Cubs.
I don't think the Washington Nationals recognize the retired numbers of the Expos. Either way, it is unfortunate that Rogers does not have his number retired by the club. He is clearly the best pitcher the team has ever had.

Steve Rogers and me in Oaks, PA-October 2009.