Christmastime Joy, Thanks to the Frosty Vox Box

Well, it's been a while since I've written anything here, huh? Let's just say, life has been hectic. But I'm back! And I've come bearing gifts!

Last week, I received an AMAZING package in the mail. I had thought that Influenster might have forgotten me, since I hadn't received a box in a couple months, but then I checked my PO Box and found this Vox Box, bursting with winter goodies!

Generally, every Vox Box has a theme, and this one was geared toward winter. More specifically, the holidays! I know I can never seem to have everything together for the rush of holidays at the end of the year, so I was incredibly thankful to see such awesome contents inside!

1.) First up, are the Fruit Vines. I received the strawberry flavor to try, and let me just say YUMM. They are sweet, but not too sweet, and come in little clusters of three that you car tear apart. I thought they were a great snack, especially for the multiple road trips I took over the Christmas holiday. It was nice to not have to stop all the time for snackage. Just a few of these little guys was enough to tide me over between meals, and they would make a fantastic treat for kids too!

2.) Now, I received the EcoTools Styler + Smoother Hair Brush, and let me tell you....my hairbrush game was weak before I got this thing. I'm not tender headed, so I would just rip through my hair like it was nothing. As you can guess, I had breakage to the extreme. My brush looked like a scary rabid rat after a shower. However, once I started using the EcoTools Styler, I was shocked how much less hair was ending up in the brush after each swipe. After an entire week of using it exclusively, the hair I saw in this brush was a third of what was in my normal one after a day. A DAY. If that doesn't speak volumes about the power of a good brush, i don't know what will. I no longer wonder if I'm balding...

3.) Normally in the Vox Boxes, you get full sized products, but I only received a small sample of Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Serum. That said, I can see why...it is pricey stuff. It promised visible results after two weeks, but I only managed to stretch it out to three days. It did leave my skin super soft though, and didn't go on greasy like most serum type products.

4.) Can I say that I squealed when I saw this next product, and still sound like as a grown woman? because I totally did. NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Color has been in previous boxes, and everytime I try it, I love it even more! Sugarplum was the shade of choice this time, and just like with all the other shades I've tried, it goes on smooth, velvety, and beautifully pigmented. Sugarplum was a touch dark for my taste just looking at the tube, but once I actually put it on, I was impressed with how subtle it really was. plus it has moisturizers in it, to keep your smile it's prettiest!

5.) Now, I wear liquid eyeliner exclusively, so I wasn't sure about the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner I received, right out of the box. But like everything else in life, I put on my big girl panties, decided to try something new...and was pleasantly surprised! Not only does it go on smooth, but it stayed all day without smudging or flaking. I have rather large eyes, that water a LOT, so generally normal Kohl liner is gone in less than an hour. The only liner I had found that stayed like I wanted it to was waterproof liquid, and we all know how hard that can be to get off at the end of the day. This liner though, came of with only two swipes of my make-up remover.

6.) To be perfectly honest, I don't cook. If it doesn't come in a box, or is microwavable, I would starve to death. So the McCormick Gourmet Thyme wasn't really something I could use. but, I did gift it to a friend of mine who cooks like a freaking gourmet chef, and she raved about it!

7.) This next item, I loved with an unholy passion. Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane® Decaf Green Tea was flipping delish! It was fresh, it was warming, and it was a perfect ending to a cold winter evening at home with the family.

8.) Ok, so normally, I'm the cheapest of the cheapskates. I buy makeup, bath and body products, and a lot of other items at places like Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Family Dollar...are you sensing a theme? I don't like to pay more than a dollar for a lot of things. Generally, it's fine. The dollar make-up is E.L.F and NYC, which is cruelty free and still makes you look amazing on a budget. but it can be terribly difficult to find a good make-up remover for cheap. In fact, it's pretty much impossible. The couple of products I have tried never took off all the make-up, and would rub my face raw trying to get that eyeliner off. Then, I tried the Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover that came in my box, and knew I could never go cheap on my remover again. It took almost no product, and the make-up wiped off with such ease I was actually shocked! No rubbing, no sitting it on and waiting, just a quick swipe and my face was squeaky clean! It was super gentle, and left my skin feeling soft and refreshed. I can not recommend this enough!

I hope you guys enjoy these products as much as I did!

Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

It's Taking Its Toll.

So, I know it's been a long time since I've updated last, but there's a been a very good reason for that.

I graduated from Kansas State University in May, with my Bachelors Degree in Animal Science and Industry, and started my job search the very next day. At first, I was dedicated, filling out a few applications every day, and always calling back on them. The days stretched to weeks, and my job search was still getting nowhere. It's been almost three months now, to the day I started my search, and still there's no job in sight.

It's not for lack of trying either.

Every day, I fill out at least 15+ applications for every job I can think of, excluding fast food and retail (my joints can't handle those jobs anymore). My resume is posted on every job site I can think of, my LinkedIn is pristine, I have applied with several temp agencies and yet, no one calls back. I have no idea why, and to be honest, the constant rejection is wearing me down.

I've gotten to the point where I start to dread checking my email, because I know there will be more rejection. I've lost the will do actually do anything in fact. Video games aren't fun. Reading isn't fun. I don't want to leave the house, and I don't really want to hang out with anyone. Even Facebook is a chore. I just want to sleep all day, and stay in bed. I have to force myself to even answer the phone, and even then, I want the conversation to be over as soon as it starts. My "give a fuck" is broken completely, and even the most mundane of tasks is a struggle.

I've been trying for a week and a half to just pick up my living room, and every time I think about it, all the energy drains from my body. I wish I could just wake up one day, back to normal, but I'm struggling. I force myself to go outside. The trek to the post office this morning, just down the road, was akin to an arctic expedition. The only time I feel slightly better is when my boyfriend is around, but with him working, it's just me at home the majority of the time. Festering in my stew of rejection.

I know if I got a job, this would get better. I know I could be excited about what the day had to offer, instead of cringing at the thought of even rolling out of bed. It's becoming more and more difficult to even get on the computer anymore. My life has just become one job application after the next, followed by rejection after rejection...and it's taking its toll.

Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

Don't Feed the Trolls

Don't you just love the internet? You have all the knowledge of the human race at your fingertips, allowing you to do literally anything in terms of connecting with people from all walks of life, and yet, there are those who would rather spend their time disparaging people.

Fucking Trolls.

I had an encounter with one today, seemingly out of the blue, on a pin well over two years old.

I thought I handled it well enough, seeing as the trolls really hate when you come to them calmly. It freaks them out. After dropping that little screengrab on my Facebook page, a few friends decided to pop on over and leave comments of their own. Which promptly made her delete her previous comments and change her profile picture.

Ah, the wonders of the internet.

Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

I'm a Vixen on the Weekends

So, Saturday, I spent the entire day dressed as a Kitsune. Because, you know, that's just how I roll. And on Sunday, I did it again, for shits and giggles...and for filming a web-series made by the amazing Airship Vindus.

But I digress.

Copyright Dustin Hawkins

Every year, Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita has their volunteers put away their traditional 1880's clothing, and has them don Steampunk costumes of every style imaginable. The park is always open to the public, but on Steampunk Day, the park is brimming with people clad in brass, bustles, and covered in cogs, gears, and goggles. That's me in the above photo, on the far right. The one with fox ears...

BECAUSE THEY ARE FLUFFY AND I LOVE THEM.

Copyright Carolee Conway

If you don't know what Steampunk is, here's an old post I wrote about the topic. Needless to say, this genre has drawn quite a bit of attention in the past few years, and has in turn become immensely popular with people of all ages. In fact, two of my best friends were met while at a similar event years ago.

Copyright Keith Wondra

As you can see, there is a TON of difference between costumes, and people often take up the role of a character. I myself like to attend as Viviette Crevan, the Kitsune I have written short stories about in the past. It's immense fun to be a different person for a day, and strangely enough, these sort of hobbies, where I dress up in costume, have helped me control my anxiety.

Copyright Keith Wondra

Copyright Jeff Frazell

So next time you hear about a Steampunk event in your local neck of the woods, check that shit out! You have no idea just how much fun, and insane creativity you're missing out on! 

Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

How to Keep from Killing the Neighborhood

I've decided to make an effort to post every day, for 30 days. i'm not holding my breath on that happening, but hey, it's worth a shot right?

Today, I woke up in a horrible mood. Not a 'my day is going to be bad' kind of mood, more like a 'I want to stab everyone I meet today in the neck' mood. Thankfully, I found this website before I went to run my daily errands.

Put You in a Better Mood is a website that does exactly that, by showering you with pictures of cute puppies, kittens, and awesome moments that may go unnoticed throughout the world on any given day.

Like a bathtub full of idiots...er...I mean Labs. (Don't be mad Lab owners, I have owned a few Labs in my time...I know that special kind of stupid they possess. It's awesome.)

Or gifs of kittens so intent on killing that shadow monster on the wall, they bonk heads mid leap.

Face it, you know you need this website to keep from going on a murder spree too.

Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

I Graduated...Whoopie...

Well, it's done. I've graduated College, and even though I hadn't made any friends in the 4 years I attended K-State, I somehow managed to get seated next to a fellow nerd and Whovian at the commencement, and found instant friendship.

Weird how that works, huh?

Despite the fact I have literally no fucking clue where to go from here, I can atleast say that the mind-numbing memorization and sleepless nights packed with study are over, so I guess there's that. Hopefully I can find a job somewhere close, and by close, I mean within an hour  and a half driving distance. Because living in the middle of nowhere isn't all peace and quiet, it means you pay out the ass for gas everytime you fill up.

But, I digress. I now have my Bachelor's in Animal Science thanks to the first land grant university in the country, and Gods willing, I can find employment in my field of study. because if truth be told, I would much rather spend my days with cows, instead of people.

Oh, and I guess this is the first item to cross off the List, so that's something too...

Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

The Fruit, The Fox, and the Flight

**I have decided to start posting a few of my short stories here, to get them off my hard drive. They will generally be about my Steampunk character, Viviette Crevan, but may be about other things. please feel free to let me know if you enjoy them in the comments below!**

“It wasn't as if anyone got hurt”, she muttered quietly to herself, cradling the stolen provisions in her arms. The night was blessedly moonless, allowing her lithe figure to creep unseen through the narrow alleys of the town she was currently managing to hide in. Her steps were soundless as she flitted across cobbled roads, over slated roves, and ultimately found her way back into the abandoned stone tower she had been calling her den for the last week or so.

She held a small bag of fruit to her nose, and inhaled the delicious scent of ripe strawberries, oranges, and peaches. Mouth watering, she bit her lip softly, feeling a fang press against the tender flesh. Resisting the temptation to tear into the bag, she opened it slowly, and counted every precious piece of food inside: 3 strawberries, 1 bruised orange, and a peach so small it was bound to be mostly pit.

A now familiar drumming sound caused her ears to begin to wildly swivel and twitch. She crouched slowly and silently, afraid to make any sudden movements. The drumming was echoed not too far below her makeshift hideout, and was much closer than the initial sound she heard.

Lovely, the village law had found yet another of her hiding places. Between dodging them, and trying to make sure she remained unseen and unheard by the residents, she had gotten nary a full night's sleep since she arrived. She was still unarmed, because as a bladeswoman by trade, she was useless with the few discarded firearms she had stumbled upon in her numerous shelters. All she had at her advantage right now where the talents she was born with; stealth and the uncanny knack she had for hiding.

She had to get out of here, and now. Otherwise, those blasted lawmen would find her and burn her out, like every other human she had ever met. Quickly, she tied the bag of fruit to her belt, and crept to the window. Hazel eyes scanned the surrounding rooftops, focusing on the torches lit all along them. Shifting her gaze, she watched the men below, and noted the firearms hanging at their belts. Baring her fangs, the Kitsune clenched her fists.

“Well Viviette, “she muttered to herself, “Looks like it’s guns below and fire above. Not a good night to be someone like you.”

Her tail twitched behind her in an agitated manner, and a soft growl escaped her lips. The drumming sound was growing louder, and she pinned her ears back against her head.

Someone was coming up the stairs

Viviette leaped out the window of the tower, and managed to roll onto the neighboring buildings roof. The tiles were slick, but her kind were well known for their balance, and she began to run at full speed across them. Shouts alerted her to the all too familiar chase that was happening in the streets below, though she could easily imagine what the men were seeing that would make them feel the need to drive her out; a human looking woman, in her mid-twenties, who happened to have fox ears and a matching tail.  She was an abomination. One of the few survivors of a race of humanoids that had inhabited the multiverse since time began, who were now being hunted to extinction.

“Damned humans!”, the Kitsune shouted, leaping from roof to roof, hoping to make it to the cool refuge of the forest beyond. She was starving, she was exhausted, she was frightened, and still the humans gave chase. The all too familiar sound of barking joined the chorus of shouts that followed her, and she swore again.

They had brought out the hounds.

Her feet slammed onto packed earth, and Viviette felt the shock of impact through her entire body, “That was a bit further down than I thought…”

There was no time for further rest though, and she half jogged, half limped to the thick copse of trees that surrounded the village. Inhaling deeply, the multitude of scents assaulted her sensitive nose, but she knew the particular smell she was looking for. Following her nose, she moved westward as quickly as she could, listening to the growing sound of men hunting behind her. When she thought her leg would give out completely, the river was suddenly upon her, with a current swift as wind. Without a second thought, she jumped in.

It was only much later, when she had been carried far downstream and had stowed away on a supply ship bound for some world she had never heard of, that she realized the pouch of fruit had been lost in the mayhem of the night.

Delightful Dragons

When I was little, I was completely obsessed with all things fantasy oriented, and to be honest, I still am. In every sculpture class I ever took, I would make a small dragon to sit on my shelf at home, and watch over my belongings and room when I was away at school. But anything I made in class could never hold a candle to the absolute masterpieces that Donna's Dragons provides.

Opened in 2013, Donna's Dragons has been creating dragon sculptures for people around the world, using polymer clay, household items, and the owners own creativity. Not only does she have some ready made dragons in stock, but she is also happy to take custom orders and create the dragon of your dreams.

Like she did for me.

Meet Asha, the 4 inch long, 2.5 inch tall dragon who now graces the corner of my dedicated desk/workspace. Her name means "Hope" in Sanskrit, and she's going to be my little daily reminder of all the turmoil I have overcome in my life. She's small enough to be unobtrusive in my workspace, but not so small that I'm scared I'll lose her.

Which is a good thing, because if you've ever seen my workspace, you would understand how I could lose things easily.

Donna goes to great pains to pay attention to details such as spikes, gems, and general body placement. Not to mention the lovely little "possessions" that many of the dragons come with. Asha came with a key curled up in her tail, but Donna has used things such as flowers, spheres, tiny skulls, religious symbols, eggs, coins, butterflies, or even separate creatures, such as a memorial to a deceased pet.

If you can imagine it, she can most likely bring it to life with her amazing craftsmanship skills. But don't be fooled, she can create more than just dragons. Unicorns, dogs, deer, bears and more have all been made and featured on her Facebook Page.

If you know someone in your life who loves dragons and the fantasy genre, any of Donna's creations would make the perfect gift. For little one's though, I would suggest letting these be "look only", as they can be fragile due to the detail put into them. Despite that though, I find Asha to be sturdy enough to carry around and pose for many photography sessions, as she has quickly become one of my favorite photography subjects.

In the end, I could not be happier to have such a gorgeous creation adorn my desk, and keep me company during those long photo edit sessions or graphic design jobs. Everyone could use a little fantasy in their lives, do you have any?

Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

Wire Wrapped Perfection with Gel Art

When it comes to jewelry, I usually just throw on my O2 necklace and I'm done with it. But every great once in a while I find something that I just have to own, and this is one of those times!

I recently found out about a wonderfully sweet woman in Australia, who runs a small business out of her home called Gel Art. I had seen a few of her pieces show up in my Facebook feed over the last few weeks, and thought that they were gorgeous, so I knew I had to share with you!

The packaging was amazing for an overseas seller, with plenty of bubblewrap and tissue paper to keep the pendant from damage. Once I pulled it out of the package, I noticed it was wrapped in a smaller parcel package (as shown above). Inside, the pendant itself was placed in a lovely gold drawstring bag, which I know I'll be able to use again!

On her Etsy Shop, she has a ton of ready-made pendants that you can purchase as is, or if you're willing to wait for a little bit, she also does custom orders! Being the fox fanatic that I am, I knew I wanted one with a vixen on it, but didn't see any on her shop that really called to me. So I went to place a custom order, and was pleasantly surprised to find out how easy it was!

She has a note on her Facebook Page titled, "How To Order A Custom Pendant", which has a very easy to follow order form. You just pick and choose everything you would like out of the options she has listed in various albums, so that you can see the colors, textures, etc.

After looking through everything, and having the hardest time narrowing it all down, I finally came up with the perfect pendant for me.

I chose the traditional tree style, with a copper wire hoop base. I loves the idea of mixing my wire colors for the actual tree, and she was more than happy to intertwine the antique brown with the green. I chose Jasper for my stone 'leaves' though she has a multitude of other stones and gems to choose from. Jasper is a stone I like to wear when I'm lacking confidence, or feel I need a touch of courage, and since I intend to wear this pendant at conventions with my Steampunk Fox character, it's the perfect stone!

She even went so far as to paint the silver fox charm for me, so it looked like a tiny red fox hiding under the shadow of a large tree.

The roses were a last minute add in I decided on, and I just love the contrast they create! 

Gel Art is run by a stay at home mother of three. She started her business to help pay the bills, and originally was making gel candles. But after a while, she expanded her line of work to include wire wrapped pendants and gem trees, which is most of her merchandise now.

All in all, the experience was great when working with her, and the outcome is just beautiful in my opinion.

If you'd like to see more of her stunning work, please feel free to visit her sites:

Etsy
Facebook
Pinterest
Google +
YouTube

Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

Celebrating my Last Semester with the Uni Vox Box

It's Vox Box time again! Once again, Influenster has outdone itself by sending me another box of goodies to test!

This time, it's the Uni Vox Box, which is meant for college girls, which is perfect since this is my last semester and I am struggling to keep up my spirits through this last class. While the boxes from Influenster are usually packed with all kinds of goodies, like Sally Henson Polish, and other themed goodies, this one was literally stuffed full!

It had so many awesome things inside, and I was thrilled with what I was sent.

These Playtex Sport Fresh Balance tampons were the very first thing I saw. I don't normally think twice about what tampons I buy, but the scent of these had me hooked! They have some kind of really light floral scent that made the whole box of products smell amazing!

Look at all those beauty finds! I actually got to choose what shade of foundation I needed, and let me just say, its feels amazing on my skin. I have weird combination skin as well as eczema, so it's hard for me to find a foundation that covers all the issues without gunking up or looking oily after a few hours.

Then I tried the Rimmel London Stay Matte mousse foundation, and I fell so hard in love that my boyfriend should be jealous. Not only does it actually do what it says, but it doesn't gunk up after a few hours either. It's my new go-to foundation.

Included among all my pretty new beauty items was probably the item I was the most weary about. I'm one of those people who is beyond particular about my pens (Thanks Dad), and anything that isn't a needle point I generally don't use, or toss. being in the box though, i knew I had to try this Pilot Acroball PureWhite pen, and I was pretty surprised with how much I ended up liking it. It even got put into my purse, a place of honor among the pens in my office.

I'm not normally a lipstick wearer, especially in such a bold shade, but when I tried this, I was shocked at how well it went with my fair complexion. The color of this Expert Last lip color is called Forever Fuschia, and the texture isn't sticky like most lipsticks I have tried, so it was a nice change.

 Oh my Gods, these nails were GORGEOUS. Broadway Nails included a set of imPRESS Press-On Nails in this Vox Box, and I went haywire! My real nails are always so brittle, and I can never seem to grow them out, but getting my nails professionally done costs way more than I'm willing to pay, and even at-home kits were too much work (I always ended up gluing my fingers together, without fail). These nails were awesome, you just peel off the backing, and stick them on. No muss, no fuss, and I could do it in about 5 minutes.

I love tea in pretty much any form, but I was hesitant about this product. I know it's along the lines of MiO, and other water enhancers, but I wasn't sure how well concentrated tea syrup would work out. After trying it, I did enjoy it, but I will say this that "lightly sweetened" on the label is a lie. It could just be me, but the sweetness was a bit overpowering. I put much less of the stuff in my next glass of water, and it was way better.

Like always, the Influenster Vox Boxes are a huge hit with me! If you aren't a part of the Influenster nation, you should be!

Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

Youtube Overhaul

Whoo, been a while since I updated last! Things have been a bit busy here with school, and I've been focusing on getting my Youtube channel off the ground, especially now that my brother is overseas, and he asked me to make more gaming videos for him to watch.

So my once history-heavy channel is now strictly for gaming! Check out my super cute channel art! It matches the new header I made for my Gaming Fan Page on Facebook too.

Here's the kind of stuff I plan on uploading, and just to be cautious, there is a lot of language in my play-through videos. Especially Bioshock.

I get terrified easily, and a slew of "OH MY F%$KING GODS" will undoubtedly ensue.


Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

Rilakkuma, The Perfect Plush!

You know, no matter how old I get, I have always had a soft spot for the cute things in life.

Cute dishes (like the hoard of Bento Boxes that I own just to make sure I have the most adorable tupperware for my lunches), cute bedsheets, cute clothing, heck, even my toaster has Hello Kitty on it! So when I was pitched by Rilakkuma Shop, last week, you can bet I jumped all over that!

Rilakkuma is a Japanese character, designed by Aki Kondo, and produced by San-X since 2003. In fact, this little bear has become so popular, that's he's the fifth most well known character in Japan! He has a massive line of products, including computers, books, games, stickers, and his assortment of plushies.

In the few days I have had my Rilakkuma plush, he has quickly become one of my favorites! He is beyond soft, since he is made with a fine microfiber fabric that makes him feel like a mix between a rex rabbit, and velvet. His size also makes him perfect for a little travel buddy, but not to small that I'm afraid I'll lose him. He's just the right size for kids as well!

He is also well known for the little pouch on his back, that zips open and closed. I like to put a few spare dollars in it, but I think it could be awesome as a tooth fairy hideaway, or even a little treasure hiding place for the little ones.

Along with my plushie, I also received a little book, that explains who Rilakkuma is, as well as his back story. He has a couple of friends that are often portrayed along with him, named Korilakkuma (the small tan bear) and Kiiroitori (the chick). There are easy to understand pictures and English words, along with the Japanese kanji, so that you could begin to teach yourself or your child some basic Japanese!

 Overall, I was head over heels in LOVE with this plush! I would highly recommend one for any family looking for that perfect toy, or any person who just loves the cute things in life!

Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

This is Why People Think I'm Weird

You know, I thought today was going to be great. I got a package for a gorgeous review item I had been waiting for, everyone in the house was in a good mood, I got to sleep in late, hell, it was going great!

Then a giant branch fell off the tree above my driveway, and dented to hood of my truck.

So while the hubby went outside to rant and rage and take his anger out on the tree, I sat down and did what I always do to make myself feel better.

I Bing pictures of the Pootoo Bird.

When you're flooded with page after page of the derpiest looking bird in existence, who either looks like he's extremely upset by something, or he wants to eat your soul, well...your day just can't be bad after that.

I mean, look at him.

Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

I Don't Need This Today

WELL, today must just be a day of snark and bitchiness in the world.

Not only did I have to deal with a not so nice email from a contact at a corset company I was pitching, The Burgandy Boudoir (who I really don't suggest you do any work with based on the sheer amount of snark and arrogance I got out of one e-mail), but my dog decided that she was going to pretty much ignore my entire existence.

Me: "Jessi..."

Jessi: ...

Me: "Jessi."

Jessie: ...

Me: "JESSI!!"

Jessi: *Looks up* "Were you addressing me human?"

Me: "Yes, I was addressing you, you senile old woman. Will you please move, you're in my way, and I can't get to the sink."

Jessi: *Lays head back on paws*

Me: "Jessie...come one now. I need to do the dishes."

Jessi: *Blinks, yawns, and rolls over on her side* No.

Me: "Jessi, just do me a solid. I really need to get the dishes done."

Jessi: *Turns her head away, and begins an amazing imitation of a rock*

Me: *tries to dance to get her attention, whistles, pats her head, opens the fridge door*

Jessi: *No movement*

Me: "Ugh...fine. Lay there on the hard linoleum floor. I'm going in the other room until you stop being so catatonic"

Jessi: *No Movement*

Me: *Walking in the other room, mumbling* Crazy old senile Border Collie....

Jessi: "I heard that human!"

Ugh...what can you do?

Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

Dressale FAIL

If you ever get pitched by a company called Dressale.com, DO NOT DO IT.

No matter how great the pitch might sound, it is not going to be worth the nightmare you're going to go through. I can speak from experience.

I was contacted by them way back in January, and they offered me $30 in credit to their website, if I were to publish a giveaway post for them. I thought that was fair, so I went ahead and did it, expecting my payment to be ready as soon as I emailed my contact back.

Well that's where it all started going to hell.

The post went live on January 10th, and I was told I would be payed when the giveaway ended. I IMMEDIATELY  responded with how my payment policy works, and I heard absolutely nothing back. It wasn't until February 11th when I was contacted again...only to be asked to repost the giveaway on my Facebook page.

You can imagine just how pissed I was, so I responded with this e-mail:

"I have to say, that unless I receive the $30 payment I was promised, I won't be sharing this, or any other post. I put up my blog post, as well as an additional post on my Facebook page, and still have yet to receive payment."

Two hours later, I received an e-mail letting me know that my account had been credited, and asking if I would share the giveaway post again. Obviously I didn't share the post, because I was a bit perturbed at this point. 

Well, I went about trying to find something to use my credit one, because dammit, I had invested too much time into this to not get something for my hard work. I found a couple of fascinators that I thought would be nice for Steampunk, and after making sure they were well under my limit, I went to check out...where I found out that I had zero choice in shipping choices. The absolute least I could pay for shipping two fascinators that weighed less than a pound was $13.79!

That insane amount of shipping made my credit go over, so I paid $4.77 out of my own pocket to just be done with this ridiculous nightmare.

About a week later my items arrived, in the worst packaging I have ever reen.

Each fascinator was wrapped in a single cellophane bag, with no padding whatsoever. Those two bags were shoved in a UPS bag, that again, had no padding or protection for what I think to be fragile items. Then I opened them, only to find out that what I thought I was getting was way off from what I actually received.

The photo from the website

What I actually received.

Well look at that, it's broken. The beads were just loosely hot glued to the tulle.

The clip is insanely small. And glued on in such a way that it makes it impossible to open. Because I tried, I tried really really hard to get this clip to work, but the only way to fix it is to rip it off, and replace it with a barrette clip, because this alligator one is just useless. 

Look at that, MORE beads that were poorly glued on. I'm going to have to sew all these to the tulle, which won't take much time, but it's the idea that i shouldn't have to fix a brand new item that has never been worn, due to crappy construction.

The Website photograph of the second fascinator. Doesn't that look like a birdcage veil, that is full, and lovely, and will go around your face?

This is what I received. A singe piece of millner's veil in a long rectangle, that just falls in your face and looks dumb. I'm going to have to ripoff the veil, and try to reposition it, and sew it back on in a way that it's supposed to look.

This fascinator also has one of those useless alligator clips that is so small, and glued on in such a way, that  it makes it impossible to use. I'm going to have to replace this one as well.

Not to mention, the actual flower part is just crushed, and covered in glue threads.

 So, after all that, I emailed the company again, saying that I wanted a refund for my $4.77, since my merchandise was pretty messed up and useless. That was a week ago, and I still have yet to hear back from them.

TL;DR - DO NOT EVER EVER EVER WORK WITH DRESSALE.

Love and Lightning Bugs,