China Glaze Shell-O: A dedication post

Have you ever picked up a polish (or looked at pictures online) and it instantly reminds you of someone you know?  That's what Shell-O did for me.  You see, Mshell happens to be my nickname for my best friend, Michelle.  And many of her family members call her "Shel."  :-)  So Shell-O was a must-have for that reason alone.  The beautiful, bold neon and the squishy jellyness don't hurt either. :-)

This is Shell-O:

This is the most color-accurate photo I could get. But shockingly enough, it's amazingly accurate!
I now fully understand how tricky neons are.

And this is "Mshell!"

I got a legit Polaroid Spectra 2, and this was the first photo I had taken with it. :-D  LOVE!

Okay, okay, something that looks like it's from this century:

You may recognize this as my profile photo on hurrr... We were at the MOA (Mall of America) over my b-day weekend this year.  Our first actual girls' weekend AWAY in 3 years!

I will come back around to the nitty-gritty of the polish (oh wait, this one doesn't have any texture!), but I hope you'll bear with me for a bit.  If not, feel free to scroll past all the mushy stuff! ;-)

I truly believe that one of the greatest gifts God has given us - second only to the gift of his Son - are rare, true friends.  And let me tell you, he went all-out with Michelle!

Have you ever met someone that you just totally click with; someone that "gets" you, and over not very much time at all, you feel totally comfortable to be yourself with?  That someone for me is Michelle. :-)  She's been such a loving, PATIENT, supportive, encouraging voice in my life over the past three years we've known eachother.  Life has shown her a lot of joy and also a lot of sorrow in her short 44 years, but I think those ups and downs have made her one tough and quick-to-laugh cookie!  Not to mention, an incredibly WISE cookie . . . ahhh . . . my favorite kind!  ;-)

The most recent photo of us - GLAMOUR SHOT - last week when she got her braces off (that was the momentous occasion I mentioned in my Glass Slippers post).

Despite her uber-busy life that consists of taking care of a house and husband and 3 teenage boys, two part-time jobs, teaching voice & piano lessons, blogging (check out some serious & humorous wisdom at Pianogirl Speaks & Women in Ministry Change the World!), leadership roles in both women's and Friday School ministries at our church, leading a worship team and being a member of two others, plus playing piano for a men's quartet from our church, oh AND directing summer productions at the local theater, SHE STILL FINDS TIME to spend with me!
And not just "time," but real quality time; really listening to my issues - which I seem to have more of than a magazine stand - and offering apt advice or simply a caring,sympathetic ear, or laughter & pure goofy silliness, copious amounts of hilarity which go straight to my quote book, serious conversations, new adventures, praying for eachother, loads of encouragement in so many areas (IRL I have pretty darn low self-esteem, for one), and my personal favorite: hugs. :-)  Really, the list just goes on & on.
BUT, if you want me to "bottom-line it for ya" (a phrase Michelle frequently uses): basically she's the best friend a woman could ask for & I love her to death!!

True friendship: we have it. :-)

True beauty: she has it. :-)

OK, we now return to our regularly scheduled program!

I typically steer clear of polishes whose reviews state you need 3 or 4 coats for it to look good, but for some reason unbeknownst to me, jellies intrigue me, despite the piles of reviews that rage against the 4-5 coats needed for the polishes in this collection.  This is 5 or 6 coats...I can't be sure, I was so captivated by the beauty and color, I didn't care, and I was watching a movie while doing my nails, so I just kept piling 'em on! ;-)  Dry time was obviously fast, and the formula easy to work with.  It's worth mentioning that Shell-O dried to an unbelieveable high-gloss finish...I really didn't need a topcoat, but I wanted to protect the awesomeness!

The accent nail is two coats of Jindie Nails Nude Beach - again - LOVE!!!  Neon glitters are my true weakness, and this lovely off-white, sandy-colored crelly base is just so perfect.  White mini stars, small & medium white hexes, & small opalescent hexes are the finishing touch and totally make me think of a beach at summertime. Pretty sure I need a full-size bottle of this one!  My only issue is the formula seems to be a bit gloopy.  Again, thank goodness that is an issue that can be easily fixed with thinner.  So please go get yourself a Nude Beach (instead of going to a nude beach) . . . much easier on the eyes! 

I believe her new summer collection is coming out next week?  It looks AMAZING.

I am pleased as punch with this combo and will definitely be something I wear again!  I hope you're willing to give a couple of the China Glaze Summer 2013 Sunsational jellies a chance.  Pretty sure Are You Jelly? (purple) and You Drive Me Coconuts (purple-toned pink) will be joining my stash!

And ladies, I encourage you to take a moment to write a card or send a text or SOMEthing to let your dearest friends know how much you appreciate them.  I assure you, it'll mean more than you may ever know. :-)