Robert A. Heinlein: Quote for December 1, 2010

Anyone who clings to the historically untrue -- and -- thoroughly immoral doctrine that violence never solves anything I would advise to conjure up the ghosts of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duke of Wellington and let them debate it. The ghost of Hitler would referee. Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor; and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. Breeds that forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and their freedoms.

-- Robert A. Heinlein

Categories: Robert A. Heinlein

Finger Paints Winter Dreams Collection Winter/Holiday 2010

Another lovely Christmas polish collection for your viewing (and perhaps purchasing) pleasure...

This time it's Finger Paints' Holiday set and it's a good one. Finger Paints' winter collections always kick ass. Such an overlooked brand (possibly because you can only buy it in one place), but they really do make great colors.


Holiday Winter Wishes. This is a three-way tie for my favorite polish of the collection. I can't pick just one favorite. This is a really unique glitter, too. At first you might think it looks like Zoya Luna or China Glaze The Ten Man (ten man... ten man... still hate typing that name) but it's really quite different. It's a silver glitter mixed with some very soft gold and champagne glitter in a semi-sheer just barely gold tinted silvery-white base. It has an overall soft, sparkling snowy champagne look. Not pure silver, not strong gold. Lovely. (Irrelevant yet funny: Mine was labelled "Mulberry Madness" and I was all, "this doesn't look mulberry to me!")
EDIT: Heather, you're right, this is Winter Wishes! Mine had the wrong label and I don't know where I got Holiday from XD



Holly Good Times. This is the second one tied for favorite. It's amazing. I know this is supposed to be a Christmas-themed collection, but this one totally screams Thanksgiving. It's a simple combination of gold and red glitter in a clear base, but it looks much more fancy and complex than it actually is. I don't have another glitter like this. To make it even better, it's sheer enough (but just barely) for layering- looks really nice over brown.


Just Plum Fun. A very dark red-toned purple shimmer. Very pretty, not terribly original or exciting, though. Love the color but I was hoping it would be a bit more sparkly!


Merry Mittens. My only disappointment in the collection. It looks amazing in the bottle but it comes out very lumpy/bumpy on the nail. It's a cranberry frost base with tiny gold microglitter, that should have been a dead giveaway that it would end up lumpy. The base is so thick and frosty that the glitter can't shine through. On the upside, it's so thick that it's completely opaque in one coat.


Mistletoe Mischief. This is also tied for favorite! Obviously. Dark green jelly, sparkling green microglitter? It practically has my name written all over it. It does not disappoint. While it is the sheerest color in the collection, the sheerness actually makes this polish better, adding depth to what could have been just a plain green glitter. I love jelly glitters.



Mulberry Madness. Madness, I tell you! MADNESS! Or... something like that? It's not exactly mad, but it is sparkly. It's a little darker than my picture shows. It's a mulberry-red tinted base with pink/red and subtle silver glitter. I was expecting yet another Ruby Pumps clone, but it's actually not! It's different! It's darker, more wine toned. Reminds me of Thanksgiving again. Cranberry sauce. Hm.

The formula on these was varied but good. Mulberry Madness, Holiday Wishes and Merry Mittens were thick, the other three were average. Opacity was great, most needed only two coats, Merry Mittens needed just one. I did three of all and the only one that looked better with three was Holly Good Times. Drying time was a little slower than average. The glitters do dry rather rough, so you may want to double up on topcoat. Actually, try putting a coat of Gelous on before your topcoat, lately I've been finding that to work very well for smoothing lumpy glitters.

Awesome collection. I love to see a good old-fashioned red and green glitter holiday collection. It isn't all red and green, either. It has silvery champagne (would that be platinum? White gold?), gold/red glitter and even a purple. Good balance of 'fun' and 'traditional.' Two thumbs up from me!

(These were sent to me for review.)

Nubar Holiday Jewel Basket Set for Winter/Holiday 2010

I'm glad the Finest Silks collection didn't end up being the actual Holiday collection.... A holiday collection just isn't right without a little glitter!

Nubar is now offering the Holiday Jewel Basket gift set for holiday- it consists of all re-promoted colors, but they are being offered at a discount.

Here's what it has:


Competition Red. A medium red creme. Lately I really love red cremes, but this one isn't doing it for me- it's too 'medium'. It's not crisp looking, it's a little softer. It's not really bright or saturated, it seems faded. Maybe it's just my skintone, but this red is just very soft and mild. Applies really smoothly, though!

Gold Glitter. Is this a photogenic color or what? So gorgeous. This is just a plain gold glitter in a clear base. Very opaque, covers completely in two coats. One of the best gold glitters in my collection. On top of having great coverage, it also dries smoother than a lot of other glitters.


Grass Green Glitter. Oh no... I think this has been reformulated! It doesn't look like I remember it. It's more blue-toned now, the particles are a little bigger and now there are flecks of gold glitter mixed in. It's still pretty, but it doesn't look like this anymore:


(I know, I know, horrible picture! The lighting is all wrong and what on earth am I doing with my fingers? But look at how small and green the glitter is.)



Pixie Dust (two coats over black). This is a very, very delicate and subtle glitter for layering. The particles are tiny, thin and shiny- they're pretty much clear- but they add a nice sparkle. Think Zoya Sparkle Gloss topcoat- but this seems less dense. I couldn't capture it alone- I had to layer to get it to show up on camera. Very pretty and snowy, definitely not a flashy type of glitter. Reminds me of ice crystals on a window.


Silver Glitter. Pure silver, nothing else. I dig it. I do have a fondness for silver glitters... The color may not be unique but the formula is really nice. Totally opaque in two coats, dries quickly and seems uncannily smooth for a glitter. Extremely sparkly and shiny.


Ruby Red Glitz. Yes, it is a Ruby Pumps clone, but there's nothing wrong with that. Ruby Pumps is freakin' gorgeous and so is this. I've actually been wearing this for a few days and I'm really in love with it. It only needs two coats, it dries super fast and is extraordinarily smooth for a polish with so much glitter. The red jelly base combined with the red-gold glitter is just such a captivating combination... looks like it's on fire.



2010 (index and middle finger in first photo, on the right in the second photo). Hm... I thought I had a picture of 2010 all by itself, but apparently I don't! 2010 has become one of Nubar's most popular shades in a very short period of time- it's only been out for a few months but already almost everyone I know has it! It is similar to Sally Hansen Hidden Treasure (as seen above) and also GOSH Rainbow (which I have just recently acquired- thanks Helen!). It's an opal flake in a clear base- it reflects red, gold, green, orange and sometimes a little pink and blue depending on the angle. It is excellent for layering and looks good over pretty much any color.


The Holiday Jewel Basket set also comes with a bottle of Foundation basecoat and a bottle of Diamont topcoat. I have to warn you- something bad happened to Diamont. I had been hearing that it was reformulated and wasn't the same as before, but I hadn't tried the new formula until now. You all were right- it's horrible. It never dries and it's so thin and watery! Why on earth would they reformulate such a perfect topcoat?! I loved Diamont so much- it never, ever shrank on me no matter how many layers I used. It wasn't the fastest drying topcoat but it was definitely the most durable. I sincerely hope that Nubar brings back the old formula cause I'm pretty sad about this terrible new one.

The formula on these was great. I had zero application problems. All the glitters were smooth and opaque (except Pixie Dust, which is for layering). Everything was as it should be, application-wise.


So, overall, nothing new here (except the new Diamont formula) but it's still a nice collection of festive glitters with excellent formula. I don't believe that anything in this set is limited edition and all of the colors are sold individually so you don't have to buy the whole set if you already have some of these. It's available now on Nubar's website for $49.95- it claims to be the most "deeply discounted" set they have, but it's the same price as all the other sets (it does contain one more bottle than the rest of the sets, though). However, today is the last day to use the NOV3030 code for 30% off orders of $30 or more, so you can get a little extra discount!

(These were sent to me for review.)

Jake Sully: Quote for November 30, 2010

The Sky People have sent us a message... that they can take whatever they want. That no one can stop them. Well, we will send them a message. You ride out as fast as the wind can carry you. You tell the other clans to come. Tell them Toruk Makto calls to them! You fly now, with me! My brothers! Sisters! And we will show the Sky People... that they can not take whatever they want! And that this... this is our land!

-- Jake Sully

from: Avatar (2009)

Sam Worthington acted as Jake Sully

Categories: Jake Sully, Sam Worthington, Avatar

NARS Vintage Collection Fall 2010

I've been holding off on posting this until I could photograph all the colors next to the originals, but I can't seem to find my Full Metal Jacket and can't get my hands on King Kong and I just need to post these before they become irrelevant. Argh! So much for plans.

Anyway, this year NARS was awesome enough to bring back a few of their old discontinued shades including the mythical ZULU. I'm insanely happy about this and it really makes me view NARS much more positively. Many of us have been begging for a Zulu re-release since the day it disappeared- and apparently they listened!

Here are the shades:


King Kong. Rusty brown shimmer. I never recall this being a super popular shade as far as NARS polishes are concerned, but it's actually really pretty. Reminds me of fall for sure. Very smooth and velvety looking on the nail.

Full Metal Jacket. A silver-grey frost. This is one of the few frosts that I actually like. It's a little streaky but not obnoxiously so, it does dry a lot smoother than it applies. It's very shiny and metallic looking, but not quite chrome-like. It's sleek and sexy.


MASH. I think I'm just as happy about the re-release of MASH as I am about Zulu! This is an incredibly beautiful dark olive green with gold shimmer. One of NARS' best old shades, if you ask me.


Midnight Express. This one can change appearance a bit depending on how it's applied. This is two rather thick coats, but I think it looks better with three thin coats. It's a jelly, so the more even you apply the coats, the better. Really brings out the jelly effect. This is a super dark blue which looks especially nice in a jelly finish. Illamasqua Propaganda is similar in color and finish, but this was easier for me to apply and had a more jelly look.


Zulu. I apologize for the strange pictures. Zulu is really hard to capture and I wanted to show the green-ness of it. If you're not familiar with Zulu, it's a super dark blackened green jelly. One of the most unique and gorgeous polishes ever released. I know some would disagree with the 'unique' label, but I've really never worn, seen or frankened an exact match for this. The closest I've used is George Evergreen. Somehow none of the Zulu-clones have that dark jelly depth and squishiness that the original Zulu has. Unfortunately, the new Zulu also lacks a lot of the jelly effect of the original. Still awesome, though.

The best thing about the re-released polishes has to be the formula. It's three-free and greatly improved. The old ones were a little on the sheer and slightly runny-goopy side (I think they were three-free before, weren't they?) and took a while to dry. These are now thicker and more opaque which means they're easier to apply and need fewer coats. They also dry quickly. NARS' brush is not my favorite- too thin- but that's the only complaint I have about the bottles and formula.


I do wish they had re-released Platoon along with these to make a full six. But, they re-released Zulu, MASH and Midnight Express so I really can't complain! Really cool of NARS to bring back the old shades. If only some other brands would do the same- like Urban Decay or Revlon!

(These were sent to me for review.)

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Quote for November 29, 2010

Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.

-- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Categories: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Patricia Cross: Quote for November 28, 2010

The task of the excellent teacher is to stimulate apparently ordinary people to unusual effort. The tough problem is not in identifying winners: it is in making winners out of ordinary people.

-- Patricia Cross

Categories: Patricia Cross

Top 10 Grand Prix Circuits in the World

Motor racing and specially the Grand Prix Circuits have become associated with the rich and the famous. There is a great deal of glamour attached to them, and since the top car manufacturers are linked with them, a lot of money is also attached to the sport. The best Grand Prix circuits have become the playground all those who enjoy the speed and the thrills which accompany the motor racing sport.

These are among the best known circuits in the world:

1. British F1 Grand Prix:

Currently held at Silverstone in Northampshire, it is one of the oldest continuously held Formula One championships. Presently the circuit length is 5.901 km and the race length is 306.747 km. One of the premier racing events in the year in England, the course has now been modified to give a brand new circuit configuration.

2. Italian Grand Prix:

One of the longest running sporting events in the world, the Italian Grand Prix initially began in 1921 in Brescia. Presently it is being held at Monza and has a race length of about 306.720 km. It is one of the most prestigious of all Formula One races and is the home of many a championship battle.

3. Malaysian Grand Prix:

The Malaysian Grand Prix is held at the Sepang International Circuit in Sepang. The circuit itself is 5.543 km long and the race is 310.408 kms long. The variations in the weather at this circuit have only added to the mystique of this event.

4. German F1 Grand Prix:

The German Grand Prix became a part of the Formula One circuit in 1951 and is presently held at Hockenheim. There is also an alternate track at Nurburgring, and due to a dispute between the two, the races earlier would be held at the two sites every alternate year. However now all disputes seem to have been settled and it is once more a part of the F1 championship circuit.

5. Abu Dhabi Grand Prix:

This track was built on the Yas Island by Herman Tilke, and it travels through a diversity of regions such as residential areas, sand dunes, beaches and theme parks. The track is 5.5 km long and is one of Abu Dhabi’s most popular tourist attractions, especially in November when the race is held.

6. Valencia Grand Prix Circuit:

Some parts of this circuit were also designed by Herman Tilke, and like the Abu Dhabi race track, here also the drivers’ race through the port area and through the town, rather than through the regular race track which is situated outside the town. Because of the mild temperatures in Spain, this regular track is often used as a test track by F1 drivers.

7. Brazilian F1 Grand Prix:

This Grand Prix event is held at Interlagos, a district in the city of Sao Paulo in Brazil. It first joined the Formula One circuit in 1973, though from 1978 to 1980 the venue was moved to Rio De Janeiro, only moving back here permanently in 1981. It is considered to be one of the most exciting and challenging circuits in the Formula One calendar.

8. Singapore Marina Bay Grand Prix:

Named after the bay area where this race is located, the circuit here is special since the race is held at night. The powerful street lights of Singapore are sufficient to light up the sport. The races here were resumed after the thirty years in 2008 and today it is one of Asia’s most dramatic and exciting races.

9. Monaco Grand Prix:

Believed by many race drivers to be the toughest race circuit in the world, this course is laid out once a year in the narrow streets of Mo0nte Carlo. The breathtaking harbour makes a great backdrop and the gathering of the world’s glitterati to watch this race only adds to the mystique and excitement of this race.

10. Japanese Grand Prix – Suzuka:

The race track here is considered to be among the most challenging in the world. It has seen it’[s ups and downs due to the lack of sponsorship and also due to the fact that occasionally the Grand Prix has been moved to the Fuji Speedway . But now that Toyota has withdrawn from hosting the race at Fuji, Suzuka has regained its place as Japan’s premier motor racing circuit.

Top 10 Books for People Who Don’t Have Time to Read

These books have been carefully selected for their entertainment value and the ease with which reading can be resumed after brief intervals.

1. The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook: A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal by Ben Mezrich

Sex, money, genius and betrayal—the title says it all. Thanks to the movie, The Social Network, it’s now a familiar story. Mark Zuckerberg rises to riches as the entrepreneur of Facebook, enjoying the privileges, but suffering some consequences along the way.

2. I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas by Lewis Black

Christmas and comedy just seem to go together and Lewis Black’s rant looks at the non-religious traditions of Christmas from an entirely new perspective.

3. Machine of Death: A collection of stories about people who know how they will die by David Malki !

Thirty-four tomorrow tales surrounding a mysterious machine that can give people information which will change their lives by predicting how they will meet their end.

4. Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King

A collection of four eerie tales from the undisputed master of the macabre.

5. Surprise: An Erotic Fiction Anthology from Racy Pages by Tinder James

These contemporary stories feature explicit sex and a surprise at every turn.

6. Breakshot: A Life in the 21st Century American Mafia by Kenny Gallo

This is Gallo’s own story of leading a double life — a studious, affluent teenager pursuing a life of violent crime and drug trafficking on the side.

7. Life by Keith Richards

Critics are waxing poetic over the memoir of Keith Richards, guitarist in the most exclusive boy’s club the world has ever known.

8. Autobiography of Mark Twain, Vol. 1 by Mark Twain

Mark Twain dictated his autobiography with instructions that it not be seen by the public until he had been dead for one-hundred years. 2010 marks that one-hundred year anniversary and this book commemorates the author and the man who inhabited the name Mark Twain.

9. Bad Science: Quacks, Hacks, and Big Pharma Flacks by Ben Goldacre

Dr. Goldacre, author of the “Bad Science” column in the Guardian newspaper, takes a critical look at how science is often erroneously used to bolster hidden agendas. His hope is that we all look at health stories in the nightly news with a more critical eye.

10. The Bartender’s Best Friend: A Complete Guide to Cocktails, Martinis, and Mixed Drinks by Mardee Haidin Regan