I teach my first class tonight...

I teach my first class tonight. I have NERVES. Wish me luck!

Also, I have just shy of 250 users on my app, and I got another subscriber recently.

I'm planning to get back to work on it next week.

I'm medicated and going to bed.

I'm medicated and going to bed.

At my last check, I had almost 200 users, plus that one subscriber. Lots of positive feedback, a few bugs found, and several requests for this to be a mobile app. There are already listings on the Marketplace. I've been told it's pretty intuitive and easy to use.

Honestly, it has gone better than the train wreck that I expected. I don't know why I thought it wouldn't be ok. But so far it is, and I'm happy. So happy that I'm literally sick over it, but that's ok.

Goodnight, y'all. Hopefully I'll be ok-ish tomorrow.

Someone subscribed to my app for a year.

Someone subscribed to my app for a year. I'm crying and trying not to puke. What is going on!?

Look at this cat in my puke bowl. She's in the danger zone. 😂😂😂🫠🫠🫠

This is my app launch release.

This is my app launch release. I can't write another thing because migraine, but let's see how it goes!

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Hey y'all! It's release day!

TL;DR:  app.polishallthethings.com

This project was started with the intent to be a collection management app, so it has core features like storing polish information, photos, wish list polishes, etc.  I have tried to make it easy to get started by adding spreadsheet imports with smart photo matching, AirTable imports, as well as the ability to add individual items.  There are some pretty comprehensive search/filter features, and a module to digitally swatch photos so that you can search by color, as well.

I tend to go hard when I decide to do something, so there are a lot of other things on the site, as well.  There is a marketplace for destash items, and under Explore > Discover, there is a Dupe Finder and Search By Color feature.  Those features are limited to items that are already in the collective database, so they will only improve as we add to the database and digitally swatch our items.  I've been so busy working on the app that I've only digitally swatched about 80 of my polishes, so please be patient with those features.

The profile page is optionally public, as well as the information that shows on it.  It will display your collection data with stats.  There is a link near the polish stats that will allow you to categorize / auto-categorize your brands as indie / boutique / mainstream.  That is a feature that is also in progress.  I will be adding more brands to the auto-categorizer as the database grows.

There is also a WIP page that will show you Collection Health data, such as which items are missing data, what items need to be swatched, what names might be dupes, etc.

Brand pages / Brand dashboards are a work in progress.  Brands can upload collections / items and have verified pages, meaning that they are run by the actual brand.  Unclaimed brand pages will be flagged as "community" and will pull data from collections.  Brands can also use the Calendar feature under "Explore" to add releases / events that can be copied to user calendars so they never miss a launch.  Additionally, Brand items can be copied to a user's collection or wishlist.

To address this right off, on every photo there is a place to add swatcher credit and a link to their socials.  If a swatcher does not want their photos used on this app, there is a link so that they can report the photo and ask that it be removed or credited.  I will follow the DMCA process to address those issues if / when they come up.

From here, what this app turns into will be based on the needs and wants of the community to the best of my ability.  I am the sole creator and maintain-er of this project at this time.  It is a passion project that has been in the works in my brain for literal years.  I am so excited to share this with all of you.  Please, please, please, give me your feedback.  Report bugs.  Request features. (via Contact Us or on Discord)  It can't grow if I don't know what is missing.  But please be patient with me; this is my first solo project and I am learning a lot of things as I go.

There is an Announcements section under Explore where I will keep everyone posted on upcoming features.

Without further ado, head on over to the site and let me know how it goes!  Please expect bugs and for things to not be super perfect yet - it's pretty functional from the testing we've done, but without doubt there will be some hiccups and growing pains.

Thank you so, so much for reading! 💙

😂

😂

I got too excited last night. I had posted about my app in a nail polish group and the response was very positive. So I got a migraine about it. 😂😂😂😭😭😭

I went up to go to bed, in pain and nauseated, and my little old boyfriend, Scar, had thrown up and had diarrhea 3 times in my room. It was awful.

I cleaned the mess while trying not to contribute to it myself, then fell asleep with the windows open and the fan on high in this cold weather (in an attempt to clear the air). I also slept all night with the light on because I couldn't bother to move.

I'm finally normalizing a little bit now.

I gotta add some finishing touches on the app and hope I don't crap out again.

It would be super cool if I could just be happy without having a letdown migraine. 🫠

I'm planning to release my app on February 1st.

I'm planning to release my app on February 1st.  I could puke, I'm so excited.

I have this amazing discovery page where you can search by color.  You can also search for dupes of your favorite polishes.

I really don't know what to do with myself (besides stay busy and work on the finishing touches).

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

One of my beta testers...

One of my beta testers told me that my app is already better than Lacquergram.

😳😳😳

I could literally cry.

I'm probably gonna. 😂

Happy tears, at least. 😁😁😁

Putting indie/boutique/mainstream banners on my polish app like:

Putting indie/boutique/mainstream banners on my polish app like:

Just kidding. It was meant for the top left corner, and I'll get it wrangled over to there. That accidental placement just gave me a chuckle. 😂

Things are really coming along. I hope to have my first couple of Brand Pages being tested by Friday.

Also, I got my EIN today.

Exciting times!

Sneaky Peek...

Sneaky Peek of some profile features for the app I'm trying to start Beta Testing today. I'm so excited! 😁😁😁

Polish Collectors, this is for us! ❤️❤️❤️

All I've done for the last week and a half...

All I've done for the last week and a half is eat, sleep, and work on my app. It's literally been years in the making, but taking the Web Dev bootcamp gave me everything I needed to ACTUALLY bring it to life.

My sleep schedule is messed ALL THE WAY UP. My days are a blur.

I thought it was Tuesday all day yesterday; it was Saturday. My sense of time has never been so consistently off as it has this past week.

But I will (hopefully) not have a ton of future free time to make this dream/goal come true. I have an interview Wednesday. I feel optimistic.

Until something pressing pulls me away, I'm throwing myself into building something I've wanted to build for years. I hope I can reveal it soon.

❤️❤️❤️

What can make me willingly give up sleep?

What can make me willingly give up sleep?

Apparently, building an app that I want built.

I've been working late into the night, and my brain just wakes me up with ideas and I can't go back to sleep.

I have literally never experienced anything like this. If you know me, then you know I LOVE my sleep and I LOVE my bed.

This is WILD. 👀

Good morning, I guess. 😂

IYKYK.

IYKYK.

I did these nails on Tuesday...

I did these nails on Tuesday, and then I put the ghosts on the night before Halloween.  I don't do holidays, so my nails are the closest I get to acknowledging that they exist. 😆

I really feel like these turned out great.  I used a dark blue gel and then an aurora chrome powder over it.  The chrome is still looking great, with no tip-wear, which is almost a miracle because I type a lot.

I don't have much time for nail art these days with the Web Dev bootcamp.  I don't have much time for anything.  But Monday starts week 8 of 12, so we're getting closer to the end.  For now, I'm keeping things simple.  I just threw on these vinyl ghost decals that I made in September and called it done.

Nails this week...

Nails this week. I got shorties because they are recovering from a bunch of stuff, but shorties can be pretty, too!

I'm listing the Spiderweb Nails on Etsy tonight. I almost chickened out, but Shaun is encouraging me. I needed it.

Press-On Update for the No Natural Apex Gang:

Press-On Update for the No Natural Apex Gang:

I've found a thick glue that's working.

It fills in the gap.

It's less messy.

It comes with a remover.

I can't send this out with the nails, unfortunately, but if you're definitely going to wear press-on nails, then I would say to try it out. It will last through several sets and will likely be worth it.

My nails will come with glue and a small application kit, but it's not thick glue like this.

Curvlife Quick Drying Semi Solid Nail Glue

My flat ass pancake nail beds...

So this is one of the Natural-style press-ons against one of my bare nails. The Natural style of press-on has a lower apex than the Sculpted, and I think that any apex at all is too much for me, as evidenced by all of the space between my nail and the bottom of the press-on.

If I wanted to wear these, I think I'd need to fill in that gap with a hard gel and then glue it on. But that's a lot of trouble.

What I did when applying these was apply glue, then jam them down to my flat nail bed until they dried. Jamming them down flat caused them to push under my cuticle. Also, when I released them, of course they returned to the rounded shape, pulling my flat ass pancake nail beds with them.

Needless to say, it was not a good time. 0/10 stars, do NOT recommend. My nail beds and cuticles are still sore and I removed them on Friday.

This is why a sizing kit is super important. Be better than me. Don't hurt yourself over nails. Make sure you order a good fit and don't force anything that's not working.

For comparison, this is Shaun's nail bed.  He has a very strong apex. He'd probably fit perfectly into one of these nails.

I got the nails off.

I got the nails off. It's the first thing I did when I got home today.

I soaked them for almost an hour in hot, soapy water.

I might try them again in a few months, but in a different shape, or maybe I'll try the techniques that Robin and Jilanee mentioned on my last post.

And maybe I'll use sticky tabs instead of glue.

We'll see. 😂

My nails are too flat for my own press-on nails...

My nails are too flat for my own press-on nails, which I found out after lopping my nails off in preparation to put a set on. 🙁

I persevered regardless, got glue everywhere, ripped off a couple of fingerprints, messed up a pair of scissors, and now my nail beds are aching. I think I'm about to soak these off. Thankfully, I only applied them to one hand before realizing that this was a terrible idea. 😂

I'm a dang mess. I love doing nail art, but I have the worst luck with enhancements because of how flat my nails are. I have a decent c-curve, but no natural apex/arch at all when you view my nails from the side.

I still try enhancements out every few years, anyway. I guess just to make sure nothing has changed. 😂😂😂

Got these today! I'm so happy.

Got these today! I'm so happy.

I'm planning to mail the sizing kits tomorrow. If you want one and haven't let me know, now would be a good time! ❤️

These are the first 2 sets I wanted to sell, but...

These are the first 2 sets I wanted to sell, but the mood nails are a mess. That pigment would be better suited to nail art rather than a whole set. It peels and flakes easily, and I can't sell that to anyone. They do look amazing, though. There will definitely be new sets featuring it encapsulated in gel so it won't budge. 😉

I found out that my shipping cards and sizing kits should arrive Monday, so I'm super excited about that. I've got a few friends who want a sizing kit, so I should be able to mail those out on Tuesday. I'm getting ready to send shape and length choices over to those who have previously inquired. I might need to add some measurements to the charts, though, so expect that later tonight. I'm trying my best to make sure this is an easy process.

I'm super thankful to everyone who has encouraged me along the way. If y'all scroll back about 12 years, the difference between where I started and where I am now is night and day. ❤️❤️❤️