Thursday, October 17, 2013

Tribute to Erin

Today I am posting the first nail art I have done in a while. Two months ago today, my dear sister-in-law Erin passed away suddenly. She leaves behind her new son, born just four days before she died, her 2 year old daughter, and my brother. Things have been really rough and we are all having a hard time adjusting to this loss. Last night I decided to make this simple design to honor her memory.

I painted my nails with Sinful Colors Gogo Girl. The bottle I used belonged to Erin. She was not big into painting her nails, and when I was with my brother right after she died, he gave me her one bottle of nail polish. (I would give all of my polish to have her back...) It was a really nice gesture and I wanted to do something with it to remember her. 

I painted a Gerbera Daisy on my ring finger. This was Erin's favorite flower. I actually did two versions of this flower. The first one was like 7 layers of paint and getting crazy big, so I took it off. Then I looked up techniques for painting a Gerbera Daisy and I was able to do this version. I do like how it turned out. And I learned that it is actually Gerbera not Gerber! (Gerber is the last name of the botanist who found this daisy, but the Latin scientific name is Gerbera.)

Here is a closeup of the artwork. Instead of 7 messy layers, there are about 3 layers of petals painted with acrylic paints. I topped it with my favorite: Seche Vite. 

This is my brother, Erin, and her little girl from a trip I took to visit them in 2011. There aren't many pictures of Erin with her son. But we do have a few and they are precious. I miss you so much Erin!

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26 comments:

  1. Sarah ThompsonOctober 17, 2013 at 12:07 PM

    Beautiful nail art and a wonderful tribute. <3

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  2. mrsrexyOctober 17, 2013 at 12:24 PM

    That is so sad, but a touching tribute.

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    1. Sonoma BentoOctober 17, 2013 at 12:26 PM

      Thank you, it is heart breaking. But it felt good to make something beautiful for her.

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  3. It's Not Always TrueOctober 17, 2013 at 12:40 PM

    OMG! That's sad! Did she pass away from complications from childbirth? That is so unheard of in this day and age!

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    1. Sonoma BentoOctober 17, 2013 at 1:00 PM

      It was not complications from childbirth. It was an aneurysm. We were all so shocked, as Erin was such a healthy person.

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  4. MalindaOctober 17, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    I am sorry for you loss. I can not even imagine leaving my children behind. My heart hurts for your family. What a beautiful tribute to her and your family.

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  5. Manis & MakeoversOctober 17, 2013 at 2:06 PM

    Beautiful tribute. Such a sad story.
    Super big hug from Holland.

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  6. AnonymousOctober 17, 2013 at 2:46 PM

    What a beautiful tribute. My heart goes out to you and your family.

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  7. UnknownOctober 17, 2013 at 5:27 PM

    I'm so sorry for your loss. These turned out beautiful and I love that you have that little part of her to keep on your fingers. Your manis are always stunning, but so is your sincerity. We lost a lot of family members last year and I know that nothing really takes away the pain, but sometimes little things like this bring your orientation back and make you feel a little more normal, even if it's just for a little while--I hope these bring you a little comfort and joy in her memory.

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    1. Sonoma BentoOctober 22, 2013 at 12:43 PM

      Thanks so much for your words, Melissa. I'm trying hard to find good and constructive ways to heal from this loss. At times I am so angry, or sad, or apathetic, but slowly I am getting better. It felt really good to do this. Hugs!

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  8. AnhyOctober 17, 2013 at 8:03 PM

    I'm sorry for your loss, I can't even imagine how hard it is right now to all of you :(
    I wish you and your family strength and all the best!
    This is a beautiful nail art and a wonderful tribute ´.

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    1. Sonoma BentoOctober 22, 2013 at 12:43 PM

      Thank you so much, I appreciate your kind thoughts for my family. <3

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  9. AngieOctober 17, 2013 at 8:09 PM

    Wow, there are no words for the sadness I feel for your families!

    Wonderful mani, and I'm sure you will treasure the bottle of polish.

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    1. Sonoma BentoOctober 22, 2013 at 12:44 PM

      Thanks Angie, yes I will hold onto this bottle and always think of Erin when I use it.

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  10. SammyOctober 19, 2013 at 12:32 PM

    amazing nails!

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  11. SpektorOctober 20, 2013 at 10:05 AM

    This is beautiful. I'm very sorry for your loss!

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    1. Sonoma BentoOctober 22, 2013 at 12:45 PM

      Thank you Spektor. I appreciate your kind thoughts.

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  12. shortylegsbeautyOctober 29, 2013 at 9:33 AM

    I am so sorry for your loss :'(
    You did a wonderful nail art look in her memory... life can be so cruel sometimes to take away someone so young and so loved :'(
    Your brother, their children and all the rest of you who loved her will never forget and the kids will grow up knowing that they have the best mother ever... even though she is not there for them to see, she is always going to be there for them.. for all of you <3
    xx

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    1. Sonoma BentoApril 2, 2014 at 3:57 PM

      It has been very frightening to think of my tiny niece and nephew growing up without memories of their mother. Your words offer comfort, thank you so much.

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  13. Margie KimberleyOctober 30, 2013 at 4:00 PM

    beautiful tribute to our beautiful Erin, Michelle. Love this manicure - the Gerbera daisy is stunning …. just like Erin. Take care of YOU amongst all this heartache.

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