To put it simply, it was the best worst and weekend ever. I have never slept so little and eaten so little, but yet I came out on top and wanting more. Last weekend showed me what real teamwork is about. With Riann Doxon and Desiree Thompson by my side, along with Shelly Aab and Ellen Lougheed TorchiaI, I truly felt nothing could hold me back. Team Nubar and I took 2^nd in the Fantasy Nail Art competition. But to understand why I love my team so much, you have to go back to the Thurs before the show…

It’s 1:30 a.m. and my alarm goes off and it’s time to pack. I gather all my gear: colored acrylics, glitters, glue, 10 dappen dishes, five brushes, and my trusted lamp. Then my swimsuit (can’t forget that!), a couple evening outfits to hit the scene, and of course, black pants and heels. At 4 a.m., we’re on the road. With only three stops, one for the bank, one for food, and the next for a stretch, we made it into Las Vegas at 9am.

At 6 a.m. Friday, after a night of tossing and turning from being too excited, it was time to get up and meet the crew at the show. After waiting in the wrong line, we finally got our badges and officially put names to the Nubar faces that I had been chatting with. At 7 p.m. it’s time to get dressed up and go out with my girls!

At 6 a.m. Saturday morning, I met and hung out with the who’s who of the industry. The energy was intense. I love going to shows. When you leave you feel like you can go back to the salon with thousands of ideas, and rock your clients’ world.

At 8 p.m. it was time for dinner. We ordered in and I got back down to work with whatever I needed to complete. I actually forgot three creatures at home that I needed for my nails — the Cyclops, Centaur and Minotaur were safely kept in my salon drawer. I didn’t sweat though because I knew I could recreate them.

At 6 a.m. it was time to meet up at Team Nubar’s hotel room so I could walk my awesome model over to the convention center. But there was a problem; the Monorail didn’t start running until 7 a.m. So we hauled our goodies through the hotel room and grabbed (the slowest) cab and made it there at 6:30am. I checked in and got to work; Medusa was ready to go.

At 8 a.m. it was judging time. Watching and waiting, checking out the other costumes and ideas, this was the exciting part. (And knowing that Lynn Lammers was a guest judge really gave me butterflies.) As I waited I watched the French Twist competitors. That is one true guilty pleasure of mine — watching the “big boys and girls” compete. It just so happened that the competitor closest to me was John Hauk. Ladies and gents, I tell you, you could watch him and his fellow French-twisters all day. You could tell they were in their “happy place.” I knew because I felt the same way when I competed.

The awards slowly come and I got 2^nd! Yippee! At that very moment I forgot the lack of sleep, sore feet, and hugged my team and it was awesome.

I know I preach organization and planning, and while I had thought I did it, when push came to shove I wasn’t as organized as I thought. And as much as I think I could’ve done it alone, this particular event was a team effort. Around 4 a.m., when I started to call it a night, my girls massaged my arms and hands, and fed me and had me run down the hallway to wake me up.

Was it my art? You betcha, but it was my team that helped me.

Up next, NailPro Sacramento! That’s my home turf and I’m bringing it!

—    Classic