Beach Feet

Ladies have you ever been out and about and heard this: Ewww!!! Do you see all that crust? What was she thinking leaving her house this morning in those sandals. She should be ashamed of herself. Not even lotion could help that!!! Umm mmm mmh. Fellas you get it too: Girl, look at his toes. They look all balled and chewed up. Wait look at his heels, has he been working in salt mines all his life. Na- as- ty! his friends do not like him because they did not even suggest that he wear his basket ball shoes. Shame.

Do not be the next victim. Ladies and gentlemen please PEDICURE!!!!
It does not have to be a full out spa ordeal, but who does not love that? You purchase a few products and follow these simple steps to get beautifully smooth beach feet.

My favorite products are from Bath and body works, they work and are relatively inexpensive. They are from the True Blue Spa line designed especially for that at home spa feel. All of the foot care products are infused with that soothing eucalyptus fragrance common at many spas, as well as oh so moisturizing Shea butter. Other ingredients include: glycolic acid, walnut shell powder, and lavender extracts. Many times at your local BBW you can find the products on sale 2/$20 or try a wide variety of the products (in trial size) through a pedi- kit for $25!!!

I work manicure and pedicure time into my weekly schedule. I count it as relaxation time, I gather my comforts around me to minimize movement once the process has begun and get to work. I usually do it early in the day before I go out to do errands on my days off. I sit in my favorite spot on the couch in front of the TV with the remote nearby, tuned to my favorite station and relax.

1. Soak you feet for about 15- 20 min in" footloose and fancy fizz" foot bath using really warm to HOT water.
2. Push back the cuticles on your toe nails with a cuticle stick, use this time to cut nail down to desired length using a toe nail clipper, if necessary use a cuticle nipper to remove excess cuticle.
3. Remove calluses from the balls of your feet and near your big toe area. To do this you can use a scraper (a specially designed handled razor) or creams, such as "tough love"/ pumice stones.
4. One at a time take your feet from the water, while the other soaks and exfoliate. I use whatever body scrub I am using at the time for my feet too. I also use a pumice sponge/stone to make sure that my heels are EXTRA smooth. Work around in a circular motion until you feel that your skin is smooth and even all around.
5. Shape the nails, square or round with an emery board/ nail file. Then massage in cuticle oil/ cream "cuticle treatment" is a good cream from BBW. Rinse off and dry nails.
6. File (in one direction, back and forth leads to splitting in the nails), smooth, buff and shine nails using a four way block.*
7. Apply a nail strengthening/ hardening base coat and let it dry completely. Apply 1-3 coats of nail color (letting them dry completely between coats). Then apply a top coat.
8. After polish has dried apply moisturizer, I like "Shea it isn't so" and head out to show off your gorgeous beach feet.

*Guys you are more than welcome to continue to the following steps with base coat, or you can stop here.

How often you decide to refresh your manicure is completely between you and your feet. Love your feet and love them often.
Manicuring and pedicuring at a friends house is just as much fun as going out to the salon to get them done. Designate a house, everyone brings something to snack and sip on and play your favorite tunes in the background.

Have fun and see you at the beach.