Manicures and Pedicures

Who does not like to go and get a mani and pedi? I don't know many of us who don't, but in time, it does get expensive. My pedicures can last forever, it seems, when I get them done professionally. Here's why they seem to last longer: Fresh Polish and base coat! Get rid of your old polish and buy a couple of colors you like and use them and buy new topcoat and basecoat!

Take off old polish and cut or file nails to desired shape and length.
Moisturize your hands a feet overnight by liberally applying moisturizer and wearing cotton gloves and socks.
Take your morning shower or bath and slough off dead skin and callouses with pumice stick or stone.
Then, push back your cuticles on both your hands and feet with a wooden orange stick. This will remove unwanted cuticle without cutting (cutting is bad!).
Dry off and use remover again to make the nail clean and dry.

*Buy Esse's First Base Base Coat* and use as base. This is rubberized and can make your job last MUCH longer (it's transparent blue). Seriously, I have had manicures last days, without chipping. It's worth the trip to the beauty supply store!

Apply 2 coats of your favorite polish color allowing a minute or so between.

Apply a FRESH top coat. This is where you run into trouble if it is not fresh. You will get unwanted creases and polish movement. Use orange stick to remove mistakes.

Allow to thoroughly dry and don't worry about other mistakes, they will come off in your next shower with a nail brush.

Try this technique and you will be thrilled with your professional looking job!

More Grocery Shopping

This is something we can all take advantage of now! Buy local when you can, as the high cost of transporting food long distances is one culprit behind rising prices. Fortunately, summer is prime time to find delicious, locally raised foods at the best prices at farmers' markets. Also, check food co-ops, which often offer hefty discounts to their members.

The grocery store

Stick to your list! Grocery shopping is essential to both budgeting and keeping a household. Manufacturers send you coupons constantly; trying to entice you into buying whatever product they’re touting that month or week. ½ the stores say that if the price does not ring the same amount as the shelf, you get the item for free. It’s important to make a shopping list after looking through store flyers. The flyers will allow you to compare prices and get an idea of what prices for food actually are. In personal experience, as a single career woman, I had no idea what food prices were. I couldn’t tell you what an apple or a gallon of milk cost. It’s hard to concentrate, while in the grocery store, on how much things cost. Not that price is not clearly marked, just that there is an awful lot to note. This is why flyers are so valuable. Every week, you receive these sale flyers and can look to see what’s on sale and what things could cost.

Mango Salad

This is a favorite of both Serena and I:

1 Mango, cubed

1 Beet, sliced thinly

1 Carrot julienned

Bunch of Arugula

Sprigs of Basil, Mint and Cilantro

Dressing: 1 part fresh squeezed OJ, 1/2 part olive oil, tblspn soy sauce, chopped green onion to taste

Mix together and viola, super delicious and colorful salad!

Looking for a home or living space

We all know that the world is changing economically, and we have all played our parts…I am a Realtor, I’ve played and now I am paying. Our economy is global now and when there is distress, everyone feels it. In Europe, much of what I am writing about is mandated or just second nature! There is really no place to assign blame at this point. For other countries, budgeting is required. As an American generation Xer, I am a consumer. I have been targeted by marketing stronger than any other generation in the past and have not had to live through very hard times. My grandparents were young in the depression and are now gone. I have wished over and over while writing this book that they were alive now so I could hear their wisdom on managing and keeping happy homes while times are economically tough. Thank goodness for the memories of my Mother, Aunts and girlfriends who may have paid attention to the stories of the depression or who lived through the gas shortage in the 70’s. Now I am not implying that we’re heading for a depression. But I do believe that in the science of Positive Psychology and in those books from a long time ago that we laugh at now, there is something very important to learn. That we need to make our environment comfortable and good running order and that we need to live within our means, even when times are great economically. In the book The Happiness Hypothesis, Jonathan Haidt suggests that we are, in fact, happier when money is spent on activities than on possessions. I believe this to be true. The wholesomeness of family and friend time has been clouded by posturing and keeping up with the Joneses. A sad state of affairs but we can mend this easily by focusing on our inner or more primal needs.

There is something that I often do in Real Estate that was in something I once read. While people start the house hunt, I suggest that they focus on what they want in a house…not cosmetically but broader. Do they need lots of light or do they work and thrive more in the evening and maybe want more seclusion and darkness during the day? Do they entertain and need a larger dining or family room area or do they mostly go out and need more work or project room? Does life seem to center around the kitchen or outdoors? What activities make them happy? All of these things are usually not looked at when first considering a home, but should be the primary focus. Not what we see in magazines or books. Not what’s in fashion, which can always be changed. I had some wonderful advice from my dear friends, Bob and Pat, who live on the lake that I grew up on. Their advice is to look for a home that you rent for a vacation. Mind you, this is a couple who chose not to have children so their need was for the harmony of a couple, not a family. For others, the need to be in a community with lots of children is important to them. We need to look at this first and foremost in homemaking. Now, I am not suggesting that you run out and sell the home you’re in because you think you may e happier elsewhere more. This is not about the grass being greener elsewhere. Chances are good you instinctively found the place you are currently living for some of these reasons. Now you have to examine how space is being used.

Wondering what to do with your kids on these rainy days?

Libraries have passes to local museums and parks so you can get the family in for free. You can also get movies, books and books on tape for free. Also, see if there may be a lecture that interests you. The library is such a great source of entertainment!

Save energy while doing your laundry

Welcome to my blog! There will be a few guests that will be contributing to this, Bonny and Serena. Both of these ladies are masters of finding "life changers", as we like to call them.

This is one of my favorite tips:

When you are drying clothing in a dryer, throw a clean and dry towel in. It will reduce the drying time in half! For darker colors, use a dark towel.

More to come!

Jeannine