We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Spa Night: False Lashes Daydreaming

I LOVE false eyelashes. Or I used to. Now I love the idea of them and daydream about those good old days when I used to wear them. Here's a quick history about me and falsies.

No falsies, Baby Boy was 3 months old.

Me lately looking at my funny boy in the mirror. No falsies. I miss 'em!

The following photos are all of me wearing natural looking false lashes. I worked very hard (trimming, careful application, etc) to make it look inconspicuous and eventually wore them almost every day because with all that practice, it took me no time at all to apply them. I wanted to wear them for Hubby and my anniversary dinner last year and was frustrated to find that I'd lost the knack! Well, after over 2 years of not wearing them, I guess that's normal. My girly heart was sad, though. Anyway, here's a short collection of some falsie pics. And it's no coincidence that they are all pre-baby :)

Wedding day. I was absolutely wearing them that day! Here I have a mix of soft black and brown lashes with a sheer golden shadow on my eyes. I was really happy with how the brown lashes and gold shadow made my baby browns pop. Plus, we had a great photographer who I'm sure helped me along in the editing department *wink*

Married nearly a year. Very subtle top lash falsies in black.

Pregnant with Baby Boy! Black falsies on the outer corners of my top lids.

7 months pregnant with Baby Boy. Black falsies on my lower lids. They don't just belong on the top! I loved changing it up with wearing some only on the bottom lid sometimes.
I'm with my niece Dianna. Isn't she beautiful?

So... all that to say, I know I'm about to have a child in the next 4 weeks and will probably have even less time to get prettified in the mornings, but I want to wear falsies again! I just bought 10 pair on ebay for about 14 cents each. Ooh yeah. Gotta love buying in bulk from across the pond :) Anyway, I figure when I have the time I won't feel guilty about messing them up while I practice.

For tonight's spa night I'm doing a foot soak, repairing one of my finger nails (yes! I broke one already! So soon after my spa visit. grrrr) and dyeing my hair. Oh hush, it's ammonia free dye and temporary, so don't get all worried for Baby Belly. I'm just trying out a slightly lighter shade of brunette.

What will you do to pamper yourself this week? Take the time... you won't regret it and your family will appreciate not dealing with Mama bear all week :) Have a fabulous Spa Night, Beauties!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Trip to the Spa


I've been needing some stress free time and have been really wanting a pedicure for some time now. I can no longer do my at home pedicure this far along in pregnancy and the sight of my non-pampered feet was kind of driving me nuts. Yesterday was Hubby's day off so I eagerly looked over a menu of spa services and was excited with the idea of a 60 minute pedicure. Then my wonderful man told me to go ahead and get a few more services I've been wanting. Woohoo! One phone call later and I was booked for a 60 min pedicure, 60 min manicure and 30 min prenatal massage :) I couldn't wait!

When my appointment time rolled around, the boys dropped me off (I didn't want to drive afterward and risk messing up my nails. Ha!). And of course, I took my camera :) This documented trip's for you, Mom! I missed you so much while I was soaking up all the relaxation. You would've loved it! We so have to go there the next time you're in town.

Arriving at Oasis....




In the spa area... Pick a robe and some sandals and head to the changing room.

Time to choose a locker and get changed.


In my locker. Buh-bye cell phone! I'll be ignoring you for the next three hours. 

So if feet in general gross you out, just look away.  But my mama had to see the state my poor feet were in :) 
Before. A sad remnant of my last at home pedicure.....

Ready to get my spa on :). 
Of course, they didn't have maternity robes. So glad I took a swimsuit cover up just in case! I used the robe tie to accent my preggo belly so I wouldn't look like a blob and just kept the too small robe open over my cover up dress. I got lots of compliments from the workers there and several of my fellow spa goers in their tied up robes told me "I didn't know we could wear a cute cover up under the robe! I'm doing that next time." Also much commented on were my gray Old Navy flip flops, of which customers also said they didn't know you could bring your own. But I'm paranoid of much used public spaces and sharing shoes. Yuck! 

Spa waiting area. There was a juice and coffee bar on the other wall, but my photo didn't turn out.

Loved waiting in this dimly lit cozy area.

Private massage room. That pregnancy pillow was amazing! No strain on my back and I could lie on my belly without smashing Baby Belly. I'm sure he appreciated it. I was off in happy land for 30 minutes while I had the stress worked out of me as I listened to artfully arranged rainforest and beach noises over the room speakers. 

The massage ended all too soon, but it was heavenly! My back hurt once I got up from the table, but in a few minutes my joints all snapped back into place and I felt like all the stress I had been carrying just melted away. I could have honestly curled up on that table and fallen asleep right there. But my masseuse gently guided me down the hall to meet my nail technician. I had to laugh later. The masseuse must have lots of experience herding sleepy guests from the massage rooms!

After the 60 minute manicure, which included a yummy smelling sugar scrub & lovely hand/arm massage, I felt so amazingly relaxed. I walked in a dream like state to my cushy pedicure throne where my technician had a warm foot bath, some magazines and water waiting for me. Oh my word! I wanted to move in there :)
I couldn't get a good shot of my manicure. The gray days here make the light tricky for the almost sheer polish. But here's a swatch of the exact shade I have on my finger nails. Pink, of course :)


Another 60 minutes later.
Happier feet! Freshly soaked, scrubbed, lotioned, trimmed, buffed and polished. Yeah, baby! 
The bubbling soak and foot/calf massage while I sat in the heated auto massage chair had me falling asleep. 
Ooh, I LOVE hot pink polish for toes.


I don't want to leave.....!!!! Hahaaa.. Apparently, there's a hot tub and steam room that is complimentary for any guest having any spa service done. Will have to remember to pack a swim suit for that for next time. Oh yes, there will definitely be a next time.

My boys picked me up and took me to dinner. Yum. Here's the apple dumpling dessert Hubby and I shared.

Yes, we're wimps. We couldn't even finish it!

My lovely handsome wonderful family.

It was a beautifully relaxing day.

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