Fashion Friday - Pedicure Tips

With summer quickly approaching I thought it would be the perfect time for some pedicure pointers. In 2011 I received a very poor pedicure which resulted in staph infection and two ingrown toenails. Since then I feel like it's my mission to educate as many people as possible on what they can do to avoid going down that same dreaded (and painful) path.

1. Know the salon! It's okay to ask questions. How often to they clean the tubs? Look around. Does it look clean? Are the techs rushing to get you in and out as quickly as possible? Do they disinfect the tubs in between each customer (the disinfectant usually needs 10 minutes to work efficiently)? 

2. Make sure a new, sterilized set of tools is used for each person. I prefer seeing the bag opened myself.

3. Don't shave your legs! I know it seems strange, but if you nick yourself shaving it can set you up for an easy infection.

4. Schedule your appointment first thing in the morning since that's when the tubs are usually the cleanest.

5. DON'T LET THEM CLIP OR CUT THE CUTICLE! I capped that because that is what happened to me. In fact, it had occurred many times before at different salons (I was just lucky enough to avoid any problems in those instances). I've noticed that many techs feel like it's part of their job to cut your cuticles or tell you that you have an ingrown nail they are removing. STOP THEM IMMEDIATELY! The only person trained to do that properly is a podiatrist! 

6. If anything hurts you during the pedicure, tell them to STOP! It should not be painful!

7. Make sure they don't round the corners of your nail as that increases the chances of a painful ingrown nail developing.

8. Be on the lookout for infection in the days following your pedicure. If anything seems swollen or painful it could possibly be a staph infection. For me, I was in pain as soon as I got home but didn't realize the severity of what was going to occur.

In my situation, what I thought was a simple pedicure led to two months of pain, infection and costly ingrown toenail surgery (which involves needles in multiple places on your foot. OUCH!!). Out of fear, I did not go to another salon for well over a year, but I've now found one that I like and trust. 

Hopefully these tips will help someone avoid the disaster I went though!

I'm including some pics, but be warned, a couple are a little graphic!

Empty the Tanks

Saturday was such a wonderful experience! We joined with hundreds of thousands around the world for the "Empty the Tanks" protest. At Sea World San Diego we were part of over 800 others standing up for animal rights (the largest protest at Sea World SD ever). I am a strong believer in being a voice for the voiceless and that's what we were. Keeping Orcas in captivity is not about rescue or education - - it's about $$$! I've shared before that I used to be a huge supporter of Sea World and their rescue work, but the good cannot outweigh the bad. Until all cetaceans are released I urge everyone to boycott Sea World and any aquarium that keeps whales/dolphins/porpoises in captivity. They deserve to be free...and at the VERY LEAST the breeding needs to STOP!! I've heard it said that I'm just jumping on the "Blackfish" bandwagon, but I did not support Sea World's captivity of cetaceans even before I saw that film. However, it forced me to examine my beliefs in a way I hadn't. I am proud of myself for being out there and I hope that when Carter is my age he'll have a hard time even comprehending a world that once imprisoned such intelligent, majestic creatures.

Fashion Friday - A new reoccurring post

While my blog tends to focus mostly on things Carter/Mommy related, I also have a passion for fashion. I don't get "dolled up" that often these days, but when I do (and my sis Madison, too) it's usually time for a fun little "photo shoot" or at the very least an OOTD (outfit of the day) photo. So I've decided to dedicate Fridays to those moments and any other fashion/beauty related topics of interest (and down the road I'll have a bigger surprise for you!!).

This first "Fashion Friday" post is from Mother's Day...

Top is Lane Bryant

Necklace is an awesome find from Walmart

Skirt and sandals are Lane Bryant

My dress is also Lane Bryant 

(it's rare that we both have on things from the same place!)

Look for more of these fun posts in the future!!

Weekly Roundup 5/12-5/18

The weather was in the hundreds for most of the week so we tried to find things to do indoors (or we were at the pool). We had a play date at the trampoline park which has quickly become a hit with Carter!

 On Friday we went to Pennypickles Workshop and it was Russ' first time going with us. Like I've said before, the place is pretty amazing. Everything is just so creative! Each session there is usually one experiment done with the kids by the curator. There weren't that many kids there the day we went so Carter got to do 4! The curator was very impressed with Carter's attention span and enthusiasm. At the end she came up to us and told us that she sees a lot of kids come through and she could tell Carter is very bright. Maybe that's something she says to all the parents, but it made us feel good...and of course we think the same!

Let's talk spelling! This week alone Carter has learned how to spell zoo, zebra, Netflix and fish (and he already knew how to spell Carter). Seemed like everyday I'd walk by the fridge and there would be a new word! His memory amazes me! I know it will come in handy throughout life, too!

We're still working on getting Carter to eat more, but it's going well. Whole grain waffles with sugar free syrup is one of his current favs...

He got some shades for the summer, but so far has only worn them in the house. At least he'll wear a hat for us, though.

And I had an ultrasound with my fertility specialist to check my follicles for this cycle. I have nothing to report at this point, but my fingers are crossed! This has been such an emotional journey, but I know it will all be worth it. I'm not giving up!

Storm Game

Saturday night we did a little tailgating before going to the Storm game with my dad's church service organization. It was Carter's first entire baseball game and I was pleasantly surprised by how much he enjoyed it! 

One of my dad's friends got to throw the first pitch and was given this signed ball. He then gave it to Carter! He thought it was so cool since it's not just a baseball, but one with eyes!

 (signed by #23 Matthew Shepherd)

Mother's Day 2014

Since becoming a mother myself, Mother's Day has become one of my favorite holidays. Not so much because I'm celebrated as a mom, but because my eyes have been opened to everything a mother truly encompasses. It's sort of like that saying, "You won't understand until you have a child yourself," and in part I think that's true. I like to take the day and reflect on all of the women in my life that have shown me what a mom really is (whether they birthed children or not). My own mom is one of the most amazing people I've ever known, not to mention my mother-in-law and grandmothers. But I've encountered many other "mother figures" throughout my life and I'm grateful for them all.

We celebrated the day pretty much the entire weekend starting Friday night with a dinner for my mother-in-law, Mary Ann.

On Sunday we had lunch with my almost-99-year-old grandma and had a very nice visit. 

Carter made these hand print flowers for his grandmas and great grandmas. He even did all of the gluing and was sure to sign his name. He enjoys artwork, but he takes it very seriously!

And Dee Dee got one too, because it's important to celebrate the love of your only auntie, too!

From there we visited my other grandma who is still recovering from a fall and mini-stroke. She is doing well though and it was great to see her! 

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there and to anyone who dares to love with their whole heart!