October 1: CD Player Day, Child Health Day, Fire Pup Day, International Day of Older Persons, Model T Day, National Lace Day, World Day of Bullying Prevention / Blue Shirt Day, World Habitat Day, World Vegetarian Day
October 2: Guardian Angels Day, International Day of Non-Violence, National Custodial Workers Day, Techie Day, World Farm Animals Day
October 3: Balloons Around the World Day
Happy National Lace Day! I will be celebrating in this dress from Muse Apparel.
Someday : )

October 4: Blessing of the Animals Day, Improve Your Office Day, Cinnamon Roll Day, Ten-Four Day, World Animal Day
October 5: Lee's National Denim Day, National Diversity Day, Walk to School in the USA Day, World Smile Day, World Teachers' Day
October 6: Cephalopod Awareness Day, Ecological Debt Day, Inter-American Water Day, Mad Hatter Day, National German-American Day, World Card Making Day
October 7: Change a Light Day, Intergeneration Day, World Communion Day, You Matter to Me Day
Well, Happy Cinnamon Roll Day! And just when I was getting down on myself for spending so much time putting together this blog, here is a great quote from Dr. Seuss to help me through - Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" You Matter To Me - Have a happy day and thanks for sticking with me!
Cinnamon Roll Waffles
by Crumbs and Chaos
Smitten Kitchen's
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
October 8: Columbus Day, Native American Day, National Depression Screening Day, National Kick Butt Day, National Pierogi Day
October 9: Leif Erikson Day, National Chess Day, National Face Your Fears Day, World Post Day
October 10: Emergency Nurses Day, Naval Academy Day, Stop Bullying Day World Mental Health Day, World Porridge Day
October 11: National Coming Out Day, World Sight Day
October 12: Free Thought Day, Day of Six Billion, International Moment of Frustration Scream Day, World Egg Day
October 13: Universal Music Day
Obviously, we will be indulging in pierogi until our stomachs burst for National Pierogi Day! I hope you get to have one, or at least see a picture of one!

In case you need help relaxing if you can't get your hands on some delicious pierogi,
or would like to celebrate Universal Music Day relaxing on your couch,
here are the Top Ten Most Relaxing Songs Ever thanks to Apartment Therapy!

1. Marconi Union - Weightless
2. Airstream - Electra
3. DJ Shah - Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix)
4. Enya - Watermark
5. Coldplay - Strawberry Swing
6. Barcelona - Please Don't Go
7. All Saints - Pure Shores
8. Adele - Someone Like You
9. Mozart - Canzonetta Sull'aria
10. Cafe Del Mar - We Can Fly
October 14: Alternative Fuel Day, Be Bald and Be Free Day, Clergy Appreciation Day
October 15: International Day of Rural Women, I Love Lucy Day, National Cake Decorating Day, National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day, National Grouch Day
CakeWrecks pretty much makes me cry of laughter every day with horrendous and embarrassing cake decorating fails. Every Sunday, however, they share cakes that wouldn't make you cry if they showed up at your wedding. It's nice to know that not every cake has to have words/names misspelled!

Also, for National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day, here is a DIY Computer Maintenance Checklist from Apartment Therapy to keep your virtual desktop running smoothly for years to come.

Happy grouching!
XO
 
What a wild week it's been. Where to begin. . . I drove down to Colorado Springs to fill in at an office I would KILL to work at. Met more really awesome people and had a pretty disastrous camping trip that actually turned out to be not-so-bad. Found a stray dog. Adopted said dog. Very crazy ten days.  I hope you had an awesome end to your May. Here's a list to catch you up on your holidays you've been so desperately awaiting!
May 21 - National Memo Day, National Waiters and Waitresses Day, Rapture Party Day
May 22 - Be a Musical Instrument Day, National Taffy Day
May 23  - Lucky Penny Day, World Turtle Day
May 24 - National Escargot Day, Brothers' Day, International Tiara Day, Morse Code Day
International Morse Code Alphabet!


Morse-coded necklaces, blankets and scarves - People would have NO idea they say something!!
So many Morse code crafts, I don't even know where to begin! I LOVE the idea of crafting hidden messages all over my wardrobe. Maybe some Morse Art coming up next??

Also, am I wrong in saying memo = Post-it? Check out this stop motion video of Post-its! Super cute! Happy Memo Day!
May 25 - National Missing Children's Day, Tap Dance Day, Cookie Monster's Birthday, Geek Pride Day, Towel Day, National Wig Out Day, Player Piano Day
May 26 - International Jazz Day, Sally Ride Day
In honor of Cookie Monster's Birthday, let's celebrate with a few cookie recipes! Giant S'mores Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies by Smells Like Home & Red Velvet Thumbprint Cookies with with Marshmallow Frosting by How Sweet It Is! Yum!
May 27 - Sunscreen Day
May 28 - Amnesty International Day, Memorial Day
May 29 - Learn About Composting Day
May 30 - Water a Flower Day

Colorado is suffering from major wildfires right now so it's not exactly the most fun thing trying to breathe outside. I am lacking a need for sunscreen since I'm holed up in my dark apartment to keep the heat (and smoke) out. Let's travel to three places you might actually want to enjoy the sun and NEED sunscreen.
I want to sit on this dock with my feet dipped in the water and lather on the sunscreen until the sun goes does. Would you join me in Hungary for some dock-time? Come on!
Or maybe Canada is more your style? Watching the sunset over Lake Superior sounds like another one of those times that you would need ample lotion to protect you from the sun. Oh, Lake Superior, how I miss you.
Last, but certainly not least - a natural swimming pool in Samoa. I'm sure I would have a pretty hard time wanting to leave these crystal waters to reapply sunblock. Alas, I'm a fair-skinned strawberry blonde and would sizzle into oblivion if I didn't!
May 31 - National Macaroon Day, Save Your Hearing Day, World No Tobacco Day, What You Think Upon Grows Day

Have you read "The Art of Racing in the Rain"?? A quote that pops up a couple of times in this amazing book is "Your car goes where your eyes go" and I think that goes hand in hand with "What you think upon grows" - What an awesome way to live At-Cause in your life! Celebrate the things you have brought into your life and the things you have continued to grow by thinking on them! Congrats!

P. S. To save your hearing - I'm addicted to my Jack Johnson station on Pandora. Perfect for summertime, if I say so myself!
Happy sizzling!
XO
 
Happy Friday!! This weekend is FULL of really awesome reasons to celebrate! Eat what you want day? Count me in! National babysitters' day? I babysat my way through middle and high school! And then, of course, there's mothers' day! I hope you have a fabulously relaxing weekend full of good food, fun crafts and thanking Mom for everything she's done!
Friday, May 11th - Eat What You Want Day, Military Spouses' Day,
Twilight Zone Day, National Windmill Day

I LOVE Mexican food. If I could choose one genre of food to eat on Eat What I Want Day - It would be Mexican. So, I'm going to have Baked Chicken Burritos from for dinner and Sopapilla Cheesecake from Sing for Your Supper for dessert! But don't eat what I want, eat what you want! Check out my Savories Worth Saving and So Many Treats, So Little Time boards on Pinterest for more tasty ideas to help you celebrate! P. S. I'm also addicted to Pinterest!
Saturday, May 12th - Birth Mother's Day, Fatigue Syndrome Day, International Nurses' Day, Limerick Day, Hug Your Cat Day, National Babysitter's Day, National Mini Golf Day, Odometer Day, Stay Up All Night, World Belly Dance Day

I like to think I was the greatest babysitter in my day. Looking back, I was probably a little on the boring side - letting kiddos do pretty much whatever they felt like without much structure. I wish I would have had access to the awesome crafting ideas for fun things to do back then, but I bet they still appreciated their freedom at least a little! Above you'll find Tie-Dying Basics (for the older ones) and DIY Kid Plates (to ENCOURAGE playing with their food! I bet Mom and Dad would have really appreciated THAT!)

Sunday, May 13th - Frog Jumping Day, Leprechaun Day, Mother's Day

I'll make this quick because I know your google reader is getting blown up by mother's day stories and tributes. If you feel like hearing a little more about the mothers/women in my life, check it out HERE. I sent my mom this really beautiful silver infinity bracelet and she had to wait WEEKS to open it for mother's day. I LOVE surprises!!

Monday, May 14th - Dance Like a Chicken Day
Last, but not least, for dance like a chicken day, I'd like to share my new favorite dance song. I am not one to dance in the car, but I find myself bee-bopping around to this tune. I love love LOVE The Sound of Sunshine by Michael Franti & Spearhead. It makes my heart sing!!
Happy weekend and work week!
XO
 
Doctors' Day, Take a Walk in a Park Day, I am in Control Day, Pencil Day
P. S. Create your own wall-mount for colored pencils HERE!

I am TOTALLY in control today!
Here's a recap of my 26 before 26 to show just how IN CONTROL I am!

(After I re-read this, I'm realizing that I'm actually OUT of control. . .

SO proud of my accomplishments so far this year. Keep it coming!)
1. Climb three more Fourteeners.   
    a. Mt. Elbert - Sawatch Range - 4700ft elevation gain /  9 miles
    b. Mt. Lincoln - Mosquito Range - 2600ft elevation gain / 5.5 miles
    c. Grey's Peak - Front Range - 3000ft elevation gain / 7.5 miles
    d. Torrey's Peak - Front Range - 3000ft elevation gain / 7.5 miles
    e. Quandary Peak - Tenmile Range - 3450ft elevation gain / 6.75 miles
                (CONQUERED!)
    f. Mt. Democrat - Mosquito Range - 2150ft elevation gain / 4 miles
    g. Mt. Bierstadt - Front Range - 2850ft elevation gain / 7 miles
2. Go camping at least five times this summer.
        Moab, UT / Southfork, CO / Fort Collins, CO / Glenwood Springs, CO / Aspen, CO
3. Go skiing at least once this winter.
        Below: Eldora skiing near Nederlands, CO. I forgot how much I love skiing!! I also
            forgot how fast you can get sunburnt in Colorado! I burned my eyeballs!!
                Worth it!
4. Rent a house.
        Don't really have to worry about this until September, but I'll admit I already
            started looking on Craigslist. Then I realized how much it sucks to look for a
                place to live and stopped! Phew!
5. Ride my bike to Denver.
6. Keep one plant alive for an entire year.
        So far, so good! Our money tree is actually sprouting new little leaves and stems!!
7. Lost 10 lbs OR two sizes.
        I started on the Herbalife "diet" (I hate saying I'm on a diet... It's more of a lifestyle
            thing for me!) Check out Rightfitt Nutrition for more information (if you're in the
                Northern Colorado area!)
8. Read 10 books.
    a. A bunch of Stephen King books.
    b. A book about a flu pandemic.
    c. I'm thinking about starting in on the Hunger Games. Yes? No?
9. Document my 25th year through pictures.
        So far, I'm doing alright. I'm going to start nagging Justin to take more pictures
            because ME taking pictures means I'm taking pictures of OTHER PEOPLE's lives
                during MY 25th year. Hmph!
10. Continue on my path to becoming a Hygenius. (Genius Dental Hygienist!)
        I LOVE YOU, SHANNON!
11. Run at least one more 10K.
12. Try 25 new recipes.
    (A few below, but for more SUCCESS/FAILS check out my
        "Defying the Pinterest Stereotype Pinboard HERE)
    a. Baked Banana French Toast = FAIL
    b. Fruit Dip = SUCCESS
    c. Brownie Pops = SUCCESS
    d. English Muffin Bread = SUCCESS
    e. Dulce de Leche = mild SUCCESS /
                                 possible REDO
    f. Greek Yogurt Dill Dip = SUCCESS
g. Buffalo Chicken Dip = SUCCESS
h. Pretzel Cheese Sauce = FAIL
i. Chocolate Lovers Cupcakes =
    ULTIMATE FAIL, I might not
        understand baking for higher
               altitudes yet.
j. Soft Pretzel Bites = SUCCESS
13. Build a bridge with my sister.
        Trying. . .
14. Re-vamp my wardrobe.
        Waiting on #7! Polyvore helps =)
15. Complete 10 DIY projects.
        Again, check out my Pinterest HERE. So far, I've done. . . Bowties, Valentine Chapsticks,
            Back-to-the-Future pictures (Below is my first of many with this project - I HAVE
                SO MANY MORE IDEAS FOR THIS ONE!!), Gold-Dipped Wine Glasses,
                    and Watermark Tee to name a few!
16. Get a smart phone and not kill it.
        Keeping my fingers crossed!
17. Go on a cruise.
        No plans yet, but I'm totally open!
18. Go on a hot air balloon ride.
        Making reservations TODAY for our 3 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!
19. Get all eight Harry Potter movies.
        Done. Watch all eight Harry Potter movies = DONE! Now I get to start playing the
            Lego Harry Potter I got for Christmas! Haha!
20. Call one family member per week (not counting my mom or dad!)
        Not doing so hot on this one. I call my Mom at least every week. Talk to my Nana,
            Aunt Deni, Aunt Lisa, Papa, too - But I'll get back on this!
                Start scheduling in my planner!
21. Volunteer for at least one dental event.
        Been doing research, but haven't found THE ONE yet. So why not do them all??
22. Have a dinner party.
        In the planning stages. I'll probably end up with 73 by the end of my 25th year.
            Not even something to complain about!
                Get ready for dinner parties galore, friends!
23. Celebrate three years with the love of my life.
        August 28, 2012 - Let the countdown begin! 140 days!
24. Take one vacation by myself.
        Also in the planning stages. Going to take a weekend by myself.
            Maybe take a pup along? Gotta get those vacation juices flowing!
25. Buy (and use) one new attachment for my KitchenAid.
        These buggers are EXPENSIVE! And I can't quite find a need for any of them enough
            to shell out $60+. . .  This one might not get done. Maybe I'll do one recipe with
                each of the attachments it came with.
                    Bread hook, whisk and regular paddle - Here I come!
26. Turn 26!!
        Let me check - yep, I still have a heartbeat. On the right track!
Holy crap. What a whirlwind three months it's been. Looking forward to my next nine months as a 25 year old! How are your resolutions going?
Happy being held accountable!
XO
 
Education and Sharing Day, National Joe Day, Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day, Viagra Day, Color Therapy Month
That dashing young man is my Papa. My dad's dad. My dad's name is Joe. His dad's name is Joe. It WAS Thaddeus, but for some reason he changed it to Joe. I can live with that. My Papa is pretty much my whole world. Best Papa ever as far as I'm concerned. Granted, I only have the ONE Papa, but who's counting?

ROYGBIV, people. It's color therapy month. Here I have compiled a rainbow of information to help transport you to another time in which the sky isn't grey and the ground isn't brown. HAPPY SPRING!!
My dearest friend, Rozi, is engaged. Her favorite color is red. She has finally decided on a tentative date in September of 2013 and has asked me to help her with wedding ideas. I have been pinning the crap out of the color red ever since. Red dresses, red shoes, red flowers, red cakes. Red everything. Thanks to Style Me Pretty, hopefully I'm being helpful, but either way I'm having a blast!

RED is the first chakra found at the base of the spine. It's purpose is grounding and survival and is associated with the gonads, kidneys, spine and your sense of smell.
I'm hoping you've heard of Polyvore. People are putting together the most adorable outfits and linking them to where you can buy each piece! Brilliant!

ORANGE is the second chakra found in the lower abdomen and genitals. It is associated with the urinary tract, circulation and reproduction, as well as emotions and sexuality. Ooh, baby!
Now that I've got weddings on the brain, I might as well add another wedding related picture. Cake pop seating chart!


YELLOW is the third chakra located in the solar plexus (that place where, if hit, you lose your breath!). Your power and ego are affected by this color along with your stomach, liver, gall bladder and pancreas, too!
Damn you, Brazil, and your awesome beauty! I want to live here and shower at the base of these falls! Except that it's a national park, so that's probably frowned upon. (Chapada dos Guimarães National Park) *sigh*

GREEN is the fourth chakra, associated with your heart and affecting your lungs and thymus. Love and your sense of responsibility are closely tied to this color and chakra.
Now that I've got one party under my belt (My boyfriend, Justin's 28th birthday - wine and beer tasting complete with labels, decorations and a homemade photo booth!) I am ADDICTED to party planning. And decorations. And color schemes. Now can you see why I'm having so much fun helping my pal with her wedding?? I am in love with this peacock color scheme. Blues and greens and indigos and violets, this party at Hostess with the Mostess might as well have been the picture for my last four colors.

BLUE is the fifth chakra, located at the throat. Physical and spiritual communication are found here and your throat, ears, mouth, and hands are most affected by disturbances.
DIY Galaxy Playdough, thanks to Fairy Dust Teaching! Glitter is the best!!

INDIGO is the sixth chakra located just above the center of the brow, in the middle of your forehead Forgiveness, compassion, and understanding are all found in this area. The eye and pineal glands are affected by this color.
For as much as I thought I liked purple, I really had a hard time finding a really great picture/DIY/fashion statement to share. I did my best and hopefully didn't disappoint! This incredible necklace would make any outfit pop. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

Last, but not least - PURPLE is the seventh chakra found at the crown of the head. Connection with universal energies, transmission of ideas and information is rooted here and your pituitary gland, the central nervous system and cerebral cortex are the systems most affected by this color.
Happy learning!
XO
 
March 17: Corn Dog Day, National Quilting Day, St. Patrick's Day
Awww. . . Look at me with my red hair! Happy St. Patrick's Day all you Irish out there, as well as everyone else (ahem, me!) that will be pretending their Irish. My hair confuses people, but alas, I am Irish-less. Except for my boyfriend, Mr. McHenry. *sigh* If we get married, people will REALLY be thrown off!

Anyway, I wanted to share some sweet quilts that I'll probably never have the patience to make myself. Maybe I'll print pictures of them, tape them together, then sleep under them. Probably not!
My mom is making Justin and I this kick-ass quilt by V & Co. in teal and grey. I can't wait!

Sherri Lynn Wood inspires us to express ourselves with this Mod-Mood Quilt. On her site, you'll find a DIY tutorial  complete with a listing of the colors and the moods they represent!
In honor of St. Patrick:
GOLD: nervous, mixed emotions, unsettled, warm, rich
LIME GREEN: excited, anticipation, new growth, perceptive, motivated
GREEN: average reading, active, not under great stress, growth, abundance, prosperity, gratitude, hope, satisfaction, contentment, fertile, envy, greed, jealous, heart chakra
BLUE-GREEN: charged but relaxed, calm, dynamic, refreshed, tranquil, patience, cool, motivated, fussy, egocentric
Binding a quilt is my absolute least favorite thing to do in the whole wide world of quilting and Red Pepper Quilts teaches us how to make a binding-free quilt! Yes!!
I would love to get this quilt with a love letter or words of wisdom quilted on it! What a cool idea from Cornflower Blue Studio! They make them in minis on their etsy site, but I want mine bed-sized!
Apartment Therapy has a sweet upcycling tutorial for these quilted coasters!
This quilt in shades of green would be an awesome piece to throw on your couch during the St. Patty's Day festivities! Thanks, Purl Soho!
Happy quilting and top of the morning to ya!
XO
 
Let me begin by apologizing (profusely) for the lack of anything the last week or so. I have been SO overwhelmed trying to fix this (godforsaken) blog that I haven't been able to have much fun with it. I had yet another catastrophe on my side of the blogging universe and it all goes back to the fact that I've never done this before and just DO NOT UNDERSTAND these things. Anyway, I'm trying my best to fire up again but in order to do this, I have to bunch a few days together. Otherwise, my tiny blog will die and that would be so sad.
Please forgive me!

Here's the breakdown since we talked last:

February 1: Freedom Day, G.I. Joe Day, Hula in the Coola Day
February 2: Crepe Day, Groundhog Day, Marmot Day, Sled Dog Day
February 3: The Day the Music Died, Give Kids a Smile Day, Wear Red Day
February 4: World Cancer Day, Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, Thank a Mailman Day
February 5: World Nutella Day
February 6: National Weatherman's Day
February 7: Lame Duck Day, Ballet Day, Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbors Day
February 8: Send a Card to a Friend Day, Opera Day
February 9: Kite Flying Day, National Stop Bullying Day, Read in the Bathtub Day
February 10: Toothache Day
February 11: Umbrella Day, Be Electrific Day, White T-Shirt Day
The University of Detroit Mercy (my alma mater) hosts a Give Kids a Smile day (February 3) every year in which hundreds of children are given dental treatment at no cost. (Although, I don't think they do it anymore, Boo.) Here my classmates and I are posing with Detroit's interim Mayor (at the time), Ken Cockrel, Jr. in 2009 where over 200 children had their teeth cleaned or fixed. What an amazing day, I miss these volunteer events and as my 2012 new year's resolution, I aim to participate in at least one by 2013. There are so many opportunities out there and I cannot wait to use my skills to help again!



Since I have a slight red-tinge to my hair, I don't ever have to worry about forgetting to wear red on February 3. Here is a gorgeously wearable red for those who are gingerly-challenged. I want this exact skirt that Aarean from Color issue sported in her Christmas cards!

Also, here's a HOW-TO for Maxi skirts!! Yes!!
For World Cancer Day, February 4, I would like to honor my mom's best friend, Irene Rel, who passed away three years ago this year. Above: My mom is on the left, Irene on the right. She was the sassy best friend everyone wants, but never really gets. She was an open book and would never think to hide her feelings. She was full of love and life and passion for her family until the very end. She is missed every day, but I am so proud to have had her in my life. She left me with a new appreciation for family and friends and she also taught me how to make breakfast burritos. :)  Thank you, Irene! Love and miss you always!
February 9th was Read in the Bathtub Day.
These book text posters from Spineless Classics would make reading
in the bathtub a little easier, and a lot less soggy.
Finally, for White T-Shirt Day (today!) let's make this watermark t-shirt. All you need is some dye, Elmer's Gel Glue a cute quote or design and a white shirt.

Thanks to Katy from Sweet Verbena for this excellent DIY
that I might actually get a chance to DIM (Do-It-Myself)!
Happy electrifying!
XO
 
Inspire Your Heart With Art Day, Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day
My aim today is to inspire your heart with art. I know, I know, we all love bubble wrap, but that sh*t can get old after a while. Art, on the other hand, is timeless. Enjoy!
Three DIYS to start the day off right. First from Bri Emery over at Design Love Fest and second from Connie at Salvage Savvy. Connie's reminds me of Vincent van Gogh, my long lost love. They sure make it look easy, but I wonder what mine would turn out looking like. . . Probably not nearly as elegant and appealing.
Last on the DIY train, I'm going shopping today to find materials to make this next project, only in the shape of Michigan! I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.
Now on to the professional art! Samantha French has over 70 amazing underwater prints on her Etsy site ranging from $30 to almost $1,000! They are incredible!
This one makes me wish it was summer and not snowing outside!
Last, but certainly not least, the epitome of art: the NYTimes Archives.
So many elegant pictures to inspire any art project.
Happy crafting and check out my Pinterest board for Crafty Gifts & DIYs!
XO
 
Seeing Eye Dog Day, International Hoof Care Week
Odie is not officially a seeing eye dog, but he is a service dog! He is our emotional support! So, there's my shout out to Seeing Eye Dogs, but the main event is hoof care week! Thanks to Charli from Total Beauty gave this set-by-step tutorial to The Best DIY Pedicure Tips!
Step 1: Gather Materials
Choose a comfortable area of your home that's near a faucet (the bathroom's a great place for the first couple steps) and gather the following items for easy access:

• Nail polish remover • A large bowl or foot bath filled with water and bubble bath
• Cuticle oil • Exfoliating foot scrub • A bath towel • A hand towel • A foot callus file
• Nail clipper • A fine grit nail file • Foot lotion • Cotton pads • Base coat
Step 2: Remove Polish
If you have any leftover polish, use mild acetone polish remover and a cotton pad to remove it. "Acetone remover is not damaging to nails [and] cuts through pigment faster than non-acetone remover, which can leave traces of pigment on nails that can lead to discoloration over time," says nail-pro Roxanne Valinoti.

Tip: Have dark polish stains? "Orly Cutique gently removes dead skin tissue from cuticles, making them soft and pliable. It also removes stains from nails and is great for pedicures," says Jenna Hipp.
Step 3: Soak
"Make an at-home pedicure more relaxing by soaking your feet in a large bowl with bubble bath for 10 or so minutes before you get working," says celeb-trusted Nicole Dihn. "Read a magazine or listen to music and just relax." Before you fill your foot bath or large bowl with water, make sure to put a bath towel underneath it to catch any spills or debris from your pedicure.

Tip: Add epsom salt to your foot bath to soothe tired feet and help reduce any swelling at the end of a long day.
Step 4: Treat Cuticles
Pull one foot from the foot bath and put drop cuticle oil on each nail. Massage it in and glide a wooden cuticle stick around the nail to push back any dead skin that might be clinging to the nail plate. Switch feet, submerging your first foot back into the water, and repeat!
Step 5: Exfoliate
Pull your first foot out of the foot bath and wet your leg up to your knee. Using a granular foot scrub, gently massage along the bottoms of your feet up to the knee. "Concentrate pressure where there is a callus or dry skin build-up," says nail pro Valinoti. Rinse thoroughly and repeat with other leg.

Tip: If you desire, dampen a clean towel and warm in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds, then use it to help rinse your feet. Aaaaah. . .

Step 6: Smooth Skin
Gently glide a callus smoother or very coarse nail file over calluses to smooth (not remove) rough, dry areas on the bottoms and sides of feet and toes. Put feet back in foot bath to rinse.
Step 7: Hydrate
Remove one foot from foot bath and pat dry with a hand towel. For a relaxing, cooling sensation that will soothe feet and make them tingle for at least an hour, combine a few drops of peppermint oil with a foot lotion or rich cream and massage into legs and feet.

Tip: For more intense moisturizing, do a mask first. After removing your first foot from the foot bath, spread an even coat of clay foot mask on your foot and ankle. Wrap with plastic wrap, then a terry cloth towel. Repeat on your other foot. Wait three to five minutes, rinse thoroughly. Then massage feet with lotion as suggested above.

Step 8: Prepare Nails
Use a disinfected, curved toenail trimmer to cut the corner of each nail at a 45-degree angle to help prevent ingrown nails. Next cut any nails that are too long straight across. Finish by shaping nails with a fine (around 240 grit) flat file or glass file to smooth uneven edges and corners. Double-check for any remaining cuticle that might be stuck to the nail and file it smooth. Swipe all nails with polish remover to get rid of residual oils and extend the life of your polish. Weave toe separators between toes.
Step 9: Apply Polish
Apply one thin layer of base coat, followed by two thin coats of nail enamel in your chosen color and one final thin layer of shiny top coat. Let each coat dry for about two minutes between applications. "Fix any polish mistakes by dipping a short, stiff paint brush in nail polish remover. Just glide it along the edges of your nails to clean up the paint," says Dihn.

Tip: Avoid air bubbles in your painted nails by storing polish in a cool, dry place and rolling bottles between palms, not shaking them, before applying. Wait until nails are fully dry before you clean up your workspace, and wait at least two hours before putting on close-toed shoes.

Step 10: Make it Last
To make your pedicure last longer, always use a base coat and top coat, and apply a fresh coat of clear polish every three days. Do this right after hitting the beach to make polish dulled by sand look fresh again. Keep polish and cuticles well-oiled with a purse-sized cuticle oil.

Click on the link above for product suggestions to go along with the tutorial! Thanks a ton! Looking forward to caring for these hooves!
Happy nailing it! I mean, um, yeah.
XO