Deals to Keep Your Toes Fantastic

Collective Wisdom

Shoe Diva’s got a great scoop on the shoe of the month club.  And I’m totally fascinated by albinard’s post on why some shoes are easier to walk in than others.

Deals

• Deckers flip flops for $12
• Teva shoes for $14.90
• My favorite Simple sneakers for $27.90

Give Yourself a Pedicure at Home

DC Diva inspired me to get a pedicure. But I treated myself at home. I saved money, and unlike my salon, my house stocks a full bar for margaritas. I do get professional pedicures during the summer, but I make my dollar stretch further by alternating between salon treats and at-home treatments.

Materials:

• A glass of wine or your favorite cocktail
• A dish bin filled with warm water and a squirt of your favorite soap. I use Dr. Bronner’s liquid castille soap in lavender.
• A hand towel
• A bath towel
• Nail polish remover
• Pumice stone or foot buffer
• Nail clippers
• Nail file
• Cuticle stick
• Cuticle trimmer (I use this one from Revlon because it’s idiot proof)
• Toe separators
• Cotton balls
• Q-tips
• Polish
• Lotion

Directions:

1. Set out your materials so that everything is within easy reach.
2. Place the water-filled bin on the large bath towel. To be safe, use an old bath towel you don’t care about.
3. Remove any old polish with the nail polish remover.
4. If needed, clip down your toenails and file them into shape.
5. Soak your feet for about 10 minutes while enjoying your wine. Maybe pop in your favorite movie.
6. After ten minutes (there’s no need to be exact), pull one foot out and buff the rough patches with a pumice stone or buffer. Repeat with the other foot.
7. Next, push back your cuticles with the cuticle stick. Then take your cuticle trimmer and get off anything you don’t like. If this step scares you, skip it.
8. Dry off your feet using the hand towel.
9. Put on your toe separators.
10. Apply nail polish using a thin coat and even strokes. My favorite brand of polish is Revlon. The formula rarely skips and the price is very friendly.
11. If you want to apply another coat, wait about 3 minutes and apply the second coat.
12. Correct any mistakes with Q-tips dipped in nail polish remover.
13. Go back to your wine (maybe pour another glass?) and give your feet a good 30 minutes to dry. Avoid putting on shoes for the next hour or so just to be safe.
14. Apply lotion.

If you don’t feel like setting up a pedicure station, do steps 5 - 7 during bath time or in the shower.