I was just thinking about French manicures, which I do sometimes when my mind wanders.
Y'all know what a French Manicure is, right? Traditionally flesh or pink tones with a white tip.
Very popular. Invented in the 70's, but we won't hold that against it.
Actually, it's been consistently popular since it was invented, which is rare for any fashion accessory. The real question is, of course, why? Why is it so popular and why does it stay that way?
It's classy, it's feminine, it goes with everything. All good reasons, really.
But I think the real reason everyone loves it is because it mimics a beautiful, natural nail. Really, that's what it is...the look of a healthy, lovely nail, without any embellishments.
People just love that, they crave it-- what's natural and healthy and therefore beautiful. Human beings are drawn to beautiful things, right things and unblemished things. It's in our nature to find them attractive and comforting.
Yes, there are a lot of other looks out there. Yes, there are other ways of living and being. But It seems like they change every five minutes or so and lots of us are struggling to keep up. Why bother? French is just as lovely now as it was 20 years ago. If they had nail polish 1000 years ago, I'm sure it would have been popular then.
So, I don't think I'm going to kill myself keeping up with those fashions.
French is in.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Once Upon a Toenail
It seems like all my favorite stories start out with the iconic "Once upon a time...."
Or something that's a very close equivalent but, you know, I'm not gonna be picky with my favorite stories.
I've wondered more than once If my life story, with or without that particular beginning, would be something anyone would bother reading. It sure does have all the right elements...a beautiful princess, a handsome and daring prince, mortal peril, slay-able dragons and......whaidaminute. I think that was Sleeping Beauty.
Let's see.....what DO I have here?
A beautiful princess. I've never though of myself as a particular beauty, but a certain fellow I know tells me more than anyone deserves how stunning he finds me. In pajamas, with messy hair, over a cooking dinner, at the grocery store, at church and even while cleaning toilets. Yup. I guess if he thinks I'm a beautiful princess, I must be.
A handsome and daring prince. I remember the first time he flashed me that dazzling smile of his...it made the souls of my shoes reach for the ceiling. Every day he dares that nasty world out there with more courage and dignity than I could manage. Somehow he manages to come home to me still flashing a smile that makes me weak at the knees. Handsome and daring? Absolutely.
Mortal peril. Have you been on the highway recently?
Slay-able dragons. It's not that big of a stretch to make my prince's boss a dragon, but that's just too easy. How about two kids in diapers at once? How about making 40 dollars a week feed a whole family? How about making those everyday, irritating and constant concerns something that don't beat you down and make you forget that you are really royalty. Better dragons aren't found on page or screen in my opinion.
So......
Once upon a toenail, there was a fabulous base coat. Upon it rested a shimmering ruby layer of glory that was the throne of shining gold and green flowers. And a diamond jewel. And the beautiful pedicure was strong and powerful and lasted for two and a half weeks. And the Spring was lovely because of it.
And the toenails (and their owner) lived happily till the next coat.
Because I am a Princess.
Or something that's a very close equivalent but, you know, I'm not gonna be picky with my favorite stories.
I've wondered more than once If my life story, with or without that particular beginning, would be something anyone would bother reading. It sure does have all the right elements...a beautiful princess, a handsome and daring prince, mortal peril, slay-able dragons and......whaidaminute. I think that was Sleeping Beauty.
Let's see.....what DO I have here?
A beautiful princess. I've never though of myself as a particular beauty, but a certain fellow I know tells me more than anyone deserves how stunning he finds me. In pajamas, with messy hair, over a cooking dinner, at the grocery store, at church and even while cleaning toilets. Yup. I guess if he thinks I'm a beautiful princess, I must be.
A handsome and daring prince. I remember the first time he flashed me that dazzling smile of his...it made the souls of my shoes reach for the ceiling. Every day he dares that nasty world out there with more courage and dignity than I could manage. Somehow he manages to come home to me still flashing a smile that makes me weak at the knees. Handsome and daring? Absolutely.
Mortal peril. Have you been on the highway recently?
Slay-able dragons. It's not that big of a stretch to make my prince's boss a dragon, but that's just too easy. How about two kids in diapers at once? How about making 40 dollars a week feed a whole family? How about making those everyday, irritating and constant concerns something that don't beat you down and make you forget that you are really royalty. Better dragons aren't found on page or screen in my opinion.
So......
Once upon a toenail, there was a fabulous base coat. Upon it rested a shimmering ruby layer of glory that was the throne of shining gold and green flowers. And a diamond jewel. And the beautiful pedicure was strong and powerful and lasted for two and a half weeks. And the Spring was lovely because of it.
And the toenails (and their owner) lived happily till the next coat.
Because I am a Princess.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
When smudges happen....
Sometimes everything works. Sometimes you put on your color, your topcoat and it all drys without a hitch, then you have beautiful nails. Then again, sometimes smudges happen. OH! It's so frustrating! It seems like they come out of nowhere.....everything is going well but then you look and !yeaarrghff! another one! What did I do to deserve that? It's like when you have a big day planned, with lots of important things to do and one of your children wakes up in the middle of the night before said important day, tossing cookies. With no warning.....no stomach ache in the evening, nothing.
Major smudge.
Of course, it's not enough to make me stop doing my nails, nosir. I'm not gonna let this little problem ruin the rest of my life. Especially if the child with the ickys was the one in the crib. Oh the glories and wonders of plastic topped mattresses......things just wipe off. So, I'm glad about that. And if the polish is still wet enough to smudge, then it's gonna come off really easy for an easy restart.
Smudges happen. The resilient colorist starts over and moves on. Why? Because great nails are worth it.
Major smudge.
Of course, it's not enough to make me stop doing my nails, nosir. I'm not gonna let this little problem ruin the rest of my life. Especially if the child with the ickys was the one in the crib. Oh the glories and wonders of plastic topped mattresses......things just wipe off. So, I'm glad about that. And if the polish is still wet enough to smudge, then it's gonna come off really easy for an easy restart.
Smudges happen. The resilient colorist starts over and moves on. Why? Because great nails are worth it.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
The Philosophy of Nails
The truth is, if I had anything better to add to this impossibly large forum of ideas and experiences, I wouldn't have formed my 'blog' around manicures. But, since the chances of my ideas making even the smallest impact in this salon of the Internet are small, I'll choose to please myself instead of any faceless masses waiting in anticipation around the galactic corner.
I like pretty things, shiny things and good things. I love that coat of beauty for what it is and so I enjoy a good bottle of OPI, Essie or China Glaze, depending on the season. And I love the people who put these pretty things on their fingers and toes.....I think it just makes the world a slightly prettier place.
And even though manicures don't last, the good feeling they give you does.
In my opinion.
I like pretty things, shiny things and good things. I love that coat of beauty for what it is and so I enjoy a good bottle of OPI, Essie or China Glaze, depending on the season. And I love the people who put these pretty things on their fingers and toes.....I think it just makes the world a slightly prettier place.
And even though manicures don't last, the good feeling they give you does.
In my opinion.
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