René of the Day // 11.4.11 // Kiehl's

I'm not a beauty junkie - a girl who collects make-up and lotions and potions and half empty pots of gunk that clutter my drawers. I like to keep it simple - one bottle of everything, discard and replace as needed. (Living in a studio apartment has really trained me to be this way.) But, I do have a few things by which I swear. Kiehl's products are among them.

The desire began from some beauty magazine when I was in high school. I don't read them anymore (every year, every month is the same issue - summer - diet, skin and nail tips! Nothing new to be said) but it was either advertised or listed in one of their must-have product pages or a celebrity claimed it to be their favorite. At any rate, I was in South Beach Miami, FL for spring break my freshman year of college and approached my first Kiehl's store experience. I bought their classic lip balm #1 and never bought a tube of Carmex or a stick of Soflips again. To this day, I have some by my bed, in my bathroom and in my handbag. It's odor-free, smooth, not oily. It lasts quite a while and does such a phenomenal job (it will transform dry skin or lips overnight), it's worth the few extra dollars.

So when I discovered they sold Kiehl's products at Saks in downtown Cincinnati, I splurged on shampoo and conditioner. Mind you, with my out-of-control curly hair, I've received recommendations for more special product lines than you can shake your straightener at. I've been disappointed by many. Kiehl's doesn't carry a curly line so I tried the formula for dry hair - Olive Oil Fruit Nourishing shampoo and conditioner. WOW!!! It makes my hair soft, easy to comb through when it's wet and beautiful when it's dry. It's moisturized and easy to work with and looks nice for days (you know I can't wash this rats nest every day, fools. Let's be real.)

I don't buy this stuff every month - it's usually a treat. I'd bought Aussie because it was cheap and smelled great and it made my hair as dry as the sand on the beaches in Sydney - not okay. So when I was at Green Hills Mall (fabulous!) in Nashville in October, I popped into the store and had to buy it to save my head - and it has. Seeing as I don't dye my hair or pay to have it cut or style (I trim the ends on my own), I can justify the expense (~$18/bottle).

If you order online, they send you wonderful samples of their other product! Give it a shot - it's natural and luxurious without being froofy. And I adore the nostalgic, clean, apothecary branding. Try something and see if you're able to resist addiction.

René of the Day // 9.28.11 // Shellac

A super shiny, smooth and chip-free manicure that lasts 2-3 weeks - wow! I haven't had acryllic nails since high school - IMO, they're trashy, expensive, high-maintence and horrible for your natural nails. Luckily, I do have fast growing natural nails so I just swipe on OPI polish to wear for a week, take a bare naked nail week, and then do it again. And gel nail polish, also known as shellac, is a perfect marriage between long-lasting pretty polish and reasonable up-keep.

My mom received all the "tools" for gel nails for her birthday and we've had a great time doing DYI manicures - and even a few pedicures. I've had numerous people ask about buying everything so I have to share information on purchasing a shellac nail "set."

The mandatory needs and process are base coat (one thin coat and "bake" under UV nail light for 10 seconds); one coat of polish and bake for 2 minutes (note: the polish is heavier so it can gravitate to globs around the cuticles which is hard to avoid).; second coat of polish and bake for another 2 minutes;  top coat, 2 minutes. To finish, rub a cotton pad of rubbing alcohol to clean away the tackiness - at first I worried this would take the polish off but it actually makes it very smooth & shiny! Ultimately, they don't chip and they keep your nails feeling strong but after a few weeks they do grow out at the base so to remove the polish, you soak a cotton ball or paper towel in nail polish remover and wrap foil around your finger - very cute extraterrestrial look, if you will. After a few moments it should come of easily. My preferred method is to peel it - probably not the best for the nail but once a little lift starts in the corner, it all peels off in one piece. Sort of addicting once you start and afterwards, buff them and they look shiny and natural again.

I have friends who spend $38+ every couple weeks to have gel nails done at a salon. The lamp my mom bought works great and was only $53 and around $11 tax. Check it out here. There are a few different brands of polish that she's bought, some we've liked more than others. They can be purchased on Amazon.com and range from $7-15, since you have to have a professional license to buy them in beauty stores. I also have a group of girlfriends who bought everything together which is another cost-effective way to do it. But it's definitely worth the time and savings for the investment - 30 minutes at home is far nicer than an hour to an hour and a half at the salon - oh and at home, you don't have to tip! ;)

Update: I shellaced my toes and although they looked shiny and cute, it may not have been the best choice. The next night I wore heels out for dinner and dancing downtown and the next morning, I woke up without polish on my little toe on each foot. I looked down and thought, "What happened!" The shoe rubbed against them and popped the polish right off. The same thing happened on my second to last toe when I wore heels that rubbed a different part of my foot days later. It's nice, like I said above, how it just peels off in one chunk but it's not like using regular polish with which you can just slap on a fresh coat. I tried to match it and it worked but it's not the same - I'll stick to the fingernails!

René of the Day // 8.6.11 // Fish Pedicure

I'd heard of fish pedicures somewhere, months ago - most likely on Twitter. When we were in Southport we saw one in a spa window and decided we had to try it! I knew I'd never seen it in the States... and now I know why. It's been banned! Evidently they don't find it to be hygienic. So of course I had to get an illegal spa treatment, right? When in Rome...

We went to a little place in Bolton called Funky Fresh. They have a special until the end of August for $5 for 30 minutes so I treated Pinzi (who came all the way from Scotland to spend the day with us & go shopping at Trafford Centre), Andi and myself - Vicki hates feet and was not interested in partaking so she was our fabulous fish foot photographer ;)

The gal examined our feet then we stepped into a tub of fresh water then settled on the cushions above the tanks and let our feet rest on top of the water for a moment. Once we were ready, we submerged them into the lukewarm water and fish began to feast! At first it really freaked me out - such an odd feeling, almost like pins & needles when your foot falls asleep. I was grilling the girl with questions and she was very knowledgable and friendly - she opened the salon with her mom and friend around 8 months ago - we actually found it because we Googled for fish pedicure spas and found their previous Groupon, which did really well.

The fish don't have teeth - they nibble the dead skin which exfoliates, and it goes out through their gills - they don't actually consume it. The tanks have around 150 garra ruffa fish and they constantly filter the water and change 20% of it a day so every week it is completely refreshed. Each night they're given a few blood meal pills for sustenance. After a while you get used to the feeling but we got squirmy when they've dart between our toes. If you stick your legs in a bit further they'll work on those too! It was so hilarious to watch our faces and hear the girls shriek - Andi had a group of bigger fish so I think it was a bit more intense. Afterwards, you rub lotion on them and you're done - no polish or nail maintenance, just fish exfoliation.

Andi is planning to take her Mum and Alan so I'm looking forward to hearing their thoughts. I'm so glad we found this clean, cute little place - I would highly recommend trying it if you find yourself in a place that allows it. It's become a huge trend in Europe. She said like many beauty regimens, the more you go, the better results you'll see.

My view...

Can you believe that little guys gapper?!

René of the Day // 8.1.11 // My British Best Friend's Wedding

What a perfect day it was! For years, Andi & I have joked that it seemed like I wouldn't make it back to England until her wedding day - unfortunately, we were right. But I am so very happy I was there.

We woke up after a very restless night - just too much excitement for the bride-to-be! The room was filled with nervous whiz-pops (do you know what that means? ha) and I performed downward facing dog, which she referred to as "laughing dog" - to stretch and wake up but she refused to do yoga in the bed. And we chanted so her Mum would hear down the hall, "We want breakfast! We want breakfast!" We're crazy, aren't we? No, we're just fun :) She threw the duvet off of her and yelled, "Ugh, this thing is like a SHEEP!" LOL They just use a comforter, no sheets, so it's always either HOT or cold in bed. 

After making our way down to the lounge (living room) we relaxed and had crumpets with tea and milk. It was such a slow, easy start to the day. I was amazed at how easy-going it was... I told them about "Bridezillas" in America and joked that she was Bridenilla because she was so laid back. It made the day very enjoyable. The girls came to do nails, hair and makeup and we continued to chat and stayed quite calm. The flowers arrived and they were stunning - we all had white orchids pinned into our hair. The photographer arrived and he was fantastic - went to work taking the stickers off our shoes to take photos and helped himself to photographing her gorgeous dress hanging in her parents beautiful bedroom. It was absolutely incredible to see Andi all dolled up - her signature outfit is trainers (gym shoes), jeans and a jumper (sweater or hoodie). She was so beautiful and the dress was stunning - Pronovias, one of my favorite bridal designers, perfect on her tiny Barbie-sized waist, and it had 50 or so silk buttons up the back that Vicki and I worked our way through... 

We took photos outside in the garden (yard) - Dave, her dad, is an outstanding gardener - their landscape looks like it could be featured in British Better Homes and Gardens. Then the cars arrived - two classy cloth-convertible Rolls Royce carriage cars. Andrea and her dad lead the way and we followed with her mum, Vicki, my mom and Kiki to Ferrari's Country House. It was such a scenic drive - like something from a storybook. Once we arrived, we stopped and put the tops down on the cars and proceeded up the drive. Everyone was waiting and it was so cute to see Alan's 4 year old nephew James and 8 year old niece Emma run up to us. After we got out, Andrea' car made it's entrance and tears welled in my eyes. I'm usually annoyed at the term "princess" for a wedding, but the English country home, the car, the scenery, it truly was that remarkable. 

We took a few photos and were quickly swept inside as Andrea and Dave spoke with the registrant and Vicki and I practiced walking down the aisle with James and Emma, ring boy & flower girl - they're too precious and their little Liverpooldian accents melt your heart. (Later Emma was holding my hand and said "You're good with children, aren't you?" So sweet!) Within 10 minutes we were walking outside and up the stone path to the chapel! We didn't have a rehearsal. The children went first, followed by Andrea and her dad and Vicki and I trailed behind them in our pretty purple dresses and purple & white bouquets. The registrar did a very lovely job... and when Andi & Alan read their own vows, each beginning with "I promise, promise, promise..." I had to beg Dave for a tissue. It was so sweet. I did my job of straightening her train, which she said she wasn't aware of until she watched the video later in the week. Alan said he wasn't "allowed" to turn around to see her walk up but he smelled her perfume and felt her on his arm - and when he saw the dress he said "René, I saw her and I cried like a little girl!" 

We exited the little chapel that held 40 family members and a handful of friends and threw colorful confetti all over the newly weds and they were handed a little wooden black cat and a little wooden horseshoe - an English wedding tradition for good luck. Then we played around the cars and in the gardens with the photographers as they took amazing photos (see link below). We had drinks outside and chatted until it was time for dinner. I chose stuffed mushrooms, chicken and tasty apple crumble with custard. A really talented singer/acoustic guitarist played during the meal - he played "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman and I had misty eyes since MR & I love that song and I really wished he could've been there to experience the day with us. The boys did their speeches - Father of the Bride, Best Man and the Groom - Chief Bridesmaid (me - the Maid of Honor, does not give one). In the UK, they tend to keep the ceremony and meal very small and intimate then a larger crowd joins for the reception. Around 7:00 more guests arrived the live band began. 

Then more food - a common theme from this trip - a buffet was set-up outside with three spit-roasted meats - turkey, pork and beef, rolls, salads, keishes and other savories. Andi had to change because the boning in her dress kept her tiny frame from being able to consume anything lol We sat at teaks tables on the stone terrace and enjoyed the food with friends... then went inside and danced as the DJ started to play. He spun a lot of 70s dance music but we got him to play some Bon Jovi - one of Andrea's all-time favs - and they performed their first dance to "When you wish upon a star." She opted against the bouquet & garter toss. 

Jenna kept bringing me Archer's & lemonade cocktails - like peach schnapps & Sprite (lemon-lime soda is called lemonade there). They handed out slices of wedding cake late in the night - from three different flavored heart-shaped cakes. I had sponge cake, there was also fruit cake - a tradition there, different than how Americans view it as a Christmas cake. I found it interesting that they freeze the top part and eat it at the Christening of their first child, rather than their first anniversary as we do in the States. We all danced and had a great time and per their traditions, we ended the night in a big circle kicking can-can style to Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York." It truly was a perfect, special day. Everyone had a great time and it was totally seamless. After the reception with had the night guard open the small bar in the hotel and we all chatted with their best friends on the leather couches - it felt very much like the formal living room at the old Pike fraternity house. I shared a room with Kiki and woke up for a full English breakfast the next morning. I'm not sure than anyone could have planned a better wedding day. So very happy for Andi and Alan and "honoured" to have been their Chief Bridesmaid.

To view the photos of the wedding day, visit Gareth Doe Photography, password: Bailey or view my Mom's photos on Facebook here.

My favorite photo that my mom took that day.

René of the Day // 7.3.11 // Cajun Shrimp

This OPI color is my favorite summer nail shade. It pops against tan toes and compliments so many of the bright colors I wear. It receives so many compliments - and like most OPI polishes, it has such a zesty name! OPI is always my top choice because they have shiny, fabulous colors and it's long-lasting - I can do a self-pedi and it lasts over two weeks! And when I paint my fingernails they look great, without chips, for at least a week...

Cajun shrimp is a coral-orange-red color (paints on less red than the photo of the bottle below). It's perfect for hot weather and sandals - bright & sassy!