Poor Man's Pedicure

When I decided to be a stay-at-home mama, I knew I was going to have to cut back on some of the finer things in life in order to stay on budget. One thing that didn't make the cut was pedicures. Boo! But at $30-$40 a pop, they really add up! So for the past 4 months I've been doing my own pedicures. And by "doing my own" I really mean trimming back my eagle talon toenails and slapping some paint on them. I bought a pumice stone to use in the shower, but I might as well be rubbing day-old bread on my heels for the amount of "improvement" I have seen. Plus, when I do get a chance to paint my toenails, they end up smudging because what mama actually has time to sit and let her nails DRY! It's just not gonna happen.

So yesterday I was in CVS picking up some Schminfant Scmhylenol (aka generic-brand Infant Tylenol) thanks to the recall when I decided to take a stroll down the cosmetics aisle. I was initially going to purchase some quick-drying nail polish when I saw an interesting proposition - press-on toenails. Yes, I said it... press-on toenails. Remember those stick-on nails we used back in middle school to pretend we had luxurious red fingernails? So now they make them for toenails.They were the same cost as the quick-dry nail polish ($6) so I figured I would give it a shot. I put them on this morning and let me tell you - they are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First of all, they have improved DRAMATICALLY since the times of Lee Press-On Nails. No more flimsy stickers - you use full-on Crazy Glue to keep these suckers on. With the brand I purchased (Kiss) there were 30 different sizes, so I was able to find the perfect size for each of my toes. (BTW - totally found out my toes are VERY asymmetrical... had to use different sizes on each different toe) Once you figure out the right size for each toe, you slap some crazy glue on the back and stick it on. (Note: I got a little crazy with the crazy glue on the first toe, hence the glob of glue that will hopefully come off when I shower today). There is even a little nubby-thing to hold on to at the end of each nail for easier application. Then, the nubby-thing snaps off. The whole process took me about 20 minutes (which is about how long Paige can keep herself occupied without fussing) and now I have perfect toes. : ) YAHOOO! But now the true test... how long do they stay on for? The box said 10 days. AND - what condition are my toenails in when they do finally pop off. I figure they won't be any worse than before, that's for sure!