Need some faux flowers for a crafts project? How about an oversized LED flamingo? If you need something craftsy or DIY, check out Michaels, the combination craft supply store/inter-dimensional portal to an alternate reality where times as we know it does not exist.
Be warned, though: 5 minutes in a Michaels is like 8 hours in the outside world. In fact, after 15 minutes in a Michaels store…you may never actually leave; however, this danger is offset by all the weird treasures, including this children’s foot spa…
What, exactly, is so taxing to the feet of little children that they need a Calgon moment? ?
Heck, though, if I were 8, I’d probably want one too…
GO SCIENCE
After a little googling, it turns out that the “Orbeez” in the name, “Orbeez Foot Spa,” refers to the colorful beads, and they’re a thing kids play with these days (who knew?).
The actual chemistry behind them is pretty cool. The beads are made from a super absorbent polymer, and when you add water, they grow from 100-300 times their original size.
I bet they do help tired arches, but there’s absolutely no freakin’ way I’m allowing one of these things in my home, because any time tiny, round things get set free in this #toddlerlife, it’s like Pandora’s Box. There’s just no way to ever corral them back into one place again. My three-year-old will go on to finish high school, college, then astronaut training, and I will still be vacuuming Orbeez out of dusty corners. They will most certainly haunt me for my next five lifetimes, and when I come back as a silky, long-haired ragdoll kitty, I’ll be swatting the same damn beads off the couch!
Nail polish as a source of strength?
So, when Connor inevitably asks for a spa pedicure, I’m going to put her feet in a bucket of warm water, stick some flower petals and lemon wedges in it and call it day. And then I’m going to offer up my collection of nail polishes to choose from, which also now includes this gorgeous purple from Chanel.
Purple Ray ($28) is equal parts tough, elegant and optimistic (which is basically what I strive for every day of my life, ha!). I mean, that’s not the official PR description, but I think it’s accurate.
For me, nail polish isn’t just nail polish. It’s the beauty equivalent of power posing (power polishing?). Listen, when my nails are done, I feel good, and everyone and everything in my path better watch out!
It’s all about the power pose…
Sure, nail polish is just frosting (what’s inside is the most important stuff), but if looking at pretty polish on your nails reminds you that you’re a bad-@ss, then do it! Say it all day, every day long.
Say it: “I am a bad-@ss.”
And yes, I really do get this worked up from two coats of Purple Ray nail polish!
Waxing philosophic
I’m going to do a fresh mani in just a few, but I gotta sort my hair situation out first. I’m down to the last few spritzes of my beloved Oribe spray wax, so please pause for a second while I shed a perfectly placed glittery tear.
*pause* ?
Have you jumped on the spray wax train yet? GIRL. Get yourself a ticket. Grab the next ride out! ’cause spray waxes are awesome. I’ve only used the Oribe one, but it’s sooooo good. It’s a flexible finishing product that you spray on your finished style to break up the uniformity of your hair and leave you with softly defined pieces. It also adds shine, smoothness, bounce and lift.
The Oribe one is excellent, but it’s $42, and ya know…I do think it’s worth the $$$, but I’m always down to find something cheaper.
And I have! I found some more affordable options, so now I’m currently deciding between the Paul Mitchell ($23), Redken ($19), Chi ($19) and Drybar ($26) spray waxes.
Have you tried any of these? Let me know if you have. I’m leaning towards Drybar because I know I can just pop into the Sephora near my house and grab one.
I swear, 99% of my beauty decisions are driven by convenience and a store’s parking situation!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. TGIF!
That’s a beautiful polish – I was really surprised by the 6 day pic. GREAT wear time! And I totally laughed about your spray wax comment. Or, more accurately, my horrified face while picturing myself spraying that product in my hair. With your thick, lush locks, I’m sure it’s fab. I can’t even imagine the wet-rat-helmet it would give me, though. HAHA! And don’t feel bad about your decision making. Your concerns are real for where you live. My top criteria is “can I get it online, preferably from Amazon so it’s here in 2 days?”. I hope you have a great holiday weekend. 🙂
So they’re supposed to also be good for fine hair, too! It really depends on the brand, though, apparently. But overall they won’t leave your hair looking wet (like a gel) or crispy (like hairspray), while still retaining volume. It’s good stuff, for real!
Oh, and Chanel reformulated their nail polish a while back. Not sure if you used the old one but the new one is great.
What are you and the fam doing for the long weekend?
You’re kind of making me want to try the spray now. 🙂 I haven’t used any Chanel polish in the past but, it looks like the formula is great.
We didn’t do very much, so that was nice. Some cleaning and painting the window boxes. I didn’t dare to plant anything since it’s still so chilly. The boys have been really into badminton lately so we got a set. I got together with the girls on Sunday which is always nice. How about you guys? Did you have a good weekend? Did Connor already have her sleepover? I hope she has/had a blast!!!
That Chanel polish is beautiful! Not a good color for me but so nice on you!
I want to know what the Orbeez foot bath feels like but it sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. I just got permission to wear shoes again on the foot I injured and bought some cute orthopedic sandals so I need to paint my toenails this weekend. Haven’t decided on a color yet. I also have a wedding next week, so I might do my fingernails for that.
Do you do blues? They have a gorgeous pale blue in the Cruise collection now too. The new-ish formula is also definitely an upgrade.
Yay for your foot feeling better. Who’s getting married?
I feel awkward in pastels in general! They make my hands look extra red.
One of my many cousins on my mom’s side is getting married! I think they got legally married last summer in a small ceremony but are doing it big on the first. It’ll also be nice because my mom’s sisters from out of state will be here (she has 5 older sisters)
Aww, really? They’re so good at hiding chips! I’m trying to think if there are any colors I feel awkward in… Ya know, I feel goofy in bright reds. Dunno why, but I do.
Have fun at the wedding and be careful with your foot, please!
I’m sure I won’t be dancing, LOL! I’m still seeing my trainer twice a week for upper body workouts to stay fit though. And I’m planning on helping with my friends’ burlesque show at Pride in a few weeks.
LOVE that polish. I’ve had my eye on R+Co glossing wax, but a spray wax might be better?
Hi Lily,
What did you plan on using the R+Co Glossing Wax for? Ends only? Or flyaways? I’m partial to spray wax because I find it easier to work with and less heavy than a traditional wax.
Both actually. Thanks for the info. My hair is thick but fine, so I think I’ll try the spray.
You’re so welcome! Let me know if you have any other questions.
You honestly got 6 days out of the Chanel polish? How is this possible, I usually get 12 to 24 hours with Chanel polishes before it chips. Love the amazing colors Chanel comes out with, but I hate the lack of longevity when it comes to wear time and chipping.
I do love that color!
Do not go there with the Orbeez. Dear Daughter moved out a month after graduation (so yeah, 5 years ago) and I’m still vacuuming up similar toys and kids glitter and stuff. And I’m wondering how you dispose of the Orbeez after they become a tired toy no one wants to play with anymore. I can’t imagine them being very good for the environment and not very bio-degradable.
I did. They reformulated them a while back and the new version’s good. You have to use a base and top coat though, and the Essie gel one is excellent. I started using it because it dries fast but was happy to find that the wear time is superb! And not just with essie, but with lots of different brands.
I really, REALLy want the blue one now from the Cruise collection.
And ha ha ha about having to still clean up kid stuff years after they leave! I’m betting whoever invented Orbeez was NOT a mom. If I was on that team I’d be like WE CANNOT UNLEASH THIS UPON THE WORLD. NOOOOOOOO!
What are you guys doing for the long weekend, by the way?
Hmm, must be my nails, because I have Organdi in the new formula and I cannot get that many days out of it.
Beware of toys with small parts. Like Legos and jacks. I can’t tell you how many times I cried after stepping on one of those in bare or socked feet.
Just hanging out. Dear Daughter came down after work and had dinner with us. Snap pea salad, bourbon orange salmon and roasted asparagus with tomato and garlic. Probably will see a movie with Dear Husband and my trainer is working so I’ll be in the gym Monday morning.
How you feel about Orbeez, is how I feel about that awful Easter grass. I haven’t allowed it in my house in years, and guess what I keep finding! Easter grass! It’s the devil! My kids went through an Orbeez phase, they’re 13 and 16, but got bored. I put them in my house plants now, so they stay damp.
I can’t be the only one that thought of hair removal when you said you “needed to sort the hair situation out” and “spray on wax”? I admit though I was hella confused by the thought!
Karen that purple Ray is beautiful on you . Have to check if dip powder has that color .
Not sure I would like that foot spa around but I would think dancers could benefit !
Have a great weekend,