Painted Lady Fingers

2011 Favorites: Beauty, Nail and Skin Care

2012-01-26T18:32:00.001-05:00

Hello ladies,

Before we move too far into 2012, I wanted to revisit my favorite products of the past year. Below is a showcase of items for beauty, nail and skin care that have become essentials in my routine. You can click on the links below the photos to explore the full product reviews.

Hard Candy Fox in a Box

I use this Hard Candy blush and bronzer duo almost every day. Adding warmth and color to the skin year round, I love how this product helps to create subtle contouring on the cheeks and jaw line.

Art Club Sealer

Art Club Sealer is my absolute favorite nail art topcoat. Replacing Konad special topcoat for protecting stamping designs, Art Club Sealer will prevent smearing and leaves a high gloss, bubble free shine. It also works beautifully to adhere rhinestones, fimo, dried flowers and other 3D nail art materials.

Nubar: Freeze Dry

Nubar Freeze Dry is an amazing treatment. It dries polishes hard in minutes. If you are struggling with a pesky formula that refuses to cure, Freeze Dry is up to the task. I utilize Freeze Dry for pedicures as well.

Neutrogena: Norwegian Formula Hand Cream

Neutrogena Hand Cream is an effective and affordable way to nourish and protect hands from winter dryness. It's a great drug store staple.

The Skin Society: Miracle Lift

If you want your skin to look fresher and more youthful, apply Miracle Lift as a daytime treatment.

Mario Badescu: Cellufirm Moisturizer

Mario Badescu Cellufirm Moisturizer provides deep hydration and adds a youthful fullness to the skin.

Refinee: Nourishing Daily Cleanser

Nourishing Daily Cleanser from Refinee hydrates as it gently sweeps away makeup and impurities. I especially love this cleanser during the warmer weather. It does a thorough job of removing sunscreen without causing redness or irritation. Perfect for ladies with sensitive or aging skin!

Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser is a joy to use. It's delectable citrus scent makes removing makeup in the evening much more pleasurable.

Burt's Bees: Orange Essence Facial Cleanser

Reviva Labs: Lindenflower Facial Spray

Reviva Labs: High Potency Collagen Serum

Every year I seem to discover new favorites from Reviva Labs. My medicine cabinet houses

an assortment since I use at least one of their products daily. Their Lindenflower Facial

Spray is perfect after exercise to cleanse and freshen my face and neck. If your skin is dry,

you may want to try their Rosewater Facial Spray.

High Potency Collagen Serum assists in hydrating the skin and encouraging smoothness. I love

the results of this serum when applied under an evening moisturizer.

Have you ladies tried any of my 2012 favorites? What products have you discovered recently

that have become indispensable to your routine?

Happy painting, ladies!

Health and Whimsy: Nuts everyday!

2012-01-20T18:32:00.001-05:00

Hello ladies,

I snack on seasoned nuts or fruit and nut medleys almost every day. Protein rich, nuts help encourage strong nails, lustrous hair and a bright complexion. Nuts are a heart healthy food. Rich in unsaturated fats and Omega 3 fatty acids, consuming nuts is linked to lower cholesterol. Walnuts are the highest in Omega 3s. I enjoy adding a handful of walnuts to stir fries with mushrooms and root vegetables.

Another benefit of nuts is iron content, which is important for women. About a year ago, my iron levels dropped. I had less color in my cheeks and became exhausted easily. Along with adding more spinach to my diet, nuts became one of my favorite snacks. Nuts also contain dietary fiber.

I rarely return from a shopping trip from Trader Joe's without trying a new nut blend or purchasing a known favorite. Rosemary Pecans and Cranberries along with Thai Chile and Lime Cashews are often found in my cabinet. Sahale Snacks is another well loved brand. I enjoy their Glazed Almonds with cranberries, honey and sea salt, Valdosta Pecans with sweet cranberries, black pepper and orange zest, and Sing Buri Cashews with pineapple, peanuts, lemongrass and mild chili.

Sahale Snacks Sing Buri Cashews

Sahale Snacks Glazed Almonds

Sahale Snacks Valdosta Pecans

Trader Joe's Thai Lime & Chili Cashews

Trader Joe's Rosemary Pecans & Cranberries

As a vegetarian, the most common question I am asked is: How do you get enough protein?. Thankfully, this isn't as difficult as it would seem. My good friend, Cassandra Johnson, Boston area nutrition consultant and coach, suggests the following formula to calculate protein needs: Take your weight in pounds and divide the number by 2.2 to get your weight in kilograms. Then multiply that number by .8 to get protein grams.

She also suggests spreading your protein intake throughout the day so your body can use it easily. This provides a steady supply of protein for your cells. In her practice she found that many people eat carbs and fat all day and forget about protein until dinner. A serving of nuts offers an easy fix for this common behavior. My favorite nut mixes contain up to five grams of protein. I often eat a serving of nuts before or after working out to maintain my energy levels.

For those concerned about the calorie content, a quarter cup serving size of nuts is easy to calculate. Simply hold out your hand. The amount of nuts that fits easily into your palm is the perfect amount. You can test this by using a measuring cup to start. I recommend pouring out a single serving size and walking away from the bag!

More progress this past week! I am down another pound, for 25 pounds lost since September 1st. Beginning the seventh week of P90X, I am experiencing noticeable increases in strength. I carried two heavy bags eight blocks from the grocery store and wasn't fatigued. With city living, being able to purchase more items in a single shopping trip helps with efficiency.

Do you ladies enjoy snacking on nuts? Do you have a favorite brand or medley? How was your week in health and fitness? Any news or successes to report?

You can read more about the products mentioned in this feature and discover other healthy snacks at traderjoes.com and sahalesnacks.com.

Health and Whimsy is intended as a journal of my personal experience. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your health regimen.

Happy painting, ladies!

The Skin Society: Fabulous Night Serum

2012-01-16T15:21:00.002-05:00

Hello ladies,

Fabulous Night Serum from The Skin Society helps keep my skin smooth and hydrated in all seasons. This dual purpose serum can be used singly or layered under your favorite night cream for maximum emollience. Those with normal, dry, sensitive or aging skin would benefit from the nutritive, botanical formula containing Vitamins A, B5, C and E, along with Omega 3 and 6.

I began using Fabulous Night Serum in the summer as a single layer over cleansed skin. In the winter, I apply this serum as a prelude to my evening moisturizer. Layering a night cream over a serum enhances overall hydration. This product helps my skin to retain a youthful appearance. Hydrated skin will maintain a look of fullness, naturally minimizing the appearance of fine lines.

Although the consistency is slightly heavier than most serums I have tried, it absorbs well. I believe Fabulous Night Serum would be a little rich for oily or acne prone skin types. If your skin is in the normal to very dry category, this serum would be worth adding to your regimen.

The packaging design allows for clean and efficient use of product. An inner cylinder moves upward as the serum is dispensed, keeping the contents from being exposed to air. The pump top can be unscrewed to access a final application. There is no product waste nor worry of contamination with normal use and proper storage.

I recommend reading through the Skin Care Glossary to learn about the components in Fabulous Night Serum. Don't be misled by the chemical sounding names; The ingredients are naturally derived.

Ingredients: Distilled Water, Squalane (from Olive), Isononyl Isononanoate, Coco-Caprylate, Glycerin, Acrylates Polymer, VP/Polycarbamyl Polyglycol Ester, Hydrolysed Sesame Protein, PG-Propyl Methylsilanediol, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Sodium Palmitoyl Protein, Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract, Oleyl Alcohol and Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract, Glycine Soya Sterols, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Borage Oil, Flax Seed Oil (Omega 3 and 6 Complex), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinol, Palmitoyl Glycine, Cocoyl Alanine, Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Polyacrylate 13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Proline, Magnesium Palmitoylglutamate, Sodium Palmitoylsarcocinate, Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Retinol Palmitate (Vitamin A), Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinol-Capryloylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Natural Fragrance.

Obtained from olives, squalane is a natural oil that has a similar molecular structure to human sebum. This allows squalane to absorb readily into the skin for optimal hydration. It has been shown beneficial in the prevention of age spots.

Sesame is useful in encouraging the skin to retain moisture. Naturally enriched with the antioxidants Vitamins A and E, sesame assists in fighting the free radical damage that leads to pre-mature aging.

If you are looking for a product that can effectively hydrate your skin throughout the year, Fabulous Night Serum is a quality choice. I appreciate having skin care that can perform through seasonal weather changes, as it helps streamline my routine as well as the appearance of my medicine cabinet!

Fabulous Night Serum was sent to me for review. A 1 fl. ounce (30ml) bottle retails for $42.50 and can be purchased at theskinsociety.com.

Happy painting, ladies.

Health and Whimsy: My favorite health and fitness magazines.

2012-01-11T18:30:00.000-05:00

Hello ladies,

Reading health and fitness magazines each month encourages me to maintain focus on my goals. Having titles like Women's Health, Shape, Fitness, Health and Self on my magazine rack is a visual reminder to continue positive momentum throughout the year. While each publication has beneficial features, I will outline my favorites.

Women's Health is my top pick. With its newsy and informative content, I am guaranteed to learn something about nutrition in every issue. I appreciate the well written articles and the amount of research required to put together a magazine filled with health and nutrition facts. The motivational tips are presented in an accessible style that doesn't underestimate the reader's intelligence.

I am excited for the direction Shape is taking in 2012. The magazine brought on a new weight loss diarist, Yasmin Rammohan, who has an affirming self view and wants to incorporate diet and exercise as part of her positive lifestyle changes. I think her attitude is a fantastic start and I'm looking forward to reading about her progress each month. I am enjoying the Workout of the Month feature with travel friendly, tear out sheets in lightweight cardboard. I appreciate the suggestions Shape offers for healthy substitutions for traditional menu favorites.

Fitness consistently shows a variety of moves to keep your workout routine interesting. The visuals of portion controlled meals are useful to put serving suggestions and restaurant menu items into proper perspective. I appreciate that Fitness is devoted to featuring healthy, non-models of various sizes.

If you want to learn about creating a balanced diet and the benefits of specific foods, Health can get you started. There are articles each month about the links between nutrition and disease prevention. This magazine is a great resource to understand how the foods we choose affect our overall wellness.

Self magazine is a fusion of health and fitness with trends in beauty and fashion. A fun read with a lighthearted approach to self care, this publication will entertain you with celebrity interviews and destination fashion shoots.

While all five publications offer useful tips on diet and exercise, I would most recommend Women's Health and Health for information on nutrition and meal planning. Shape and Fitness showcase updated workout moves to add to your routine to keep it fresh and effective. Self blends wellness with style.

I'll give Oxygen an honorable mention. I appreciate the articles on eating a clean diet. The magazine has a strong training focus and is well suited for ladies who are interested in weight lifting for competition or are devoted to strength training. I will likely pick up the occasional copy at the bookstore.

If you choose to purchase or subscribe to any of these magazines, don't be taken in by the advertisements for diet pills, weight loss vitamins or shakes. These publications are for profit; Their content doesn't mirror their advertising. You will find thoughtful articles about sensible meal plans side by side with ads for protein powders promoting fast weight loss. I understand they need to stay in business and limit my interest to the articles and features.

Occasionally, I have trouble with the format of success stories. The momentum of these articles shows women who report vast changes in their self confidence and lifestyles before and after weight loss. There are unflattering descriptions about their weight gain such as how they ballooned or packed on pounds.

I think the editors need to do a better job presenting success stories with respect to women's bodies of all shapes and sizes. I can still appreciate the tips in these articles and the work these women have done to succeed in their goals. I would prefer the focus of the stories to be more positive start to finish. The message that weight loss will change your life dramatically is incomplete at best. A focus on health and fitness needs to be accompanied with ongoing attention to self esteem and self care.

When I began Health and Whimsy, I was mindful that I wanted to let my confidence and good feeling show each week. I don't feel any need to put myself down for past choices or exalt myself for my current behavior. I'm simply living my life and I am happy with who I am today.

This past week had been positive for me. I am down another pound, with 24 pounds lost since since September 1st. While I am enjoying the muscle toning workouts from #P90X, I am planning to get out power walking this week and take part in the lovely, unseasonably warm January. I am going to mix in the DVDs with walking.

To adhere to my resolution about reducing the amount of cheese I consume, I decided not to buy any until after March 1st. There is enough cheese in my fridge to enjoy over the next few weeks if I am careful. I already began switching out servings with soy cheese. As much as I prefer whole foods over processed (and the majority of soy products are considered processed or functional foods), dairy cheese consumption isn't the best for weight loss/maintenance or heart health.

Do you read health and fitness magazines? Which are your favorites? How are you doing with your New Year's Resolutions?

Health and Whimsy is intended to be a journal of my personal experience. Be sure to consult your doctor before making any changes to your health regimen.

Happy painting, ladies!

Reviva Labs: Elastin and Collagen Skin Toner

2012-01-10T18:34:00.003-05:00

Hello ladies,

I have been having a positive experience with Elastin and Collagen Skin Toner by Reviva Labs. This freshening toner assists in cleansing and nourishing dry, sensitive and aging skin. When used before applying anti-aging serums or moisturizers, Elastin and Collagen Skin Toner can help enhance overall hydration.

I utilize Elastin and Collagen Skin Toner after cleansing each evening. Moistening two cotton rounds, I use one to freshen my t-zone and another to hydrate my cheeks and neck. This toner can also be applied on the chest and bust before moisturizing. It does an exemplary job in helping to soften dry skin.

Regular use of this product will normalize and balance skin across the entire face. It has helped to prevent the dryness on my cheeks I typically experience in colder weather.

Elastin and Collagen Skin Toner has an uplifting floral scent, making it a pleasure to use. The natural fragrance is potent enough to enjoy during application, but doesn't linger. I appreciate when skin care combines effective ingredients with a scent that makes the process feel beautifying.

I really wish this toner had been packaged in a larger bottle with a spray top. Application with cotton works perfectly, but I would love the opportunity to mist my skin for hydration during dry, winter weather.

Ingredients: Water, Sorbitol, Polysorbate 20, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Soluble Collagen, Vitamins A& E, Natural Oil Fragrance, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid.

A protein that helps promote elasticity in the skin, elastin will encourage skin to remain smooth and supple. The molecular structure of elastin allows for absorption into skin for optimal delivery of moisture.

Collagen helps bind moisture to the skin. With an ability to hold many times its weight in water, collagen is useful for increasing the look of fullness in dry and aging skin.

If you are looking to amplify your skin's moisture levels for a more youthful appearance, I highly recommend Elastin and Collagen Skin Toner.

Elastin and Collagen Skin Toner was sent to me for review. A 4 fluid ounce bottle (118 ml) is currently on sale for $8 at revivalabs.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Hard Candy: Nobody's Perfect Concealer Palette

2012-01-05T17:30:00.000-05:00

Hello ladies,

I have been working with the Hard Candy Nobody's Perfect Concealer Palette to minimize skin imperfections and dark circles. With three tone correctors and coordinating foundation shades for blending, this palette offers a multitude of options for mixing the perfect shade for concealing flaws.

Hard Candy Nobody's Perfect Concealer Palette in Fair

Fair Palette with Concealer Brush

Concealer Brush

Available in light and medium palettes, the three tone correcting colors can be blended with the nude shades or your own favorite foundation or concealer. The green, yellow and pink aren't as heavily pigmented as other brands sold in individual tubes. This makes at home application much more fool proof. It's useful to have all the colors packaged together for easier blending. I also prefer the palette as a cost effective option.

Green can be used to camouflage pink or red coloration from acne, rosacea, irritation, cuts and broken capillaries. Yellow will minimize under eye circles. Pink helps transform sallow skin and equalize yellow tone bruises.

I have primarily been using the green and the yellow tones. The three correcting colors are in a white base. Having very fair skin, I didn't think I would be able to use all three nude shades. I was surprised how mixing the green with the darkest skin shade created a match. I prefer the yellow with the middle shade as an under eye concealer. I utilize the lightest tone on its own as a basic concealer.

When the tone correctors are blended with shades darker than your natural skin tone, there is no need to layer foundation on top. If the goal is to conceal and brighten, the lightest flesh tones can be used under foundation and powder.

While I am loving the results of this palette, it took some experimentation to combine the shades perfectly. I wish the tray would have had some empty compartments to make blending easier. A brush with white bristles would have been useful as well. It took me a few tries, but once I understood the best blending techniques, I was able to recreate the desired combinations easily.

If you are looking to experiment with tone correcting makeup, Nobody's Perfect Concealer Palette is both effective and affordable. I enjoy being able to practice professional make up techniques at home with favorable results.

Nobody's Perfect Concealer Palette was sent to me for review. To learn about the full line of products, visit hardcandy.com. Stop by a Walmart retail location or purchase on-line at walmart.com. The retail price is $8 USD.

Happy painting, ladies!

Health and Whimsy: Success with New Year's Resolutions

2012-01-01T16:30:00.000-05:00

Hello ladies,

I know many of you are putting together your New Year's resolutions. I am going to share my list with you along with some tips of what has worked for me and strategies for success.

The first thing to recognize when creating your list is know the difference between resolutions and results. Lose ten pounds is commonly included. This is simply not a resolution. A better way to approach a desire to lose weight is to make your resolutions specific with what behaviors you need to follow weekly. This will help you convert a wish to lose weight into a plan and then an achievement.

I will also advise against fixating on a specific goal weight and instead urge you to focus on fitting into a clothing size that is healthy for your body. The scale only gives a partial story. A woman who is athletic and has developed lean muscle can weigh over 10 pounds more and still be the same size as woman who is thin, but not muscular. Personally, I would rather have more muscle than a lower number on the scale.

While I don't think there is anything wrong with keeping a general goal weight in mind, if you have to micromanage your diet and exercise to maintain that number, then give yourself permission to weigh three to five pounds more and live a happier life. If you are the type of person who becomes too reliant on the scale, I advise throwing it out (or packing it away) and weighing in occasionally at the gym or the doctor's office. You can chart your progress using a measuring tape or by the fit of your clothes.

My new day planner helps keep me organized.

2012 New Year's Resolutions

Part of my list will contain behaviors that have worked for me in the recent past and that I want to turn into consistent, healthy habits. Other resolutions will present new challenges.

Teach my friend Laura how to cook. We can start in late February as both of us will have more established schedules at that time. Cooking is my strongest point when it comes to healthy living. Sharing your talents can make establishing or sticking to a health program more enjoyable.
Finish the first round of P90X (9 more weeks) and complete one more round of the program in 2012.
Establish a weekly workout schedule (when not doing P90X) that includes at least one day of yoga and a day of strength training. Since I enjoy power walking, this activity will likely round out my routine. I do best when I am exercising five or six days a week.
Continue writing Health & Whimsy. I have been enjoying sharing my progress each week. I'm looking forward to introducing topics as well as devoting some weeks to journaling about behaviors and changes. If you have a blog and are planning on spending more time on your health in 2012, I suggest sharing your experience with your readers. Keeping a positive attitude and healthy focus is key, whatever regimen you choose to follow. I am delighted with the interest and reach Health & Whimsy has gathered. I certainly wasn't expecting to be inspiring so many of my readers to make positive changes in their lives. I feel blessed for the opportunity.
Keeping a food journal. I have been logging my meals and snacks on Twitter @ladyfingersblog. I was surprised to discover that my followers on Twitter were recreating some of my healthy meals at home and adding my favorite snacks to their grocery lists! Using a social network to record your food choices is a way to keep focused and share ideas. If you decide to utilize Facebook for this purpose, I would advise limiting your food journal to one update a day. I think Twitter offers a better format for this purpose, but connect with whatever network you use regularly.
Substitute soy cheese for dairy cheese. If I'm making an omelette, nothing but real cheese will do. Melted on a sandwich, soy cheese is favorable option. As much as I enjoy cheese, even with being able to limit myself to a serving, I don't need to eat it every day.

I had a good holiday. I continued with my healthy diet and exercise program I lost two pounds over the past two weeks, which brings the total to 23 pounds down since September 1st. I feel like all the weight and resistance training is the equivalent of an interior designer coming into my apartment and rearranging all the furniture in the most aesthetic way possible. I am also appreciating the gains in strength and flexibility. I am going to conquer those push up variations!

I hope you all had a great holiday. Are you making New Year's Resolutions for 2012?

Happy painting, ladies!

Health and Whimsy is intended as a journal of my personal experience. Please consult your doctor before making changes to your health regimen.

Health and Whimsy: Staying well and merry!

2011-12-18T18:24:00.000-05:00

Hello ladies,

I spent part of this past week fending off a cold. Thankfully my regimen of oscillococcinum (homeopathic), echinacea (herbal capsules) and Vitamin C (EmergenC brand powder), clementines and many pots of loose leaf, black tea kept sickness from progressing. I felt tired for a few days, but didn't have to endure any other cold symptoms. Since I am vigilant about employing natural therapies at the first sign of illness, it's rare for me to fully succumb to cold or flu. On average, I get sick once or twice a year.

By rearranging the order of the program, I was able to complete all six P90X workout DVDs. I did the yoga routine midweek when I had the least energy. As long as I'm not on bed rest, I think gathering the energy to stretch is possible.

The sunflower stands tall.

One of the benefits of doing a program that is more weight and resistance training than cardio is the body tones as it slims. While I didn't lose weight this week, I look like I did! I have visible biceps after two weeks of starting P90X and my waist is trimmer. I am happy to be building muscle, gaining strength and for my clothes to fit a little looser.

Behaviors that helped this week:

Listening to my body. I took care of myself the second I was starting to feel run down and managed to stave off illness.
Accomplishing what I could. While it would have been easier to skip a day or two, choosing a lighter routine when my body was tired helped me to stay focused and in turn served to energize me.
Grabbing a chair! My friend David changed the seating in his cafe and I was able to claim a simple, sturdy chair for tricep dips and raised leg lunges.
Reading fitness magazines regularly. My favorites include Health, Women's Health, Fitness and Shape. Self Magazine is good for a fashion/fitness combo. Having these on hand is useful for tips and ideas. A stack of fitness magazines can serve as visual reminder of health and exercise goals.

Goals for next week:

Keep portions under control. There's nothing wrong with having a treat during the holiday, but I intend to keep my focus during the week and not indulge leading up to the weekend.
Sticking to my workout routine. I am already scheduling exercise around work and holiday related errands.

How was your past week? Do you have a game plan for healthy eating and fitness over the holiday?

Health and Whimsy is intended to be a journal of my personal experience. Please consult your doctor before making changes to your health regimen.

Happy painting, ladies!

Health and Whimsy: The Good, the Bad and the Humbling

2011-12-11T17:44:00.001-05:00

Hello ladies,

Beginning this past week with my usual four mile (6.4K) walk, I shifted my routine to utilizing my P90X DVDs due to persistent rain on Tuesday and Wednesday. I was anticipating using P90X as a supplement to my walking regimen; I found the program motivating enough to work through a one hour routine each day over five days.

Because the program rotates through a diverse range of exercises, I was able to easily identify strengths and areas for improvement. I was very pleased with my endurance, especially the cardio segments. I discovered I absolutely love plyometrics (jump training). There were jumping intervals during several of the core conditioning and weight training routines. The workouts do not require a jump rope, for which I am thankful. It would be difficult to battle Mermaid for rights to its use.

My biggest struggle throughout the various programs was completing the push ups. There were many sets and complex variations. At times, I simply fought to hold a plank position with good form and that was the best I could do. I also did some of the push ups on my knees when necessary.

The majority of P90X is boot camp style with added yoga and martial arts training. The yoga portion was like coming home for me and also humbling. I was able to maintain my equilibrium through the majority of the balance postures, which is challenging even for those who practice regularly. My flexibility has really waned. In forward bends, I once was able to stand on my own hands; I am now using a yoga strap to get a little extra reach.

Mermaid appreciates the benefits of new sneakers.

Always best to try them on for size.

These laces seem to measure up.

The Nike trainers have passed Mermaid's strict quality assurance tests.

While I didn't lose any weight this week, I feel confident I gained muscle. The size large pants I bought a month ago slid down while I practiced yoga vinyasas. I had to pause the DVD and put on the medium pair I had waiting in my closet. A few of my large tee shirts also became too roomy for proper wear. I'm really impressed with the early results of strength training and I'm looking forward to continuing.

Behaviors that helped this week:

Maintaining a sense of humor. I was talking with a client about some of her career options and I involuntarily groaned, alarming her. I had to explain I was trying a new workout and it wasn't her career that pained me, it was my abs.
Tenacity. The first few days I was experimenting with new routines, my muscles were aching, which is to be expected. I continued waking up, having breakfast and putting the DVD in the player. A new routine is bound to be challenging at first. The only way to make it easier is through practice.
Acceptance. What I could do with ease a few years ago is not the same as what I can do today. Since I already understand the movements, I should be able to regain strength and flexibility with greater confidence than before.

Goals for next week:

Donate or give away some of my clothes that no longer fit. Since I was able to maintain a lower weight for years, there seems no sense in holding on to things someone else can use and enjoy.
Get some rest! I am continually booking activities into my schedule. Some of this comes as a result of living in a city. There are always friends nearby and something to do.
Pick up a day planner. I think I need the old fashioned paper variety. I want to get a handle on fitting more blogging back into my week because I really do enjoy it!

How has everyone been doing this week? Are you considering your New Year's Resolutions?

Health and Whimsy is intended to be a journal of my personal experience. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your health program.

Happy painting, ladies!

Health and Whimsy: Breezy days

2011-12-04T21:30:00.000-05:00

Hello ladies,

The past week seems to have swept by like an unexpected breeze. I did continue with my walking program, four miles (6.4K) a day, six days this week. I achieved my fastest time to date. On Friday, I walked four miles in one hour and four minutes, 16 minutes per mile. I'm closing in on my goal of walking a 15 minute mile.

Continuing to build upon my home fitness accessories, I discovered a beautiful yoga mat at Whole Foods. The Tree of Life yoga mat from Gaiam has a tonal leaf pattern spreading from curving branches. I find the sage green hue relaxing. I'm excited to try it out this week.

My much anticipated replacement DVD player arrived midweek along with my ill timed monthly cycle. I decided to postpone adding core training until Monday. Unfortunately, the end of this week didn't seem an auspicious time for abdominal exercises. The DVD player kept me entertained with Lord of the Rings. The movies felt like a suitable backdrop as I explored the nether reaches of closets in search of weights and resistance bands.

Hydrangeas, a Spring memory.

I lost two pounds this week, bringing the total to 21 pounds since September 1st. I'm at a comfortable size, between a 10 and a 12. I lost the weight I gained over the past year relatively quickly. It was definitely a stressful year with my sister's illness, a major romantic breakup and financial issues. I am thankful my sister's health has improved dramatically. I am also grateful I have made the time to focus on my own wellness.

Behaviors that helped this week:

Attending to the needs of my body while overriding my impatience and desire to stick to a plan. The mind/body issue can be tricky, especially since I have done similar workouts to the ones I have waiting by my DVD player. What looks familiar to my eyes is still going to feel new to my muscles.
Cooking root vegetables and squash. I enjoy eating the fresh foods of the season. I prepared stir fries including beets, sweet potatoes and pumpkin this week. US ladies, check your grocery aisle for freshly cubed pumpkin. It's easy to prepare in a steamer basket and a nice alternative to zucchini.
Trying new healthy foods. I picked up Lentil Sage Field Roast vegan deli slices at Whole Foods and tried Favorit Mango Peach Jam with my 0% Greek yogurt.

Goals for next week:

Get started with P90X DVDs. My plan is to complete one yoga session and two strength training workouts along with my walking routine. Even though I would love to do the cardio portions of the program as they are outlined, walking is essential for circulation and healing of my nerve damage.
Record the number of reps I am able to do along with the weights I choose for each strength training exercise. It's useful to be able to chart progress as well as to remember which weights were the most appropriate for me at this time.

How has your week progressed? I'm working on some future Health & Whimsy posts including topics about favorite snacks, body image and self esteem. You will also be seeing some new nail art this week before Sunday.

Health and Whimsy is intended to be a journal of my personal experience. Please consult a doctor before making changes to your health care regimen.

Happy painting, ladies!

Health and Whimsy: Continuing Success

2011-11-27T19:30:00.000-05:00

Hello ladies,

I hope everyone who celebrates Thanksgiving had an enjoyable holiday. The Schuylkill River path was well travelled Thursday through Saturday. It was inspiring how many Philadelphia residents and tourists were making use of the city's green spaces.

Below is my favorite sculpture in the North Terrace of the Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial Sculpture Garden. The exercise path travels through the garden.

Poet: He Shaped Our Dreams

This week, I am down two more pounds, which brings the total to 19 pounds lost since September 1st. My silhouette looks leaner even than a week ago. On Friday, a man in his late 60s jogged by me and saluted. Such moments are nice, especially from people who have been focused on fitness for a long time.

I decided to purchase P90X for working out at home. The main reason I chose the set was the affordability. With tax, I paid $75, which amounts to $6.25 per DVD. Even if I only enjoy half the DVDs, it still is a good value.

My goals with P90X are to have the opportunity to gain strength and practice exercises I will later be doing in group classes at the gym. I am not swayed by the dramatic before and after pictures or expecting similar results in a short time. A person working out in a test group with trainers and nutritionists monitoring their progress will likely have different results than a person working out at home without the same support. This isn't to say I don't expect to use and benefit from the DVDs. I am just realistic that I won't be ready to appear on the cover of Fitness by March 1st. Thankfully, that's not my goal!

I chose the 12 DVD box set without the nutrition books. Preferring a vegetarian, whole foods approach to diet, I have no interest in their supplements and meal plans. While I'm sure it would be useful to some people, the philosophy is different from what has worked for me in the past. I wish the fitness guide would have been packaged with the DVDs. With a little research, I was able to quickly locate the information for workout schedules, printer friendly worksheets and a breakdown of equipment required for each DVD.

If you are interested in working out with DVDs at home, I recommend perusing collagevideo.com. The site provides short clips of each DVD for sale, allowing you to preview the workout before buying. I advise choosing the video by your current skill level (beginner/intermediate/advanced) along with the personality of the instructor.

Behaviors that helped this week:

Focusing on fresh produce. On Wednesday, I shopped for fruits and veggies at the Korean grocery store so there would be no room in my fridge for any foods not befitting of my goals.
Moving my snack time to within 15-20 minutes before and after my workout. While I didn't consume any additional calories with the change, my body seemed to burn fuel more efficiently. I wasn't hungry for a snack later.
Purchasing a new sports bra. Check out the underwire styles from Champion. These provide much more support than the compression tanks with the elastic band.
Packing a snack for my trip to the mall. Even though I was meeting a friend for lunch first, I stashed a peanut butter granola bar in my purse. I did end up needing it and saved myself the trouble and expense of trying to procure a healthy snack in the Food Court.
Accomplishing what I can. Since I had to order a new DVD player, adding to my program this week wasn't practical. I was still able to walk 5 times, 4 miles (6.4K) on each occasion. I found a pair of cross training sneakers at the Nike Outlet and tee shirts at Old Navy for 75% off.

Goals for next week:

Try DVDs from P90X. My new DVD player is due to arrive Tuesday night. I was able to preview several of the DVDs at my friend's house while cat sitting this week. Yoga X looks like a carbon copy of gym classes I have taken in the past. Core Synergistics has unique body rolling moves mixed with classic exercises like jumping jacks and lunges. While both these videos appear challenging, I feel confident I can attempt the modified versions of the exercises. The Chest and Back program looks beyond my skill level at this time, but I can revisit it when I get stronger. If you decide to add a workout DVD to your regimen, I advise taking the time to watch the program first. Having a general familiarity with the routine will help you be ready with whatever equipment you need and will maximize your time when exercising. It can make the transitions from one move to the next more flowing.
Organize my exercise equipment. This has been in the back of my mind for awhile. I am arriving at the point where if I want to workout at home, I need to get set up.
Get an idea of how I want to restructure my routine. While I don't expect to have my regimen set in a single week, paying attention to how my body is feeling will certainly give my clues to when I need to add or subtract activity.

Do any of you like to keep fit using DVDs at home? Do you have any favorite titles or instructors? For those in the US, how was your holiday?

Health and Whimsy is intended to be a journal of my personal experience. Please consult a doctor before making any changes to your health care regimen.

Happy painting, ladies!

Health and Whimsy: Thinking forward

2011-11-20T18:51:00.001-05:00

Hello ladies,

I had a quiet week in fitness as my walking companions, Cate and Sophie, are out of town until after the Thanksgiving holiday. The temperature made a brisk shift from tee shirt weather to requiring dri-fit layering under fleece. The grey skies formed a cold mirror over the Schuylkill River. Although there was a lovely symmetry between the clouds and the water, I am always grateful for the moments the sunlight ventured to join the scenery.

I thought much about my health and fitness goals for the future as well as shaping my routine towards achieving those goals. While I feel comfortable with the aerobic activity so far, I can see the opportunity for increased core strength. In the Spring, I would like to join a gym and participate in group classes. I find having an instructor present can help me exercise at a challenging pace.

While some people sign up for a gym membership the moment they decide to begin a new fitness program, I take a different approach. The difficulty of classes and instructors, I would imagine, can vary by location. In Center City, Philadelphia, it's common for professional athletes to regularly take group classes. I met members of the Pennsylvania Ballet in both yoga and boxing.

I am wholly willing to be challenged, but I prefer being prepared. I also recognize the hazards of having done the exercises before and putting my mind before my body. This is a recipe for injury. I decided to add strength training and yoga to my regimen by following along with DVDs and videos at home. This will give me the option of pausing and working more slowly through an exercise. Even though I understand proper form, I will need to give my body a chance to perform to that level before increasing speed.

Not quite a morning glory, but I am awakening a little earlier.

The scale is showing my weight down one pound, but I am noticing a visible increase in muscle. Apparently, so is the postman. I was complimented by the neighborhood mail carrier who said I was "looking good." He also remarked upon my dedication and said he sees me "out in all kinds of weather." I don't think it's possible to get more exalted praise from a mailman. For those who like to keep track, I'm down 17 pounds since September 1st.

Behaviors that helped this week:

Planning ahead for dining out. My friend Pam and I went to Green Eggs Cafe in Northern Liberties for brunch. It was useful to peruse the on-line menu beforehand and consider healthy options. I ordered the Ultimate Tofu Scramble with veggie sausage and multi-grain toast. Substituting a fresh fruit cup, I find it best to enjoy potatoes at home where I can control the amount of salt and oil in preparation. I saved half my meal for lunch the next day.
Deciding to keep to my routine even when the weather wasn't ideal. I put my hood up when I got caught in a light rain and was happier for the outing.
Using the time during my walks to consider future fitness goals.
Continuing to work on shifting my sleep schedule. I woke up a few minutes before my alarm several times this week.

Goals for next week:

Walk four miles (6.4 K) five days.
Complete two exercise videos in either yoga or weight training.
Write about experiences in journal.
Winterize my walking wardrobe. I could use a polar tech hoodie and scarf that are easy to toss in the wash.
Look for cross training sneakers. The walking shoes I have aren't stabilized for side to side movement. It's always best to wear shoes that are designed to support your regimen.

How was your past week in health and fitness? Did you achieve any of your goals or create new ones?

Health and Whimsy is intended to be a journal of my personal experience. Please consult your doctor before making changes to your health and fitness routine.

Happy painting, ladies!

Reviva Labs: Lindenflower Facial Spray

2011-11-14T21:00:00.000-05:00

Hello ladies,

I've been having a positive experience with Lindenflower Facial Spray from Reviva Labs. Although it is targeted for normal to oily skin, I believe it would be beneficial for all skin types. As linden flowers are the product of lime trees, the scent of this astringent is fresh and invigorating.

I enjoy using Lindenflower Facial Spray after exercise. Although the astringent can be misted directly on the skin, I prefer to moisten two cotton rounds to cleanse my t-zone, cheeks and neck. This product does a thorough job at quickly removing sunscreen, makeup and impurities. I feel better taking an extra moment to freshen my complexion immediately after a workout. This small effort helps my sensitive skin remain clear. Lindenflower Facial Spray is a useful addition to a gym bag or locker.

I appreciate how the alcohol free formula balances my skin. Employing an astringent/toner as a regular part of your skin care regimen helps to regulate an oily t-zone and heal dryness on the cheeks. When used after cleansing, Lindenflower Facial Spray can enhance the performance of your regular moisturizer. The hyaluronic acid aids in moisture absorption.

Lindenflower Facial Spray is refreshing in the midst of housework. A quick mist after doing the dishes, cooking or folding clothes fresh from the dryer can be uplifting.

A similar offering to the astringent with lindenflower is the Rosewater Facial Spray. I find the rosewater formula to be more of a freshener while the Lindenflower Facial Spray provides a deeper clean.

Ingredients: Distilled Water, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe, Ginseng Extract, Linden Extract, Carrot Oil, Carrot Extract, Carotene, Fragrance, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Zinc Sulfate.

Along with anti-inflammatory properties, the leaves and flowers of the linden offer the antioxidant benefits of quercetin. Carrot oil contains the potent antioxidants, carotenoids and Vitamin E. The ingredient tocopherol is the natural form of Vitamin E. I'm impressed to find this concentration of antioxidants in an astringent. These components will help fight the damage caused by free radicals and pollution, which show on the skin as pre-mature aging.

If you are looking for a gentle astringent with quality, natural ingredients, I recommend giving Lindenflower Facial Spray a try. I love the versatility of this product!

Lindenflower Facial Spray was sent to me for review. This product is available for purchase from revivalabs.com. An eight ounce (236 ml) bottle retails for $9.00.

Happy painting, ladies!

Health and Whimsy: Fit with Friends

2011-11-13T18:59:00.001-05:00

Hello ladies,

This was a social week in fitness as my neighbor Cate and her dog Sophie accompanied me for several walks along the river path. With Sophie in the lead, we were able to extend our walk to the four mile (6.4 K) mark four out of six days. The time certainly goes faster while chatting with a friend as a joyful dog urges us on. Sophie will actually turn her head to check on us as we walk up the hill near the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

I offered to take Sophie for her mid-afternoon stroll around the neighborhood on Monday, when Cate had afternoon meetings across town. Sophie recognizes me as her companion for long walks. The second we touched foot and paw to pavement, she pulled in the direction of the river path and did not slow down for blocks. She made clear she was going to be my personal trainer for the day.

Meet Sophie, my personal trainer.

She is modeling the latest in fitness fashion.

Sophie initiates a lead by example approach.

She's a trailblazer!

While the scale didn't show any losses this past week, my exercise clothes were loose enough to necessitate a shopping trip. I can wave goodbye to anything in XL unless I am looking to purchase something oversize for layering. Because of the change in how my clothes fit, I feel pretty confident that I increased muscle.

I also had a companion for clothes shopping. My friend Laura and I met at Old Navy last night and I was able to find two pairs of pants, a graphic tee with a songbird, and a tonal grey, leaf patterned hoodie. With a little searching, there are exercise clothes to be found that are cute and affordable. I definitely recommend bringing a fashion conscious friend along to help build a look.

Behaviors that helped this week:

Involving human and animal companions in fitness. If you don't have a dog, I recommend borrowing one for long walks.
Shopping for exercise attire with a stylish friend. Clothes for fitness can be a little lackluster. A friend with a good eye can help you find things in different departments/stores for a pulled together look.
Maintaining a positive attitude towards body image. Beginning a new health and fitness program can put you in touch with people who are not able to adopt a healthy mindset at this time. I have decided not to engage with such people.
Planning ahead for meals out. I packed a lunch for work on Saturday. Laura and I were meeting to shop in an area with a concentration of fast food places. We decided ahead of time to visit Maoz Vegetarian for falafel.
Picking up a couple of fitness magazines at the bookstore. It's nice to be inspired and also to see that I am already engaging in many recommended behaviors.
Shifting my sleep schedule. I purchased an extra loud alarm clock from Timex. I could sooner sleep through a mallet to the head.
Going to the movies. I have friends at two local theaters. It's 42 blocks round trip. Watching three films this week added incidental exercise.

Goals for next week:

Walk four miles (6.4 K) on 6 days.
Write in a journal a few days this week.
Create a positive focus for my walk each day.

How has your week been? Have your friends (in person or on-line) motivated you this week?

*Health and Whimsy is designed to be a journal of my personal experience. Please consult a medical professional before making changes to your health plan.

Happy painting. ladies!

Health and Whimsy: Finding motivation

2011-11-05T21:30:00.001-04:00

Hello ladies,

There were a few days this past week wherein my motivation seemed to have been spirited away to that secret place, usually reserved for lost house keys or my misplaced cell phone. I was feeling fatigued from the wrap up of my busiest month of the year work wise and my body decided it was time to cramp my style, so to speak. I really wanted to hide out under my electric blanket with The Princess Bride novel and my owl teapot filled with Irish Breakfast tea.

In response to my feelings, I altered my goals for the week to simply adhere to my hour of walking, six days, and maintain my healthy eating plan and Twitter food diary. I decided not to worry about trying to walk early in the day or focus on speed/distance. All I asked of myself was to get to the path and move as quickly as my body was able that day.

I found once I was on the trail, the enthusiasm and strength of other walkers, joggers and professional athletes helped propel me forward when part of my self was still at home under the blanket. Even on low energy days, I was able to finish my walk within five minutes of my usual time. I felt proud of myself for staying committed when I could have easily abandoned the week to a series of good excuses.

Today, a jogger passed me in full marathon regalia including the printed number pinned on his shirt, front and back. I usually see this type of display with cyclists even weeks after the race has finished. As I approached mid-block, a little boy on his scooter asked his father what the jogger was doing. His dad said, "He's exercising." The boy pondered this for a moment and replied, "Well, I am not exercising!".

His father affirmed that he was even if he didn't realize it. I smiled at both of them as I walked by, doing my best to hold in my laughter. The little boy then inquired, pointing at me: "Is she exercising?". He received confirmation that, yes, walking is also exercise. The little boy replied: "Okay, if she's exercising, then I can be exercising too."

This moment really made me think from a child's perspective that goals and acheievement have their place, but in the end being in the moment can make exercise fun. The only reason he would associate himself with exercise was because I was smiling.

This week, I lost two pounds. This brings the total to 16 pounds lost since September 1st. More exciting than the weight loss was evidence that my workout clothes are fitting loose enough that I will consider purchasing the next size down soon. I chose the Old Navy slim fit athletic pants because I figured the lycra would offer me added wear time before needing to shop again. My pants look acceptable, but they swish a bit too much for a proper fit.

Behaviors that helped this week:

Focusing on maintaining efforts during difficult days. There are times when it is best to keep goals simple.
Making exercise a priority. When I was feeling low on energy, I looked at my to do list and put off non-essential tasks in favor of a focus on health.
Incorporating a fiber supplement into my regimen. Changes in diet can tax the digestive system. I feel better providing extra support in clearing toxins out of my body. Each morning, I mix Colonix Fiber powder with fruit juice. A few years ago, I employed this powder as part of a cleanse. It also works well as daily fiber supplement. With an herbal blend including slippery elm bark and licorice along with psyllium and flax, I find the formula gentle and effective. A fiber supplement can help reduce the plateau stage during a weight loss program if it is caused by sluggish digestion.
Adding nuts as a snack. A handful of nuts will offer protein and iron, while staving off hunger.

Goals for the next week:

Extend walking route distance three out of six days. I discovered by the mile marker that the Girard Avenue Bridge is two miles from my starting point on the path. I am covering close to that distance now, but I would like to make my walk on the trail officially four miles.
Formulate a plan for alternate exercise on stormy days.
Focus on positive thinking, an active meditation, during my walk.

How has your week been going? What do you do on days when you struggle with motivation?

*Health and Whimsy is designed to be a journal of my personal experience. Please consult with your doctor before making changes to your health plan.

Happy painting, ladies!

T. TAiO Exfoliating Sponges (great for cellulite)

2011-11-03T21:19:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

I have recently been enhancing my shower experience with T.TAiO sponges. I enjoy the sponge with oatmeal soap for thoroughly cleansing hands and feet. The body scrubber sponges produce a generous lather while their exfoliating texture stimulates circulation and helps with reducing cellulite.

Exfoliating Sponge with Oatmeal Soap

The Body Scrubber measures 4.5 x 2.7 inches (11.5 x 7 cm)

The Firm Texture Body Scrubber measures 5.7 x 4.5 inches (14.5 x 11 cm).

The sponge with oatmeal soap is intended for oily skin. Since my my skin is dry, I kept my use limited to hands and feet, which can require deeper cleansing. I am really impressed with how well the soap and sponge combination worked. It's a useful soap to have for after gardening, housecleaning or athletics.

One side offers a thicker layer of soap and the other has the sponge texture at the surface. If you have children and are concerned they are washing their hands attentively, this soap and sponge combination is good to keep by the sink. It would make washing up fun and thorough. I definitely recommend these soap bars for cold and flu season.

The exfoliating body scrubbers are my new favorite beauty find. The texture of the sponges stimulates circulation and removes dead skin cells. I appreciate that the scrubbing surface is not too rough, even for my sensitive skin.

I was surprised at the positive effect the body scrubbers have on reducing cellulite. After using the body scrubbers every day for a month, I noticed my skin texture was much smoother. If you are looking to reduce cellulite or are wanting to help promote skin elasticity during weight loss, these scrubbers are worth trying.

Another benefit is my shower soap produces such rich lather when paired with these sponges! There are far more bubbles than with a wash cloth or traditional sponge.

I can certainly recommend the T. TAiO oatmeal soap and sponge bar and the body scrubbers. I will be ordering more when mine need replacing.

The T.TAiO sponges were sent to me for review. T. TAiO products are sold at HEB stores in Texas. They are also available in California at Vallarta Supermarkets, Cardenas and Super A Foods. To purchase T. TAiO products on-line, visit itt.com.mx or ttaio.com. The price points of most sponges are under $1.99.

Happy painting, ladies!

Moonlight Masquerade

2011-10-31T18:58:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

I hope you are all enjoying the festivities of Halloween! Last weekend, my sister and I read Tarot at a costume ball set in the haunted Mt. Holly Library in New Jersey. The spooky decor helped transform the library into a place fit for spirits of the night.

Day of the Dead

I adore the crystal skull vase!

I love these spooky vignettes.

Bemused glitter skeleton and smiling pumpkins.

Doesn't the piano look like it will start playing itself?

The Medusa Lisa

Behold her snake eyes!

A frightful silhouette!

Probably better she isn't looking.

A haunting portrait...

Becomes even creepier!

You can take a peek at last year's Moonlight Masquerade as well.

Happy painting, ladies!

Health and Whimsy: The need for speed

2011-10-27T21:30:00.001-04:00

Hello ladies,

This Tuesday, I began posting a food diary throughout the day on Twitter. Adding a tweet for three meals plus snacks has been making some ladies reading my timeline crave healthy foods! Consider yourself warned.

For dinner, I tend to make a vegetarian stir fries. If you are an omnivore, it would be simple to replace any of the soy products with chicken, beef or seafood. The majority of the dishes work well over rice or pasta. I'm not advocating an exact meal plan, but rather showcasing what's being prepared in my own kitchen with foods I enjoy.

A fellow veggie lover.

This past weekend, I took a scenic walk in Smithville Park with my friend Judy. She's also doing a health and fitness series on her blog, BeautyJudy. We had a great time exploring the park and sharing our experiences about diet and fitness. The blue heron on the lake watched us walk across the floating bridge. A murder of crows filled the trees near the creek. They were an incessantly chatty group, filling the air with their caws!

I was struck by the difference in walking through Smithville than my usual route along the Schuylkill River. We saw an elderly couple, alternately using their walking poles and holding hands. There were locals about walking dogs and several people on solitary outings in the woods.

While there are people of varying fitness levels enjoying the Schuylkill River path, there is a concentration of seasoned joggers and cyclists, along with college and professional athletes. While this is often inspiring, it also can foster surprising instances of competition. It can be challenging when other people on the path are not wholly aware or comfortable with their current fitness levels.

Since I have been power walking for almost a month, I've been able to build my strength and increase my pace over time. I had an instance with a woman who must have parked in a nearby lot and ran by me pushing an all terrain stroller. I have total respect for her efforts. It is challenging enough to exercise without involving a baby and the weight/resistance of the stroller.

I caught up to her quickly without any extra effort as her run/walk pace with the stroller was understandably slower than my fast walking. I smiled and politely made an effort to pass her and was going to say something encouraging. She saw me and immediately took off running with her baby. Again, I caught up with her. The third time, she turned around and saw me coming and ran before I could start moving to the left to pass. This absurd dance continued for over a mile until she finally moved off to the side and checked on her infant. Afterwards, she continued on behind me at a growing distance. That is going to be one competitive baby!

I had a similar experience with a big man and a small, fluffy-bottomed dog. On this occasion, the dog was the one who kept turning around. I guess it's hard for a man when a woman walks faster than he can run/walk. I think he would have abandoned all such pretense when he acquired the fluffy bottomed dog, who was quite cute and as white as a marshmallow.

The lesson of these situations is not to let anyone else dictate your pace when you exercise. If someone decides they feel the need for speed over courtesy, they may end up finding you are faster. This isn't to say I am the fastest walker! I am doing well, but I have lots of potential for growth. A grey haired lady in her 50s sped by me in her marathon race walking t-shirt. She was wearing the same sneakers as me. Though I only saw the back of her for about a minute, she's my hero.

For those of you ladies, who like stats: This past week, I lost three pounds. This makes eight pounds for the month of October and 14 total pounds lost since September 1st.

Behaviors that helped this week:

Working out a grocery shopping schedule. I found if I pick up staple items (soy products, tempeh, cheese, yogurt, cereal, nuts and can goods) at Trader Joe's and buy my produce from the Korean grocery, it's the most economical and convenient arrangement available.
Packing an assortment of healthy foods when traveling. I visited with my sister this weekend and her family eats differently than I do. I brought dried fruit, peanut butter granola bars, cheddar soy crisps and barbecue flavored almonds.
Making a plan for fitness with a like minded friend. It's a great way to spend time with people in your life while committing to your goals.
Adding distance to my walking program so that my time each session is a solid hour.
Posting my meal plans on Twitter. It definitely has kept me focused on variety and interest in my eating choices.
Incorporating more fruit into my diet.

Goals for next week:

Organize my kitchen storage. I want my assortment of teas and cooking herbs to be easy to access.
Finish getting all of my home fitness accessories in one place. This was on last week's list, but I didn't have the time I needed to devote to completing the project.
Add a daily fiber supplement. When changing dietary habits, I feel it's healthful to be assisting the digestive system.
Make my walk a meditation. I've reached a comfort level where I can move from attentive focus to a more diffuse awareness of my form and speed. I want to work on using the hour for positive thinking. It may be as simple as thinking about nail art designs or extend to deeper subjects.
Home fragrance. I have a large assortment of herbal incense and scented candles along with an oil burner. I need to make use of these lovely scented products every day. It's great for relaxation and quality of life.

How has your week been going? Do you have any health related progress, concerns or ideas to share?

*Health and Whimsy is designed to be a journal of my personal experience. Please consult with your doctor before making changes to your health plan.

Happy painting, ladies!

Health and Whimsy: A new weekly feature

2011-10-20T22:23:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

Welcome to the new weekly feature at Painted Lady Fingers: Health and Whimsy. I have been working on restructuring my diet and fitness routine since the beginning of September. Pleased with the results, I thought it would be beneficial to check in once a week and share my progress.

The focus of Health and Whimsy is going to be about presenting ideas for healthy living and sharing my regimen with you. I'll be detailing behaviors that have helped me keep focused over the past week along with goals for the coming week and month. I also welcome feedback and suggestions based on what you would like to see discussed and what works for you.

While Health and Whimsy is not specifically a weight loss journal, I am happy to disclose when I do lose weight or experience changes in my body based on adopting a more healthy way of life. I want to maintain a positive space where woman of every size and shape can feel open to comment about their health and well being. Science is proving that thinness does not necessarily equal fitness. My purpose in sharing will be primarily behavior based content, not honing in on numbers on the scale. I'm more interested in my strength and energy levels and overall good feeling.

I'll also be addressing situations many of us face on the path to better health: what to do when people comment on your body, how to politely (or cheekily) shut down those who try to sabotage your efforts, how to deal with unnecessary competition, how to create and maintain a routine and how to connect with your motivation on days of indifference.

My body has ranged from a size four to a size 16 over the past decade. While I am currently at the larger size of that spectrum, I maintain positive self esteem at whatever size I happen to be. I tend to gain weight when I am not exercising even while engaging in healthy eating habits. This past year especially has been challenging while helping my sister back down the road to health and deciding to end a long term romantic relationship. Recent health concerns have led me to make exercise a priority.

What initiated this particular phase of my journey was signals from my body at the end of August. I started developing a burning pain along the calf of my right leg, which was discovered to be a form of nerve damage. The sensation feels a bit like the flash burn of spilling hot tea on the skin. Sometimes the pain felt like the a rush of warmth, other times as hot as a fever. Thankfully, it is a condition that can be easily treated with good nutrition, additional vitamin supplements and regular exercise. The nerves will most likely repair themselves over time. Since adhering to a walking program six days a week, I have had very few occurrences. I feel confident my body is healing itself and I am thankful the solution was something easily within my control to fix.

During the month of September, I worked on refining my eating plan. I am a ovo-lacto vegetarian, which means I don't consume animal products other than eggs or dairy. My diet was healthy to start, but I focused on cooking more and having an abundance of fruits and vegetables in my fridge. I also used measuring cups to help make sure I was consuming proper serving sizes. Just by making small changes, I lost six pounds.

I felt it best to devote a month to fine tuning my diet before increasing my exercise levels. For me, it's easier to form a routine and make changes over time. My body seems to adjust better and I feel more encouraged as my energy levels increase. I began power walking at the beginning of October and have been slowly increasing my speed and endurance. The first week was exhausting, but as my body became accustomed to regular cardio, I looked forward to walking almost every day. So far this month, I am down five more pounds.

I will admit that walking along the river can be entertaining. My neighbor, Cate, and her schnauzer have kept me company on a few occasions. Sophie, my personal trainer in canine form, likes to pull forward up the hill by the museum and look back at us with pure insistence. Today, while on my own, I suddenly was surrounded by about 50 shirtless guys from the La Salle Rowing Team, jogging by en masse.

Behaviors that have been helpful:

Investing in exercise attire that fits well and coordinates. This doesn't have to be expensive. I went to Franklin Mills, a local outlet mall, with my friends Lisa and Sarada. The Nike Factory Store sells walking sneakers that are priced at $20 less than the website. Sarada quipped that she was looking for comfortable knitting sneakers. The entire Old Navy was promoting an additional 40% all purchases. While I understand the idea of not feeling the need to dress up for athletics, I find value in dressing in a way that helps me feel attractive.
Cooking with fresh produce. I made an omelette yesterday with mushrooms, avocado, extra sharp cheddar and French herbs. Simple to prepare, it tasted like a restaurant brunch offering.
Keeping my fridge stocked with healthy options. I have little interest in take out when everything I need to cook is at hand.
Starting a walking program. I do best when I have an easy to follow exercise plan. For me, that entails power walking six days a week.
Incidental exercise. I live in a city environment, which necessitates a lot of walking. It's not uncommon for me to walk 20 blocks one way to go see a movie. Every grocery bag is carried from the store for three to ten blocks and up two flights of stairs to my apartment.

Goals over the next month:

Adjust sleeping schedule so that I can start exercise earlier in the day.
Continue working up to a 15 minute mile pace.
Put together a routine for daily stretching. I know basic stretches, but I feel it's useful to do some focused stretching based on where my body feels tight.

Goals for the next week:

Eat fruit daily. Bananas are especially helpful because they provide natural pain relief for sore muscles.
Stop by the farmer's market.
Organize exercise videos and fitness accessories (weights, yoga mats) so everything is easily accessible. This will require a bit of wrangling from my four closets and various cabinets. My goal here is to have an easy back up plan if the weather is inclement.
Slightly extend walking route. Because my speed has increased, I am finishing my walk each day in about 55 minutes instead of an hour. I would like to cover more distance and keep my schedule to an hour, six times a week.

I hope you enjoyed the first installment of Health and Whimsy. Look for this feature once a week on either Thursday or Friday.

Have any of you ladies started a health and fitness regime lately? Are you feeling like you need to re-focus on health and exercise or have you developed a comfortable routine? What activities do you enjoy?

Happy painting, ladies!

Festooned with Ribbons: Diamond Cosmetics Head over Teals

2011-10-16T19:28:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

Today my nails are festooned with ribbons! I thought yellow and blue would be a cheerful pairing for a sun filled day.

Beginning with Head over Teals as the base, I formed a line down the center of each nail with a white Art Club striper. I used nail glue to adhere pale yellow bows from Born Pretty Store. Composed of silica gel, the bows have a soft texture that requires nail glue for secure adhesion. I bejeweled the stripe with assorted golden pearls and topaz gems.

Head Over Teals is a creme formula with turquoise glitter. In bright sun, this polish appears closer to turquoise, leaning more toward teal in diffuse light. The glitter presents a disco of flash in the bottle, but is more subtle on the nail. While I tend to prefer glitter in a jelly formula, Diamond Cosmetics did a good job mixing a creme polish with a compatible glitter. Using a thick top coat, there is a pretty sparkle and the polish appears smooth on the nail. I am showing two coats.

I hope my ribbons and jewels brightened your day!

Products mentioned were sent to me for review. Part of the Fall 2011 Collection, Head Over Teals can be purchased in the US at diamondcosmetics.com. For international residents, check in with boozyshop.nl for availability.

Happy painting, ladies!

New Color Club Fractured Shades!

2011-10-13T16:08:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

Color Club has really been having a tremendous year! I really adore their Fractured line and am looking forward to working with these four new shades. I have to mention that Do You Want A Piece? is one my favorite polish names of all time. So cheeky!

This past weekend I was shopping in Five Below with my friends Lisa and Sarada. They both purchased the Funky Fingers brand version of The Great Divide. Funky Fingers is also produced by Forsythe. If you have any difficulties finding Color Club locally, there is some crossover between brands. The Great Divide is absolutely gorgeous! I'm most looking forward to that shade of the four.

Burgundy Burst looks like a lovely shade for autumn. I'm excited to see it layered on the nail.

What do you ladies think of these colors? Are any beckoning to you?

Below is the press release information:

New York, NY: October 2011. From New York based veteran nail polish brand, Color Club, are four shades that BREAK the mold. Do You Want A Piece?, Burgundy Burst, Explosion and The Great Divide.

Look out for these brand new Color Club Fractured shades coming soon on shopcolorclub.com and also in stores at your local retailer.

About Color Club: A favorite of celebrity manicurists and nail polish fans worldwide, Color Club is renowned for its high performance, rich shades and its exceptionally safe products. From the brightest neons to glitter and French, all nail colors are vegan, Formaldehyde, Tolulene, DBP and paraben free; and made in New York, NY with the best raw materials. Color Club products are never tested on animals. Color Club is available in over 95 countries worldwide.

Do You Want A Piece?

Burgundy Burst

Explosion

The Great Divide

Happy painting, ladies!

Klorane: Soothing Eye Make-up Remover with Cornflower Water

2011-10-12T22:04:00.001-04:00

Hello ladies,

For the past few weeks, I have been using Klorane Soothing Eye Make-up Remover with Cornflower Water each evening. This product does an impressive job of dissolving waterproof mascara and professional pigments. With its simultaneously hard working and gentle formula, this remover is a must try for those who enjoy creating dramatic eye looks. It is also worth having on hand for quick removal of mascara and eyeliner. The scent of this product is as pretty as a wildflower bouquet.

By saturating the center of one cotton round with Soothing Eye Make-up Remover, I can whisk away the majority of pigments, liner, mascara and primer from both eyes. I typically require a second piece of cotton to remove any traces of fine cosmetic glitter.

The performance of Soothing Eye Make-up Remover is remarkable. I appreciate how gently it works to return my eye area to a natural look, free of cosmetics. Even with sensitive eyes, I haven't experienced any redness or irritation. I absolutely love that the formula dissolves makeup with no scrubbing required.

The product will leave a faint blue coloring on cotton. I find this beneficial because I can easily ascertain how much remover I am using without over-saturating the cotton. Having this guideline will help conserve product.

Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover has a lovely botanical fragrance. I first became acquainted with the perfume of cornflowers through their appearance in floral scented loose leaf tea blends. The blue petals make a winsome addition to my teapot and are equally auspicious in a quality eye make up remover.

Cornflower Water has a healing affect on the eye area. With natural astringent, antibacterial and antioxidant properties, cornflower calms inflamed skin and guards against infection.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Poloxamer 184, Hexylene Glycol, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Acid Blue 3 (CI 42051). Phenethyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride, Trisodium EDTA.

If you are searching for a professional quality remover that dissolves even the boldest colors with ease, I can definitely recommend Klorane Soothing Eye Make-up Remover. It has quickly become my go to remover of choice.

I purchased my bottle of Soothing Eye Make-Up Remover locally at Beans Beauty. A 6.76 fluid ounce (200ml) container retails for approximately $15.95 USD. For more information about the brand, visit kloraneusa.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Burt's Bees: Orange Essence Facial Cleanser

2011-10-11T21:05:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser has been a staple in my fall and winter skin care routine for years. I rely on this cleanser to remove night creams in the morning and makeup and sunscreen in the evening. It's natural formula is hydrating and calming for my dry skin. This cleanser smells, quite blissfully, like orange marmalade.

For those who have always wanted to try a natural oil cleanse, but prefer the ease of a traditional product, Orange Essence Facial Cleanser offers the perfect balance. The oil based formula has a gel consistency that is user friendly. The principle of cleansing the skin with plant oils, such as olive oil, is the molecular structure is similar to the oils of the skin.

The natural oils in Orange Essence Facial Cleanser will dissolve excess facial oil and remove debris, makeup and pollution without stripping the way chemical surfactants can. Because of the blend of nourishing oils along with moisturizing glycerin, this product is definitely best suited for normal to dry skin. I find this cleanser a little too rich during humid Philadelphia summers; I use it regularly October through May.

I love how much this cleanser contributes to my skin's softness and hydration. I find my moisturizers work better when applied after washing with Orange Essence Facial Cleanser. It makes such a difference during cold weather when the skin's natural oils are in balance. Skin that has been overly cleansed will need extra moisture just to maintain adequate levels of hydration. I appreciate that this product can help my skin look and feel as supple in cold December as it does in temperate May.

The scent of this product is pure delight. It smells much like marmalade or the sticky filling in a fruit cookie.

Ingredients: Vegetable Glycerin, Olive Oil, Orange Oil, Oat Flour, Lanolin, Oat Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Vegetable Oil & Beta Carotene, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Quillaja Extract, Rosemary Leaf Oil.

Olive oil has been used as a cleanser since the time of the ancient Greeks. Olive oil is rich in essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6. It also contains flavenoid polyphenols, natural antioxidants that help prevent and heal free radical damage, which contributes to the signs of pre-mature aging.

Quillaja Sarponaria is also referred to as Soapbark Extract. Containing a wealth of saponins, this Chilean tree bark is a natural surfactant. Quillaja Extract cleanses while providing a protective moisture barrier for the skin.

For ladies with normal to dry skin, Orange Essence Facial Cleanser can be a useful ally in a maintaining a radiant complexion during the cooler weather. I have been a devoted user of this product for years and highly recommend it.

I purchased this product locally. Orange Essence Facial Cleanser is available at burtsbees.com. A 4.34 ounce (123 grams) tube retails for $8.00 USD.

Happy painting, ladies!

Diamond Cosmetics Fall Collection 2011 Preview (tell me your picks)

2011-10-04T21:52:00.003-04:00

Hello ladies,

I am greatly anticipating the arrival of the Diamond Cosmetics Fall Collection. From the color dots, these shades appear to be a grouping of shimmer and pearl formulas.

Head over Teals, Plum-crazy for You and Love Letter are intriguing me the most. I am curious about Whisper Softly. I wonder if this shade will be similar to Seafoam Spray, one of my favorites.

With so many other brands releasing cremes for fall, it's refreshing to see an entire grouping with sparkle. What do you ladies think of these shades? Do you have any early favorites from this collection?

There is also a Halloween special with four glow in the dark glitter toppings plus a bottle of white to use as a base. These would be nice to hand out to your favorite Trick-or-Treaters. When I was a girl, my neighbor always had a tiny bottle of perfume or a sweet lip gloss to go in with my candy. I could understand how these polishes could be difficult to give away!

The Fall Colletion and Halloween Special are currently available at diamondcosmetics.com. International residents should keep an eye on boozyshop.nl for purchasing.

Happy painting, ladies!

My little Mermaid kitty

2011-10-03T20:23:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

I am happy to introduce the newest member of the Painted Lady Fingers' household: Mermaid! This sweet and playful kitty was rescued off the street by my friend Stacia from college. I offered to help my friend Drew place her in a good home in Center City. Once I saw her, I knew she was meant to live with me and my ragdoll cat, Fortune.

Mermaid has been with us for just over a week. She acquired her name because of an usual grey marking on her forehead that resembles the tail fin of a mermaid. She loves the bathtub and is fascinated by the sound of water emerging from the faucet. Like mermaids of myth and legend, she also adores collecting treasure. The area beneath the futon serves as her sea cave. There she keeps all of her trinkets. If her toys are missing, I have an idea where they have been assembled. Anything that catches her fancy can be found there. I once saw her trotting across the apartment with a dish glove.

Mermaid enjoys sharing food with me. Her favorite treat is rose petal jam on honey wheat bread. She also loves sweet potatoes, peanut butter with strawberry preserves, marinated tofu and garlicky marinara sauce with romano cheese. She has no interest even in the best quality cat treats.

My name is Mermaid.

You are welcome to adore me.

The birds outside the window are making such delicious sounds .

I am the Queen of Sunbeams!

Can you see my mermaid's tail?

It looks a bit like what my dolphin friends have.

With all this modeling

I must rest my cheekbones.

I hope you all enjoyed Mermaid's introduction. Do your pets have any interesting food preferences or entertaining habits?

Happy painting, ladies!

Hello Kitty!: Color Club Nomadic in Nude & Foil Me Once

2011-10-01T18:20:00.001-04:00

Hello ladies,

I decided to create a manicure devoted to perhaps the world's most popular feline: Hello Kitty. This is a playful and girly look. I wanted to put together an all over nail design that resembles wallpaper with our most beloved kitty aesthetic.

Beginning with Nomadic in Nude as the base, I used a size zero sable brush from the art supply store to paint the pink diagonal stripe. I sealed Nomadic in Nude with quick dry topcoat before creating the line with Foil Me Once. As the Foiled Collection polishes dry fast on their own, I was able to apply the Hello Kitty decals after striping all ten nails.

I used tweezers to position the decals. Since the adhesive is strong, I would advise planning your manicure before adding the Hello Kitty decoration. I secured pink and translucent gems, hearts, and bows along with pearls to embellish the diagonal lines of color.

A friendly bee

I have worn Nomadic in Nude on four different occasions since the Back to Boho Collection arrived last month. The polish is a very pale beige with a grey undertone. Ladies with porcelain skin will find this shade in the range of a mannequin hands color, with the grey tint keeping it from being a true flesh tone (unless you are a zombie).

In over two years of blogging, Nomadic in Nude has been one of the most remarked upon shades when I have been out enjoying the day. Application was perfect. If you are looking for a fashion forward neutral, I highly recommend Nomadic in Nude.

I hope you enjoyed my Hello Kitty nail art and the sweet design brough some cheer to your day!

The products featured in this post were sent to me for review. The Color Club Back to Boho and Foiled Collections are available for purchase at victoriasnailsupply.com. You can visit the company site at cosmeticgroup.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Born Pretty Store: Hello Kitty Nail Art Decal Stickers and 3D Flowers

2011-10-01T00:54:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

When I was a little girl, I would visit the Hello Kitty store in the mall with my grandmother and come away with a little trinket. Even now, as an adult, seeing Hello Kitty brings instant delight to my day. I'm excited to share my experience with the Hello Kitty Nail Art Decals from Born Pretty Store. These are sturdy, professional grade decals that lay flat and adhere well. Most importantly, they are adorable!

I also had the opportunity to try the 3D Pale Orange Flowers. These can be implemented to create a dramatic focal point in an elegant manicure. For those ladies who enjoy decorating tech items like cell phones and ipod cases, these flowers could certainly be used for such artistic endeavors.

Four cute designs, one sheet per package.

10 packages of Hello Kitty Nail Art Decals

3D Pale Orange Flowers

The Hello Kitty decals are sold in sets of 10. Each sleeve contains one sheet. I was amazed at the quantity offered for a little over $5 USD. I gave away several packages to eager friends. These would definitely be worth purchasing for holiday gifts.

Although these decals are slightly thicker than the usual drugstore variety, they conform beautifully to the nail. I used tweezers to apply them over dry polish.

I had no problem sealing them with top coat. The decals are completely colorfast and presented no issues of smearing or fading. There is a coating of fine glitter atop each decal that adds iridescent sparkle. Here is a post that showcases the Hello Kitty decals on my nails.

The 3D flowers are made from a sturdy resin. These will sit up high on the nail and will not conform to the nail shape. I think they would be best suited to decorate one or two nails on each hand. You will need to use nail glue for proper adhesion. I also layered a nail art sealer topcoat from Art Club across the top of the flower to provide extra security for the center rhinestone and sprinkling of glitter.

Even if your nail beds are curved, you can still work with the 3D flowers. A sealer topcoat will fill in any gaps along the sides and the nail glue will hold the flower in place for days. The flowers did not come off until I used the foil method and 100% acetone for removal. The foil method involves soaking a piece of white felt or cotton in acetone and wrapping a piece of tinfoil around the nail for about 5 minutes or until nail polish/glue dissolves.

The 3D flowers can be reusable. I would advise against prying the flowers off the nail. When removed with care, there should not be any damage to your nail beds.

For an example of the flowers on the nail, you can view my Sunlit Blossoms manicure. I am really interested in trying more of the 3D embellishments from Born Pretty Store. They make striking centerpieces for any formal nail look.

I really enjoyed working with the Hello Kitty Decals and 3D Pale Orange Flowers. Are you ladies interested in trying either of these items or is there something else from Born Pretty Store that is tempting you?

The Hello Kitty Nail Art Decals (item #1109) and the 3D Pale Orange Flowers (item #1397) were sent to me for review. These are available for purchase at bornprettystore.com. Through October 31st, you can use the code PLFK31 for 10% off your order.

Happy painting, ladies!

Painted Lady fingers is now on facebook!

2011-09-29T22:13:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

Please visit the new painted Lady fingers facebook page. There, I will keep you updated regarding blog posts and the latest information about nail polish and beauty. The fauna that enjoys visiting this site may occasionally fly, leap, crawl, hop, run or prance over to facebook. You may also see a few flowers blooming there as well.

As painted Lady fingers is settling in, I would appreciate it if you would like the page. I look forward to encountering you on facebook!

Happy painting, ladies!

Color Club Backstage Pass Collection Preview (tell me your picks)

2011-09-28T21:54:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

Have I slipped into a dream or did Color Club just bring to life a sparkling fantasia of glitter polishes? I am besotted with all six of these shades! Color Club consistently makes the best glitter layering notes. I find myself returning to past collections when creating nail art. The Backstage Pass Collection has the potential to become my favorite Color Club grouping of all time, though Glitter Vixen will always remain a first love.

Are you ladies as mesmerized by the Backstage Pass Collection as I am? Please share your favorites in the comments.

Below is the press release information: Please position yourself before a fainting couch and then click to enlarge the photo of glitter utopia.

Color Club Backstage Pass Collection

Get Your Rock Glam On this October with a new Rockin' Glitter Collection from Color Club.

September 2011: New York, New York. Color Club, the veteran nail polish brand, announced today the debut of Backstage Pass, a new rockin' glitter nail polish collection. The aptly named collection features six nail polishes, from Wish Upon A Rock Star to Platinum Record, that are sure to rock your world. Whether you are a rocker, or just aspire to look like one, this new vegan, Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP and paraben-free collection is your ultimate backstage pass and sure to be a hit!

The Backstage Pass Collection includes:

Take the Stage: Gold glitter with Silver Flakes

Wish Upon a Rock Star: Multi-colored Glitter with Purple

Backstage Pass: Silver & Purple Hex Glitter

Platinum Record: Silver Glitter

It's A Hit!: Purple Big Glitter

Fame & Fortune: Red Base with Silver Flakes

All Color Club products are made in the USA and not tested on animals. Products are available at shopcolorclub.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Refinee Age Reversing Skin Care : Anti-Puff Brightening Eye Gel

2011-09-26T21:27:00.001-04:00

Hello ladies,

Anti-Puff Brightening Gel by Refinee Age Reversing Skin Care has been a useful supplement to my daily skin care routine. This treatment contains soy peptides to help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles and minimizes puffiness. The gel formula is filled with skin calming botanicals including extracts of japanese green tea, gingko biloba, chamomile, coneflower and arnica.

Anti-Puff Brightening Gel has a clear, lightweight formula that disappears into the skin. Because it absorbs readily, leaving no discernible residue, I favor it as a daytime treatment. It works beautifully as a first layer beneath makeup primer and eye shadow.

Designed to benefit all skin types, I find Anti-Puff Brightening Gel calms my dry skin. Although it is recommended for drier skin to wear it as a layer beneath Refinee Anti-Aging Eye Treatment, I found it effective when used singly. The light consistency would be equally useful for normal to oily skins.

This gel does a notable job of reducing the appearance of wrinkles. In the first week, used morning and evening, Anti-Puff Brightening Gel erased the look of fine lines along the perimeter of the half moons under my eyes. If you have the beginnings, or even a progression, of crow's feet, this treatment will seem magical.

As the product name suggests, it will also deflate puffiness. It helps transform the eye area from puffy to refreshed. It also gives a nice lift to the area above the contour. If you are going to take the time to do a an eye makeup look, starting with Anti-Puff Brightening Gel will give you less issues to cover.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Witch Hazel Extract, Soy Peptides & Hydrolized Rice Bran Extract and Oxido Reductases (ReguAge) Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Vera Extract, Japanese Green Tea Extract, Gingko Biloba Extract, Chamomile Extract, Coneflower Extract, Arnica Extract.

Combining Soy Peptides with Hydrolized Rice Bran Extract and Oxido Reductases yields a prized grouping to encourage micro-circulation in the blood around the skin. This results in improvement of dark circles and puffiness and smoother skin texture.

Coneflower Extract is derived from the plant Echinacea, prized for its immune support function. This skin healing ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties.

If you are searching for a quality treatment to diminish puffiness, wrinkles and dark circles, Anti-Puff Brightening Eye Gel gets my highest recommendation. It's a fantastic multi-purpose gel that soothes and nourishes the delicate skin around the eyes.

Anti-Puff Brightening Eye Gel was provided for review. A .5 ounce (15 G) tube retails for $31 and can be purchased at refineeskincare.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Nubar Jeans Collection Preview

2011-09-24T17:00:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

Nubar sent me information to share about the upcoming Jeans Collection. Sold as a set, there are three blue polishes offered at a price point of $19.99.

Faded Jeans: A light blue shimmer.

Boyfriend Jeans: A medium blue creme.

Dark Wash Jeans: A dark blue creme.

While there isn't an official release date at the moment, the Jeans Collection is expected to appear at bynubar.com at the end of next week or early the following week.

I am excited to try Boyfriend Jeans. I love the grey undertone! I wonder if this shade will be a cadet blue. I'm pleased that Nubar is offering their own take on the denim color trend, at a much more accessible purchase price than Les Jeans de Chanel. What do you think of the blue focus for fall? Do you plan on wearing blue manicures this season?

Happy painting, ladies!

A visit to the Philadelphia Zoo

2011-09-23T19:46:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

This week, my friend Drew took me to the Philadelphia Zoo for my birthday. I made quite a few new acquaintances. I learned that mountain lions and leopards behave much like my ragdoll cat. I heard a little known fact about giraffes. We witnessed the bane of a 400 pound polar bear and managed to escape a prairie dog uprising.

A mountain lion: acting much like a house cat.

Sun spots.

Running in his sleep.

Ah, the faithful giraffe.

Such careful listeners...

And notorious gossips!

I am scrunching up my face.

Because I am an itchy nosed polar bear.

Scratch, scratch!

Grrrrrrr!

I think I got it!

Ah, relief!

Three for the road.

Does anyone feel like they are being watched?

Will they suspect a diversion?

A hole in one.

Can you dig it?

It was a lovely day! Have any of you experienced any recent encounters with wild creatures?

Happy painting, ladies!

Verdant Moon: Color Club Artsy Crafty & Perfect Mol-ten

2011-09-22T22:02:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

I decided to create cosmic nail art with verdant moons and stars. I think this manicure would be the ideal adornment for a celestial fete! This look is part costume ball, part science fiction.

Beginning with Artsy Crafty, a deep moss green, as the base, I painted the moons in Perfect Mol-ten, a pale green foil. I worked with size 0 sable brush from the art supply store. To create symmetrical moons, I formed a dot in the center of my cuticle line and then added two small dots to denote the ends of the crescent. I painted a 'C' and enlarged the shape into a crescent moon.

Although the design is simple, achieving a defined crescent takes a small brush and patience. If you decide to try this look, focus on keeping the end points of the crescent narrow. I filled in the center of the moon with emerald and peridot gems and stars, along with soft green pearls.

Fingerless gloves from Art by Sarada

The last photo shows one of the fingerless gloves made for me by Sarada as a birthday present. I love the ruffled cuff! Enlarge the picture to show the metallic silver threaded in the yarn. So lovely!

I adore Artsy Crafty! This polish reminds me of the green in moss agate, one of my favorite colors in the natural world. The application is clean and professional. I used three coats for opacity, but two would likely suffice for ladies with active length nails. A truly beautiful creme polish and a must have for green lovers.

Working with Perfect Mol-ten has incited many ideas for future manicures with other shades from the new Color Club Foiled Collection! The formula is great for color blocking.

I hope you enjoyed my fantasy manicure with green moons and stars. I hope whatever life there is on other planets turns out to be well adorned.

Artsy Crafty and Perfect Mol-ten were sent to me for review. These shades can be purchased from victoriasnailsupply.com. Visit cosmeticgroup.com to learn more about the Color Club brand.

Happy painting, ladies!

Hard Candy: Fox in a Box Bronzer Duo in Truth or Dare

2011-09-21T21:24:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

I tend to wear bronzer and blush most often as the weather transitions into autumn. Even though my skin is porcelain, there is a warmth about my cheeks that summer imbues naturally and cosmetics can help perpetuate. In the season of capelets and fingerless gloves, Hard Candy Fox in a Box Bronzing Duo is helping to keep the glow of summer on my face.

Truth or Dare

Swatched heavily, applied dry over Hard Candy primer

I really enjoy Hard Candy's bronzing products. Ladies with fair complexions can gain extra flush and color in their cheeks without the skin appearing overly made up. With less sparkle than So Baked Bronzer, Fox in a Box provides the most natural look.

The tiny brush is useful if you want to apply only one of the colors. I prefer to mix the bronzer and the blush together with a large, soft brush from my collection. A light application can highlight the apples of the cheeks. When brushed on a little heavier, Truth or Dare can make a defining contour for fair skin.

Many ladies avoid bronzer because they are afraid of making application errors. Fox in a Box is virtually fool proof. The duo is pigmented enough that a gentle sweep across the cheeks and a touch on the forehead and chin will provide suitable coverage. If you feel comfortable enough to use a little more product for contouring, the color builds well.

The packaging is absolutely adorable and gift worthy! The decorative cardboard box is perfect to sit on a vanity or keep in a basket or display shelf in the bathroom. I am really charmed by the Hard Candy aesthetic. As I apply makeup every day, it's nice to have pretty packaging to reach for as part of the routine.

I definitely recommend Fox in a Box as an easy way to add a bit of color to the face and decollete year round.

Fox in a Box was sent to me for review. Visit hardcandy.com to view the full product line. Stop by a Walmart retail location or shop on-line at walmart.com. Fox in a Box sells for $6.00.

Happy painting, ladies!

Painted Lady Fingers featured in Nails Magazine October 2011

2011-09-20T18:17:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

In the October 2011 issue of Nails Magazine, there is a blogger positive feature entitled

5 Nail Art Blogs Worth Bookmarking. The article is on page 89 in the Style section. Painted Lady Fingers is mentioned along with For Your Nails Only, Hey, Nice Nails and Burgers and Nails. They also provide information about 365 Days of Nail Art, a daily design showcase from Nails Magazine.

You can click on the main blog links above to scroll to the original content. My screen shot was from an August post with Dr.'s REMEDY polish in TRANQUIL Tangerine. Below is an image of the feature.

Here is the text as it appears in the article.

More than 2,000 followers can't be wrong. This Philadelphia-based lady has a penchant for glitter and Konad nail art stamps. Enlarge any of her photos with a click of the mouse.

A special thanks to Nails Magazine for mentioning painted Lady fingers! It was lovely to be included with blogs I read regularly (For Your Nails Only, 365 Days of Nail Art) and to be introduced to new to me blogs. I am curious to see if Burgers and Nails would accept a veggie burger photo.

My appreciation to Mary from Body and Soul Beauty for letting me know about the feature when her issue first arrived. Thanks also to my friend who Drew who made good use of his office hours by scanning the image for all the nail art loving ladies!

Copies of the October 2011 issue were provided by Nails Magazine.

Happy painting, ladies!

Eyeko Site Launch + London Lips Lip Gloss: Knightsbridge

2011-09-18T21:37:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

Eyeko is in the process of launching a fresh product line and changing the brand image. New items are being introduced at eyeko.com.

So far, the line consists of three mascaras defined by brush type: Curvy, Fat and Skinny. They also have Skinny traditional and liquid liners.

I will say I am curvy, but in a different way. Love the look of the curvy brush!

While the new Eyeko is focused on eye defining products, I hope they return to offering lip products in their range. Eyeko recently sent me London Lips Lip Gloss in Knightsbridge as an Ambassador gift. This product is part of the vintage eyeko line. Currently, Eyeko is offering vintage surprise gift sets in their sale section.

The London Lips Lip Gloss is a sweet little product that offers a glossy shine. My lips feel instantly moisturized. London Lips goes on slick and then softens into the skin. A few minutes after application, I hardly notice that I'm wearing gloss at all. It has a fruity scent blend that first makes me think of strawberries. I detect a little white grape in the mix as well. Quite delectable!

I wouldn't hesitate to purchase another shade if they turn up on their sales page.

What do you ladies think of the new Eyeko brand image? The Curvy Brush Mascara looks interesting to me. The pink Eyeko crest design makes me think of a fancy guitar pick. I clearly have spent a good deal of time around musicians! The new products seem like quality eye makeup basics, but I really want to see an expanded line with all the flair and charm we have come to expect from Eyeko.

London Lips Lip Gloss in Knightsbridge was sent to me for review. If you decide to do any shopping on the newly launched eyeko.com, feel free to use my ambassador code for a free gift: E11321.

Happy painting, ladies!

Antique silver, pearls and rubies: Color Club Red-ical Gypsy and Boho Mojo

2011-09-17T21:36:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

This weekend brought the first touch of autumn weather to Philadelphia. My friend Lisa and I took the train to Chestnut Hill to walk around the small town setting and shop for kitchen herbs, rose petal jam and Yankee candles. We met at 30th Street Station with unintentionally matching brick hued manicures!

Chestnut Hill is known for its antique stores. One particular shop had a sidewalk table set up with vintage brooches and pendants, each adding flashes of jewel tones to the sun filled afternoon. I decided to transform my tips into an antique silver tray, displaying pearls and rubies.

Beginning with Red-ical Gypsy as the base, I used the Konad sponge nail art applicator to create an antique silver look with Boho Mojo. I love working with frost and pearl finishes for sponge painting. The tendency of these formulas to create brushstrokes is favorable here; The pattern of the sponge is better defined. If you have trouble with applying frosts and pearls, try employing them with the sponge method.

For the contents of the jewelry tray, I selected a variety of white pearls, rainbow crystals, rubies and silver gems. A clear heart sparkles from each nail because fall is my most loved season.

I was able to take pictures of my manicure amidst the roses just as the sun was setting. The soft light is perfect for showcasing reds.

Red-ical Gypsy is a high gloss brick red, a classic shade for fall. When first applying Red-ical Gypsy, I was anticipating a jelly finish. The polish turned out to be closer to a creme. I needed three coats for opacity and evenness. The people at Color Club really outdid themselves with the cremes in Back to Boho. Every one I have tried brings flawless application.

I hope you enjoyed my antique jewelry manicure. Have autumn temperatures reached your town? I know the Australian ladies are anticipating Spring at the moment. Both are such lovely seasons!

Red-ical Gypsy and Boho Mojo were sent to me for review. Stop by victoriasnailsupply.com to purchase the Back to Boho Collection or visit cosmeticgroup.com for the full line of Color Club and Art Club products.

Happy painting, ladies!

Hard Candy Undercover Agent Undereye Brightener and Concealer Duo

2011-09-15T21:04:00.001-04:00

Hello ladies,

As a night owl and perpetual insomniac, I am always eager to try a new concealer. Hard Candy Undercover Agent presents a dual approach to imbuing the eyes with a well rested look. The product offers an undereye brightener and concealer in one sleek package.

The brightener is in the tube. The concealer stick is in the lid.

The first step in using Undercover Agent is to apply the brightener, a semi sheer white gel that blends easily into the skin. With the description undereye brightener, I was anticipating a touch of pearly shimmer found in a highlighting facial product. I didn't detect any illuminating properties in this brightener. The gel functions as a treatment to remove puffiness and help eyes look refreshed. It also acts as a fantastic primer for the concealer in the cap or whatever concealer you choose. The brightener is the real strength of the duo.

What makes the packaging design compact and visually appealing can present some difficulties for use. The concealer portion is contained in the cap. I advise navigating application using the following method: Unscrew the cap from the tube, remove the clear lid and pat the concealer stick under the eye. Blend the color with your fingers.

Undercover Agent is available in three shades: Light, Medium and Tan. I tested the light tone and found it perfect for porcelain skin. It offers just the right balance between being light enough to camouflage dark circles, but without being so white as to create pale moons under the eyes.

The concealer provides medium coverage. The width of the concealer stick is well designed for the the undereye area. I do wish the packaging allowed for a little more product than what the lid can hold. The consistency of the concealer is on the thicker side. Dry skin will definitely require the brighter as a first layer to help the concealer smooth into the skin.

It's necessary to start with a moderate amount to avoid the concealer settling into the lines around the eyes. While it can be easy to get carried away when concealer is in a stick form, Undercover Agent requires a light hand. I think this product would be best for use to cover dark circles rather than fine lines. I would recommend the concealer portion more for young skin. For ladies with mature skin who are looking to camouflage fine lines, I feel the brightener would be useful as a first layer under your regular concealer.

Undercover Agent is an interesting concept. Although a little tricky to work with, the concealer does help hide my tendency to keep late hours. I absolutely love the brightener as a daytime treatment and primer.

Hard Candy Undercover Agent was sent to me for review. For more information about the full line of products, stop by hardcandy.com. This item can be purchased at Walmart retail locations and at walmart.com. The retail price is $6.00.

Happy painting, ladies!

Nubar Polished Chic Collection Fall 2011 Preview (tell me your picks)

2011-09-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

Nubar's latest release for Fall 2011: the Polished Chic Collection is a pretty grouping of classic cremes along with a single shimmer. To begin, I adore the names of the colors! I would love to wear Beguiling Carmine simply to answer the question: What color are your wearing?

The polishes I am most interested in trying are Vogue Vert and Mod Aqua. Nubar does an exceptional job with their pale tints of color. These shades are perfect as bases for nail art. Faded Putty will likely gather the most attention. I can't tell you ladies how often I get stopped on the street when wearing neutrals.

What shades from Polished Chic are you most curious about? I would love to hear about your top picks in the comments.

Below is the press release from Nubar:

This season Nubar brings you eight new and enticing, fashion forward colors of our premium carcinogen and cruelty free lacquer with the Polished Chic Collection. Offering contemporary colors perfect for work, casual daytime wear or even a night out, every woman can look to Nubar's Polished Chic Collection to update her look.

Always free of DBP (phthlate), formaldehyde and toluene, the nail lacquers included in Nubar's Polished Chic Collection are:

Classic Camel: an updated buff creme.

Faded Putty: a modern, pale putty creme.

Edgy Umber: a deep brown creme.

Beguiling Carmine: a brick red creme.

Vogue Vert: a contemporary, light green creme.

Mod Aqua: a light turquoise creme.

Stylish Peacock: a perfect teal creme.

Elegant Indigo: a sparkling, blackened blue.

Happy painting, ladies!

Apothecary: Diamond Cosmetics Super Base

2011-09-13T21:48:00.003-04:00

Hello ladies,

Over the past few months, Diamond Cosmetics Super Base has become an essential nail treatment in my apothecary. This whitening base coat helps with polish adhesion, protects nails against staining, and glosses over imperfections.

A former devotee of CND Stickey, I was searching for an alternative that would help secure polish to my nails without contributing to staining. Super Base does an impressive job of removing the yellow and orange discoloration left from years of using CND Stickey. My nails look brighter and cleaner every time I remove my polish. It also protects my nails from polish related discoloration. I have had no incidents of blue or green staining when using Super Base. I noticed a faint orange tint after wearing a bold peach shade, but subsequent applications of Super Base under nail color removed this tone from my nails in about a week.

Super Base adds a subtle white cast to the nail. To make neon polishes appear at full brightness while completely camouflaging the visible nail line, two coats are required. I do wish Super Base were slightly more pigmented.

It works effectively to smooth over nail patches. I currently have a patch on the middle finger nail of my right hand. After buffing with a super fine grit file, a layer of Super Base helps the surface of the nail to appear even and masks imperfections. This base coat is worth trying over light ridges or to hide other nail related damage. Super Base is a great slipcover for nails.

If you are looking for an affordable whitening base coat for an everyday nail treatment, I highly recommend Super Base. It's the first layer under all my manicures.

Diamond Cosmetics Super Base was sent to me for review. This product is available in the US at diamondcosmetics.com. For international purchasing, visit boozyshop.nl.

Happy painting, ladies!

Fluorite strands: Color Club Earthy Angel and Voodoo You Do

2011-09-06T20:35:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

One of the thoughts that continually possesses me is the idea of creating the look of jewelry for my nails. Today's manicure is my interpretation of a fluorite crystal strand. I've seen tiny faceted beads arranged in color formation from green to purple. Such delicate and eye catching necklaces!

I began with Earthy Angel as the base shade. With a size 0 sable brush, I drew an outline for the funky French with Voodoo You Do. I carefully painted the tips with vertical brushstrokes to best show the pearl finish. Using an Art Club striper in Limeade, I formed two thin lines at the border of the beige and green polishes.

I added a square crystal to the center of each stripe in alternating purple and green tones. Filling in the remainder of the line with emerald, peridot, purple, pink and lavender jewels and pearls, I arranged the greens and purples to flow into each other.

A giant dahlia

Earthy Angel applied beautifully. Though I needed three coats for full opacity, the color glided on with professional ease. I'm impressed with the formula of the cremes in back to Boho. I wore Earthy Angel for a day without ornamentation and I didn't even need to do clean up before heading out the door. Perfect!

I hope you enjoyed today's bejeweled look. Have any of you worn fluorite? Such a pretty stone!

The polishes featured were sent to me for review. The Back to Boho Collection will be available for purchase soon at victoriasnailsupply.com. You can explore the full range of products at cosmeticgroup.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Soap & Glory: Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Gloss in Half Naked

2011-09-04T20:56:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

I have been experimenting with a lip plumping gloss from Soap & Glory, charmingly named Sexy Mother Pucker. The gloss provides a subtle increase in fullness, offers a buttery taste and clings to the lips for hours.

Sexy Mother Pucker in Half Naked

Sexy Mother Plumper is available in five shades, each with a distinct flavor: Clear (Chocolate/Orange), Half Naked (Buttered Popcorn), Pink Apricot (Chocolate Orange), Yummy Plum (Chocolate Raspberry) and Candy Gloss (Vanilla). I have been wearing Half Naked all summer and admittedly thought it was peanut butter scented until I did a little product research. The scent and taste is certainly gourmand. Although I didn't get transported to movie theater concessions, once I became accustomed to the strong, buttery taste, I enjoyed it.

The glosses are formulated with circulation enhancing components, Soap & Glory refers to as Superfill technology. While my lips are naturally on the full side, I didn't notice a drastic improvement on my first trial. I decided to experiment by applying Sexy Mother Pucker to half my mouth, top and bottom lips. I definitely could see the difference in fullness from the bare side to the side with Half Naked, especially towards the center of my lips. The plumping is natural looking. I will venture ladies with thinner lips would notice the enhancement right away.

The consistency of Sexy Mother Pucker is sticky. It adheres more like a lipstick than a gloss. I love that it stays on for hours! Another benefit it is works well as a base color to overlay sheer glosses. I frequently apply MAC lipglass as a glittery topping. Half Naked is a medium pinkish brown nude. I found that pale pink and violet glosses work beautifully in pairing. My skin tone is neutral. I could see Half Naked working for a variety of skin tones. A useful chameleon, the color coordinates equally well with cool or warm tone outfits.

Application comes with a mild stinging, almost like tiny pin pricks. I wouldn't call the sensation painful, but perhaps a little distracting. The doe foot applicator delivers color with precision. I would advise against applying Sexy Mother Pucker before drinking a hot beverage. If you are going to pick up a steaming to go coffee, at the cafe two steps from your apartment (en route to a sexy destination) please refrain from drinking it for about 10 minutes. If you are at a diner and you put on the gloss and then decide to have a quick sip of your coffee before exiting, please change your mind. Hot drinks and Sexy Mother Pucker can mix, just not immediately. Otherwise, the idea of bee stung lips feels quite literal.

The advertising hook on the packaging has a retro vibe as well: Scientists Confirm. Fuller Lips Attract More Men. I really enjoy the Soap & Glory aesthetic. It's hard not to be enchanted by all the glamorous ladies on the packaging.

If you are searching for a playful new addition to your makeup bag, check out Soap & Glory's Sexy Mother Pucker. I must admit it's fun to apply in public.

Sexy Mother Pucker came to me via a friend who works for a local stock photo company that handles retro images. This gloss is available for purchase at sephora.com for $15. You can also explore the brand at soapandglory.com.

Wing tips: Color Club Shabby Drab, Boho Mojo, Rad Nomad, Voodoo You Do

2011-08-31T20:40:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

I hope you all are having a great summer! I missed you ladies and am happy to be back to blogging. With all the songbirds flying about and chatting in the branches, I decided it was time to present a manicure with wing tips.

Beginning with Color Club Shabby Drab as a base, I created a French tip gradation using a fan brush. To try this look, you will need to work with a palette. The back of an uncoated nail art stamping plate or even a paper plate would suffice.

For the first layer, I chose the silver frost: Boho Mojo. I placed a circle of color on the palette and pushed the fan brush against the polish. Imagine the fan brush as a tiny push broom. If you pull the brush towards you on the palette, you will risk picking up too much color and losing the feathery effect.

Rad Nomad forms the second layer. This dusky purple is several shades darker than the base color, Shabby Drab. The final layer at the tips is Voodoo You Do, a peacock green pearl.

When working with the fan brush, I only needed a third of the brush edge per color. I was careful to portion the sections equally when working so I didn't have to be concerned about cleaning the brush between layers.

Before adding rhinestones and pearls, the design had a soft, watercolor feel. I will likely try this technique again without further embellishment. I couldn't resist selecting pearls and rhinestones in lavender, purple, green and silver to complement the polish.

Passion flower

Shabby Drab is a greyed violet. I have seen hints of this shade in the sky intermingled with the pinks of sunset. The creme formula is opaque in three coats and offers salon quality application. Love this polish!

I hope you enjoyed my fancy, wing tips. And no, I won't acknowledge the name also applies to shoes. I think the songbirds like my usage best.

The Color Club polishes were sent to me for review. The four shades featured are from the Back to Boho Collection, and will be available soon for purchase at victoriasnailsupply.com. You can also peruse the company site, cosmeticgroup.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Fortune awakens!

2011-08-09T20:00:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

Both the caretaker of this blog and her resident animal companion share a key commonality: Neither enjoys arising from sleep. I have documented the progression of Fortune, my ragdoll cat, greeting the persistent light of late morning. I am thankful he hasn't yet mastered use of a camera to share his view of me at such an hour! I think he does well to embody my morning crankiness with his own particular flair.

Let me sleep.

It appears you are still here.

I shall smack you to be certain I am not dreaming.

I am prepared to destroy your camera.

Fine. I am awake.

In the last photo, Fortune resembles an old sailor. Having lived along the New England coast, I was often greeted with such expressions by fisherman who seem lost and disgruntled on land. Just imagine my cat in a bright yellow bucket hat and a slicker. It works!

This vignette is something I encounter daily. After Fortune has a few minutes to acclimate, he wants to be kissed and cuddled. Then there is much more joy in his cheeky face.

Happy painting, ladies!

Sunlit Blossoms: Dr.'s REMEDY TRANQUIL Tangerine & GLEE Gold

2011-08-07T18:47:00.001-04:00

Hello ladies,

In the afternoons of early August, sunbeams drift over the garden. The flowers themselves almost seem like sources of light. I wanted to capture the feeling of sunbeams touching the blossoms with this manicure.

I began with TRANQUIL Tangerine as the base and used the Konad Sponge Nail Art Kit to form a gradient effect with GLEE Gold. I wanted to create French tips that looked like they had been jeweled with sunbeams. I selected an array of yellow and orange gems and pearls to dot the tips. I also added the occasional floral rhinestone. The peach flowers with the diamond centers are from Born Pretty Store. These require nail glue for proper adhesion. I am impressed with the durability of these flowers for everyday wear.

My right hand shows the floral element on the center nail.

There are tiny rainbows in the diaphanous wings of the bee.

TRANQUIL Tangerine has a pearl formula with gold micro shimmer. The polish is a radiant orange. I absolutely adore the color! The first coat was a trickster. I found it necessary to apply a thicker layer than usual. Working with a thinner coat caused the polish to pull up as I was adding new brushstrokes. The color smoothed over the nail beautifully on the second coat.

As with all pearl formulas, it's necessary to carefully paint with even brushstrokes. The path of the brush is almost indiscernible once the color dries. It's a truly lovely polish and worth a little extra care to apply.

I hope you enjoyed my sunlight and blossoms manicure!

The polishes featured were sent to me for review. These shades are available for purchase at remedynails.com. Would you like a chance to win the entire 5 piece collection of polishes? Stop by The Dr. is In! Dr.'s REMEDY Summer Shades Giveaway! to enter.

Happy painting, ladies!

The Doctor is In! Dr.'s REMEDY Summer Shades Giveaway!

2011-07-29T20:25:00.001-04:00

Hello ladies,

The painted Lady fingers' second anniversary celebration continues! The Doctor is In! Dr.'s Remedy Summer Shades Giveaway will help one lucky winner adorn her fingers and toes in colors as pretty as a bouquet.

Dr.'s Remedy Summer Shades Collection

GLEE Gold, TRANQUIL Tangerine

NURTURE Nude Pink, BOLD Baby Blue

LOVELY Lavender

A special thanks to Dr.'s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish for sponsoring this giveaway! You can explore the full color range at remedynails.com.

The polishes featured in this post were sent to me for consideration. The winner will receive her Summer Shades Collection directly from Dr.'s REMEDY. If the winner is outside the US, I will re-route the package internationally.

The Doctor is In! Dr.'s Remedy Summer Shades Giveaway! is open internationally for followers and e-mail subscribers. The contest runs through the end of the day August 15th. To keep this simple, I am willing to count the date as the last available time zone worldwide. As long as it is August 15th somewhere on the planet, you may still enter.

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory:

1) Become a follower or e-mail subscriber of painted Lady fingers. If you are currently a follower or subscriber, that certainly counts! Please let me know in the comments which option you choose for keeping up with painted Lady fingers. For example: I follow via Google Friend Connect or I subscribe via e-mail. Be specific. I check entries very carefully.

If you follow via Google Friend Connect, log into the proper account when you leave your comment. If you follow via Google Friend Connect, your account has to have some public aspect. It is okay if you don't follow publicly, but there needs to be some signs of humanity on your profile page. If you subscribe via e-mail, your e-mail address must be confirmed through feedburner. If you have never received an e-mail related to painted Lady fingers' blog posts, you do not have a confirmed account.

2) Include your e-mail with your entry to qualify. If you forgot to write your e-mail in with your contest entry, leave me another comment with your e-mail address.

Both 1 & 2 together = 1 entry.

Optional extra entries. Please be sure to have any tweets or posts visible before leaving your comment.

3) Let me know: What is your favorite color from Dr.'s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish (other than the Summer Shades Collection pictured)? You can see the full line here. Tell me how you are staying cool and comfortable this summer. If you live in a cold climate, please tell me how cold you are so I can live vicariously...Two questions=1 entry.

4) Like Dr.'s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish on Facebook. 1 entry.

5) Blog about the contest in a post or add contest info to your sidebar. I will definitely count your entry if your blog is not written in English. I will also count your entry if your blog is just getting started and has a small number of followers. These extra entries are meant to be inclusive and fun. Please provide a link. 2 entries. If you use the contest photo, add another entry. Please mention that you used a photo.

6) Tweet about the contest. Only once, please. Please mention @ladyfingersblog in your tweet so I can count your entry. You can also retweet one of my contest announcements to qualify. Here is the tiny url: http://tinyurl.com/3f6focq

7) Have painted Lady fingers on your blogroll with the updated url: http://www.paintedladyfingers.com/. Please provide a link. 1 entry

8) In appreciation, I am going to add an extra entry for those who comment regularly on non-giveaway posts. I do enjoy reading your feedback! Thank you! Not to worry, I am very inclusive with this extra entry. 1 entry.

You are welcome to put all your entries in one comment or return to the contest post with comments for each entry. Either way works for me. Your entries don't have to be sequential. Enter in any way you like whenever you like before the end of the day August 15th.

Feel free to enter all the anniversary giveaways I have running. If you happen to be very lucky and win more than one, I would certainly honor that!

Thanks so much for keeping me company during my two joyful years of blogging!

Happy painting, ladies!

Refinee Age-Reversing Skin Care: Firming Mineral Moisture Cream

2011-07-28T22:22:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

Firming Mineral Moisture Cream from Refinee Age-Reversing Skin Care has been keeping my skin looking fresh and supple all throughout the summer season. I appreciate how the botanical extracts, marine peptides and vitamins improve texture and encourage the firm appearance found in young skin.

I have been using Firming Moisture Cream in the evenings after cleansing. The directions recommend applying in both the a.m. and p.m., but I have had noticeable results with once daily use. I prefer to wear a moisturizer with sunscreen in the morning and use treatment products at night.

The weight and texture of Firming Moisture Cream is the gold standard of how anti-aging moisturizers should be formulated. It's a light cream that absorbs easily and imbues the skin with a fresh appearance instantly.

This product is intended for all skin types. I believe anyone whose skin needs moisture could benefit. I love how Firming Moisture Cream is non-irritating even in humid weather. If you are searching for one moisturizer you could use year round in any climate, I would recommend trying this cream.

The packaging of Refinee Skin Care products is equal to the quality of the contents. Firming Mineral Moisture Cream comes is a frosted glass jar. It has a round opening for the screw off lid and fans into a Marquis shape at the bottom. A functional design, the jar is easy to hold. This moisturizer offers such a pretty aesthetic that it's worth placing on a vanity or displaying in a basket of well loved loved products.

Refinee does not test on animals. The formula for Firming Mineral Moisture Cream is paraben free.

Ingredients: Purified Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Sorbitol, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Esters, Methyl Gluceth-20, Hydrogenated Soybean Glyceride, Butylene Glycol, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract (Red Marine Algae), Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Squalane, Ubiquinone (CoQ10), Allantoin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Gingko Biloba Leaf Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract, Symphytum Officiniale (Comfrey) Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina (Rose Hips) Fruit Extract, Anthem Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Distillate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Dimethicone, Polysorbate-20, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Tetrasodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Imidazolidinl Urea, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Annato.

Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, red marine algae, encourages cell turnover. Perfect in a night cream, this ingredient helps promote cell renewal while you rest. The hydrating benefits of marine algae will assist with maintaining a smooth surface to the skin.

Ubiquinone or Coenzyme Q-10 helps the body maintain healthy levels of collagen and elastin. The support of CoQ10 can positively affect skin firmness and elasticity. As the amount of CoQ10 diminishes with age, it is useful to replenish through skin care.

Firming Mineral Moisture Cream is a quality and effective skin treatment. One of my all time favorites of any brand, this skin cream has earned my highest recommendation. I will definitely keep this moisturizer stocked with my most reached for skin care products.

Firming Mineral Moisture Cream was sent to me for review. Available for purchase at refineeskincare.com, a 2 oz. (59g) jar retails for $64.00. You can explore more about the parent company at sorme.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Summer dresses: Color Club Splitting Image & High Society

2011-07-26T18:31:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

During last week's heat wave, many Philadelphia ladies decided to meld with the temperatures by putting on their brightest floral dresses. It seemed like the whole city was a connection of fabric flowers on the vine. I appreciated the local effort to maintain a sense of beauty even in the oppressive heat. What is a lady to do but keep her parasol aloft at such times?

I began with taupe as a base and chose the Art Club striper You're Golden to section the nail diagonally. I layered the blue shimmer fractured polish Splitting Image towards the tip. I picked dried flowers in hot pink, nude pink and burgundy to bloom along the gold shimmer. I featured more hot pink flowers on my right hand and the peachy tones on my left. To highlight the centers of the flowers, I used turquoise and pastel or hot pink gems. I also placed pink, blue and natural tone pearls.

My right hand with more hot pink flowers.

A morning glory with either pollen dust or pixie dust.

High Society is a taupe creme. I applied three coats for evenness and opacity. I wore this polish for a couple days without nail art and received compliments. It's a classic shade that is simple and stylish.

Splitting Image has a versatile formula. A thinner coating will produce standard cracking. Adding a little more creates fine striations that reminds me of distressed denim. I would recommend trying Splitting Image over a pale blue. The light cobalt tone is really lovely. I have been really enjoying experimenting with the Fractured Collection. As much as I enjoy the look of the stronger effect produced through traditional layering, it's fun to see the variations when painted as a diagonal or French manicure.

If you are in a warm climate, I hope this manicure inspires you to put on a pretty, summer frock and move amongst the flowers.

The Color Club and Art Club items mentioned in this post were provided for review. High Society is from the Rebel Debutante Collection and Splitting Image can be found in the Fractured Collection. These shades can be purchased at victoriasnailsupply.com. Color Club/Forsythe has been revamping their company site. You can explore the product lines at cosmeticgroup.com.

Would you like the chance to win six crackle nail polishes? Stop by the Let's Get Cracking! Color Club Fractured Giveaway! to enter.

Happy painting, ladies!

Dots and Damsels: Color Club Tattered in Gold and Ready to Royal

2011-07-19T21:00:00.001-04:00

Hello ladies,

I love the idea of creating nail decorations that would be suited to a grand fete. I could imagine wearing this look while holding a lace fan.

Starting with a base of Ready to Royal, I painted a cross formation with an Art Club gold glitter striper. I filled in the squares in an alternating pattern with gold fractured polish. I chose the deep pink foil striper in Malmsy to define the cross and layered gold glitter over top.

In the dark purple squares, I added a variety of pink and fuschia pearls and gems along with gold jewels. In the center of the cross, I placed lavender roses.

This is my first time working with 3-D roses. As they have a springy quality, nail glue is definitely required for adhesion. While I am still experimenting with technique, I believe brush-on nail glue plus two coats of a sealer or thicker style topcoat should encourage these pretty flowers to remain as positioned. Topcoat alone is insufficient to hold them.

Ready to Royal is a dark purple that reminds me of a black mirror. It has a glassy finish combined with a depth of color that is quite mesmerizing. I have worn this shade a few times without nail art and I also love it as a backdrop for design. Two coats bring even color and perfect opacity.

One of my favorites from the Fractured Collection, Tattered in Gold reminds me of jewelry.

I hope you enjoyed my dots and damsels manicure!

Tattered in Gold and Ready to Royal were sent to me for review. These shades can be purchased at victoriasnailsupply.com.

Stop by the Let's Get Cracking! Color Club Fractured Collection Giveaway! for a chance to win all six polishes.

Happy painting, ladies!

Refinee Age-Reversing Skin Care: Protective Day Lotion SPF 15

2011-07-17T19:36:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

In the midst of summer weather, it is beneficial to shield your face and neck every day from damaging UVA/UVB rays. I have been having positive results with Protective Day Lotion SPF 15 from Refinee Age-Reversing Skin Care for the past two months. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly and is compatible with makeup application. It performs so well it could potentially inspire regular use of facial sunscreen in those ladies who have not yet made it routine.

Each morning after cleansing and toning, I apply Protective Day Lotion. This product can also be layered over a treatment serum. I typically wait a few minutes for the serum to absorb before adding sun protection. I follow with concealer, tinted moisturizer and bronzer. I appreciate that I can apply makeup over this moisturizer without worrying about the color shifting. If you choose to use facial primer over Protective Day Lotion, it will still work effectively.

Protective Day Lotion gives the skin a dewy look without the lingering sticky texture that often accompanies sunscreen. For ladies who don't apply sunscreen regularly because of the heaviness and residue, I feel Protective Day Lotion will provide the experience that can help make daily application a habit. I wear sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher every day, even if the forecast is for rain. It has been my daily routine since I was 13 years old and the results really show in my face. I am told regularly that I look years younger.

One of the qualities I love about the Refinee line of products is how beautifully they work with sensitive skin. Hot weather and humidity has caused issues of skin sensitivity for me in the past. I haven't had to worry about mild redness or tiny bumps at all this entire summer season. With Protective Day Lotion, my skin has remained clear while being moisturized and shielded from the sun.

I would love for an SPF 30 facial moisturizer to be added to the Refinee Age-Reversing Skin Care line. While the SPF 15 has performed well for me, I prefer the assurance of a higher SPF on sun heavy afternoons.

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Octinsalate 5%, Oxybenzone 3.2%

Ingredients: Deionized Water, Aloe Barbadensis Gel, Glycerin, DEA Cetyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Camellia Oleifera (Japanese Green Tea) Extract, Jojoba Oil, Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Orange Oil, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Carbomer, PVP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, DMDM, Hydantoin, Dimethicone, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Triethanolamine, Butylene Glycol.

Camellia Oleifera is the plant from which Japanese green tea oil is extracted. This healthful ingredient provides oleic acid, an essential fatty acid and natural Vitamin E. It helps restore moisture to the skin and promotes pH balance. Japanese green tea is soothing to sensitive and acne prone skin as well.

Orange oil benefits skin tone and texture. It can help heal acne and reduce skin irritation.

I highly recommend Protective Day Lotion for light moisturizing and sun protection. Great under makeup, it's a useful product to have in your medicine cabinet.

Protective Day Lotion SPF 15 was sent to me for review. A 2 fl. oz. (60 ml) bottle retails for $33 USD and can be purchased at refineeskincare.com. To learn more about the brand, visit sorme.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Let's Get Cracking! Color Club Fractured Collection Giveaway!

2011-07-15T19:16:00.001-04:00

Hello ladies,

It's the two year anniversary of painted Lady fingers! Thank you to everyone who has stopped by and enjoyed the nail polish, flora and fauna along the way. Color Club is going to kick off the celebration with their Fractured Collection. Let's Get Cracking!

One lucky winner will receive the six-piece Fractured Collection!

Smash Hit, Tattered in Gold

Clean Break, Broken Tokens.

Splitting Image, Kiss & Break Up

The polishes in the Fractured Collection are designed to be layered over a base color for a cracking affect. I have examples of Smash Hit, Clean Break and Broken Tokens. I will be posting looks with the three remaining shades during the giveaway.

Many thanks to Color Club/Forsythe for sponsoring this giveaway! The polishes featured were provided for consideration. The winner will receive the Fractured Collection directly from Color Club. If the winner is international, I will reroute the package.

The Let's Get Cracking! Color Club Fractured Collection Giveaway! is open internationally for followers and e-mail subscribers. The contest runs through the end of the day August 4th. To keep this simple, I am willing to count the date as the last available time zone worldwide. As long as it is August 4th somewhere on the planet, you may still enter.

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory:

2) Include your e-mail with your entry to qualify. If you forgot to write your e-mail in with your contest entry, leave me another comment with your e-mail address.

Both 1 & 2 together = 1 entry.

Optional extra entries. Please be sure to have any tweets or posts visible before leaving your comment.

3) Let me know: Have you experimented with any crackle polishes? What are your favorite color combinations that you have seen or tried?

4) Like Color Club Nail Lacquer on Facebook. 1 entry.

7) Have painted Lady fingers on your blogroll with the updated url: http://www.paintedladyfingers.com/. Please provide a link. 1 entry

You are welcome to enter all of the anniversary giveaways I have running even if you have won recently. I will certainly honor Fortune's favor!

Many thanks for two great years!

Happy painting, ladies!

My bunny in the marigolds hopped over to disapprovingrabbits.com

2011-07-14T20:22:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

Recently I encountered a wild bunny who favored eating marigolds. He is now a part of the community at disapprovingrabbits.com. Please visit my wild bunny and experience the many other faces of disapproval at one of my favorite amusing animal sites. I am delighted my picture was included!

Below is another bunny I met in the garden this week:

I see you!

Should I come out to play?

Perhaps I will just hop away. Bye, little bunny!

Happy painting, ladies!

Naughty Kitty: Color Club Yum Gum and Smash Hit

2011-07-12T20:59:00.000-04:00

Hello ladies,

I wanted to create a fun, boudoir style manicure. I had a little help from a naughty kitty. Neon pink and black crackled French tips provide a stylish backdrop for a bit of mischief and delight.

From image plate D26, I stamped the retro cats using black Konad special polish. I created a funky French with the fractured polish, Smash Hit. Rainbow crystal bows adorn the center. The French line sparkles with Art Club silver glitter. Kitty used her tail to steal a pearl.

Yum Gum is a bold and pretty neon. The scent of bubble gum is subtle and pleasant. I appreciated the ease in application. Three coats over a whitening base brought perfect opacity.

I have been having a great time experimenting with the Fractured Collection. Painting Smash Hit across my tips created a lacy effect, and complemented the naughty kitty.

You will be seeing more of the Color Club Fractured Collection this week. The kitty might have a little something in mind.

Color Club Yum Gum and Smash Hit were sent to me for review. These polishes can be purchased at victoriasnailsupply.com.

I purchased the D series image plates from chez-delaney.com.

Happy painting, ladies!

Dr.'s REMEDY: Hot Hot Hot Summer Shades (tell me your picks)

2011-07-11T19:38:00.001-04:00

Hello ladies,

I received information about a new collection for summer from Dr.'s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish. This brand is new to me and I am looking forward to showcasing these polishes next week. Lovely Lavender is really captivating. I adore murky, grey tone purples. This shade has a Victorian feel. Bold Baby Blue looks like a pretty, ocean color. I am always drawn to aquatic blues.

What are your favorites from the new summer shades? As always, your top picks will be the first reviewed.

Below is the press release:

Dr.'s REMEDY

Hot, Hot, Hot Summer Shades

Fresh new shades that sizzle

Sun, sand, shore: three summertime staples. And since setting our sight's on this season's bright, sassy, new summer collection from Dr.'s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish, we're believers that your hands and feet will follow suit in fantastically, fashionable style. Just in time to slip into your sexy sandals, welcome Dr.'s REMEDY Hot, Hot, Hot Summer 2011 Collection: five fabulous, terrifically on-trend, shades of Enriched Nail Polish, that we promise you'll sizzle for!

The sunburst shades include:

LOVELY Lavender: a pale purple with matte depth and charm.

GLEE Gold: a shimmer infused coin of perfection.

TRANQUIL Tangerine: a bold, but wonderfully wearable slice of juicy delight.

BOLD Baby Blue: an aqua meets turquoise take on every boy's favorite color.

NURTURE Nude Pink: a delicate, damsel in distress, barely there beautiful.

Dr's REMEDY is a line of doctor-inspired cosmetics that is dedicated to using clean, hypoallergenic ingredients. The birth child of two New York based podiatrists, Dr. Adam Cirlincione and Dr. William Spielfogel, Dr.'s REMEDY proves quintessentially perfect for any person looking to better the condition of her skin and nails. Dr.'s REMEDY is sold exclusively at remedynails.com or by calling 877-323-6756.

Dr.'s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish is available for $17 on-line at remedynails.com.

Happy painting, ladies!