For me, this is the perfect way to spend a day off! I love the beach, and sharing a Florida  spring day with a dear friend is one of life's joys.
    I hope my readers have many perfect spring and summer days enjoying the Florida sunshine, of course with perfectly pampered fingers and toes.
    So for  your  next manicure, pedicure, gel nails or acrylic nails appointment call me at (813) 263-6330 or visit my website :www.tampanailchick.com.

Refurbished vs Remodeled vs Rebuilt

   There are many ways to renew a building: refurbish the interior with new paint, flooring and furnishings, remodel by gutting the entire interior, or level the builing and starting from scratch. The Regal Entertainment Group at the Largo Mall went with refurbishing. Surprisingly, it was a great choice. After hearing about the changes from a radio ad, my Aunt and I ventured out to a movie and lunch today. It was the perfect way to finish a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. The gentleman in the ticket booth was very pleasant and informative, telling us about all their daily and weekly specails, and the attendants at the concession stand were polite and efficient. The re-do was evident throughout the theater, but especially in the screening room itself. The new seats are electric leather recliners; huge and very comfortable. The screen has been raised, so that although it is not a stadium seating theater,there is never a problem seeing the screen.(Often an issue for this vertically challenged writer). This is our new favorite Movie Theater!

    After the movie we ate at Oishii Fondue Hot Pot and Sushi Bar. It is a very interesting concept in sushi presentation. Your food choices are desribed on bowls that travel in front of you on a conveyor belt. You take the ones you want off the belt and hand them to your server. Once the food is prepared, it is placed on the conveyor belt for you to retrieve as it passes in front of you. There are 4 price points and they are color coded on the bowls. The food is very tastey and very reasonably priced. The service is also a big thumbs up.

    So, in conclusion, lunch and a movie at the Largo Mall was a definite success!

    For all your nail pampering needs: manicures, pedicures, acrylic nails or gel nails, please visit my website: www.tampanailchick.com or call me at : (813) 263-6330.

TBT

Indian Spring?

When I was a kid, a long time ago, we referred to the warm days in September as Indian Summer.  Here in the Tampa Bay area this year, we've been very lucky to have a beautifully long Spring.  "Sittin' on the dock of the bay" at my Aunt's villa this past weekend, my cousin and I were reminded of why we love living in Florida. Hot pink toenails and equally hot pink fingernails were my gift to us  to begin our weekend staycations on breezy Boca Ciega Bay.

Wherever you spend your weekends,a little papmpering is an amazing way to begin, so please contact me for a manicure,  pedicure, acrylics or gel nails at www.tampanailchick.com or call me at (813) 263-6330.

Dinner Theater?

  Movies are a favorite pastime of mine, so the latest incarnation of movie-going experience is always of great interest to me.  Stadium seating theaters were an amazing improvement in movie watching for the theater going crowd, but had a particular advantage for the vertically challenged of us. No longer do we have to worry about the tall person sitting in front of us spoiling our experience.  The newest improvement to this configuration is restaurant-type service in your theater seat.  The chain theaters do this in a big way; namely Cobb's Cinebistro and Amc's Dine-In.  Unfortunately,  these are not very convenient to the Carrollwood area.  However, we now have the privately owned Villagio Cinemas.  Located in the Main Street Plaza on Dale Mabry Highway, Villagio is wonderful way to do "Dinner Theater" or "Lunch Theater". In addition to the usual movie fare the Italian style menu features pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salads. The food is great and reasonably priced. The theaters are intimate, the seats are large electric leather recliners, and the service is terrific.  The theater can sometimes be cold, so I recommend bringing a sweater.  Its a definite must try.

  Before heading to the theater, make sure you feel your best with a Full set of Gel Nails, Acrylic Nails, a Manicure and/or a pedicure.  For info on all services visit my website www.tampanailchick.com .

"Pass It Down"

I haven't written in a while, but by popular request, I'm glad to be back online. Today's subject, Pass It Down, has two meanings for me.  The first is something we all heard and did as kids,  It usually concerned either a note to be passed down the row or aisle or a message whispered that always seemed to take on a life of it's own.(Sometimes referred to as "telephone").  The second is a tradition that families honor in many different ways.  Some pass down quilts or afghans, stories, furniture, photographs and recipes.  Happily my family passes down all of the above and more.  My newly engaged nephew, Justin, recently asked me for my Chicken and Yellow Rice recipe.  I was touched and honored to pass my first original recipe to the next generation.  So to all my readers cook, eat, laugh, and love; together!

Jody's Chicken and Yellow Rice

Chicken parts(skin on-bone in)2 legs or thighs, or one breast -per person
Extra Spicy Mrs Dash
Paprika
2-3 large onions
1 green pepper
1 clove garlic(chopped)
vegetable oil(for sauteing)
1 jar diced pimentos
1 can green beans
1 can peas
1 can mushrooms
1 package Vigo Yellow Rice

1. Wash and pat dry chicken.
2. Season on both sides with Mrs Dash and paprika, set aside.
3. Slice onions and green peppers the long way.
4. In a 15 inch or larger electric frying pan or deep skillet with lid, saute onions, garlic, and green pepper in oil until onions are translucent.
5. Add chicken to pan and brown on both sides.
6. Add pimentos and 2 cups water.
7. Lower the temperature, cover partially, and simmer 45 minutes, turning chicken often so it doesn't stick and adding water as necessary.
8. While chicken is cooking, prepare rice according to package directions.
9. Drain canned vegetables, and add to chicken.
10. Simmer 15 more minutes.

Since presentation is important, use a round or oval platter and arrange rice in a ring around the outer edge. Place chicken in concentric rings on the platter, ending with one piece in the center. Garnish with some of the vegetable mixture(sparingly). Serve remaining vegetable mixture(my family calls this "the goop") in a separate bowl and do the same with any rice that didn't fit on the platter. Enjoy!!!

*This recipe is based on what will fit in the aforementioned frying pans. If more chicken is need to feed your hungry mob, use more than 1 pan. For a recent family soiree, I needed to feed 14 people, so I made 3 batches of this recipe- 2 electric frying pans ,and 1 skillet on the stove and 2 family size packages of rice. An enjoyable labor of love.


As always, for info on manicure, pedicures, acrylics or gels or to contact me please visit http://www.tampanailchick.com/.

And So It Begins

Dear Readers, Clients(Friends), and Family,
Each year, we all feel the frenzy of the Holiday season.  For me, it starts about a week before Thanksgiving.  My Aunt, my cousin and I have our annual "Planning Thanksgiving Dinner Meeting".  Its a tradition I've grown to love because it marks the beginning of dedicated family time.  The 3 of us go out to dinner and spend about 15 minutes planning and 2 hours just being together (without all those boys-who we love)!Its the calm before the storm.  Once Thanksgiving hits, the rest of the year is a whirlwind of shopping, decorating, working, cooking and of course celebrating.  Today is the Monday after Thanksgiving, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your part in my life.  I am so lucky, to have so many people in my world who let me know I am loved.  I hope I tell you all enough how I feel but at this time of year I feel the need to make sure you all FEEL THE LOVE !!!

 Have a Happy Holiday Season!! 

For information about Gel Nails, Acrylic Nails, Manicures, or Pedicures visit www.tampanailchick.com

The Weird and Wonderful

  When you're a kid, all you want to do is fit in.  Thankfully, as adults, we learn to appreciate our own individuality and the uniqueness of others.  I was fortunate to learn this lesson early in life, so when I have been told that I have strange taste in movies, books and TV shows I've always smiled and said " Thank you!!!!"  In all three medium I am fond of the Time Travel genre.  The latest on the big screen was "Looper" starring Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.  They play an older and younger version of the same character; Gordon-Levitt has been  hired to kill the older version of himself.  Strange and a little twisted, yes but I enjoyed it.  Willis has previously done the "older version of himself" role in a much lighter movie: Disney's "The Kid". That one is a feel good classic.  So you see, even within an off- beat genre , there is both the Weird and the Wonderful, just as there is within each one of us.

Here is a list of my favorite Time Travel and re-incarnation (souls traveling through time) stories:

The Two Worlds Of Jennie Logan
On A Clear Day You Can See Forever
Frequency
Dead Again
Somewhere in Time
11/22/63
Heaven Can Wait
Timescape
The Lake House
Timecop
Timeline
Kate and Leopold
Sound of Thunder
Planet of The Apes
Peggysue Got Married
The Last Mimzy

Whatever you favorite pastime is, take the time to enjoy it!

For information about Gel Nails, Acrylic Nails, Manicures or Pedicures please visit my website: www.tampanailchick.com.

Makin' It Happen

My nieces and nephews are a big part of my world and, as such, little comments they make sometimes just stay with me.  Adam (then12,now 21) had a baseball team luncheon at Outback.  I was the first of the family to arrive, so I moved three tables together to accommodate our clan.  By the time everyone else arrived, the place was packed.  Karen, Adam's mom asked me how I managed to get a table big enough for all of us.  Adam stepped in and said  "She's Aunt Jody - she makes it happen!!!!"
The reason I tell this little anecdote is that I try my best to "Make It Happen" for my clients, new and existing.  If I don't have the particular time available that a client needs, I try to find a nail tech who is available.  The one I can usually count on is Quint.  He is a very personable and professional young man.  He does  manicures, pedicures, and amazing nail art. His manicures are beautiful and his pedicures make you feel relaxed an renewed. 
I also work with very talented hairstylists.  Whenever possible, many people like the "One-stop Beautification Experience" that we offer at Pandora Salons. So feel free to inquire about both nails and hair and I will do my best to "Make It Happen" for you!
For more info on manicures, pedicures, acrylic nails or gel nails visit www.tampanailchick.com.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions-

Choosing a Service or Product

Your initial visit with me begins with a consultation,during which we decide together which product or service is right for you. Choices for nails would be: a manicure, an overlay of acrylic or gel, or a full set of acrylics or gels. Lets start with a manicure. If your nails are the length you desire or if your job doesn't allow artificial nails, a manicure can not only provide a pampering experience, but it can give you the professional look you want. It's amazing how cleaning up cuticles, filing, exfoliating, and polishing can change the look of your hands. If that's not what you need, we move on to overlays. This is when acrylic or gel is layed directly onto the natural nail. If your nails are the desired length, we decide if gel or acrylic is right for you. Each product has it pros and cons. Acrylic is stronger and can be worn with polish or is available in Pink and White. Gels are thinner and therefore more natural looking,and are gentler on the natural nail, are but not quite as strong as acrylics. The Pink and White look is also not accomplished well in gel, therefore, I don't do them. But never fear, I always provide an option. A French Manicure can easily be polished on gels and produces a pretty and natural look. The third choice on the menu is a full set. This is done when the nails are either not long enough or not uniform in shape for the desired effect. In this case, we choose a product, as we would with overlays, but unlike overlays, tips are glued on to create a longer and or more perfect looking nail. Which ever service you choose is based on your life and your needs, and, if and when those need change, so can your nails. I am "Option-Woman"

Tripple-Feature Treat

Dreaming about how I'd spend my lottery winnings is one of my favorite past-times. A condo on the beach is always featured in this dream- but my movie critic "career" would suffer; you see, there are no nice stadium seating theaters at the beaches here. Therefore, I feel the need to see as many movies as I can before I win big. The most recent was a triple feature last weekend.

"Jack and Jill" starring Adam Sandler was a riot. He plays both the male and female roles in this comedy about twins. Robert De Niro has a cameo role where he is in love with Jill. It is a great movie about family dynamics and the things we deal with for those we love.

The second in this Day At The Cinema was "J.Edgar" a dramatized biography of J. Edgar Hoover. I'm not much of a history buff, but this one was just a really good movie. Leonardo DiCaprio never disappoints and Dame Judi Dench is truly amazing.

The finale of the day was "Immortals", a violent story about the Greek Gods and the inhumanity of men. It is by the producers of "300". If you like to see bare-chested men fight, it does have that going for it. Obviously, not my choice, but we do these things for friends. Not a terrible movie.

So, in conclusion, whether you've won the lottery or not , movies or manicures, spend a day with a dear friend.

For info on Gel Nails, Acrylic Nails, Manicures, Pedicures, or to contact me pleases visit www.tampanailchick.com

2 to 1

Two good movies this weekend made up for the one bad movie of last weekend. Both were original stories and very interesting too. The first is "Money Ball" starring Brad Pitt. It is a baseball flick, but not the typical sports movie- it explains how players have historically been chosen and introduces a new way to put together a winning baseball team. Speaking as a nonsportsfan, I thought it was great. I now have a better understanding of the structure of a team and the game itself. Not to mention, Brad is still nice to look at.
The second in my double feature : "In Time"- a Sci-Fi adventure starring Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried. A scarey take on population control and economic class structure. The premise is that we are genetically designed to live for 25 years. On the last day of the 25th year, the "timer" on our arms begins to count down. We work for wages payed in "time"added to our wrist clocks. The wealthy, of course, have hundreds of years on their clocks-inherited on their 25th birthday. I am a big Sci-Fi fan and I loved this one. I truelly original work.

For info on Gel Nails or Acrylic Nails, Manicures, Pedicures or to contact me, please visit me at www.tampanailchick.com.

"Fall"in Back on Old Stories

Fall has come and so have more remakes of old movies. I recently saw "The Three Musketeers" and it just makes you wonder- why??? Are there no new tales to tell? Now, I didn't see the 3-D version, but I can't imagine "being in the scene" could improve this movie. The other "New Remake" is "Footloose". I haven't seen this one yet- but why re-invent the wheel? Was Kevin Bacon not good enough?
On a more positive note, the good movies I've seen recently were "Ides of March" and "Reel Steel". George Clooney and Hugh Jackman- how could you go wrong with either one?

On the Nail Industry front, I have noticed a marked increase in the popularity of Gel Nails. This makes me happy in many ways: I love doing Gel Nails, I loved wearing them myself, so I can attest to the joys of Gel Nails, and Gel Nails look a little more natural than other nail extension products. After trying a few brands, I chose IBD Clear Builder Gel. It's a great product and my clients are extremely happy with the results.
So for more info on Gel Nails, Acrylic Nails, Manicures, Pedicures, or to contact me, please visit my website: www.tampanailchick.com

Summer Lovin'

Summer in Florida is hot and sticky,so what I'm Lovin', is my favorite air conditioned movie theater. This summer I had the great fortune to see several good movies with some of my favorite people. Here are some titles and reviews to consider:
Transformers -
Predictable,but as the previous Transformer films, an action packed flick tempered with humor and a moral to the story.
Mr. Popper's Penguins-
A Jim Carey winner. Jim has 2 kinds of movies: really good and really stupid. This was a cute movie about a man who always wanted to know his father, but rarely saw him. When Dad dies, he send his son one of his famous gifts,but this time with a hitch: it's alive! When attempting to return the penguin, Mr. Popper accidentally orders 5 more live penguins. His children, who he is trying to bond with after a divorce, fall madly in love with said penguins-and did we mention, Mr. Popper lives in a no pets allowed building? Mayhem ensues along with lots of laughs. A nice family flick.
Larry Crowe-
An interesting choice for both Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks. A comedy-drama about 2 people at turning points in their lives. He's a 50 year old unemployed college freshman and she's an unhappily married college professor in need of motivation to change her outlook and her life. I really liked this one.
Captain America-
A pleasant surprise for a comic book movie. I never read these types of comics, I was an Archies girl, so I really didn't know the story. I do like sci-fi though, so the creating a super-soldier theme is not unfamiliar. This was well done using computer graphics to make an actor with a nice physique seem puny , then Super-Size him for the Captain America character.
Cowboys And Aliens-
This long awaited summer blockbuster did not disappoint. For me it was a family affair. I took my nephews, one friend each, and my friend Chris. A western-sci-fi starring Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford. It had action, romance, and a little comic relief. The plot, although a little predictable, was well executed by both the script and the performances. A must see in my opinion.
Zookeeper-
Kevin James does a great job as a goofy nice-guy who loves an undeserving mean-girl. When he considers leaving the zoo to take a job that would impress the girl, the animals reveal to him that they can speak. They advise him on how to win her over and mayhem ensues. This one was a really good family flick which my 10 yr. old nephew giggled through.

So my advise to all my readers: grab a friend, and pick a flick!!!

For info on nailcare, acrylics nails, gel nails, manicures, pedicure, or to contact me visit www.tampanailchick.com.

Crackin' Up

The latest fad in Nail Polish choices is a layered process which creates a "Crackle"d or "Shatter"ed(OPI) effect. The underlying color remains solid, while the second color choice layer cracks. To me, like most fads, it's a strange look to want, but, it is hot right now for the 15 - 25 yr. old crowd. As noted above, each company has their own name for this and a collection of colors to "crack - up" with.(Can be used with natural nails or over gels or acrylics)

Summer TV
My favorite summer TV series are returning along with some great new shows. Last night, for example, was filled with choices- or recordables. Lifetime aired "Drop Dead Diva" and "The Protector"(recorded- not watched yet). USA showed "Law and Order:Criminal Intent"(the series finale)and "In Plain Sight"-I watched both and they were great. A and E's "The Glades" is one of my faves, and TNT's new sci-fi series "Falling Skies" is taking it's time to develop. I like it but I don't know if it will move fast enough to hold an audience. Tune in next time for more in-depth synopses and reviews.

As always, treat those you love well, and remember to pamper yourself -maybe a manicure, pedicure, full set of gels or acrylics. For more info on the subject or to contact me visit www.tampanailchick.com.