Friday, June 25, 2010
Barter System is a Beautiful Thing
In the beauty industry, like many other businesses, bartering is a great way to receive services you need, without having to lay out cash. For most, this means trading service for service, in the case of my hair however, my friend Jenn and I trade cut and color for lunch. We have a favorite little diner-type restaurant where we go for a very decadent chicken melt sandwich and fries. This quaint family restaurant is called Sub World. It's on Dale Mabry in Old Carrollwood, where it's been forever, but lots of people still don't know about it. The food is great and the staff makes you feel like family. Chicken Melts were not on the menu until Jenn and I started ordering them, now I send everyone I know there for this cheesy, gooey delight. They also make incredible breakfasts, salads and subs. So I get my hair done, Jenn and I both cheat on our diet for lunch, and we spend some quality time together. Bartering is a beautiful thing.
For info on nail care, manicures, pedicures, acrylics or gels or to contact me please visit http://www.tampanailchick.com/.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Grace Couldn't Be Saved
I really enjoyed this unusual show starring Holly Hunter as Grace Hanadarko, a detective on the Oklahoma City Police force. She is complicated, to say the least. Her job has her battling demons on the streets, while her personal life has her battling her inner demons. She does both with the help of her "Last Chance Angel " Earl. In the final season, Grace comes to understand that a true evil has been influencing events in her life and the lives of those around her - including all those lives taken in the Oklahoma City bombing(one being her sister-Mary Francis). In the 2 part finale, she identifies him, faces him, and takes him out. Unfortunately, to accomplish her ultimate goal, Grace sacrifices her own life. In the end, Grace couldn't be saved, but she is the world's Saving Grace. The cast was amazing and had chemistry like any other dysfunctional family. A series definitely worth renting when available.
As always, for info on nail care, manicures, pedicures, acrylics, or gels or to contact me please visit http://www.tampanailchick.com/.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Variety is The Spice of Life
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
- Wash and pat dry chicken.
- Season on both sides with Mrs Dash and paprika, set aside.
- Slice onions and green peppers the long way.
- 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.
- Add chicken to pan and brown on both sides.
- Add pimentos and 2 cups water.
- Lower the temperature, cover partially, and simmer 45 minutes, turning chicken often so it doesn't stick and adding water as necessary.
- While chicken is cooking, prepare rice according to package directions.
- Drain canned vegetables, and add to chicken.
- Simmer 15 more minutes.
*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/.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Salon Tanning
I tried Airbrush Tanning for the first time yesterday, and it was a very interesting experience. My friend Linh, owner of The Nail Shop of Carrollwood, bought the whole set-up(a pop-up tent, airbrush machine, tanning solution, hairnets, and mitt) to be used in the salon. Meghan, another dear friend and nail tech at the shop, sprayed me while Lihn supervised. To say the least, we all had a great time. At first, one may feel a little self-conscious, but very soon you're laughing and having fun and the awkwardness is gone. Meghan was the artist and I was her canvas. It takes about 20 minutes to do, and the results are definitely worth your time. There is no orange tint. When I was a teenager, the first spray tanner came out and it was called Sudden Tan. My brother thought it would be a great thing to try and subsequently turned himself bright orange. We've come a long way baby. I look like I spent a day at the beach, which is exactly what we're looking for when we do this. A nice tan always looks good with your beautiful nails. So the next time you're in a salon, getting acrylics, gels, a manicure, a pedicure, or any combination thereof, treat yourself to a staycation tan.
Restaurant Review-
Ruby Tuesday's
For a long time, years ago this was one of my favorite restaurants. I loved the salad bar and you could always get a good sandwich or quiche. Then, I'm not sure when it happened, they went downhill fast. The salad bars were not kept supplied or clean,and the menu changed so I just stopped going. Today, a friend and I started at Olive Garden, but the wait was too long so we went to Ruby Tuesday's on Gunn Hwy. She and her husband go there often, so I figured it was worth a try. I was very pleasantly surprised. The salad bar was stocked with fresh foods, the service was good and my burger was cooked the way I like it. (Not at all dry- like the last place I tried). If, like me, you haven't been to a Ruby Tuesday's for a while, give it a shot.
Movie Review-
"Killers" is a deceiving name for a very cute movie. Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigel are a great pair in this romantic comedy about a woman who finds out 3 years into marriage, that her husband is a spy. Her response is all that you would expect and more. Thom Selleck plays her protective father, and there's more to that than meets the eye. Another great chick-flick. We can never have too many of those.
For more Nail info or to contact me please visit http://www.tampanailchick.com/.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
From "Beauty Parlor" to "Salon"
As a child of the sixties, I've seen changes in almost every facet of our day to day lives; from the way we get our information to the way we "get beautiful". Mine was the first house on the block to have a color TV,a microwave oven and an HBO box. Telephones were rotary, and TV sets had dials. Computers filled a room and were seen mostly in science-fiction movies. The "Beauty Parlor" was a place ladies went, one day a week to get a manicure and have their hair done(wash and set). As a little girl, I would go with my mom on occasion. It was like a fantasy land for a girly little girl like me; all the smells of hair spray and nail polish, all the ladies gossiping and getting beautiful. I would imagine all the fancy and exciting places these now beautified ladies were off to. But I digress, the subject today is changes in these amazing establishments. That is what I saw as a child. My teen years saw unisex hairplaces in the malls. It was at this point in time that the gods invented Blow Dryers. The times, they were a-changin. No more wash and sets, which meant a faster service. Men were wearing their hair longer, blow drying, and were now getting haircuts in the same places as women. The Beauty Parlors were few and far between. The eighties brought a new sanctuary for women in the beauty industry-The Nail Salon. These new places were where ladies now went just to get their nails and toes done. Some also offered waxing or facials. In the nineties, more and more women were wearing acrylics, gels, silkwraps and fiberglass nails and the nail shops became very popular and lucrative. The late nineties and early twothousands saw the emergence of the Asian nail salons. The Asian community saw the opportunity for monopolizing an industry and they jumped on it. This is not a criticism, mind you , but an observation. Since then, we, as English speaking nail salons, have a responsibility and a duty to keep up with what was once and will always be a female rite-The Ritual of "The Beauty Parlor" AKA"The Salon",AKA"The Nail Salon"AKA"The Salon Spa".
Restaurant Review-
Burger Monger- a new concept for a burger place in Carrollwood. It's a place your order and pay at the counter type place. You get your own drink and condiments and take a number on a stand to your table. Your food is brought to you. The restaurant is clean, there are several TVs, and there are booths and tables. Now come the disappointing parts- the food and the price. I ordered my burger medium rare with mushrooms, cheddar cheese and barb-b-que sauce. In my mind, there's nothing better than a juicy, messy burger. I still don't understand how this sandwich came out dry, but it did. For $13.00 and serving myself, I was not thrilled. To be fair, Burger Monger was only open 2 days when I tried it, so I would consider going back in a couple of months when hopefully the kinks are all worked out. So far, my favorite places for burgers in Tampa are BJs in the Citrus Park Mall, In The Zone Pub on Gunn Hwy (next to The Nail Shop of Carrollwood), and Square One Burger in South Tampa.
For more info on nails or to contact me please visit http://www.tampanailchick.com/
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Special Events
I work in one of the best salons in Tampa. I consider it one of the best for several reasons; the primary one being that we all get along well and respect each other. We enjoy a drama-free workplace, and therefore we work well together. Our staff consists of 6 highly skilled Nail techs, 3 of whom are also Estheticians and a Hairstylist extraordinaire. The name of this amazing place is the Nail Shop of Carrollwood. I titled this blog " Special Events" because I believe in the women I work with, and I enjoy co-ordinating the services that we women need when preparing for events such as Weddings, Proms or Homecommings. These services include Manicures, Pedicures, Acrylics, Gels, Facials, Waxing, Haircuts, Hair colors, Perms and Up-do's. All these "pamperings" are even better with friends or family members, so whatever your event is, we try to accommodate your party's needs and schedules.
Movie Review-
"Robin Hood"
This is a very different version of Robin Hood. It's really the story of how he became the Robin Hood that we know. Russell Crowe is of course wonderful in the role and Cate Blanchett brings us a whole new Maid Marian. This is the type of movie I could usually take or leave, however I'm glad my friends wanted to see it. I actually saw it twice, with 2 separate sets of friends. I enjoyed it both times, and of course when you see a flick again, you pick-up 0n more details. There's enough action for guys to like it, and enough story-line and romance for us girls.
T.V. Review-
The final episode of "Lost"
Wow! I'm so sad that it's over, but I am satisfied with the ending. All the time we thought the flashes were of an alternate reality, where our friends landed safely in L.A., it was really the afterlife. One that they had created together, years earlier, to find each other in the here-after; just proving that their time together was the most important time of their lives. What an amazing series.
For more Nail info or to contact me please visit me at http://www.tampanailchick.com/
Monday, May 17, 2010
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".
Now for Movie Reviews-
"Letters To Juliet" I've already seen it twice! It's a beautiful story about true love, second chances, and seizing the moment. I don't know if the Secretaries of Juliet really exist, but what an amazingly romantic idea. In the movie, they are a group of women who answer letters from heartbroken women to Juliet. Everyone suffers heartbreak at some point in their life, and writing a letter to Juliet for advice, never expecting an answer, seems to work for thousands of women. A response to such a letter, especially 50 years later, compels Claire(Vanessa Redgrave) to return to Juliet's Courtyard, where she meets Sophie(Amanda Seyfried)the temporary Juliet's Secretary who answered her letter. Claire is accompanied by her grandson Charlie(Christopher Egan), and together with Sophie they set out on an adventure to find Claire's lost love, Lorenzo. This movie is touching, funny, and sweet. I definitely recommend it to all romantic souls.
That's all for now. For further info on nails, or to contact me visit me at http://www.tampanailchick.com/.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Thank you for the great Reviews
Nail Color Trends - I do a lot of Pink and White Acrylics, but sometimes we get tired of looking at our hands and seeing the same French Manicure look. When that happens to my clients, I suggest a pretty color to change thing up. ( Color can be applied right over Pink and Whites.) Red is always my personal favorite, but not everyone likes red. For all these women, OPI always has new and interesting collections. The latest is "Shrek" of all things. This set includes a yellow, a green, a purple, a light blue and a dark blue. Bizarre to me, but lots of women seem to like bizarre. I am seeing more and more women choose bright spring and summer colors which can be really pretty and a good "pick-me-up". I also tell my clients to feel free to bring their own polish. Sometimes an impulse buy at the beauty counter is just the color for you.
Movie Review- "Iron Man 2" Fun action flick. Robert Downey Jr. is definitely redeeming himself in the movie- goers eye. I like the chemistry between he and Gweneth Paltrow, and the bond and banter between he and Don Cheadle. I realize I disagree with the "Official Reviewers"aka "Critics" but I usually do. I think the average movie goer is looking at the movie through differnt eyes than the critics. We go to be entertained, even though that means something different to everyone, we're still looking to be entertained, whereas critics are there to Criticise. I liked it.
TV Update-"LOST" Wow! Last night's episode, like most, was both enlightening and not. What we know- Jacob and the Smoke Monster were brothers. SmokeMonster never got a name. Jacob killed him? But he couldn't kill Jacob in the present- he had to get Ben to do it. I still like being lost - only 2 more episodes left- Will we be found?!
Thats all for today. For more on the world of nails in Tampa, or to contact me, visit my website at http://www.tampnailchick.com/
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Drink lots of water.
Drink a warm glass of milk mixed with a teaspoon or two of almond oil at bedtime.
For dry or itchy hands, soak them in a bowl of warm milk and almond oil.
Baby lotion- lotions made for adults may contain chemicals that may dry skin more.
Before taking a bath, rub some honey all over your body and leave on for 5 to 10 minutes.
Oil fish like salmon are not only rich in essential fatty acids, consuming them regularly can also alleviate dry skin.
For dry and cracked heels, rub the inside of a banana peel on your heels, leave on for 10 minutes and rinse clean.
Bananas can also treat dry skin on the face and neck- mash a banana (ripe ones work best) and apply like a mask. rinse after 15 minutes.
My all time favorite comes from a TV commercial from the seventies. "Before you dry off dry, dry off soft!" This was an ad for Johnson's Baby Oil. They suggested that after showering, but before toweling off, you apply a small amount of Johnson's Baby Oil all over. I've used this method all my life, but now they have Lavender Scented Baby Oil, and it's even better.
Home Remedies are a great fix, but there's nothing better for body and soul than to be pampered with a manicure and pedicure.
My Movie Review of the week is also an old favorite.
The Tampa Theatre has a new Sunset Cinema Series of movies. It was a movie in the park experience. The movie: Back To The Future. The Guest Speaker: Christpher Lloyd "Doc Brown". The Park opened at 5:30 and the movie began at 8:45. Music was play over the speaker system until the movie started. There were Frisbees flying and footballs being thown, kids and dogs playing, and lots of people-watching. After the movie, Mr. Lloyd came out and answered questions. It was a really fun family-friendly thing to do on a Saturday evening. The next one scheduled is "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid" on June 5th.
Thats all for today. For more info on nail-care or to contact me please visit me at http://www.tampanailchick.com/.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Now to Movie news- "The Back-Up Plan", J Lo's latest flick-Great movie !!! I thought it would be a cute little romantic comedy, but it was even better than I expected. It was both hillarious and touching. Definately a chick-flick, but the few guys in the theatre (I'm sure dragged, kicking and screaming) really seemed to enjoy it too.
Newest TV addiction : "Happy Town". Interesting saga about a small town -Happlin- where nothing is as it seems. The sheriff seems to be a normal , middle-aged man , but he slips into these trances and even rages where he talks about someone named Cloe, but when asked about her, says he doesn't know anyone named Cloe. The lady running the boarding house seems normal, but doesn't allow laughter at dinner. She also doesn't allow anyone on the 3rd floor of the house, which is of particular interest to the newest member of the community, Henley. Then there's" The Magic Man", a mysterious figure, blamed for a string of dissappearances. Happlin has been free of murder for 5 years, however, this is where our story begins, with a fresh murder. If you missed the 1st episode you can catch it on ABC.com. It looks like a great , strange , weird mystery.
Well friends, thats all for now. For more info on nail care or to get in touch please visit my website http://www.tampanailchick.com/. I look forward to hearing from you.
Friday, April 23, 2010
TV comments of the day- Flash Forward- OK so Dimitri didn't die on March 15th. Now we know the future can be changed, but what about Mark's wife and the other man? Mark moving out just seems to be making it all come true instead of stopping it. What is he thinking?!
Movie Review- "Ghost Writer" Good movie. Alittle slow, but a good "who done it". Different roles for both Pierce Brosnan and Kim Catrell and they both rise to the occasion. Brosnan plays an ex prime minister of Britian and Catrell plays his assistant. When the ghost writer of his memoirs dies suddenly, a new writer is hired, and procedes to unravel the mysteries surrounding the ex p.m., his wife, and the original ghost writer's death.
Thats all for today- Stop by again soon for more tips and reviews and visit my wesite http://www.tampanailchick.com/ for info on nail care and your reviewer.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Todays "Nail Informational" is about Gel Nails. Gels can be used as an alternative to acrylics. They provide the perfect balance of strength and natural look. However, if you are paticularly rough on your nails, gels would probably not be for you. Gels are gentler on the nautural nail and therefore appeal to women who have had unfavorable experiences with acrylics. They have no chemical odor and require only a one step prep and minimal filing. For many women,gel nails are the answer to their nail prayers.
As for todays TV update- how about last nights "Fringe"? Time travel- one of my favorite genres. I love it in TV and movies. Now that I think of it, Fringe is reminicent of both Quatum Leap and Sliders - Time Travel and Alternate Universes. My favorite time travel movie has to be "The Two Worlds of Jenny Logan", starring Lindsay Wagner. It's a great story about betrayal, great love, mystery, and a duel. It is not in print anymore, but can be found on ebay. Definately worth the search.
Thats all for today- for more nail tips and info visit my website www.tampanailchick.com/
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Moving on to Movie review of the week: Clash of The Titans. I liked it. Some people felt ther wasn't enough of the Craken, or the movie just fell alittle short, but I enjoyed it for just what it was: a 3-D mythical-action flick. No need to look any deeper.
For more nail care tips check out my website www.TampaNailChick.com
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
natural nail overlays to avoid breakage. It comes in colors( several OPI standards) and clear. I look forward to meeting new clients who are looking for just such a treatment.
As for TV this week, we are in the last seasons of both "Lost" and " Saving Grace ". I'm alittle lost on Saving Grace. I feel like I missed something, but I haven't missed any episodes. Grace mentioned something to Rhetta about finding out that you're adopted, but I don't know who found out they were adopted. So I'm just going with the flow. On "Lost" of course, we're all just waiting til all the questions are answered and the stories are tied together. I'm enjoying the confusion of it all on both shows . "Who- done- its" and psychological twisters fasinate me.
Check back with me for more nail-care tid bits and TV and movie reviews and updates.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
My New Website
Jody