Bye bye manicure and pedicure… hello vanicure!
By Amy
What’s a vanicure you might ask? Well, in my everyday mom chaos, I struggle to juggle motherhood and a busy schedule. Often I neglect to carve out time for me (AKA: me time). I no longer take time to do things that I used to take for granted prior to having children… like having nicely manicured fingernails and toenails. It may sound crazy, but, a nice manicure and pedicure really make me feel good.
Flashback 7 years ago…When my kids were babies, I tried fitting in quick manicures before bed, but, found that my nails didn’t dry properly. Inevitably I’d end up with a mangled manicure in the morning and would have to remove the polish before heading to work. So I pretty much gave up and gave into idea that for the next 18 years… I’d kiss my manicured nails goodbye.
One Saturday, I recall scrambling around to get the kids packed up for a day at their grandparents so my husband and I could attend a wedding… My husband had to work early that morning and would be coming home in a rush to shower before the wedding. I had the diaper bag packed, a bag of the kids favorite snacks, toys, PJs and the “must have blankies”. I had my emergency numbers written down on my babysitter checklist. The wedding invitation, directions and gift were ready to go, the van was packed and the kids were safely buckled up. I look down and realize that I never painted my nails and toenails. As silly as it sounds, it was important to me. With my husband in the driver’s seat, I painted my nails and dried them by the cool air streaming from the vents. Eureka the vanicure was born!
Back to today’s reality and a busy schedule. I always leave a fingernail file and 2 bottles of polish in my minivan. I’ve adapted this crazy vanicure technique to my everyday chaos. So several times a week, after the permissions slips are signed, lunches are made, backpacks are packed and the kids are on the bus, I scramble to get ready for work. As I scurry about, I’m thinking about my day, the deadlines I have approaching, and the meeting I have scheduled for the day. I toss on a nice low maintenance dress, fix my hair, grab my computer and run out the door… but, oops forgot to paint my fingernails and toenails. So I hop in my van, buckle up, point my air vents toward my steering wheel and put my keys in the ignition – but stop short of starting the engine. Then I begin giving my fingernails and toenails a coat of much needed polish. Once complete, I turn the key to start the van, gently press the AC button to avoid smudging and put the fan on high. During my 30 minute commute, my fingers and toes dry nicely in front of the air vents. I go into work feeling just a little more “put together” and the best part… nobody knows my vanicure secret!
Share your crazy rituals. What silly routines have you adopted to maintain your sense of self while juggling your a busy schedule?
