OK gals........fess up..........

[sea-nile]

I brought 7 swimsuits last year so I am set on those, I think...

I buy a few new tank tops and maybe some flip flops and last year bought a Halloween costume but we did not go out.

[Teresa_Rae]

Always! I usually have more things in my suitcase with tags still on them than not. I especially feel the need for new swimsuits. I'm not sure why.

How many of you have husbands that pack the same stuff every time? In our vacation photos, Matt looks like he's always on the same trip.

That is us to a T...especially the tags comment...I definitely bring stuff home with tags still on that I never got around to wearing...I need to learn to pack better for STJ...and the husband comment...Bryan also looks like he's on the same trip in all of our pictures! He's got a blue polo for dinner and a gray Army t-shirt for the beach that he takes every time. I bet if I asked him he wouldn't even realize it.

Ohh, and by the way, pre trip, I ALWAYS GET A PEDICURE!!!

That reminds me that my last manicure was right before our last trip...in June of '08...I think I'm due. We have a wedding to attend next month, that should be a good enough excuse.

I go to a really cute chiropractor (have been his patient for 20 years)and he always comments on my fresh pedicure. He also notices when I've gotten my hair done. I couldn't stop getting them now if I wanted to. I'd have to find a new Chiropractor.

Of course my husband has NEVER noticed my pedicures.

A couple years ago I was having my annual exam and in the midst of it my gynecologist said "oh, your toes look great, that reminds me that I need to get a pedicure!"

Don't you wear shoes at the chiropractor? Mine never sees my toes. Even if I'm wearing sandles I take shoes to get checked.

[cypressgirl]

Ohh, and by the way, pre trip, I ALWAYS GET A PEDICURE!!!

Last trip I met a lady who had just done eyelash extentions before liftoff. She snorkeled and swam everyday for two weeks and they looked like a million bucks. I'm doing that...I hate mascara but I hate what my eyelashes look like without it even worse!

OHHH chrisn.......I've been wanting to get some info on the eyelash extension things. Do you (or anyone else) know more about that process? I thought they'd fall off in the salt water. I'd love to have eyelashes without having to deal with mascara.

[cypressgirl]

Teresa_Rae......I don't wear shoes to the chiro. Just a gown and undies. If it's really cold, I wear socks, but not usually. What kind of shoes do you wear?

[chrisn]

Ohh, and by the way, pre trip, I ALWAYS GET A PEDICURE!!!

Last trip I met a lady who had just done eyelash extentions before liftoff. She snorkeled and swam everyday for two weeks and they looked like a million bucks. I'm doing that...I hate mascara but I hate what my eyelashes look like without it even worse!

OHHH chrisn.......I've been wanting to get some info on the eyelash extension things. Do you (or anyone else) know more about that process? I thought they'd fall off in the salt water. I'd love to have eyelashes without having to deal with mascara.

I have not gotten it done yet as I keep procrastinating but I know that they are individual lashes that are glued on to your own individual lash and the glue is very strong and they fall out with your own natural lash cycle. They supposedly last about 4-6 weeks then you have to get touch ups.

Gawd, they look freaking amazing though! Another bad habit.

My daughter has thick long natural lashes but they are straight and she gets hers permed once a month. She said she'd rather die then give it up LOL!

[IllinoisGal]

OHHH chrisn.......I've been wanting to get some info on the eyelash extension things. Do you (or anyone else) know more about that process? I thought they'd fall off in the salt water. I'd love to have eyelashes without having to deal with mascara.

I have not gotten it done yet as I keep procrastinating but I know that they are individual lashes that are glued on to your own individual lash and the glue is very strong and they fall out with your own natural lash cycle. They supposedly last about 4-6 weeks then you have to get touch ups.

Gawd, they look freaking amazing though! Another bad habit.

My daughter has thick long natural lashes but they are straight and she gets hers permed once a month. She said she'd rather die then give it up LOL!

I think the extensions can be really, really expensive - like $400 for a set expensive. I've had my eyelashes tinted before (I'm blonde & my lashes are, too!), and it's very cool - stings, though! I'm going to have it done so I won't have to wear mascara during the trip (and if I cry off my mascara at our wedding, there'll be a little color under there!)

[cypressgirl]

I think you are about right on that price. I just found a salon in our area giving 50. off for spring break. I can just see me telling my husband I need to spend 400. every few months to get my lashes put back on. The before and after photos sure look great though. If I had the $$ I'd do it in a second.

[cocosmom]

My daughter got the eyelash extensions for her wedding. They were awesome. More like $200-$250 at a pricy place in the city so, I think $400 is way over priced. She did go to the Cabo for her honeymoon, but no long term swimming and not good a good place to snorkle. Pretty sure she was told they wouldn't last long if she did. May want to ask that.

[Palmtrees]

Remember those "things that make you go "Hmmmm"?

I'm thinking it would be mighty interesting to cross reference the posts of those who absolutely must have new rash guards, dresses, flip-flops, Tevas, NeatSheets, pedicures, glue-on lashes, etc., etc., yada, yada, yada with those who insist that their poor traveling companion - quite often referred to (tongue-in-cheek, no doubt) as "DH" - humps through parking lots, shuttles, airports, planes, taxis, ferries, and the like all those boxes and coolers laden with frozen chicken, coffee, spices, booze, mixers, cereal, etc., etc., yada, yada, yada allegedly to save a few bucks.

[cypressgirl]

I might be poor as dirt in a few months, but I'm going down with my mani and pedi. I don't really have a need for a rash guard, and I don't wear dresses to STJ. But if I was really in financial distress, I would not be going to STJ. I'd be looking for a job. I'm thinking I have about a year, and then the party is over.

[liamsaunt]

I am totally out of the loop on this beauty stuff. I did not even know that you could get your eyelashes permed.

Truthfully, I've never had a pedicure, and I've had only one manicure (the day before my wedding, under duress--my mother forced me!). I tried getting a facial once, years ago, and I HATED it. Maybe it was a bad salon for facials, I don't know.

I just get so antsy in salons, I would rather be anywhere else!

Edited just to say that I typed my response before seeing Palmtrees' post.

[chrisn]

My daughter got the eyelash extensions for her wedding. They were awesome. More like $200-$250 at a pricy place in the city so, I think $400 is way over priced. She did go to the Cabo for her honeymoon, but no long term swimming and not good a good place to snorkle. Pretty sure she was told they wouldn't last long if she did. May want to ask that.

I agree $400 seems really high. Although they are certainly not cheap, around here they run anywhere from $75-150 maybe a little more for the really high end spots. The retouches are cheaper.

Cypress, I agree. Although I do feel we should tighten our belt, I certainly wouldn't be going on a two week trip to the VI's if we were in dire straits.

I can honestly say, I've never schleped coolers or suitcases of food although I've thought about taking meat. I certainly don't think there is anything wrong with it, and I don't necessarily think everyone that does, does it to save money either. There are some that just want their own creature comforts or premium meats from home.

Liamsaunt. I don't like salons either. Everyone at mine gosips and stares LOL!

The spa is nice though and it's private, smells good and is my ZEN. I don't really do facials but Microdermabrasion in a private room makes me feel 10 years younger! I do it once about every 3-4 months.

These things are splurges for me. They don't happen on a weekly basis! I work hard, I'm kind of a girlie girl and I like my splurges!!!

I will admit though, I do have a bikini buying addiction!

One last thing, isn't researching, planning and pre-paring for vacation half the fun? I know it is for me!

[Teresa_Rae]

Teresa_Rae......I don't wear shoes to the chiro. Just a gown and undies. If it's really cold, I wear socks, but not usually. What kind of shoes do you wear?

Holy cow what chiropractic technique does your doctor practice?

I've been to chiropractors that practiced a few different techniques, and all kept me fully clothed at all times. I am now 100% sold on the NUCCA method and would never do another technique. The NUCCA method has pretty much cured me of a lifetime of horrible headaches, migraines included. All the techniques I've tried required me to wear real shoes (flats are best) for checking leg length since sandals can hang and distort things. I don't know what technique requires the patient to be in a gown...are you sure your doctor doesn't just think you're cute too?

[Teresa_Rae]

I also meant to mention the fake eyelash deal...one of my friend's sister applies them for a living. They are super expensive, around $500 for a single application. The only thing I know about them is that you have to "graduate" to the longer lashes...meaning you have to start with shorter ones and gradually build up to the longer ones. Apparently my friend's sister will have women demand that she puts on the long ones to start in spite of her warnings, and they look ridiculous.

[cypressgirl]

Teresa, I don't have a clue what kind of technique he uses. I didn't know there were options. I wear the gown because they start me out with 10 min. on these eletrodes (4 of them), that send electrical shocks into the muscles to relax you. They put 2 on my lower neck, and 2 on my waaay lower back, where I have the most trouble. While those things are doing their job, they cover me with the hot, moist, heavy, pads, and put a towel over that. After 10 min., they give me a rub down with a "Gini". It's kind of like a big vibrator thing and feels great. Then the Dr. comes in and opens the back of the gown and can spot the exact places he needs to adjust. He adjusts my mid back first, then I get on each side to do the lower, and finally I lie on my back and he pops my neck. That's the best part. I do have one leg that is shorter than the other. He could tell that by my X-rays. I also have mild/moderate scoliosis (sp?), and a rotated spine, caused from my job.

This is waaay TMI, but I don't wear shoes. Don't know why. It never came up. I'll ask him next week.

There is only 1 chiropractic college in Texas, so they all may be quacks as far a I know. All I know is that if I stop getting regular adjustment, I'll be in terrible pain before long.