Oh yeah, when I was infection-shy (I got nicked at a pedi and had to go on antibiotics) I'd just get the nice tub soak on my feet, massage, and a polish change. The nurse/doctor should cut her nails, though, like Perkins said.

Uh, excuse me for having a non-girl moment--what is the "other stuff" that's the problem? The cuticle pushback and stuff? I've only had maybe three mani/pedis, so I don't rightly remember what's involved.

what is the "other stuff" that's the problem? The cuticle pushback and stuff?

Yep. Cuticle pushback and trimming, which can sometimes involve nicks and cuts.

just get the nice tub soak on my feet, massage, and a polish change.

That's exactly what your Mum should do, ita !. (And wow, I really want a pedicure. Maybe next week, if the budget allows.)

Most places use nippers on the cuticles. Yeah, they are supposed to just push. They don't. And I like mine trimmed so long as they are careful and scrupulous about the autoclave.

Wait! I just remembered that I have a LivingSocial voucher for a Shellac manicure and regular pedicure w/ foot massage! Whoo, time to schedule that.

Cuticle nippers. That's how I got nicked.

ETA: I've gotten a scrape with careless filing, as well. No big for me, but your mom has a greater risk with infection, so. I might be overly cautious. But it's your mom, and she has my phone number.

I just had a pedi a few weeks ago. I loooove my nail place--found them on yelp and boy, were those recommendations spot on. They do a fantastic job, and they are right around the corner from my office!

Had a consult on my hair at a dayspa (they were the ones who had the Deva Curl certification that Allyson recced). A very nice young Russian lady (a lot of stylists around here are Russian) who basically said that my standard cut (shorter layers on top, longer ones below) is the way to go due to my thin hair on top of my head (it's been thin for 20-some years). But, she's going to shape it a bit better than it is now (I haven't had it cut since mid-August).

And, she sold me a realllly expensive bottle of hair spray ($35!!!) that does just what it's supposed to do. I can wash and dry my hair like I normally do, and then instead of having to live with the frizz, I just spray and then scrunch for a few minutes all over my head, and I end up with the cutest curls! Every time I've made a bathroom run this afternoon, I keep admiring myself in the mirror. And this is before my cut on Tuesday night, so it'll be even cuter afterwards. I'll take a pic then and show myself off to y'all.

And I just finished my second lab, after working on them for seven hours. Tired, but at least they're all done, and they're not even due until November 30th! Now I get to work on my final, which is also due that day, but not until tomorrow.

Oh I'm so glad your consultation went well, and that the product is working out!

Remember those iconic "Hope" posters during the 2008 campaign, of Obama looking off to the side? Shepard Fairey has a new one: [link]

Very neat.

My nails look good, but something has got to be weird about my cuticles/edges of my fingers, because I get cut at least half the time I get a manicure. Which is why I don't really get them that much.