lucky penny has been getting her hands dirty, as of late, with all things #homereno. the 60-day countdown is quickly coming to an end (phew!), and she is in desperate need of a mani.

do cartwheels because lux spa recently opened their second location (formerly the nail shoppe)… just down the street from her soon-to-be ex-bachelorette pad, and right across from the eaton centre at 211 yonge street on the mezzanine level.

looking at paint chips or tile samples all day, and dreaming about them all night, has given her the super ability to scan a range of colours, and zone in on the best one. this *new* skill is incredibly effective since the nail bar has a plethora of colours… ranging from the palest of pinks, to the brightest of blues! opi and essie fans—welcome to your mecca.

finally recharged and with les hands et feet back in tiptop shape, it is back to the #homereno grind.

***psst… photograph lovingly borrowed from © 2012 lisa crispo.

lucky penny is a ball of stresssssssss.

did you know that??? adult acne affects 70% of lovelies between age 20 and 50, most of them, unfortunately, women… just at a time when our girl is concerned about aging skin. thank goodness for skinceuticals blemish + age defense.

it deals with these two important issues… by diminishing existing blemishes, exfoliating at a deep level, evening skin tone, smoothing texture and irregularities, and all the while minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.

need she say more?!

lucky penny loves to play with makeup.

when she was just a pretty young thing, she would rouge her pout with mumsy’s lipstick… and dream of the day when she would be a lady. now all grown up, our girl prefers to keep her daily makeup routine to five minutes flat. there are, of course, times when she craves a little more drama. ooh, la la.

enter clinique’s lid smoothie antioxidant 8-hour eye colour. this *new* creamy eyeshadow comes in a little tube, and packs a punch with protective antioxidants, and refreshing caffeine and cucumber extracts.

yours truly uses a small dab of #11 (currant affair) for a sheer and natural je ne sais quoi. for après sept, build on the base colour with a second or third layer, and a smudge of black eyeliner.

et voilá, knock em’ dead!

lucky penny cannot help herself sometimes… between cottage weekends and planning her lovely bride’s wedding, only so much can conceal her blemishes… and with tiff just around the corner, any traces of late nights must be banished!

what is a girl to do? she swears by clinique’s even better clinical dark spot corrector in her beauty arsenal.

an award-winning product, it is dermatologist-developed and tested. this serum helps fade the appearance of dark spots, age spots and discolouration. in a few short weeks, it was like the clock turned back… revealing a younger, more even-toned complexion. its gel-like formula can be layered under other lotions and makeup.

with her visage in tip-top shape, the words, “lights, camera, smile!” pose no threat at all. *click, click, snap*

greener penny has been known to give good face. she receives endless compliments on her freckle-free, even skin tone. no wrinkly, sun worshiper here.

how does she do it? easy peasy! simple sunblock from her trusty beauty brand, éminence.

they boast handmade organic ingredients from hungary… you know it is legit when royalty travel for skincare regimens. their 5-step sun care starter set is the perfect travel size… 1/2 oz of cleansing/healing and hydration.

slather on their coconut milk cleanser (pre-shake and bake), then smooth on their delightfully delish tropical vanilla sun cream… the fragrance will surely lure in a cute cabana boy or two. *wink*