Manic Manicures

I haven't posted in quite a while- so sorry! Things have been very busy with work and with being a new mom (to a puppy). I am back today to discuss a very important topic, manicures and pedicures.

First, a bit of background ... I was not always so into my nails (I know, horrible). My mom, however, is quite fanatic about her nails. In fact, the smell of quick dry spray reminds me of my mother. This is because for years she didn't go get professional manicures and did her nails herself. And if they chipped, she'd have to touch it up. Thus, I think she ended up touching up nails practically every single night. I really didn't care how my nails looked, and I'd often do them just to please my mom. I did own nail polish (in junior high I had all kinds of ugly colors- blue, green, glitter top coats). And in college I used to do my nails before going home for breaks so that my mom wouldn't comment about how bad they looked (yes, mom, this is true).

Fast forward to my move to Manhattan in 2004. I would say that manicures and pedicures are probably the only thing that is cheaper in NYC than the rest of the country. Even when I was a broke graduate student, I could still come up with the money for a manicure. I'm no expert in economics or business but I'm sure this is because of the abundance of nail salons in the city. On the Upper East Side (and many other neighborhoods) there are often 2 on a block. In every apartment I ever lived in on the UES, I had my choice of probably 8-10 nails places in the surrounding few blocks. To compete with each other, prices must be low. So, you will find the $9 manicure. Before we moved, my manicure was $8.50. Now, I go to a place on 13th street and 1st avenue for $7. So with the low prices, my obsession began. I could go on about my obsessive nail behavior, but I think I should get to my point here (is there a point?).

When looking at apartments in Williamsburg I did my research about the amenities in the area. Supermarket? Not a chain but fairly-well stocked. Drug Store? The Duane Reade actually opened the same day we moved in. Starbucks? No, see previous post. Gym? Yes, and cheaper than NYSC. Nail salon? No. Really? Nope, no nail salon. I even asked our broker. He was married, I figured maybe his wife knew. I think Hubby wanted to kill me when I asked our broker where his wife got her nails done. How could we move here? How could we move to a place where people don't care about their nails?!?! OK, so I'm being a bit dramatic.

I found a place right off the L train at First Avenue for only $7. Sometimes I stop on my way home from work. And yes, sometimes I take the subway to get my nails done.

UNTIL NOW. It's true people, a nail place is opening on Bedford Ave. It should be open within the week. I keep peering in. I was thinking I'd be the number one customer. Also hoping to find some non-hipsters and bond over our favorite Essie colors. We can discuss whether it is better to put Sugar Daddy on top of Mademoiselle or the other way around. There is a problem, though. Today I noticed the sign inside says "Manicure $10". What?!?! This is what happens when there is no competition in the neighborhood! I'm not about to make a huge fuss over $3. But percentage-wise that's a huge increase! But maybe it is worth spending $3 extra so that I don't risk ruining my nails when I pull out my Metrocard! What would you do?

I promise to write again soon, and bring you more thought provoking topics, such a manicures and pedicures. :-)

Extra Large Brown Bag

Tomorrow is one of my favorite days of the year- the Bloomingdales Private Sale! Woohoooo! This is the sale that I have been known to blow a very large portion of my income at each year. However, one must note that the bargains at this sale are extraordinary! So even with a large amount of money spent, you can walk away spending probably a third of what the items were worth.

This year, my income has been much less disposable, and Bloomingdales has certainly been missing me. I used to be there about once a week. I think the doormen at 59th street know me. This year, I am in serious danger of being downgraded to a lower level Bloomingdales card. Oy, the horror. This all changes tomorrow. Added bonus- I don't have to work tomorrow! So I am planning on arriving just as the store opens, hoping to avoid the crowds!

Big question- what to buy? I am trying to make a list of what I need for spring and summer. What are the must have items?

I can't wait until tomorrow!

Filming NYC

I love a good TV show or movie filmed in NYC. I love going to a theater in the city, when the film was shot locally, and hearing the people around me whisper about where the different scenes were shot. Here in NYC we are very used to our streets, stores, and restaurants being used as film locations. Even my seemingly dull block in Brooklyn has been used in at least 3 TV shows in just the 6 months I've lived here (Law and Order SVU, How to Make it in America, and Boardwalk Empire).

Sometimes a TV show or movie will refer to a NY location and I wonder if people in other parts of the country get it. I feel like this happens a lot with Gossip Girl. They will talk about going to a certain store or restaurant that seems significant to the plot line. The fact that they are going to that particular store may mean something about who they are, who they intend to be, etc. But if it's a store local to NYC, someone in say, North Carolina, may not pick up on that. It's all about the subtext. What does that specific location mean? This past week on Gossip Girl this Russian whore-like girl said to Chuck "You're the talk of Brighton Beach." Does the average teenager from outside NYC know about Brighton Beach? A few weeks ago on How to Make it in America one of the guys yelled out a car window about going to Veselka for perogies. Hubby and I were so excited- Veselka! Love it there! In this case Veselka wasn't exactly important to the plot line, but I don't think people outside NYC know Veselka. Right? Through the years there have been many more examples that are escaping me right now. But I've often thought, "hey, someone watching not familiar with NYC may not be getting the full story here."

And yes, I'm fully aware that if I'm watching a movie filmed in some other town, I may not get all the references. This goes both ways.

Anyone else out there ever thought about this? Sometimes just watching TV or a movie makes me glad I live in NYC!

Flash Dance

I have a confession ... I am obsessed with being in a flashmob. For those of you who do not know, according to wikipedia, a flashmob is defined as "a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and pointless act for a brief time, then quickly disperse." In particular, I would like to be involved in a dancing flashmob. You're probably all familiar with this youtube video (obviously my favorite due to the chosen song):

Having danced my whole life, I feel as if I would be a good candidate. I especially enjoy the cheesy aspect of this kind of dance. In a way it reminds me of when I used to dance in the parades at Sesame Place. It is so fun to have the crowd right there in front of you! This girl loves to perform!

Back in January I told Hubby it was my goal to be in flashmob in 2010. The problem is that they are kept secret! I search the "gigs" section of craigslist almost daily. I have seen some posts, but nothing worthwhile. I also have a few flashmob websites bookmarked on my computer. I am getting frustrated! Maybe now that the weather is nicer people will be more likely to assemble outside and dance randomly! Or perhaps I will choreograph a flashmob of my own!

I know, I'm kind of crazy. If you see a total whacko dancing through the streets of Brooklyn, it's probably me. Actually, nah. There are plenty of crazies here. Could be anyone!

**I apologize, I cannot figure out why the entire video won't show above. But you get the idea!

Opening Day!

I am quite the girly girl- always have been. I wore dresses to high school and heels to class in college. Shopping is my favorite pastime. I get a manicure about every 5-7 days. I enjoy getting dressed up, playing with make-up, and pampering myself. I only read chic-lit and I know every word to every chick flick. You will never find me playing sports- even powderpuff football. I just never understood why everyone was so into that! But there is one sport I love to watch ... baseball!

I'm a Phillies fan all the way. I prefer not to put up facebook statuses about it, because I feel like the whole world jumped on the bandwagon after we won the World Series in 2008. But I have been a Phillies fan LONG before the Phillies did anything worth watching! I used to go to games all the time when I was just a little girl. When I was at overnight camp, my dad would send me the standings cut out from the paper so I could see how my team was doing. And until I moved in with my Hubby, I slept with a Philly Phanatic (mascot) doll every night. I'm not embarrassed to share that! Besides, most my friends know that, as he has traveled the world with me. He is quite worn out after being loved for 25 years. My parents even hired Philly Phanatic to make an appearance at my wedding. However, there were some issues with the woman in charge of him and he ended up not showing! Grrrrr!!! It's OK, I still love him, and my Phillies.

So here's to baseball season 2010!!!!

Me and my very worn and loved Phanatic watching the Phillies win in 2008.

Smart Pup

I mentioned in a previous post that our new puppy (who is a cockapoo named Farfel, for those who asked) responded best to hugs and love as reinforcement. While he is still very cuddly, we finally found the treat to make Farfel happy. On Sunday our friends Beth and Dan came over with a few Milkbones for Farf as a treat. Unlike with other treats we attempted to give him, he ate these up with enthusiasm! His Daddy went to Costco last night to buy him a big box, because now we are using them to reward him for going to the bathroom outside. When Farfel wasn't in the room, we emptied some of the contents of the huge box into a container to keep in the kitchen. The rest of the box sat on the windowsill, to be put downstairs in a closet. Farfel never saw us take the treats out of the box, but I guess 1000 Milkbones smell quite strongly, because he soon discovered the box. Below are some pictures from last night, as Farfel tried desperately to climb up the wall to reach "Milkbone Heaven". I guess he won't be keeping kosher for Passover like his mommy and daddy ... :-)

Travel Bug

Before I met my now husband, I hadn't traveled very much. In fact, the thought of traveling never really crossed my mind. Hubby is a huge traveler and has been all over the world. He really changed something for me, and I have the travel itch big time. Together we have been to Paris, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Las Vegas, and Hawaii. Without hubby I have been to London and Israel. This list is looking smaller and smaller to me, as I feel the need to get away ASAP. Hubby definitely taught me a new way to travel. There is more to travel than lying in the sun on a cruise ship. And hubby never travels in groups or uses a travel agent. Part of the fun is figuring it all out for yourself and being with the native people. For example, when we were in Costa Rica and the Dominican we were NOT at all inclusive resorts. We were exploring the countries, going out with the locals. I can't wait to book our next trip- hopefully soon!

Here are some of the places I really want to visit:

1. Italy

2. Greece

3. Egypt

4. Austria

5. Croatia

6. North Korea (not a joke- hubby and I are fascinated and want to know what's going on there)

7. China

8. Iceland

9. Turkey

10. Czech Republic

11. Africa (not just South Africa- I want to go on safari in another country as well)

12. Mauritius (yes, I know this is part of Africa, but I want to go here in particular)

13. Morocco

14. Russia

15. Spain

16. Portugal

17. Scotland

18. Ireland

19. Antarctica (you can cruise there, sounds awesome)

20. Alaska

21. California (never been!)

22. Canada (never been!)

23. Mexico (never been- can you believe that?)

24. Australia

25. Netherlands

26. Poland

27. Switzerland

I'm sure I'm missing some. Anyone out there got any good travel tips? I want to see the world!