Dashing the hopes of Dashing Diva

Every once in a while, it is nice to splurge a bit and get pampered. That was my intention when I visited Dashing Divas Upper West Side location yesterday evening.

Splurging usually means the $25 combination manicure/pedicure with massaging chairs at the salon on 72nd between Amsterdam and Broadway but I had heard of the "Happy Hour Special" with cosmos at DD and decided to go for it. I chose the $75 package (manicure, pedicure, jelly bath, neck massage, 10 min foot massage).

The water used in the foot soak was ice cold, and so I sat with my feet in a cold jelly bath. I asked my technician and she said it was the right temperature (without checking). I had originally chosen a red polish but changed my mind to a light pink after seeing it look awesome on someone nearby. It wasn't until she put three coats of the pink polish on that she said it didn't look good and asked my opinion. She was right - it looked awful. I've had light pink before many times but this was so thick and uneven it looked messy. She said she would put a darker pink over the coats which would help it look better and then I could come in tomorrow and get it changed. (They have a 3 day polish guarantee...) Otherwise it would take her too long to take it off and reapply the original color I wanted. The darker pink (FOURTH coat) cleaned up the polish but it was NEVER a color I would wear. I have very light skin and this was a purple pink that definitely needed a tan to blend well.

I received my cosmo while she was applying the polish and had to either down it quickly or let her finish it (as suggested) in order to get my nails done. Both of my thumbs had smudged polish but again she just suggested I come back the next day to get them redone. My "neck massage" lasted less than a minute and I sat for over 40 minutes waiting for the polish on my toes to dry enough for me to leave. When I left they were still sticky but I had been in the store for 1 hour and 40 minutes, and just wanted to get home. It was not the pampering experience I was looking for, or even a clean polish. This morning I looked and I have polish on my toes (not the nails), and hangnails.

Save your money! Go get a $25 combination and spend the extra money on a bottle of wine and dinner. I wish I did!

Flea Market

A Sunday tradition - the 76th St. Green Flea! 10-5 on Sundays at 76th and Columbus. Flea market vendors have antiques, jewelry, clothing, etc., and the farmer's market is to die for! Explore next time you're in the area.

Free books - Community Library

When out walking, I always try to stop by the stoop between Broadway and Amsterdam on 88th street that is kept supplied by the Franciscan Community Center Thrift Shop and (as I have learned during my visits) by locals with free books. Take a book, leave a book, there is always something interesting! Last week, a woman was dropping off a complete series of books she had just finished reading, while someone else found a book on NY architecture that they needed for a school course. Sometimes the pickings are sparse but all the more reason to stop by more often and return books for others to find.

Laundry

I've tried numerous drop off wash and fold laundry businesses and think I've finally found one that is consistent in good service! Crem Cleaners on 88th and Columbus. You can choose whether you want fabric softener or not, and if I remember add my own Purell sheet to my laundry and then tell them not to use detergent. Clothes are clean, folded nicely, haven't been sitting out after being washed, and the prices are fair.


Suggestions for places you've tried and liked?

Looking for more news on the UWS?

Check out My Upper West, a blog featuring events, news, celebrity sightings and more. Also, their list of other UWS blogs is great for keeping up on the best restaurants, contests, design news and stores.

HomeRun Local Daily Deals

I just signed up for HomeRun.com a brand new website that emails daily deals to its members for the NYC area. It looks pretty cool and exclusively for new members you can click on "Beginner's Luck" where if you are lucky you can get EXTRA deals! HomeRun offers deals on Restaurants, Spas, Salons, Bars, Events, Fitness, Fashion, Nightlife, Travel, Beauty, and more. Try it out and come back with your reviews! I'll do the same!

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