'Lapse' of Luxury

This week I finally took out a gift certificate I had for the Stillwater Spa at the Hyatt Hotel in Toronto. It was a very generous gift from a client of mine, and I couldn't wait to luxuriate in getting my legs waxed, having a pedicure a facial and a massage.
I had been before and really enjoyed it, but since my last visit in 2005 I had decided that the prices at the Stillwater meant a 'once in every 2 years' treat. Since then I've been venturing up to Gerrard Street or the Danforth for my 'grooming' needs. Through a friend I started going regularly to Metro Nails on the Danny (just east of Coxwell) for waxing, nails, pedicures etc. They do a fantastic job for a very reasonable price. And I head to Youngr Hair Salon (yes, that's the spelling, although I'm sure they mean 'Younger')for a fantastic haircut for $8.00. Yep, you saw right - $8.
So, the other night while I'm in my white robe awaiting the Royal Treatment at the Stillwater, I'm very excited. The women who gave me my treatments were very nice and I chatted with each of them throughout my treatments. The funny thing was, the wax (normally $88!) was simply adequate. There was no special lotion or treatment that I couldn't get at Metro for $35 and there they do my toes as well! Also the waxer was too slow and I had to ask for a 'quicker' rip so my skin wouldn't come off! We laughed about it at the time, but to be honest I thought for that price they should be at the top level of their game.
Then the pedicure. Half way through I noticed a bit of a sting on my right and left toes. The next day both were all bloated and infected. The pedicurist had cut too far into the nails leaving an actual cut on the inside of nail/skin. Pain...ful. But again, she was so nice I said nothing.
I happily limped around the next day but was shaking my head...thinking 'that never happens at Metro Nails!' and their pedicures are $15.
The moral of the story is...don't underestimate services that are cheap. They can be equally as good, or in this case, MUCH better. Vietnamese women are highly skilled in the art of grooming, nails, pedicures, haircuts, tailoring and a host of other 'attention to detail' tasks. I would use them anyday over the 'luxury' of a hotel spa.
I certainly enjoyed my jaunt to the Stillwater overall, but next time I'll head back to Kim at Metro and Ruby at Youngr for the real deal.

Soggy Dog

If you live in Leslieville, here's a great place to take your dogs for a nice 'do-it-yourself' wash.
Soggy Dog is not only a great name, the owner, Noah, is friendly and helpful! He dried George while I was washing Gracie.
It's super clean, modern, and there's some great choices of shampoos, conditioners and 'mists' for the pooches.
I love it. On our walk home, all I could smell was 'Meditteranean Magic' and 'Mango'. Heavenly. It sure beat the scent they had on them going in!
Here's to keeping local businesses 'busy'.

Hitting the Wall

Today is Day 15 of my 30 Day Bikram Yoga Challenge. I feel a bit like someone has drugged me with some nice mellow sleepy plant. It's 4:39pm on Monday June 15th and this seems to be a typical feeling I am having at this time of day for oh...the last 3 or 4 days. I'm well rested & well fed, so am confused about the sudden tiredness and lethargy I am feeling half way through the challenge. I imagined being full of 'vim and vigour', not wanting to sleep. Perhaps my body is questioning this mission. But I will forge on!! It's tough though - no doubt about that for one second. And my body isn't really getting used to the same postures I've been doing day after day. Some days it, to quote an old corny 70s song, 'it feels like the first time'...

Okay, so how to motivate one's self for Part II of the challenge?

I think I'm going to stick with the 'just show up' part and take it from there.

To Be Continued...

The Lighter Side of Real Estate

Ommmmm

Feeling Stressed? Need to heal thyself - in & out?
I discovered that the rigours of daily life can actually be balanced by the rigours of a Bikram yoga class. Not one to partake in anything that is soothing and relaxing, I chose Bikram. It is definitely not for the faint-hearted. But I will say after 90 minutes of sweating, stretching, painful contortions and short meditations in between, I feel great afterwards! Being a little obsessive, I've found it's the ticket for me both physically and mentally. Someday soon I'd like to actually do all the poses. After 5 months of pretty regular attendance, I'd say I'm still a good couple of years off being able to do them ALL. But practice makes perfect. And the best part is, each class exercises every muscle and organ in your body! This is a totally wholistic exercise.
Maybe one day I'll be able to do what this guy is doing in the picture. (Although that's not technically a Bikram pose, you get the gist). In the meantime, I'm feeling pretty good in my size 12s (and sometimes 10s!). And I just signed up for the '30 Day Challenge' starting June 1st. Wish me luck!
If you're ever in the Beach and feel like some good old fashioned torture, join me!

Flog (or for those who play, Golf)

Flog. What a great anagram. It's also one of those onomatopoeiac words that sounds like the action - which is how I play(ed). A friend of mine made that little funny up a few years back when we were hitting small white balls with metal sticks. At the time, we didn't really have a 'grasp' of the game so to speak. But now that I'm a Realtor, everyone expects me to play the game! After all, aren't we like doctors? Apparently we make tons of money and have lots of spare time. That's a myth, but nevertheless I did take the game up more seriously this year by embarking on a few lessons. It's remarkable how getting instruction in anything can improve your skill. Ha. I usually like to delve into things pretending I know how to do it/play the game/program the DVD/solve the crime. I won't say my game is great, but it's certainly improved. For anyone reaching that 'middle age' spell in their life where tennis, jogging and squash are taking its toll on your aging bod, I recommend the game of flog. I'll start calling it golf when I am better at it.
Until then....FORE! Or as Mary, Colleen and I like to say....SDF!

Anyone Need A New Doctor?

Ever been to the Albany Clinic? Lineups, long waits, sickness layered thick on the walls. A terrible description I know, but that and the fact that my doctor told me to get a bone density test because he thought I was shrinking (in fact he couldn't read my height right!) and that the small white spots on my brain might be nothing - but it could mean I have a brain tumour (!) was enough for me to send a mass email out to friends/family asking about a new doctor/clinic. Well, lo and behold, (thanks to Teresita) my call was answered. Bridgepoint Family Health - which people associate with the palliative care hospital near Riverdale/Broadview has a new clinic. It's almost too good to be true. You never have to wait more than ONE day to see a doctor and it's clean, friendly, state of the art and you are never rushed. I spent over 15 minutes 'shooting the breeze' with my doctor the other day after dealing with why I went in the first place. It's a miracle in public service. I highly recommend it if you need a new doctor/clinic or aren't happy with your current situation. It is not a walk-in clinic but I don't think one day is long to wait. It's located at 430 Broadview Ave. Ph # 416-470-6690.

'THE' Dip

My client and pal Sunny Widerman introduced me to 'The Dip' some time ago. After making it many times, I informed Sunny I was hooked on it and was making it for every get together I was going to. All she wrote to me was, 'Diane, YOU own the dip, the dip does not own YOU'. I'm guessing she suffered the same addiction to the dip as I did. Enjoy!

Baked Goat Cheese and Red Onion Dip

12 cloves garlic (or 6 cloves elephant garlic)

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

2 Tbsp butter

1 medium red onion

1 Tbsp brown sugar (packed)

10 oz goat cheese (350g)

1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

1/4 C fresh basil

Preheat oven to 350F

Roast garlic: Place peeled garlic cloves in glass dish, covered, and bake 30-40 minutes until tender. Sauté onions in butter over medium heat. Cook about 15 minutes, until tender and beginning to brown. Add sugar to onions and stir to melt. Remove from heat and allow to cool.Arrange onion mixture on the bottom of an 8x8 glass pan. Crumble goat cheese on top, layer garlic on top of that, and drizzle the whole with oil. Bake at 350F until melted but not bubbling (about 25 minutes). Add balsamic vinegar, stir, season to taste, and sprinkle with basil.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...