I'm going to share a couple of things with you about myself that are relatively random, yet newly discovered. I've been chatting to a few of the girls at my work, who are always running off to one appointment to the other - on their lunch breaks, after work, on the weekends.
Me? I'm generally so knackered, I'm straight back home after work - with the exception of taking the kitty to the vets, as I did yesterday. I'm a homebody. It's true. I also don't like doing things 'for the first time'. I hate going to new doctors surgeries or dentists, because they're unfamiliar. Once I've been there I'm okay, but that first time literally has my stomach in knots. I guess that explains why I'm still yet to go and register with a doctors surgery in the UK yet.
As for putting things off, would you still be my friend if I told you I haven't had a haircut since I arrived in London ... last December?* I've had way too many traumatic experiences at hairdressers, so I've been procrastinating finding one here. Oh, as well as refusing to pay an insane amount of money in Pounds Sterling for someone to snip off some hair.
It got me thinking though; there are a lot of semi-indulgent activities that I have never experienced before.
Facial? Nope.
Manicure? Never.
Pedicure? Nada.
Massage or Spa Day? Nuh-uh.
My American colleague Sara thinks I should just hold out for my visit to the States, because apparently those sorts of places are located everywhere over there, and will be much cheaper too. It sounds pretty fantastic too, getting pampered while travelling. Bugger this camping nonsense, I'm a spa and hotel kind of gal!
Have I been missing out? What's the ultimate indulgence? Do tell.
*Note: You'll be pleased to know that I've finally booked in for a haircut at a salon I found near the vet clinic. Come back tomorrow, as I'll desperately need your advice: what should I have done?
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27 comments:
Okay. So I can't really afford all those indulgences. I guess I'm missing out on all the fun.
Massages are my absolute favorite indulgence. They aren't always cheap, but they feel SO GOOD. And if you're going to splurge, go for the full hour, not the half hour. It's a totally different experience.
oh man i get a pedicure once a month or every couple months, i freaking love them. as for the other stuff, eh. not too important. i've always wanted to get a facial though, i hear they're amazing.
No pedicure ever? Oh man, that's my indulgence. And my hair cuts/color. I found someone 40 miles from me, which is how good she is. I refuse to go somewhere else where someone might eff it up.
I'm a homebody too and have a hard time understanding where people find the energy to do everything they do.
I'm also very low-maintenence, but have found that manis and pedis are totally worth the money. And they are very cheap here in the states.
Can't tell you if you've been missing out as I've never had any of those either. (I did get fake nails once, does that count? It looked nice for about a week, then one nail broke off.)
As for my hair? The last cut I got was in August last year.
Just to warn you- in my opinion spa days are really long and boring (and expensive! lol). I love to get pedicures though! Other than pedicures and massages, you're not really missing out. ;)
It probably is a good idea to wait to pamper yourself while in the US. Our dollar is SO weak right now, you will be able to get a lot for your money!
If I had to pick one thing off that list, I'd get a pedicure. I think a massage is better, but in terms of bang for your buck, a pedi is the way to go.
I had a facial once and I hated it! But mani, pedi, massage... I only wish I could afford them more often!
I'd definitely get at least an hour long massage. And a mani/pedi is a special treat that I get once in a while.
Facials aren't for me, but I have to admit manicures are fun, and pedicures are wonderful!!! Especially if you're someone like me who doesn't like feet. Pedicures make them smooth and pretty and painted! And massages? Bliss. The feeling of relaxation that follows is amazing.
I don't do it often, but I LOVE getting manicures and pedicures. And massages, expensive as they are, are worth every single penny because you will feel FANTASTIC afterwards. But, like a few people have mentioned before me, I also had a facial once and did not enjoy it at all. It takes a while for your skin to calm down and look good again, and I'm all about the instant gratification of looking good right away, haha.
Definitely wait til the States though. Everything in the UK is so pricey, and in Canada at least there are lots of places you can get those treatments for cheap, so I'm assuming it's likely to be similar in the US. Enjoy your haircut, I'm sure you'll look fab!
which reminds me .... you got a letter from that hairdresser that 'killed' your hair asking why you hadn't come back .... ha ha
get a massage ... but then again - i know you - and can't imagine you wanting to take your clothes off for it !!! I've had three in the last three months - been treating myself - i LOVE them
pedicure - not so sure of .... they'd have to touch my FEET !!!
facial - i've had two in my life ... was nice .. but no rush to go back
Louise Jack and I are going to have a spa weekend ... i'll send you the link later - wow ... can't wait
I've never had any of those things but would LOVE them. I need to treat myself one day.
You must, I tell you must go out ASAP and get yourself a pedicure and manicure. They are self-indulgences. You deserve them. You work hard. And rarely will anyone give you something like that, which is why you have to treat yourself to them.
ooooh I love massages and facials and pedicures, but they're more treats for me, not maintenance appointments. If I could do massages every week (financially), I would, because a good massage can make me feel 10000% better! If you come up to where I live, I'll buy you a one hour massage at a nice spa. Cuz I'm that nice.
Oh, Aly, pedicures are like the BEST THING EVER. With the crap ass dollar you must indulge while you are here.
Manis are great too, and I've been known to enjoy a facial but they are a bit out of my budget. But pedicures....oh, heaven.
I always feel so pretty after a haircut - I say get one!
Pedicures are a nice treat, but I think I've had three in my entire life...all for weddings. Really, you can get just as relaxed soaking in a tub.
I would like to go for a massage someday, though.
Your American friend is right: mani/pedi places are abundant, especially on the West Coast where a lot of Vietnamese ppl have settled down. Cheap as chips!
I love pedicures, manicures, haircuts, facials, waxing and anything else that involves paying someone to do something.
I would try and make friends with a hairdresser and let them experiment, I do it all the time and you know what? It's hair. It grows back.
I've had all four of those done and for me, the manis and pedis are nice, but not particularly indulgent. I mean, they're pretty inexpensive and yeah, it's nice to have them done and all, but it's not really a splurge. Now a massage is definitely a splurge but for me they can be painful, depending on the person doing the massage. My body is constantly a mess of knots and when they get in there and start trying to rub them out... ouch! I've only had one facial and wowwwwww... it was amazing. They took me into this little room and had me undress (in private) and put on a terry wrap and lie on the bed/table. Then the girl came in and there was running water from a small fountain and soft soothing nature sounds of waves and such coming from a stereo. The lights were dim and it was cool in there but not too cold. She removed my makeup with special stuff, rubbed on different treatments, gently massaged my face, neck, and down to my upper chest, and also my head. Then more products were applied... it was heavenly. I definitely want another facial. So, I'd say: go for the massage or facial but go to a good spa, not one of those all white hospitaly type ones with no interior decorating.
When you go to New York you MUST MUST MUST walk into one of the several million Asian manicure/pedicure places in Manhattan and treat yourself. It's cheap and wonderfully fun! Just make sure you wear sandals that day :)
I've had my nails done once when I was in the states. That's all. New places scare me too, and it isn't worth the stress- they're supposed to be fun and relaxing, why bother if I'll have a day of anxiety before hand and have to pay for it.
Pedi, pedi, pedi! (Oi, Oi, Oi)
Started getting them when I was pregnant with Marley and now I am addicted. Even when I feel gross, unfashionable, uncoordinated and frumpy I can look down at me my feet and feel a sense of order and control amidst all the chaos :)
I haven't had a haircut since February or so. I am a fan of the pedicure, for sure. Just beware of massage chairs with butt massages. But don't shy from the massage chair, they're actually quite pleasant. I want a facial, but can't afford one. sigh. I hate doing new things too, my freshman year roommate and I steered clear of all kinds of wonderful things because we didn't know how they worked.
DEFINITELY get a massage/mani/pedi when you're in the US!!! There are a bunch of great places in NY - I'm actually do for a manicure and massage - I have gift cards!!
I get knotted when I have to go to new places, too. When you're in NYC, you should go to my hairdresser. He works out of his apartment, but I always just put my trust in his hands and he comes up with something great. Perhaps he is my favorite indulgence, since I have to travel 90 miles to see him.
I have the new places issue as well. And I'm a total homebody. I love that home is a nice, quiet place, and I totally wallow in it.
I'm pretty low maintenance too, but used to get massages when I had back problems. Well worth it. Although, now I go for acupuncture, and while it's not as enjoyable as a massage (but not at all painful) I think it fixes sore muscles, knots, etc. much better.
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