Laser hair removal seems like the perfect option to remove unwanted body hair. Why? Because it gets rid of it FOREVER! I mean, there are not many other things that when you want to get rid of them you just shave them and wait for them to return, no? I’m a big believer in the elimination once and for all school of thought. That’s why when laser hair removal became somewhat affordable I jumped.

I went to my lady doctor who performed the treatments on my bikini line. Now, I rave about the results but the process hurt like hell. I mean I rarely cry and I almost actually cried because of the pain. I could feel each hair dying. Awful. But when I was done I was happy as a clam. Eww. But you get what I mean. Psyched. Bikini stubble to me is the most repulsive thing a girl can have. It actually makes me stare in bewilderment at how a female can wear a teeny-bikini down to the pool without being, well, prepared. So to me, the elimination of this stubble was monumental.

While I loved the results of my doctor, she is sadly in Cleveland where I’m from so it makes it less feasible to get back for each treatment. I wanted to try someone in NYC but I’d been very wary about using anyone except a doctor.

I was psyched when Completely Bare offered to comp the 6 treatment cycle for me to try out for my readers. If you’re anything like me it’s difficult to cough up a large sum of money to torture yourself for hair removal without at least being assured that you’ll get the results you want, plus make sure you’re in a safe environment.

So I’m here to document my experience at Completely Bare High Tech Spa.

Day 1: I dragged one of my BFFs with me for moral support. We walk in and it’s a very serene and calming environment. I’m called back and meet my esthetician, Heather. She’s super. I was a little nervous about not going to a doctor but she was uber professional and had been with the CB for 6 years (my nerves settled a bit) so I knew she’d know what was up. She asked me several questions about my skin and then got down to business. I was bracing for the pain that I remembered from my Doctor’s office, feeling each hair follicle sizzle to its death. My heart raced as she cleaned the area (underarms). About 30 seconds later and about 7 small zaps later I was confused. Yes it didn’t feel great but on a scale of 1-5 for pain I’d say it was a 2. The machine she used has a newer technology and all I could think about was damn it, damn it! why did I not use them for my bikini line! The pain is far far far less than even getting waxed. I am full of glee at this very moment to be honest.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, well maybe “No Pain No Gain!” So that’s what I’m here for, I’m going to make an entry after each treatment I have to let you know about the reduction in hair. My next appointment is in 4 weeks so I’ll see you all then!

If you have any questions about Completely Bare High Tech Spa that I haven’t answered you can visit their website.  They also do a complimentary consultation. The girls are super nice and will get you all set up.

My Opinion: If you’re waxing and spending upwards of $50/wax you should really make the investment and go Completely Bare forever.

To be continued in 4 weeks!

Photo Courtesy of People Stylewatch.com

Pauly D gives Michael Cera a Transformation of a lifetime!

I’m obsessed!

Disney World isn’t only for the rich! I’m telling you there are ways to do it on any budget.

So I just recently visited Disney World with my family for my Daddy’s 60th birthay. We’ve been big Disney peeps since I was little, visiting almost once every year since I was a babe. We thought what better way to commemorate my Dad’s 60th birthday than by celebrating like we’re all kids again! So being somewhat of an expert I thought I’d share a few tips I’ve learned over the years to make your time spent in Orlando perfect!

Hotels

First thing you should know is that Disney World is full of a vast array of options for any budget. They have budget resorts like Pop Century, then middle of the road resorts like Coronado Springs and Port Orleans as well as Luxury hotels like the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian. There are so many hotels that even during busy seasons it’s possible to get a deal. Now, I’ve stayed everywhere from Pop Century to the Grand Floridian. This trip we had made reservations at the Polynesian because I had always wanted to stay there but rooms were going for $450 a night. Now, double that for 2 rooms and you’re blowing a lot of money to have a room you won’t be spending much time in. We called around and found rooms at Pop for about $150 per night, a pretty good deal but this is a lower end hotel. It’s actually set up more like a motel. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s still very clean and has a great food court and the Disney transportation but it’s not exactly 60th Birthday material.  My sis decided to call the Dolphin & Swan Resorts, which are on Disney property but are actually owned by Starwood. Just goes to show you–call around! We got rooms for less than Pop at this luxury hotel. The pools at this hotel are super nice and if you’re a little older you get a tiny bit of a break from Disney’s momentum at the end of the day. They even have an Il Mulino at the Swan (Dol/Swan are right next door to each other and a quick 2 minute walk. My Point: I would 100% stay at some sort of Disney affiliated hotel. Especially the Dolphin or Swan, which are absolutely gorgeous. The grounds are kept up perfectly and the food is always on par with NYC restaurants. We plan on checking out many more Starwood hotels in the near future.  It’s just such a worry free experience. Not to mention the theming is part of the enchantment of Disney World. With 24 hotels you’re sure to find one with amenities that are perfect for your familiy. Don’t settle with the first rate you get. Call around. Ask about Specials. We ended up getting nearly $100 off a night because of a teacher’s promotion they had going on. Ask about AAA or Corporate rates for where you work. It could save you a bundle. Perk: Amazing ice cream bar, beautiful pool with awesome restaurant, clean rooms and ferry that goes directly to Downtown Disney, Epcot and Hollywod Studios.

Transportation

One major perk of staying at a Disney Hotel is Disney Transportation. There are buses that take you directly from the hotel to the parks and other area atractions for free. This way you don’t have to deal with parking. THough it’s kind of a drag when you miss a bus they’re not AS fast as the subway in NYC

The hotels also have a service called the Magical Express, which pick you up at the airport and take you back for free. They show a super cheesy video of Disney stuff that’s kin of fun.Bummer: Dolphin and Swan do not have this service-you can take Mears shuttle though, which cost about $40 rountrip.

Park Tickets

I know I’m a little old to be loving Disney World but I can’t help it. Tickets ain’t cheap though nowadays. So you have to pick out what you want to see and strategize. Here’s what we usually do: We think you can see the parks in 2 days. Though admitedly we don’t do Animal Kingdom. Just not our cup of tea. Other people love it though. I suggest you do one day Park Hopper and do EPCOT and Hollywood Studios in 1 day. It works even better if you go on a day where there are extra magical hours and they’re open late. I suggest doing EPCOT in the AM, doing the World showcase and then transferring via Ferry to Hollywood Studios on a night they’re open late.

Bummer: You will miss some daytime attractions and shows at Hollywood Studios and also drinking around the world at night in EPCOT–a fave past time of my sister and mine. Each country has its own fun alcoholic beverage-making it super fun for adults!

Inside Knowledge: Hit up FAST PASS (Get a ticket to come back at a certain time and skip the line) as soon as you get to the park for a very popular ride, otherwise it sells out early and you’ll be stuck waiting on line for 3 hours for rides like Soarin’, Aerosmith’s Rocking Roller Coaster, and the like.

Things not to miss:  Philharmagic, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Small World, Tower of Terror, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean.

Things I could do Without: The Country Bears, Hall of Presidents–what a BORE

If you’re not into parades so much go to busy rides during them because everyone will be on the streets watching so lines will be shorter.

Magic? You save nearly $100 by smushing these 2 parks in one day. Then we usually do Magic Kingdom on its own day. If you find though that you didn’t get enough of one of the other parks you could do a park hopper again for your second day. I definitely think you’ll have had plenty of the parks if you are an adult and probably even if you have children.

Tips:

Each family is different, we all like different characters and rides. Check out what you want to do before you go to the park so you don’t spend hours trying to figure out where to go.

Read a guidebook.

Visit the official Walt Disney World Resort Web site (www.disneyworld.com) and obtain a free vacation planning DVD; at the site, also check out the online planning tools which offer suggestions about experiences which may be of interest to first-time guests or to those combining a celebration with a Disney vacation.

Consult with the Disney World Moms Panel (www.disneyworldmoms.com) comprised of Disney-savvy parents who share knowledge in an online forum.

Food Glorious Food:

Healthy food in Disney is not easy to come by. I would bring granola bars and other snacks for the rooms so they don’t gauge your eyes out in their snack shops. My sis and I bought a bag of popcorn that I buy at home for over double the price. I mean I know it’s to be expected but it’s still painful to this cheap jap! There are some restaurants that are worth splurging–California Grill, O’Hana, Il Mulino (Swan Resort), Spirt of Aloha (Polynesian Resort).

For adults trying to save money you can even get kids meals at some of the quick pickup restaurants–often times the portion sizes aren’t much smaller than the adult portions. And if they are it’s like a built in diet!

Extra Plus: If your fam is big on soda, the Disney Resorts offer bottomless mugs available for purchase that can be used round the “World” so long as you bring your mug. Afforable and GREEN.

Free Fun

First of all always check Disney’s website’s Special Offers page like last year if it was your Birthday you went for free!

Downtown Disney is free

Ride the Monorail

Hang out by the Resort pool

Kids under age 3 are provided free admission to all Walt Disney World theme parks!

These websites are also insanely detailed and helpful: wdwinfo.com, mousesavers.com, allears.net, themeparkinsider.com, and wdwplanner.com.

I have two options in the arena of awesome Eyebrows! Now, you’ve gotta believe me I used to have some messed up ones myself and had been through some horror stories. Once I plucked about an inch too far in (sorry 7th grade me) once I had a terrible Russian woman make them paper thin (sorry Soph in college me) and I truly believe brows make your face! I finally found the best brow place inthe world–the Lancome Counter at Bloomies (or in Chicago at Marshall Field’s). The first time I went I thought I was going to cry–the lady told me my brows made my face look deformed and that they were apostrophes. I said, okay fix me up! I’ve never strayed since! I go to Janet who is f-ing amazing in NYC but she doesnt really take on new peeps anymore. Gabrielle and Lilly are the other girls and both do amazing work!

However, being the cheap bitch that I am, I don’t go as often as I should. I usually tweeze to keep up hte shape and just follow the great shape Lancome gave me. Then a PR girl I work with insisted I try Christi Harris’ Precision Brow Planning System. I told her not to bother sending me the sample. She insisted and said just to try it no pressure. It sat around in the samples box for a few weeks and then one day for whatever reason I opened it. Now this multi-step kit walks you through planning your entire arch and everything. To be honest I didn’t use that part I just took out the crazy little tool it came with–I don’t know what this little knife like thing is exactly but it is somewhere between a tweezer and threading–you just put it flat on your skin and drag it along and the hairs disappear. The kit even provides everything for blending and adding brow where you need it. I gotta say, I liked this tool, plus it even worked on my bikini line! It just is an easy way to get precision and clean lines without gaps. It’s $59.99 and can be purchased at Christiharrisbrows.com

*I received the ChristiHarris Brows Planning system for review but did not receive anything for consideration from Lancome.

I’ve been all about going green so naturally I wanted to “greenify” my dry cleaning too. But I thought, self, are there any regulations to “organic dry cleaning?” As I suspected I have found no solid evidence that leads me to believe that Organic dry cleaning will be better for me, at leat not to the point that I’ll pay double what normal dry cleaning costs, which already eats a hole in my wallet.

Recently I stumbled upon a great blog called BigGreenPurse.com and it had a great article about “Organic” Dry cleaning.

Basically I think I’m going to just buy clothes I can wash myself and for those items I need to dry clean, just make sure I air them out for a few days before wearing them. Yep, Mmm hmm, that’s the plan! At least until I find a worthy organic cleaner.

WWD has announced that Lord and Taylor will be opening up its own outlet!

Outlets and budget friendly options are the new white bread. I can’t believe Lord and Taylor hadn’t jumped on the bandwagon sooner! It’ll be in good company with Off Fifth (Saks’ outlet) and Nordstrom Rack. The first location is set to pop up in Jersey Gardens outlets.

Holler!

What better way to start off 2010 posting with the trailer for Sex and the City 2’s trailer?

Get Carried Away Y’all!