I love Nail Art–it is just that simple. Since it has been about a year since my first visit there, I feel it fitting to write a raving review. I am quite obsessive about my nails and until Nail Art, had been painting them a home myself, which I have to say I was getting pretty good at. However, Nail Art has completely changed everything. Let me tell you how much I love them.

As I said, I have been going consistently every week for a year now. Occasionally I will get a “mani pedi”, but typically it is just a “mani,” as they like to call it. It is very inexpensive, so that means it is easy to go often. I think it’s $14 for a manicure–pretty sure. They have a Monday and Tuesday special where you can get a “mani pedi” for $35. What a deal! Also, you don’t need an appointment. What?!?!?! Just walk in whenever you want to and they will fit you in, no problem. CJ, the owner, is so accommodating and the rest of the staff is so nice and friendly. At first I thought to try and stick with the same person, as I am accustomed to do with other places, but they are all so good it really doesn’t matter. The manicures really last all week, so chips are not a problem. Shout out to Sara, Tina, Erica, Hannah, Sunny, Uma, and Judy! Since I am cool and I am a regular, everyone knows me.

They recently expanded and remodeled the place and the décor is very tranquil. Perfect for relaxing on my lunch hour. I especially love the massaging chairs they have at the pedicure stations. There are some small private rooms in the back where they do chair massages (AWESOME!) and facials, which I will be trying soon. They feature Essie and OPI nail polishes and even paint cute flowers on the fingers and toes of the little girls that come in. How cute! The manicures include a great arm/hand and shoulder massage out of the deal and they even rub you with a hot towel too. Nail Art has a frequent manicure card, which may be the best part of this place. If you get 9 stamps on your card, your tenth mani if FREE! Honestly, this place is just the best. If you haven’t already gone you absolutely have to go. You will not be disappointed!

Nail Art
917 Ridge Road
Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 251-0351

First off, let me say that shopping for clothes is not my favorite thing to do. I used to love it, but then again I had 0% body fat and was spending my parents money and not my own! But that was a long time ago and clothes seem to get more and more expensive, especially the cute ones!

About a year or so ago, I found this adorable shop in Hubbard Woods that I get almost everything from now. Well, actually that is a lie. My mom found the shop and had been telling me to go for about 6 months and I finally listened to her. It is a tiny place, just about a “hallway” of a store. They’ve been there over 10 years and they have a great local following. It is the place to go for clothes and cute baby stuff.

And what is the name of this perfect paradise for shopping do you ask? Well, it’s Randoons Wearables and Whatnots, of course!

Everything is priced very reasonable. I’m talking shirts from $25 to $60 or so. The pieces are definitely on the casual side, but I have found a few shirts I can wear to work too. They have adorable dresses, jewelry, purses and they carry some cute shoes now as well. They also have a good selection of baby clothes and gifts—and with all of my cousins having babies right now I can shop for me and shop for them at the same time.

Another thing I love about this store is the sales people! I know what you are thinking about sales people and especially sales people in small shops– they can be a little pushy most of the time. Not at Randoons though! The owner is as sweet as pie and makes you feel right at home. The other woman that works there is just as sweet too. She has helped me pick clothes that will work well with my body type and also pull pieces together to help complete an outfit, which I love because it always seems like I buy a bunch of stuff that doesn’t go together!

They have a variety of designers featured, although none that I have heard of before. I’m not a “big name” shopper. (If I want that, then I would go to a boring department store.) The clothes are unique and I always get compliments on what I wear.

Randoons will run cute sales depending on the season or holiday. I’ve been able to pick an egg out of an Easter basket to discover what percentage discount I get off my purchase, I get a coupon in the mail on my birthday, they host spring break sales when everyone else is out of town, and have a birthday party every year for their anniversary (which is where I discovered cupcake bombs! But that is for another blog post.)

Oh yeah—they are also dog friendly! They sometimes have a small selection of dog clothes and the owner has 2 dogs that are there on occasion as well.

Randoons in my opinion, is just the best. If you haven’t gone yet, you definitely need to bring some girlfriends and check it out! And with the prices, you can walk out with a lot of clothes for little money!

From Hefner’s Bedroom:

I give Randoons 5 out of 5 paws because anything that keeps my mom this happy deserves 5 out of 5.

Dave and I took Hefner to the Winnetka Sidewalk Sale a few weekends ago. We stopped by Noah’s Ark Pet Supply on Elm Street and Hefner got himself a new toy – big surprise! It was (I emphasize ‘was‘ as it is now destroyed) a brown tennis ball with what looks like a squirrel tail attached to it that squeaks. Hefner LOVES tennis balls and anything with a squeaker, so this toy is pretty much as good as it gets.

Noah’s Ark Pet Supply

Noah’s Ark has a more unique, but pricier (what do you expect in Winnetka?) selection of dog and cat toys that you can’t really find at the big name stores. It was nice to not have to choose from the same five things he usually gets, and subsequently destroys, at PetSmart (so maybe change your inventory once in a while PetSmart… hint hint). Although last week when I was in PetSmart they had a new line of Martha Stewart pet products displayed. I don’t think you are supposed to play with those toys though, knowing Martha. Your dog should just admire their graceful styling and color palette, not slobber them up. But I digress, in addition to toys Noah’s Ark has a great selection of leashes, shampoos, higher end pet food, carriers and even a cute little “bone bar” with a variety of dried animal bones on display. Hefner liked checking out the “bone bar” although he did not purchase one – there is no way one of those things is going on my new couch, gross! They even have gift items for us dog lovers. I saw some very cute yorkie note cards I may have to go back and buy. Noah’s has a good sampling of pet clothes and jackets as well. I’ve purchased two winter jackets for Hef there that are the warmest ones I’ve found as well as some lighter weight fleece jackets for the fall. They seem to be of high quality and last a long time. Oh, if you go make sure to get their discount card, if you get 5 stamps they will take 10% off your 6th purchase.

From Hefner’s Bedroom:

I give Noah’s Ark Pet Supply 4 out of 5 paws. They have some unique toys and super cool clothes that keep my looking smooth for the ladies. Too bad I couldn’t get this toy, but I’m not sure I could even get my mouth around it. I can only walk around for so long in this 98 degree humid Chicago weather without something to eat. I had to take a break under a shoe table for a few minutes.

Little Ricky’s Rib Joint

My new super chic Lisa Centner Originals handbag in tow (from the sidewalk sale of course) we headed to Little Ricky’s for a bite. We sat outside at a nice table in the shade along with several other “ladies who lunch” and ordered up some bbq pulled port nachos. OMG they were incredible! Gooey cheese, beans, bbq pork and plenty of jalapenos for spice – absolutely perfect along with Dave’s beer and my Winnetka tea (like a long island ice tea). We’ll definitely be back for those nachos. They were very friendly towards Hef, who pretty much sat at our feet the whole time begging for scraps. He even met a new potential girlfriend, Fiona, who was sitting at the table across from us. She was very cute but a bit aloof towards Hef’s advances. Maybe she’s not looking for a relationship, oh well.

From Hefner’s Bedroom:

Little Ricky’s gets 5 out of 5 paws for a great patio dining experience. I would go back again and again for the nachos. Actually, I would go back anywhere that I get meat, but this was especially good.