Mani

I took this past Friday off to spend the day with my Mom and my aunt who is up visiting from California. (Or "Cal-ee-forn-ee-uh" as Ahnold says.) We made manicure appointments at InSpa up in Mill Creek. My Mom had a gift card and wanted to use it, so that's what prompted the visit.

I had never been to InSpa before, but had heard from a co-worker that they don't allow tipping there! I thought that was a bit weird, but kind of nice not to have to worry about it (and hopefully their employees are compensated well enough to make up for the lack of tips). So our "classic manicures" were $23 each, and not a penny more. (There is a whole menu of the different varieties of services and treatments you can get.)

Prior to checking out InSpa, I had only ever had manicures at the Bellingham Beauty School and the little nail salon up the street from our building - Pola Belle. Both establishments are fine and I got satisfactory manicures, but neither provide a really spa-like atmosphere.

InSpa, on the other hand, is pretty nice. It's all white on the inside and feels more, well, more like a spa than a neighborhood nail shop. It's clean and bright and the space feels very new and fresh.

My nail tech was pleasant and did a good job of taking care of my unruly cuticles and was totally undaunted by the deep red color that I wanted applied on my stubby nails. My nails turned out great and I've been enjoying the "pop" of color that I see with every hand gesture I make.

My Mom got a paler pink color and was quite happy with her experience, too. It was her first professional manicure! Her nails always look awesome, though, but the sheer color she chose made her nails look beautiful and well-shaped. (I didn't get a picture, though. Oops!)

My aunt couldn't actually get a manicure because she has diabetes (or "diabeetess" as Wilford Brimley says), so she just provided moral support. (My nail tech explained that it is risky for a person with diabetes to get a manicure because it is possible for them to get infections from the slightest of cuts to the skin, and then it is harder for them to fight the possible infection because their immune system is not as strong as someone that does not have diabetes.)

It was a very relaxing way to spend the afternoon and my Mom said if we don't come down with nail fungus, she might be up for going back to get pedicures. (I'm pretty sure we'll be fine, but the evening news sometimes puts the fear of God in people.)