Nails, Nails, Nails . . .

I have spent many hours in different nail shops around Long Beach, something I never really did in El Paso.  Why?  Don’t know.  It’s just a thing to do here in California.

Anyway, I am a little picky about my manicures.  I guess you can say I’m a little obsessive.  I know, I know.  This is surprising, especially if you know me.  Me?  Obsessive?  No way!  But back to the nails, I really prefer to pay for a manicure/pedicure only if it’s done right.  I like when my nails are nicely buffed.  I like when my cuticles are really taken care of.  I like when my nails are clipped and filed.  By the way, I don’t have false nails, I don’t wear polish except for an occasional French tip from time to time, and I almost always go natural.  So anyway, if I’m going to actually go out and have someone else do what I should be doing myself (shame on me), then I’d like for it to be done right. 

I am reviewing 3 different nails shops in this article:  Eiffel Nails, Belmont Nails, and Passion Nails. 

Eiffel Nails, located on 2^nd street, is a very interesting place.  The owner is there from open to close and has admitted to me that she will stay open very late if someone comes in.  I was in there one time after 8:30 when two women came in and asked, “you’re open?  What time do you close?”  She responded with a happy, “choose a color, come in, I’m open.”  Now that’s unusual.  Anyway, I like this place mostly because of the price.  She usually charges $15.00 for a basic manicure/pedicure, although I have paid $18.00 several times.  I’m not sure why the prices change from day to day but it’s usually under 20 bucks which is totally cool.  She does a nice job if she’s not rushed and if she has help.  If she is alone, she works too fast and doesn’t get all of my cuticles done right.  If Nancy is working, ask for her.  She is awesome.  She spends all the time needed to get the cuticles soaked enough and gets the nails buffed down to a silky, smooth surface.  The only thing I find myself wishing for when I go there is that the massage chairs were connected to the water lines.  The chairs are comfy, but the water is brought out in a water bin that sits in the foot tub.  Not a big deal but you don’t get the luxury of the foot jacuzzi as you would at other shops.  For the price, this mani/pedi is a good one.

Belmont Nails, located on 2^nd street, is a really cool place.  There are always more than enough women there ready to work on your nails.  The place is very clean and very updated.  The work they do on your hands and feet is incredible, but you pay for it.  The price there is always more than you would like to pay.  Again, I don’t always get the same charge for the mani/pedi and if I decide on an extra massage, I pay a different price as well.  Ok, I normally never pay extra for a massage, but at Belmont Nails, I will.  Wow!  The leg massage is pretty incredible! Fifteen minutes extra?  Yesssss.  Ok, so as you can guess, their mani/pedi is a pretty good one.  They all do a very nice job.  I always need to make sure I put aside a little more cash for this visit, which ranges from $35 to $50.  Yikes!

Passion Nails, located on Spring, is pretty awesome!  I really like this place.  When you become a regular, they treat you especially nice.  But, if you’re brand new to this place, watch out!  Two sisters own this great shop and the older sister who is in charge is serious business!  Before you walk in, you need to remember to have thick skin with these women.  “Manicure or pedicure!  Sit down!  Pick a color, now!  Go!”  Just do as they say and all will go well.  Go wherever they point.  Sit where they direct you to.  Just do it.  Once you’re in, they set up the foot massage Jacuzzi with the hottest water ever which feels painfully exciting.  They take the time to get your nails done right!  Their prices are fairly reasonable, ranging from $25 to $50, but the coolest thing is if you bring your card in they will punch it for you.  After a fully punched card you get a discount on your next service. And they will also sell you a tiny loofah for 2 bucks that you can bring in every time. This is also a very clean and tidy place which makes me happy!

Best Liquor Stores In Long Beach

You probably wouldn't think that there is a difference between this and that liquor store.  Well I am here to tell you that you are dead wrong.

It used to be that Morry's of Naples was the coolest place to find a good bottle of beer or wine, but sadly, the yuppies have taken over and now, its just an overrated, overpriced, Trader Joe's, with expensive interior.  Sad, but that's what happens...

There are more than several places in Long Beach that have exceptional prices and a fantastic selection.  The first place I visited, Marc's Liquor on Bellflower, just North of Carson St.  This is one of my favorite places.

They have a killer  beer selection, fantastic deals on beer, wine, and alcohol.

If you need crazy keg deals then come here.

This place has been around since 1985, and there is a reason why.

Cheers,

jwg.

Are You Searching For Something Amazing?

Welcome to Long Beach, California, and welcome to TED. Our modest little city is the North American representative for this annual conference that showcases some of the most brilliant thinkers and performers in the world. If you want to arouse your soul, refresh your faith, and ignite your mind, you must experience TED. Starting out in 1984 as a small non-profit, TED, which stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design, has grown globally with a simple message: Ideas Worth Spreading. Its mission is to share knowledge to stimulate positive change and growth throughout humankind and the world. Some of the speakers include: David Blaine, Bill Clinton, JK Rowling, Richard Dawkins, Peter Gabriel, Tony Robbins, Bill Gates, Elizabeth Gilbert, Billy Graham, Richard Branson, Stephen Hawking, Isaac Mizrahi, Michelle Obama, Amy Tan, John Wooden and Bono. Because each speaker has only a total of eighteen minutes to present the best talk of his or her life, each presentation is clear and concise, without the normal ramble of longwinded diatribes that make you want to snooze in your wooden auditorium seat. This is a forum for collaboration, to learn and then to go out and apply, thus improving our community and making a difference in each other’s lives.



One excellent example of the type of lectures presented at TED is given by Aimee Mullins. An amputee from birth, Aimee is a physical manifestation of strength through adversity. Her speech not only inspires us to believe in ourselves and to strive for our highest aspirations, but to mobilize those around us to do the same. Enjoy.

Aimee Mullins Video

km covington

Best Burger Places in Long Beach

Hello fellow TOOPers! Today I would like to discuss the best burger places in Long Beach. First I would like to apologize to all of you vegetable eaters out there but there is nothing like a fat juicy cheese burger, a side of fries, and a large coke on a beautiful sunny California day. Don’t get me wrong, I have had tofu burgers, veggie burgers and the like but in the great words of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terell: “There’s nothing like the real thing, Baby!”

I compiled this list from places that I have visited already and from asking some of my friends and family who live in Long Beach. I want to give special thanks to Casey, Amy, Chad, Lyndsea, and Jess for their input. I also had some pre-requisites for the burger places: they had to be local to Long Beach and they couldn’t be found anywhere else but Long Beach. I’m sorry that In‘N’Out and Tommy’s did not make the list even though I believe they have great burgers. I also haven’t visited all the places because I wanted to leave it open to comments and I wanted to visit all of them throughout the year and write about them. So please feel free to comment and add other places that you think should be on the list. I will not be putting these burger joints in any particular order because one of the things I found is that each one I have been to has had different strengths and it all depends on the consumer’s particular taste. So I believe this list will satisfy all the burger connoisseurs out there.

Here is a list of the places I have been to:

• Belmont Burger

• Belmont Brewing Company

• John’s

• MVP’s

Belmont Burger – This is a regular burger joint located on the corner of Ximeno and 4th St. I have visited it a couple of times and got the bacon cheese burger combo and the chili burger. The bacon cheese burger was amazing—everything I would expect a burger to be—MESSY. I have a rating system which is the messier the burger, the better, and this one gets high marks. As for the chili burger, it was ok. I usually rate a chili burger by the amount of fries it takes to mop up the chili and I give it a 5 fry rating which is not that good. As for the décor—this is not the place to bring a first date, but if you want to do laundry and have a great burger at the same time, there is a Laundromat conveniently located across the street.

Belmont Brewing Company – This one is walking distance from my home. It is a nice restaurant/bar located right on the beach at the beginning of Belmont Pier. I have not had the burger here but have been here several times for beer and sports. I am writing about it because I have gotten high praise for one particular burger here which is the “Grand Prix”. Next time I go I am going to try it but I highly recommend this place not only for the burger but just to have a good time.

John’s Burger – I have been here a couple of times for breakfast; they have awesome breakfast burritos. Most recently I have tried one of their burgers, the sourdough bacon cheese burger. If you like the sourdough burger from Jack ‘N’ Box then you are going to love this one, it is 10x’s better. I got the combo and I must say it is really incredible. Thick slices of spongy sourdough bread, toasted on the grill along with a ¼ lb. of succulent beef, fat carvings of bacon, melted swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and thousand island dressing. It was messy and dripping all over my face. I asked Alicia at John’s what the most popular burger was and it was the Old World which is a 10oz burger. I guess I have to try that one next time I am there.

MVP’s – Last but not least this has to be one of my favorite burger places. Whenever I asked someone where to get a good burger, MVP’s is always the top of the list. It is a cool little place in front of a house with outside seating. My personal favorite is the George Foreman III. It is a bacon cheeseburger with all the fixings and if you top it off with some Cajun fries you have a complete burger feast. I guess I am a bacon cheeseburger connoisseur, because this burger is extraordinary. A giant slab of beef topped off with a heap of crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce and dressing. The combination of flavors is intense and cannot be justified in words. Just go and try it, right now. It is a must if you are in Long Beach.

Here is the list of places I have heard about:

• Bouchee’s Bistro

• Chuck’s

• Curley’s

• Fantastic Burger

• Fantastic Café

• 49’r Tavern

• Ma ‘N’ Pa Grocery

These are the places that I plan to visit this year. From what I have heard all these places have great burgers and I am looking forward to checking them all out and writing about them. I hope this list helps you out the next time you have a craving for a burger I am looking forward to comments on other locations. I have placed links on all the places I have listed for your convenience if you want to go check these places out yourself. Have FUN and ENJOY your next burger!

DJ TimTim

What The Hell is Toopit?

You hear about it...on Facebook.   You wonder what it is.  You wish you were a part of it.

When will it happen?  What are those people smiling about?  What's up with the guy with the big lips?

Just wait.  When it is launched you will wonder why how you ever lived without it.

Cheers, until next week.

Toopit Introduction

Check out our AttiTOOP!!

All this started with a bunch of friends getting together, drinking beer, having wine, laughing and talking. One day as I was sitting with my newborn I thought, “how do I find the freedom to live life without being tied down to the 9-5?” I thought it would be a great idea to call an official first “Team Meeting” with my friends. I invited them over for some drinks and laughs (which we are all very good at by the way) and gently pitched the idea of all of us working together to find a “better way of life.” I knew that we were all too smart to not be able to figure this thing out. There could be no way we would fail. We all have so much to contribute. We love hanging out and making life fun. We could make loads of money. Now, all we had to do was figure out what it would be that we would do together and be successful at it. Ha!

It only took a few minutes until I saw the look on their faces, the type of gaze that forces their eyes to the ceiling as they all in their own minds begin the search. Hmmm, what could we do. So many ideas so many comments. What about this! Nah, we don’t want to have to worry about the overhead, is one comment I heard. What about this! Well, maybe. What about this! There it was: the idea that we, as a Team of Toopers, would come together each Sunday to blog about our lives, our findings, our struggles and our friendship. We each have so many experiences and each of us have so much to say about them. We are here to tell it all.

All of the information that we are pulling together to share is from people who are just like you, your neighbors, your friends. We actually live here in Long Beach and know it just like you do. Yes, that was me sitting next to you at the red light on PCH. We know it all, from the Christmas Parade on 2nd street to the Fourth of July extravaganza on the peninsula. And if we don’t, ask us, and we’ll find out!

Everybody wants to start a website, or a blog. We do too, except that we are taking it one step further. We want to make a difference in the community. Information is power. We are always looking for great advice and now we want to share it. How would you like to know which cell phone to purchase? What about which restaurants serve the best mole? Which way is fastest to the 405? Where do I park? And now, if you TOOPIT, you will find the answers!