Von Kekel in North Hills is one of the Aveda salon and spas in Raleigh. When you walk in you see all the Aveda products they sell which are also found in some of their Aveda stores. The name Aveda is short for ayurveda which means life +science. And Von Kekel is named after the salon and spa owner.

I was getting my haircut there for the first time. My hair stylist was Katey. There are two of them named Katie there that share the same station on different days but my hair stylist had short to medium brown hair. Her name is spelled with a “y”.

Whisked away from the office stress, is a Raleigh spa haven called Synegy Spa. Inside the store, I found it was very quiet and peaceful.The reason for my visit this time, was because I was wondering what was wrong with my toenails that looked liked they’d been injured. I talked to the Owner, Anna on the phone and she suspected that my running shoes were too small and tight for my feet, which was putting pressure on my big toes when I was running. She suggested I come in and have her nail expert, Miranda, take a look.

Is Raleigh a great area or what? Congratulations to our Tarheels who brought home another victory! I’m also a Duke follower…I’d say I was a fan but I’m not a big sports person so that would be too strong a description. … although I know a lot of women who are (surprised?) and of course almost every man on the planet.

Maybe I like Duke because I went to school with Grant Hill so it was hard not to root for him around the town we grew up in. We were even in the same Physics class project group but he probably wouldn’t remember because that was eons ago and he was away a lot playing basketball even during highschool. I guess he was getting a jumpstart on his career. Little did we know then what he’d become in the pro-basketball arena…

Raleigh wine lovers can buy great wines from around the world and belong to a wine club at Wine Styles. It’s a franchised wine store and there’s one right in Brier Creek and Apex. They have events going on all the time and I happen to be volunteering at the Best Friend Pet Adoption Fundraiser event yesterday. Even though it was raining cats and dogs outside (ha…just a little pet humor), the place was packed with lively conversation… and what else? …wine tasting. People were really having a good time (and with their wine!).

Have a Raleigh date coming up where you really want to impress? Then Primp might be the place for you, women AND men!Imagine yourself in an urban like setting where you’re pampered and can get yourself beautiful for say a V.I.D. (Very Important Date) that night… but wait it doesn’t end there! …You’re also served an indulging martini (and possibly being fanned and fed grapes). Sounds like something in chic Miami, right?

Finding the RIGHT hair colorist in Raleigh is no easy task! I tried several hair colorists that just didn’t cut it. Let’s see the first one almost killed my hair by overprocessing, and bleaching. Bleaching as many know in the hair world, is a big no-no, but I think she was really old-school. There are so many other gentler hair processes these days. I think Redken is one of the big modern hair color manufacturers.

Need a Raleigh hair cut, color, massage, manicure, or pedicure?

Or still need an idea for a Valentine’s gift?? You still have 2 days… but why not get a $50 gift certificate for half price at a local salon such as Von Kekel Salon and Spa – North Hills and Cary location? For $25 plus $3.75 shipping and handling, you get $50 in salon services.

Where do you go to get the gift certificates you ask? At 939Kiss FM.com. On this Triangle radio’s website, you’ll see “Triangle Listener Rewards (Check out our half price deals!)”. There’s only a limited supply so if you’re interested, GO now!

Growing up, I’d only been to one optometrist in Sterling, Virginia. It was a ‘mom and pop’ shop where they kept track of your contact address information and prescription information on handwritten index cards. Even back then, that type of filing system was out of date. What if there was a fire? …anyway, maybe they’re still around and have a better system.

When I came to Raleigh, I was anxious about finding an eye doctor. No real reason – I just had always gone to the same one. I was nearsighted. That’s putting it mild. I think I was really blind. I guarantee you my glasses would’ve given you a BIG headache.

After my Bobbi Brown makeover in the new Raleigh store!

Are you familiar with Bobbi Brown cosmetics? WARNING: this is really meant for women eyes only as it’ll probably put you men to sleep. Like the Oprah show.

Okay, if you’re still with me. Here’s how I discovered Bobbi Brown makeup. I’ve been wearing eye make up since my early teens. Not uncommon. But I’ve never really had a brand that I’ve stuck with. I bought most my makeup from CVS and Target (when the chain first hit the scene).  Brands like Maybelline, Cover Girl and Almay were my picks…

I came back from getting my hair cut at Peles Salon off Creedmoor across from Outback Steakhouse. And in my office, my husband just came by and razzed me about writing with cheddar cheese in my teeth left over from my lunch I just woofed down. What can I say? Us bloggers are too bu-ssssy to notice every moment of the day what we look like.

So where was I? Oh yeah, Pe-les Salon. I was referred to Peles from the Aveda store. They are a Raleigh Aveda salon. I was told to go see Kaitlin. And that’s who I saw. She’s young, from Buffalo New York, got long dark straight hair, and is super tan…in the winter. Year round from her Northern Italian roots, she mentioned. She’s very bubbly and easy to talk with. We seem to hit it off as this was my first time there. It’s important to be able to easily converse with your hair stylist, so that #1, she doesn’t chop off all your hair. And #2, it makes for a better 30 minutes away from work.