The Unveiling of a Natural Nail Care Suite

Danielle~Hand 'n' Sole Goddess — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:03:38 +0000

I went into Butterfly Effect Day Spa in Sierra Madre hoping to find a referral to send my Natural Nail Care guests to after I closed my shop, and instead I found my first Hand ‘n’ Sole inSPArational Consulting client.

The owner, Rita, a licensed esthetician, was very passionate about her new business and open for suggestions. I pointed out that her manicuring department, which was a table in the corner of the waiting room, was not inviting nor went along with the sweet and cozy massage and facial rooms that she already developed. She also mentioned how it was so hard to find a *Good* manicurist. Well, I gave it to her straight. I said that an experienced, professional, nail tech would not work in an after-thought kind of setting, with poor lighting and equipment, awkward spacing, and why wouldn’t she want to offer to her clientele the same level of Nail Care that was as luxurious as the rest of her offerings? As I expected and have experienced, Rita, like most salon owners, just don’t know HOW to develop and offer Quality, Safe, Luxurious, Holistic, Natural Nail Care services…So she hired me.

Rita was sitting on “prime real estate” and didn’t yet know it. She had one small room that was closed off, being used as storage, and intending to turn it into an office. Upon looking into the unused cluttered room, my eyes glistened and my heart began thumping and I excitedly told her, “This should be your Manicuring Room!” I could see her hesitance, her dream of having an office dissipating, and her worry about devoting a whole room to “nails”? I asked her to trust me and she did.

We cleared the room, got new pedicure equipment (my old pedicure unit) and got busy decorating, developing services, protocols, and marketing. Her main worry was finding a *good* manicurist as hers was very part-time and not quite at the level of professionalism that Rita desired and needed. The week of a pre-booked group Spa party, with participants signed up to receive mini manicures and pedicures, Rita’s one part-time nail tech backed out. Rita frantically called me. I asked her to describe to me again the kind of Manicurist she wanted and then to Visualize finding that person and to remember that we were getting the room ready for this Manicurist. Again, Rita trusted me. The day before her scheduled event, she was contacted by a friend who instructs at a beauty school asking “Do you need a manicurist?” Angela, a licensed nail tech of 19 years who worked in salons in both Texas & Oregon, was new to LA and in school for Skin Care and was looking for a Quality place to offer her nail care services part-time while in beauty school. She is exactly who Rita described and it has been my pleasure sharing with Angela the concepts of holistic Hand ‘n’ Sole services.

Come to the unveiling of the Natural Nail Care department at:

Butterfly Effect Day Spa

Saturday, May 7^th, Noon-3pm

370 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.

Sierra Madre, CA 91024

626.355-5507

Come by to meet Angela and she will shake your hand with a Complementary Relaxing Hand Massage & Soothing Paraffin Dip. I will be there holding some Hands Too!

Refreshments will be served and the Spa will have some wonderful Gift packages available for those last minute Mothers Day Gifts. Treat someone you Love or Yourself to a Captivating Effect.

“I was one of those people that didn’t think they needed coaching on business, but I just opened a Day Spa and I didn’t know anything about nails and did not have the time to put into it. So I thought, “what the heck?” Let me give Danielle a shot. And I’m really glad I did. I learned a lot from Danielle, much more than what I thought and not just about nails. Danielle has such a good energy about her. She is genuine, works hard for you, and always has something positive to say. Danielle has great customer service skills, she takes very good care of her clients on so many levels and can show you how to do the same. Danielle gave me a whole new outlook on the nail industry. I even intend on enrolling myself into manicuring school, which I thought I’d never do! Danielle is an amazing and talented individual. She is very detailed and doesn’t miss a beat. I highly recommend Danielle for anyone that wants to make a difference.

Thank you Danielle for all your help with my nail department, we went from nothing to something Very Special to our Spa and for our clients!”

Rita Fichera,

Owner/Esthetician

Click to view slideshow.

A Loving Treat for Your Mind Body & Sole

Danielle~Hand 'n' Sole Goddess — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 05:28:34 +0000

LOVE

The Heart Chakra (Sanskrit word meaning Wheel) is the 4^th Chakra of the Seven main Chakras, or wheels of energy centers if you will. It is the mid-point between our 3 lower Chakras and 3 upper Chakras making it a fulcrum point, support for the others, as Love is the supporting factor in Our Relationships, Work, and

Life

We all experience Matters of the Heart, Love, Loss, Hurt, Rejection, Receiving and Giving. But a truly Open Heart free to Give and Accept Unconditional Love begins with Self Love, Self Acceptance, Self Worth. With all the Valentines messages abundant this Month, I was inspired to offer a Truly Heart-Centered service for

You

Heart-Centered Mani-FEST

A Loving Treat for Your Mind-Body-Sole

Friday, Saturday, Sunday

February 25-27

Heart Chakra ManiCURE $65 75 min of Bliss

Heart Chakra PediCURE $95 90 min of Bliss

$15o* for both ManiCURE & PediCURE 2.5 hrs of Bliss

Your Heart-Centered Treatments open with the Ritual of the Foot Bath and Finger Soak infused with Love & Gratitude, along with Essential Oil of Geranium, and Rose Quartz Crystals and Green Aventurine for Balancing the Heart Chakra. Receive expert Nail Shaping, meticulous yet Safe Cuticle grooming, and smoothing exfoliation. A Loving mix of Sandalwood & Bergamot Essential Oils will be used to Massage your Hands n’ Soles, along with Reflexology and Positive Intentions. Close the Session with a perfectly applied Coat or Two of Toxin-FREE Zoya Nail Polish or Naturally Buff Shine and let Your Nails go Naked.

Mani-FEST is held at a Private, Quiet, and Tranquil Location in Pasadena, details given when your Space is reserved. A Credit Card is required to reserve your Space. Spaces will fill up quickly so make your appointment today!

626-354-9829

info@handnsole.com

*My Price for Services are All inclusive. No Monetary Tip necessary…Really!

Instead, I will Gladly accept any Gifts of Gratitude in the form of your Creative Abundance. Do you have Fresh Fruits falling off your Trees? Fresh Flowers or Herbs from Your Garden? Leftover Yarn? Share some of your Favorite Coffee or Tea with Me. I LOVE a good Read. And if Your Abundance is in the form of Support & Appreciation, I accept!

Click to view slideshow.

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” Helen Keller

Embracing the Fork in the Road

Danielle~Hand 'n' Sole Goddess — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:34:08 +0000

I have reached a Fork in the Road of this Nail Road Trip blog. The original premise was to find a Quality, Like-minded referral for my Guests to Manicure their Hands and Soles after my Brick n’ Mortar boutique Grew wings and Flew.

I researched Nail Salons and Day Spas to make appointments and try out their services. Sadly many of them did not make it past the initial phone call, other services did not make it on my blog…and Happily, some became Consulting clients for me. I was seeking something Specific and Equivalent rather than simply Reviewing.

So I paused, reflected, then diverted my Road Trip, thus the lack of posts on this blog. I have been busy developing Programs and Exciting New Offerings, and I view this blog now as the bridge between my, being updated, Website, and Wisdom blog to come. Stay tuned for offerings of Creativity Coaching, Traveling Holistic Services, Crochet Classes, Creativity Workshops and reTREATS, Mani-FESTS, and more.

Are you Standing STILL at a Fork in the Road?

Pause. Reflect. Then Move On.

And FIRE UP the Grill because that Fork will SERVE YOU a FEAST of opportunities!

Another Mani-Fest!

Danielle~Hand 'n' Sole Goddess — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 22:14:29 +0000

Just in time for Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving. Show Gratitude to your hard Loving Hands.

One Weekend only Friday-Sunday November 19-21

Pumpkin Spice Hand de-Light*

$50 60 minutes of BlissFullness

Begin with a Dry Brushing of your Hands to begin the light exfoliation process then a Natural Multi-Fruit Enzyme Pumpkin Peel will be brushed on to tighten, lighten, and brighten the appearance of your Hands. A complete Mani-CURE will be included along with Hand Reflexology.

End Perfectly Polished!

O Calories + Toxin-Free = Guilt Free!

*offering Hand Treatment Only.

Mani-Fest will be held in Private Location in Pasadena.

Spaces Will fill up Fast so Make your Appointment Today

626-354-9829

Mani-Fest ~Celebrating 20 yrs of Manifesting thru Manicuring~

Danielle~Hand 'n' Sole Goddess — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 23:27:49 +0000

I can hardly believe that it has been six months since I have closed my Salon doors. Time does fly! And sometimes to higher and wondrous places.

I have been a very busy bee with transforming my business. As a true believer of Manifesting ones dreams, I have been contracted out to design and develop a Natural Nail Care Department for a new Spa in Sierra Madre (more info on this coming soon), and I am developing an Advance Nail Care workshop to present to a group of Manicuring students coming down from Japan. I am also currently taking the Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching course and Group Facilitator Certification. Above all, I am pursuing my Creative Dream to write.

This October marks my 20 year anniversary of being a Licensed Manicurist. The industry has been wonderful to me. From working in high end Salons, to being an Educator, to working on Movie sets, to owning my own Salon, and Now positioning Myself as an expert in the field. I would like to show gratitude and celebrate what I have Manifested thru Manicuring by holding a Mani-Fest. I will offer the ever so popular and luxurious Milk ‘n’ Honey Manicure and Pedicure for one weekend, Friday-Sunday, October 22-24 at a private location in Pasadena. Spaces will fill up quickly so call me to make your appointment today 626-354-9829.

The Warm Milk ‘n’ Honey Mani-CURE $50 60 minutes of Bliss

The Warm Milk ‘n’ Honey Pedi-CURE $75 90 minutes of Bliss

Feel like Cleopatra as your Hands and Soles soak in warm Milk, a natural lactic acid that will gently exfoliate your skin along with a creamy scrub with ultra fine sea salts. Receive a custom nail shaping and expert cuticle grooming, then melt away Stress with a Reflexology Hand and Foot massage with ultra-hydrating Whipped Shea Butter and Hot Basalt Stones. All while soothing your senses with the Aromatic and Subtle scent of Milk & Honey. Top of this decadent experience with Perfectly Polished nails or a Natural Buff Shine.

*Warm intentions and big Smiles are always included*

A little more “Spa” please

Danielle~Hand 'n' Sole Goddess — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 23:40:48 +0000

I went to Burke Williams Spa in Pasadena to receive the Spa Pedicure $50, with Emmy at the referral of a former guest of Hand ‘n’ Sole. Upon checking in, I asked if I could add a manicure and I was told that Emmy was booked but I could have the Spa Manicure $40 with Remi, who was the head of the nail department…now you know I couldn’t pass that up. I was given a tour of the facilities and informed that with any service over $50, you have access and use to the Spa amenities, the Jacuzzi, Sauna, and Mist room, etc. Unfortunately, I was not prepared with a bathing suit to use these amenities even though it is a European style spa and only your birthday suit is required. As I sat in my robe, sipping cucumber water, awaiting my appointment, I couldn’t help but hope that the nail department would be just as tranquil and relaxing as the rest of the Spa as it has been my experience that often it seems as though the nail department is designed as an afterthought, and I was really enjoying my experience so far.

Emmy politely came out to get me and led me to the Nail department and just as I had feared, I had to take a double-take and wonder “where did the spa go?” The nail department was one room with four whirlpools units, one in each corner. I could see from the sink and disinfecting products that this was also where the cleaning was done and another cabinet held the microwave and hot towel cabi, while another cabinet served as the Nail Technicians personal locker as I was there during shift change and watched purses and personal belongings come in and out…I wondered why all of the prep and cleaning and storing couldn’t be done out of site of guests as it interrupts the relaxing experience and I am thinking that Burke Williams has the means and space? Anyhow….

I was placed in my unit and my feet began bathing. Emmy was extremely nice. She offered me a heated neck wrap and a cozy warm blanket and an assortment of OPI polishes to choose from-I choose Lincoln Park after Dark, a deep plum-black. I recognized all the standards, oils, solvents, and creams and was pleased to also see Emmy prepare my nail file and foot file with brand new removable file pads and she opened up a package of disinfected tools. It was nice to hear that Emmy “enjoyed very much” working at Burke and had been there for over 5 yrs. She filed my toe nails nicely and did a good job at grooming my cuticles and my services also included a paraffin dip. My manicure was equally as nice as was Remi, the head of the nail department who also “liked very much” working at Burke and had been there for 9 years. (BTW…there is no need to move from you pedicure unit as the manicures are performed there while the tech sits along side of you.) During my service I witnessed how well Burke Williams Nail Techs are trained to offer identical service protocols and even their greetings and goodbyes and service explanations are very well scripted. I see how this conformity works very well for a Corporate Spa.

Overall I enjoyed my experience, my detail oriented personality wished the Nail Department reflected more of the “Spa” ambiance, but all-in-all, the use of the facilities, sauna, showers, etc. are definitely a bonus and I did received a good Mani & Pedi with a flawless paint job.

Oh…and I especially liked how they used this pretty paper fan to dry your base coat…cute touch!

A Trip from my Nail Road Trip

Danielle~Hand 'n' Sole Goddess — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:34:49 +0000

I have not forgotten about you-I know I have not posted in awhile. Last month I lost my faithful companion, McGuiness, my beloved 13 year-old black Labrador. The loss was deeply felt in our family as you may understand if you have ever had the blessing of the unconditional love of a pet. I needed a change of daily routine and scenery, so I hoped on a plane and visited my Son in Upstate New York and indulged in precious moments with my 18 month old grandson. I am back now and I am ready to continue on my Nail Road Trip in search of quality Natural Nail Care. Thanks for your patience and next review posting soon!

Bubbles are Fun but not in my Polish

Danielle~Hand 'n' Sole Goddess — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 01:55:38 +0000

Growing bubbles in your polish after a mani or pedi is no fun! While I have heard not to shake polish bottles to prevent bubbles from developing and stay away from heat, as a licensed Manicurist of 20 years I have found that the most common reasons for polish to bubble is:

Oily residue left on nail beds prior to polishing.
Applying polish coats too thick and too fast.
Applying a Quick dry oil or spray immediately after last coat.

So dehydrate your nail beds to remove oils, Exercise patience and apply thin coats slowly, and wait a few minutes before applying a quick dry……and be like Fonzie-stay Kool.

The Power of Essential Oils

Danielle~Hand 'n' Sole Goddess — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:37:23 +0000

Yesterday I was chillaxin outdoors doing some writing and lost in my words, I did not notice that it had become night-time and once again my body was a feast for biting bugs. I received a painful bite on my toe. It was red, burning, and swollen. Remembering that Lavender Essential oil is good for burns and bites and having plenty of it on hand as I use it regularly for relaxing, I applied it directly to the bitten area. I woke up today and all signs of bite was gone-and I had a wonderful sleep to add.

P.S. Making my next Nail Stop appointment

A NO Chip Nail Tip-Part 2

Danielle~Hand 'n' Sole Goddess — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:43:10 +0000

While over soaked and oily nail beds will surely result in polish chipping, another culprit is not using a base coat, top coat, and maintenance.

Think of a base coat like primer, it helps the color application. Base coat not only helps the application of Nail Color but it also protects your nail beds. Ever experience stained, yellow nails? Reds especially can cause staining if no base coat is used. Ever smile after having a glass of Siraz Wine? Ya…it’s kinda like that.

Once you have applied your color, you must finish with a top coat, this acts like a sealer. Applying a coat of top coat every few days after a mani will prevent the chipping process from daily wear and tear. Think about the finish on your car, you keep the car waxed to keep the shine and protect the paint and if in a parking lot a shopping cart runs into your car, ouch….you sure hope that it just scratched the surface and not down to the paint, right? So protect and Armor your manicure.

Zoya’s Anchor & Armor are great Toxin-free choices.