Arrojo's Salon

For a real treat, take yourself to Nick Arrojo's hair salon on the Lower East Side where Nick Arrojo, of What Not To Wear fame, runs a salon, school, and coffee shop. You'll be greeted up front and escorted to the coffee shop waiting area where someone will ask to take your coat and bags. An assistant to your hairstylist will fetch you and take you to the styling area.

I was there for cut and color, so I was visited by two young people, master colorist Amanda and master stylist James who looked at me so sweetly that I immediately liked them. Their pictures from the website show exactly their kind expressions that day. I was going to put their last name here, but their business cards only give their first names--so New York.

Amanda, Master Stylist at Arrojo's

James, Master Colorist at Arrojo's

As they worked and talked easily with me, it was obvious that they truly enjoyed their work. . . and their life, for that matter. I felt like I'd made new friends. Oh, and my hair looks great!

My Attempt To See the Westminster Dog Show

I studied several online sources to educate myself about the Dog Show, but when I arrived at Madison Square Gardens I learned the dogs were at a couple of the piers along the Hudson River. They are there during the day and at MSG during evening. Sigh. This is just one example of how confusing it can sometimes be to get where you want in New York City. You think you have armed yourself with all you need to get to the right place at the right time only to learn that you're way off course. I can't explain this or else I would have been at the right place at the right time on this particular day.

Anyway, I had made a mental note of which hotels were accepting dogs as guests this week, and one was right across the street--so there I went. The Hotel Pennsylvania is where I took these photos. It didn't cost me a dime--admission to the Dog Show would have $35 which included a $10 up charge for renovations at MSG. I also went to the lower level where one could get one's dog washed, let him or her do his or her business in a room full of straw, and get some exercise on the tread mills.

We Ate This on Fat Tuesday

Our first time to eat crawfish was last night at The Delta Grill in Hell's Kitchen on 9th and 48th. They were having a Fat Tuesday party. For a $25 cover charge, you got a free Hurricane (drink) and an all-you-can eat buffet of beans and rice, chicken gumbo, jambalaya and these bright red creatures with pointy heads and claws and bug-like legs sticking out all over the place. We had to ask how to eat them, and had some trouble managing.