Jennifer S.'s Profile

I have curly hair, and curly hair is REALLY hard to cut.  And I always want something funky, which makes it really hard to find a good hairdresser.  Once I find a hairdresser I like, I never switch.  And I switched for Nancy.

I visited her when a friend of mine was putting on a benefit for Locks of Love.  A good cause was worth a little risk...potentially a large risk... in deviating from my current stylist.  I liked him.  Dependable.

I said to Nancy, "Nancy, I want something funky." (Hey if you're going to take the plunge, you may as well put it all out there.  It can't be that bad right?!! (I know, I know it can. Once I let my stoned friend cut my hair and I had to go straight to the salon it was so bad.  I shudder to remember.))

Anyway, I said to Nancy, "Nancy, I want something funky." And for the first time ever, I got a hair suggestion that blew my mind!! Like short in the back with long curls going down my back and it was insane and I said, "um...a little tooo funky."  And what resulted was the PERFECT HAIRCUT. It was funky but in a subtle way that made it versatile for many different looks. Short if I want.  Long if I want.  Perfect.

This last time I had Nancy cut my hair, I said frantically mid-cut, "Wait, but what if it looks too strange?!!"  I was feeling like maybe it was going to look too strange.  And she said, ever so matter-of-factly, "We'll fix it."

It didn't look strange.  It looked hot like it always does. Nancy's great. She listens, she suggests and she delivers. And she's at Miller & Company.  Which is a super cute salon.  Really relaxing and down-to-earth.  The owner is a riot -- she's been there for what must be decades.  All of her friends come in and gossip.  I love it.  And I love any reason to go to Montclair and pretend I'm a fancy-pants.

I would give them 0 stars if I could.

I worked for Fuego for a year and a half as a sales representative.

During that time, they advertised and sold a product that they have yet to create (the light unit for their Modular kitchen).  The happiness of my customers who bought the product was never a priority; I would email time and time again asking them what they were going to do about it (after the first few customers had purchased the light unit over a year in the past).  The staff at Fuego did not respond to many of these inquiries.  I believe they are finally (after a year and a half in one case) refunding their customers.

Not only do they not value their customers, but they do not value their sales representatives (independent contractors who work on commission).  I did not receive the due commission payments for my sales this year, and was told on multiple ocassions that I should have already received payment.  When I would tell them that I hadn't and ask when I could expect it, they chose to ignore me.  After they ignored my inquiries for three months, I finally sent them a demand letter and filed a claim with Small Claims Court.  

Even then, they continued to string me along, and treated me with scorn and malice.  Ultimately, they paid me the bulk of my commissions, and claimed that there had been returns that kept me from receiving my remaining commissions.  I happen to know (I keep in good touch with all my customers) that nothing had been returned.  

Ultimately, rather than continue my uphill battle, I chose to retreat with the bulk of my commissions and count myself a happier person to never have to deal with them again.

They don't respect their customers or their contractors.  Their products, while sexy, are not the best on the market, and often arrive damaged or incomplete.  Should that happen to you, be warned: you may never get it resolved or a refund.

I first started visiting Christine and Double Happiness Health when I had just sustained a severe back injury.  I didn't want to go down the surgery road--at least not yet.

Christine not only helped with the pain, but she worked with me to help me understand what I was doing on a day to day basis that was contributing to my pain, and what exercises I could do to rehabilitate myself.

Since then she has helped me with severe arm pain due to computer work, crazy monthly woman problems, and anything else that might be going on in my body.  

I always go in feeling like there's no hope for me, and leave energetic, confident and at peace.  I've visited other acupuncturists, and they help with the symptoms.  But Christine helps me, on all levels.  She is a true healer--intuitive and inquisitive.  

I'm thankful to have had her in my life over the past few  years.

I stumbled on this business through a friend.  I had these nasty stains on my rugs, and severe mildew and mold built up in the shower.  In retrospect, I can hardly believe I was showering in there!  That's how gross it was.

The Steam Cleaner (called the Ladybug--how cute is that???) arrived on time.  I took the time to watch the videos and prepare for it ahead of time, and I'm sure glad I did.  I started with the carpets, and POOF the stains were gone.  It was crazy.  And then the bathroom.  You know how long it normally takes to scrub that crap off the tile and grout??  Not with the steamer from Steam It Gone!  It was seriously propelled away by the steam...I barely needed to use any soap.  My bathtub and shower is soooo clean now, and I took a bubble bath to celebrate :).

I still had the steam cleaner for the rest of the day and took it to the bathroom floor.  Now this was really crazy.  I live in an old house--1910 or so--and the tile is original defs.  Where I used the steam cleaner, the grout went from BLACK to OFF-WHITE.  I'm serious.

I also used it on my hardwood floors and the towel that you use to clean turned black. Icky, but at least now that's not on my floor!

Amazing product, and so great for quickly deep cleaning.

I needed a PA system for a party I am throwing, and I called a couple times to try to get some help.  I left my name and number and no one called me back.  When I called again, the guy in the rental department was rude.  It's true that I didn't really know what I needed, but what I needed was a customer service guy who was willing to be nice and spend some time working with me.  At that point I decided I didn't want to work with them--when I am spending my money somewhere, I like it to go to people with the courtesy to treat their customers kindly.  I asked around and tried to borrow a PA system from the bands I am working with or friends.  When that didn't work out, I knew I had to bite the bullet and go to Leo's.  I called them again, and AGAIN they were rude--and I hadn't even betrayed the fact that I didn't know anything in this phone call.  At this point I remembered I have worked in the past with Eddie and Event Magic--I have worked with him before and I know he's always nice and willing to talk about my needs.  They have a PA and that's where I'm getting it.

I think Leo's Pro Audio is perhaps good for pros, but never for me.

This is my bar!!!

Yo.

I [heart icon] this place, more than any other neighborhood bar I've ever had.

Awwww.

OK, I was a big fan of Connelly's.  The one night when that one friend of mine got in a fight with the little blond bartender with the dreadlocks.  One of my absolute fave nights in all my drinking history.

It's not that I don't like what those dudes have done to the place.  Those are some pretty cool homemade tables.  I didn't really see the need to put in TV's, but whatever.  I've made it clear to them that I think the bathrooms are in need of a remodel, though the wallpaper is blah blah blah cool.

I think that the reason that I dislike this place so much is pretty personal.  I've stayed late and helped them close down, and I'm friendly and I make friends everywhere, but for some reason, they just won't be my friends.  When people don't want to be my friends and make whatever chit chat, it makes me sad.  I'm funny.  Don't be lame.  Be nice, bartenders.  And not just because you want to make out with my friend.  Cause when it's apparent that that's the only reason you're being nice to me, it's ANNOYING.

I'm boycotting, fyi.  It's unfortunate, though, cause it's hella close to my house, and close to a laundromat, and close to Lanesplitters, and the fireplace is pretty nice, and...whatever.  This place sucks.

*****

Ok, I'm changing the number of stars!!  Oooh yeah, Avenue.  You're up to 4, baby.

Why?  Well, they got rid of reggae Fridays, which I thought was a good choice.  There's not a hell of a lot of dancing room, and they seemed to get that people want to chat, and that's good.  Now they have art exhibited by local artists in the back which is awesome!!  The drinks are strong, and the bartenders are, I hate to say it, pretty cool, even if we did get off to a rocky start.

Sorry to offend everyone, the Ave isn't so bad, even if I do still miss Connolly's. You try to be honest, and everyone gets their panties all in a bunch!

oh and btw, I would *never* boycott a place because I'd made a drunken ass of myself there!  If I were to, I'd be out of local bars!

Yeah, so I was just recently getting into yelp.  It's pretty great.  Like this idea of having the general public review shit and having accounts and friends and stuff.  Good one, yelp.

But shit, if you're not going to let me use html.  Boo.

And you *really* should let me save my reviews as drafts!!

It was about three years ago now. The house was full, so we slept in a tent in the backyard.  It might have rained, but I don't remember getting wet. It was a good hostel. Friendly. I have a vague memory of clean towels. I think perhaps we got in late and left early--the ending of months on the road hawking Super Sponges.

I spent the past weekend in Portland, and it looked to be a lively place--I rather wish I'd stayed there.

This hostel is in a prime location--on E. Hawthorne--a nice street with lots of nice places to visit, and a lovely walk on a pretty day.  Bars, good food, book stores, shoe stores, coffee shops, a small independent theatre--oh what a place!  And the public transportation!  A dream, albeit slow.  But ever so reliable!

I didn't have much of a chance this past visit, to check out the PT. I was working* all weekend, so I didn't have a lot of time to walk around.  Besides, it was also cold and rainy for the time I had somewhat open, and rain is just ever so nice to watch from INDOORS**. Next time I visit, it is definitely going to be summer. Maybe I'll find a way to justify it by needing something majorly expensive and spend what the sales tax would be on my vacation.

Besides, suitcases are lighter in summer--or, of course, when traveling to a summery climate during winter.

But, you know what I like best about Portland?  There doesn't seem to be the social stigma attached to smoking like there is in the Bay Area.  I like that.  Live and let live.  Lots of young people openly smoking!  More power to you***, young people!  

Go there now.  Before January 09, when you can no longer smoke in bars.  Summer in Portland, kids!!  It'll be nice out.

Good plan.

*work = internet cafe to internet cafe to internet cafe w/beer to bar with wifi &c
**yelp does not accomodate html???? why am I here? why are any of us???
***and me!!

Defs mediocre.  Gross even.