Nicole "peanut butter is my kryptonite" S.'s Profile

Today, I had the best shopping experience of my life.  It's not every day that you call a store to ask about their boot selection and tell the person on the other line that you'll be coming in soon, and then when you get there they already have boots waiting for you to try on!  

I needed to find a pair of cowboy boots (not just fashion ones, but ones I can ride in) and found Jim's on yelp.  It was a bit farther away than I wanted to drive, but I looked at their site and saw the HUGE selection of boots so I figured if it was a one stop shop, it would be worth it.  My other option was to drive around LA going to thrift shops which we all know are hit or miss.

I called Jim's Western Wear and explained I was looking for affordable boots in my size and the man on the other end assured me I wouldn't leave without a pair of boots.  So I told him I'd be coming in about 30mins.  When I arrived, I told the first sales person that greeted me (immediately, by the way!) and asked if I needed help and I said I had called in.  Pablo, the owner and the man I had spoken to on the phone, was standing nearby and came over to introduce himself and escort me to the "shoe trying on section" where he had 2 pairs of boots waiting for me!  What service!

Pablo waiting patiently while I tried the boots on and I asked questions about the fit (this is my first pair of cowboy boots so I didn't know if they should fit loose, tight, or what).  There was ZERO sales pressure.  Pablo was friendly and answered my questions and offered his expertise which was very helpful and I needed all the information I could get!  Don't get me wrong, he didn't stand there and rattle off stats about the particular boot I was trying on or try to convince me to buy them.  He just stood calmly by and let me try them on and walk and wiggle my toes and he offered suggestions and information when I had a question.  It was the perfect way to shop....getting the help you need in an attentive and friendly manner without someone being pushy or hovering.  Pablo is an expert on boots and western wear and was a true gentleman as he helped me make my choices.

I saw another pair of boots on a shelf that I liked and the sales woman who was ALSO helping me went to see if they had my size, but they only had a 9.5.  We decided to try them anyways and guess what?  They fit!  And they were a great price too!

Now it was time to look at hats.  I'm a chick, so trying on hats was gonna take more time than trying on boots.  After about 15mins of trying on hats I found 2 I liked.  Again, the sales woman and Pablo were there to answer my questions and quickly swap out hats to different sizes as I narrowed down my choices.  This was my first cowboy hat too, and Pablo helped me pick one that was not only stylish to my liking, but functional at sunblocking too!  While I was trying on hats, Pablo came by with a few Western shirts picked out for me to see if I liked them....the perfect compliment to my Western ensemble.  I really liked one of them and after trying it on, that was coming home with me too.

Once I had everything I needed, Pablo had everything waiting for me at the register and he even threw in a pair of boot socks for me!  Wow!

Let me tell you, this is what shopping should be like. If every store owner treated it's customers with as much respect, friendliness, kindness and service as Pablo, there would be many more successful stores and thousands more satisfied customers.

Thank you Pablo!  You've made me a customer for life!  And I'm all set for my adventure!

I purchased a 30min riding lesson for Sagebrook Farms on Living Social and redeemed it today.  I have never taken English riding lessons, but have experience with Western but I've always wanted to learn English.

I had no idea this place existed!  Sagebrook Farms is tucked behind a residential neighborhood and when you enter the grounds it's like you're not in LA anymore.

1st Star-  Julie let me reschedule my original lesson.  Something came up at the office and I had to work when I had scheduled to ride.  I wasn't able to give 24hrs notice, but she was totally understanding and let me reschedule at no charge.

2nd star- Julie met me when I arrived and was friendly, sweet and very professional.  She walked me to the office where I signed my waiver and then it was time to get started.

3rd star- The first thing we did was groom the horse I'd be riding which she showed me how to do and I even got to pick his hooves!  Fidelio was such a great horse and very sweet.  I didn't feel the least worried that he was going to be a well tempered guy to ride.  She explained all the pieces of equipment to me and illustrated the difference between a Western and English saddle.  Woo Hoo!
     Julie has a great teaching method.  She explains everything slowly and in great detail which I love.  I am a very mental learner so I like to know the whys, the whos, the whens and the hows for everything because then I can put it together in my mind logically and never forget it.  

4th star-Julie let me go hands on right away.  Not only did I get to groom Fidelio myself, I got to lead him to the mounting block too!  Once I got on that English saddle I felt a little weird since the saddle is so much smaller and it feels like you have less support.  Julie showed me how to hold the reigns (this is different too) and then we walked to the ring.  
   Julie guided me with her instructions while letting me handle Fidelio. She instructed me from off to the side/in the middle of the ring and taught me how to hold my reigns, use my legs and lead Fidelio where I wanted him to go.  Did you  know you can lead a horse with your legs alone and hardly any reigns?  It's amazing how smart and responsive they are!  Julie mentioned that we might be able to go into a trot if it looked like I was catching on...

5th star--I got to trot!  This is so different than on a Western horse/saddle.  Julie explained how to post the trot then let me give it a whirl: how to hold my heels, legs, arms, hips and it's quite a balancing act the first time you try to do it correctly.  But after a few tries I got it!  Well, of course I need more practice to be proficient but I was able to post correctly and control my horse at the same time! And what a leg workout!

When we were all done I dismounted, Fidelio gave me a little snuggle and we led him back to his stall after taking off his tack.

What a great experience!  Julie wasn't watching her watch or counting down the minutes until our lesson was over.  She was patient and encouraged me to keep trying until I got it.  I will definitely be back to take more lessons in the new year.  If you love horses, I highly recommend that you check them out and see for yourself how awesome Julie is!

I remember the first time I met Griffin at a Supplement Sidewalk Sale.  He had a kettlebell booth and I stopped to check it out.  I chatted with him and he assured me that it was a great workout, the first class was free, so I decided I'd give it a try.  I secretly snickered to myself that no workout could kick my butt since I already trained hard for my competitions.

Well, after my first class I was in shock at how sore everything was! My obliques hurt from the windmills, my butt hurt from the squats, and my shoulders were screaming from the cleans/presses.  But I couldn't wait to go back and let him kick my butt again!

Kettlebells gave me a workout that weights and cardio alone can't do.  Kettlbells do it both at the same time and my heartrate goes sky high when I'm in class.  Oh, and I love every minute of it!

3 years later and I still enjoy going to Griffin's classes.  Not only does he keep it challenging by mixing up the workout (TRX, Kettlebells, Jumpropes, ab rollers, heavy ropes, etc.) but he is supportive and focuses on form.  Also, the class participants are super friendly and going to class to see your newfound friends is always a great motivator.

The people here are really nice, but the manicures don't last a week.  I got a mani/pedi and I walked out with great looking nails only to have my french tip chip 2 days later.  Not little chips...big chips.

If you haven't had a mani in awhile and need your nails trimmed, filed and the loose skin cut away, then go for it.  But don't go expecting a long lasting manicure.  Save you $5 extra for french tip and just have them paint them all one color.

Authentic Japanese sushi at it's finest!  The sushi chefs and waitresses all speak Japanese and they embrace the art of traditional Japanese service.  Great service and friendly atmosphere! The food is delicious and oh so fresh.  Try the Jewelry Mine Roll and the yellowtail sushi!

I just wish they were open for lunch and not just after 5pm!

This used to be my go-to Sushi spot, but not after today.

Sure, they've changed owners since they first opened and the portion sizes have gone down and their hours on Sunday were slashed with no warning.  Sure, the service had gotten slow, but the food was always consistently good.  STRIKE 1.

But I was determined to support them through the rough patches.

Then the last time I came in for a to-go order, I got the Omi Special roll which I've had in the past.  It's a roll without rice and was so beautifully presented! Now it's made completely differently, smaller and no where near as good.  STRIKE 2.

Today was the last straw.  I came in during lunch because I was craving a BSCR which I've had here numerous times and it has always been delicious.  Oh, not today.

It was swimming in so much oil and I actually poured about 2 tbsp of oil from the plate into my little soy sauce dish.  GROSS!  The CA rolls were soaked in the stuff and I tried my best to drain them on my napkin and push the food to the side so it wouldn't absorb any more of the oil.  When I was done dissecting my plate, there was so much oil left that I wanted to retch.  My server was nice and remembered me from before, but didn't check on me once after he delivered my food so I couldn't tell him about my problem until I was done.  No discount was offered.  STRIKE 3.

Sorry, Omi.  I won't be coming back.  Now if Yoshi's was only open before 5pm, then I'd go there for my lunch breaks..guess I'll have to go there for dinner instead!

Great prices and selection on fish and sashimi and great Japanese snacks & foods you can't get anywhere else. Just wish they had one of these gems in Hollywood.  But I know they are opening one in West LA in a few months.

Why is everything out of stock? Even basic things?  Bracelet making wire?  Beads?  This is supposed to be an art supply store, but they don't keep anything on the shelves.  If you need art supplies, don't waste your time coming here because they probably won't have what you need anyways.

This place has EVERYTHING!  It's like home depot, meets target, meets bed bath and beyond.  All the employees are super helpful and the prices are right on target.

This place is awesome because my amazing stylist works here now!  If you want your hair to look amazing, come see Domingo Sierra!

The set up of the salon is nice too.  It is very large (upstairs & downstairs) and everyone is very nice.  No pretentious snobs here!