Saturday Splurge: Yan May Foot Reflexology Center

If you've learned anything about me so far, you know I like to splurge on food. Forget shopping, shows, entertainment - food takes the cake for me (no pun intended) every time. So you may be wondering what this Saturday Splurge on foot reflexology is all about, right?

Well, let me just tell you...

You've never splurged unless you've been to Chinatown for a foot rub. And by foot rub, I mean a good, honest foot rub, none of that hanky panky stuff. I'm convinced that Chinatown is an undiscovered oasis of relaxation, and the average person just doesn't know it! If you're ready to step into another dimension of bliss, forsaking your preconceived notions about Chinatown massage parlors, then listen up! Yan May Foot Reflexology Center is for you.

Adam and I decided to go for date night this week. After a friend told me about her good experience in Chinatown, I have been literally harassing Adam to take me. After reading multiple fantastic reviews on Facebook, we chose Yan May and made an appointment for an hour long foot, shoulder and neck massage package for $30 (yes, you heard me right - only $30 for an hour).

If you're fancy and only 'spa' at Bliss, this might not be the place for you. First of all, there's no privacy. You are literally in a small room with at least 4 other patrons. Thankfully, they request that everyone keep their clothes on, even for massage. Phew, that could've been awkward.

The experience begins with the neck and shoulder massage while you soak your feet in warm water. You sit upright on a padded ottoman, while your masseuse goes to town on all your knots. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that not only would he focus on my neck and shoulders, but my lower back, arms and hands as well! And though he was tough (I would compare this to a deep tissue or sports massage), it was never too much for my sensitive self to handle. He worked extremely hard on my whole upper body, leaving no knot behind.

After 20 minutes of massage, it was time for the feet. They have you lie down in a leather reclining chair, offer you green tea, cover you in towels from the neck down (for the comfort factor, I guess?) and go to town on your feet. I closed my eyes, focused on my breathing and reveled in the moment. Never have I felt so relaxed.

While lying there, I found myself concocting ways to work Yan May into my weekly budget.

It was that good.

So, if you're looking to splurge, have an extra $30 burning a hole in your pocket and suddenly find yourself on Hester Street, walk your little piggies in there and get ready for the time of your life.

Remember, Yan May is cash only and you are expected to tip 20% to your masseuse directly, so have correct change. Also, you can make appointments, but an appointment is not required.

Yan May Foot Reflexology Center

188 Hester Street

New York, NY 10013

212.219.9788

Oh... and when you're done, you can treat your stomach to some Chinese cuisine at Shanghai Cafe Deluxe, right around the corner on Mott Street. Their soup dumplings are amazing!

Shanghai Cafe Deluxe
100 Mott Street
New York, NY 10013
212.966.3988

Advice From The Experts: Gaining the World Through Giving

This photo from college is as embarrassing as it gets, but it
sums up our relationship perfectly.

My best friend from college is a bit... how do you say it?... eclectic? Courtney Blair was my very first friend when I went off to the University of Georgia. I left the warm, loving nest of my parent's house and fell right into Courtney Blair's topsy-turvy dorm room. She was certainly a sight to behold... beautiful in the most natural way... milky white skin, a mess of freckles, and long auburn hair. To this day (excluding my brother Cale), I've never met anyone with as much personality as her. She's dramatic, funny, kind and serious all wrapped up into one charming little package.

When we met and she discovered that I had no solid nicknames, she deemed this unacceptable for someone my age and promptly nicknamed me 'Laronika'. I hated it... obviously. In an effort to work with me, she shortened it to Laron (eh, ok), then it somehow warped into Ronnie and slowly settled into Ron. Before I knew it, no one was calling me by my given name and people started to pity my luck - what kind of parents name their baby girl Ron?

But jokes aside, I actually have Courtney to thank for the fact that I live in New York. She accompanied me on my first trip to the concrete jungle, and I think it was that trip that planted the seed in me. I knew I loved New York. Maybe it was the fact that we got some airtime on MTV's Total Request Live, or the fond memory of accidentally eating someone else's food at a communal table in Chinatown or quite possibly the fact that the Soup Nazi resided here. But whatever the reason, I ended up here and I have her to thank.

Courtney and Chermie in Kenya.

Tomorrow I am thrilled and honored to have Courtney as a guest contributor. Courtney went on a life-changing trip to Africa during college, and I asked her to share her amazing experience with you. I'm sure she'll be the first to tell you that when she made the choice to give of herself and her time, she gained the world in return.

Be sure to check out Courtney's article tomorrow! You won't want to miss it!

Saturday Splurge: Bluebird Sky (Manhattan)

Brunch in Chinatown might as well be self-imposed torture. I find myself making the same mistake over and over again because I really, really, really like Jing Fong's dim sum. Even when I wake up early, trying my best to beat the crowd, there's STILL a mob of people outside waiting for a table... and by mob, I do not exaggerate even the least little bit.

So imagine my delight when just a few blocks away, I stumble upon a very wonderful brunch option, hidden away on a quiet street with no line at all! Hot diggity damn! I find this brunch discovery so shocking because 1) it is right off Canal Street on Baxter (how have I never noticed this place?) and 2) it's not the least bit Asian-inspired though being located smack dab in the middle of Chinatown.

Wait! Wait! I haven't even told you the best part! They actually have shrimp 'n grits, one of my absolute favorite dishes! Shrimp 'n grits makes me want to pack up my things, move to New Orleans and never look back. I might just do it... you watch.

So obviously, I got the shrimp 'n grits. And boy, were they tasty! My brunch-mate Arionna, from Harlem Food Local, went with her brunch staple, eggs benedict. Now Arionna is a pretty tough critic when it comes to food (as she's an excellent cook and has her own food blog), but even she was sold on Bluebird Sky in approximately 2.5 seconds.

It actually got really hard to talk to each other after the first few bites. We were both having silent love affairs with our dishes, forgetting the other was across the table. Oh...and did I mention the prices are extremely reasonable for brunch in Manhattan? My wallet danced a little jig.

On top of the food and the prices, Bluebird Sky has the most attentive servers around. They obviously enjoy their jobs and want people to have a good experience there.

I would highly recommend Bluebird Sky for brunch with a good friend OR for a nice cup of afternoon joe. While we were there, even Iron Chef Marc Forgione stopped by for his morning coffee.

That about sums it up. Just go... trust me (and Marc Forgione).

BLUEBIRD SKY

121 Baxter Street (between Hester and Canal)

New York, NY 10013

212.966.4646

www.bluebirdskynyc.com