There are hip and famous places in Los Angeles for nails, eyebrows and make-up … why not waxing? My vote? Jenifer Wilson at WAX in Los Angeles. She’s the “Anastasia” of vagina waxing. If you’re a gal in L.A. and you like your kitty neat and tidy, you know there isn’t a dirth of waxing salons you can choose from. I’ve tried the famous one in the Valley and the hole in the wall on Wilshire in Beverly Hills, but … I’ve never found a better waxer than Jenifer at WAX on Melrose. We all know that waxing is NOT fun … though somehow Jenifer manages to make it so. Down-to-earth, funny, fast and sweet, she makes a usually uncomfortable situation, oddly fun! Her work is fantastic and the numbing spray she gives you before she starts doesn’t hurt either. Literally!

Wax

JENIFER WILSON

Brazilian, $55

7924 Melrose Ave.

323-951-9616 

Room77: A Room With A View

My friend Lynn who travels a lot, told me when she checks into a new hotel she always asks the front desk to give her “the third room”.

“What’s the “third room?” I asked

“I tell them the first room you give me is going to be too close to the elevators. I’ll complain. The second room you give me will be an upgrade, but it will be too far from the elevators and I’m going to think it smells like smoke. I’ll complain again. Next, you’ll give me a Club Level upgrade, on a non-smoking floor, just far enough (but not too far) away from the elevators and I will be happy. So let’s just save both of us a lot of time and just give me the third room.”

For all the hotel employees who have had to deal with Lynn and the rest of us who want our out of town stays to be worth what we shell out, www.Room 77.com is a genius idea. What is Room 77? It’s the world’s first database and search engine of hotel rooms.

With 18 destinations (and new destinations added monthly) you can easily find the best rooms in your hotel (or a neighboring hotel) wherever you travel. You can search by room category and see floor maps and views so you will easily see which rooms float your boat. Past traveller’s can share comments about their stay as well as room photos, in order to make your decision even easier (high floor, near the elevator, etc.). Lynn was practically apoplectic at this possibility and nearly passed out when I told her they have their own iPhone app.

Right now cities include: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Orlando, Maui, Miami, New York, Orange County, Santa Ana, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Silicon Valley (San Jose) and Washington DC.   www.Room77.com  / Room77 iPhone App

Stiletto Spy School and MI6 Academy

Break out your inner Bond or Bond Girl and sign-up right this minute for Stiletto Spy School if you’re a gal or MI6 Academy if you’re a dude. Whether it’s a weekend with the guys before he ties the knot (strip clubs are so passe) or a gal’s bonding weekend (spa weekends are booooring!) you are sure to have an experience you will never forget. Empowering and ultra-exciting Stiletto Spy School and MI6 Academy will teach you everything you need to know to be a first-rate undercover spy with style!

You never thought you would need skills like; hand-to-hand combat, precision firearms or car and speedboat racing but isn’t nice to have in your back pocket “just in case”? How about knowing how to do all of the above while in your formal finest, pairing wines, mixing the perfect martini or dancing the tango?

Don’t worry that your outer Mr. or Mrs. Smith might have seen better days. Stiletto Spy School (SSS) and MI6 Academy
is appropriate for all fitness levels so leave the yoga mat at home, get some friends together and sign-up for the next retreat (Currently only in Las Vegas and NYC). Soon, you’ll be walking down the street with a new found confidence, not to mention some mad skills.    www.StilettoSpySchool.com    www.MI6Academy.com

LE KNOCKOUT

I have the perfect gift for Mom! Get your first tooth dipped in a precious metal, maybe adorned with jewels and she can wear it around her neck!  What? She already has one? Drat! Foiled again!. www.leknockout.com $99 and up 

Apple’s iPad2, iOS 5 and Lion

I know. The minute I get it, Apple will announce a newer and better version. I know, that when the iPad3 comes out, probably
sometime in early 2012, will most likely be equipped with a USB, Retina display and Flash. I know I should wait. I know all this, but … I’m OBSESSED with the iPad2. From reading books, listening to music, surfing the web, writing emails … the uses are endless and I want to try and find them all! Now, with the promise of all the bells and whistles of Apple’s new iCloud (not to mention the upcoming OS 5 and Lion) will add  this fall, getting it with Wifi and 3G is the only way to go. Yup. You got me again Apple. You had me at “hello” and now I can’t say “goodbye”.  It must be love.   www.apple.com  $499 and up

MZ WALLACE CRANBERRY KATE NYLON TOTE

The perfect travel bag is indestructible, fits a multitude of items, is fashionable and always looks new. I found it and you can thank me later. Originally designed as a diaper bag it looks like anything but. Put bottles of water where bottles of formula would normally go, stuff your Smartphone, keys, business cards, iPod, sunglasses and a magazine in the multitude of inside pockets and you’ll still have room for your laptop, iPad, cashmere wrap, files and more in the main compartment. It will be your job to figure out what to put in the four outside pockets and the small matching cosmetic bag that comes with.
I can’t think of everything!   www.mzwallace.com $273

PARTNERS & SPADE PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS

Odd, unique and Lynchian. The name of my high school garage band and words I would use to describe Partners & Spade’s collection of bizarre photo books. With subjects like  “Amy Carter: The Tender Years” and “Square Green Electrical Boxes and Their Horticultural Counterparts”, I guarantee your gift will be the talk of the town. So, delicious, iIf these books were men, I would be flirting shamelessly.  $35

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

Tired of sending the same old cut flowers? Try Trey Ellett’s stunning Living Arrangements potted succulents. Always expertly put together with love and care. Trey also offers succulent design and planting at your residence with optional monthly home care. You can’t get better than that! In fact, my home is brimming with them. www.livingarrangementsla.com or   323.574.0747    

*** SPECIAL: Groupon available until 06/19/11 – $25 off a $50 arrangement ***

LE PETIT GREEK

Upon entering Le Petit Greek, on L.A.’s Larchmont Boulevard in Hancock Park, Owners Tom and Dimitri Houndalas make you feel at home … even spoiled.  The warm reception and atmosphere immediately prepares you for the mouth-watering, authentic and expertly crafted meal you are about to have.  Every morsel is prepared with care and each ingredient hand picked for taste, texture and quality – a discipline the Houndalas brothers grew up with in Greece at their parents restaurant and one they carry over to theirs as well. My favorites are the hummus with toasted pita, the Odyssean Salad with grilled shrimp, feta and avocado and I CRAVE the Keftethes – meatballs with fresh mint.  If you are a true foodie or really just enjoy an excellent fresh, clean and full of flavor meal, you would be remiss not to dine at Le Petit Greek (psst! It’s a great place for a date)  ;)

LE PETIT GREEK
www.lepetitgreek.com
127 N Larchmont Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Telephone:  +1 323 464 5160

The Fran Lebowitz Reader

Whether it be Metropolitan Life, Social Studies or the combination of the two, The Fran Lebowitz Reader, there’s nothing better to get the  New York intellectual with a dry sense of humor. Specific category of gift?  Maybe.  But Ms. Lebowitz is one of America’s finest treasures. She’s smart, controversial and a die-hard, old-school New Yorker with a point of view she’s not afraid to use. Martin Scorsese agrees. His documentary on her, Public Speaking,aired on HBO in December 2010 which means you soon may have another great pick for your Netflix queue. $10.50