When my best-girlfriend was having a birthday and I wanted to send flowers to her work (a very stylish and famous salon in town), I knew that the flowers had to be special not just for her but also look good on her table since her high-paying clientele would be staring. I needed a statement. I needed same day delivery. I needed it all with a budget under $100.

Over an hour of surfing online and phoning, I found Tick Tock Florals. I emailed them the photo above and asked if I could have a similar arrangement for around $85 plus delivery. They said, of course! And a few hours later I received a gushing call from my girlfriend who could. not. believe. the. flowers.

They were beautiful, arranged amazingly, unique and special. And they were there at her table only a few hours after my call and within my budget. And her guests? Equally impressed!

Tick Tock Florals may cost more than picking up a bouquet at the grocer or by ordering from a generic 1-800 flower company, but the difference in price, personal service and experience in receiving are certainly worth the extra money. The next time you have a special someone to celebrate and want to make a statement, try sending an arrangement. Actually, why not just send one to yourself? You know you deserve it.

Tick Tock Floral
1603 N. La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Toll Free: 800-893-6688

Part store, part spa, part pet community center, this store has it all – if it’s good for your pet, it’ll be here. From hard to find dog brands like Evo to beautiful beds (with removable slip covers that you can order separately to match your changing decor, of course), to vitamin supplements and over all pet health care, it’s all here. And if you’re overwhelmed by their selection of toys and treats, don’t worry – this highly trained and caring staff can answer any and all questions. Trust me, I think I asked them everything I could think of when I had to get supplies for my dog who was going to have surgery.

And speaking of surgery, after my pooch was healed enough, I brought him in for a one hour massage to help relax him and stretch out his healing leg. He. Loved. It. and came out wagging his tail and smelling like lavender. And only in LA would your dog be given affirmations after a massage!

The full service salon offers the basics plus a few things you probably don’t want to do at home (like teeth cleaning). When you walk in, you see a lot of happy dogs getting clean and you never, ever smell any dirty dog smell at all which is great considering there are always dogs here. They have training classes and big aisles so it’s easy to bring your dog. And with parking in the back, there’s no reason not to.

TIP: They also sell treats and supplements as well as frozen raw food.

HEALTHY SPOT
11870 Santa Monica Blvd. #106-582
West Los Angeles, CA 90025
Ph: 310-458-2004

Enter Lincoln Boulevard Car. From $9.95 you can get a basic car wash (and even gas if you need it) quickly, easily and environmentally friendly. With state-of-the-art brushless equipment, this car wash uses only high-quality soap, not detergent (the latter can fade paint). Well-trained employees go the extra mile to make your car shine by vacuuming every inch and hand-drying the outside – including every crevice.

Taking an average of 15 minutes, there’s a small cafe to sip your latte while you wait and magazines to read if it’s really busy (add extra time for weekends). But for the dirty and the lazy, this is the best way to come clean.

Lincoln Boulevard Car Wash
1624 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica
310-450-6915.

Be warned that this isn’t a spa; no warm tea, steam room or robes. But if you’re short on time and money, you can’t beat their one-hour massage for $44. (If you’re really short on time or money, try their $34 1/2hr massage). And after having all the kinks worked out from head to toe, you won’t mind that there were no cherubs chirping or fancy slippers. You’ll be far too relaxed to care about anything.

The Massage Place
625 Montana, Santa Monica CA 90403 (but they are all over the LA area)
310-393-7007