Nail salon hits just right spot

I've been in a perfectly hideous mood for a few days now. Nothing seemed to knock me out of it. But I found a knockout combo that at least helped the situation.

I should probably set the scene by saying that I'm not a very fru-fru kind of girl. I don't spend hours getting ready for the day. I have a simple but cute hairstyle. I still buy my cosmetics at Wal-Mart. And just like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I have "stylish yet affordable boots." When I buy new clothes or shoes, it's usually because they're on sale.

I get along just fine in my simple, affordable lifestyle. However, being thrifty doesn't allow a lot of room for spending money to feel better when you feel crappy. Luckily, my one fru-fru splurge satisfied that itch.

In other words, I got my nails done.

Getting my nails done every few weeks is the one superficial, beauty thing I will splurge on. It all started my freshman year of college when I was getting ready to attend my first college formal.

I'd asked one of my brother's friends to be my date because he was hot. I'll admit it. My date was nothing more than eye candy. There had been this other guy that I liked but the feeling wasn't returned. So to spite him, I found a date that I knew would make him look like a little girl in a tux.

And he did. But in order to keep up with the hotness of my date, I had to get my butt in gear to make sure I looked good, too. Thus, I bought a black dress, got an updo and had my nails done.

And so it began.

Now seven years later, I'm still getting my nails done. And last night's visit to the salon cemented why.

You remember that TV sitcom, "Cheers"? Norm, Cliff and Frasier could show up on any given night and Sam, Woody and the crew all knew their names. It was a comfortable atmosphere where you were one of the family. Well, I have to say that my nail salon gives off that atmosphere, too.

Nail Spa, located on Louisville Road, managed to make me feel better last night when nothing else has managed it the last few days. For an hour and a half or so, I was pampered, had good conversation and just felt better by the time I left.

The folks there actually know who I am when I walk in the door and not simply because they've seen my headshot in the paper. Although, I do have to say that Bruce (who normally does my nails and supplies my grand conversation) is a regular reader of the column. And sometimes, customers come in and recognize me or overhear him talking about my latest column and may add their opinion, too. But that's the thing, everyone acts like they know everyone and even though we don't have frosty beverages like the folks on "Cheers," the atmosphere is fairly close.

No, this isn't a blatant advertisement for Bruce and the folks at Nail Spa. This is about how getting your nails done, taking a hot shower and having a Diet Coke can make a night enjoyable and actually manage to make a mood take an upswing when nothing else could.

A friend of mine once told me that "looking good is the best revenge." I think it's more a matter of when you look good, you feel good. Some might get their hair cut or colored, get a makeover or even go away for a weekend with a significant other (or boy toy). For me, my guilty pleasure is getting my nails done. What's yours?

Amanda Greever is a copy editor at The Daily Times. She writes a weekly column in Women's Times. She can be reached by calling 981-1163 or e-mailing amanda.greever@thedailytimes.com