Making A Pedicure Appointment

The Awakening Spa inside the Anderson Ocean Club and Spa offers wonderful Spa Treatments to fit any budget.  While on vacation in Myrtle Beach, the Awakening Spa and the trained professionals create a relaxing atmosphere in which your inner balance is easily achieved.

We all love a Pedicure treatment; I have compiled a list of things to prepare for and expect when making your appointment.

1. Schedule your pedicure in advance. Many salons take “walk-in” customers; however, you’ll have less stress and far less chance of a long wait if you make an appointment in advance.

2. Items to bring with you include: a pair of open-toed shoes, like thongs or sandals with fully open toes; nail polish, a book or magazine if you wish, cash (for the tip).

3. Allow a full hour for your pedicure. You may be done in 20-30 minutes; however, you don’t want to rush it and you’ll want to make sure your toes are completely dry before leaving.

4. Bear in mind that you’ll be sitting in an open area with your feet up in the air. Short skirts may lead to embarrassing situations, and tight-legged pants may be difficult to roll up adequately. Plan your outfit accordingly!

Steps for the pedicure itself include: (this may vary depending on the Spa itself)

1. You’ll be seated at the manicurist’s station. There are two types of pedicure stations – a standard rolling cart that the manicurist sits on, with a bar in the front your feet rest on, or a large chair with a basin at the feet. Generally the latter style is reserved for higher end salons and spas, and is often called a “spa chair”.

2. Your nail polish (if any) is removed off of each toenail.

3. Your toenails are often cut and shaped before being soaked; however, some salons do this after soaking. Large nail clippers and Emory boards are used to trim and file your toenails to a nice shape. You can select the length and shape you wish (rounded or squared), if you want to.

4. Your feet will be soaked in a large basin of warm water, often with a small vibration to it. Your feet should soak for at least five minutes before they start work on your cuticles.

5. One foot is removed from the water, and a cuticle lotion is applied to the edge of the toenails. An orange stick (a long wand with a squared off end) is used to push back the cuticles from the toenail.

6. A Cuticle trimmer (which resembles a tiny metal wirecutter) is used to trim off the dead skin around the toenail edges. No live skin is cut.

7. A little dot of oil is applied and rubbed into each toe, and the foot is returned to the basin of warm water to soak.

8. The other foot is removed from the water, and the cuticles trimmed. The second foot is returned to the water.

9. The first foot is removed from the water, and a rough piece of rock called a pumice stone is used to remove callouses and dead skin from the base of the foot. Some salons use metal scrapers to slough off dead skin; however, most salons have stopped doing this due to liability issues.

10. The foot is returned to the water for a final soak.

11. The second foot is removed from the water, and the pumice stone is used to rub off the dead skin and callouses.

12. Both feet are removed from the water, and patted dry with a clean towel.

13. The nails are buffed to a nice smooth shine with a nail buffer. This step may occur in conjunction with the nail trimming but is often saved until near the end.

14. Lotion is applied to each leg and foot, and rubbed in with a massaging motion.

15. The toenails are cleaned with a final drip of acetone (nail polish remover) on a clean cotton ball to remove any oil or lotion.

16. The feet are patted totally dry, and cotton or foam forms are inserted between the toenails to keep your toes apart.

17. Nail polish is applied to each toenail. Typically you will have two coats of colored polish, and one coat of clear topcoat.

18. You will be asked to sit for 5-10 minutes with your feet in front of a fan to allow your toes to dry completely before leaving.

19. Your manicurist will check to make sure your toes are completely dry before removing your toe dividers. If you’re in doubt, ask her to check before you put your shoes back on!

20. Carefully ease your toes into your thongs or sandals, being careful not to scrape your new polish. Your toenail polish may take up to another hour or more to dry fully, so don’t plan on putting an tight fitting shoes or socks on for at least this long!

Be sure to visit www.theawakeningspa.com for more Spa Packages and Treatments. Or call 1-843-213-5370 for more information.

Ocean Park Resort in Myrtle Beach

Located on the south end of Myrtle Beach, Ocean Park Resort is Oceana Resorts only pet friendly property. With oceanfront and ocean view rooms, this resort brings comfort and breathtaking views at an affordable price.

Ocean Park in Myrtle Beach Amenities:

*On site parking

*Indoor and out door pool

*Indoor and outdoor hot tub

*Indoor kiddie pool

*Men and women saunas

*24 hour front desk

*Spacious oceanfront sundeck

*Fitness center

*Business center with internet access

*Guest Laundry

*Free cable and HBO

* Pets up to 20 lbs welcome (nightly fee)

Bring the entire family and relax in the sun at

Ocean Park Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Myrtle Beach Sales Tax Increase Set for Saturday

Myrtle Beach sales tax will increase by 1% on Saturday July 31st, 2009.  The increase will help the Myrtle beach area Chamber of Commerce market out-of-towners who don’t know about the Grand Strand.  This tax increase is said to raise an estimated $14 million to $18 million for advertising and will affect all sales within the city limits except gasoline, groceries, and prescription medication.

Sales Tax:

Prepared food – from 10.5% to 11.5%

Retail items – from 8% to 9%

Guest charges for hotels – from 8% to 9%

Admission tickets – from 7.5% to 8.5%

Mixed liquor drinks – 10.5% – 15.5% to 11.5% – 16.5%

After 2 years the city will get 20% of the money back and that will be used as a tax credit for residential property owners.  The money will also be used to fund tourist related projects.  Since the Chamber will be receiving the tourist development money, the city will now get to keep the portion of local hospitality fees that it used to give the Chamber, which is about $850,000.  The local hospitality fees will now go to pay off bonds of the boardwalk Project.  That hospitality fee savings means the city won’t enact a municipal improvement district it had planned for downtown commercial property owners to help pay for the boardwalk, meaning no additional tax levy for them.

Tax Free Weekend August 7-9, 2009

Tax free shopping cuts the costs of back-to-school supplies, clothes, computers and more. With each state having its own set of rules and eligible items, these tax free shopping tips help you shop smart and save big.

Mark Your Calendar
Many states hold their sales tax holidays the same weekend. Mark your calendar with all of the sales tax holiday dates near you. You have enough on your mental calendar without having to worry about missing those tax free back-to-school shopping deals

Know What’s Free from Tax
Some states allow graduation caps and gowns into the sales tax holiday, while others don’t. Some qualify book bags and backpacks as tax free items. Others say book bags are taxable but backpacks are exempt.

States have different guidelines on which items qualify for the sales tax holiday. Understand these rules to maximize your savings. Find your state’s list of eligible items so you’ll know exactly what you can buy sales tax free.

Identify Dollar Limits
Dollar limits usually apply to each item you buy, as opposed to your entire purchase having to fall under a certain amount. However, dollar limits aren’t consistent among the states. They can also be tricky if you’re not prepared before you go shopping.

For example, State A specifies qualifying footwear “$100 and under” is free from tax. State B says qualifying footwear “under $100″ is free from tax. Those $100 shoes are tax free in State A but they would have to be $99.99 or less in State B to qualify.

Make a List
Write down everything you need to buy. Cross-reference each item on your list with your state’s list of eligible items to verify your purchases will be free from tax.

Just because school supplies are on the list of nontaxable items doesn’t mean all school supplies will actually qualify. Checking your list against the state’s list ensures you’re not losing pennies on the dollar with every purchase.

Plan Ahead
Big ticket items such as computers can be marked down hundreds of dollars just so they will be eligible for the sales tax holiday. These deals sell out fast.

Plan ahead to beat other shoppers to the savings. You want to be one of the first people at the store to get the best selection.

Map out the order of the stores you need to visit. Having a game plan means you’re not running all over town missing out on the hottest deals.

Know the Conditions
Items already in layaway may be tax free if you pay them off during your state’s sales tax holiday. Items you put in layaway within the tax free dates may not be taxable regardless of when you pay them off.

The rules on layaways, rain checks and special orders vary state by state. Know the conditions beforehand to save the most money.

Neighboring States
Planning a trip to visit the grandparents out of state? Live near the border of another state?

See if those states offer sales tax holidays. Your state may only offer sales tax savings on clothes but another state may include computers. It’s not uncommon for people to trek across state lines for tax free shopping if there’s a bargain to be found.

Study Sales Papers
Stores usually offer sales just for the tax free holiday. Hunt for bargains in the sales papers before you shop.

Look for deep discounts on the more expensive items but don’t forget about the little costs. With all of the back-to-school supplies you need, 50 cents here and there on paper, pens, notebooks and art supplies can add up quickly if you’re not shopping at the store with the best sales.

Check Coupon Rules
States have different guidelines on coupon use during sales tax holidays. Certain states allow store coupons and discounts to help lower the price below the per item dollar limit. Most do not accept manufacturer’s coupons to be used in this same way, though.

States have the rules spelled out for stores and consumers. This helps eliminate any problems at the register when you’re ready to check out.

Oceana Resorts Weekly Activities

Oceana Resorts is happy to announce that we offer weekly activities through out the summer months at some of our properties in Myrtle Beach.  Monday through Sunday our Activities Director and her great staff create fun activities and adventures perfect for the entire family.

List of activities:

Water Aerobics – Swimming is not required for this No Sweat activity

Pool Stick Relay- An event for kids to work together and have fun

Horse Shoes – On the grassy area before the beach, play a past time favorite while making new friends

Pool Volleyball – A Splashing good time in the pool

Water Balloon Toss – Don’t let the water balloon drop unless you want to cool down

Limbo Contest – How low can you go?

Hula hoop Time – A hula contest

Lazy River Ringer – A new way to enjoy the Lazy River

Beaded Bracelet – Create a Souvenir by the pool

There are also some great characters that visit the properties:

Sharkie the Shark from Ripley’s Aquarium

Albert Lucas, a world famous juggler, from the Dixie Stampede

Properties that host these activities include :

Best Western Carolinian Beach Resort

Camelot By The Sea

Patricia Grand Resort

Anderson Ocean Club and Spa

*Some of the activities may charge a small fee and are subject to change or cancel due to weather.

For more information please call 1-800-4MYRTLE or Visit Oceana Resorts Online

Pet Travel Made Easy

Driving:

Traveling with a pet in the car can be made a little easier by having water available.

Getting car sick and even panting a lot are a few signs of anxiety from your pet and having a cool drink of water can help ease that.   There are many spill-proof travel water dishes available at your local pet store. Some people recommend ice cubes. It prevents them from gulping down too much water at a time, which could come right back if they are upset.

Have your pet’s rabies shots up to date and take your papers if you cross the border. Make sure he is wearing an up-to-date ID tag in case he bolts.

Break at least every four hours to give your pet a walk.  

No pets in the front seats or on your lap.  Ever!

Hotels:

Some hotels that sound pet friendly are in fact not! Check out the hotel before making reservations. Trip Advisor is a good  resource of reviews posted by past guests of the resort.

Most will charge an extra fee (to cover accidents or mishaps), but some charge fees that are exorbitant and unnecessary.  Anything under $50 is fair.

Many hotels stipulate that you can’t leave your pet in the hotel room alone.  Inquire about pet-sitting services if you need to leave your pet behind. You may also inquire about bringing a pet taxi, if for some reason the pet should be left alone.

Oceana Resort offers a pet friendly resort on the south end of Myrtle Beach, Ocean Park. You may find all information pertaining to this resort in Myrtle Beach at the following link www.oceanparkresort.com or by calling 1-800-624-8539.

South Carolina’s Largest Garage Sale

The South Carolina Largest Garage Sale has had a change of venue.  For the past 20 years the garage sale was at the Myrtle Beach Pavilion Parking Garage; this year organizes have had to make some adjustments.

Downtown Redevelopment Corp was considering live entertainment on the garages’ top floor, and asked the engineers to take a look and see if this was going to work.   Engineers stated that the garage was not meant for large numbers of people to be moving around on the property for hours, so in turn the live entertainment and the garage sale are both out.

On September 12th, 2009 from 7am to noon, the annual garage sale with still take place, so the organizers had to come up with a short term plan to use as a venue for the event. They looked at many options, including the first floor of the parking garage.  Since it is still likely to rain during that time of the year, they decided the Myrtle Beach Convention Center at 21st Ave North and North Oak Street was the ideal spot.  Vendors will be able to set up a day in advance, however there are 20 fewer spaces for vendors.

Organizes have stated that this venue may be temporary, as they are still looking for a permanent place to hold the annual event for the future.

Myrtle Beach Fab 50’s

This week the Grand Strand is going back in time; a sock hop, an Elvis Contest and a cruise-in.  This is the area’s first Fabulous 50’s festival; poodle skirts and all.  To help raise money for the Horry County Arts and Cultural Council; the festival was suggested to the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce with the goal to make this an annual event.

The sock hop is going to be the main event, according to planners.  With 50’s music, food and entertainment.  During the sock hop, there will be a Hula Hoop Contest, bubble blowing contest, limbo and a costume contest.

Events:

Friday –

Golf Tournament at 7:15 am at the Wachesaw Plantation East in Murrells Inlet; must register by Wednesday.

The  sock hop at 7:30 pm at Studebaker’s in Myrtle Beach.

Saturday –

The cruise in with antique cars; meeting at 2pm at Legends in Concert and then parading south to the Murrells Inlet Chick-fil-A.

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest, South Carolina Semi- Finals, at 8pm at Lengends in Concert.

Children’s Museum of South Carolina

The Children’s Museum of South Carolina, located at 2501 N. Kings Hwy in  Myrtle Beach, SC is a great attraction to visit any time of the year.  Since 1994, when the museum open its doors, thousands of visitors from schools, day care centers, tourists  and locals have been experiencing the hands on learning the museum offers.

On July 22nd stop by from 11:30 to 1:30pm and meet Sargent Ladd from the Army Nation Guard.  Children will be able to crawl through and explore a military Humvee, while Sargent Ladd answers questions.  The children will get a flag that they can write a message on and donate to Sargent Ladd, and will also get the change to create their own patriotic hat to wear home.

Broadway at the Beach 14th Birthday Celebration

Broadway at the Beach is having a Celebration on July 18th, 2009 for their 14th Birthday.  Broadway is a hot spot for locals and tourists alike; with shopping, dinning, and many more attractions, who wouldn’t love this Myrtle Beach favorite.

The events for the celebration :

4:00 to 7:00 p.m. – Free Birthday Cake and Cupcakes

Guests are invited to join Broadway at the Beach’s Prince Sparks for free birthday cake, cupcakes, drinks and balloons at center court. (While Supplies Last)

4:00 to 7:00 p.m. – Free Prince Sparks Plush Toy

Guests can pick up a free Prince Sparks plush toy at center court at the cake table. (While Supplies Last)

7:00 p.m. – Birthday Celebration Parade

Sandra Heath, the “Great Things 2009″ sweepstakes winner, will serve as the grand marshal of this festive parade that begins in Center Court, near the Build-A-Bear Workshop, and ends at the Celebrity Square Stage. Participants include Broadway at the Beach’s Prince Sparks, Le Grand Cirque performers, MagiQuest characters, Ripley’s Aquarium mascot, and Dixie Stampede performers.

10:00 p.m. – Birthday Celebration Fireworks

Guests are invited to view the Birthday Celebration Fireworks showcase displayed over Lake Broadway.

Since 1995 Broadway at the Beach has served as a resource to the community by recruiting national attention through recognized brands like Hard Rock Cafe, Planet Hollywood, Ripleys Aquarium and others.