Spa Grace’s Jeremy Grace will have you at hello

PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES
He had me at “Miss Ellen.”
Had Jeremy Grace greeted me any other way—“Hello!” “Ellen?” “May I help you?”—I’m sure it would have been fine (the man defines charm), but it was a simple “Miss Ellen?” that brought a wide grin to my face, always [...]

The Kids Are Alright: When you just can’t buy it for yourself

PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES
Oh, this stupid, stupid recession. (Or is our economy still just taking a power nap?) I’ve listened to the experts. I’ve made budgets and learned to stick to them. No purchase is unconsidered, no penny left in the change bowl. And [...]

Your money is no good at the Long Beach Public Library—It’s free!

PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES
Imagine, if you will, a greaser winning a lifetime of free tattoos or a drunk finding a bar that’s never closed; that’s how I feel about the Long Beach Public Library (LBPL), which combines two of my favorite things: literature and [...]

Nails by Christy: A hidden retreat for your hands and feet

PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES
Who says that getting a manicure or pedicure can’t be as luxurious as going in for a facial or massage—that they can’t be just as comfortable, relaxing and refreshing? Like a lot of women, I used to find the mani/pedi experience to [...]

Veg-O-Rama’s vegan cupcakes will find a home in your belly

PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES
I’ve been a vegetarian for 10 years and a vegan for nearly five. In that time, I’ve realized that ordering new dishes is usually much more exciting than eating what’s placed on the table—not that it’s bad; my taste buds just seem to [...]

Fashionable finds for cheap at BJ Clothes

PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES
Being fashion-forward isn’t as difficult as it looks, even on a tight budget. In fact, it’s rather simple: To appear like you’ve got much more going on for yourself than you really do, just prioritize your wardrobe by spending less money on items that don’t necessarily [...]

How a man from Naples Island taught us all about wine

PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES
Morry’s of Naples sells fine liquors, exotic cheeses and badger-bristled men’s shaving brushes—but it’s famous because three generations of the Rabin family have done one thing very well: sell wine. Seventy years ago, that was revolutionary.
When the store opened in 1938—later, the [...]

Around the city in eight erotic shops

PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES
As the old saying goes, when opportunity knocks, don’t blow it—strap it on. Or at least that’s what you do when given the chance to explore some of Long Beach’s kinkiest (and not so much!) sex shops. From Phat Toys and the Purple Onion to ConRev [...]

Merry’s makes your world a little bit smaller

PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES
Thumbing the price tags at Merry’s (“Fashion With Passion”) is a lot like playing with a globe—eyes closed, index on the surface as it spins, as your seven-year-old self used to do—only here, your finger never stops on Paris, Pittsburgh or Perth. Instead, you land [...]

Bo’s Cigars offers a members-only setting with a porch stoop feel

PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES
On the northwest corner of Long Beach City College’s main campus, the unmistakable aroma of cigar smoke hangs in the air, a peculiar complement to the smell of fried rice from nearby Chinese and Thai restaurants. Do a little detective work and [...]