Cara LaGreen
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  • June14th

    What can be said about the Chocolate Day Spa in Costa Mesa, California?… Hmmm…
    Run away from this place fast. I mean really fast. Like the fastest you have ever ever run because this place, as many fellow Yelp Reviewers have said, is a hot hot mess

    I bought a Living Social deal in December for my husband and I to go on our anniversary.
    I called and called since December to book our appointments and would never get a real person.
    I would leave messages, no one would call back, and when I finally did get someone on the phone, they told me that all of the 10 dates I gave them were booked. I went online and booked on their website and followed up with a call to make sure that I was confirmed and they told me they did not have that time available. When I told them it was available on the website, they just told me that the website was wrong and that it wasn’t available.

    Since the deal was to expire in two weeks I called again this week and again got their voice mail, left a message, but no one called back.
    I then called again and was put on hold with this annoying ear piercing beep beep sound. I mean you are a spa for crying out loud — where is the calming on-hold music?
    Then I was hung up on.
    I called again and was put on hold.
    Repeat 3 times.
    It was all super fun.

    When I finally was connected to a real person, she said that they were booked up past my groupon expiration date.
    Now that is fine, it has happened several times with different deals I have purchased at Aveda and other salons and they have always been willing to extend the expiration date no problem. But she said the only way they would extend it is if I paid an extra15 dollars per deal — so 30 dollars extra total for the 2 of us — to have the deal extended 2 months.


    WHAT??????


    Since when does a salon charge you extra for them being over booked? And if they are so booked, why are they still putting offers on all of the discount sites and then being rude to the people that already have purchased the deals?
    When I asked this she was extremely cold and non-responsive and kept repeating the statement she had been told to repeat:
    “I am sorry maa’m but you have to understand this is not a normal spa where we take walk ins, we are by appointment only.”" Yeah I get that, and I have tried to make numerous appts.”
    “Well maa’m in all fairness you had since December to book.”
    “Right, and as I told you I have tried to book since December.”

    Repeat 10 times…

    The Chocolate Day Spa have done deals on Screamin, Living Social, Groupon, and many others, yet several other reviewers have said they were not honoring the discounts either. Last time I checked, not honoring a discount you sold that is still valid is ILLEGAL, no matter how much business you are currently getting. I don’t remember any disclaimer on the discount sites saying, you only get this discount if the spa is not busy and has time for you.

    Add in the fact that this salon is in an office building, the bathrooms are outside down the hall and you need a key like it’s a gas station; walls are thin, appointments are overbooked and guests are told to come back later when they are already there.
    Other guests have reported that they arrived for their scheduled appointment and the place was closed.
    Living Social customers have been told their deals are not valid on Saturdays and subject to availability (which is NEVER) just proves my point that this place sounds anything but relaxing. This place may be fully booked right now but I doubt much repeat business will be happening.
    When I mentioned that they had horrible reviews, she didn’t even care. She just kept saying:

    “Maa’m you need to understand we are not a traditional spa, we are by appointment only.”

    I stopped her and said, “Yeah, yeah, I know you are an appt. only spa that doesn’t ever have any appointments, doesn’t return phone calls, doesn’t honor discounts offered, and will for sure be getting another bad review from me.”

    She made me so angry, there is no way any de-stressing was happening at this place. I needed a massage just to recover from the stress of the phone call.

    Run away fast. I mean really fast. Like the fastest you have ever ever run because this place, as many fellow Yelp reviewers have said, is the hottest mess in town.

    Check out all the Yelp Reviews for this mess here http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-chocolate-day-spa-costa-mesa

  • April10th

    So, in my recent apartment search, I have encountered some pretty damning yet hilarious responses when it comes to phoning and visiting apartment buildings.

    I’m still not sure how much of the following was hard-sell and how much was just plain stupidity…

    #1
    Me: Hi, do you take small dogs? I have a 15 lb shitzu.
    Apartment manager: No but we have three sparkling pools and central air. Would you like to come in for a tour?
    Me: Um, no that’s OK, thanks anyway.

    #2
    Me: Hi, do you take small dogs? I have a 15 lb shitzu.
    Apartment manager: No, but we accept cats.
    Me: But I just told you I have a dog.
    Apartment manager: But cats are so much smarter. You really should get a cat.

    #3
    Me: Hi, do you take small dogs? I have a 15 lb shitzu.
    Apartment manager: No, but we have washer/dryer hookups that I know you have been looking for.
    Me: Yes, I have, but obviously its more important that you take dogs than having washer/dryer hookups.
    Apartment manager: Well, you aren’t going to find everything on your checklist at every apartment. You are going to have to make some compromises.
    Me: Well, my living, breathing, dog far outweighs having to lug my laundry down three flights of stairs at midnight.
    Apartment manager: Well, its good you have priorities.

    #4
    Me: Hi, do you take small dogs? I have a 15 lb shitzu.
    Apartment manager: No, but we take cats.
    Me: Well, I just told you I have a dog.
    Apartment manager: Ahhh, you should get a cat instead.
    Me: Not that it is any of your business, but I am allergic to cats.
    Apartment manager: Well, they have all of those over the counter allergy medicines now.
    Me: But that doesn’t solve the problem that I already have a dog.
    Apartment manager: Oh, right.

    #5
    Me: Hi, do you take small dogs? I have a 15 lb shitzu.
    Apartment manager: Let me get back to you on that one; I need to check if that breed is on our restricted-breed list.
    Me: What is your list based on?
    Apartment manager: Size, and whether it is a breed that is known to attack.
    Me: What is the largest dog allowed?
    Apartment manager: They have to be under 35 pounds
    Me: I just told you my dog was 15 pounds
    Apartment manager: Right, but I don’t know if it is an attack dog, so I will get back to you on that one.
    Me: Sounds good, take your time; wouldn’t want my big ferocious shitzu to attack anybody.

    #6 (in-person visit)
    Apartment manager: I am sorry we don’t take dogs but if you ever want to get rid of your dog, I am certain this would be the perfect apartment home for you.

    #7
    Me: Hi, I was double checking that you take small dogs as your online ad says that you do.
    Apartment manager: No we don’t take dogs.
    Me: Oh, well you might want to change your ad then.
    Apartment manager: Well, we get more traffic coming in when we say we take dogs.

    #8
    Me: Hi do you take small dogs? I have a 15 lb shitzu.
    Apartment manager: No, but we have a state of the art fitness center.
    Me: But I have a dog.
    Apartment manager: Can’t you give it to a family member or something?
    Me: Oh, my gosh, what is wrong with you people. My dog is part of my family. Why would I give it up for three sparkling pools, central air, washer/dryer hookups, and a state of the art fitness center?
    Apartment manager: No need to get emotional ma’am. I was just trying to help.

    #9 (in-person visit)
    Apartment manager: I’m sorry, we don’t take dogs.
    Me: But we have been sitting here for an hour with our dog — why didn’t you mention that before?
    Apartment manager: Oh, I thought it was a cat.
    Me: Do you take cats?
    Apartment manager: No.

  • December30th

    So as I am sure you have heard the new $65 million “Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark” resumed previews after its fourth major accident occurred. It has been reported that more safety measures have been put in place. Well that is good, I am glad after four people were injured, they finally put better safety measures in. And the show hasn’t even opened yet!

    I can’t help but wonder why do we need so many stunts and special effects in musicals? It all started with that darn chandelier in “Phantom of the Opera.” Was that beautiful music and story line not entertaining enough that they had to add a huge chandelier coming out into the audience and crashing down?

    Did “Miss Saigon” really need a live working helicopter? Was the tragic story — based on the opera “Madame Butterfly” — of a young woman who kills herself to save her son, not story enough that they needed a big old helicopter to fly out and distract us? I mean this show had war, death, love, and random stripper like dancing. Even the average guy who hates musicals would be entertained by this show with or without any helicopters.

    Did the “Titanic” musical really need an almost-full-size ship to sink on stage to tell that story? OK, maybe that one did, but the point is, since when did we have to start putting in movie-like special effects into Broadway musicals? Why can’t we leave that to the movies? Why do we need to see dancers (not professional stunt men) plunge 30 feet to near death on a stage? Aren’t these stories dramatic and poignant enough without all the extra foo foo? And why can’t society today leave more things to the imagination? Oh right, this is the same society that has to have dolls that talk, walk, pee, poop, and pick up your groceries for you. Whatever happened to simply playing with refrigerator boxes?

  • December4th

    Cara had the great fortune on Thursday December 2nd 2010 to perform once again with Trini Lopez, this time at the San Manuel Casino in Highland California. Cara was providing backing vocals with L’Marco Smith and Marcy Brooks.

    The concert was a roaring success and Trini once again showed that he has lost none of his stage presence or charm when performing. Trini performed some of his greatest hits including ‘If I Had a Hammer’, ‘Lemon Tree’ and of course the infamous ‘La Bamba’.

    So great is Trini’s success and his fans desire for more that he is currently planning a tour to the Philippines in February 2011 and hopefully this will be extended to Sri Lanka and Australia.

    Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia

    Lopez was born in Dallas, Texas, on Ashland Street in the Little Mexico neighborhood. He began his entertainment career in Dallas playing at the Vegas Club, a nightclub owned by Jack Ruby. He made his name on the club circuit of the Southwestern United States before being ‘discovered’ in 1962 playing at the club PJ’s in Hollywood, California, by record producer Don Costa. Costa was taken with Lopez’s Latinized versions of contemporary hits and signed him up to Frank Sinatra’s record label, Reprise Records.
    His debut album, Trini Lopez Live at PJ’s, was released in 1963. The album included a version of “If I Had a Hammer”, which reached number one in 36 countries (No. 3 in the United States) and was a radio favorite for many years. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. He also performed his own version of the traditional Mexican song “La Bamba” on the album; his recording of the tune was later re-issued as a single in 1966.
    Trini’s popularity led the Gibson Guitar Corporation to ask him in 1964 to design a guitar for them. He ended up designing two: The Trini Lopez Standard and the Lopez Deluxe, a variation of a Gibson jazz guitar designed by Barney Kessel. Both of these guitars were in production from 1964 until 1971 and are now highly sought after amongst collectors. Some owners of the guitar include Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and Noel Gallagher of Oasis.
    He scored thirteen chart singles through 1968, including “Lemon Tree” (1965), “I’m Comin’ Home, Cindy” (1966) and “Sally Was a Good Old Girl” (1968). On the adult contemporary chart, he ranked up 15 hits, including the Top 10 singles “Michael” (1964), “Gonna Get Along Without Ya’ Now” (1967) and “The Bramble Bush” (1967). Beyond his success on record, he became one of the country’s top nightclub performers of that era.

    Lopez was born in Dallas, Texas, on Ashland Street in the Little Mexico neighborhood. He began his entertainment career in Dallas playing at the Vegas Club, a nightclub owned by Jack Ruby. He made his name on the club circuit of the Southwestern United States before being ‘discovered’ in 1962 playing at the club PJ’s in Hollywood, California, by record producer Don Costa. Costa was taken with Lopez’s Latinized versions of contemporary hits and signed him up to Frank Sinatra’s record label, Reprise Records. His debut album, Trini Lopez Live at PJ’s, was released in 1963. The album included a version of “If I Had a Hammer”, which reached number one in 36 countries (No. 3 in the United States) and was a radio favorite for many years. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. He also performed his own version of the traditional Mexican song “La Bamba” on the album; his recording of the tune was later re-issued as a single in 1966.
    Trini’s popularity led the Gibson Guitar Corporation to ask him in 1964 to design a guitar for them. He ended up designing two: The Trini Lopez Standard and the Lopez Deluxe, a variation of a Gibson jazz guitar designed by Barney Kessel. Both of these guitars were in production from 1964 until 1971 and are now highly sought after amongst collectors. Some owners of the guitar include Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and Noel Gallagher of Oasis.
    He scored thirteen chart singles through 1968, including “Lemon Tree” (1965), “I’m Comin’ Home, Cindy” (1966) and “Sally Was a Good Old Girl” (1968). On the adult contemporary chart, he ranked up 15 hits, including the Top 10 singles “Michael” (1964), “Gonna Get Along Without Ya’ Now” (1967) and “The Bramble Bush” (1967). Beyond his success on record, he became one of the country’s top nightclub performers of that era.

    For more information on Trini Lopez please visit http://trinilopez.com, Trini’s latest album is also available via his website ‘El Immortal‘.

  • November30th

    This Thanksgiving weekend I had the privilege of singing with Trini Lopez for the Lift Up America annual Celebrity golf tournament charity event in Palm Springs.
    We had a blast.

    On Thursday November 25th the charity was able to feed thousands of homeless children. Friday 26th November was the pairings party, and Saturday 27th November was the golf tournament and Gala celebration.

    I sang three songs of my own including my arrangement of Man-eater with Corey Burrell’s Queen B’s and then had the honor of singing with Trini Lopez for the main event of the evening.

    Fans came from as far away as Israel to see Trini perform and many celebrities were in attendance such as Cloris Leachman and a whole host of football players, unless they are on Dancing with the Stars I don’t know who they are.

    Trini was so wonderful and gracious to us, he is a true professional and his voice sounded as good as the tapes we received from concerts he performed back in 1981. He has made 65 albums and is currently working on a jazz album.

    Trini knew exactly what he wanted and when he wanted us to sing with him which put our mind at ease since we had no rehearsal and had not seen any sheet music or vocal parts.

    Trini’s 10 piece band was amazing and after we sang our first song Trini asked us if we would like to sing with him at San Manuel Casino in San Bernardino California this Thursday night, 2nd December.

    So if you are in the mood for some Lemon tree, La Bamba and Latinized versions of contemporary hits such as ‘Lemon Tree’ and ‘If I Had a Hammer’ come on down at 7:30 PM this Thursday to an awesome show.

    Tickets are available through ticketmaster.com and you can find more information at trinilopez.com.