How To Do A Pool Day Like a Pro

How to have the perfect pool day in Houston, at Encore Montrose

Not all pools (or pool days for that matter) are created equal. Growing up on the beach and with a pool in my backyard, I’d like to think of myself as an expert at pool and beach days. Perhaps I’m even part mermaid, who knows? So I’m sharing some ways to make the perfect pool day – whether you’re riding solo with a good book or inviting a few friends over to bask in the sun with you.

 

For starters, have a killer pool, like we do at Encore Montrose (pictured). There is so much space, so if you want to spend some time buried in a good book or with your headphones on, you’ll have peace, but if you want to turn up with some friends or meet your neighbors, you have that option too, thanks to the beautiful infinity pool. It also overlooks US-59, so being able to watch all the traffic gives you an even greater sense of peace.

Stay hydrated. Luckily my apartment isn’t far from the pool, but I always try to bring everything down in a first trip, including a huge bottle of water (it’s Houston, you’ll need it) and my favorite cans of rosé and spiked seltzers. I also try to bring a quickly made fruit salad, so I don’t have to run back and forth.

Tunes and/or a good book. Some days I can get lost in a good book for hours (Elin Hilderbrand books are my absolute faves), but other days I want to jam to some good music or even listen to a podcast and think of it as work. Make sure your headphones, iPad, speakers, ect. are charged and ready to roll for a few hours.

Sunscreen. This is not optional for me. I doubt you’ll look back one day at your wrinkles and say, “that pool day in Montrose sure was worth all these wrinkles.” Same goes for a hat and sunglasses.

The Perfect Frose.  It’s not a pool day without it, right? If you’re more of a tequila and champagne kind of person, whip up this Sparkling Margarita in a pitcher and head out in the sun. But remember to hydrate regularly, because yours truly is no longer a spring chicken!

The Company. Invite a few friends over and enjoy the day. Again, sometimes a solo pool day is exactly what the doctor ordered, but if you’re craving some girl time or good friends, invite them over for a fun afternoon in the sun. Also, don’t be afraid to ask them to bring something. “Do you mind bringing some beer or a small fruit salad?” Don’t think you have to do it all yourself. Plus, living at Encore Montrose, you are in the HEB delivery zone for free booze, via Favor, so take advantage of that! 

Shop My Perfect Pool Day Musts: 

Not that the Houston summer seems to be going anywhere anytime soon, but did you know the pool at Encore Montrose is heated? It’s not a huge infinity hot tub with jets, but they can heat it up to 82 degrees year-round, which extends pool season just a bit longer. Lucky us! 

This is part of a sponsored series with Encore Montrose, sharing what I love about this new Montrose apartment community. These luxury Houston apartments are located a few blocks off Montrose and are offering end-of-year leasing specials right now, so stop by for a tour and tell them Jayme (or The Blonde Side) sent you! Be sure to take a look at the infinity pool – it’s one of my favorite things about living here!

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Houston’s Best Manicure With A Cherry On Top

Cherry – The Mobile Manicure App

I’ve blogged about how much I love my Montrose apartment plenty, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that finding an app that sends nail technicians directly to my home for manis/pedis is one of my new favorite things.

Cherry is an on-demand mobile nail services app that is modernizing the nail industry, with the simple click of a button.

A few reasons I love Cherry:

  1. As mentioned, I am a home body. Everything about my apartment at Encore Montrose is cozy and it’s so much more comfortable than any nail salon (those massaging chairs never do anything for me, so I’m not missing out).
  2. I book the time that works best for me. And once I found my favorite nail tech, known as a Cherry Pro (Hilda, pictured), I can request her specifically and she shows up on time and ready to roll.
  3. I can make it a girl’s night or day and have friends over. You can “add a friend” to your reservation and drink wine, girl talk and more, which I find more comfortable than any other nail salon. No one can overhear your conversation, you don’t feel like you need to keep it down and you can choose what it’s on the TV or radio. If you plan to have more than a few friends over, or want to be outside, consider using the resident club room or taking the appointment outside in one of the courtyards or by the pool. The service doesn’t need water, so they can work from pretty much anywhere within your Montrose apartment community or home.
  4. It’s a Texas-based company – and you know I love supporting other Texas businesses.
  5. TIP: You can also schedule Cherry at your office. If you want them to come on your lunch break or schedule a team-building activity for a few of your top employees, this is a great and innovative way to do it.
  6. I’m able to spend more with with my sweet pup. Have a sleeping baby that you need to be close to? Same applies there.
  7. I’m able to catch up on TV shows, as pictured here, starting Gossip Girl, xoxo
  8. I can take a conference call if need be. I’m always weary to take important business calls at the nail salon (plus, I think it’s rude to other patrons), this way I’m pulling double duty, helping my time management.
  9. Once it’s over, I’m home and can carry on with my day. No sitting in traffic or driving home.

A few things to note (these aren’t negatives, but will make your process a lot

Cherry – Nails Anytime, Anywhere (in Montrose!)

easier):

  1. If you live in an apartment, provide detailed parking/finding you instructions. It will save time and energy having them walking around your apartment or not knowing where to park.
  2. They only bring a few curated colors to choos e from. For me, this works great. I personally find it overwhelming to sort through 200 colors, but if you are someone who needs an exact shade of jade, this may not be the option for you.
  3. They are slightly more expensive than your traditional nail salon, but there will always be an added fee for luxury and convienence. My only real “con” about the pricing is they charge $20 to remove your dip nails. A lot of women say they always pay a “removal” fee, but I guess I was lucky to never have before.
  4. Cherry is cashless – you pay via credit card from the app and same thing with tipping.
  5. I thought it would be awkward to have a stranger in my apartment doing my nails, but it wasn’t at all. If you want to talk, they will. If you want to watch TV in silence or take a call, they are fine with that too. Just remember to be courteous – show them where your bathroom is, offer them water, etc.

My typical “order” includes:

  • Dip Manicure / Classic Pedicure: $90
    (Nail and cuticle care, dip / classic polish, hand and foot massage)
  • Dip Removal: $20
  • Extended Massage: $10
  • Tip: 20% (up to you)

Cherry provides a way for all nail consumers to support working women that are proximate to them, making an impact in their own community (that’s us Houston!). Choosing Cherry is not just the more convenient choice, choosing Cherry means moving your own community forward, so it’s definitely a win-win for many involved.

Sure, there are a ton of good Montrose nail salons, but there’s something about being able to kick back on your couch next to your pup, in your own apartment, with your Netflix account that makes it an even more enjoyable experience.

Ready to book your first appointment? Use code BlondeSide for $10 off your first appointment for you and your friends! 

This post is part of a sponsored series with Encore Montrose, sharing what I love about my fun Montrose apartment. These luxury Houston apartments are offering a few leasing specials right now, so stop by and tell them Jayme (or The Blonde Side) sent you! Come for a private tour (don’t miss the pool!) and be sure to ask for the Champagne Tour.

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Blue Cure Event – Houston Charity Event – Sept. 28

Blue Cure Night Run in Houston: September 28th

If you’re looking for the hottest thing to do in Houston this month, look no further than the Blue Cure Night Run in downtown Houston + Zumba dance party.

Not only will it be an absolute blast, it’s for an amazing cause – raising money and awareness for Prostate Cancer.

Sadly, I won’t be in Houston to make the event, but I’ve attended it a few times and I promise, it’s a terrific way to spend your Saturday night.

This is a really important race and cause near and dear to my heart. If you are in Houston on Saturday, September 28th, please consider signing up and bringing a few friends with you. 

When: Saturday, September 28th from 4-10p

Where: Downtown Houston

Register here and use code JaymeLamm for $5 off! 

For the ladies reading this — you probably already know the men in your life (dads, brothers, husbands/boyfriends, best friends, co-workers) are less likely to get checkups, so this is the chance to remind them that an annual checkup, which is usually covered by insurance, can save their lives.

For the men reading this — take a stand and show Houston that #MensHealthMatters. This is the chance to shine a much needed spotlight on men’s health all while having a good time.

From Blue Cure’s website: Arming our men with critical knowledge and information is key, and encouraging men to commit to action is our goal! The Blue Cure Night Run will shine a big bright light on men’s physical and mental health issues across Houston, Texas and beyond! Proceeds benefit Blue Cure’s prostate cancer and men’s health education and advocacy programs.

The Blue Cure Night Run is an untimed fun run, that takes place at Sam Houston Park, in front of a brightly lit blue City Hall. This family fun event will include music, dance, Zumba, yoga-stretch and healthy treats.

Today, 1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancerin their lifetime. Yet research has shown that as few as 1 in 10 cancers are due to hereditary gene mutations. That means that as much as 90% of cancers come from environmental factors, such as diet, lifestyle, chemical exposure, and air quality. Blue Cure believes that we can make changes in our lives to reduce our risk of cancer and improve the outcomes of cancer victims.

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SPENGA FAQs

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SPENGA Montrose FAQs

Going to a new gym scares me. I’m serious. I feel incredibly self conscious, have a hard time figuring things out and sometimes feel like I don’t belong. I have this fish out of water theory: you’re the newbie, afraid everyone there is already best friends and is judging you. Most of the time, that’s just in my head. It’s only happened at two gyms over the course of my time trying out gyms for the purpose of this column. 

If you’ve been following The Blonde Side or my Houston Instagram page, you know I recently started working out at SPENGA, in Montrose. If you’re looking to try it out, shoot me a note and let’s go together. There’s power in numbers. Or you can call and book an appointment and score a free class by using my name at the Montrose and The Woodlands locations only. 

SPENGA FAQ’s: What is it? It’s 60-minutes of a hardcore workout, split up into sections: 20 minutes spin, 20 minutes strength and 20 minutes yoga

Do I need spin shoes? Nope, use your regular shoes (but you are welcome to bring spin shoes).

Spin bikes scare me, is it scary? Spin bikes scare me too. True story – it took me TEN classes to learn how to adjust my bike. Luckily I wasn’t afraid to ask and all the staff gladly helped me each time (though I was probably super annoying!).

What do I need to bring? I have never been that person to bring a sweat towel to a gym, until SPENGA, so bring that. And water. And a positive attitude.

Do they have lockers? Yes, and use them. Never leave stuff in your car, especially in Houston! They also have showers so if you need to get ready for work or a hot date, you’re in luck.

Is this the only workout you do? As of right now, it’s the only class/instructor driven workout. I still do some at-home workouts, especially since I travel so much. But I also love that SPENGA is a franchise, so I plan to try their studios out near Denver over the next few months to help stay in more of a routine. Plus, since you’re getting spin, weights and yoga, it feels like I’m taking quite a few classes/disciplines. 

Can I try it? Yes, and as a matter of fact, if you use my name (Jayme or The Blonde Side works) when you call the studio in Montrose, your class is free. So take advantage of that! 

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FREELANCE + SPORTS + TRAVEL + FITNESS
COPYRIGHT 2019, THE BLONDE SIDE
CREATED BY JAYME LAMM