Best of Party Decoration Stores

One major pet peeve of mine is the lack of stuff to make for an awesome birthday party, or halloween party or any theme party your brain can imagine. So after two years here Catherine came to my rescue with Witte!

I have driven by this place a million times and the Linke Wienziele right at Naschmarkt and never seen it. That's because it's so unlike a party place on the outside - BORING. But once inside you are swept up with balloons, and costumes and all sorts of decorations. It's a one stop shop and I didn't even know they got that concept in Austria.

Normally I run from place to place to get balloons, and snippets of decorations and costumes. No more. And they have a ton of stuff for halloween.

So don't just make do with Toys R Us or order from the States and pay ridiculous taxes (as I have), go to Witte.

Smiles,
Ruchika

http://www.witte.at/
Jux Witte
Linke Wienzeile 16
1060, Vienna
01-586 43 05

Opening Times
Monday to Friday 9 - 18 hr.
Sat. 9 - 17 hr.

Best of Massage HANDS DOWN :-)

Ok, that depends. If you want candles, silk and scents this is not the place for you. If you want the stress kicked out of you this is. I mean, it's hardcore. You will feel pain, before you feel pleasure. It looks like the place that gives happy endings, and perhaps they do for the men folk, but it's heaven on earth for me.

Rough day, call Pham (she speaks English). I don't go to anyone else there. Pham is THE BEST. She is also a darling. I was having a really rough day, the kids hadn't slept, and waa, waa, waa as the song goes. I showed up and threw myself at her mercy.

I don't remember a thing, but I had woken up and my toes and fingernails had been painted and she sat smiling benovently. She had seen what a mess they were as as I was sleeping she brought out her personal kit and did this for me. It brought tears to my eyes. She didn't take a penny for it.

It's 62 Euros for an hour and everyone can spare that for a once a month mommy detox. Trust me you and your family will be better for it. THE BEST PART - wait for it, is that they are open till 10 p.m. on weeknights, so even if hubby comes home at 8, the kids are asleep and you can get out and get your relax on.

I warn you though - it's not pretty, just a mattress on the floor in tacky cheap looking cubicles, but really I'm not there for the scenery.

Enjoy!
Smiles,
Ruchika

http://www.gesundheit-massage.at/index.html

Chao Phraya
Salzgries 2
1010 Vienna
01/9582206

Opening Times:
Mo.-Fr. 11-22 Uhr
Sa. & Feiertag 12-20 Uhr

Best of Take Out Lunch

Hands down the best healthy, yummy lunch around! Check out Soup Kultur. They change their soups weekly (which sucks because I fall in love with one and it's gone the next week) and they have great salads. You can check out their soups of the week on the website below.

It's all to go so just pull up, jump out and grab to go.

They are only open from 11:30 a.m to 3:30 p.m. from Mon. to Friday. It's a small window and if you get there too late chances are they have sold out of a few soups.

It's well worth it and you don't even feel guilty after. If you have kids then take the soup to the Borsepark playground right there and enjoy as they run around. It's frankly the best park for kids in Vienna. Not too crowded and enclosed.

Smiles,
Ruchika

Soup Kultur
Wipplingerstrasse 32
Ecke Börseplatz
1010 Wien
http://www.soupkultur.at/Impressum.aspx

Best of Gyms

You could choose to tough it out, go bold, or just join Holmes Place and SMILE as you sweat. I despise working out, detest it, find it deplorable (I've run out of d words), but I actually enjoy stepping foot in this place.

First of all, it's beautiful. It tricks you into thinking you're at a spa before kicking your ass. Second, it has great classes and great machines and I don't seem to have to wait. I also like that they have an off hours special in terms of price. So I can workout from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. at a reduced rate. Drop the kids off to school and head here.

And here's the kicker - the eye candy is mozart kugel yummy. I still show up in torn tees, with a little bit of morning breakfast still hanging around from when Zayne decided to "paint" me with oatmeal, but at least looking out it's all good.

Go get into gear and join. If you know someone who is a member then it's 50 Euros for the first 3 months for you and the member. After three months it kicks up to a 100 Euros a month. They try to talk you into a heafty joining fee but say you don't want any personal trainer time and that comes down to 50 Euros as well. Also they have English speaking trainers if you so desire.

If you keep enlisting people you keep getting 50 Euros off your bill. So spread the love and we have 6 months till it turns warm so work it to shed it.

Ooooh and if you go at 11:00 p.m. you get to watch the celebrity sob stories on Larry King and hit the Soup Kultur below for some delicious, healthy soup for lunch!

All this info courtesy of the coolest Irish chick I know - Thanks Yvonne!

Smiles,

Ruchika

http://www.holmesplace.at/d/index.php

Holmes Place Health Club Wien - Boerseplatz

Wipplingerstraße 30
AT - 1010 Wien - Boerseplatz
Austria
Tel: +43 1 533 97 90 90
Fax: +43 1 533 97 90 95
Email: info@v2.holmesplace.at

Club Manager: Iain Scott-Bainbridge

Best of Gift for Small Children

If you are headed home for the holidays and want to take back something unique for that special niece or nephew back home that is MADE IN VIENNA then head to Herzilien Wien.

They have adorable tees for boys that are great quality and really cool for under 30 Euros. I particularly love the matching pjs they have that make for a great father's day gift. And their dresses...ohhhh, their dresses! They take inspiration from the dirndl but are modern and cool. There is really nothing I don't love in the store! And the owner speaks English.

Herzilien Wien

Wollzeile 17

1010, Vienna

Tel. +43 676 6577106

www.herzilein-wien.at

www.wollzeile.com/herzilein-wien

info@herzilein-wien.at

Opening Times:

Mo-Fr	10:00-18:30
Sat	10:00-17:00

Best of Mani/Pedi

After trying numerous places for my broken feet and child weary fingers, a dear friend, Jackie found the right artist! Her name is Catherine and she, too speaks fluent English and fantastic. Call her directly on her cell to make an appointment. She part times at the Opera and is an actress and a delight. She talks if you want to and doesn't when you don't.

My feet are perpetually cracked (as am I) and she does a paraffin wax that miraculously heals all breaks for a month. And if you're into red, she has the perfect red for your toes.

The best part of it all, is that she takes appointments after 6:30 p.m. in the evening so ask your husband to come home early one night and go indulge. It's in the Hotel Herrnhoff which is right next to Cafe Central. I like to "dry off" with a book and a coffee and take the long walk home. Vienna at night is enchanting.

Smiles,

Ruchika

Caroline Krammer

0664 40 88 279 o

Steigenberger Hotel Herrenhof

Herrengasse 10

1010 Wien

Austria

Phone +43 1 53404-0

Fax +43 1 53404-155

Best of Eyebrow Shape and Wax

I have tried the Sacher Spa, the corner Spa - Gesund and Schon, and countless others and either I end up looking like a hooker with thin lines of black coke across my forehead or like a furry beaver has thrown up on me.

This until I found Dani. Now, when you see me, you may disagree, but I think she rocks. And she charges 5 Euros for a half an hour of gentle care. Very few people take such pride in their work and she does.

Her English is flawless - she lived in NYC so feel free to unleash your best big and bright HELLO. She is totally accommodating and will even take you at night after your husband gets home.

By the way, I also hear she gives great facials, but I have sensitive skin and don't indulge. And if you're looking for a pretty gift certificate to get that doesn't break the budget she has nice ones to give.

Enjoy!

Dani Kosmetik
Mozartgasse 7
1040, Wien

+43 1 5054410

Best of Vienna

Dear Friends,

I've decided to start a blog on the Best of Vienna, especially for mommies who are on the lookout for "the Best Of" for themselves and their families.

We want to make the most of our time here and make memories to last a lifetime!

Smiles,
Ruchika