Best of OKC According to Me

Ruffle Cold Shoulder Top | Similar Blanket Scarf | Free People Jeans | Wedge Sneakers, Dupes Here | OKC Hat 

I can't believe I've been written 12 Best of OKC blog posts. I had such fun time rounding up my favorite places in town this year....I'm going to have to think of a new spin to put on my local posts for 2019. I thought about going district by district and talking about my favorite things to do/see/eat in each neighborhood....thoughts?? Ideas? Suggestions?

To wrap up my final Best of OKC post, I wanted to touch on everyday life in Oklahoma City. So, this is the Best of OKC according to me! I get asked all the time where I get my hair and nails done, where I workout, who my favorite photographer is, etc., so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share my personal lifestyle choices. Think of it as my own "Best of OKC Awards" kind of like the newspapers do.

Without further ado...........

Best Hair Stylist - Jamie Thomas at Scissortale Salon. I've been going to Jamie for probably six or seven years now! She is the only stylist who has EVER colored my hair and I wouldn't trust it to anyone else. She is a master of balayage! 

Best Lash Stylist - Kelleigh at Moss & Magnolia. I've only been getting lash extensions since September but it doesn't take much to know that Kelleigh is a pro. She also does lash lifts, tints and waxes. She makes you feel so comfortable and at ease and really listens to what type of lash style you want! 

Best Nail Salon - I've been to a TON of nail salons throughout the last few years trying to find one that wasn't disgusting and did a good job / gave me dip nails that lasted. After I had shoulder surgery last year I couldn't very well take my arm out of a sling but I needed my dip fixed. I decided to try Gloss Nail Salon in Nichols Hills Plaza. I thought that if I went to a nicer place, they would be able to speak English and go easy on my arm. They treated me like freaking royalty and took such good care of me! I haven't gone anywhere else since. They are a bit pricier but the quality of service and quality of work is 100% worth it. 

Best Crossfit Gym - Koda Crossfit gets all the stars! I've been going for five years and it changed my fitness mindset for the better. I also met my best friend Ashley from Sass and Satin here waaaay before either of us started blogging. I've competed in competitions at Koda, I've competed in competitions with Koda teammates, and through Koda I found a workout that I truly loved and enjoyed. The coaches are really knowledgeable and work with you on your form to help you get stronger / prevent injury.

Best Nutritionist - I use Greg from Myobrain to count my macros! I've been working with him for a few years now on and off and he always whips me into shape. Through flexible dieting, I've really learned the makeup of all foods and have paid more attention to what I'm putting in my body and how it affects me.

Best Boutique Fitness Studio - I love Beyond Studios! So much so that I started teaching the Beyond 500 class earlier this year. They offer PHIT (Pilates Hybrid Interval Training) and Pilates. It is not only a great place to work, but a great place to workout. 500 is a circuit style class that gets your cardio in on a Woodway (a self propelled treadmill) AND your strength training in using kettlebells and a pilates chair. 

Best Med Spa - I recently started going to Bella Luce Med Spa and I'm HOOKED. They have worked wonders on my skin! The ladies that work there are so sweet and always listen to my concerns / make me feel so welcome and comfortable. They offer all kinds of skin treatments like laser hair removal, botox, facials, microdermabrasions, derma planing, tattoo removal and more. I HIGHLY recommend them! 

Best Day Spa - Udander is a Scandinavian steam and sauna spa in downtown Oklahoma City and it is such a fun experience! Their locker rooms are amazing and the entire facility is very minimalist and very relaxing. I did a bath soak and a massage a few years back and have been dying to go again. Definitely the best place in town to pamper yourself! 

Best Spray Tan - Paxton the Traveling Gypsy is my girl! I had never had an airbrush spray tan until recently and had always been super nervous about it for some reason but Paxton made me feel so at ease as I was standing there half naked (HA) and my tan was FLAWLESS. The color was super natural and it lasted for about a week! I love the way being tan makes me feel...just better about life in general, ya know? Also, Paxton offers a mobile spray tan so she comes to YOU and sprays you in the comfort of your own home. SOLD. My schedule is nuts and it's hard to find the time to do all the beauty things so the mobile tan is a game changer IMO.

Best Photographer - I get asked ALL THE TIME for photog recommendations and it's too hard to narrow it down to just one. My best friend Ashley does amazing work at A.W. Photography for couples, engagements, weddings, etc. My college friend and sorority Little, Lauren of Lauren Grigg Photography, does beautiful work as well for babies, seniors, maternity sessions, families, weddings....you name it! I also love Loganna Photography; Logan is so sweet, does beautiful portrait work, and her poses are always so fun and playful. The blog photos I did with her are some of my favorites to date. 

Best Veterinarian (you know I love my pups) - we go to Britton Road Veterinary Clinic. They are so great with our dogs and have really worked with us to help manage Kylo's elbow dysplasia. 

Best Hotel (for anyone visiting) - this is kind of hard for me to narrow down so I'll leave you with TWO favorites: The Skirvin (a classic) and 21c (more unique / quirky). The Skirvin has so much classic historic charm to it - it's even said to be haunted! It has a fancy lobby, gorgeous rooms and that overall upscale hotel feel to it. C and I stayed here on our wedding night! 21c is definitely more unique - it is in an old auto plant and has a lofty feel to it. The rooms are HUGE and they have a great restaurant, bar, and museum!

Best Orthopedic Surgeon - ever since my shoulder surgery, I get a lot of questions about which doctor I saw and who did my physical therapy. I went to Calvin Johnson for my shoulder consultation, surgery and follow-ups (I had a major labral tear) and he was wonderful to work with. He had great bedside manner, he really listened and explained everything in terms I could understand. He also never made me feel rushed - he took the time to address any concerns I had. I would 100% recommend him. He works with most athletes in OKC and does shoulders and knees.

Best Physical Therapist - I went to Physical Therapy Central before and after my shoulder surgery. I spent a LOT of time there and really came to know and enjoy the entire staff! I kind of miss them! Jimmy and Kendall at the Northeast location are both wonderful therapists.... they took great care of me and truly nursed me back to health post-op.

Again, I had such a fun time working on all twelve of these Best of OKC posts, I'm so thankful for this platform so that I can share! I really do love my little city and I genuinely enjoy watching it bloom and grow. There are new restaurants, shops and hangout spots popping up all the time so check back for more soon. Wherever you are, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful year!

Thanks for reading and Happy Holidays!

Photos by A.W. Photography