At Your Convenience
Too busy lazing away the season to deal with everyday headaches? Hire a problem solver who makes house calls.
- Illustration by Jonathan Carlson.
Last-Minute Packing
The pro: Erika Salloux, Living Harmony
Whether you’re an overpacker, underpacker, or just plain bad packer, Salloux can help. After quizzing you about your trip, she’ll dive headfirst into your closet and advise you on what to bring and how to organize it for fastest access upon arrival. The packing whiz, who conducts group lectures on the subject, will even come back post-trip and lend a hand taking it all apart. Starting at $225 per visit, 617-945-0704, living-harmony.org.
Shabby Nails
The Pro: Beaucáge Salon & Spa
You’re a born multitasker, so it’ll seem perfectly natural to pay your bills online, watch the news, and supervise the refrigerator repairman—all while getting your toes ready for those great Prada slides. Fret not that you’re low on polish remover or have misplaced your clippers: The folks from Newbury’s Beaucáge will arrive with their nail-perfecting essentials, including a portable foot bath, in tow. $150–$250 plus transportation costs, 617-437-7171, beaucage.com.
Knotty Muscles
The Pro: Moore Massage
Armed with a massage table, aromatherapy oils, luxury linens, and Zen iPod mixes, Michael Moore wants you to really relax. And he believes you’ll do that best in the place where you’re most comfortable. So take your pick—den, office, kitchen—and let him or one of his magic-fingered crew knead, tug, and rub your stress away. $150–$250 per hour, 800-495-1850, mooremassage.com.
Unflattering Clothes
The Pro: Robin Chalfin, Toolkit
It makes a whole lot of sense to get your sartorial nipping and tucking handled at home. The stylish Chalfin—who earned her pins in Boston Ballet’s wardrobe department and backstage with the Rolling Stones—has flexible hours (including early morning and after work) and a respectable turnaround time of no more than two weeks. Plus, with your entire closet on hand, you’ll be able to experiment with the appropriate underthings and heel heights to ensure spot-on results. $28–$30 per hour, 617-548-5774, robinchalfin@hotmail.com.
Unkempt Hair
The Pro: Gary Croteau, Salon Mario Russo
The golden boy of Mario Russo’s Louis Boston outpost, Croteau has been coiffing celebs off-site for years, but it takes only a phone call (and a service fee) to get onto his A list. Croteau offers at-home cuts, coloring, and blowouts, eliminating commuting time—and those pesky paparazzi. $370–$580, 617-266-4485, mariorusso.com.
Grubby Pets
The Pro: Boston Felines & Fidos
You don’t have to chauffeur little Joanie and Tyra all over town to ensure they’ll look their absolute best when boarding the jet with you. With its pet taxi service, Boston Felines & Fidos ensures that your precious cargo will get beautified and back to you without any fuss. The company also offers dog walking, pet sitting, and litter box maintenance, just in case your petulant pet balks at flying. Prices vary by service, 617-861-7641, bostonfelines.com.
The pro: Erika Salloux, Living Harmony
Whether you’re an overpacker, underpacker, or just plain bad packer, Salloux can help. After quizzing you about your trip, she’ll dive headfirst into your closet and advise you on what to bring and how to organize it for fastest access upon arrival. The packing whiz, who conducts group lectures on the subject, will even come back post-trip and lend a hand taking it all apart. Starting at $225 per visit, 617-945-0704, living-harmony.org.
Shabby Nails
The Pro: Beaucáge Salon & Spa
You’re a born multitasker, so it’ll seem perfectly natural to pay your bills online, watch the news, and supervise the refrigerator repairman—all while getting your toes ready for those great Prada slides. Fret not that you’re low on polish remover or have misplaced your clippers: The folks from Newbury’s Beaucáge will arrive with their nail-perfecting essentials, including a portable foot bath, in tow. $150–$250 plus transportation costs, 617-437-7171, beaucage.com.
Knotty Muscles
The Pro: Moore Massage
Armed with a massage table, aromatherapy oils, luxury linens, and Zen iPod mixes, Michael Moore wants you to really relax. And he believes you’ll do that best in the place where you’re most comfortable. So take your pick—den, office, kitchen—and let him or one of his magic-fingered crew knead, tug, and rub your stress away. $150–$250 per hour, 800-495-1850, mooremassage.com.
Unflattering Clothes
The Pro: Robin Chalfin, Toolkit
It makes a whole lot of sense to get your sartorial nipping and tucking handled at home. The stylish Chalfin—who earned her pins in Boston Ballet’s wardrobe department and backstage with the Rolling Stones—has flexible hours (including early morning and after work) and a respectable turnaround time of no more than two weeks. Plus, with your entire closet on hand, you’ll be able to experiment with the appropriate underthings and heel heights to ensure spot-on results. $28–$30 per hour, 617-548-5774, robinchalfin@hotmail.com.
Unkempt Hair
The Pro: Gary Croteau, Salon Mario Russo
The golden boy of Mario Russo’s Louis Boston outpost, Croteau has been coiffing celebs off-site for years, but it takes only a phone call (and a service fee) to get onto his A list. Croteau offers at-home cuts, coloring, and blowouts, eliminating commuting time—and those pesky paparazzi. $370–$580, 617-266-4485, mariorusso.com.
Grubby Pets
The Pro: Boston Felines & Fidos
You don’t have to chauffeur little Joanie and Tyra all over town to ensure they’ll look their absolute best when boarding the jet with you. With its pet taxi service, Boston Felines & Fidos ensures that your precious cargo will get beautified and back to you without any fuss. The company also offers dog walking, pet sitting, and litter box maintenance, just in case your petulant pet balks at flying. Prices vary by service, 617-861-7641, bostonfelines.com.
Originally published in Boston magazine, July 2007
