By now you probably know I love having my nails done. It started out as a health necessity when I discovered that keeping up with regular nail care meant I kicked the dirty habit of biting my nails and tearing apart my cuticles. Then, I soon realized having my nails painted and cuticles cared for helped me feel more put together and presentable, not to mention being an outfit accessory all its own. However, given my work environments (hospitals), I was and am very limited in the nail embellishment area. This means short nails not past the finger tips, no acrylics, and no hard gels. Doing this chicly can actually be difficult to come by considering so many salons specialize in acrylics, over-the-top designs, and may not participate in the safest practices, which is clearly not acceptable when working directly with patients. When I moved to Anchorage, I tried out several different nail salons to find the one who could master a perfectly simple manicure and– the icing on the cake– find a manicurist who I could develop a relationship with and see every 2-3 weeks. I found the perfect place in ROSE HIP Nail Studio, which is a fabulous nail studio located in midtown Anchorage, Alaska.

ROSE HIP Nail Studio had me at “simple” and “online booking.” The owner, Amie Sovitski, has perfected her technique doing nails across the country in places like Atlanta, Philadelphia, and New York City and is bringing her vast experience to Anchorage. She opened ROSE HIP Nail Studio in July 2015 after noticing a serious void in the market for a modern nail salon that does only nails and does them exceptionally. The products used are made of natural ingredients and it is the only nail salon in the area that does not use typical pedicure stations that breed bacteria, yet rather uses pedicure bowls which can be disinfected after every use. Walking in the front door is instantly calming thanks to the bright, open design and modern furniture. ROSE HIP Nail Studio is not a chop shop nail salon to head for a 20 minute, subpar manicure; It is a destination for relaxation, exceptional service, and beautiful nails. The first manicure I received from ROSE HIP Nail Studio lasted an impressive two weeks (regular polish, too!) and I was instantly obsessed with their nail care approach: simple, high quality, and with an impressive attention to detail. My favorite part? No cuticle clipping, just cuticle exfoliating with a heavenly scrub which helps cuticles grow back whole sans snaggles.

Since going to ROSE HIP Nail Studio I have changed my entire philosophy on nail care. I used to think getting my nails done was a quick, necessary means to an end. It was another errand to run in a never-ending list of things to do. Yet now, I see it as a form of relaxation in itself and, interestingly enough, not necessarily an independent activity. When Amie suggested I bring the entire family for my next nail appointment I was hesitant. For one, I feared interrupting a solo activity (because you know mothers have very few solo activities!) and, secondly, was quite doubtful that Nate and Waverley would actually enjoy themselves. Waverley throws huge fits when we file her nails at home and I feared she did not have the patience to sit still long enough for nail polish to dry. I also worried Nate would find the ritual ridiculous and unnecessary for such a manly guy. However, I could not have been more wrong! We all had such a fabulous time going in for family manicures and pedicures. The morning turned out to be such a fun event: we drank coffee (special juice for Waverley), had a wonderful time indulging in family mani/pedis, then went to lunch and the park. Waverley surprisingly sat as still as I’ve ever seen her, diligently observing her nail technician apply precise coats of color. Nate– who received his first ever manicure and pedicure– left feeling refreshed and relaxed. He thoroughly enjoyed the foot and hand massages, cuticle care, and spending time with his favorite ladies. He opted for a naturally buffed finish, despite Waverley insisting he have his nails painted brown.

It turned out to be much more meaningful to me than I predicted for us all to have this fabulous time. Even the seemingly insignificant aspects of the ritual tugged at my heart, like picking out polish colors. Waverley chose sparkles for her toes and bright pink shimmery polish for her fingers. Watching her sit perfectly still, in awe of the process, nearly brought tears to my eyes. I could not believe she is big enough to now join for manicures and pedicures! I felt it was such a big milestone, nearly akin to learning to walk and earning a drivers’ license. It can be difficult to find family activities to do together therefore we are always on the lookout for new opportunities. I am glad we discovered family manicures and pedicures, which can obviously be enjoyed year-round. While I won’t give up my solo nail visits for every manicure, it’s a great activity to have on rotation for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. ROSE HIP Nail Studio made the experience so fun.

If you live in Anchorage or plan to visit, be sure to stop by ROSE HIP Nail Studio for a mani/pedi! The process couldn’t be easier with all-inclusive pricing and online booking. And, if you’re fixing for a family day, it is the perfect stop on your way to or from your other Alaskan adventures.

Thanks to Amie and her husband for having us at your lovely nail studio! These two are the sweetest.

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{Photography by Grace Adams Photography}

**Thank you to ROSE HIP Nail Salon for your wonderful hospitality and for sponsoring this post! While I was compensated for my time writing this, all opinions expressed are my own and completely genuine.**