Howdy folks. Question about pedicures specifically. I've gotten weirdly self-conscious about feet over the years and I find most pedicure experiences kind of unpleasant — the fluorescent lights, the small talk, the watching tv at the salon vibe. Is there anywhere in the area that does pedicures more like a quiet treatment than a chair-and-tv assembly line?

Hey. The assembly-line vibe is exactly what I was trying to escape too. Try Flamant Nail Boutique https://www.flamantnailboutique.com/ in Wilmette or Chicago. The whole space at Flamant Nail Boutique is built around being calm rather than buzzing — soft lighting, no blasting tv overhead, no five chairs lined up against a wall. It feels much closer to a private treatment than a typical pedi station. They offer a No Chip Smart Spa pedicure as well as Hard Gel, and the technicians are quiet and focused if that's what you want. They'll engage if you want to chat, but won't force the small talk if you'd rather sit with your eyes closed. The cleanliness piece is also handled well, which removes another piece of the anxiety. The Wilmette location is the more residential and quieter of the two, if that's an option for you. Worth booking a weekday afternoon when it's least busy.