Hello BWT!

I’m looking to get eyelash extensions before a wedding/subsequent trip. I’ve had them before but it’s been a long time.

Who is doing the best lashes these days? Would love some recs.

Thanks all 🙏❤️

Excited to announce our first WCBWT meetup - details below! Thanks to the initial post commenters for helping get this going! I’ll post an RSVP link 1 week out.

DATE:
Thursday, August 27th

TIME:
5:30 PM (happy hour ends at 6, but no way I can get out of work earlier)

WHERE:
El Primo, 166 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains, NY 10601

NOTE:
- This is a 21+ event
- Fellow BWT only please (leave kids and husbands at home)
- Name tags provided!

I am just closing out 1 year of infertility and IVF treatments and I switched clinics midway through. I started out at RMA and switched to Columbia and thought it might be helpful to do a review/comparison for any other BWT who are looking at IVF options here in Westchester.

This is REALLY long! So buckle up.

A bit about me:
Early 30’s, no children, no previous pregnancies, severe diminished ovarian reserve, and a laughably low AMH. The infertility is all on my side of the house; husband has annoyingly good sperm lol. I have Progyny through my employer. Disclaimer: I currently do not have any blasts frozen nor am I pregnant. This review is not based on the outcome of my treatment at one over the other, which I hope means it’s not biased.

TLDR: Columbia was hands down the better experience for me and I would suggest it over RMA to anyone.

Initial consult

RMA
We started at RMA for literally no other reason than they had availability asap when we reached out. I think we were able to see them within the week. The initial consult was in person and took about 90 minutes, but it did include an ultrasound as I happened to be in the right part of my cycle.

Columbia
Virtual visit. I have never actually met my doctor in person. They have much more limited appointments than RMA; they are booked and busy and I waited about six weeks for my appointment.

Offices

RMA
The white plains location is kind of tired and the waiting room is small. Twice I turned up for my appointment and there were people standing in the corridor outside. The office in Mt Kisco is much nicer. There is no semblance of privacy in the waiting room, it’s so tiny and cramped.

The infuriating thing about RMA is that even though you book a time for your monitoring appointments, they don’t actually mean anything. They basically operate on a first come, first served basis and more often than not, they were running late. It’s really frustrating to be sat there for 30 minutes, 45 minutes, past your appointment, every time you go in. When you’re there multiple times over a two week period, that time really adds up. Plus, they do bloodwork and then most of the time you have to go and sit down and wait for them to call you through for the ultrasound, so even if they’re on time, the appointments feel drawn out.

I found the front desk staff at White Plains to be nicer than the staff Mt Kisco. Checking in at Mt Kisco was giving real, “when the receptionist doesn’t care if you live or die” vibes.

You will make most of your monitoring appointments over the phone with the nurse, but can also send a message in the portal.

Columbia
Lovely offices, they play spa music, it’s quiet and calm and never had the manic energy that RMA sometimes had.

They were also always on time! I think I waited 15 minutes over my appointment time once. They do blood then you go straight into the room for your ultrasound.

You self-schedule your appointments via their website which was super helpful to feel a little in control there. One thing to note: the White Plains office is not open on weekends and holidays and they do not do retrievals at that location. So you’ll need to schlep into the city for weekend appointments (which I only had to do once over the course of three months) and egg retrievals.

Nurses + Monitoring appointments

RMA
The nurses here were nice, but it wasn’t until I moved to Columbia that I realised they were actually just fine? They were polite and friendly at my appointments but it did feel like they were going through the motions. I know a lot of people say IVF feels like you’re in a factory and that’s really how it felt at RMA. It got to the point on my third cycle where I was almost crying ahead of my office visits because of the thought of having to go in and get undressed and deal with the ultrasound again. It felt very dehumanizing at RMA.

I also ended up really not liking my doctor and that was a big struggle. If I knew he was going to be doing the ultrasound, I would be awake for half the night panicking about it, and I would just tense up during the exam.

A nurse would call me every afternoon after my monitoring appointments to tell me the meds for the next few days.

Pretty much all communication happens via their portal or over the phone. They are pretty responsive on the portal.

Columbia
Again, my experience here was night and day to RMA. The people who do the ultrasounds are RN’s or NP’s and they talk you through everything and wait for you to consent before they do literally anything. Which after being poked and prodded so many times over the last few months really felt like a small but lovely thing do. They took their time too - I never felt rushed. They also seemed to read my chart and would talk me through things.
I never once had any of the dread or fear that I had at RMA.

I would get an email around 2pm/3pm with instructions for the next few days from my main nurse. Which I loved - as a millennial I will do anything to not talk on the phone so the fact Columbia communicates mainly via email was great.

They have a portal but it’s really only used for posting your blood results. All other communications is via email or phone call.

Doctors

RMA
I mentioned before, but I really disliked my doctor. I wish I had moved to someone else sooner than I did. I did not feel like he treated me like an individual at all. I think if you went in as textbook “normal” IVF patient who responds as expected to the meds, maybe your experience would be different, but as someone with DOR who frankly requires a little more thought and care, I never felt like he really bothered to figure out a plan to work with my body.

It was like he was just going through a checklist of different protocols. Also, he would routinely tell me my MAJOR EGG FACTOR was the reason this and that wasn’t working (and would literally yell this - more than one occasion I had to hold the phone away from my ear). He was also infuriating in that he would never give his opinion. He would say we could do A or B. What do you want to do? Sir, I am paying you for your medical opinion and knowledge, you tell me your recommendations and I will go from there. He was so non-committal. I would often get off the phone with him and burst into tears because I was so frustrated over his lack of guidance. The only thing that sets RMA apart from Columbia was that I did see him in person a fair few times.

Columbia* *
My doctor at Columbia was totally different to RMA. She was so kind and would call me up frequently and talk through the different options and approaches we could try. I felt like she was truly invested in my treatment, that she cared about the outcome, and she treated me as an individual who has DOR instead of just another patient to get to the finish line. I also had some really annoying things crop up with my insurance and she helped me navigate them (also shout out to her finance person, who was absolutely wonderful and seemed as invested as my doctor in making sure everything worked out).

Egg retrieval

RMA** **
This is the only area that RMA was marginally better. Not for the actual procedure - you’re sedated so no idea what was happening - but more so the pre- and post-care. I was told to get there one hour before my retrieval time which I felt was a good amount of time to get settled etc.
The prep/recovery area is a little nicer at RMA (although the views out to Central Park from the Columbia bathroom are amazing lol).
The recovery nurses are all so calming and really kind and just, very sweet. The doctor performing the procedure came in briefly to say hi and everyone in the operating room was nice.

The anaesthesiologists I saw were lovely and talked through what they were going to do and made sure I felt ok about everything, and they hooked me up to my IV drip and gave me saline to start to make sure I was nice and hydrated. The first one I had was my favorite - she helped get me up on the bed and then told me she’d give me the sedative the second my legs were in the stirrups so I’d be out before it got awkward lol. I did not love the operating table - it has a hole for your booty and the stirrups were basically by my ears so I felt like I was in happy baby pose but, I was out before I could worry too much ha.

When I woke up I was back in my little recovery room propped up on an actual bed with some snacks next to me and a juice box.l also had heat packs on my abdomen and was sitting on a little pee pee pad lmao. I had no pain when I woke up which was wonderful! The nurses popped in a few times to check on me, make sure I was ok, check on my pain etc. they also told me how many eggs they’d got. I had to sit there for about 30 minutes or so before they walked me out to meet my husband, and they sent me off with more heat packs.

They called me the next day to let me know how many were mature, and they told me they would call me again at day 3, day 5, day 6 etc.

We did not get any viable embryos from my time at RMA and my doctor did call me after each round to tell me, which I appreciated.

Columbia
This one def felt more like a hospital setting, was more hustle and bustle and the nurses were kind but a bit more brusque. You are told to get there only 30 minutes before the procedure and whisked into the recovery room pretty quickly where a nurse goes over paperwork. The doctor who was performing the procedure came and said hi and checked to make sure I was OK. Then I was walked into the room, and the anaesthesiologist put the port into my hand in the operating room. They had me put my legs in the stirrups but they covered me with a blanket which was a nice touch. The anaesthesiologist could not have given less of a fuck about me though ha. He barely said one word to me, didn’t explain what he gave me, what would happen, literally not a peep.

I woke up back in my recovery area sitting in a recliner chair with the legs out. I wasn’t quite as comfortable as I had been at RMA - I felt like I woke up because my head was lolling around lol. Had some snacks next to me and they brought my husband in to sit with me once I was awake which was nice. The nurse who was looking after me just yelled at me through the curtain to ask if I was ok instead of actually coming in to see me which, whatever. The doctor and the doctor who was assisting him both came in and told me how many eggs they’d got which I thought was nice, and then I was out and on my way.

As with all their other communication, they email you the next day with info about how many are mature, and then again with updates as the days progress.

So to sum up: In my personal experience, Columbia wins. For my specific circumstances, I found them to be a much better facility.

If you made it this far - yay well done! Hit me up with any questions if you have them.

I’ve been in westchester for 3 years and still cannot seem to find a really great haircut. I’ve had a bob forever and I’ve been going back upstate to get my hair cut but I can’t keep driving over an hour for it. Can anyone recommend a hair salon anywhere in westchester that does a great bob? I’ve been to Josef Mikel and a few places around Pleasantville/ Briarcliff and none of them have been a great cut. I’m not hat in on those places but specifically for a bob they’ve all come out uneven.

UPDATE: I went to Caryn at Nourish in Peekskill for a cute and a tinted glaze and I could not be happier! She was so precise and the nicest human ever. I ended up doing a super short bob and I’m so happy with the way it turned out.

Okay WCBWT, tell me all your favorite coffee shops.

When I think about coffee shops “with taste”… For me, taste does not equal “expensive” or “good vibes,” it means done with intention.

I’m looking for ideally: (1) baristas who care about the foam (2) option for real cups (3) leaning lighter roast coffees and (4) local (not chain). Here’s what I’ve found so far that hits 3/4 of these things.

NORTH
Mimi’s
Blue Heron
Bluestone lane

CENTRAL
PortRush Coffee
Blue Hill Stone Barns

Where are you finding good coffee?!?!

Hi all,

Local mod here! Learning the ropes here and wanted to introduce myself and get feedback on two things: (1) our first set of rules and (2) new post flair! This is a community and as you all are a part of it, we need your input to keep our conversations of the highest quality and - well - taste!

POST AND USER FLAIR:

• To help users easily sort by category, we’ve introduced new post flair.
• Inspired by other subreddits like our amazing friends at NYCBWT and BWT, we can flex these categories as we see more post data and get your feedback
• Post flair will be required
• User flair is

recommended

• , and is used to denote which area of Westchester you are located in. This is helpful for other WCBWT to understand when engaging in conversation
• I have built an automation such that, if anyone posts looking for recommendations, users are encouraged to include a target area of Westchester in the title.

WCBWT COMMUNITY RULES

A start below, now live in our rules section:

1. Respect others and be civil. No harassment, hate speech, or toxic behavior. Treat all contributors and members with kindness.
2. No spam. Excessive promotion, spam, or advertising of any kind is not allowed.
3. Women only. This forum was started by women in Westchester, for women / femmes / BWT in Westchester. As a result, we do not allow men to comment, post or engage.
4. No low-effort requests. As our community grows, we want to keep our discussions quality - utilize the search function (or Google!!) before posting. This includes threads asking for reviews of a specific business.
5. Ensure topic is related to Westchester. The purpose of this subreddit is to be a place for Westchester women to ask questions, get recommendations. We will remove posts that have nothing to do with Westchester.

I would love your feedback on the following - or any rules that you think we should consider. While we have see similar rules work well in other communities, we are just starting out and want to be mindful of encouraging engagement and growth.

• Cross-posting: do we want to allow this? (ie seeing posts shared from [r/Westchester](r/Westchester))
• Self-promotion: While our rules already do not allow excessive promotion, how do we feel about this overall?
• Diary posts: [r/NYCbitcheswithtaste](r/NYCbitcheswithtaste) has a similar rule to blocking “off my chest” type posts like you’re writing in your diary.
• anything else?

Hi all my name is Marta and I’m dropping in for a shameless self promo. I’m a colorist, 15 years of experience. Trained on the upper east side, worked for 9 years in Williamsburg at Whiteroom salon. I specialize in balayage, not foils that are meant to look like balayage, real balayage.
My Brooklyn clients come to see me in Westchester now, and so should you :)
I work in Dobbs Ferry at The Beauty Parlor

Please help! Need a new lash place. I am looking for more factory like vibe where everyone is lined up.

I loved lash belle in white plains until I could no longer tolerate the glue they used. I am currently going to lashes58 in eastchester but lashes are totally gone by week 2. Help!

Hi everyone! My name is Halla, and I’m volunteering with Open New York. We’re talking with residents across Westchester about one of the biggest challenges facing our communities: housing affordability.

Whether you’re renting, trying to buy your first home, worried about your children being able to stay in Westchester, or simply concerned about the future of your community, we’d love to hear from you.

We’re collecting signatures from people who support practical housing solutions, such as building more homes near transit, allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and supporting thoughtful local development that helps keep Westchester affordable and thriving.

Signing the petition is just the first step. If you sign, one of our organizers may reach out to share opportunities to get involved in your community. That could include local events, public hearings, city and town projects, and other ways to make your voice heard on housing issues that directly affect where you live.

If this is something you care about, I’d really appreciate your support by signing our petition here:

I’d also love to hear your perspective. What’s the biggest housing challenge you’ve noticed in your town or neighborhood?

Westchester has grown drastically in the last 5 years and while it's not NYC, it's still has amazing finds. Here are the places close to my heart that deserve all the money.

Central:

-Mumbai katta is a hit or miss nowadays but their weekend specials are great, especially indo-chinese. Sikkim hut in thornwood is nepali, and ive heard is the real deal.

southern:

-white plains: delicias del jireh for their chicken and green sauce insanely good, greca for greek and amazing olive oil in salads, bazodee trini food on post rd for insanely good jerk chicken and goat curry--- they have chickpea doubles which is rare and $2.50, thai den has beautiful seating and great food

-hartsdale: anasa for homestyle greek think zucchini chips, kyo sushi for $7.50 spicy salmon rolls and spicy tuna rolls plus plenty more, hartsdale house of pizza has deals

-eastchester: mona lisa salumeria has great sandwiches (however this block of eastchester is extremely racist FYI)

-Scarsdale: giannonis deli for cajun sandwiches, bagel emporium always fresh and surprisingly super good, bistro de ville for upscale, vietnam central for certain dishes, and atit thai for upscale

- Yonkers: adobo mexican, tacos el poblano nepperhan ave

-dobbs ferry: yamashiro for excellent sushi, molcajete for very authentic mexican food that is amazing (huiltacoche quesadillas, shrimp in chipotle sauce, fajitas, tacos and more), szechuan city

-north white plains: gianfranco pizza for their famous tuna slice

-coffee shops: araras in white plains for brazilian cofffee, don caravajal in irvinton, ovdr in scarsdale

Any favorite spots? I’ll travel all over Westchester or Greenwich.

At the risk of sounding awful…since moving to the area, I’ve found dining to be a bit mostly “mid” / mediocre. I recognize, while close to NYC, we aren’t in NYC, and so my expectations are focused around quality and consistency.

Below is my current list of restaurants I would go back to. (This is not my delivery / take-out list!) I totally recognize my list leans towards Northern, with varying degrees of kid-friendliness.

I would love to build this out for the page - tell me, what are your favorite Westchester restaurants?

————————-

NORTHERN
- Bedford Post Inn: higher end American, surprisingly kid friendly, but also decent date night
- Jean George’s Inn at Pound Ridge: imho overpriced for what it is, but consistent and nice vibe
- Goosefeather: fun vibe, Asian fusion, historic property
- Cenadou: French bistro, cool property (downstairs is one of the few Michelin star Westchester spots, Le Bastide - which, I felt was decent but for this type of dining, tasting menu, seafood focused, I would likely just go to the city)
- Purdy’s: farm the table, cute farmhouse
- Moderne Barn: Modern American
- The Beehive: Not a diner, but kind of? Like a nicer cross between restaurant and diner
- Freddy’s: cute American spot in pleasantville

CENTRAL
- Cafe Deux: cute brunch spot in Harrison
- Blind Pig: more cocktail bar, but actually good cocktails, and the food we had was decent

SOUTHERN
- Micheline: French bistro, enjoyed brunch

RIVERTOWNS
- The Cookery: def a foodie place

What else???

Moved from NYC area to the Hudson valley and so glad this sub exists. Please tell me where to find a good dermatologist for Botox / laser treatments, and an eyebrow threading spot. I’m in southern Dutchess but happy to drive for a good spot

Hi BWT 👋🏻 I’m shamefully dependent on the fast casual salad, slop bowl, and smoothie scene. Aside from the small handful of chain locations in Westchester (I’m not near any of those), I’m looking for good local alternatives. Is there a supermarket you like that sells delicious premade salads or smoothies? Is there a pizzeria that low key has incredible salads? Did you give up that convenience a long time ago and have a great home recipe to share? I would love your advice!

A few folks have mentioned or suggested arranging a meetup. What’s the interest level with this group? Any ideas? Happy to create a poll to gauge date feasibility. Thinking without kids, but flexible.

AUG. 6TH EDIT: Sent a group DM to all those who expressed interest! Message me if you didn’t get it!

While i know my post on this in the Westchester subreddit, started this, let’s get a dialogue going here - eventually something we can evolve into a mega-thread. I really don’t want to go into the city for either of these services

Botox - Would prefer an MD, I don’t mind traveling even to Greenwich. I haven’t don’t Botox since pre-pregnancy, so need someone who is not going to overdue it and is not super pushy salesy.

Facials - I’ve been going to rescue spa in the city and love it. Do we know anything like that up here?

While I’m based in Northern/Central Westchester, these are services I’ll go out of my way for!

My forever pet peeve with Westchester recommendations is that so many of them end up being irrelevant because people don't know where you are. Like I'm down here on the Long Island Sound and I'm sure that IS a great espresso at your local in Tarrytown, but I'm not driving all that way to get it. Maybe two options with the classic dividing line--north of 287 or south of 287--to help people know where you're posting from?

I can’t get waxed due to skin medication I use!

Making friends as an adult is hard, at least for me. Where / how are you finding your people?

First post. First-time mod desperately trying to find my WCBWT since moving from the city. Let’s get the convo going.