The staff at a Los Angeles County hospital has been investigated following allegations that they set up a beauty salon in a neonatal intensive care unit at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center. Anonymous phone calls were placed that accused nurses and doctors of having their nails done and eyebrows waxed in a NICU, placing beauty tools on hospital equipment such as ventilators. Hospital officials addressed these allegations yesterday, saying that 16 workers did receive these beauty services in the hospital, but they were done outside of the NICU or in a unit that was not being used. The hospital said that these beauty services were performed during breaks or off duty shifts.

This is completely crazy. There is no way I would whip out my tweezers or nail polish during my lunch break and proceed to work on my own personal beauty treatments – and I don’t work in a hospital. If a staffer were to go out to a nail salon during their break to get their eyebrows waxed or their nails done, that’s a completely different story. But we’re talking on hospital grounds here. Whether or not they used an unoccupied space does not give them a pass. They have to own up to their actions. Thankfully, they say no infants were harmed, but the outcome could have been different. Newborn babies are always susceptible to catching anything that’s in the air, let alone newborns in a NICU. I love spa and beauty services, but not on the job and certainly not in a NICU. I hope this is a lesson learned for all.

To read more on this story, check out FoxNews.com.

-Amanda Fornecker

I just started listening to Christmas music this morning. It’s officially Christmas in my head. Thanksgiving is just one week away. Because of this I can only start to think of Christmas presents and all the holiday shopping I’ll need to do. It’s stressful. Which brings be to some quick gift ideas for the holiday season.

I really do think that any type of beauty or spa service is a great gift for anyone. It may be something that a person may not typically splurge on (especially during this recession). However, with a certificate or gift card to get a massage, a mani/pedi, or even a regular routine haircut, the recipient is sure to be thankful and excited.

I just got a card in the mail yesterday telling me that a local spa was doing a special on a 60-minute Swedish massage for $49. That really sounds like Heaven to me right now, but I don’t think I have the time between work and school and I keep thinking that it’s a wasteful thing to spend my money on. However, if I was gifted a massage for the holidays, I’d certainly be a happy girl!

The holidays are always a stressful time, but it’s important to keep in mind the real reason for these seasons – more than gifts it’s about family and friends and just enjoying life in general. But presents are a ton of fun! I suggest gifting beauty services and when you’re done shopping, maybe go get yourself a massage, too!

-Amanda Fornecker