Friday, May 31, 2013

PR at Partners ~ Special Events Week

PR at Partners is a hair salon with a couple different locations are the D.C. metropolitan area.  We went to the PR at Partners salon that is located on the first level of Tysons Corner Mall.  PR at Partners has a variety of different stylists all with different specialties.  On the website each stylist has a bio of their experience and the particular hair styles that they are best at.  These can be found at http://www.pratpartners.com/

The front of the PR at Partners is the FreshLook store, which sells a variety of different hair products for all different hair types.  There are consultants in the store that can help you pick the best products for your hair, however, the products are relatively expensive.  The back of the store leads into the salon.


We went to the PR at Partners salon in order to get our hair styled for prom.  The stylist took a little longer than expected to do our hair but it was worth the wait.  He listened to our requests and our hair turned out great.  The salon is modestly priced, not by any means cheap, but it is also not overly expensive.  Both of our hair was $75.00 including tip.


We would recommend PR at Partners not only for prom hairstyles but for haircuts as well.  I got my hair cut here a couple of months ago and the stylists was really good at asking me all kinds of questions about what I wanted.  Before, they have a survey to fill out with questions including how often you wash your hair, what products you put in it, and whether or not you blow dry or straighten your hair.  This surveys ensures your haircut is specialized just for you and you don't have to change your daily routine to fit your new cut.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Hollywood Nails & Spa ~ Special Events Week

For prom, graduation and other special events we've been looking all over for a good quality nail salon.   We visited Hollywood Nails & Spa which is located on Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, Virginia.


Hollywood Nails is a large store which is great for events like prom because we were able to take many of our friends along and all sit next to each other while getting our nails done.  Along with a traditional board in the front of the salon that lists the nail prices there are multiple boards that show the variety of gel and acrylic styles that the salon features.  The salon has a variety of different colors to choose from 
I went with four of my friends to the salon and we were all very pleased with the service.  For a pedicure and a gel manicure it costs about $70.00 including tip.  For a regular manicure and pedicure without tip is is $38.00.  However, while the prices are good at this salon, it is one of the few salons in the area that, unfortunately, does not offer a 10% off student discount.




For additional information about other spa services offered at Hollywood Nails & Spa, such as waxing services, and to view the full price list you can visit the website at http://www.hollywoodnailsspa.com/

Hollywood Nails & Spa now have a second location further along Wilson Boulevard so even without an appointment you are almost guaranteed availability at the salon at whatever times are convenient for you.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Company Flowers ~ Special Events

Company Flowers is located on Lee Highway in Arlington, Virginia.  Company Flowers specializes in a wide variety of floral arrangements that are great for birthdays, anniversaries, and a wide variety of other occasions.  In addition, Company Flowers other merchandise like jewelry and household trinkets.





We used Company Flowers to order our prom boutonniere and found the staff really helpful.  Last year, we used a different, larger company, to order our flowers.  They showed us a couple different colored roses and told us to pick a color.  The result was a fairly basic boutonniere that cost about $7.00.  At Company Flowers, however, an employee asked us about the color of our dresses and helped us custom design a boutonniere to specifically fit our unique color scheme.  The women even picked some flowers to show us how the resulting boutonniere would look.


Company Flowers charged about $13.00 for each boutonniere, however, the one-on-one service we received was definitely worth the extra money.  The employees also knew that Washington-Lee and Yorktown had prom on the same night and therefore the shop would busy throughout the day.  The employees had us pay the day we ordered the flowers, so that come prom day, we could just come in and pick up our flowers in minutes.
Overall, we found the extra cost of the flowers to be well worth the great customer service we received while shopping.  We definitely recommend using Company Flowers for prom and all your other flower needs!

For more information about Company Flowers or to place an order online you can visit the website at http://companyflowers.com/

Special Events Week!


The theme from May 27th - June 3  is Special Events!  With proms and graduations just around the corner these local businesses are sure to help make these next weeks special.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Honey Pig~ International Week




Honey Pig is located in Annandale in the Little Korea shopping center.  It is a traditional style Korean restaurant.  The place is well known in northern virginia for their amazing meats, and unusual flavors.  All your food is cooked on hot plates right in front of you and served with rice.  
There are a lot of exotic meats on the menu if you are feeling adventurous, but there are also safer options.  Its a great place to go in large groups because the meal sizes are large and very easy to share.  The servers extremely friendly and willing to help with questions or give recommendations.  Its a big place so even when its crowded the wait isn't over 30mins, but they don't take reservations. The pig belly is a must try as well as the beef! This is a great place for meat lovers and we will most likely go back for another meal in the near future!  




Irelands Four Court~ International Week


Irelands Four Courts is a neighborhood pub and restaurant, located right in courthouse.  The courts has traditional irish food as well as some standard American dishes.  They have a large brunch buffet on sundays that attracts a big crowd, yet the biggest crowds come in for the soccer matches.  There are around 10 tvs that will play just about every sport, or anything requested.

The managers and owners are very friendly and want to be involved in the community.  Each year the pub puts on a Four Courts four miler around Saint Patrick's day.  They also help sponsor local sports teams and other community groups and projects.
Try this local pub for some irish food and fun! Mondays are pubquiz nights, and sundays are karaoke, most other nights have a live performer!  


Friday, May 24, 2013

Mexicali Blues - International Week



Mexicali Blues is a Mexican restaurant on Wilson Boulevard in Clarendon in Arlington, Virginia.  Mexicali Blues serves a wide variety of traditional Mexican cuisine from quesadillas to pupusas to enchiladas.  Below is a chicken tortilla salad with balsamic vinaigrette, one of the many items on the menu.


The restaurant has a bar and indoor seating along with some outdoor seating near the street.  Parking can be somewhat difficult as Clarendon is a popular area for restaurants, however, the restaurant is very close to the Clarendon metro so it is still very accessible.  Mexicali Blues also features their signature drink, a margarita with a small corona upside down inside.  While we (obviously) have never experienced this drink it is apparently extremely popular in the restaurant.  At Mexicali Blues you might even get lucky and see a famous Washington-area athlete from teams such as the Washington Capitols and the Washington Nationals who have been known to visit the restaurant.  For more information about this restaurant and to see the full menu you can visit the website at http://www.mexicali-blues.com/.






Thursday, May 23, 2013

Pizzeria Orso - International Week



Pizzeria Orso is located on South Maple Avenue in Falls Church, Virginia.  Pizzeria Orzo specializes in Italien comfort food.  The menu showcases a diverse miz of Neopolitan pizzas, antipastas, and desserts.  All pizzas are cooked in a volcanic brick oven that can be seen from the resturant interior.


Pizzeria Orso is very affortable and offers a very family friendly atmosphere.  The peronal pizzas make it easy for everyone in a group to get exactly what they want.  We especially recommend the lunch special which features any two-topping pizza and a soft drink (with unlimited refills) for only $8.00.



The owner is especially friendly and is happy to talk to customers about how he makes the pizza in his unique brick oven.   He also happily thanks customers for their business as they are on their way out. Parking is also readily accesible with free street parking and designated parking lots in the rear.  For additional information and to access the full menu please visit Pizzeria Orso's website at http://www.pizzeriaorso.com/

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Raaga Restaurant~ International Week



Ragga restaurant is a fine india cuisine, located at 5872 Leesburg Pike  Falls Church, VA 22041.  My family has been getting take out at the restaurant for many years now.  The menu offers endless indian dishes, and indian breads.  They cater, offer take out, and have a large one room restaurant that is culturally decorated.  They just redid the carpet and added new tables, to create a more welcoming atmosphere.  The dishes are best to share with a group so everyone can try everything!




We love most of the dishes and tend to bring family that come to town and visit here.  


The food can be a little on the spicy side, but the wait staff is friendly and eager to help you order.  Its on the expensive side, but worth a try!  Make sure to check out their website its very well done  http://www.raagarestaurant.com/










International Week!

The theme for the 22nd - 25th is international food!  Enjoy learning about local restaurants that bring the amazing flavors of other countries to our area.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Hey Viewers,

For our senior experience we will visit small businesses in our local community, and keep this blog! At each business (food or service) we will talk to the workers and customers, take pictures, and try or experience what the business has to offer. After our visit we will combine all of our information as well as thoughts, and post in the blog about our experience. The reviews will have pictures and other information we believe would be helpful for our viewers. Each of the four weeks will have a theme and all the businesses that week will have something in common. Our hope is that local residents and or visitors find the blog helpful when they are deciding what to do, or where to eat, as well as promote our local business that help make our area unique.

Hope you all enjoy!!
~Deborah & Josie