Monique "miMOsa love" R.'s Profile

Anything and everything you need to enhance your already attractive self!

Floor to ceiling, wall to wall beautifying products! The variety (of items as well as brands) is insanely impressive..especially given the amount of space in this place. Impeccable organization makes it easy to find whatever your heart, more accurately hair, face, skin, nails, etc., may desire.

Quality salon products at very reasonable prices to make you look and feel fabulous without an enormous dent in your bank account.

Plenty of items for men to fancy up as well.

This shop caters to all your glamorizing needs..so go get your flirt on!

Anticipation is over..Harbor Town is OPEN and, as expected, 'tis nothing short of amazing! Admittedly this review is a bit belated, as biz has been in full swing since November 2011; however the tardy time has allowed for gathering of my friends and even co-workers resulting in lots of sampling!

Since the day the full length windows finally slid open to reveal beautiful rustic interior of this establishment I have taken advantage of its close proximity to my office allowing several opportunities to taste the variety of treats: drinks and eats.

Full bar here will quench any patron's thirst (quick shout out to FIREBALL!). They have an extensive selection of draft brews, many of which are local offerings. No matter your beverage preference, you will find a libation pleasing to your mouth, mind and even your wallet.

Harbor Town has created a menu that in no way can be considered typical American pub fare. The Ahi Poke Tostada is my favorite to date. Fresh, perfectly flavored fish melts in your mouth and is complemented by the crunch of wantony crisps. It is classified on the menu as an appetizer but this dish is plentiful in portion. Another heaping starter: the barbecue pulled pork nachos...creatively blended flavors that one may never think to mix bring delightful sensations to the mouth. Last but not least of the apps: their grilled ginger-soy chicken wings..holy yummy! They are charbroiled (healthier than deep fried) so don't be misled by their somewhat blackened exterior. These moist wings are full of unique taste bud tingling zest.

Still hungry:
Chopped Salad [edit: actually titled Town House Chop]: WOW! Ingredient combination is sensational and perfectly proportioned with a delicious basil dressing.

Basil Chicken sandwich: Yet another lovely marriage of flavors! Personally, I opt out when it comes to bleu cheese, but in my opinion this sandwich completely pleases without cheese.

This review would not be complete without a mention of their namesake burger: Harbor Town. I added American cheese, but again, no need; the grilled onions and house sauce atop their deliciously seasoned beef, between a brioche bun requires no modification. There is a minimal fee if you want salad rather than fries but  completely justified in that the "side" salad is plentiful and full of fresh veggies.

Sports fans have no fear for they are set up with plenty of screens to cheer on all of your favorite teams, players, competitors, etc.

Lovely people on staff here! Cheerful, attentive and all around delightful people.

Get your tush on down to Harbor Town!

Dive Bar, Bar&Grill..whatever the classification, Waterfront is BEST BAR!

The staff:
All lovely ladies and gents. These peeps are fun, friendly and all around fabulous!

Food faves:
* Monday night 50 cent wings..yes please! - spicy buffalo, bbq or, as one of the spectacular servers suggested, mix the two for spicy bbq :)
* Fancy grilled cheese sandwiches - the White Gouda and Cranberry Cheddar are both sinfully scrumptious and served with a spinach salad..sweet!
 I miss the L&M, which is no longer on the menu, but the alternate options are amazing.
* Free munchies during happy hour - varies but I have sampled mini corn dogs, egg rolls and chicken wings
* Free popcorn offered at almost all times

I adore brunch at the Waterfront! One can sip mimosas (or bloody marys) on the patio while watching the passersby. The breakfast meals are tasty and plentiful.

Come Charger season, one of the greatest spots to post up with cool peeps and enjoy football and revel in all of the BOLTS' wins!

True it may get crowded at times and sometimes a little loud, but only because Waterfront is full of AWESOME!

Thank you for finally answering your phone and shipping the toner in a speedy fashion. Our copy/fax,etc machine is happy again :)

Darn it..I can't remember the esthetician's name: I want to say Crystal or Kim but I'm not positive and want to slap myself in the face for this for 1) I pride myself in remembering people and names and 2) she was practically perfect in every way!

All I can say is she's a long-haired brunette beauty with an incredibly pleasant demeanor, and obviously an expert at her craft!

My brow hairs are long but sparse and mainly I booked at Brow Lounge to get some tinting action in hopes it would make my brows appear fuller.

Upon arrival, I was greeted by a lovely lady who immediately offered me water or tea while I waited for my appt. The lobby, for lack of a better term, is quite homely with comfy chairs and fragrant candles. Plus, they have an area dedicated to boutique type clothes, jewelry, etc. for browsing while waiting.

Brow beautification time began with my esthetician situating me in a cozy chair and making sure I was comfortable. We then discussed my brow issues/concerns, she genuinely listened and provided recommendations for styling. She used a little wax for shaping purposes but did not sacrifice any of those scarce hairs I so desperately wanted to keep. She also trimmed the long brow hairs to keep them from making wacky configurations as they sometimes do. Then onto tinting: she skillfully matched the tint to my hair color and skin tone, while explaining that tints usually only last for two to three weeks. Throughout the experience she handed me a mirror numerous times to make sure the progress was to my liking.

Once my brows were shaped, trimmed and tinted, she took the time to show me how to subtly apply powder so as to make my eyebrows appear fuller all the time. She went even further by adding a highlighting product below my brows. Again, I hate that I forgot her name because she was a pleasure to talk to throughout the appointment and amazed me by providing tips for at-home maintenance.

About an hour after I left the lounge, the receptionist called to see if I had left a bag containing a skirt there. It wasn't mine, but I was incredibly impressed at the care and concern about their customers.

*One suggestion, some of the parking in the village is time restricted, just be sure to find a spot that will allow enough time for your appt.

I do not have a single complaint about the Brow Lounge. All of the employees I encountered were knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and genuinely good people!

Treat yourself to a service at Brow Lounge..you will not regret it!

I recently found myself in Moab, UT for the wedding of a very dear friend. The mother of the bride-to-be arranged hair and makeup services for herself, her mother, bridal party and, obviously, the bride.  Atomic Hair was incredibly accommodating in that Rebecca (amazing stylist/designer) dedicated her entire Friday to gussy up us girls in time for the big event.

The combination of our (loud) group of girls and the excited anticipation of impending nuptials made for lots of noise, movement and all around chaos in this small salon. Rebecca was patient and kept her cool despite our craziness. She inquired as to each girls' style desire and then provided suggestion to highlight individual characteristics. Once hairdos were done, she moved onto makeup. Again, she took each of our differences into consideration and made us up with colors complementary to each of our skin tones, hair color and the like. She listened to hair and makeup wishes, provided recommendations based upon each girls' hair type, facial features, individual style and expertly styled each and every one of us!

**The bride, most importantly, looked absolutely stunning! Rebecca created a perfect look for this natural, outdoorsy type beauty. She kept the bride's look simple and minimal while highlighting and complementing her God-given gorgeous features. She looked elegant without looking too done  up.

Rebecca must have been feeling some stress amidst our frenzy yet she laughed and joked along with us. It was a truly fun experience! In fact, she was so focused on making sure we were happy with our looks while making sure we were on schedule, she neglected the lunch so lovingly brought by her man.

Now, I must give props to Robert another stylist/designer at Atomic Hair. Not only did he give us girls free reign of the salon and put up with our girly antics, he also stepped in and helped fix and secure loosening curls of the girls who had their hair done first.

Many thanks to Atomic Hair for providing a professional yet fun atmosphere, amazing styles and basically being an integral part of my friend's special day!

This hotel is an experience in and of itself! Although I did not stay here during my last visit, I had to drop in to show off this jewel to my friends/travel buddies (especially considering I had been talking about it since the onset of travel planning). You do not have to be a hotel guest to take advantage of the bar offering hemp beers, spirits, snacks and much more. While the location is as not as centrally located as others, it is a short bike or tram ride away from the more touristy sections. Frederiksplein is a special and beautiful area with much to see including plush parks, canals and most everything else needed to provide amazing Amsterdam adventures!

Upon entry, one encounters a lounge area with comfy chairs, couches and the like. Straight ahead, a bar (which becomes the Hemple Temple Nightbar in the eve) accompanied by greetings from the bartender/concierge/hostess, etc. The woman behind the bar on my most recent visit was just as pleasant and welcoming as in past experiences. Unfortunately she kindly advised that she could only serve for a mere 10 minutes more due to housekeeping obligations..yep, she also cleans the rooms, bathrooms and basically the whole of the hotel. Mind you this place is quite small when compared to most American, even boutique, hotels, but she definitely takes on quite a bit in a day. As we began retreat so as not to bother her, she graciously offered to serve up drinks and allow us to sit outside stating it was not a bother at all. When we decided to explore as opposed to sit, she politely provided recommendations and directions. She was a gentle, lovely soul whom, I believe, most would benefit from simply being in her presence.

I had the pleasure of staying at this hotel while on one of my more budget conscience, college student salaried trips. The rooms are affordable and amusing in that each room is decorated by different theme (ours seeming to be of Moroccan variety). Elegant, colorful silks draped the windows, bed and pillows plus a splendid view...it was truly magical!

While the Hemp Hotel does have rooms offering private bathrooms, we did not have such luxury during our penny-pinching stay. The shared toilet/shower is a few flights of narrow stairs up, which proved to be a bit of a pain for pee in the middle of the night; yet we never seemed to run into issue regarding wait time for shower, etc.

My recent trip could not accommodate a stay at this hotel as I was traveling with two others and double rooms are the biggest they have; however, I would most definitely and very highly recommend a stay at this hotel!

*As previously stated, this is a smaller and quite popular hotel therefore I suggest booking as far in advance as possible to ensure the room you want is available.

*Also, this is a smoking friendly hotel meaning you may walk into a cloud on your way in...for some this may serve as a warning, for others a wondrous bonus!

You will not regret a stay or even just a stop-in at the Hemp Hotel!

Personally I believe the best way to tour Amsterdam is by bicycle. Transportation is fast paced here...one must always be on the lookout for bikes, autos, trams and obviously pedestrians. The city seems to encourage cycling for transport and has made it quite convenient for a bicyclist to maneuver around town. Bicycle lanes line all major roads and places to lock up are plentiful!

Word of warning which comes from my personal experience: take extra care to be sure your bike is properly chained when leaving it to explore by foot. I have experienced the misfortune of returning to where I parked and locked (or so I thought) my bike and discovering my (borrowed) bike had disappeared.

Holland Rent A Bike is the best and now only place I will go for rental when in town. The bikes are impeccably maintained, granted these are older style cycles, but I've never had to return during a rental period requiring repair. They provide a heavy duty lock and all bikes have a mounted back wheel lock. Best bonus: their rentals are not obvious tourist targets in that they are not brightly colored, covered with ads of the shop in which they are from.

The staff is friendly and will make sure you ride out on cycle fit to your size. The price is more than reasonable and if you're renting for an extended period of time, you may even receive a discount.

If you want to get around A'dam in style, Holland Rent a Bike will hook you up!

I love this hotel!..almost as much as I love, love, love A'dam!

My first stay at Hotel Rokin was back in 1998..it is affordable for a youngster's Eurotravel budget and provides luxuries not offered with a hostel experience such as a clean, private room and most importantly private bath.

The hotel is quaint, comfortable and the staff is incredibly welcoming, accommodating and friendly. Complimentary breakfast every morning is a bonus. The buffet consists of an overwhelming variety of freshly made food: eggs, bacon, fruit, pancakes..the list goes on; basically you start your day with a full belly and wallet!

I have been back to Amsterdam several times since and each time, while I must admit to having researched other hotels, I have ultimately booked with the Rokin. It is centrally located; within walking distance to the train station, red light district and many other attractions one would want to visit in the city. The area surrounding the hotel feels very safe..even after dark. *Of course as per recommendation from any traveler, no matter where you are, just be sure to keep your wits about you*

My most recent visit was this past April and I am happy to report my affinity for this hotel has not diminished in the slightest. The rooms are still clean and spacious. I was traveling with two others during this particular visit, and this was my first stay in a 3-person room at Rokin. Not a single complaint! We had plenty of space in the room and there was even a television, not that we utilized it much. All is still amazing; overall yet another excellent experience!

I highly recommend Hotel Rokin for a stay in Amsterdam!

The view is amazing and the decor is elegant; Gothic chandeliers strewn about the ceiling are enchanting..although my legal (and morbid) mind views them as lethal weapons should they come crashing down on a patron's head..not likely I know, but the insane does happen from time to time.

Located on the 4th floor of the Porto Vista Hotel; valet parking is complimentary for Glass Door guests for which I am grateful given the limited parking in Little Italy. The valets have always been pleasant and courteous.

I have had both good and not-so-good (wouldn't go so far as to say bad) experiences at The Glass Door. Always a lovely host/hostess greeting as you walk into the restaurant, the servers are quick to get drink orders, which I certainly appreciate especially on mimosa mornings!

I have had brunch here twice and dinner once. The first brunching experience was incredible! The server never allowed for an empty champagne glass; she was attentive and most importantly was always smiling. She even laughed and joined in on our table's twisted humor. The food was great and well worth it's price tag.

My second visit was yet another brunch, this time to kick off my friend's 30th birthday surprise scavenger hunt. Our server started off on a high note, keeping an eye on our champagne and happily refilling before glass reached empty. After food was ordered, things took a turn for worse. Our table, most importantly the birthday girl, needed another bottle of champagne, but our server was nowhere to be found. Attempts at requesting more from the bartender were met with complete disregard. I actually started to wonder if I magically received invisible superpower as standing directly in front of him and saying "excuse me" got absolutely no response, not even a hint of eye contact. Finally I was able to flag down a bus boy who graciously and expeditiously brought more champagne to our table. I had an egg-white scramble of sorts and was incredibly disappointed to discover the egg whites were not fully cooked, therefore resembling boogers as opposed to breakfast. I must say, I heard no complaints from any others at our table so maybe this was a fluke..since our server was still MIA I pushed my plate aside and filled up on mimosa (I'm never one to complain about liquid meals). Not once through the brunch was I asked how my food was. I had to get up and ask the hostess for our bill, and explained yet again we were on a time schedule given the scavenger hunt. Once we received the bill I had to track down our server and I literally followed her around until she completed our transaction.

My dining experience here was quite lovely; a very classy server was amazing. He made sure we were pleased diners every step of the way.
The food: considering the tapas were pretty expensive we decided to skip and go straight to salad.  The spinach salad was delicious, the flavors were perfectly complementary. My dining companion had the New York steak and was absolutely thrilled with his meal. I had the chicken breast and while the flavor of the chicken was good, the paste-like filling lacked flavor and had a funky texture. I certainly enjoyed the wine and the pleasant demeanor of our server.

While at this point I will say Glass Door is just A-OK, I am certainly willing to give it another go. This is all I have for now on this place folks.