Najeema "I got a slick mouth, you might wanna roll with me" W.'s Profile

If you want leather work done, find someone else.
I will never use this business again. Poor service, nearly stolen goods. My item was left in the store for nearly a year without consistent follow up. I accept responsibility where I can. But ultimately, work was promised that could not be completed and employees were unhelpful when I finally returned to retrieve my item.

Rasheen and Wayman are BACK!
Nice quaint salon. Everyone is friendly and professional. I personally, go to Rasheen and Wayman, but everyone there is excellently skilled. Rasheen is great with hair care but the best is the fact that I don't spend all day in the salon. I've never spent more than an hour and a half there. Ladies, you know how valuable that is. And time is money. Speaking of which, I don't know if there is a better value in the city. Prices are reasonable. Remember, you get what you pay for. So pay for the best hair care you can.

I loved just about every part of this store. It was beautiful, the people were knowledgeable and friendly. The items were gorgeous. It's a mix of furniture and home decor along with womens' clothing. Everything was stunning. I had  a delightful chat with the owner. She came over, we talked about how unique the items were. Everything was beautiful, I mean  shiny and exquisite and stunning. I saw an outfit I would have changed into and flown to the Grammy's immediately!
This was a top notch establishment. I would love to furnish my home with the goodies here and shine in the clothes. This would get 5 stars if I didn't have to give blood to buy anything in here. So, I used it for design elements inspiration in my home.

A large family restaurant with dated decor but excellent fresh seafood. Locals flock here and are great guinea pigs. Look around at the tables to see what others are eating. Shrimp, scallops, lobster and crab legs are a favorite.
Locals flock to the bar and there is a large wine selection. Drinks are reasonably priced.
Menu selections are vast, but you do wonder if the prices are a tad bit high given the fact that clearly you aren't paying for recent renovations.  
I'd visit again.

I'll be brief because that's all I have time for. Basically, the food was bland and the service was slow. Not exactly what I needed on my 45 min lunch break.
I've been here before with a large group, probably ordered the same thing because I'm terrified of ordering something that I won't be able to eat...instead I should have gotten the Tea Leaf Salad everyone raves about. Maybe I should have gone downstairs to the Thai restaurant.
It took at least 40 mins to get the Burma tea that I ordered and the wait for the food, simple food (noodles) was just too long.
Maybe that's just the culture of this restaurant. But in the future, I'll know that Burma is not the place to go if I don't have a lot of time or if I want my food to be taste.
Zagat rated or not, I probably won't be visiting again.

I woke up Friday morning, ecstatic about the nice weather, but terrified about the condition of my toes. The only solution was a pedicure near work . But the bigger dilemma was the fact that there is no decent spa near my job in Chinatown. I mean, I'm not even going to test it out-too dangerous.

So the first thing I did do rectify this dilemma was go to twitter, the fastest source for an answer to a question, in my opinion. And luckily, when I put out the call @loryivey was there to respond with Aveda as a suggestion.

Now, I work in Chinatown, and it is truly my second home. I'm here all the time. Yet, I'd never ventured into Aveda before. No reason; maybe my perception (and other black women's) is that Aveda is not for me. Not until recently have I ventured into 'salon brand' products. Usually they're more expensive than I'm used to spending. Or maybe I'm just stubborn and under exposed.

I called Aveda and listed to the recorded hold message about 6 times before I had the good sense to call another number. They really should do something about that. I couldn't hang up, thou, I was desperate. With evening plans that required exposed toes, this pedicure was essential. And I saw it as a chance to try the Institute out for it's services.

After the long hold on the phone, the receptionist was able to fit me in at lunch time and informed me that there was a 15min grace period for the pedicure. We still hadn't talked about price, and at this point, I'm not sweating it. I hung up, confident that I would have a good experience and that it wouldn't cost an arm & a leg.

I arrived on time. I was adamant about that. I checked in downstairs with a polite retail representative who directed me to the massive teaching space upstairs. The small retail shop belies the space upstairs. But having frequented Gallery Place, I was aware of the massive instruction studio.

I waited about 7 minutes before my pedicure specialist came to get me. I was ushered to a small, but not cramped area, shared by no more than 5 cosmetologists. The space and decorations are minimal. I faced a soothing chocolate colored wall. The floors were an industrial pattern that compliments the ambiance.

I was seated in a green woven lounge chair on a bamboo lift. My cosmetologist offered me a lovely tea to drink. The comforting tea is 100% organic and caffeine free soothing blend of licorice root and peppermint.

Aveda is a Teaching Institute
My pedicurist had got a consult, which is the practice and it is the first time learning about the hyper pigmentation on my toes. Surprising. She applied the Aveda products (Cuticle Control) to treat my feet and gave me a nice, adequately pressured foot rub followed by the Foot Relief lotion.

I had selected a vibrant purple to wear on my toes, complimenting my dress for later tonight. Aveda uses SpaRitual products for color. I was familiar and comfortable with that. That product line is 100% natural as well, which is what my cosmetologist (in training) shared with me.

In Summary
Total time in Aveda: one hour twenty one minutes. This includes arrival, wait, 30+min pedicure, and closeout. Too long.

Pros: convenient to my job; overall professionalism of the Aveda name. Environmentally responsible.

Cons: the young trainee still hadn't demonstrated ease with the procedure. She didn't appear to use notes like her counterparts, and often she was awkward in applying polish and perhaps was not ready for the solo application.

Biggest Con: the price. Sure, I got to relax for 30 minutes and have someone pamper my feet with some of the best products in the industry, but when the paint doesn't last the whole weekend, I'm a little perturbed.  The pedicure was not worth the $27 I paid.

Verdict: I will not be returning to the Aveda Institute for a $27 pedicure that exceeded my budget, time frame, and did not live up to my expectations.

I've had lots of experience with consignment over the years and I'm very familiar with the processes and the intake. I think Diva is a great Boutique, and I cannot say that I had any extreme issues with the management or staff.

Because I was consigning with them, I visited the website several times and made myself familiar with what they do or do not consign. I also called the shop several times and became familiar with the staff. (That may have made a difference on how I was received.)

The store was immaculately clean, as I expected it to be, and stuffed to the hilt with goods. Perhaps too stuffed. I kept knocking into a few things as I turned around and around.  

There were familiar labels like Banana and Gap and many designer labels. Nothing really knocked me off my rocker, except a purse that will go unnamed.

Everything was priced, about as I expected it to be - kinda high. But, that's a good thing when it comes to my consignments. The higher the prices, the higher the returns. And because of the quality of the goods that Diva accepts, then, I'm sure my stuff will move.

There are several rooms with exquisite goods. Something for everyone - shoes, dresses, outwear, jewelry. And the Cellar is where goods that are really trying to be moved out are housed. I found my favorite deals in the cellar. A little dusty, but worth the trip downstairs.

All in all, I had a very good experience with Diva from doing my due diligence on the Boutique ahead of time. I hope that the good experience continues as my consignments sell. If anything changes, I'll let you know.

This is a review of the Sunday Pool Sessions, which cost about $10 and included a burger and maybe a drink (maybe). But the scene was cool. Yes, trendy, beautiful DC people who'll be here long enough to get burnt out from their corporate jobs, or wanna be promoters who figure out that at some point, they have to get real jobs.

The hotel has made a beautiful transformation (at least the lobby). I stayed here a LONG time ago while interviewing for a job nearby - it was not impressive. But now the lobby is swanked out with silver and glass, and black and white patterned damasked walls. Another great place for a photoshoot (It's my eye-forgive me).

There is plenty of parking around the hotel on the street, but the neighborhood had been known to be sketchy, if I recall correctly, and the transformation for the ballpark has not gone as planned. There is valet, but on Sunday's, at least during the summer of 2009, the street parking was free. That very well may have changed for 2010, with DC being strapped for cash and all.

Walk in the front doors and head straight to the pool area, but if you don't have your $10, then you can pay at the front desk and carry your receipt around for entry.

The pool area is modest, and just about every time I've been there, it's been packed, poor weather aside. The staff don't blow me away....particularly the people you pay for entry.

The bartenders, I can't speak on, but the roving waiters are pretty good about getting your drinks in a timely fashion. The drinks were affordable and tasty.

The first time I went was for my girlfriends' birthday celebration. That day, the Real World DC was filming, and the special was the Top Chef on the grill for burgers. They were tasty, although they nearly ran out.

Overall, I enjoyed this place. Thought it looked nice, drinks were good, and no serious hassle. I've heard differently about other swank pool parties in the area. I guess I'll have to get ready this summer to truly compare.

I frequent the lobby for events and happy hours that I host from time to time. Yes, the lobby is drafty when the doorman uses his door.

Great stunning location for an impromptu photoshoot (idea) or happy hour. You can't 'reserve' the space, so, first come first serve.

THIS review is meant to highlight the Summer pool parties.
Unfortunately, I haven't been. BUT, I know the hotel is fabulous, and I'm sure the pool parties are as well.

From what I hear, it's pretty exclusive, Miami rope style. I guess the pretty people will get in.
Let's see what this summer brings. (Get your bodies ready)

This location has fantastic atmosphere and decor, not to mention fantastic happy hour specials. That is if you can get a waiter to pay you attention and get a drink. The management made the excuse that a few bartenders had called out on her that night. (Well, where I come from,  manager, that means you get behind the bar and do your part). She comped the drinks my friend and I waited 30 minutes for.
The food looked delightful and I thoroughly enjoyed the veggie spring rolls and the spinach and mushroom puffed pastry, although they really should tell you if there are pine nuts in the food.

Would I return - sure, for happy hour and $5 drinks. {While there I had the Wasabi Amarreto Sour, thinking I could enjoy my beloved Amarretto Sour...not so much, the Wasabi paste made the drink a tad bit harsh, but I see what they were going for. My friend ordered a traditional mojito, which I saw the bartenders crush frush mint for.}

Will I eat - sure, especially for happy hour. I'm not sure if I"ll have a full sit down dinner, but it's worth a try.  Be cautioned of long wait times for food. You've been warned. Three stars, give it a chance.