Has anyone used Let’s Dish or something similar? I missed this deal when it was featured in DC, but was excited to see that it’s featured in Baltimore today (and that it includes the stores closer to DC). Should I buy the deal?
Archive for October, 2009
Let’s Dish?
October 30, 2009Fright at the Museum
October 29, 2009Deal: $15 ticket to Fright at the Museum: Dead Men Walking ($20 value)
Grade: B
One of my earliest memories is walking to the door on Halloween and being met by someone in a very scary mask (or at least a mask that was scary to a 3 year old). I cannot recall what type of mask the person was wearing, but I remember running away from the door screaming and being afraid to answer the door at night for the next few years of my life. Looking back, I’m sure that teenager got a huge kick out of my reaction. After that I remained a pretty scared child, and have never been a fan of scary movies or haunted houses since.
Last night, Ted and I went to Fright at the Museum at the Museum of Crime and Punishment with our Groupon. We grabbed dinner at the District Chophouse & Brewery next door and I was so nervous that I could barely carry on a conversation (which, yes, I admit is pretty pathetic). As we stood in line at the museum, the loud haunting music got me even more spun up and I told Ted a few times that I wanted to leave…I’m such a wimp. (I also had read last weeks review in the Washington Post, which didn’t help.)
We were paired with two girls and the four of us were instructed to stay together in the museum. In the beginning they showed us a video that I barely watched in hopes that not knowing the story behind the haunted house might make it a little less scary. When the video was over we were sent on our way — I must admit that I jumped and screamed at least once when ghosts seem to pop out from everywhere and follow you throughout the museum….but the scariest and creepiest may have been the ghosts that didn’t say anything, just looked at you and followed your every move.
Note: Photos were not allowed during the haunted house. Photos below are borrowed from The Washington Post.
I ended up getting way to nervous before hand. While at times I admit that I was scared, I survived easily and did not have any nightmares. If you have the same feelings about haunted houses as I do, this is probably a good one for you…but if you are looking for the fright of your life, you might not want to pay the $20.
Belly Dancing Update
October 28, 2009I don’t have any pictures or much to report about last night’s belly dancing class. Michele and I had had a long two days of work and were worn out…we were determined to make it to belly dancing though. We did find out that at the end of the 4 week class, we’re going to have a party for all of the “Belly Dancing Crash Course” graduates. Our class started learning a dance today that we will perform that night. If I don’t get video footage before then, I promise I will get some of us dancing that night! Stay tuned!!
Uptown Cathay
October 27, 2009Deal: $15 for $35 worth of Asian Cuisine at Uptown Cathay Restaurant
Grade: F
Dinner at Uptown Cathay was the worst dining experience I’ve ever had. Imagine the cheapest Chinese restaurant you’ve been to and multiply that by 5…add a sketchy sushi bar and you have Uptown Cathay.
I should have turned around after taking one step in the door (or maybe even after taking one look at the outside of the restaurant)…but I had to redeem the Groupon at some point. When we walked in, a lady all the way at the back of the restaurant pointed at a random booth and told us to sit down…what a warm welcome! After a look around, I realized that we were 1 of 3 parties eating dinner there on a Saturday night…bad sign.
The Entrance to Uptown Cathay
Sketchy Sushi Bar
Menu and Chopsticks
Cocktail Menu in a plastic binder sleeve
Ted’s expression explains so much…thank goodness for the Bud Light!
We decided to order quickly so that we could leave as soon as possible — I felt like I needed a shower after sitting there for 5 minutes. We had $35 to spend, which resulted in ordering WAY too much food — Combination Fried Rice, Sweet & Sour Chicken (which I ate one bite of…it was disgusting!) and Orange Chicken.
Combination Fried Rice
Sweet & Sour Chicken (if this doesn't make you loose your appetite, I'm impressed!)
Orange Chicken
The Fried Rice and Orange Chicken were edible, but no better than fast food Chinese. I only hope that the other people in the restaurant also had a Groupon, I can’t imagine having had to pay full price.
If you haven’t used your Groupon, do yourself a favor — give it away and visit Comet Ping Pong or Bucks Fishing and Camping right across the street.
I plan to never return to Uptown Cathay again.
ACKC Cocoa Gallery
October 26, 2009Deal: $10 for $20 worth of treats from ACKC Cocoa Gallery
Grade: B+
I LOVE Chocolate! Saturday afternoon, my roommate, Tippins, and I ventured over to 14th Street to redeem our Groupons at ACKC Cocoa Gallery. We both wandered around the store for a while, not sure what to purchase — most of the chocolates didn’t have prices or descriptions.
We finally talked to a guy behind one of the counters who told us that we could buy a box of 6 truffles for $12.00 and get a hot chocolate drink from the cafe to total almost $20. 6 truffles for $12.00??…I’ll take a Hershey bar instead, please! … So, I continued to shop, and ended up leaving with…
A chocolate bar with Fruit & Nuts for $6.50 — Delicious!
Some Dark Chocolate covered pineapple for $3.25 — not my favorite, but OK.
Five Milk Chocolate covered Oreos for $1 each — YUM!
…and a Judy Garland Hot Chocolate (Hot Chocolate with a shot of hazelnut!) for $4.25.
ACKC was an adorable chocolate shop — a great place to meet a friend for a treat. The chocolates were a little pricey, but we shopped around and ended up getting a good deal for $10 thanks to Groupon! I’d definitely go back for a hot chocolate, especially on a rainy afternoon…or to treat myself to some chocolate on a special occasion.
Ace Hardware Groupon = Pumpkin Carving!
October 23, 2009Deal: $10 for $20 worth of anything at Ace Hardware
Grade: A
I’m not handy at all, but I love hardware stores…you can find almost everything there! I was pumped when the Washington, DC ACE Stores were featured on Groupon. I’ve been to the Glover Park ACE tons of times and the people there are always SO helpful…this visit was no different.
My roommates and I had been planning on carving pumpkins, so I decided to stop by ACE to see what they had in the Halloween category. I bought a large pumpkin, a small pumpkin, a pumpkin carving kit, candles and some tic-tacs to put me right at $20.28 (actually $10.28 thanks to Groupon).
We ordered in pizza, had some wine…and started carving!
Roommates getting started!
The Pumpkin Carving Kit!
The Stencil
Almost there!
Caroline and her VERY happy pumpkin!
Finished!
The Final Products!
Thanks to ACE and Groupon we had a successful evening carving pumpkins at a low price!
Alternative Health Associates
October 22, 2009Deal: $45 Swedish Massage at Alternative Health Associates (AHA) ($89 value)
Grade: B-
After my massage at AHA, I realized that the best part about this blog is having an excuse to try all the spa deals! …
…However, I’ve been putting this post off because there just isn’t much to say.
Yes, the massage felt amazing. Yes, the people at AHA were friendly, helpful, professional…and so on. Yes, I left relaxed.
The experience overall just wasn’t something to rave about.
AHA is located in what I think is an old town home with lots and lots of floors. I was taken to a room in the basement for my massage. The room itself was clean and comfortable, but throughout the massage I could hear people running up and down the stairs and water running when people would turn on a sink. I guess I may have gone into the treatment expecting it to be too much like a massage at an actual spa, but I still don’t think it should have been so loud. So — if you are looking for a full blown spa massage, I’d try another place, but if you’d like to squeeze in a massage after work and just want a chance to lay down and de-stress, then check out AHA
The entrance to Alternative Health Associates
The inside of AHA from the waiting area - lots of levels!
Overall, the experience was a great way to wind down after a busy week of work. If the same deal is featured on Groupon in the future, I’d consider going back but I would not pay full price.
Saffron Dance Belly Dancing – Day 1
October 21, 2009I had my first class at Saffron Dance last night — one word: AWESOME! I loved it!
We lucked out and got Saphira, the founder and owner of the studio, as our teacher. She was a great teacher and squeezed so much into just an hour! Check her (and other belly dancers) out in this video below:
I’m not going to make any promises, but hopefully I can convince Saphira and my classmates to let me take a video to show you all! In the meantime, here are some pictures!
Michele and me in our hip scarfs!
GrouponGuru Deal of the Day – Doggie Day
October 20, 2009I knew when I saw this “Side Deal” for Boston, I HAD to feature a Deal of the Day! This is priceless! I really hope this deal happens, so Boston, buy up! You get access to the VIP tent and will be helping out Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Animal Rescue League of Boston.
Take pictures of your pets and send them in to Groupon (pictures@groupon.com) for a chance to win $100.
Groupon Success Story
October 20, 2009I mentioned in a previous post that Groupon featured Belly Dancing classes in DC. What a success for Saffron Dance Studio! The maximum number of deals (300) was purchased, causing the studio to have to more than double the number of classes they offer to accommodate everyone. Wow!
I wonder how many of those people would have tried Belly Dancing if it weren’t for this deal…I can tell you I wouldn’t have!
As a business, why wouldn’t you use Groupon? – There’s so much buzz around this site and it’s only getting louder! Everyone should check it out.
