Grade: A

For the past 2.5 years, I’ve only gotten my hair cut at either SuperCuts or HairCuttery in DC — I usually keep it very low maintenance and just get my hair cut straight across, let it grow out and then chop it off.  Over Christmas, my mom suggested (as only family members can suggest) that I try out a new hairstyle…and get a haircut that costs more than $17.95.  Soon after this suggestion, I found out I was moving to Charlotte, and added getting a haircut to my list of things to do during my “settling in week”.  During my last week in DC, I found Cirrus on Groupon and decided that this would be the Salon for my “new style”…especially given the fact that I could spend the same amount of money that I did at SuperCuts or HairCuttery, but get a much better quality cut.

Yesterday, I booked an appointment with Josh at Cirrus Salon in Charlotte.  I must admit that I was a little nervous beforehand, not because I was going to a new salon, but because I was going to be trying a new hairstyle — my plan was to chop my hair a little above the shoulders and layer it — but what if I didn’t explain it right and came out with a terrible hairstyle?!

Josh sat me down, discussed what he thought would work best given my not-so-great description of what I wanted.  Throughout the whole haircut, I felt like I was in great hands and in the end, I loved my new haircut!

Before

After

The entire experience was great — the salon was very clean and the people working there couldn’t have been nicer, and as a Groupon customer, I got the option to book my next appointment at 30% off.  While I’ve tried many awesome Groupons, this is the first yet that I plan to return to and use again.

If you’re looking for a salon in Charlotte, check out Cirrus Salon!

This weekend Ted, Betsy, Robbie and I headed up to the Omni’s Bedford Springs Resort in Pennsylvania.  It was the perfect weekend getaway from Washington, DC — just a 2 hour trip.  While the hotel was very cozy and the accommodatations lovely, I would not suggest Bedford Springs if you’re looking for an action packed weekend (unless it’s warm and you like to golf and hike), however, if you’re looking to relax — I certainly was –  this is the place for you!

I’m still a rookie at this blog stuff and showed up with a dead camera battery…so I took the liberty of borrowing some pictures from others…

Omnihotels.com

The Accommodations: The first of the hotel’s buildings was constructed in 1806.  Since then, 10 US Presidents have visited this hotel.  In 2007, the current renovations were complete.  The accommodations at Bedford Springs were fantastic — on the same level as The Homestead or The Greenbrier.  The lobby was very welcoming, with tons of areas to sit and relax and the rooms were also comfortable, clean and appropriately up to date.

The Food: We ate dinner at The Crystal Room, one of the three dining options for dinner.  I ordered a “Maytag Bleu” salad (similar to a wedge)  which had way too much dressing and cheese.  For my entree, I had the pork tenderloin which was way overcooked.  Breakfast was also in The Crystal Room.  While it was a step up from dinner, it wasn’t the best breakfast buffet I’ve had.  Overall, I thought the food was very overpriced for the quality.

Omnihotels.com

I do have to brag on the Tavern’s onion rings.  Robbie had spotted the onion rings earlier in the day, so we decided to have a pre-dinner appetizer at the Tavern.  They were DELISH!  I’ve also heard they serve a mean cheeseburger — guess I’ll have to go back to check it out.  (I also loved the Tavern because they let us bring our own bottle of wine — cheap, cheap cocktail option before dinner!)

Spring’s Eternal Spa: The four of us booked spa appointments on Saturday afternoon and spent most of our time there.  Although I was expecting the spa to be a little bit bigger (the relaxation room got very crowded at times), the amenities were superb and the staff couldn’t have been more helpful.   If I have the opportunity to return to Bedford Springs, I plan on spending most of my time in the spa!

Omnihotels.com

Overall, Bedford Springs was a hidden gem in the Pennsylvania mountains and I would recommend it to anyone wanted to getaway for a short trip.

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.