Deals in Union City

There are several options when it comes to boutique shopping in Atlanta—we’re a city that loves to shop—but depending on your tastes and budget, finding the perfect fit can be a bit of a task. After living and shopping in Atlanta for about a year and a half, I was so pleasantly surprised when I found what has now become my favorite place to shop: Dress Up. Dress Up is a local boutique shop with 10 locations in Georgia. After opening in 2009 just north of Atlanta, owners Derrick and Danielle Case decided to expand and open more shops in town. “Our customer base continued to ask us to come ‘into the perimeter’, so we did! It has been an awesome experience to say the least!” they share. Upon arrival at Dress Up, customers are instantly transported to a charmingly chic world of fashion. With rustic and earthy décor like reclaimed wood and faux greenery, it’s hard to believe the shop isn’t located in a storybook. Dress Up perfectly combines that homey, welcoming aesthetic with clean, modern and cheerful elements to create an environment you never want to leave. Not only is the shop itself incredibly pleasing to the eye, but the clothing and accessories that Dress Up offers are unique and on trend. And as if that’s not enough, a glance at a price tag will send you into a state of euphoric bliss. “Our prices are extremely competitive for the area, and we go above and beyond to make our stores feel like our prices would be 2-3 times the cost of what they are,” reveal the owners. With such a lovely storefront and budget-friendly pricing, it’s already almost too good to be true. But the perks of Dress Up don’t stop there. The staff of enthusiastic and friendly ladies make the experience of shopping at Dress Up that much more enjoyable. These employees go above and beyond to make sure customers find exactly what they are looking for without being overbearing or pushy in the slightest. The Dress Up owners put a lot of importance on their staff; “We pride ourselves on giving the customers 100% of our attention and spend a minimum of 20 hours training every employee to meet our standards,” Derrick and Danielle share. They also “interview hundreds to find the perfect Ladies of Dress Up.” As a very experienced shopper, I find shopping at Dress Up to be a dream. But don’t take my word for it. Visit any one of Dress Up’s Atlanta locations for yourself. All Photos by Johnny Cheng Photography

When one moves to a new city, finding a new stylist is one of the most difficult and daunting tasks for many women. It can take years to find someone who truly understands you hair and shares your same vision in the cut, color and styling department. Lucky for Atlanta ladies (and men!), though, Vivid hair salon is a reliable and safe go-to. Their stylists are educated, up-to-date and trendy. No matter what look you’re going for, you’re sure to be pleased with the results. I caught up with one of Vivid’s talented stylists, Grace, and got the scoop on Vivid, common hair mistakes and more. What is your favorite thing about working at Vivid? My clients! I learn so much from them. My clients have become friends that I cherish. How is Vivid different from other salons? Vivid is a very modern but traditional neighborhood salon. The wooden floors and the brick and stone walls give it a very cozy and inviting feel. What made you want to be a stylist? I was always fascinated with color and shapes. Growing up I did a lot of different things to my hair and thought, why not learn and do it professionally? I wanted to have fun and enjoy my work. What is your favorite thing about being a stylist? I have a lot of fun with it. Being a stylist is exciting and keeps me on my toes for new trends and styles. I love sharing my knowledge and teaching my clients about how to treat their hair. Being given the ability to help find someone's confidence is such an honor! What is your favorite style to cut? What about color? Right now my favorite style to cut is different degrees of angled bobs and adding a lot of texture and layers in my cuts. For color, I'm obsessed with deep and dark roots with bright highlights around the face. What was your proudest moment as a stylist? My proudest moment would have to be when I was invited to be a part of New York Fashion Week Spring 2011. That was an awesome experience. What product line do you recommend? I love Pureology. It's a 100% vegan and sulfate free. It smells great and feels amazing on your hair. I like chi blow dryers and flat irons. They glide so easily on your hair and last a long time. What are the biggest and most common mistakes people make with their hair? Not getting regular trims. Even when growing out your hair you must get your regular trims to keep it healthy. Also, box dying your hair. Color doesn't lift color so once you do it, it becomes a color correction in the salon! So eventually it will cost you more money! Any final tips or tricks? Random trick: When hair is standing up from static, rub a laundry dryer sheet on your hair. It takes the static right out! Grace was my savior when I decided to cut over ten inches off of my hair to donate to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. My ‘after’ look had me feeling like a celebrity (namely, Olivia Palermo and Ashley Benson, whose photos I brought in as an example – I mean, the cut was literally identical!). I highly recommend booking a spot with this talented lady. Plus, all new customers get a welcome packet complete with money-saving coupons. To book your appointment at Vivid Salon, call (404) 685-3557 or visit them at 1401 N. Highland Avenue NE.

Nothing brings people together like sharing food, and tapas restaurants provide common ground for your whole party, as you compare your impressions of several selections from smaller plates. This Spanish tradition is a great way to get to know your friends, and it allows you to try several different flavors in an evening without feeling overly stuffed. It’s also a fun date idea, as you immediately have something to discuss as you are effectively sharing a meal. Thankfully, Atlanta has no shortage of tapas spots that are perfect for snacking away the evenings with someone special. Noche, with a few locations throughout the city, is one of the more laidback tapas restaurants in town. Expect friendly service, drink specials and a comfortable environment swathed in red and brown tones. It’s a great place to meet up with friends for a relaxed evening, catch up over a cocktail or two and then dive into some fried goat cheese fritters. There are plenty of seafood options as well, like the ever-present shrimp and grits, or you can go healthy with the fresh grilled asparagus. Just be sure to share the diminutive delights with everyone at the table. If you want a more upscale experience, consider The Iberian Pig on Decatur Square. You’ll need reservations for busier summer evenings, as this popular spot tends to fill up fast, and the patrons like to linger over several rounds of tapas. The dark interior makes it a romantic spot as well; it can be a bit pricey for anyone with a gaggle of small children, which means it’s perfect for date night, when mom and dad can find a babysitter and sneak away. The Iberian Pig is also a strong contender for best spot to take an out-of-towner, though you don’t need an excuse to snack on their delicate meat selections. Charcuterie is of course the main draw, but you don’t have to leave your vegetarian friends at home here, thanks to a separate menu full of meat-free options. While both Noche and The Iberian Pig offer small-meal options that are perfect for sharing, Atlanta has many more hidden gems throughout the city. With dim lighting, lingering courses and the perfect excuse to make conversation, local tapas restaurants offer some of the most romantic casual dining options around.