Petals A Flower Studio Review

If you ever need flowers on a Sunday, plan ahead many flower shops aren't open on Sundays. Petals A Flower answered their phone after a few flower stores who advertised to be on Sunday didn't pick up. Given that it is the new years weekend, it seems like they may be closed to rest. I wanted to get my girlfriend some flowers for her birthday and I wanted them delivered same day by a certain time.

Alexa, who helped me, provided some AMAZING service. She told me that they were actually partially closed because they were doing renovations and told me they were low on flowers. BUT she was able to work with me to get flowers delivered today and withing a couple hours. What great service!! I told her a budget and she was willing to work with me. She assured me that the arrangement would be beautiful and would be promptly delivered. I am sure my girlfriend will like the flowers when she receives them.

I am really happy with the great customer service Alexa provided to me. This will be the place I turn to when I need flowers when I'm in San Francisco.

365 W Portal Ave
San Francisco, CA 94127
Neighborhood: West Portal
(415) 682-8590

Sherrie Long Makeup & Hair Review

I'm so happy that I used Sherrie to do my hair and makeup for my wedding in July. She did a great job and I love how everything turned out. Sherrie also does hair and makeup for fashion magazines and some celebrities, so she has a lot of experience. I did a trial run with her before my engagement pictures where we went through a few hair and makeup looks.  I ended up changing my hair a little on the actual wedding day and Sherrie took everything in stride and did a great job. The team that she brought with her to do the bridesmaids' hair was also wonderful. They got everyone done in time and I thought everybody looked great. My hair even withstood a windy day in San Francisco and lasted all night. Her makeup photographs beautifully also.

Here prices are a little pricey as some reviewers noted, but when I compared her to other people who focused on wedding hair and makeup, I found them to be pretty average. However, I was willing to splurge on hair and makeup since I knew that was one of the things that would really bother me if it didn't look good at the wedding.

Sherrie is very professional and does amazing work. She does book fast so be sure to talk to her early.

San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 608-9220

Echo Furniture Review

I came across Echo Furniture after scouring furniture store reviews in SF on Yelp.  I decided to go with Echo and boy, am I glad that I did.  First off, the prices relative to the quality that you're getting is unbelievable.  I bought a leather couch and not only is it very comfortable, it looks awesome too.

I also got a square ottoman, but Cliff told me that they had run out.  So Cliff offered me a brand new circular ottoman as a rental until the square one came in a few months later.  Cliff personally delivered the square ottoman when it was ready for delivery.

Echo Furniture deserves another Kudo from me.  Cliff is the BEST person to go to for any home furnishing advice.  From carpet, to window coverings, to color matching, to furniture style...  He is generous to share his knowledge and he would spend as much time as you need with you. Cliff told me what to look out for when I purchase a carpet, even when I'm not buying from him. He would go out of his way to make sure I'm getting the right things for my house. 

3769 24th St
(between Chattanooga St & Church St)
San Francisco, CA 94114
Neighborhood: Noe Valley
(415) 643-3845

Sunset Pet Supply Review

This place is great! They carry a large variety of dog food and my dog's breed (bichon) isn't supposed to eat poultry products because it messes with their skin and they have tons of choices without poultry in it. Definitely a plus! A good selection of treats as well, and my doggie loves coming here and sniffing everything. Prices may be a little bit more than your petco, but you pay for good quality.

For my hamster, I buy the only brand that they carry - but he loves it and it's HEALTHY for them! He had a kind of urinary infection early on in his life and the veterinarian asked what kind of food we gave him - the mix of seeds, corn and grains and she said that's pretty unhealthy for him. She suggested we go across the street and pick up the food they have there because it's VERY nutritious and healthy for him. Of course, we obliged and he hasn't had any health problems since. He's a very healthy hamster rounding on his second year of life and I contribute it to his diet. Unfortunately, we have been giving him a lot of sugary treats and we suspect he may be diabetic but we've cut out on the sugary treats and have increased the healthy veggies in his diet.

2226 Taraval St
(between 32nd Ave & 33rd Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94116
Neighborhood: Parkside
(415) 661-4236

Suetake Bros, Inc Review

Akira did a fantastic job with my fiance's engagement ring.  I would highly recommend him and there is a reason why he has received only five star reviews on Yelp.  Several friends have also used him and they feel the same way that I do.

Akira is exactly the type of merchant one would like to deal with when making such an important purchase.  He is patient, reasonable, very accommodating, and a true artisan.  His pricing is well below retail but you get the same, if not better, quality that you would at TIffany or Shreve. I would especially recommend Akira to inexperienced buyers of jewelry who are not as familiar with the process and might be a little nervous about making such a large purchase.

I had done a little of my own research, but was basically a rookie when it came to fine jewelry. Eddie was patient with me when I asked rookie questions. He knew the right questions to ask in order to bring about the design of the engagement ring my fiance would love. He provided a no pressure environment where I felt comfortable from the get go. No doubt I will be coming back for all my custom jewelry in the future.

210 Post St
Ste 406
(between Stockton St & Grant Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94108
Neighborhood: Union Square
(415) 391-8047

AC Gears Review

AC Gears is awesome, but I think if you've visited and paid close attention on all the things they have in the store you'd think so too. Actually I pass around that area a lot to Union but because the storefront is small I've missed it so many times. Finally being inside with a girlfriend of mine - but I want to write about their music selection. You really don't get to find a lot of stores that'd play stuff beyond the radio and blockbuster. The last few times I was at the shop I had to pull out my phone to shazam them!  Kitsune is a good start but they have things more "underground."  Miami Horror was one I Shazamed at AC Gears before, just for example. Anyway, a gadget store is an understatement. They offer good headphone warranty coverage. Check them out and take your phone out while you're there ...

420 9th Ave
(between 33rd St & 34th St)
New York, NY 10001
Neighborhoods: Hell's Kitchen, Chelsea, Midtown West

(866) 265-7999

Porter Stable Review

We were looking for someone to assemble our IKEA furniture (we're not too handy...) and found Michael on Craigslist. He answered right away and was available to come over almost immediately. Michael worked quickly and competently on the work we had for him and even offered to come back and do a touch-up, free of charge, if needed. He was low-key but very willing to offer suggestions, and I soon found myself looking for other projects I needed help on so that I could take advantage of his expertise! I would definitely hire him again for a variety of jobs (painting, repairs, custom furniture creation) and recommend him to others as well.

18 Bank St
(between Waverly Pl & 4th St)
New York, NY 10014
Serving New York and surrounding area
Neighborhood: West Village

(917) 476-4146

Hi-Tech Electronics Review

I hung onto my six year old Canon PowerShow SD 600 for a year and a half, thinking it would be impossible and not cost effective to fix. The place on bway in tribeca almost laughed at me when I showed them my camera and then said $150 at least. I laughed at them and walked out, determined to find an honest alternative. Thanks to yelp, I did. These guys fixed it in two days for $60, although, I had to call them to ask them if it was ready. Glad to know there are some honest electronic repair guys out there.

47 Canal St
(between Ludlow St & Orchard St)
New York, NY 10002
Neighborhoods: Chinatown, Lower East Side

(212) 219-3794

B&H Photo-Video-Pro Audio Review

Camera and video geeks, prepare for sensory overload. I stopped here with my photographer boyfriend yesterday and lost him within the first 30 seconds. Until this point, he'd only ordered from the store online. This place means business. Everything a photog could POSSIBLY need, from studio gear and lighting to computer software, to tripods, camera gear, and god knows what else.

The employees are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable and the store was surprisingly in order for being mobbed with last minute holiday shoppers. Beyond photography equipment, this warehouse has an immense selection of other electronic goods, from laptops to projectors. Go here but beware. You will try to run in every direction at once. Take your time- there's a lot to see.

420 9th Ave
(between 33rd St & 34th St)
New York, NY 10001
Neighborhoods: Hell's Kitchen, Chelsea, Midtown West

(866) 265-7999

The Future Perfect Review

On the pricier side, but everything in this store is truly unique and will function as a statement piece! I have been to many furniture stores and The Future Perfect had one of the coolest wall pieces I have ever seen. They were old metal pipes with glass light bulbs shaped like tear drops drooping down from the faucet pieces. I cannot explain it any better than that, so you'll have to check out the store yourself and hope that it's still there!

115 N 6th St
(between Bedford Ave & Berry St)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Neighborhood: Williamsburg - North Side

(718) 599-6278