By Eliza Berkon, Winn Duvall, Stefanie Gans, Beth Kellmurray and Lynn Norusis
In the week ahead, Northern Virginia Magazine‘s editors are looking forward to visiting a Del Ray bagel pop-up before it closes, trying salep at an Ashburn coffee shop and partaking in a Harry Potter-inspired escape room.
Scouring the last of the Presidents Day sales
Feb. 20
Instead of getting mentally ready to declutter and spring clean, I’m thinking it’s time to accumulate some more stuff. I’ll be on the hunt for some new work staples, a crock pot and whatever deals seem too good to pass up. –WD
Watching the Oscars and (Probably) Being Critical
Feb. 26, 7 p.m.
A few weeks ago, after rambling on about some awards show I’ve already forgotten, copy editor Winn Duvall asked me, “Are award shows your thing?” I wanted to scoff, but instead, I had a coming-to moment: Are they my thing? I guess so because the Oscars will be yet another award show I watch this week. My expectations are low—award shows tend to get it wrong, which is too bad, because there were a lot of movies I liked this year, including Moonlight and Manchester By the Sea (shout out to Bigger Splash, which wasn’t even nominated for anything). But the more likely favorite is the so-so but pretty-to-look-at La La Land. –BK
Trapped Entertainment
This weekend I plan on being locked in The Wizarding World of Woodbridge as the HometownGo team brings Harry Potter to life in an escape room-like event in Tacketts Mill. Mixing local history with magical lure, this is the first in a three-chapter event (others include stories based on Ghostbusters, National Treasure and Lost). –LN // 2218 Tacketts Mill Drive, Lake Ridge
Baking (or Buying?) Strawberry Cupcakes
This Saturday is my daughter’s fifth birthday, and I’m looking forward to baking strawberry cupcakes with her for the big day. I’ll be dedicating most of the week to scouring farmers markets for fresh berries and whipping cream. (JK! More like hitting up the grocery store for some Duncan Hines the night before.) –EB
Salep at Blend Coffee Bar
Made with powder from “the tubers of a rare orchid found in Turkey and West Asia,” salep is now available at Blend in Ashburn. I’ve never had this drink (usually mixed with hot milk) or heard of it, but I’m intrigued. –SG // 43170 Southern Walk Plaza, Suite 120, Ashburn
Pop-up Salt | Bagel closes
The experiment between Bagel Uprising and Number 1 Sons inside the Dairy Godmother space in Del Ray ends Feb. 26. –SG // 2310 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Find out more of what’s going on in NoVA this week at our things to do page.
