Wednesday, August 29, 2012

CLE to DC!!!

Wordless Wednesday Post
Happy Almost Labor Day!!!!!!!!


<3 CLE Girls
Pinned Image
Travel
(Pinned via Vanessa Zook: Original Source)
 
 
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to D.C.
(Pinned via Grace Moss: Original Source)
 
to unite!!!

+ some hood jams we can't help but claim as our anthem for the weekend..Booyah!
Awesomeness here: Bands a Make Her Dance

Monday, August 27, 2012

Monday Meditation: Beautiful People Do Not Just Happen


"Everything will line up
perfectly
 when knowing and living the truth
becomes more important
 than looking good."
 -Alan Cohen via The Daily Love


Pinned Image
Pinned via Sarah Fox: Original source


Sunday, August 26, 2012

West Side Weekend

Libations in Lakewood, relaxation at Edgewater and even a party on... MARS!

I kicked off my weekend a day early by getting together with my former co-workers & still real life friends (Sara & Justin) for happy hour on Thursday at Pier W.
Justin, me and Sara living the good life!


Pier W
Pier W bar with priceless views of the lake!
Source: Pier W website


I haven't been to Pier W in years, and typically a dinner there was only to mark a special occasion. Well not anymore! Pier W's new happy hour menu boasts half off appetizers, $5.75 mixed drinks and 20% off their wines. Say whaaaaat? Yes, believe it. I got their beef short rib pierogies which were outrageously good and for $4.00, they tasted even better! And the views from this Lakewood lakefront restaurant are spectacular.

View of Pier W from the Lake
Source: Pier W website
Gotta love Lakewood, lots of laughs, fabulous food & friends
 and the gorgeous views from this landmark restaurant!
Good times, good friends, good food. Yes, that seemed to be an ongoing theme as the fun continued on Friday night when I headed to Deagan's to meet some other Lakewood lovers.

Julie and Ryan...adorable.
 
We shared several delicious small plates including the BEST chicken wings (sorry, Greenhouse!), spicy green beans, and one excellent enchilada.

Learning the proper way to eat a chicken wing courtesy of Jeff

Said excellent enchilada
The cool thing about Deagan's is they have great themed night grub during the week too--Taco Tuesday, Vegetarian Wednesday so there is really something for everyone on the menu. Oh, and they're a gastropub so for a craft beer loving gal such as myself, this place is a solid go-to spot.




After back to back nights of rich good food and a few cold ones, I decided to hit Edgewater park for a lonnng walk and enjoy the fresh outdoors on another wonderful weekend in CLE!
It doesn't get much more picture perfect than this!



Oh wait, yes it does!



 









After soaking up the sunshine I headed over to  my bff's 26th birthday party...ON MARS (Avenue)!

Image source: Planetfacts.org
Her party was totally out of this world. Including an unbelievable ice cream cake her super sweet boyfriend MADE for her. Major bonus points :)
Happy birthday!! Literally awesomeness in your mouth cake

The birthday girl and her superstar bf
Me & Marrisa


We had a rockin time, and I was happy to add another evening to the infinite good times in CLE. Curiosity, Neil Armstrong and Mars all came together for a cataclysmic bash of good friends and lots of memories to remember.
Mars Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107
And one last thing, when you're on Mars, make sure to check out these dudes, yes, a fellow Martian and totally representing the cosmic universe and beyond with his far out tunes he creates in his group, Galactic Moustache.

Recognize this rockstar on the left?
Scroll back to the top :)


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Fall Fashion in CLE

As I sat outside this evening in my tank top soaking up every last slanted ray of sunshine and morsel of Vitamin D before the sun went down, I realized that Labor Day is next weekend... for real?! Yes! The school zone lights are officially flashing, Pumpking Ale is stocked on the shelves and there is a morning chill in the air. So... in my effort to look on the bright side of things rather than whine and moan, I can say one thing I am certainly looking forward to is FALL FASHION! There are a lot of things I love about the changing seasons in CLE but my most favorite, fashionable, cozy, comfortable, colorful and my style of clothing is FALL! Yay. So here are some of my fave fall looks I found on Pinterest inspiring my wardrobe this upcoming season and where I'd love to wear them in CLE! What are your fave fall looks you MUST have?


Hippie at Heart
Where to Wear in CLE: Shopping on Coventry

 
Oversize sweater + high-waisted camel skirt + plum tights + platforms
Pinned via Kiva Mitchell: Original source 
Grown Up Prepster
Where to Wear in CLE: Dinner at Burntwood Tavern

Boyfriend sweater + plaid shirt + oversized jewelry + structured leather bag
Pinned via G Hood: Original source

Where to Wear in CLE: Downtown CLE Meeting


"Autumn - Work Outfit" by anna-bella-b on Polyvore
Oversized shawl collar + tie sweater jacket + camel, cream & gold
Pinned via Nubian Esquire: Original source

 Down to Earth Girl
Where to Wear in CLE: Date night at Cedar Lee Theatre
 Cable cardigan + delicate dress + medallion necklace
Pinned via Fayth Goddard: Original source
Delicately Kick Ass
Where to Wear in CLE: an office with some sass
fall work fashion
Ruffle front blouse + pencil skirt + killer boots
Pinned via Lisa: Original source
Effortless Artist
Where to Wear in CLE: Tremont Art Walk
Color blocked blouse + Mustard + Patterned Pants
Pinned via Notso Gentle: Original source


After Work Friday Cocktails
Where to Wear in CLE: Cowell & Hubbard
trench + skinnys + top bun
Skinnys + stilettos + khaki trench + shades
Pinned via Alona Freeman: Original source
Boho Barista
Where to Wear in CLE: Coffee at The Root Cafe
fall
Wedge lace up booties +
 wool sweater jacket + infinity scarf + top bun
 Original source
Where will you be wearing your fall looks, CLE?

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Feasted: The Feast of the Assumption

Feast by definition:

1. rich or abundant meal
2. sumptuous entertainment
3. something highly agreeable
4. a periodical celebration, usually of religious nature.

Check. Check. Check. Check!!!!

The Feast of the Assumption has grown to be quite the special occasion for our family. Cleveland's 114th Annual Feast of the Assumption took place in Little Italy this weekend (in case you live under a rock.) The religious event has evolved into a 4 day long festival of food, family, fun, community, libations, charity gambling, guidos and pure goodness.


Celebrate the Feast
My sister cooked up a GIGANTIC storm for Saturday morning--commencing her annual Feast Before the Feast Party. Goat cheese & cherry strada, egg muffin souffles, garlic pesto bruschetta, fresh fruit served with a side of mimosas and espresso. There was a ridiculous amount of food. And I had every intention of taking fancy food pics prior to digging in but my appettite got the best of me. So I will just assure you that it was spectacular and keep subliminally reminding my sis that she for reeeal needs to open a restaurant. Even my Gram gave the final seal of approval--holy smokes!
The Cellini women!
With Gram holding up the pic of Patrica, Italy where my Grandpa was born
He'd be so proud of us girls! Always in our hearts!

Bella sorella!

Despite me working diligently this past month to lose 9 pounds, I am fairly certain I ate my weight in delicious Italian meatballs, sausage, cannolis, and cavatelli. And--I am really not worried about it--soooo worth it. Good food brings family and friends together, and that is what feasting is all about!


Speaking of bringing people together, my gal pal, Kayla (right) introduced me to one of her homegirls from South Carolina, Jenna (left). These two Southern Belles are such an awesome addition to our city and we are so happy to have them! Jenna just moved to the great land of CLE to accept a teaching position at John Carroll--my alma mater--double cool points. We had some great convos about comparing their hometown to their current place called home, CLE. The consensus? Cleveland has an incomparably rich culture, and the melting pot of food and nationalities brings the communities together to appreciate our differences and break bread at the same dinner table.

Corbo's famous meatball sandwich they only make twice a year = heaven for all

Look at all those people!
Girlfriends unite!
We then headed over to Gusto where they had some...interesting tunes provided by this gentleman :) But with the good times rolling, no one seemed to mind.

Yes, sequins were involved... 
 
Let's show them the Southern Shag

That's right. Kayla and Jenna shared some of their hometown love with us, by teaching us the South's honorary dance known as the "Shag." Sure Austin Powers may have initially crossed my mind, but these girls were groovy on a whole other level!!!

I love Gina thoroughly enjoying the show in the background! :)



Bravo! Nicely done, ladies!!!!
Rich or abundant meal(s)? Check! Sumptuous entertainment? Oh yeah! Something highly agreeable? The whole weekend was two big thumbs up! And periodical celebration, usually of religious nature? Celebrate we did! Tying faith, family, friends, and fantastic food into a fabulous Feast of a weekend! Mangia, mangia!