Sweet Treats at See's Candies

Last week, I was invited to attend one of the sweetest events in CLE! See's Candies recently opened their doors at Beachwood Mall.

See's Candies Media Preview Event at Beachwood Mall

Bring on the chocolate!

I was delighted to indulge in my favorite guilty pleasure... chocolate!!! Who doesn't love chocolate? I mean...c'mon. Savory chocolate displayed in pristine white glowing cases... ginger, almond, raspberry, butterscotch cream...the fillings and flavors were endless!!!

Since 1921, they've been serving up these preservative-free, wholesome chocolates (since all that high fructose corn syrup yuck wasn't used 90 years ago, they stuck with the GOOD stuff!)

Read more about See's Candies rich history here!

With See's Candies delivery service and early establishment  in the fine chocolate business, it became a favorite amongst early Hollywood stars, including the beloved Lucille Ball of "I Love Lucy." As the story goes, Lucy loved the chocolates so much that she wanted to film an episode at  See's chocolate factory.  Little did they know it would become one of the most infamous and favorite scenes from "I Love Lucy."

 Click the image to watch the famous chocolate assembly line scene

So the folks at See's Candies Beachwood shared the neat piece of history with us and then "dared" us to compete on our own assembly line of chocolates as Lucy! They taught us how to properly cup the chocolate and package it (to Lucy's credit--it is harder than you think!) Then everyone raced as teams with hairnets and paper hats on full display :)

Thankfully, we were all winners that night despite our packing skills!

See's Assorted Chocolate Truffles!

 

"Giant chocolate Easter bunnies? Yes please!" Gina

My sis and I had SO much fun at the event. From the retro vibe checkered floors, to the rows upon rows of chocolates, to the fun activities throughout the evening--we left there with sugar highs and wide smiles :)

Super Sweet See's & Sisters!

So to all my crazed cocoa-loving Clevelanders...head on over to Beachwood Mall (in the center court second floor) to scoop up some chocolate Easter bunnies and other favorite treats at the legendary See's Candies! Three cheers for chocolate!


***Disclosure: I was invited as a Cleveland blogger to this store opening preview event. I was provided a bag of chocolates and samples by See's Candies. All opinions and thoughts expressed are 100% my own.***

Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week at Muse and XYZ Tavern & Sweet Moses in Gordon Square!

Friday night, I kicked off a foodie weekend in CLE by capitalizing on the 2013 Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week! The 6th annual Restaurant Week was even better this year, why? Because it extended through two weekends AND had a delicious pierogi power theme! Needless to say, this Cleveland gal was salivating to embrace a tasty pierogi meal at a fancy restaurant for an affordable price!

$30 for one diner at Muse Restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton

First course: Wedge iceberg salad

Second Course: The Smoked Hog Pierogis with barbecued pork, brussel kraut and creme fraiche

Pierogi Power! Beautiful presentation and equally delicious!

Third Course: Oreo Cheesecake

That dessert was totally smirking at me...so I devoured it! ;)

The lit marble fireplace, ambiance, surprises, good company and wonderful meal only added to a great dining experience. DCA 2013 Restaurant Week was a big hit and satisfyingly good...proving the potent power of pierogis on every Clevelander's palate!


On Saturday, I hit up XYZ Tavern for girl's brunch in the Gordon Square Arts District. The brunch marked a special occasion as we celebrated my girlfriend's, Jenna's, first birthday as a Cleveland resident! Again, another savory meal in CLE! I had the BLT&A, mmm love avocado incorporated into a BLT breakfast sammie! Yum!

Cleveland is happy to have you, Jenna! Happy Birthday!
Pictured left to right: Julie, me, Jenna, Kayla and Gina

After toasting with some mango sorbet mimosas to Jenna on her birthday spent in Cleveland, we then strolled next door to sweeten the celebration at Sweet Moses. This retro soda fountain and treat shop is a nod to Cleveland's years past.

Learn more about all the goodies available at Sweet Moses!

Gina looking like a kid in a candy shop :)

I may have drooled a bit over that gorgeous glass case of goodies, but finally narrowed it down to milk chocolate pretzel bark and a small bag of melting pot carmel popcorn...wo0o0weee, that stuff was GOOD!

So many sweet treats to choose from at Sweet Moses

After a weekend of indulgence and spectacular meals... I maaaaay need to do some extra cardio this week! :) But what a fun weekend of celebrations at some of Cleveland's finest foodie places!

Did you participate in Downtown Cleveland Restaurant Week? Which Cleveland neighborhood is your favorite for a celebratory meal or dessert?

(My thanks goes out to the DCA team, fabulous participating Cleveland restaurants...and I must give a shout out to my talented sister who played a key role in orchestrating such a successful event and bringing back the pierogi power!) *All opinions and reviews expressed are 100% my own.* Just want to give them a big round of applause!

Ohio Blogging Association Meetup: Chocolate & Wine Divine Time at Whole Foods!

This week, I attended my first Ohio Blogging Association event at Whole Foods Cedar Center and it was spectacular!! After blogging for just over a year, it was time for me to spread my wings and venture out to meet more bloggers in the the great land of CLE.



Solid lineup!

Here are the top 5 reasons why it was fab and I DEFINITELY will attend more OBA events!

1) Chocolate. Okay, I should just stop here. Tell me there's chocolate, and I'm in! As I've said in previous posts (JAMinCLE Goes to SEA & Surround Yourself Only With Those Who Lift You Higher), chocolate is totally the way to a lady's heart. And this meetup was a chocoholic's dream! All the delicious treats were provided by one of my favorite chocolate shops in CLE, Sweet Designs!

Chocolate covered goodness!

2) Learned something new. As a curious cat and life-long learner, I am always excited to hear peoples' stories, see new perspectives, gain new insights, and learn new tips and tricks. We were lucky to have Ines Rehner, owner of Sweet Designs, there to spread her chocolate knowledge!


Ines Rehner, owner of Sweet Designs, teaching us all about CHOCOLATE :)

She really helped explain the different processes and the care that goes into hand-crafting superb chocolate. The best part was when we got to try these heavenly chocolate covered strawberries and she taught us the most critical chocolate covered strawberry life saving tip...cut it in half! Yes, have you ever bit into a chocolate covered strawberry only to have the tasty shell break and fall off, onto your lap? Doh! Don't worry, you're not alone. I tried her recommendation, and sure enough...no shell slippage! Just sweet, strawberry, chocolate goodness with each bite!

That's what I'm talkin bout!

3) Wine. And yes, I certainly like to indulge in a glass of good vino (or two..) But this was no ordinary wine....

Oh my!! Enough said...

4) Prizes & giveaways. There were so many fun prizes and giveaways. I scored some awesome Robot Valentines (don't be surprised if you get some robotic love this year...) My favorite was a complimentary parting gift... a gift certificate for a half pound of chocolate, courtesty of Sweet Designs...woowee thank you!


WhyCLE, Our Journey, me, SmittenInCLE

5) Making new friends. I was so happy to meet and make new friends at the event-- young professionals who are engaged with Cleveland's culture, events and activities and actually have a positive message to share about our city and lives here! People can often be quick to give CLE a bad rap, but these lovely ladies (and all the other bloggers I met there) choose to look on the bright side and bring out the positive in CLE...my kinda gals :) I was so grateful to be invited to join the Ohio Blogging Association event and look forward to going to more, hanging with new friends... and a few pounds of chocolate over some wine never hurt either! Cheers to chocolate! And keep JAMmin!