Whirlwind Winter Weekend in CLE!

Wow, definitely will check off this weekend as a win in my book! I kicked off the whirlwind of weekend events and good times on Friday by hitting Happy Dog for Polka Happy Hour with DJ Kishka (Cleveland's premier polka-playing DJ, yes, you read that correctly).

DJ Kishka getting in the polka jams at Happy Dog!
All Clevelanders must experience this event at least once!

 Not only is Happy Dog a great place to blow off some steam after a long work week and take in Cleveland's finest loaded hot dogs & tater tots, but add a legendary Cleveland DJ heckling the crowd, dressed in costume, and rocking some traditional polka jams, and you have yourself a winning way to start off your weekend!

Egg-cellent idea! #GoodLifeDecisions
Post hot dog, hoovering down some bacon and egg tater tots!

After polka-ing my way through Happy Hour at Happy Dog, I headed over to CSU to see my homeboy, J. Buckner screen his short film that I got to watch him create! Soooo cool to see the final product on the big screen! A wonderfully talented and passionate group of actors and filmmakers showcased their work to a crowded auditorium of film-lovers, artists, and CLE Believers. The Indie CLE event presented 6 excellent, quality, and locally made short films by CLE's young movers & shakers. Read my original recap of filming "The Samaritans" here.

Photo courtesy of J. Buckner on Facebook

Zach Shildwatchter, Executive Producer. and  J. Buckner, Director. of "The Samaritans"
post-screening doing a Q&A with the audience

Congrats on all the hard work...Bravo!

Watch "The Samaritans" and follow J. Buckner's other awesome short film projects at www.thestudioonmars.com. His team is cranking out quality short films, winning awards, and making a name in Cleveland and beyond for young budding filmmakers, actors, and artists...pyaaaaw! Good stuff!

On Saturday, I started my day seeking out some design inspiration. I am beginning a refurnishing project and super jazzed about it. I scored some really cool knobs for my dresser and some matte black paint to refinish it. My mom and I ventured out to the antique shops on Lorain Ave. to get some other crafty ideas. The antique stores stretch down Lorain Ave. on Cleveland's west side from about W.80th to W. 65th. There are so many hidden gems you can find there. My favorite place is an incredible store called Reincarnation Vintage Design. Their displays are gorgeous and so cleverly repurposed. If you dig hunting antiques and thrifty finds, or need some beautiful ideas on how to give new life to old furniture, you definitely must check out the antique shops on Lorain, including Reincarnation Vintage Design.

Photo source: RVD Facebook page
to see their latest shipments and pieces be sure to "like" their Facebook page...or stop in!

"Thrift Shop" by Macklemore
Dude, you have GOT to watch this music video....

After my day of antique hunting and scoping out the second-hand stores in CLE, it only felt fitting to JAM to this hilariously awesome song, "Thrift Shop"  by Macklemore while out downtown on Saturday night. Wooowweee--busting out the dance moves. What a winning night! First time I've stayed up to see the sunrise, probably since my college days. Goooood times! :) I capped off the weekend with brunch at Grumpy's Cafe  in Tremont and got brunched in the face with some seriously tasty eggs benedict and cajun home fries. Despite the restaurant's namesake, I left there feeling happy, full, starry-eyed, ready for a long nap and hopeful for more adventures in CLE with good people. If I had one phrase to sum up this whirlwind winter weekend in CLE, what would it be? Good life decisions :) Keep JAMmin!