Fall Fashion 2013: What to Wear and Where in CLE

If you're a Clevelander, then you are probably a big fan of the fall season here--Browns games, hearty meals, and beautiful changing leaves. Fall has always been a season I look forward to, not only because of the fun and fabulous foilage, but also for the fall fashion! Layers, boots, scarves, over-sized sweaters...oh my! So wondering what to wear and where in CLE during our (most) fashionable season? Well here are some of my top outfit picks for around town this year. Check out last year's picks here.

What to Wear and Where in CLE: Ohio City - West Side Market and Ohio City Farm

So are you hankering for some fresh seasonal food? A great place to find some fresh farm foods is in Ohio City at the infamous West Side Market and Ohio City Farm--yummy butternut squash or pumpkin raviolis from the Ohio City Pasta stand at the Market are some of my seasonal faves. Cozy foods and apparel! A snuggly mustard sweater, slouchy knit hat, lace-up boots and quilted vest make up the perfect attire to go shopping at the Market. The layers play to the indoor/outdoor shopping you'll be doing and you can pop your fresh produce right into this multipurpose over-sized "Everyday Shopper" bag from the reasonably priced Zara.

JAMinCLE Fall Picks

What to Wear and Where in CLE: Press Wine Bar

Press Wine Bar is a newer restaurant and wine bar in Tremont. Priding itself as the first location in Cleveland to offer "wine on tap," this place has a classy but eco-friendly relaxed feel. Read more about it here. These Tory Burch Cherie Wedges are killer! Typically, loafers are a bit too "stuffy" for my style, but with the unexpected gold plating and tweed addition, these sky-high wedges are anything but! The other pieces are classic shapes and styles but with more of a bohemian vibe. Like that leather wrap bracelet with a stunning orange sapphire (for a cool $2700... I mean a girl can dream, right?) Cozy up with a glass of wine on tap and head out to the back patio in this warm wool blend coat for chilly fall evenings. A CLE venue that blends classy and quirky, with clothes to match the mood.

JAMinCLE Fall Fashion

What to Wear and Where in CLE: The Office

I love the color combo of olive, camel and teal for the fall--a perfect ode to the cooler weather and muted jewel tones. Bring the outdoors right into your office with this awesome, natural looking coffee mug that not only warms up your morning, but your desk decor too!

JAMinCLE Fall Work Wear

What to Wear and  Where in CLE: Mahall's Lanes

Mahall's Lanes is always a fun adventure for the weekend. This gem in Lakewood is a throwback to times past boasting twenty bowling lanes, craft beers served up in mason jars, and an intimate venue to take in lives bands too! I dig this retro bowling bag purse, Lennon-style shades, and comfy boyfriend shirt...sweet staples to carry you throughout the whole season. 

 

JAMinCLE Fall Bowling

What to Wear and Where in CLE: IngenuityFest

IngenuityFest has grown to be quite the fun festival each fall, celebrating CLE's creativity, innovation, arts and technology. The fest takes place at Dock 30 and 32 again this year featuring live music, performances, art, installations, interactive exhibits and more as the warehouses transforms from a vacant industrial space to a giant creative hub abuzz with ideas and acitivities. So what to wear? Well I'm obsessed with these Sperry Top-Sider Lace Up Desert Booties, a new twist on an old classic. I love the simpleness of shape and design of this Aztec-style sweater. The turquoise ring has a similar impact with the setting, a gorgeous "diamond" in the rough. I like design concepts that force you to reconsider the presentation of something familiar and beautiful in a different light. Ingenious!

JAMinCLE Fall Weekend Wear

What styles are you digging this fall season?   What will we spot you wearing around town? What are your fall must-haves? For more of my fashion picks and finds, follow me on Pinterest or Polyvore!

CLE Museum of Art + Lakewood Arts Fest

What a great weekend to be a CLE art lover! On Friday, I finally got to check out Cleveland Museum of Art's MIX First Fridays: Caliente! And this time it was outdoors on the front steps. A total fiesta, complete with a live salsa band, happy hour specials, and droves of art aficionados and art newbies!



Just dance!

Reportedly there were over 1000 people who were salsa-ing and spectacting outside and inside the beautiful museum, myself included! So happy to see people come out and enjoy all that our city has to offer! Check out what's happening at the newly renovated Cleveland Museum of Art!



Sassy salsa sisters!

Just like Rodin's "The Thinker"

After the event, my sis and I headed around the corner to the new ABC Tavern that recently opened in Uptown. Great selection of craft beers AND skee ball, win! Definitely will be visiting there again!

On Saturday, I went to the 36th annual Lakewood Arts Fest. Over 160 artists participate on average in the downtown Lakewood festival each year, many of them locally-based. It's been a family tradition to go every year, and this year I hit it up again...twice :)

I purchased these 4 coasters as a set (for only $15!) from The Foundry Woodprints. I LOVE the old historical photos of CLE that were transferred as woodprints. I'm going to put my 4 in a shadow box and hang it on my wall.  His stuff was going like hotcakes and hopefully they'll be opening a brick & mortar soon. Yeah, CLE pride!

Some of my other favorite and noteworthy artists at the Lakewood Arts Fest this year included:

• Cynde H. Designs: 35mm Film Negative Jewelry. The name says it all! But check out her stuff to see her step-by-step process...very cool upcycling!
• Gold Designs by John Darlin: gorgeous handcrafted bracelets and jewelry. Love his bracelet hook clasps that actually fit my wrist. You could never go out of style with one of his timeless pieces.
• Marker Magic: I can't even do his work justice, you've got to see it up close! This Twinsburg artist takes the ever-familiar magic marker to create spectacular works of art that are deceptively stunning!
• Ironwood & Vine Studio: one of my favorites for his upcycling craftsmanship. Dean Myton creates several products from upcycled wood--my favorite, his serving trays, were made from wine corks, wine crates and salvaged wood from deconstructed homes throughout Northeast Ohio. Brilliant!

After circling the show several times, we worked up an appetite and decided to try out the newly opened Cerino's Casual Italian (previously Eddie-N-Eddie's). Honestly, as good as their burgers were, my whole fam was pumped a solid Italian family restaurant finally came back to Lakewood! And the  fast service, friendliness and food did not disappoint!


Eat Well.
Laugh Often.
Love Much.

We shared breaded parmesean planks and mini meatball sliders as appetizers, and I had the "smaller" portion of crispy pesto gnocci with charred cherry tomatoes for the main course. YUM! Needless to say, we were all in happy carb comas post-meal.

 

An artsy-fartsy, foodie, fun, family weekend in CLE! Have you been to MIX at CLE Museum of Art? How about the Lakewood Arts Fest? What's your favorite Cleveland area arts fest?

YP Pantry, Cleveland Foodbank

How did 1 year fly by so quickly?! Yes... YP Pantry, Cleveland Foodbank is officially a year old! Gasp! 

Me too, kid, me too...
Image source: womenunlimitedworldwide.com

Last July I became involved with forming a group of young professionals to start a YP networking group in affiliation with the Cleveland Foodbank. Never did I imagine what a tremendously eye-opening experience, adventure, and friendship forming time it would be!

Not familiar with the Cleveland Foodbank or YP Pantry? No problem!

Here's a little history and my top 5 reasons why you should consider getting involved!

The Cleveland Foodbank supplies a majority of the food used in local hot meal sites, shelters, and food pantries throughout Northeast Ohio. In addition, they provide food to child care centers, group homes, and programs for the elderly.

The most astonishing thing I learned after getting involved with the organization is that there IS enough food in Cleveland. Let me reiterate that point, there.is.enough.food.in.Cleveland.for.EVERYONE! The issue or challenge, which the Cleveland Foodbank certainly advocates to overcome, is that we need to reconsider and revise the way food is distributed throughout our community.

So who does the Cleveland Foodbank serve? Are people really going hungry in Cleveland? Well, chew on this...

Image source: Cleveland Foodbank

WOW! So what can you do to help? There are a variety of ways for you to get involved and contribute. Learn about 5 ways you can help fight hunger here. And if you're a young professional, between ages 21-39 and looking for a group to get involved with, here are my top 5 reasons why you should consider joining YP Pantry, Cleveland Foodbank!

1) Get hands on experience! Unlike some YP groups, where you pay annual dues, slap it on your resume and occassionally go to social outings at local bars, this group encourages you to roll up your sleeves and get involved! I dig being a part of YP Pantry because there are so many opportunities to volunteer at the Cleveland Foodbank warehouse and assist with repack events.

New YP Pantry members packing their first pallet in the warehouse!

Actually sorting food, organizing crates, checking labels, and visually seeing the food to be distributed to local pantries makes a huge impact. and raises your awareness of how much need is right in our community!

2) Make a difference in our CLE community! Several YP Pantry community events take place at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lakewood. The produce you may have just recently sorted in the Foodbank warehouse is delivered to the church for hot meals and produce distribution. As a Lakewood resident myself, I was completely blown away after attending the first YP Pantry there.  Serving nearly 200 people, who are quite likely your neighbors, is very eye-opening and truly humbling as it magnifies the incredible need right in our own backyards. Make a difference, and feel good serving someone a tasty meal or hand out fresh fruits and vegetables.

Photo Source: YP Pantry Facebook

Peanut butter and jelly pros!
Photo Source: YP Pantry Facebook

Average produce distribution line
Fresh sweet potatoes, onions, potatoes, cucumbers, and apples
from the Cleveland Foodbank
Photo Source: YP Pantry Facebook

3) Volunteer in lieu of dues! As I mentioned before, I really appreciate the hands on experience. So in lieu of dues,  members are required to volunteer 24 hours of their time over the course of a year. And there's plenty of ways to earn it too, doing a repack in the warehouse, assisting with an on-site agency distribution day, and more--check out all of the current event/volunteer listings by visiting the YP Pantry Facebook events page and registering on Eventbrite. If you're just starting out in your career, or paying off student loans--your time is just as valuable as money! So come out and volunteer, and save your due money for other expenses ;)


4) Make new friends! Over the course of the past year, I've met some AMAZING people that I can now call friends. Our common interest was volunteering, but some of those initial volunteer experiences developed into friendships.

Meet other young professionals who enjoy giving back, having fun, and making new friends. The YP Pantry Social Happy Hour events have included some of CLE's best restaurants such as Noodlecat, Bier Markt, and Grovewood Tavern.


Slurp-a-licious time at YP Pantry Social at Noodlecat!

Ale, Cookies, and Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at Bier Markt
with YP Pantry Core Council Members, Tracy and Kate

Register for the next YP Pantry Social Happy Hour on July 30 at Light Bistro and see what it's all about. And the best part? Donate 2 boxes of your fave cereal at the event, be entered to win a pair of tickets to the Taste of the Browns, andddd 15% of your bill that evening will be donated directly back to the Foodbank too! That's a major win!

5) Stay updated! So maybe you've attended a few YP events, maybe you're new to the city. Find out other fun things happening in CLE too. Cleveland Foodbank offers other fun ways to volunteer like at Cleveland Indians games too. Fill out an application to be added to the YP Pantry monthly e-newsletter list,  check out other YP Pantry Core Council members awesome blogs all about CLE, like Amanda from Clue Into Cleveland and Jen from Why? CLE, or follow YP Pantry and Cleveland Foodbank on Facebook.

So, hope to see you at an event or volunteer opportunity soon to help support the Cleveland Foodbank mission!

*Full disclosure: I am a YP Pantry Core Council member and volunteer of the Cleveland Foodbank. All opinions expressed are completely my own.*

 

Cleveland.com + DCA Tweetup at Aloft Hotel + WXYZ

Last week, I had the opportunity to go check out the brand new Aloft Hotel that now anchors the progressive development in the East Bank of the Flats.

Aloft Hotel and Ernst & Young Building

Cleveland.com and Downtown Cleveland Alliance--two of Cleveland's biggest CLE supporters-- hosted a Tweetup for CLE's social(media)ites to preview the space. To check out cleveland.com's recap and photos click here.

Visitors and hotel guests were greeted by this awesome take on a check-in desk.

Ballin

Nearly 400 people gathered for the event in Aloft Hotel at WXYZ, the same restaurant owners of ABC in Ohio City and XYZ in Gordon Square, to get a glimpse of the venue and socialize.

Sleek. Exposed duct work. Curved lines. Modern feel. Tons of natural light.

Not only was the interior cool but a deck off the second story offered absolutely incredible views of the architecture and natural beauty in CLE.

Deck entrance

Stellar views from the deck

I love that the Detroit-Superior Bridge and Shoreway Bridge are both visible in this shot.

The views are nostalgic of CLE's industrial past contrasted with the exciting redevelopment. 

  

This recent Crain's Cleveland article does a good job of explaining the history of the Flats and long anticipated revitalization of the area. Not only will the new Aloft hotel offer a comfy place to rest your head, but there are sleek conference rooms that boast fantastic views, access to the newly reopened Waterfront Rapid Line, and foodie favorites too. CLE is the place to see and be!

Conference rooms

Green space next to the conference rooms gives a unique perspective of FirstEnergy Stadium

Soon mixed-use spaces will also open--including more offices, retail, restaurants, bars, and apartments.

Bridging CLE's past & present

What a fun place to host a Tweetup, meet new people, eat, drink, take in terrific views and experience CLE's latest destination! Just another reminder of the positive redevelopment and great things happening in The Land!

26th Birthday Weekend Recap in CLE!

Twenty-six. Officially late twenties. Eeps! I'm blessed with so many lovely people in my life who made a four-day birthday weekend totally JAM-tastic!

June Birthday Babes :)

During the day on Friday I spent time with my Mom doing some much needed retail therapy. We hit Crocker Park where I found 2 fabulous birthday dresses and some stellar accessories to fit the birthday mood. Then we popped into Vieng's Asian Bistro. I got a super legit vegetarian crunch roll (asparagus, avocado, cream cheese, wrapped with rice and deep friend in tempura batter) semi healthy...right? Calories don't count during birthday meals :)

Centering myself

Mama and me

Later that evening I tried out Market in Rocky River for the first time. Adorable place, great atmosphere and extensive craft beer and cocktail list. It was girls only and it was exactly the fun and laughter I needed to kiss 25 goodbye.



Lovelies left to right: Jenna, T.A. Regi, Donna, Gina, Kayla & Catie

After dinner and drinks, we headed over to check out the recently opened Vosh Club in Lakewood. You know, the place Kevin Costner was just spotted at while kicking back after a long day of filming in CLE. Yeaaah!

 

Yes, our drinks glowed in the dark!!!

 

There was an AWESOME jazz band playing and all the girls and I hit the dance floor. Thankfully, I don't think there are any pictures as proof, but it was pretty hilarious/amazing/fun/cathartic. My gf also snuck over and whispered to the lead singer it was my birthday and soon enough the band and entire club were singing me happy birthday. It was very sweet, embarrassing and special. Did I mention how much I love my friends :) I am one lucky gal!

Thanks for making my night special, girls! xoxo

After saying so long to 25, Saturday rolled around to welcome in 26. The sun peaked through in the afternoon and I decided to mosey down to Whiskey Island & Wendy Park for some sunshine seaside fun. I really love this place during the summer--laid back, low maintenance, access to the water, great views of the city, and live music.

Double thumbs up to birthday fun, kick ass sunnies, and wonderful friends!

I received so many thoughtful gifts, well wishes, emails, cards, phone calls, texts,&  posts that I couldn't help but have an ear-to-ear grin all day long! I'm feeling the love! Consider this my thank you to each and everyone of you who made my entire day/weekend terrific!


After Whiskey Island we decided to check out pARTy in Gordon Square. Gordon Square is one of my favorite neighborhoods in CLE--great food, chill vibe, emerging artists, Happy Dog, Capitol Theatre & CPT. There is always something fun happening there! Well consider this a mega block party showcasing all the arts & activities in the area.

Evan and I bringing our creative comic book characters to life

One of the activities was to make your own comic book character. Naturally, my super hero was named "Birthday Girl!"


Birthday Girl here to save the city and keep JAMmin!

Angry Asisan Carp taking over!!!

 

Awesome superhero outfit...

T.A Evan and I with our alter superhero-egos

Then we were greeted with the awwwwesome surprise of Last Call Cleveland performing. Please tell me you've seen these guys perform before. Literally pee-your-pants, good, true Clevelander jokes. I've probably seen them half a dozen times and it's always a bit different, and more Cleveland jokes and fun.  



 

Pet peeve: Your v/s you're haha

I couldn't think of a better combination of events and getting to laugh my face off with friends.

 

Night cap and birthday dessert at Spice Kitchen & Bar with Catie, Nathaniel, T.A. and Evan!

 

After all the fun festivities I finished up the birthday celebrations on Sunday morning with the family as we went to Nighttown's brunch. Great patio, great memories, great food.

 

 

 

What a fabulous weekend of friends, family, fun, and festivities. Despite having a rough few weeks, the ones I love rallied around me and helped me count my blessings and feel the love. So thank you, thank you for all that you do. Cheers to 26! And keep JAMmin!