Mohican Weekend Part I

These past few weekends have been AWESOME and SUPER BUSY! So a bit of a delay on these posts--I was busy soaking up the final weeks of summer! I had so much fun I have to divide it up into multiple posts.

Part uno:

Saddle up city slickers, I'm taking you to the backwoods of O-H-I-O!

Still reppin CLE even in the country

Follow me along my Mohican Weekend Adventure!

Equestrian Valley Farm

JMK had planned a (rad) weekend full of surprises at Mohican State Park for us to enjoy together, in the middle of nowhere, no distractions, just beautiful scenery, and time for us to (re)connect, relax and take on fun outdoor activities. And it was seriously such a blast!!!

Hiking in Mohican

Mohican Memorial State Forest and Park is home to nearly 5,000 acres of hiking trails, bridle trails, woods, streams, cliffs, caves, camping and cottages. Chyeah...awesome! The park is conveniently located about an hour and a half outside of CLE and an hour outside of C-Bus. It was my first time there, and I was so impressed with the surrounding scenery--who knew a place so close to CLE had such soft rolling hills!? I'd love to go back during the fall when the leaves turn--my favorite! #MidwestIsTheBest

We began our hike here, at Pleasant Hill Lake Dam, and hiked about 4.5 miles around the area.

I must admit, I may be a savvy street navigator, but when it comes to whereabouts in the woods--that's JMK's area of expertise. We took in a scenic hike along the river, through the caves, across covered bridges and up the bluff at the gorge, making it a point to stop and enjoy each view along the way. 

Yes, people, we are in Ohio! Beautiful backdrop!

Overlooking Clear Fork Gorge

 

Gorge-ous photo op :)

There is SO MUCH to discover at Mohican and so many cool places to explore. The scenery is spectacular, and it's just a short drive from the city. 

Need some time to unwind?

If you're an active person who enjoys being outdoors, this is a fun and scenic one-tank trip from Cleveland. Stay tuned for Part II of Mohican Weekend, next up--all about our stay...hint *vineyards!*

4th of July Recap

Is it seriously double digit days in July already?! How did we get here so quickly!! Ahhh if only we could push the slow button on summer!

Over the 4th of July holiday weekend, I was out of town visiting nearby C-Bus. So here is a quick recap of the highlights:

 

An epic explosive show

at the largest fireworks display in Ohio--Red, White & Boom!

JAM + JMK

 

Glow-worthy

 

 

Hiking + tree climbing + intentional dip in the water

Stroll along Creekside

Stop looking at me swan!!

Awesome community gardens!

It was a fun trip and I was able to relax, explore and catch up with the JMK fam. One step at a time, we'll see where the road leads...

Isn't that an O.A.R. song? On the road outside Columbus? Anywayyyy....Yep, I'll be heading back down there this weekend. This time for a girls weekend with 2 of my besties from college. We've been planning it since March, and looking forward to some much-needed girl time and shenanigans :) Now I have to go run and pack!

 

Can't wait for Club with these lovely ladies!!! Where is that summer slow down button again??

Monday Meditation: It Takes Chaos

Hi there! Well the month of May was officially b-a-n-a-n-a-s. A fierce sprint through chaos and unexpected changes.

Have I been preoccupied? Yes. Have I questioned the future? Yes. Have I felt a zillion emotions but don't feel like spilling it out to everyone? Yes. Do I believe everything will work itself out? Yes. Do I love my life? Yes. Do I trust in the journey? Yes.

But here's the part I struggle with: the uncertainty that envelopes change and then sitting with that ambivalence. Whether it's the uncertainty of a job, a meeting, a move, a diagnosis, a phone call, a child, a loved one, an announcement, a nuptial, an outcome. Life presents so many opportunities to invoke that unsettling feeling of worry in NOT knowing what to expect, no matter how diligently we try to plan it. Everyone can relate to that exhaustion of trying to nail down jello.

Image Source via Pinterest

Can you blame a gal? It's tough to sit with the unsolved (hence the mega-hit show, Unsolved Mysteries). And well, I'm only (an event-planning, organized, worried, empathetic, control-freak) human. That's when it finally hit me........ I am ONLY human. As much as try to plan, research, organize, worry, empathize and control life... I can't! It's extraordinarily humbling and challenging to let go of control and embrace the chaos of changes that life throws you.

Image Source via Pinterest

Reread that. As I've turned inward the past few weeks, I've found comfort in the notion that there IS a bigger plan unfolding right before me. I am being taken care of and have so much to look forward to. I may not know exactly how things will go, but I've got to trust I am exactly where I am supposed to be on my journey. And wrap myself up in self-love. The chaos is leading to some beautiful change. Let the path reveal itself. And breathe.

Image Source via Pinterest

How do you let go of control? How do you cope with bad news? What do you do when you feel uncertain about change(s)? Do you believe in a "higher" or "greater" life plan? Are you a planner or fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants person?

Lots of love, stay positive and keep JAMmin!

Wordless Wednesday: DC Trip in Pics

Let's face it, I'm still reeling from a whirlwind weekend trip to DC from my gal pal, Steph's, bachelorette party. So here's a less wordy highlight recapped in photos... enjoy :)

 

Sweet Treats!


Uniporn Rainho Cupcake.. yeaaah, awesome!

Banana, walnut, cream cheese, strawberry stuffed French Toast

Cucumber vodka mint + pistachio gelato =
winning combo  



Beautiful Blowouts!


Blowout Bar!

T.A., Steph *the honorary bachelorette*, Marie, me with our fab blow outs!

 



Styling and sassy!



 



Sightseeing!

 

Benny!

'Merica loves George!

 

Oh Barry!

 

WWII and Lincoln Memorial

 

Washington Mall & Monument with Marie!

 

 A Sight to See!

Feelin sunny, honey!

Say whaa?

 

We want you!

Epic patio of kickball teams playing flip cup after their game!

 

Wall of Cupcake Napkin Notes

 Definitely lived up every moment in DC with my girls and much needed reunion. Here's to JAMmin!

Weekend Recap: Spontaneous Spring Adventures in CLE



Do you ever have one of those perfectly planned weekends in which the plans suddenly fall apart? Ughh..usually I get super bummed (hello, I plan events, what do you expect?) But thankfully, with the changing spring wind, the spontaneous spring adventures blew into CLE when I least expected it...

 

On Friday, I got the unexpected call to go and check out the newly opened World of Beer in Lakewood. The place boasts 52 beers on tap and 538(ish) bottles of beer (heavenly for any craft beer lover, and yes... I asked the bartender precisely how many bottles of beer they had...)

I met one of my besties, Kay, as an unplanned night unfolded. Kay was my very first friend I made in college and everytime we get to see each other it's always a fun evening of reminiscing, joke-cracking, and catching up :)



J + Kay

After catching up with Kay, I was venturing back home until I (literally) ran into these crazy cats. What a lovely surprise! As the weather begins to turn, the kinetic Cleveland energy intensifies! Random nights out and about culminate into unforgettably fun times.

Why hello der: Brett, Jenna, me, Ryan and Julie

While enjoying the live music playing, I turned around and asked some fellow patrons to take our above pic.... turned out Jenna knew one from college that she hadn't seen in nearly 10 years. What are the chances? Only in CLE!

Jenna givung thumbs up. Andrew the awesome picture-taker. Josh the former college classmate.

We had a long chat about CLE and how it's a great place for young people. You just have to be willing to go out and have an adventure. People who complain about CLE aren't really seeking positive change or new experiences...conclusion? Quit your slackin, and make sh*t happen!! :)

3 cheers to unplanned nights with old friends, new friends, dinner, drinks and live music!!!

And how about this new weather that's (finally) popped!?!?! I woke up to the birds chirping and sunshine on Sunday. So what's a girl to do? Get her spring gardening on! I went out and grabbed some bio-degradable starter pots along with some zinnia & marigold seeds. (throwback to the awesome spring seedling science projects in grade school..ya-yuh!)

After doing some planting and going to town cleaning up the garden beds, I headed over to Market Garden Brewery to meet Evan and keep soaking up the SUN-day fun day and Vitamin D on the patio!!! Ahhh gloriousness!

EV Loves CLE!!!

New season bridges new development in CLE!

After Market Garden we cruised over to Tremont to get our sugar fix during the springy Sunday at Tremont Scoops! It just opened along Professor Ave. and is serving up some flavored favorites with a side of excellent customer service! I'm pretty sure I squealed 1) because I was so excited/proud my gal pals opened up this adorable place! 2) they had my FAAAAAAAVORITE ice cream there and I can never seem to find it anywhere or in stores.

Meet Nikki and Ann
two of the lovely ladies from the team at Tremont Scoops!

Biiiiiiiiig cheese! So happy that I found some Superman ice cream

From trying new watering holes, fun run-ins with friends, happy spring seed plantings, soaking up the sunshine on patios, to discovering that my fave childhood ice cream is being served up nearby....I'd say it was one happy unplanned surprise after another during this spring weekend in CLE! Those are the best :)

 

 

How was your weekend? What new surprise did you recently uncover in CLE?

 

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!