Ingenuity Fest, Sparx, Tremont Art Fest, Brunch, Browns Game

Wow, what an incredibly action-packed weekend. I am wiped out from all the awesome over-stimuilation I experienced this weekend in CLE.

Yeah, whoa!

Friday night I set out to the Ingenuity Fest with my two hilarious homeboys, Jeff and Evan. These guys are instant day brighteners and it's impossible to be anything but happy and goofy in their presence. (Their services can be rented for only $19.95 an hour. Kidding! Sort of...)

This year the Ingenuity Fest took place at the docks behind the Browns stadium as opposed to the Detroit-Superior Bridge where it has been hosted for the past few years. I'll be honest, the venue was cool, but not as cool as walking across the beams of a bridge suspended above the Cuyahoga. (We ARE adventurous in CLE, right?!) Instead the event took place in 2 giant warehouses along with an outdoor section. Personally, I felt the energy was lacking and disjointed in the gigantic vacant space, but I will admit that the exhibits and art this year were way more outstanding. Check out some photos I snapped:

Howard Ganz artwork

Always JAMmin! Zygote Press

Copy Machine art by Zygote!

Good Greens represent!
 Check out my previous review of Good Greens Bars here

(Oh ok, so now Blogger is going to be real awesome and turn all my vertical pictures horizontal, no matter what I do, oh well, you get the picture)
Jeff happy about his Good Greens purchase

After a really good sticker-bombing session...who gets the last laugh now? :) 
(Well, I guess Blogger does here, but I will get you...Soond)

After a fun-filled Friday. I then hit up Sparx City Hop which DCA (and my awesome sister) made possible.

  Lolley the Trolley here so you can learn all about CLE!
 (sideways, obviously is better, thanks Blogger)



I met John the talented photographer/artist behind 216 Photography.
He is a cool local CLE guy doing his thing, and said it was only his 2nd public show (say whaaaat?!)
Check out his incredible work and support your love for CLE here.

                                   

We then mosied over to my favorite place in Tremont for--more food, at Prosperity Club. Great chill vibe with old-school checkered floors, a mini bowling machine, good beers on tap, and live entertainment right on the door step!

Sunday rolled around and I chomped on some delicious brunch at Sweet Melissa's with my bffs Catie & Julie, and my two favorite little girls, Lily & Chloe!!!



We are going to teach you all about the joys of Girls Brunch, Chloe!

Because sticking out my tongue is awesome-Lily

I tried the Corned Beef Hash and it was AH-MAZING. The place is pretty kid friendly too, so definitely a good place to bring the youngins with still a cool and tasty vibe.

After filling up at Sweet Melissa's, I stopped over Katie's house for her Brown's tailgating party. Despite the loss, we still had a spankin good time cheering on our tragic yet beloved CLE team!

I finished up the day back east with my sis, hanging out and kickin it on the porch, enjoying a beautiful fall evening while drinking hard cider. Life.is.good.

My belly is full, my brain is stimulated, my love of arts has broadened, my experience of CLE has deepened, my heart is light, my blessings are counted, and my face is smiling. GREAT WEEKEND!

How was your weekend kickin it in CLE?

Valley Memories!

I had a long and challenging day today that was instantly brightened up by meeting up with my BFF, Catie. Catie was my very first friend I made in high school! Crazy right? We sat next to each other in homeroom and instantly hit it off. A few days into the "high school experience" we willingly ventured out to the St. Ed's awesome dance mixer (awesome as in super socially awkward 14-year olds interacting with the opposite sex all while "Saving room for the Holy Spirit" and pretending to know how to dance to hip hop, myself included, awesome) Luckily, Catie stuck by me, through the goofy phases and all!

Circa freshman year of high school picture day, this picture brings back cold sweats..



The back story to this gem of a freshman photo--it was the first few weeks of school and my kind sister let me borrow her outrageously cool high-heel big sister sandals to get decked out for my first official high school pic. Right after homeroom, my borrowed cool shoes suddenly came totally UNCOOL when the strap broke and I had a completely unusable shoe on my hands (or feet, whatever). Catie came to my rescue and gave me the rubberband for her hair to crow-hunch that shit on my way to my next class. She narrowly helped me avoid a major fashion disaster and meltdown, and from that point on I knew she was a lifer.

Me and Catie in our "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" School Spirit t-shirts circa 2002

Despite the unexpected life changes we are faced with, it seriously is wonderfully refreshing to meet up with your friend who knows you from way back when and just simply... gets you.

So, Catie and I hit up one of our favorite after school hangout spots in the valley tonight. Hogsback aka Stinchcomb. So many good memories there! It instantly took me back to the days where we thought we were so mature and had "serious" problems. Oh to be young again! I'm sure we will be old ladies laughing and looking back on today and say the same thing, oh to be young again!

Always young at heart!
Image source via Pinterest

Image source via Pinterest

If you are looking for a great workout--I definitely recommend climbing the "Hogsback" at Stinchbomb because as the name suggests--it will make you sweat like a hog...or something like that. The view from the top is gorgeous!!! Keeping things in perspective after a long day, it always helps when you have great friends to keep you rooted!!

So let me know about your next valley workout. Take advantage of our beautiful metroparks in Cleveland as the cool weather sets in. The "Emerald Necklage," as it's often referred to, turns stunning shades of red and orange in the fall, so check it out. Let the memory making continue!

Wordless Wednesday

Dude..................totally.

Pinned via Fred Campbell: Original Source


 

Monday Meditation:BeFriend Your Inner Crazy

 

 

Phase One

 

Phase Two

 

Phase Three

 

Be a friend to your inner crazy, otherwise you may end up going cray cray..

The CLE Garlic Fest: The Many Hidden Benefits of Garlic (But You May Need a Breath Mint After..)

So, growing up with wonderful Italian cooks in the home (my mom and sis, the cooking gene skipped me--but more on that later) the smell of garlic makes me salivate. I LOVE garlic! And I had heard of the CLE Garlic Festival but never had the chance to go before. Finally, I learned about the many interesting hidden benefits of garlic...



One garlic benefit: Shaker Heights will not be stricken with vampires anytime soon........

As luck would have it, I found myself venturing out on my own to satisfy my taste for some yummy garlic. (I was able to fend for myself since there were no vampires within a mile vicinity of Shaker Heights) I kid you not, you could sniff your way to the festival from seriously over a mile away, so I let my nose lead the adventure....

Lookout: Attack of the Giant Garlic Clove!!!

Garlic hats, garlic ice cream, garlic necklaces. Garlic, garlic, everywhere! These people were ga-ga for garlic!

 

Brew Kettle 4 C's Beer
Another added benefit: garlic goes well with wine or beer..so you can save yourself from any dilemmas
 by serving a side of garlic at all of your diplomatic dinner parties..............

Maize Valley Farms
Garlic knows no borders! Despite being pegged as an Italian staple ingredient,
I bought a "German White" and "Red Russian" from this garlic stand.
Garlic doesn't discriminate, it is loved by and for all people!

Garlic brings out the love in CLE: ILOVECLE.com Clothing

Garlic makes people groove...


I forget the name of this band, but people were JAMmin

 

 



 

Who knew? All it takes is a little garlic in these kids' systems and their hatred for the Steelers is unleashed too....

This little dude was straight blasting the Steelers with tomatoes for about 5 minutes and kept turning around and asking his mom if she'd take a video of him. Hahahaha! Don't worry my man, I captured your victory!

 

 

Apparently, garlic has other added benefits, such as the power to ward off heart disease, bad skin (did I menition blood-sucking vampires too? But they didn't seem to promote that one as much...)

 

They even crowned a Miss Garlic of the Festival along with her handsome Clove...

Did you notice her skin? Totally the garlic!!
 

The Garlic Fest was awesome, bad breath and all. and if you aren't convinced how wonderful this lil magical garlic bulb is--it's probably because you hate crucifixes and sunlight too... :)

 

 



10 Things I Learned in DC

Oh why helllloo der! I've been catching up all this week after my awesome week in DC. My gal pal Marie made the jump from CLE to DC last month and I was eager to go explore the new city with her. So here is what I learned during my Labor Day weekend trip to the District.

1) They have epic monuments, everywhere. They do history BIG in D.C. From glorious churches grounding you in grandeur

The National Cathedral

To nationally revered phallic symbols...

 

 

Even their national parks are on a grand scale....

 

 

 

And they have really big houses...

"Oh, you meant, THAT big white house," Marie.

2. They take brunch way seriously, which is a major win in my book.

Founding Farmers:


Top right: Beignets with Raspberry Coulis, Semi-Sweet Chocolate and Caramel Sauces
Bottom right:  Pastrami Hash Shredded Leek Hash Browns, Poached Eggs, Beef Pastrami, Creole Mustard Hollandaise
Bottom left: Eggs Benedict Arnold with Sausage and Black Pepper Cream Gravy
 

 

Look at that cutlery? Seriously, adorable

 

 

 

Matchbox:

 

Left to right
Best drinks we've EVER had
Cast iron baked cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing
Brunch pizza with onion, sausage, smoked gouda, scrambled eggs, avocado, chipotle sour cream 




Most serious brunch drink I've ever had: the Bloody Mary Beer (yes, you did read that correctly)
Half of a PBR (already sold) half of a spicy savory Bloody Mary, served with,...
you guessed it, a GIANT piece of bacon on top--be still my heart!

Smokin good brunch, inlaid matchboxes into your table for your entertainment,
along with a side of matches to take home

 

3. Preppy Georgetown Boys do not not like smoking hot smart ass chicks like this who may have had a few cocktails:

 

 

Note to douchey uber prepster dudes: if you do bump my elbow and use the pick up line, "Hey, what's your last name?" I will respond with a smart ass remark such as, "Obama."
*Awkward silence as his jaw drops open* "Let me guess...you're a Republican?" *More awkward silence. Dude whips around and makes a beeline in the other direction*
 

Side note: I do like clean cut guys, yes, but if you are overtly, arrogantly, prepster--I will probably not be a big fan.
 

Post note: Yes, I am a liberal Democrat, but do I love my republican peeps? Heck yes! Besides, Obama is a way funnier response than say five years ago when I would have responded..."Bush." *More awkward silence.*

4. Lebanese make unreasonably precious babies...who surprisingly have gorgeous red hair... (I know, I was shocked too.) Check out Marie's babydoll niece, Miss Stella!!

"How could you not want to eat me?"

 



Oh, and she loves to dance too, double cool baby points

Stella and Auntie Marie dancing up a storm
 

This little lady has more fashion sense than I do:
 oversized floppy hat, one strap bathing suit, and a side flower for good measure

5. They have a lot of irony in their name choices of restaurants and cuisine in D.C. which made me laugh. Witty people.

Toki Underground: totally not underground--actually on the second floor of a building, but has no signage
Also channeling Jonathan Sawyer's Noodlecat vibe

 

Sticky Rice: Ok they serve Sticky Balls (yes we immaturely laughed when our server told us they were the best thing on the menu, and they were)
And a bucket of tater tots--at an Asian restaurant...ironic, but surprisingly delicious.

 

 

Other things I learned in D.C. but don't have cool pictures to show you:

 

6. It is the cleanest big city I have ever visited.

 

7. Next time you complain about traffic in CLE--experience D.C. traffic...Admittedly, Cleveland drivers do go slow--but D.C. drivers are absolute maniacs!!

 

8. It is a jogger friendly city. EVERYONE JOGS. Even when it is 101 degrees with 90% humidity. Hats off to your dedication because I know I sure couldn't handle that!

 

9. "It's a Lost Puppy City" one young Indian man told us during a night out. He said it's a very diverse city, you can order 10 different ethnic foods from your little neighborhood, and really, no one living in D.C. is actually from D.C. They are all just lost puppies trying to find a place called home.

 

10. D.C. actually has a lot more "homey" neighborhoods than I had envisioned. Ridiculous cute row houses and quiet streets with young families all in D.C. proper.

 

Cheers to a great weekend in D.C. Thank you to my wonderful hostess, Marie and her family! D.C. is definitely an awesome city to visit, and I certainly will visit again (But CLE is always #1 in my heart!)