Category Archives: outdoors

{May 14, 2013}
  lilacs & healthy living!

Good morning! While it is super chilly, and I couldn’t bring myself to wear tights anymore, I sit here with goosebumps awaiting the weeks warmer temps. How aout you guys, did anyone bust out their winterwear this morning? Smart!

One of the things that I LOVE about this time of year are all the amazing flowering trees we have in Northeast Ohio…especially lilacs. The white ones are my favorites, then the super dark purple ones and I would never turn away a bundle of the simple everyday light lavender hue as well.

MORE! →

Posted on May 14, 2013 by charity
Posted in amazing, benefit, bike, community, event, events, flowers, local, love, outdoor, outdoors, race, seasonal, seasons | Leave a comment

{Apr 22, 2013}
  celebrate earth

Hi everybody, happy Monday and even better HAPPY EARTH DAY! What a wild weekend weather-wise don’t you think? Literally Friday it was warm with a spring-like breeze, then Saturday morning we had suspicious white flakes and Sunday while the sun was pretty it was chilly again. Come on CLE weather fairy it’s time to warm things up.

Did you do anything to celebrate Earth Day over the weekend? I mean, besides recycling your wine bottles or picking up friends to go out, carpooling to save on gas. I know that the big festival presented by the Earth Day Coalition was held at the Berea Fairgrounds yesterday, I’m glad they had great weather too.  I believe the celebration of Mother Earth used to be at the zoo but so many people wanted to celebrate they were looking for a larger venue, so that’s cool.

If you took the day off work today to celebrate but now have decided you actually don’t want to do spring yard clean up and you’d rather stay indoors…HGTV is hosting an all day marathon of my personal go-to show Love it or List it! It’s half remodel show, half chartacter development and a game show all rolled into one hour of home improvement fun. If you’ve never seen it, now is the time to check it out.

Yesterday I was in the backyard of our new-ish home when I noticed these little violets trying their best to lift their faces and smile towards the sun to celebrate spring and how happy they are to be nesteled at the edge of our patio. I couldn’t help but smile and be happy that while most of the yard is still a cool shade of gray green, these charmers were a vibrant pop of purple in all their glory.

Happy Earth Day Cleveland. I hope you can get outside and explore your yard, your community, a local park or beach. Find something that makes you thankful it’s almost spring summer in the CLE and be thankful that the Month of May is quickly approaching! Cheers.

Posted on April 22, 2013 by charity
Posted in beauty, celebrate, eco, event, outdoor, outdoors | 1 Comment

{Mar 14, 2013}
  St Patrick’s fun!

It’s almost time! Just few more days until we all drink the green beer, dress in our finest tweed, enjoy the perfect soda bread & butter, do a jig or two, and enjoy a years worth of bagpipe tunes. It’s almost St Patricks Day people!!!

The famous Cleveland St Patricks Day Parade is this Sunday, kicks of at 2pm beginning on East 18th and Superior and continues the fun looping around town. The weather report looks good so far, at least it should be dry. The Boys from County Hell will be performing at House of Blues, Flannery’s AND The Harp. There will be plenty of corn beef served at some of our city’s traditional hot spots including Slyman’s, Corky & Lenny’s and Nate’s Deli and even the not so traditional eateries like Hodge’s (the perfect outdoor hot spot!) or Market Garden Brewery on 25th.

So you got your parade, your music, your corn beef so besides reminding everyone to take the RTA downtown I guess my last little wise words would be don’t forget to wear your green or you might get pinched!

(The image is from the Official Parade fb page by ©2012 Buckeye Photography, Inc)

Posted on March 14, 2013 by charity
Posted in event, events, holiday, holidays, outdoor, outdoors, outside, parade, restaurant, seasonal | 1 Comment

{Feb 22, 2013}
  Friday fun : succulents

Happy Friday CLE! Hope everyone has lots of fun plans on the horizon for another chilly weekend. Don’t get me wrong, I heart  winter (if I didn’t we would have a problem) however with spring fashions, vacation wishes and a few home projects on the horizon I am starting to crave the feeling of spring. Bring it on spring!

With that said how many of you have ever wanted to make a terrarium? I tell you what, just the little bit of green brings a lot of life to a dining room or end table. The green living plants evoke growth and spring to me. To learn more about making your own terrarium, swing by any of our area greenhouses such as Petitti’s or Gale’s in Westlake for some tips and tricks…don’t forget the rocks and charcoal for good drainage and root growth.

Yesterday I stopped into Home Depot for some teeny tiny brass nuts (crafternoon project to come!) and was immediately welcomed by their just-in shipment of assorted succulents. Perfect to turn every wintery terrarium into springtime bliss. If you have time at lunch or on your way home swing by Home Depot on 117th to get yours while the getting is good. Happy container gardening CLE…happy weekend and to those of you attending the big weekend bash; happy Jump Back Ball!

Posted on February 22, 2013 by charity
Posted in gardening, indoors, outdoor, outdoors, shop, shopping, Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments

{Jan 25, 2013}
  Winter weekend


Happy Friday CLEV-kids! It’s been the conversation topic of the week…”It’s so cold outside!” Perhaps some of you saw this picture I took yesterday through instagram (@charity216) while lunching at my favorite lunch spot; Pier W but for those of you who didn’t I had to share. The sun was out and we had a window spot which is the best seat in the house. The entire meal I was mesmerized by the flaky chunks of ice and snow that glistened on the lake. The shores of Lake Erie looked like Antarctica glaciers…I wish there were little penguins waddling down Edgewater Beach this time of year…wouldn’t that be so cute? I digress…

Anyhow, I know I’ve said it before but just a reminder on how great Pier W is for a lunch meet up, free parking, lots of sunshine, an amazing view of the city and oh, for all your resolution diet’s…the South Beach Salad is the best! Happy Friday and stay warm friends.

Posted on January 25, 2013 by charity
Posted in amazing, outdoor, outdoors, outside, restaurant | Tagged | Leave a comment

{Jan 24, 2013}
  Full Moon Hike!

Hey CLE, is everyone cold enough yet? I mean, don’t get me wrong I am thrilled the sun is shining and we can admire the pretty blue skies, but it is SO COLD…I’m ready for a quick tropical island escape…or a margarita for now. :)

I guess instead of rushing in and out of my car to work, clients, coffee shops, stores, etc I should really embrace the winter chill. Dress warmer and take the bull by the horns…go outside and play to fight my chattering teeth, love-hate relationship with old man winter.

Anyhow, I was sorta thinking that it might be nice to grab a few friends and do just this, get outside for some winter play this Saturday night, January 26th for the Full Moon Hike presented by our Cuyahoga National Valley Park System. This free guided 3.5 mile walk on the towpath trail starts at 6:30 and goes until 8:30pm. Could be just what I need to shake the winter chills…get your body moving outside, under the stunning full moon, listen to night sounds, look for those night woodsy creatures and expericne darkness….

Sounds sorta exciting, don’t you think? If you do decide to go on this weekend walk, dress really warm and bring a flashlight for when the man on the moon takes a break from illuminating your path. For now, stay warm and enjoy the sunshine!

Posted on January 24, 2013 by charity
Posted in adventure, outdoors, outing, parks | Tagged | 1 Comment

{Nov 1, 2011}
  Absolutely awesome!

Happy November 1st Clev-pals. Where has this year gone? Can you believe we are in the beginning of holiday season? I heart this time of year so very much. The pumpkins, the fall colors, the crunchy leaves, the smell of cinnamon, I can go on and on.

The other day, the sky was blue, the air was crisp and I found myself wandering through a rather quiet Cleveland street. Admiring the sunshine I gazed up and discovered another example of amazing Cleveland artwork…history.

Can you guess where this “absolutley fireproof” building artwork is? Hint, perhaps you’ve had coffee somewhere close by?

And while I’m loving fall, loving November and feeling extra in love with my city, I want to thank you today for taking time out of your day to read this blog. Sometimes you forget to tell people how much you care…so thanks. If I can ever be of help to you don’t hesitate to shout!

Posted on November 1, 2011 by charity
Posted in architecture, art, cleveland, neighborhood, outdoor, outdoors, outside, photo, trivia, vintage | Leave a comment

{Oct 3, 2011}
  Fall (leaf) “peeping”

“Leaf peeping” is an informal term commonly used for those of us who travel to see the stunning fall foliage. (In Japan they also have a similar term called momijigari.)

In spite of the chilly weekend drizzle, the week ahead is supposed to clear up. Thank goodness! The sun will shine, the earth will dry out and the leaves from our tall, strong, Ohio trees will begin to turn. Hey Clevelanders, you up for a bit of “peeping” this weekend? Enjoy!

Posted on October 3, 2011 by charity
Posted in ohio, outdoor, outdoors, outing, outside | 1 Comment

{May 4, 2011}
  Stash Style Sale

This weekend marks the inaugural Stash Style home SALE. If you remember, this past April, my friend closed her Chagrin Falls Store to look for a new way of doing business..hence the sale events were born.

Join her this Friday evening for the kick off preview sale (including live music under an evening rain-proof tent!) from 5-9pm and the official sale Saturday from 10-5 at her urban-chic Rocky River Home located at 780 Bates Road. Shop till you drop!

Can’t make it this weekend but would like to be notified of future sales? Drop a note to stashstyle@yahoo.com.

Posted on May 4, 2011 by charity
Posted in antiques, architecture, art, congrats, creative, event, explore, fair, friend, opening, outdoors, shopping | Leave a comment

{Feb 16, 2011}
  Brite Winter Festival : Volunteer?

Hey all you winter loving, hats and mittens wearing, thinsulate and boot warmer fans…this weekend marks another year of the exciting winter celebration; Brite Winter.

The Brite Winter Festival is a celebration of music, fire, games and art in the heart of the Cleveland flats…OUTSIDE in the COLD…Free to all who promise to embrace the cold and help celebrate the lower Cleveland temps.

If sounds fun to you, and you think you’d like to attend…well then why not volunteer? The guys from Brite Winter Festival are in need of a few good men & women to lend a hand to ensure this event complete success. If you might be interested in participating email Jimmy at britevolunteer@gmail.com.

Otherwise, dress warm, hope for mid 30′s and I will see all you winter-loving Clevelanders on Saturday night, the fun kicks off at 5pm! Oh…and if you want to see what the fun is all about…check out this chilly video!

Posted on February 16, 2011 by charity
Posted in adventure, event, explore, outdoor, outdoors, Uncategorized | Leave a comment