Category Archives: explore

{Feb 12, 2013}
  Brite Winter & Buck Buck

Happy sunny Tuesday CLE. Are you all ready for Thursday? Happy hearts day with your best friend, your favorite guy or your main pet squeeze; always such a sweet holiday. I don’t now why I love Valentines so much? I have always loved the February holiday though…from the memories of making special valentines for my 2nd grader peers, to college valentine day formals, to spending a single girl evening with friends; overall it’s just such a pretty holiday. Loving my pink sparkles and red lipstick, bows and hearts, yadda yadda…it just makes me happy. How about you? Guys…even you, I expect to see you rocking the hearts day theme on Thursday, I’m just sayin…

If you aren’t into Valentines Day but the weekend is already on your horizon, you are in for a treat…this weekend is Brite Winter Festival; an arts & music winter celebration. I went to this event last winter and it made Ohio City look like Manhattan on New Years Eve. Parking was crazy (valet is a must!), the hustle and bustle on the sidewalks was fast and furious, the bars and restaurants were hopping and the bands and events were really cool….get it, cool? Winter?  :)


This Saturday there will be 48 bands set up around Ohio City on 6 stages, over 15 light installations and art events along with other fun happenings around town.

Along with “Brite,” around the corner and south a bit on Lorain, Buck Buck Gallery is hosting an opening to their latest installation featuring HEAVY PETALS by Molly Pamela. Check it out!

So, along with hearts day this week, it’s also a great winter week to celebrate art and music in our awesome city. Bundle up and get on out there CLE…it’s gonna be fun!

Posted on February 12, 2013 by charity
Posted in art, artists, arts, design, event, events, explore, fair | Tagged | 1 Comment

{Feb 11, 2013}
  Rock hall romance : giveaway

Morning all you CLE lovebirds. Did you all watch the grammy’s last night? Best part? When the Black Keys gave Akron, Ohio a big shout out….So cool.

Do you LOVE rock n roll? Is your idea of a great date an afternoon of milling around the neighborhood record store or even better the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum? Have you heard about all the fun Valentines Day events and special offers? The Rock Hall “#LoveRocks” is an official five days of love and specials at the museum. Visit their site and you can discover a free pass to see U2 3D for FREE, get your photo taken at the sharp shooter counter when you visit, come in on February 14th at 1pm and experia curator-guided Love Notes gallery talk, get free shipping on all merchandise orders over $35 online using promo code “VALENTINE13″ ..I mena what girl wouldn’t love a I HEART rock and roll baby tee!!

Even better, I have a Duet Rocker Membershoip to giveaway to a lucky hopeless rock and roll romantic. This memebrship includes
• Unlimited free admission for one year plus one guest each visit
• Members-only t-shirt and decal
• Collectible membership card
• Invitations to members-only events and exhibit previews
• 10% discount on Museum store and online purchases (excludes sale and memorabilia merchandise)
• Subscription to Liner Notes, the official Museum publication
• Members-only email updates
• One Parking Voucher
• Member’s Express Entry

To win, tweet me @iheartclev “#loverocks here in the CLE!” Winner will be chosen randomly by Friday, February 15th!

Posted on February 11, 2013 by charity
Posted in community, concert, cool, event, events, explore, giveaway, museum, music, musician, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 3 Comments

{Feb 5, 2013}
  Support OUR Market!

Morning CLE! It’s another wintery 2-sock day here and this week looks like it’s gonna keep coming; a perfect weekend to hit the slopes for sure!

I wanted to take today to chat about our amazing West Side Market and the recent fire tragedy. It was crazy, because while we usually do shop there pretty regularly the weekend prior to the outbreak we had made a special shopping excursion to find the perfect cut’s of beef, the most fresh mushrooms and an adorable bag of fresh pearl onions (no frozen ones for me) to make my first attempt at Julia Child”s boeuf bourguignon. The entire weekend was focused on this one recipe and the market vendors really added to the romance of the entire experience. Needless to say how sad I was when I hear the news of the fire, as many of us were…speechless.

Last weekend for the super bowl we would normally head to the market for chicken, cheese, perhaps a few pizza bagels? What were we going to do to continue the support of these area vendors? (Cue finding business card from the previous weekend shopping trip from Fricakaccios in my market shopping bag)

We were having a few people over to watch the big game and so rather than order pizza from our usual suspects we decided to try out our favorite pizza bagel stand and head to Fairview Park for Fricakaccios. Not only do they make the best pizza bagels in town, the make all sorts of pizza’s, special to-go options, Italian sandwiches and more. I mean check out the pic I snapped of what was a CHEESBURGER PIZZA! Sounds sorta weird; I know, but honestly I tried it and it was as good as your favorite patty melt served atop of some pizza dough. Bonus, the people at this location were so kind they even carried my order out to the car!

When asked about their market location, a little sadness fell over the team, it broke my heart. I explained that we had searched them out to do our part at supporting them as part of our market community; it brought back their Ohio-proud smiles.

This week there are many opportunities that you can get involved with to support the market and all the tried and true vendors. From the fundraiser at Market Garden Brewery tomorrow night, to the local musicians that will be performing Saturday at the Five O’Clock in Lakewood. Find your own  way to support those vendors who have been closed and without a paycheck during these cold Cleveland winter months. It’s the least we can do for our special place food memories are made. We HEART you West Side Market; get well soon.

(photo : amazing cheeseburger pizza, complete with pickles!)

Posted on February 5, 2013 by charity
Posted in chef, cooking, drink, eat, explore, farmers market, fun, fundraising, historic, independent, local, love, market, ohio, passion, shop, support, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

{Feb 4, 2013}
  LovLox hair ‘do : giveaway!

Happy Monday all you Cleveland lovers, hope you everyone managed to get some rest after that steaming hot halftime show. I mean whether you like her voice or not, that girl was on fire for sure. No need to really talk about the actual game; however I did enjoy all the twitter activity when the lights went out during the second half of the game..WOW.

Today I have a very big treat for one lucky reader. For over ten years I have had my hair cut, colored, trimmed, curled, poufed and more by one special lady. She has done the hair for my sisters who sometimes fly from across the country for a new ‘do just for her style and talent with hair of all types. As a recent mom balancing work and life was a concern for her and so she did what any rational person might do…start her own business? Yes, my friend Tiffani has recently founded LovLox the perfect chair to relax into, to get those InStyle waves, to achieve that rocking Valentines Day red head ‘do or a new pixie cut for spring. LovLox is located at 29540 Center Ridge Road (located inside fringe & foundation) in Westlake. It has a ton of natural bright light and a nice buzz around the salon, just what a salon experience should be.

I am really excited for today’s giveaway and can’t wait to see the before & afters! Today one lucky reader will get an initial consultation, cut and style from LovLox. the perfect push for a new spring look in the CLE. To win, follow @LOVLOXRR, and then tweet me @iheartclev,  ”I need a new @LOVLOXRR ’do for spring!” Winner will be chosen by random and notified on Monday, February 11th.

Posted on February 4, 2013 by charity
Posted in beauty, explore, friend, giveaway, hair, salon, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

{Feb 1, 2013}
  An Arts Weekend!

WOW, where did all this snow come from? Don’t get me wrong, I love it, but from what I heard the roads were a real bummer for some of our commuters.

Anyhow, back to business…it’s and ART weekend in CLEVELAND and I couldn’t be more jazzed to get out and explore.

First up is tonight’s opening of the new Transformer Station located in Ohio City (next to the Cleveland Vibrator Company…tee hee.) The Transformer Station is a project presented by the Bidwell Foundation in association with the Cleveland Museum of Art bringing contemporary art from around the world to the west side of Cleveland.

MORE! →

Posted on February 1, 2013 by charity
Posted in art architecture, art photography, artists, arts, beauty, cleveland, congrats, creative, event, events, exhibit, explore, new, ohio, opening, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

{Jan 30, 2013}
  Guest Post // Zach Christy

Hey CLE, “boy” do I have a treat for you today! I don’t know if you remember or not but at the beginning of this year I put out to the universe a few goals for this blog and today I’d like to officially kick off the new i heart cleveland “man friend” series!

Not that I don’t write about things for both women AND men, but sometimes my sparkly, cupcake-filled, fashion-minded me overtakes and it’s always good to included a view from the other team…so here we go…

Today I’d like to introduce you to a friend of a friend (and now my friend too) Mr. Zach Christy. Zach seems to have his hands in some wildly creative projects around town and so when I approached him about his favorite hots spots  he really gave me lots of “to-do’s” to add to my own personal list. I know you will all be pleasantly surprised by some of his favorite foodie hot spots and I don’t know about you but after you finish reading his wise words, if you want to call me for tacos and guac…I totally have a craving.

Thanks so much Zach for kicking off this series! Cheers to a great year of spicy Mexican, antiquing adventures and more creative play. To follow Zach and see some of his work check out his vimeo site here! Take it away Zach…

“I moved to Cleveland in 2009. I moved here for a job and really didn’t think I would be staying for too long.  I met a girl and we dated for a little bit, but that’s beside the point.

Almost. 

We shared a mutual appreciation; let’s call it love,  for Mexican food.  Pretty early into our dating life we decided that we were going to try and go to every Mexican restaurant within the greater Cleveland area.  And, I am pretty sure we managed to get to most.  All of this is beside the point, other than the fact that it really allowed me to discover some of the great places that Cleveland has to offer that I would have never found.  It doesn’t hurt that my dad and I also deal antiques on the side. So, the willingness to go into places off the beaten path has been built into my nature from the start.

MORE! →

Posted on January 30, 2013 by charity
Posted in adventure, antiques, celebrate, design, explore, friend, man friend, restaurant, retail, shop, shopping | Leave a comment

{Jan 29, 2013}
  Get excited!!!

So I saw this ad in this months Cleveland Magazines (along with the sexy singles…congrats Allison!) and began to get SUPER excited!

Just a few more weeks until I officially put together my weekend bag and move into Tower City for this years 37th annual Cleveland International Film Festival! My Cleveland winter…almost spring…would not be as spectacular if the film fest wasn’t in my life.

Thanks to all the staff and volunteers who are working their tushes off to pull together the final details for this years festival…I am counting down the days.

Posted on January 29, 2013 by charity
Posted in event, explore, festival, film, friend | Tagged | 2 Comments

{Jan 21, 2013}
  a yummy giveaway

Happy Monday, happy inauguration & happy MLK day to all! If you have the day off, enjoy it all bundled up on your couch with a cup of cocoa, a warm fire (or electric blanket,) a stack of redbox flicks and pinterest! 

If you must get up and get to work (like moi) well then…I have a giveaway to lift your spirits and your awaken your italian food appetite. Piada has arrived in Northeast Ohio and I have a $25 gift card to fill your tummy.

Piada is like the Italian version of Chipotle. As a guest you have the choice of  pizza, pasta and salad where YOU pick you the toppings. Plus they have Peroni beer & cannoli sweets to add to any dinner.

This new Piada is located in South Euclid at 13947 Cedar Road…and you can order online ahead of time and pick it up, or eat in the newly designer italian styled cafe.

To win this $25 gift card tweet me (@iheartclev)  ”Sono Affamato! I want to win the $25 gift card from @iheartclev & @mypiada” Winner will be drawn at random on Friday the 25th. Good luck!

Posted on January 21, 2013 by charity
Posted in explore, food, restaurant | Tagged | 2 Comments

{Jan 8, 2013}
  Princesses on Ice

Morning CLE. How was your Monday? I know many of you cringe at the idea of getting back to work, but I really enjoy the routine of it all. Getting up around the same time, making coffee, getting to work, enjoying lunch, more time for work, a bit of time for working out and them home to enjoy the night. Not that I don’t love a long vacation, but back to routine is good with me right now.

I keep meaning to tell you all about one of the most glittery and sparkly, princess packed events in town end of this week…On Friday; January 11th Disney princesses will be arriving at the Q Arena for the ‘Rockin’ Ever After” the ultimate rock start princess experience around. (see I told you it might be time for a man’s perspective here at “iheart”) This action-packed skating spectacular features world-class skaters from the hit animated films Brave, Tangled, Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid. The show features classic and new Disney princesses – Belle, Ariel and Rapunzel – who rock out with show stopping performances. The show also features “rock star” tunes to keep all of us engaged in the princess overload! :)

Rockin’ Ever After is the newest Disney On Ice production and has never travelled to Cleveland before, be sure to get tickets today as this event is every little girls dreams and will sure to sell out!

MORE! →

Posted on January 8, 2013 by charity
Posted in children, costume, dance, dreams, event, events, explore, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

{Jun 8, 2012}
  happy weekend

Hey there, what a stunning example of a sunny summer day! It’s gonna be a great weekend weather-wise and there is so much happening around town…here are a few ideas for your weekend planning.

Tonight kicks off the annual Weapons of Mass Creation design conference and music festival. Get your weekend pass now to see unique bands, hear area creative speaker..s.don’t miss “Mr. Johnny Cupcakes” himself speak Saturday evening 7-7:45 on the importance of developing a great brand…if you have a t-shirt wear it. On Sunday make sure you go hear words of creative wisdom from my friend and fellow creative Brian Jasinski of Grey Cardigan! As an inpiring designer, you also might want to check out the “Ask the Pro’s” table on Sunday from noon to 2pm…you never know who will be there reviewing work…wink wink!

Another creative city explosion will be this years 23rd Annual Parade the Circle taking place Saturday from 11-4pm in University Circle. This eclectic gathering and celebration of the arts is one not to be missed.

Another fun and quirky happening that you might think is fun is the annual Spirit of Cleveland Airstream rally at Burke Lakefront Airport. Come and check out over 50 historic Airstream trailers parked in the “silver city.” (Friday & Saturday)

Looking to get your 5K run on, this new race looks so great. The Pier W Copper River Salmon 5K Run takes place Saturday (mid)morning and cumulates on the upper desk of Pier W. Really cool thing, your race entry fee covers a full lunch provided by the restaurant. It is going to be a great day for a run and lunch…sign up early as spots are limited

And then don’t forget there is always the beach at the Lake, bike rides through the city, patios galore! So much to do…it’s gonna be a wild creative weekend in Cleveland.

(image from the Weapons of Mass Creation Festival!)

Posted on June 8, 2012 by charity
Posted in adventure, amazing, creative, event, events, explore, outside, parade, performance | 1 Comment