Category Archives: design

{May 9, 2013}
  Chillin’

Hey guys, did you know it’s supposed to reach almost 74 degree’s today? Crazy nice summer weather but it might just be time to click on that AC to keep your home and ride chill…

This is another shot from by cruise down Superior Ave the other evening, the hand lettering and bold colors pulled me in. Made me wonder about who designed that sign and the Clevelanders who painted it…because it’s awesome. As a designer I tend to gravitate towards modern, clean and simple signs and such. However with this sign the retro charm, the funky type and the no fuss design is super impressive, i heart it. Next time you need an expert air conditioning service, you should totally take a ride Brunkow’s…if nothing else than to check out the sign! Keep cool Cleveland, and GO TRIBE!

Posted on May 9, 2013 by charity
Posted in adventure, cleveland, creative, design, photo, signage | 1 Comment

{May 7, 2013}
  giveaway : Art Supplies from Pat Catans

Good morning CLE and happy Tuesday to ya!

Many of you might know this about me but I am a total art geek. Thanks to my Mom, I spent my childhood growing up with a craft box under my bed. My Saturday mornings were spent in painting classes with other “free spirit”kids and by the time I reached college I was attending gallery openings in my down time, hanging out in the painting lofts of fellow art school students and taking extra credits in anything from silk screen to stained glass. As a professional graphic designer I feel lucky each day that I get to create visual inspiration for a living. MORE! →

Posted on May 7, 2013 by charity
Posted in art, artists, arts, artwork, design, giveaway, local, shopping, store, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 9 Comments

{Apr 3, 2013}
  be kind.

Hello CLE. Isn’t this sunshine divine? It truly just makes me so happy. Also, side note…just looked at Monday’s weather and for Opening Day…50, overcast but NO RAIN! Get psyched!

Okay, today I wanted to share a little video that was developed by our friends at the Cleveland Clinic. It was initially an internal piece for employees and such, but I think it speaks VOLUME to how we as humans and as citizens of the CLE should behave. It’s a bit over 4 minutes in length and has “subtitles” so you have to actually read the video, but it is moving and I hope you like it.

If you do, pass it along to your friends who might also need a bit of a reminder that we are all individuals with different things going on…and we all live here on this earth together.

Great job Clinic marketing and communications team, it truly is a wonderful piece!

Posted on April 3, 2013 by charity
Posted in amazing, article, artists, city, cleveland, congrats, cool, design, thanks, unique, video | Tagged | 3 Comments

{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

{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 10, 2013}
  Bridal fun!

While the holiday decorations may be coming down and being packed away for next year, I am sure a few lucky ladies out there are still rocking their new super shiny bling…happy engagement to all of you lovers who said “yes” over the holiday season, let the fun planning begin!

Don’t know where to start? Not to worry I have two free tickets to give away to this years second annual Boutique Bridal Bazaar, Sunday January 20th, 2013!

The girls over at Something White Bridal do such an amazing job organizing this event it truly is the coolest bridal show probably in the midwest! They showcase local photographers, designers, musicians and bakeries that cater to the cool CLE brides (& grooms!) Get your ticket ($5) here ($10 day of)and grab your wedding party…the event is going to be beautiful in the smART Space at the 78th Street Studios.

To win the tickets just tweet me @iheartclev and let me know you’d like to attend. Winner will be drawn at random by Friday, January 18th. Happy wedding planning to all!

Posted on January 10, 2013 by charity
Posted in bridal, decoration, design, entrepreneurs, etsy, event, exhibit, photo, unique, wedding | Tagged | Leave a comment

{Oct 12, 2012}
  countdown garland

Happy Friday all you CLE crafters! Today I bring you my last and final holiday decor idea. Nothing too fancy or especially new, but it’s just a way to tell that special someone you care. A holiday countdown garland made especially for your loved one. It’s easy with a few simple steps. MORE! →

Posted on October 12, 2012 by charity
Posted in craft, crafts, creative, decoration, design, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

{Oct 9, 2012}
  illuminated artwork

Hey CLE…did everyone run out and raid their garage for a shiny tomato cage last night? I’m glad so many of you liked the simple idea of how to add a touch of holiday flair to any room.

Picking up on the holiday craft ideas, today we are going to make illuminated artwork for any space in your pad.

If you’re just not in the mood for the traditional stockings hanging on your mantel this year, then these illuminated paintings might just fit the bill. It’s an easy project to complete with just a few simple steps. MORE! →

Posted on October 9, 2012 by charity
Posted in art, cleveland, craft, crafts, creative, decoration, design | 4 Comments

{Oct 8, 2012}
  Week of holiday crafts!

As most of my readers know by now, not only am I a blogger, but I am also a passionate designer, pug lover, Cleveland cheerleader as well as a craft and holiday enthusiast.

A few months ago I was approached by Moen, a global faucet and accessories company based here in Northeast Ohio, to help out with a project that they felt might be a fun partnership.

Moen was looking to create a series of holiday decor ideas and home crafts to include in their stylish and informative e-newsletter. They were looking for fun and easy projects to make during the busy upcoming holiday season, and of course I was up for the challenge.

Over the next few days you will find a series of five home decor and crafting ideas that might inspire you to head to your local craft supplies store and dive into the holiday Cleveland style!

First up: A modern decor twist on the tomato cage. MORE! →

Posted on October 8, 2012 by charity
Posted in crafts, creative, design, holiday, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

{Jun 29, 2011}
  Native Cleveland


Last weekend I found myself in the cutest, “pro-Cleveland” art & t-shirt store called “Native Cleveland,” located near the Beachland Ballroom.

I was wondering around the Waterloo Arts Festival enjoying the sights (belly dancers, stilt walkers and many a hipster), sounds (everything from hip hop, rock and “coffee house”) and the sunshine (well, it was pretty overcast but the sun did make an appearance or two.)  The highly stylized window displays, the nautical t-shirts graphics and all of the people shopping in the store called was calling my name.

Everything about the space from the skylight to the “display stage” to the adorable art…this store is the total package. Oh, and don’t forget the amazing CLE Clothing Co. T-shirts they sell, awesome. From a designers perspective these shirts hit the nail right on the head, quirky and fresh with a twist. While I purchased a shirt as a gift, I am currently lusting over the Lake Erie Yacht Club v-neck. it must be mine! (Note* I love everything “nauti”)

So, if you are ever in need of a great gift, a piece of art or an amazing CLE t-shirt, grab yourself a coffee, hop in the car and make your way to Native Cleveland you won’t be disappointed! Great store, you should be really proud!

Posted on June 29, 2011 by charity
Posted in art, design, local, store, Uncategorized, unique, vintage | Tagged | 3 Comments