Category Archives: seasonal

{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

{May 6, 2013}
  Aloha!

Good Monday morning to you CLE! Sorry to be MIA for a few days as I took last week off to holiday in the Hawaian Islands with family and friends. It was like nothing I have ever experienced before, surf lessons, lots of tropical drinks, hula, beach, hiking, sun, super fine sand, turtles, tiki, morimoto, early to bed, early to rise, lagoons and lots of hot sun! It was a tropical paradise.

Upon my return, I noted my westside lawn had grown a foot, the trees were all a bloom and so many Clevelanders were out and about on bikes, nestled in convertibles and enjoying the warm temps! It was like I had brought tropical paradise back in my carry on.

It was great to get away, to make time to think creatively, to dream, to plan new initiativites, to laugh a ton, to get tan (even with my 50SPF everywhere, my italian genes never disappoint) to try new food and to give yourself  new perspective on home and your day to day. Do you have any getaways planned for summer? A weekend camping trip? A long weekend at our “islands?” Perhaps a day trip down south to explore Amish country? Pencil in a weekend or two, grab your friends and make sure to schedule some time to see things from a different perspective, I promise it to be a good time!

A few things I didn’t touch base on while I was away…@melissahigey from yarnovercleveland was the winner of the @GVartwork t-shirt. Congrats Melissa!

Another thing to note is that tickets to this years Cleveland Museum of Art, Summer Solstice event goes on sale TODAY, Monday May 6th. Don’t miss out, grab your tickets today!

And last but certainly not least…to celebrate yesterday’s Cinco De Mayo, the new Lakewood location of Barrio opened! more tacos in Lakewood, get pyched!  Also, don’t know if they still have any on the shelves, but I heard that the chocolate covered tortilla chips by Malley’s and Momocho’s was a big hit. Check them out.

“Mahalo!”

Posted on May 6, 2013 by charity
Posted in 1-tank trip, adventure, amazing, road trip, seasonal, seasons, smile, vacation | Tagged , | 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 13, 2013}
  Last minute sweetie gifts!

Have you got your special someone a little something for tomorrow’s holiday? I just heard a radio commercial for getting your sweetie a gift at your neighborhood CVS…I almost died inside. I mean, not that I am above a huge box of Dove chocolates, a cheap bottle of red wine, an InStyle or Us Weekly Magazine, some new black liquid eyeliner, an itunes gift card or a few new lipsmackers…However, why would ANYONE shop at CVS for a gift when Cleveland has a plethora of talented creatives, hot spots & activities to support?

Looking for last minute…gifts that you can call an order in for or pick up tonight? Check out a few of my suggestions…

Flowers : Don’t call 1.800.Flowers, but instead support your local florist. Shops like V2V (Lakewood) and Urban Orchid (Cleveland) are two very stylish floral design shops. Give them a call for something unique for your sweetie. Also, there is also Heinen’s (also a local family owned  business) flower department which usually has fun little bouquets and plants, at a much more affordable cost than turning to the web.

Chocolate : This morning I saw a small plane in the air pulling a “CHOC” flag; I knew it was Malley’s right away. There is nothing like a Malley’s Chocolate covered pretzel and we all know they have chocolate covered strawberries for special occasions! besides Malley’s there is also the fine art of chocolate made by Lilly’s Handmade Chocolates (Tremont), a few of these make an impressive gift. Or, you could cure the chocolate craving with a red velvet cupcake from Cookie and A Cupcake or the recent America’s Best Chocolate Chip Cookie (by Food & Wine Magazine) at Blackbird Bakery (Lakewood.) Seriously, so many wonderful options.

Jewelry : If you’ve ever been to any of the holiday indie craft shows you know there are so many wonderful jewelers in the area. But just as a reminder….guys…my friend Erica of On the Lookout Jewelry makes such detailed beaded pieces, your Valentine would love a necklace by her! Or “she” also loves Oceanne creations (especially the cupid earrings) (wink wink) Both of these jewelers sell to many of our little area boutiques so check out their websites or drop them an email to find out where you can score a last minute gift.

Food & Drinks : There are so many local places, I can’t even begin to list them all. However, I will say one option  I think is really cool is from Gatherings Kitchen located in Lakewood. Where you reserve your dinner, swing by on the way home and pick it up, reheat and voila a 4-course romantic dinner (including short ribs!) at home with NO clean up! $50 for the dinner feeds two lovebirds. Call NOW and you might still be able to reserve a dinner!

Activities : From the events at the Rock Hall, to a night out with the fish at the Aquarium, you could get all yoga twisty at a hot yoga class together or relax to the orchestra…find something special to do with your friends or honey to celebrate the day together. Get creative!

I hope some of my last minutes ideas were helpful and while I don’t mean to knock CVS…please people, we can do better than that! Happy (almost) Valentines!

Posted on February 13, 2013 by charity
Posted in etsy, event, events, explore, fashion, favorites, friend, fun, hand made, holiday, holidays, local, love, neighborhood, orchestra, passion, promotion, relax, seasonal, shop, shopping, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

{Apr 21, 2011}
  easter candy around town.

hello Cleveland! Thanks goodness for this lovely sunshine, because seriously I don’t want to admit it…but this chilly weather and gray clouds stuff is making me grouchy. Gasp!

I am so thankful for a long weekend. I am thrilled to be spending time with my Cleveland friend-family over a nice spring dinner. Excited to put on every pastel color and head out dressed like an Easter egg! Fingers crossed for more traditional spring-like weather for this Easter weekend celebration. (If we all put our wishes together I am hoping for sunshine.)

Now, on to the sweet stuff! This weekend is traditionally the holiday filled with peeps, jelly belly’s and Cadbury Eggs…but this year I was trying to buy from just my local-faves, so here we go.

1) Easter wouldn’t be Easter in Cleveland without the family hot spot, Malley’s. I love all the foil wrapped eggs in various shades of pink, gold and silver…caramel and cherry are a delight…these are also great for splitting with a friend. For this year, they are also featuring the peanut butter bunny. It’s really good…I just bit his head off to try it, yumm.

2) Looking for a few special chocolates to impress your favorite “chick?” Nothing beats the sweet treats of Tremont’s Lilly’s Chocolates. Their pistachio and “Old School” truffles are rich and will hit the spot after your spring feast.

3) Have you been to Sweet Moses yet? So much more than just ice cream, this little darling sells confections like no others. Their salted caramel, macadamia white chocolate and ritz cracker chocolate cups  are an adult Easter basket in and of themselves. Looking for something for the little rabbits? Kids are flocking to their “birthday cake” bark made of white choclate and “jimmies.”

So, have a great, sweet, Easter weekend! May the Easter treat bunny come hopping down your lane.

Oh, I almost forgot…congrats to Emily Lauren for commenting and winning the tickets to tomorrow nights big Sake & Art event at the Cleveland Museum of Art! Have fun Emily!

Posted on April 21, 2011 by charity
Posted in children, chocolate, explore, food, restaurant, seasonal, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

{Dec 15, 2010}
  Day 6 : Aperture Photography & Variety Store

Good morning Cleveland. Brrrrr, I’m not one to usually complain about the weather (because we DO live in Cleveland!) but it is bone chilling out there. Make sure to really bundle up when you are taking to the town.

Today’s giveaway is compliments of Aperture Photography & Variety Store located in Tremont at 2541 Scranton Rd. (on the corner across from Tremont Tap House). Founded this year, this little gem of a store/gallery makes it a point to celebrate the beauty in non-digital photography.

At Aperture you won’t find the same cameras as you can pick up at some big box, instead you will have the opportunity to browse their vintage cameras, to learn about film (REAL film!), to enjoy their extensive photography gallery all while drinking a cup of joe from the bar. In their own words, it’s “1500 sq. feet of pure photography ecstasy.”

In partnership with The Impossible Project, (Polaroid veterans who saved instant film production) Aperture is giving one VERY lucky reader a limited edition “Impossible Cool Cam & Film Kit” which includes a 600 series Polaroid camera and one pack of new PX600 UV film (valued @ $99). This prize is INSANE!

At Aperture they not only sell vintage cameras but moving into the new year expect many photography exhibits and gallery shows from these creatives. To find out about these events and  to enter the Day 6 Giveaway, friend Aperture on facebook, then return to iheartcleveland and leave a comment about your experience (if any!) with film cameras. (please include your email, winner will be drawn Tuesday, December 21st)

Thanks guys, good luck in 2011, I LOVE the concept of your new store and gallery and can’t wait to visit soon!

Posted on December 15, 2010 by charity
Posted in antiques, art, art photography, artists, arts, creative, explore, photo, seasonal, shop, shopping | 27 Comments

{Feb 4, 2010}
  Weekend fun!

Living in Cleveland there is always SO MUCH to do when it comes to planning my weekends. Some people might think there is nothing going on, but I beg to differ, I can barely squeeze in a load of laundry with all the super fun activities that are going on…

> Swoosh, woosh and fly like a bird…well almost! (Tobogganing is fun!)

> Indulging in a plethera of sale coupons

> A nibble of Strawberries & Pink Champagne AND a bite of MSC Fluff

> A sale and some “pleasing” snack with RS

> A dance with my dog!!!

> Get my “bollywood” on!

> Making a birdie sling with some fabulous friends.

> Supposedly there is a big football game on?

What will you be doing this weekend? Celebrating family & friends? Shopping for a fancy dress? Sipping a hot toddy or two? Fill me in on what I am missing!

Posted on February 4, 2010 by charity
Posted in adventure, celebrate, crafts, dance, food, football, home, seasonal, tv | 1 Comment

{Feb 1, 2010}
  Groundhog, Greenhouse Brew (02/02)

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Hello & happy Monday!

Hope you had a fun-filled Cleveland weekend, mine was nice…lots of rest and relaxation. Though it was sunny, boy was it cold…brrrr….

Wonder how long this winter will last? Will it “spring up” late March? Will the snow coat the ground till April? Well…wait no longer, tomorrow is Ground Hog Day. According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.

Either way, there is gonna be a party at the Greenhouse Tavern to celebrate the furry “weatherman” prediction AND their new beer release that they crafted at Buckeye Brewery. Stop by after work for a pint of the “Groundhog, Greenhouse Brew!” I’ll be there, will you?

Posted on February 1, 2010 by charity
Posted in beer, celebrate, cleveland, drink, holidays, restaurant, seasonal | 1 Comment

{Nov 3, 2009}
  Bakery Breakfast

With the time change and the bright morning skies, I feel like I have all the time in the world before my work day begins. Yesterday I took my little pup for a long walk to the Lake, while this morning I made a pit stop at the new bakery, Blackbird Baking Company. With the brisk temps outside there is something so comforting in a warm cup of coffee and something sweet and yummy for breakfast.

This morning I was lucky enough to arrive as they were pulling the Pumpkin Pecan (seasonal flavor) Cookies from the oven. The soft, chewy and sugar-coated treat reminded me of a cross between a moist pumpkin pie and my moms banana bread.

If you miss this cookie flavor some of the other goodies include Cranberry Oat Cookies (“oat,” it MUST be healthy?), my friend Elizabeth really likes the Sweet Cream Biscuits, Cleveland Magazine voted the Stick Buns the “Best” and the french baguettes make every sandwich or bowl of fall soup better.

If you can carve out an extra 15 minutes, swing by the new Blackbird Baking Co. for your fall carb. fix! Located in Lakewood before you cross the Detroit Ave bridge to “River.”

Posted on November 3, 2009 by charity
Posted in bakery, explore, fall, families, fast food, new, restaurant, seasonal | 1 Comment

{Oct 23, 2009}
  Pumpkin Workout (10/24)

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

I thought this was a fun little way to end our week and welcome in the weekend.

Feeling frisky and trying to squeeze in a workout? Join Liz Donnelly, personal trainer and family fitness specialist as she gives you and your kids a sugar-burning, exhilarating workout with a PUMPKIN!!!

Bring your own “orange weight,” workout with your pumpkin pall, and then be prepared to give your pumpkin friend a break with a special holiday craft.

10-11am. Lakewood Congregational Church Social Hall. 1375 West Clifton in Lakewood. To register call 440.623.0957

Posted on October 23, 2009 by charity
Posted in athletics, explore, families, seasonal | Leave a comment