Learn to Snowboard; ladies!

Listen up ladies! Does your upcoming resolution include getting in shape, spending more time outdoors, learning to cut through the snow on a snazzy snowboard? If it does, then I have found your resolution solution...

Get registered for the Women’s Snow Discovery six-week snowboard lesson program for women, taught by women at Boston Mills and Brandywine Snow Resort. The program includes lift tickets, rental equipment, a 1.5 hour group lesson for all ability levels--and of course, lots of laughs! After the six weeks of lessons are finished, participants are welcome to visit BMBW once a week on their designated day for the remainder of the season to practice their skills at no additional cost.

For start dates and pricing visit www.bmbw.com

Hot Yoga Special (12/31)

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

Join Tammy (owner & yoga instructor at Innerbliss )as she offers a hot powerful flow class as a special to your New Years Eve Day plans. For a full 90 minutes (9-10:30am) Let it all go so that you can begin fresh in 2009! Come prepared to work hard, get silly & float home!

$15 per student. Mats are available. Water & towel are suggested. For teacher bio, directions and yoga etiquette, visit www.innerblissyogastudio.com

"Holly"Wood Christmas

Do you love Xmas movies? Can't WAIT for Thanksgiving to be over to pull out "The Grinch"? Think Will Ferrell is your ultimate HERO in "ELF" Then do I have a place for you to visit!

"Holly"Wood Christmas Movieland in Broadview Heights is filled with collectibles and movie props from many of the beloved Holiday movie classics. What type of stuff?

Among the movie exhibits you will find....
• Santa Claus: The Movie - Costumes and Sleigh Models used for filming
• Jingle All The Way - We do covet this one- the one and only wooden TurboMan costume!
• Christmas with the Kranks - Everybody’s favorite snowman!
• Miracle on 34th Street - Original jewelery, set components, and props
• The Grinch - World’s Largest collection of props - Cars, the Grinch Sleigh, costumes, set components, Martha May’s Engagement Ring, and of course, the very LAST can of Who Hash.
• Elf - Will Ferrell’s snug Costume
• The Santa Clause: Tim Allen’s Santa costume

001 Rt. 82 (E Royalton Road) Broadview Heights, OH 44147 FREE PARKING • 440.453.5889 • www.christmasmovieland.com Bring the whole family while they are in town, fun for everyone!

Winter lights

As we approach the Christmas holiday, take a few minutes to warm the car, a thermos mug of hot cocoa and head out to scope the best holiday light display in your Cleveland area neighborhood.

Last night, myself and a friend of mine bundled up her little elf and made our way out to Westlake, OH to see the holiday light displays. Columbia Road (south of Detroit) has many homeowners willing to spend their hard earned cash on electricity bills for everyone to enjoy the thousands of twinkling bulbs.



From Santa to dancing penguins, nodding reindeer to candy cane fences, we saw it all. There is something to be said about jumping in and out of a warm car on a FOUR degree night, but the excitement of capturing a small child in the middle of an outrageous light display was well worth it.

Do you have a neighborhood filled with lights? A MUST-See that you want to share? Please send me your suggestions and we will drive down your street next. :)

Dino Day (12/20)

Saturday, December 20th, 2008

Want to avoid the holiday shopping crowds this weekend? Head over to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History as they welcome the new Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton. The full-size T. rex, a replica of the original fossil in Montana's Museum of the Rockies, will be posed facing off against the Cleveland museum's recently acquired Triceratops, the second-largest dinosaur of the Late Cretaceous Period.

The museum will hold several activities from noon to 4 pm, including dinosaur craft-making, live animal displays at 1 and 3 p.m. featuring "Raptor Show" and "Dinosaur Descendants," a 1:30 pm talk by fossil hunter Darin Croft, and a 2 pm T. rex roaring contest.



Dino Day Activities Throughout the Day Include:
• Paleontologist Vest Craft
• Dinosaur Doorknob Hanger Craft in the Discovery Center
• Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt/Bingo – Complete to receive a Dinosaur Stencil!
• Bring your camera to take a photo with a Museum dinosaur character
• Hands-on-experience with bones and fossils
• Vertebrate Paleontology display of dinosaur fossil casts and Q&A

Also Enjoy:
• Planetarium Shows for $4 at 10:30, 11:30 am and 12:30, 2, 3, and 4 pm
• Live Animal Shows: "Raptor Show" and "Dinosaur Descendants;" 1 and 3 pm
• "Build-a-Beast" in Murch Auditorium; 12:30 and 3:30 pm
• T. rex Roaring Contest – Participants must register in advance
• T. rex balloon figures with Swifty the Clown; 12:30 to 3:30 pm
• Meet a Dino Hunter: Darin Croft, Research Associate at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, CWRU, at 1:30 pm

Activities are free with museum admission. The museum is at 1 Wade Oval Drive in University Circle. For details see www.cmnh.org

Sweet gifts (12/20)

Saturday, December 20th, 2008

It’s all about the gifts at Lilly's Chocolates in Tremont. So grab a few friends and register today for their Sweet Holiday Bash.

Play reindeer games such as “Twas the Night Before Christmas” (where EVERYONE goes home with a gift), indulge in some eggnog & drinking chocolate, and nibble on some limited edition truffle treats including “Snogger” (eggnog milk chocolate), GingerMan (gingerbread & candied ginger dark chocolate), & “Snowball” (moroccan mint green tea milk & white chocolate).



The event costs $20 per party-animal, but with that you'll receive 10% off your total purchase of gifts plus the fun listed above! Buy 2 or more gifts and you’ll receive a stocking stuffer gift too! 8-10 pm Call 216.771.3333 to reserve your spot now! www.lillytremont.com

a Light happy hour!

Looking for that perfect cozy place to meet up and celebrate the holidays with friends, look no further than Light Bistro. Though I haven't visited for happy hour myself...word on the street has spread and everyone is in love with Light Bistro.

Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 7pm all food on the bar menu is offered for a yummy $5 each. They also offer many drink specials including specialty cocktails for $3, bottles of wine for $10 and many beer offerings from $2-$7.50.

Need to meet up after work with your secret santa? This sounds like the perfect affordable evening out.



For menus and directions visit www.lightbistro.com

cool winter craft

It's supposed to be a chilly week here in Northeast Ohio. Why not plan craft night and stay in..these make great gift!



If you need to get those cute little reindeer to add to your own winter snowglobe craft head to Suite Lorain (www.suitelorain.net) ..they have tons of them!

eggs, bacon & Santa (12/20)

Saturday, December 20th, 2008

Tired of waiting in line inside the mall to visit with Santa? Have inspiring musicians in the family dreaming of a new guitar and drum set? Bring your little rockers to the Hard Rock Cafe Cleveland for a rock and roll with Santa! Meet Santa, eat a delicious breakfast and take home a fun bag of holiday gifts (gift bags for children 10 & under.)



9:30am. $11.95 per person (Children under 2 Free) Space is limited, contact 216.344.3859 for reservations. Hard Rock Cafe Cleveland, 230 West Huron Road. Cleveland, OH 44113

Mom & Dad's don't forget your cameras! www.hardrock.com/live2/eventDetails.aspx?LocationID=45&eventID=33414&MIBEnumID=3

Holiday soak.

As the holiday parties, dinners, cocktails and merriment swing into full effect one can get pretty run down. A few years ago while visiting my sister in London I stumbled upon the best handmade bath and body store one could ever envision. Stocked with handmade soaps, jars of cream and fragrance spritz...this place with the "bom."

Flash forward a few years and Lush (www.lushusa.com) has now made it's way to the US and you too can get your fix at Beachwood Place (www.beachwoodplace.com) in Lyndhurst.

My favorite Lush product is their bath bombs. Pop one in a pre-run bath and watch it erupt in a mass of fragrant fizzing, gently scenting the water with natural essential oils.



A few of the best "flavors" to get you through the next two weeks are the Christmas Party Bath Bom (enough good cheer to last a whole evening. Revitalizing orange and lime to get the party started, then add cognac essential oil for a bit of festive spirit), the Jingle Spells Bath Bom (Juniperberry, tangerine and fennel revive and stimulate. For a magic spell to get you through the effects of seasonal excess, cast one of these purple bombs into your bath and soak), and Snowdrops Bath Bomb (The head-clearing, reviving citrus scents of mandarin and grapefruit in this very seasonal bath bomb are enhanced with the added genius of a dash of peppermint to give you the most amazing, life-affirming bath ever to sneak up on you.)

I'm telling you, these bath fizzies are most certainly worth a trip to the mall during this shopping season. Your fizzie bath awaits! :)

Christmas Cabaret (12/17-18)

Wednesday & Thursday December 17th & 18th, 2008

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, of course. And Rudolph and Frosty. And “White Christmas” and “Silver Bells” and “Sleigh Ride.” But do you know the Santa Claus portrayed by Irving Berlin in 1916? If not, you’d better listen, because he means business: “Don’t act like a fool, and don’t play hooky from school. If you do anything that’s shocking, you’ll find an empty stocking!”

During the holiday season, nationally syndicated radio host Bill Rudman brings his popular “Christmas Cabaret” back to Cleveland's own, NightTown. This delightful show combines evergreen Christmas standards from the Great American Songbook with festive curiosities like Berlin’s “Syncopated Christmas Song.”



There are more than 30 songs in the show, says Rudman: “We do ‘A Jazz Christmas Carol’ – Jerome Kern’s title for his 1917 ragtime version of ‘God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.’ We perform a holiday song that George Gershwin composed at the age of 21. And it turns out that Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote a Christmas song in 1952 – and even Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim wrote one seven years later.

Don't miss the third annual presentation of "A Christmas Cabaret" live at Nighttown. 7pm $20 a ticket. For directions & ticket information visit www.nighttowncleveland.com

Lunch concert (12/17)

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008

Trinity Cathedral is probably best known for their Brownbag Concerts presented by the Music & Performing Arts Department (involved in several initiatives and ongoing projects that further their mission to "build community and enhance the quality of life in Cleveland through the arts.")

This Wednesday pack your lunch, pick up Subway or purchase one of the $5 lunches provided at the Cathedral. Then find a seat and spend an hour enjoying the music of the Chamber Orchestra & Chamber Choir.



12-1pm. Free parking in the Trinity Commons lot off Prospect Avenue. For more information visit www.mandpa.org/index.html

Chinese Buns

Are you already burnt out on gingerbread and sugarplums? craving sweets? Be adventurous at Koko Bakery in Cleveland's own Chinatown, sample a bright purple pastry filled with a small duck egg or you can play it safe and try the cheesecake. Either way, you will be overwhelmed and delighted inside this bright Payne Avenue storefront. Go explore.

In addition to its huge selection of sweet and savory pies, the place is also known for its bubble teas and exotic fruit smoothies. 3710 Payne Ave., Cleveland p.216.881.7600. Credit card accepted for purchases over $5

Today is National Poinsettia Day.

December 12th, 2008

So, I am totally serious when I say today is National Poinsettia Day. You know, those bright red plants usually spotted as you approach the entrance to your local Giant Eagle or Home Depot? The one wrapped with holiday foil all ready to be purchased for your holiday hostess gift? Yes, those are the ones.

Did you know that poinsettias are native to Mexico? Did you know poinsettias are not poisonous, (a study at OSU showed that a 50 pound child who ate 500 bracts might have a slight tummy ache)? Did you know poinsettias represent over 85 percent of the potted plant sales during the holiday season, 80% purchased by women? Did you know poinsettias have been called the lobster flower?

I happen to really like the white poinsettia plant. They seem so sophisticated and elegant amongst the brightly lit trees and sparkly presents. The plant sings to the joy of the season, simple and gorgeous. Nothing can replicate the beauty of nature. This weekend why not head out to one of these amazing Cleveland nurseries and explore their poinsettia selection.



Ever been to Daisy Hill Greenhouse? Tucked away in Chagrin Falls (34050 Hackney Rd Chagrin Falls, OH 44022) this nursery will blow you away with their selection of interesting pants (including hundreds of orchids & birds of paradise) and actual greenhouse structures that go as far as the eye can see. One thing unique to Daisy Hill is if you are an orchid enthusiast but don’t find joy in misting the plant and bringing them back to bloom, the orchid experts offer a pick up from your home, take back to the nursery and in a few months return the plant filled with blooms back to your home service. An orchid daycare if you will.

Another great poinsettia resource would be your local Petitti Garden Centers (www.petittigardencenter.com). They have many types of plants everything from small centerpiece-ready plants to massive poinsettia explosions. ($2.99-$19.99) Red, pink, polka dotted, white and even ones covered in glitter, the selection is wild. Along with a tropical greenhouse filled with these holiday plants, Petitti also carries an insane variety of holiday ornaments, something for everyone. The displays are over-the-top stunning, and this weekend you can get your picture taken with Santa.

A few little tips I learned about selecting the perfect holiday plant...

> Choose a plant with dark green foliage down to the soil line.
> Choose bracts (modified leaves) that are completely colored.
> Do not purchase poinsettias with a lot of green around the bract edges.
> Do not choose plants with fallen or yellowed leaves
> The poinsettia should look full, balanced and attractive from all sides
> The plant should be 2 1/2 times taller than the diameter of the container
> Choose plants that are not drooping or wilting.
> Do not purchase plants that are displayed in paper or plastic sleeves. Plants held in sleeves will deteriorate quickly
> When you take the poinsettia home, be sure to have it sleeved or covered when outdoor temperatures are below 50°F.

Shop till you drop (12/13-14)

Saturday December 13th, 2008

This weekend we celebrate the artists who stay up late, who cram their thoughts into a worn sketchbook, who day dream to invent the next “it” item in the DIY crafting-world. Don’t miss the Bazaar Bizarre, Cleveland's fabulous original indie craft show this Saturday and Sunday December at 78th Street Studios (1300 W. 78th St)



Vendors are ready to rock and roll. A few of my personal favorites are oddball press www.oddballpress.com (letterpress creations to fill my card stash), [base] line (unique jewelry, I LOVE my tic tac earrings!) and small screen designs www.smallscreendesigns.com (whimsy illustrations with a touch of sass!)

New to the show this year...a gift-wrapping. Buy handmade! For more information visit www.bazaarbizarre.org/cleveland.html

Tag, I'm it!

Hello & good morning Cleveland!

I hope everyone is in deep into the holiday mode by now. Me? I have put up half the decorations, purchased and wrapped half of my gifts, made LOTS of cookie dough (but nothing baked), sent half of my holiday cards, I really need to complete something. But instead I thought I would take the time to answer my first blog tag.

Last week I was tagged by local blogger www.heidzillas.com, Thanks Heidi! The tag states that I need to share six non-important things/habits/quirks about myself with my readers, here goes nothing.



1 | I love to collect things. Some of my current collections are vintage buttons, 70's clutch purses, old liqueur carafes, cake stands and globes! I often fill my collecting habiy with quick trips to Unique Thrift on Lorain Ave. www.uniquethriftstore.com/StoreDetails.aspx?store=14 or for a Saturday morning adventure I scour Suite Lorain www.suitelorain.net/SuiteLorain24MP4.mov

2 | When I grow up I want to own a small bakery with a personal training studio in the back. What could be better work hard to eat sweets? I bake on a weekly basis and try to fit in some sort of exercise daily. While a good run can really excite the endorphins, the sight of a perfect pink chocolate cupcake makes me smile.

3 | I have lived in Cleveland the longest I have lived anywhere. I was born in Kansas City, MO, lived in ME, PA, WV & NY. As a transplant to this city I am a constant observer. As I drive from the East-side to the West-side of the city I notice the beauty, the hustle and bustle and the heart that this amazing city has to offer. I have lived here ten years.

4 | I love to sing. I sing in the car really loud. I used to be in the show choir, the madrigal choir, musical theatre, the school chorus and my church choir all at the same time, a scheduling nightmare. I am not involved in organized music at this time, although I love to go see Lounge Kitty (www.loungekitty.net) perform and daydream of someday getting back involved in music.

5 | You have the occasion, I have the card. As a designer I take pleasure and delight in a gorgeous greeting card. Small hand letter pressed masterpieces are my favorites. I keep a very organized portfolio filled with tabbed dividers fro any and all occasions. Having a baby, moving into a new apartment, Bon Voyage, just engaged, thank you for dinner...I have just the card for you!

6 | Small everyday patterns in nature excite the me. The other day I was stopped at a red light and out my window noticed the bark on the trunk of a tree. It was a pure geometric natural formation, a pattern that one could replicate, but nature perfected. The structure of a honeycomb. The way the sand ripples on the beach when the tide goes out. The simple but elegant design of a snowflake. All patterns, designs of nature that inspire, excite and intrigue me.

To continue my tag-duties, I must recommend six blogs that I read. Enjoy!

1 | www.chocolateandzucchini.com
2 | www.mrs-o.org
3 | citified.blogspot.com
4 | www.orangebeautiful.com/blog/
5 | 4designerd.blogspot.com
6 | feedingmaybelle.blogspot.com

The official tag rules!
1. Link to the person that tagged you
2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs
5. Let each person know they have been tagged, comment on their website.
6. Let your tagger know when your entry is posted.

Celebrate Polka

I knew that Polka was BIG here in Cleveland, but what I didn't know was that we actually have a National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame located in our backyard!

The Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of polka music, the happiest sound around. Polka has its roots in Slovenian folk music, but the influence of American musicians has given it universal appeal and popularity. Just as English and Irish music has evolved into country music, the polka represents the music of central Europe.



The Polka Hall of Fame and Museum is located in the Shore Cultural Center in Euclid, Ohio, in close proximity to the Collinwood neighborhood where leading polka musicians lived such as Frankie Yankovic, Johnny Vadnal, Johnny Pecon and Eddie Habat. The Museum has free admission and is open five days a week. For directions and holiday hours visit www.clevelandstyle.com

More at the Monument (12/6)

Come Celebrate a Victorian Christmas with the Cuyahoga County Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument.

The historic Monument commemorates the Civil War, it consists of a 125 foot shaft on top of a memorial building base. A tall column topped with a statue of the "Goddess of Liberty" signifies loyalty to the nation. Four bronze groupings at base depict Navy, Cavalry, Infantry and Artillery. In the base are tablets listing 9,000 Civil War veterans. Also, four bronze relief sculptures depicting the Soldiers' Aid Society, Emancipation of the Slaves, Beginning of the War in Ohio and the End of the War, as well as busts of James Barnett, Levi Scofield and officers killed in action.

Currently undergoing massive renovations, the monument will continue to celebrate the holidays.

This Saturday from 9-4 pm a Christmas Tree and decorations will brighten the Monument for some old fashioned hospitality and a little about Victorian Christmas and Santa Claus.



For directions and more additional monument trivia visit www.soldiersandsailors.com

The return of Return of Simple (12/05)

Friday, December 5th, 2008

One of my most favorite local bands, Return of Simple will be performing this Friday. With the addition of their newest member, justin–the drummer, their show should be fantastic, I hear he is very talented.



The guitarist (Gary) resembles a Picasso painting live and in person, check it out! (Thanks Jileen!) you don't want to miss this unique sound. My favorite tune is their albums cover song "Saffron"

Brothers Lounge, 11609 Detroit Ave., Cleveland Doors @ 8:30pm, $5

www.myspace.com/returnofsimple

Peter Pan Flies Into Lakewood (12/5-1/4)

(Peter) "Forget them, Wendy. Forget them all. Come with me where you'll never, never have to worry about grown up things again." (Wendy) "Never is an awfully long time."

Join the Wendy, Peter, Tinker Belle and the Captain Cook as they present the adventures of Peter Pan. Audiences of all ages will love this timeless story filled with pirates, fairies, death-defying feats of flying, and the dastardly Captain Hook. An exhilarating journey through Neverland for the whole family!



Based on J.M. Barrie's tale, music by Mark Charlap and Jule Styne. Directed by Fred Sternfeld

For times and ticket information visit beckcenter.org

Bela Dubby Bazaar (12/6)

Saturday, December 6th, 2008

Put it on your Saturday "to-do" list... the 4th Annual Holiday Art Bazaar at the local watering hole...aka Bela Dubby! Shop for unique gifts this season at the art bazaar featuring handmade jewelry, ceramics, hand printed tshirts, cool purses & much more. While you're there enjoy a delicious Christmas Ale or creamy cappuccino. Shopping and a drink, sounds like a nice Saturday afternoon! 10am - 5pm

Interested in coming back in the evening? Bela Dubby will feature three local bands Pale Hollow (A blend of Americana and British Pop.), The Plastic Hearts (Glassy-air Rock.) and Apostrophe Catastrophe (Straight up rock music with a 90's influence.)

For more information visit www.myspace.com/beladubby

Weekend Skate

I love the winter air whipping by my cheeks on a cool afternoon, balanced atop of blades of steel as I push and glide atop a rink of new ice. This weekend the new University Circle outdoor ice skating is making it's debut...Sort of, more like high-density polyethylene skating.

Workers have assembled the jigsaw sheets of the milk jug-like surface in the grassy area between the Cleveland Botanical Gardens and Natural History Museum this week, along with lights for night skating and temporary buildings for concessions and skate rental.



It will be open to the public for free, mostly on weekends, until Feb. 16. Fridays and Saturdays : noon to 7pm Sundays : noon to 5 pm. To double check hours visit www.universitycircle.org. Don't forget to bring your mittens it's going to be a chilly weekend.

1967 Higbee's Commercial

While searching for vintage Downtown Cleveland shopping history I came across this commercial and had to share.



Higbee's Department Store was a Cleveland, Ohio Landmark from 1860 until 1992. For generations, Clevelanders enjoyed their visits to this glamorous department store. It was located in the Terminal Tower Complex. Features included the Twigbee Shop, the Silver Grille Restaurant and the famous wooden escalators (catch a glimpse of them in the film The Christmas Story!). A small number of people old enough to remember have fond memories of Higbees. This 1967 psychadelic commercial is one of the last and best known advertisements for one of Cleveland's Landmarks.

Thanks to polkadotbox2 for the great video!

The Grand Arcade

I love the holidays. I love the twinkle and glitter of packages, ornaments, the white lights that line the street poles at night. I love history and architecture. I envision what it was like living in Cleveland when downtown was filled with the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping. When women would put on their best winter coat and men wore hats to stroll through May Company or the many small boutiques that lined the inside of our downtown arcades.

If you want to take a step back in time and expericence one of our city's best architectural works, visit the Grand Arcade during the holidays. Built in 1890, the five-story glass-topped atrium runs between Superior and Euclid Avenues and features marble floors, intricate metal work railings, and unique shopping.

For the holiday season, the railings are wrapped with greenery and adorned with red velvet bows. From now until December 23, the atrium is filled with the sounds of live holiday music during lunchtime, from 11:30-1:30 on weekdays, pack your lunch and enjoy some holiday carols.

Crumble (12/6)

December 6 - December 20 (Opening Night: Saturday, December 6)

Crumble (Lay Me Down, Justin Timberlake) by Sheila Callaghan is a quirky comedy about an old house and Janice, a twelve year old girl whose Christmas wish list includes bleach, paraffin and other bomb-making materials. It's been a year since the untimely death of Janice's father, and to deal with it all, she holds spiteful conversations with her dolls and dreams of Justin Timberlake, while her mother fantasizes about Harrison Ford and relies on her superior baking skills to hold herself together. Throw in an apartment that starts to plot murder and you're left with a wild and crazy ride to redemption and healing.



For times & tickets visit www.cptonline.org

Visit Chagrin

Feeling like a long New England weekend but don't have the vacation days left this year? Well, look no more, instead of Maine or Vermont, why not spend the day in the quaint village of Chagrin Falls. With the holiday season upon us it's the perfect excuse to explore the boutiques and eateries of this Ohio destination.

Sweet boutiques (such as Stash Style & Nola True) will make crossing off those gift-list-names very easy. After a morning of shopping and exploring you may be hungry and want to enjoy a YT Medley from Yours Truly (pita triangles stuffed with two big fried eggs, bacon, melted muenster and American cheese) or a hamburger from Ricks Cafe, either one will please your tummy.



During December the Village will offer free horse & carriage rides as well as free photos with Santa in Holly Hall. For detailed times, holiday events and a listing of stores and restaurants visit www.chagrinfalls.net