Spooky Weekend!

Boo! It’s time for tricks and treats, ghosts and goblins, pumpkins and gobs of candy corn. Happy Halloween Cleveland.

If you don’t already have a booked fall weekend here are some ideas of things to do around town to put you in the haunting spirit.

Kick off the weekend with a spooky-tini, a witchy cup of brew is sure to bring out the goblins within each of us. For this I have three recommendations...although it’s not exactly Halloween-flavored, the peanut butter martini at Fahrenheit is an adult treat sure to crave your sweet tooth. If you are looking for something more “traditional fall,” Luxe Kitchen makes a mean candy apple martini which tastes JUST like a freshly dipped Patterson Granny Smith Apple in fresh caramel sauce, simply ghoulish. Last but not least, for all you Cleveland “purists” we all know what came out this week...YES, Christmas Ale from Great Lakes Brewing Co. This nutmeg infused beer although named for the December 25th marks the beginning of the holiday season to me. Let the merriment begin!

We all know Cleveland is filled with spooky places to scare the bee-jeezis out of our souls. From the Mansfield Penitentiary. to Cedar Points Halloweekend, From the regional corn mazes (which also test your mind) to the creepy haunted houses filled with gory bizarre people willing to plaster their faces with latex in order to get a good scare out of us. In Northeast Ohio their are so many options, it’s supposed to be a nice weekend. Go get your spook on.



Looking to stay in with a sweetie this weekend and forgo the little monsters? Why not head to the library (or your Netflix) to rent some of my favorite spooky flicks. The Birds, Rosemary’s Baby, Nightmare on Elm Street, Gremlins (although not totally scary, still a classic for sure), Twilight Zone and one of the newer thrillers Paranormal Activity. Light the candles, crawl under a cozy blanket and make a bowl of caramel popcorn, it’s time to watch movies. What are your favorite spooky flicks?

Still scurrying around for the perfect costume? Just a few reminders on where to find all of the good stuff...If you are in the mood to rent a full on spectacular outfit, Chelseas on 116th and Detroit still has a large selection of costumes aviable for rental. Be prepared to drop a good chunk of change but it will be totally worth it. Chelseas has EVERYTHING from warewolves to wizards and princesses to slutty _________(nurse, baker, indian chief, nun,, etc) you name it. If you are just missing part of your costume, they also have a selection of wigs, wands and warts to add the final touches. Besides Chelseas there is always scouring the local Goodwill or the thrift store mega monster Unique Thrift. I know there are a few other coistume shops out there, am I forgetting a really good one?

Want to workout before you spike your blood sugar to new heights? There are some spooky workouts available to us weekend warriors on Saturday morning, pre-party night. Slap on those leg warmers and flashdance sweats and go get physical at your gym, the bike paths of the metroparks, that hot yoga class you’ve been meaning to try, and on and on. I’m telling you, even a quick jaunt at Jazzercise will bring out the giddy goblin in each of us.

So that's it from me. Enjoy your holiday weekend, be safe, but most of all enjoy this lovely city we live in...i heart cleveland.

Baked. Pumpkin Cookies.

For as long as I can remember, around this time of the year; my mom would pull out the kitchenaid mixer as a constant staple to her counter top. You see, once it was cool enough outdoors it was time to start whipping up the batches of pumpkin & chocolate chip cookies at my families house.

These pillows of pumpkin perfection dotted with choco chips are a HUGE crowd pleaser. From the office Halloween luncheon to your late night bon fire, these will NOT disappoint, promise. Try them, you’ll thank me.




"i heart pumpkin cookies recipe"

Pre-heat over 350'

Combine...
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
- 1 beaten egg
- 1/2 c oil (vegetable)
- 1 c sugar

Mix w/ combined dry ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda + 1 tsp milk (dissolve)

Once combined, stir in...
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Chocolate Chips (As much or as little as you like - I use the entire bag!)

Spoon onto baking sheet in little "blobs." (Yes, that's a technical term!)

Bake for 10-14 minutes...toothpick should come out clean.


If you’re not into baking, Elmwood Bakery on Madison Ave in Lakewood makes adorable spooky petit fours for sharing, Blackbird Baking Company is currently whipping up batched of Pumpkin and Ginger cookies, theres always the apple tarts available at On the Rise Bakery on Fairmont or not to be missed chocolate dipped macaroons from Prestis...I digress.

Who has a sugary sweet tooth? Not me! :)

Type City

An experiment with type between design students at Cleveland Institute of Art and font and design merch, Veer turns out to be a stunning success.



Check out these images of Type City Cleveland landmarks using only letter forms, numbers and a few exclamation point (!) sprinkled throughout.





I am still drooling and thinking about how awesome these would look in my office. For more pics take a look here.

Thanks to Leen for this very cool post!

OooooH Baby

Hi Cleveland, happy Monday.

So I have these friends who used to live here but moved to California. They are expecting their second baby this week and I wanted to send them a little midwest love from the Land of the Cleve. I turned to Etsy, my go-to gift source for a baby gift of sorts and I just had to share.

I found this one store called LilBurritos, check out these two adorable onesies. I just LOVE LOVE them!!!





I ended up turning to my good friend Small Screen Designs for the perfect Terminal Tower onesie as the final gift selection.

Needless to say, they loved the gift and the baby will wear it proudly...this Wednesday! Congrats you two.

sports AND shopping...

What could be better?

Have you checked out the new Cavaliers Team Shop? Well, if you haven't I swear you are in for a treat.



Remember when you used to attempt to squeeze into the small gift shop, pushing and shoving your way through the racks of jerseys, hoddies, warm up pants and more? Now everything is spread out for your shopping pleasure. They expanded to open up another floor, added a tv so you can stay in touch with the action as well as an ENTIRE new line of team apparel.



I have to say, for someone who really isn't a huge team clothing fan, there were a few things that caught my eye, especially the retro blue and orange line.

Looking for something to do on your downtown work lunch break? Go take a walk over, it's really cool. GREAT JOB CAVS!

Ooooops!

Who knew my Network Solutions registration needed to be renewed? Well, when you go to your blog in the morning and see a random green screen it surely makes for a manic monday.

Good news, I renewed it and we should be all set for the next NINE years (such a random number.)

Don't forget ENTER TO WIN 2 tickets to BREWzilla, I'll be drawing today around lunchtime. Get your comments in.

Peace.

Weekend & giveaway!

Well, it’s going to be a perfect weekend to finish up those summer project around the home. Me? I’m planning on giving my garage a good clean out before the winter chill sets in as well as hanging some spooky decorations for the upcoming holiday!

I might try and squeeze in a bike ride since the weather is supposed to be amazing. Can anyone tell me how you find the tow path entrance that is supposedly behind Steelyard Commons? Or is that an old wives tale?

Besides cleaning, decorating and riding...here are a few other things that I may try and squeeze into my weekend...what are your weekend plans???

- Tonight's Best of Cleveland Party at the Rock Hall is supposed to be a great time.

- Polka happy hour at Happy Dog if I need to escape the party.

- If I felt like dressing like a zombie...the Dead Ride around town would be a fun event.

- For those of you who have always wanted to spend the night in a movie theatre...12 Hours of Terror at Capitol Theatre!

- Like to craft? A paper making demonstration at the Cleveland Public Library sounds cool, it's part of their Octavofest.

- Stash Style in Chagrin Falls is hosting a Breast Cancer Benefit from 5-11pm. Pink goodies, drinks & food. Vintage and hand knit fashion showing! Mini massages, palm readings & more! LIVE Music at 8:00

Or...drum roll please......

-The second annual Cleveland Beer Week begins TODAY friday october 15th, and runs through next saturday october 23rd. As a celebration of craft and import beer cleveland beer week features tastings, dinners and activities at over 100 venues.



The big gala-type of event; BREWzilla is being held next Saturday, October 23 at the galleria at erieview from 6 to 11pm. BREWzilla acts as the closing event where one can sample beer from over 80 breweries and enjoy tons of food and cheese from heinen's and winking lizard.

Guess what? I have TWO FREE TICKETS to giveaway to BREWzilla. Tell me about your favorite beer and provide your email address and the winner will be chosen by random NEXT Wednesday.

Other than that, have a great weekend!!! Love ya Cleveland!.

Mums the word.

If you know me than you know how excited I get when fall arrives. Seriously, I can't get enough pumpkins, mums, candy corn, Halloween, hayrides, apple picking...you get the picture. It's my ULTIMATE favorite season for sure.



This past weekend I visited Petittis in Avon for their Fall Festival. It was a gorgeous site, mums of all colors for as far as the eye can see. I actually got cold chills when I stepped outside into the outdoor greenhouse, the sea of fall flowers filled me with excitement! Did you know that Petitti's all pumpkins are just $2.99, big, small, tall, squatty, no matter the shape or size $2.99. I bought eight of the brightest orange hue, two bags of decorative gourds and a few bails of hay for my fall yard. (Actually I may need to go back this weekend and get more!)



For fall decorations visit any of the Petitti's in Northeast Ohio. If you love fall like I do, you are in for a treat. Happy fall. :)

Oh, and if you are looking for something to do this evening swing by the Happy Dog on Detroit. The Cleveland Orchestra is performing a quirky chamber music performance, complete with piano. 8-11:30pm A beer, a hot dog and some Johann Sebastian Bach sounds delightful.

Guess where?

I'll give you a hint..."westside." Happy Tuesday. :)

Inked for Ohio.

Another perfect weekend in Cleveland. Sunny weather. A yummy clambake. Riding bikes. Home improvement AND another fun Inked in Ohio tattoo to share.

So, I was at the famous Muni Lot yesterday and let's just say, it takes all types. From the die hard sports fans to the "girls who wanna have fun," from the fair weather fans to the downtown hipsters, everyone was psyched for yesterdays game.

One thing never to be missed (heads up!) are all the non-football players, passing the football through the crowds of people. Shirtless guys show their stuff as they perform the ball throwing tradition as if they were kids playing outside in the backyard.

Yesterday I happened to run into Brandon and little did I know he was sporting an "inked for Ohio" tattoo! I ran right up to him and asked to snap a few pics. Not only does he have this great skyline image of the city on his bulging bicep, he also has an outline of the state on his chest, but my pic was too blurry from dodging footballs to share. THANKS BRANDON for letting me share your ink.



Happy monday cleveland peeps. Oh, and BTW did you know Wednesday is Bar Cento's 3 Year Anniversary Party? Buy any carafe of beer or wine and your pizza is free! Cheers to a great week!

Free Hepburn!

We know her for her beauty, her legacy and the numerous films the graced on the silver screens, but did you know Katharine Hepburn is being honored for her style and fashion excellence at Kent State University?

Dressed for Stage is the screen legend’s personal collection of performance clothes which spans her six-decade career and features never-before-exhibited costumes from stage, screen and television



After a series of sold-out pre-opening events and the 25 Years of Dazzle gala celebrating the museum’s 25th anniversary, the Kent State University Museum opens its highly anticipated exhibition Katharine Hepburn: Dressed for Stage and Screen on Oct. 2, 2010, making its world premiere.

Would you and a friend (2 tickets) like to see the exhibit for free? Tell me your favorite Hepburn film, include your email and Friday at noon I will choose the winner!

Legendary, BIZ MARKIE

www.bsideliquorlounge.com

Be Social.

So I was just dying to see the movie "The Social Network," and I have to say I wasn't disappointed. The story; although slightly "Hollywood-ized" the film gave me a clearer understanding as to the timeline of facebook and how the words "wall," "status" & "face booking" were conceived. I give it two thumbs up for sure.

On this chilly, damp evening grab some friends, post on your wall, be social...go see "The Social Network."

In the meantime check out this AMAZING picture taken by David Mayland from his cell phone, STUNNING. Thanks for letting me share it David!



Cleveland, see a movie, stay warm and enjoy all those scarves and boots that were put away for the summer. Bust 'em out.

Happy (Mickey) Monday!

Hello Cleveland & welcome Fall,
You might all think I’ve been doing a slacking job at reporting what’s happening in our land of the CLEV, or maybe it’s my own personal blog guilt, but I promise October will be better.

You see for the month of September I was writing for Chevrolet’s “Gotta Love Chevy” test drive a traverse promotional program (see my posts here!) and I gotta admit... I couldn’t keep up. Work got busy, the weekends were slammed and something had to take a bit of a back seat...

BUT, now that October, tights and fall have officially arrived, it’s time to have some fun! In the next month a new design for iheartcleveland will be realeased, I am working on some very exciting promotions and I am ready to rock and blog roll our way through these chilly months with lots of hot stuff. I can’t wait!

Thanks for a little tip from my fellow blogger and friend Cleveland Foodie about one of our own Clevelanders who is gracing the pages of this Months Cosmopolitan Magazine. Mickey is OHIO’s representative to this years HOTTEST Bachelor contest. If you want to see for yourself visit Umami or Market at the Fig and check him out! Otherwise let’s bring Ohio home a win, Vote today!!!



Enjoy your Monday morning. Hope you had a big cup of (pumpkin Spice) Joe. What’s on the agenda this week???