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!

wear a dress... Lizzy & Jane

Last weekend I spent a relaxing day strolling though Chagrin Falls with one of my closest gal pals. As we meandered through the tiny shops we stumbled upon this amazing dress shop named “Lizzy & Jane.”

Every wall displays darling unique dresses...I wanted one of each. Did you know there is a dress for every occasion? There is. These hand crafted, works of art can be worn with cowboy boots right up to your best pair of stilettos. When I was in the store I had the pleasure to meet one of the owners, Marilyn. She told me how they work with their designer to choose very select fabrics and craft them into the perfect dress for you.

Not only do they carry unique dresses they also carry the real simple line of bridesmaids dresses which are stunning! The store also carries pretty jewels and bags to accessorize your dress. Seriously I was like a kid in a candy store, I wanted to buy one so bad and now I can't stop thinking about them.....so maybe this weekend...

It truly is a gorgeous store, you simply must visit!

Dante "tastes"

I keep meaning on posting just a little something about the new Tremont restaurant; Dante. I went there on a really cold winter snowy night, I could barely walk through the snow and on the ice in my super high healed boots.

The place was hopping but we scored a seat at the bar. I think the Cavs game was on so that was an ultra bonus. Anyways, I just wanted to mention that I really liked the way they offered "tastes" as a portion of many of their menu items. Think bigger than a tapa but smaller than an appetizer. I keep meaning to go back for another dish of the amazing beef carppacio, but this time I want my own. :)



If you are planning your weekend and haven't checked out Dante, perhaps it's time?

Cleveland Spynga

Do you like to sweat and cycle? Are you a yogi who enjoys a great stretch? There is a new studio in Coventry called Buddhaful Spin which incorporates both spinnng and yoga...it looks incredible.



I haven't personally been over to the studio yet, although it is on my to-do list. As an avid spinner and yoga lover, I am excited there is this new resource in Northeast Ohio. Explore their website, take a class, spin and stretch....Oooooommmmm.

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."

Green fries (3/17)

hello Cleveland, and top of the morning to you! (happy 60 degrees & sunny)

While those of you who plan to head downtown for the Cleveland St Patricks Day Parade are probablly already feasting on soda bread & green beer, I wanted to give you a quick heads up on something super yummy...

Today, starting at 7 a.m., chef Sawyer of the new Greenhouse Tavern (opening early April) will be making duck fat fries, featuring power ketchup, housemade beer vinegar, and just for St. Patty's Day, a green aioli. Plus, you get to grab a glimpse, a sneak peak into one of East 4th's newest culinary additions.



So run, walk, ride or skate your way through the expected 300,000 parade goers and grab some fries...to go with that green beer & whiskey. We are all irish today, cheers! :)

For directions and more information visit www.thegreenhousetavern.com

A New Burger In Town

It’s summertime so I am obliged to dive into my lunch of salad and fresh fruit. But what I am really craving is one of those greasy hamburgers from Five Guy Burgers.

A few weeks ago we went there for an office lunch outing and although I must say I was thinking about how I could try and order something healthy the entire drive there, once inside the newest Ohio location at Westgate Plaza I was overcome by the scent of flame grilled (right?) goodness. I don’t know if they fry up the burgers in butter, but they were so good, so good that I am recommending them as must-go-to this summer. With each burger you choose the toppings...mushrooms, onions, mustard & cheese...and your burger is made to perfection...the fries are not so bad either! :)

I will say that although this salad is a 9 on a scale of 10 being the best...it just isn’t the same as that burger....dreaming of Five Guys! :)

For additional locations and menu visit www.fiveguys.com

Cletus Who? (6/13)

Friday June 13th, 2008

This raspy-voiced singer-songwriter is one of the city's true hidden treasures. Cletus Black is in fine form once again on this new album that finds him backed by many of the players from his live band, the Revue.

Join them this evening for the CD release celebration at John Christ Winery in Avon Lake. A glass of local wine, paired with some local tunes, a great way to kick off the weekend.

The disc opens with a gritty cover of J.J. Cale's "Bringing it Back" that Black makes his own thanks in part to some fine harmonica work courtesy of Dave Morrison. The rest of the tracks are all originals, and it's a testament to Black's abilities as a songwriter that the album seamlessly flows together after the opening cover. Black alternately evokes the working-class rock of Springsteen ("Woman Woman") and the Gothic blues of Nick Cave ("Sanctified").

Guest spots from local heroes such as Colin Dussault, who adds harmonica to "Never Enough," drummer Tommy Rich, who's behind the kit on the same tune, and pianist Greg Hurd, who appears on "Tennessee Baby" and "Heavy and Blue," provide a nice touch, too.

Cletus Black performs at 7 p.m. Friday, June 13 at the John Christ Winery. FREE.
For more information visit www.cletusblack.com

Wine gum?

I know I usually write about stuff going on in our fair city but from time to time I feel the need to stray and comment on something else I find fun.....today’s topic...GUM.

So, I like gum. I especially like Orbit Gum. Everything from the TV commercials to the tiny special boxes that line the shelves at checkout counters nationwide. Usually I buy the minty flavors (for that just brushed clean feeling) but every now and then I stray and surprise my tastes buds with some magical fruit flavor. Over the weekend I was in line at Target and my eye fell upon the latest offering from Orbit, (which seems to churn out new flavors every other day). Sangria Fresca, immediately grabbed my attention. I love sangria! Fruity, festive, fortified punch! Wine and gum, what a great combo! Naturally, I had to have it.



Almost one foot out the door and I couldn’t resist tugging open the pretty plastic protecting my plum and orange package. I put a piece in my mouth. Orange with a slight taste of cinnamon and mint, bizarre but super luscious. This Orbit Sangria Fresca flavor tastes a lot like the Orbit Citrus Mint flavor. Which is to say, orangey. Other than the name and the suggestive burgundy-orange color scheme of the box, you wouldn’t know this was anything other than orange gum. Bummer, I was truly expecting a way to get my glass of Pinot in mid-day. Ha!

So as silly as this post may seem, sometimes I feel it is my duty to fill you in on the latest and greatest...I give this gum a B+.