Now Playing: Louder

Posted on March 8, 2014 by Charlene Ann

Addicted to the new Lea Michele album. Judge away. And this has become one of my favorites:

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Gold, Glitter and Glitz

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Charlene Ann

I was officially exhausted with the month of February. The last two weeks of the month were insane, crazy, busy, exciting, fun and exhausting.

For starters it was the American Advertising Federation – Cleveland ADDY Awards. As co-chair my stress level was pretty high but we had an unbelievable group of volunteers who helped everything to go pretty seamlessly. Seriously – we were ahead of schedule at one point. And the night went off pretty flawlessly. Plus it was awesome to have our team win more than a few ADDYs (including a gold!)

Scenes from the ADDYs

Scenes from the ADDYs

The selfies with Nicole, Erin, Tim and I cracked me up. And check out that awesome team and that Gold ADDY!

The selfies with Nicole, Erin, Tim and I cracked me up. And check out that awesome team and that Gold ADDY!

Then it was right into Jump Back Ball 23. Which as you know, was a fantastic night out. 

And we were right into the Hunger Network inaugural All About the Bag Fashion Show! Over 375 people came out to support the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland, see some fab fashion, try and win a Gucci or Chanel bag and check out some of Cleveland’s awesome celebs.

Do you blame them for fighting over that bag?

Do you blame them for fighting over that bag?

The New 102 Crew (Des, Chris and Tim) and my friend Hodge

The New 102 Crew (Tim Richards, Chris Van Vliet, Desiray Cross) and my friend Hodge

Oh you know, just hanging with Andy V. on a Wed. night and check out my model friends (Kat Boyd, Carrie and Anna!)

Oh you know, just hanging with Andy V. on a Wed. night and check out my model friends (Kat Boyd, Carrie and Anna!)

So that happened...my lovely friends Jess and Kimberly, Kevin on his throne and my awesome friend Ang!

So that happened to Tim…my lovely friends Jess and Kimberly, Kevin on his throne post-event and my awesome friend Ang!

The best part? We raised a lot of money for the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland, all while having an awesome Wednesday night out! Check out their mission and see how you can help out.

So now that February is wrapped up, I can catch up on sleep right?! (Just kidding…St. Patrick’s Day is around the corner and I gotta prep for that!)

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own as always. I am a member of the AAF-CLE, as well as the Co-Chair for the ADDYs and this year I was the Event Chair for the Hunger Network’s All About the Bag event. I choose to be involved in both of these awesome organizations! 

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Ball. Jump Back Ball.

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Charlene Ann

The annual Playhouse Square event Jump Back Ball was this weekend and to say it was a fantastic night is an understatement. Let’s just review:

My feet still hurt.
My ears are ringing.
I can’t move from my couch.
I sang and danced to Taylor Swift on stage with my friend Carrie.

Epic Night to say the least. With a slight change in plans, my friend since high school Jessica joined me for the evening. With a stop at Charles Scott Salon for a hair style from Tina (more on this later), Jessica did my makeup before we were off for a night of yummy food and drinks, hanging with friends, and dancing the night away.

The evening featured a VIP party with music and food from Dante. The little bites were delicious (especially the soup). From there, we were escorted into the Palace Theater for some drinks (including speciality cocktails based on the theme – James Bond) and food from Driftwood Restaurants and Catering. I gotta say – Chef Hodge and his team were on point. The food was great and service was even better (and I’m not just saying that because Chris is a friend).

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Entertainment included a palm reader and fortune teller (who had Jessica and I dying of laughter) and music on stage from Your Villain My Hero. People were dancing the evening away. As the evening continued on, we were all escorted into the lobby (which had a wonderful champagne bar which we used to hydrate with) to dance and sing with Pop Rocks. For a good hour and a half, we were at the front of the stage singing and dancing (including to Call Me Maybe!!)

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To say this was a great night out seems like not enough. This event, with funds going to help support the Playhouse Square, brings out so many Clevelanders who want to support the arts in Cleveland. As an avid visitor to Playhouse Square, I can’t imagine our city without the theater district. Jump Back Ball is just one way to give back. To learn more, including how to become a Partner, read more here.

Disclosure: I was invited this year to blog about Jump Back Ball. In return, I was invited to buy one ticket and receive one for free. As always, all opinions are my own. 

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Trentina CLE

Posted on February 16, 2014 by Charlene Ann

I think at this point, we all are aware of how lucky we are in CLE to have Jonathon and Amelia Sawyer. Talk about two people that love this city deeply. And we all know how awesome their restaurants are.

Currently the Sawyers are prepping to bring more awesomeness to CLE – this time with Trentina Cleveland. And if you haven’t heard about Trentina yet, you need to. This time the Sawyers are doing it on their own. And with these two you know you are going to have a fabulous place to go to in Cleveland –  and I’m sure it will be unlike any other restuarant in town. The cool part – you can get involved (if you haven’t yet).

You see, the Sawyers are using Kickstarter to get Trentina up and running. I’m excited to be backing these two and their new endeavor. I’m loving the different “gifts” that you will receive with each level (um…I’m going to be able to cook with Chef Sawyer – WHAT?!)

I’m hoping you will consider backing this family and continue to support them by visiting their restaurants (especially Trentina!)

Disclaimer: I’m friends with the Sawyers and am excited to be backing them with Trentina. 

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The Week In Review

Posted on February 15, 2014 by Charlene Ann

Phew. It’s been a cray cray two weeks and the next two weeks are going to be even more insane. Not to mention the Olympics have been pretty much on my TV whenever I’m home and well, I’m obsessed (but slightly disappointed in the results from the US Speedskating team. What is going on with those kids?!?)

So what have I been up to? Well, I went back to blonde! (Thank you Tina at Charles Scott Salon for helping to slowly transition my hair back to a healthy blonde. I can’t speak highly enough of the services that this salon provides – more on that at a later date!)

I got to hang out with some awesome bloggers at the Love Lago Blogger Event.

I grabbed some drinks with friends to get out of a foul mood. Hot pink drinks immediately help any mood.

Pour me another.

Pour me another.

I got to see some friends when they visited my work to judge our annual Chili Cook-off and Sweets Bake-off.

Westfield and I

Westfield and I

Timmay and I

Timmay and I

Of course Sam won. Also - try to take a conference call seriously when someone is wearing a chef hat during it.

Of course Sam won. Also – try to take a conference call seriously when someone is wearing a chef hat during it.

I enjoyed a lovely Thursday night being pampered by my friend (since 1997!!) Jessica at Bobbi Brown getting a make-up trial for JBB with Kimberly. Grabbing a small bite to eat and drinks had to happen, along with plenty of girl chat. I heart these ladies.

And I spent a Saturday pampering myself – lots of errands, a facial, a dress for the ADDYs, new shoes, some new makeup and clothes shopping.

A Little Party...

A Little Party…

Now…it’s time to prep for a crazy (hopefully fun) week ahead. It’s the 2013-2014 AAF ADDY Awards on Thursday and Saturday is my favorite CLE event – Jump Back Ball 23!

Disclosures: 1. I’m a Charles Scott Brand Ambassador, all opinions are my own though. I wouldn’t keep going back if they didn’t do an awesome job. 2. I’m a social media consultant for Lago. 3. I’m not required to post anything for work…but the chili cook-off was a good time. 4. I’m the 2013-2014 ADDYs Co-Chair for AAFCLE. 5. I’m a blogger for Playhouse Square’s Jump Back Ball but again – all opinions are my own and it’s seriously always been a favorite event of mine.

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New Normal

Posted on February 8, 2014 by Charlene Ann

The last few weeks, my friend and mentor Stacey and I have been discussing our new normal. You see, once you have had cancer, there’s old normal and new normal. Old normal? I never thought about what too much hair loss was. Or what a cold could mean. Or a cough. Or dry skin. Or….

Seriously, the list goes on. Some people make think that’s being a hypochondriac (which okay, it may be) but it’s the new normal. Old normal was full of very little stress. New normal is stressed out with every doctors appointment. Old normal didn’t know where my thyroid was located. New normal rarely goes a day without feeling what’s left of my thyroid to see if there’s a lump. Old normal rarely went to the doctor once a year. New normal is on a first name basis with: my endocrinologist, his nurses and receptionists, the blood work nurse at his office, the blood work nurses at my hospital, the registration lady at the hospital and my ultrasound tech (whom I somehow always manage to get).

See where I’m going with this?

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So needless to say, the last few weeks I’ve been dealing with all that. And will be for probably the rest of my life. But fingers crossed, after another year, I’ll be done with stressing.

Four years cancer free and counting.

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I’m Yelling Timber

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Charlene Ann

Don’t act like you don’t love this as much as I do.

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I Needed This Advice

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Charlene Ann

 

 

 

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That Sex in the City show has a lot of advice to give…

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Pre-Super Bowl Ad Thoughts

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Charlene Ann

Am I the only one that tries to avoid watching the full Super Bowl commercials pre-game? Personally, I like watching them during the game, making a note of my favorites to read up on them later and I also like to see where they were placed throughout the game…first timeout? Last quarter? Yes, these are the types of things that go through my mind during the big game (again, the Browns aren’t in the Super Bowl so I’m not emotionally invested in either team…or financially invested).

Of course, just being online, as well as on enewsletter lists for Adweek and AdAge means I just can’t avoid some of the spots, as well as their stories that go along with each. I’ve already watched the Budweiser Puppy Love spot and can we all just say “Aw!”

I’m also looking forward to the second Bud spot which will feature a thank you to a soldier. There’s a 75% chance of me tearing up during that one.

Newcastle went a different direction. Yes, they have a celebrity. But they didn’t buy the air time. And hell – Anna Kendrick didn’t even endorse the brand in their spot. Check it out if you haven’t seen it:

I’m interested to see the Bud Light spots, Chrysler, as well as Doritos. I also can’t wait to see what brands utilize social media during the Super Bowl. What Super Bowl spots are you looking forward to?

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Mid-Week Thoughts

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Charlene Ann

Just some random thoughts as we’re halfway through the week:

1. I’m over the cold weather for a few reasons outside of the obvious. I’m over frozen shower pipes. And I’m also over these cold weather symptoms which also are similar to thyroid cancer symptoms. As my friend Stacey stated last night – this is our new normal (she’s also a cancer survivor). It’s something our friends don’t understand. It’s something that I continually struggle with. Every time I have something that resembles a symptom (which I missed 90% of mine when I actually had the c-word), I automatically get stressed out and start thinking “what if”. So much so that I’m back at the doctor this weekend. Woof. I wonder if this stops after I hit the five year mark…

2. I’m loving my new Sunday Funday tradition – brunch makes me happy. Drinks make me happy. Great friends make me happy.
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3. How are all of these events only a couple weeks away? Seriously? And I need to get my Jump Back Ball back up dress selected ASAP. Thank goodness I have a Saturday planned to find it.

4. Did anyone else melt during the Grammy Awards when John Legend was singing All Of Me and the spotlight was on his wife? No…just me huh?

5. Also – pretty much loved a ton of the performances at the Grammy Awards but loved Tweeting during the show with friends.

And of course, a current favorite song that I can’t get enough of:

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