Gonna let it Burn

Posted on October 27, 2013 by Charlene Ann

I’ve been a big fan of Ellie Goulding for awhile now but lately I cannot get enough of this song. Add it to the office playlist!

p.s. Go Browns today? Please? Campbell?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Thinking…

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Charlene Ann

I’ll admit it. I watched the Glee episode for Cory Monteith and sobbed. Like ugly cried. More than once. Multiple times throughout the episode.

And this is why.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Cheers to the Bourbon Street Ball

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Charlene Ann

Congrats to Jessica on winning tickets to Hullabaloo 2013! Please email me your contact information. Tickets are still available if you didn’t win!
Screen shot 2013-10-20 at 8.35.03 PM

One of my favorite cities is New Orleans so when I received an invite to The Bourbon Street Ball, I was beyond excited. The Bourbon Street Ball, presented by the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, is the largest fundraiser for this nonprofit.

This party – well Ball – is going to embody the Big Easy. I hear even beads are involved. And who doesn’t love a New Orleans style party right before winter hits The CLE? You can also expect to see great entertainment from Suzanne Westenhoefer and Elec Simon. Plus there will be great co-hosts including New 102’s own Kory in one of his last appearances before heading to Dallas.

LGBT Community Center_BSB Sharable Image_100913

EVENT: The Bourbon Street Ball, presented by the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland and the House of Blues Cleveland
WHEN: Sunday, October 27, 2013
WHERE: House of Blues Cleveland
TIME: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
COST: $250 for VIP, $95 general admission, $60 for low-income seniors and students.

And guess what? I have two general admission tickets for you to win to attend! There are a few ways to enter:

1. Tweet: Cheers! I want to go to @BourbonStBall this Sunday! http://wp.me/p1o7Bm-Ak
(You can tweet once per day for an additional entry.)
2. Follow @cacoughlin and @BourbonStBall on Twitter and let me know if you did.
3. Follow Life in the CLE and Bourbon Street Ball on Facebook and let me know you did.

You have until 10.24.13 at midnight to enter to win!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Fall Fun Weekends

Posted on October 20, 2013 by Charlene Ann

Last weekend was jam-packed. Between Best of Cleveland and the Browns game on Sunday, my weekend really didn’t stop. Saturday included a quick massage and then a visit to Cleveland Flea. My main reason was to check in with studiokmr for a killer piece that he’s going to create for my office (seriously, I cannot wait to see what Kevin comes up with!) I have another piece already in my office and everyone loves it.

After the Flea, it was off to visit Tina at Charles Scott to help get ready for Fall. I was ready for a change and we threw around a few different ideas. And this is where we ended up (small trim and obviously much darker). I can’t wait to see what Tina comes up with next (though we are working on growing my hair out a bit longer).

IMG_6139

Sunday morning meant tailgating and hanging out with one of my best friends from high school, college and now. Despite the rain and a loss, we had a great time. Of course, by 5pm, I was exhausted. Apparently I can’t tailgate at 7am the way I used to.

IMG_6140

Monday evening, I was excited to join a great group for Dinner in the Dark at Hodge’s Cleveland. Dinner in the Dark, created by Brian Okin and Jeff Jarrett, keeps the guests in the dark until they arrive at the dinner. Six courses, created by six local chefs, leave guests full and happy. Each course was delicious and unique, and included fantastic drinks. Some of my favorite dishes were created by Chef Eric Martinez and Chef Hodge.

0b700fb7-8ee7-4e2c-a076-5f3e9765b2d2wallpaper

The best part, in my opinion, about Dinner in the Dark? It supports local non profits and this month it supported Edwins. Edwins is a non profit that is helping Clevelanders return back to work. The restaurant will be opening up in a few short weeks and I can’t wait to see and visit.

Anyone else feeling like Fall is already going too quickly?!

Disclaimer: I’m a brand ambassador for Charles Scott Salon and as such, receive a discount for services provided. I was invited by the team at Dinner in the Dark to attend this month’s event. All opinions are my own.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Best Of…

Posted on October 20, 2013 by Charlene Ann

One of the killer benefits to my job is attending great Cleveland events. Last weekend I was able to check out Cleveland Magazine’s Best of Cleveland event, which is one of my faves, in the new party location of Cleveland Public Hall. Last year I attended with some coworkers and we had an awesome time (including getting hooked up with VIP last minute).

IMG_6117

This year, Stacey and I were able to attend with VIP tickets and enjoy all that the event had to offer. A few drinks in, we were running into friends, coworkers and former coworkers.

IMG_6125

IMG_6119

It’s always great seeing the GV Artwork Crew (one of my favorite Cleveland tshirt companies and a former coworker works at GV).

IMG_6122

Running into and catching up with Alicia was such a great surprise! We rarely get to have some one-on-one catch up time and it was totally needed.

IMG_6123

Hanging with Tim (you should call in and mention what a great show Grey’s Anatomy is to Tim….he LOVES it!)

Looking forward to working on an event with this lady...keep your eyes and ears open - it's going to be a fun time!

Looking forward to working on an event with this lady…keep your eyes and ears open – it’s going to be a fun time!

Were you at this year’s Best of Cleveland event? Favorites?

Disclaimer: I was provided two tickets through my work. I was not required to post about this event. All opinions are my own. 

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

This Is…

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Charlene Ann

Life in the CLE (video c/o Downtown Cleveland Alliance)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Holla…I mean Hulla!

Posted on October 13, 2013 by Charlene Ann

As in Hullabaloo! My friend, and Project Runway Alum, Valerie Mayen is just weeks away from her second Hullabaloo Fashion Show and I was able to take a sneak peek at what she has in store last week. It’s going to be another show filled with local, handmade fashion, food, drinks, dancing and more.

2256905_orig

Hullabaloo Preview

The always lovely Valerie giving us a sneak peek. We're lucky to have her in Cleveland - let's show her our support!

The always lovely Valerie giving us a sneak peek. We’re lucky to have her in Cleveland – let’s show her our support!

What’s in store for this year besides an awesome fashion show? 
-Win a piece of your own Yellowcake by bidding on the garments and accessories from the actual collection
-Purchase exclusive Hullabaloo merchandise, handmade Yellowcake totes and much more
-Bid on everything you see on the runway and at the venue – from the shoes, to the accessories to the furniture
-Snag an original Hullabaloo 2013 collection sketch
-Be the first to purchase a piece from the second batch of the highly anticipated Yellowcake Mens line, Beefcake! Limited stock will be available for purchase.
-A post-show dance party (get it CLE!)
-Capture the night with a memento pic from the YC photobooth

What sets this year’s fashion show apart though is a cause near and dear to Valerie’s heart. Just this past year, she lost one of her closest friends, whom she was a nanny for, to cancer. Her story will be told throughout the collection in 7 chapters. The theme of “Companion” will run throughout each chapter and tell her story of hope, love, life and healing. Some proceeds from the event will go to PMP Cancer Research Foundation.

IMG_6102

The show details: 
Friday, Nov. 8th
Screw Factory, Lakewood
Doors open at 7pm with the show beginning at 8pm. Dance the night away until 1am.
General admission tickets are only $25 ($30 at the door), plus there is special early bird pricing options for the first three rows.

And guess what? I have two general admission tickets to put into your hot little hands. A winner will be selected at random on Sunday, October 20th at midnight. Here’s what ya gotta do though: 

1. Tweet: Do you Baloo? I wanna holla at #Hullabaloo2013 with @yellowcakeshop and @cacoughlin! http://wp.me/p1o7Bm-zU
(Leave a comment telling me you tweeted. You can tweet once per day for an entry.)
2. Share this post on your Facebook page (Again leave a comment telling me you did so. You can post once per day for an entry.)
3. Instagram a pic of an outfit you would wear to the Hullabaloo Fashion Show and be sure to use the hashtag: #Hullabaloo2013 and mention both @yellowcakeshop and @cacoughlin. (Don’t forget to leave a comment letting me know you posted.)
3. Follow @yellowcakeshop and @cacoughlin on Twitter and let me know you did so.

Enter today and enter often. This is another CLE event you won’t want to miss!

Disclaimer: I was invited by Valerie and the Yellowcake Shop team to blog and promote this event, as well as host a giveaway. In return I was invited to a blogger preview and provided two GA tickets. All opinions are my own. 

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Now Playing

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Charlene Ann

Time for another edition of what’s currently being played in my office/car/house!

After hanging out with some of the ladies from WDOK last weekend, I was happy to learn I wasn’t the only one over 18 that loves some Taylor Swift. And I’m totes digging this song right now.

I’ve been singing Lorde, Royals for weeks now. Post-Rolling on the River, there was a dance party to this song at Harbor Inn (classy, I know). It’s more or less become my go to during a rough day.

I’m not a Miley fan. Let me start with that. But I cannot stop singing Wrecking Ball. It comes on my Sirius radio and I full out sing along with Miley. I try and pretend this is not the same girl that was grinding on Robin Thicke a month or so ago at the VMAs…

Again with my love of bad pop music…I love some Demi. She seems like one of the normal ones. And I may or may not be going to see her in concert in the spring…(listen, I’m sure it’ll be an entertaining show!)

Of course I need a Justin Timberlake song. After purchasing The 20/20 Experience – Part 2, this song became one of my favorites. Sort of like how Mirrors became a favorite from Part 1. I can’t stop listening to this song. So good. And it makes me so excited to see him in about 2 months at the Q with one of my very best friends.

Any songs/artists that I need to be adding to my current playlists?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A CLE Sports Week

Posted on October 7, 2013 by Charlene Ann

There was something in the air last week. The Indians were in the Wild Card Playoff Game and the Browns were looking to win another. People in CLE were nicer than usual. There was a general excitement in the air.

1379845_587644939050_1464263536_n

And my calendar was quickly booked with two back-to-back evening Cleveland sporting events. And this girl didn’t mind one bit. Pretty much all week I was counting down till the Tribe game on Wednesday. I was pretty excited to be going with my friend Ang – we’ve been trying to catch up for at least a month so this was the perfect way to spend some time together. After a killer happy hour at Hodge’s, we went over to get our seats, high atop Progressive Field. Despite the loss, we had the best time. I can’t remember the last time I laughed that hard.

1382089_587644859210_1501876495_n

Just a review of what happened in our section:

1. We made a new friend who was at least 50+ and clearly not interested in the Indians, but very interested in some $8 beers. So much so that she got lost, had a police escort up to our section, made friends with the guy next to her husband and at one point was in some serious prayer over the game.
2. We watched a breakup go down. It lasted at least 7 innings. And the poor Indians photographer just wanted to see if they wanted to get a picture of the two of them and our bro was just not having it. Ang was very concerned about if he was going to have a ride home from the game.

1383745_587644814300_888278758_n

After that epic night, Thursday brought on tailgating in our work parking lot, with some of my clients and coworkers, and a Thursday night primetime Browns game. The weather was perfect, the Club seats were even better, and the company was fantastic. And the Browns won! And in that moment I think the entire city of Cleveland was happy again.

935948_587560358550_2103752325_n

I can’t lie – after all of the sports emotion from the week – I needed Friday off. I slept in, worked from home and just enjoyed a day of rest and an evening catching up with my neighbors.

How’d you celebrate the big week in CLE sports?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Hair-Spiration

Posted on October 6, 2013 by Charlene Ann

This year I switched hair stylists after an eight year run with my previous. Don’t get me I love her. But when I met Tina at Charles Scott Salon, we immediately hit it off and she gave me some great ideas for how I can style my hair. She invited me back for a color and cut and after that first visit, I was hooked.

eac859c0-9fbf-4076-81ee-4796816b4309wallpaper

Transition 1

About six weeks ago, I went in for a cut and after a few texts back and forth with Tina, we decided to do a stacked bob. I was nervous. And I’m not going to lie, there are days when I really miss my messy ponytail that I could rock when trying to buckle down in the office and get work done. But the color and cut has totally helped my hair to have more volume and overall has made my hair healthier.

My Idol, Bethenny

Shorter and darker for fall

This week is my next appointment with Tina and I’m already looking forward to what we’re going to do next. I have some options and want to hear what you think!

Will need to continue to grow it out but it's more of a blunt angle.

Will need to continue to grow it out but it’s more of a blunt angle.

I love Kellie P and how she totally carries off her short cut.

I love Kellie P and how she totally carries off her short cut.

Sorta digging this brownish-blondish shade (truth be told, I miss my blonde)

Sorta digging this brownish-blondish shade (truth be told, I miss my blonde)

Or do I go dark for fall with caramel highlights?

Or do I go dark for fall with caramel highlights?

These are some serious decisions and I have just a few days to make them. Help!

Disclosure: I’m a brand ambassador for Charles Scott Salon and Spa. However, I would not be going to Charles Scott Salon if they did not take fantastic care of their clients. As always, all opinions are my own. 

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment