Starting Over

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Charlene Ann

Guys, I can’t lie…this weekend was rough. I had a phone call and a few text messages that I never thought I would.

But, the day/weekend/week starts over.

And it included some great conversations with two of my closest friends from HS (thanks ladies for the encouragement, shoulders to cry on – and with, laughs and advice).

 

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And I was able to laugh a lot on Saturday with some lovely ladies from CBS radio…and the wine, of course, didn’t hurt. And Victory Sunday and Monday certainly helped the situation.

How do you shake off a bad day/week/weekend?

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Victory Monday

Posted on September 30, 2013 by Charlene Ann

Two weeks in a row, Victory Monday? My heart can’t even handle this.

image c/o Joshua Gunter/The Plain Dealer

image c/o Joshua Gunter/The Plain Dealer

image c/o Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer

image c/o Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer

And the week gets to continue with the Indians back in town on Wednesday for the Wild Card game and a Thursday night Browns game.

I love this city and our passion for our teams.

 

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A Rolling Wrap-Up

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Charlene Ann

Another year, another successful Rolling on the River event for the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland. I was so happy again to be invited back to attend this event and show my support.

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Once again, the stage was set with great entertainment, plenty of auction items, food, drinks, a photo booth (featuring Justin Bieber…kind of) and casino games. I’m not great at the casino games, but that didn’t mean this year’s event wasn’t entertaining.

Fee's Kompany was well represented. And yes, that's a bunny...

Fee’s Kompany was well represented. And yes, that’s a bunny…

After party pics and my friend Stephanie (who helps to plan this awesome event)

After party pics and my friend Stephanie (who helps to plan this awesome event)

Um. Bruce?

Um. Bruce? (photo c/o Fee’s Kompany)

All in all, another great event for the another awesome nonprofit. To learn more about the Hunger Network and to see how you can support their mission, check out their website here!

 

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A Little Buble

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Charlene Ann

After a crazy week of being out of the office on shoots, I was more than ready last week to get back into a slight routine. I say slight because somehow my calendar still managed to get packed.

But in the midst of a crazy week, I was happy to see the Michael Buble concert on my calendar. I bought the tickets months ago and almost was going to be unable to make it (lucked out there). Carmen was my date for the evening which meant tons of laughs as usual. And it also meant that our usual Friday hitting of the wall happened much earlier in the week. We dined at Hodge’s pre-show and were able to catch up with Hodge and friends (actually multiple times throughout the evening).

My #TBFF (Twitter BFF) Jen Toohey. She's the best!

My #TBFF (Twitter BFF) Jen Toohey. She’s the best!

Hanging with Tim (and his Browns beard) pre-show

Hanging with Tim (and his Browns beard) pre-show

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One of the best moments? Carmen’s reaction when she realized how close our seats were (truth be told, I sorta forgot I bought really good seats for this show). And Michael just did not disappoint. He swooned. He sang Get Lucky. He danced. He was just adorable.

(We had just come from the New 102 suite which was at least 95 degrees)

(We had just come from the New 102 suite which was at least 95 degrees)

It's a Beautiful Day!

It’s a Beautiful Day!

Plus, not many men can pull off a sequin jacket.

Anyone else at the show? Favorite song or moment? (BTW – Carmen and I may have been two of the youngest in our section and were definitely two of the only ones dancing at certain points, beside the awesome woman in front of us).

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Calling NYC

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Charlene Ann

When a girl gets a phone call that says “pack your bags – you are going to NYC with one of your closest friends, Kimberly, for a weekend away with Bethenny!” the reaction includes “shut up!”, “no I’m not” and “I’m dying!”. That paired along with screaming down the office hallway was the exact response I had when I found out I was heading to NYC to help Bethenny wrap up her Calling All My Girls tour.
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Thursday, Kimberly and I boarded an early morning flight to NYC (as in, I was awake when my radio friends were heading into work….way too early) and hit the Big Apple. We had PSLs in Time Square, shopped down 5th, visited the Allure Lounge at Fashion Week, hit up Central Park and got dressed up for a night out on the town. Seriously. Can I just move to NYC?

An NYC Welcome

An NYC Welcome

Friday was all Bethenny, all day. We were able to attend the taping of her show (which provided so many laughs) and that evening hit up her premiere party. Bethenny knows how to throw a party – cute boys, great music, fantastic Skinnygirl Cocktails and…wait for it…

Salt ‘N Pepa!

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CLE invades Bethenny and NYC.

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We wrapped our trip up with a visit to Times Square, people watching at NY Fashion Week, a walk and cocktail in Central Park and visiting Chef Hodge’s former stomping ground – The Spotted Pig. The entire weekend, Kimberly and I both kept looking at each other asking if this was real life. To say that the entire weekend was filled with gratitude is an understatement.

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Could a girl ask for a better weekend? I mean honestly?

In honor of Bethenny’s new show and new book, I’m going to host a giveaway for her latest book, Skinnygirl Solutions. I’ve just finished reading my copy and it’s so great. Essentially it’s a “how to” book. From throwing a fab party, to staying organized, Bethenny gives all of her tips on how to be Skinnygirl Fabulous.

A few ways to enter:
1. Tweet: Hook me up with Skinnygirl Solutions by @bethenny, @cacoughlin! http://wp.me/p1o7Bm-yX
You can tweet everyday for a chance to win (be sure to leave me a comment below letting me know that you’ve tweeted).

2. Like Bethenny TV on Facebook and let me know you’ve liked the page.

3. Like Life in the CLE on Facebook and again, let me know you’ve liked the page.

4. Follow @Bethenny on Twitter and you got it – let me know in the comments.

5. Tell me why you admire Bethenny!

I’ll select a winner next week on the 24th at midnight.

image c/o Bethenny TV

image c/o Bethenny TV

Thank you so much to Bethenny and her amazing team for the best weekend experience I’ve had in awhile. As I’ve said, Bethenny is my “life idol” and just being in her presence is being in “rare air” (a Bethenny saying).

Disclaimer: I was invited by the Bethenny TV team to attend the taping. I did receive the trip for free, but all opinions are my own. 

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Happy Fall CLE!

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Charlene Ann

It’s no secret this is my favorite season in Cleveland. Boots, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Sweaters, Football….it’s all perfection.

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I have much to write about a weekend in NYC that included hanging out with this awesome lady (aka my life idol). But in the meantime, enjoy my current fave song from Keith Urban.

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Hellooo, CLE!

Posted on September 8, 2013 by Charlene Ann

I’m back after the most amazing, whirlwind, jam-packed NYC trip…and there’s more to come on that. Let’s just say that Bethenny Frankel continues to impress and inspire me.

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And while I’m recovering, relaxing, catching up on emails, etc. I need to name a winner to this year’s Rolling on the River. Don’t worry if you didn’t win, there’s still time to get tickets! Remember – this is one you won’t want to miss!

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Congrats Sarah R. on winning! Please email me at lifeinthecle at gmail.com with your contact information to pass on!

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It’s Time to Roll

Posted on September 3, 2013 by Charlene Ann

One of my favorite Cleveland events is the annual Rolling on the River event for the Hunger Network of Cleveland. For some reason, this event just reminds me of the Fall in Cleveland and also tends to kick off the fundraising season for me. (As a former fundraiser, I remember planning these events…I always feel for the committees and staff as the date nears!)

ROTR

Last year’s event was a great girls night out which included casino games, photo booth pics and more laughs that I could have imagined (there may or may not have been a Bruce Jenner look alike that was in the audience). Hosted by Glenn Anderson and Allan Fee from Q104, the evening helps to raise money for the Hunger Network of Cleveland.

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Just hanging with Elvis. Totally normal.

The famous boat of booze.

The famous boat of booze.

This will be my third year attending and I cannot wait! It’s going to be another great evening helping to raise money for a great Cleveland organization that I’m always happy to support.

A little about the Hunger Network: The Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland is Cuyahoga County’s largest direct emergency food distribution network with over 100 pantries and hot meal programs facilitated by hundreds of dedicated volunteers who are devoted to serving the deserving and truly needy families of our community.

And this year again, I’ll be giving tickets away! Thanks to my friends at the Hunger Network, I have two tickets to giveaway. Ready to enter? Here’s how:

1. Tweet: I want to Roll on the River with @cacoughlin and @hungernetworkGC http://wp.me/p1o7Bm-yG
2. Follow @hungernetworkGC on Twitter and leave a comment that you did.
3. Like Hunger Network on Facebook and leave a comment that you did.
4. Like Life in the CLE on Facebook and again, leave a comment that you did.

You can tweet each day for additional entries. A winner will be selected on Friday evening at midnight (8.6.13).

Good luck and let’s roll!

Disclaimer: I was invited by the Hunger Network to host a giveaway and post about this upcoming event. In return, I was provided two tickets of my own. As always, all opinions are my own. 

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Calling All My Girls

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Charlene Ann

When I got the call that I was invited to go to the Calling All My Girls event with Bethenny Frankel there may have been screams, multiple times of saying “Shut Up!” and “Dying” and possibly tears. The thing is, Bethenny is one of the few women that I admire. She’s the type of girl you want to have a Skinnygirl Margarita with, ask for advice and gossip with.

A pink carpet? Of course!

A pink carpet? Of course!

Her Calling All My Girls tour did exactly that. Bethenny chatted with us (us being 150ish Cleveland ladies who all admire Bethenny), took pictures, played games, brought in some Cleveland bachelors for us to hang out with, served up her fantastic drinks and shared more about her upcoming talk show. And it’s not a typical talk show….she’ll be hanging out (you know, from NYC), giving advice, making you laugh and talking about all the things we wanna hear about (home, health, family, career, relationships, style, sex). And her little theme song “Calling All My Girls” may still be stuck in my head.

Pour me one!

Pour me one!

Bethenny doesn’t just have a new TV show coming out (which will be on WKYC starting Sept. 9th at 3pm – get your DVRs set!). She also has a new book which was just recently released, Skinnygirl Solutions. Think of it as your “how-to” guide: how to stay organized, how to achieve balance, how to clean and even how to stay in healthy relationships.

CLE loves Bethenny!

CLE loves Bethenny!

This is a Girls Night Out! (swag bag courtesy of the Bethenny team!)

This is a Girls Night Out! (swag bag courtesy of the Bethenny team!)

 We all had the opportunity to meet Bethenny and chat it up with her and needless to say, I spent days thinking of what I would say. I’m not kidding when I say she’s my “life idol”. I want to be friends with her yes, but I also seriously admire her. This woman has been through a lot but she keeps going, putting her daughter first and building the Skinnygirl empire. 

My Idol, Bethenny

My Idol, Bethenny

My Bethenny story isn’t over yet….Stay tuned for more….from NYC!

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‘Tis the Season

Posted on August 27, 2013 by Charlene Ann

As in my most favorite season of the year. Browns season, obvi. 

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Don’t get me wrong – I love summer. But there’s something about Browns season (aka Fall) that just makes me happy. There’s a sense of optimism in the Cleveland air. A new wardrobe that needs to be purchased. Beers before 9am. Debating our tailgate location. Burgers, brats and wings for “brunch” before gametime. Picking out the perfect jersey for the year (so far the only one that’s lasted the last few seasons? My boy Joe Thomas’). And seriously, we look good this year so far. I’m actually really optimistic about the season (yes, I say that every year…but this year feels different). 

Long lost BFF - Version 2

With the season just a couple of weeks away, I thought I’d give my breakdown on a successful tailgate. You see, I’ve been doing it for awhile (including back in the day when we would get to Muni at 4:30 a.m. to get our favorite spot and start with breakfast and Bailey’s in our coffee). 

First things first: you gotta have your gear ready to go. This season the NFL is throwing a wrench into my usual packing situation. You see, I bought this cute Browns purse a few years ago – perfect size right?
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I had plenty of room for my wallet, cell, etc. Hell – I could even fit a zip-up in it for cool weather games. So unfortunately with this awesome new rule about purses, my guy friends are gonna have to help a girl out with her “stuff”. (Okay this is TMI but seriously, where’s a girl supposed to put a tampon if she’s going to the game? In a plastic baggie? What?!)

My usual “gear” to bring with:
– sunscreen
– toilet paper (I’ve learned after sharing an RV with friends that guys don’t always remember this important item)
– paper towels
– an extra shirt and/or hoodie (you don’t want to smell like beer throughout the whole game if there’s an incident in Muni)
– hand sanitizer (if you’ve tailgated before, I’m sure you get it)
– an extra set of flip flops
– ponytail holders (you gotta help other girls out occasionally)
– cell charger (if you have access to somewhere to charge during the tailgate)
– tylenol, etc. for the post-game headache you may have

Then the obviously: 
– beer
– food (we like to do breakfast and lunch in our tailgates)
– post-game snacks (you’ll be in traffic for awhile trying to get out of Muni)
– more beer
– beer pong, cornhole, etc. 
– fun drinks like jello shots or pudding shots
– your tickets (don’t ask….there’s been more than one incident where tickets have been left at someone’s house….)

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Where do you tailgate? What’s your must bring item to a tailgate? 

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