Food, Wine, Laughs

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Charlene Ann

Pretty much the title says it all about this year’s Silver Spoon Awards. Held at the Intercontinental Hotel on the Cleveland Clinic Campus, this year’s event, benefiting the Arthritis Foundation brought out some of the best restaurants in town.

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Pictured: Hodge’s lamb belly tacos (to. die. for), my lovely date Stacey, the always fabulous Kimberly and snacks from Great Lakes Brewing, Co.

The VIP lounge was filled with delicious drinks from Spice, Hodge’s and Great Lakes Brewing Co. Restaurants represented included: Angelo’s Pizza, BonBon Pastry, Cowell & Hubbard, Deagan’s, Dim and Den Sum, Hodge Podge Food Truck, Light Bistro, Melt Bar and Grilled, Pier W, Taki’s Green Kitchen and many more.

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Above: Celebrity Chef Chris Hodgson serving up food at both Hodge’s in the VIP lounge, as well as at both of his food trucks. 

Two of my radio favorites (Jen and Tim from WDOK 102.1’s morning show) hosted this year’s event which also meant that Jen Toohey and I finally met in person. We’ve been tweeting at each other for years, mostly about shows we have in common (ahem…the bachelor, bachelorette or Grey’s Anatomy).

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The always lovely Leah from TV20, the girls with Chris Van Vliet, Finally meeting Jen Toohey (!!! Twitter BFFs) and hanging with Chris. 

All in all, this was another great event, benefiting another fantastic Cleveland non-profit! I already can’t wait for next year!

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What Stirs You? Match.com Summer Singles Event

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Charlene Ann

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While I myself haven’t dove into online dating, I’ve had plenty of friends who have and who have had success. And I gotta say, based on some of their stories, it seems like online dating isn’t such a bad idea. I’ve had friends meet the love of their lives through online dating services, Match.com included.

Match.com just a year ago introduced a new service – Stir events. The program has expanded to cities throughout the US and offer a wide variety of events based on age and city. Think: happy hours, events at some of the best city venues, tequila tastings or DJ lessons. Events have included partners such as House of Blues, Banana Republic or even the Warrior Dash.

Match.com’s Stir is celebrating its one-year anniversary in style! While Match has hosted 2,850 events over the past year for over 225,000 sings, there are more events in the future. Over just a year, that’s how much the unique-event based, singles “outings” have expanded. Pretty crazy, right? Imagine how many people have been potentially introduced at these events!

And Match.com is looking for singles to help create their own Stir event! If your event idea is selected, you will have the opportunity to work with Match Stir event planners to actually bring the event to life – pretty cool right? So whether it’s hitting up the latest, coolest location in town for cocktails, bowling, karaoke, or a sports event – it’s all up to you! What would be your ideal singles event for Match.com?

Now that you have your idea(s), you have to tell Match.com your perfect Stir event idea!

Visit Match.com’s “What Stirs You?” Contest Page now through Tuesday May 28th, 2013 and tell Match.com what you think would make for the perfect singles event to be entered to win. Entries will be judged based on quality, creativity, uniqueness and geographical relevance.

The selected winner will have their idea re-created by the Match.com Stir Events team in their city, and will receive an invitation to attend the event along with ten of their singles friends – all at no charge! In addition, the winner will also receive a free six-month Match.com subscription.

Now that you have your thinking caps on…what would be your idea for a Stir event? Have you met someone through online dating?

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Disclaimer: As a member of Single Edition Media, I am writing this sponsored post on behalf of Match.com. I received compensation on behalf of writing and promoting about the Stir Promotion. 

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Singin’ at the ‘Cat

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Charlene Ann

Do you like Karaoke?

How about giving back to a Cleveland non-profit?

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If you answered yes to either of these questions, you should make plans for this Friday (the 17th) when I’ll be hosting Karaoke at Noodlecat, benefitting BvBCLE! My fellow Blonde teammates and coaches, as well as Team Brunette will be at The Cat, putting our pipes to the test to raise money for our upcoming flag football game.

BvBCLE – aka Blondes vs. Brunettes powder puff football – raises money for the Alzheimer’s Association in Cleveland. The game is just one way that we raise money for the Association.

You can even pay to have some of us sing (though I’m not sure you will want to hear that or not…)

You can also donate online to BvBCLE!

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Exxopolis in The CLE

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Charlene Ann

While I don’t have children (yet), Playhouse Square has done a fantastic job of introducing children to the arts and it’s something that I appreciate it. Whether it’s bringing school-age children into the theater or bringing child-appropriate musicals and plays to Playhouse Square, the non-profit really does understand the importance of arts for children today.

And this weekend families have the opportunity to expose their children, while enjoying themselves, at the Children’s Festival at Playhouse Square.

Part of this year’s festival includes Exxpolis, which I had the opportunity to attend a preview of and it was not at all what I expected. Okay, truth be told…I didn’t know what to expect! I knew this large “bounce house” looking structure looked interesting but I wasn’t sure what the exact experience would be like.

So what was it like? Think…very large…luminarium. Check it out!

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The best part? This is both for adults and children and is only $5. Every experience is different (since it’s based on natural sunlight).

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Disclosure: I was invited to a preview of Exxpolis and to hang out with fellow bloggers and some of the Playhouse Square team at Cowell and Hubbard for dinner. All opinions are my own. 

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Summertime in the City

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Charlene Ann

Yes, I’m a city girl but in the summer nothing feels, or sounds better, to me than country music. Yes, I bust out the cowboy boots at the chance to see some of my favorite country singers in concert. Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney….those are just a few that are on the must see list when they are in Cleveland.

And these songs are going to be playing on a pretty steady rotation this summer (and may already be):

Florida Georgia Line – Cruise (feat. Nelly)

Blake Shelton – Boys Round Here (feat. Pistol Annies)

Luke Bryan – Crash My Party (anything Luke Bryan makes me happy)

The Legend – George Strait – Give it All We Got

Hunter Hayes – I Want Crazy (I adore this kid)

The Band Perry – Done.

Any songs that are on your must play list this spring/summer?

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It’s Walnut Time

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Charlene Ann

A sure sign that it’s spring and summer in Cleveland is Walnut Wednesday in Downtown Cleveland.

image: downtowncleveland.com

image: downtowncleveland.com

Every Wednesday from 11-1:30pm, downtown Clevelanders gather in the NineTwelve District to eat some of the best food that Cleveland food trucks have to offer. Add in sunshine, music and friends and it’s the perfect way to celebrate the middle of the work week.

Catch some of these great food trucks: Angie’s, Dim & Den Sum, DonutLab, Fired Up Taco, Jibaro, Krav, MotorMouth Food Truck, Slangwiches Mobile Bistro, StrEat Mobile Bistro, Sweet! The Mobile Cupcakery, The Nosh Box, Touch Supper Truck, Umami Moto, Zydeco Bistro

Check out the Downtown Cleveland Alliance Facebook page to learn more and watch for more great Downtown Cleveland events!

What’s your favorite food truck? Any must-haves when you hit up the Cleveland trucks?

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A Silver Spoon

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Charlene Ann

Like Cleveland Food?

Like Cleveland Chefs?

What about giving back to a great Cleveland organization?

Then you should probably be checking out the 2013 Cleveland Magazine Silver Spoon Awards. The annual event features all of the best in Cleveland, restaurants and wine. And I always love an event with wine, let’s just be honest there. The VIP lounge will feature celebrity chefs Ben Bebenroth from Spice Kitchen + Bar and Chris Hodgson from Hodge’s Cleveland, fantastic food, speciality drinks and silent auction items.

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The annual event benefits the Arthritis Foundation, a great organization here in Cleveland that gives back to those living with arthritis.

Tickets are still on sale, and available at the door. If you haven’t yet – make sure to pick up tickets today!

Disclosure: I’m attending the Silver Spoon Awards with the Hodge’s Cleveland crew (tweeting the evening away) but was not required to blog about this event. I just think it’s a fantastic event for a great cause. 

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A Southern Vintage Wedding Weekend

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Charlene Ann

Last weekend my cousin Meagan married her love Andy in a gorgeous southern style, vintage wedding. I had the honor of being in her wedding as a bridesmaid which meant that I was able to spend ample time with some family the past couple of days.

Now on to the pictures…

Loved all of the signs leading up to the wedding site.

Loved all of the signs leading up to the wedding site.

One of the best cousins a girl could have...Seth is awesome!

One of the best cousins a girl could have…Seth is awesome!

The bridesmaids...these girls made the weekend so much fun!

The bridesmaids…these girls made the weekend so much fun!

Cheers Meagan! You were a gorgeous bride!

Cheers Meagan! You were a gorgeous bride!

 

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Real Beauty

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Charlene Ann

If you’ve been on social media at all the last few weeks, I’m sure you’ve seen people sharing the Dove Real Beauty Sketch video. Needless to say, I’m a huge fan. I loved the way it was shot, the emotional connection to the audience and how Dove is able to help show women (and men) their real beauty.

What are your thoughts on the spot/video? What do you like about yourself that maybe you wouldn’t have thought of on a day-to-day basis?

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The Best Dirty Thirty Birthday

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Charlene Ann

Turning Thirty seemed scary but with friends like mine, there was no way this weekend was going to get me down! A fun filled weekend with Cleveland sports, friends, family and drinks helped to bring in the 30’s better than I could have imagined.

The weekend was off to a great start with happy hour with coworkers, drinks with Matt and the Cavs game. It was almost like it was Matt’s birthday when he got to meet one of his favorite Clevelanders – my girl Cavs Nicole!

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After recovering from a slight hangover and after brunch with the ‘rents, I got spoiled by Ashley and her crew at Sephora. Ladies, if you ever need assistance with makeup, etc., make sure to check Ashley and her crew out. She’s one of the nicest people I know!

There was really only one place that I wanted to bring in my 30th at and that was at Hodge’s Cleveland with some of my closest friends. With Dirty 30 Martinis, new entrees on the birthday menu, laughs with Chris and a well-lit birthday cake, I couldn’t have asked or wished for anything more. Post-dinner, we made our rounds on east 4th (aka my favorite place in CLE) including the new Society Lounge. Think Velvet Tango Room in Downtown CLE. It is a perfect new location for cocktails.

Part of the group from the evening and the awesome cake Hodge and Nate hooked me up with as a surprise!

Part of the group from the evening and the awesome cake Hodge and Nate hooked me up with as a surprise!

Thanks for the day off, the delicious menu and the Dirty 30 Martini. Love ya Chris!

Thanks for the day off, the delicious menu and the Dirty 30 Martini. Love ya Chris!

Sunday, again post-hangover, I was lucky to be in the Indians Social Suite for the Tribe game against Chicago. Again, more friends, more laughs and more beer. Have you sat in the social suite before? If not, totes recommend it! There’s nothing better than a great view of Nick Swisher at one of the best stadiums in MLB.

The only thing that could have made this day better? A Tribe win!

The only thing that could have made this day better? A Tribe win!

All in all – not a bad weekend (and I even had a Monday Funday with clients/friends at the Cavs game).

And definitely the best way to bring in the Dirty 30s!

(p.s. huge hug to Matt for coming in for my 30th Bday! Cleveland was happy to have you!)

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