Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Brunch for a Great Cause

Happy Hump Day all!! This week is going by too fast, and yet not fast enough. I'm SO ready for the weekend already, especially because I have really great brunch plans for Saturday. Yes, Saturday! Now Sunday is the "real" brunch day, but sometimes you don't feel like cooking for yourself on Saturday either! For this Saturday only, you could eat delicious pancakes (choice of blueberry, chocolate chip and plain) and breakfast meats (sausage! bacon!) for a whopping $12 per person. And while you're enjoying your meal, you would helping a GREAT cause: you'd be helping support two heart worm positive pups at Secondhand Mutts who are receiving treatment as they await their forever homes!


Secondhand Mutts is trying to get to 400 attendees this year, so I really hope you will consider attending. I will be volunteering at the event from 9-11, and will likely be serving food, and I would LOVE to see YOU!!!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Listening Now: The Wombats

Wow. What a weekend! I'm not exaggerating when I say I'm still recovering, although to be honest, part of that might be a result of having a sick puppy and therefore being up for most of the night letting said pup in and out of the house. Seriously, its like having a kid.

Anyway, over the past two days, I've been listening to a fun album I discovered last year - This Modern Glitch. Its by The Wombats, a band from Liverpool, England. There is just SOMETHING about their sound that makes me so happy!! I think its because some of their songs are vaguely reminiscent of 80s music! I have a bunch of faves on the album- Tokyo, Jump into The Fog, but my LATEST favorite is this song: 1996




In 1996, I was a sophmore in high-school, but in India, its the year you actually leave high school and go to "junior college" where you pick your major for the next two years- your choices are science, business, and liberal arts. I was a science major, and my biggest concern that year what how I was going to spend my extra long summer, how I was going to convince my parents to let my go to the clubs 3 nights a week and stay out past midnight, and making new friends. I skipped class a lot that year, and would end up at the movie theatre with friends where there was air-conditioning (its ok, everyone was doing it).

Where were you in 1996??


Thursday, January 19, 2012

Jump Back Ball: Discount Code and More outfit ideas

So, I've been waiting to do this post ever since I first heard about the Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass theme for Jump Back Ball. Perhaps you've taken a look at my outfit ideas and want to embellish them a little, or perhaps you already have an outfit, and are looking for a little something to add to it- something that reflects this incredible theme. Well, what better way to interpret the theme, and make a head-turning entrance, than with a fabulous hat?!?!



Top row: Red wool fascinator, Queen of Hearts mini top hat,  Custom Mad Hatter hat
Bottom row: House of Cards fascinator, Lace Bunny Ears, Classic mini Mad Hatter

I will hopefully be wearing a fascinator. I say "hopefully" because it all depends on how my hair ends up that day!!

In any case, I really hope I see you at Jump Back Ball this year! It is SUCH a fun event, and supports such a great cause that you REALLY should consider attending. If you haven't bought your ticket yet, I have good news!! For ONE DAY ONLY on Friday January 20, 2012, you can purchase your Jump Back Ball ticket for $165 (a $5 discount from the original price), AND NO HANDLING FEES. The promo code is LURVE. There is a limit of 4 tickets per order, and is valid ONLINE only. Tickets may be purchased by using THIS link.

In addition to all the fabulous Cleveland party people, there will be plenty of delicious nibbles and drink-worthy beverages (I really hope they do a special shot named "Drink Me"), and of course fabulous bands: This year's bands are Radioactive and Tricky Dick and the Coverups! Can't wait to see you there!!!

Disclosure: I received two VIP tickets to Jump Back Ball in exchange for blogging about the event. As always, all opinions are my own!! 

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Designing my Home: The bedroom


So, N and I have lived in our "new" place for almost two years. It may surprise you to know that its taken me this long (and lots of Pinterest inspiration) to finally make some decisions on how I want to decorate our bedroom. Our walls are a grayish brown, and this time, N let me pick the rest of our colors!! Although, I'm not sure he was quite prepared for this:



Organic Cotton pintuck duvet cover in Light Amethyst, courtesy West Elm

So I've decided that our bedroom is going to be in shades of purple and white!!  The duvet cover and our new down comforter (Thanks Mom and Dad for our Christmas present) arrived late last week. Wow. It is SO ridiculously comfortable, that I've not only been sleeping like a baby, but I've been finding it even harder than normal to wake up in the morning!! ACK!! Unintended side effects. LOL. Seriously though, I absolutely LUUURRVEE our new bedding! Now I can't wait to tackle other rooms in our house!!

What's your next re-design project? 

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Listening Now: Starry Eyed

Today's Tuesday Tune is a special song for my friend Allison, who is celebrating her 29th birthday tomorrow. Allison and I finally met in person in late 2010/early 2011, and I can't believe we didn't meet sooner. We have very similar taste: we LOVE shopping and fabulous parties, are obsessed with sparkles, and really enjoy pop music. Besides Lady Gaga, Ellie Goulding is one of the first artists we discussed, so in honor of her birthday, today's Tuesday Tune is the first Ellie Goulding song I ever heard back in 2010- Starry Eyed. I adore this song- it makes me want to turn the volume up and jump around. Also, for the record, Ellie did a private performance at Will and Kate's wedding last year. So clearly, she's no slouch.

ENJOY!!!

 

 And Allison, you know that if Ellie ever comes to Cleveland, we are SO going to that concert together!!  Hope you have a magical birthday!!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Jump Back Ball- How will you wear the theme?

Are you as excited about Jump Back Ball as I am? This year's event is coming up so fast, and I for one, can't wait!! As I've mentioned before,  its some of the best people watching around, and I can't wait to see what everyone wears!!  There really are no rules- cocktail attire is appropriate, but I really hope that women don't take their cues from last night's Golden Globe awards. BOOOORRRINNGGG. Nude dress after nude dress, with far too few flashes of color, the predominant one being blue. I just want to point out that I wore blue at New Year's Eve, so I'm patting myself on the back for effectively being ahead of the trend. LOL


Besides going with a cocktail dress, I thought I might highlight some ways to "wear" this year's Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass theme with a few dress options.

1. Tweedledum and Tweedledee






2. Queen of Hearts




3. White Rabbit





4. And of course, Alice




If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, there is still time, although tickets are selling fast. I will also have a very special discount code for my readers later this week, so stay tuned!!! 


I'm not planning to wear any of the outfits above (I already have mine), but if you're looking for something to wear and are stumped, feel free to click through the links and get any one of these- with the exception of the white sparkly one (which is around $225), the other dresses are all under $200. 

Disclosure: I'm receiving two tickets to Jump Back Ball in exchange for blogging about the event. As always, all opinions are my own. 

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Tuesday Tunes: Turns out I have a "thing" for Irish bands

For the second week in a row, this week's Tuesday Tunes is an Irish band! It must be those foxy accents or the fact that I love their lead singer's name (Gary Lightbody), but I'm OBSESSED. The object of this week's obsession is Snow Patrol, who just released a new album TODAY!!! I've been listening to it on repeat all day (obviously), and I'm yet to decide which song I like best.

Snow Patrol should not be new to you- I'm pretty sure they've been on Grey's Anatomy/Gossip Girl-type shows (you know, dramatic, lots of songs), and one of their songs played on the TV previews for the movie Dear John. If you're not into the sappy, don't let these instances turn you off- they throw around a few F-bombs too. Without further ado, I bring you the first song that I listened to (and downloaded in advance of the album), Called Out in the Dark



S

So, in conjunction with their new album, Snow Patrol will be touring the U.S. this Spring/Summer. And although they're going to most of the major cities, Cleveland is sadly not one of them. SO MUCH SADNESS!!!!! However, if you're in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Chicago, or any of the other cities on their tour, make sure you catch them live!! And then let me know of the awesome time I'm missing...

Monday, January 9, 2012

A Weekend Spent Eating Well in CLE

Wow, so much for being on a "diet". Lucky for me, that was NOT one of my New Year's Resolutions, although I am trying to generally just eat healthier. Didn't particularly accomplish that this weekend, but considering how AMAZING my dinner's were, I don't even care.

Friday night, N and I headed out to Crop to celebrate JV's Birthday!! Also in attendance were Allison, Alexa, Tiff, Tim, and Michelle.  I can't say enough good things about this meal- the food was really really good, and the staff at Crop were so incredibly accommodating and kind- they really took excellent care of us. Along with the libations and laughter flowing freely at the table, it made for an absolutely WONDERFUL evening.


CLE cuties: Tiff, JV and Allison



My amazing figs with goat cheese, and the incredible dessert bonanza they brought out for us to share. The chocolate cake-thing in the very back was DIVINE, and I LUUURRVVEED the waffles and berries. 

Then, Saturday night, N and I went to dinner with Wes and Danielle at Dante in Tremont.  While the decor is not particularly one of my favorites, I absolutely LUUURRRVVEEEE the food. I cannot gush enough about the pasta carbonara (TO. DIE. FOR), which I get absolutely EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. I go there. My favorite part is that you can get tastings of the pasta dishes, which is about a cup of cooked pasta- a perfect serving, and one that doesn't make you feel like you're about to go into a carb coma. A must if you have plans after. Unfortunately, we were all so hungry when we got there, that we did the whole "eyes-bigger-than-stomach" thing, and ordered waaaaayyyy too much. Needless to say, I had some SUPER yummy leftovers the next day!!

I love these little culinary weekends in Cleveland, as much as my jeans don't!! 

What restaurant's are you looking to try in 2012? I know Bite Buff has a pretty awesome list to discover in her "Year of Fun"- which ones would you add? ( I LURVE Marotta's btw- super cute, cozy and incredibly romantic!). 

Sunday, January 8, 2012

My TV obsession - Downton Abbey

I only have a short time until Season 2 begins, so I'm going to get straight to the point. DOWNTON ABBEY. If you're not watching this show, you are seriously missing out. I watched Season 1 via Amazon Prime late last year, and I was instantly hooked. Its a British period piece, set in a fictional town in Yorkshire. The series follows the story of the aristocratic Crawley family, including their household staff. It's so interesting to see the difference in lifestyle between the upstairs of the house and the downstairs (servants quarters), but both are filled with drama and intrigue. This show has everything- compelling story, great cast (including the awesome awesome Maggie Smith), drama, war, period costumes, family intrigue, star-crossed lovers, social change-- EVERYTHING!! Did I mention its part of the Masterpiece Classic on PBS, so you can feel intellectually superior as you watch it?




Just look at these costumes!!!! So glamorous, and people even got dressed for dinner at home!!! In the meantime, I will be watching in my PJs. The complete opposite of glamor. It happens...

Season 2 begins tonight on PBS at 9:00 pm EST. 

Thursday, January 5, 2012

A *new* bangle contest winner

So, unfortunately the original winner of my bangle contest did not contact me yesterday. SO, I had to pick another winner, and this time, the winner, as chosen by random.org, is #3,

HEATHER!!!

Heather, please email me at cleshopaholic@gmail.com with your full name, mailing address and email address by 5:00 pm on Friday, January 6th, and I will make sure you get your bangles!!!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Twin Laptops

So when I made my big Black Friday purchase last year, I ended up buying a MacBook. The EXACT same one that N has too. Needless to say, I have accidentally picked up his computer more than once. Sick of this inconvenience (first world problems, I know), I decided to get a decal for my new baby. And what would be more appropriate than paying homage to our fabulous city of Cleveland??



There she is!! My lovely Cleveland skyline decal courtesy urbandecal on etsy!!! Its really easy to transfer, and comes in a bunch of colors. So if you have matching laptops, or iPads or even if you just want a decal of CLE (or any other city- there's a decent selection), check out the urban decal store on etsy! In case you're wondering, now N wants one too, although I think he's going to get his in white.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Listening Now: Two Door Cinema Club

I can't believe its taken me this long to bring you this band, considering how much I enjoy them!! Hailing from Northern Ireland, Two Door Cinema Club released their first album "Tourist History" in early-2010. I didn't learn about them until late 2010, and took a listen based on a recommendation from a friend.

WOW! This band is so ridiculously catchy that I immediately found myself wanting to buy the album! Apparently, I wasn't the only one, since Two Door Cinema Club has been winning all sorts of awards in Europe and even played at Coachella and Lollapalooza last year! I was lucky enough to see them at The Beachland Ballroom last fall, and they were SO.MUCH.FUN!! The concert is basically just the band, singing in front of pretty basic set- just a lot of BIG lights that pulsate with the music. It's a great effect, one that I think works best at a small venue like Beachland. That said, I'm pretty sure the next time they're here, they'll probably be at a larger venue, which may not be a bad thing either!!

So, here for your Tuesday Tune, is MY favorite TDCC song- Undercover Martyn. If you have Sirius XM, it may sound familiar to you-- they've been playing this for a little while now. ENJOY!!!

 

Monday, January 2, 2012

A Great Look to Start 2012

So I spent NewYear's Eve at a wedding. Double the need to come up with a TRULY fabulous outfit. And what better way to go fabulous inexpensively, than Rent the Runway! I had used RTR before, my had an odd case of reverse body dysmorphia, and picked a dress, that quite frankly, looked like sausage casing. Luckily, since then, I've discovered the true shape of my body, and picked a dress that was absolutely perfect: the Badgley Mischka draped dream dress, pictured here.




Sadly, I don't think I have a picture of me standing in the dress, but it was absolutely gorgeous on, and I felt like a princess!! Incidentally, if you want to rent your own dress, say for Jump Back Ball, use the RTR link above. In any case, here are some pictures from the wedding (you may have seen them already on Twitter/Instagram, so I apologize).









I will offer you one warning about RTR: it is possible that despite reading the reviews, and carefully picking your outfit, you may not like your dress. Therefore, always make sure you have a back-up that you are satisfied with, so as to avoid last minute wardrobe-induced panic!!!!

Bangle Winner!!

First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Hope 2012 is a SUPER SPARKLY YEAR for you all. And now, for the winner, of the sparkly bangles (as chosen my random.org)

Moonshyne4all!!

Please email me at cleshopaholic@gmail.com, with your name, email, and mailing address by the end of day on January 4th, so I can have the bangles mailed out to you!!!