Amazing Weekend

I'm excited to report that my first day off in weeks did not disappoint! It's been nothing short of amazing. John and I slept in, caught up on grocery shopping at Trader Joe's, played in our last regular season football game, visited Great Lakes Brewing Company with the team, and came home to watch football while I made our favorite Chili with cornbread and Stuffed Mushrooms.

John surprised me with the leather jacket I'd become uncharacteristically obsessed with - a close-fitting asymmetrical design in gunmetal grey.

I got the idea when I saw this look on Jennifer Aniston in Switch; it looked fantastic, but I didn't think I'd be able to find, much less own, the perfect grey jacket. My sweet boyfriend proved me wrong.

Team Bob Loblaw took us to Great Lakes Brewing Company specifically to try the (in)famous Christmas Ale, which is brewed with honey, fresh ginger, and cinnamon. It manages to be delicious but not sweet or heavy. Incredible.

Great Lakes was also fun for me because it will have to be the Cleveland Brewer's replacement. Granted, it's not three blocks from my apartment, but it'll do. I felt right at home - it had a similar lower level and everything! And my fierce Mt. Vernon loyalty makes it very hard to say this, but the beer might actually be...better.

All the more reason for you to visit, folks.

Things to Try

Hello friends! I hope you're having a lovely weekend. Mine is filled with flag football (every three plays has to include a "Gender Play" -- exciting or demeaning?!) and lazy mornings. It's wonderful. And now I'm off to not-tackle anyone near me with a football.

Love,

         Lauren

Homemade granola bars as featured here.

The famous Michael Symon restaurants: Lola, Lolita, and b spot.

This independent record store, Music Saves.

Some of the books on these lists that have been sitting in my inbox for months.

Ohio's only Belgian beer bar.

Cleveland Weekend

Labor Day weekend proved to be the first time that John and I were not bogged down in unpacking obligations. Sure, we may have put off the bathroom's desperately needed finishing touches, but it was totally worth it!

Last weekend our exploring limited itself to Dewey's Pizza, a nearby restaurant that did not disappoint (Thanks, David!). I highly recommend The Billy Goat, which boasts lots of fresh veggies and goat cheese. 

My one and only friend in Cleveland is a guy who escorted me to Cairo in 2004 (best trip of my life). He happened to have a milestone birthday this weekend, and John and I went to celebrate, make new Cleveland friends, eat subs in the middle of the night, and sign up for flag football. We are super excited about football, and I promise not to shout "Yay Feminism!" every time I mess up. (Season 2, 30 Rock, Ludachristmas.)

As much as I dreaded the onset of fall, a few things this week have gotten me more excited: I get to revisit my Powderpuff Roots with the help of Shawn and his lawyer friends; our team is named Bob Loblaw; I can finally turn on the oven to make things like Maple-Roasted Chicken and Sweet Potatoes; I no longer have to gasp for breath while falling asleep in our non-air-conditioned apartment; and, I'll admit it, I got a really fun sweater that I can't wait to wear with the boots that will surely be pulled out any day now. Boots are never ever lacking in personality.

Also, my boyfriend greeted me after work with candles everywhere and homemade vegetable soup. Life is so good.