Baltimore Nuptials

Megan and Rob are married!

I went back to Baltimore this weekend to celebrate their now official life together. They throw an incredible party, which will surprise absolutely no one who knows them. The wedding was at Gutierrez Studios, an industrial venue that's like a really giant, fancy woodshop. There are tools everywhere. But not in a bad way. It added to the charm and kept everything feeling laid back. The ceremony had more laughter than any I've ever seen, a little bit of quintessential Meg and Rob and their reminder never to take anything too seriously. It was also super sweet, because what's a wedding without some botched eyeliner and smudgy mascara?

Throw in a giant red cake in the shape of a crab, a little potted succulent on each table, and amazing music, and suddenly you have the perfect party.

Oh, and really good call on the kimchi. Every wedding guest should be so lucky.

Megan, Rob, congratulations and happily ever after! I'll be back soon to camp on your roof.

Happy

Here's what's making me happy this month:

Green Mountain Orchards

1. It's Blueberry season in Vermont. It's incredible. Every day for breakfast, I have the biggest, sweetest Blueberries I've ever tasted.

2. My fiance. He is amazing. He covers for me in my office at times when he knows I need a break, taking away from his own time to study music. He makes me want to marry him more every day.

3. Lisa Kang and Jason Kim. Helping me squeeze social activity into my summer schedule. Although I  moved from Baltimore, I'm still making friends there and want it to be home.

4. Herbie. He has always been a hugger, but these days he's even more inclined to cuddle when I get home from work. 

5. This 5 inch orange sherbet colored butterfly.

                                  xoxo,

                                             Lauren

Baltimore Recharge

VC Vintage

My heart longs for Baltimore.

First of all, my fiance and my friends are amazing. Friday night was a whirlwind of fancy dress, the Helmand (best ever), and a surprise triple party - the lovely Patrick's birthday, my birthday, and our engagement. Champagne was flowing, and some of the best people I know were there. Absolutely perfect.

Big, huge thanks to Megan for knowing how to throw one hell of a party. Her blogging partner Lauren deserves a thank you, too, for making the best truffles I've ever had. When they open their bakery/bar/cupcake/coffee shop/whatever it's going to be, I'm going back to Baltimore to move in above their shop and be that girl who's always there. It's decided.

Baltimore has style. Cleveland doesn't. I tried to find it in Cleveland, but it's just...lacking. The East Coast buzz is calling my name. Cleveland's attitude is way different, and you can feel it, especially on a Friday night at a "hip restaurant." And until we figure out our next stop, an East Coast weekend here and there will just have to do the trick.

Saturday was for more friends and Hampden. Although I'm back in Cleve now, I'm already plotting my next visit. John I would be totally fine with finding great jobs there and...

Thank you, everyone, for being so wonderful. Hugs all around!!

In the words of Jessie Spano...

...I'm so excited.

John surprised me with a trip to Baltimore for my birthday. It's incredibly sweet. He emailed all my friends a couple of months ago and managed to keep it a secret. I absolutely cannot wait!

I adore Baltimore - the first city I fell in love with - the city where I grew up - the city that's way underrated and really freaking cool.

On the Docket...

Friends!!!!!! Leaving Baltimore was hard. I distinctly remember losing it after saying goodbye to Paul and Rafi as I bought my last coffee at Donna's. Now we'll make up for lost time - oh yes!!!

Woodberry Kitchen This restaurant alone is worth a trip to Baltimore. No, really.

Mi Viejo Peublito Authentic tamales and mole, omg.

Hampden Favorite hangout/afternoon shopping/thrifting alone or with friends spot for two years.

I don't even know what else. I'm so excited. Mostly, I get to see a lot of my very favorite people. Ahhhh!

See you Monday!

        Lauren

Birthday Snow!?
Poor little Spring blooms I spotted yesterday.

f1nneran

While in Baltimore, I searched for local jewelry artists to buy gifts for friends, and f1nneran is one that I've used several times. She keeps me coming back. 

She also offers great customer service; she once sent me free (adorable) earrings when I had to wait a little too long for my order!

For my best friends - 3 peas in a pod.

If John gave me this, I would melt on the spot.

Just to be romantic, the other disc says the same en Francais.

So very sweet.

For my much-loved, cat-rescuing aunt.

Cheers!

The West Side Market

I made it to The West Side Market today, Cleveland's "oldest and most trusted market," operating since 1840. It lived up to its reputation, to say the least!

There were two long, open corridors full of fresh fruits and veggies, and the sellers were offering good prices and a willingness to barter ("Deal on anything for pretty girls!"). The indoor section featured dairy stands, specialty meat stands, and everything in between. I can't imagine not finding anything and everything I could possibly want. In fact, it reminded me very much of Lexington Market in Baltimore, but it was cleaner, bigger, and much, much friendlier. I'm a fan. Here are some pictures. Enjoy!

Friendly Neighborhood Yoga

My Baltimore yoga life consisted of at-home Rodney Yee dvds and the community ($6!) classes at Charm City Yoga, mostly (very) Hot Vinyasa, made even hotter by the crowded class's incessant popularity. I dabbled in the community Hatha and Rock and Roll, but I found Hot Vinyasa to be most addictive. Although I, to put it lightly, got my ass kicked every single time, I found the energy, the heat, and the yogis around me doing headstands and handstands at the drop of a hat exhilarating.

I've been hoping to find something similar in Cleveland, but I decided to try a studio right around the corner from home located on Murray Hill RD. in a peaceful little collection of galleries. What I discovered was a much smaller operation than Charm City's; it's called The Yoga Room, and named appropriately, the studio is one big, open room with hardwood floors and lots of natural light.

The smaller size allows for personal adjustments, and I love my teacher! I decided a long time ago that prenatal yoga would be crucial for me, and this lady is very pregnant and still teaching a challenging class. She is also a great Savasana leader, with a very kind spirit and grounded spirituality. She even rubbed essential oils on our shoulders, necks, and faces one day, at which point she earned my unwavering devotion.

The pace is slower for sure, but it's working well for me right now. I think it fits the current state of my life, because while most of my energy goes to job interviews and music/PhD questions, their Vinyasa Flow seems to be just what I need.

The Cedar Lee

I've managed to find Cleveland's equivalent to The Charles. It's not far from my house, and I was excited to locate a nearby venue for hard-to-find films. I think we can all agree that the charm of The Charles is hard to beat. The Cedar Lee offers a nice film selection, but beyond its sign, there's little in the way of independent quirk. The theaters and screens are very small, and they missed the memo about the big open lobby with tiny fairy lights. On the plus side, they're credit card friendly, and having cash to go to The Charles was always a challenge. (Or have they finally joined us in the 21st?)

But there's good news to go with the bad: I was surprised to be charged only $5 for an evening show! God bless Bargain Mondays. You better believe next time I'll forgo dinner in anticipation of a free medium drink with my medium popcorn.

Some of the best and worst films I've ever seen have been at The Charles (Coco & Igor was, unfortunately, the most horrible of all.), and I think I'll be spending my fair share of time at The Cedar Lee. It will surely grow on me. After all, my expectations might be unfair - every theater probably can't have abundant sangria flowing into its entryway via an attached Tapas Teatro. So until I can make it back home, The Kids are All Right at Cedar Lee with one-dollar-off-candy will be just fine.

A Bucket List

Leaving Baltimore is like leaving that boyfriend you know you can't marry. He's good to you, he's fun, and a little part of you wants to stay forever. On the other hand, you can no longer ignore how much you need a freaking change.

After the end of the rope presented itself so clearly, I was left with about four weeks to make the most of Maryland life. A list of things that must be squeezed in before going to Cleveland soon materialized:

1. The BMA - one last time with that pine foresty Klimt.
2. The Helmand - John clearly has to try it, and I need the roasted pumpkin appetizer to linger on my tongue for as long as possible.
3. Hampden - Fare thee well, Red Tree.
4. Woodberry Kitchen - This has been on my to-do list for an embarrassing length of time. It simply has to happen.
5. The Book Thing - Megan told me about it. You get free books!

So far, I've only completed numbers one and three. But with five days left, I remain optimistic. I refuse to (and I mean I will not) leave this city without spending some time with Woodberry's Cocktail Menu, which offers, among other things, a drink called the Farmer's Daughter, boasting organic cucumber vodka, watermelon and cucumber juice, fresh mint, lemon, and organic agave. My post-dinner drink will be something slightly more expected: the Manhampden (clever.), an old-style Manhattan citing Maryland-style rye as its secret ingredient.

A Mad Men premiere party, a trip to Hershey Park, and a "like the good old days" bar hop in Fell's are also on the agenda. Spending every waking moment with my friends has taken precedence over packing my apartment. There may be a time on Saturday when I curse myself for this decision, but it doesn't really matter. The truck will get loaded far too soon. Rooftop pool, anyone?

"The Greatest City in America"

My past three years in Mt. Vernon have been filled with good music, good friends, and good food. That's all I need, really.

I got a Master's degree. I got a dog. I got a job (kind of). Things are happy.

Enter John Young Shik Concklin, who happens to be starting a degree in Cleveland in the fall. Throw in a potential PhD in musicology, a string of serendipitous emails from Oberlin and Case Western, and a smoldering Mid-Atlantic heat wave, and suddenly I'm on my way to Ohio, too.

It doesn't hurt one bit that I'll be saving about $600 a month in living costs.

Friends have been the perfect mix of sad and supportive. Their best piece of advice? To watch the 30 Rock episode about Cleveland immediately. Along with a cheerful montage of the city, I was awarded yet another fitting mantra from Jack Donaghy: "For God's sakes Lemon!, we'd all like to flee to The Cleve."

So, following enthusiastically in the footsteps of Liz and Floyd, John and I are on our way. We'll stop at the same hot dog stand, we'll find a nice apartment, and yes - we'll keep you posted.