Observations

1. Rain in Brattleboro is much nicer than rain in Cleveland. It's not cold and biting, and it doesn't make you hate the day. It's sleepy and gentle and actually kind of nice.

2. I get really excited when Kashi comes out with a new cereal. I give you, Berry Blossoms! It's exactly like Captain Crunch, minus the HFCS that leaves that weird coating on your teeth....plus berry. So good.

3. The yoga studio I tried last night was a great experience. Best of all, they have a swing, and I got to hang upside down for, like, 15 minutes. Imagine all the benefits of inversion without the crazy balance and strength workout--- really nice for a change! It's just like one of those fancy inversion machines that look like Satellite Dishes at the gym, but it's just rope and a little fabric. The childhood, monkey-like nostalgia makes it even better.

4. I am very busy at Yellow Barn. There's so much to do. Everyone keeps telling me my life is about to go nuts, but I like it.

Really Good People in a Really Good Town

Hello, sweet friends.

So not having a job this week is really fun. Like I said, I've been visiting my favorite vintage and thrift shops in Cleveland "one last time," and seeing my few - this is a case of quality over quantity - good friends in town before leaving. This includes the coach of our football team Shawn, who led my trip to Cairo in 2004, and Donna, my very dear friend and mother of my good buddy Lauren.

Donna and I had lunch at Umami, meaning "delicious" in Japanese and seriously living up to its name. I had a seared Tuna and Ginger and Edamame Salad that was incredible, while looking longingly at several other things on the menu. Afterwards, we hung out at a little design studio with a very New York feel, featuring a neverending, eclectic collection of inspiring pieces. Never before have I felt a greater need for a cool loft apartment to decorate. This place is fantastic.

The reasons to re-visit Cleveland in the future are coming together in one really irresistible little pile!

three.home

Donna and I did a little style consignment style scouting - she was made for this - and then I stopped by Anne van H. to pick up moving boxes. It was such a pleasure to share the week's stories with Anne, Marilyn, Erica, and Marina that I realized I've been pretty lucky - I ended up with a job that I didn't think I wanted - but that I still want to visit when I'm done. Funny how that works, isn't it?

I'm excited about Vermont. I really am. 

But I really feel blessed to have had my life touched by Cleveland -- and people like Donna and Lauren.

Things I Love Today

Trader Joe's sells this at $2.99 for a six pack. Seriously. It could be a case of packaging over product, but...it tastes pretty good. Great for cooking because of the price (put it in your Chili - trust me). And most importantly, it recalls the infamous Beer Light Days of Baltimore Pride.

via Shelterrific

Fun Vintage shops in Cleveland.

I've been putting off packing by looking at things from the past - under the pretense of wedding shopping, of course.

Scenes from Brattleboro

John and I are getting really excited about this next phase of our lives. 

Vermont is so clear and spacious and peaceful. 

It's going to be lovely!

He has a couple of job leads and is working on applications - fingers crossed.

Yesterday was my last day of work here in Cleveland's Little Italy. It was sad to leave a couple of friends there, and my boss Anne, but I'm too excited about what's to come to be upset. We celebrated right after I clocked out with Martinis and The Little Italy Pizza at Maxi's. It was perfect.

via flickr

via chesterfieldoutdoors.com

Tuesday Loves

Lilith - France

Gorgeous little French pieces of clothing....on consignment!

Lentil Soup at the Murray Hill Market on my lunch break.

Dream Bike

Daydreaming about buying a bike off of Craigslist to take to Vermont with me.

Whirlwind Over

Although another one will begin soon...

aligned stars

After over a year of (sometimes desparate) job hunting, the stars aligned and I have an offer in Cleveland and in Vermont. I'm so grateful to actually have options. It's hard to believe after often feeling at a total loss this past year, sometimes willing to accept almost any job thrown my way. But you have a little faith and suddenly things come together: maybe your vocal cords are a little messed up, but as it turns out, eventually you can find a stable job in the industry with two voice degrees. Who knew!

So after eight months in the Midwest, it just might be time to try out another part of the country. We'll keep you posted. :-)

xo

Lauren

Crazy Week

This is me this week. On the road and even trying to look serious.



found @ Loveology



Ready, set, go:

L in Vermont

J in Ft. Wayne

J Conducts Oberlin

J Covers Cleveland Pops

L Back to Work

FGI Event @ Work

Mom and Josh visit!

The Plain Dealer Fashion Flash

Currents Spring Shoot


And meanwhile, somehow I'm doing a little wedding planning! But just a little.

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!!

A year older.

via Loveology

Dear Everyone!

I am 26 years old today. 

It's such a good age. I thought nothing could be better than 25, but now I'm not so sure.

Today is wonderful.

First of all, the best thing about Facebook is getting to hear from all of your favorites in one day! The little messages make me very happy. I feel lucky to have so many great people in my life.

My sweet fiance got up early to bring me pastries from my favorite bakery, On the Rise - truly European breads, and in today's case, Almond Croissants and an Apple Torte.

After doing some work for an orchestra here in town, John took me to lunch at my favorite Cleveland restaurant, L'abatros, also French. (Hmm) It was absolutely lovely, and we had the best Mussels and Cod that we have had in a very long time. So fresh and so perfectly cooked.

The night is young; we're off to a concert and probably a Nighttown reprise.

But the most exciting news of all ----

for my birthday I got a job offer!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures and details to come very soon.

Love!

Exciting Week Ahead!!!!

Friends,

I turn 26 this week.

What's great about that is that John has all these secret plans that he's been talking about for months! Literally since January, he's been talking about a surprise weekend getaway. He's been giving me a clue a day for a week now. So sweet. And I found the little present pictured above this morning...

Picture found here.

Actually, the next month is going to be quite a whirlwind. It goes like this: work, time with Apollo's Fire, birthday, Film Fest, Surprise Getaway, trip to Vermont, Maxwell Family Visits Cleve, modeling work with Currents, and probably a flight home late in the month to scope out wedding venues.

After that, who knows. Anything could happen.

Enjoy your week! 

Love,

         Lauren

Elephants Never Forget

The Film Festival was really exciting. First of all, I've never experienced such an artistic buzz in Cleveland. It was thrilling. (And proves Cleveland's potential!) Apparently 10,000 people came through the doors yesterday alone. Incredible.

Flora, moviestar

One Lucky Elephant was a touching story about the way humans relate with animals, presenting a circus owner who was kind enough to retire his Elephant after noticing that she no longer "enjoyed" performing. He spent quite some time looking for the perfect home for her, and encountered many struggles along the way. She was, after all, only used to human contact. The director was in attendance, and in a Q and A session made some interesting points. She said she hopes the film fits into a larger template of a growing awareness regarding the human relationship with the planet, and suggested that the human desire to capture and dominate wild animals runs parallel to a similar desire to harness the ecosystem for our own benefit. Although the film primarily showcased the beautifully moving bond between pet and owner, I left feeling incredibly saddened about killing sprees, captivity, and dominance training. Read more about Flora, my new favorite Elephant, here, and read about the NPO that supports her here. Elephants are amazing.

(We have tickets to see Surviving Hitler: A Love Story on Thursday. Can't wait!)

A ten thousand pound love story.

Doesn't this just make your heart melt? I absolutely cannot wait to see this film with my fiance (can't stop saying it!) tomorrow at the Cleveland International Film Festival! The festival started yesterday, and Cleveland is abuzz. I'm anxious to check it out.

And tonight, we'll be going to Istanbul Grill for what I'm told is "excellent Turkish comfort food."

Kabobs with Yogurt!

 We're happy that it looks like Spring here in Cleveland, even if it is 20 degrees outside. Wishing you good things like Spring Tulips, film, and Middle Eastern food....
                                                                                                      Lauren

Day Off!

A Day Off and 60 degrees in Cleveland is bliss! Herbie and I pampered ourselves, took a really long walk, explored adorable vintage shops in Chagrin Falls, and went to The Yoga Room to end up with an unexpected hour of private instruction (amazing!). 

Herbie got a much, much needed haircut at The Barkley Hotel and Day Spa, but now he looks so naked that I feel a little bit bad about it. I got my toes did, leaving me feeling prettier and officially ready for sandal weather (boldly ignoring the rumors of snow for next week). 

I hope your day was just as lovely!

xoxo.

This place is not kidding.

"I got my hair cut, it's 60 degrees, yeeeah!"

Sure sign of Spring: Little Italy's Tomato Tree is back.

Footsie wrap.

Lookin' good.

Just a Quiet Weekend

Just a quiet weekend with work on Saturday and a Sunday alone for networking, downward-dogging, visiting Target, and Herbie.

Recently I've encounted three (3!) different people who have gone entirely out of their way to be helpful. It's so refreshing. None of this my-time-is-too-sacred-to-be-wasted-on-you stuff. And I guess it's true that the first thing that struck me about Cleve was the general friendliness. And they're getting even nicer as the snow melts.

So these lovely people are helping me network in a new city - they are well-connected - and even asking me to apply for jobs. Yay for friends. Yay for connections.

John and I can't stop daydreaming about all the good things to come! 2010 brought a lot of good, but I think 2011 is going to give it a run for its money.

Cheers!

         Lauren

found on Etsy

  

Cleveland International Film Festival

Lovely Friends, 
     I've been hearing a little buzz about the Cleveland International Film Festival as of late, and I was interested - but after seeing the publication that was released today (created by a friend of mine!) and perusing the website, I am sold. 


This looks amazing. It happens to be the week of my birthday - so why not celebrate with some lovely-and-little-known pieces of cinema? Yes, please!


But now I'm overwhelmed with possibility. So many films - so many events - so little time. 


I want to see this, this, this, and this, and that's only after browsing the first three pages. 


I'm in trouble.

But he left me..for the city of *Cleveland.*

Liz Lemon says it all.

Like I said, celebrate Love however it works for you. 
Happy Anna Howard Shaw Day to us all!

Cleveland Restaurant Week

Cleveland Restaurant Week is coming up, and I don't know about you, but to me that sounds like a great excuse to visit one of the restaurants that have been on my Must-Try list for months. But it'll be a tough call.

Michael Symon's Lola? The hip fresh/local food veggie joint Crop Bistro? I mean...bowling and a vodka tasting at The Corner Alley with John sounds like a pretty good time, too.

For me it will be between Lola and Crop, dying to try both, but the list of participants is a pretty nice one. Good job, Cleve!

Crop might get my vote simply for using this photo as their website's header.

Eric @ Cleveland Yoga

So this is my favorite teacher at Cleveland Yoga. He's never fake-preachy, and he gives a nice, fast-paced workout. He's ridiculously strong, so this video doesn't scream yoga, but yoga it is. Check out his amazing float back to Chaturanga Dandasana - the upper body strength is crazy. No elephant jumps here.

Little darlin'...

The sun is shining in Cleve today. There's a soundtrack playing in my head of sun-related Beatles songs,  I've got dinner plans with my lovely boyfriend, and tomorrow's the first day off I've had in a while. Life is good.



Good Things!

The first week back in Cleve has been busy. I am attempting to figure out the next best career move, along with what location would best suit our little family. It seems that things are shifting into place, though, so we are very excited. We have a great feeling about what's to come. And I've been making exciting new friends and connections in Cleveland, which really makes it a pleasure to be here.

Sunday (off from work!) was a day with John: Spinach Frittata for brunch, a trip to Banyan Tree in Tremont (which led to the discovery of an excellent cupcake shop, A Cookie and A Cupcake, youneedtogorightnow), and hot yoga in Beachwood. Somehow I also managed to catch up with Mags and Ellen and get some writing done! I'll keep buying whatever coffee we're currently drinking.