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long weekend, big plans!

May 22, 2015 by Rachel 1 Comment

We have been busy busy bees as of late. But we’ve also managed to sneak in weekend naps and late PJ mornings on the weekends as much as possible.

This weekend, however, may be the exact opposite. There are so many exciting things going on and I’m going to try and squeeze in as many as possible! If you’re in Northeast Ohio, I hope you’ll check some of these out! Maybe I’ll even see you there?!

For The Fitness Fanatics  //

  • Community Yoga  //  lululemon athletica Akron Showroom  // Free  // Saturday, 9 am – 10 am
    A free all-levels class for the local yogis! Arrive a few minutes early, bring a mat and some water!
  • SUP Yoga  // Portage Lakes, Release Yoga  // $33  // Saturday, 9 am – 10:30 am
    This is the second year that Release Yoga has offered a weekly SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) Yoga class! What a fun and unique way to get a workout in! Pre-registration is required here.
    supyoga
  • Northcoast 5k  // Kent  //  $30  //  Saturday, 9:30 am
    If you’re looking to fit in a fun run this weekend, head to Kent and squeeze in a quick 5k! Awards take place post-race at the Water Street Tavern where finishers enjoy a free beer (21 and over, of course!), a $2 happy hour until 9 pm, and admission into the NPC Northcoast Championship Fitness Show, which is taking place on KSU’s campus! Register here!

For The Locavores + Craft Show Lovers  //

  • Crafty Mart  //  Thirsty Dog Brewing Company  //  Free  //  Saturday, 11 am – 5 pm
    Head down to Akron’s own favorite brewery for live music, crafty finds from incredible vendors, food, and brews! These events bring everything wonderful about Akron to one central location and one time! If you haven’t been, I highly recommend stopping by! More information can be found via the Facebook event page!

craftymart

  • Sunday Market  //  Hingetown, Cleveland  //  Free  //  Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm
    The Cleveland Flea Hingetown Market is back! And the focus is brunch! I’m incredibly excited to visit one of my favorite little places, Hingetown, for the second year of their Sunday Markets!

sundaymarket
For the All-American  //

  • Vicious Cycle, a Lynyrd Skynyrd Cover Band  //  Lock 3, Akron  //  Free  //  Friday, 7 pm
    The Friday night concert series at Lock 3 is back and if rocking out with a lot of other people is your thing, then this is for you. Bonus? Free parking and lots of bars and restaurants within walking distance.
  • Marc’s Great American Rib Cook Off  //  Jacob’s Pavilion, Cleveland  //  $8  //  Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 12 pm – 11 pm, Monday, 12 pm – 8 pm
    Lots of options for BBQ, beer, and music. Kids 12 and under are free! You can find more info here.

However you choose to spend your long weekend, I hope you spend it surrounded by family and friends!

Filed Under: #GetFit, #SweatPink, Akron, beer, cleveland, Cleveland Flea, crafty, crunchy granola, events, explore locally, fitness, Flea Market Fun, food, fun, goodies, life, links, live happy, Lululemon, Ohio, plans, running, summer, weekend, yoga, yum Tagged With: akron, celebration, cleveland, crafty, events, explore locally, fitness, food, foodie, life, local, ohio, running, weekend, yoga

better late than never // our weekend wrap up

April 29, 2015 by Rachel Leave a Comment

Friday  // 

My BFF from high school, Carli, moved down to Akron over a year ago. As mucha s we SAY we’re going to get together now that we’re living down the street from each other, we just haven’t been able to as much as we’d like. ‘Cause life happens, y’all. But Friday night we had a date! We planned on hitting up The Office Bistro for a glass of wine and dinner, but the hostess was incredibly rude so we just left. (Note: this is not my typical experience at this restaurant; but her attitude completely justifies us leaving without a second glance).

I told Carli that I had had great experiences with Craft Beer Bar, right next door. Sure there was beer (hey, Bodhi!); but there was also an incredible spread of food.

I will say, Shawn and Dustin did not disappoint! Dustin was insistent that we try some of their new menu items and pretty much force-fed us. Ha! The potato pancakes (in the upper left hand corner) are not yet on the menu, so we were lucky to get a “sneak peak.” And they were delicious! As soon as we were completely full, thanks to the Bacon Queso (upper right), Poutine (lower right), and the Mac and Cheese (lower left), Dustin came out with yet another surprise — an orange creamsicle ice cream sandwich. I honestly don’t know the menu name for this dessert yet because I was in a serious food coma by the time it came out.

weekend2
While we were out I got a call from my husband that he had a work emergency, so I quickly rolled home — ha! — so that he could run out to Cleveland for a night of work. Unfortunately, he was out ALL night and didn’t get home until 6am. I swear if we didn’t have events scheduled for Saturday, my poor husband wouldn’t have gotten out of bed. And I don’t blame him one bit.

Saturday //

We had a bit of a lazy morning. Between Chad working all night and Moosh sleeping in bed with me, we were all kind of exhausted. We did manage to make it to Crafty Mart, a local artisan and maker show located in downtown Akron, in time for Chad to go to a kombucha-making workshop with the Bearded Buch!

weekend3
We’ve been fans of the Bearded Buch for a while now; and Chad has been itching to make his own Kombucha at home; so a workshop with the ‘buch guru himself?! Hecks yes!

While Chad was in his workshop, Moosh and I walked around Crafty Mart where the first stop was the Akron Art Museum! The art museum is one of my favorite places in Akron, so the fact that they open their doors for these local vendors to showcase their craft just is that much more awesome.

But it was definitely one of the most popular Crafty Mart locations. And my dearest, dearest, Crafty Mart — as a patron, the one piece of advice I would give you is that as this event grows (which it has!), please locate this event in one single location! 🙂

weekend5
But one of Mooshie’s fave places is the Akron Art Museum. He ADORES this place. We bought a few things and headed over to Musica, a local music venue. Musica. Oh dear Musica. You are a beautiful location. I would love to see a show at this venue. Scratch that. My early 20-something-year-old self would love to go to a Taking Back Sunday show at your venue. Cause this gal finds herself in PJs by 6pm these days, let’s be real.

I didn’t get any pictures at Musica because it was way too crowded. Way too many vendors in such a tiny space. I think this does the vendors a disservice because people, such as myself, aren’t lingering nearly as long because they are getting quite claustrophobic. After one purchase, we popped out into the alley for some air.

weekend4
Post-Musica, we ended up at Summit Artspace. It’s a little “off-the-beaten-path,” that’s for sure. It’s a spot I’d heard of in passing, but I didn’t really KNOW what it was.

Apparently this spot is one of Akron’s best kept art secrets. I’ve likely heard of it in passing, but I had no idea that it was a space where local artists have their own little ‘shops’ inside to showcase their art. It’s fantastic to have this, but sad that I had no idea it existed up until this point.

But back to the art and the vendors… I was majorly impressed with the fact that this space was a bit more open. Plus, they borrowed an idea from the way the Cleveland Flea is set up and had vendors on one floor and food and drinks on another (just like the last holiday flea). A HUGE thank you to Nuevo (remember that amazing mod mex restaurant we went to for our anniversary??) for providing tacos á la carte (along with amazeballs guacamole and homemade chips!), Thirsty Dog for the beer, and Stray Dog Cart for the ‘dogs and the (free for kids!) cannolis!

weekend6
This is exactly what we needed to ‘rest’ until we were ready to do more shopping. I hope next time there are even more food/beverages available.

After Chad was done with his Kombucha workshop I took a terrarium workshop with Land Of Plenty. It turned out beautifully and wasn’t nearly as difficult as I imagined it would be!

weekend1
Sunday  // 

I was supposed to go to an event in the early afternoon, but after such a busy busy Saturday and severe lack of sleep, I decided to stay at home with my boys and get things done instead. It was just what we needed. <3 Sometimes you’ve just gotta listen to your body/family. 🙂

It was a wonderful weekend, but unfortunately our week has begun with a sick Moosh, hence the not getting this post up until mid-week! Sigh. Blog fail; parenting win.

The next weekend is just around the corner…

Filed Under: Akron, Ari Davis, cleveland, coffee, crafty, creative, crunchy granola, cupcakes, desserts, domesticity, drinks, events, explore locally, family, food, fun, girls nite, goodies, life, life with a toddler, links, live happy, love, marriage, mommyhood, Moosh, Ohio, parenthood, pictures, weekend Tagged With: akron, ari davis, being a mom, celebration, children, cleveland, coffee, crafty, domesticity, dude mom, events, explore locally, family, food, foodie, friends, fun, goodies, kids, life, life with a toddler, Live Happy, local, motherhood, night out, ohio, parenthood, pictures, weekend

and the coffee addiction grows.

April 15, 2015 by Rachel 1 Comment

I’ve been a self-proclaimed coffee addict since college. That lovely aroma of roasted beans brings me right back to those moments of studying for exams and rushing between class and work. Isn’t that how it starts for everyone?? Just trying to survive and stay awake for those critical moments?

Well, since then my taste in coffee has not gotten any less costly. In fact, my desire for good coffee gets stronger and stronger — pun intended. I’ve gone from traditional coffee pots, but I’m the only coffee drinker in the home, so for some mornings — the quick ones — it was useless to make a whole pot if it was going to go to waste. So I ‘traded up’ to a Keurig. Sometime last year my parents gave me the gift of Starbucks lattés at home in the form of a Verismo system. Life-changing! But still? Expensive. As a four-shot latté connoisseur, these at-home drinks can still be costly.

Enter my newest coffee toy: The French Press. Specifically this beautiful François et Mimi Vintage Double-Walled French Press! This beauty brews 34-ounces of strong, bitter, and caffeinated deliciousness!

francoisetmimivintage
I have to say that this french press came with fairly vague instructions. However, a quick “how do I use a french press?” YouTube search produced stellar instructions from a barista! Saved my day! I would have been pumping away at that French press… but it turns out, you’re not supposed to do that. Ha!

Getting the French press gave me a reason to buy fresh ground coffee from Starbucks; their Tribute Blend did the trick! I put about 6 heaping scoops of coffee grounds into the bottom of the press. Then I covered the grounds with boiling water and let it sit for 30-seconds. Then I added boiling water until just two-inches from the top of the press and let it steep for 5 minutes. And then I slowly pressed down on the plunger until I reached the grounds. Per the YouTube video, I poured the freshly-brewed coffee into a decanter so it wouldn’t remain with the grounds and continue to brew.

frenchpress_itsahero
The coffee was STRONG — which I LOVE! I loved how dark and strong the coffee was. The bitterness of a French press is not for everyone; but for someone who likes to drink their strong coffee sans cream and sugar, this is the perfect way to brew!

Bonus? This press not only keeps your coffee hot, but it’s dishwasher safe (!!!!)! Hello, MOMS! This is a major, major plus! Considering the two chores that need to be done daily are: 1. laundry; and 2. dishes!

Coffee snobs — I know the pour-over is another fan-fave! But how do you like to brew your coffee?

 

Disclosure: I was selected to receive a Francois et Mimi French Press for my honest opinion and review of this product. The content and opinions expressed here are all my own. Thank you to Francois et Mimi and Tomoson for sponsoring this post. 

Filed Under: coffee, cooking, drinks, food, goodies, links, pictures, review, social media, sponsor Tagged With: coffee, drinks, food, foodie, goodies, lets cook!, links, review, social media, sponsor

Saturday Randoms //

September 13, 2014 by Rachel Leave a Comment

I was included as part of Dude Mom, Amanda’s, blog post on Everyday Family about Dude Mom Life! A subject near and dear to my dude mom heart!

dudemomlife break1 Today is my sisters Bachelorette Party in Columbus! Crazyness and sillyness is sure to ensue. We’re going to start by hitting up The Candle Lab in the Short North, followed by lunch, and then a bar crawl! Can you say Bodhi!? Yayyyy!

break1

My AMRAP Bars giveaway is still going for the next couple of days. There are THREE chances to win! So go enter. Now!

AMRAP Nutrition Logo-Grey

break1
What’s Next? CLE has officially announced and launched a Bike Sharing program in Cleveland! There are currently 5 pickup/dropoff locations. Could not be more excited for CLE to hop on the bike-sharing train that other cities (cough-cough — Columbus) have been on for ages!

break1
Yesterday I took Moosh to the Cheesecake Factory for a Mommy-Moosh lunch date. We had a great time… until we left and got into a fender bender. We’re completely fine, but I’m shaken up. I have a nearly spotless driving record and I’m most upset that I will likely (though incorrectly) be determined at fault. Ugh.

break1
A week or so ago a local woman was attacked and raped during her morning run around Cleveland. She survived and her assault was captured on a local traffic camera. Her attacker is still at large. And the local running community is rallying in support. Locals can come out and run in support next Friday for #TakeBackTheRun. If you can’t make it and just want to support the victim & the Cleveland Rape Crisis Fund.

takebacktherun

Filed Under: giveaway, life, links, Moosh Tagged With: giveaway, life, links, motherhood

Saturday (or Sunday at this point) Randoms //

March 9, 2014 by Rachel Leave a Comment

  • My days with #ToddlerAri (formerly #BabyAri) have been jam-packed with awesome. One of our favorite things to do is to hit up whatever fun, free, local event is happening! This week we visited the Akron Art Museum (again) for their Free Thursday event

artmuseum1

artmuseum2

  • I cannot wait for farmers’ market season to start! I miss getting fresh fruits + veggies, locally sourced, in a fun outdoor environment!
  • There are TWO posts you should see right this very second:
    1. The Cleveland Home + Remodeling Expo ticket giveaway.
    2. My post on the Pretty Muddy blog about running dirty + eating clean!
  • This post from West Coast Mama blog about struggling to stay positive in the day-to-day mundane of life is such a great reminder for all of us. I’ve been keeping a gratitude journal since the beginning of the year. Each day I write something, regardless of how simple and unthrilling it is, down in my ‘gratitude’ notebook. But sometimes it’s just hard. #BeGrateful, y’all.

positive_be_the_type_of_person

Filed Under: Akron, Ari Davis, bloggers, deals, explore locally, fun, giveaway, life, links, mommyhood, Ohio, parenthood, random, Team Pretty Muddy Tagged With: akron, ari davis, bloggers, explore locally, family, giveaway, oh baby, ohio, pictures, random, Team Pretty Muddy

link love //

January 11, 2014 by Rachel 2 Comments

I’ve stumbled across a few new faves recently and they are completely worth a share!

  • Krystyn, long-time blog friend from Really, Are You Serious? recently had her FOURTH baby (!!) girl in a completely unexpected way — an unexpected homebirth! Ever since Ari was born and I had to share his crazy ass birth story, I’ve looooved birth stories! Bs-very-first-picture
  • 20 Things To Let Go Of Before The New Year on Mind Body Green. I realize that now we are well into our 2nd week of 2014, but a lot of these lists are shuffled around the interwebs at the end of the year. And it often takes me a bit of time to really, truly, soak it all in!
  • Brad Pitt’s completely raw love-letter to Angelina Jolie. The day I read this, I definitely needed it.

1320767645_brad-pitt-angelina-jolie-467

  • This video is HILARIOUS! As a HUGE Beauty + The Beast fan,

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJzds6fRfjM]

  • My dear blog friend Rachel looks back on 2013. We both had babies within a month of each other, so I’ve got a familiar love for this gal! 🙂

Just a lazy weekend post from me, filled with blogger & interwebs love! <3 xo, friends!

Filed Under: bloggers, links Tagged With: bloggers, links

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