drinks

GIVEAWAY | Red + White on Thursday Night

January 7, 2016 by Rachel 8 Comments

Chad and I have had the honor of attending one of Akron’s most anticipated events, Red and White on Thursday Night, for the last 4 years in a row. And even though Baby Girl is expected to arrive just a week before this years event, I plan on my first post-baby outing to be the 19th Annual Red & White On Thursday Night, Thursday, January 28th, 2016!

The event will be taking place at Quaker Station in beautiful Downtown Akron, presented by the Cleveland Clinic Akron General, from 5:30PM to 9:00PM, and benefits the Arthritis Foundation of Northeastern Ohio.

The event, voted one of the best in Akron by AkronLife Magazine, is expected to raise more than $82,000. All proceeds support critical local Arthritis Foundation initiatives including advocacy and access, help and support, and research.

Arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability and affects more than 50 million Americans and nearly 300,000 children. In Northeastern Ohio, nearly 1.3 million people of all ages have been diagnosed with arthritis. More than 108,000 of those are Summit County residents, according to 2013 figures.

Nearly 750 guests are expected to attend and enjoy delicious dishes from Akron’s top chefs and a variety of both domestic and international wines, while checking out offerings from the available silent auction. VIP ticket holders will have access to both general admission areas as well as exclusive access to special fare from Chef Dante Boccuzzi of DBA, specialty desserts and high-end wine pairings.

Participating restaurants include: Chef Dante Boccuzzi of DBA, Barmacy Bar & Grill, Bistro on Main, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Cilantro Thai & Sushi Restaurant, Chocolates by Erin, Chowder House Café, Hudson’s Restaurant & Catering, Melt Bar and Grilled – Akron, Nuevo Modern Mexican & Tequila Bar, Panera Bread, Saffron Patch in the Valley, Silver Lake Country Club, The Galaxy Restaurant & Banquet Center, The Pierogi Lady, The Taverne of Richfield, Thorpe’s Market Avenue Grill & Pub, and West Side Bakery! I’m getting hungry just thinking about it now!

Honestly, speaking from experience, this is one of the most anticipated date nights we have all year. Chad loves it, I love it, and we are always fed well and surrounded by so many fun people!

And one lucky reader will get a chance to win TWO General Admission tickets (valued at $85 each) to the event. I just ask that those who enter be local to Northeastern Ohio and willing to attend this amazing event on January 28th!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
General admission tickets are $85 presale and $95 at the door. VIP Lounge tickets are $125 presale, and $135 at the door. Purchase tickets online at www.akronredandwhite.com or call 216-285-2822!

** Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post, but did receive two complimentary tickets to the event. All opinions herein are my own. I just really really love this event and believe in this cause! **

Animal Attractions at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo // GIVEAWAY

December 3, 2015 by Rachel 2 Comments

With the warmer-than-average Fall, this Winter is going to hit us like a ton of bricks. Snow bricks, that is. Also? Snow bricks may have been something my pregnant mind said because I couldn’t think of the term “snow balls.” Yep. That happened.

Anyways…

This February 4th, 2016, between 6-9pm, in the depths of our Northeast Ohio Winter, The Cleveland Zoological Society will be hosting the 12th Annual Animal Attractions valentine’s event inside of the RainForest in the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo! That’s right — enjoy an adults-only event, complete with open bar + tasty eats from local restaurants — in a nice, 80 degree tropical climate. In Cleveland. In February! It sounds like a perfect evening to me!

Tickets for the event went on sale earlier this week and admission includes an open bar, wine tasting, up-close animal opportunities, presentations, and a sampling of foods from the following local restaurants:

AMP 150
Butcher & The Brewer
Cleveland Cupcake Company
Creekside Restaurant & Bar
Fresh Fork
Great Lakes Brewing Company
House of Blues Cleveland
Merwin’s Wharf
Tremont Tap House
Vitamix

I’m excited for an adults night out + to have the opportunity to explore the RainForest at an after hours event, all in support of the Cleveland Zoological Society! For those who aren’t aware, the Cleveland Zoological Society supports the zoo and the educational programs that the zoo offers! It’s a hugely important asset to our community and I’m honored to be supporting them!

Tickets for Zoo members are $60 each and for non-members they are $65. Attendees must be 21-years or older to attend.

But before you purchase tickets to this must-see Winter event, you have the chance to win a pair right here!

Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Entrants must have the intention of going [please only local entries] & will need to be 21 or older. Winner will be notified by email shortly after the giveaway ends.

And if you don’t win, there will be plenty of time to still purchase tickets here!

Disclosure: I was asked by the Cleveland Zoological Society to help promote Animal Attractions. In exchange, I will receive two complimentary tickets to the event. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Palm Breeze + Mommys Night // Review + Sponsor

May 3, 2015 by Rachel Leave a Comment

We’ve had less-than-tropical weather here in Ohio as of late. In fact, our “Spring” has been full of a wintery-mix. I, for one, am over it. So I recently threw a party with some girlfriends to bring the tropics to us!

Because let’s face it — any excuse for a girls night AND a pretend-luau is a fantastic idea!

First things first — Palm Breeze sparkling alcohol alcohol spritz was readily available in all of my local grocers. While I picked up my other party supplies (which let’s face it, was 100% made up of cheeses), I could easily pick up Palm Breeze for our party.

My mommyfriend/girlfriend and I pretended it was a fun night on the beach with palm trees and sea breezes… and, let’s face it, … no kids around. AHH! Usually I’m a red-wine drinker; but the flavor — and fizzyness! — of Palm Breeze, which is a malt beverage that comes in two flavors, Ruby Red Citrus and Pineapple Mandarin Orange, was a welcomed change! And just what this mama needed after a long week of curveballs.

Our impromptu luau wouldn’t have been complete without a lot of girl talk, a bit of Palm Breeze, and a handful of giggles. Ok, let’s be real — a LOT of giggles. There’s something to be said about relaxing with friends and enjoying a little bit of fake luau on the deck in Ohio! Ha!

Although we attempted to avoid talking about our children, all roads (and conversations) lead back to the toddlers. It was inevitable that we chatted about our daily struggles and the joys in all of it. This is how moms are spontaneous: we get together after the kids go to sleep with every effort to avoid mommyhood and are easily distracted by tall tales of small boys who jump off of couches and are obsessed with all things dirt.

So our “wild” night consisted of mommy-chatter and delicious Palm Breeze malt beverages. And cheese. Obvy.

Perfection! Everything about this night was perfect! Thank goodness for tasty beverages and for girlfriends! Am I right?!

To all of my friends near one of these major cities, RSVP to a Girl’s Night Out hosted by Palm Breeze and Blo Blow Dry Bar.

D.C. RSVP here.

San Diego RSVP here.

Austin RSVP here.

Dallas RSVP here.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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!

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.

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.

Blogger Date at Charles Scott Salon //

December 6, 2013 by Rachel 2 Comments

Last week I met up with Charlene (aka @cacoughlin) from Life In The CLE and Jess (aka @Mojamala2) of the Tambura Runner last week for a blogger friends mani-pedi date at Charles Scott Salon in Rocky River!

We each had manis and then met up in the massage chairs for our pedis! The girls at Charles Scott Salon treated us so well. The environment there is so welcoming, so inviting, and SO serene! I love that it’s such a chill place. And I love that my manicurist, Rae, had a full-sleeve tattoo down her left arm. It made me feel right at home. 🙂

And yeah I know that they’re supposed to treat clients well and supposed to make us feel comfortable, but the girls who work there are awesome. They aren’t stuffy and they aren’t pushy or too talky. Just AWESOME.

Jess opted for red nails, Charlene for grey, and I decided on hunter green — toes AND fingers!

I’ve yet to check out their location in Crocker Park because I’m already so attached to the Rocky River location — plus it’s where my stylist, Allie, works!

After our manis and pedis we grabbed a bite to eat at The Wine Bar, Rocky River. I know I should venture out and go to other places in Rocky River, but their food is SO good!

We ate, we had a glass of wine, we chatted and it was totally worth it. From the start of the night it was clear that we all needed a night out — a night away from reality! 🙂

Thankfully I am ‘forced’ to go back in just a couple weeks because I’ll ‘require’ a haircut! Ha! The joys of having a pixie cut!

Disclaimer: All 3 of us are brand ambassadors for Charles Scott Salon and as such, receive a discount for services provided. All opinions are my own.