plans

31 FOR 31 //

December 4, 2015 by Rachel 1 Comment

It’s been a while since I set any sort of goals for myself. In fact, it’s been over a year! Holy smokes. So it’s time to change that — to give myself a sense of purpose in my thirty-first year of life. Even if this list is making its way two whole months after my 31st birthday. 🙂

I’ve posted similar goals sporadically in the past, but I’ve always gone a bit ‘overboard’ with my lists. Which completely overwhelms me and then I do absolutely none of it. So this year I’m keeping it simple-ish.

[1] Run another half marathon. Having a baby in the middle of the winter will certainly help because we won’t have many options to leave the house. So enter the treadmill!

[2] Find a new job/career that will offer more of a work/life balance.

[3] Have a successful no-spend 30 days.

[4] …. in which I also cook/eat at home for 30 days straight.

[5] Pay it forward to someone by paying for their coffee.

[6] Take a cooking class.

[7] Take a “makers” workshop of some sort.

[8] Purge + donate old items from my closet.

[9] Get rid of old electronics.

[10] Completely reorganize our bedroom.

[11] Completely reorganize our laundry room.

[12] Donate blood.

[13] Get a haircut. I know this seems like NBD. But honestly? I haven’t had a haircut in like 18 months.

[14] Get back to my pre-baby weight.

[15] Attend a county or state fair.

[16] Participate in another Wine + Canvas event.

[17] Meditate everyday for 30 days.

[18] Do a 7-day juice fast.

[19] Workout for 30-days straight.

[20] Go 30-days without alcohol Postpartum obvy cause being pregnant and doing that would be cheating, right?

[21] Complete a cross-stitch project that I’ve had the tools for.

[22] Go to a comedy show.

[23] Take a road trip to NY State.

[24] Attend a pro sporting event.

[25] See a movie at The Nightlight theater in Akron.

[26] Take a Balance + Brews yoga class.

[27] Complete a 60-day streak of 10k steps per day.

[28] Set up my home-office in my bedroom.

[29] Take a SUP yoga class.

[30] Visit a local winery and do a wine tasting.

[31] Attend a yoga event.

I feel like this list is totally attainable — unlike other lists I’ve made in the past. So I’m totally looking forward to scratching one off at a time! No worries — I’ll update it as I go!

Sidenote: I totally almost named this “31 before 31″… and it literally took me like 3 hours to realize that I AM ALREADY 31! Ha. Myyyyy bad.

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.

GIVEAWAY!! // Elevate Akron // Fall 2015

November 15, 2015 by Rachel 1 Comment

Again, I have to say it… Northeast Ohio is simply amazing. There is so much to do, so much to see, and so much to be involved in! While this can be found within so many groups and hobbies here in Ohio, it’s especially true of the yoga community.

First there was Believe in CLE. And then, earlier this year, the first ever Elevate Akron event. Thankfully, we’re ending 2015 with yet another FREE yoga event before closing out 2015!

Next Sunday, November 22nd, yogis from all over our region, will gather at the University of Akron field house for a sweaty vinyasa practice, speakers, and an after party complete with food trucks, games and DJ Nino!

The excitement that is set to vibrate throughout the city of Akron — and Northeast Ohio — is building! I’m SO excited to attend, pregnant belly and all!

Lucky for one of my readers, I was asked by the great ladies of Lululemon Akron to giveaway one commemorative Elevate Akron 2015 tank or tee! Use the rafflecopter widget below to enter — and please only enter if you are local and will be able to pick up the tee!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck! Be sure to register for the FREE EVENT HERE. Oh, and here are the nitty gritty details for the event:

Parking. Parking is available in lot 10 directly behind the building.
Arrive Early. Music, day-of check-in and yoga mat parking starts at 4:30PM. The festivities promptly at 5:00PM with a special speaker followed by our vinyasa class.
Bring Cash. Hello? Food trucks galore!
Limited Mat Rentals. So be sure to bring one!
Packet Pick-Up. Event organizers urge you to attend packet pick-up at the lululemon Akron showroom on Friday, November 20th from 11:00AM-6:00PM or Saturday, November 21st from 10:00AM to 2:00PM. Pre-ordered tees and tank tops will also be distributed during these designated times.

See you there! xo

{ welcome, october }

October 2, 2015 by Rachel 1 Comment

It makes me so happy to see how many people — both in person, and all over social media — truly delight in everything that is October. There’s just something welcoming about the cool, crisp, Autumn air, warm coffee, oversized sweaters, and the falling leaves!

I have always loved October, but I assumed it was because it’s my birth month. And since Moosh was born in October, too, my love for this month has grown exponentially!

My focus for the next 30 days is to make the most of the month, regardless of what circumstances life may throw our way! We have absolutely zero plans for the next thirty days (with the exception of a very Minion third birthday party for Moosh); but I’m hoping that I will be able to eat something delicious for my birthday. Let’s be real — that’s all I really want. A really good meal out of the house with Chad. ♥

However, there is SO much to do (if by chance I start to feel better). We’ve already been to the apple orchard, but I would love to take Moosh to Maize Valley for their Fall festival! He loved the hayride so much last year, I just know he’ll enjoy it even more this year. I also happen to think that Fall is the perfect time to visit an outdoor farmers’ market [I’m looking at you, Haymaker!].

If push comes to shove and I end up ill for the entire month, I will still manage to enjoy the simple things — hot coffee, football on Sundays, and warm soup with the family! ♥

I’m just so happy it’s October!

Luau On The Lake // Giveaway

June 23, 2015 by Rachel 7 Comments

Summer in Cleveland is a festival-goers dream! And this year I’m excited to attend (again!) the 10th annual Luau on the Lake to benefit Shoes and Clothes for Kids, on July 25th at Wendy Park on Whiskey Island.

One of the major changes from last year is that there are now three different levels of tickets:

General Admission – $50 through June 26; $60 through July 20; $65 at the door – includes island buffet, beer, wine, soft drinks, and souvenir cup. Pre-mixed Island Cocktails available for purchase.

Big Kahuna – $60 through June 26; $75 through July 20 – includes all the above plus 3 Island Cocktail drink tickets, Hawaiian lei, VIP cup and tote, and half-hour early admission.

Tiki God – $125 per person or $200 per couple through July 10 – includes all of the above plus open bar (beer, wine, liquor, and Island Cocktails), appetizers, VIP tent with seating and port-o-lets, and one-hour early admission!

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrTxLOXtdoA]

Based on my experience last year, early admission is KEY! You have prime pick of your spot (BYOB — Bring Your Own Blanket/Chairs). An extra bonus of a VIP tent with seating and potties is also a huge bonus.

Regardless, all three ticket levels are supporting a great cause. If you aren’t aware of this awesome organization, know that their mission is to “provide a unique service for income-eligible families in Greater Cleveland by distributing new shoes, clothing, and items for infants and youths.” Hugely important in our community!

You can purchase tickets to Luau on the Lake online or you can enter to win two Big Kahuna tickets using the Rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner will be announced within 24-hours of giveaway close. Entrants must intend to use the tickets and be 21 years or older.

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I was asked by Shoes and Clothes for Kids to help promote the Luau on the Lake. In exchange, I will receive 2 Big Kahuna tickets for myself and 2 Big Kahuna tickets to give away. All opinions herein are my own.

Zippity Zoo Doo // Explore Locally

May 31, 2015 by Rachel 1 Comment

Long before I became a mom I enjoyed visiting the zoo. In fact, when I was a student in Buffalo and Syracuse, I would go to the zoo by myself. Just to explore. It’s one of those places that I find comfort in. And for the past several years we have been members of our local zoo, the Akron Zoo. One of the perks of being a member is getting discount and free admission to other zoos across the country.

We just so happen to have TWO wonderful zoos in our backyard. The other of which is the Cleveland Zoological Society!

I’m honored to be attending the Cleveland Zoological Society‘s 42nd annual Zippity Zoo Doo, Friday, June 5th, to benefit the mission and educational programs of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

The theme of this years event is Serengeti Sunrise, where guests will enjoy an African inspired seated-dinner (think Smoked Fennel Crusted Filet and Red Snapper Yasa, just to name a couple of items), along with themed cocktails and hors d’oeurves (think Lobster BLT and Peri Peri Chicken Kebabs! Yum!).

Guests will not only be able to bid on a wide array of silent auction items, but they will also have the opportunity to visit the Zoo’s herd of Masai giraffe at the new Ben Gogolick Giraffe Encounter. In addition to the Wild Side silent auction, guests will be asked to help raise $50,000 for education scholarships by filling The Giving Tree. By 9pm, the table with the highest combined contribution will win an immediate behind-the-scenes experience with the giraffe herd.

What an awesome night this is going to be! All of this excitement PLUS live music under the stars at a highly-rated Cleveland fundraiser?! I cannot wait. Tickets for Zippity Zoo Doo are still on sale. Individual donation levels start at $250 and table champion levels start at $3,500. Click here for more details. And see you at the Serengeti Sunset.

Disclosure: I was asked by the Cleveland Zoological Society to help promote Zippity Zoo Doo. In exchange, I will receive one complimentary ticket to the event. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.