Summer Solstice 2012

So, I had every intention of doing a Best Dressed of Solstice 2012, like I did last year, but then Chardonnay happened, and what you've got is a bunch of pictures of my friends, who were wearing SUPER cute outfits, but unlike last year, I made absolutely NO effort to approach strangers. Apologies...

There was however, one stand-out trend-- Green was THE COLOR of the night!

 With Danielle 

 Danielle & Wes

 The architects: Brian, N, Wes

 Alexa & Deery- gorgeous in green!

 Charity and I own the same Dolce Vita for Target wedges-- v. high but comfortable!

 Eamon, Suzanne, Charity, and Ben

 Michelle & Frank

 Jen, Danielle, Charity and me

 With N, a few days before our 8 year anniversary!!

 with Reshae

 Michelle and Allison (rawr)

 Sassy Courtney and Charlene- work it ladies!

My one disappointment with the event was that unlike past years, there was no element of surprise- prior years have included fireworks or performance art- I hope the Museum considers bringing it back next year.

So around 1 am, Charity and Ben suggested we join them (and Suzanne and Eamon) at Tick-Tock Tavern, which is very close to home.  Then this happened...

Cheesy fries....

Let's just say the next day required a lot of hydration. Overall, another excellent night in Cleveland! Were you at Solstice? What did you love/wish were different?

We sweated like dogs... or is it pigs?

I'm going to take a little moment and just state, for the record, that I'm so incredibly thankful and appreciative for all my social media friends that have become friends IRL over the past two years! Of course we have a great time hanging out together, but it makes me feel all fuzzy when they come out to support things that mean as much to me as animal rescue, and boy did they come out to support Secondhand Mutts this past Friday. The best part was that not only was it my social media friends, but also my spin friends who made it an incredible evening, and helped  raise funds for some very worthy puppies. If you don't believe me, here's the proof!

Where all the fun happens. A HUGE thank you and so much love to Jenn and Scott at psycle for generously hosting the event and for supporting Secondhand Mutts! 

Some of our Secondhand Mutts- Chester and Debo

The puff stuff! Cocoa Puff lounging and enjoying the attention

Kimi got kissed!! By Roscoe!

The social media corner: 

Top picture Back row L-R: Tabitha, Kimi, Heather

Front row L- R: Alana, Suzanne

Lower picture: Jenn (in the bandana) and I (on the far right) joined in

Psyclists, pre-sweat

And then, things got sweaty...

Jenn makes it look so easy... As she always says "I didn't say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it." And. it was...

I want to thank everyone who attended-- thank you so much for driving out and giving up your friday happy hour plans to come ride for the pups!! I hope you had a great time, and I look forward to seeing you again next year!!! 

P.S. If you missed out on this great event, come join SecondhandMutts at Tremont TapHouse on Tuesday, June 12th for yappy hour. This is a dog-friendly event, so leashed dogs are welcome!! I will be there with Otto and Clair!! 

Pants and Potpourri

So, if you've flipped through a fashion mag lately, you will notice that among other prints, denim manufacturers are trying to get you to add these to your wardrobe:

From L to R: Paige Denim "Skyline", J Brand, Citizens of Humanity "Mandy"

Yesterday, Allison and I had a conversation that revolved around the topic of printed denim (and I've edited/paraphrased here...)

Me: How do you feel about printed denim? I'm very undecided on the matter...

Allison: It depends... I've seen some light snow leopard pants I'm a fan of...

Me: I've decided I definitely don't like floral. Definitely. Looks like a couch.

Allison: Look, I'm not potpourri, so don't make me look like it! 

Couldn't have said it better myself!!!!!

For the record, we have concluded that we are fine with floral bottoms, as long as they're either a short skirt or shorts. Bottom to ankle floral is a no-no for us. Will you go floral bottoms this summer? What about other printed denim?

Long weekends are the best!!!

Would you laugh if I told you that my feet hurt from Jump Back Ball ALL of last week. I guess high heels and dancing for 6 hours, combined with plantar fasciitis will do that! I took this past Friday off, because, well, why not? Since Allison was on her "Freedom Week" (thanks for that term, Alexa), we decided to meet up for lunch and pedis. Well, lunch and pedis became lunch AND shopping and pedis, although shockingly, I really didn't buy much at all- some cute accessories from H&M, and at LONG LAST, a lipstick I finally like- the Sheen Supreme by M.A.C. I typically really dislike all lipsticks in general, but this feels more like a balm, which is why I gave it a try. I've been wearing it all weekend, and I think I may have to get another!! Allison, on the other hand, had a very successful shopping trip, which you can read all about on her blog. The pedis were much needed, and I'm now in full St. Patty's day mode with my green toe nails!! Friday night involved celebrating Allison J's birthday with Prosecco at Battery Park Wine Bar!

Saturday was supposed to be a really busy day- N and I were supposed to be at a benefit Saturday night, but N spent the whole day in Chardon forming a human barricade against Westboro Baptist Church's rumored demonstration at the funeral (I hate them btw- let people grieve in peace!!!!!), but they never showed up (which is a great thing). He was pretty tired after the day, so we ended up bailing on the benefit at the very last minute and stayed in with Greek Village Grille and my new TV obsession Full Metal Jousting.  Talk about an eventful Saturday night!!

Sunday involved puppy walks, cleaning, and some major cooking in the form of Puerto Rican Pork Loin. I know I've mentioned this before, but if you don't own Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything, and you like to cook, you need to add this to your cookbook collection IMMEDIATELY!! Seriously, I've never had a recipe fail following ANY of his recipes. N and I also watched The Ides of March- holy HOTNESS. Seriously, Ryan Gosling and George Clooney in the SAME MOVIE?!?!?!?!

And that pretty much summed up my three day weekend: PERFECT!!

Glimpses of Mumbai: Day 4 and 5

So although Mumbai is 9.5 hours ahead of Cleveland, I'm a little behind getting you caught up on what I've been doing! I've been hanging out with friends, and doing some shopping- not nearly as much as I would like because I'm having some sticker shock!! In the past two years, prices in Mumbai have risen quite dramatically, but there are a few things that remain a good value- jewelry, leather, and scarves! Lucky for me, I love all those things, so its not so bad : )

Monday night, I went to dinner with some girlfriends from high school. In Mumbai, we graduate from high school at 16, and then enroll in Junior College (for 2 years), at which point you pick the broad discipline of your major: Art, Science or Commerce. In any case, I hadn't seen some of these ladies in 15 years!! As soon as I booked my trip to Mumbai, I emailed my friend Shivani (who I try to see on every trip), and she organized a mini dinner-reunion at Olive Bar & Kitchen. I had never been to Olive before, but it has a really fun and relaxed atmosphere, and is reportedly a hotspot for the Bollywood crowd. Note: Mumbai is both the New York and L.A. of India. No, I did not see any celebrities, although I'm not sure that I would have recognized them anyway. 

I had SUCH a FABULOUS time with these ladies- loads and loads of laughs and catching up. And the best part was that we picked up right where we left off- it was like we'd never lost touch at all!!

Tuesday I spent the day hanging out with my mom; we had a fun time and I learned that in India, you can either exchange your gold for cash OR other jewelry at the same value!!  Tuesday night, I went to dinner with my parents to my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE seafood restaurant in Mumbai: Trishna. Trishna is a MUST-EAT when I'm in Mumbai, and although the tables are very close together (if you're 6' tall like N, you will be a little uncomfortable), the food is absolutely DIVINE!! Their specialty is the butter-pepper-garlic calamari, and it is TO-DIE-FOR (and not one bit spicy. The pepper is just black pepper). If you make it to Mumbai, Trishna should be your must-eat too!!!

As you can see, I'm enjoying some really great meals here. I'm sure I will pay for this when I'm back home and back on my bike! But in the mean time, I'm luuuurrrvvving EVERY SINGLE BITE!!