cleveland's a plum

Melanie and Bob's wedding in Naples, part one

2012-05-25T06:53:00.000-04:00

The wedding celebration of my cousin Melanie and her now husband Bob was nothing short of spectacular.

Let's start from the beginning though, because Lord knows I'm going to have to break this trip down into two posts because so much fun was had.

CK and I departed from CLE on Wednesday of last week landing hassle free in RSW and picked up our handy dandy Avis rental car to head to Naples, Florida and the Ritz Carlton Naples Golf Resort - our home for the next five nights.

The Ritz Carlton brand precedes itself so I knew we were going to be on a beautiful property, and boy did we (and everyone that was saying there for the wedding) get the full Ritz treatment - the staff and every item of food we had was outstanding.

Wednesday, when we landed, the majority of the family hadn't arrived yet and it had just finished raining so CK and I joined my Uncle David and Thea Joanna for lunch outside with glasses of prosecco to properly kick off our vacation.

Even though the wedding brought lots of family events and activities CK and made a point to have date night our first night in Naples with a fancy dinner at Truluck's. We put on our Sunday (Wednesday) best and drank and dined like swanky people. The service was impeccable but the food was good, not great. Well, the carrot cake was life changing - I'm still thinking about that one - but weirdly the king crab legs I ordered were only so-so. And for market price (a whopping $97 for the plate) was it possible they were too fresh? The world may never know. Regardless, the experience was still very pleasant and romantic.

Thursday, more and more family rolled into Naples and while the weather was still just so-so we headed to the pool and vacationed it up. The Thursday night meal though is what I still remember most from the day. Myself, CK, Thea Joanna, Uncle David, my Mom and my cousins Cathi and Greg dined our faces off at Cafe & Bar Lurcat. OMG the food was amazing, such a great meal with such great company and you're damn right that if I ever go back to Naples I'm heading here again. Ironically our service at this place was ho-hum, but with flawless food that will always win in my book.

Top left - those $97 king crab legs from Truluck's. Top right - OMG green apple, chive and manchengo cheese salad, I could live on this thing. Bottom left - my entree of Chilean sea bass with miso and slaw. Bottom right - dark chocolate profiteroles with salted caramel ice cream and spices pecans. What I don't have a picture of is the warm cinnamon sugar doughnuts, but trust me - get them.

Friday was a beautiful day weather wise a huge crew of us headed to the Ritz Carlton Naples Beach Resort for the day to take in the obvious... the beach! As a guest at the golf resort you're able to be shuttled back and forth between the two resorts, it's a great sell for the beach and golf lovers, lemme tell ya.

We lounged, we swam, we drank bubbles and mojitos, and I personally, didn't realize it then but I was getting fried to a crisp - rookie move, I know, but after two days of overcast sky I was more than ready for the Florida sun.

My Thea Eros raising our flag on the beach which means, COCKTAIL TIME!! Also, a shot of the Ritz pool and pretty pretty sky and palm trees, aka paradise.

After a day on the beach we (the entire family and everyone in town for the wedding) showered up and got ready for a BBQ on the beach at the Ritz - live music, fruity beach drinks and a glorious spread of food - all in celebration of the beautiful, wonderful and happy couple.

Bob and Melanie on the night before their wedding - man, they are perfect for each other!

Our transportation from the golf Ritz to the beach Ritz on Friday night was a trolley - fun right? Top left - Jason and Sissy! Top right - me and CK! Bottom shot - my cousins, Dina + Jason and Anthony + Mara! Good looking group.

A shot of the BBQ Beach Party set up + my sissy serving fruity beach drinks + Ariel, you remember her from Melanie's bridal shower right?

One of the best, most generous and awesome families around - The Kaplanis family - Scott, Marcia, Melanie and Aris.

Breathtaking sunset time in Naples, Florida! + My mom and Thea Eros in matching stripes + Sissy and Jason + Davida and Scott

We attempted to make Friday night an early evening, with the big wedding the following day and all, but a cocktail back at the golf resort was calling our name - so why not?

It was vacation!

And that vacation isn't over yet (on this blog at least)... so stay tuned for part two.

Happy Friday and Memorial Day weekend, kids!

Playing the spoons at the casino

2012-05-24T06:59:00.000-04:00

I blame the following photo for not posting about Naples yet....

My hot date Alana and I headed to the Cleveland Magazine Silver Spoon Awards Party last night. We drank lots of "purple drank", we ate lots of amazing nomz, saw lots of amazing friends and then we headed to the Horseshoe Casino Cleveland.

For the record, I lost $100 in approximately three quarters of an hour.

But I'll give that hundo to you, Horseshoe Casino... this time, because handing it over to you for the very first time was all sorts of fun - but don't get used to it.

Happy Thursday, kids.

Stay tuned....

2012-05-21T20:41:00.000-04:00

And I'm officially back in the CLE from Naples, Florida!

Miss me?

I'm thinking that I should have scheduled a few more guest bloggers though because it's Monday night and I'm in no way shape or form capable of putting together more than four sentences, let alone recap six whole days in Florida.

So stay tuned for the vacation/wedding extravaganza recap - it's going to be epic.

Happy Monday, kids.

50 shades of you know what...

2012-05-18T06:54:00.000-04:00

[The blog pinch-hitting continues - this time, here's Allison, a.k.a my first blog friend EVER who apparently thinks about sex when she thinks of me ;)]

While Alexa lays relaxing on a beach with a mojito or vodka soda in her hand sunning herself safely with SPF 30 (put it on my friend!), she commissioned a few her fellow bloggers to contribute to the Plum! I was so excited to participate!

The first thing that came to mind - Sex. I don't know why it just did.

The second thing that came to mind - 50 Shades of Grey.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, you are, in fact, living under a rock my friends so pull yourself out from under it and grab a copy.

It's the book I've been reading after I heard a fellow friend talk about it a few months ago and then the media took a hold of it, so it was quickly moved up my summer reading list.

If you'd like a preview of what to expect, please laugh your ass off to Ellen reading some of the adult scenes between the two main characters - Anastasia and Christian.

Is the book all about sex? Yes, pretty much but there are definitely interesting underlying storylines, however, if they aren't having sex, she is biting her lip and getting promised sex or spanking or something of that nature.

Is it believable? I suppose the whole college-student-meets-28-year-old-gorgeous-billionaire is possible but I question the fact she was a 22 year-old virgin. Yes, that's right - she has her V card and goes from virgin territory into a relationship with a dominant sexual partner. I don't make this up, people!

Will I keep reading? Oh my god yes! It's hilarious and at times I say out loud, "She did not just say that" or "What the hell is that" and proceed to google said contraption I'm sure of.

Should you read it? Duh. If nothing else it provides lots of inside jokes between you and your friends or an excuse to spontaneously have a "book club" to discuss what happens in the book.

So, if you read it - are you a fan or not? If you aren't reading it, why the hell not?!?

Cocktails on the patio

2012-05-17T06:57:00.000-04:00

[While I'm away on vacation I'm having a couple of my bloggy friends pinch-hit for me here on the plum - first up the always fashionable and fabulous, Kimberly!]

Hi everyone. I'm Kimberly from SMITTEN...in cleveland. I blog about everything I'm smitten with, be it fashion, beauty, food or home. Thanks to Alexa for allowing me to guest post for her while she's off sunning herself. She probably has her feet in the sand sipping a tropical drink as we speak, so I thought it best to write about what I will be drinking while she's away.

Here in the CLE we love ourselves a patio. Be it on an unusually warm March day or the heat of summer, once that weather breaks we're outside. And while beer and wine are great, there's something about a cocktail on an awesome patio that just makes me swoon.

Here are a few of my faves.

Luxe Kitchen & Lounge

This is my #1 go-to summertime spot. Located in the heart of the Gordon Square, they have created a wonderful urban oasis with an outdoor bar that's known for spinning the best tunes. Stop in before a show at the Capitol, for Jazz Wednesdays or their Sunday bow-wow brunch and you won't be disappointed. My drink of choice is the Amrita with citrus infused vodka, white peach puree and lemonade. The Bloom is a close second with citrus vodka, lavender lemonade and blueberry puree.

The Greenhouse Tavern

There's nothing quite like East 4th Street. And there's nothing quite like Greenhouse. Stop here anytime for the best people watching in the city. Locals and tourists collide here and Greenhouse has a front row seat. We all know how kick-ass the food is, but their cocktail list is crazy fun. Typically I like the Grapefruit 75. Kind of like the original with a super tart twist. But this year it will be the Sage Advice cocktail for me. Blending OYO vodka with burnt lemon, sage and walnuts, this has more of a sage smell than flavor and is the perfect summer sipper. The burnt lemon flavor really comes through with a hint of walnut.

Johnny Mango

Johnny Mango has been a CLE staple for over 15 years and their Cuban Mojitos bring all the boys and girls to the yard. The Mango has perfected the mojito. It's muddled to perfection and not overly sweet like some you'll find. Their street-side patio is as simple, easy and fun as the restaurant itself and provides a great backdrop to the food and drink they specialize in. Their drinks are available by the glass or in pitchers, so bring a few friends and hang out all afternoon. Their margaritas are also quite legendary.

Your Own Patio

Sometimes you make it home from work and there is no way you're going out. There is no way you're doing anything other than ordering takeout. This is Skinnygirl Margarita time. However, in my house it's always Skinnygirl Margarita time! I'm not typically a fan of the pre-mixed cocktail and this is my one exception. Mix with a 1/2 oz of Grand Mariner or Cointreau and add a few squeezes of lime and you're set.

The Plum's Patio

I wouldn't be a good guest blogger if I didn't provide a little plum love. I'm so tired of using plums only in sangria. This Plum Sparkler from Martha Stewart is the best plum cocktail I've had in a long time. Serve up some of these on a Saturday afternoon, light the grill and toast to summer in the CLE.

Plum Cocktail:

serves 10

(prepare in advance)

- Heat over medium heat 1 1/4 cups sugar and 1 1/2 cups water in a saucepan until sugar dissolves

- Bring to a boil, then stir in 8 plums (pitted and cut into wedges)

- Remove from heat and refrigerate until cold

(to serve)

- Fill glasses with ice

- Squeeze 1 lime wedge into each glass

- Stir in 1/4 cup plum syrup and 1 oz gin into each glass

- Add sparking water to fill, stir

The plum syrup, lime juice and gin can be combined in a pitcher for easy entertaining. Just fill glasses with desired amount and top off with sparkling water.

And I'm like, duh...

2012-05-16T06:52:00.000-04:00

In the same vein of the ever popular tumblr blog What Should We Call Me, turned into the most recent internet meme of animated gifs may I present the one and only time I attempt my own version of it...

WHEN MY COWORKER ASKS ME IF I'M EXCITED

TO SIT ON THE BEACH AND DRINK ALL DAY

And I'm like, duh...

The best part about this animated gif? IT'S MY SISSY, NICOLETTE!!!!

Really, it is!

Yesterday, my sister's advertising firm in Boston was highlighted on Boston.com for business casual workplace style something or other - she was featured and instead of a flat picture they turned her skirt twirl into a gif, randomly hilarious.

Even more so because that's my mom's skirt from approximately 25 years ago. So my sister.

Good times.

Well, I'm officially on vacation and heading to the beach - I'll see you on Tuesday but be sure to check back here on the plum because I have some fabulous guest posts lined up.

Happy Hump Day, kids!

no time to blog, but time for a winner

2012-05-15T06:56:00.000-04:00

So much to do, so much to do.

Vacation is right around the corner, vacation is right around the corner.

No time for a proper recap, no time for a proper recap.

Why am I repeating everything? Why am I repeating everything?

en-ee-weyz.

My weekend was filled with fun with CK's little one, Christopher's 1st birthday party and Mother's Day fun in Canton.

(Just imagine I posted pictures...)

And now it's time for a breakdown...

A Cleveland Magazine Silver Spoons Award's Party breakdown.

Congrats to commenter #26 (who was chosen via random.org) - @cshillz

Thanks to all who entered, I wish I could give you all tickets! You can still buy them online here though.

Happy Tuesday, kids!

Vacation shopping

2012-05-11T06:58:00.000-04:00

Earlier this week I mentioned on twitter that I haven't been on a beach outside of Lake Erie since I went on vacation in 2008 to Aruba.

For awhile now I thought that I went to Aruba in 2009 but thanks to my handy dandy year/month listing here on the plum I can literally look through my posting history over there on the right and realize that I went in August 2008.

This piece of the internet, man, it's like my flippin' diary that I an electronically fact check dates and outfits that people were wearing.

But that's not the point of this post.

The point is I'm going on vacation (for the first time in a really long time) to celebrate a family wedding, and while I envision everything about the trip to be spectacular I'm realizing that I'm maybe putting a little too much into the preparation of it all - specifically the shopping side of things.

I'm positive the receptionist at my job thinks that I'm certifiable due to the shipments of clothes/shoes/jewelery/swimsuits that have been arriving, almost daily, to my office.

Don't worry, about 75% of everything is getting returned, due to my buying 8 swimsuits, keep 2 and buy 6 different dresses in two different sizes thing I got going on - sorry stores, but thanks for the free shipping and returns!

I can't help that I want a different dress for all five nights - I don't think I'm being unreasonable, at all.

That is until I look into my very full closet and spy the approximately 3871 dresses that I could wear like a champion instead of buying all new ones. That really would be the responsible thing to do...

So would not buying anything else while on vacation... hmmm, we'll just have to see about that.

Happy Friday, kids!

[P.S. Don't forget to enter to win a pair of tickets to Cleveland Magazine's Silver Spoon Awards Party - comment on this post for your chance!]

Cleveland Magazine Silver Spoon Awards Party 2012 Ticket Giveaway

2012-05-08T12:16:00.003-04:00

It feels like I haven't hosted a giveaway on here in awhile...

Let's fix that.

How about with a pair of tickets to the 18th Annual Cleveland Magazine Silver Spoon Awards Party?

That'll work.

I totally stole this image from my girl, smitten :)

For the third year in a row I have the honor of helping to promote one of my favorite foodie events in Cleveland, the Silver Spoon Awards Party - an awesome strolling food and wine tasting event featuring over 30 of Northeast Ohio's best restaurants and eight international wineries.

You know how sometimes you go to a "tasting" event and you get half of a bite of something? Well this isn't one of those events, I guarantee that you will leave stuffed (and probably a little tipsy) - there's just SO MUCH FOOD AND WINE. Seriously, there is, check out the participating restaurants list.

The 18th Annual Cleveland Magazine Silver Spoon Awards Party event details:

when: Wednesday, May 23rd from 6 to 9pm

where: Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center

why: To benefit the mission of the Arthritis Foundation, Great Lakes Region, Northeast Ohio and have a heck of a lot of fun

Tickets are available for purchase online here and are $85 for general admission and $135 for VIP in advance of the event....

Or, you can win a pair of general admission tickets here on the plum.

To enter, complete one or all of the following:

1. Leave a comment on this post telling me which of the participating Silver Spoon Award winners you're most excited to try.

2. Follow me, @clevelandsaplum, and the event, @SilverSpoonCLE on twitter - leaving me a comment telling me you did so (or already do).

3. Tweet the following - " I want to win a pair of tickets to @SilverSpoonCLE from @clevelandsaplum - http://bit.ly/KiKGXo #CLEfood " - leaving a comment on this post telling me you did so.

4. Share a link to this contest ( http://bit.ly/KiKGXo ) on your facebook page - leaving a comment on this post telling me you did so.

5. You can repeat the #3 tweet daily for extra entries, but be sure to leave a new comment on this post every time you do.

You have until Monday, May 14th at 5pm to enter to win (don't forget to leave your contact information if I don't already know how to get a hold of you) and I'll be announcing the winner the following day here on the plum.

Good luck to all who enter!

so what should we name our band?

2012-05-07T06:57:00.000-04:00

No your eyes are not deceiving you, I'm actually posting my weekend recap on Monday - just like the good old days. That was BCK though, aka before CK...

With him traveling for work though, I have an empty house on Sunday night and plenty of time to blog, eat popsicles and wear a tye-died t-shirt.

Just living the dream, guys.

As for the weekend it was pure bliss. Friday night was spent with great friends (Kayla + Jeff, Gina + Danny and me and CK) at Hodge's. If you follow me on twitter you know that I also dined at Hodge's for lunch with some beautiful friends - It's a great addition to Downtown Cleveland and their patio isn't to be missed, neither is the lamb shank.

Saturday, aka Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby, was spent with great friends on both sides of the Cuyahoga River. First, CK and I headed to Cleveland Heights to hangout with our friends Marissa and PK for a super fun Derby party. We brought Beergeritas and cupcakes - a winning combination.

It's a bags party + folks watching the Derby go down + how you know you're at a party with a bunch of Case Western kids, a Stephen Hawking tattoo

After the party CK and I headed back west to the Casa de Driggs, aka the penthouse of Stonebridge, where Heather and Matt put on quite the impromptu shindig - we had so much fun! We drank, we played music, and laughed - a lot.

Jam session at the Driggs's - so what should we name our band? With Jen on drums, CK on bass, Driggs on guitar, Fitchko on maracas, Mitch on bongos, Clark on the ukelele and Ginenne as the main groupie, ha.


Once the pretend musicians were done we let Driggs take requests for a sing-a-long on their rooftop deck... Clark is a great chord page turner for the record.

The weather is turning and my life is full of love - it's going to be a great summer.

Happy Monday, kids!

some toe tapping for your friday

2012-05-04T09:23:00.000-04:00

It's Friday, I'm in an overly happy mood, the sun is shining, I and think everyone needs to listen to the Jackson 5 today.

If you're not tapping your toe right now we probably shouldn't be friends.

Happy Friday, Derby weekend and Cinco de Mayo, kids!

On washing your hands

2012-05-02T06:57:00.000-04:00

My new job brought new people, new clients, new experiences and new routines.

This isn't surprising.

But what is surprising that one of the simplest parts of mine and any human beings day, going to the bathroom, has suddenly made me very self conscious about a very mundane task - washing my hands.

You see, at D&E there is, not surprisingly, a nice big bathroom with multiple facilitates and 4 or 5 sinks with mirrors abound. Naturally though, there are going to be times where you aren't in the restroom alone...

When one finds themselves in the bathroom with a colleague you may exchange pleasantries, "Hi, how are you?" or "Did you reach out to X client" or "Is it time for happy hour yet?" or "Nice skirt" - all while glancing in the mirror and washing your hands.

Prior to this monster employee bathroom though I never thought much of washing my hands, it's simple really - pump some soap, turn on the warm water, lather and rinse.

But now I'm suddenly self conscious because I think I don't wash my hands long enough.

I have some colleges that look like they're scrubbing into surgery at Cleveland Clinic post bathroom break, and it makes my hand washing look far inferior.

I've heard the whole recite your ABC's while washing your hands to know you've washed them long enough to kill all the germs but who really does that? OR DOES EVERYONE DO THAT BUT ME?!?!?

I could probably get through A, B, C, D, E before I rinse the soap from my hands - does that mean I'm a crappy hand washer?

I'm so confused, help me. My colleagues are making me get an inferior hand washing complex. So what's your process? A to Z? or A to E?

Sigh.

Now if you'll excuse me, I some hand soap to test out and practice my technique on...

How was this the last weekend in April already?

2012-05-01T06:53:00.000-04:00

Hi guys, how's everyone doing this fine first day of May?

Me? Well, I'm enjoying coming down from yet another weekend of fun and friends in the town I call home.

After a very low key and relaxing work week at home I was ready for some fun come the weekend - cue Friday night fun with MOB.

We started off the dinner at one of the newest and finest establishments in my neighborhood, Spice Kitchen + Bar. We ate, we drank, we ran into neighborhood friends at the table next to us and enjoyed every morsel of our dinner. From the rhubarb mojito, to the mushroom beignets, to the nightly fish special and lemon tart for dessert, everything was wonderful. Go check it out, now!

Pan-seared Walleye + lentils + baby bok choy + chile miso sauce = AMAZING

After dinner, MOB and I headed to Public House in West Park to hangout with friends and most importantly enjoy MOB's fiancee Pete in all his glory - Lzone joined us too, I think she likes West Park best of all.

This is how Pete reserves a table at the Public House - such a thoughtful man.

Saturday in Cleveland wasn't exactly the nicest day we've had this spring but it didn't matter, we had Muffin's 32nd birthday to celebrate!! It's funny though, it seems like Muffin's 30th birthday party was just yesterday.

The birthday festivities started around noon at the Clevelander and while we had tickets to the Indians game we were destined to stay at the bar and drink summer shandy due to a rain delay - we made due though :)

Three of my beautiful (and engaged) friends who are all getting married within the year(ish) - the klutz, MOB and Court + Aubrey modelling the scarf I got Muffin for her birthday + me and Muffin as we are all smiles for birthdays

Around 4pm the rain had kind of stopped and it was time to play ball - so to the ballpark we went rain or shine. While the majority of us were in more traditional baseball garb my more stylish friends, Muffin and Court, weren't going to let the weather cramp their style - never.

Indians fashion from Muffin and Court + Tribe Time Now!

Post game the whole group of 15+ of us headed to Hodge's for some grub and cocktails - the food is still good, the staff are kinda cocky, but the food is still good. While the group continued to bar hop post-dinner I decided to head over to CK's for some quality time with my man and his little one.

Sunday brought wholesome fun in pie making, clothes shopping and dinner at a sub-par but really trying burger joint called The Rail at Summit Mall - I suppose I'm just spoiled by B-Spot.

A weekend filled with so many of my best friends will never be wrong in my book.

Happy Tuesday, kids!

I like staying home

2012-04-26T06:58:00.000-04:00

Some of you, ahem Nilsa, think that all I do is go go go.

And while some of the time that is very true, for once instead of recapping my weekend I'm going to let you all in on how I spend a night on the couch (last night in fact) with my trusty laptop and household chores.

It's going to be sexy, get ready.

- load the dishwasher

- book a hotel room at the Inn at Hillbrook for MOB's wedding weekend

- eat a bowl of honey nut cheerios