UD kids are the best kids

Don't forget to comment on this post for your chance to win $100 to Provenance at the Cleveland Museum of Art! 

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This past weekend I got to play hostess to one of my dear friends, Miss Manning, who was in Cleveland from St. Louis for our friends' Jess and Brian's wedding. So what did I do to welcome her to my fair city?

Peaced out of work an hour or so early to meet her at The Greenhouse Tavern for cocktails and frites of course! After a few we headed back to my neighborhood for dinner at Luxe Kitchen & Lounge with Seanski and Nugget. I love Luxe and you should too - always fabulous.

Post Luxe we walked to XYZ the Tavern for cocktails before heading to the The Old Angle Tavern to meet up with the rehearsal dinner party. You think we'd be ready for bed by then, but Flannery's and late night Wendy's was still on the docket.

There's something about hanging with University of Dayton kids that makes me want to play - I can't help it.

Miss Manning and I kinda shadow like + Seanski and Nugget + The Edmonds' siblings + BFFs Anne and Miss Manning + Dan the man

I'm pretty sure that post Friday night antics Miss Manning and I were completely okay with laying on the couch fairly hung till it was time to get her to the wedding. I had a few more hours to recover before I headed to XYZ the Tavern (again) for dinner with Stephanie, Ginenne and Martha. We ran into timmybennet, KJ, Hartzell and Kat too where I joined their party and headed to Nano Brew before meeting up with the wedding kids.

It was back to The Old Angle where I got to also see the beautiful bride Jess, the handsome groom Silk Brian (CONGRATULATIONS! xoxo), my old roommate Bizzo and her husband Brian.

Me and my bizzo, one of my 520 roommies + the bride and groom! + the Walkers! + UD friends 4-eva

Sunday brought Mother's Day and my mom heading up to Cleveland for the day and me crashing like a champion on Sunday night. 

I can't party like I used to, kids. But Dayton kids will forever be the best kids.

Have a nice weekend all!

Provenance at the Cleveland Museum of Art + a giveaway

Oh hi guys, sorry for the near radio silence last week - life happened!

Now while I'm not going to go back two full weekends and properly recap Greek Easter and fun nights out on the town with friends, I will talk about good food and the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Enter, Provenance. 

This unique dining concept, housed within the world renowned Cleveland Museum of Art, is brought to you by one of the best chefs in Cleveland, Doug Katz and the Bon Appetite Management Company.

By know you should know I'm obsessed with the CMA (ahem, join Column & Stripe) and with the atrium renovation they kicked the dining options up a notch to include Provenance, Provenance Cafe and Catering by Provenance. There really isn't anything they can't do and when you have Chef Katz and his brilliant team involved the food is guaranteed to be fantastic.

So when I was invited to a cocktail and food tasting at Provenance with some of my favorite Cleveland bloggers naturally I said yes, plus it was timed to fall on a MIX First Friday Happy Hour - hello, date night! Or in our case a much needed GNO.

A slightly blurry but still worth sharing photo of some of my favorite Cleveland bloggers (Michelle, Crystal, Jen, Amanda and Alana) + Mack and Muffin

Cocktails, cheese and charcuterie, scallop deliciousness and the oh so talented chefs.

Good food, good drinks and good friends - doesn't get much better.... until I say I'm giving away a $100 gift certificate to Provenance!

You have three opportunities to enter to win:

1. Leave a comment on this post telling me a Provenance lunch, dinner or brunch menu item you're looking forward to trying. 

2. Tweet the following, leaving a comment telling me you did so (you can do this daily):

I want to win $100 for Provenance at @ClevelandArt from @clevelandsaplum - http://bit.ly/17pb4vZ #CMAeats

3. Follow me on Facebook leaving a comment telling me you did so or that we are already friends/followers

You have until Sunday May 19 at midnight EST to enter to win and I'll announce the lucky reader who's heading to Provenance with $100 in their pocket early next week.

Happy Tuesday, kids!

a winner and a miracle

Congrats to my buddy Cortney, commenter 7 out of 156, chosen via random.org who just won herself a pair of ticket to the 19th Annual Cleveland Magazine Silver Spoon Awards Party. 

Sad you didn't win? Heather's giveaway is still open and you can buy tickets online and at the door next Wednesday. Hope to see you there!

Now, while I have a whole post worth of fun stuff to tell you about from my weekend - including another fun giveaway - I simply can't peel my eyes away from the Gina DeJesus, Amanda Berry and Michelle Knight story. 

The fact that three women (two of which were just teenagers when abducted) had been missing for over a decade and were all found together, ALIVE, about a mile away from my home has me glued to the television and internet.

Also, the hero of the day, Charles Ramsey, proving he's quite the comedian in interviews is priceless - watch the video, what a character.

It really is a miracle in Cleveland today.

Stay safe, Cleveland

You have until 5/6 @ 5pm to enter to win a pair of tickets to the 19th Annual Cleveland Magazine Silver Spoon Awards Party - comment on this post today for your shot!

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So this next post is probably a bit atypical for you expect here on the plum, but it's something that when I was approached about sharing it I couldn't not see the value. You guys, I live in the Cleveland city limits and I LOVE it. But it's also not for the faint of heart, this ain't the 'burbs baby.

You need to be alert and aware of your surroundings to enjoy all the perks of living in the city - but I promise you it's worth it. And when it doubt, just get an alarm system like me and sleep a little more soundly at night.

Happy Friday, kids!

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Daily Safety Tips for Living Clevelanders - by Adina Berzofsky

Cleveland's a unique place to work, play and enjoy life. It has the same issue as any other city, ranging from construction to crime. Locals know where the speed traps are, and how to avoid downtown crowds after a Browns game. It's a relatively safe city, as long as you use common sense and pay attention to your surroundings. Here are a few basic safety tips to help you stay safe in any city:

- Keep your location private. That means being careful about what you share online - even the location tags your smart phone adds to tweets and status updates. Check your settings and turn off any geo-tags or GPS tracking. On this blog, Alexa does a great job of posting photos and information after her weekend, not sharing where she will be in advance. Follow her example and don't give anyone clues when your home will be empty or where to find you.

- Be aware of where you are. It's so easy to get absorbed by a phone call or to pop in your headphones and get lost in the music when you run errands or commute. Unfortunately you might not notice someone steal your wallet or accidentally walk into a poorly lit area. When you stop paying attention, you put yourself at risk. Save the status update or YouTube video for when you get home.

- Get security apps for your phone, tablet or laptop. If any of your devices get stolen, you'll be able to retrieve your data, track its location, or shut it down and render it useless. Identity theft is a big mess and not something you want to risk.

- Pay attention to the battery life on your cell phone. A dead phone can be big trouble if you find yourself stranded somewhere. It's easy to buy an extra power cord for your office so your phone can charge on your desk all day. If you don't have an iPhone, you can also buy extra-long-life batteries online for less than you think.

- Make sure your home is secure, whether you are at home or away. Whether you rent or own, you need security. Home security systems in Cleveland are affordable, and can be installed in any house or apartment. Wireless apartment alarm systems can be installed without drilling holes and can move with you when you move.

Staying safe in Cleveland doesn't require paranoia or a big expense. If you make tiny adjustments to your daily routines, you can develop good security habits that will keep you safe throughout your life. Share these safety tips with your friends and enjoy Cleveland life!

About the Author: Adina Berzofsky is a writer for LifeShield Home Security. She writes about home security, family safety, technology and parenting topics. She shares safety and security tips on the LifeShield blog and social media. You can find Adina Berzofsky on Google+.

Toast + SOHO + Gervasi

There's still time to enter to win a pair of tickets to this year's Cleveland Magazine Silver Spoon Awards Party, comment on this post for your chance to attend the event on May 15th!

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Let's chat about the weekend shall we?

Thursday night I checked out the newest edition to the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood, Toast. I'll be the first to admit that upon checking out the menu prior to my first visit I was kinda meh about it - well, I was wrong. The ambiance of the space, service and food, glorious food won me over. I will most definitely be back - it doesn't hurt that it's right down the road from my house either.

Deviled eggs (ZOMG), pan-seared chicken roulade and market fish

Friday night CK and I hadn't planned on going out, but a few beers at Nano Brew in Ohio City were the perfect night capper - I just can't get enough of the Hoppin' Frog Brewery Turbo Shandy. I don't even drink beer normally and I CRAVE this beer. We also got to catch up with Shibani, Nick, Danielle and Wes - which is always a good thing.

Saturday morning I woke up early to spin per my usual routine but those Friday night beers didn't help, not my best ride by a long stretch. It was okay though because I had a fun afternoon planned with CK in Ohio City. The sun was shining, the city was bright and there's nothing wrong with a little whiskey in the noon hour.

Brunch and cappuccinos at Bonbon Pastry & Cafe + relaxing in Market Square Park + Whiskey + Fun at SOHO including bourbon, bar snacks and fun conversations with new friends at the bar.

I LOVE SOHO Kitchen & Bar and you should too - head over to their Kentucky Derby Porch Party Saturday for plenty of fun.

My Saturday fun day turned into a Saturday night of tv and work but Sunday brought a day in Canton with MOB and my mom looking at wedding reception venues - spoiler alert, we found one, and a date. 

As exciting that that decision being made was our celebration lunch at Gervasi Vinyard & Italian Bistro was a highlight of the day. The vineyard compound is only about a mile from my mom's house but it's like you're in a different world once you step foot on the grounds. We had an AMAZING meal at the bistro with wine tastings, pizza, pasta and desserts - service was on point and I even got to take some goodies home from the marketplace gift store.

Wine tasting at Gervasi + the bistro in all its rustic charm + manga manga food + sweet tooth anyone? ZOMG the hazelnut brownies!

With villas available for overnight stays and a new wine bar in the works I recommend Gervasi Vineyard to all you Clevelanders looking for a one tank trip, long weekend or bachelorette party - this place is IMPRESSIVE. 

I know I say it a lot but this really was an awesome weekend.

Although now that I'm looking back at these pictures I'm 100% confident that I won't be losing any weight this week in my work Biggest Loser Competition - fact.

Happy Wednesday, kids!