Shopping > Booze

Hello Everyone,

It's Fall, so that means I am back!  For whatever reason, I have blogged during the Fall months for the past two years, but then I stop.  No idea.  But hopefully, I will be here to stay this year -- third time's a charm right?

This past weekend was the first weekend that really felt like Fall.  Saturday was the most gorgeous day.  My roommate and I were on a mini-detox this weekend, but decided we had to enjoy the beautiful weather somehow, so we headed to Crocker Park, the outdoor mall near us in Westlake.  Big.Mistake...

We went to a few shops including, Express, Loft, Francesca's, Victoria's Secret & DSW...but the one that broke the bank was Nordstrom Rack.  It just opened up at Crocker on September 12, so it was super busy & crowded, but they had plenty of people working the registers, so we didn't have to wait in line.  The ladies ringing up Lauren & I conned talked us into opening up Nordstrom Credit Cards (eek!). 

Lauren found the Best.Boots.Ever for $90 and as much as I tried to tell her that she didn't need them, she decided she did.  She also found two other pairs of boots there!  I found a pair of Steve Maddens that I bought and had total FOMO (fear.of.missing.out) on the $90 boots she found.  They were the last pair at Crocker, but they had three at the Nordstrom Rack in Legacy Village, so don't judge but ... we went to the Nordstrom Rack in Beachwood the next day to get myself a pair of those boots (Woo!). 

So we rounded out our booze-free weekend with some cute Fall clothes & boots.  I'd call that a success, wouldn't you? Some of my finds are pictured below! Now, go out & get yourself some new Fall threads.

Cute pair of black suede booties from DSW

Steve Madden Boots from Nordstrom Rack

the boots I had to have from Nordstrom Rack!

Some new Fall tops -- all from Nordstrom Rack except the cream is from Express

Happy Tuesday! 

xo
Mandy

Elephant Sighting: Paul Ryan's Grand Entrance or is the Circus in Town?

It's not every day that you look out your office window and see elephants...elephants walking down E 9th Street in downtown Cleveland, OH.  But today, on Tuesday, October 16...that is exactly what we saw.  Vice presidential candidate, Paul Ryan is in town...and coincidentally, so is the Ringling Bros Circus. 

It can be debated on whether the elephants were a grand entrance for Paul Ryan or simply a lavish spectacle for the circus. After all, the Republican party symbol is the elephant -- said to be strong and dignified. Conversely, the Democratic party symbol is the donkey -- said to be smart and brave.  

Republican Elephant Symbol & Democratic Donkey Symbol

                                                             

E 9th Street, downtown Cleveland, OH   Photo Credit: Ashley Allison

E 9th Street, downtown Cleveland, OH   Photo Credit: Ashley Allison

I must admit...I was hoping to see Paul Ryan riding atop one of the elephants that was parading down the busy downtown Cleveland street.  However, I think the animals were instead a scheme of the Ringling Bros Circus. 

However, Paul Ryan will be in the Cleveland area tomorrow (Wednesday, October 17) at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea.  He will have former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at his side for the event.  Barack Obama will also be in Ohio tomorrow -- at Ohio University in Athens, OH (my alma mater).  

I think we can expect to see a lot more of the President/VP and Presidential Candidates in Ohio in the coming weeks, as we are, as always, a key battleground state.  I for one am definitely looking forward to the Presidential debate tonight.  Will Barack Obama be on his A-game tonight? Or will Mitt Romney prevail once again? We shall soon see... Tune into the debate tonight and educate yourself on the issues!

Happy Halloween :)

Happy Halloween!!!


I hope everyone had a great celebration this weekend.  I was not very creative with my costume this year and pretty much threw something together at the last minute.  I borrowed some cat accessories from my friend at work and was a cat with one of my friends.   I think it turned out pretty cute for not really putting in too much effort.   We made a Hot Apple Cider + Rum and apples.  So good and so strong!

Lauren (pirate) and I

Group Picture

Friday we ate at one of my favorite Cleveland restaurants - D'vine.  I love the food, atmosphere and of course the many wine flights.  I decided to go with the Pinot Noir flight this time. 

I also like that their food is smaller plates, so it the perfect amount of food if you are going to be drinking and don't want to be too full. My friend Lauren and I split the Bruschetta appetizer and then I got Parm Crusted Chicken Tenders with Tomato Caper Cream Sauce and Pesto Mashed Potatoes for my dinner.  

They also gave us a complimentary dessert to split -- the Chocolate Pizza -- which was beyond amazing.

Hope you all have a great Halloween! Try to stay warm!!!