I’ve been very eager to get into the Cleveland Convention Center (CCC) ever since construction completed. I’d read varying reports of how others experienced and explored the subterranean show space, and I wanted to see it for myself.

I love conventions and have been to my fair share of convention spaces. The Cleveland Convention Center’s unique construction intrigued me. So when we had the opportunity to attend The Cleveland Home and Remodeling Expo (H+R Expo), which was hosted within Cleveland’s new expo center, I was quite excited.

The overhanging question, of course, is how both the H+R Expo and the CCC compare to their big brothers, The Great Big Home & Garden Show and the I-X Center respectively. I can summarize the comparison for both with one statement: sometimes smaller is more satisfying.

Regarding the show space itself, the most noticeable thing stepping into the CCC is that it is shockingly, pleasantly quiet. As Amanda and I walked around we encountered large groups, especially in the back where a presentation was going on, but never did I hear the dull background “roar” of noise I’ve come to expect from similarly larger convention halls. It generally felt that if I could see it, I could hear it, but not much buzz beyond that was getting to me.

Being underground, the CCC has none of the high windows that can be seen at the I-X Center. But their absence did not bother me or give me a sense of being contained beneath the street level. Both the I-X and CCC rely on artificial light regardless of the presence of windows, and the lack of them meant there was nothing to remind me of the “outside world” and my relativity to it. Once I was in the CCC and walking around, I didn’t think twice about my sea level altitude. It was nice.

The CCC’s more compact square footage also meant that food, drink, and restrooms never felt like a hike. We didn’t partake of any of the food, but the available options appeared clean, bright, and had reasonable lines. A leisurely pace from one end of the show space to the other would only take a few minutes, so if you’ve traveled into the middle of the expo, almost everything is fairly close to you in every direction.  The convention center’s location in downtown Cleveland also means if you want to venture outside for a restaurant, you have plenty of options.

Looking at the H+R Expo itself, the smaller number of sellers was actually really nice. Although there were some stands I remembered seeing at The Great Big Home & Garden Show, this wasn’t a bad thing because they were stands I was happy to see again.  And each booth seemed truly relevant to the “Home and Remodeling” theme. If you’ve ever walked around a large convention’s floor, you sometimes run into vendors who are only tangentially (or not at all) related to the show’s niche. The reduced availability of spaces actually created more relevant variety.

Of course, the smaller space means less grandeur. There were some awesome things to see – such as the inflated pod house pictured above and some pieces we recognized from a beer garden that had displayed at the Great Big Show. But we didn’t find any massive gardens or landscapes constructed in the CCC.

The upside of this is that I wasn’t completely beat after our first walkthrough of the aisles and displays. Amanda and I actually shopped at the H+R Expo.  For the first time in a long time when we said “We’ll come back and get this after we’ve looked around,” we really did go back and do it. We bought a hanging planter, wine mixers, and bar ware.

While I’ve found The Great Big Show is great for generating ideas and checking out things we may buy in the future, the H+R Expo was small and focused in such a way that I actually had the energy to spend some money then and there.

So to wrap things up, at the end of the day the CCC’s smaller size and the H+R Expo’s more focused theme meant that it didn’t feel like the end of the day when Amanda and I left.

I can confidently say that the Cleveland region is quite big enough for two convention centers and two home shows, where one is more about grandeur and concept and the other more about personal experience. Because a funny thought struck me as we were coming out of the Cleveland Convention Center’s Home and Remodeling Expo: this was the first time I’d been to a convention where I actually had the time – and energy – to stop and smell the roses.

Well, flowers anyway. It was a nice change of pace.

Disclosure: I was invited to attend the show with a guest, in exchange for hosting a giveaway.

Congratulations entry #7 – Jenny S – for winning this giveaway!

Working at E9th and St. Clair, I’ve had the chance to watch the last few years’ construction on the Cleveland Convention Center from our office windows. However, while I witnessed the drastic transformation that Lakeside Avenue underwent, I still haven’t been inside.

That changes when the first-ever Cleveland Home and Remodeling Expo takes over downtown March 14-16.

Not only am I looking forward to checking out the convention center, I really want to see what this brand-new show has up its sleeve.

This expo is specifically focused on home remodeling, decor and improvement. Although it’s hosted by the same group that does the Great Big Home and Garden Show, the 2014 Cleveland Home and Remodeling Expo includes a number of different features such as:

Perrino Vignettes: Mayfield Heights’ Perrino Builders and Furniture will present idea spaces for remodeling and decorating, including kitchen renovations, a pub and wine bar, and a home theatre.

Grow Cleveland Pavilion: Stop by the Whole Foods-sponsored pavilion for tips on urban living and small-space gardening. Local organizations promoting the growth of Cleveland, area farmers markets and food sampling from Whole Foods will also be available.

Ultimate Garage: If you’ve ever seen the inside of our garage then you know we need some major help in cleaning it out. Ohio’s EncoreGarage will showcase garage organization and renovation ideas including flooring, wall-mounted custom cabinets for flexible storage, and durable all-steel organization products to store tools, bikes, sporting equipment, and gardening supplies.

CasaBubble: And because this just sounds intriguing … check out the inflatable CasaBubble, a new way to sleep under the stars without worrying about mosquitoes, pollen, allergens and humidity issues.

Ty Pennington, Rehab Addict’s Nicole Curtis, CTV design expert Ramsin Khachi and Room by Room’s Matt Fox will also present throughout the weekend.

When you’re done at the Expo, stop by the Great Lakes Science Center, Public Square, or one of downtown’s many restaurants and attractions. Need ideas? Check out this guide I put together for another convention in downtown Cleveland.

Tickets for the Cleveland Home and Remodeling Expo cost only $10 at the box office, $8 online. Save another dollar by using promo code CIC when you buy online.

I’m also giving away a pair of tickets to the event. How to enter: Do one, some, or all five of the entries. A separate comment is needed for each.

There are 5 Easy Ways to Enter the Giveaway
**You must leave a separate comment on this post for each entry**

1) Visit homeandremodelingexpo.com then leave a comment on this post with one thing you’re  excited to see at the first Cleveland Home and Remodeling Expo.

2) Follow @GreatBigShow and @ADHicken on Twitter and leave one comment on this post telling me you did both.

3) If you’re a fan of Clue Into Cleveland and Home and Garden Events on Facebook, leave one comment on this blog post letting me know. If you’re not yet a fan, you can become one here and here.

4) Tweet the following and leave one comment letting me know you tweeted:

I want to win tickets to the first-ever #CLE Home + Remodeling Expo. Enter @ADHicken’s @GreatBigShow giveaway: http://wp.me/p2Ukr0-2qY

You can tweet once per day for additional entries. Just leave a separate comment each time you tweet.

5) Subscribe to Clue Into Cleveland via a feed tracker like Bloglovin’ or Feedly and leave one comment letting me know you did. This can also include signing up to receive email notifications in the top-right “Subscribe” section of this page.

You have until March 10 at 11:59 pm to enter. Random.org will select the winner, which I will announce on March 11. Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry and please note that individuals cannot win multiple Home and Remodeling Expo giveaways. Good luck!

Disclosure: I was invited to attend the Cleveland Home and Remodeling Expo with a guest in exchange for hosting a giveaway. My choice to post about this and any opinions are 100% my own.

I keep repeating to myself “Spring will be here soon. You’ve seen worse winters.” as if it will warm my chilly bones and make the bumpy commute to work better. However, there are moments where my patience for this year’s winter has worn thin and I need a better reminder that I’ll soon be enjoying summer days at Cedar Point.

Attending the Great Big Home and Garden Show last weekend was the boost I needed. Everywhere we turned we saw the vibrant green of Spring.

We saw many plants and flowers…

Got home improvement and landscaping ideas from the experts…

And even played some pinball at The Pinball Shoppe‘s booth!

I will have you one day, Space Station pinball machine!

Out of everything we saw, The Ohio Valley Group‘s Beer Garden was the best. They partnered with Great Lakes Brewing Company for a garden dedicated to GLBC and other Ohio beer.

There was the beer bottle chandelier, the topiary wall cut into the shape of all of the Great Lakes, and various fountains and light fixtures made from brewing and bottling materials.

The highlight, though, was the beer tap waterfall.

Although my all-time favorite garden is from the year they were Classic TV-themed, Ohio Valley Group’s beer garden reminded me of all my favorite parts of warm weather: Hanging out at one of Cleveland’s awesome patios. Sipping wine while overlooking Geneva’s vineyards. Enjoying a game of lawn bowling in our backyard.

Although I’m definitely ready for Spring, if it’s going to take its time getting here, I’ll be ok.

You still have a few more days to visit the Great Big Home and Garden Show, which runs through February 16. You can read about the show’s other features and programming in my Great Big Home and Garden Show preview.

Buy your tickets online and save. Online tickets cost only $11, plus take another $1 off by using promo code CIC when you check out online.

Disclosure: I was invited to attend the show with a guest in exchange for hosting a giveaway and sharing my opinion after the show. The opinions here are 100% my own.

Win 2 tickets to Cleveland’s Great Big Home and Garden Show, Feb. 8-16

Today’s a big day in the Hicken households.  Scott’s parents and grandmother are coming to Cleveland! Not next year, not next month, not next week. Today, we gain new neighbors.

With a new house comes the fun of new home improvement and gardening projects. There’s even a tree house in the backyard that has Scott’s dad’s name all over it.

This week’s giveaway couldn’t be better themed because I have a pair of tickets to The Great Big Home and Garden Show for you!

My favorite part of previous Great Big Home and Garden Shows are the themed gardens

Mark your calendars for February 8 through 16, when The Great Big Home and Garden Show returns to the Cleveland I-X Center.

Featuring more than 650 exhibitors, along with idea rooms and gardens, the Home and Garden Show will offer tips and techniques in cooking, landscaping, home improvement and more.

Some of the show’s highlights include:

Special guests Ahmed Hassan (Yard Crashers) and Emily Ellyn (Next Food Network Star and Cupcake Wars) will present on the show’s main stage on February 8 and 9, while Frank Fritz (American Pickers) will appear February 15.

Northeast Ohio’s top landscapers will partner with local restaurants to present internationally themed gardens. Stop by the show on Feb. 10 and 11 between 4 and 8pm for special tasting events in the gardens.

The Loretta Paganini Cooking Stage will host daily cooking sessions presented by local chefs like AMP150’s Jeff Jarrett (Spring Vegetable Side Dishes), Umami Kitchen’s Matthew Anderson (Sensational Soups), and SowFood’s Brian Doyle (Cooking with Herbs). The Brewer’s Daughter’s Renee Deluca will also be joined by Stefanie Paganini for a Cooking with Beer demo.

Petitti’s Gardening Stage will feature seminars on designing outdoor spaces, protecting your plants against garden pests, sustainable gardening, and creating miniature gardens.

See the show features and stage schedule for more details.

Ahmed Hassan/Yard Crashers and Frank Fritz/American Pickers at The Great Big Home and Garden Show

If you buy your tickets at the I-X Center box office, they’ll cost $14. However, buy them online and save. Online tickets cost only $11, plus take another $1 off by using promo code CIC when you check out online.

I’m also giving away a pair of tickets to the event. How to enter: Do one, some, or all five of the entries. A separate comment is needed for each. 

There are 5 Easy Ways to Enter the Giveaway
**You must leave a separate comment on this post for each entry**

1) What home improvement or gardening project is on your to-do list this year? Leave a comment on this post with your answer.

2) Follow @GreatBigShow and @ADHicken on Twitter and leave one comment on this post telling me you did both.

3) If you’re a fan of Clue Into Cleveland and Home and Garden Events on Facebook, leave one comment on this blog post letting me know. If you’re not yet a fan, you can become one here and here.

4) Tweet the following and leave one comment letting me know you tweeted:

I want to go to @GreatBigShow. Enter @ADHicken’s giveaway to win 2 tickets to #Cleveland’s home and garden show: http://wp.me/p2Ukr0-2oC

You can tweet once per day for additional entries. Just leave a separate comment each time you tweet.

5) Subscribe to Clue Into Cleveland via a feed tracker like Bloglovin’ or Feedly and leave one comment letting me know you did. This can also include signing up to receive email notifications in the top-right “Subscribe” section of this page.

You have until February 4 at NOON to enter. Random.org will select the winner, which I will announce on the afternoon of February 4. Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry – good luck!

Disclosure: I was invited to attend The Great Big Home and Garden Show with a guest in exchange for hosting a giveaway. My choice to post about this and any opinions are 100% my own.

Something White’s Boutique Bridal Bazaar

When my lovely friend Amanda allowed me the opportunity to take her place at the Boutique Bridal Bazaar hosted by Something White, my first thought was, “Well, I guess I SHOULD probably start planning my wedding…”

My wonderful fiancé asked me to make it street legal in September, after 5+ years of happily dating and cohabitating.  I tend to err on the side of “if it ain’t broke…” but in this case, I was very excited that we decided to take this next step together.

That being said, the wedding planning scene is daunting. I didn’t know where to start or who to ask, and the internet, in this state of confusion, is not your friend. So, upon reading Amanda’s post about the Something White event, I thought, “This is it… professional help!”

Ali (left-center) with her friends at Boutique Bridal Bazaar

Accompanied by my three of my best friends (who are way better at this stuff), I went on Sunday, January 12 to the Tudor Arms Hotel, on the near east side.  For as many times as I’ve driven by, I had never been inside. I knew it was a historic Cleveland landmark, and that it had recently undergone a bit of a make-over, but I was still really surprised by the inside of the building.

It was really stunning, with huge ceilings (35 feet!), beautiful murals on the walls, lots of big, open spaces in the two separate ballrooms, and amazing windows that let in such wonderful natural light. It is a gorgeous space, and my friends immediately decided that I shall be getting married there, no questions asked.

When we talked to Michelle from Tudor Arms, she did tell us that they were already booked most of the summer and fall, with few Fridays and no Saturdays until November. Timeliness is key if you want a space like this, and since timeliness is my Achilles heel, we’ll see if that will actually work out for me.

Inside the Tudor Arms Hotel

The first thing we saw when we walked in was the “Etsy aisle”, which was basically Etsy sellers, bringing in all of their wares to see in real life. This was great for me, because although from time to time I am the epitome of the “Pinterest Fails” board, I am fairly crafty.

So while I will continue to buy lip gloss from professionals and not make my own everything, I did want a (semi) DIY approach to our fiesta, for a couple of reasons: 1) cost and 2) you only get to do this once, so might as well get down and dirty with it.  So, the Etsy aisle at the event was super awesome, because you couldn’t help but find cool inspiration.

Paper bouquets

The vendors ranged from calligraphy from Seaworthi Calligraphy & Illustration or beautiful paper flowers from Rose Gold Studio (along with a whole range of custom design options!).  And when talking with some of the sellers, they said that they are always glad to do custom work. Double bonus – small biz + local vendor = sweet deal.

The amount of culinary vendors there was honestly shocking, and incredibly filling (so much for that wedding diet…), but everything we tried was amazing, from the vegan cupcakes at Vegan Sweet Tooth or the mushroom risotto from Gatherings Kitchen.

If you are able to choose your own caterer once you find a venue, there is no shortage of amazing local chefs to make your wedding day snacks memorable.  Many of them were advocates of local and sustainable products, and embraced gluten free, vegan and vegetarian diets, which means all of your guests will have a delicious meal (because let’s be honest, the vegetarian options at most events are pretty sad indeed).

Packed house at Boutique Bridal Bazaar

Finally – my two favorite places to pop by (hah!) were the Chill Pop Shop stand, and Urban Orchid florist.  At Chill Pop, they came up with these awesome flavors that include everything from avocado to all the usual suspects (I had strawberry cream), but they also make these “poptails” – i.e. your popsicle would be in a drink!

I worked in Brazil for a spell, and had a caipirinha made with a fresh pineapple popsicle that I sometimes still have dreams about. And now, right here, in good ole Cleveland, my dreams can come true! These would be adorable for showers, rehearsal dinners, or dessert on your big day, and it was such a fun idea – little artisan popsicles served in, for example, a little glass of champagne!  Be still my heart.

And if you need flowers, whether it’s just boutonnieres or the whole shebang, Brandon Sitler at Urban Orchid is your guy.  Mixing succulents, fresh flowers, plants and whatever you can dream up, I’ve never been disappointed by anything he’s done, for me or for others.

Beautiful flowers at the Boutique Bridal Bazaar

Located in Ohio City, he is a great addition to the neighborhood.  You could smell the fresh flowers from his stand from 20 feet away, and while I know flowers can be a large expense for your wedding day, I can’t imagine not having a fresh bouquet (although all the paper bouquets I saw were super cute too).

All in all – it was a great, somewhat overwhelming day, full of delicious snacks, beautiful inspiration and lots of happy brides. LOTS.  Much thanks to Something White Bridal and to Amanda for kicking me into gear and helping me get started to plan our big day.  There’s a poptail with your name on it.

Disclosure: I was offered one ticket to Boutique Bridal Bazaar in exchange for blogging about it. Because I was out of town attending my sister-in-law’s wedding, I was unable to attend. My friend Ali attended it instead. Her and my opinions are 100% our own.

Win 2 tickets to Cleveland’s Boutique Bridal Bazaar – January 12

As I look ahead to 2014, I can’t believe that Scott and I will celebrate not just our fifth wedding anniversary this year, but also an entire decade together. A decade?!? Where did all of that time go? On top of that, we’re traveling to DC in a few weeks for Scott’s sister’s wedding.

With all of this going on, I’ve been thinking a lot about our wedding. At the time, I thought it was a good idea to DIY our invitations, centerpieces, favors, and more. It was a lot of fun and allowed us to put a personal touch on things, but these were the pre-Pinterest and Etsy days and it wasn’t easy.

Fortunately, today’s bride has all of these tools at her disposal, as well as events like Something White’s Boutique Bridal Bazaar.

On January 12 from noon til 4pm, the beautiful Tudor Arms Hotel will host off-the-beaten-path vendors, decor and fashions for Cleveland couples looking to add a unique, avant-garde twist to their wedding.

The Boutique Bridal Bazaar features fashion for men and women, as well as unique, local food and decor (Britney McDonald Photography)

This is Boutique Bridal Bazaar’s third year and joining the mix are vendors who can provide couples with poptails (popsicle + cocktail), locally sourced catering, gourmet coffee bars, custom perfumes, and alcoholic cupcakes.

Support local businesses and caterers like L’Nique Specialty Linen, Dante Lucci Salon, Chill Pop, Cleveland Boudoir, DeBoe Studio: Weddings & Parties, Sow Food, and Spice of Life Catering.

There will also be tastings and the ability to purchase locally handmade goods in the “Etsy Aisle.” The Something White fashion show will not only feature models wearing the boutique’s newest gowns, but also past Something White brides taking one more walk down the “aisle” in their wedding gown.

I know all of that browsing would tire me out so attendees can relax in an inspirational lounge area and treat themselves to a fresh donut buffet.

Check out the Etsy Aisle for homemade accessories and designs from local artisans (Britney McDonald Photography)

Even if you’re not getting married, you’ll find plenty of inspiration for the next party you throw. We’ve used L’Nique for our linens at Jump Back Ball, and Dante Lucci is my go-to salon for all special occasions.

Tickets cost only $10 and can be purchased online ($15 at the door).

I’m also giving away a pair of tickets to the event. How to enter: Do one, some, or all five of the entries. A separate comment is needed for each.

There are 5 Easy Ways to Enter the Giveaway
**You must leave a separate comment on this post for each entry**

1) What has been your biggest challenge so far in planning your wedding? If you’ve already been through the gauntlet, what was your biggest challenge? Mine was DIYing our invitations. Leave a comment on this post with your answer.

2) Follow @SomethingWhiteB and @ADHicken on Twitter and leave one comment on this post telling me you did both.

3) If you’re a fan of Clue Into Cleveland and Something White, A Bridal Boutique on Facebook, leave one comment on this blog post letting me know. If you’re not yet a fan, you can become one here and here.

4) Tweet the following and leave one comment letting me know you tweeted:

Planning a wedding or party in #CLE? Enter @ADHicken’s giveaway to win 2 tickets to #BoutiqueBridalBazaar: http://wp.me/p2Ukr0-2mA

You can tweet once per day for additional entries. Just leave a separate comment each time you tweet.

5) Subscribe to Clue Into Cleveland via a feed tracker like Bloglovin’ or Feedly and leave one comment letting me know you did. This can also include signing up to receive email notifications in the top-right “Subscribe” section of this page.

You have until Wednesday, January 8 at 11:59 PM to enter. Random.org will select the winner, which I will announce on Thursday, January 9. Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry – good luck!

Disclosure: I was invited to attend the Boutique Bridal Bazaar in exchange for hosting a giveaway. My choice to post about this event and opinions are 100% my own. Photos by Britney McDonald Photography.

MOCA Cleveland’s holiday shopping event ArtScape

Scott and I spent last Friday at Cleveland’s Museum of Contemporary Art for their annual holiday shopping event ArtScape. The last time we visited MOCA was for a Tri-C JazzFest concert. This time, their versatile lobby was transforrmed into a pop up shop of jewelry and design gifts.

It was a great place to start our holiday shopping with local artisans like Jason Radcliffe’s Forty Four Steel, Brandon Holschuh, Michelle Pajak-Reynolds, and LAM Design Studios.

We also had a chance to look at the museum’s current exhibits, Simon Evans’ Only Words Eaten by Experience and Michelle Grabner’s I Work From Home. We particularly liked Evans’ work, which consisted of small pieces of paper, tape, and white-out compiled into diagrams, maps, flowcharts and diary entries cataloging his day-to-day life.

A section of Simon Evans’ much larger “Shitty Heaven.” This was Scott’s and my favorite piece of the entire exhibit because of notes like ‘Anton Chekhov Who Owns a Steakhouse in Heaven(tm)’

MOCA features many other events throughout December to enjoy the museum’s space and the current exhibits, including Free First Saturdays (Dec. 7), One Hour One Work (Dec. 11), and a concert with Daniel Lippel co-presented by the Cleveland Classical Guitar Society (Dec. 12).

If you missed your chance to start your holiday shopping at ArtScape, though, don’t worry. I have 10 events to help you shop local in November and December.

Check them out and if you have any suggestions of other holiday shopping events, leave a comment below. 

I-X Cleveland Connection, Nov. 22-24

I-X Christmas Connection (Nov. 22-24): A 28-year tradition returns to the I-X Center this weekend, Nov. 22-24. At the I-X Center’s Christmas Connection, 600 booths, including 140 new vendors, will feature plenty of gifts for family and friends, while free gift wrapping and a shop-n-drop make your shopping experience easy. Other highlights include kid-friendly shopping in the Sugar Plum Shoppe, pictures with Santa, holiday window displays, and a Christmas Wine Cellar. You can learn more about the event and buy tickets at ixchristmasconnection.com. 

Collective Upcycle (Grand Opening Party Nov. 22; but open Thursdays through Sundays): The Collective Upcycle Pop-Up celebrates its grand opening at 6202 St. Clair on November 22. From 5-8pm, enjoy live music from Ansambel Dvojčki, local food from Impassioned Baking and Catering, and Slovenian cocktails. Then shop handmade items from area artists – all of whom use recycled and reclaimed materials for their art. RSVP at facebook.com/events/711099568903043 and learn more about the shop’s regular hours at collectiveupcycle.blogspot.com

Cleveland Flea (Nov. 23 and 24): The next Cleveland Flea will take place this Saturday and Sunday at the Slovenian National Home. Part urban treasure hunt, part culinary adventure, part maker center, this month’s Cleveland Flea focuses on vintage and handmade holiday gifts. Find jewelry, art, crafts, clothing, and food from the city’s local talent. You can also register for workshops from a few of the makers at the Flea. More info at theclevelandflea.com

The Cleveland Flea’s Holiday Shopping Event, Nov. 23-24

Made in the 216 (Opening Night Party Nov. 29, Holiday Shoppe open through Dec. 24): Skip the mall on Black Friday and go to R/S Boutique instead for their 6th annual Made in the 216 Holiday Shoppe. Apparel, home goods, cards, jewelry and kids gifts, all made in the 216, can be found at the shop between Nov. 29 and Christmas Eve. Their Opening Night party starts at 4pm on Nov. 29 and features music from DJ Peter Pleasurecruise, their very own MADE brew on tap, wine and hot toddy’s, as well as treats from Becca Ritterspach of the newly launched Cleveland Confectionery. Hours and other information for the Holiday Shoppe are available at facebook.com/events/240093742813286.

Winterfest and Cleveland Gift Box (Nov. 30): Kick off the holiday season on Nov. 30 in downtown Cleveland’s Public Square. Winterfest features entertainment and activities all day long, food trucks, free horse-drawn carriage rides, and Public Square’s holiday lighting ceremony and fireworks show. The Winter Wine & Ale Fest takes place after the fireworks and a holiday pop-up shop can be found in the Square from 2-7pm. Other events will take place around downtown including the 5th Street Arcade’s Cleveland Gift Box. From 11am-6pm, peruse a holiday market featuring downtown retailers and pop-up vendors. Check out Winterfest’s schedule and Cleveland Gift Box’s current vendors list.

Pop Up Shaker (starts 11/30; various other dates): Take a short trip to Shaker Heights’ Van Aken District for Pop Up Shaker. Indulge in handcrafted foods by the Cleveland Culinary Launch & Kitchen at Juma Gallery. Learn to make craft jewelry, a crochet necklace, and more when Cleveland Craft Connection teaches DIY classes and hosts a handmade market at Lucy’s Sweet Surrender. And take window-shopping up a notch with Upcycle St. Clair’s Shop the Window event. Upcycle St. Clair will fill a vacant Shaker storefront with gifts that shoppers can purchase by scanning a QR code with their phone. Celebrate Small Business Saturday at Pop Up Shaker’s Nov. 30 opening, or stop by one of the 7 other days they’re open throughout December. Full schedule and vendors list at tackk.com/popupshaker.

Pop Up Shaker, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14 and 15

Holiday CircleFest (Dec. 8): Experience Cleveland’s cultural treasures free of charge at the 20th Annual Holiday CircleFest on December 8. From 1:00-5:30 p.m., more than a dozen of University Circle’s museums, gardens, galleries, churches, and schools will be open for free and offer an afternoon of activities, music, food, fun, and shopping. For instance, experience Glow at the Cleveland Botanical Garden where you’ll find holiday shopping in their Treetop Shop and the Garden Store, as well as beautifully decorated grounds, a hall of trees and gingerbread displays. Read my review of last year’s Glow and learn more about this year’s Holiday CircleFest.

Tremont Holiday BrewHaHa (Dec. 13-15): Celebrate all that’s brewing in the Tremont neighborhood on December 13, 14 and 15 at the Tremont Holiday BrewHaHa. Before Saturday’s Santa Shuffle and the Snow Days concert on Sunday, BrewHaHa kicks off with a Pop Up Shop and Party on Friday, December 13. Lolly The Trolley will provide free transportation throughout the neighborhood as you participate in the Tremont BrewHop and Holiday ArtWalk. The BrewHaHa Holiday PopUp Shop & Party will feature over 25 artisans, music and a cash craft beer bar at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Details for all three BrewHaHa days are available at tremontbrewhaha.com.

Winter Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show (Dec. 15): Head out to Solon on Dec. 15 for the next Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. From 12-5:30pm, this show at the Terry Macklin Entertainment & Event Centre will feature artists, crafters, and a full bar. Admission costs $3 and a portion of proceeds will go to the Northeast Ohio Make-a-Wish Foundation. It’s an excellent way to give back while stocking up on holiday gifts. You will find their full list of upcoming shows at avantgardeshows.com/#!events/cwvn.

Last Minute Market, Dec. 21

Last Minute Market (Dec. 21): I normally don’t advise waiting til the last moment to finish your holiday shopping; however, if you do, you’re in luck with the Last Minute Market and Screw Factory Open Studio on December 21. Over 100 jury-selected artists and craftspeople from Cleveland and the rust belt region will have gifts for sale between 10am and 6pm. In addition, artists whose studios are in Lakewood’s Lake Erie Building will open their doors for a peek at their workspace and an opportunity to purchase their work. More info: lastminutemarket.blogspot.com.

Disclosure: I was invited to attend ArtScape’s preview party, I-X Christmas Connection and the Cleveland Flea sneak peek with a guest. My opinions of these and the other events are 100% my own.

Compassion from Fashion, Nov. 23 to benefit The Gathering Place and University Hospitals (UH) Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.

Last June I ran my first Race for the Place 5K, a fundraiser for The Gathering Place. From support groups and nutrition classes to medical libraries and their HairPeace Wig Salons, The Gathering Place provides programs for anyone affected by cancer in Greater Cleveland.

I ran it for my dad, who beat melanoma and two rounds of lymphoma with a smile on his face and strength that continues to amaze me. 

My dad, cancer survivor and fashionhound

On Saturday, November 23, you’ll have the chance to support The Gathering Place’s mission — and you don’t need to lace up a pair of sneakers to do it.

From 5-9pm, Beachwood Place will host Compassion from Fashion. It’s the event’s 5th anniversary and will raise money not just for The Gathering Place, but also University Hospitals (UH) Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.

Ticketholders will enjoy food from Nordstrom Sixth & Pine and Maggiano’s Little Italy, a cash bar, a $10 Beachwood Place gift card (for the first 1,000 tickets sold), and exclusive retailer discounts throughout the mall.  

These one-night-only discounts are a great way to get an early start on holiday shopping or treat yourself!

In addition to food, drink, and shopping, Compassion from Fashion includes a fashion show at 7pm (Photo via Beachwood Place)

A fashion show starting at 7pm will feature cancer survivors, children and families from UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospitals, and local favorites such as:

• Glenn Anderson, Q104 Fee’s Kompany personality, with his daughter, Madeline
• Mitchell Heard, Lake Erie Monsters center
• Maureen Kyle, WKYC reporter and personality
• Ryan “Mickey” McClean, Cosmo’s Hottest Bachelor of the Year
• Kelly McMann, Q104 host and personality
• Lee Moffie, Lake Erie Monsters defenseman
• Chris Van Vliet, 19 Action News entertainment reporter and Cosmo’s Hottest Bachelor of the Year
• Marcelle Varejao, wife of Cleveland Cavaliers power forward and center, Anderson Varejao
• Carrie Young, WEWS Live on Five producer, with her dog, Elmo
  

Pre-sale tickets can be purchased now at www.CompassionFromFashion.com for only $25 or at the door the night of the event for $30. Attendees will choose which charity they wish to support when purchasing their ticket.

I’m also giving away a pair of tickets this week. How to enter: Do one, some, or all five of the entries. A separate comment is needed for each.

You can increase your chances of winning over at WhyCLE’s giveaway which also went up today.

There are 5 Easy Ways to Enter the Giveaway
**You must leave a separate comment on this post for each entry**

1) Leave a comment on this post with your favorite place to shop at Beachwood Place. Need ideas? Check out some of the retailers on the Compassion from Fashion discount page.

2) Follow @BeachwoodPlace and @ADHicken on Twitter and leave one comment on this post telling me you did both.

3) If you’re a fan of Clue Into Cleveland and Beachwood Place on Facebook, leave one comment on this blog post letting me know. If you’re not yet a fan, you can become one here and here.

4) Tweet the following and leave one comment letting me know you tweeted:

Want to win a night of food and fashion at @BeachwoodPlace? Enter @ADHicken’s Compassion from Fashion giveaway http://wp.me/p2Ukr0-2iO

You can tweet once per day for additional entries. Just leave a separate comment each time you tweet.

5) Subscribe to Clue Into Cleveland via a feed tracker like Bloglovin’ or Feedly and leave one comment letting me know you did. This can also include signing up to receive email notifications in the top-right “Subscribe” section of this page.

You have until Wednesday, November 13 at 11:59 PM to enter. Random.org will select the winner, which I will announce on Thursday, November 14. Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry – good luck!

Note: The list of fashion show attendees was updated at 2pm on 11/7 after being informed Stefani Schaefer is no longer able to attend.

Disclosure: I was invited to attend Compassion from Fashion with a guest in exchange for hosting a giveaway. My choice to post about this event and opinions are 100% my own.

Guest blogger: www.DogsintheCLE.com

First of all, I want to thank Amanda for letting me guest post on her blog. As a blogging newbie I am excited to be featured on her blog – one of my favorites to read to find out what’s going on the CLE.

One of the reasons I started blogging about dog-friendly places in Cleveland was to find more places I could take my dog. Before I got a dog I had no idea the guilt that I would feel leaving him for long periods of time. Lucky for me I have discovered there’s enough dog-friendly places in Cleveland that it’s possible to spend your day with your dog and still get out and enjoy the city.

Cleveland parks are among the most dog-friendly in Ohio, bars and patios spread across the city welcome dogs, and tons of local businesses cater to the dog-loving crowd. Here’s my rundown of how to spend a day with your dog from sunrise to sunset and still get everything you need to do accomplished:

Pomerian-about-town Hunter and his buddy Sampson enjoy brunch at Luxe

BREAKFAST/BRUNCH

Any weekend or day off should start with brunch, at least in my opinion. There are lots of great patios to take your dog, but for an everyday dog-friendly brunch, you can’t do better than Lucky’s. This is one of my favorite brunch spots in Cleveland, and the casual patio is great for hanging out with your dog. It does get crowded on weekends, so your best bet is to go early or on a weekday. If you’re spending the day with your dog on a Sunday, Luxe and Rocky River Wine Bar, two of the best patios on the west side, also hold dog-friendly brunches.

SHOPPING

Have some shopping to do but don’t want to leave your dog at home? Bring a friend along and hit up Crocker Park with your dog. The outdoor shopping complex welcomes dogs, providing a “Fido Station” with bags to clean up after your dog. Although I’ve heard that you can bring your dog into some stores if they’re in a bag or carrier, if you do plan to do more than window shop, you may want to bring a friend to hang out with your dog. There are a lot of outside seating areas to hang out, and Aladdin’s and Chipotle will allow you to eat on their patios with your dog.

If you need to get some grocery shopping done, you can make a stop at one of the local farmer’s markets with your dog. The Downtown Farmers Market in Public Square, Gordon Square Farmers’ Market and Tremont Farmers’ Market are all dog friendly. Tremont Farmers’ Market, held on Tuesdays, also hosts many dog-related vendors and holds a Dog Daze of Summer event featuring speakers and dog demos.

Crocker Park makes it easy for shopping dog-owners to pick up after their pup

EXERCISE

Hate to leave your dog at home when you go to the gym? Thank Dog Bootcamp is a dog-friendly workout option held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday and Sunday mornings either at South Chagrin Reservation or Beachwood City Park. In the winter months, they move indoors. My dog and I tried this recently and loved it! It was great to be able to work out with my dog. The boot camp also focuses on dog obedience, so it’s a great way to work on training your dog as well.

DINNER

On the west side some of my favorite dog friendly dining spots are Nano Brew in Ohio City and Clifton Martini and Wine Bar in Lakewood. Not only is the food delicious at both places, but the patios are large enough to feel comfortable hanging out with your dog while you eat. For a list of dog friendly patios check out: http://www.dogsinthecle.com/#!patios-bars/c1c2t

Disclaimer: Since I live on the west side, this dog day is very west-side focused. But don’t worry, if you’re an eastsider there’s still plenty of dog-friendly things to do. Some of the best spots for eastsiders to spend the day with their dog – Holden Arboretum, Fairport Harbor for swimming and Legacy Village for shopping.

Ann McDonald blogs at www.dogsinthecle.com. At the age of 14 she was finally successful in convincing her parents to get a dog (a crazy beagle named Daisy) and it’s been a love affair ever since. When she’s not checking out dog-friendly spots with her curious and social Pomeranian, Hunter, she can be found planning trips she can’t afford and thinking about what she is going to eat next.

Since cutting down my blog posts to twice a week, there’s been a lot I’ve wanted to write about but haven’t had time to. So, in lieu of cloning myself for the purpose of blogging (I don’t know what Scott would say about that!), I put together this list of upcoming events in Cleveland and other news that caught my eye.

MIX Americana at Cleveland Museum of Art – July 5

An All-American MIX: The next MIX event at the Cleveland Museum of Art is this Friday, July 5. To celebrate Independence Day, the museum is taking MIX outdoors onto their beautiful south steps. If you’ve ever been to Solstice, you’ll know what an incredible place it is for a party. MIX: Americana will feature local Ohio brews, music from Akron’s indie folk band Bethesda, and art programming celebrating the American art collection. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door, FREE for members.

Finding Time for the 4th: This Fourth of July is going to be a quiet one in the Hicken household. I’m looking forward to redecorating my home office now that I have a desk moved in (no more typing on my coffee table!), and then maybe heading down to Cedar Point to watch some fireworks. Not sure where to go in your area for fireworks and Fourth of July festivities? Find Time for Fun has this comprehensive list of Northeast Ohio celebrations. And don’t forget the Port of Cleveland Tall Ships Festival July 3-7.

Whole Foods’ Pie in July:  When I’m at a summer BBQ, the perfect ending is a slice of fresh fruit pie. And I’m glad Whole Foods agrees because from July 1 through 14, stop by the Cedar Center Whole Foods in University Heights and pick up any of their 9” pies for only $9.99. Available pies include Blueberry, Cherry, Strawberry Rhubarb, Apple, Peach, Coconut Cream Pie, Chocolate Cream Pie, Key Lime Pie, Banana Cream Pie and Pecan. I’ll take one of each!  Update: You can also attend a free pie-tasting at the Woodmere Whole Foods on July 6 from 11am-3pm.

Free pre-FringeNYC performance of Double Heart – July 7

See Cleveland’s Double Heart before FringeNYC: This Spring, Cleveland playwright David Hansen premiered his new play Double Heart (The Courtship of Beatrice and Benedick) as part of Great Lakes Theater’s touring educational program.  A prequel to Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”, it was enjoyed by over 2,400 audience members at 22 school and community sites across northern Ohio. And now it’s going to New York City – having been accepted into the 2013 New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC)!

Before it heads to the bright lights of the Big Apple, you can catch a one-night-only, FREE performance on July 7 at Talespinner Children’s Theatre. The performance starts at 7pm. It’s always awesome to see something created, staged and produced by Cleveland artists recognized on a national scale like this.

Jingle in July: Although the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell 5K isn’t until December, the Northeast Ohio chapter is kicking things off on July 24th with a fun Jingle in July party at Legacy Village’s Lilly Pulitzer. From 5-8pm, enjoy a presentation from the Lilly Pulitzer team about Fall fashion trends, learn more about the Jingle Bell Run/Walk on December 8, and nibble on some holiday-themed cocktails and cookies. 10% of that night’s sales goes towards the Arthritis Foundation. Follow @JingleBellCLE for more details.

Cleveland Botanical Garden’s Glasshouse celebrates 10 years – July 14

Botanical Garden’s Glasshouse Turns 10: When the Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse opened its doors on July 15, 2003, the Cleveland Botanical Garden was transformed into a destination experience that could be enjoyed year-round. On July 14, the Botanical Garden celebrates the Glasshouse’s 10th anniversary with free admission to the Garden and Glasshouse from noon – 5pm, meet-and-greet opportunities with Glasshouse horticulturists and animal-care staff all day, Creature Features at 1 and 3 pm, and Butterfly Releases at 2 and 4 pm.

Let’s “Shakes” on It: Now in its 16th season of free summer Shakespeare, The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival brings the Bard to outdoor venues all around Cleveland through August 4. This season’s 2 productions playing in repertory are Measure for Measure and Two Gentlemen of Verona. Shakespeare’s words are infused with hints of New Orleans jazz and gospel, fairytales and Commedia dell’ Arte in these performances which are entirely free. And keep an eye out on their website – www.cleveshakes.com – to see when their next Shakespeare Open Mic takes place.

Attention, CLE Bloggers: Picnic in the Park: On July 23, join the Ohio Blogging Association members for a summer picnic at Tremont’s Lincoln Park. Bring dinner from home or pick something up at the Tremont Farmers Market. Over dinner in the park, we’ll meet for an open discussion on blogging. Bring your thoughts, comments, and concerns to share with one another.

Chucklefck’s Freekshows on July 5 and July 12 are just 2 of their 6 comedy shows this July

Your Funny Bone Fix: With six Chucklefck shows this July, there’s no excuse to not have a smile on your face. Tonight, stop by Reddstone for The Dating Game hosted by Mike Polk Jr.: Romance. Slow dance. Laughs. $2 canned beer. 25 cent wings. Even if you don’t find love, you’re sure to have a laugh and a good time.

Other comedy performances include:

• The free comedy Supershow on July 3 at Underdog
• Freekshow’s Free Show for ‘Merica at the Centrum Theatre on July 5
• Freekshow with Bill Squire on July 12
• Ramon Rivas II’s monthly World’s Best Basement show at the Great Lakes Brewing Co.’s pub on July 17
• Chucklefck Comedy Stage at the Rock City Festival on July 26

Summer Drinks and Eats with PlayhouseSquare Partners:  Partners ventures into Cleveland’s neighborhoods to enjoy some delicious eats this summer. The next PlayhouseSquare Dine Around takes place on July 16 with a trip to the Gordon Square Arts District. Choose from Luxe, Spice, The Harp, or Reddstone. After dinner, the entire group will meet up at Stone Mad to enjoy drinks on the patio.

Partners will then head over to Lago’s new spot on August 8 for a summer wines tasting. From 5:30-6:30pm a wine representative and Lago’s Sommelier will be present to guide attendees through 4 wine and small-bite pairings. You do not need to be a PlayhouseSquare Partner to attend either event.  The wine tasting is $30 advance, $40 night-of. You pay for what you order at the Dine Around.

Disclosure: I was invited to attend MIX and the Jingle in July events. I am also a member of PlayhouseSquare Partners and the Ohio Blogging Association. My choice to blog about these events and my opinions about them are 100% my own.