Year in Review

With 2009 coming to a close, I've decided to go through some happenings in the past year. I'm going to try to go in order, we'll see how it works:

1. New Orleans, Louisiana - Cafe du Monde, O'Breins, Bourbon Street, Hurricane Glasses, Mardi Gras beads, Triple XXX entertainment walking the streets, Po Boys and Beignets, lots of beignets.
2. San Francisco, California - in a few words, The Golden Gate bridge. Oh and driving hungover/still drunk to the airport with Amy and Keri. That was hilarious - for me, not them.. since I was the one driving.
3. My official year anniversary at the job! - ALREADY OUT OF ORDER
4. Bret Michael's at the Rib Cook Off - his pants were tighter than crew cut socks.
5. Trip to Erie in May to see Hurst friends... Not to mention the one night stay at the Knights Inn on 12th street (what was I thinking!)
6. Driving with Izzy... Shes a great ride.
7. Colorado to see Sara and Matt, coupled with Chases first plane ride.
8. Moving out of the rents establishment only to be faced with a rent of my own. Totally worth it though
9. Charter fishing with Megan in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, and we drank a lot of Moo Cow!
10. Las Vegas, Nevada - Living in a hotel for 2 weeks, Palm Trees, Helicopter over the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam, Bellagio for Cirque du Soleil, Red Rock Canyon, Getting pulled over for doing 85 in a 70 (and not getting a ticket), Learning that there are more restaurants than people in Vegas, and Gambling... a lot.
11. Berry Hill Plantation - 1 word: haunted
12. Stealing massive amount of free shampoo and conditioner from every hotel I've stayed in, except that Knights Inn of course. sick.
13. Kings of Leon concert!!
14. Finding the best seats for Mat Kearney
15. Finding that its easy to go out and even easier to stay in...
16. Random shows at Grog Shop and Beachland - Katie Herzig, Portugal the Man, Dan Auerbach, Those Darlins, Analogue, LIGHTS (not random, truly intended)
17. Realizing the reason I never watched TV was because I had yet to be introduced to DVR.
18. Allowing myself to scale walls (not really) and trust Adam to not leave me behind in abandoned buildings. Along with this would be learning to use a knife, actually just to close it.
19. Joining Cleveland plays for Fall touch Football, only to break my finger after the 3rd game.
20. Surgery on that finger, and the funny looks I now receive when I show it to people.
21. Buying my very own power drill. Actually buying everything to make this apartment a home
22. Working the full time job and at the pool over the summer.
23. Allowing myself to say no
24. New friends... you know who you are.

25. Cedar Point and my first time on the Magnum XL

26. Finding polar bear a new home :)

A few more I just thought of:

27. Jen and Rich getting Married and Adam meeting the Turk side of the family

28. Christina and Pete's Lebanese Wedding

29. Unfortunately missing Andrea and Jason's Wedding, but making it to the baby shower!

30. Driving to Pittsburgh to meet the Mancinelli Clan!! They are a lovely bunch :)

There are plenty more happenings I can label from this year; I just know if I get too retrospective, I may find something that was so easy to repress. 2009 was a great year, and I most certainly look forward to 2010 with all of my friends and family. Enjoy - S

I'm Stunned

You wouldn't think Cleveland, Ohio would be featured in a Perez Hilton fashion blog, but the city has made it! The item of discussion isn't an up-and-coming designer, but fashionable pepper spray and stun guns. Rose Guardian, located inside the City Club building at E. 9th and Euclid, sells items for self defense and home security in chic packaging. Pepper spray disguised as a blush brush or walking weights, provide immediate protection. Or, my favorite, the cat key chain. Eyes become finger holes and the ears pack a powerful punch!

Head into 2010 safely and with a bit of style, while supporting a local CLE vendor.

http://cocoperez.com/2009-12-25-would-you-use-disguised-weapons

http://www.roseguardian.com/

Its been too long... an hour to be exact

So sorry dudes! Its been a good amount of time since I've written anything. Mostly because nothing has really been happening aside from freezing temperatures...

I'm beginning to realize my life is falling into a bit of a pattern and I can't take it! Get up, go to work, work work work, head back the apt, make dinner, watch MTV videos (Keri Hilson - Knock You Down - is currently on), The Office or a movie, and go to bed. I'm legitimately lame.... well not really - I have been living my life on-the-go since I graduated High School, that when I actually have time to sit by myself, I get bored after 1 hour. Ideas for a new hobby, Please!

Maybe I could teach myself dance moves while watching these videos??? (Rihanna - Hard)

Let me know!
-S

Levis - "Go Forth"

I may be a bit behind the curve here, but I love the Levis 'Go Forth ad campaign. Appropriately introducing the campaign at the beginning of July, Levis targets the optimistic American looking for freedom and the opportunity to move forward. Using Walt Whitman's 1888 poem, America, Levi's has created television ads that evoke the 'New American' attitude and re inspire 70s styling.

The new campaign is also being used to grasp the attention of young adults who have turned to 7 for all Mankind and Tru Religion jeans. The incredible fit comes with a hot price tag upwards of $200. With a kinder price of $35 and a label that is know for it's heritage, will Levi's be able to pull through the denim war?

I'll let you be the judge...

For - http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2009/levis-go-forth-in-america/

Against - http://adage.com/garfield/post?article_id=137733

Enjoy!

S

I think my Christmas tree is leaning; but I don't care

I'm still putting the finishing touches on my Christmas decorations at the apartment. But so far I'm pleased! The Christmas tree purchased at target ($25 mind you) is holding up wonderfully and was super easy to assemble - even for me. The candles everywhere add a soft touch, unfortunately last night one had a bit of an accident....
.... I came home yesterday to a freezing apartment. Seems that I left the front window open, mostly because I couldn't shut it, while on my trip to Texas. I was so cold upon my return, I turned on every radiator not thinking of how quickly they heat up. After an awesome dinner with ATF, I returned home and fell fast asleep; mostly a bi-product of the 6 pack I drank and the fact that my apartment was a heated incubator.
While moving Christmas decorations around after a shopping stint at the bulls eye this morning, I realized my awesome three wick candle is now a pile of wax due to its bad placement on top of the radiator shelf. It literally melted from the bottom up! Luckily I was able to salvage most of it.
The rest of the decoration are still in tact.. aside from the two candle light bulbs I broke while cleaning.... :)

Texas = Snow?

Cleveland loves me so much, it's weather patterns have decided to follow me all the way to Texas! This morning I awoke to snow flurries through out the sky. Although I wish I were in Cleveland for my first snow of the season, its nice to know that my city is thinking about be :)

Get Grilled...

Last night, my sister called to discuss our adventure plans for today:

Steffie - "So, is this place like fancy?"

Shel - "Ummm, No, its more like artsy, eclectic. Very friendly people, and some of the best food on the west side"

Steffie - " Oh okay good, I can't wait to see your place."

That's right, the family is trekking out from Willoughby to see my new abode at the corner of Lake and Cove. Grammy, Aunt Kristi, Mom and Stefanie will all be coming to see the new place and take me out to lunch at Melt Bar and Grilled in Lakewood. Hence, why I'm up at 7.57am on a Sunday. No I'm not getting ready for church; the ooozie cheesiness of a Melt sandwich is a holy enough experience for me. Ultimately, I'm trying to make my space look like a home and dispose of the empty bottle of wine on the kitchen counter that was easily downed last night.

I went to Melt's website to check out the hours and did a little bit of exploring. It seems as though my friends back home will soon be able to enjoy "The Kindergarten" without the drive into Lakewood. Melt is opening a second establishment on Cedar Rd. in Cleveland Heights. With its close proximity to Lee and Coventry, the East Side venture will pull in a similar crowd as the Lakewood restaurant.

My favorite combination at Melt is the "Half Combo". Half of "The Kindergarten", with your choice or cheese and topping, side salad and choice of soup...which is usually the vegetable chili. Favorite Salad (My usual order - I have a bit of a weak stomach to handle all of the above) is the "Bread, Bacon and Blue". The salad is a huge pile of fresh greens, blue cheese, fresh made herb croutons and warm bacon balsamic dressing. I usually add grilled chicken on top, but steak can also be added.

Today, we have the Sunday Brunch menu to choose from as well. This includes breakfast combos and Belgian waffles.

I love the quirkiness of Melt. From the year round Christmas decorations to the random coffee mugs that are used to serve soup, Melt is a conversational piece in itself at every table in the Pub. I can't wait for my family to get here... all this talk about food is making me a bit hungry!

Enjoy!

http://www.meltbarandgrilled.com/

It's a Love Story, Baby just say YES!

Last night at the CMT awards our favorite blonde received the award for Entertainer of the Year! Obviously Kayne's attempt at the VMA's didn't hold this little lady down. Great Job Tay!

Check her out in the upcoming 3-D issue of InStyle Magazine. The first 3-D publication that doesn't require flimsy glasses, is set to hit the stands soon!

http://www.wwd.com/media-news/fashion-memopad/memo-pad-instyles-trippy-taylor-swift-oprah-winfrey-in-prabal-gurung-2368951?src=twitter

Can You Pay My Bills?

Destiny's Child wasn't kidding when they wrote their 1999 smash hit Bills, Bills, Bills: at any age you need to find someone that can help you get out of the red. I'm not saying I want someone that holds all the pink slips in his hand, I just want a bit of dual income action. That also doesn't mean that I only think realtionships/marriage are a financial tool; there should be a lot of love behind the words "I love you" or "I do". But, between school loans, car, rent, and other miscellaneous bills, its really hard to find yourself in a comfortable place. Yes, you're right, having someone elses debt might not help either. But at least then you won't feel bad when you tell your boyfriend or husband he needs to eat Turkey hot dogs for the next three days because rent is due. At least at the end of the day, you get to eat hot dogs together...

New Beginnings

Halloween weekend is coming up and we are very excited to say that the Space will be picking up from its current location in Willoughby and heading to the West Side! Lakewood, Ohio will become our new stomping ground and we couldn't be happier. With its close proximity to Downtown Cleveland, Lakewood will provide Studio Space and its writers the chance to branch out in the music and art scene. Currently we are working on interviews with up and coming Cleveland artist and the fun doesn't stop there. Keep following along! We will be updating soon!

Star Gazing

If you're up at 1am, or anytime between then and dusk Wednesday, be sure to take a quick peek outside for the 2009 Orionid Meteor Shower. Producing 20-25 meteors an hour, it should be quite the display. Best way to find em is to look up :)

Want to chat about it: use Twitter hashtag #meteorshower when you find those little lights in the sky.

http://tinyurl.com/yz39s5o
www.twitter.com/STudio_space

Blogging from Bed

A few things I'm happy about today:
1. I'm currently cuddled in my bed and not ashamed to admit that I'm still in my pj's
2. My finger hurts like hell, but I am able to hit the enter key with it again!
3. Dad made the best breakfast this morning... Perfect cure for the Holy Moses/Stella Artois blues
4. Browns vs. Steelers.
5. Troy is back on the field today. Epic!
6. I have decided I would like to see Paranormal Activity tonight. Who is in?!
7. Last night may have been the last time I drive to Wlby from Lakewood at 1:45am due to my fear of sleeping in strange places - Somniphobia?
8. My room is a mess. Hopefully that means I'm making progress on packing
9. The newest edition of Real Simple Magazine - its the simple things in life :)
10. Apple Crisp

http://www.realsimple.com/
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=4474

Football Frenzy

Oh Saturday, I love when we get to cuddle up and sleep in on these cold fall mornings together ... OR when the alarm clock rings at 7:00am to get ready for Saturday football!

Yes all, I have re-started my position on Local 306; they needed a girl and its not like I really did much before I broke my finger.
----For those who are unaware of my current situation, here's the quick story. 2nd week of football I broke my right small finger in an attempt to recover a fumble. I thought it would be a simple fix, but it turned out I needed surgery! So now I have titanium plates and screws in my delicate hand. Aside from having to wear a cast for two weeks and having the fattest finger in the world, I'm doing much better and therapy is going really well.----

Adam, our team captain and my trusty side kick in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, asked me to come out and "just stand there". Well I definitely did more than just stand there; the current condition of my football cleats and white Muni Pool sweatshirt is proof.

Our team did like we always do for the first half; interceptions thrown, balls dropped and a few touchdowns from the opposition that should have been prevented. Some how, after about 6 weeks, Taseff had an Oprah "Ah-Ha" moment and asked to use the oppositions football (Bouce and Sons - #1 team, naturally - and many of our other opponents play with a smaller ball than we do.) There was a dramatic difference in play and team moral for the second half. Ryan Cravotta was a force to be reckoned with and Adam Taseff chimed in with two touchdowns, not to mention his two extra point blocks in the first half. We were a completely different team and it felt great! Although we still didn't catch up enough to win, I think that was the most fun I've had playing with these guys since our first game. I can assure you if it weren't 10am and I wasn't poor, I would have gone to the Tremont Treehouse with my teammates.

But, celebrate we will tonight! Ryan has a birthday request and it involves Cleveland Beer Week. We will start the celebration at Great Lakes Brewery, a place I have yet to visit, and then work our way to East 4th or West 6th. Yes, I know I'm taking my single self into the land of douch-baggery, simply known as West 6th; but like any guy is really going to approach a chick who thinks a hand splint is the top fall fashion accessory.

Looking forward to a great night!

http://www.clevelandplays.com/League.aspx?LeagueID=524
http://www.clevelandbeerweek.org/
http://www.treehousecleveland.com/

It's Friday I'm In Love

It's 9:43pm on a Friday and I am completely content with staying inside away from the elements. Lately, Friday evenings have become my safe haven where I can actually breathe and relax. My oldest sister Sara, who lives in Colorado, says her favorite relaxation moment during the week is when she comes home from work, has a glass of red wine and makes dinner with Matt, her boyfriend. So relax, crack open a bottle and exhale; because tomorrow is Saturday, and if you're anything like me, you have a packed schedule of family, friends and the great outdoors. Enjoy the evening!

Leasing Office

Today is a great day. Not only is it Friday; a day when if all else fails, you watch movie trailers at work. But its also the day when I officially sign my lease to the new place in Lakewood.

Lakewood, Ohio. What can be said? Aside from the fact that its close to downtown CLE and the CLE Metroparks, its also has great history and an amazing social scene.

First things first, I'm not a newbie to the Lakewood scene. Working in Rocky River for the past year, I have learned to love and appreciate the surrounding areas known simply as the West Side. Don't fret East Siders - I still love Willoughby and all that it has to offer, BUT I'm ready to try something new!

Secondly, I finally found a place that has everything I want (well almost). Right price, right size, wood floors, high ceilings. Only downfall - NO PARKING. So street parking it is, not a problem for Izzy. Izzy is my car for those of you who are unaware... I'm sure one day I will write about all the loves in my life, but for today a simple introduction will do: Izzy the Impreza.

Well, I'm off to sign the papers!

No this is not a tribute to Mr. Phil Collins

Welcome to my personal blog: STudio Space.
This space is a creative work bench for all the things I'm currently interested in. My style is whimsical and adaptive; always inventing, ever changing.
STudio Space is my sewing machine, my turn table, my dive, my vent: its STraight up Shelley.