Wearing Mascara

Earth Fare winner and Indian food

by Julie on January 25, 2012

Hi all,

I used Random.org to pick a winner for the Earth Fare gift card…

And the winner is… my girl Lindsay! Congrats girlie – I will give you the gift card when I see you next

**********

Last night, I met some girls for Indian food at Indian Delight. The food was good, but I wasn’t too pleased with the service. I ordered mild, but my food was incredibly spicy, almost uncomfortable for me (I can handle a little kick, but not too much). The waiters weren’t quite on the ball with everything else either, like providing enough boxes/foil, etc to wrap up our food. I’m hoping the next time I go back will be different, but I’m not a huge fan right now.

Regardless of the service, the company was aweeeeeesome I love these girls… the ones pictured (Kimberly, Crystal, Jen, and Amanda) plus Alicia and Sarah were in attendance.

{ 3 comments }

My tweet was on a jumbotron

by Julie on January 24, 2012

in Life,Restaurants

Hi all,

I can’t believe the weekend is over – it was such a fun one! Professionally, Friday was a big day for me because I presented for the first time! Luckily, I had two awesome co-workers to present with – I think we did great and had fun while doing it, which is so important. I’m really lucky to be working in such a great place.

Friday night, Miss Stephanie and I went out for SUSHI…. mmmmm. I think the last time I had sushi was in November? It’s been way too long. I need to pick it up more from the grocery store on random evenings. We went to Pearl of the Orient and it was pretty amazing. I’m really picky with sushi because I’ve had some “bad experiences” with it. I don’t even really like fish, so the fact that I love sushi is huge for me. And really, I love it.

Pink saki was served. Cheers were had.

For people who are afraid to try sushi or are turned off by it, I was once in your shoes. I really recommend starting with veggie sushi first and then transition into fishy sushi. If you need an extra step in between, try tempura which is fried. Not too healthy, but not raw either. Steph also suggested that sushi with cream cheese is another great way to transition into loving sushi. Sooner or later, you will start craving it like I do!

My fortune made me giggle because I added the extension, “in bed.” Tee hee…

Does anyone else always crave ice cream after Asian food? I do. Menchies had to happen.

Todd was gone for work all week and he came home on Saturday {I missed him}. That night we went to the Lake Erie Monsters game!

The jumbotron encouraged us to tweet to @TweetQTube, so naturally I did.

THEN…. the coolest thing happened!

I tried so hard to get a picture of my tweet being broadcast on the jumbotron, but I was too late. Boo hiss. Oh well – it was a cool experience regardless.

The Monster’s lost, but we had a great time!

Sunday night dinner with my family was really fun, and yummy! My mom makes an awesome pumpkin pasta dish. Violet is so sassy. She’s going to be a heart breaker, I know it.

I hope you’re doing well.

Cheers <3

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Ohio Blogging Association January meet-up

by Julie on January 20, 2012

in Blogging,Food

Hi all!

Wednesday night was the first Ohio Blogging Association meet-up of 2012 (I still have issues writing “2012″ instead of “2011″). As always, Alicia did an exceptional job of coordinating the event and has a great recap up on Poise in Parma. The event was held at Whole Foods Cedar Center. The wine and beer were plentiful as well as the individual pizzas we had the opportunity to create.

My pizza had pesto, mozzarella, feta (makes everything beta’), tomatoes, and olives. Nom.

Stephanie, Me, Crystal, Sarah.

The beer was delicious. One day, I will visit Southern Tier Brewing Company in New York. It’s basically the home to the best beer in the world, in my opinion (um, hello Pumking Ale…)

Julie, Nidhi, me, and Steph.

An assortment of pizza.

Crystal, and Alicia (the super star planner).

Crystal and Kimberly.

Dave and Alicia.

The highlight of the night was being able to take home free growlers from Whole Foods. For a fee, these can be filled to the brim with fresh beer from Whole Foods! They always have different varieties on tap.

Blog girls (plus Hans!), all linked above except for Jen.

All in all, it was a fun night! Major thanks to Whole Foods for allowing us to crash the store for the evening. We really appreciate it.

P.S. Clevelanders, don’t forget to enter to win a $50 gift card to Earth Fare!

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Cleveland giveaway time: Earth Fare in Fairview Park

by Julie on January 19, 2012

in Cleveland,Healthy Living,Reviews

Hi there,

How is everyone doing tonight? I’m doing very well! Today {plus this week} has been tough, work-wise, but it’s going to be downhill from this point forward. I love that feeling! Plus, I have a half-day on Friday. Ahhhh, that will be the best! Tonight I attended an Ohio Blogger Association meet-up that I will be recapping soon.

Back in December, I received an email asking if I’d be interested in touring the new Earth Fare in Fairview Park. Of course I was interested! Food is always up my alley, especially if it’s healthy, whole food. The best part? Earth Fare’s philosophy on whole foods, which completely jives with me. I gave up artificial crap back in 2009 and haven’t looked back. Well, I gave most of it up (no diet pop for me, for example).

Earth Fare is a very attractive store, I must say. The environment felt homey and the staff was very nice and welcoming. Man, it was so busy when I went, but it seemed like the staff really enjoyed their job which I think says a lot.

They have tons of bulk bins (which includes candy!).

Make my own peanut butter? Yes, please with cherries on top. (one of those has chocolate inside… mmmm chocolate peanut butter!)

Free samples are plentiful.

The meat? Organic and good for you and the animals. Love.

Beer. Lots and lots ‘o beer.

And wine. The alcoholic in me was cheering.

Scoop your own RAVIOLI. I’m coming back just for this.

My favorite part had to be the Mediterranean bar. That night, I took home a plate of hummus, tabouli, and pita bread. If I had this bar set up in my apartment, I’d be happy every day of the week.

I was a huge fan of the PURELL at every corner.

Bottom Line:

Earth Fare rocks. I highly recommend this store to everyone! My favorite part about the company is their emails. I have been a subscriber to their email list since December, and they have promotions all the time (and they don’t annoyingly email you constantly). Who says eating healthy has to be expensive? Sign up for their emails and you won’t regret it.

My opinions are my own and that’s just how it is. Trust me, I would tell you if this place was no fun, but I can honestly say that I love this new store and I’m so thrilled that something like it is finally on the West Side of Cleveland. It’s about time! Earth Fare, I want to give you a giant warm welcome to the West Side. We need you and you need us. Thanks for coming.

GIVEAWAY TIME! Woooot!

So, here’s the dealeo. Earth Fare gave me $50 to spend on groceries for myself (THANK YOU!) for writing a review. PLUS, they gave me $50 to give to one of you fine people.

Do you want to win the $50 gift card to Earth Fare? Good. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post (with a legitimate email address so I can contact you.) Tell me your favorite food. Or your favorite color. Deal? This contest will end on Monday, January 23rd at 11:59 pm.

Go.

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Instagram weekend

by Julie on January 17, 2012

in Family,Life

Hello friends,

I definitely feel like it’s been forever since my last post (thank you for your comments and tweets, by the way).

Today, I read an article about Blue Monday. Have you heard about this? Apparently, today (Monday, January 16) is the most depressing day of the year, according to experts. There’s some fancy schmancy formula or something. It’s crazy because that’s the exact opposite from how I’ve been feeling lately. I think it’s the whole “new relationship” thing that’s making me pretty darn happy. Plus, work is going really well still. Sometimes it’s hard, but when it comes down to it, I love my job and cannot picture myself doing anything different. I’m also happy because I saw my family last night for Sunday dinner. Nate made chilli (Liam did not want to try it because he thought it would be too cold – so cute). It was delicious.

Have you downloaded the Instagram app on your phone? I think I’m the last person on the face of the planet to download it, but I’ve been using it for a couple months and I love it. You will too. It’s so easy and fun. Here are some pictures from this weekend…

Todd and I drank some leftover champagne from New Years. Unfortunately, I was passed out by 9:30 pm because I was so exhausted. I’m such a crazzzzzzzy girl on a Friday night. Haha.

He needs to dress up as Clark Kent for Halloween. Just sayin’.

Total resemblance. Hehe.

Saturday was fun too… we went to breakfast, a high school basketball game and then ran together. It was so nice because I needed to run and it was dark out. Having a buddy was awesome, even though my running pace is basically his walking pace. Todd walked, I ran. Oh well… it was fun (and very, very cold!). After the run, we had dinner, drove home in scary snow and took silly pictures. (duh).

Sunday, it was so nice to see my family. I love living so close by… I still can’t believe how far I was last year and that I had to drive 6ish hours to see them.

Future blogger/tweeter, Liam: