It’s no secret that the Mister and I are a couple theater dorks. We’re subscribers to the Playhouse Square Musical Theater series and I look forward to every single show we attend (it helps that cupcakes are normally involved, too).
So when Playhouse Square contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in attending this year’s Jump Back Ball as a blogger partner, I nearly squealed with delight.
For those of you who are unfamiliar, Jump Back Ball is merely the hottest party of the year in Cleveland! Boasting sell-out crowds for the past six years, PlayhouseSquare Partners strive to create an atmosphere that takes the idea of a benefit to the next level. Guests come early and leave late – there is no other event like it.
Jump Back Ball 2012 will be on February 25, 2012 at PlayhouseSquare with the theme: “Through the Looking Glass”, which is based on Alice in Wonderland.
Why am I telling you about a February event now? Easy. Because on November 3rd at Market Garden Brewery (1947 West 25th Street in Cleveland), you’ll have your first opportunity to purchase tickets at the Ticket Kickoff Happy Hour. From 6-8pm, enjoy complimentary appetizers, drink specials, prizes and the best deal on Jump Back Ball tickets.
Tickets will be $130 at the Kickoff. The next morning, the ticket price goes up to $150 when they go on sale online. $20 is a lot of lattes 
It’s also PlayhouseSquare’s largest fundraiser with the partially tax-deductible ticket supporting the theatre’s non-profit mission, so you can feel good and party at the same time!
***Disclosure: I was asked by Playhouse Square to be an official Jump Back Ball blogger. In exchange for blogging about Jump Back Ball and events leading up to it, I will receive 2 tickets to Jump Back Ball. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***
After weeks of dropping hints and doing everything but finding a way to manipulate the Mister’s subconscious, I was finally treated to flour this weekend.
Thank you, Mama, for giving up your Saturday so that I could have a date with my husband. Our marriage thanks you.
Inspired by the rustic simplicity of Italian cuisine, Chef Paul Minnillo offers rustic Italian food to his new culinary venture in Cleveland, Ohio. From Flour’s larder, he creates his own house-cured meats, hand-crafted artisanal cheeses, pastas, neopolitan wood-fired pizzas and rustic Italian specialities. Flour seeks the freshest locally raised and homegrown products harvested at their seasonal peak.
Sounds lovely, no?
Wait till you see the food.
But first — check out the interior! I felt sexier simply walking in.
And trust me, I need all the help I can get.
After perusing the menu, I decided to start with the asparagus, while the Mister settled on the meatball skewer.
Seasoned with Parmesan and garlic chips, these asparagus spears were some of the best I’ve eaten.
And the Mister was quite pleased with his selection — so fun to eat!
Knowing I’d have to sample a dessert (and likely much of the Mister’s dish), I chose the lighter route with the ohio honey crisp apple salad, featuring
spiced almonds+smoked blue cheese (I subbed for mozzerella)+crisp prosciutto+aged balsamic.
It did not disappoint. The salty prosciutto was perfectly balanced with the sweet apple + almonds and the mozzarella rounded out the dish with a creamy finish. I am going to try and re-create this at home – delicious!
Luckily, the Mister’s pizza was portioned appropriately — meaning, more than enough for me to snag a few pieces.
flour isn’t kidding when they say their pizza is the real deal. Baked to perfection and wood fired, the crust was thin, but still doughy and soft — just the way I like it!
For dessert, we went with the waitress’ recommendation — apple crisp.
My only regret is that we didn’t order two — and that I saved the last bite for the Mister — now if that isn’t love, I’m not sure I know what is…
Thank you, flour, for making me look sexier for my husband and providing us with deliciousness. We’ll be back.
Clevelanders – Have you been to flour? Non-Clevelanders – what dish looks tastiest to you?
For those of you who drink Starbucks on a regular basis, you know just how pricey the habit can be. There is a Starbucks in my office building and let’s just say the Barista notices my haircuts.
So when I saw this segment on the news this morning, my ears perked up.
Always looking to share the wealth, I’ve highlighted my favorite tips below…
(The Golden Rule). Never ever pay with cash or a credit card. Use a REGISTERED Starbucks Card! Starbucks Cards are free. It takes 10 seconds to register one online. A registered Starbucks card can save you up to $1.20 on a drink by giving you free flavor shots, like vanilla or hazelnut, and also giving you free modifiers, like milk, which would otherwise cost you 60 cents. The Starbucks Card, which works the same as cash, also gets you every 15th drink free.
Easy on the ice, please. Starbucks will overload every drink you order with Ice. In fact, a “light ice” medium size beverage is almost equal to a large iced drink. Order the smaller drink, but ask your barista for light ice. It’s just as cold, but you’re not wasting your cash on cube filler.
“Make friends with the free condiments!” You can easily save yourself a dollar almost every time by doing a few seconds of dirty work yourself. Instead of getting a latté, order two shots of espresso and then pour in your own milk. It’s waiting for you right there on the condiment stand and cheaper if you do it yourself. Also, the Starbucks condiment bar has free cinnamon, vanilla and mocha powder. Save yourself the cash — and calories — and flavor the drink yourself rather than paying for a Starbucks flavor shot.
Get short. It’s not listed on the menu, but you can order a short-sized beverage instead of the tall. Yes, it’s a little smaller, but chances are, it will satisfy you and for the folks going to Starbucks twice a day, this is a way to save on at least one of your visits.
Bring your own cup! It will save you 10 cents, which may seem like nothing, but in addition to benefitting the environment, there are savings over time. (My favorite travel mug)
Split a Venti. Starbucks does not charge for cups. If you go with a friend and you both want banana-chocolate smoothies, order a Venti and split it into two tall cups or two cups of your own. You’ll be saving $2.50 a visit, which adds up quickly if you car pool with someone or have a regular Starbucks partner that appreciates the same drink you do.
Stay in the store! A customer comes into the store, buys a cup of coffee with cash and then leaves, comes back an hour later and buys another cup. Considering you can enjoy free net access at Starbucks, just sit there for the hour and work on your laptop or smartphone. Register your Starbucks Card, stay in-store and the refills are free.
Consider a Misto. For many of the regular latté drinkers that can’t live without a latté, expand your horizons. Although a Café Misto has a little more milk than a latté, it is $2.85 for a Venti, while a latte is $3.90. Considering the drink might taste almost the same to you, or you might like it better, the $1.05 savings per beverage is significant, especially every day.
(source)
What are your coffee money saving tips?
