Good morning!
I’m participating in a fashion show tonight in order to raise money for an incredible organization that I felt compelled to share with you all – Flashes of Hope.
Flashes of Hope is a nonprofit organization that changes the way children with cancer and other life threatening illnesses see themselves through the gift of photography and raises money for pediatric cancer research.
The portraits, taken by award-winning photographers, help children feel better about their changing appearance by celebrating it. For families of terminally ill children, it’s especially important to have a portrait that preserves forever the beauty, grace and dignity of their child.
Founded by a 9-year old cancer patient, our new program Kick It raises money for research through kickball games. 100% of the proceeds fund pediatric, adolescent and young adult cancer research. For more information, please visit www.kick-it.org.
The goal is to photograph every child until every child is cured.
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A $25 donation funds a photoshoot for one child and if interested, you can donate on the organization’s web page.
I’m so excited to share photos from the event and learn what else this inspiring organization is up to – stay tuned!
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?
Apple picking is a big deal. Each year, I wait for the perfect day — you know, when the leaves have just started to change color, the air is brisk and you can just smell it — fall.
Bean was more than thrilled to join us on this year’s apple picking adventure.
Now — first year apple-picking is serious business.
You have to scout the “pickings”
When possible, take advantage of bird’s eye views
Mark it
Reach
Success!
Stop to marvel at your hard work
Do you go apple picking?!
I’ll be back later with more festive weekend photos!