Verge Curling Wands by ONE Styling - Giveaway & Review

You know I'm hair obsessed. One of my absolute favorite can't-live-without styling tools are the Verge Curl Styx by my friends over at ONE Styling. So when they came out with two new texture irons I was thrilled to check them out. I'm impressed to say the least.

Of the two new ones, the Ribbon Wand and the Spiral Wand, the ribbon is my fave. The spiral probably would be if I didn't have naturally spirally curly hair to begin with (which I blow out and flat iron). When I styled my hair with the spiral iron, my husband thought I just left my natural curls in. Which is kind of a joke because they never look that good. So I'll definitely be using the spiral iron to perfect some of the wonky curls when I let my hair go au natural.

The ribbon wand is unlike anything I've used before and can produce the most glorious Veronika Lake waves if you wrap even sections around the barrel, let cool, and brush out. Random sized curls left to cool then shaken out produces sexy, slightly unkempt beach waves. Did I mention sexy? Oh, yes, my friends, the boys will be all aflutter.

The Curl Styx have quickly reached Holy Grail status. I've been religiously using these all year long and I simply can't get over the versatility. Three interchangeable barrels come with a base in a heat protected travel pouch. No "cool tip" ensures that every inch of long hair can be effortlessly wrapped around and curled. The best part? No damage to your hair. As with all ONE Styling tools, the quality is exceptional. I find that I never need hairspray since the curl just holds on its own. A little shine spray or serum on the ends and I'm good to go.

What's in it for you?
I've got a Ribbon Wand AND a Spiral Wand (worth $240) to gift to one lucky reader!!

To enter:
1. Check out the ONE Styling site or Facebook page and leave a comment on this post telling my what your favorite styling tool is.

2. Tweet " I want to get gifted by @ONEStyling and @smittenincle http://ow.ly/fFNxc "  (Leave a comment on this post telling me you tweeted) You may tweet once per day for additional entries and must leave a seperate comment for each.

Contest closes Wed 12/5 at midnight and winner will be announced Thursday.

Ribbon & Spiral Wand Features -
• CERAMIC NG TECHNOLOGY
detoxifies the hair leaving the hair healthy and more manageable.
• INSTANT HEAT UP TO 410˚F
• COOL TIP
• STARTER CLIP
for easy styling
• TANGLE-FREE 360° SWIVEL CORD

Curl Styx Features
• CLIPLESS with 3 INTERCHANGEABLE BARRELS
• CERAMIC NG TECHNOLOGY
detoxifies the hair leaving the hair healthy and more manageable.
• INSTANT HEAT UP TO 410˚F
• TANGLE-FREE 360° SWIVEL CORD
• NON-SLIP COUNTER REST
• INCLUDES TRAVEL CASE & THERMAL GLOVE

Holiday Beauty Bundles

Kiehl's / Bobbi Brown / Estée Lauder /  LORAC / Bumble and Bumble / Benefit / SEPHORA by OPI Tinsel Town Collector's Set / Tarte / Josie Maran /  MAC / Origins 

These beauty value sets are perfect for gifting and the holidays are the best time to stock up on your faves without breaking the bank. The sets pictured above are all under $60 and would make just about any girl swoon. For the price of just one product you can get an entire set. I love myself a gift with purchase and that's exactly what this feels like. I also like the option of trying out different items without splurging on the full size. Be sure to bundle it this holiday season and you'll leave nothing but happiness in your wake.



 

Kate Spade Cyber Sale - On Now

Black Friday deals started Thanksgiving Day and Cyber Monday sales are on already. Is it me or is everyone jumping the gun a bit this year? Not that I mind one little bit since I'm home all snuggled up and very happy to be doing my shopping with coffee in hand and slippers on.

Last night Kate Spade unleashed their Surprise Cyber Sale and you really must check it out. Keep in mind, all sales are final but there is free shipping over $200. Some of the prices are 75% off and there are as many colors available as gumdrops on a gingerbread house. A brightly colored handbag is always a welcome sight on a dreary winter day.

{sale ends 11/26th at 11:59pm PST}

 

 



necklace $228 $79 /  chain handbag $395 $169 / snake print pump $328 $149 / bow bag $425 $199 / carmen bag $445 $179 / maeda bag $478 $199 / patent catalina $448 $179 / bow pump $298 $129 / wristlet $125 $49 / passport $68 $29 / essex scout bags $395 $179


 

Sephora Black Friday - One Day Wonders

I'm not a Black Friday shopper. Well, not it the wake-up-super-early-and-fight-the-crowds-for-a-discounted-iPad kind of shopper. I do, however, love myself a fantastic Black Friday online deal. All your favorite stores will most-likely have major sales or discount codes that are available Thanksgiving Day all the way through Cyber Monday.

Sephora has a One Day Wonder special going on tomorrow with these fabby one-day-only deals.

These are the perfect stocking stuffer, treat for your girlfriends (or yourself) and a thoughtful little gift for a co-worker. I'll be snagging some of these for sure!



{image}

Healthy Holiday Balance

J.Crew vintage sleepwear / Mann's Stringless Sugar Snap Peas / Athleta / Plum Pretty Sugar / Barwares / That Inspirational Girl / Arrow / a fine romance / Cordon negro brut / An Excerpt from The 500

With the holidays officially here this is my go-to reminder for keeping it all in check, keeping healthy and having a fun, relaxing, stress-free holiday.

 

For a full list of my favorite tips check out my guest post over on Am I There Yet? And thanks to Julie for posting on why we should all get to a Monster's game. After years of holding CAVS season tickets, this is still on my to-do list.

Cheers!

7 Reasons A Lake Erie Monsters Game is A Must

As a part of today's Ohio Blogging Association's All State Blog Swap, I'm happy to introduce you to the lovely Julie from Am I There Yet?. On this day, bloggers from around the state of Ohio are guest posting on one another's blogs as a way to help to get to know one another in our blogging community. Be sure to check out Julie's blog for my post today and to read up on her funny and endearing musings on her personal journey to fit, healthy and happy. For a full listing of blog swap participants, please visit Poise in Parma today.

First a big thank you to Smitten In Cleveland for sharing her space on the interwebs for this months blog swap! It has given me a chance to share something that I am smitten with as well and I am so excited to guest post for her! 

Cleveland is home of great professional sports and I could not care less about what any Cavs hating, Browns booing, Indians heckling, Cleveland hater has to say about it. I love our Cleveland sports teams! I held Cavs season tickets for 5 years, will actually ask if the Browns won (though that is about as far as my football watching goes), and I will hit several Indians games every summer.

But what about the teams that play downtown when the Cavs are away? Who entertains Cleveland sports fans when the Browns hit the road? Well, you’ve got a couple of options actually. Surprised? Don’t be. There are still teams to cheer your heart out for when the big dogs are away. 

Case in point: The Lake Erie Monsters. 

Um, hockey? Do people watch hockey? Aren’t they on strike… again? Yes, they are. The NHL is on strike, but the American Hockey League ready to kick some butt! So my brother, a huge hockey fan, picked up some tickets for us on Friday night. Here I learned why I should have hit a Monsters game a long time ago, and here is why you should check out a game ASAP:

A reason to go downtown that you never considered before – Not that I need a reason to hang out downtown, but if you have jammed to enough Pittbull on West 6^th and already lost your shirt at the Horseshoe, you might be thinking, What can we do tonight? How about Mexican at Zocalo followed by a Monsters game? You can hit 4^th Street and head to the Q for something a little different. 

Affordable sports-outing fun – So I can’t do anything about the price of beer, even though I am always willing to spring for some beers at a sporting event, but the price of tickets will make you just as happy. For the same price as a corner seat in section 206 of the upper bowl of a Cavs game, my brother and I sat front row, right on the glass. Nose to nose with every shoulder check that the Monsters were ready to deliver. My brother, the genius he is, even called ahead for our tickets and specifically requested the corner where Lake Erie would be scoring twice. So we were set to see the maximum amount of Monsters slap shots. 

More fights than in MMA – Maybe in UFC you could see better knock outs, but at this Monster’s game I saw some pretty wild blows to the jaw. Fighting and hockey, something’s never change. The best part is watching the build up. It all starts with a good hit on the glass followed by some trash talk. Then before you know it the gloves are off and its like a 2am bar fight. I love a good game, but I love a good fight as well and at a Monsters game, there were plenty. 

3 quarters, 2 half times! – Each quarter is 18 minutes. But don’t worry, if you need to get up for a bathroom break and to grab another beer, never fear! You don’t have to miss a single second of the action. There is an 18 minute intermission between each quarter. Plenty of time to walk the concourse, hit the team shop, or concession stand. And the quarters move fast with excitement, no long time-outs or excessive fouling to stop the clock. Hockey just moves, moves moves! 

Everything you need to entertain a dude – Sports, athleticism, and even some violence. A skimpy-dressed dance team and your choice of beer. The perfect boy’s night out. But I like all those things too. So, girl’s night?

Slow scoring, but close games – You aren’t going to see a score board in the hundreds, but it seems the game is always close. I was on the edge of my seat the entire game. Monsters were up and then we were down. We fought back hard and with each goal, a fog horn sounded for each point. There was a lot of enthusiasm in the crowd and fans cheered as hard for the Monsters as they do for a major league team. Each play was a celebration. 

Sudden death OT! – At the end of the 3^rd quarter the Monsters and the Grand Rapids Griffins were tied at 5 to 5. I have sat through double and triple overtime at 11:30 on a Tuesday at a Cavs game and sometimes I’d be so tired by the end I was ready for it to be over. Not in Hockey. When a team is tied at the end the game goes into sudden death overtime. Each team has 5 minutes to make a goal. First one to score wins. With a minute and 12 seconds left, the Griffins scored and that was it. Monsters had lost. They do not play out the remaining minute. It’s sudden death. And though the outcome was disappointing, the final minutes were so exciting!

You may have gone to a Monsters game before. If that’s the case, I say go again! Support our team and have a good time. If you haven’t had the chance to check out a hockey game, it is a definite must. So mark your calendar now! Check out the Lake Erie Monsters calendar here.

Staging Success & Kicking Off

::Don't forget to enter to win a pair of tickets to Compassion From Fashion at Beachwood Place, Saturday 11/17 benefiting UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital and The Gathering Place. Winner will be announced Friday morning::


Today's the day! The only day you'll be able to get your hands on discounted Jump Back Ball 2013 tickets with NO handling fees. Be sure to get on over to Market Garden Brewery between 5:30 and 7:30 to score this great deal. This is the party that sells out earlier and earlier every year so be sure to snag your spot now. Check out this post for all the details.

You know that Jump Back Ball is PlayhouseSquare's mega fundraising gala that Clevelanders wait all year for, right? Well imagine if we didn't have the second largest Theatre District in America. Imagine that where the glowing lights from the State and Palace Theatre are, there was just a parking lot. Where Cowell and Hubbard is sat rows upon rows of parking spaces. That almost was a reality.

In the late '60s and early '70s, decay and neglect almost rendered the theatres nearly obsolete and not much was standing between them and imminent destruction. "Staging Success: The PlayhouseSquare Story" premieres tonight at 8pm on WVIZ Channel 25 and takes you through the heartbreak and heartwarming story of the revitalization that saved this iconic Cleveland institution.

Not to worry if you don't make it home from the brewery in time. If you forget to DVR it, you can catch it again at 9pm on Friday, 4pm on Sunday 11/18 or 10pm on Thanksgiving.

This is something all Clevelanders can truly be thankful for.



Staging Success: The Story of Playhouse Square - WVIZ Documentary Trailer from Think Media Studios on Vimeo.


::Disclosure - I am a PlayhouseSquare Partner and am happy to promote any event that supports the Theatre. As always, all musings are my own::

Compassion From Fashion Giveaway

One of the best things we can do is give back to causes that are important to us. These days, schedules are packed, and sometimes that makes volunteering your time even more difficult. That's just one of the reasons why I'm excited about Saturday's 4th annual Compassion From Fashion event at Beachwood Place. You can start your holiday shopping off right, and the proceeds benefit two wonderful non-profits.

Compassion from Fashion

Saturday, November 17th 5-9pm

Beachwood Place

proceeds benefit

The Gathering Place

and

University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital

Ticket holders receive:

-$10 Beachwood Place gift card

-live runway show sponsored by Diet Pepsi

-food and cash bar courtesy of Maggiano's Little Italy

-Sperry Top-Sider, Saks, Origins, Nordstrom, Athleta, Brigade and other retailers will have in-store giveaways and treats

-exclusive retailer discounts from Lacoste, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, BCBG, Dino Palmieri, Pottery Barn & more (check out the entire list here)

Hosted by Q104's Allen Fee and Katherine Boyd, the night will kick off with a dance show by Rock City Dance and will feature the following celebrities:

Dominique Moceanu, Olympic gold medalist and gymnast, and her husband, 

Dr. Michael Canales, St. Vincent world-renowned surgeon

Stefani Shaefer, FOX 8 anchor

Chris Van Vliet, 19 Action News entertainment reporter and Cosmo's 2011 Bachelor of the Year

Maureen Kyle, WKYC Channel 3 consumer reporter

Mitchell Heard, center for the Lake Erie Monsters

Geoff Walker, right wing for the Lake Erie Monsters

Carrie Young WEWS Live on Five producer

Kory, Cleveland's New 102 host & personality

Kelly McMann, Q104 host & personality

Tickets are $25 presale or $30 at the door.

But....I have a pair of tickets to give away to one lucky reader! Tickets must be picked up at guest services at Beachwood Place the night of the event.

To enter:

- Leave a comment on this post telling me which store at Beachwood Place is your go-to for holiday gifts.

- Tweet "I want to go to Compassion From Fashion courtesy of @smittenincle & @BeachwoodPlace http://ow.ly/fdAJb "

and leave a comment on this post telling me you did so.  (You can tweet once a day for add'l entries. Please be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry.)

Good luck! Contest closes at midnight on Thursday, Nov. 15th and the winner announced Friday morning.

::Disclosure - I received 2 tickets to this event and 2 to give away c/o Beachwood Place. As always I only promote events/products I'm smitten with and all musings are my own::

Zara Shoe Love

 

 

1. patent court / 2. low cut court / 3. combined high heel court
4. glitter high heel court / 5. leopard court / 6. vamp shoe w/ heel back
 

 

Lately I just can't stop marveling at the great shoe selection at ZARA. There is something for nearly every occasion, are chic and incredibly well priced. Those nude pumps are under $40 and all these picks are under $90.  Keep on the lookout for their sales. They are MAJOR.

 

If only they would come to Cleveland. Until then, I must satisfy my cravings online.

 

 

Get Out & About

Grab the scarves, boots and mittens. A fall chill has settled but the skies are clear and I plan on making the most of the dry weather by getting out and enjoying this damn fine city of ours. Don't forget Restaurant Week runs until 11/19. In between tasty nibbles be sure to check out these fab events.

Wed 11/7

{via}

Free Yoga - Athleta 9a (Beachwood Place)
Cleanse your post-election mind, body and spirit with this FREE yoga class taught by the lovely Becca at the new Altheta store.

{via}

Head on in to Market Garden Brewery anytime after 4pm and treat yourself to the first Festivus Ale of the season.


Thurs 11/8

{via}

STYLED Wardrobe Clinic - Banyan Tree - 5-9p
Sign up in advance to get a personalized style consultation, 20% off your purchase, goodie bag, wine, snacks and more. Call 216.241.1209 to reserve a spot.  


Friday 11/9

{via}

Karaoke at the Cat - Noodlecat 9p
Join Alexa as she hosts a night of what's sure to be hysterical madness and sing your heart out for a chance to win a $50 gift card to Noodlecat. Happy Hour runs 9-11 so get your sake on!


Thurs 11/15

{via}

Beaujolais Nouveau Party - The Black Pig 4-10p $25
Toast the fall harvest and this year's freshest wine. French food and wine will be celebrated and a raffle held to win everything you need for the perfect Thanksgiving feast.

Jump Back Ball Kickoff Party - Market Garden Brewery - 5:30-7:30p
Don't forget to head over to Market Garden to snag your JBB tickets! Not only will they be discounted but you'll pay no handling fees. This event has sold out the last 3 years, so get to it!



Friday 11/23

{via}

Made in the 216 Holiday Shoppe Kick Off Party - Room Service 5-9p
Start the holiday off right with a trip to Room Service to kick off the opening of this year's Holiday Shoppe. Christmas Ale, wine and hot toddys will be flowing and DJ Peter Pleasure Cruise will be on hand to ensure you are filled with holiday spirit.


Cheers!

Cleveland Restaurant Week

{image}

Cleveland Independents Restaurant Week starts today and the menus have me drooling. This is usually the time of the year I head out in search of new places to try but all I'm craving are my favorites. My schedule has been packed lately and I'm really looking forward to spending some quality time with the places that just feel like home. Where will you be?

Check out the participating restaurants and their menus here.


Light Bistro
First Course

Choice of:

Oxtail Soup with puffed rice 

Beet Salad

Braised Pork Belly Ramen Salad, Kimchi

Ricotta Ravioli Butternut Squash Sauce,Tomato Jam, Toasted Walnuts

Second Course

Choice of:

Roasted Salmon Curried Cauliflower Puree, Cilantro

Herb Roasted Hanger Steak Potato Cake, Bacon and Mushroom Marmalade

Roasted Chicken Breast Creamy Polenta, Braised Greens

Morrocan Spiced Vegetables Couscous and Red Onion Confit

Third Course

Choice of:

Spiced Pumpkin Brûlée 

Pear and Apple Crisp

Players On Madison
First Course

Choice of:

Almond Encrusted Brie Apple-Pear Chutney, Truffle Honey

Cumin and Coriander Encrusted Calamari Napa Cabbage, Carrots, Sweet Chili, Sriracha and Lime-Ginger Dipping        Sauces

Chicken and Avocado Spring Rolls Orange-Coriander-Soy Dipping Sauce

Second Course

Choice of:

Soup of the Day 

Mista Salad Field greens, Sun-Dried Strawberries, Bermuda Onion, Gorgonzola and

  Balsamic Vinaigrette 

Caesar Salad Hearts of romaine, Reggiano Shavings, Sun-dried Tomato Rouille

Third Course

Choice of:

Pan Roasted Salmon Roasted Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Haricot Verts, Roasted Tomatoes, Calamata Olives and Pesto  Vinaigrette

Penne alla Vodka Gulf shrimp, Roasted Shallots, Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomato-Vodka Cream Sauce

Cider Glazed Pork Tenderloin Sweet potato, Butternut Squash, Bacon, Roasted Shallots, Sage and Haricot Verts

Truffle Mac and Cheese Penne, Herb Grilled Chicken and Three Cheese Sauce

Luxe
First Course
Choice of:

Winter Squash Soup Candied Pecans, Crème Fraiche

Crispy Romaine, Frisee, Watercress Pickled Red Onion, Marinated Olives, Croutons, Grilled Haloumi Cheese, Herb   Vinaigrette

Second Course

Choice of:

Stuffed Chicken Puccini Prosciutto, Fresh Mozzarella, Pomodoro, Angel Hair Pasta

Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Apple Mostarda, Talleggio Rissoto

Grilled Flank Steak Rutabaga Gratin, Vinegar and Bacon Beans, Luxe Steak Sauce

Spaghetti Squash Aglio Olio Braised Spinach, Wild Mushrooms, Roasted Red Peppers, Pecorino

Third Course

Choice of:

Warm Stuffed Peach Brown Sugar Pecans, Goat Cheese, Tawny Grand Marnier Glaze

Oatmeal Almond Apple Crisp Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Bourbon Glaze

Pier W

First Course

Choice of:

Roasted Pear Salad Watercress, Caramelized Pecans, Hazelnut Vinaigrette

*Schloss Gobelsburgh Gruner Veltiner, Kamptal Austria 2010 Paired with 3 oz. pour $4.50; 6 oz. pour $8.95

Hawaiian Big Eye Tuna Satay Yakatori Glaze and Pickled Vegetables

*Sbragia Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma California 2009 Paired with 3 oz. pour $6.00; 6 oz. pour $11.95

Classic Coquille St. Jacques North American Diver Scallops Sautéed over Truffles, Truffle Nage, Pink Lady Apple Relish

*Pazos De Lusco Albarino, Riax Baixas Spain 2011 Paired with 3 oz. pour $5.00; 6 oz. pour $9.95 

Second Course 

Choice of:

Woodstone Roasted Tandoori Shrimp Cous Cous Salad, Toasted Almonds, Jalapeno Honey

*William Fevre “Chablis,” Burgundy France 2011 Paired with 3 oz. pour $5.50; 6 oz. pour $10.95 

Blue Cod Ala Plancha Saffron Basmati, Baby Artichokes, Chorizo Sausage and Calamari

*Belle Glos “Meiomi” Pinot Noir, Monterey-Sonoma California Paired with 3 oz. pour $6.50; 6 oz. pour $12.95 

Long Island Pekin Duck Lo Mein Szechuan Vegetables and Soy Udon Sauce

*Altos Las Hormigas Malbec, Mendoza Argentina 2011 Paired with 3 oz. pour $4.00; 6 oz. pour $7.95

Third Course

Choice of:

Pumpkin Cheesecake Graham Crust, Salted Caramel, Chantilly, Candied Ginger, Toasted Pecans

*Warre's Optima “10yr.” Tawny Port-3 oz. pairing $9.00

Selection of Housemade Sorbets 

*Debonne Vineyard Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, Madison Ohio 2008 -3 oz. pairing $16.00

(3 oz. Pairings with all 3 courses 15.00) (All Entrees & Wine Pairings Are As Is - No Substitutions) 
*indicates not included as part of prix fixe pricing

Flying Fig
First Course
Choice of:
Soup of the Day 

Warm Olives and Almonds 

Mixed Green Salad 

Local Beet Salad 

Second Course 

Choice of: 

Grilled Confit of Ohio Pork Shoulder 

Vegetarian Bread Pudding 

Duck Confit Risotto 

Fish of the Day 

Third Course 

Choice of: 

Blueberry and Bittersweet Chocolate Bread Pudding 

Local Apple Crisp