Mel

{the week} january is over & this week is almost all about food and drinking

the week: oh, that pesky Phil saw his shadow, which means SIX MORE WEEKS of this awesome winter weather. Glass half full, guys. It’s Friday, so here’s a cute cat picture: Curious, this one, about EVERYTHING. Like I am about 30 WAYS & DAYS OF MAC N’ CHEESE. Every time I think there isn’t a God… weekend: duh, derby! Come to the Sweetheart Valentine’s Bout & Open...

Mel

{the week} my plate is full… of awesome!

the week: do you know what it’s like to exercise for 3.5 hours straight? How about that length of time for continuous play of roller derby? I can already tell that my endurance is improving — one of my goals for the season. But if you see me limping around like an old lady, showing off arms-full of bruises, YOU KNOW WHY. *sigh* And I love every minute of it. Underwear Afternoons? Have you heard...

Mel

{the week} Cheers to good friends, good food & good health.

the week: Toast! Kitchen & Wine Bar for Pittsburgh Restaurant Week with a group of friends. I strayed off the chef’s tasting menu, and selected my own four courses. And everything was delicious — especially the beef tongue chili and CARROT CAKE BREAD PUDDING. Where did you enjoy a local meal this week? Speaking of pudding, KEN RICE PUDDING… I haven’t stopped laughing all...

Mel

2012 Resolutions: I haz some

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t post about my intended resolutions for the year. Alas, there seems to be one missing from 2011. It included such things as: find a dentist, make more freelancer income than last year and eat more sandwiches. HOORAY, I PASSED ALL MY 2011 RESOLUTIONS! But here’s how I intend to hold myself accountable this year (motto: no marriage, no babies, no...

Mel

{certified cat cuddler} certified crazy cat lady!

I don’t mind either title, really. On most days, I’d rather hang out with my cats — unconditional love to the fullest. Save for the days when my darling Rudy uses my brand new upholstered dining chairs as a scratch post. Or sweet little Chelsea bites my restless legs through the blankets while I attempt sleep. Animals make me happy. And I’ll take all the free therapy that I can...

Mel

{the year that was} 2011, whore. Part Two.

Oh, HAI 2012! Hopefully you continue to bring good things to my life and none of that bullshit. Here's part two of my year-in-a-review recap thing-a-ma-jig. {click title to read the whole thing, silly}

Mel

{the year that was} 2011, bitches. Part One.

Oh my, 2011, you were EXCITING. Not as exciting as braces, of course... OH WAIT, I still have THAT to look forward to next year?! *hip-hip-hooray* {open to experience the best of 2011, month-by-month}

Mel

{awesome sauce} IT EXISTS!

Someone on your shopping list need some extra AWESOME? {open to read more AWESOME}

Mel

{pursuit of support} Pittsburgh Gives Day of Giving

Day of Giving is NOW. Go to Pittsburgh Gives today before midnight to support your favorite local non-profits. This is a really great opportunity to give back to your community, as whatever you donate (minimum $25 for this program) goes even further to fund local causes. {OPEN TO READ MORE}

Mel

#pcpgh6: I came, I learned… I wore my t-shirt.

I love going back to Blogging 101 sessions. It reminds me of the reasons why I started to blog in the first place: as a creative — and many times emotional — outlet. While the content has changed (a lot) since I started, the purpose behind blogging has not. Even if you’ve been blogging forEVER… there’s always something to new learn. Or inspiration to amass. BURN OUT BE...

Mel

What Inspires You to Live a Legendary Life?

What inspires me: Adventure, spontaneity, creativity, individuality & roller derby If you know me, you know these selections are obvious. I find inspiration and stimulation often in my surroundings — mostly in the unexpected and unplanned adventures — and regularly by the strong and independent ladies I skate with each week. With the latter, I find motivation, strength, camaraderie and a...

Mel

November Giveaway: Some inspiration.

Many of you may not have heard of CSN Stores and their 200+ sites. I’ve included a few items below from their various shops, to inspire you and to provoke you into entering my $75 gift certificate giveaway (you have to leave a comment on the original post): For the Female Foodie: Flirty Aprons Very Cherry For the Shoe Lover (*cough* like me): Bordello Silver Glitter Heel – Shoes Got Sole A...

Mel

A little more about the 30-day Bucket List

The 30 Day Personal Revolution. It is an opportunity to challenge yourself to meet certain goals within a month — business, personal, spiritual, philanthropic… The choice is yours. And after a month, you refresh with a restructured plan and a NEW bucket list. Here’s what I am going to hold myself accountable for during the month of November: Participate in NaBloWriMo — publishing a...

Mel

10.10.10

It’s when the party begins, so sayeth Sinbad. It’s also a decidedly nerdy day. Did you know that I have a binary tattoo? I mean it’s only fair that I post that today of all days. And that’s all that I got, being that I stayed in bed until 4 pm because of drinking 5-6 stupid beers last night. Or that damn Pumpkin Bomb. My brain is still mushy.

Mel

I am not ignorant.

I think I’ve surprised myself as to how long I could stay mad today. And the surliness is beginning to strain the muscles in my forehead. So, I think I’m done now. You know, for sake of  the lessened elasticity and propensity for wrinkles in my 30+ face and all, not because I am not still angry. That is all.

Mel

I Buy Local. Do You?

The “I Buy NEO” campaign is something I can definitely promote. It’s all that I practice on a regular basis and only wish more Clevelanders would adapt and make this a priority. Even when traveling, I try my best to include locally-owned coffee shops, restaurants and bakeries in my itinerary. Here’s what you need to do: Accept the Buy Local Challenge. What that means: Between July...

Mel

Office Rules: comfy clothes required!

As I mentioned in my previous post, I have a limited wardrobe dedicated to “office” clothes since I now work almost exclusively from home. Yes, some days it is a struggle to change out of last night’s women’s pajamas and into, well another pair of womens pajamas but at the very least, my main goal is to stay comfortable. Also, 95% of the time, my “office” is freezing...

Mel

Dearest Awesomeness:

It’s no secret that I enjoy reading Dear Abby every morning with my coffee. OK, maybe it is to you. Most daily Q&As are fairly boring or eye-rolling at best, considering the inanity or cultural differences, young and old alike. But every once in a while, there is something that makes me guffaw (see what Abby is doing to me, having used such hilarious language). Case in point, today’s...

Mel

A new tattoo and other random weekend things.

I am a self-proclaimed BAD ASS now with five tattoos: It didn’t hurt, which is a foreign (un)feeling between tattoos and my body. I nearly ALWAYS teeter on the brink of passing out (or once actually doing so, upon getting my tongue pierced). You know, the spotted line of sight, hot flashes, woozy/drunk/pukey sensation. None of that with this one. I came prepared with my Tattoo First Aid Kit,...

Mel

City Exploration: Cleveland

Duh. I live in Cleveland, but I never tire of discovering it like a tourist. I’ve been on tunnel tours, subway tours, haunted tours, and yes, even Lolly the Trolley tours. This Saturday, I had the amazing opportunity to see downtown Cleveland from the top of the city — from the Observation Deck of the Terminal Tower. Positively Cleveland posted online about the once-in… well, almost ten...