Cavs "What's Not To Like" T-shirt

So in "honor" of the first game of the NBA playoffs tonight, I had to post this awesome new tshirt available at the Cavaliers Team Shop. You might not get it if you didn't watch the NBA draft lottery. Hopefully though as a true blue Clevelander you did hear about the Cavs grabbing the first and fourth pick in the upcoming NBA lottery.

Photo courtesy of Cleveland Cavaliers Team Shop

But an almost even bigger story at the lottery was owner Dan Gilbert's 14-year-old son Nick serving as the representative for the team. When interviewed by the host of the lottery, Nick dropped his now-infamous phrase, "what's not to like?"

Since then, the city has embraced Nick Gilbert and his phrase as a pride-filled C-Town battle cry. The Cavs jumped right on this bandwagon quickly and came out with these "What's Not to Like" t-shirts. The best part about them is that 100% of the proceeds go to the Children's Tumor Foundation to help find a cure for neurofibromatosis, the tumor disorder Nick Gilbert currently suffers from.

So to take your mind of that team from Florida competing for the NBA championship this week, order one of these tees and get psyched for a fresh new Cavs season!




Related Links: The Original Snarky Cleveland T-shirt Company



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Salty, sweet and in between

Last week I posted info about Salty Not Sweet's grand reopening event in Ohio City. It sounded so nice I had to check it out for myself, and I am so glad I did. This adorably funky boutique features handmade items from local and national artists picked from the owner at various craft shows.

The first thing that caught my eye when I walked in was the wall full of tote bags. Many of them were Ohio themed (which I love) but I couldn't help myself when I saw this bag with one of my favorite movie quotes on it. I love all of Paul Rudd's mega awkward phrases from I Love You Man. I say "totes ma gotes" all the time like it's nobody's business.

Intermixed with the tote bags were rows of glass magnets. They were really neat, many with photos of celebs like Zooey Deschanel and Alec Baldwin and patterns from zebra to polka dots. I bought this one with a couple of my favorite TV characters. However I might give it to a friend as a gift, thus the pixelated faces.

As we made our way towards the back we had to check out the tshirt shelves. There were a lot of really cute prints including one with a painterly looking pair of seahorses my friend bought and a really cute long, bright orange tee with cut off sleeves that would look super chic belted with leggings. The shirt I bought however I knew I had to have. I cannot wait to wear this out!











The jewelry at Salty Not Sweet is a whole adventure in and of itself. Really unique pieces included earrings made of recycled bottle caps and vinyl records, necklaces with birdcage and scooter charms and metal crafted rings. I also loved the line of pins, hair clips and necklaces with tiny city maps on them. (By the way, I LOVE MAPS). I had been looking for a new ring and I really liked a two finger studded ring but I decided to buy this gold triangle one. It's really different from anything I've seen, and it was just eight bucks!

Salty Not Sweet is more than just tshirts and trinkets. The locally made candles and soaps they sell smelled so good I wish I could fill my whole house with them! And as you know I love unique displays in stores and the in-house greeting card prints were displayed in an old card catalogue cabinet. We spent so much time reading these clever cards, some of which were hilariously snarky.

As it was their grand opening party, they had delicious cupcakes provided by the Cleveland Cupcake Company as well as other snacks and refreshments. I have to say the dark chocolate bacon cupcake I had was to die for.

When we finished our shopping and browsing, we headed up to the counter to make our purchases. Candra, the owner, was so sweet and funny. She genuinely loved everything in her place and everything I bought, she had one of her own! (And she also shared my love of vintage keys that were scattered around the shop ;) We also got to go home with our own little plants Candra said she had been growing in cups in her kitchen for weeks. My friend chose some herbs and I, who would have no use for such things, picked a lavender and a snapdragon. Such a cute idea!

I had an amazing time at Salty Not Sweet's opening on Saturday. I cannot wait until summer when I have some more dough and I can really go on a shopping spree there! Ohio City has always been one of my favorite Cleveland neighborhoods and it is really blossoming. This new boutique addition, as well as its neighbor Room Service, are making the area even better.

Salty Not Sweet grand reopening 5/21

If you're looking for something to do on Saturday (especially if you just found out the Indians game is sold out) never fear! I have another great fashion event for you to check out.

Salty Not Sweet is celebrating the opening of its new location in Ohio City with a fabulous grand reopening party this Saturday, May 21 from 6-11 p.m. Located on W. 25th just south of Lorain Ave., this unique boutique is bringing its homemade merch and vintage wares to the west side. 

I never got to visit the Waterloo Rd. location, but I am excited to hit up its new home in one of my favorite C-Town neighborhoods. The party will feature shopping (of course) and refreshments including yummy cupcakes from the Cleveland Cupcake Company! 

Salty Not Sweet

2074 W. 25 St.

Cleveland, OH 44113

saltynotsweet.com

Hot at Beachcliff event

If you follow this blog on Twitter, you may have read my tweet mentioning that I wanted to change it up a bit.  I still want to focus on Cleveland fashion and exploring all the great independent, classic boutiques and shops around town, but I thought I'd try a little diversifying.  Having said that, I'd like to introduce a new facet of the blog, giving you a heads up on fashion related events going on around town.

Beachcliff Market Square is the once old school movie theater turned mini mall and now turned bar and shopping center right on Detroit Rd. in Rocky River. Living close by, I was a bit skeptical when this transition occurred a few short years ago but it really has become a nice low key plaza versus the nearby shopping circus that is Westgate.

A day spent at the Beachcliff plaza might start with a tasty breakfast at First Watch, browsing the fabulously adorable threads and accessories at Francesca's, coffee within the fresh atmosphere at Erie Island Coffee Co., a mani/pedi at the Brown Aveda Institute, dinner at the area favorite Pearl of the Orient and a beer at the Pub.
Phew! Sounds like a pretty full and fun day all within a few steps from each other and your parking spot.

If you haven't hung around much at Beachcliff or want to really see all it has to offer, now's your time. Tomorrow, Thursday May 19 they are holding a "Hot at Beachcliff" event from 5-9:30 p.m. (a la TV Land's hit show "Hot in Cleveland").

This "night of fun and fashion" will feature a valet red carpet entrance for all attendees, refreshment tables, appearances by a Betty White impersonator and Andrea Vecchio from Channel 3's morning show "Good Company," and info tables focusing on fashion, hair and skin care. Fellow area blogger OhioFashionista.com will MC a fashion show previewing new summer styles in clothes and hair.

The entire night will be full of specials, sales and more plus a chance to win a $500 Beachcliff shopping spree so you can come back and get your summer fashion on!

I'm hoping to check out the event myself and it sounds like a great one to get you in a summery mood, despite the recent crummy weather. Hope to see you there!

New post preview: Beaded Flower Ring

Yet again, I know it's been a while since I've blogged. I'm in the process of tweaking the format of the site a bit. But while I do that, I thought I'd do a few preview posts before I explore my next Cleveland boutique.

I bought this ring at this shop's old location on W. 25th. I miss that old place but the Coventry Rd. spot is just as nice (only a bit farther away!) Stay tuned for more previews and the full post!

The Flower Child Experience

I have always considered myself an old soul, obsessed with the past and everything non-contemporary. You can imagine my glee when vintage shops started sprouting up around Cleveland, especially since my mother saved nothing for me from growing up in the 60s. There are some really great vintage shops around town but the first (and still favorite) one I ever went to Flower Child on Clifton.

The first few times I went to Flower Child, I didn't even buy anything. It's really an experience in and of itself. There is so much to look at and play with I could spend all day in there. When you first walk in you are greeted by so many visual stimulants it's hard to take it all in. The front room is full of vintage jewelry, from tasteful to gaudy and everything in between.

Like I mentioned in my post exploring Lion and Blue, many of my friends have been the benefit of gifts from Flower Child, and a lot of it has been jewelry. One of my favorite gifts I bought at Flower Child was a pair of cameo earrings. Something I've bought myself from this front room full of bling was a large ceramic red and white flower pin. I bought it around Christmastime so I took it as a poinsettia but it's so fun and bright I've worn it all year round.

The rest of the top floor is mostly full of housewares. I can only dream of having my entire future home furnished with the shag rugs, funky lamps and brightly colored couches you can find there. One cool item I bought as a gift was a vinyl record bowl. There are also always great cups, glasses and bowls as well as vintage mini bars that are sometimes discretely hidden for 50s housewives.


Once you get your fill of the first floor, take a trip down to the basement. There you'll find rooms and rooms and more rooms full of clothes, bags, accessories and more. As I said before, you could literally spend an entire day at Flower Child and most of it would be rifling through all those racks. From retro tshirts to sequined jump suits there is something to tickle everyone's fancy. One great find I bought was this kimono-style robe. I was casually looking for a light robe to wear around the house and I instantly fell in love with this leaf-motif number. Sometimes I wear it over lounge wear or take one of my sashes or scarves to cinch it closed.


Possibly my favorite Flower Child purchase is this vintage Pan Am bag. As I mentioned in my preview post featuring this classic bag, I had wanted a Pan Am bag since I saw Catch Me If You Can. That bright royal blue and instantly recognizable logo is so classically 60s. I was pretty close to buying a Marc Jacobs Pan Am bag on eBay but I knew I'd appreciate it more if I found an authentic one. I was in one of Flower Child's basement rooms when I saw it sitting on a chair around other random items. I could not believe it and once I saw the $20 price tag I knew I had to have it. If there's any doubt that it isn't an authentic 1960s bag, I can tell you the janky zipper and adjustable strap is definitely at least 40 years old. But regardless, this bag is great and I've used it a lot, especially since the recent cross-body bag trend.

I can only describe Flower Child in so many words, you really have to experience it for yourself, and it is quite an experience. One cool thing they do is indicate on much of their merch what decade or year they are from. There is also a good chance you can find some fancy vintage designer items. And although I am always for promoting local businesses, you can very easily spend a great afternoon soaking up all the vintage awesomeness without spending a dime. But if you do have a dime or two to spend you can definitely find a lot of great items that won't break the bank. And the best part is that every time you go, it's almost like a completely different place, they are always getting in new items and donations.

Post Preview: Red and White Flower Pin

As a result of two crazy weeks and the holiday weekend I have yet to put together a full post. But wait no longer, I'm working on a new entry at this very moment! I will definitely, DEFINITELY post it later tonight. So I thought I'd throw up this quick preview (in addition to my last preview) to tease tonight's full post!