a weekend in CLE: relaxation via workouts, a night out & a change of routine

I’m becoming one of those people who are annoyingly happy. (Consider yourselves warned.) This weekend was filled with reasons why that is.

THE WORKOUTS

Saturday started with a 90-minute vinyasa flow at Nishkama Yoga. With the higher humidity and temperatures, our furnace got a bit of a break but we were definitely hot messes by the time Laura was done with us.

On Sunday, due to early morning errands, I switched things up and made a triumphant return to Ride + Workout where my fellow yogi/hair stylist Bethany incorporated my song request (Flo Rida’s I “Cry” – judge away, I don’t care) into a solid 50+ minute spin class. I bought a small class pass that morning before class knowing that I would fall back in love with it. I just wish it was closer to my house – I’d be there a lot more!

And with temperatures so unseasonably warm this weekend, Grady and I had to bust out the sneakers for a pup walk a few times.

Seriously. This was Cleveland. IN JANUARY. I love me a 62 degree day.

A NIGHT OUT

One of my less publicized goals for 2013 is not to act like an 83 year old on Saturday nights – for when I really want to be a hermit crab. So in hopes that my brother doesn’t think I’m uber lame on the weekends all the time, I was overjoyed to have double date dinner plans with my favorite Columbus based foodie friends, Erin and Brian.

We started off the evening with dinner at Michael Symon’s Lolita (more on that tomorrow). In our true fashion, we ate well while entertaining interesting (read as uber-efficient) service, before heading over for our group’s first time visit to a Cleveland institution.

I’m ashamed to say that before Saturday night that I have never been to The Velvet Tango Room. And after Saturday night, I’m kicking myself for waiting so long. The place was hopping during the ten o’clock hour when we rolled in, and while we snagged drinks in a timely fashion, we were happy to obtain a table and settle in.

With orders for a Hemingway Daiquiri, a KatyDid and a Corpse Reviver #2 around our table, I went with the Tango Manhattan – I wanted one of the famous VTR cherries. Little did I know a bit more sweetness would walk in the door…

These four beautiful ladies – Becky, Nadine, Jessa and Kimberly – were finishing off their quad dinner date with a night cap.  Their party was seated next to ours and we all had a blast while practically closing out the establishment for the evening.

IN THE NAME OF “SELF-WORTH”: SOME ME TIME 

Sunday morning, as I headed out early before spinning, I swung by Erie Island Coffee Co. for a cup of Strawberry White tea. The change of scenery was a nice change to my routine: both in choosing a different company to buy from, a new location to lounge at and a new beverage to sip.

But the real treat to myself was the plans for some serious relaxation with a restorative yoga class that was exactly what the doctor ordered.

Amanda from Clue Into Cleveland joined me as Bethany lead us through three poses over the course of 75 minutes. My favorite: “instant Maui” pose with an added restorative backbend that was as glorious as it sounds. Anything with a Hawaii inspired name has to be fabulous, right? We all left leaving light as a feather - and realizing that we took every single prop out of the prop room that afternoon! It made for easing in to gearing up for the week ahead much easier.

I came home Sunday night to find my brother visiting – just the perfect time to share my weekend adventures with him. Looks like his older sister still has some gusto left in these 29-and-a-half year old bones…