Irish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day

There's a semi annual tradition in my house for St. Patrick's Day- dress up like a crazy person and head downtown to hit the bars before most people roll out of bed.  I am 50% Irish (my grandparents came here in the late 40's - grandma is still an Irish citizen), so I feel obligated to celebrate this holiday with my closest friends and thousands of strangers every year.

As a general rule, I don't drink that much (a drink or two here or there), I don't like crowds, and I don't like drunk people, but there's something magical about St. Patty's Day.  It brings people of all ethnic backgrounds together to celebrate.  And it brings a whole heck of a lot of people to downtown Cleveland. 

I support local businesses as much as I can, and I really like seeing SO many people in downtown Cleveland on St. Patrick's Day.  I'm sure if you work in a restaurant or bar downtown, you might not agree with me, but if you're an owner, I bet you appreciate the business.  I didn't even have one drop of alcohol last year and still managed to have a great time. (the people watching alone is worth the Rapid ride)

Every year I buy myself a new shirt to wear on St. Patty's Day, and this year I will be proudly sporting a shirt from C.L.E. Clothing Co.  When I saw this shirt, I just had to have it. 

C.L.E. Clothing Co. shirt and swag

This completely goes against the strategy I've used in past years - trying to find a unique shirt to wear out, but...I'm excited to represent the CLE and Ohio this St. Patty's Day.  I hope to see this shirt on dozens of people downtown!

How will you be celebrating St.Patrick's Day?

You Down With C.L.E.? C.L.E. Clothing Co. Holiday Launch Party

Some people are ashamed to admit that they're from Cleveland.  And I understand that.  What are we best known for?

1. The burning river (I hear that one most often when I travel)
2. The town where no sports team is ever consistently good
3. Quitness

Note: I occasionally hear people tell me that they know about Cleveland for the Rock Hall, so chalk one up in the positive category.

But I like to focus on the positive side of Cleveland.  We've got a vibrant music scene, a wide array of dining options, and to the best of my knowledge, no one has been shot in Tremont lately.  WIN!

Seriously, though, no matter where I travel, I'm always happy to return home to the CLE.

A company that shares that same sentiment is C.L.E. Clothing.  Known for creating kind of wacky Cleveland themed tees, their mission is to spread Cleveland pride one t-shirt at a time.

 

"Fra-gee-lay!"

(See me above, pictured in a C.L.E. Clothing Co. "leg lamp" t-shirt from last year's collection.)

The great folks at C.L.E. are holding their Holiday Launch Party this Saturday - December 4, 2010 at Native Cleveland, a store in the Waterloo arts district featuring products proudly created by Clevelanders. (if you're an artist/crafter/etc., check out the Native Cleveland site to learn more about how you can possibly get your wares displayed in the new store)  I know I can't wait to see what designs will be available this season.  Sadly, the leg lamp shirt was retired last year, so I can only wear it sparingly.  But since I own nearly every other C.L.E Clothing Co. shirt in existence, I know I'll find something to add to my list of gifts to buy for myself this holiday season!

What will Santa be bringing you this year?

Ah, commercialism.  That's what seems to rule the holidays these days.  I've never been a fan of "forced" holiday giving.  Just because you happen to be related to me by blood or a common-law relationships doesn't mean you deserve a gift.  In fact, I'd dare say that the majority of people in my life who should get a holiday gift, based on traditional gift giving standards, just aren't worthy.  I know that sounds a bit harsh.  I do love buying presents for the people who mean something to me, but I don't like the idea that someone should feel obligated to buy a gift for someone else.  I like buying gifts that mean something or could be considered useful by someone - not just something random I spotted in the mall.

This holiday season, I plan on only buying for those nearest and dearest to me and also trying to buy local whenever possible.  If you're in the spirit for some local shopping, here are my suggestions for greal local gift giving ideas.

1. A gift certificate to Melt.  I don't think I could be friends with someone if they didn't like Melt.  Heck, even my mom loves Melt.  Note that this gift wouldn't be appropriate for anyone not willing to wait for good grub.

2. A C.L.E. Clothing Co. t-shirt.  They come in both mens and womens sizes and feature fun, Cleveland-related images and slogans. 

3. Any number of cool things from Room Service. This cool Gordon Square Arts District boutique features all kinds of gifts - from jewelery to artwork.  

4. A gift certificate to Capitol Theater.  It took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to renovate this theater.  Why not see a movie in something other than your local mega-plex.

5. The Cleveland Independents Deck. This deck of playing cards features 52 $10 gift certificates to independently owned Cleveland restaurants.  I'm no mathematician, but the deck costs $30, and you get $520 in discounts...if you eat out a lot and like to support local restaurants, this is a phenomenal deal!

These are just the first 5 ideas that come to my mind.  What are your suggestions for local gift giving?

P.S. If you want to go shopping this weekend but want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the malls, check out the east side version of the Bazaar Bizarre, an indie craft fair.  If you can't make it to the east side version being held today, November 27, and tomorrow, November 28, there's a west side version being held December 12-13. 

Rockin the suburbs in my C.L.E. Clothing Co. shirts

I'm rockin' the suburbs, just like Michael Jackson did. (My apologies to Ben Folds.)

Sort of.

I'm rocking a new C.L.E. Clothing Co. shirt today.  I bought "Hello Cleveland" a couple weeks ago.

I've been wearing that shirt far too often, so I purchased a couple more C.L.E. Clothing CO. shirts last weekend.  Online, not at the kiosk that just opened at Southpark Mall.  (If you're into instant gratification, you should check out their bricks and mortar shop - but if you're lazy like me, shipping is still ridiculously fast - especially if you're in the greater Cleveland area)

With the holidays coming, I think these shirts will make great gifts for the wacky t-shirt loving person in your life.  Especially if they like locally produced goods.

If you're at the Tremont Art Walk tonight and you see a brunette rocking a C.L.E. shirt, it might just be me!