looking for valentine's day date ideas in the circle city?

Indianapolis has much more to offer than most people realize. If you are like me, you are dying for some fun activities to beat the weather blues. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, what better time to grab your honey and check out what this city has to offer? In my previous posts, I have boasted up the circle city's delicious variety of local eateries and breweries. You can't go wrong with any of the hot spots on my list. Indy also offers some surprising cultural experiences with great museums and concerts. There are gallery openings all around downtown Indy as part of the First Fridays events. A few of the galleries participating include: Harrison Center of the Arts!, Gallery 924 at the Arts Council and Heartland Truly moving Pictures. For more info on First Fridays, visit the IDADA's (Indianapolis Downtown Artists & Dealers Association) website. If you are new to Indianapolis, take a tour in a comfy bus and find out what we are about by visiting more than 50 points of interest. Visit Cirlce City Tour's website for more info. Indianapolis Downtown Inc. is a great source to find upcoming events in our fair city. They recently published a list of 50 Indy Dates Under 50 Dollars just in time for Valentine's Day. You can find it here. So get out of the house and beat the Polar Vortex blues exploring a new part of our great city!

Photo courtesy of www.indydt.com

eat local

So this is a follow up post to my last post.  In addition to supporting our local brewpubs, Tom and I love to hit up the local eateries that Indy has to offer as well.  Sure, you know what you are getting when you go to the chains but if you can step outside of your comfort zone a bit, you will find some pretty surprising options here in the Hoosier state.  In the eat and drink portion of my blog, you will find reviews of the local joints we have tried that I feel deserve a shout out.  I would love to hear any suggestions you might have on groovy places near you so please feel free to comment on places Tom and I should try.  I stumbled upon this list of the top 25 local Indy restaurants to try published by visitindy.com that I plan on adding to my bucket list.  Tom and I hit up one of our favorite brunch places this morning called Zest! Exciting Food Creations (which does happen to have made the top 25 list).  They are located in the eclectic Broad Ripple Village area.  The interior of Zest! is as unique as its neighborhood and the food will blow your mind.  It is comfort food elevated to a point you didn't believe possible.  It somehow evokes nostalgia but at the same time introduces a taste combination that is completely new and exciting.  Tom had their sausage quiche.  I stole a bite and it was hands down the best quiche I have ever had.  It had a creaminess that I have never experienced in a quiche before and I highly suggest it!  I had their meatloaf sandwich with famous macaroni and cheese.  I very rarely order meatloaf at restaurants because the result can be pretty sketchy.  Zest's meatloaf however is melt in your mouth delicious...so much so that I took a picture of it. lol

drink local

I am a huge advocate of supporting local businesses, especially when it comes to locally grown food and drink.  Tom and I are fans of the microbrew movement and were pleasantly surprised to learn of all the great brewpubs right here in our backyard.  If you want to expand your beer horizon with some super tasty and incredibly fresh choices, this is the way to do it.  The Indiana Brewers Guild represents 55 different Hoosier microbrewers and brewpubs.  Your choices are endless!  Although I have definitely not had a chance to visit them all (I have made it to 10 and counting), my favorite to date is Sun King Brewing Company.  They offer free tastings on Thursday-Saturday and growler fills Monday-Saturday.  If visiting for the first time, I suggest going on a Friday night.  On Fridays they offer $5 growler fills for their three house beers:  Sunlight Cream Ale, Osiris Pale Ale and Wee Mac Scottish Ale.  In addition to the house beers, you will have the opportunity to taste two to three seasonal and specialty beers that change weekly.  You will see all walks of life in the tasting room, both young and old.  It offers a great environment to people watch and socialize.  Sun King often allows local non-for-profit organizations an opportunity to promote their causes during tastings by providing booth space where patrons can drop by to learn more about their organization.  You just can't go wrong drinking great beer and learning how you can help animals at your local Humane Society.  That's the beauty of local businesses...they have more stakes in the community and do more to support it.  So pick out a local brewpub or microbrewery near you and enjoy.  Cheers!

happy new year!

As I mentioned in my last post, we spent New Year's Eve at a close friend's wedding.  It was a great way to ring in the new year, surrounded by love and friendship...of course the tasty treats and cocktails didn't hurt either. lol  The attire was black tie so it gave Tom and I an excuse to clean up right.  I think we didn't do too shabby, if I do say so myself. 

After sleeping in on New Year's Day, I got to thinking about what 2014 will hold and reflecting on all the adventures of 2013.  This past year has been the happiest I can remember.  I spent it next to the man I love, strengthening our relationship and learning more about one another...it just doesn't get much better than that.  It seems that my contentment has drifted into other areas of my life as well.  My job continues to challenge me and keep me on my toes.  This is perfect for me because I hate routine and really thrive when I can be creative.  My family and friends are all in good health and in wonderful places in their lives.  2013 has given me many blessings that I hope to never take for granted.  I have a sneaking suspension that 2014 is just going to keep getting better.  I wish you and your loved ones health, wealth and happiness in the new year!

 

 

merry christmas!

What a whirlwind this year has been!  It is crazy to think that in just a few days, we will be welcoming in the new year.  This year has been one of the most memorable of my life because it is the first year I have shared with Tom from beginning to end.  We have shared so many amazing experiences and have fallen more in love each day.  We will be ringing in 2014 at a friend's wedding and it seems like a fitting end to this year to be celebrating love.  This was our second Christmas together.  And to be honest, Christmas time can be stressful.  Trying to accommodate each other's families and split time with both, shopping for twice as many people, making food for all the get togethers, double the work parties...it can get to be too much.  It becomes so easy to get caught up in the chaos of it all and forget the reason for the season.  At times, I was certainly guilty of this.  But I was able to step back and embrace all of the love and laughter we shared with both of our families and it gave me a glimpse of all the support we are surrounded by.  We shared great food, funny stories, warm hugs and lots of smiles and laughter.  I hope that your season was filled with the love and happiness of friends and family to carry you into the new year!

gift guide for pets 2013

Looking for gift ideas for Fido?  These are my top 13 gift picks for Christmas 2013 for the fur baby in your life, cat or dog.  There are items that will fit any budget ranging from $12 to $160.

1.  Custom Pet Pillows | Uncommon Goods | $45
2.  Sandy Paws Print Kit | Uncommon Goods | $12
3.  Merry Woofmas Assorted Dog Treats | Frontgate | $40
4.  Pyramid Stud Dog Leash | C. Wonder | $28
5.  Red or Green Bobo | PetSmart | $10
6.  Kate Spade Saturday Pooch Parka | Kate Spade | $45
7.  Calabash Cat Pod | Kitti Craft | $160
8.  Soggy Doggy | The Grommet | $80
9.  Catnip Catfisher Doorknob Hanger Cat Toy | Remmeer | $14
10.  Porcelain Geo Bone Dog Treats Jar | C. Wonder | $40
11.  Kong Glide 'N Seek | PetSmart | $25
12.  Grumpy Cat's Odor Eliminator | Grumpy Cat's | $15
13.  Paw Plunger | The Grommet | $30

gift guide for her 2013

Looking for gift ideas for your mom, sister, best friend or ideas to give your man when he is shopping for you?  These are my top 13 gift picks for Christmas 2013 for the ladies in your life...whether she is a hostess, a decorator, a book worm, a traveler, a fashionista or a techie.  There are items that will fit any budget ranging from $5 to $225.

 

1.  Sterling Silver State Love Heart Necklace | Etsy | $45
2.  Seaside Nautical Studs | Forever 21 | $5
3.  Tick-Tock Clock | Anthropologie | $24
4.  Ticket Stub Diary | Uncommon Goods | $12
5.  Vintage Brooch Wine Stoppers, Set of 3 | Cost Plus World Market | $18
6.  Landmark Ring Dish | Anthropologie | $12
7.  Kate Spade New York 'Gramercy Grand' Bracelet Watch | Nordstrom | $225
8.  Gold Mirrored Tabletop Tray | Cost Plus World Market | $30
9.  Puppy Bookends | Anthropologie | $68
10.  Sweater Stone | Vat19 | $7
11.  London iPhone 5 Case | Anthropologie | $38
12.  How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World | Amazon | $13
13.  Adulting:  How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps | Amazon | $12