MARIEMONT: DILLY. BISTRO, BAR & BOTTLE SHOP.

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STYLING WITH CINCINNATI'S CURATE BOUTIQUE

Oh my gosh you guys. Fun. That's what it was to hang out with Courtney PeGan owner/founder of Cincinnati's Curate Boutique [map]. I mentioned to you guys a bit ago that I had the fabulous opportunity to model some of her outfits for the Holiday Lookbook. (See it here!) 

Behind the scenes, Courtney pulled three fantastic outfits for me. Then the talented Corey Stevens Photography traipsed around Cincinnati with us to get seriously festive. I had one casual outfit & two fantastically fancy ones, ALL of which I loved. In fact, the outfit above inspired me to start wearing beanies & pom hats as much as possible (remember this one?). Since this photo I've actually purchased that very pair of pants. Spoiler alert: they make every outfit amazing.

I literally had so much fun with Curate. & if you haven't stopped in recently (or ever)(gasp!) it's about time you did. & it's conveniently the perfect season for it. (Christmas presents!!!!!!!!)

What do you think guys? Which is your favorite of these styles? This green dress is just lace - all the way down the back. Gorgeous. But... I think I'm still partial to the sparkly number in the middle. xoxo & thank you for reading! 

Outfit 1 | Pants: Liverpool Madonna Skinny Coated Jegging via Curate Boutique

Sweatshirt: JOA Embellished Collar Sweatshirt via Curate Boutique

Beanie: In Stores only (Curate Boutique) 

Outfit 2 | Dress: Chaudry Beaded Cocktail Dress via Curate Boutique 

Outfit 3 | Dress: Line & Dot Moore Keyhole Lace Dress via Curate Boutique

Photography: Corey Stevens Photography

OVER THE RHINE: IRIS BOOKCAFE

Iris BookCafe & Gallery

Mon-Thurs 8a-9p; Fri 8a-7p; Sat 10a-7p; Sun 11a-9p

Books. Photography. Art. Secret garden. Welcome to Iris BookCafe in the heart of Cincinnati's OTR [map]. Here, the food is local & the books are global. Can you imagine a better combination? Oh wait! Coffee. There is coffee. & it's Coffee Emporium coffee (another Magical Simplicity coffee crush!) (which you can read about here). Now can you imagine anything better? Didn't think so.

I first read about Iris BookCafe in City Beat's 2014 Eats Staff Picks. They dubbed this oasis as the Best Winter Warm-Up. The way they described it made me imagine a secret, warm, cozy, awesome, vegetarian haven. AKA: My dream. 

Oh guys, it seriously is all of that & more! Tucked away in the middle of our bustling city (just across from Park + Vine) (which is ironically on Main Street) is a true gem. & outside through the back, shielded from all the bustle by its neighbors' walls, is an ivy clad solace. They've crowned it: The Courtyard.

My sisters & I spent a wonderful morning at Iris & I think it will be the first of many. My only complaint is, how have I not ever stumbled upon this magic little slice of a Cincinnati fairy tale before?

Stop by Iris Bookcafe. It's what dreams (well at least my dreams) are made of.

PHOTOS FROM GORMAN HERITAGE FARM

I put the Sunflower Festival on our calendar 5 weeks early. I absolutely did NOT want to miss it. 

Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate & by the time this year's sunflower festival rolled around at Gorman Heritage Farm, the field was pretty... dead. That's okay though, because I got a lot of sunflower pictures earlier this fall (see those here). But Gorman Heritage Farm was still pretty cool! Smack dab in the middle of Evendale [map] are a few acres of an educational farm. I can't talk too much shop about farms (without totally embarrassing myself), so I will let my photos tell you. 

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend! It is definitely fall!! & speaking of fall, I have a fun fall recipe ready for you guys tomorrow. Check back :) XOXO & thanks for reading!

NORTHERN KENTUCKY'S VELOCITY BIKE & BEAN

Velocity Bike & Bean

Tues-Fri 8a-5p; Sat 9a-4p

Welcome to Velocity Bike & Bean! You may remember when I (read: my sister) discovered this life changing find HERE. & if you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you know I'm here a lot.  Velocity happens to be less than a mile away from my office. Located on Burlington Pike in Florence, KY [map], it's actually just one half mile away.

In the back of the building, Velocity is a full service bicycle shop. In front, it's serious coffee. There is a really relaxed air at Velocity. Chill music & tinkerings of bicycle fixing all about. Every table is adorned with a coffee decoration: Teapot Lamps, French Press Terrariums, Burlap Bean Chairs, the list goes on. 

What I love about Velocity is how it brings together two things that, at least here in the Midwest, don't usually come as a pair: cycling & artisan coffee. It's a place where cyclists & coffee drinkers are both welcome. 

Best of all, it's a total family affair. Velocity was started by Mark & Lisa Ball. It's their family who still staffs the front & back of the bike & bean. & guess who they just so happen to be friends with? The Carabello's!! Remember them?!? (If not, read more HERE.) In fact, when the Carabello's first started roasting, it was in an empty room at Velocity. 

Makes it no surprise that Velocity still serves the delicious beans today.

It's a really neat place, Velocity. & lucky for me, they don't mind when I come with my work computer to knock out a few hours of a script off site. God bless everyone who introduced me to this Northern Kentucky Gem. 

CINCINNATI'S BLOOMS & BERRIES

Blooms & Berries Farm Market

Sept 20-Oct31 / 10a-7p Mon-Sat / 10a-6p Sun

My sister Claire has been living in San Francisco for the past six years. Lucky for me, she's still a Midwesterner at heart. Which is why when she was in town this past weekend, we wanted to do something especially Ohio-an. Welcome to Blooms & Berries(!) a farm market in our hometown [map]. I'm so happy Claire chose to came home when she did because the "farm" part of Blooms & Berries is only open for a short six weeks of amazing fall activities.

Blooms & Berries is the perfect place to bring your family. Yes, even your grown children (like me & Claire). During the fall they open their farm for a fall festival. Think: corn maze, hay rides, pumpkin picking, apple cider tasting, petting zoos, & (my personal favorite) a SUNFLOWER FIELD. 

Seriously. I'm not joking. There is a sunflower field. Can you think of anything more magical or dreamy in the entire world? I dare you! 

I had a fabulous afternoon reminding Claire why Ohio is so great. We didn't really have the time for the hay ride or fall activities, but we did love touring the farm. I even stopped by the market, which is open year round, for a half gallon of delectable apple cider & fresh cuts to take home. 

P.S. I'm using that cider for a delicious fall drink later this week!! Check back!

P.P.S... I didn't tell you all, but I got bangs! Xoxo & thanks for reading, Annie

CINCINNATI'S FINDLAY MARKET

Findlay Market

9a-6p Tues-Fri / 8a-6p Sat / 10a-4p Sun 

You've all been to Findlay Market, right? If not.. you must. Findlay Market, on Elder Street [map], is not only Cincinnati's oldest Public Market, but the oldest, continuously run Public Market in the state of Ohio. Located in historic Over the Rhine, Findlay Market is one of the most colorful + iconic features of our city. 

Essentially, Findlay Market is an indoor hallway lined with about two dozen vendors. & surrounded on the outside of the building with two dozen more vendors. There are meats, cheeses, desserts, vegetables, teas, wines, beers, fresh flowers, local eateries (in fact, some of my favorites are at Findlay! Remember Taste of Belgium? Eli's BBQ? Dojo Gelato??), the list goes on + on. 

The vegetables are so colorful, right? Findlay's Farmers Market (the outside portion) is open seasonally.  You simply must stop by before Fall shuts it down. But, what's more colorful than the Farmers Market is the people! Every corner of the city is here. It's one of my favorite places to style watch :) 

So here are a few tips for navigating Findlay: 

• Bring a canvas bag (for your groceries).
• Head down in the morning, that's when there is the best selection. 
• Surrounding parking lots have very reasonable rates. But, if you can't find one, there's always street parking! 
• Cash is king & there are ATMs on site.
• Come hungry! (& thirsty!) There is local flavor everywhere you turn + a biergarten. 

I love Cincinnati. So much. & Findlay Market has always been one of my favorite features (remember my Tamino on the Town adventures with Teddy? One of our locations was Findlay!). Lately I've noticed some really amazing storefronts coming in to rejuvenate Elder Street: Maverick Chocolate Company (they make their own chocolate inside the store!), Eli's BBQ (coming soon!) (you all know my feelings on Eli's!) + more.  

I've spent many a happy morning at Findlay Market. I hope, if you have a little time,  you get to explore for yourself :) Tell me how it goes! xoxo 

[GREATER] CINCINNATI'S CARABELLO COFFEE

Carabello Coffee

Tues-Fri 7a-8p; Sat 8a-8p

I heard a lot about Carabello Coffee before actually visiting for the first time. I heard the establishment started roasting beans in Florence, KY (ironically at another one of my favorite coffee joints, Velocity Bike + Bean). (Who still serves Carabello's coffee.) I heard that growth moved Carabello to historic Newport, Kentucky on the corner of Monmouth + Ninth [map]. I heard they showcase a selection of pastries from local bakers at checkout - including my favorite, Brown Bear Bakery! + I also heard, from several sources, that I would absolutely love it.

Well, I finally visited the popular independent coffee bar this past weekend (+ I also learned that in exactly one week [9-17-14] Carabello is celebrating their first Newport birthday!) + guys, the rumors are true. I do love Carabello. What, precisely? Well, for one, they use mason jars + piping in almost all their decorations. The wood is light + the space is cheery. + oh holy heavens is the coffee delicious. They roast the beans right here in town mere days before it's in your mug. 

But above the wonderful taste + decor + tremendously welcome demeanor is the Carabello story. Justin + Emily Carabello started Carabello Coffee three years ago with two prerogatives: 1) Bring Greater Cincinnati really delicious coffee 2) Use the money raised through that really delicious coffee to build sustainable lives for the people in the Third World Nations where it came from. Or, in a less wordy explanation: Coffee + compassion in tandem. 

You can read all about the philanthropic works here. (+ all about the amazing meaning behind the tandem bike HERE.) (Spoiler: When Justin asked Emily to start looking at engagement rings, she declared: I don't want a ring, I want a tandem bike." To which Justin replied: (laughing) You need a ring... but I'll try to get you the bike too.")

Oh Carabello, how I love you so! I love your direct, simple, yet multi-layered mission. Thank you to all my friends who planted the Carabello bean in my mind. +, Carabello, happy birthday! I am so glad to be your neighbor (The Studio is just a wee 2 miles away!). You guys are changing lives, one hot cup of joe at a time. + that is something pretty spectacular.

P.S. Follow along with Carabello's adventures via Twitter + Facebook + Instagram.