shirley | edith Valentine's Day Cards for Sale!

Our shirley | edith Valentine's Day Cards "Cheesy Love" are back and are for sale in our Etsy Shop!!!!

Bonus - they're also available for purchase locally at NOTO!  Check out their new awesome location (76 South Main Street) and pick up a few cards - our "Awesome", "Heppy Berf Day", "In Bloom" Thank You (our most popular card, also available in sets!) and "Bee Mine" Valentine's Day Cards are also currently for sale at NOTO :)

Favorite Local Northeast Ohio Shops | Fig Leaf

The Fig Leaf in Kent is a great little store for women! Located in Kent's new Acorn Alley, it is popular for it's ever changing inventory :) They only order a few of each item and size, meaning what you buy is unique to you! The intimate atmosphere really gives the store that "boutique" feel and is definitely worth stopping into on a free afternoon.

Favorite Local Northeast Ohio Food | Franklin Square Deli

Lunch is undoubtably the best part of the day :) A tasty sandwich can make your day! Franklin Square Deli in Kent, Ohio, is one of my all time favorites! My dad and I have been going there since I was a little kid and it's just as much of a treat now as it was then. They have every type of sandwich that you can imagine which are all made from scratch. They slice the meat right there! Also included on the menu are soups, salads and pizzas that are all to die for. Such a great little local joint :)

Handpicked | Local Northwest Ohio Stores

It's We Love Local Week here on baci's blog!  Check back each day this week for great local (Northeast and Northwest Ohio) finds, food and fashion - enjoy :o)

A few weeks ago I brought you my top nine photographers, well this week I am bringing you nine of my favorite local (Northwest Ohio) places to shop for unique, custom, or vintage items that may be secondhand and for a great price :) AND amazing places to eat that are right here in my town!!

1) The Bees Knees - A Vintage Handmade Boutique located in Bryan, Ohio. I came upon her site when I realized she was opening a store on the square in Bryan and I was of course happy because that meant another place to shop :)

This is just a little bit of an idea for you of the items she sells. Things change daily though :)

2) The Old Red Barn located in Defiance, Ohio. I have personally never been here but I haven't heard one bad thing about this place and the pictures they have up of their items look amazing!!!

This is just one of their newest items :) 

3) Green Awning Gallery Gifts in Stryker, Ohio. I have been here and it's worth my 45 minute drive every time, they never disappoint me with new items. 

The outside of the building :) 

4) Zelena Handmades located in Fort Wayne, Indiana- A girl that graduated with my sister started up this custom design business where she uses old ties, shirts, or anything that can be "re-used" and she makes anything from pursues to diapers bags. 

How many people do you know that can make an old tie into a wristlet for ladies :) 

You can also go to her "shop" to look around. 

5) Bill's Locker Room III located in Bryan, Ohio - This is a sports store that can make any custom order!!!

Just one of the many custom orders they have made for a Fairview High School event. Check them out on facebook :)

6) Saks Thrift Avenue located in Bryan, Ohio (and also just opened a place called Savvy Thrift Avenue in Grand Rapids) - They have a lot of custom made items as well as old, vintage items. I go here a lot after work and spend way too much time and money in here :)

These chalk boards (and they also have dry erase boards) are probably my favorite items in here!!! They have them all year around and will make a custom order.

7) The Komfort Tea Spot located in Defiance, Ohio - This is not only a fabulous place to get tea but it's also owned by my best friend's mom!!! It's just such a cute shop, nice to sit down and relax after work!!

8) A Little Slice of Heaven located in Defiance, Ohio - Best cheesecake ever!! I have had this amazing cheese cake for the last few years at Christmas because my Aunt is good friends with the owner, however, Mary did not open her store until about a year ago.

Check her out on facebook :)

9) Pretzelady located in New Bavaria, Ohio - I have seen her food featured at some local shops (like The Bees Knees Boutique) and it looks amazing!!! 
Look how cute and creative this is!!

The reason I picked these nine stores is because I haven't came across another one and I find them unique and amazing in our "little" town :) 

baci's headed to NOTO Fashion Show!

The Northside Fashion Show from NOTO is a must attend event in the upcoming weeks!  We'll be there, will you?  Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. on May 5th and the show will start promptly at 8:00 p.m.  Located in Downtown Akron, NOTO will start with the Featured Designer Challenge, where local fashion experts can show off their designs, and then carry into NOTO's new fashion line.

It should be a fantastic time!  

The location of the event is:

Northside Lofts

21 Furnace Street

Akron, Ohio 44308

To be a part of this great experience, purchase your tickets here today!

Local Places We Love | Pittsburgh, Akron + Surrounding Areas

When Jami visited a few weeks ago over her Spring Break I took a few days off and we decided to explore a little bit!!  For our first day trip, we chose to head a few hours east to Pittsburgh - a trip, of course, anchored by Ikea :o)  After spending way too much money there (Jami was well-behaved, I bought an entire bedroom set - photos to come later!) and getting lost in Crafton (long story!) we ended up in the fun Eastside Area!

Pittsburgh
BRGR - We landed at BRGR and it was just what we needed after getting lost - a gorgeous, western-decorated venue with a fantastic indoor/outdoor seating area.  A few beers (they had Breckenridge Avalanche - my favorite!) and some tasty appetizers (Fried Pickles, BRGR Fries with Truffle Cheese Whiz and Grilled Cheese Bites - YUM!!) later we were happily full and planning our next trip back to Pittsburgh just to visit BRGR :o)

Vanilla Pastry Studio - After yumminess at BRGR, Jami and I walked just down the street to the adorable Vanilla Pastry Studio.  Clad in pretty pinks and pastel greens, the bakery was the perfect place to tantilize our tastebuds :o)  We ordered a delicious Strawberry Shortcake cupcake and some Chocolate Truffle cookies for the road!  Definitely worth a visit next time around :o)

After our trek across state lines, Jami and I decided we would take a day to venture around to some fun, local spots.  A few I was already in love with and a few were new even to me!!

Kent
Wild Goats Cafe - Jami and I started our day out in Kent where Ilario and I both went to college - it has certainly changed a lot since we roamed the streets!  One of the places that hasn't changed is Wild Goats Cafe - why I'd never been there before is beyond me.

We walked into the quaint little restaurant only to be greeted with amazing bakery sights (cinnamon rolls the size of your head!) and smells (did I mention the cinnamon rolls?!?!).  After ordering two flavored hot chocolates (raspberry for me, peanut butter for Jami - AMAZING!), we finally settled on food choices (Fresh Mozzarella on Pretzel Bread with a side of Griddle Fried Cheese Grits for me and The California on Ciabatta with a side of Pepper Jack Bacon Mac and Cheese for Jami - we split everything because it was too good not to share!).  The staff is incredible friendly and the food is to die for - highly recommended :o)

Figleaf - After our tasty lunch, we headed further down the street to one of my new favorites places - Figleaf!  This open and airy clothing boutique is organized by color (which truly satisfies the OCD portion of my brain, lol!) and is full of the latest styles and fashions for very affordable prices.  It's wonderful :o)

Monroe Falls
Cupcake Binge! - Our next stop was a pleasant, unplanned surprise!  While driving through Monroe Falls, we got stopped by the traffic light and noticed a word that caught our eyes "CUPCAKE"!!  Needless to say, we made a unanimous decision to turn the car around and take a look :o)

Cupcake Binge! is a new cupcake bar - a literal bar with booze and cupcakes!  If you ask me, it doesn't get any better than that :o)  Surprisingly, it does get even better once you taste the amazing organic cupcakes - Jami and I opted for a Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Frosting and Strawberry Explosion.  We'll certainly be going back there again!!

Akron
The Bomb Shelter - I don't think I'll ever be able to describe the awesomeness that is The Bomb Shelter - a 12,000 square foot "Retro Superstore" - other than to say Jami and I were in heaven.  Antique pickers heaven :o)  From the vintage claw-foot tub when you walk in to the old school posters hanging on the wall - if you love anything vintage, retro or antique you must visit The Bomb Shelter!  I left with a slew of milk glass (YAY!) and Jami left drooling, lol!

NOTO - After the Bomb Shelter, we headed off to see the lady who told me about the amazing shop - Lauren of NOTO!  Nestled in the Mocha Maiden area of Downtown beside Urban Eats and Musica, NOTO is hands down my favorite local clothing boutique to shop - not only do I get to visit with the lovely Lauren while I peruse, but she is so great at styling that I always end up leaving knowing a unique way to wear what I bought :o)  Definitely a must when downtown!

Bonus:  NOTO is hosting The Northside Fashion Show on Saturday, May 5th at Northside Lofts!  I can't wait :o)

UnCorked Wine Bar - After a little bit of shopping, Lauren suggested we stop in at UnCorked Wine Bar in the space above NOTO (after she told me about The Bomb Shelter, I definitely listen to her suggestions - lol!).  A few glasses of wine and a cheese platter later in the chic, modern gallery-type space and Jami and I couldn't have been happier!

Cuyahoga Falls
Room 9 Boutique - One quick last stop that day for us at Room 9 Boutique here in Cuyahoga Falls and we were spent :o)  Jami and I have a serious love for the fun, little clothing boutique - we always end up finding something we just have to have!!

Flury's Cafe - Earlier in the week, Jami, Intern Brittany and I all went out for lunch at Flury's Cafe and I certainly couldn't leave it out of our local places because it is SO tasty :o)  In fact, during Ilario's Spring Break this week we went again.  I recommend the Biscuits and Gravy - they'll melt your brain with their yumminess!

The Blue Door Cafe & Bakery - This might not be a place we visited while Jami was in town, but it's too wonderful not to mention!  Located in the old Golden Goose building at the corner of State and Broad - this fabulous, organic european-style cafe does not disappoint.  Must trys when you visit:  Anything on the specials menu (they're always unique and delicious!), Nueske Bacon and their rich, creamy hot chocolate!!