Bravo, my boy!

It takes a village to teach a child the violin. 

In this village you'll find a teacher, the school, parents, grandparents, the music community, the violin shop, fellow students and greats like Brahms, Mozart, Beethoven and Suzuki. All of these individuals play a vital role in shaping the young musician.    

Of course, the greatest responsibility lies with the child himself. The countless hours of practicing, the memorization, the raw chin and sore fingertips and aching back. The forsaking of extra playtime and appeasing the nagging mother (guilty, Your Honor!).

When Caden started this journey 15 months ago, it looked like a crazy up-and-down-and-up graph. There was excitement and curiosity in the beginning (the graph ticked way up) followed by a sobering end to the sweet honeymoon ("What, you mean I have to practice every day?!") with plateaus in between (triumphant lessons and confidence-boosting practice sessions). 

There were also times he wanted to quit. "This is too hard!!" he huffed during one of our early practice sessions. Caden was so frustrated I thought he was going to throw the violin across the room -- or maybe he wanted to chuck it at me! 

Last night's end-of-the-year recital was a reminder of how far my boy has come (how far the entire village has come!). Caden played so sweetly. He is the consummate performer. While most of us get jittery with nerves right before show time, Caden is calm and centered. The moment he walks on stage he owns it. He savors every note, every measure and the best part, he told me later, is sharing the music with his audience. And he does it with such style (the shirt! that tie! those skinny jeans!). 

I was so proud I felt like my heart was gonna burst.

Bravo, my boy. Bravo.


Why the violin brings out my inner Tiger mom.

New favorite restaurant

It was the perfect spring day. The husband and I played hooky yesterday and wandered into Ohio City whilst enjoying blue skies, a light breeze and the gorgeousness of lush trees and blooming flowers (I've learned when you live in Cleveland, you take advantage of as many beautiful days as you can!).

I have been wanting to try The Flying Fig, especially with all the good things I've heard from my foodie friends. We got a table on the patio and already I knew it was going to be a great lunch experience (I always notice the little things: pretty just-planted flowers, white lights strung up overhead, tap water poured from vintage bourbon bottles). 

The gourmet cheese curds (light puffs of Buffalo mozzarella deep fried to perfection) sounded too good to pass up, so I indulged. Meanwhile, my husband ordered the Grilled Ohio Burger (with bacon, Cabot cheddar, mustard aoli and melted onion) and we agreed it was the best burger we've ever tasted.

And so I decided: The Fig is my new fave.      


39 things I love about Cleveland.

An idiot abroad

If you're looking for a show to watch this summer you must check out An Idiot Abroad**, a hilarious documentary travel series that follows bumbling Englishman Karl Pilkington as he unwillingly traverses the globe.

Though he has no interest in broadening his cultural horizons, Pilkington, who is sent on assignment by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant (The Office co-creators and Pilkington's mates) travels to China, India, the Middle East, Mexico, Egypt, Brazil and Peru to see the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Though Gervais and Merchant spare no expense on gorgeous sweeping shots of places like Petra, Rio de Janeiro and the Great Wall, they usually put Karl up in the grossest hotels in the dumpiest parts of town, force him try the local cuisine (stewed goat face or cow penis, anyone?) and make him hang out with some memorable characters (like completely naked, bendy, Jim Morrison-looking yogis). 

OMG I've been laughing so hard (I was dying watching the India episode). Thanks to Karl, you can travel around the world without leaving your living room. 

**(You can stream it on Netflix!)


35 great travel books. (Flavorwire)

This week's obsession: dry shampoo

Did you know it's not good to wash your hair every day? In fact, washing daily will actually strip away natural oils and lead to dry, brittle locks. That's because the bubbles in your shampoo are made from harsh ingredients and sulfates and aren't necessary in cleansing your scalp (getting that soapy, foamy feeling is just that -- a feeling -- an illusion of cleanliness). 

Most of us only need to wash three or four times a week (depending on your hair and scalp type). And the longer, thicker, curlier and more processed your hair, the longer it can go between washes.

My beauty fix in between washes? Dry shampoo. Available in spray or powder form, dry shampoo first showed up in the 60s (Twiggy starred in early ads for Minipoo Dry Shampoo) and is making a comeback. I picked up a classic, Pssssst! by Clairol, and so far I like it. It smells fresh and after a few practice runs, it's pretty easy to use. 

Here's a quick tutorial:

don't spray on wet or damp hair.
do spray at least 6 inches away from your scalp.
don't freak out if it goes on white at first. Let the product sit for a few minutes before styling.
do lift sections of hair and spray underneath the roots.
don't apply it like you would hairspray.
do style as usual and enjoy your hair pick-me-up!


Orange lips, cheeks and nails.

Links jun08

watch/read/watch

• The video for Kimbra's new single (from her upcoming album The Golden Echo) is now here! 

• Five reasons why you should think before you click. (The Trees Will Clap)

• Are you an introvert? Extrovert? Or ambivert? (A Cup of Jo)

• Cheryl Strayed's Tiny Beautiful Things is the book every woman is giving her girlfriends. (The Cut) 

• 10 things you've been doing wrong every day. (CrazyRussianHacker)