There's No Place Like Home

New Year’s Eve has always been one of my favorite holidays. Not only is it an excuse to get dressed up, and go out with friends, but it’s also one of the few occasions where drinking champagne (or sparkling wine) is acceptable. I love champagne and welcome this opportunity to enjoy a few glasses without looking like a diva.

Ever since I was in high school, celebrating New Year’s Eve has been a big deal amongst my friends, and, fortunately for me, this has carried on throughout college and afterwards. I’ve enjoyed a number of December 31’s at local Cleveland hotels and restaurants, in the Flats at the old Have a Nice Day Café (this one was an especially memorable evening that would need a blog in itself for all the comedy that ensued) and have even taken my talents to Chicago where for a number of years my girlfriends and I joined hundreds of others at The Drake Hotel’s annual New Year’s Eve bash. Therefore, because of the expectations this holiday has always had for me, as I settled down and realized that the big parties may have to be on hold for a bit, my husband and I took it upon ourselves to host an annual New Year’s Eve gathering. What started out as a 50-person event, slowly dwindled down to an intimate 8 as babies were born, and life made it a bit more challenging for everyone to continue joining us.  So, when our RSVPs were returned and the head count for 2011 was 6 of us, we decided we would start a new tradition.

 Most of our friends are locals and live (or will live soon) in Brecksville or Broadview Heights, so, being the community supporters that we are, felt it would be a great tribute to our city to enjoy all that Brecksville has to offer and party it up right here in our hometown.

 As I mentioned, I do enjoy this holiday as an excuse to pamper myself and get dressed up, so with that comes the need for a few beauty treatments—all of which can be accomplished by some very talented individuals who work...in Brecksville.

First stop, my nails. I grew up with a mom who taught me that it’s not only a luxury, but a necessity, to indulge in a weekly manicure. Unfortunately, I don’t have the personality to commit to a weekly appointment like she does, so I get my manis and pedis whenever I have the time or am in the mood. For a great manicure, us Brecksville residents have great options when it comes to “No appointments necessary” nail salons that get you in and out while delivering a high quality, yet cost effective service. While I usually am a regular of Diem at Le Nails (next to Giant Eagle in the newly renovated Brecksville Town Center), I was unable to get in with her prior to New Year’s Eve, so I went across the street to Master Nails (in the same shopping plaza as Heinen’s). After checking in, I was greeted by Sarinh who instructed me to pick out my polish while she got the tub ready for my tootsies. While I’m a simple gal when it comes to my personal style (I’m the quintessential woman who needs a lot more color in her closet), what I do love is utilizing my nails as a way to incorporate a little pizazz. Therefore, I, along with many other teeny boppers in this world, am a fan of OPI’s new line of glittery nail polish inspired by the Muppets. I became a little giddy thinking about having some sparkly nails for the new year, and was disappointed when I didn’t see any available to choose from. Never be afraid to ask, because once I did inquire about my glitter opportunities, they appeared, in every color available. I opted for Honk If You Love OPI (from OPI’s Touring America collection) with a fun glittery topcoat of Divine Swine. I loved it so much that while I will usually only be daring on my feet, I splurged and bedazzled my fingernails, too. In addition to the polish, my exfoliating pedicure and regular manicure was phenomenal. It’s January 4 and so far no chipping.

Following my nails, I drove North on Brecksville Road to Bella Mia West, where I frequent Jackie Fill as my aesthetician. She’s the best—not only for waxing, but for facials, massage and makeup application. Jackie has been my “go-to” for more than five years and I’ve followed her from previous salons to this new spa that recently opened on the corner of Brecksville Road and Fitzwater. Bella Mia West is a quaint little salon and spa that can always accommodate this “appointment commitment-phobe” and who keeps its promise on quality and price. Jackie delivered as always on a wonderful eyebrow wax and one of these days I’m going to try one of her facials.

In addition to my beauty splurges, I always have to get a new outfit to wear on New Year’s Eve or at least something that’s new, so on Cyber Monday, I took to online shopping and thought I’d feel a little young this year, and try something from Kohl’s LC Lauren Conrad collection. In true simple fashion I opted for the Button-Tab Ruffle dress in none other than black. When it arrived, I was in love. It was comfortable and light enough that I can wear it in the winter months or if we ever see the sun and warmth again. While my goal was to find a fun pair of colorful stillettos to go with, I settled for my Dana Buchman booties (also from Kohl’s and now on sale for $38.99). They give me some much needed height for this 5’2” frame and are super comfy, so my husband doesn’t have to listen to me whine throughout the night or be forced to go home and grab me some ballet flats. Jewelry and accessories were taken from my own jewelry box and closet, which was just fine with me.

Now that I was all primped and dressed up, did I have anywhere to go? Because this was our homebound New Year’s Eve, what better opportunity to try the newest restaurant in our community—located on the opposite side of the street as Bella Mia West at the corner of Brecksville Road and Fitzwater?  As most all of us Brecksville residents know, since the Spanish Tavern, we’ve seen many a restaurants/bars tease us with their concepts with the hope they will be the one to survive. So far, we’re 0 for a lot. Seared is a higher end steak and seafood restaurant, with a separate bar area and an exclusive raw bar. My husband and I had already been to the bar for drinks a few months back, but this would be ours, and our friends’, first dining experience.

I made our reservations a few weeks ago and when I asked if there were any special menus, etc…I was told it would be serving its regular, full menu for the holiday. Seared’s parking lot is always packed, and on this New Year’s Eve, it was no different. Our group arrived an hour and a half before our 8:00 p.m. reservation to enjoy some pre-dinner cocktails (and champagne, yay!) while watching the Ohio State basketball game. Hey, something for everyone, right? We ended up sipping drinks at the bar for a bit longer than expected as we didn’t get seated until after 9:00 p.m. We were hungry, but thanks to all that time in the bar, we could have cared less. Upon making the reservations, I had requested we sit in the loft area, which was a very cool and intimate area of the restaurant, located above the main dining room. It was very Brecksville VIP as Mayor Hruby was dining just a few tables away. While the food was yummy, they did run out of a few dishes (one of which both myself and my girlfriend had ordered), but props to the management for giving us a complimentary bottle of champagne for our long wait.

Original plans were to ring in the new year at our house—very close to Seared, but due to the unexpected later dinner, we ended up counting down back in the bar where we began the night.

While we could have a blast with the group we were with no matter where we were, knowing within a few mile radius lies the making of a great New Year’s Eve party gives me one more reason to be happy to call Brecksville home.

Happy New Year!