As a busy mom and someone who is self-described as “Fashion-Unaware,” am I a person who could get fashion help?

Have you ever heard of a fashion stylist? (It’s a thing, and it exists all over the world!)

Does fashion styling sound like something only fancy people do?

As for me and my answers: Most definitely, Not until recently, and Yeah, it did to me! I had no idea how much fun fashion styling could be. There, I said it. I can’t believe I said it. Please hear me out if you don’t agree. If you happen to agree with my new belief, yay! It’s amazing how one conversation can change your whole outlook on something.

Up until a few weeks ago, if you’d asked me why I pretty much always wear jeans and a t-shirt (or a hoodie) everywhere I go for the past dozen or so years, I would have told you it was because it’s comfortable and I’m a busy mom, and these reasons would have been true (and they still are true, really). But there’s more under the surface of my choices than I cared to realize. Just a short time ago, I got to have a conversation with a friend about why I felt that certain fashion choices were off-limits for me, and why I felt like I was being held back from being creative with my wardrobe…

For me, it was because I was afraid. Yes, I was afraid to play with fashion. I secretly envied people who dressed up all “complete” and such, and I felt like the fashion world wasn’t really my world.

When I thought of “fashion” as a concept before this conversation I’d had, it honestly felt a little pretentious to me. From the outside looking in, I thought of a polished look as a status symbol and something I could never achieve. So rather than risk messing it up, I chose to stay comfy and not bother. What people didn’t know (or notice) could remain my secret, right? But I wanted something more.

We pretty much all have friends who seem to always have their look pulled together. They put off such an air of confidence in their perfectly coordinated wardrobe choices that it seems effortless and, quite honestly, can even possibly intimidate some of us lesser “fashion-inclined” a bit. Okay, me. It can intimidate me.

Growing up, I was always the kid who couldn’t afford trendy clothes and the “cool stuff.” The idea of buying something I didn’t need that wasn’t a hand-me-down, so I could look good became such a foreign concept through the years that I all but eliminated it from my mind. So I somehow lumped the idea of pulling together a “look” into that same thought process. I considered looking pulled together a luxury, and something that had to cost a lot of money (and expertise) to pull off.

But what if that friend I was telling you about – the one that’s completely on top of their fashion game – was willing to help get you on track with your clothes (maybe even your whole wardrobe…okay, MY wardrobe…still me) to look like “WE” had out acts together, too?

And that’s when my friend Courtney Stone comes in. It really started a few months back. That one friend? She’s it, for sure. She loves fashion so much it oozes from her pores. Not only does she have a fierce love of (and education in) fashion, she also has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and blends her two passions into helping others find looks they love through her fashion consulting and styling business, Randomosity 740. And she rocks it. Courtney also shares her looks online with infectious enthusiasm and actually got me to start thinking I might have it in me to be creative with my clothes after watching and reading her posts for a bit. But it still felt like a huge personal hill to climb, to learn the “tricks”, and so I kept admiring her from afar.

But here’s the thing: Courtney Smith is just something else, and she’s definitely on the right career path. She shares real-world fashion tips, encouraging everyone who reads or watches her posts to pair unusual items, spruce up their current wardrobes and pay attention to the little details of their look, like cuffs, patterns, and accessories. She makes it all seem so simple. I honestly even started thinking I could have it in me to try playing with my clothes after watching her happy self sharing her expertise. After finding myself getting to the point where I was seeking out her tips online, I started to realize she was changing my mind about clothes.

So I did it. I reached out to Courtney for her help. I decided to give her fashion styling a go. And I’m so happy I did. It was so easy and it changed my mind about so many things.

After our initial video consult, I got some easy homework to seek out some looks I liked online and to pick out a few pieces of clothing already in my closet that I wanted to style or put into a look. After our quick chat, I already felt like I was beginning to play with my clothes in ways I wanted to, and I was getting excited. I went from feeling unable to be helped, to feeling hopeful. But the real magic came from the FaceTime meeting we had to pull it all together.

You guys, I genuinely feel like I was completely inept at making fashion choices before we spoke. After our meeting, I started getting it. After one meeting. I started thinking about how my pants and shirts were cuffed, how my shoes were tied (Yes, there are different ways to tie shoes. Who knew?) and how my earrings could change the mood of my entire look. I started thinking about how I could be brave and have fun with my clothes in even the simplest of ways, and it could make a huge difference without feeling like I was someone else’s idea of me.

To top it all off, every outfit she styled for me in this article was something I already had in my closet. She successfully eliminated my fear of needing to spend all of my money to update my wardrobe and look pulled together. My love of thrifting is still fully intact, and now I’m seeing all of the options I already have at home, coming together in so many new ways. Best yet, I am learning to have a new appreciation for what I have and what I want to wear, and feel like the choices I’m making when I do shop for new items have purpose and direction.

When we think about self-care, a lot of times we think about spa weekends and indulgent luxuries. Sometimes we allow ourselves to get stuck, thinking it can only mean those things. But it really can go beyond that. Anything that gives us a boost and allows us to love on ourselves a bit more and keeps our batteries charged, can fall into the self-care realm. Right in that zone, we can also find anything that honors our appearance and brings a smile to our faces – including the choices we make on what we wear.

If you think the idea of fashion styling could be for you, I’d humbly have to agree. If you want to get a bit of direction on how to create outfits, find your personal style, clean out your closet, or get any help at all with what you wear and how you wear it, I can’t recommend fashion styling with Courtney enough.

A West Virginia native who spent her most recent years living in the Mid-Ohio Valley, Courtney recently moved to the Columbus, Ohio area. But this hasn’t changed how she does business. Her consultations, styling, Closet Detoxes, Seasonal Fashion Updates, Travel Wardrobe Styling, Special Event Styling, Full Wardrobe Makeovers and so much more can all easily be done through video. The best part about video chat? She can access your closet from anywhere in the world!

If you’d like to give fashion styling a chance, Courtney’s consultations are always free. And once you find yourself booking her, your heart can smile knowing 30% of her fees go to a charity of your choosing (from a list on her website). Visit her website to learn more, and be sure to follow her on Instagram!

The post Taking a Chance with Fashion appeared first on Clutch MOV.

Jay and I tried to figure out why we don’t make it to Boathouse BBQ more often, and we came up with zero reasons. Every single time we’ve visited Boathouse, we’ve had nothing short of a great experience.

More house than boat, Marietta’s Boathouse BBQ thrives on the edge of the river in the Harmar section of town. From the moment you walk into this cozy red hideaway, it’s easy to feel right at home. Friendly and attentive hosts, patrons, servers and chefs all took turns greeting us and asking us about our meals and experience. It was easy to tell them we enjoyed our night, because we truly were having the best time!

Normally, we sit right inside the main dining area, nice and comfy, in one of their spacious booths. I’d always been hesitant to sit out in the “Breezeway”, because, “cold”. But I didn’t realize it’s actually a well-heated pass-thru- with the added benefit of tons of windows and a great view! In the warmer weather, you also have the option of sitting outside on their back patio, which was beautiful at sunset. We’ll save that for another day.

We saved Boathouse BBQ for our last stop of our MOV Restaurant Week family adventures because we knew we’d love the food. They know seafood as well as they know ribs and steak, and their desserts are ALWAYS top-notch. The only problem we had was staying on the Restaurant Week menu, because we made the mistake of looking at the regular menu, realizing how many things we had yet to try here.

But in true “RW” fashion, we did the classic “Split”, and ordered all the things on the Restaurant Week menu, to split evenly between Jay and me. Our kiddo, however, ordered a burger and applesauce.

We all got different flavors of house-brewed iced tea to kick off the night. A trio of Mango, Peach and regular Sweet Tea got the meal off to a good start. I always love adding a little fruity flavor to my drinks. I think I liked the mango tea the best, personally. 

“Talk about starting off with a bang”, Jay said, as we tore into our appetizers. Even though we’d obviously never heard of a “hog wing”, and our hungry eyeballs thought we were getting really large “hot wings”, we pressed on and had our lives changed. The crispness of the skin on these hog wings (which were in fact, hog, as in pork…oops! Now we know!), and the crispness of the meat, down to the bone (without being in the least bit tough)…Jay actually asked for a moment of silence because he was so moved by the flavors and textures. It was a well-deserved moment. I thought I saw a tear. And then he shared a bite with me. That’s how much he loves me. Of course, he picked them as his “App Favorite”.

But I don’t want to give you the wrong idea. I think my house-smoked trout, stuffed portobello was the official appetizer winner, myself. I’m also in love with anything mushroom. This buttery, perfectly cooked one, you needed a steak knife to cut through the immensity of it all. As huge as it was, I would also have welcomed a second one, forgoing my entreé. Of course, my entreé hadn’t arrived, yet. But I loved this stuffed mushroom, something fierce. Jay really loved the mushroom too, even though he doesn’t love stuffed mushrooms as much as I do, and said it was a very close second to his beloved hog wings.

Before we knew it, our main dishes had arrived, and we enthusiastically prepared ourselves for culinary happiness. Normally I wouldn’t get my hopes up beforehand, but with Boathouse, we had no doubt we’d enjoy our food.

I’ll be honest: If heaven’s cloud could melt in my mouth in the shape of a fantastically-topped (with all of the smoky, fruity salsa-y things that I love) butter pat of a fish, it would be this. I’ve honestly never had a bite of fish melt in my mouth like this, before. It was so light but completely melty and so full of flavor.

Side note: Smoked mango and cilantro should always live together. Wow.

The NY Strip that Jay ordered was nothing short of a fantastic herbal explosion. The description said there was a Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Cream Sauce topping the steak, but when I tasted it, it just tasted like exactly what should be on top of steak. I guess if that happens to be Jack Daniels, then I may never want steak another way. We LOVEd this steak. All three of us tried it, and swooned. Jay loved the cut (each steak is hand-cut), and was impressed at how little fat his steak had. For such a thick cut, it was also perfectly cooked. Just, honestly, whatever they did to achieve the flavor…it was perfect. That is all.

Lest we not forget about the poblano pepper mashed potatoes. The idea sounded unusual to me, but I kept an open mind and tried them out. I never realized poblanos belong in mashed potatoes until tonight. The potatoes softened the bite of the pepper, and made perfect sense together. Another win in both of our books.

The veggie medley? So unusual and good. Never had I ever seen slices of corn on the cob in a veggie medley. Add in roasted asparagus, squash and (in my opinion, the highlight of the medley) perfectly roasted red peppers, and you have a memorable veggie side, rounded out by what I think(?) was a caramelized balsamic glaze. What?

When asking our 7 year old what she thought of her burger: “First of all, I ‘heart’ it. The portion was really good and juicy. It was a good kind of spicy and also chewy in a good way. I give it 1000 out of 10.” So there you have that. Can’t do better than 1000/10.

We were “working on full”, according to Jay, after our entreés, but knew it would be worth it to make room for dessert. Honestly, we could go here just for dessert, so we were once again excited.

Jay does not like pecans (for their texture), but I love them. So it was easy to divvy up the dessert options. Jay chose the candied bacon/salted caramel cheesecake (which wasn’t really a stretch for him, anyway), and I gladly chose the Pecan Pie Bread Pudding. So I tried his cheesecake with bacon and I told him if he could handle that texture, he could handle my divine bread pudding. “In what universe?”, he asked me, as he slowly took a bite to prove a point…and within one second, quickly added “Oh, that universe”. It was that good. It transcended aversion.

When I asked him about the cheesecake (which was quite good, but I couldn’t stop eating my bread pudding long enough to eat much of the cheesecake, Jay replied:

“Just…(kept eating, no words)…just a really, really well-made cheesecake. So thank you, Jennifer (dessert chef, extraordinaire), for making desserts that make us consistently speechless and happy-bellied. Also thank you to our server Andrew, who was insightful, patient with our questions, and helpful with our choices. He is a rock star. Let’s really just also thank everyone who is a part of this perfect restaurant because they totally nailed every aspect of our evening. Can’t wait to return again (and again and again).

The post MOVRW: Boathouse BBQ appeared first on Clutch MOV.

Let me start by saying that technically, Fairplain Yacht Club falls outside of what I would consider the Mid-Ohio Valley (MOV). Let me also say that, holy wow, it was well worth the drive! We’re already planning a trip back. We’re always up for an adventure, so when we saw Ripley’s Fairplain Yacht Club’s menu on the MOV Restaurant Week lineup this year we were completely on board. A gigantic pork chop, surf & turf, nachos, shrimp and two desserts? More than sold.

FYC is off the main roads by a few turns so you kinda have to know it exists to find it. But trust me, when we showed up there were very few places to park so they’re not having a problem getting the word out. From the outside, the steakhouse looks a bit like a shack: a hodgepodge of materials and almost a disguise for the deliciousness inside. As soon as we walked inside we immediately felt at home.

The staff at Fairplain were all equally friendly and we should know. It seemed each staff member took turns checking on us, talking with us, and even saying hello when we walked past them. Our waitress, Ashley, was especially kind and even brought our daughter crayons and paper to decorate while we waited for food, plus found her some cinnamon for her applesauce in the kitchen.

Before we even sat down though, we couldn’t get over the space inside. It was so spacious. Jay mentioned to me “you won’t run into anyone here unless you want to” because the tables were really spread out. It seems as though there used to be live music in this place, but we couldn’t find any record of any happening recently. I hope we’re wrong because it really is the perfect space for performances.

There was music playing in the background, but the emphasis on atmosphere seemed to be more about the restaurant and less about the “bar vibe” – even though there is a nice, large bar inside. It was easy to talk over the music, and there were times I forgot it was playing at all.

We knew going in exactly what we wanted to order, since with MOV Restaurant Week, there are typically two choices (and two of us, so we each order half of the menu). But we decided to check out the regular menu, anyway. So many items tempted our taste buds, and we can’t wait to try some of the Cajun-flavored dishes. The kiddo really wanted a burger, so she ordered her burger patty and applesauce, and we happily got all of the Restaurant Week offerings.

The appetizers were generous – especially the nachos. I had a feeling when we saw nachos on the menu it would be hefty. I’m trying not to swear here, but man. The smoked beef (smoked that day right outside of the Club), the fresh-made salsa…it was so good. The smoke flavor wasn’t overpowering, but was mouthwatering and also perfectly understated. We wanted to finish all of the nachos on the spot, but knew we wouldn’t have room for our entrees. So we honestly brought them home. I’ve never brought nachos home, but they were worth doing so. The shrimp? Stop. I have no idea exactly what was on those puppies, but the sweet grilling sauce topped with the fresh cilantro cream was so unexpected and also SO addictive. Jay said they were “crave-worthy”, and as soon as we finished them, we were ready for more.

To be honest, we could have stopped and been satisfied, right there, but I’m so glad we didn’t.

Dude. My pork chop was massive. I still can’t decide if it smelled better or tasted better, but the teaser photos they posted online were exactly how our chop looked: perfectly smoked, moist and absolutely full of flavor. Jay also added, “It gets better the more I eat of it. I love the seasoning.” Truly, it was perfect. I also don’t think I could have eaten it alone. The sweet potato hash tasted like the way I love to oven roast sweet potatoes, so I was happy, but I saved room for dessert by bringing half of the sweet potato hash home for a rice bowl lunch.

Even after all of that: The Chimichuri Surf & Turf may have taken the cake.

Fairplain Yacht Club is a steakhouse, and they know their steak. I don’t think our steak could have been cooked or flavored more perfectly, and the house-made chimichuri sauce was so good, we tried it on every single thing on our plates (and by itself). The Surf & Turf was also plated beautifully. And even though I’m usually cautious about eating prawns (as they can get rubbery from my experience), this one was tender and flavorful, and we both loved, loved it. Perfect.

Our daughter enjoyed her burger and “thoroughly destroyed it.” But she loved the ice cream the most. Her main takeaway was the ice cream, to be honest. It was vanilla, with caramel drizzle and caramelized bacon. This might seem like an unsuspecting combo, but we really suggest giving it a go. Jay loves bacon anything, and the last time he’d had a bacon sundae was at McDonald’s. This one was “Waay better”.

I definitely enjoyed the bourbon glazed peach cheesecake (my second cheesecake of the week) and think the glaze was a great, zingy balance to the rich cheesecake filling.

Overall, this was a great experience that we’re looking forward to repeating. We left happy, perfectly full, with a few leftovers in our hands and a bunch of friendly faces all around us. So glad Fairplain Yacht Club gave us the opportunity to get to know them a bit better today.

The post MOVRW 2019: Fairplain Yacht Club appeared first on Clutch MOV.

Nestled in the middle of the busy and varied Front Street shops and eateries, Marietta’s Town House Sports Bar is a popular stop for locals. If you blink, especially in the winter (when their large, street side patio is closed for the season), you might drive right past them like we did, today. But if you keep your eyes peeled, you’ll catch this yummy and friendly stop in downtown.

From the outside, Town House is unassuming and low-key, with only a hint of 60s-80s musical hits wafting through the walls, out onto the sidewalks. Established in 1968, they’ve been serving a variety of dishes and drinks for years and are a staple in our community.

I’ve been meaning to check out Marietta’s Town House for an actual meal for a while, now, and Restaurant Week gave me and my family the perfect excuse. From the zucchini fries to the Oreo Cheesecake, my family and I wanted to try everything on their Restaurant Week menu. So we mapped out our choices and got ready for culinary happiness.

Hayla, our server, was friendly and helpful. She treated our daughter like an equal patron, and had several conversations with her, which were much appreciated. As a side note: even though this is a bar, kids are not only welcome before 9:00 p.m., they also have their own menu. We never felt uncomfortable having our daughter with us (who is 7) and we enjoyed the music, which was loud enough to sing along to, but not too loud to still talk when we wanted to. As we got ready to order our food, Faithfully by Journey came on. I’m sorry, but you can’t top that warm and fuzzy feeling too much.

Not only did we feel comfortable as a family, but we seemed to fit in with the dress code, as well. We dressed “nice casual”, and felt right in the mix of everyone else to showed up while we were there, which were many. We were the first people to arrive at dinner time around 5:00 p.m., and by the time we got up to leave, the restaurant was almost full.

Speaking of full, the food:

Let me start by saying I’m a fan of fried apps. So I was pretty happy to start the meal off with fried zucchini and broccoli bites. The portions were good, and we actually didn’t have room to finish the appetizers. But they came to our table quickly, and were hot and yummy. We were surprised that the broccoli bites seemed to have bacon and, I think, onion pieces in them. The Zucchini were a pretty good ratio of veggie to breading, and the ranch dip was really good. Jay (my husband) even said he’s not a huge zucchini fan, but he would definitely eat these again, and they were “not too zucchini-y”. He also enjoyed the included beer or well drink with the appetizer. I wish there had been a non-alcoholic alternative for the drivers, but it wasn’t the end of the world.

The salad (that Jay got with his steak dinner) was really yummy. We both liked the freshness and the variety of greens, as well as the flavor of the Italian dressing. We forgot to ask if it was house made, but we both thought it was really good and balanced. Yay for yummy dressings! And good sized salad, too.

When our dinners arrived, we were both getting a bit full, but were ready to enjoy. Our daughter patiently skipped the appetizers, waiting for her dinner (she had grilled cheese which she gave a 1000 out of 10 for gooey cheese and fluffy but crispy bread). It may be hard to top that, but we’re glad she loved her grilled cheese kid’s meal (which came with fries and a drink).

Jay’s steak was cooked well, according to him, and had good flavor. He said it tasted like “a neighborhood BBQ’d steak”. We both loved the hearty mashed red skin potatoes. I ordered the chicken and noodles, which tasted homemade, and “comfort-y”. I loved the combination of the pulled meat and potatoes with the noodles. So many carbs – good for a cold winter’s day.

Through it all though, we all agreed that the dessert was our favorite part of the entire meal. I’m still drooling, thinking about my Oreo cheesecake! It was rich and filling, and light and delicious… but that side crust was amazing. The texture was somewhere between melted chocolate and cookie, and held the filling together perfectly. Our daughter stole the actual Oreo cookie garnish, but I bet it was perfect, too.

The chocolate cream on top of Jay’s brownie sundae stopped me in my tracks. It tasted almost like mousse, but heavier, and I could have eaten a bucket of it.

I’m glad we were able to make what our daughter is calling our “Yum Debut” at Marietta’s Town House this evening. Looking forward to a full and fabulous week, falling even more in love with local food than ever before!

The post MOVRW 2019: Townhouse appeared first on Clutch MOV.

Have you ever set out to do something simple and what you got back was one of the greatest gifts of your life? I had no idea I was getting ready for an about-face in my life when I met up with Jordan Serpentini to talk about her mural art.

For the record, I don’t drink coffee (it makes my heart go crazy) and I don’t tend to be super down, like I was in the days leading up to meeting Jordan. I don’t make a habit of blindly following the advice of strangers, and I also don’t tend to cry in front of them. But here we are, and within the next few hours, all on one day, I did all of that. And I’ve never been happier.

Meeting Jordan at the time that I did was not only perfect, but more needed than I realized. I was tired, overworked and feeling ungrateful. I had no focus, and I was on a negative inward spiral. Jordan reminded me how important mindset was in the throes of major change, and how trusting in something greater than yourself can reward you in more ways than you could ever imagine.

For those of you who have driven by our favorite Parkersburg healthy living store over the past few months, you’ve probably noticed a very welcome addition to one of the main exterior walls of Mother Earth Foods. Store owner Dave Hawkins invited Jordan to paint a large mural on the side of his building. But even this was much more magical than just a client/artist transaction.

I was out photographing the Colors of the PKB assignment late last summer. I was driving around, seeking the most colorful, beautiful slices of my town to share with the ClutchMOV community. It just so happened I was driving by Mother Earth, and was blindsided by this awesome mural in-progress. So I stopped to take a quick photo, and ask someone working at the store who the artist might be. They gave me her name, and I set out to talk with her about her art.

Excited, I hopped onto Facebook and aimed to talk with her more. Little did I know she’d planned on being done with the entire HUGE piece by the next day, and then was moving on. I needed to work fast if I was going to meet her. We made plans to meet up the next day. She called it divine synchronicity. The more we spoke, the more I agreed.

When I arrived at Unity Cafe, Jordan – an unassuming, relaxed gal with a huge smile and arms made for hugging – gave me a big hello, and proceeded to finish a commission for more work that would be her next stop, after leaving Mother Earth. Based in the Cleveland area, Jordan has been traveling the country painting, skateboarding and playing music to the places that need her. She explained to me that all of her plans were divinely guided.

“So this whole tour I’m on, the Music and Murals Tour, actually came through inspiration of meditation. It just hit me like an energetic bag of bricks, you could say. The guidance that got me on this tour was ‘You can go on this tour, and follow your passions, you just have to omit all fear, that’s all.’ I’ve been trying to get to this level of fluidity for a long time, that ‘go with the flow.’”

“I was at Unity Cafe and a friend I was with wanted to skateboard really bad. But then I saw these thunder clouds rolling in, and I got this guidance to go to Mother Earth before they closed. When I was there, this guy – this embodiment of a wolf – asked me how a mural I was working on was coming along (about an hour South of here, in between Ripley and Ravenswood at Ruby Lake). I told him I had finished it, and he asked if I knew Dave and that he was looking for a muralist. And I said ‘Can you connect me?’ And he was headed to dinner with him!”

They just told me that they wanted it to encompass gratitude, and they wanted people to be humbled by it, and they wanted their eye to be led from one side to the other, toward the front door.

“Later that day I was guided to camp on the river, and I did a Google search and my finger went to the first place I saw. And I thought ‘I must not be staying there very long,’ but my heart must want me to stay in the area. That’s how I try and govern my entire life, is with my heart. It wasn’t always that way, but it’s become that way, from a series of synchronous events. Anyway, 30 minutes later, Dave calls and says ‘Where are you staying tonight? Do you want to stay on my farm?’ and then I met up with him and we talked for so long. He invited me in and I’ve been staying there every day (since the beginning of the mural project). He lets me do everything I need to do, so effortlessly, it’s like family.”

When I asked if Dave gave her a specific idea/visual for the mural:

“No, I drew up the picture. They just told me that they wanted it to encompass gratitude, and they wanted people to be humbled by it, and they wanted their eye to be led from one side to the other, toward the front door. I just put out a prayer, and drew up a watercolor. And they let me put it up there. I’ve been working on it for about 5 days. And it’s the biggest I’ve ever done. So the fact that I’m gonna finish it in about a week is ridiculous!”

This feels wild, right? To live your life as if the universe has your back? But how do you contest it if you actually see it working. Jordan shared some of her mantras and beliefs, and suggested I could also have them for my own:

“I am always supported by the universe, the universe always has my back, and I have everything I need, as I need it. I’m changing the world through my creativity. I’m always inspiring others. I always have more money coming in than I do going out – even while I sleep. It’s not being ignorant to your reality, it’s about being powerful to your ability to create your reality. Instead of chasing my dream, I became my dream and it became me. And I never looked back. There is literally only this ceiling that I place upon myself.”

And how is it all working our for her?

“It’s been a great journey. I’ve never had this direct kind of guidance in my life. I guess my soul always had it, but now I’m really letting it come through. It’s coming through the music, it’s coming through the murals, literally into the perfect flow. I actually stopped relying on past guidance. I’m just fully in the flow of divine synchronicity, that became my reality. The right place, the right time… I’ve literally been guided to music festivals and they needed a performer at the last minute. I was wondering where my first stop would be on my tour, and then someone sent me a message asking if I was going to the Summer Solstice festival on the Serpent Mound. My name is Serpentini. I asked for very clear signs, and I keep getting these ironic, beautiful signs. And everywhere I go, it seems they need a muralist…I asked how this could get any better, and they’re showing me how. You want to make sure you’re always putting out positive stuff.”

May seem a little wild, right? But can you fully deny a life that’s being led through flow and trust, and seems to be working out?

“It’s been the most fulfilling thing, ever (to live in the flow). I’ve been blogging about it and it’s been such a big lesson for my whole family. My family wasn’t really supportive of my skateboarding. So really, it was what my mindset was doing, the seeds that I’d planted in my mind. A lot of people were nervous about me going on this tour, and I told them I couldn’t do anything else, because this was what my heart wanted to do. I planned nothing, because I wanted to leave everything up to the divine. I asked for sponsors along the way, I ended up at the X-Games, I went to extreme sports camp for free, and have a key to the place. So much craziness happened.”

“My dad was like ‘You have all this stuff lined up, you have murals and shows?’ And I said ‘yep!’ So it’s a really big lesson for them to see. My mom said ‘You’re exactly where you need to be, doing exactly what you need to do’. It’s been really nice to have that support. And now my dad is getting on board. He sees that it’s something bigger than him. I want to keep him on the same level, so I update him, I tell him ‘Hey, this happened today-right place, right time. This happened because I said this. I brought this to life.’ Because I just want him to know.”

So what’s next on the tour?

At the time of our conversation, Jordan shared “I’ll be continuing it for the mural in Cleveland. Even though that’s my home. And then surprisingly, oversees a little bit, in Italy. And after that, it’s called the Riff-Raff collective in Princeton, WV. It’s a collective of artists, of muralists. They want me to do a live-in residency in January. And then this town pretty much gave me everything in Quentin, NM. One of the guys owns a vaudeville theatre there, and he takes me upstairs in the theatre, and shows me his state-of-the-art recording studio, and tells me he wants to barter and says ‘Dude, can you fix our mural that was destroyed in the weather, and I want to put on a concert for you, and I’ll record your album for free.’ And I was like, ‘Let me just pick my jaw up off the ground.’”

Since our conversation, I’ve gone back into a life of more gratitude and flow – quite possibly more than ever before. And I have to say, I don’t think I’ve ever felt this fulfilled. I love her mantras on abundance and trusting that all is working out for the greater good… and it really does flow better when you let go of fear. When I stop worrying about what’s coming next and just know that really cool projects are on their way, really cool projects have been showing up more and more, and I’m not lying. If you don’t think you’re in the flow right now, these words haunted me the most from my entire conversation with Jordan:

“Everybody’s in the flow of something. Maybe you’re just in the flow of something you don’t want to be in the flow of. This is a crazy journey. I feel like I’m finally in my truest heart, living my truest life.”

Maybe you’re just one breath away from a better, more true-to-your-heart flow.

The post Music and Murals: In the Flow appeared first on Clutch MOV.

Likely, you’ve seen dozens of different challenges pop-up on your Facebook or Pinterest feeds. Challenges for self-care or de-cluttering, or perhaps a sugar detox or new exercise regime. While self-care is certainly important, this year I wanted to focus on supporting my community with a fun, 31 day challenge. If you’d like to join me, simply follow along!

Because the weather in January (and the MOV) is never predictable, you are encouraged to check with each location or event to confirm times and locations before visiting. Each day of the challenge is able to completed for $30 or less, with most being free. I will likely be investing about $250 back into the community by completing the challenge fully (less than $10 per day) but it can be completed for less. The most important thing is to give yourself the opportunity to revel in how great the Mid-Ohio Valley really is, and let your neighbors and small business owners know they are loved. The rest is all a cherry on top!

Jan 1: Take a 15 minute walk around your neighborhood. It’s the day to begin taking more in. Maybe you’ll notice a unique home right around the corner from yours. Maybe you’ll meet a neighbor you’ve yet to meet. It’s the beginning of an adventure. If it’s too chilly to take that walk, it’s okay, go check out Clutch MOV’s community calendar to remind you of how much local beauty we have right here in the MOV.

Jan 2: Make notes. It’s easy to tap out when it comes to trying something new, whether it’s a new local restaurant, a shop, or any local businesses that aren’t chains. Take 10 minutes to think about what kinds of businesses you’d really like to explore (food, museums, gift shops, etc.). Ask your friends who they like, or write down some of our suggestions from this 31-Day challenge by reading ahead. We find that when we have a little game plan in place, we’re more likely to venture out of our usual habits and experience new food and businesses.

Jan 3: Eat, drink and shop local. Pick one place on your list from yesterday to support. Stop by, buy something, eat something, meet the owners, note what you liked about your experience. Commit to a friendly exchange and “Hello”, and buy something if you’re feeling extra supportive. The most important part is the first step-get to know a local business or facet of your community you’ve yet to visit.

Jan 4: Enjoy First Friday in Marietta. Here’s a chance to sample a bunch of local businesses and artists in one night. On the first Friday of every single month, downtown Marietta, Ohio is taken over with local love, while businesses (Like Just a Jar Design Press) stay open late and local music is featured throughout many of the restaurants and storefronts. Make note of your favorite places and musicians.

Jan 5: Celebrate the Arts and Fun in the MOV. (Pick any one of these for local fun). Every Saturday from 10 am – 12 pm (through March 2nd), the Parkersburg Art Center offers free Arty Parties on the basement level of their space. Make some art in the morning, then stop by Classic Plastics Toy Store in Grand Central Mall for free Arcade days (the first Saturday of every month. Once the kids are tucked away at night, head up to The Adelphia Music Hall every first Saturday for a Locals Only Showcase, featuring some of our fine local musicians.

Jan 6: Take a Self-Guided Tour. Learn about the histories of over 40 local Parkersburg landmarks through this free tour. I’d probably suggest picking a handful of spots-even just one or two to enjoy in an afternoon. Take notes about where you might want to go on another day. There’s a lot to learn about our Valley!

Jan 7: Give thanks. Remember the notes you took on the 3rd and/or 4th days, about what you’ve enjoyed in your local experiences? Let them know. Reach out to your local business owners and artists, and let them know what you liked about your experience with them. Local support doesn’t always have to mean spending money. Your encouragement can mean the world to them.

Jan 8: Learn a new, healthy recipe. The Changed Plate, located in the Belpre branch of Marietta Memorial Hospital, offers healthy eating classes, twice a week. Last time we checked, they didn’t have their classes listed for January, yet. But we’re holding out hope that they’ll have classes on their Facebook page soon (link above). Learn how to make delicious AND healthy options for practically every type of food out there. Last time I was there, I had a black bean cupcake that was mind-blowing. Did I mention they also have a regular menu, as they’re also a restaurant with exceptional staff? I’m looking forward to learning more from them.

Jan 9: Music & Basketball. Write some music with other local creatives, no experience needed/necessary. On the second Wednesday of every month, The Stage Door in Marietta hosts a songwriting workshop with local musician, Todd Burge. Bring your ideas, bring your support, and be prepared to leave with your own new music you’ve written, or having heard music that has never been heard before! It’s a lot of fun, and a great way to network with other musicians. If song writing’s not for you, no worries. You can use the night to check out a Marietta College basketball game , or plan your next restaurant or business to support.

Jan 10: Go to an Open Mic and Talk Show. On the second Thursday of every month, The Stage Door (the Peoples Bank Theatre’s neighbor and box office space) hosts a live music open mic, followed by a one-hour talk show featuring a local musician by Hold the Note. With no cover charge, the entire night is also broadcast on Facebook live in case you need a night in. Extra credit: If there’s a band or artist you love that you’ve discovered tonight, buy their music.

Jan 11: Take in local theatre. We have several great adult and youth theatre programs in the Mid-Ohio Valley. This weekend in January (10-12), Parkersburg South High School is performing a theatrical production of Clue. And the weekend of January 18th and 25th, The Parkersburg Actor’s Guild is showcasing the Junior production of Aladdin. Check out what our talented local youth are up to.

Jan 12: Use local resources for food, and learn to make maple syrup! Marietta College is offering a class to beginners on tapping and making your own maple syrup, today (1/12). You can even buy your own tapping kit to make syrup from your own trees, after the class. ($5 class, $15 tapping kit is optional, but make sure to preregister by January 6th. Don’t forget about the PAC’s Arty Parties that happen every Saturday until March 2nd!

Jan 13: Scenic Sunday. Pick a favorite local spot where you can enjoy the sights: Fort Boreman Park in Parkersburg and Lookout Point in Marietta both offer great, panoramic views of the city below. Take a photo of your favorite view and share it with your friends. Maybe bring a picnic lunch with you, if the weather is right. Eat with friends at the lookout point or even in your car, if it’s too wintry to eat outside.

Jan 14: Check out another spot from your initial list. What’s grabbed your attention that you’ve been meaning to visit? Grab a meal, buy something for your home, or a gift. Take a photo of a great historical or scenic spot and share it for us to see. Make sure to tag #livelovemov!

Jan 15: Try your luck, locally. Every Tuesday night, support local by playing Trivia at The Coffee Bar! They offer great prizes, and you get to invest in local business and programming while you play! (Want to play Trivia another evening? Try Over the Moon Pizza & Pub on Wednesdays, or the Marietta Brewing Company on Thursday!)

Jan 16: Dazzle your eyes with art. We have a great collection of visual art on display throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley. Most places close by 5:00 pm, so if you can’t get to the galleries during the work day, you may want to try for a Saturday, as all of the locations we’re listing have Saturday hours. If you can’t make it today, set aside 10 minutes to browse their collections to see which stop might interest you the most, when you can go. Campus Martius and Ohio River Museum, Hermann Fine Arts Center (on the Marietta College campus ), Riverside Artist’s Gallery, Washington State Community College, The Parkersburg Art Center,  Wesbanco, Mango Latin Bistro and Unity Cafe all have art on display for you to enjoy. Take it one step further and buy local art, if you’re feeling especially supportive.

Jan 17: Write a Review. Pick one of the places you’ve visited or people you’ve met that have really impressed you so far this month, and leave an encouraging review on their business page. It only takes a few minutes to let someone know you appreciate them.

Jan 18: Support yummy beer/rootbeer/wine/tea. Several of our local businesses brew, make, and serve local beverages that we love. Our favorite beer flights/samplers are at the North End Tavern, Parkersburg Brewing Company, and the Marietta Brewing Company, all of which also offer home-brewed root beer as well. Local wine flights can be found at Toscano in Appalachia (which specializes in sulfite, dye and preservative-free wine), as well as some great wines and teas at the Unicorn Wine Guild in Belpre. We also love the expert pairings and tastings at the fantastic Wine Basket Tasting room. We picked a Friday to check out some local beverages, but all of these places are also open several other days of the week. They just all happened to be opened on Friday. If you’re trying the wine, you’ll want to be early, though. Toscano closes at 6:00 pm, Unicorn at 7:00 pm, and the Wine Basket, at 9:00 pm. The breweries are open later. Unity Cafe also has a great tea selection in Parkersburg.

Jan 19: Check out a museum and dig some dirt. Campus Martius and Ohio River Museum, in addition to having cool exhibits (like the current Rock Hall Music Photography exhibit, Girls to the Front) hosts fun family events like Archeology Days. This is one of those days (1/19). Learn about local artifacts and immerse yourselves in history and art!

Jan 20: Celebrate a sweet weekend with local donuts. Wild and Wonderful Donuts in Vienna makes their sweets on the spot, right in front of you. And JR’s Donut Castle is home of delights such as the wonderful Giant Donut (that you usually need to pre-order…and trust us, you’ll want to get it right when it’s freshly baked). McHappy’s has several locations across the MOV, with everything being made fresh daily right in Belpre. Enjoy our awesome local sweetness. All locations are open seven days a week.

Jan 21: Monday is for the birds. Seven days a week, you can visit the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge in Williamstown, WV, to learn about local water life, birds, and natural resources. They’re only open until 4:00 pm each day, but it’s a nice, small, place to explore on a cold afternoon. See their small aquarium, catch some bird watching through their large, floor-to-ceiling windows (they have binoculars there for you to use), read a nature-themed story at their indoor faux campsite, play the match game with local fish, learn about the flight patterns of regional birds, see animal skins and shells, and more. Leave a donation for their conservation efforts, and everyone wins.

Jan 22: Try a new ethnic food. In addition to some absolutely delicious down home cooking and health food, our area has great Latin, Lebanese, Greek, Indian, Filipino, Bulgarian, International Street Foods, New American, and Unique, Fine Dining options throughout the valley, all cooked by members of our community. Make a date to bring a friend to Mango Latin Bistro, Chams, Elenie’s, Star of India, Philippine’s Best, Unity Cafe , Emanuel’s, Lui Lui, Spats , Austyns, The Buckley House or another fun place on your radar, and wake up your taste buds with new flavors.

Jan 23: Stretch and breathe with the locals. Stop by a Drop-In Class at Vienna’s Full Circle Yoga. There are classes for every skill level, but I’m especially fond of Community Yoga on Wednesday evenings. In the warmer weather, it’s at Point Park!

Jan 24: Learn a new skill. There are a lot of places in the Mid-Ohio Valley that offer workshops and one-day skill learning classes. The Makerspace at Epicenter in Marietta seems to be offering classes pretty much every Monday, Thursday and most Saturdays. So check out their Facebook page to see what you can learn from local community members and artisans. You can also scope out the Parkersburg Art Center, WVU-P, and many other local businesses, to learn a sweet new skill and get to know your community a little better at the same time.

Jan 25: Celebrate the pepperoni roll. It may not have originated exactly here in the PKB, but the Mid-Ohio Valley has many mouthwatering, wonderfully different versions of West Virginia’s native pepperoni/dough pillow of perfection. I humbly suggest DiCarlo’s, JR’s Donut Castle, and The Pizza Place as my top three choices. It would make my day if you did a taste test and posted your results.

Jan 26: Check out your local farmers market. This time of year, the River City Farmer’s Market is still going strong, with local squash, root vegetables, meats, eggs, baked goods, homemade jams and other fine crafts. Stop by and grab a locally made or raised goodie every Saturday.

Jan 27: Take in brunch. There are several local brunches you can enjoy. We’re especially fond of the buffets at Spats at the Blennerhassett Hotel and The Gun Room at The Lafayette Hotel.

Jan 28: Take a history lesson. Our area is full of history. Museums, Parks and Place Markers all honor our past, and offer interesting insights into people and places that were here before us. The Blennerhassett Museum, Parkersburg’s Oil & Gas Museum, Campus Martius and the Ohio River Museum, The MOV Veteran’s Museum, The Castle, and Henderson Hall are some of the places which offer rich history lessons. Catch an overview of our area, here and here. (Note: The Blennerhassett Museum is closed on Mondays. If you plan on visiting this museum, you’ll need to pick a different day.)

Jan 29: Love chocolates. We all know Valentine’s Day is next month. Do yourself a huge favor (if you haven’t yet) and fall in love with local chocolatiers before February 14th rolls around. Marietta’s Putnam Chocolate has exceptional customer service and a wide variety of chocolate-y treats, and Holl’s Chocolates in Vienna has the most delicate texture to their chocolates, with a variety of unique flavors. I recommend stopping by both locations and getting samples, do you can have a solid grip on what you’ll want to eat again, next month.

Jan 30: Local gift shops. If Chocolates aren’t your thing, or you’re seeking something different for someone special, we have the coolest collection of locally-owned gift shops in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Check out Vienna’s The Gift Gallery, Scots Landscaping Nursery (not only do they have a good selection of local produce, they also have a cute gift shop), Parkersburg’s Point Park Marketplace is a collection of local goods and restaurants, and Marietta’s Wit & Whimzy, Twisted Sisters’ Boutique, and SP Curated are just some of my recommended places to stop for thoughtful and unique gifts.

Jan 31: Recap! Take 15 minutes today to think back over the past month. Who have you met? What have you learned about your local community? Where do you want to revisit? Where do you still need to go, and what do you need to do? Keep it going? The best is yet to come!

Check out some local calendars to find local things to do:

• Mid-Ohio Valley Community Calendar
• Washington County Tourism Calendar
• Arts Bridge Calendar

And keep track of your progress with this handy tracker! Happy exploring!

The post 31 Days of Local Challenge appeared first on Clutch MOV.