Jackie Danicki

Work in progress…still

Originally uploaded by dynamist.

5chw4r7z played hooky today and suggested we do a wander around Over-the-Rhine. As it turned out, we both wanted to buy new water bottles from Park + Vine and check out Enzo’s café.

Bonus: Everywhere we went, we ran into people we knew.

Enzo’s has a great atmosphere and comfy seating. I got a quadruple shot of espresso for $1.75 (and yes, it had me high as a kite in minutes. This is both why I want to convert to caffeine and why I don’t.). But I think it’s very cheeky of them to charge $3.50 for a ’smoothie’ that comes out of a cardboard box. Throw some fruit in a blender for me and I’ll happily pay that, which would give a nice, tidy profit. In fact, that’s how much I pay for smoothies in New York City. But boxed juice for $3.50? No way. Still, I’ll be back, and may even make it a regular morning haunt (so beware, OTR dwellers!).

I can say without hesitation that Park + Vine is one of my favorite stores in the world. I walk in there and just want to spend, spend, spend (and always do, alas). Today I nabbed the wall art pictured above and a new water bottle to replace the one I forgot in London. There was much more I wanted to buy, but reason did kick in at a certain point. More pics here. (And don’t forget that the Cincinnati Salon on Thursday night will be held at Park + Vine! You can win a $25 gift certificate just for showing up. I’ll be there to battle you for it.)

At City Roots, I got this gorgeous azalea plant for only $22.50. Owner Lisa Yunker tells me her proper website will be up and running soon, and I plan to hold her to it! She has a great variety of bonzai trees, fresh herbs, flowering plants, and outdoor furniture. I think my next door neighbor and I will be going to her for some pretty stuff to put on our shared fire escape.

And I FINALLY got to see the inside of Metronation, a store I’ve passed many times but had never been inside. It’s one of those places that locals just talk up a storm about, and I had to find out what all the fuss is about. Let’s just say that it was hard to walk out emptyhanded, but I did see a bed that I will probably end up buying for my guest bedroom. (More photos here.)

All in all, 5chw4r7z and I had a very productive morning, and we were done in time for me to do some work and for him to retire to his rooftop pool for a swim and siesta. It’s not a bad life, really.

Filed under: Life