I use my google calendar RELIGOUSLY. I was adding in some plans for the summer this week and went back through the past few months to remind myself of all the things I’d been getting up to and made an insane discovery: Over the past four months I have only had 3 weekends that I did not travel out of Cincinnati. Between going home to visit my parents, making the 5-hour drive to St. Louis to see my boyfriend, and some quick trips to Cleveland to visit my best friends – I have disappeared from the city on the majority of weekends for months. Couple that with getting a new job, looking for a one-bedroom apartment to move into with the end of my lease approaching, getting a new car, etc., I have been nonstop for a third of the year.
Last weekend, it all came to a nice gentle stop when I had a semi-empty calendar and my social life didn’t require any kind of road trip. As I closed my laptop and headed out of the office last Friday, I could feel my muscles relax and practically hear my car’s engine breathe a sigh of relief as a weekend at home appeared in front of me. I drove home, took an hour and a half nap, went for a walk and got caught in the rain (!!!) which I personally love and consider to be lucky. And then I finally got ready for one of my favorite activities I’ve ever incorparted into my life: Final Friday at the Pendleton Art Center.
What are “Final Friday’s?”
On the last Friday of each month, artists open up their studios at the Pendleton art center in downtown Cincinnati, it’s actually the “worlds largest collection of artists under one roof.” The building itself reminds me of my middle school – it’s a super big brick building with steep staircases, wide hallways and the elevator has that amazing vintage, almost dusty scent. My friends and I go from room to room looking at all the amazing paintings, drawings and sculptures that cover the walls. The artists are in the room chatting with other people about their works and showing the prints they offer. Most of the rooms also have free wine and little snack foods, which my friends and I are more than happy to partake in. Below are some of my favorite pieces I saw last week!
Dinner & Drinks + Live Music = Success
After the art show we were going to head to a brewery that we love but have been to so many times, but ended stumbling upon Lucius Q on our way and stopped in there instead. The absolute coolest band was playing. They were interactive with the audience, playing 80s rock, and in the most random twist, sold scented candles on a little table up by the stage. My friends and I sat at the bar and ordered brisket nachos which were scrumptious and drank some raspberry wheat beers.
As much as I love traveling and visiting my friends and family who live far away, it was really nice to give myself a little break and enjoy the fun places this city that I love offers. As I wrap this post up, of course I’m getting ready to travel up to Cleveland for the weekend once again, but I already have the last Friday of this month blocked off for no travel so I can get back to the Pendleton Art Center and Lucius Q. Happy Friday!