File this under WTF

"What a difference a year makes", E! stole the words from my jaw dropped mouth.

Ok seriously, WTF is this??? It's a pregnant girl in a sexy negligee??? Soooo gross. Demi Moore on the cover of Vanity Fair is one thing, but this is B-Movie gone horrendously bad.

Who wants to keep up with the Kardashians when they sink to levels as low as feeding on people with pregnancy fetishes. ugh blech patooey

And to top it all off, the shoes on Khloe's feet are U-G-L-Y!

Please America STOP this madness.

Pittsburgh Personal Trainer

I'm not a chronic dieter and I'm not an avid fitness buff. I am however, a lover of all things skinny: J Brand Skinny jeans, leggings and hip hugging mini skirts so in order to pull off these wardrobe essentials, I have to stay fit. (Insert crying emoticon here)

Pittsburgh Personal Trainer

Finding a Personal Trainer in Pittsburgh is not the easiest mission. So I did a what most twenty-somethings locked to a desk do, I used Google to find an expert. To my dismay, many of the listed trainers are tied exclusively to gyms, won't travel to you or (GASP) only work with housewives (who else can workout at 10am daily???). So when I discovered Terra Brozowski I was beyond thrilled.

Terra agreed to meet with me to discuss my fitness needs and my lifestyle before we setup an actual session. What I was most excited to discover is that in addition to traditional gym routines, she also takes clients on Cycling Tours of Pittsburgh!

So here's my goal: Size 26 jeans sans muffin top. If Ricky Lake can do it, I should have no excuses right? Fingers are crossed. . .here goes nothing!

ROOT Cocktail Competition

Looking for the Best Cocktail in Pittsburgh?

After a day of running around trying to get my Thanksgiving dinner pulled together for 20 friends and family, I was asked to participate in a cocktail competition hosted by ROOT Liquor. Actually I should clarify this, I was the LAST resort bartender for The Firehouse Lounge and Embury to participate in the event because the rest of the staff had holiday commitments. . . but Spencer Warren's recipe for the ROOT Champerelle was so foolproof that I WON!!!


There have been a handful of cocktail competitions in Pittsburgh, but this was the first (in my humble opinion) that was organized in a thoughtful and cocktail driven manner. Thanks to ROOT for selecting judges who were actually cocktail enthusiasts rather than bar rats and scenesters (no offense to the latter).

• Liz Fetchin: Food Writer Pittsburgh Magazine
• Rick Seaback: American TV Producer/Filmmaker
  
• Craig Mrusek "Dr.Bamboo": Cocktail Blogger & Illustrator, Bachelor Pad Magazine & Barnonedrinks.com
  

The competition was tough. Summer from YoRita delivered a delightful drink made from reduced Malta soda, Vanilla Soy Milk, Sailor Jerry Rum and ROOT. Rob, the ultimate Big Burrito bartender presented a refreshing libation composed of ROOT, a homemade vanilla (and something else) syrup, vanilla vodka topped with soda and a BEAUTIFUL ginger mixing stick.


I thought it would have been Spencer Warren from Embury who really impressed the judges with his Sasparilla Fizz, a take on a traditional Ramos Gin Fizz. Which bartenders know is one of the most labor intensive (i.e. annoying) cocktails to make, so when he presented 3 perfect Fizz Cocktails to the judges, the room was pretty amazed.

But alas, in the end, it was the ROOT Champaerelle that swept the competition with it's refreshing hints of warm herbs, honey and lemon, reminiscent of a classic Benedictine cocktail.

Want to make the ROOT Champerelle at home?

• 1 oz ROOT Liquor
  
• 1 oz Yellow Chartreuse
• 1 oz Courvosier
• 1oz Orange Curacao
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup

Add all ingredients to a shaker. Top with ice and shake vigorously until cold. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.

****************
Photos compliments of CityCreative

STEELERS TERRIBLE TEES

The day has FINALLY come! Steelers gear I am actually excited to wear! The launch party for the non-yinzer wear is tonight at CoCo's Cupcakes, and I can't wait to get my hands on one (in each color) of these gems.

TERRIBLE TEES, created by Give and Take, are the PERFECT gift this holiday season for any Steelers fan. The best part is that is the gift that keeps on giving because a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Myron Cope Foundation.

My only hesitation; do you think I will get ejected from the stadium if I take it off and swing it around my head?

For more information www.giveandtaketees.com or call 412.621.1346

50 Cent & Vitamin Water

They invent the vitamin you invent the mix. . .

A couple years back, Vitamin Water invited hip hop mogul 50 cent into the lab to help them make Formula 50, but 50 never let them into the studio to help with his beats. So Vitamin Water decided to get gangstah and flip it on him!

Not only does 50’s new album drop today, but they’re launching their very first iphone app, “50’s sound lab.” This app allows Vitamin Water fans to go into the studio with 50 and remix his latest single, “baby by me.” Participants can then submit their versions to the nationwide contest. 50’s going to decide the winner, who will then be flown to NYC to hang out with the artist himself.

50’s sound lab is an application that allows users to take various stems of 50’s song (the chorus, bass, treble, refrain) and reorder them to make their own remix. remixes can be recorded, then posted to the vitaminwater fan page and the user’s personal page, or forwarded to friends. there are two easy ways to play: first, fans can download the free app by using the iphone app store on their iphones or by searching “vitaminwater” in itunes. no iphone? you can also play by remixing online at www.50soundlab.com. Apple is so excited about this integration that they are spotlighting an editorial describing the app in the featured section in itunes next week (stay tuned for details about this because it's going to be a huge hit).

You'll see mobile phone media driving users to download the app on the iphone as well as display media at livenation.com. this is all complemented by a full force pr effort. in typical glacéau fashion, we're bringing fans into the studio to check out 50's process. check out the video here . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F1fZ4s80H8

So download the free app on your iphone or head to 50soundlab.com to start mixing your own beats. and of course make sure to forward the info to your friends!

Alcohol Kills Germs

In light of it being flu season (booooo), and Pittsburgh's Whiskey Festival (yaaaaay!), I posted a link yesterday on my Facebook page about an all natural shot of Nyquil from that I found on one of my favorite blogs www.urbanhonking.com. In response to this post, my good friend Reshma sent me this recipe for a Hot Toddy. Enjoy!

Alana, this reminds me of my invention for a hot toddy recipe (which could be good as an easy to make winter drink for those partygoers who are under the weather and not wanting to drink a regular full-alc dehydrating cocktail but too proud to admit it).

I invented this 5 years ago when I spent a 30 below 0 winter in Minneapolis during fellowship. I swear by this stuff when I am sick. Great for sore throat, cough, fever. Works better than anything I could prescribe myself and best of all no buzz!

Reshma's Hot Toddy

1 shot Remy Martin VSOP or other good cognac
Juice of 1/2 lime (not lemon!)
1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1-2 tsp honey
5-6 mint leaves, torn
Boiling water

Muddle ginger, mint and lime juice at bottom of tall coffee cup. Add cognac and muddle some more, then honey. Fill to top with boiling water, stir, let steep a few min and enjoy.

Fashion Rocks

I am a HUGE fan of dressing up, especially for theme parties!!! I saw this tee today by Wildfox entitled "Math Sucks" and it immediately reminded me of my lovely disposition in 9th grade when I was trying to push EVERY limit to the max . . . especially with my taste in music (ahem Bad Religion, Bad Brains, and Liz Phair)

Concert Outfit by firestarter412 featuring Tibi


And so my love of dressing for concerts began. . .

Gone are the days of digging in thrift stores for a perfect pair of vintage Levi jeans (though I'm sure they will be coming back in style any day now). Nowadays I have this little thing called "work" and in order for me to get from my desk to stage front, I have to get creative.

This Tibi skirt is PERFECT for day to night. The brocade finish when paired with opaque Wolford stockings, a pair of booties (sorry Doc Martins are not something I see myself rocking this time around) and a simple black cashmere sweater (to cover up the graphic tee) is conservative which is perfect for my daytime routine. But come 6 o'clock when I'm ready to let loose and embrace my inner Lady Gaga, the addition of a classic motorcycle jacket and of course a flask (why is there NEVER a bar near the stage???) and I'm ready to roll.