Espresso A Mano

Disposition:   Sunny (trite but true)
Flirtation Meter:  10/10 (It's a little gloomy, flirting raises my spirits)

Random Rambling:  Coffee alone is not nearly as enjoyable as with friends.  Thankfully Espresso A Mano in Lawrenceville is well located so I saw a lot of familiar faces!

Had a brilliant start to the day.  Met with Pittsburgh architects Tai + Lee to discuss my new office space in Lawrenceville.  The developers are really amazing people, incredibly focused on finding young and creative minds to share the space. Can't wait for the project to begin! 

What I'm Listening to NOW

Weight:  129  (Sniffle.  I'm sorry for those that think this is not bad, but "fat" and "fit" are 2 different things and I am NOT FIT right now, which is entirely my fault)

Height:  5'2.0" (I like that MUCH better with the "2.0")
Currently Reading:  Flapper

Random Rambling:  I had an offer for a saltine and white wine meeting with a new friend.  I think my popcorn and champagne pairing trend is catching on . . .

I'm a big music snob.  Not in the "they sold out" kind of way, but I like music to serve ONE PURPOSE, motivation.  (The Robert Longo print above is what I do in my living room with my ipod on full blast.)  Music is a part of my life to lift my spirits and fill awkward silence when I'm working from my home office (which is changing soon soooooo excited!!!)

For a free Wiz Khalifa or Kellee Maize Download and to see what I'm LISTENING TO NOW:

Costume Parties are Underrated

Height:  157.48cm  (sounds much more impressive than when listed in feet)
Weight:  58.0598 kg (Hello conversions! No wonder Europeans seem so much happier.)
Bust:  34D (At least I have something going for me heehee)


Random Rambling:  Whoever thought waxing the CORK floor of my gym with an OIL based solvent is an IDIOT.  Oil+Treadmill= Disaster

 I'm not entirely sure what sparked my adoration for playing dressups, I'm sure it had a lot to do with my mother (she's a creative genius), Barbie dolls, a trunk full of old bridesmaids dresses and my favorite (Kindergarten) teacher "Miss Jeffrey" encouraging my imagination to run wild.  Whatever it was, my sister and I spent countless hours planning fashion shows to debut at my mother's dinner parties and fighting over the only pair of white pumps in the Barbie dream closet.  The end result?  I ADORE costume parties and have never owned white pumps.

The Hiatus is O-V-E-R

Height: 5'2" (I don't see this changing)
Weight:  128 (I figured if I make it public then it will motivate me to get fit, I can't post my %body fat because I'm disgustingly ashamed)
Jeans:  27.5 (This means I am getting a muffin top because jeans don't come in half sizes)
Random Rambling:  I LOVE that champagne and popcorn compliment each other.

I'm back from being lazy and I resolve to get better about remembering to post a daily blog.  Lord knows enough random and crazy things happen in my life, so WATCH OUT 2010 here I come!!!

For a few of my other "resolutions" 

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

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.

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.

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Photos compliments of CityCreative