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! 

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.

****************
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

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.

Little White Dress

Little White Dress by firestarter412

Items in this set:
Alice + Olivia dress, $550
Alice + Olivia dress, $440
Tibi dress, $418
Black Halo dress, $390
Black Halo dress, $345

I was warned a few years ago that there would come a day when I was nearing the age of 30 when all of my beautiful friends (I pride myself in having only GORGEOUS and LOVING friends) would start to take the plunge and gear up to walk down an aisle. I of course rolled my 21 year old eyes at this notion and said, "I doubt it" but I have to admit I was WRONG. In the past year I have had 12 friends say "I do" and have even filled the coveted role of Made of Honor for one of my dearest friends.

My sister recently got engaged, and her countless emails with the title "what about this one?" where she is referencing a list of 50 new dresses she MUST try on has me skipping my daily peruse of the Sartorialist in exchange for an hourly browsing of bridal blogs. (A year ago this would have made me want to puke pink bunny rabbits)

So here it goes "My name is Alana and I'm addicted to . . . LITTLE WHITE DRESSES"

Pittsburgh VS Detroit . . . CUPCAKES

I got this in my email today and when I clicked to learn more I discovered that Detroit is beating Pittsburgh!!! This is absolutely NOT allowed to happen. So please, please, please visit CoCo's Cupcakes and help them defeat Detroit!

How this works: Throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs, when a Pens Cupcake is purchased, a goal is added to the Goals Chalkboard. At the end of the series, the cupcake bakery with the highest score will be the rightful owner of The Stanley CUPcake.

People Magazine May 2009 Style Watch

Give and Take T-shirts, designed by Shea Mullen, were featured in People Magazine's Style Watch for May 2009. Associate Style Editor Rachel Aschenbrand was quoted in the piece saying "I love this line's cute sayings and simple drawings."

What's not to love? The new line, Right and Wrong, features images from children's author Munro Leaf's series of books. and are available online at shopintuition.com

Pittsburgh Magazine "Best of Green"

Best Cocktail Mover and Shaker: Spencer Warren, owner of the Firehouse Lounge (2216 Penn Ave., Strip District), was one of the first mixologists on the scene in Pittsburgh. He also is one of the first to introduce organic cocktails to the region. Organic and local are both things that are very important to Warren, and as a result, he has had a lot of fun creating specialty drinks. While he relishes serving cocktails made from unique and fresh ingredients, he is quick to point out the limited availability of true organic spirits on the market. With that said, Warren delights in serving up organic selections such as a Prairie/40 North vodka cocktail and a sangria made from BD (biodynamic) wines. His ambitious drink menu, which changes seasonally, includes some interesting and mouth-watering favorites such as a Bluecoat Blossom, the Curious George or a Lime or Lavender Mojito. Drink responsibly and organically.

The Firehouse Lounge was featured on the April 2009 issue of Pittsburgh Magazine.
For more of this article click here

And since I'm on the topic, here are a few more of my favorite green things in Pittsburgh:

Equita (Italian for fairness) is a design-conscious shop showcasing the finest in green, sweatshop-free and Fair Trade essentials for the body and home. WWW.SHOPEQUITA.COM

Artemis Environmental Building Materials displays and sells high-quality, environmentally responsible, "green" building products. Opened in Pittsburgh in the spring of 2005, ARTEMIS is designed to expand the availability and use of green building products in the tri-state region.
www.artemisenvironmental.com

Farmers at the Firehouse 2216 Penn Ave., Strip District. 9 a.m-1 p.m. Saturdays (seasonal)
No offense to any of the area's other fine weekly meeting grounds for folks who grow our food, but this foodie magnet has it all. It's mostly organic, for one -- the region's only market with that distinction, and just the first sign of its commitment to sustainable agriculture.
www.slowfoodpgh.com

Pittsburgh Whiskey Festival

Sadly, I won't be in town for one of my favorite Pittsburgh events this year, The Whiskey Festival, but don't let that stop you from checking out the newest additions to the world of premium spirits. The Firehouse Lounge and Embury will both be featuring cocktails. See what the Pittsburgh Post Gazette has to say about them: Click Here for Full Article

Shea Mullen "Star of the Month"

Shadyside Star of the Month
(For Full Article)

This feature highlights members of our community who go “above and beyond” to make Shadyside a better place to visit, shop, work, and live and play.

Shea Mullen is the founder and co-owner of CoCo's Cupcake Cafe on Ellsworth Avenue and lives by the mantra "It's Cool to Care". Mullen strives in every aspect of her personal and professional life to give back. From her neighborhood projects to her internationally distributed line of charity driven t-shirts, GIVE AND TAKE, creating a positive and pleasant experience in other people's lives is what drives Mullen's work.

CoCo's Cupcake Cafe is all about the "good stuff" in life... good taste, good times, and good friends. The cupcakes are hand crafted, high quality, and aesthetically astounding. They are more than dessert, they are decadent accessories at the boutique bakery. Made from the finest ingredients available, the team at Coco's Cupcakes, under the creative direction of Mullen, combines premium ingredients with creative genius to create edible works of art. The signature French Buttercream, is both delicate and decadent, and the infusion of fresh flavors throughout, captivate every bite.

"Cupcakes make people smile," says Mullen, "so behind every design, flavor, package, or event, my ultimate goal is to know that people smile when they think about their CoCo's experience." Where else can you find a 6-Pack of Bailey's cupcakes for St.Patty's Day, a long stem box of Cupcakes for Valentine's Day, or a shoe box filled with minis for Mother's Day?

It is hard to believe that cupcakes are only a portion of Mullen's day. She also owns and designs for a t-shirt company called GIVE AND TAKE--a line of vintage charity inspired athletic shirts. The tees, which retail at upscale boutiques such as Barney's, Saks, and Fred Segal (and at hip’tique locally) are true to Mullen's goal about caring because proceeds from each garment are donated directly to affiliated foundations. What makes this project really exciting, is that the custom cut and sewn tees have recently been spotted on the backs of many A-List celebrities, which is helping to strengthen Mullen's message "It's Cool to Care".

Thank you Shea for helping to keep Shadyside as the best place to EAT, shop, work, live, and play.

For more information about CoCo's Cupcakes www.cocoscupcakecafe.com

For more information about GIVE AND TAKE www.giveandtaketees.com

Steelers Style Fashion Show

Talk about home-field advantage. Nearly 900 fans roared their approval as their football faves blitzed the Hilton Hotel catwalk at Friday's eye-popping, jaw-dropping Steelers Style 08 fashion show. Fifty-four extreme hunks shared the spotlight with their ladies, kiddies and models in looks that went from team jerseys to black-tie. What moves! What rule books?

Lending their immeasurable fundraising clout, the Rooneys and Steeler Style have helped raise more than $3 million in seven years for the Starzl Transplantation Institute and Cancer Caring Center. Thanks to chairs Greta and Art Rooney II with Kiya (she created a Steelers gown for the show!) and Mike Tomlin calling the plays, it was the slickest, best-produced fashion bowl in its history.

Between quarters announced by KDKA's Bob Pompeani, videos reeled salutes from fans around the world and those closer to home, like Joy and Dr. Tom Starzl; Athena and Frank Sarris; fashion coordinator Alana Bly; Rebecca Whitlinger Kontul; Clyde Jones; Debi Wheeler; Jennifer and Dr. Wallis Marsh; Dorothy and Dr. Richard Raizman; Lisa and Dr. Fadi Lakkis; Massy and Alex Paull; Holly and Dr. Clark Gamblin; and Meg and Rob Eberly.