US Weekly BUZZ-O-METER

As you may have realized, I am a BIG fan of Give and Take tees. So when style watch publications like US Weekly validate my opinion about this brand, I get even more excited to spread the news. It's unfortunate that more celebrities aren't wearing these tees because it would be nice to see the softer side of some A-list actors and actresses. It's also unfortunate that it took Michael Jackson's untimely death to re-spark an interest in USA For Africa, but keep in mind, when you purchase one of these tees, a portion of the proceeds directly benefit that charity!

Rachel Ryan Front and Center

Rachel Ryan is one of our city's most celebrated makeup artists, and her work which appeared on the cover of enRoute magazine goes to show that even a sloppy Primanti's sandwich can't take the limelight away from Ryan's flawless work.

I have had the pleasure of working with her on numerous projects, and am constantly impressed with her level of professionalism no matter what I toss her way. My favorite project was a Sweet 16 Birthday party that had an America's Next Top Model theme. Rachel and a team of stylists traveled with me to the beautiful Bedford Springs resort for a weekend of fashion and frills. Her ability to transform the birthday girl from a sporty lacrosse player into a high fashion model was astounding.

We have been playing calendar tag over the past year to do a fun photo shoot with her equally talented beau Nichcolas, but her crazy schedule (combined with mine) leaves little room to make it actually happen. Haha oh well, at least my Facebook profile picture is a stunner! Which was only a test shot to make sure my foundation was even. I'm telling you, this woman is a miracle worker!

For more information or to follow Rachel's Blog (which I HIGHLY recommend to any fashionistas or Yogis) click here

Tales of a Pittsburgh Cocktail

So this blog is perhaps one of the most random blogs out there. It is not filled with one topic, which is perhaps why my followers is so TERRIBLY low, but it is filled with my favorite things: Fashion, Food, Cocktails and FRIENDS. Today, an article about Embury (our newest cocktail bar) came out by writer Bill Toland, and it is amazing to see the media show appreciation for this as it was a project that truly grew out of passion. Hopefully, if you stumble upon this page, you will take a minute to read the great piece that appeared in today's Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Or better yet, you can try to make this at home:

Blackberry Smash

• 3 slices lemon
• 3 blackberries
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Aromatic bitters
• 2 ounces Old Weller 107 Bourbon
• 2 sprigs mint

Muddle lemon and blackberries with sugar and a dash of bitters.

Put in shaker with bourbon, mint and ice. Shake and double-strain over ice in a large tumbler.

Garnish with a lemon peel, head of a sprig of mint and a blackberry.

-- Fred Sarkis

ModCloth.com's 1st Fashion Show

This is hands down the fashion event of the summer.

Local fashionista, “Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest” honoree Gretchen Harnick partners with ultrahip ModCloth to resurrect the fashion salon. A fashion salon is a place for women to visit a particular designer’s showroom, preview each season’s collection, and place personal orders. The fashion salon is not a place for sexy models strutting to liquid-dance music down a darkened runway, but rather an intimate gathering perfectly staged at The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.

The 1950’s Finest Fashion Salon, a play on the title “50 Finest”, is the first time local e-tailer ModCloth will be showing its clothing in a local fashion show. This successful business venture sells strictly online, and the owners are proud to partner with Gretchen for this charity fashion salon benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. ModCloth will be donating 10% of online sales from their website, July 24^th, toward the cystic fibrosis foundation as well. Entering CURE10 at the checkout will register you as a supporter of the cause.

Fashion students from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh participate in a styling contest to have their look selected and worn at the fashion salon. Be sure to visit the www.modclothcom website to vote on two final looks, and help choose which will be worn in the show. “This opportunity gives students a real life experience in becoming a stylist, or working for an online clothing retailer. It’s a great way for ModCloth to see the talents of our hard working fashion students” says Harnick.

For tickets: Click Here your name will appear on the guest list