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

Michael Jackson Charity Tee

I will always be a DC girl at heart, and if you have ever been spoiled with fireworks on the Washington Mall, you probably know why the 4th of July is my FAVORITE summer holiday, so I couldn't resist putting together a quick lookbook.

Clothing that Cares is always perfect, and it was the hot topic today at OK! Magazine but Patriotic Fashion Finds are hot this week which made this USA For Africa Tee the perfect inspiration for a holiday outfit.




Michael Jackson was an American icon, so why not celebrate his incredible life by supporting one of his favorite charities, USA for Africa, which works toward relieving famine and disease in Africa? Give and Take is in the press again (OK! Magazine) with a great tee where proceeds of the shirt benefit the charity.

The Give and Take tee is Available at Kitson boutiques . . . while supplies last because this item is hot hot hot.

The redesigned vintage tee is the perfect red, white and blue to wear this weekend but will look killer when paired with a great pair of red skinny jeans like the ones seen here at ShopIntuition on Carmen Electra or if it is too hot, try this fantastic find from American Eagle for only $14!!!

To block an oceanfront chill while watching fireworks try this bold jacket from topshop.

Mattress Factory Garden Party

It's 5 days until my FAVORITE party of the year in Pittsburgh, The MATTRESS FACTORY Urban Garden Party. With all that has been going on recently, I haven't taken my usual 30 days to concoct an outfit so I need your help! Please send me links or ideas. . .
I'm going to try to do my shopping locally so any Pittsburgh suggestions would be a HUGE help.

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.

Selena Gomez in USA Today

Ok folks, I would like to brag that you heard it here first. Selena Gomez was spotted a few months ago rocking a Give and Take "Boys and Girls Club" t-shirt in LA while shopping at GNC. Well in todays edition of USA Today, she was featured next to the popular brand of tees for "wearing your cause on your sleeve" in the weekly Fashion Forward segment by Donna Freydkin and Allison Maxwell. Very exciting news!!!

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