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.

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"

QV Class of 1999 Reunion

Yikes! Somehow 10 years have managed to fly by since we graduated from Quaker Valley and the time has come to reunite. To purchase a ticket to our 10 year reunion, please click on the PAYPAL button below to reserve your space. Your name will be added to the list that will be held at the door, tickets will NOT be sent to you.

Please be sure to include your current contact information so we can send you a confirmation.

QUAKER VALLEY CLASS OF 1999
November 28, 2009
7-10pm (private)
The Firehouse Lounge
2216 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Complimentary parking is available in lots adjacent to the building.

TICKETS:

• $25 Food, 3 drinks and entertainment are included
• $15 All of the above without drink tickets

Ticket Options

All Inclusive $25.00 No Alcohol $15.00

Your Name

Guest Name

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