The Holiday season, or, cheaping out on your close friends and loved ones

The holidays always bring me to a strange impasse. I’m not religiously Christian, and neither are 80% of the people on my list (I’ve got Jews and Hindus and atheists, oh my!) but my love of gift-giving is such that I’ll embrace any excuse to shower my friends with pressies. Sadly and in ultimate proof that the beautiful and noble must always suffer, I’m not paid enough to give anyone a gift even half as cool as they are without coaxing my meager finances to stretch, twist, leap and perform amazing feats of agility. This is never easy. Out of curiosity I tried googling “inexpensive Christmas gifts” and the lists that popped up were horribly inadequate- stuff like “garden gloves and a packet of seeds” or “prepaid photo developing envelopes”, stuff that’s not even close to something I would ever want to give, or that anyone would be jazzed about receiving (except for my great friends from the Senior Center Book Club.) So here’s MY list of how-tos on cheaping out on your loved ones while not looking like a tactless bastard.
-Start early. Keep your eyes open all year for cool, unique gifts in stores or online. Oftentimes you’ll find a gorgeous enamel box, an old flask, or funky earrings for less at a garage sale or on sale for cheap at an otherwise expensive boutique. If it’s well-chosen and specific to their needs it doesn’t have to be expensive. One of the best gifts I ever got was three pairs of long, groovy cable-knit socks that can’t have cost more that $10 total. A year later, I saw socks almost exactly like them retailing at American Apparel.
-Got a skill like painting, drawing, or knitting? Use it. One year I crocheted hats and scarves for my friends, the next, I painted plain wooden picture frames with a design specific to each person and put a picture of the two of us in it. This works for the people at the top of your list too. One year I gave my then-boyfriend a picture I had drawn of us based on a cute photo. This approach takes a while so again, start early. Also, be realistic about your crafting abilities- don’t plan to sculpt everyone an art-deco ceramic vase if you know you’ll end up with blobby thumbprint pots.
- Hit up Goodwill, garage sales, or best yet, craft fairs. In fact there’s a craft fair going on today and tomorrow in the Southside- the I Made It! market. I’ll be there tonight looking for fabulous things for the last folks on my list- hope to see you there :)

Well, I guess this is vegan, right?

So I know I was supposed to do an article about my Vegan experimentation, but I realized there is something amazing (and fall themed) here in our very own Lawrenceville that I couldn’t neglect to alert you to. Arsenal Cider House & Wine Cellar is a tiny venue that brews its own… you guessed it… cider and wine. The proprietors live right above the shop, make the beverages themselves, and aren’t shy with the samples. Plus, last time I was there I heard tell of them hosting a live music event soon. Check them out on Facebook for the latest happenings, or better yet, in person. I highly recommend the dry sherry.

The quiet and controversial storm

Inspired by a nasty dose of cheese poisoning, I’ve launched full-steam into a grand weeklong VEGAN EXPERIMENT. An accidentally well timed experiment, since November is World Vegan Month. As if my life isn’t complex enough, I just had to add a ban on animal products. I never could leave well enough alone.
I’ve started snooping to find what the glorious ‘burgh has to offer by way of cruelty-free dining goodness, and already I’ve turned up some dirt in the way of the Quiet Storm (no, not that movie). The Quiet Storm is a café-and-music-venue turned full-scale vegan and vegetarian restaurant on Penn Avenue. Since I was planning on dragging my friend E along with me on this culinary adventure I read a few reviews online to make sure I wasn’t leading him to a terrible meal that would turn him off of vegan dining forever. What I found was disconcerting. The reviews varied from five-star raves to zero-star slams- the Quiet Storm was broadly accused of being a hipster haven with cold food, terrible service, and a snotty attitude by some and the best vegan niche in Pittsburgh by others. Well, I could never resist a good debate, so here it is!
The Quiet Storm is kind of a parody of a hippyish vegan restaurant. The staff is laid-back, friendly, and exceedingly hands-off. Our groovy waitress didn’t know what day it was, but she handed us a hand-written specials menu that featured some of the tastiest vegan food I’ve had outside of my own kitchen. The selections are creative, delicious, and they steer well clear of the cardinal sin of vegan cooking- trying to make everything a soy-based imitation of meat and cheese. It’s odd to look at a menu and have no conception of what anything was supposed to be (the descriptions aren’t that good and the names of the dishes are more cryptic than guiding) but take a leap of faith and I promise, your meal will not disappoint. And yes, the food is hot.

Gallery Crawl

This little entry should be short and sweet, as the merits of this attraction speak for themselves. Gallery Crawl this Friday, October 1 in the Cultural District Downtown! Granted, the "Cultural District" of Pittsburgh stretches across about a street and a half, but it's chock-full of kickass museums which are FREE and open to the public on Gallery Crawl Night! Click the link to check it out. And don't be too bummed if you can't make it- there'll be another one the first Friday of next month, too :).

A taste of the Old Country

If you’re tired from partying all weekend (or sick of staying in) take a stroll down Main Street in Bloomfield and check out the Little Italy Days- running until 7pm tonight. Get serenaded on the street, buy cheap saint cards, and gorge on fresh Italian food that’s both inexpensive and delicious. I recommend the cannoli, and the fortune-reading booth. Great for a date, or a hangover :)

Slight blogging hiatus- Belvedere's

Hello hello, Blogland! I'm sorry for my recent flakiness about posting. I'll try extra hard to update regularly from now on- most likely, on a MWF schedule.
I'm devoting this post to an oldie but a goody- Belvedere's, on Butler St. For those unfamiliar, Belvie's is a total dive bar. Not only is it as lacking in natural light and air as Sarah Palin's bathroom, it is usually crammed with people thrash-dancing in the most alarming way. If I happen to be jogging past here during the 15 minutes a week they air it out, the stench of condensed cigarette smoke is enough to give me a nicotine buzz for a week.
With an intro like that, how could you resist?
But really, Belvie's has some redeeming qualities- in the form of 80's nights. 80's night is every Thursday, and features- you guessed it- 80's music. It's a good place to stop by if you're in the area, if only for the great DJ, the lounge-esque area, and the freedom to thrash dance as you please. It's a $4 cover, and drinks are relatively cheap, like most dive bars. Just be prepared to shower afterwards.

The Little Flea

Everyone has a weakness. For me, it’s vegan baked goods. For my roommate, it’s collecting small tin boxes with crazy floral patterns on them (no judgment). Luckily for us, there is a magical place where our interests can merge- the Lawrenceville Little Flea, a community flea market that’s every Sunday from 9am-4pm. The past times I’ve gone, they’ve had live music, fresh veggies, homemade magnets, and plenty of crazy tin boxes. This Saturday they will be featuring wares from the Justseeds Artist Cooperative, a group of 26 artists devoted to making graphic art that focuses on current social and political issues, plus whatever other weird shit the residents/shopowners of Larrytown can drag out of their closets. Intrigued? Come on down. Keep in mind, “market season” ends at the end of October, so if you’re in the mood for cheap garden plants, fifty cent DVDs and books, and weird trash-turned-treasure, get your little butt down here quick.

Making sweet, sweet film together. Not like that.

From the nonprofit who brought you the Three Rivers Film Festival:
For all those who like movies that are off the beaten track, yet still enjoy a good cinematic experience (without being gouged by DVD rental rates) check out the Pittsburgh Filmmakers’ monthly screenings. They approach film with the reverence due to any fine art form, showing rarer, critically acclaimed films in “exhibitions” all over town- specifically, in their theaters in Edgewood, Downtown, and Oakland. Offerings change per month, so look on the website under “Exhibitions”. This month’s movies include To Kill a Mockingbird and Life During Wartime, a UK import that's generated quite the buzz. The latter rates as a 72% “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes, has the stepmom from Juno in it, AND Ally Sheedy (the emo girl from the Breakfast Club!) I’m pretty pumped.
The icing on this gorgeous filmic cake is that your admission is only $3 if you go to a local university. But remember, you’re not being cheap- you’re supporting the arts.
PS- I'm aware that almost everything in this entry kind of sounds like a weird euphemism for a porno, and I apologize. Especially because if you didn't think that before, you surely do now.

Decisions, decisions.

Have you heard any of that new theory that the talking heads* have been bandying about recently? It’s something like, “When consumers are offered a large number of options, they are often overwhelmed, and end up paralyzed in their decision-making.” (Behavioral economics, 101). Sound familiar? It certainly pertains to me.
I was planning on having a quiet evening tonight- getting some boring house shit done, possibly staying in and maybe seeing a friend or two in a low-key way. But out of idle curiosity, I started checking out what’s going on in some of my favorite places tonight. Let the panic begin.
Thunderbird Café: Featuring the Pawnbrokers at 9:30. I’ve wanted to see these guys in person for quite a while. Their music is the kind of blues to make you smile.
BrilloBox (Lawenceville): Featuring their amazing Pandemic World Beats dance party starting at 10. I’ve mentioned this before, but fyi- world music, expertly mixed and beat-matched by a DJ, incredibly dance-a-ble. It’s impossible to stay still for this.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: I’ve heard pretty good things about Michael Cera’s latest inventive comedy- Rotten Tomatoes even gives it an unusually high 81% rating. Besides, the movie theater is the only place I can think of where it’s encouraged to eat massive amounts of fresh, buttery popcorn and sit on your butt in air conditioning. I learned this fine distinction as a teenager- if you do this at home, you’re a loser, but if you do it in the South Side, you’re being “social”.
Andy Warhol Museum (Downtown): The Twisted Pair- Marcel Duchamp/Andy Warhol exhibit until September 12. The Warhol Museum is a Pittsburgh cultural staple that looks curiously like the inside of an Urban Outfitters. This exhibit is supposed to explore the intimate relationship between the work of two influential 20th century modern artists, Andy Warhol and Marcel Duchamp. Why is this a priority for this evening? Because Friday (“Fanfare Good Friday) it’s half-price admission. Hells yeah! Maybe I'll finally find out what's "surreal" about a urinal.

*Not these guys. These guys.

Some like it hot... Red Hot, that is.

I love the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Who doesn’t? I do not, however, generally enjoy RHCP covers or “tributes”, because, let’s face it, they are usually just plain bad. (To be fair, this says more about the greatness of the RHCP than the quality of the band trying to cover them.) This is a view that’s I’ve broadcast far and wide, even before I had a blog with which to make pointless statements on the internet. But earlier this summer, I was (happily) forced to eat my words.
Higher Ground is a RHCP tribute band that plays a lot of shows in Pittsburgh, especially the Oakland area. I saw them at Spice Café, on Atwood, which was a perfect, intimate venue because this band loves their audience interaction- which is great, because the crowd I was with loved to sing along. Their set was tight, and they made sure to focus on numbers that made for good dancing and mix it up with some Weezer, Sublime, and other awesome 90’s bands. Higher Ground knows how to put on a great show, so join their group “The Red Hot Chili Peppers Tribute Band” on Facebook for show invites, and try not to get them confused with these Swedish dudes. A plus- the lead singer, Sal Puccini Jr, owns Puccini’s Hair Design in Oakland and if you’re a regular there, he’ll most likely give you a personal greeting from stage. Don’t know about you, but I do love the attention.

Confessions of a college graduate

Employment was the worst thing that’s happened to me in a long time. Now that I’m no longer a starving student but a hungry college graduate, I’ve found that it’s become slightly harder to exercise self-control on some of the expenditures that I would have previously resisted in favor of… well, food. I figured if I blogged about this stuff, at least I would have the catharsis of publicly admitting my addictions to the world, Post Secret style (or at least I'd spread the virus to you guys. Misery loves company!)
Vera Cruz: (Oakland) This little gem flourishes in the midst of the franchise Mexican-food giants on Forbes, mainly due to its' student-friendly prices and delicious made-from-fresh offerings. I know a guy who ate at this place twice a day for his entire last semester of college… so don’t blame me for getting a little excessive with their Nacho Supremo.
Hot Haute Hot: A home boutique in the Strip District that features antique furniture, restorations, home furnishing and of course, gorgeous jewelry. The stuff is one-of-a-kind and absolutely beautiful. Let’s just say that this gave me a lot of motivation to study for grad school entrance exams and get a better job. The monsters.
Pennsylvania Macaroni Company: The Strip District. Delicious, delicious cheeses, gourmet extra-virgin olive oil and giant jars of Nutella. PenMac= Nirvana.
Verde Good Beans: Downtown. This place is, blessedly, super-close to my workplace. It offers luxury coffee-type drinks for half the price they are at Starbucks, plus fresh made paninis and even gelato shipped in from Mercurio’s Mulberry Creamery in Shadyside. If I’m feeling super sorry for myself on any given workday, I’ll treat myself to a decaf soy chai latte (yes, they have decaf chai! Oh, happy day) and some Honey Sunflower gelato.

Back to school: haircuts, hummus, and bulbonic plague- oh my!

You may have noticed I haven’t been blogging the past few days.*That’s because I’ve been devoting blood sweat and tears to studying for that evil monolith of standardized testing, the GRE. Honestly, you think having an entire undergraduate career would be indicative of your readiness for grad school, but NO- they can’t charge you an extra $160 for real-world academic experience. That’s why they need a standardized test. Bitterness aside, I made the trek out to the testing center this morning, which happens to be located in my dear Alma Mater, University of Pittsburgh, where today was the first day of classes. All that hustle and bustle, the neverending crowds… needless to say, it was like stepping into a Petri dish of plague. Awesome.
It never fails. My immune system has the uncanny ability to stave off sickness until literally 5 minutes after a test, when I feel the beginnings of a sore throat along with the wave of relief. Thanks, evolutionary responses! As such, my more boisterous plans for celebrating freedom will have to go on backburner as I nurse an illness the likes of which I haven't felt since my undergraduate career.**
Here’s MY lesson plan for the week. It’s what I’ll be doing/what I recommend you doing if you feel like taking a moment of personal time during this hectic first week of classes, or if you're an old-timer like me who wants to kick-it old school (no pun intended).
Seminar in Historical American Culture (HISTORY 001- 5 credits): Buffy the Vampire Slayer: They may not have the whole series, but they have the first few episodes. You owe it to yourself to check this out- not only does it have corny side effects, piffy late-nineties dialogue, and RIDICULOUS fashion, but it’s a total blast from the past for anyone who is a late 80’s baby like myself. Seriously, it’s of great cultural significance, especially the super-dark lipstick.
Preventative Health Science (BIOLOGY 0500- 3 credits): Here’s my recipe for the aptly named “Sick day Hummus”. Warning: it’s seriously garlicky, but it seriously works. It’s loaded with vitamin C to boost your germ resistance, plus tons of garlic, which has natural antiseptic properties. Use this to fortify your immune system for the long winter ahead. It also has the welcome side effect of warding off vampires- trust me, I haven’t seen one yet.
1 15-ounce can chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
3 cloves of garlic, peeled and diced
2-3 tablespoons lemon juice (add as needed)
A pinch of salt (to taste)
Rinse and strain the chickpeas. Toss them in your blender, add the diced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and the salt, and puree. If the mixture isn’t getting as smooth as you would like, add a bit of water or more lemon juice (your choice) and keep blending. Pause once in a while to scrape the sides of the blender to mix the hummus, add more lemon juice or water, and keep blending till the mixture has the consistency of loose peanut butter. Eat it on a sandwich, with tortilla chips or pita, with a side salad or with rice… any way you want, this stuff is super versatile.
Home Economics (ECON 0020- 4 credits) A fashionable, yet affordable haircut at Salvatore Puccini’s Hair Design in Oakland. Puccini’s has a walk-in discount of $18-$32 if you drop by without a scheduled appointment, plus many other bonuses- check the link. The different hairstylists have different… well, styles, but if you are clear about what you want, you’ll generally walk away quite pleased. I’ve had comparable haircuts that cost me much more. Which leads me to:
How to get a happy haircut:
-Know what you want. Go in with specific ideas for styles. If you want the same style, that’s fine, just know that that’s what you want. It seems simple, but many don’t realize that just a little planning can make a routine haircut a much happier experience.
-Bring in a picture of what you want. If you have your heart set on looking like Sookie Stackhouse, you can tell them as such. But what if the stylist doesn’t have HBO? Print out a picture that shows exactly what you want- it spares you trying to explain and her trying to understand. For extra credit, say what it is about the style that you like ("I like that it frames the face.")If you can’t find a picture, proceed to step two.
- Get versed in hairstyling terminology. “Layering” is a hair technique that involves the hair being cut into variegated layers to create body. “Crisping” is when you have all your layers left the same, but trimmed for split ends. A “weave” is a hairpiece that is woven into the rest of your hair to create more volume. And on, and on, and on. The more specific you can be about what you want, the more likely it is that you’ll get out of there with your dignity intact. Check this website for a helpful hair terms list: http://www.leestafford.com/uk/thelook/glossary/
-Be specific. If you’re like me and you like long layers, say so. If you’re growing out your bangs or all your hair, tell them... preferably before they start cutting. You may feel like you’re being a bossy bitch (bastard?) but most of the stylists I’ve spoken to prefer direction and clear communication to a silent customer that later comes back demanding a refund.
So that’s it. School’s out!

*Or maybe you haven’t- if a tree falls in a forest with no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?
**A whole four months ago!

This little piggy goes to market

I’ll say it once, I’ll say it a thousand times. Buy local, and cook food from fresh ingredients. Seriously. It’s better for the environment, the economy, the farmers, and your upper arms (not to mention your overall health). That being said, I’m pretty happy with the number of people who have quit hiding behind paltry excuses (“I don’t have time because I’m taking 18 credits” or “I keep such crazy work hours and I don’t know how to cook!”) and have started to prioritize slow food as opposed to fast. For those who are hesitant to take the step, don’t worry. I may come off as a little harsh, but come on, this is a blog. In all reality, I would love to spread my love of food to all of you :).
This entry is due to popular demand. (I use the term loosely, as a unanimous request is easy when you have two whole blog readers). I’ve heard way too whining about the lack of farmers markets in this city. Whaaaat? Pittsburgh is stuffed with vegetable markets and amazing restaurants- the city is totally surrounded by farms, for God’s sake. In case you are also suffering under this apparently common misconception, here’s a little ditty intended to enlighten you. I’ve highlighted some of the better farmer’s markets and included some tips about how to make fresh meals on the cheap.
Good Apples-The interweb. Good Apples is an online produce shopping service which combines the ease of Amazon.com with the great prices and quality of a farmer’s market. You can order your items and pick them up at one of the pickup centers, or even get them delivered to your house. It really doesn’t get any easier. This service was a lifesaver when I was in college.
Market Square Farmer’s Market- Downtown. I’ve written about this before, but it bears repeating- every Thursday during the summer, 10am-2pm, a bunch of local vendors drag their wares all the way to Market Square, just for all us busy office workers. There are also homemade pies, jellies, cheeses, wines, and pierogies so you can get lunch while you’re stocking your larder.
Farmers@Firehouse- Strip District. This one is my absolute favorite. You can check online each week to see what delicious offerings will be there on Saturday, then make the trek there to mingle with the crowds, talk to the vendors, and get fistfuls of lovely green, for minimal amount of yours. TIP: While you’re in the Strip, you can always pick up some great-priced spices at Pennsylvania Macaroni Company and live herb plants at Roxanne’s Dried Flowers for the ultimate DIY meal plan. Growing your own herbs is one way to really cut down on meal costs, since herbs are so expensive. One plant will usually run you $3-$7 for an everlasting supply till the plant dies, while one “portion” of fresh cut herbs at the supermarket will run you around $3. You do the math. Seeds are even cheaper, but it’s way harder.
TIP FOR OAKLANDITES: If you are a Pitt or CMU student marooned in the market-less wasteland of Oakland, try Bombay Mart on Center and Craig (Indian), Merante Groceria on Bates (Italian), Halal Meats on South Bouquet St (Halal/Middle Eastern), Ginza (Korean and Japanese) on Atwood, or Seoul Mart (Korean, duh) on Neville. All will offer prices comparable or better than that ghastly place on Forbes… unless, of course, you’re in the market for Kraft Mac and Cheese. Good Apples (see first entry on the list) has a drop-off point very close to Pitt, so check that out too.
TIP: Always check any ethnic markets close to you if you’re in a pinch. The produce may not be local, but it will definitely be cheaper than Giant Eagle. Did you know that when Giant Eagle introduced its “Fuel Perks” program, it raised all the prices of its in-store stock? So if you shop there to save money with Fuel Perks, you’re not really saving anything at all, except Giant Eagle’s stockholders.

Our Ladies of LoLa

Recently (as a matter of fact, yesterday) it was brought to my attention that the area I live in has a name… and no, it’s not “Lawrenceville”. It’s LoLa, or “Lower Lawrenceville” which denotes specifically the span of Butler Street between 34th and 40th Street. Now, I’m not necessarily averse to cutesy nicknames, but I wish someone had told be BEFORE I moved that I would be living in an area that sounds like a Disney character/porn star and is reminiscent of ‘hocho’ (hot chocolate) or ‘froyo’ (frozen yogurt). It’s moments like these that I fear that my descent into yuppiedom is accelerating.
To be fair, “LoLa” (ugh) is a pretty nice place to live- there’s always something new or groovy going down, and it usually involves alcohol. For example, August 26-August 28 (from 4-8 each day) is the Our Lady of the Angels Parish festival. I grew up in a mainly Roman Catholic area of NY, and I must say, I love a good feast day. This one’s got all the standard fare: funnel cake, raffles, inflatable bouncy castle, and rubber duck races. When I was there, I got a high five from a giant pierogie and heard a little bit of live music. It’s not the liveliest scene in the world, but it was worth it for the nostalgia factor- at least for me. If you’re a Larrytown resident, stop by and buy a $1 raffle ticket and make the little old ladies smile. It’s good for the soul- promise.

For art geek eyes only

Today, I thought I give all of you a heads-up on a groovy artist who's currently living and working in the 'burgh. Christian Breitkreutz's art plays on cartoon/illustration type lines, with subject matter ranging from the comical to the fantastical to the haunting. It combines the ghastliness of a Grimm's fairy tale with the sinister air of a deck of cobwebby tarot cards. He's pretty skilled (and for the record, a damn nice guy). Check the Crazy Mocha in Bloomfield next month for a display of his original work, or Etsy.com if you ball hard (fiscally, that is) and you're craving a painting. I certainly can't afford to buy any of his stuff now, but hey, the website's an art geek's eye candy.
http://www.christianbreitkreutz.com/index.html

Weekend therapy-et-adventure

Sometimes city life can get you down, even if you live in a badass city like Pittsburgh. Your job is stressful, your apartment is cramped, and not even a night out at a relaxing bar or a day spent in a gallery can cure you of your ennui. At times like these, most chose to hole up in their room with some “profound” self- help book and emerge a few weeks later as a vegan, Kabbalist, or poet*. But honestly, who thinks that STAYING IN will fix anything? The real answer, as always, is to get out- not into the city, but into the wilderness. OhioPyle State Park is about a two-hour drive from Pittsburgh, and it features outdoor activities for everyone from your grandmother to Mike Tyson. We went yesterday for my delightful roommate’s birthday. Just your typical celebration, you know, friends, food and…whitewater rafting.
There are two options for whitewater rafting trips at Ohiopyle Park. We went with the less expensive Ohiopyle Trading Post ($73/person without an in-boat guide) and the more pricey Wilderness Voyagers. As far as I could tell, there wasn’t any difference between the two companies- Trading Post was just as safe, helpful and enthusiastic.
Upon our (late) arrival, the wilderness experts suited us up with helmets, lifejackets, and paddles, packed us into a bus, and drove us down to the Youghiogheny River, where we were briefed on safety and set adrift in the absolutely breathtaking river chasm. Guides were with us at all times, signaling us on what routes to take through the obstacles and watching to make sure nobody fell out and drowned. At times, we got the chance to hop out of the boat and paddle around in the river, and even to take a dive off a giant rock. Five hours later, we were exhilarated, exhausted, and ready to head back to the ‘burgh.
Although I would like to leave you with the misconception that I’m a total badass, honesty must prevail. The whitewater rafting was made manageable by the expertise of the guides and my more knowledgeable friends. (It was made even nicer by the large quantities of buff, attractive people in the immediate vicinity. Seriously, they all looked like Abercrombie & Fitch models but less shiny.) This is a really good jumping-off point for those who want to more into more upper-level wilderness sports. It was dangerous and physically taxing, but if you’re athletic and bored, do your psyche a favor and get the hell out to Ohiopyle. Now I’m going to do myself a favor and soak these sore arm muscles in a lovely bath.

*Note- I’m not knocking veganism, Kabbalism, or poetry, only the people who take them up for 2 weeks in a burst of “enlightenment,” then drop them as soon as the NFL season draft begins.

The benefits of breast cream, or, how I spent my lunch break

Do you talk about cosmetics and bath supplies for hours with your friends? No? I’ve tried, but the only person I know who can keep up with my mania is my old friend RLL. Last time I was in New York, she pointed me towards Lush, an all-natural beauty line that has a marketing angle as appealing as its company ethics. It’s overwhelming. I don’t know whether to hug her or punch her in the throat, because now I know where my next paychecks are going.
Lush has stores all over the country, including our very own Downtown Pittsburgh. Lots of its products are vegan, and unlike most ‘ethical’ and ‘natural’ beauty lines, you actually get out of the bathroom looking like you’ve made an effective effort towards hygiene. Many of their cleansers and shampoos are solid and sold by weight (they chop bits off a giant bar and wrap them in paper, like a butcher shop) which eliminates both the waste that would be produced by packaging and the many preservatives that are inherent in liquid bath supplies- AND if you go to the store, they’ll cut off a chunk as big as you want to spend. This stuff is snazzy and feel-good. Like so many well-marketed beauty products, they fill needs you didn’t even know that you had. Such as breast cream.
No, it’s not the ‘enhancement’ cream you see in tabloid ads and on late-night TV, but it’s not a far cry from it either. Lovely Jubblies is formulated to tighten up any sagging that may be ‘bringing you down’ so to speak, and also to perfume your area with lovely floral scents. Sounds ridiculous… but…
I really, really wish I were not so susceptible to this kind of marketing. Intellectually, I know that breast cream is utterly ridiculous. But at the same time, what if I’m 50 years old and more droopy than a lactating baboon? Just you google ‘saggy boobs’ and try not to be terrified. (Actually, don’t. Please don’t. I could never forgive myself if I let you do that). The internet is sometimes not all it’s cracked up to be.*
Lush’s website has good guides for alternate uses of the products, but not all their stock is available online. The blurbs don’t give a clear description of what each product is meant to accomplish. As your responsible beauty blogger and an utter yuppie, it would have been reprehensible for me not to go the store in person on my lunch break and get acquainted with some of their less bizarre offerings.
As I expected, the friendly people at the store were able to help navigate me towards the Fresh Farmacy cleanser, the Tea Tree Water toner, Grease Lightning cleanser, and their Cupcake mask (only in store). The straight-talking sales associate smeared face mask on my wrists and spritzed me with lots of herbal-smelling mists. At the end of it all, I walked away with some purchases, arms that smelled like chocolate, and a ton of free samples. The cleanser and mask made my face feel soft, tingly, and totally deep-cleaned. Great customer service, great stuff, and prices that rival the crap at CVS? I’m in. Maybe just not for the breast cream.


*See rstck.blogspot.com

Brillobox is where your heart is.

So I know this has been exposed to death, but I can’t help but give a little shout-out to my favorite bar in the Pittsburgh area- Brillobox, on Penn Avenue in Lawrenceville. Yes, it’s crowded, and yes, it’s lousy with hipsters, but it also has a consistent selection of exciting new beers, a delicious vegetarian-friendly menu, eclectic décor, and it features badass bands and DJs on a regular basis. Some notable performances of the past year that I’ve seen include their Pandemic World Beats night- a mashup of music from all around the world, Bear Cub (see End of an Era), Donora, and an independent hip-hop show featuring Superfuturisticthugsciencefiction. With the great variation of music and bands plus required the hipster-mocking*, you’ll never be bored. Brillobox always has something fresh to offer its patrons, whether it’s a new band or an $11 import beer. (Just kidding. More like $7).
Speaking of which, I’m ashamed to admit here to a new secret obsession. The implications of being in love with an expensive French Canadian imported beer are not lost on me (bad at money management? Maybe. Budding yuppie? Likely. Punk-ass pussy bitch? Definitely) but I can’t deny it any longer. I love Ephemere Apple. It comes in a giant bottle if you buy it at Brillobox, and its’ light, well-balanced hints of coriander and apple make it almost like juice. Scrumptious, alchoholic juice.

*There's some controversy as to whether I myself am a member of this unfortunate social movement. I would say no. My non-vegetarian friends who don't prize organic gardening, obscure French movies, and gallery-crawls say yes. Either way, I do like to mock hipsters, which would make me a hipster who mocks being a hipster. A metahipster? Urgh. Forget it.

Cool cats gather at the Doo-Wop Mansion

I love music. Seriously. I’ll try anything, from the stuff the play at the clubs in Station Square to the progressive-type bands I overhear practicing in the studio a few doors down from me. So when my old friend M came to town and offered to let me in on a little-known venue, I was pumped, to say the least. Here, I present to you, dear public*, one of the Mysteries of Pittsburgh (Sorry, Micheal Chabon. Couldn’t resist.)
The Doo-Wop Mansion is the home of the local band Ursa Major. Literally, their home. A bunch of the band members inhabit the space, grow some of their own food in the back yard, and play shows there for those willing to hear them. Nicest of all, they welcome other touring bands, letting them crash for a few days and give shows in the basement of the house. Shows at the Doo-Wop are given for donations, so it’s a great place to go if you’re looking to save some cash -the bands usually go on to give shows at bars and live music spots while they’re in town, so catch them here first for fiscal soundness and a relaxed atmosphere. It’s BYOB and performances start around 9, 10, or whenever enough people have showed up (aka, don't plan to go somewhere afterwards- you'll be late). The crowd consists of college students, the recently graduated and younger Pittsburgh locals. The music is whoever is there.
Apparently there are a number of these band houses in Pittsburgh, and across the US- it’s where startup bands crash when they’re touring. Keep your eyes peeled for news of these mysterious beasts, and spread the good word.
Check out Ursa Major on Facebook for updates on the Doo-Wop house’s happenings, and for its address. (Hint- it’s in the no-man’s land between Oakland and Bloomfield).

*Hi, Mom!

Stuff to be psyched about this summer

Yeah, we know that summer is hot. But being a whiny shut-in is not. Get outside.
Cinema in the Park (all over):
Pittsburgh Citipark brings Pittsburgh residents a sampling of tried-and-true cinematic gems to parks all around the city, for that old-timey drive-in experience (minus the car). Check out the schedule and locations for your favorites near you.
Market Square Farmer’s Market (Downtown):
Buy local. Now you have no excuse.
For anyone who maintains a busy career, but doesn’t want to let their consumption ethics (or vegetable intake) fall by the wayside, this summer the farmer’s market comes to you. Every Thursday from 10 am to 2, local farmers bring their wares to Market Square Dowtown. Hit it up for piping hot pierogies, homemade pies, fresh flowers, and inexpensive produce on your way to work. Also convenient for those Point Park or Duquesne University types. I wouldn’t go out of my way to attend this one, however- many of the same vendors can be found week-round in the Strip district.
Groupon (the interweb):
Groupon (an amalgamation of ‘Group Coupon’) is a site that offers coupons for cool stuff in your area. Past offerings have included Franktuary, classes at Bikram Yoga in the Strip, and the Firehouse Lounge. The catch? A bunch of people have to place orders for the same coupon before the deal goes through. If the deal is unpopular, you don’t get charged, but you also don’t get the half-off to belly waxing or whatever discount you’re trying to snag. For the gambler in all of us.
Half-price (Oakland):
Surprisingly, half-price is a relatively unknown phenomena for non-Oaklandites. Several restaurants around the Oakland area cater to student life and budgets by offering half-price menu options after 11pm. Participating establishments include India Garden, Joe Mama’s, Fuel and Fuddle, and Mad Mex. While this actually occurs year-round, summer’s the time to go- when the students are in town, it can take an hour or more to be served. Note: They won't seat you for half-price until 11, but you can put your name in ahead of time.
Kayak Pittsburgh (Downtown, under the 6th Street Bridge):
Venture Outdoors brings us a pocket-sized adventure- $15 for an hour of kayaking on the river! Even beginners can paddle along for a beautiful view of Downtown and Mt Washington, and sometimes Yinzers with fishing rods and whistles. The best time to go is towards early evening, around 5:30. It’s less crowded, the sun isn’t direct, and you catch the beginnings of sunset. Everyone can do this- even me, and I was once diagnosed with ‘lower-than average upper-body strength’ by my third grade gym teacher (thanks for that lifelong validation, Mr. R).