Tag: PA


Jul
2014

Family Photos: I Found You A Photographer…Now What??

categories: Around Pittsburgh, Fashion, Fun for Kids, Shopping

Family photos, what to wear? Should we all wear white or all wear black? Please don’t! Style your session, show your family members’ individual personalities, and watch them shine!
Our latest family photos were taken by the amazing Amy Wilson of Amy Wilson Photogrpahy www.amywilsonphotography.com. When I asked her what she wanted us to wear, she suggested a styled session.

I originally peeked at clickitupanotch’s styling tips!
http://clickitupanotch.com/2013/10/what-to-wear-in-family-photos-5/

Here are my top 5…

Styled Session Tips:

1. Choose the most colorful, patterned article of clothing and match other articles around that piece.

2. Don’t be afraid to use different hues of the same color.

3. Use different textures, they pop in the photos.

4. Use statement pieces- necklaces, earrings, or hair accessories to bring in a vibrant color.

5. Be comfortable! Uncomfortable models equals uncomfortable looking photos!

I let Bella, age 3, choose something she wanted to wear first because she is the most difficult! Ha! She chose a top by Pittsburgh Boutique Clothier, Miss Priss Kids.
https://facebook.com/missprisskids Bella chose her favorite Miss Priss piece, a swing top with different textures and beautiful patterns and colors.

Her choice gave us so many other color options! Blues, yellow, gold, white, purples...
Her choice gave us so many other color options! Blues, yellow, gold, white, pinks, and purples…

I chose a slightly darker pink dress with tiny navy polka dots for myself with a beautiful yellow statement necklace and a similar hue in my shoes. To even out the brightness, Brady, age 5, wore an adorable relaxed blue dress shirt and dark grey beach pants from H&M. The blues and greys complement the pinks and purples from the girls. Since Brady had a light shirt and dark pants, I alternated with Kevin, giving him a dark blue shirt and light tan shorts.

This outfit is totally Brady! Relaxed, stylish and handsome. He can pull anything off.
This outfit is totally Brady! Relaxed, stylish and handsome. He can pull anything off.

Amy captured our personalities, styles, and memories from this moment in our lives. She is an amazing, talented photographer!

Amy is so talented! Laying in the grass, in the weeds...she gets the shot!
Amy is so talented! Laying in the grass, in the weeds…she gets the shot!

See for yourself…

Family
Family
Royalty
Royalty
Strength
Strength
Love
Love

Thank you Amy Wilson Photography for the gorgeous photographs!
To see more photos visit Amy’s blog! And “Like” Amy Wilson Photography on Facebook!

http://amywilsonphotography.com/2014/07/the-dowd-family/

She will not be affordable for long! I promise!

Ciao!


Jul
2014

Sirena Taco Joint and Bar McMurray, PA My Review!

categories: Around Pittsburgh, Restaurant Review

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Sirena Taco Joint and Bar is nestled in the Donaldsons Crossroads shopping plaza off of Route19 in McMurray! Almost a secret location, the urban warehouse dining area shifts gears into a great outdoor space! Yes, a full patio with a tiki “swim up” bar in the center gives you a Mexican beach feel!

So what do you get when you take Chef John Bingham from Nine on Nine and an awesome sous chef from Butcher and the Rye? A sexy Mexican restaurant in Peters Township, of course! Their taco menu will make you dizzy with choices. Owner Doreen Valentine, former owner of Dozen Cupcakes, really snagged a great chef! I secretly wish they had a cupcake dessert menu to match! Now there’s an idea, Doreen!

I have never seen such an extensive taco menu! Vegetarian, vegan, tofu, crab, lamb, pork...endless options!
I have never seen such an extensive taco menu! Vegetarian, vegan, tofu, crab, lamb, pork…endless options!

First time to the new spot earned us a $5 gift card for a future visit! A little bold, right? Nope. Totally confident, as they should be.

We stumbled in on $5 Mojito Mondays! Lucky us! On the left is my beautiful friend Nikki Gasbarrini who ordered a blueberry Mojito! Super fun, right?
We stumbled in on $5 Mojito Mondays! Lucky us! On the left is my beautiful friend Nikki Gasbarrini who ordered a blueberry Mojito! Super fun, right?

We started off with the guacamole which is made to order and the chips and salsa…

Delicious! Beautifully presented!
Delicious! Beautifully presented!

The kids’ portions were huge! As parents, we love this because the kids aren’t asking for another meal or dessert while we are relaxing.

Bella's chicken tacos. The boys had already started gobbling down their quesadillas! No photo, sorry!
Bella’s chicken tacos. The boys had already started gobbling down their quesadillas! No photo, sorry!

Kevin ordered the Pittsburgh taco…

A very popular menu item, the Pittsburgh taco contains grilled steak, spiced fries, Sriracha ranch cole slaw! Kevin loved it!
A very popular menu item, the Pittsburgh taco contains grilled steak, spiced fries, Sriracha ranch cole slaw! Kevin loved it!

The rest of us enjoyed the Carne Asada tacos, which are a seared flank steak, yellow rice, garlic and salsa. The steak was cook perfectly showing dark pink in the center!

I was torn between the various fish taco options and this favorite! Next time I will go fish!
I was torn between the various fish taco options and this favorite! Next time I will go fish!

Will there be a next time? Yes! No kids and outside!

Awesome patio!
Awesome patio!

Ciao!

Sirena Taco Bar
724-260-0329
Dine In and Take Out
Sunday-Thursday 4pm-10pm
Friday-Saturday 4pm-Midnight
3909 Washington Road
McMurray, PA 15317


Jul
2014

Clothes Mentor Girls Night Out! A Bargain Shopper’s Dream!

categories: Around Pittsburgh, Fashion, Shopping

Consignment stores are not really my thing. I’m not big on wearing a stranger’s old shirt. But when over half of the items still have store tags, sign me up!!
I met Bethany, www.saltyblonde.com, at the Girls Night Out party at our local Clothes Mentor to check it out.

Bethany and I share a love for fashion and bargains! Oh yeah, and scarves!
Bethanny and I share a love for fashion and bargains! Oh yeah, and scarves!

I was greeted at the door with a chance to win a coral leather $458 Coach bag. So I filled out the ticket and started shopping!
Our first stop was a scarf wall!

The shoes were at the top of all the clothes racks and most were brand new! Vera Bradley flip flops with tags were $14! Brand name clothing items from Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, JCrew, Splendid, Paper Denim Co, True Religion, JBrand and even Tory Burch were hanging everywhere!

Cindy Martin, Clothes Mentor franchise owner, explained that they are very picky when selecting items to resell, and buyers appreciate it!

Clothes Mentor franchise owner Cindy Martin also owns the teen brand consignment store Plato's Coset next door Bridgeville, PA
Clothes Mentor franchise owner Cindy Martin also owns the teen brand consignment store Plato’s Coset next door Bridgeville, PA

Cindy told me women love this store’s cash at drop off policy , meaning a consignor doesn’t wait for items to sell to get paid! Cindy explained that they accept all seasons all the time and items with store tags move quickly! Her Girls Night Out events have been a huge success.

Cindy offers customers an extra 20% off during GNO and a giveaway item of value!
While I was putting together an outfit I heard them announce the winner of the $458 Coach purse …it was me!

Super cute bag! Thanks!
Super cute bag! Thanks!

Here is the outfit I put together.

Pairing a bubble skirt with a wedge adds an edge to the feminine pump look.
Pairing a bubble skirt with a wedge adds an edge to the feminine pump look.
The brand new chartreuse Seychelles Los Angeles wedges were a great fashion find and a steal at $13!
These brand new Seychelles Los Angeles chartreuse wedges were a great fashion find and a steal at $13! The brand sells in LA shoe boutiques for $95-$150!

I will be taking a bin of clothing to Clothes Mentor soon to see how much money I am offered. Have you consigned clothing? Every been to a Clothes Mentor? I would love to hear about your experience!

Ciao!