Vintage Pittsburgh

Celebrate Pittsburgh in style this Saturday at the Vintage Pittsburgh event at the Senator John Heinz History Center.  The event is from 10am-3pm.  This is a perfect event to shop for your last minute Mother's Day gift.  You can learn more at Living Pittsburgh.

WHEN:

May 9, 2015 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

WHERE:

Senator John Heinz History Center -

CONTACT:

Event website 

Celebrate Pittsburgh history in style at the History Center’s annual Vintage Pittsburgh event, presented in partnership with the Pittsburgh Vintage Mixer.

Shop ‘til you drop with 30 local vendors selling genuine vintage fashion, accessories, housewares, vinyl, home décor, artwork, books, toys, small furniture, and collectibles. Then, check out the History Center’s six floors of exhibition space to explore how the past influences the present.

If you are interested in being a vendor at Vintage Pittsburgh, please contact our partners at Pittsburgh Vintage Mixer at pghvintagemixer@gmail.com for more information.

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Make A Bold Decor Move

Photo courtesy Wicker Paradise

We have all seen something on Pinterest that we thought would look so cool, but then said, “I could never do that.” Yes, you can! Aside from things that you may have to ask your landlord for permission for, there are still many things you can do to take risks as you decorate--from furniture, to rugs, to accessories. So here’s that motivation you need to actually put those Pinterest boards to use, courtesy of Apartment Therapy.




1. Decide to do it — This is both the easiest and hardest part. You've thought it through, debated endlessly and now it's time for a simple yes or no. It's liberating! No more, "Gee, I'd really like to have..." or "Someday I'll try a..." That day is today! Don't dawdle, say yes and don't look back.




2. Get inspired — Time for the eye candy. You have a general plan, sure, but browsing some great inspirational images will help you really nail down what you love and what turns your stomach (and with risky decisions, it's usually one or the other). This is also when you'll start to get really excited about your project, which will further cement your decision to do it. Remember: this is fun!




3. Tell everyone — Now that you've made your decision, it's time to share. Telling everyone your plan is an insurance policy that you'll actually follow through. You're accountable, see? Sure, people will have their own opinions (and may decide to share them, unsolicited) but that won't bother you because you're solid in your knowledge that you've made the right decision for you.




4. Baby steps — Don't get overwhelmed and derail your decision. No matter how big or small, breaking down your project into baby steps will help you see a clear, do-able path to the finish line. It may be scary to paint a wall pink, but it's not scary to drive to the paint store — you can do that. It's not scary to grab some paint samples, piece of cake! Now, wash your wall, no problem. Baby steps are everything.



5. Repeat after me: nothing is permanent — There's nothing you can do to your home that you can't undo; it's as simple as that. Don't overthink this. If you don't like it, you'll try something else. Yep, you've spent some time and money to learn what you don't like (a very valuable lesson by the way) and next time you'll do better. The journey to your perfect home is never-ending and that is part of the fun, so don't be afraid to make a mistake once in a while.

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Make Your Own Soup

Are you feeling crafty this weekend?  Try this simple easy DIY to make your own soap.  This can be a fun experiment to try with friends or family.  Here is a quick recipe and instructions from Apartment Therapy. 

Handmade soap is an easy and effective way to add a personalized touch to your bathroom. Whether you've got sensitive skin and want to know exactly what ingredients are going into your soaps, or you want to give your guests that 'boutique hotel' experience while they're staying with you, it's fast, fun and totally worth the investment.

You can purchase soap making kits that come with everything you need, or gather your supplies individually. Craft stores carry a small selection of what you'll need, but you'll have better luck searching online for a soap supply shop.

What You Need

Materials

• Melt and pour soap base
• Soap mold
• Fragrance oils or essential oils (optional)
• Colorants (optional)
• Seeds (optional)

Tools

• Glass bowl or measuring cup
• Microwave
• Stir sticks
• Small digital scale (optional)

Instructions

=

1. Measure out the amount of soap base you'll need according to the soap mold you've chosen to use. Most soap bases come in grid blocks and are easy to cut using a simple chefs knife.

2. Place the cubes in a glass measuring cup and microwave on high in 20 second intervals, checking between each to see if the soap has melted. The higher the number of cubes you have to melt, the more time it will take.

3. Remove the melted soap from the microwave and let it cool slightly before moving on to step 4.

4. Add color and fragrance and stir to incorporate.

5. Pour into a soap mold. You can purchase a mold, or use anything you've got around the house like an old yogurt container or candy mold.

If you see bubbles forming over the top layer, you can remove them by spritzing lightly with rubbing alcohol.

6. If you want your soap to have multiple layers of color, repeat steps 1-4, adding a different color each time.

7. Slowly pour your next colored layer of soap into the mold. To keep the layers from blending together, be sure to wait until the first layer develops a skin before pouring the new layer.

8. Let the soap set up completely before attempting to remove from the mold. I like to let my soap set up for 8-10 hours, or overnight.

9. Remove by pressing in on the edges of the mold. The soap will start to separate from the sides so you can get a hold on a corner.

10. Carefully grab a hold of the loose side of the soap and work it out of the mold.

You can make so many of variations of soaps by using different colors, white, or clear soap base, placing embeds into your molds, adding seeds for exfoliation, or by playing around with various fragrances or oils. Some of the most common types of exfoliants you can add to your soaps are: cranberry seeds, crushed grape seeds, ground pumpkin seeds, strawberry seeds, and walnut shells to name a few.

To add seeds to your soap, simply pour them into the melted base after you've added color and/or fragrance. Mix well to incorporate.

Pour the melted soap base with seeds into the soap mold.

There you have it! A great hand soap with an all natural exfoliant.

Embeds are design elements placed in your soap molds along with the melted soap base. These can be purchased pre made (think tiny ice cream cones, hearts, stars, etc.) or they can be as simple as cutting your soap melt bases into various shapes.

After you've removed your soap from the mold, wrap it in plastic wrap until you plan to use it —especially if it has added fragrance.

The most important thing is to remember to have fun and experiment!

Have a really great DIY project or tutorial that you want to share with others? Let us know! We love checking out what you're making these days, and learning from our readers. When you're ready, click here to submit your project and photos.

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First and Third Wine Fridays

The first and third Fridays of every month are casual wine nights at Dreadnought Wines in the Strip District.  This event gives you the chance to try six different wines to decide what you like.  You can even order the wines of your choosing after the event at the same location.  This event is only $12.00 and no RSVP is required.  You can find out more information about great events like this one at Living Pittsburgh. 


How many times have you stood in a State Store, staring at shelves of wine bottles, wondering ‘will I like it after I buy it?’

For many years Dreadnought Wines in Pittsburgh’s Strip District has been giving wine lovers the opportunity to experience specialty wines before buying them at the First and Third Friday Casual Wine Classes at our store at 2013 Penn Avenue. Folks gather to experience three red and three white wines, carefully selected by owner Mike Gonze, complimented by breads and paired with fine cheeses from The Pennsylvania Macaroni Company, and to enjoy the company of other Oenophiliacs.

After experiencing the Wines represented by Dreadnought, patrons can order the wines they like, and pick them up two business days later (as required by state law). Pittsburgh wine lovers can meet and greet each other at these regular Casual Wine Classes twice monthly, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Dreadnought Wines store at 2013 Penn Avenue in the Strip District.

These events are open to the public at the cost of only $12.00 per person and no RSVP is necessary.

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Allegheny Observatory Tours

Have you ever seen the Allegheny Observatory?  There are night tours this weekend from 8am-10pm. You can tour this working research facility and see the Fitz Clark telescope.  If the weather is clear, you may even be able to see some celestial objects that are within the telescope's range.  You can learn more at Living Pittsburgh. 

WHEN:

April 10, 2015 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Repeats 

WHERE:

Allegheny Observatory - 159 Riverview Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15214, USA

COST: Free

CONTACT:

412-321-2400

Event website 

Tours of this working research facility begin with a short slide or film presentation and continue with a walking tour that ends at the 13″ Fitz-Clark refractor telescope. If it’s a clear night, you’ll see whatever celestial objects are within the telescope’s range. Tours are free but reservations are required. Call 412-321-2400 between 1:00 and 5:00 Monday through Friday to reserve your spot. Tours are more adult oriented, however children aged 7 and older may attend.

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Pens are Lighting It Up Blue.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are lighting it up blue for World Autism Awareness Day. On April 2nd all of the Pens staff and team will be wearing blue.  The ice will also be lit up blue to raise awareness for Autism.You can learn more here.

This week, iconic landmarks all over the world – including the Empire State Building, the Opera House in Sydney, the pyramids in Egypt and the Christ the Reedemer statue in Brazil – will all be shining bright blue lights to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day.

And right here in Pittsburgh, the Penguins will be doing their part to join this global initiative.

“What’s great is that we’re able to take that and localize it and make it a Pittsburgh thing as well too,” said Brett Spitale, executive director of Greater PA Autism Speaks. “So you’ll see a lot of buildings and different landmarks around the Pittsburgh area that night that’ll be lit up blue in awareness for autism.  This national campaign has gotten support locally and nationally including the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower.  You can learn more here. 

“It’s great that the folks down at the Penguins help us out with this. Pittsburgh is such a great sports town, so what better way to raise awareness than through Pittsburgh sports.”

On World Autism Awareness Day, Autism Speaks celebrates its international Light It Up Blue Campaign. Thousands of those previously mentioned iconic landmarks, communities, businesses and homes across the globe unite by shining bright blue lights in honor of the millions of individuals and families around the world affected by autism.

While World Autism Awareness Day actually takes place on April 2, the Penguins will be celebrating it today. The Penguins’ coaches, hockey operations and front office staff are all wearing blue; there will be special graphics on the American Eagle LED pucks; and the ice will be illuminated blue during intermissions.

While all employees will be wearing blue puzzle piece lapel pins just for the day, Penguins goaltender Thomas Greiss wears an Autism Awareness decal on the back of his helmet every single game.

It’s a cause that’s important to him, as his girlfriend Brittany Palmer’s niece has been diagnosed as being on the spectrum. They both do a lot to raise awareness, including working with the Steel City Icebergs throughout the season – a local special needs hockey team that plays in the American Special Hockey Association. They've both been special guests at the club's practices, where they skate around with the players offering pointers, tips and just getting to know them.

“My girlfriend's niece is autistic and it's a different cause because it's family,” Greiss said. ‘They're great kids and they're a lot of fun to work with.”

World Autism Awareness Day was adopted by the United Nations in 2007 to shine a bright light on autism as a growing global health crisis. Autism is one of only three health issues to be recognized with its own day by the United Nations.

“Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological disorder that has to do with many different neurological things that aren’t happening in the brain,” Spitale said. “That’s why we’re really here, to be able to raise the awareness and raise the funds to fund the research to try and figure out what’s going on here.

“This is our day throughout the year that really allows us to be able to bring it to the forefront. Last year when we were doing stuff like this, we were trending the entire day on Twitter and Facebook and all social media outlets nationally. So it’s really a huge, huge day for us and it’s really our day to be able to say you know what, here we are, our folks need some help, our families need some help, let’s shine a light on this.”

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Design Your Perfect Bedroom

Your bedroom should be the oasis in your apartment, so you want that space to feel as large as possible, whether it is actually large or not. You can use the decor and furniture pieces in your bedroom to manipulate the size of the space. So how do you make a room feel larger than it is? Try these tricks from Apartment Therapy:





1. Bed drawers and multi-tier nightstands
It's not within every budget to buy a bed that has built-in storage, but in this small and closet-less space, it appears to have been a vital element to ensure this small space actually functioned the way they needed it. Another fun storage feature? Not just one nightstand, but three, on each side! Floating nightstands have long been a smart choice for small spaces, but here, the addition of even more wall-mounted (or in this case, headboard-mounted) ledges means more room for both needed and decorative objects.


2. A large, horizontal wall-mounted mirror
We all know that wall-mounted reflective surfaces like mirrors work magic in small spaces, and in here it's no different. They chose to add the mirror to the wall opposite the door, which is a smart move since it'll reflect an image of the other room, making it feel a little more open than it actually is.


3. A sliding door
For privacy, you can't beat a door. For saving space and adding privacy, you can't beat a sliding door, which they made here themselves using mostly items found at Home Depot.
DIY Home Decor: How To Make a Sliding Door for Under $40


4. Light-colored black-out drapes that blend
For those who need a lot of darkness to sleep peacefully, black-out drapes (lined with dark, light-blocking fabric) are a must. But keep the side of the drapes that face the bedroom a light color, preferably a similar color to the wall. This will help them blend in and expand the look of the space visually.


5. A minimal style
It just makes sense — small spaces need less stuff, and keeping the decorative elements to a minimum will help keep a small space from feeling cluttered. But, that doesn't mean you have to keep everything out. As this small bedroom proves, you can find a good balance between art, decorative elements and more and still have a room that feels spacious for its size.

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Happy St. Patrick's Day

We hope everyone has a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day!

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Change Your Room in Just A Color Scheme

Image courtesy of Boa-Franc

Changing the feel of your apartment can be as simple as playing the color-scheme in your place. So rather than going renovation crazy, you can simply update a few accessories by following the color coordination tips below, (courtesy of renters.apartments.com).

First thing to know are the 6 different types of color schemes; monochromatic, complementary, split-complementary, double-complementary, triad and analogous. 

Second thing to know is the color wheel. They're all the same when you search them on Google Images.

Third thing to know is that red, blue and yellow are your primary colors while green, orange and purple are secondary. Everything else falls into place.

Monochromatic
If you can just remember that mono- is a prefix meaning "single" or "one" you'll be able to remember this one super easily. A monochromatic scheme is pretty much when you've taken your space and applied various hues or tints of the same shade. I think this idea works super well in a laundry room or bathroom; something you don't plan on changing for a while but want to have a nice feel and flavor in. I also say that the best way to pull off this scheme is to keep the walls either a cream, white or grey base color. Painting the ceiling a shade from this scale can really bring a nice pop without having an overdose of color.

Complementary
Everyone remembers complementary colors from their elementary art class. To make this scheme you pick one color from the color wheel and match it to the color directly across from it. Examples would be Christmas (red and green) or the University of Illinois (blue and orange.) My advice on this is to remember that your primary and secondary colors all come in so many different shades, and you really need to remember that. I struggled with only imagining bright orange and royal blue, which can look okay but is also a very bold jump if you've kept to basic colors the whole time. An idea to start this off in a very calm way is to pastel one of your colors and make the other be bold. Baby powder blue with bold orange? Pastel yellow with a rich plum? Yes and yes please.

Split-Complementary
This is where we're treading waters; in a split-complementary scheme you pick your base color you want to deal with, find it's complement and then use the two colors next to it on either side of the wheel. For example, if I chose a blue-green as my base color, my split-complement scheme would include blue-green, orange and red. Typically the farther down I'll go on this list the bolder your scheme will become, and split-complementary is no exception. My suggestion would be to take your base color as a wall coating, utilize one split color in the furniture and then the second as just a splash in either the curtains, rug or throws. 

Double-Complementary
By definition a double-complementary scheme is "four colors arranged into two complementary color pairs." Chances are you'll never perfect this in a way you'll love (unless you're a BIG risk taker.) The best way I can help you visualize this is with a teenage girls room; teal and red-orange (burnt orange) paired with yellow-green and a red-violet (deep pink.) This scheme is super hard to harmonize correctly but can be done well in an apartment, as it actually allows for you to pick a bunch of colors to have in maybe a bed spread or in a kitchen, especially if you have neutral walls.

Triad
This one's simple to remember, the prefix tri- means "three." Three colors on the wheel that are equally spaced from each other will create this funky theme. Easily enough this combo could just as easily be your primary or secondary colors just grouped together as normal. This example is the featured image of this post, which I stumbled upon during my class and fell in love with. 

Analogous
Last but not least we have analogous, which is simply just colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel. One of the most popular choices of this scheme tends to be usage of your blues, greens and yellow-greens. However, with the way the wheel works this is your best choice if you want a little variety, but something not quite as bold of funky as the above mentioned.

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Easy Everyday Dinner

Do you need to make quick easy dinners on your busy days?  The Kitchn has found the easiest ways to bake chicken.  The best part about this recipe is that leftovers can be used for up to three months.  Check out the recipe below.

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Movie Discounts on Tuesdays

Did you know that several movie theaters in the Pittsburgh area have discounts on Tuesdays?  Tuesdays are the perfect day to grab some friends and family and see a movie.  There are many theaters throughout the area that offer this discount.  You can learn more at Living Pittsburgh.

Cinemark Theaters- Discount Tuesdays offers $5.50 admission at the Robinson Township location, and $5 admission at the Galleria Pittsburgh Mills and Monaca locations.

Chartiers Valley Stadium 18 – Tuesday Bargain with $5 admission.

North Versailles Stadium 18 – Bargain $4 Tuesdays.

The Oaks Theater in Oakmont – $5 admission and discounted concessions.

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8 Things To Not Put In Your Freezer

Is your freezer packed to the brim?  There are many things that do not belong in your freezer that may end there.  These items take up space, and they also do not save well in these conditions. Keep reading to learn about what to clean out of your freezer this weekend.  You can learn more at Apartment Therapy.

As you know by now, I'm a huge fan of the cook and freeze method. I've been doing it for almost half my lifetime which probably makes me officially "old." I've frozen everything from lemon juice to lasagne to buttercream frosting. I know which casseroles my family loves and which ones are better left unmade.

Also? I've learned that there are indeed a few foods better left unfrozen.

Over the years I've been able to adapt our family's favorite recipes for freezing in order to save time and to preserve ingredients that I find at a great price. Almost any cooked recipe that you love can be frozen at some stage in the game, even if it's just roasting the peppers and slicing the onions that you'll use in a freshly made skillet dish.

While there's a long list of things that will freeze well, there's also a short list of things that don't belong in your freezer:

1. Blocks of cheese - Cheese will freeze well, but its texture often undergoes a transformation, making it crumbly instead of easy to slice or shred. Instead of freezing the whole block, do your shredding and slicing prior to freezing.
2. Soft cheeses, like Brie or Camembert - Again, the texture changes when soft cheese are frozen and thawed. They won't go "bad", but they won't work for fresh uses.
3. Salad greens or other vegetables for fresh use - You can freeze spinach and other hearty greens that you plan to cook, but those you plan to serve fresh are better left unfrozen. Soggy salad? No thanks.
4. Canned goods - Canned goods are shelf-stable; they don't need to be frozen. And I'm pretty sure the can will explode if you try. However, if you open a can of something, like chipotle peppers in adobo, and decide you can't use it all in the next four days, feel free to repackage it for freezing.
5. Eggs in the shell - Ever forget a soda in the freezer? Yeah, same thing will happen to the egg. Things expand when they freeze. Don't put whole eggs in the freezer, but you can mix up a quiche and freeze that (unbaked).
6. Cream sauces - Cream-based sauces can separate during freezing making them a less preferred candidate for freezing. However, I have frozen soups with cream many times. If you're curious about your recipe, freeze a small amount next time you make it, thaw, and do a taste test.
7. Mayonnaise - Mayonnaise is another item whose texture doesn't hold up well. Store it in the fridge instead.

Short list, right? The most important thing not to freeze, though, is...

Any food you don't like - If you don't like it, then it shouldn't be taking up valuable real estate in your freezer. It's kitchen clutter that you will be better off without. At some point, it's okay to declare freezer bankruptcy on the things you just can't deal with. Give yourself a clean slate and stock up on the foods you do love.

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Valentine's Day Ice Skate

Valentine's Skate at Schenley Park is a great tradition for you and a loved one this Saturday.  The four dollar admission price includes many awesome giveaways to help celebrate the holiday.  Keep reading and you can learn more at Living Pittsburgh.

Enjoy a special opportunity to skate with your sweetie on Valentine’s Day. Romance will fill the air at the Schenley Park Skating Rink on February 14 when couples enjoy a magical night of skating outdoors – with a view of the sparkling Downtown Pittsburgh skyline as the backdrop. Skate to romantic music under the stars…then warm up inside with salsa dance lessons and a mini-massage before savoring chocolates, hot beverages and pizza. This event is for ages 18 and older,

Last year this was a 2-for-1 special admission price* ($4 per couple) that included:

• rose to first 175 couples compliments of Alex’s Flowers.com in Oakland
• assorted chocolates to first 175 couples courtesy of Betsy Ann Chocolates
• mini-massage compliments of Massage Envy of Squirrel Hill
• free dance lessons courtesy of Jeff & Colleen Shirey of Salsa Pittsburgh
• chance to compete in “Go for the Heart” puck shooting contest
• pizza compliments of Lucci’s Pizza in Squirrel Hill
• keepsake photo with your sweetheart

For updates on this years event, please call 412-422-6523.

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Valentine's Day Ideas

What are you doing for your loved one this Valentine’s Day? Valentine’s Day can be special without spending your savings account. Here are some romantic and affordable Valentine’s Day ideas for you to try this year. You can read about some more ideas on Apartment Therapy.

Finding a creative way to spend Valentine's Day has the added benefit of avoiding the crowds at overbook restaurant and florist shops. The best way to show your sweetie you love them? Think outside the box and get creative. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

1. Get dressed up. Book tickets somewhere you might not usually go and put your fancy pants on. Try the local ballet, symphony or theater.

2. Do something creative. Attend a paint night or take a DIY class, you'll both walk away with a memento from the night.

3. Get cooking. Take a cooking class then head home and make dinner in together.

4. Get physical. Go for a hike, try kayaking, or take a bike ride. Added bonus, exercise releases endorphins and you get to enjoy the outdoors together.

5. Get an adrenaline rush. Do something that scares you, if you've always wanted to skydive or go climbing try it out together (just make sure your partner is on board first.)

6. Go tasting. You can go with the classic wine tasting or go for chocolate tasting,cheese tasting or coffee cupping.

7. Learn to dance. Don't know how to dance? Perfect, you can learn. Try out a class, be it ballroom, salsa, swing or square dancing. It's fun and a great way to learn to work together.

8. Take a tour. Instead of dining out, try a food tour—it's a meal and activity rolled into one.

9. Get a new perspective. Find out where the best views in your city are and make it a date. San Francisco has Twin Peaks and Los Angeles has the Griffith Observatory—bonus points if you pack a picnic.

10. Get lost. Grab a guide (or make your own) and go explore a part of town that you've never spent time in.

11. Get away. Book a weekend away, but look for creative lodging. You can stay in a yurt, a treehouse, a boat or even a wagon for something more adventurous, Airbnb has a whole section devoted to unique options.

12. Dwell on the past. Revisit places that were a part of your shared history, take a walk, grab a glass of wine or visit the restaurant where you had your first date. You can even have a custom map made on Etsy.

13. Do good. Take the day to volunteer together. You can visit Volunteer Matchto get matched up with a cause you both care about.

14. Have a game night. Pick a couple of favorite board games (even better if they are from your childhood), set out some snacks and a bottle of wine. "Sorry!"

15. Find a new way to explore. Try exploring a favorite place in a new way. Take a train ride through the Redwoods, go horseback riding, take a harbor cruise or even go for a hot air ballon ride in wine country.

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The Blizzard is Over, Time for the Tropics

On Sundays, you can forget about the six inches of snow and make your way to the warm weather.  Come to Phipps Conservatory on Sundays in February to put some tropical into your winter.  You can walk under palm trees, listen to a band, and get 50% off regular admission if you wear a tropical shirt.  You can learn more at Living Pittsburgh.

WHEN:

February 1, 2015 @ 9:30 am – 5:00 pm

WHERE:

Phipps Conservatory -

COST:

FREE, $5.50, $7.00, $7.50

CONTACT:

 Event website 

discount phipps featured phipps conservatory events tropical sundays at phippsvalentines day pittsburgh

Despite the freezing temperatures outside, it’s always tropical at Phipps, and we’re celebrating each Sunday during the month of February. Shed the winter blues, relax under the palm trees, and sway to the sounds of a performance by Matthew Mazza and Carmen Bruno of the Tropical Sands Steel Band. Plus, wear a tropical flower shirt and receive a 50-percent discount off of regular admission for a single ticket. (Discount only valid on Sundays in February.) Metered parking is free on Sundays. *Great day after Valentine’s Day Date!

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