Prague and beyond

 

Prague, Czech Republic

Versailles

Photos from Paris

Photos!

Yes, I’ve been absent a while. I was on vacation, then I moved into my apartment, then the season started at ballet so I’ve been dancing all day long. Busy girl! (That’s the way I prefer it.)  Anyway, here is the start of a ridiculously large number of photos that I took while traveling. Hope you like them!

Photos of the Week

This week I have a collection of simple photos that I took at the Three Rivers Arts Festival a few weeks ago. I love when this yearly festival comes to Pittsburgh because it is such a wonderful way to support local artists and walk away with some fabulous and unique pieces of art! There is an artist’s market (which to me is the interesting part) as well as many local music events in and around the city. Make sure you check it out next summer if you haven’t yet!

Pittsburgh Best Restaurants Party

This past Monday I attended Pittsburgh Magazine’s Best Restaurants Party with a few friends of mine. We originally heard of the party a few months ago through Groupon and bought tickets right away, taking advantage of the 50% discount in price. On the day of the event, we arrived a little before the doors opened at 6 pm and there was already a line extending almost the length of Heinz Field. The event was held in both the East and West sections of the club level in Heinz Field. There were tables, one for each of the featured restaurants, set up along the scenic glass walls in each of the clubs. Overwhelmed by the number of restaurants and the volume of food available to us we came up with a small strategy. We parted ways to survey a few different tables, sizing up our options, then we made our selections, grabbed a few plates each, and reconnected at an empty table to share what we got. This way we could get to taste most of the offerings without wasting food or getting too full.

By the time we made it to the other club level, many of the restaurants had already run out of food. I had been to a few of those restaurants already though so thankfully it wasn’t the worst that could’ve happened. I tried so many dishes. Some exceeded every expectation (I’m still drooling over them) and some sadly disappointed (like a bland tasting kielbasa). Now I know what to move to the very top of my ‘Pittsburgh restaurants to try’ list… Dinette, Spoon, Paris 66, Cure… and so many more. I think there are about 30 restaurants on my list at the very least. They are all here in Pittsburgh too. Imagine the trouble I would be in if I lived somewhere like Philadelphia or New York where my list of ‘restaurants to try’ would extend off the notepad on my phone and out my front door. Good thing I live in the small but mighty city of Pittsburgh!

Once we were completely satisfied with full bellies, we took the shuttle over to the after party at Rivers Casino. It was my first time in the new casino. What a huge place! In addition to more food and free drinks, we were given $10 to play the slot machines. That will be the first and only time I gamble. How does anyone win on a slot machine? The most I won was $3 and it was all gone three spins later. I had always wanted to experience gambling, I had no idea what to expect. I tried it. It isn’t my thing. Now I know.

I’m sad that this event only comes once a year. I would go once a month if they offered it. It is such a great and easy way to try an incredible number of fabulous restaurants all in one night. Here are a few pictures from my adventures!

Photos of the Week

This week I have a mix of photographs from around Pittsburgh. Farmer’s markets, fish mongers, and my future location of further education. (I’ll begin taking classes part-time in the fall!) Enjoy!

 

Apartment: Step 3

I have slowly but surely been preparing for my move! Half of my belongings have been packed among several boxes that are piled high. I’m throwing away things that should have been gotten rid of years ago. I am contacting movers and prepping whatever else in necessary for my big move. It’s only a month away!

This weekend I began work on spray painting some furniture. I am bringing many pieces that are currently living in my bedroom but I want to give them a little freshness for my new apartment. I decided to paint my bed side table (which is green) and part of my bookcase (again, green) silver. Oh yes. Silver. I wanted a color that would be somewhat neutral but wasn’t white or black. That way, the furniture can have a modern edge to it while still being able to incorporate well into a broader design scheme.

I first treated the pieces with a few thin coats of a gray primer. Once that completely dried, I painted over it with the silver spray paint. I’m quite pleased with how it turned out! (But it sure took a mighty long time and made a bit of a mess…)

Before…

with both coats of primer

bookcase shelves being coated with primer

priming the other side of a shelf and the completed table

Photos of the Week

Last week, my sister and I were trying to find things to occupy ourselves on yet another beautiful summer night. We ended up driving to the top of Schenley Park and were welcomed by a spectacular sunset over a lovely view of downtown. These pictures were all taken within a span of 5 minutes. Needless to say, before I edited them, they all looked nearly identical to one another. I intentionally edited them so that each picture would look different from the one before. To challenge myself to see the picture in a multitude of ways. (And also, guiltily, to kill more time.) I’m pretty please with the variety I came up with. The last one is my favorite. Enjoy!