date night

Weekly Therapy: Pressure is a privilege.

- Mel

the week:
I’m having another not-so-great week of feeling REALLY lethargic and exhausted. I’m truly now feeling the pressure (and by extension, stress) to be and do All the Things and the associated downward spiral of thinking (and inaction). I wish I could just stop doing that to myself! I plan to use some of these Unconventional Productivity tips from zen habits to reset and refocus (and, hopefully, gain back some of my energy). It’s such a great list!

30-something therapy pressure is privilege
Pause.

weekend:
We have tickets to Caberet tonight, and a midday date tomorrow for the Sewickley Chocolate Walk (The event sold out quickly, so I’m glad we jumped on tickets early!). We haven’t had a date night in such a long time, and we have two fun things to celebrate together. #blessed

And on Sunday, we’ll be positively gorging ourselves on terrible (but delicious!) football appetizers at home, while watching all the fun Super Bowl commercials. I’ll run at some point though, PROMISE.

seven things, seven days:
1. Did you pay attention to the Iowa Caucus this week? Coming from a state where we have primaries, the whole caucus system is fascinating, and I’ve enjoyed learning more about the process (since I’ve, admittedly, not paid attention to it in the past). I can honestly say that I’m currently coming from a place of being an undecided/uncommitted voter, so I’m definitely paying attention!
2. Knowing when it’s time to quit – that’s some kind of pressure for athletes, ya know? {via NPR}
3. Speaking of sports pressure: The mental strength of quarterbacks in Super Bowl 50 {via CNN}
4. Have you heard of yesiyoga.com? Well, I’m all about new yoga brands, so interested to see where this referral/social media blitz takes us. [Sign up, too, if you’re also intrigued!] 5. Appropriate (even if I hate use of the word “girl”): 18 things a roller derby girl can relate to {via Buzzfeed}
6. How to finally stop procrastinating (for real) {via FastCompany}
7. Oh. Maybe that’s it. Why your high-intensity feelings may be tiring you out {via HBR}

{date night} Root Beer Tasting

- Mel

Saturday night was fun. Since it was such a nice day (which I spent mostly indoors, working), I hurried to change after my shift ended, so we could walk around Sewickley: the location of our later plans. This was also our first time in Sewickley, but I knew there were cute little boutiques to pop in-and-out (LOVED the House store!), while we enjoyed the weather. A pop-up store even gave us a to-go glass of champagne! And then we found the fun DIY yogurt place. Yes, please, dessert before dinner.

yogurt and champagne

That said, it was difficult to “kill” a half hour of time between all the shops closing and the start of our event at Village Candy, but we managed on account of just finally being outside.

ON TO THE ROOT BEER TASTING!

root beer, village candy, pittsburgh, sewickley

In its fifth year, Village Candy introduced the crowd to seven root beers:
Barrel Brothers Creamy Vanilla
Dang Butterscotch
Capt’n Eli’s
Olde Rhode Island Molasses
Red Ribbon
Johnnie Ryan
Saranac
Sprecher Fire-brewed

(I was able to confirm that all, but one, were gluten free; that remaining sample was Barrel Brothers — I couldn’t confirm one way or another — but I didn’t seem to have a reaction to it.)

I am a sucker for root beer and sweets. Circling around the dizzying selection of CANDY, proprietor Doug Alpern and his employees were in really good spirits (sugar high?), which really added to atmosphere of the tasting event for the all-ages crowd. Village Candy has an assorted mix of old-school sweets, candy-related merchandise, sodas and unique chocolate bars. And a Jelly Belly filling station, natch, which I also noticed they carried the new Draft Beer flavor. My favorite root brews were the Saranac, Johnnie Ryan and the Olde Rhode Island Molasses (and if I’m remembering my ballot correctly, in that order). We really enjoyed the event, and look forward to visiting the candy shop — and Sewickley — again. Note: Village Candy is also doing a cream soda tasting soon. Sign up for their newsletter!

We even took home a 4-pack of ginger and root beers — Village Candy has an impressive selection of bottled sodas! Something fun, something different, something tasty.

Something… kitty piddle.

kitty piddle

Wut.

Weekly Therapy: it’s the holiday season, so whoop-dee-do!

- Mel

the week:
Is it odd that, last Friday, for the first in the longest of times that I felt “pretty”? Maybe it was just my new eye makeup, or that the boyfriend and I had a really good date night, or maybe-just-maybe I am finally coming out of this stupid depressive, apathetic hole. I’m getting excited about coming back to derby within the next couple weeks too (hopefully this dang foot cooperates).

weekend:
Light Up Night! One of my favorite nights out in Pittsburgh. Also, one of the worst hangovers every year, so working ALL WEEKEND will be interesting. And then there’s Friendsgiving on Saturday…

There will be the usual carriage rides and gingerbread houses and the opening of the Christkindlmarkt in Market Square (People’s Gas Holiday Market) and fireworks (natch, it’s Pittsburgh), but this year’s celebrations also include FOOD TRUCKS. Get your nom on.

seven things, seven days:
1. I won a free piece of jewelry from local shop Jupe Boutique in a twitter contest — how nice is that?!
2. Trying not to think about my half birthday passing recently. How does this keep happening?! Age: What a bitch. The title of my memoir.
3. Ordered new skate boots for roller derby. And yes, they will be hot pink.
4. And then I had to order new boots from Splendid to offset my bank account being used solely for derby.
5. We spent three HOURS with an architect talking about possible renovations/gut job in our house (the second level needs help; and we need a real guest room).
6. My transcripts are complete, my transcripts are complete! Now if I could only get my advisor to return my emails.
7. It’s time to get Christmas Crazy! {via BurghBaby}

Don’t forget to hang up your sock!

Say Hello, 30-somethings: Get seriously friendly on your next date

- Mel

Some of us 30-somethings and single-somethings are looking for love and need some advice on how to break the ice. Are you getting back into the dating game this Fall and need some encouragement?

This post is for you!

hello oral products breath spray
Mexican food dinner date? HELLO.

Say “hello” to hello oral care products! I (seriously) love the product designs (designed by BMW DesignworksUSA, by the way), and the purse-friendly breath spray is perfect for pre-date prep. It also locks closed, which is a sweet feature. Every time I pull this guy out of my bag, people ask about it. Talk about ice breakers!

Ice breaker sounds SO much better than a pick-up line — which, I’m adamantly against using and listening to. Aren’t cheesy pick-up lines the worst?! And they’re almost never sincere. Saying a simple “hello” is much more genuine. The worst: “Don’t I know you from somewhere?” Followed by: “Are your feet tired?” Please tell me that people still don’t use that.

I questioned a few friends on their favorite pick-up lines they’ve used — or heard someone else use.

  • My friend Brian gave his worst: “Do you have any {insert ethnicity here} in you? Do you want some?” UGH.
  • My friend J, who works in a seasonal Halloween attraction, regularly gets: “You’re too hot to be a zombie.” Hilarious. Reminds me of the overused “You’re too pretty to be single”-variety of pickup line.
  • The boyfriend used the line: “It’s like I need a GPS to find you” early on in our relationship. I’m still not really sure what the drunken comment implied.
  • My friend Ericka agreed with me on the WORST of all pick-up lines (see above), but added: “Is this seat taken?” as a terrible way to approach someone sitting alone.

Just. Say. Hello.

hello products

Containing no alcohol (save the actual mojito for the date!), these naturally-friendly oral care products and hello toothpaste are easy on the eyes and the mouth. Even better, all hello products are made in the USA and NEVER tested on animals. Delicious flavors of hello mouthwash, toothpaste and breath spray include: sweet cinnamint, pink grapefruit mint, supermint and (my favorite) mojito mint.

Locally, you can buy hello products at Walgreens, CVS and Target stores.

hello mojito mint mouthwash

“Like” Hello on Facebook and check out the full line of hello products to prepare for your next big date!

How do you start a conversation with someone you’re interested in?

Disclaimer: this post is sponsored by hello; see my disclosure policy page for more info.

Weekly Therapy: the ups & downs of home ownership

- Mel

the week:
The deck boards are gone in the start of our resurfacing project. It unearthed an unsightly mess — and a much bigger problem. Which I guess is just more of the same in this home ownership experience.

deck

But I think the boyfriend and I both decided to just tear it all down and start some greenspace. It will be raised because of the existing fill dirt and retainer wall and there will be more money paid to change the zoning and to go through historical review process (again)… I think it might be worth. Starting over, at least seems like the right call.

Oh, did I also mention that our air conditioning unit’s compressor went last week? Yeah, that was another $250 put back into the house *cries*

Anyways, I can’t wait until the 1800GotJunk guys get this shit out of my courtyard and get my weekend started.

weekend:
Friday, 42nd Street date night with the boyfriend tonight. I GET TO SEE JOEY FATONE.
Saturday: work. meh.
Outdoor skating on Sunday! (no rain no rain no rain no rain) We’re also going to look at a cabinet currently for sale (with an amazing offer to refinish to our liking too). We wanted something tall and interesting to add to our dining room. We’ll see!

And enjoying the rest of this:
dr frank wine

52 books in 52 weeks:
Really super-close to finishing #14 Bonk: the Curious Coupling of Science & Sex by Mary Roach – GREAT BOOK! I can’t wait to read her others.

seven things, seven days:
1. I participated in a twitter chatt with Simple Skin Care and the One2One Network — and I ended up winning a gift basket. WOO!
2. Uploaded all pics to flickr on my day off. Whew. So many pictures stored on my iphone from the last three years. Like, 1000 more to go.
3. Passport photos and application – sending today! Expedited fees, woof.
4. My bandages were finally removed from my face. I’m feeling very… weird. The boyfriend didn’t even notice, so I guess that’s a good start. Or, it’s just SO MUCH BETTER than all that bruising and swelling, that this is now my good face.
5. What do you do with excess of rhubarb from your CSA? Make strawberry-rhubarb banana bread, of course.
6. Beauty of life did a First Look Friday feature with Older Girl Beauty.
7. Interesting and appropriate article from National Post: The psychology of buying a home: why do we love one place and not another? I can tell you, like, 832 reasons why I wanted to buy another house… but we got this one.

My 30-something Singles: Create a Match.com Summer Singles Event and Win

- Mel

match stir party contest

Online Dating for 30-somethings is something else… am I right, or am I right? While I’m not in the dating pool, I’ve BEEN THERE. I’ve also heard the stories — oh, SO many stories — about online dating. True story though: I know two couples (who have openly admitted to it anyways) that met and live, now, happily ever after because of internet dating sites. So, it’s not all catfish.

But are you ready for something different? Stir is Match.com’s answer to online dating. 30-somethings (among others) can meet potential suitors by participating in a wide range of offline dating activities to Match.com — members around the country come together for unique events ranging from large-scale happy hours to more intimate affairs.

Match.com Stir is celebrating its one-year anniversary! In just one year, Match has hosted 2,850 events and collaborated with over 1,200 venues and partners, including House of Blues, Banana Republic, Sur la Table and Warrior Dash. They also play well with the local gems in each city (Pittsburgh too!). Over 225,000 singles have attended Stir Singles Events to date! That sounds like a lot of happy daters.

In celebration of the anniversary, Match.com is offering the opportunity for singles to create their own Stir event. If your event is chosen, you get to work with Stir event planners to bring that idea to life.

Visit Match.com’s “What Stirs You?” Contest Page now through Tuesday May 28th, 2013 — and tell Match.com what you think would make for the perfect singles event. That’s all you need to do to be entered to win. Entries will be judged based on quality, creativity, uniqueness and geographical relevance. The selected winner will have their idea recreated by the Events by Match.com team in their city and will receive an invitation to attend the event along with ten of their singles friends (no charge!). Bonus: the winner will also receive a free six-month Match.com subscription.

So, tell me 30-somethings: What Stirs you?

Disclaimer: I received compensation for publishing this post about Match.com and Stir events. All opinions are my own.

Wardrobe Therapy: Date Night Summer Blues

- Mel

The boyfriend and I love to try new restaurants. So when we have date night — or in last night’s case, a double date night — we try to cross off a place to which we’ve never been. Our stomachs took us to Cioppino, a quaint Strip District eatery, hidden over in a small plaza by the Cork Factory apartments (on the back side of the now-closed Right by Nature grocery). If you love shellfish and pastas, it’s a must go. Not my favorite Pittsburgh restaurant by any means, but you will definitely leave full and happy.

I don’t get dressed up too often, but once I decided that this teal number would be the main piece for the evening, matching up accessories was a breeze. I love the fit and the studded-and-wrapped details at the waist — gives me a lot more “shape” in my upper torso area. The hemline is short, but so am I — and I love my legs, so I’m totally comfortable in it (even if I had to do a quick dry shave before leaving the apartment).

Also, I always get cold at restaurants (is that an “old” thing because it’s totally the opposite of my night sweats when I’m sleeping), so I decided to pair this fun, boxy jacket with my outfit. You probably can’t see it in these photos, but I added a small accent braid in my hair to keep it off my face. 

Dress: Dillard’s brand (I swear, I thought this was always an XOXO dress for some reason)
Jacket: Miss Me (awesome hand-me-down from my cousin)
Wedges: Colin Stuart for Victoria’s Secret
Necklace: DIY! (more on that in a future post)
Earrings: Zara Terez “Rockefeller” collection, gift from Spoil Me Fashion