Million Dollar Quartet

This past Sunday my gram and I went to the Benedum Center in downtown Pittsburgh to see "Million Dollar Quartet." It was different from many other Broadway shows I've seen... only 1 hour and 40 minutes, no intermission, and only one set change. But wow was it amazing. Over a week later and my gram is still talking about it! For those of you who don't know, Million Dollare Quartet is the story of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis and their legendary recording session with Sam Phillips at Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. These four men were the real deal. We couldn't stop smiling and singing the entire show. If you have the chance I definitely recommend you go see it! I promise you will not be disappointed. 

I snapped some pictures of the Benedum Center. It is one of my favorite places in the city mostly for its beauty and character. I also broke the rules & tried to take a picture at the end of the show. It didn't turn out too well, but its of all four singers singing during the finale.

New Hobby

I'm really excited about my new hobby. I've been wanting to find something new that is inexpensive and I enjoy doing, and yesterday I did just that. I've been doing some research online and got some pretty great inspiration for homemade jewelry making. I can't wait to share some photos with you. I made three necklaces and a bracelet so far, each costing be between $2-5! There are a few local craft shows coming up and I'm really considering getting a booth to sell some of this stuff! Hey, who couldn't use some extra money, right? 

Here is a sneak peek:

Trying Something Out..

Some of you may already know, but I tried out the whole vegetarian thing while I was on the road last year. I started in July 2010 and caved in around August 2011. I was just completely over it--until now. I started to realize that I definitely feel different now that I'm back to eating meat, especially the red meat. So I've decided to cut ALL meat out of my diet until at least Christmas, if not longer. I'm going to really watch and listen to my body, the different things it does, how it feels and try to figure out what it is telling me. I'm actually very excited about this. Of course my grandma's think I'm absolutely nuts. I remember going to dinner at my Gramma G's house one night last year and she still insisted on serving me a plate with the meat portion on it--even though she knew I wouldn't eat it. 

So. This decision also meant going grocery shopping for some fun veggie-lovers food. I bought hummus, tons of veggies, yogurt, fruit, cheese and some other goodies. Here is my lunch tomorrow:

Veggies, roasted red pepper hummus and pears!

Any vegatarian readers out there? If you have any great recipies--I'd love if you would share! I'm always looking for new meals... especially tasty ones that my family would enjoy!

We Learned More From A 3-Minute Record, Than We Ever Learned In School

For music lovers, there is no truer statement. This line comes from "No Surrender" by none other than the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen. 

And guess what, I will be seeing that beautiful American man tomorrow night! I know, I can't believe it. Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers are performing for two nights at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Museum & Hall here in Pittsburgh. If you've never heard of Joe Grushecky I suggest you check him out. He is longtime friends with Springsteen and invited him to this once-in-a-lifetime performance. S&S is a small venue, a beautiful auditorium located in one of the countries best military museums. I'm telling you, there is not a bad seat in the house.

So tomorrow night I will be crossing off an artist off "the list" and seeing the one and only Bruce Springsteen. Stay tuned for more stories and hopefully pictures!

Tune Tuesday

Enjoy some Amos Lee "Flower" on this foggy morning!

Willow

A few weeks ago four of my best girlfriends and I went to try out a restaurant north of Pittsburgh (we are from the east, and if you know Pittsburgh, you know that people rarely venture to a different side of the city). The restaurant, Willow, was absolutely delicious. I've been there once before for my cousin's baby shower, so I knew the brunch menu was great and just assumed the dinner was too!

All five of us got something different and we all thought our food was some of the best we've ever had. I ordered a spinach, beet and goat cheese salad--pretty much if this is on the menu anywhere I go, it's a given I'm going to order it, and cranberry chicken with mashed potatoes. OH-MY-GOSH was I in heaven. We were celebrating Chelsea's birthday, so she got a free dessert--some sort of chocolate cake, and like our dinner, it was to die for.

Even though Willow is a bit of a drive for us, we definitely plan on going back! I suggest you check it out too!

The Birthday girl, Chelsea.

Welcome to My Other World

...my other world being my work world. So yes, this isn't the most exciting part of my life, but it's the money-makin' part. I am very lucky to have a full-time job at 23--so I can't complain much. It's not my "dream job," but hey, it's a start. I've always enjoyed working in government, and I truly believe that everyone should be required in a civil service position during their lifetime, preferably the beginning. It really opens your eyes to the different kind of people out there. Every day I spend all 8 1/2 hours on the job serving and helping others--and let me tell you, sometimes it's not pretty. People are very opinionated when it comes to issues like  healthcare, taxes, courts, etc.   But I certainly learn a lot, and at times it can be very rewarding. 

My average day I wake up at 6 a.m., leave by 7 and get to work by 8 a.m. I work until 5 p.m. and get home usually a little before 6 p.m. So, all and all I feel like I work a 12-hour day. Being so, I think it's important to make your space at work a little homey. You don't want to go to work and stare at a blank wall all day, well at least I don't. My "cube" is still a work in progress, but I thought I'd share some pictures of my holiday decorations and pictures!

Notice my little turkey decoration--I get so many compliments on that! I have pictures of Chloe, of course, my little cousin Richie, ZTA things, Clarion magnets and penants, thank you cards, Pittsburgh signs, a Beatles poster and some inspirational words. It's not much but I can always find something to look at that makes me smile, and that's what counts! Do you decorate your space at work? I still want to get some more things, so I'll be sure to update!