Go Red for Women Pittsburgh

If you're from Pittsburgh, I can't stress enough how awesome this event is. I'm a volunteer for the Go Red for Women campaign with my main focus on this fashion show. We had such a great turnout last year--audience members, models, vendors, silent auction baskets, it was all perfect! This year will be no different. So, mark your calendars for November 14 and get ready to donate and support an important cause! Plus it's fun and you get to see great fashion from Macy's on models who have all been affected by heart disease or a healthy lifestyle change! For more info, email me or call the number listed!

The Rachael Ray Show

I had the awesome experience of going to the Rachael Ray Show two weekends ago! I've been going back and forth with this post for this reason:  Rachael.

The audience was small and we were part of the taping of the new season--this means we were one of the first audiences to see her new set! Which is awesome by the way. But, because of the small audience, and probably the fact that we were front and center, we really got to see and hear Rachael. Everyone knows about Rachael Ray, happy, smiling all the time, scratchy voice, and not built like a supermodel. Well, two our of four ain't bad. I guess you could say she was smiling all the time on air--behind the scenes was a different story. I went with my friend Kaitlyn and two other girls, and we were all completely surprised with her attitude. I'm sure her life can get stressful, but come on, you're Rachael Ray! I'll never forget the poor young man who was very clearly in a low-level job--she had no patience, raised her voice and was down right rude to this poor boy. 

Like seriously, Rach--you're devoted fans are here watching you and you're constantly disappointing them with the bad attitude towards your staff. I just don't get people like that. Anywho, we got to see some fun recipes, fall fashion modeled on audience members, and celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson. He had the cutest outfit on and was so happy to be there. Regardless of Rach's tude problem, we still had an awesome time! And I'm very thankful for my great friend to think of taking me with her : )

Here we are--same row as Rachael, I'm second to the right (blue dress, long blonde hair). And of course, we spent the day in New York City.

Before the show!

A little bit of Pittsburgh love to our host.

Her studio is right by FIT.

West Village

Unreal.

Vinyl.

What's Happening.

I've been all over the place lately. Summer is almost over, so that means two more weekends of work! Can I get a Hallelujah. I never thought I'd actually wait for the day that summer is over. I've always love fall the best, but who really wishes for summer to end?! Even with all the events, I've managed to clear some time for life--fun, family and friends. Here's whats been going on via my iPhone:

1. Day at the zoo. The lions were non-stop fighting and roaring!
2. With my favorite animal, the polar bear!
3. A beautiful couple on their wedding day.
4. With my precious baby cousin, Caden.
5. Night out at the Pirate game.

Tea.

Yum.

I've been pretty proud of the meals and appetizers I've been making--many are thanks to Pinterest, of course, and some are remakes of delicious meals I've had at restaurants. But one thing they've all been--is so super easy to make! Here are a few of my favorites:

Caprese Bites

What:
1 package baby tomatoes         Salt
Fresh basil                                   Pepper
Fresh mozzarella                      Olive Oil

How:
Cut the tomatoes in half, pull apart the basil into small pieces, and cube the mozzarella. Put each piece together on a skewer or tooth pick. Lay on the tray and sprinkle the salt and pepper then drizzle with olive oil! I also had a little side of good balsamic to dip!

Cucumber Crab Bites

What:
2 long cucumbers                Salt
3/4 cup crab                           Pepper
1/4 cup sour cream              2 tsp Sriracha sauce (or more if you like heat)
1/4 cup cream cheese          Paprika

How:

Peel and slice the cucumbers to about half an inch circles. Shred the crab--I didn't shred it too much because I wanted to taste the chunks of crab. Mix the cream cheese, sour cream, Sriracha, salt, pepper and crab. With a spoon, scoop out the seeds of the cucumbers. Place a spoonful of the crab mix right on top. I sprinkled the paprika right on top and added some extra crab!

Bang Bang Shrimp (Bonefish Grille)

What:
1/2 pound shrimp (or more depending on how many you're feeding)
1 cup Panko bread crumbs                   1 egg                                 4 tsp Sriracha sauce
1 cup flour                                               1/2 cup milk                      Salt/Pepper
1 tsp garlic powder                               3/4 cup mayonaise            2 tsp sugar

How:

Mix the mayo, Sriracha, salt, pepper, and sugar together and set aside. Mix the egg and milk in one bowl, and the Panko, flour, garlic powder in another. Make sure your shrimp and clean and de-vained and have the tails cut off. Dip the shrimp in the flour mix, then the egg, then back in the flour. Let them sit on a plate in the fridge for about 10 minutes. Heat up your oil. Each shrimp only takes about 2 minutes to cook. Lay them back onto a plate with a paper towel. While they're warm, toss them in the bowl with your sauce to completely coat. Garnish with green onions!

Lancaster

A couple weeks ago I spent the weekend in the land of the Amish--Lancaster, PA. I was surrounded by farms, horse and buggies, lots of fresh veggies, and the towns of "Bird-In-Hand" and "Intercourse." Ok, it's also the land of my best friend, Kaitlyn.

I got to spend a few days with her which is always nice since we really don't see each other enough. One of my favorite bands, Dawes, performed Sunday night at a free concert series at Long's Park. They were amazing as always, and the venue was beautiful.

Monday was spent doing the typical touristy things in Lancaster. I've been there many times before, however never really stopped in any of the towns or villages. We had lunch at the most amazing little place, the Tomato Pie Cafe. Let me tell you--if you're ever in Lancaster or even near there you have to go to this place. We had the most delicious roasted red hummus platter, then I had the beet and goat cheese salad and Kate had a sweet potato and mascarpone sandwich. We spent the rest of the day visiting the old Wilbur Chocolate factory, the Jam & Relish Kitchen, a little petting zoo and many other shops and restaurants.

It really was a perfect little weekend.

Dawes.

Tomato Pie Cafe

This little guy was too cute.