If I Become A Hipster, Blame My Brother: 2014 Edition

This is what you wear when you wake up at 8am to go buy records.

Little bit chilly while waiting outside of Graham's before it opened!

Inside Graham's - great crowd!

As some of you may or may not know, Saturday was Record Store Day. And although my brother, Eric, and I are currently living near Erie and not the vinyl-loving city of Pittsburgh, we knew we had to still celebrate.

Eric looked up where to find some goods and we took an early morning trip into Erie. This year we were serious, too. We printed out the list of all the exclusive releases, highlighted the ones we wanted and hoped for the best. We went to a family owned place, Graham's Records, first (supporting the local economy is what it's all about, right?), and found a couple things we wanted and then headed to The Exchange in Erie on the way home. Although we both brought home a lot less than last year, it was a good experience for our first time doing Record Store Day outside of Pittsburgh. Graham's had a ton of old stuff that I would love to browse through again soon, like on a day where we're not looking for specific things, and The Exchange had some great new things and surprisingly still had a good bit of Record Store Day exclusives by the time we got there around noon. Although, if you know of any other places around Erie, please let us know! We're always up for exploring music stores and local businesses.

I also realized this weekend that Eric and I have four record players, we each have two. He has an awesome turntable that is in perfect condition from a rummage sale and one from our dad. And I have a cute little green portable one that Eric got for me at that rummage sale and the one I "inherited" from our grandma...aka, the one I stole from our aunt's house during Christmas time because she wasn't using it and said I could take it. Hipsters.

Pretty Presents: Small Business Holiday Catalog

1. & 5. Tidal Cool Creations | 2. Vienna Victoria | 3. White Haute Fashions | 4. Cutie Pitutie Bath & Body

So whether you're a very last minute shopper or just ready to look for something for yourself as a treat for getting through the holiday rush, Pretty Living has you covered. With their holiday gift guide, Pretty Presents, you're sure to find something that satisfies your need to shop. And every item included in the guide is from a local small business, which is really a present to this community as well, since your purchases will help those little guys grow and thrive in Pittsburgh, and you can shop easily from home! Win-Win-Win.

Above I've selected just a few of my favorite pieces from the catalog in hopes that you will browse through it for yourself and support these great businesses! The catalog includes items for men and women, so you're sure to find something great for yourself or a friend. 

Wishing you a very happy holiday and happy shopping!

Catalog | Order Form

This is a partnered post, but all opinions are my own.

Fashion Forward Fridays: ecoChic Resale Boutique

Hey everyone! Today I am really excited to bring you an interview from owner Terry Chesky and an inside look of her fabulous resale boutique, ecoChic. This wonderful boutique is located at 401 Home Drive, in front of the Best Buy and Home Depot in Robinson, and hopefully this post encourages you to take a trip there soon! In Terry's interview for Fashion Forward Fridays she explains how ecoChic came to be, how you can become a consignment partner, and how this store is helping transform the fashion scene in Pittsburgh! You guys know that I am all about saving money and still wearing great clothes, thrift shopping is my favorite hobby so you know that I am all about helping out a locally owned consignment shop. Plus, Terry is a great woman who seems really interested in meeting the needs of her shoppers, how could you not want that kind of loyalty to you as the customer while shopping? 

Outside ecoChic in Robinson - all photos provided by Terry.

How did ecoChic get started? My mom and I had been in the consignment business for almost 20 years when we opened ecoChic resale boutique in 2010. We loved second-hand ANYTHING.... antiques, thrift stores, flea markets, and consignment shops. Our first shop, Consignment Cottage, located in Moon Township, is a great store, but off the beaten path. We opened ecoChic with the idea of creating a smaller, boutique resale experience in the heart of the busy Robinson shopping area. We hoped that it would appeal to a greater audience by being in one of the busiest shopping communities.... and it has! 

Cutie Pitutie Bath & Body: Review & Giveaway!

Hey, everyone! Sorry for the unannounced blogging break, I honestly didn't plan it but once I went a week without blogging, I felt the need to hold off on it for another week. But I'm back! I'll admit that it was nice to not feel the need to come up with topics or write everyday, but to be really honest, each day that passed without me blogging, I felt like I was missing something. This is certainly a little space that I am passionate about and I hope that comes across the screen to each of you too!

Body Frosting and Shea Lip Butter by Cutie Pitutie

Moving on...to make up for my break, today I'm introducing you to a great local business that is my current obsession. Cutie Pitutie Bath & Body is a fabulous small business. They are located in Charleroi, Pa (about an hour south of Pittsburgh) which is such a quaint little town, near where MJ grew up, so it holds a special little place in my heart. But why this company is being raved about today is because of the woman behind it all.

Tina, a mother of seven, started this business with a friend back in 2006, and although the friend is no longer her business partner, because of her determination and desire to create more natural skin care products, Cutie Pitutie lives on. Since some of her kids have sensitive skin, she knew how important it was to make natural products that could work for everyone. But that's not even the best part about her and Cutie Pitutie, Tina is selfless in giving to others and a portion of every product sold goes to a different charity each month.

I suggest that you look into her products, I know first hand that the Hand & Body cream will leave your skin feeling the softest it has been in a long time. It's so rich and creamy and smells amazing! So here's your chance to (literally) get your hands on some Cutie Pitutie goodies. Good Luck!

This is a sponsored post, but all opinions, as always, are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fashion Forward Fridays: Broke Little Rich Girl

Remember last week's Fashion Forward Fridays when I said I had something else planned but I couldn't make it happen just yet? Well, fear no more, Pittsburgh fashionistas, this week's feature is worth your wait. A couple weeks ago, Samantha, owner and creator of Broke Little Rich Girl, reached out to me to team up to bring you this post and I was instantly excited about this. BLRG is a new Pittsburgh boutique...on wheels.

That's right. Sam and some friends got an old box truck and transformed that sucker into Pittsburgh's newest boutique. (Is your jaw on the ground, because mine was.) I love, love, love this idea and I really see it working out well since Pittsburgh has really been heading in the "mobile is best" direction recently. Check out my interview with Sam and definitely be sure to check out BLRG's GRAND OPENING, tomorrow in the Strip District! (Specifically 23rd Street between Smallman and Penn.)

Before & after of the truck! All photos provided by Sam.

Tell us a general overview of Broke Little Rich Girl.
Broke Little Rich Girl is a mobile boutique that brings trendy, classic, with a touch of vintage inspired clothing and accessories to the women of Pittsburgh at affordable prices. The BLRG truck carries a unique assortment of products in a unique boutique setting.

Pittsburgh is a very mobile city and already has a lot of food vendors in similar trucks, is this how you came up with the idea of a boutique on wheels, or did your inspiration come from somewhere else? 
I have actually always wanted to open a boutique, but the idea of waiting around for customers didn't feel right to me. One day when I was visiting NYC I was at a fair and saw this fashion truck and when I walked in I just knew that I HAD to bring this to Pittsburgh. I have always loved the food trucks. What they're doing, especially here in Pittsburgh, is so innovative so they are also an inspiration. I hope to partner with them in the future to do events together because everybody loves to eat and shop!

If I become a hipster, blame my brother.

On Saturday, bright and early, I joined my brother, Eric, for Record Store Day. We bopped all around the city to Dave's Music Mine in the South Side, Eide's in The Strip District, and Sound Cat Records in Bloomfield, to get some totally sweet deals on some exclusive music on that lovely old vinyl.

Record Store Day is a nation-wide day to encourage people to get out and support stand-alone record stores and really to promote local business. Eric, who has always been my music guru, recently has been bit by the vinyl loving bug and is using our dad's old record player. But I have just started to become more interested in the possibility of getting a record player, so I tagged along to start my collection. Guess I need a record player now!

While I have been to Dave's before, Eide's and Sound Cat were new to me and I was actually surprised at their large quantities of music on vinyl and CD. Record Store Day is not just for buying vinyl, you know. Here's a look at the goods Eric and I purchased, at got fo freee! Have a great (Music) Monday, everyone!

Brother Instagramed me while I looked for some goods in Sound Cat Records.

Me & Eric with our finds and free stuff! (I'm so happy, I found Amy Winehouse on HOT PINK vinyl.)

Fashion Forward Fridays: Pavement!

It's been awhile since talking to you guys about a local boutique, so on this rainy day where no one (including myself) was looking cute during my walk around downtown, here you have it. Pavement. I have been swooning over this store for about three-ish years now. I first laid eyes on it while I was walking around Lawrenceville hanging up fliers for an internship and have loved it ever since. You cannot let me walk by a place with shoes in the window and not think I'm going to fall in love.

All photos from the Pavement Facebook page.

Pittsburgh Gift Guide: For Her

Well you last minute shoppers, I have your solution. If you are right here in Pittsburgh, there are plenty of shops and stores you can easily pop in to and grab some last minute items, or that you can order from them online. So in the spirit of encouraging you to buy local, today I am featuring gift guides that you are welcome to use for your girlfriend, sister or mom and tomorrow I will feature gift guides for your boyfriend, brother or dad. And all of these items are found at shops located right here in Pittsburgh. I tried to stay away from the big name stores that are in town too so you can get a perfect and unique gift for the last people you need to check off your lists. And those of you who think you'll be able to figure out what you're getting from me by looking at these lists, think again! This year I did an ALL handmade Christmas, so nothing here is something you will unwrap. Good try though! And for these Pittsburgh gift guides, as it should be always...ladies first...

For your girlfriend...

#1 Chandelier Earrings from Jupe Boutique | #2 Tickets for two for an upcoming show at the Benedum  

#3 Leather Jacket from Figleaf | #4 Lips Mug from Andy Warhol Museum 

#5 Emerald Green, One Shoulder Dress from ModCloth   

 #6 LOVE Typewriter Necklace from Boutique 208 by juNxtaposition

For your sister...

 #1 Marilyn Monroe from Andy Warhol Museum | #2 Pittsburgh Painting Poster by Johno's Art Studio

#3 Peacock iPhone Cover from ModCloth | #4 Pittsburgh Neighborhood T-Shirt from Neighborhood Teaze

#5 Ugg Slippers from Littles Shoes

For your mama...

 #1 Laser Cutout Handbag from Serendipity | #2 Woodcut Painting from Tugboat Printshop

#3 Unique Necklace from Boutique la Passerelle | #4 Candle from Pittsburgh Candle Company

#5 Spa Giftcard from any Pittsburgh-based Spa

Happy Shopping! Hopefully this little guide - and tomorrow's guide for the men on your list - will help you pick the perfect gifts from some of the great shops we have right here in Pittsburgh!