Fashion Forward Fridays: BLRG Gets Some Roots

You guys! I'm so excited about today's Fashion Forward Fridays post because Sam, from Broke Little Rich Girl, and I have been planning and talking about it all summer and now we've finally brought it together. I am such a proud little friend for Sam and her business that I cannot even wait to see the new addition in person the next time I'm back home.

If you remember a while back, Sam and her BLRG truck were featured on Fashion Forward Fridays and she's been on the rise ever since. Here's an updated interview with her about her next step with her fabulous business.

How did the idea for BLRG gaining a brick and mortar store come about? Was it always a part of the plan?
The original plan was to franchise my truck and I'm still open to that, however the store came about because my customers were always asking if I have a spot where I am most of the time so they can find me more easily to shop. I realized that women weren't just stopping by the truck to shop once in a while - they actually wanted to shop quite often and check out my new styles. I was also turning over inventory in my truck very quickly, which is a great thing, but women wanted new things and more of it so I opened a store! Now I'll have more of what women have come to know and love of Broke Little Rich Girl with even more size options, which was another request I get a lot. 

How does the truck play into this new role for BLRG? Will it still be traveling? 
The truck will absolutely still be out and about! I actually have events already scheduled for the truck after my grand opening day. The truck will continue to do home parties which is something a lot of people don't even realize I offer. I bring the truck to you with wine or cupcakes and the host gets 10% off their purchase at no charge. I have a few scheduled for the Fall. 

Do you see more trucks or buildings in the future of BLRG...or both!?
I would love to franchise the truck in the future and if I ever get to the point where I could open another store I would definitely do it. If the opportunity fits my brand and business and helps me achieve what I'm trying to accomplish then I'll always be open. 

What can we expect from the store that is different than the truck experience?
The style is still the same - very trendy, contemporary styles at an affordable price. That's the base of what my customers love about BLRG so that won't change. I will however have more pieces to share, more size options for my curvy Broke Little Rich Girl's, and the space is just awesome. Its of course filled with pink, black, and white fixtures, but its also very inviting and allows for a great and still intimate shopping experience - similar to the truck. The store will just be at one location at all times so everyone can always find me on 3816 Butler Street! 

So if you're in the Pittsburgh area, be sure to check out Broke Little Rich Girl!

This is a partnered post, I was not compensated and all opinions are my own.

I just happen to love Sam's business and stand behind her and BLRG 100%

Bob Your Head & Smile with Donora

All photos property of Donora.

About a month ago, my brother and I were planning on going to Brillobox in Lawrenceville to see one of our favorite local bands, Donora. Naturally, I planned that I would be able to get two blog posts out of the deal, one about my first experience in Brillobox and one about a local band I love. We got there an hour and a half early, knowing that the venue is smaller than most and that they were going to have to push people away. We just didn't expect to be those people. The Donora show was sold out almost two hours before they started and we were headed out of the city to an Eat 'n Park.


Now, why do you need to know this little anecdote about Donora instead of me just diving in to tell you all about them and their new EP? Because for the longest time, I could count the number of people who know who Donora is on one hand, and two of those fingers included myself and my brother. Now, one of their songs is in a Nationwide commercial and they are selling out shows around the city, and you need to know about them before they get too big to mention on this little blog that encourages its readers to go to things and listen to bands before they become too famous to mention. So, here I am, mentioning them and spilling out my love for them, to you my readers, whom I also love, before they become too big to mention. That totally made sense right?

You cannot help but love them - just by looking at them - just wait until you listen to them!

Donora currently has two CD's out and about floating around, being awesome. Their first, a self-titled work of art and the second, "Boyfriends, Girlfriends" which is also amazing. Now, they have this EP called "Play Nice" which is swoon-worthy. My favorite song on it is "Float Away" which, like all of my favorites of theirs make me, 1) Want to dance, 2) Just "smile I can't help it," 3) Randomly quote their lyrics, 4) Bob along with the beat in the car, and 5) Blog about them.


I don't know how to describe Donora without just saying that their lyrics will instantly make you smile and are easy enough for you to learn right away to sing along with and that they have the most infectious beats and floating melodies. You want to listen to them. You want to love them. You will be happier because you did. Yes, that was me doing hypnosis through the Internet. Trust me, they will bring an instant smile to your face and a total What is Love/Night at the Roxbury moment to you, and come on, who doesn't want another reason to do that...in double time? Listen to them here and follow them here.

Bowling & Birthdays

.

Saturday night, MJ and I joined my friend Jodi and a group of her friends to celebrate her 24th birthday with some bowling at Arsenal Lanes at 44th and Butler Street in Lawrenceville. If you're from the area, you've probably seen their television commercials that say they are "Where old school bowling vibe meets night club atmosphere." (As said by the New York Times.) Which is exactly what it felt like.

Remember a while back when I said I was a terrible bowler? Yeah, well, that's still true, but Arsenal Lanes is a great atmosphere to show off my awful talent. Or your great bowling skills, whichever. The lanes and decor are super old school and awesome. Vintage even. You can see the ball the whole time when it's on it's way back to you and there is carpeting on the walls. They have specials every day. The Smiths play through the speakers and since it's a bar, no obnoxious teenagers are running around and the drinks are cheap. Can you get any better than that in a bowling alley? I think not. Make a trip there soon - you'll be sure to have a great time, even if your bowling ability is sub par, like mine.

Also, wish Jodi a happy (belated) birthday in the comments if you so desire!

Proof that I was beating MJ for a hot second.

Left: some fun pin-up girl bowling pins on the wall. | Right: The birthday girl and me!

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.

Fashion Forward Fridays: Meet AJ!

Hi friends! Coming off of Fashion Week I have to say that I have a new energy for Fashion Forward Fridays, you are to thank for that. I'm glad you guys enjoy this "segment" of my blog so much and I'm going to try harder at finding fashionista/o's - I mean, it's spring now so this will become easier to do again!

Today I thought we could use a dose of testosterone up in hurr. It's been a while since I featured a fashionisto - so here's a cute one for you. His name is AJ, he's a senior at Point Park and we have matching backpacks, so clearly, he's legit.

Our backpacks, compliments of H&M. Can you guess who has which color drawstring?

AJ, who likes to shop at American Eagle, H&M, J.Crew and the Gap, said that he would consider his style casual, preppy-trendy. Actually, after he listed all his shopping destinations to me, he said, "Oh, geez, I sound like a total prep," and followed that up with, "but that's what I am!" And flashed his killer smile. (So cute.)

He said he likes to keep up with what is on trend at the moment...budget permitting. He said that GQ is his place to go for inspiration and likes to dress like the models, if his student limits allow him. And for men, or women, looking to amp up their style, AJ said to turn to the magazines, like he does, for some ideas. "GQ for guys and Marie Claire for women are great resources to see what the "experts" say you should be wearing," he said. But AJ also insists that no matter what is in style this season, you have to wear the clothes, not let them wear you, and that no matter what you're wearing, you have to be comfortable and that way you'll be confident in whatever you have on that day.

As for AJ's favorite magazine, GQ, calling Pittsburgh the third-worst-dressed city in America, he said that he does not agree with them. He said, "I cannot speak for Pittsburgh as a whole, but here in downtown, with all the business people and large student population, this is an area that has a lot of fashion sense." He also said that he thinks that fashion sense definitely stretches to Lawrenceville and Shadyside and some other places around the city where he's been. But quickly added, "if GQ came here on a game day, then shit no, nothing but black and gold."

Hard to pretend you're not "preppy" while wearing Sperry's.

Don't you love a guy who is cute and funny!? (I'm trying to help a brother get a date here if you couldn't tell lol) Anyway, hope all of you have a great weekend! Enjoy the sunshine today, Pittsburgh and keep it fashionable!

Living Pretty in the City

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

 

As you have probably figured out, I am in love with Pittsburgh. More so now that I live here too. I am living the dream here, although that is probably the most cheesy statement I have ever made. So when I was approached to talk about why people should follow the trend and move to Pittsburgh, I was more than happy to say yes.

Personally, I am living downtown, which is right for me at this time, but I know not right for everyone. But that's the great thing about Pittsburgh, each one of the many neighborhoods has it's own style and vibe to it, so anywhere here can easily become home for you. A way to find out which one would fit you best would be to visit, talk to the locals and actually spend the day in the neighborhood but I understand if you don't have that kind of time. An easy way to find out where you might fit best is through Pittsburgh City Living, and their Neighborhood Match. For me it was very accurate, and listed downtown, South Side and Lawrenceville as places where I would probably be the most interested in living. Spot on. Those are the three areas I am looking at for my next apartment and that is based on really knowing the areas, so if you're thinking of moving here, the match can be helpful.

See this infographic larger, in detail at Heartland Homes.

Although the suburb areas around Pittsburgh have a consistent growth, more people have been coming to live in the city as well. WQED recently aired a special about how growth in the city has been going. This interest in moving to the city is focused on young adults ages 20-29 who are coming to Pittsburgh for proximity to work, livability, and entertainment. For me, those are all the top reasons as well. Proximity to work and school was the reason I moved downtown after deciding on going to Point Park for my master's degree. It is convenient to be able to walk to work, school, shops and restaurants. Just imagine what it's like to not have to worry about parking or traffic. Sigh. So wonderful.

Entertainment is obvious in this city, whether you're a sports fan, music or history buff, theater lover, club hopper, outdoor adventurer, shopaholic...the list goes on, you will not tire of what this city has to offer. And as for livability has become known as the cost of living, variety of living and cultural opportunities and crime rate, and Pittsburgh has been rated the 2nd most livable city in the United States (30th in the world) for a few years running. (That's a big deal, you should live here!)

And I know some of you Debbie-Downers might be saying that this is all nice but that Pittsburgh comes with a high price tag. Well, Debbie's, any place this fabulous should, but Pittsburgh is actually below average in price. The average Pittsburgh home is $162,000 which is below the national average of $264,540 and apartments average at about $789 per month as opposed to the average of $1,087 elsewhere. (And for the record, I have seen great places for far less than that average too.)

But trust me, wherever you live in this city, the experience of living in the "no longer sleepy steel city" will be more than worth what you pay for it. This place is an experience in itself, live here and you'll understand what you've been missing out on and what you can look forward to. This is an exciting time to be living in Pittsburgh. The city is going through a beautiful Renaissance and I, like many other locals encourage you to join in on what we already know. Pittsburgh is the place to be.