Blossoming Women Conference: Coming in April to Pittsburgh

I am excited to share with you ladies today about an opportunity coming to Pittsburgh that is sure to benefit some of us, the Blossoming Women Conference! On April 18th, the conference will take place at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott Hotel in Coraopolis, Pa. The Blossoming Women Conference is hosted by LaTersa Blakely, an author, speaker and life coach for women and at risk girls. While LaTersa is the main contact person for this event, as well as one of the speakers, she will join three other women, Michelle Gill Newton, Tamara C. Gooch, and Leslie Reichert, in the hopes of helping to empower professional women, entrepreneurial women and mothers to realize their potential and know that they are enough to turn that potential into a positive career move.

I Am Enough is the theme for this event which plans to promote the skills needed to balance work and family life, the tools needed to grow as an entrepreneur, and live a more healthy lifestyle all around. This seems like a lot to take on, but based on the histories of the four women speakers it sounds like this is shaping up to be an exciting and transforming event. There will also be a vendors area where attendees can browse for inspirational books and CD's, and snag some relaxing goodies for themselves.  For more information, to read up on the speakers backgrounds, and to see what all is in store for the Blossoming Women's Conference, feel free to browse the event's website.

If you're already sold on this Conference and ready to go, follow along with the ladies on Twitter with #IAMENOUGH2014 and sign up by registering online with the link below. As a Chels & the City reader, you will be given a special discount offer for the conference with the code latersa at checkout. Hoping that this is a beneficial event for the women of Pittsburgh and to see some of you there!

Blossoming Women Conference | Registration | Volunteer | Sponsor | Vendors

Discount code: latersa

This is a partnered post, I was contacted to promote this event, but all opinions are my own.

Fashion Forward Fridays: CMU Lunar Gala 2014

All photos property of Lunar Gala | LG Website | Executive Producers | Some of the 2014 Models

Lunar Gala is a student-run organization at Carnegie Mellon University devoted to promoting fashion talent and innovation throughout the campus community. Each February Lunar Gala produces a fashion show that showcases students; work in fashion, dance, and modeling. In addition, the show brings together the incredible talent of CMU designers, programmers, artists, and technicians to create what is truly the year's most exciting campus event. Lunar Gala shines as the example of the innovative and interdisciplinary teamwork that can only come out of CMU. This year's Lunar Gala, entitled HYPNOSE will incorporate kaleidoscopic videos, a Red Bull unusual materials competition, and wearable technology. HYPNOSE is scheduled for Saturday, February 15, starting promptly at 8p.m. in Wiegand Gym. This event will showcase the young talent of Pittsburgh and is sure to be something that you do not want to miss!

Tickets | Facebook | Twitter | Website | Blog

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

La Nuit Noire: A ball dedicated to shedding light on suicide

"We have galas, fashion shows, and fundraisers for cancer, heart disease and a million other things. It's time for an elegant event to be held to stop suicide. This is a cause that can be directly impacted just by spreading education and awareness."

The matter of suicide is delicate and difficult to discuss. Pretty Living PR co-owner Allyn Lewis, a suicide survivor, lost her father to suicide in 2008. After years of coping and dealing with pain and confusion, it has come time for Allyn to share her story. On November 20^th 2008, “I walked in the door, and five years later, I can still hear the words from mom stinging in my ears, ‘They found your dad,’” Allyn shares, “People say that it gets better as time goes on when you lose someone, but when you lose someone to suicide, it does not work that way.”

And so, La Nuit Noire (the dark night) was born. It is with this debut event that Allyn hopes to provide support to those currently suffering from the loss that suicide creates, and to provide the public with the drive to spread resources and education for suicide prevention. The first annual La Nuit Noire Ball will be held to inspire fellow suicide survivors, pay tribute to the memory of the loved ones lost and raise awareness in their honor.

You're invited to attend the first annual La Nuit Noire Ball on January 25, 2014 at Cefalo’s in Carnegie PA, from 7-11p.m. and to join the effort in sharing Allyn’s story and suicide awareness with the public. Event features include the launch of Tidal Cool Couture with a fashion show presented and designed by Andrea Howell, live performances by Ambition, Shaun Novak, Kiersten Kelly and Danielle Barbe, along with local celebrity guests.

All proceeds to benefit The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide. 

Purchase Tickets | Donate | More Information

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

Fashion Forward Fridays: Fashion for Smiles

Hoping you all had a fantastic holiday and are enjoying some down-time now. While you're relaxing, please enjoy reading about this fabulous, up-and-coming non-profit, currently located in Pittsburgh called Fashion for Smiles, and how you can get involved with helping their mission! Here's an interview with the co-founders of Fashion for Smiles, Kyle van der Kemp and Kristen Tomkosky.

Tell us what Fashion for Smiles is all about.
Fashion for Smiles is a nonprofit (application pending) company that is changing children's lives through fashion. We've strategically aligned with two incredible charities, Operation Smile and Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. We are set to host various fashion related events throughout the year, which all leads up to the Pittsburgh Smile Gala in September 2014. We are also in the process of developing the Smile Fund at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, which is designed to help any family with a child suffering from a facial deformity, by completely covering the cost of surgery and other medical expenses.

Why did you create this non-profit & what motivated you to do so?
Kristen and I started Fashion for Smiles because of our love of children and passion for helping those in need. We both have a huge interest in fashion, which is what drove us to create an organization that combined fashion and philanthropy. ‎‎

Fashion Forward Fridays: ShoeDiva Boutique & SIP SHOP SHOES

Honestly, where have I been with blogging recently? This is a serious promise that I'll be back with it and I just need you guys to hold tight while I get some of my plans in motion to make Chels & the City better. In the meantime, I could not pass up the opportunity to bring you a short interview from shoe designer, Janelle Cutler, the owner of ShoeDIVA Boutique. If you know me, you know shoes are my #1 obsession. Next Sunday, November 24th, Janelle, and the fabulousness that is the ShoeDIVA collection, will be hitting Pittsburgh in an event called SIP. SHOP. SHOES. that you do not want to miss. Details of the event are below, but here's your Fashion Forward Fridays inside peek at what to expect from this unique collection!

How would you describe the Shoe Diva collection?
I describe ShoeDIVA's shoe collection as stylish and flashy. They stand out and draw let's of attention to the feet of our divas!

History Center & KDKA Hidden Treasures Event & Giveaway

Nearly 1,500 visitors will bring their most prized possessions to the Senator JohnHeinz History Center and meet with professional appraisers at the sixth annual Pittsburgh’s Hidden Treasures event with KDKA-TV on Sunday, Aug. 25, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m and at the end of this post, you have a chance to win TWO tickets to the event!

Nearly 40 appraisers, including experts from Christie's and the Smithsonian, the world's largest fine arts auction house, will assess the historical significance of visitors’ items and provide a verbal assessment of potential monetary value.

KDKA-TV's Dave Crawley, Kimberly Gill, and Mary Robb Jackson will roam the History Center seeking the most interesting items for interviews. The most unique items will be featured as part of special 30 minute programs on KDKA-TV later this year, hosted by KDKA’s Ken Rice and History Center President and CEO Andy Masich.

Appraisers at the Pittsburgh’s Hidden Treasures event have expert knowledge on a variety of antique items, including books, china, Civil War military, coins, collectibles, furniture, glass, jewelry, musical instruments, paintings, photographs, quilts, silver, sports memorabilia, toys, and much more.

In addition to appraisals, professional conservators at the Pittsburgh’s Hidden Treasures event will provide tips on how to preserve visitors’ items, including conservation expert Nora Lockshin from the Smithsonian Institution.

In conjunction with the History Center’s new Pennsylvania’s Civil War exhibition, several Civil War-themed re-enactors, including Clara Barton and Union Army soldiers from the 9^th Pennsylvania regiment, will roam the museum throughout the day and interact with visitors.

The Pittsburgh’s Hidden Treasures event is free for History Center members and included with regular admission for non-members: $15 for adults, $13 for seniors (age 62+), $6 for students and children (age 6-17), and free for children (age 5 and under). 

 

 

But here's your chance to win TWO tickets instead of purchasing them!

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

 

 

 

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Ending the Summer with Fun in Pittsburgh

Original photo from Knit the Bridge.

So the true purpose of this blog is to show that a lot is going on in Pittsburgh and that there really is something for everyone to enjoy. And this month of August is no exception. Here are so upcoming, and currently happening events that are going on that I am really looking forward to and hope that you get a chance to participate!

Style Week Pittsburgh - Now until Sunday, August 11th | Making it's official debut this week is Style Week Pittsburgh! With fashion-focused events everyday this weekend, you will not be disappointed as a fashion lover in the 'burgh. For all the information check out their calendar and visit Style & Steel for tickets to any of the fabulous events!

The Lt. Dan Band Benefit Concert for Cpl. Doug Vitale - Friday, August 9th | If you're local to the Pittsburgh region, I'm sure you've been hearing about Peters Township's own, Cpl. Doug Vitale, on the news recently. And all about his journey to Afghanistan, which led him to step on an IED, causing him to lose both legs below the knee and have a stroke in both sides of his brain. In the past week, we've heard about him meeting the Steelers and Pirates team members and on Friday, the Lt. Dan Band (yes Lt. Dan from Forrest Gump) with perform in his honor at Stage AE to benefit "Smart Home."

Pittsburgh Restaurant Week - Monday, August 12th until Sunday, August 18th | Can yinz spell YUM? Pittsburgh Restaurant Week begins on Monday for it's biannual "highlighting of fine dining, fresh harvests, outdoor seating and special diets." While the kickoff party is tonight (Thursday, August 8th) you can still enjoy other special events throughout the week as well as select from the the list of participating restaurants to enjoy great dining deals throughout the week! Bon Appetit!

Knit the Bridge - Monday, August 12th until Friday, September 6th | A grassroots, community-led art installation is currently in the works, thanks to multiple community groups and organizations to literally, knit the Andy Warhol Bridge. As you're reading this, people all over the city are creating fiber arts to later be set appropriately on the bridge to celebrate Pittsburgh as a strong city of bridges and steel, with a thriving arts scene. If nothing else, this will make get photo opportunities, but I'm pretty sure it will also blow people's minds.

Any specific events that you're looking forward to for the rest of the summer in Pittsburgh?

Summer Soiree & Fashion Show scheduled for July 25th

Just letting you guys in on an upcoming event that I am really excited for! Pretty Living PR, is hosting Pretty in Paradise, a summer soiree to benefit UPMC Cancer Center for Melanoma Research on NEXT Thursday, July 25th at The Cabana Bar in Wexford, Pa.

The event is, obviously, beach-themed and will feature a fashion show by Tidal Cool Creations, who was featured on Chels & the City a while back for Fashion Forward Fridays. This event will also offer raffles, local celebrities, hors d'oeuvres, and prizes! While the event starts at 7p.m., Tidal Cool Creations will start their fashion show at 9p.m. and you really don't want to miss this because it is the last runway/party before Tidal Cool heads off to New York Fashion Week!

Need a little more convincing? The cause that you will be supporting, UPMC Cancer Center, offers comprehensive diagnostic services, cutting-edge treatments and supportive care to patients with melanoma and non melanoma skin cancers. Also, specialty care options are available through the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Program of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, patients also have access to a large network of community-based physicians. So, you'll have a great night and you'll be supporting a very important and worthy case.

To order tickets, head over to the Pretty in Paradise ShowClix page and to keep up with all of the events and promotions offered by Pretty Living PR, feel free to follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!

This is a sponsored post, I received tickets to this event but all opinions are my own.