Celebrating a Year of Fashion Forward Fridays with a Giveaway

If you've been around these parts for awhile, you know that Fashion Forward Fridays is not only my baby but pretty much every one's favorite part about this blog. (Or at least that's what I hear about the most.) The first ever fashionista, Carly, was found randomly walking through PPG Place, one year ago and to be honest, I remember every bit of that day to the finest details. Mostly because I was scared out of my mind that 1) I wouldn't be able to find anyone, and 2) People would never go for this idea because it's kind of weird for a stranger to want to take your picture and put you on the Internet.

But people haven't told me it's weird yet, so I guess I'll keep on truckin! To celebrate one year of doing my best to stop random strangers and talk about fashion with them and prove to GQ that Pittsburgh is a fashionable city, even though they've named us the third-worst-dressed city, I'm bringing you lovely readers a week of fashionista's and, of course, a giveaway!

I've selected FIVE local Pittsburgh fashion bloggers to bring to you each day of this week leading up to the first anniversary of Fashion Forward Fridays (this Friday) and top it off with a giveaway coming to you from ModCloth and Heinz History Center! So sit back, read up, and enter your butts off in this giveaway.

If you win, you will receive two tickets to the ModStylists of ModCloth's '60's Fashion Show on Friday, April 12th AND two tickets to Heinz History Center's Pittsburgh Vintage Mixer...this is a $90 value and pretty much a super sweet prize and I welcome you to check out the event page on Facebook and/or the History Center's website to see what is going on and any updates. I could think of no better way to celebrate!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fashion Forward Fridays: Meet Shannon!

Hello fashion lovers! For today's Fashion Forward Fridays, you're in for a treat. I love this girl's style and how she pushes the envelope (who even knows what that means) on work attire. Shannon shows that you can be classy and still have fun with your office-wear. And come on who doesn't love that?

Bold style: These rings from Forever21 add just the right amount of edge.

Nude Nails & Free Rita's

First, thank you to everyone for the sweet comments and emails regarding my post on Monday about my alma mater, Seton Hill. You all are lovely. Thanks for your support. <3

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In other news, happy spring! Does it feel like spring to anyone yet? I'm dressing for it in hopes that the weather will catch up to me, but I am still wearing my winter coat, scarves and boots. Remember how happy we were just a few months ago to bring out those boots? Wah.

First Day of Spring: Freezing while holding Rita's Red Velvet Cake flavored ice.

Yesterday, the official day of spring, was a great day for me. I had a rare day of no school or work requirements and MJ was allowed to take a day off of work because of all the hard work and long hours his team has been putting in recently. So like a loving boy, he picked yesterday so we could spend the day together. The only thing that would have made the day better would have been if the weather was warmer. But MJ planned the greatest day-date ever. I am so blessed. It's rare for us to be able to spend a lot of time together because of our schedules and the distance, so I would've been fine with sitting in my apartment staring at each other, but MJ is an expert planner for fun outings.

It was also refreshing to spend the day out of the city. Which as I typed that, I felt bad saying, but it's true. We went to Narcisi Winery for lunch and actually agreed on one bottle to share. This is a big deal to the girl who loves dry when her man loves sweet. And yes, I realize my taste in wine is equivalent to that of someone four times my age. But we agreed on the Niagara, so naturally bought another bottle for MJ to take home so we can share it later. This place is beautiful though and if you're around this area, it is definitely worth the trip, but maybe save it for a warmer day so you can walk the grounds.

The rest of the day was spent driving back towards the city and of course, our favorite activity...shopping. Until MJ decided to surprise me with dinner and bowling at Latitude 40. Which I have never been to, but is a favorite spot for MJ and his work friends. I'm an awful bowler so he beat me, 165 to 57, no big deal. I did get one strike. This is also a place to look in to, especially if you've never been, it was like a better version of Dave and Busters, in my opinion because it's an up nad coming local business. And then of course, we made the trip to Rita's for our free 'first day of spring' ice. Perfect day. Perfect boyfriend.

What did you do to welcome (or encourage) the season of spring?

Hazard Yet Forward

If you're local to the Pittsburgh area, I'm sure you've heard about the tragic bus accident that happened to the Seton Hill women's lacrosse team, that claimed the lives of Kristina Quigley, head coach, and Anthony Guaetta, bus driver, on Saturday on the way to the team's match. If you're not local, you've probably still heard something about the outpouring of love from other teams and universities around the country. As an alumna of Seton Hill (class of 2011) I cannot describe all of the emotions coursing through me, but for my fellow Griffins, I'll try...

Photo I edited - feel free to share it & link back.

I am proud to be a member of the Seton Hill community. I always have been.

I'm proud to know that everyone on campus is showing their support by attending last night's service.

To know that a memorial is growing near the field house because our campus has a huge heart.

I'm proud to see the love coming in from outside groups like Play 4 Seton Hill.

That group, made for SHU lacrosse, not by SHU lacrosse, is growing by the second and has been a huge

source of comfort to see other teams wearing the Seton Hill crimson and gold in support of our team.

I'm proud to know that Coach Quigley's family will be supported through an ever-growing fund.

To see how calmly and professionally the staff of The Setonian is handling this news. 

I'm proud to have learned how to grow, love, give, and transform because of Seton Hill.

And although I wish you little Griffins didn't have to learn it this way, 

I'm proud that tradition of growth and learning continues.

 But dearest Seton Hill, dear little Griffins, please know beyond a doubt that we are behind you.

Fellow Griffins, as alumni, staff and faculty and the other students you see everyday, we love you.

We have seen tragedy before and while we do not know your exact feelings,

we have been where you are now.

We know what it's like to want to news cameras and reporters to just leave you alone.

We know what it's like to feel overwhelmed with emotion and wondering how to move on from here.

I remember sitting in the chapel you were in last night as a sophomore for a similar memorial service and hearing someone read a letter from an alum, on behalf of all alumni, saying they grieved with us and were praying for God to ease our pain, but that as Griffins we were all in this together.

Back then, I didn't understand how people who were no longer on our campus could understand.

But now, as an alum, I get it.

Once a Griffin. Always a Griffin.

We mourn with you. We empathize with you. We support you. We are proud of you. We love you.

It's fine if you're not ready now.

Take your time to grieve and remember the amazing woman who touched your lives.

Take your time to hold your teammates, your friends, your family, 

anyone who makes your Seton Hill experience complete.

Remember we are more than a school, we are a family.

And when you're ready, in true Griffin fashion, 

Hazard Yet Forward.

This post brought to you by the color green!

Hope you all are having a festive weekend and aren't drinking too much green beer! Here's a little look at the fun going on around Market Square in downtown Pittsburgh on Saturday. I went out early to see the parade and have lunch with some friends at McFadden's on the North Shore. I loved seeing Market Square so alive with family friendly activities during the day and then the more party-types at night. This area of Pittsburgh has really changed and become more exciting over the last couple years. Although, I'm going to go out on a limb and guessing that St. Patrick's Day was intended for the more "family friendly" stuff, not really all the booze - but I could be wrong!

Girls group doing the Irish Jig in Market Square.

Little Irish Jiggers

Me and Erin at the Parade!

Float for the parade

The Irish Princess - I actually have no idea who this girl is, I just liked her castle float.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!