EVENTS: New Year's Eve at Free Ride

Free Ride New Year's Eve Party 2011

It's always the same debate when it comes to New Year's Eve - do I stay in or do I go out? Though the idea of having a quiet evening at home, alongside your closest loved one, with a soft buzz before midnight sounds lovely, there's always that fire in the belly urge to go out and have a crazy, awesome, unforgettable (well maybe forgettable but still awesome) time! Especially on a night where for at least 10 seconds, everyone is in the same tempo and waiting for the same thing to happen - then boom...it's a new year!  This time I wanted something fun, a little different, and most importantly to be celebrated with great people. 

Artwork by Danny Devine

Free Ride's bicycle warehouse proved to be a large and creative space for a dance party,bar, and taco stand, all provided by local up and comer's Nikita Beniaminov, Sara Vi Cious, Mark Lang and Stefan Timov. The proceeds went to charitable causes including a donation to help support G20 prisoners and Children's Heartlink.    A long list of DJ's spun with their very broad spectrum of tastes; spacerap, cumbia, reggaeton, funk, throwback, dancehall, russian ska, house and hip-hop. The party was a melting pot of styles, cultures and relationships coming together in a dizzying blur of enjoyment. "It was an awesome time, everyone seemed to be having fun," said event organizer Nikita Beniaminov.  The New Year's Eve Soiree at Free Ride is certainly a party to be talked about all throughout 2012...

DJ

The Crowd

The Hip and Ultra-Chic, DJ and Event Organizer Sara Vi Cious

Party People

Bicycles Everywhere!!

Boris (the BF) and Mike

Tacos!!

Badass Bombshell look

Me and my lil Bro! 

Leather

LOVE the sheer skirt over the tights!

Winter Glam

The Color for 2012: A shock of Blue

  
All photography for this blog was taken by guest photographer Ashley Laird (check out her awesome blog!)  Thanks Ash!!!

FOOD: Love at First Bite : PIZZUTTI'S

PIZZUTTI'S

 The holiday shopping season is in full throttle.  Stores are filled with determined customers eager to find the best deals, the right color, the right size, the right material,  all before 'the big day' - it's easy to get stressed.  Quietly tucked away on a side street off of the busy Shadyside shopping district, is a cozy little spot perfect for taking your mind off the busyness of the season.  PIZZUTTI'S is a hidden gem known for fresh modern updates of classic Italian favorites - think grilled swordfish dishes with veggies in red wine, whole wheat pastas (homemade of course), seasonal desserts, a signature mushroom soup, ravioli and bruschetta of the day. The restaurant is BYOB style so that you may enjoy your favorite wine with your soon-to-be favorite Italian dish -another comforting attribute to this place.  There is a sense of romance about PIZZUTTI'S, perhaps it's the warm dim lighting, or the considerate and friendly waitstaff, the pretty Italian music playing in the background (Christmas songs in Italian), or the happy couples sitting intimately away from each other, conversing, drinking wine and relaxing. In the midst of the holiday season or at any other time, a place like this could truly become a regular escape and it was nice to get away at PIZZUTTI'S!

Susan Pizzutti - Owner

The passionate and very classy Susan Pizzutti, is full of energy and joy as she visits the tables, making friendly conversation with her customers; confident in her food and the experience you will have in her restaurant. She has a very personal relationship with all of the recipes used on the menu; Northern Italian recipes that have been past down through generations. Everything is done with precision and style! By the time the BF and I finished our delicious meals, the dining room was filled with people and small groups waiting to discover and devour a scrumptious PIZZUTTI'S plate. Buon Appetito!

Check out the entire PIZZUTTI'S menu for both Lunch and Dinner! 

Friend PIZZUTTI'S on Facebook!

Text PIZZUTTI'S to 22828 for Special Offers!

Lovely Party Room - Find out more about PIZZUTTI'S Party options here.

Bruschetta of the day: Mushroom Garlic Parmesan

BF's Choice: PIZZUTTI'S Spaghetti with a Jumbo Meatball

My Choice:  Chicken Marsala with Fresh cut french fries and braised greens (and can I just say that this was the BEST Chicken Marsala I have ever had!)

Amaretto Biscotti Cake

Apricot Bread Pudding

EVENTS: Bakery Scare!!

EFall has been such an exciting (and busy) season so far, full of events, meetings, school and more.  One event that I couldn't resist was Bakery Scare in the new Bakery Square put on by the awesome ladies at Revive Marketing.   It was a Fall festival complete with a dog race, costume contest, vendors,music, food and of course piles of candy for trick-or-treaters - a perfect event for such a perfect Fall day!!

Bakery Scare was packed!

People came with their dogs and costumes (some had dogs IN costumes) for the 2nd Annual Running of the Wieners and Bakery Scare Costume Contest

Bumble-Dog!

The DJ played fun upbeat music that even got the kids going! 

Free People leggings and a cute T-shirt - effortless!

The whole family in costume!

One of the fabulous judges for the costume contest.

Brandy Sinclair from Rabbit Dance Designs shows off her amazing Chainmaille and Silversmithing designs. 

The "Pup-kin" Patch

Even the Cat in the Hat showed up!

Next Event

Come honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month as Pitt Fash Biz presents Go Pink in Style fashion show at Diesel this Thursday Oct, 27! 
Order Tickets

MUSIC: Brillobox presents New Shouts Retro Dance Party feat. DJ Gordy

Cor Allen of the New Shouts

The Brillobox is a great place to go for concerts, awesome (and very dance-able) music, affordable drinks and of course a plethora of very unique and very stylish looks.  A beginning to a very fun Fall season- so far- was the New Shouts Retro Dance Party at the Brillobox this past Friday (Oct. 14). DJ Gordy spinned an awesome mix of disco songs straight from the disco era with an edgy twist and a trippy backdrop screen playing a kaleidoscope of colors, Warhol screen tests and 70's dance videos.  A very groovy night!

The crowd at Brillobox

The DJ spinned an energetic mix of retro songs!

Sweatband John busts a move

Hounds-tooth dress

My amazing friend miss Adrienne Rozzi!

New Shouts Derek White passing out Blowpops before the show

New Shouts have an awesome Californian surf-vibe to their music (Listen)

New Shouts Jonathan Chamberlain

Polka-dot Dress

My lovely roomate <3

Boho 70's Look

Charming in a varsity jacket.

Silk blouse and red skirt - perfect retro look!

Follow New Shouts on Facebook and Twitter

Havin a blast!

Aqua ruffle shirt 

Newsboy Look

Check out the Brillobox!