Hiss and Hearse

The last few days, I’ve been in a love-induced state of bliss,  with my head in the clouds and my hand holding Richard Wayne’s hand, going here and there. This, I hope, explains the lack of regular updates.

Favorite places we have visited this week include:

♥ Coca Coffee Lounge is a really adorable breakfast and brunch place located in a part of town called Lawrenceville, which everyone says is “up and coming.” Richard Wayne and I went here on my first day. He had this unique stuffed french toast [Richard says: It was herbed goat cheese-stuffed French toast], and I had a mushroom omelet. Scrumptious!

♥ Pavement is a shoe and clothing boutique, also in Lawrenceville. We went there to meet up with the adorable owner, Alissa, about future photo collaborations! The place sells shoes by many of my favorite brands: Pink Studio, Seychelles, and other indie designers. She also displays a white deer head, and the entire back wall is plastered in a black and white printed wallpaper (my heaven). [Richard says: While visiting Pavement, I purchased a really cool cuff bracelet made from a vintage tie, and it features a pearlized snap enclosure that reminds me of all those western shirts I collect. I've been wearing it every day since!]

♥ The Round Corner Cantina, right now, holds my title for favorite bar of Pittsburgh. It’s kind of 1970s meets old west themed, with delicious cocktails and amazing art deco wallpaper. Friday night, I met up with my Pittsburgh friends Eli and Sari (who stayed with me in California a month ago), and we had many cocktails, salsa, corn on the cob and conversation. [Richard says: The Cantina, as locals generally call it, makes probably the best taco I've eaten since moving back to Pittsburgh from California. Their drinks are pretty special, too, since they create their concoctions with fresh fruit juices. Oh, and they have a huge back yard where you can drink (and smoke) under the stars, giving the entire place the feel of a hip house party.]
♥ The Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing is where Richard and I got our massages on Saturday. They have you lie on a water-cushioned tables and are super sweet and accomodating. It was incredible and the best massage I’ve ever had.

♥ Yesterday I finally got to visit the ModCloth offices while on my girl date with Lindsay Williams, who is a buyer there and also the lady behind the fashion blog, My Solitary Consignment. I got to meet the famous pug, Winston, and see where my honey goes to work every day! [Richard says: I've never seen Winston act with anyone else like he did with Kristin. Normally calm, cool, and reserved as he patrols the office, he ran up to her and jumped up on her lap as she knelt to pet him! I think Kristin really is an animal whisperer!]
♥ Big Dog Coffee is where I sit and type to you now, dear readers. It’s an independent coffee house recommended to me by Eli and is in a part of town called the South Side Flats. I have already consumed one delicious, iced americano, a huge perfect homemade chocolate chip cookie (something I have been craving all week), and iced tea. I am patiently waiting for Richard Wayne to be finished with work so he can pick me up and we can attend one of the many Pittsburgh, “cookouts.” [Richard says: You say "barbeque," I say "cookout." Put it together, and you get "cookeque." I think I've just coined a new term that will join east coasters and west coasters in culinary harmony.]

I have two days left here, but things are falling into place. And for the sake of all the people who have been good to me here: Go Steelers? Though getting used to being in a city obsessed with their football team might take me a little more time, I am definitely not ready to throw in the Terrible Towel just yet! [Richard says: It's true. We would commit major felonies for our Steelers. Yes, OUR Steelers. When they lose (which isn't often), the next day in workplaces all across southwestern PA, workers are more disgruntled then they'd be if you were to take away their vacation days and benefits packages. Another interesting note: Pennsylvanians often refer to the place where they live simply as "PA". Do residents of other states refer to their homelands in a similarly abbreviated way?]

How is your week? Care to share with us your favorite spots where you live!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 at 7:25 pm and is filed under art, favorites, thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.