Tag: food

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Strip District: Pittsburgh

The “Strip District” in Pittsburg is a vibrant area of converted warehouses, old style grocers and gourmet shops where one can indulge in classic Italian eateries, spice shops or seafood markets. We loaded up on Asiago cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoni calzones, and calamari salad. Wholey’s Market offers the best lobster rolls and soft-shelled crab sandwiches. Penzey’s Spices is the best place to get specialty spices that may be difficult to get in your own neighborhood. Roxanne’s Dried Flowers offered so many ideas and arrangements on how to decorate your home with natural items. I came away with “nasturtiums seeds”, eucolyptus plants and a few ideas for floral arrangements.

The faded signs from companies long gone add a charm to the city in and around the “strip district”, and even those businesses still in service are fun to peruse!

Bloody Mary’s with soft-shelled crabs, spicy shrimp and olives at Luke Wholey’s Wild Alaskan Grille.
Shopping for fresh fruit at Wholey’s Market to have in the hotel room.
No matter what city we are in, there is nothing like hot “roasted peanuts”,  they are a great snack while shopping or sightseeing!

Stay stylish,
Kathleen

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Summer Dreams

What is it about this time of year that draws one outdoors? Early this morning I took my coffee and camera outside to listen to the neighborhood awaken in the cool crisp air. As I focused on taking photos of the newly bloomed Asian Lilies, squirrels jumped from tree to tree. At first, I thought it was a huge buck walking through the woods or a rather large man, but after focusing on the area where branches were falling, I saw the furry tails of these creatures chasing one another. After lining up a few floral shots, I picked up my coffee and began dreaming of the perfect summer, which by coincidence starts with a morning like this…NO HUMIDITY and temps down to 46 degrees.

I usually take to creating the perfect escape during lengthy meetings at work, and begin drafting vacations in margins of notes or on the computer. First and foremost I must be near water. Its the perfect place to start the day with a morning swim, then to end the day after sightseeing. To be gliding through the water for an evening swim is absolute luxury!

As my needs are simple next on the list, its about finding bakeries and bistros with fabulous desserts or treats. Tony took this photo while in downtown Rio last week of a tart and cappuccino at Columbio Confectionary. And, margarita’s to martini’s are always on the agenda.

Lastly, what reverie can end without flowers. These beautiful lilies were from the early morning photo-shoot, where my focus during warmer months are always on growing and procuring blooms to have on the desks at work, and in vases around Heath.

As summer approaches, remember to stay stylish,
K