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Sunday, June 29, 2008

Support Local Businesses


Peace everyone! This post is dedicated to every Pittsburgh based entrepreneur. I, like many of you, am in the process of upstart, and I have this surge of creative and community minded energy. So, I wanted to spotlight the idea of shopping locally.

I do shop on line for many of the things that I like too. Earrings, and other jewelry, cloths, shoes, house hold goods, etc. Yet, we live in a stylish city,- contrary to popular opinion- and our purchases could reflect that if we allow ourselves the freedom to jump in and experience what the city has to offer us. There are so many furniture stores that have custom work and hard to find pieces. I'm not talking about big box stores either. There is nothing wrong with them Pr Se, but if you want to be unique, and reflect your own personal style, then its worth checking into some boutiques around the city. In the forthcoming posts, SpotlightPittsburgh will extend the LinkList to include some of these places that I am referencing. Jewelry? Handcrafted jewelry?! Omagod! There are numerous beautiful people, making beautiful jewelry. Click the link to MUSE:ACD, Che'Ana has some really pretty and creative handcrafted pieces. Please let her know that SpotlightPittsburgh sent you. There are local clothing stores, and local designers with out storefronts, that have well crafted and unique pieces. Click the Afar link in the LinkList to check out some of their cloths, and find out which stores are carrying them. Also, check out the Catalyst Blog by founder, and my friend, Jovon to really know who and what is happening in fashion around our city. Catalyst is dedicated to showcasing local Pittsburgh talent in the fashion industry, but you can learn all of that and more by clicking the Catalyst blog link. Restaurants, Omagod! For real, I would like to know just how many restaurants we actually have in this city. Not chain restaurants, but home grown originals, that have there own thing going on. Like for instance, the Hot Metal Diner in West Mifflin, they have great food, and they are an original restaurant, very original. Please go there for breakfast, and let the owner Wendy Betton know that SpotlightPittsburgh sent you. All I am saying is, get out and enjoy the city! Shop the city! I know that times are tight now, and that is all the more reason to shop locally. Did anyone notice that shipping costs have gone up a ridiculous amount?! Well of course they have, it takes gas to ship our things to us. It takes gas to ship everything to us, even the things that we purchase locally, but at least by spending locally, we cut out the middle man (FedEx, or whatever other carrier you use), by not buying gas for those trucks. Also, in tight times it seems to me that spending wisely is really what it is all about. What if you order something on line, and the color looked right on the screen, but when it arrived, it was different? Then, there goes more money that you have to spend on returning the item. See what I'm getting at? If you shop homegrown local, you see it, you love it, you buy it, you take it home, it works in your space, you're happy, and everybody wins. Think about it.

As always, I request that you leave comments and/or suggestions by clicking below this post. Please do click links and please do click adds. Do you like our music play list? Just some of our favs. This way, you can bring the SpotlighPittsburgh blog page up then minimize it, just so that you can jam to our play list. Try it.

Lastly, the Shadow Lounges Block Party was a blast! The rain tried to do its business on our parade, but good music, good drinks, and good people kept us all going until the rain gave way, and the party really began to heat up. Thanks everyone for all of the positive feedback in regard to the blog. It is fun, and we will keep doing it until it isn't anymore. I hope that all of you, and more will take the ride with us. We all can benefit from SpotlightPittsburgh. Remember also, to nominate your favorite business or business person to be on the Hot7. We here at SpotlightPittsurgh can not possibly hit every place in Pittsburgh, so we need you to do your part, and tell us who, and why we should consider that business for the Hot7. So far the 7 listed now are holding it down until more can be reviewed, Help!

May we all be blessed with a memorable passionate summer

Get out and enjoy the city!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

I Love Our City

Pittsburgh is a city that is ever evolving. Ten years ago I moved away from this city, not because I hated it, but because it was time for me to go. It became clear to me, that to be as fabulous as I wanted to be, -even though I had it inside all along-, I needed to get out and see the world. So, I did, not the whole world, but NYC, and ATL. I was gone for close to seven years, that was four years ago. This place has changed, not only the exterior, but the people inside as well. Now that Iam back in Pittsburgh, I must say that I am glad that I came back. I have learned to appreciate Pittsburgh for what it has, and not really complain about what it does not have.

Our fair city has its issues, we all know that. Iam not here to spotlight that. I grew up in one of this city's "throw away" neighborhoods, and I could say plenty about our "fair" city, and the disparages that lay between differant groups, but I wont. I hope to never have to spotlight it on this blog. This blog is for us all to see and hopefully experience the goodness of the city. Everyone of us. Don't hate, or discriminate. If you must, please move on to the next blog. If you want to celebrate with spotlightpittsburgh all of the good that our city can offer, then tell everyone about us, bookmark us, put us in your favorites! Also, nominate businesses that deserve to be on the Hot7. We will check it out and vote, and see if they have what it takes to make the cut.

Don't forget when you are visiting this blog to leave a comment, or suggestion. Also don't forget to click adds.

In closing,I would like to comment on how great a home gathering with friends can be. This weekend my husband and I had the pleasure of being invited to a lavish and very cool "house party", that was more like a vacation retreat. Our host and hostess treated everyone of their guests like royalty. I thought that I was a great hostess, but I did learn some things and for that I am thankful. Pittsburgh, do no neglect great food and even better friends together, your place, make it happen. Summer does not last forever, get out there and enjoy it!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

A Glitch in the Matrix


First, thank you to all 13 of you who are interested in , and support SpotlightPittsburgh. Tell your friends about us, and be sure to leave comments.

Sex and the Steele City was very nice, I have photos. I had been experiencing technical difficulties, and have been unable to get on line. It really sucks when you are moving forward with force, then the universe slows you down. Anyway, keep riding with me, it only gets better and better!

Hey, don't forget that the arts festival is here. There are many great things happnin' this summer around the city,enjoy as much as possible.

Please check out the new folks on the Hot7, and also the new LinkList entries.

Get out there! Enjoy the City!