Adventures in Pittsburgh: 61C Cafe

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Since I’m new to Pittsburgh (8 days to be exact), I’m taking the opportunity to get to know the city one adventure at a time. In other words, every week, I’ll try something new in the city and highlight it for you all here.

Squirrel Hill Pgh

I believe that generally I can fall in love with any city…as long as it has a good selection of great local coffee shops! So to start my adventures, I chose the 61C Cafe of Squirrel Hill located at 1839 Murray Ave.

61c Cage Pgh

Honestly, I didn’t even get a coffee from the cafe because I was so intrigued by their selection of fresh juices. And the juice really is fresh! I saw them make my pear juice right then and there, and the bagel I got with it was equally delicious. 61C Cafe is a great deal as you might expect by the name (I didn’t pay less than a dollar for my meal, but I’d say $5 is still a pretty good price!). My only caveat is that the cafe only takes cash. Thankfully, a local helped me out on that issue: just walk down a block, buy a banana from Giant Eagle, and get cash back. So a banana, pear juice, and bagel it was for me!

61c Cafe Inside Pgh

Check them out online here and be sure to stop by when you’re in Pittsburgh!

Ciao!

Sarah

p.s. Have a suggestion for what I should do next in Pittsburgh? Post it below!

See Ya Later, Madison; Hello, Pittsburgh!

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Not long after I completed one of my greatest adventures of the year, running my first full marathon, I started a whole new adventure when I moved from Madison, WI to Pittsburgh. This isn’t my first time out East (I lived in New Hampshire for a bit), but it’s certainly a change from what I’m used to back in the Midwest. For instance, there are hills here. Like, real hills.

So while the summer might be coming to a close, my adventure has just begun, and I can’t wait to update you all on how I decorate my new place (a very charming, 80 year tudor home), explore the city, and train for new races (this time a triathlon!).

Some things about the city I’m already falling in love with…

The Strip District Pgh

Fresh food from the Strip District

Hot Metal Bridge

The Hot Metal Bridge, which I am lucky enough to have a gorgeous view of from my office window!

Crazy Mocha Pgh

Weird, awesome coffee shops. So many more to try…

The Living Room

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…or the beginning of it, anyway!

Living Room Decor Living Room Decor

Worth noting: vintage Mexican blanket, my handmade sorority T-shirt blanket, authentic 70s shag sheepskin rug, antique lamp made fresh with a new shade.

How to Make a Brandy Watermelon

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How to Make a Brandy Watermelon

Making a brandy (or tequila, or vodka…) watermelon is probably the easiest, most gratifying recipe you can make all summer long. I looked up lots of different recipes before making my watermelon, but here is what I found to be the easiest way to complete the job:

You will need: 1 seedless watermelon, a bottle of brandy, a knife, and patience

Directions:

1. Start by cutting one triangle shaped hole into the top of the watermelon (and when I say top, I mean the side. Obviously, the melon will be resting on it’s side when you cut into it). Pull out and save the wedge- you will use it to recork the watermelon later.

2. Cut two more holes at the top of the watermelon, a few inches apart. Again, keep the wedges.

3. Next, pour as much brandy as you can into each hole.

4. Now, you will need to let the brandy seep into the melon, which may take some time. I refilled the melon with brandy about every half hour until I put it in the fridge for the night.

5. Recork the melon and let sit in the fridge overnight.

6. Cut as you would a normal melon, and enjoy! It’s absolutely delicious served chilled. If you want to take your melon to the next level, scoop out balls with a melon scooper and freeze for ice cubes- they are perfect for a summer mixed drink!

Ciao,

Sarah

Madison’s Good Style Shop & A “New” 60s Bikini

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Good Style Shop Madison

Recently, and thanks to the suggestion of a friend, I visited the Good Style Shop, a vintage clothing store, in Madison. I was blown away by the atmosphere (electric, not too serious about itself, and very well organized) and by the variety and quality of the selection.

Good Style Shop Madison

This isn’t a shop that you have to spend hours digging through piles of 90s flannel before you find a proper 70s a-line dress; it has a wonderfully merchandised selection of dresses right in the corner. The shop also boasts a robust selection of vintage menswear, which is a refreshing sight to see. I was delighted to find a gorgeous 60s high waisted bikini, bullet bra and all, for $35. I’m going to have to channel my inner Pucci when I wear it on the beach this weekend.

60s Bikini

60s Bikini

Before I left the shop, I had a brief chat with the founder and owner. When I asked, “If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring entrepreneur, what would it be?”, he said simply to never forget about work/life balance. At 23, when we started the shop (!!), he initially had trouble separating work from the rest of his life, understandably. He emphasized that the ability to balance is a valuable skill for any entrepreneur.

Certainly, valuable advice for any of us.

Good Style Shop Madison

Good Style Shop is located at 817 East Johnson St in Madison, WI.

Ciao!

Sarah

My First Marathon Highlights

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Grandma's Marathon

A couple weeks ago, I ran my first full marathon in Duluth, Minnesota. It was the 37th annual Grandma’s Marathon, and although a soggy, cold day was an absolutely amazing experience. Here are some of the highlights from the race:

-Running in 50 degree weather, in the rain, with a risk of hypothermia, and still thinking (thanks to all the training I’ve done in a Wisconsin winter), “This weather is perfect!”

Grandmas Marathon Duluth 2013

-Sprinting the last 200 meters and the crowd going wild when they saw me pulling ahead and across the finish line. That’s a feeling you can’t get anywhere else.

-Running past a man who had run all 37 Grandma’s marathons! When asked how many more he’d run, he said, “At least three!”. That’s inspiring dedication!

-High fiving with strangers. I needed those high fives. My most memorable one was with a solider in uniform at the last half mile stretch. His words of inspiration weren’t original, just, “You can do this,” but that felt like it lifted a weight from my shoulders.

Grandma's Marathon- Duluth, MN

-It’s true; marathon runners will be pee anywhere when they gotta go…mostly off in the woods on the edge of a stranger’s driveway…

-The amount of food and water the spectators were handing out was impressive and much appreciated! The girl who handed me a banana at mile 18 had probably never heard someone give so earnest a thank you over a piece of fruit.

Grandmas Marathon Duluth

-The spectators and volunteers at this race were absolutely amazing! If it weren’t for them, I might have given into the temptation to slow down and walk at mile 17, might not have been able to hold a ten minute pace for the whole race (wow!), and probably would have collapsed to the ground after I crossed the finish line (the med team was amazing, and I owe them a big thanks for their care!).

The greatest satisfaction was working so hard and so diligently, and then seeing my dream become reality.

What’s next? A triathlon, of course!

Runners, please share you experiences training and/or finishing a big race!

Sarah

p.s. Doesn’t matter how slow or fast you are for a marathon, or any race; as long as you run, you’ve already beaten everyone who never even started!

Great Finds: Triathlon Postcard Prints

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Once again, I discover an amazing find at the Madison Farmer’s Market! This time, I found these adorable postcard-sized prints. They came in a variety of phrases, from “Drink Strong Coffee” to “Write a Letter.” Since I’m running my first marathon this weekend…and my first triathlon in August and that’s pretty much all that’s been on my mind lately, I put together the following combo. Check out Zip-Dang’s website if you want to create your own collection of sayings.

Triathlon Postcards

Great Finds: Antique Bullet Crystal Necklace

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bullet crystal necklace from RocksNSoul.com

Usually, I stick to buying coffee and veggies at the Madison Farmer’s Market, but a couple weeks ago, I ran across this antique bullet and crystal necklace at RocksNsoul‘s market booth and had to purchase it. I’d hate to get too hippy, but isn’t the dichotomy just lovely?

You can purchase your own unique necklace on her Etsy shop. Another favorite of mine that I saw at her booth was this amazing cuff bracelet. Maybe I’ll save that for my next trip to the Farmer’s Market!

RocksNSoul.comPhoto courtesy of RocksNSoul.com

Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Banana Buttercream Frosting

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Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Banana Frosting Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Banana Frosting

Banana and peanut butter just might be the best food combination (second only to Nutella and bananas…), so a peanut butter cupcake with banana frosting, sounds perfect! Usually, I stick to making cookies, since cookies are relatively straight forward to bake, but this cupcake recipe is simple enough for even a beginner like me. Next time, I’m going to replace the peanut butter with Nutella…and if all goes well, I’ll post the results!

The recipe (from Coffee and Quinoa) calls for almond milk, but I used regular 1% milk instead, which seemed to work well.

Ciao!

Sarah

Dinner for Many (or L’etoile Can Suck It)

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letoilecansuckitdinnerformanypanna cotta

Sunday night I had the honor of attending an amazing dinner, complete with fresh, local ingredients, lots (at least a dozen!) of interesting, inspiring people, and Wisconsin beer (a given) all in a marvelously eclectic atmosphere (think: thrifted wine glasses, Ball jars, benches, a turn table…).

A few friends put together the event, with one hosting at her apartment, and two others creating the delicious six courses:

Creamed & Chilled Asparagus & Cashew Soup

Grilled Romaine with Sourdough Croutons, Fermented Ramp Agili, and Sweet and Sour Sardines

Indian Rice Yogurt Apple Salad

Grilled Asparagus with Sourdough Pancakes and Blood Orage Sauce

Smoked Duck Sliders with Cherry Gastrique and Arugula on a Challah Bun

Paletas (Mexican guacamole and lime popsicles)

Strawberry Panna Cotta

And as palate cleansers: Dry cucumber and blood orange soda, honey wine, and oolong tea

I wanted to share the dinner on Mia Prima Casa, because, first, I think it’s simply a great idea to spend time enjoying truly good food, meeting strangers, and learning so much (like why cemeteries are the way they are and who Joy Division is…), all while spending very little.

And secondly, because I love how my friend decorated for the dinner! My favorite touch are the Ball Mason jars for water glasses.

How are you enjoying the summer?

Sarah