Lifestyles category, Page 149
Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show canceled, parent company wants to ‘evolve marketing’
The secret’s out: the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is canceled. L Brands, the lingerie company parent company, confirmed the cancellation on its earnings call Thursday and said it wants to “evolve the marketing” of the brand, according to Variety. The annual event, aired since 2001, had declining television ratings in...
‘Tidying Up’ star Marie Kondo debuts online store
The woman who has made a name for herself encouraging people to get rid of their clutter wants to sell you items “that spark joy” and “enhance your everyday routine.” “The goal of tidying is to make room for meaningful objects, people and experiences. I can think of no greater...
The scoop on hardy hibiscus, their common pests
Question: When can I cut back my hardy hibiscus? Also, something devastated the leaves on my hardy hibiscus this summer. How can I prevent this from happening again? Answer: Hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) are show-stopping late-season bloomers for sunny gardens. These big beauties are hardy down to -20 degrees F,...
50+ deer-resistant plants to add to your landscape
As I stepped out the kitchen door to walk the dog, a young deer munching on hydrangeas confronted us. This buck was in rut and looked at us as if we were competitors in the race to mate. As my dog barked wildly, the deer backed off a little but...
Saying ‘I do’ with a beautiful, budget-conscious wedding
With stars in their eyes, newly engaged couples often plunge into the excitement of planning their perfect wedding day. Sticker shock can soon set in, as the costs of catering, photography, gowns, flowers and more send budgets plummeting into the red. Some couples prefer, or soon agree on, smaller weddings,...
Where and when to shop on Black Friday in Western Pa.
Christmas season seems to start earlier and earlier every year, at least according to store displays – need some holly with your Halloween pumpkin? Still, lots of folks don’t get into the spirit until after Thanksgiving. Once the pumpkin pie is eaten, though – watch out. It’s time to go...
Flying this Thanksgiving? Expect record crowds at airports
Record throngs of travelers are expected to jam into airports over the Thanksgiving break and airlines are adding hundreds of flights a day in response. The Transportation Security Administration said Wednesday that it expects to screen more than 26.8 million passengers and airline crew members between Nov. 22 and Dec....
10 tips for hosting a stress-free Thanksgiving dinner
Whether you’re a first-time host or a seasoned veteran, whipping up a Thanksgiving dinner is no piece of pie … er … cake. Add in a bit of forgetfulness, a touch of poor planning and some overly eager houseguests, and you could quickly find yourself in the middle of a...
IronRock Tap House proprietors promise ‘cool, hip’ vibe in HempfieldVideo
When IronRock Tap House goes “live” next month, diners can expect to enjoy food prepared in a “scratch” kitchen, sourced as locally as possible, along with superior customer service, its owners say. Proprietors Greg and Christina Cammerata of Murrysville believe the location in front of Westmoreland Mall is a prime...
What’s Brewing? Add some beer to your recipes
We’ve been conditioned to accept that wine pairs well with food. Cooking with it adds another tasty flavor to our dish. Wine is romantic and used to complement the perfect meal, date or special occasion. Consequently, we’ve been conditioned that beer goes well with hot dogs, sports and popcorn. It’s...
Greensburg cafe offers cat and kitten cuteness, with a coffee chaserVideo
On its second day of business, Greensburg’s new Cattfeinated Cat Cafe is quickly filling with customers, many of whom are immediately drawn to the cat “lounges.” The cafe offers baked goods from Peinetti’s in Jeannette and coffee drinks in three sizes — kitten, queen and tom. “Everything is made off-site,...
Company’s job offer: Smoke weed, make $36K a year
This job offer is madness. Reefer madness! A medical marijuana resource company is looking to pay someone to test a “wide variety of cannabis products and give their unbiased reviews and opinions of the product.” To be blunt: Smoke weed for a living. Kind of. American Marijuana posted the $36,000...
Shop and Share the Season benefits program for seniorsVideo
With an emphasis on shopping local, the United Way’s Westmoreland-Fayette Women’s Leadership Council and Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce’s Women of Westmoreland will co-host “Shop and Share the Season.” The Dec. 3 event kicks off at 3:30 p.m. in Ligonier, with about 15 specialty stores and boutiques extending their hours...
Vegan man sues Burger King over Impossible WhopperVideo
Burger King is being sued by a vegan customer who said the company does not state that the meatless Impossible Whoppers are cooked on the same grills as other burgers. According to CNN, the class action lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida claims that although the chain advertises its...
OpenTable names top Pittsburgh-area restaurants for November 2019
The restaurant booking service OpenTable has released its monthly tally of eateries that diners rate the highest. The top-ranked spots in the Pittsburgh region include six in the city proper and four that are farther afield. Siempre Algo Siempre Algo is a casual neighborhood favorite along the transforming East Ohio...
Tube City Writers look to spin ‘Stories from the Mon Valley’
The Mon Valley is rich with stories to tell, and storytellers will share their personal tales at “Tube City Writers Live: An Evening of Stories from the Mon Valley.” The program will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Tube City Center, 409 Walnut St., McKeesport. A multi-use, co-working...
Labriola’s Italian Store has kept family heritage alive for 90 yearsVideo
A Pittsburgh Italian favorite is celebrating its 90th year in business. Leonard Labriola’s Italian Store, with four locations in Aspinwall, Monroeville, Penn Hills and Warrendale, offers an extensive selection of gourmet Italian groceries and freshly prepared Italian specialties passed down from generations of Labriola family recipes. Owner Leonard Labriola, 80,...
Out & About: Regional juried art show opens at Ligonier museum
There’s a good working relationship between the Southwestern Pennsylvania Council for the Arts and the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley. This is the 16th consecutive year that the museum has hosted the council’s Annual Regional Juried Exhibition, now in its 24th year. At a Nov. 16 opening...
Out & About: ‘Polka dots & plaid’ event benefits Latrobe Art Center
Pattern mixing has been a fashion “do” for a while now, and Latrobe Art Center got in on the trend with its annual auction fundraiser. “Polka Dots & Plaid” was the dress code for An Evening in the Neighborhood XII, held Nov. 13 at Latrobe Country Club, and guests happily...
Out & About: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region celebrates dreams come true
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region held its annual Celebration of Mentoring on Nov. 13 at Antonelli Event Center in Irwin. The program offered this invitation: “Let’s celebrate the lives being changed, the dreams coming true and those who are making it happen” — which, of course, refers...
A present for the earth? How to cut holiday waste
While the holiday season is a time of giving and thoughtfulness, it can also be a time of excess and waste. Americans throw away 25% more trash than usual between Thanksgiving and New Year’s — about a million extra tons of garbage each week, according to the National Environmental Education...
Out & About: Annual Stage Right gala gets to the heart of the artsVideo
When you go to a Stage Right party, you know you won’t just be eating, drinking and schmoozing — you know you’ll also be entertained. There was plenty of entertainment at the Greensburg organization’s seventh annual Heart of the Arts Gala, held Saturday at Rizzo’s Banquet Hall in Crabtree. What...
Out & About: West Overton Whiskey Smash gets bigger every year
No wonder the folks at West Overton Village call their annual whiskey (and other spirits) tasting event the Whiskey Smash. It’s been a smashing hit that keeps getting bigger each year. The fifth annual event was held Nov. 16 at the East Huntingdon historical complex that has its roots in...
Out & About: Westmoreland Historical Society christens new education center
Though it was founded in 1908, the Westmoreland Historical Society never had a permanent home until this year, when it moved into the new Westmoreland History Education Center at Historic Hanna’s Town. Fundraising started a little more recently — during the George W. Bush presidential era. That tidbit was shared...
Ride on Amtrak’s Zephyr reveals hidden Rocky Mountain vistas
“Welcome to Moooooon River,” the conductor announced as our train curved into a canyon running parallel to the Colorado River. I quickly realized what he meant; as we rode alongside the Colorado River, our train was mooned by countless whitewater rafters — athletic young men, families of four and retired...
