I'm not a big football fan, but I grew up in a town that when a game was on the world shut down. For 25 years I lived in Pittsburgh, PA, home of the Steelers. I can't say I like their quarterback, or the team in general very much, but I'm a Pittsburgher; it's in my nature to cheer for them.
If you have never been to Pittsburgh or don't know anything about the city, it's like a whole new world. Pittsburghers are often called "Yinzers" because we speak our very own language. I've caught myself using terms like "jag off," "read up your room," and "jagger bush" or even "Yinz guys ganna go to the mall n'at?" I can't help myself, since we've moved I've noticed my "accent" even more than ever.
I have to say I love living in Arizona, but a part of me will always be a "Yinzer." To explain more of the Pittsburgh nature I found some of my favorite Pittsburgh videos.
Growing Up in Pittsburgh
Going "Dahntahn"
My husband loves this song. It was filmed in Pittsburgh, we hear it one the radio here is Arizona.
And for all the Packers fans, just so there's no hard feelings
So, it’s apparent to me that I’ve been thinking about fashion and style a lot lately. Perhaps it’s due to the lack of it in my life right now, which I’m totally okay with. As I’m growing older I think I’m coming into a new phase of “style,” it’s still evolving, and we’ll have to see how it all turns out in the end.
One thing I’m sure of is who I admire style wise. Jennifer Nettles, from the band Sugar land, defiantly tops my list right now. She’s extremely beautiful and confident; you can tell by the way she carries herself. I think that’s one reason why she can wear so many styles and they all work for her. She can go from pretty girl, to sassy and vintage, and she can even make pants and a jacket look amazing. My hats off to her, she’s a talked singer and song writer as well at being a cutie too!
See Jennifer and Kristian is their crazy/cute music video for "Stuck like Glue"
In 1997 three young guys came into the music scene, and most people thought they were girls, but I thought they were incredible. Seeing the video for MMMBop changed my life forever, yes I know that sounds crazy, but let me explain. I grew up in a very conservative Christian house hold, not that it was a bad thing, but music was scares, and aside from listening to the radio in the car on a very rare occasion all I had to listen to were three cassette tapes: Amy Grant, Phil Collins, and Mariah Carey. I must have listened to those tapes a million times. Now I don’t know how it happened but one day I ended up seeing my first music video. I must have been channel surfing or something, because MTV was defiantly not a TV station I frequented at that time. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! Three kids my age, singing, and playing music! I think you could have knocked me over with a wet noodle. The rest is history really. I become completely obsessed with the trio. I had the posters lining my walls, I read everything I could about them, and I even started a website dedicated to them, yep, I was a fan girl.
Something else special happened at this time also, I discovered the music world. I gained respect for artists I had never heard of before, and I dreamed of being a musician myself. I would have to say if it wasn’t for Hanson I wouldn’t have wanted to make sing, and make music. Some of the most amazing things I’ve ever done have been because I got involved with music. I never would have gotten into the theater if I wouldn’t have been singing. I never would have written lyrics or songs, I don’t know what I would have been doing. Even though the music aspect has faded from my life, I’m still very grateful for it.
As the Hanson fad wore off my adoration for them never did. I was excited when each of their albums came out, one after another. I still followed their career even if they weren’t in the lime light. There was something about them. Their attitude towards their fans is always above and beyond. Even though I’ve always been too shy to talk to them, seeing them interact with other fans is always a very sweet experience.
I must say I admire them for many reasons; one of the biggest is because in 2003 they broke away from their record label and started their own company. 3CG records was established because their currently label was not understanding their vision. It was several years in the making, but with their current success and still insane following you can’t deny that they made the right decision. “The Walk” and their most recent album “Shout it Out” have been number one of the Indie Billboard Charts. They’ve toured all over the United States and just took a trip to Europe to try and launch “Shout it Out” outside the country.
Not only have they been successful in the music business, but they have started very successful charity work as well. With the release of “The Walk” album they started a campaign called “Take the Walk.” Before every concert they preformed they encouraged fans to take a one mile bare foot walk with them. The walk represents the struggles of men, women, and children in Africa suffer on a daily basis. After you finished walking you signed a card, and you are able to check off a charity of your picking to help those in Africa that can’t help themselves. For every person that walks, barefoot or not, Hanson donates one dollar to whatever charity you choose. Not only is it a good way to help people, it’s also pretty cool to get to walk with the band. Yes, Hanson actually comes out, and takes off their shoes and walks too.
Taylor Hanson in Afria working with TOMs shoes.
Walking barefoot through a not so good part of town can be very painful. This was my second walk and not only did I get a ancor implanted in my foot but I also run into a parked car, only me. I don't thing this photo does justice to what they realy looked like after that night.
But I wasn't alone, that's for sure. I think there were atleast 150 people that showed up that day.
I think you get the picture that I can’t get enough of these guys. I will continue to buy their CDs, go to concerts, and take walks as long as they are still doing them. They are passionate and talented individuals that I look up to with the deepest respect. I could go on about them for hours, but I’ll stop now and leave you with their most recent music video. It’s a throwback to the original Blues Brothers movie. I hope you enjoy:
For more information about Hanson go to Hanson.net or check out their twitter.
This great little number is from the Etsy Blog. I saw this while doing my daily reads one day and had to try it for myself. I couldn't believe how easy it is! I have seen pinprick art work before, but never thought to try it myself. It's easy and pretty fun!
Head over to Etsy to get more detailed instructions!
Supplies: Cards Push Pin or Needle Paper Pencil Cardboard Imagenation
I think the whole idea of this is pretty self explanatory. All I did was lightly sketched my idea of the inside of my card and then I proceeded to poke holes into my design from the inside of the card. Depending on your design it can be a little time consuming, but still have!
Still a work in progress
I love how the light shines through
Here is a great pinprick artist on Etsy for some inspirational ideas!
I always have a lot of fun making things with Aurora. Sometimes I think that I have more fun coloring with her crayons, or playing with stickers than she does. Now that she's getting older I'm glad I get to create new crafts with her.
When we went to Michael's the other day I let her pick out a Valentine's day craft of the shelf. She picked the foam heart wreaths, like mother like daughter I guess!
She had a blast playing with the glue, pushing on her hearts, and adding stickers. I think the active really wore her out because when I put her down for a nap she totally passed out! I'm so glad we did this.
I’ve been on the topic of style in my head lately. I used to be surrounded by the ideas of the latest trends and fashions when I worked at a salon in Pittsburgh. It took me a while to find my place, but when I finally did it was great. If you asked me then if I liked my job I would have probably told you I hated it. Looking back now I can say that I loved it. There were some horrible customers but some great ones too and the people I got to work with were the best. One big bonus was I got my hair done on a semi regular basis for a fraction of the price! Let me tell you these girls had SKILLS! I miss watching them work effortlessly at making people feel, and look good. It’s amazing what a hair cut will do.
On the subject of hair, since we’ve moved to Arizona I have not had my hair cut or dyed since we left. My color is really faded, my hair is shaggy, and my grey… oh my grey…
I’ve been going grey since I was about 16 years old. When I was pregnant with my daughter, Aurora, it kicked into high gear and I’m gaining more and more grey by the day. I took a look in the mirror and thought about my plan of attack for my hair color situation. I decided to embrace the grey. I had been talking about growing out my natural color for a while, just to see what it would look like, and this time I think I’m going to do it. I think it would be kind of unique and ironic for a 25 year old to have some nice grey highlight throughout.
The one thing I really need; a hair cut!
This is a photo of my friend Krissy and I right before we left for AZ. As you can see my hair is SUPER short, and yes we are walking barefoot through Homestead, PA. It was for Hanson carity "Take the Walk." My feet hurt for days but it was so worth it.
My hair is pulled back to you can't really see the full effect of the grey but you get the picture.
What's a girl to do?
Now, how should I get my hair cut? Hmmm... I'll have to ponder that for a while.
