Monday, December 31, 2012

Monday Spotlight: MUSIC: Beedie




Lately, it seems as though Pittsburgh has become the new powerhouse for talented hip-hop artists. Pittsburgh rapper Beedie, is a prime representation of this new hip-hop revolution. The 24-year-old rapper, born Brian Green, has gained a following of loyal fans through his music since 2007.  
Originally from New York City, Beedie's lyrical lexicon is reminiscent of classic New York hip-hop.  Before moving to Pittsburgh, Beedie was skilled in piano, guitar and bass and used these sounds to influence his music.
Beedie officially debuted as a rapper alongside Mac Miller in the duo The Ill Spoken. After The Ill Spoken, Beedie continued to release music as part of the East End Empire, a conglomerate of Pittsburgh rappers, before forming the duo Varsity Squad with rapper Jon Quest. Since debuting, Beedie has released several projects, including the critically acclaimed “The Beat Bully" LP.

In 2012 Beediereleased "Above The Weather", a free EP featuring production from Buckwild, Statik Selektah, ID Labs, among others. He has been touring non-stop to promote the new project.
The music released by Beedie helped him secure placement in various local publications, including JENESIS Magazine’s coveted music cover in 2011. The magazine also tapped Beedie a year later as one of five Pittsburgh rappers to succeed on a national level. His music has also been covered by notable media such as Complex, XXL, Hip Hop DX, 2DopeBoyz, Smoking Section, DJ Booth, etc.
His latest projects include music videos from the "Above The Weather" EP, including the zombie apocalyptic video "Miss Me"  and the trippy animated space journey "The Cloud Life" feat. Gene Stovall.    Beedie has upcoming features with Sean Price & T. Mills, and has been in the studio working with legendary producer Buckwild from DITC crew.
"Miss Me" by Beedie 
"The Cloud Life" feat Gene Stovall (ID Labs)
Click HERE for a free download of "Above The Weather" 
Follow Beedie: Twitter: @Beedie412  FB: BeedieMusic
Take a trip to BeedieLand at Beedieland.com
Watch more Beedie videos HERE - Youtube BeedieLand

Friday, December 28, 2012

Foto Friday | Pittsburgh Evening Skyline by Robert Hester

Pittsburgh Evening Skyline by Robert Hester

This Foto Friday features my dear friend Robert Hester III.  Robert and I met at a Style Segment party in the Strip District last year and shared tons of ideas, thoughts, and goals.  I loved his creativity  his thoughtfulness and his whole demeanor.  I asked him if he would be interested in taking the photos for my editorials, and he was more than willing to do so.  Now we are a team and Robert continues to inspire me and keep me on my toes about what's going on in the city.

Robert works as a freelance photographer, photojournalist and blogger in Braddock, PA.  His credentials include Carnegie Mellon University, Steel City Magazine, and TONS of local fashion shows and photo shoots.  Click HERE to find out more information on Robert and to view some more of his work.


Foto Friday is a way to highlight local photographers - If you are interested in featuring YOUR photography on Foto Friday, please submit your photo as well as a small paragraph about yourself along with contact info to:  thepghlook@gmail.com

It must be your own work and has to be conducive to either style, music, art, or culture in Pittsburgh - be creative!  

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Throwback Thursday: 80's Winter Chic

"Clash of Styles and Seasons Downtown Pittsburgh" Feb 2, 1985 - Pittsburgh Post Gazette (The Digs
Back from the holiday vortex known as Christmas and what a snow storm we've had!  Still, that's no excuse not to flaunt your winter's finest apparel.  I love this picture - look at those fabulous fur coats and hats, perfect for a cold snowy day much like we've been having.  Hope you all had a good holiday :)

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Throwback Thursday: Christmas Glamour


One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is watch old Christmas movies.  Mainly because they're just so romantic and pretty, and the wardrobe is usually fantastic! Nowadays you never see women in gorgeous gowns, elaborate costumes, or men in tuxedos - we're too busy having ugly sweater parties.  Maybe next Christmas I'll throw a Glamorous Christmas Party?  Take a look at these amazing Christmas outfits and have yourself a Merry Little Christmas.....



White Christmas 1954 (diaryofacelluloidgirl)


Audrey Hepburn with Santa 1952 (fashionsmostwanted)
Ceil Chapman (fashionfadesstylestays)
Susan Hayward 1950 (fashionsmostwanted)
Jayne Mansfield (fashionsmostwanted)

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Top 5: Best Places for Asian Food




Happy Tuesday!! I don't know what it is about Christmas that makes me crave Asian food- maybe it's watching the ending scene of A Christmas Story that does it? Either way, I have found some truly amazing Asian restaurants in Pittsburgh ranging from Chinese to Thai, Japanese to Malaysian.  Whether you're the type who doesn't like to venture too far away from egg rolls and fried rice, or if you're the type who is looking for something new and adventurous,  Pittsburgh holds some true gems when it comes to Asian food.  Try one of these places for your next lunch outing or dinner date and you won't be disappointed. Here are my Top 5!





Pittsburgh to Plate
Sushi Too
This is hands down my favorite place for sushi in Pittsburgh! Located on Walnut St. in Shadyside, Sushi Too has an amazing and friendly staff, the place is always clean, the fish is very fresh, and they have an awesome bento box lunch special!
Try:  Any lunch special (ton of food), Fantasy Roll, Sunshine Roll, Fresh Salmon Roll, Eel Roll and Tofu Skin Pockets.
Visit: http://sushitoo.net/


Spicy Laht Nah of Thailand 
Spice Island Tea House 
If you are looking for a quiet, dimly lit, intimate place with a delicious menu, this is the place.  And of all places, it's located in the Pittsburgh college party capital - Atwood St. in Oakland.  Spice Island has a very peaceful and almost zen-like atmosphere with a unique and clever menu. You get a TON of food for what you pay for and they even have a beer and wine list. Try to make reservations, it gets quite packed!
Try: Anything on the tea menu, The Ever Famous Pad Thai (actual name on menu), Lemongrass Beef, Fish Cakes, Java Fried Rice and Spicy Laht Nah of Thailand
Visit: http://www.spiceislandteahouse.com/Homepage.html

Urbanspoon

New Dumpling House 
I love that when you come to New Dumpling House, they greet you with a complimentary pot of hot tea, tempura crackers, and sometimes garlic cucumbers (give it a try!).  So as you pillage through their extensive menu of sushi, Chinese dishes, noodle soups, and of course dumplings, you have a little something to munch on. Whenever I go here, I order the fried chicken dumplings and some sushi to share- and believe me that's enough!  This is a great place to take a large group of people who want to try a little bit of everything.
Try: Green Fuji Maki, White Fish & Mint Leaf with Spicy Fish Roe Roll, Fried Chicken Dumplings, and Eel Udon.
Visit: View their Menu - Click Here


GoTime.com
Bangkok Balcony
Probably one of the most attractive restaurants I've seen in Pittsburgh, Bangkok Balcony overlooks the busy shopping area on Forbes in Squirrel Hill.  They have great salads and wonderful curries to choose from.  Great place for a date!
Try: Satay Chicken, Lemongrass Shrimp Salad, and Chicken Mussaman Curry
Visit: http://bangkokbalconypgh.com/


Food Collage
Lulu's Noodles
This is a fun, loud and colorful atmosphere!  Also located in an area packed with hungry college students, Lulu's Noodles is on Craig St in Oakland.  Lulu's seems to have the best prices out of all these places, with the most amount of food. This was the first place where I tried a bubble tea, as well as an authentic version of ramen soup that beats the stuff in a package any day! Order your food at the counter, take a number and get ready to enjoy some of the best noodles in the Burgh!
Try: A bubble tea (any flavor will do), Classic Lo Mein, Ramen Soup, Moo Shu Pork (can be substituted with any meat or tofu).
Visit: View their menu - Click here

Friday, December 7, 2012

Top 10 Local Places to Shop in Pittsburgh for the Holidays


(Etsy)

The holidays are here! Have you started your holiday shopping? For some of us, the idea of shopping at  large corporate stores with their "big blowout deals" and cookie-cutter products is such a bore.  Why not get your loved ones something unique while supporting local businesses?  There are tons of places to shop in Pittsburgh without having to step foot in a mall or department store. There's a little something for everyone around the city, you just have to look!  Here are 15 ideas on where to shop for the holidays in Pittsburgh!  Happy Holidays!






Wildcard

Practically a one-stop shop, Wildcard has everything from jewelry to stationary, t-shirts, craft supplies, original art, cards and some pretty amazing wrapping paper!  Located in Lawrenceville, Wildcard also serves as a local gallery space.  If you're looking for unique cards and wrapping paper, this is the place to go! 


EONS (Post Gazette)

Attention all vintage junkies!!!  EONS is vintage heaven!!!  Give the gift of nostalgia; this Shadyside store has fantastic dresses, hats, shoes, uniforms, coats, and more dating all the way back to the 30's.  Surprise your loved one with an awesome pill-box hat, a gorgeous broach or an authentic 50's pencil skirt. They even have some great things for men like authentic leather jackets, silk ties and cowboy shirts.


Thick Bikes (Justin Merriman Photography)

I'm seeing more and more bikes around the city lately, why not support the movement and the local shops that make it happen?  This Southside bike shop specializes in repairs and custom-made bike parts.  So if someone you're shopping for needs a new frame or is looking for some new handlebars for their ride, Thick Bikes has you covered!  


Decade (Midnight Guru
This loft-styled storefront is great for graphic tees, hoodies, jeans, interesting prints, and dresses.  Decade is the epitome of street wear; it has a cool urban edge with a little bit of a west coast twist.  It's a little skater, a little hipster and completely cool!  


Dozen Bake Shop Cupcakes (Cupcakestakethecake)

Great for an office party or a super sweet hostess gift, Dozen Bakeshop is the cupcake capital of Pittsburgh!  With unique and mouth-watering flavors like cosmo, east end chocolate stout and elvis (peanut butter and banana), and in vegan options as well, it's a gift that everyone can enjoy!  Not only can you get delisious one-of-a-kind cupcakes, but they also have amazing brownies, rice crispie treats and fruit tarts.  Check out their menu and order HERE.  



Jerry's Records

Today, music can be acquired in a matter of seconds, but there's something about putting it on vinyl and hearing the "real deal."  If you're shopping for a music lover, find out what kind of music they love and then hit up Jerry's Records to find some original, lightly used, amazing records. Located in Squirell Hill, Jerry's Records is one of the biggest record stores in the country!  It has thousands of records to choose from and listening stations to test them out.  Check out Jerry's Records HERE and also check out The PGH Look's photo shoot in Jerry's Records HERE



(Pavement) 


Want to find them something that no one else is wearing?  Pavement has unique and very cute things: dresses, tops, pants, and really great shoes!  Pavement is located on Butler St. in oh-so-cool Lawrenceville and carries names like local designer Kelly Lane, Popomono, Splendid and Feather. Check out Pavement for cute pieces to add to their wardrobe.  Take a look at our photo shoot that features Pavement clothing



Slacker (Pittsburgh Signs)

Need a present that ROCKS? This edgy shop has great t-shirts, kinky lingerie, posters, incense, piercing gear, and more!  Located in Southside, Slacker is known for it's gritty edge and fun attitude.  It's a great place to get something fun and lighthearted, or maybe even a little naughty.  Check out Slacker HERE



(FreedomMilitarySurplus)

If you need something for an outdoorsy, adventurous type, why not check out a local army-navy surplus store?  Broadway Army Navy Surplus on Liberty Ave in Downtown has everything for all their hiking, camping, shooting, and other venturesome needs.  

Wusthof Mincing Set (In the Kitchen)

Give the gift of delicious-ness!  In the Kitchen, is an independently owned store in the Strip District specializing in unique and innovative cooking appliances.  Get your loved one a the newest,coolest gadget to make their cooking experience just a little more special.  Find great kitchen appliances HERE

Thursday, November 15, 2012

CULTURE: 10 Things To Do During the Holidays in Pittsburgh

The holidays are in full effect, so don't let the cold weather get you down!  There are tons of festive, fun and affordable things to do for the holidays in Pittsburgh.  Bundle up, grad your buddies, your significant other or the kids, and explore the city during the holidays.  Here are ten awesome ways to enjoy the holidays in Pittsburgh!  Hope yours is wonderful!!



PPG Plaza ( Post Gazette)



The official kickoff to the holiday season starts this weekend on Friday, November 16th, with the 52th Annual Light Up Night.  The entire downtown area dazzles in lights as the city celebrates the holidays with the lighting of the PPG Plaza tree and other areas downtown, followed by performances by locals artists on three different stages, and of course a spectacular firework show.  This two-day showcase is free and open to the public and holds as one of the largest events in Pittsburgh.  Click here for more details. 



Pittsburgh Seasonal Parade ( Post Gazette) 
It's not the holidays without a parade full of beautiful floats and performers. As a continuation of the Downtown Pittsburgh Light Up Night weekend, the festivities continue with First Holiday Saturday on November 17thBottom Dollar Foods' Sounds of the Season parade presents marching bands, horse-drawn carriages and plenty of entertainment.  More details and parade map here.



(ThinkShadyside.com)

Small Business Saturday and Holiday Shop +Rock
Support local business in Shadyside on November 24th for Small Business Saturday - a national event sponsored by American Express to help promote small businesses during the notorious "Black Friday" weekend.  70 + small businesses on Walnut, Ellsworth and South Highland, will have treats, refreshments and tons of deals throughout the day.  Also check out Holiday Shop + Rock on Walnut St. November 30th, for the official Walnut St. light up night and block party featuring Donora and Radio Tokyo, followed by a Shadyside fashion show.  Find out more info about these events here.





People's Gas Holiday Market (downtownpittsburgh.com)
From November 24 - December 23, the People's Gas Holiday Market is a traditional German-style market inspired by the Christkindlemarkt of 1545 in Nuremberg, that turns Market Square into an illuminated village of wooden chalets full of vendors selling authentic gift items from around the world.  A variety of performers, dance groups, choirs and carolers  keep the festive feeling alive throughout the day. Not mention frequent visits from Mr. Clause himself.  Grab a cup of hot cocoa and get lost in this Christmas village.  Find out more information here

Sharron Needles (Photo by: Jeremy Kost warhol.org

Break away from the usual boring holiday shindigs and come party like a superstar as local celeb and RuPaul's Drag Race winner Sharron Needles finds out who's naughty or nice on December 1st at the Naughty or Nice Holiday  Bash. Mix and mingle with your friends and be sure to check out the special exhibition Jeremy Kost: Friends with Benefits.  For tickets and more info click here


The Holiday Promenade on Walnut
Immerse yourself in Pittsburgh's art scene as Continuum Dance Theater and Evolve Productions  presents The Holiday Promenade - a collaboration of dance, fashion food and art all in one.  On December 2, at Nadia Salon, sashion and dance blend as local designers showcase their latest wears inspired by Continuum Dance Theater's recently debuted performance work THE MOVEMENT. Stick around for the Chinese auction featuring tons of amazing goodies and enjoy delicious homemade treats at the bake sale and order your holiday goodies!  There's a little something for everyone!  For tickets and more info click HERE





Find all your holiday gifts at the I Made It! Market in Bakery Square December 8th, which features tons of local vendors specializing in gifts, ornaments, holiday cards and more! Santa makes a pit stop here too so bring the kids!  Plus a beer garden by Tapped!  Click here for more info.






Looking for a cool date n'at? Check out City Theater's South Side Stories by Tami Dixon.  From now until December 16th, this one woman show of monolouges portrays the life of the neighborhood through stories of mischief, the steel mills and local hauntings.  Get ready to hear some stories about the 'Burgh!  Click here for tickets and more info.  




PPG Ice Skating Rink (livejournal
What are the holidays in the city without ice skating in the heart of downtown?  The rink surrounds the 60 ft PPG Christmas tree and is surrounded by the beautiful glass PPG building creating a gorgeous spectacle.  Skate rentals are available as well as a concession stand for snacks and warm drinks. Bring the kids, your friends or a date, no matter what, this always is a fun time! For information on hours, admission prices and special events click here.  





First Night Puppet Parade (trustarts

Ring in the New Year at Highmark's First Night in Downtown.  It's a celebration of Pittsburgh's culture and arts.  Downtown becomes alive with live performances, the traditional puppet parade, and of the countdown into the new year!  This event is free and open to the public!  Click here for more information.  

Monday, November 12, 2012

Are cardio workouts or weight training more effective for losing fat


Reading or watching TV while you workout is a joke! 

Seriously, if you can read or watch TV while doing any exercise, you're not concentrating enough on what you're doing, plus you're probably not working out hard enough to see any real results.

I challenge you to give the "traditional cardio" a rest for a month or two, and start training the way I explain in my internationally-selling Truth about Six pack Abs Program, and see how you start getting leaner, more defined, and your six pack starting to show through what used to be stubborn stomach fat deposits.

If you're interested in more reading about the topic of cardio training and better alternatives, here's an interesting cardio article I wrote previously. Click Here!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

STYLE: The "Wow" Factor: An Interview with Jewelry Designer Ceasar Azzam of Ceasar's Designs


The biggest ring I've EVER worn from the Gelato Collection

"It's all about the 'wow' here," says jewelry designer and owner Ceasar Azzam of Ceasar's Designs.  His store on Walnut Street in Shadyside is a welcoming, boutique-like emporium of sparkling treasures.  There, you are greeted by Ceasar himself who offers his sound and honest opinion for a very personalized and unique experience.  As much as you would think a place like this is a hot-spot for newly engaged couples, Ceasar says he likes to focus more on those who treat themselves.  "Most jewelry stores depend on engagement rings as their most important category of business where as I depend on self purchases -women buying for themselves.  And that's reflected in everything I make, so I'm not going after the man buying her jewelry, it's more about treating yourself.  Whether they have a significant other or not - that's not the point.  I focus on the right hand if it's a ring - so I'd say the right hand is yours, do whatever you want with it!" 

Ceasar is also known for his signature butter ring- which is a very special design made for comfort and wearability.  The butter ring is used as a base for many of the rings, giving them a signature "Ceasar style." Recently Ceasar won honorable mention in the evening wear category in the 2013 AGTA Spectrum Awards for a breathtaking variation of the butter ring.  Here he tells us a little more about what he does and more details on his beautiful creations!  




Ceasar's Designs 


ThePGHLook: Tell us a little bit about your background.  How did you become a jeweler? 

Ceasar Azzam: I was born in a jewelry family, my dad learned the trade from his uncles and I helped my dad growing up.  And I went to school for economics, worked for a bank, and then went back to jewelry by attending the Gemological Institute of America - GIA - that's a world renowned jewelry school.  So I studied  gemology which involves the identification and grading of diamonds and colored stones.  That was in 1989, in Santa Monica, the school has moved since then to Carlsbad, north of San Diego.  I worked for a couple jewelry companies in Los Angeles before starting a small store north of Los Angeles with a partner who used to be the jeweler for the company I worked for so we became business partners.  So, that was going good until I came to Pittsburgh in 1997, and I've been in Pittsburgh since, I love what I do and I enjoy being in Shadyside.

Ceasar Azzam


ThePGHLook: You are known for your extraordinary designs and redesign work.  How do you come about creating your work? Do the clients have a lot of input in that or do you come up with the designs by yourself and if so, where do you feel you draw your inspiration from? 

Ceasar Azzam: It depends on the project, if it's something that I'm working with a particular client on, then it's definitely a collaboration that's totally welcome and the most important part of that process is listening and have them talk it out so-to-speak, figuring out what they like or more importantly what they don't like. So you kind of navigate your way into getting an idea that will totally work for them and then start it from there and then follow up in different steps of the process like sketching something, perhaps having it done in wax which they would see, approve, modify, and then the final product - the metal of choice, the gem or no gems, however it works out.  As far as the pieces that I make, I love gems! Many times the stones are the first things that kind of initiate that process, more so than claiming that some "sunrise" or something like that was the inspiration.  It starts with the gems and there's so much to start from in that there are so many varieties and colors - I love colors.  My job becomes creating a piece of jewelry that carries that gem and makes it wearable on the client's body comfortably.  I like my pieces to be present, so they're not shy!  Recently I've been using the expression "it's all about 'wow'!"  There has to be a "wow" in there, if it doesn't have the "wow" then it could be boring.  So I specialize in "wow!"  

Citrine in PANTONE color Tangerine Tango and Pink Tourmaline 


ThePGHLook: You're also well known for your "butter ring," you have ads that say "What on Earth is a Butter Ring," so here we go - What on Earth is a Butter Ring? 

Ceasar Azzam: The Butter Ring is my signature piece that I've been making for a number of years.  Recently we got the official trademark paperwork on it for the name.  It's a very smooth ring that - it started as a joke using butter because somebody said "Oh, it's like butter," and I said "Yeah it's the butter ring!"  It's very well balanced, the top and the bottom, when it's on the finger it doesn't spin, and I would love to show you one... 

ThePGHLook:  I'd love to see one!!

Iolite Butter Ring

Ceasar Azzam: This is an iolite - which is an indigo blue shade- it's not very well known.  I make my pieces in a number of gems and this is one of the less common ones.  

ThePGHLook:  It's like weightless and it..

Ceasar Azzam: Doesn't wobble?

ThePGHLook:  Yeah! Like I'm spinning my hand and shaking it, and it's not moving!  

Ceasar Azzam: And it's a big gem - it's not tiny so that's where the balance between the top part and the bottom part comes in.  And it has a certain feel that is perhaps nostalgic - maybe like a grandmother's engagement ring - it's just a simple setting that's no frills basically but that's the point, that's the while point behind it!  

ThePGHLook: So while we're on this topic, you recently won a very special award in something you said was like "the Oscars of Jewelry Makers,"- the 2013 AGTA Spectrum Awards.  Tell us about your piece. 

Ceasar Azzam: That means the American Gem Trade Association.  The piece - well I had acquired some bright green tsavorite garnet - it's a color of green that is very unique to garnets of this shape, it's a very rich green, and I didn't do anything with them until I came up with a modified butter ring that I started to call the "sprout ring" - it's like sprouts coming out of the ring. [shows me a base for the sprout ring] In the winning design, I added two more levels to it, the top is just over two-karats of bright bubblegum pink tourmaline from Brazil and then a rim of pearls around it.  

2013 AGTA Spectrum Award Winning "Printemps" Design

Ceasar Azzam: So the base is exactly this [the sprout ring base] without the middle one so now it only has five stones instead of six and then I put another level on top of another two levels, and I made it in rose gold, 18-karat rose gold.  So we got the honorable mention in the "evening wear" category.  They have a number of categories like bridal, men's, evening wear, day wear, and my pieces I usually enter- and I've been entering this competition for a couple of years now - are usually evening wear because they are like statement pieces more so than toned-down pieces that are day wear. Actually, I encourage my clients to wear their's all the time, most of my pieces are everyday and night wear because they can take the beating.  

ThePGHLook:  And the ring is called "Printemps?"

Ceasar Azzam: It's "Pra-ton!" It's French and I have to credit my neighbor downstairs Graciana from Gardell Designs for kinda suggesting the name.

ThePGHLook: What does it mean?

Ceasar Azzam: Primtemps means "spring" in French.  

ThePGHLook:  Oh ok that makes sense!  So, what is your favorite piece that you've ever created?

Ceasar Azzam: I think the butter ring is my favorite and variations of it.  I do many variations, the idea is the wearability and the uniqueness of it.  

ThePGHLook: Do you have any new pieces or collections coming out anytime soon?

Ceasar Azzam: I have a number of pieces using colored sapphires, mixed colored sapphires coming up.  Cuffs, pendants, and rings with mixed colored sapphires, and some bangle bracelets as well.  The bangles are on display, others are still in the works, so that's something new.  

A preview of mixed colored sapphires 

ThePGHLook: For the last question: what kind of things do you see trending or would like to see trending within the next year as far as jewelry goes? 

Ceasar Azzam: Color is still very strong, mixed colors as well as something I like to focus on which is unexpected mixtures of colors, which is not something you usually see in jewelry because most of the time people think about jewelry as something that's going to be timeless.  But then again, with trends and color trends especially changing, there's so many variety of gems that people don't think of when they think of jewelry, and especially when combinations of colors that are not your typical or traditional mix of colors that you would associate with jewelry.  But I love doing that, as a matter of fact I have several pieces coming up with combinations of colors for the holiday season but that is something that I'm going to continue throughout next year and we follow the color palates that are published for the fashion industry, and try to work to coordinate with that as much as possible.  

Wow indeed! 

Check out Ceasar's Designs:  http://caesarsdesigns.com/


Monday, October 22, 2012

STYLE: October Fashion Editorial - Black Metal Chic


 I absolutely LOVE this time of year! The trees are gorgeous with their fiery leaves, the air is a little more crisp, and there's a mischievous sense of anticipation with Halloween slowly creeping upon us. The entire month of October provides plenty of opportunity for us to transform and becoming someone (or something) else, all in the name of being festive. There is something fearless and daring about the way people dress for Halloween; some like to be super sexy, others like to be humorous, and some like to be terrifying.  Why can't we take the same risks that we do during the Halloween season, all year around but on a much less extreme basis?  Local designer, print maker and crafty queen Adrienne Rozzi's line, Poison Apple Printshop, is a prime example of that type of risk.  Highly influenced by the Norwegian death metal scene, she takes simple pieces and transforms them into wickedly amazing metal-chic outfits.  Her patchwork and screen printing provoke taboo and strange ideas that haunt you far after you've witnessed her clothing. We took the risk of painting the models faces death-metal style and shot in broad daylight into dusk at the beautiful Allegheny Cemetery. A lesson to be learned from Ms. Rozzi: be bold and daring, and never be afraid to take a risk every now and then.                     Happy Halloween!





















Find Poison Apple Printshop on Etsy!!!!





A very special Thank You and Happy Birthday to my wonderful friend 
and photographer Robert Hester!!!