Here’s my Stylish and Trendy Hat Trick. My third blog of the day. This blog is on fire 🔥.

I ordered some tank tops (they’re more for layering but who’s keeping score) and another patterned top (because I loved the floral 🌹 tops I ordered a few weeks ago).

I paired this pink tank with a chambray shirt and my Old Navy slim jeans.

The gray tank goes great with a leather jacket or untucked. I also paired this my little pink furry crossbody and a red moisture wicking ball cap (both of these from Old Navy). Thank you for this awesome birthday present Paula and Sara. This tank would be paired up great with my Old Navy joggers as well.

I wasn’t too thrilled with the white tank pics but I’ll take some better ones. Let me find a cardi to pair this with and I’ll get someone to take my picture at Twin Lakes or at the Diamond in Ligonier. But here is my black tank, layered with my floral tops. Oh by the way, no one I talked to last night had a problem with my pink floral. If it’s your destiny to complain about how I dress, then you have too much time on your hands. Oh by the way again, my outfit inspo came from a coworker.

Finally, here’s the new red marble top. I mistakenly called it floral. I didn’t layer any tanks with this top but I did pair it with a rocking pair of Old Navy jeans. Some say don’t tuck in these shirts but, to each their own.

You have your definition of style, I have my definition of style. Let’s put it at that.

Dana Mitnik is doing amazing work so far as our District 13 Historian. I’m really this look back at what our District used to be. There was even an original Greensburg club that predated our own.

Now I learned that there was once a Jeannette Toastmasters club. Interesting. My home church, Cornerstone, is taking to the streets of the Glass City next month for Uncommon. Back in 1942 when America was in the throes of World War II, the (original) Greensburg Toastmasters took it upon themselves to talk up Toastmasters in the city of Jeannette. Thus, their efforts were so successful that club #233, Jeannette Toastmasters, was born.

How about this Table Topics question? Whomever does it at our next meeting or a future meeting should look to this question as inspo. Calling evaluators Speech Critics? Interesting. I remember when we changed the titles of our executive leaders from Governors to Directors in the mid 2010’s. Times certainly have changed since 1942.

Three guests in attendance. Way to go Jeannette Toastmasters!! Now let’s work on getting them to join.

Congrats to our newly minted Distinguished Toastmasters. But it especially goes out Tina Kramer (Area 13 Director, Cranberry High Noon and Earlybirds member) for becoming the first Toastmaster to achieve her DTM in the Pathways. Great job Tina!

Again, last night was just amazing. Thanks for the memories D13 Toastmasters.

I had my monthly dinner with Mr. Clougherty last night. It was a night market Thursday so we ventured out of the city a bit and decided on Moreland’s in South Greensburg. We ate there last August and were impressed with the service. I decided to try it again.

It was one of my best nights that we had dinner. I didn’t complain about politics and even when I mentioned the negative bestowed upon me regarding my style, I did it with a smile. It was almost like pitching a perfect game. I enjoy this tradition that Mr. Clougherty and I have every month during the summer.

Kevin seems to be on board with my fashion sense. He wouldn’t have said this 20-25 years ago but, times have changed.

Regarding last night’s dinner. It was a great experience. My greeter seated me and my server got my drink to me quick. I’ll excuse Moreland’s for being short staffed because that’s going on nationwide. Service was excellent and the girls were very courteous. I give a 9.5/10 here.

The food was excellent. I ordered us the goat cheese fritters as an appetizer. They were amazing. Kevin and I ordered sandwiches. He got the French Dip prime rib sandwich and I got the Reuben. The quality was great and we got a lot of bang for our buck. I give it a 9.7/10

The price was what I thought it would be. This is a pretty fancy place that does a lot of business with wedding parties. You get what you pay for and we got our money’s worth here. My grade: 9.5/10.

Not much to say about the decor. We were inside this time. I’ll have a lot to say about the decor when the time comes for Cracker Barrel or Hoss’s. My grade: 10/10 (more of a curve)

Ambience was a lot better than Saturday. The perfect amount of natural light. It was a bar atmosphere and it was hopping for a Thursday night. There’s an extra lot to park in as well if it gets too full near the actual restaurant. I give a grade of 9.5/10.

Regarding the short staffing, it wasn’t an issue. We were able to get a seat for Thursday night. I’ll definitely be back again.

Tonight was a night a few years in the making because of the pandemic. It was also a night ten years in the making because of my longtime involvement in Toastmasters.

For the first time since December 2019, our District had a big in person event. I arrived around 5pm and walked in with some of District 13’s finest. I took my name tag and sat down with two people from the newly chartered Laurel Highlands Toastmasters club (Ryan Jacobs and Sharon Joseph who also belonged to other clubs). Ryan is also the Area 23 Director. Dana Mitnik joined us as well. We talked Toastmasters shop as we awaited the dinner bell.

Our immediate past District Director Patti Thor recognized all of our District leaders as well as those who volunteered their time in 2020-21. Current director Bob Johnson was handed the gavel and thanked everyone for persevering during a trying time. Patti was in charge of the DTM gauntlet and she introduced all of the newly minted distinguished toastmasters who earned the award over the past two years. I hugged, shook hands with, and even twirled my fellow Distinguished Toastmaster pals.

We got pictures in front of the red carpet. Our clubs that made Presidents Distinguished and those of us who achieved our DTMs all got our pictures taken. Lots of great photo opportunities to be had that evening. After while, it was off to dance to the music that our DJ for the evening had planned for us. Props to Tyler Crummy for his awesome playlist. Here’s a few pics from the red carpet. I should have done my strut.

Not too long after we started disco dancing, the fire alarms 🚨 went off. At first we took it as a false alarm, but after Jim Thor called the campus police, we had to go outside. Apparently the dishwasher set off the alarms. When the fire department crashes your party, you move things outside and keep dancing

Tyler kept the tunes playing despite the interruptions. Everyone danced to “YMCA”. Getting off the subject, I’ll never forget what Dana and Jim (Teague) said to me about my style and fashion sense and the way I dress. “To each their own”. Dana applauded me for my confidence (he should have seen me when I walked into the Coach outlet to buy my swag). He also applauded me for how I’m defying gender norms with my Harry Styles way of dressing. “You have your definition of style and I have mine.” Even Past International Director Russell Drake complimented me for my stories and becoming a fashion blogger. I’m so glad they could see it that way. It’s a shame some people can’t. Just like how Paula and Sara are complimenting me on my style. “Don’t be embarrassed. Be proud. Fashion is nothing to be ashamed of.” Words of wisdom from my twin/fashion buddy herself.

After we got the all clear, we went back inside and wrapped up the night. Most everyone had left and there were just a few disco queens and kings remaining. Sarah showed us her disco dance moves and she did it like a boss. We finished up the night with “Last Dance” by Donna Summer.

It was a memorable night. A big shoutout to Patti for her leadership during the previous Toastmaster year and to Bob and his team for all he’s going to accomplish in the new Toastmaster year. Cranberry represent. Congratulations to all of us who achieved our Distinguished Toastmasters. Welcome to the sorority.

I’ll close with this, when the fire department crashes your party, you move things outside and keep dancing. Here’s our past and present trio.

Bye everyone. ❤️ you.

Recently, Area 24 not only had three Presidents’ Distinguished clubs but, with the addition of the new Laurel Highlands Toastmasters chapter, became a Presidents’ Distinguished Area. Way to go Nick for your leadership in the Area, all our club presidents for helping lead their clubs to success, and Dana Mitnik and Ryan Jacobs for getting this new club off the ground. I’d love to check it out sometime.

Our historian Dana Mitnik came up with this interesting factoid about 1940s District 13 Toastmasters. It so happens that one of the members of the Original Greensburg Toastmasters club received an award for traveling the furthest to the annual Toastmasters convention. The convention was held in Santa Cruz, CA.

Here’s a little bit more information on this piece of nostalgia.

Thank you Dana for your dedication to the Distict as our historian. We look forward to your next look back in District 13 Toastmasters history.

At the request of my coworkers Maura and Ashley, I decided to do restaurant reviews in the Ligonier area. Today’s trip to the little Stars Hollow took me to El Vaquero Mexicano, a New Mexican restaurant in town two spots down from the Ligonier Creamery.

I saw some one and two star reviews on the place and was skeptical at first about going. I planned to go last night but wasn’t really up to it as the long workweek kicked my ass, plus the weather was pretty bad with storms in the area. But for the sake of my readers and the girls, I decided to enjoy lunch here today.

Here’s what I liked. I thought that the service was excellent once I sat down. I ordered my lunch (I got the beef burrito 🌯 with lettuce and sour cream) and it came quickly. My server and hostess took care of me and made sure I was all right. The decor helped make this place very colorful. I loved the hanging decorations and the mural on the wall. It made this place stand out. I also saw the merchandise for sale and that added a nice touch. You could purchase a T-shirt or some other cute knick knacks.

How can this place improve? I felt the music, while appropriate for the restaurant itself, was a little bit too loud. Now one could blame this on me because I didn’t speak up but the staff could be a little bit more considerate of the needs of the customer. I ordered the burrito and while I got my money’s worth in terms of size, I felt the beef could have been seasoned a little bit more (I added hot sauce for taste).

My challenge and I understand they may be a new restaurant is to see them come up with some lunch specials. I know you have to make money to stay in business, but provide some deals in the future. Places like El Campesino and Acapulco (my personal fave) impress me with their lunches. Also, continue to provide service with a smile (I worked for Eat’n Park in the past so I know what smiles are). It’ll impress your guests and keep them coming back, giving great reviews, and will ensure you stay in business.

Last week I ordered some floral tops 🌺 🌹 and styled them on Facebook and Instagram. I got plenty of likes from friends and family who are behind my fashion sense all the way. My mother and I had a debate over how I should style my shirts. She disagreed with me about tucking them in. I felt the opposite and that’s ok. It’s just her opinion. I put that aside and remembered all the positive energy that I got from reading the comments from my closest friends.

“A true king 👑”—Sara Newsom

“You’re amazing. Don’t forget it.❤️❤️❤️”

“I love ❤️ who you are. Always.”—both from Paula Mason

“You look amazing 🤩.”—Terye Carney

Asking for opinions on what top was nicer, I think I found a great outfit for ULTA in two weeks. If I want to tuck in my amazing fashionwear 👗 👠, then ain’t no stopping me. I already have another shirt ready to order as well as some tank tops. I plan on ordering blazers as well. Red and orange that will be perfect for fall 🍂. Sara and I are going to twin with our matching red blazers at some point this fall. I’ll style mine with a T-shirt, jeans, boots, and an infinity scarf.

Lots of fun stuff planned the rest of this summer and into autumn 🍂. To close, here’s some more pictures of my floral 🌹.

Life is good in 2021. I have a good job I’ve thrived at for over ten years. I’m excelling in my Toastmasters journey. I obtained my Distinguished Toastmaster award, won the Spirit of Toastmasters award, and watched my home club earn Presidents’ Distinguished honors. I launched this blog in late 2019. It’s growing every day and I’m starting to establish myself as a lifestyle and fashion blogger. I’m even including restaurant reviews in it. I just did one on the Jean Bonnet Tavern in Bedford as well as Sun Dawg.

Finally, my love of fashion is taking off. I’m breaking down barriers, feeling proud 🥲, and have become a big fan of Coach 👜 (take that Kate ♠️ and Vera) and pretty soon, ULTA and other cosmetic brands.

But 15 years ago, ask me if I knew what WIS International was. Not a clue. What is Toastmasters? Isn’t that public speaking? No thank you. I didn’t blog in 2006 but I was working on a draft for a book long since put on the back burner. I was a lost soul in 2006, having just graduated from Slippery Rock University without a clue as to what to do with my life. I was directionless, I was in despair and, I became depressed because college was such a heartfelt part of my life and now those days were gone. I had no choice but to enter the real world.

Our story begins in 2005 when I was just a few weeks away from graduating from college at Slippery Rock University with my undergraduate degree in Finance. I had nothing lined up and I just hoped for the best. My grades weren’t perfect but I was doing all right. I finally began to get it right at the end but it was too little too late. 2005 wasn’t just the end of academia but also the end of an era.

I began that transition into the real world in January of 2006. The Steelers were making their Super Bowl run and I was starting my job search. This was just the beginning of a long, lost year for my family and, a long, lost season for me.

We’re just getting started. Hang on to your hats. 2006 has only begun to fight.

My first job came later that month. I was doing telemarketing at Reese Teleservices. It was a racket and it didn’t last long. I lost my job because I told off a caller who was losing his temper. I was also taking civil service exams hoping to land a government job. I took them at the Hiram G. Andrews Center. I was hopeful something would come of this. I’d eventually learn that having a college degree didn’t guarantee success, and that there is no perfect job.

Turn out the lights, the party’s over. That was the theme of Spring 2006. The job search rolled on as Spring was drawing near. I was applying everywhere and going to job interviews every day. It was almost a job in and of itself. I applied for menial work (Walmart, security at the Sony plant, also through temp agencies like Spherion) as well as in my field (Northwestern Mutual comes to mind as well as many companies at that job fair in late May). What a waste of money that suit was for all those interviews.

Meanwhile, at home, things turned ugly as my loved ones began falling ill 🤒. I wasn’t driving and needed to grow up quickly. My parents came down on me over everything that was going on therefore, it was time for me to do my part. The college years as I knew them were officially over.

Great Grandma was sent to St. Anne’s home, and Gram was hospitalized at Forbes Regional Hospital in Monroeville before being transferred to Woodhaven Care Center. She would spend a considerable amount of time there before coming to our house to recover. She would receive long term care during her stay at our house.

I gave telemarketing a second chance when Xentel hired me in March of 2006. While I fared slightly better there than Reese, it ended in disaster. I was fired for lackluster performance and thus, my summer of unemployment would begin.

It’s now official. With no job and no prospects, this was going to be a long, jobless summer. If anything would come out of it, at least I could keep myself busy helping take care of Gram, who was now living with us and receiving long term personal care.

The summer of despair and no direction quickly turned to depression as we lost loved ones in threes. Great Grandma passed away in August. We lost Aunt Nan a few weeks later. My job search was still going nowhere and going back to school was out of the question. However, Gram was improving and got to go “home”. While I was jobless, it really wasn’t a bad summer. I got to go to Fanfest in July and spend time with Gram.

We watched a lot of cooking and quilting shows as well as The View. Maybe things would start to look up (but this was 2006). At the end of August, after the long jobless summer, I began my first day of work at Kings. I was hired a week earlier and aced both interviews. A far cry from a month ago when my pride kept me from applying for any jobs beneath me. Guess that tough love from my parents helped.

Soon after I took the job at Kings, my Gram took a turn for the worst and passed away. It was heartbreaking news to me after she had made progress getting better and even getting the opportunity to go home. The loss was hard on all of us. I really enjoyed getting to spend time with her that summer as it got me through some difficult times.

I also started driving that Fall as well. All I needed was a little experience on the road to get me behind the wheel, which I got one summer morning from a friend of my mother’s who was a state trooper.

Meanwhile, I’d be employed with Kings for the next two years. It was a great job but most of the time I was muddled with negative opinions from coworkers, as well as longing for a job in my field and of course going back to school for a post bac degree. I left Kings after the economy went downhill in 2008 and my hours were cut.

I took a job with WIS International late in 2008 after answering an ad in the Pennysaver. I had an interview and was hired immediately. I’ve held down the job for 12 years and have done an extensive amount of travel because of my job. I joined Toastmasters in 2011 and quickly became a part of it, attending events like the semiannual conferences as well as officer training.

Also in 2008, while attending Greensburg Alliance Church, my pastor introduced me to a guy who would disciple me. While my relationship with Bill fizzled, I’ve gotten to know his now ex-wife and daughters much better. I keep in touch with Paula, Rae, and Sara through social media and they have unofficially adopted me into their family. They always love my posts and Sara and I always wax fashion sense. Here’s me with Sara and her husband Rob at their wedding in May.

All good things must come to an end and that’s what happened in 2017 when the Fall Conference came to an close. It would be replaced by the District 13 Fall Symposium next October. In 2018, I attended my final homecoming at Slippery Rock University (for a while, at least). I regretted missing the first Fall Symposium but I had to find out on my own that one of my longtime traditions was played out. Next year, I attended the Fall Symposium close to home in Greensburg.

I made my Toastmasters comeback in 2019 and finished the requirements for my Distinguished Toastmaster award that Fall. While Sara and I inspire each other with our love of fashion, it was a coworker who helped me pay attention to my style on an overnight trip. Later that year, I launched my blog and even got praise from the Cranberry High Noon Toastmasters club when I made a visit to them right before Christmas.

Even with last year being awash due to Covid, 2021 couldn’t have turned out any better than it has. I’m more fashionable and more confident than I’ve ever been and I’ve put together some bomb outfits as well. Here’s one of them.

That overnight trip when my coworker upstaged me with her cute pink dress really fueled my interest in fashion and style 👗 👠. But then again, Paula and Sara’s encouragement does too.

But the lesson learned in this blog is that….

Everyone Starts Somewhere.

Bye everyone. ❤️ you.

I’ve been a regular customer of Sun Dawg Cafe for five years now. I found out about them through friends at my old home church, Greensburg Alliance Church. They went into business in 2012 and their first location was under Westmoreland Ballet Company (where Yumzio Bistro is located now).

They moved to their current location in 2016 and have been growing ever since. Their space has grown, they’re open for dinner four nights a week, added more dining, and the owners are planning another venture. The El Diablo Brewing Company and Wood Fired Kitchen is under construction and hopeful it will open soon. It’s going to be located in Greensburg on US 119 S near Sheetz and Lynch Field.

I had the opportunity to eat breakfast there this morning and I’m a regular customer at Sun Dawg. The staff and owners know me well.

Let’s start with the meal. You get a lot of great choices for breakfast and you can order online or off the menu. They also have special features they post on their Facebook page and in the restaurant. I took advantage of that and ordered the Salmon Cake with home fries, bacon aioli, an over easy egg, and scallions. I got my money’s worth of breakfast today. I always get the bottomless coffee and it is top notch. Their cocktails are great as well. Grade: 9.5/10.

Next up is service. I was taken care of very quickly. I found a great seat near the window. My server took my order just like that and made sure I was ok. I got my breakfast in ample time and staff checked up on me to make sure I was ok. Rachel, the owner, even stopped and talked me and asked me how I was doing. She wished me a happy 40th birthday and told me that I was looking good in light of my health. The staff here is very personable and make your dining experience great. I’ve definitely formed some great friendships here as well with the hard working staff at Sun Dawg. Grade: 10/10.

The ambience here says a lot and it tells you that you’re going to be in for a great dining experience. When I come in (usually on Saturday mornings) it’s always busy and in this post-pandemic era, that’s good. In the warmer months, you can even eat outside. I recommend the features they post. Try the pancakes for breakfast or grab a cheesesteak for lunch with a black mango iced tea. The decor, as well, makes this cafe a very happening place. 9.8/10 for the ambience and 4.8/5 for the decor.

If this is ever your first time coming to Sun Dawg, then I hope reading this review encourages you to come back.

I have no suggestions for improvement because they’re doing great and they’re growing every day with all the additions they’ve made (more room for dining, more hours, and the new nanobrewery coming soon). I have no new challenges to offer. Keep up the good work, Ray, Rachel, and staff.

Sun Dawg is open 8-4 for breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday, and 4-9 for dinner Wednesday through Saturday).

Be sure to tune in next week to Stylish and Hungry when I visit El Vaquero Mexicano.

Recently, the Greensburg Club finished the year with Presidents Distingished honors. The dedication and hard work of the members helped lead them to success. We’re already off to a banner start in the 2021-22 Toastmaster year with a great meeting Wednesday night. To quote our VPPR Marissa Wallace, “I think we’re off to an excellent start. Today’s speakers talked about learning styles and big changes coming for our club. To top it all off, our table topics had an amazing turnout with so many people engaged. What a way to kick off the new Toastmasters year!”

Recently, our friend and Distinguished Toastmaster Dana Mitnik became the District Historian and he’s come up with some amazing factoids about District 13 that he has been sharing on the D13 Facebook page. Here is his latest and it tells us that there was another Greensburg club in the early days of Toastmasters.

Here is another interesting piece of Toastmasters nostalgia. This one covers the chartering of the Pittsburgh Club 144 in 1939.

Look for more exciting throwbacks from Dana, which I will also be posting to the blog during the summer and throughout the Toastmasters year.