On May 15, I celebrated the wedding of my good friends Rob and Sara at the Westmoreland Country Club. The weather couldn’t be any more perfect than it was on that Saturday. It was a day like today for the most part with sunshine and a few clouds.

After a short ceremony, the wedding party got some pictures and we socialized. We then assembled into the ballroom and welcomed the bride and groom and their party. It didn’t take all of us long to reunite.

During the reception, we’re all outside and everyone is having a great time (drinks and all). I’m decked out in my leopard print cardigan and hat, which Paula and Sara have fallen in love with. While getting a picture with Sara and her friends, she asks me what the inspiration was for my outfit and my inspiration for dressing nice.

What’s the inspiration? Three questions I’ll share in tonight’s blog.

What’s my inspiration for the outfit I put together Saturday? (it was absolutely fabulous)

What’s the inspiration behind me dressing nice?

What inspired me to have a sudden interest in the designer brand known as Coach?

First question. When I was deciding what to wear for the wedding Saturday, I realized I don’t have any good clothes and needed to shop ASAP. Amazon to the rescue. I bought a pair of black pants and a black puffy blouse (my female friend wears trousers 🇬🇧 so it’s all good). I paired it with my red leather jacket during the wedding, put on my leopard scarf during dinner, and later on my leopard print cardigan.

My inspiration for my outfit was that leopard is always fun to wear to an event (I have a couple of nice leopard scarves too). It went really good with my black ensemble and it got a lot of attention. Own who you are. There’s nothing more beautiful.

Second question. I’ve always dressed nice. I did so in college. I always managed to look presentable. But it was one night and one person who managed to put this in perspective for me.

The events of 2019 have paved the way for the successes I’m achieving now. Earning my Dinstinguished Toastmaster award, seeing the return of one of my friends who quit that Spring and came back right before Labor Day, and one overnight trip that changed my perspective on fashion. Who’d have thought a cute blonde girl in a pink dress could have an impact on me?

My friends have been supportive of my fashion sense. However, I worry that some might treat me different. I think about how different my family will react. I sometimes doubt myself as well. But for the most part, it’s worked out well. As Mr. Clougherty always says, “Do whatever makes you happy.” As Paula told me yesterday, “Own who you are. There’s nothing more beautiful.” My sis and fashion buddy Sara reminds me that “Fashion is nothing to be ashamed of.”

Recently, I’ve been buying more stylish clothes like my leopard print cardigan and my mustard colored blazer. I plan on ordering a few more pastel jackets.

Third and final question. Why the interest in Coach?

Back in the summer, I started carrying a bag around at work and when I went out. At first I hid it so no one would make fun of me or look at me differently. Eventually I brought it out more and really no one has said anything. Even one of my managers has shown interest in my purple bag. Even if on Amazon it says it’s for females only, that hasn’t phased me. Like Sara has told me, “Fashion is nothing to be ashamed of.”

My interest in Coach came from that same girl who wowed me with that pink sundress a year earlier. Back in September, she’d come to work with her big Coach purse. Eventually, her purse caught my eye along with all the ads I saw on Instagram for Coach. Put two and two together (and the support of my adopted sister and mother) and you have my interest in a designer brand of purse.

I took a trip up to Tanger outlets in February where I purchased some hand lotion from Bath and Body Works, a couple pairs of joggers from Old Navy, and finally what I’ve been waiting for, my Coach. To prep myself for my shopping spree, I window shopped at Kate Spade. I went in very confident and made my purchases. I couldn’t wait to bring it home and take selfies. I got all the attention from Paula and Sara as well as Lisa Sukenik (who loves my crossbody with the red strap). Everyone’s crushing on my crossbody and crushing on my Coach.

Lessons learned from this blog: Be you. Do whatever makes you happy. Own who you are. There’s nothing more beautiful. Lastly, don’t let others shame you. Fashion is nothing to be ashamed of.

Bye everyone. ❤️ you.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there. Thank you for everything that you do.

This morning at Cornerstone Ministries, all the ladies got a free coffee from the local cafe Sweet Buzz. Guys would have to pay however. Our worship team made us laugh with some great Mother’s Day humour.

I celebrated my mom with a hanging basket from Bakers Home and Garden Center in Somerset yesterday afternoon and a nice Mother’s Day card this morning. My family isn’t big on celebrations like they used to be everyone has grown up and started families of their own or moved away. We used to all get together on Mother’s Day (we had our traditional picnic every year and took a picture of all the grandkids). Those days are long gone but we will always have the memories to look back on. Even our family reunions have passed us by as our loved ones have moved away or passed on.

Tomorrow would have been Gramma Gaffron’s birthday. She would have been 94 years old. This year marks 15 years since her passing and she is still missed. Gram was very loving, had an amazing laugh, and she was always willing to listen. She loved her family including her 13 grandchildren. Some of my best memories of my Gram include visiting her every Friday night, watching Jeopardy, and getting a subscription to Newsweek before I started college in 2000. She always entertained her family during the holidays with the endless Gaffron Christmas.

This weekend I will be celebrating my friends Rob and Sara. They got married last year but because of COVID could not have a big celebration. They were married at Greensburg Alliance Church and had some wedding pictures taken at Twin Lakes. This year they’re having a big celebration at the Westmoreland Country Club in Export and I’m invited. I talked with Sara on Facebook this week and I’m getting excited for the big day on Saturday. I’m happy to celebrate my little sis/twin/fashion buddy and her marriage to Rob. I’ve become a fan of Jane the Virgin thanks to Sara. We’re planning to attend the Ligonier Night Markets starting in June and a few Greensburg Nigbt Markets.

Here’s to the start of many fun experiences in 2021.

This week needs to hurry by quick so I can celebrate my friends. I’ll show you my outfit in a fashion blog this week.

Happy Mother’s Day. ❤️ you.

Happy Star Wars Day everyone. May the Fourth Be with You.

Star Wars Day is an informal commemorative day observed annually on May 4 to celebrate George Lucas‘ Star Warsmedia franchise. Observance of the day spread quickly through media and grassroots celebrations since the franchise began in 1977.

The date originated from the pun “May the Fourthbe with you”, a variant of the popular Star Warscatchphrase “May the Force be with you“. Even though the holiday was not created or declared by Lucasfilm, many Star Wars fans across the world have chosen to celebrate the holiday. It has since been embraced by Lucasfilm and parent company Disney as an annual celebration of Star Wars.

The first recorded reference of the phrase being used was on May 4, 1979, the day after Margaret Thatcher was elected as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Her political party, the Conservatives, placed a congratulatory advertisement in The London Evening News, saying “May the Fourth Be with You, Maggie. Congratulations.”

Fans have celebrated Star Wars in a variety of ways in social media and on television.

Since 2013, The Walt Disney Company has officially observed the holiday with several Star Wars events and festivities at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

My cousin Katie is a Star Wars fan and on tonight’s trivia, I encouraged her to put a few trivia questions from the Dark Side. As for me, I am a fan of original trilogy, not so much the prequels, and I have seen a few of the newer ones. As for the Mandalorian, it is on my upcoming watch list.

May the Fourth be you.

Live long and prosper 🖖.

Closed doors. Unanswered prayers. Blocked roads. All paths in life we must encounter. How we react to them will go a long way in how we deal with life itself.

One example of a closed door was back in 2005 when I graduated college. As quick as I came in I went back out. The gravy train was coming to its final stop, I would be looking for work, and I would be paying back my student loans. Things didn’t work out for me post academia and I gave a lot of thought to going back for a second degree. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that the door was closed and I have to be content where I was. When the economy ground to a halt in 2008, that meant Kings would be cutting its hours. I began the process of finding another job. When that door closed, another opened. I’m still there to this very day.

When I couldn’t find work in my field in 2006, not to mention I was turning down work for that perfect ideal job, it felt like doors were closed. Companies wanted a little bit more from me than just a degree. Eventually I was going to have to settle somewhere. That’s where Kings Delmont came in. I applied in August and was immediately called for an interview. I impressed on my first and second interviews and was hired. I started at the end of the month (about six years to the day I started college at Hiram G. Andrews Center)

There’s another unanswered prayer right there. Where I went to school. My lackluster SAT scores meant I wasn’t going to get into a great university. We could have chosen the local community college and I could have gotten college credit and saved money on room and board. We looked at the Hiram G. Andrews Center as well and my mom thought it would be a better fit as I’d still get my education but also have the opportunity to be on my own. Eventually another door would open in the spring of 2001 when I moved on to the local community college there. I attended there while living at HGAC. Yet another door would open in my last year in Johnstown when I applied at Slippery Rock and eventually would get accepted.

But a great example of a blocked road came in 2008. I had plans to apply to another degree program at California University of Pennsylvania. Unhappy with my work situation, I didn’t care what it would take for things to change in my life. I even had the literature ready to go. I sat down at Careerlink with my OVR counselor and she explained to me that there would be too many hurdles to overcome. I still owed debt on Slippery Rock (I eventually paid off my loans in late 2009). I tried applying again in late 2011 before giving up for good. In the Spring of 2013, I finally accepted my educational journey for what it was and realized my time in college was truly worth it.

As my interests have drastically changed in the last few years, I think to myself, “I used to be that person?”. But no matter where you come from, the journey is always worth it.

Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers— Garth Brooks “Unanswered Prayers”.

Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens. —Lee Ann Womack, “I Hope You Dance.”

Last night marked the end of an era.

After more than thirty years in business, Kings Family Restaurant in Delmont closed its doors for the last time. The next morning, they did not reopen.

A sad day for those who remember a Delmont institution just off Route 66 near the ramp to US 22. There are many memories from those who worked there, myself included. We even started a page called “I Survived Kings Delmont” that highlighted the crazy antics of everyone working there from past years.

For me, Kings Delmont holds a special place in my heart. Here’s three facts about my employment with Kings and three things I wish I’d done better.

It was my first real job out of college in 2006.

I had a great relationship with the higher ups whenever they came to visit. Mom once said in 2006, “Get to know them”. I could have really applied myself and done more with the company. Too bad my attitude soured a few years later.

I promoted Kings at various events as the Frownie. I also did my homework and learned lots about the company. They started in North Versailles, and branched out to Monroeville and Plum before opening restaurants in the South Hills.

Those are the facts about my employment. Here’s what could have improved.

I wish I wouldn’t have let the negative attitude of my other coworkers ruin my view of working there.

I was so obsessed with my education. It’s hard to believe that back then it was a thing for me when my interests have changed so much in the last couple of years. I guess when you get older you do appreciate things more and realize some things weren’t really a great idea anyways.

I would looked at those busy days as an blessing instead of a curse. The yearly Apple 🍏 Festival was one of the busiest weekends of the year. I wished I’d taken more opportunities to shine and be my best.

My dad still has his Frownie T-shirt I got him for Christmas in 2005. The Frownie helped the company when it was introduced to compete with Eat’n Park’s Smiley Cookie. Whereas Eat’n Park was the place for smiles, Kings claimed that they made a mean dessert.

I really wish I’d appreciated my employment more here. Sad how all of the places I’ve previously worked have closed now. Park Diner closing in 2009 was a shock but Eat’n Park made that decision themselves. It was bad times for our economy as well. Reese and Xentel weren’t real jobs to me so no loss there.

However, Kings Delmont closing hurts more. It will always be my first real job out of college.

What a month April was, from losing my uncle to reading about my former place of employment closing its doors. There was the Spring conference and me finally seeing the doctor about my head cyst. Work kicked my ass over the last few weeks and I got away from being fashionable and keeping up with my Instagram friends.

But the month of May will be different. II’m excited to attend the wedding of my friend/little sis/twin/fashion buddy Sara and her husband Rob. They were married last year at Greensburg Alliance Church and had some pictures taken at Twin Lakes. Of course plans for a big wedding were shelved due to Covid, like everything else in 2020. I’m blessed that I got the invitation to attend their wedding on May 15. Sara’s mom Paula told me on Messenger, “You’re family, of course you’ll be there.”

Farmer’s markets start up this month and the day of the wedding is the first one in Ligonier. I’ll head down in the morning and see what it’s all about. The Greensburg Night Market starts on the 27th and I’m going to be there to visit my small business owner friends whom I’ve missed this Spring with being in the hospital and being busy and just not keeping in contact on Instagram.

Of course on Memorial Day weekend, I’ll be doing some traveling like I used to. Maybe that Sunday, I’ll go up to Johnstown and attend church before having lunch and then ending the day walking around my o!d school. Some traditions never die or are never outgrown. Where do I go to church in Johnstown? Greater Johnstown Christian Fellowship. It’ll be the highlight of a church tour I’ve wanted to do for quite some time now and I’m looking forward to it. I plan to visit a few big churches in the Pittsburgh area this summer too.

After laying low for April, let’s make it up in May. Lots of good strawberry 🍓 picking coming.

It’s great to be back to blogging. Remember Wednesday is Cinco de Mayo 🌮 and Tuesday May the Fourth be with you.

Happy May Day. ❤️ you.

Everywhere I go, chances are you will see me carrying a bag of some kind. I do so because it’s convenient and it’s also stylish.

I have several bags at my disposal but there’s a chosen few that really stand out in my opinion.

One bag is perfect for the upcoming night markets this summer in Greensburg and Ligonier. One of my totes is a Christmas gift given to me by someone I just met in 2020. One of the bags i take with me when I do a Target run (I hope I didn’t give that one away 😉). But one bag I have is brand new and a real fashion statement.

This tote is perfect for my coffee dates at White Rabbit or Abigail’s Coffeehouse. I take my books in it with me on walks around town (weather permitting). But there’s a story behind this cute tote and my favorite little shop in downtown Greensburg.

One afternoon before Christmas, I stopped into Trendy to visit the girls. During my visit, Alisha went into the stockroom to get a gift she had for me. She really had me in mind with this beauty. Back in the Spring, I commented on a picture of a cross stitch that said this very message. Alisha and I found out we had something in common. We both liked Gilmore Girls. I watched the series in 2020 and found my own little Stars Hollow in the small town of Ligonier.

Warmer weather is coming, and that means farmers markets, Shop Hop nights in Latrobe, and other market events in Greensburg and Ligonier. On that Saturday morning trips to pick up produce, why not tote it around in this lovely burlap bag?

I picked this sweet tote bag up at the little gift shop Masterspieces in downtown Latrobe during their Harry Potter event last fall. I haven’t used it much yet but I do plan to attend upcoming Country Market events in Ligonier and night markets in Greensburg this summer. Throw in a Shop Hop night in Latrobe too. I’m also hitting up some farmer’s markets in my little Stars Hollow this spring and summer.

You have to go to your favorite store to get a few things. Why not bring them home in this gorgeous Target tote? I take this with me on every Target run and it does the trick. Of course you can take it with you to the grocery store but admit it, it just isn’t the same anywhere else.

But the best bags of all are the ones I’ve been longing for and just picked up. There’s very stylish, very chic, and it looks perfect on me wherever I go. They’re Coach.

A few weeks ago, I shopped at Tanger outlets and one of the last place I went to before heading home was the Coach outlet. I had been waiting to do this for a while.

I guess you could say my Coach obsession started on Instagram as it always showed up in my sponsors. My coworker also carried around a Coach purse as well. I posted a picture of the tote I was interested in buying and Paula and Sara (my “mom and little sis/twin/fashion buddy) gave me some encouragement.

Of course I’m also worried that people will think I’m weird for carrying around a bag. While 99% could support me on this, there’s always that one percent who will tell me I look foolish with it on. So far I’ve only had one or two haters. My family is even for my Coach bag. I’ve had positive remarks coming from my cousins, encouraging me to be unapologetically me.

The crossbody is cute. I’ll take this a few days a week to work and the city tote on the weekends though I might switch it up and use the tote more. You can wear the crossbody across or on one shoulder. How cute is that red strap? I actually like to wear it on my left side.

A good way to style my crossbody would be with my Old Navy joggers or Skinny/Slim jeans (also from Old Navy and a T-shirt or sweatshirt. With the city tote, I usually style it with a polo or top and my favorite Old Navy jeans and my leopard print cardi.

The crossbody would be perfect to take on picnics to Twin Lakes or Keystone. The city tote is perfect for trips into Greensburg or Ligonier. I rocked the city tote at last Saturday’s Trendy Bunny birthday event and got rave reviews from some of my favorite bloggers whom I finally got to meet in person. My fashion buddy (also my little sis/twin) Sara absolutely loves it and loves the brand. I do believe my family is on board too. Which leaves one little problem.

I need to drop the self doubt and realize that if I love something, that’s all that matters. I love my Old Navy joggers and my tops from teelife and State of Virginia. I love Jane the Virgin and Gossip Girl (thanks Sara and Rob) and have Fuller House on my list. I love my Bath and Body Works lotions and I absolutely love my Coach wallet and purses. I’m more comfortable and confident than I used to be about it because I’m doing me and being unapologetically me.

Be you. The world will adjust.

Embrace Your Style. Explore your beauty💄 👗👠

You’re incredible. Shine bright like a diamond 💎

Keep being the wonderful, beautiful, incredible person that you are.

Be a ray of sunshine 🌞. Bring love ❤️, smiles 😊, fashion 👠 , style 👗, and beauty 💄 to your life and everyone else whom you are.

Finally, if you’re looking for a brand name bag, buy Coach.

Have a great weekend. ❤️ you.

Last night’s festivities at the Trendy Bunny were as good as advertised. Lots of goodies, lots of deals, and a whole lot of swag.

I arrived around just before 6pm. I was going to come early because I thought there’d be a line like there was for the grand opening, but I decided to eat first and then head downtown. All was good.

I was greeted by Jen as I walked in the door. It was a full house like I’ve never seen it before. As Alisha posted yesterday, if you didn’t come to this event, you had a serious FOMO (fear of missing out). Lacey came up and greeted me with a hug like it’s been forever since we last met (it has been). These girls and I (and the rest of Team Trendy too) have a great friendship. I support them through my visits in person and my posts on Facebook and Instagram.

I shopped upstairs as I was greeted by Juliet and Emily. We all caught up as it had been a while since my last visit and forever since I saw them.

Here are my three takeaways from last night’s awesome Trendy 🐰 Birthday 🎂 Party 🎊.

The deals were amazing.

I’m blessed to call this team my friends.

I felt comfortable shopping and taking in the festivities.

I finally met some Instagrammers in real life whom I started following last year. Nan (thefashionablemomma) and Amanda (joyfullyyoursamanda); as well as Kathryn (thelovelistco) and Vanessa (thebombshellsuite). Of course Brook has a presence on Instagram and with her blog (bbmilitarywifelife).

Check out this sweet cookie that Kelsey of Wolf and Whisk made for Team Trendy as well as the letter.

If you haven’t gone already, visit The Trendy Bunny Studio in person or online. You’ll really love it.

This blog is like, so Trendy; and for good reason too. Happy birthday to this cute little spot on downtown Greensburg and hats off to Alisha, Jen, and Lacey and Team Trendy for one year in business. The shop opened one year ago this evening to a full crowd, and then closed a week later due to the Coronavirus pandemic 😷. But through the shutdown, they persevered and stuck together.

I started following them on Instagram. I found more friends who walked through the doors of the Trendy Bunny. I followed more Instagram bloggers through their events. I gained a respect for the small business community this past year and Trendy has been a big part of that.

My first visit to the Trendy Bunny Studio was on September 5. I introduced myself to Jen, Lacey, and Emily. It was the start of a great friendship. Soon after I met Brook, Alisha, and Juliet, as well as Aleah and Kelcee. I attended some of their big events like the Veterans Day event where Brook raised money for a great cause. I came out on Small Business Saturday and I attended the Very Trendy Christmas event in December.

Trendy has done some amazing workshops like the ongoing Journaling event that has been a success. Next one is March 16. The recent DIY denim jacket workshop was awesome. Juliet designed a couple of jackets for her team members and the idea for the workshop was born, but don’t quote me on that.

One of my favorite memories besides making new friends with this awesome team was two weeks before Christmas. Alisha surprised me with a custom tote that read “I Drink Coffee Like A Gilmore Girl.” I was elated to receive that gift from her and I enjoy taking it around town. You’ll hear about that and other bags I carry in next week’s bag blog.

TRENDY TURNS ONE

Saturday night, The Trendy Bunny Studio will celebrate its one year birthday. The party will run from 5:30pm to 9pm. Trendy is going to thank the community that has helped them overcome the pandemic. They opened for a week, closed for months, and with creativity, hope, prayer, and all of our support, they are able to have the opportunity to celebrate their one year anniversary.

It will be their biggest sale too. Not only will you be able to shop in store (and lots of new product to choose from) but you will be able to shop at their online store in studio as well. For one night only they are opening their exclusive online space.

It’s the perfect night to come out. lots of giveaways, freebies, treats, cocktails, and everything else will be offered to make this event a success.

I’m coming early and getting my swag bag. I’ll also have a recap of my visit there.

Last week at the Area 14 Table Topics and International Speech contest, the question for the Table Topics contest was:

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

I’m going to start posting a travel blog once a month, and this was the perfect way to get the word out. For me, I would choose Nashville. There are a lot of things that would motivate me to live here. But for the sake of keeping this blog to the point, I came with a few answers that would help me come to a decision.

Here are three reasons why you should visit Nashville. I said live but I decided to change it to visit.

Nashville is Music City USA 🎸

This is an obvious one. With bar after bar playing live music, seeing a show in Nashville is as easy as ordering a Jack & Coke. Furthermore, music history in Nashville is a huge draw. The Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Old Opry, The Johnny Cash Museum, and RCA Studio B – known for recording over 260 Elvis Presley songs, all call Nashville home.

Nashville is Foodville 🍖

Nashville is a surprisingly foodie friendly city. Meals in Nashville are hearty, fresh, and of high quality. Hot chicken, a local favourite, is readily available around town and is not to be missed. Other southern comfort foods such as grits, mac n’cheese, and fried okra are some of the countries best. So get in while the getting is good. Often with increased tourism comes bad food chain restaurants that push quantity over quality.

Nashville has the Best Seat in the House.

Nashville is as sport mad as it is music friendly. With 5 professional teams there’s something for everyone. Once on the brink of extinction, the Nashville Predators of the NHL have become one of the hottest tickets in town and the Tennessee Titans offer Nashville that unique NFL experience. What makes this a reason to visit Nashville now is both of these franchises have some of the cheapest seats in the NHL and NFL.