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.

I went and did it. I treated myself.

After work on Friday morning, I drove up to Tanger Outlets and got some great deals. After lunch, I shopped at Bath and Body Works and bought some hand lotion and little pocketbacs and cute little seashell holders. Then it was off to Old Navy to spend my Super Cash.

The highlight of the day was shopping at the Coach outlet. I was a little nervous going in thinking I’d get gender shamed for looking around. I even window shopped at Kate Spade ♠️ to warm myself up. My experience at the Coach store was great and I went in very confident.

I bought a wallet and a crossbody (which I’ve been using this week for work). But the City Tote is the best and I’ll be rocking it Thursday at Nemacolin. I’ll also take it when I have coffee or go out to Ligonier. I’ll be bringing that and rocking a nice outfit next time I meet up with Sara and Rob. It’s the first of many trips to Coach.

I write this because it’s nice to treat yourself once in a while. Otherwise you’ll work your life away. You work hard and deserve something nice. A couple of my blogger friends bought new bags on their trip to California.

Just as Adventure a la mode says, take the trip, see the world, buy the bag, take the chance, do the thing that makes your heart race, and live the life you love. Life is short; you never know when you’ll get the opportunity again.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt happier than I was Friday when I made my trip to Tanger Outlets.

Well, February has come to an end and March has begun. Let’s take a moment to review, shall we.

It was a snowy month and a cold one at that, until last week. It was a month of area contests in Toastmasters for me. But it was also a month to take a step back as things got to be a little bit hectic. Don’t worry, I’m going to be ready and raring to go for the Divisional round.

In the future, this blog is going to live more up to its name as I promote more fashion and travel. It is the year of Disney World for me and the year I turn 40. I’ll still promote Toastmasters but it won’t be the lead story. Trendy has a couple of great events planned for March so I’ll promote those on the blog too.

In February, I discovered Jane the Virgin, Gossip Girl, and The Good Witch. I also bought my Coach bag (and other accessories) I’ve had my eyes on. I’m hooked. Now I’m putting together a nice outfit for my next visit to Ligonier with Sara and Rob. I’m looking for a nice hat as well as a sweet cardi or a blazer to accentuate it all. I can’t wait to walk around town with my sweet Coach bag. Thank you to my adopted family for accepting me and encouraging me to be unapologetically me.

I’m excited for what’s coming this month.

-Stylish 👢 and Trendy 🐰

Today’s shopping trip to Tanger outlets was like a three course meal.

I started with the appetizer, Bath and Body Works. They had a great deal on their new tropical 🌴 line. But two get one free (or buy 3 get 3 free). I bought some hand lotions. I have one for every weekday now. I also got little hand sanitizers 5 for $8. Plus, little seashell 🐚 holders for them. Maybe I’ll give one to a friend.

Next up was the main course, Old Navy. I bought two pairs of joggers, a moisture wicking ballcap, and a T-shirt. I was able to get $20 off with my Old Navy Super Cash.

But here’s what you were dying to see. This is my ticket in for next time I meet up with Sara and Rob, along with a season of Jane the Virgin. I’m also going to put together a nice outfit.

The dessert (bananas foster) was the best part of the day. I made my way to Coach in lieu of a sweet bag. I not only bought a wallet, and a crossbody, but also a tote. I had my eye on this bag for months and I finally got it today.

Can’t wait to tote this bag around downtown Greensburg as well as Ligonier. Maybe it’s time to let this blog live up to its name. More fashion and travel (got the Disney trip coming in September; maybe a blog on all the parks we’re visiting).

In closing, it was a red letter day. I was full 😋 after this meal.

Another great area contest took place on my 2021 District 13 Area Contest tour.

The Area 13 International Speech and Table Topics contest was held virtually last night. I attended the contest last year when it was held at the Cranberry Township Municipal Building.

Tom Nylec of Westinghouse won the International Speech contest with his speech “Travel to the NOW”. In it he talked about meditation and how focusing on the present helped him get through the pandemic. Linde Riley of Cranberry High Noon Toastmasters won the Table Topics portion of the contest.

I really loved the Table Topics question. How has Toastmasters helped you connect with others? For contestants Linde Geissler Riley and Adie Kurtanich I thought this was too close to call because they both answered this question well. Cranberry High Noon Toastmasters was well represented tonight.

Linde dreaded speaking in front of groups. When she moved back to Pittsburgh, she took the opportunity to join Toastmasters. It has helped her to become a better communicator. This year , Linde serves as Vice President Education of Cranberry High Noon Toastmasters. For Adie, her teaching experience was helped by her involvement in Toastmasters. It has also helped in her work in the legal field. Both contestants have seen their confidence grow as a result of their involvement in Toastmsters. Adie is a dual member of Cranberry High Noon and Cranberry Area Toastmasters. Currently, she serves as President of Cranberry Area Toastmasters.

Both Tom Nylec and Linde Riley will advance to the divisional round in March. The Division B International Speech and Table Topics contest will be held on March 21.

Our District trio was in attendance as well as our Division Directors. All gave their praise for the contest, which was well-run, and they plugged their upcoming speech contests in March. I will be attending all four division contests.

The Area contest tour for me continues Saturday with Area 22 and then Wednesday and Thursday evening with dual contests (Area 2/33 and Area 11/14).

My answer to this question will be on Facebook and Instagram.

Last year after I got my new TV as a Christmas present, and we got the Roku hooked up, I began to look for shows to start binging on Netflix and Hulu. Surprisingly I decided on Gilmore Girls. I grew to love the series and even took in the Year in the Life revival. That was a little more disappointing, but overall the series that I spent my twenties hating on wasn’t so bad after all.

Fast forward to December. I hadn’t found a series to binge since my beloved Gilmore Girls was done last summer. I took a hint from Chase this past fall to watch Sister, Sister (a classic from the 90s) but it was sporadic for the most part. But I’ve started season two. It’s down on my list but there’s other shows I’m getting to.

While eating dinner in Ligonier with my good friend Sara (I’m like family to her and her mom and big sis) and getting to meet her husband Rob, we discussed our favorite shows. Of course you know I call Ligonier my little Stars Hollow. Sara told me I need to check out Jane the Virgin, and Rob suggested Gossip Girl. I told them I’d think about it.

Over coffee a few weekends ago, Sara and I chatted about fashion, Coach (the handbag not the iconic sitcom), and TV shows. She finally got me on to Jane the Virgin and also, I started watching Gossip Girl (Rob’s favorite show as well as a few other friends’ fav). I have to say I love them both, but I’m not going to pick a true winner because I enjoy both of their company.

I know. Straight out of a telenovela, right.

You know you love me. XOXO. Gossip Girl.

I can’t believe Kristen Bell is the narrator. She’s definitely a favorite of mine, which leads me to…

The Good Place. My sister got me hooked on this a few years back. The characters do this show justice. Ted Danson is awesome in this show as is Kristen Bell. I get some good laughs watching this and I’m on the final season right now.

Sister, Sister is a blast from the past. I grew up with it in the 90s. Jackee Harry is a hoot as the mom and Tim Reid as the dad (you may remember his best work as Venus Flytrap from WKRP in Cincinnati). You can find Tia and Tamera Mowry these days in Hallmark movies. Best line ever from that show, “GO HOME ROGER!” to the annoying neighbor kid.

I plan to start The Good Witch soon. This was a suggestion from fellow Cranberry High Noon toastmaster Linde Riley.

Catherine Bell of JAG fame is in that one. I look forward to checking it out on Netflix.

My top five right now: The Good Place, Jane the Virgin, Gossip Girl, Sister Sister, and The Good Witch.

I could go into detail on Jane the Virgin and Gossip Girl but do you have a whole day to read what I’d say about those shows? Future blog for when I review seasons on each of these.

Have a great night. ❤️ you.

It’s a season I live for. It’s contest season.

It’s my season.

My season fell short last year due to COVID-19, ending at the area level. I had been looking forward to the Division contests, and they ended up being cancelled due to the pandemic. Same with the Spring conference. Pretty soon, all Toastmaster clubs would have to meet virtually.

We held our Fall Symposium online in September. I attended the awards ceremony that morning and heard my name being called for the Spirit of Toastmasters award. I was ecstatic, to say the least. A few months later at the Winter Club Officer Training, the three of us who won the award took part in a panel discussion to answer questions related to Toastmasters (membership, education, etc.)

Two years ago, quitting Giant Eagle was the right thing for me. It wasn’t going to work out, and that was OK with me. It meant I could keep my flexible schedule and take off for the upcoming speech contests. I attended all four division contests and the District conference. I had the time of my life. I was motivated to finish what I started and get my Distinguished Toastmaster award.

I finally got it in October of 2019 and we had the ceremony during our open house that same night. I even got a proclamation from Ted Kopas and got to meet Jessica Rafferty. Both unsuccessfully ran for office in Westmoreland County in the 2019 election.

Having the meetings via zoom provides a benefit if its own. An opportunity to attend speech contests from the comfort of my own home. I’ve been stepping out of my comfort zone and attending contests in other divisions. Area 13 Director Fred Vornbrock has even suggested that I visit clubs in other states or overseas. That’s going to eventually come for me.

My contest tour got kicked off on February 4 when I attended the Area 15 contest and it continued that weekend with Area 12 and my own Area 24. I’ve been reporting on the contests for Stylish and Trendy. I’ve also taken the winning speech and applied the material to my daily life. The table topics questions have all been awesome and I’ve used them for my blogs too. I just watched Aladdin Saturday night because Jim Teague won the Area 24 Table Topics contest with it. I’m still not sure what the answer to the question would be for me. Perhaps a Disney quiz will help me here.

My future plans this month include my District Leadership Committee work as well as some upcoming area contests. Area 13 is this Wednesday. I attended that contest last year and hoped that I’d see the winners compete in March at the Division level, but we know what happened there. Area 22 will be this Saturday and that will be the last contest that will decides who competes at the Division C contest. I plan on attending some dual area contests next week and possibly a couple in Division D the first week of March before we start the Division round on March 13.

This year is already setting a records. Most area contests attended in my Toastmasters career. Happy almost tenth Toastmasters anniversary. One thing’s for certain, I’m really enjoying myself with these contests even if it’s on a virtual platform.

It’s a season I live for. It’s contest season.

It’s my season.

We heard three great speeches at the Area 4 Contest. Topics ranged from Rick Hays’ speech about his life and family (his Dad was a lawyer for U.S. Steel) to Jack Burt’s speech on how he found “A New View” on a certain class of people.

Viba Ranganathan of the Pittsburgh Toastmasters 144 gave the best speech, “Good Excuse”. In her speech, Viba talked about how fear is the biggest thing keeping us from doing what we want to do. For me, I struggle with fear more than anything.

My friend Sara and her mother Paula have given me the confidence to be me. I don’t need to apologize for me being me anymore. Sara has instilled in me “to be proud of being unapologetically ME” and to not be embarrassed of my fashion sense. If no one agrees with me, I’m grateful that the girls have accepted me for being myself. I’m so blessed that they have also adopted me (unofficially) into their family.

Maybe that’s why I enjoyed Jack’s speech as well. He was able to gain a new understanding of how people who are gay live their lives. Over the years, he has really come to accept the lifestyle. It’s prevalent in his family as well. Both Jack and Viba’s speeches tied into the contest winning that North Hills member Dawn Fratto gave last Saturday at the Area 12 contest.

🙌Congratulations to South Hills President, Area 4 Director, and Speech Contest Chair Dominic Gray for conducting a wonderful Speech Contest Event. It was a fun speech showdown between Pittsburgh Toastmasters and South Hills Toastmasters!

This was a great team effort! Thank you to the members, volunteers, contestants, and guests!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. I had a great time at the ending chatting with Marci and Dominic, and introducing myself to Area 2 Director Julia Wick of Moon Toastmasters.

Corliss and Jack will advance to the Division Awesome Table Topics contest on March 14. Jack and Viba will advance to the Division Awesome International Speech contest held on the same day. Here’s a photo of our contestants. All of them did a great job today.

I’m looking into attending Area 2’s contest on February 24. It will be a joint contest with Area 33 in Division D.

It’s been a great early start to contest season and there’s more to come.

Bye District 13 Toastmasters Family. ❤️ you.