Homedification

This week’s Pittsburgh hot spot is Bartram House Bakery! I love this place so much because their locations have a cozy, authentic feel and great pastries as well as great salads. It is a great place to go for a morning treat, or your lunch meeting. Even if you are feeding a crowd, their quiche is delicious and great for when you are hosting a brunch. When it comes to the sweets, they do custom cakes as well as small treats like French macarons. And just so that you can get your fix no matter where you live in Pittsburgh, they have three locations: Southside, Wexford, and McMurray. They are a family business that was founded in 2008, but they have been baking since 1976. Their business becomes even more impressive when you know they serve three meals a day, and make more than 100 different desserts and cakes! Have you ever been here before? What was your favorite Pastry or dessert? For more info about Bartram House Bakery, check out their website here! http://www.bartramhouseb

This week’s Pittsburgh hot spot is Cioppino's Restaurant & Cigar Bar! I love this place so much because the staff is amazing and will cater to your every need. If you are there for a special occasion and make a reservation in advance, they will even make custom keepsake menus for your table. the food is always delicious, and whether you are in the restaurant, lounge, or cigar bar, the menu is phenomenal.  The cigar bar is attached to the restaurant and lounge, and is a gorgeous wood clad escape. Even if you do not partake in cigars, you shouldn't hesitate to spend time there because the ventilation is impressive and the bar fixture is a sight to see. They strive for a true experience, and also have valet parking, and live music in the lounge Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. I have personally been there for date nights, birthdays, and even to celebrate a dear friend's engagement. This is one of my personal favorites!

This week’s Pittsburgh hot spot is Roxanne's Dried Flowers! I love this place so much because everything is beyond beautiful. They have great giftables, ranging from soaps and scents to wallpaper, as well as any type of dried flower you could be seeking. They have wreaths for every season, floral arrangements, and even self-serve potpourri that will last you an eternity(mine is going 2 years strong, and still smells amazing!). They even do wedding florals to give you lasting flowers that represent your vision and commemorate your most special day. Their store displays are works of art, and this is truly a place to find inspiration if you are looking for it in your home. If you can't make the trip down to the Strip District to visit their shop,  you can shop online as well. Make sure to follow them on social media to keep the beauty coming! @RoxannesDriedFlowers

This week is Pittsburgh Restaurant Week. Foodies are rejoicing because this glorious week only happens twice a year, and is always a hit. Featuring over 80 eateries, bars, steakhouses, lounges, and grilles, this is something you don't want to miss. The event is running January 13th through the 19th, and takes place at so many locations it doesn't matter what side of a river or tunnel you are trying to get to. If you are feeling extremely indecisive, you can use the awesome Restaurant Roulette feature on the website, or plug in your address into the Restaurant Map to find something by proximity. They truly have all of your bases covered. Now get out there and try something new!! For a full list of the participating restaurants, and all of the details about this event,  http://pittsburghrestaurantweek.com/

The holidays can be a time of stress, but your houseplants shouldn’t contribute to that. I do not have a green thumb, and struggle with most plants, indoor or out. But luckily when it comes to the holiday season, your poinsettia, holiday cacti, and amaryllis only need sunlight, moisture, and proper drainage (according to my research!). Thankfully these plants have vibrant color, but are simple to care for. Here is a quick guide about what your houseplants want this holiday season! Your Plant’s Holiday Wishlist Sunlight   Light alone isn’t enough - your plants want and need natural light so it is key to make sure they get bright, indirect sunlight. If you’re wondering what indirect sunlight will look like, it will be bright enough to be able to read indoors without needing to squint from the brightness. Your plant should have a blurry shadow - this is a great indicator that it is getting enough indirect sunlight. Water The top plant killer is overwatering. Considering their v

You've just finished spring cleaning, and summer is approaching quickly. Summer means longer days and later nights, and usually more traffic in your home. With play dates, game nights, and bonfires, there are likely to be more guests in and out of your home than usual. While fun is the priority, safety should be as well. To keep the little ones, children and pets included, safe in your home, follow these steps so you can enjoy a safe summer (as well as all the other seasons):  1. Protect your belongings This has two benefits. If you have items that are important to you and could easily break, it is best to store them away so they don't get damaged and no one gets hurt from the broken item in the process.  2. Make off-limit areas If you want to prevent children and pets from going places you don't want them, consider installing safety gates. Placing gates in front of staircases and rooms with more breakable items can prevent both children and pets from falling or ac