Grand Opening of LaVida Massage/Grecian Lady

So finally about three weeks later I get my act together to post about our Grand Opening of LaVida Massage of Shadyside. LOL took me long enough but here we are!

Gary, myself, and Gary's twin brother Michael and his wife Pam opened the LaVida Massage center back in January 2012 in Shadyside. LaVida Massage is a franchised massage center based out of Commerce Michigan. Our center is the first one in Pennsylvania! We waited until the end of March to hold the Grand Opening cause we wanted to wait until business was running more smoothly.  

The Grand Opening was held at our beautiful center on Centre Ave. We had a chair massages, tours of the facility, a raffle, and of course the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The lovely invitation we had designed for the event

Yummy and I mean YUMMY LaVida logoed treats from Sweet Tammy's Bakery

Evan (l) and Gary (r)
My gorgeous husband talking up Evan from corporate.
Nothing is wrong, my husband just always looks that serious lol. 

Gary chattin people up

Party attendees receiving chair massages by the talented Angel and Carol

All posey posey with Pam, sister-in law and co-owner

Booking a friend's appointment on our awesome online software.
You can book an appointment easily by clicking here

I didn't quite have time to take the best outfit photos so this will have to do :-/. I'll update this post with some better pictures of the belt/shoes/earrings. I have to admit though that the sandals, drapery goodness of the skirt, and my earrings definitley made me feel like a Grecian goddess. O the things clothes can make you feel. 

Top: LaVida Massage Webstore, Skirt: Jupe, Shoes: Chinese Laundry, Belt: BCBG

Passover Funtimes

OOOooooh Passover. There are so many holidays I like - some I even LOVE but Passover ugh. SO restricting and looong and tiring. But I'm not going to focus on that. I am trying to stay in a happy state of mind. Trying to think of lovely things about Passover.

1. I get to spend time with my family.

2. Eating bar upon bar of chocolate (white swiss to be exact)

3. Better weather?

4. Matzah with Cream Cheese

Thought I would share this awesome funny satire clip of Passover vs. Easter by Jon Stewart

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Faith/Off - Easter vs. Passover
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog The Daily Show on Facebook

Local Craziness and Chicago

First I HAVE  to address the local craziness that is happening in Pittsburgh before I blab on about the wonderfulness (and crazy gas prices) of Chicago.

University of Pittsburgh or Pitt, as the students and locals call it, has experienced at least FIFTEEN bomb threats to date on the famed Cathedral of Learning and other buildings on campus. The police are offering a reward of $50,000 for the identity of the culprit. This cuckoo kid has disrupted many classes and cost the university thousands of dollars every time they sweep the building for the bomb. Thank god no one has been hurt. If you know anything please help stop this craziness that is makes the most livable city in America unsafe!

To read more click here. The numbers are not updated from today's threats. As I am writing this now there has been ANOTHER bomb threat - WTF?!

Chicago


Gary has been planning on attending the annual AACR (American Association Cancer Research) conference for a couple months and I have been hesitating on going with him because my older and very close sister is expecting her very first child!

Last minute I decided to accompany him and I loved every minute of my stay and was happy I didn't have to be separated from my lover. I am definitely adding Chicago to my favorite places to visit list and plan on going again. There is so much to do! And my sister didn't have her baby yet.

Downfall of living in a super sized city? Crazy ass gas prices!

Might as well be . . .  

<via>

It ain't all bad :-)

Good thing about the city thought - so many places to hang out!

Yummy Pomegranate mojito at Hub 51

This my friends is a chocolate shot - made up of Frangelico, Bailey's and other delicousness

Maybe I'll make my own chocolate shot!

Fun times! with Chana Miri

 Touristy Photos:

Downtown had lots of cool architectural structures. Not so sure why but thought I take pictures of them anyway!

Millenium Park

The Bean!

Us in the bean looking all crazy

Harris Theatre - a beautiful sight

There were tulips and all different types of beautiful flora blooming in the park despite the low temp

My dress blends in! totally unplanned 

Dress: Antrhopologie, Shoes: Steve Madden, Earrings: PayHalf

Hanging out with relocated Pittsburgh friends, Aviva and Chaim Huss
Why do the men NEVER smile?!

Details:

Spring Inspired Eyes!
Urban Decay Smash, Neautragena Stone Duo, Sephora Aspen Summit,
Anstasia Strawburn Eyebrow powder, Maybelline Falsies

Shading with the best utensils ever

In your face nail color, Revlon Mad About Mango

Pinspiration #1

Pinterest is an amazingly fun and inspiring website.  Whenever I go on I always get so inspired so I decided I am going to do a series on my pinspirations! I should really make the post I did on s'mores my first one but I am lazy so this one will be lol. This week its nails who knows what next week will bring :-)

I pin dangerously tempting food photos, nails, cool looks, modest fashion, and even menswear so check me out!

Pinterest's version:

My version:

I looove the combo that Laynie used for her gradient but I wanted to stick a metallic and purple in the gradient (i am obsessed with purple I have purple and magenta shoes, nails polish, eye shadow, blazers, skirts, purses, if it comes in purple i got it.)

1. Apply protein base coat,  - I used a protein base coat cause my nails are wimpy
2. Apply white coat so the color comes out better
3. Use either vaseline or tape to prevent a holy mother of a mess
   - i skipped this step cause i like to skip stuff and payed for it BIG time
4. Paint a sponge with the colors you want the gradient to come out
5. Paint two coats of the sponge on nails
6. Apply top coat

Shiny freshly buffed nails - I suck at shaping and so I just pay $5-7 to get it done at a nail salon

WHITE topcoat

VERY messy but very pretty

Tada! (mostly) cleaned up! So pretty and each nail is different :-)

Essie protein base coat and Seche Vite Top Coat

Sally Hanson White On, Essie Play Date, Revlon Minted, Borghese Chrome

Cool News! and Links al Mode

Cool News and Discoveries: 

I am going to Chicago to accompany my husband who is attending and presenting at the AACR annual conference! Any suggestions of places a tourist should visit? I'll check wikipedia and google but there is nothing like suggestions from YOU! :-)

I definitely suggest you check out an awesome facebook page called Humans of New York  (along with mine obviously). What Brandon Stanton, the author of HONY  does is walks around New York and captures moments of cooky, the crazy, the fashionable, the religious, the old, the young, and of course the unique characters of New York that make the city so special. Pittsburgh has one too (click here) but frankly it doesn't hold a candle to HONY :-(. 

Yay! I was just browsing the analytics on my site which shows me how people find me! I found out the Fashion Firecracker was featured on Independent Fashion Blogger’s Links a la Mode round-up! Make sure to check out these other awesome blogposts!

THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: MARCH 21ST

• My Fashion Wishlist: Believe It Or Not: Trendy Backpacks
• Just Pandippo: Spring Closet Cleaning Challenges
• The Sequined Blazer: What to Wear: Transitioning to Spring
• Real Girl Glam: How to Wear a BOLD Lip (Even if you’re not a lipstick person)
• Fashion Tales: DIY: Camouflage Jeans
• Show Me Chic: Summer Dress in Spring!
• Thankfifi: Princess Peplum (and florals!)
• The Forgetful Wife: Mad Men, Mad Week: Betty, Peggy, & Joan 2012
• Leilah’s Lipstick: One LBD, 6 Different Ways
• Sequined Sprinkles: 3 Favorite Things: Chambray Shirt, White Jeans, & Loafers
• Gypsy Luster: Rock the Red (Lipstick) for Women’s History Month
• A Lacey Perspective: Date Night: Black Leather Shorts & Floral Blazer
• Sweet Escape: Trend: Asymmetrical Hi-Low Skirt
• Simply Frabulous: It’s Spring, Time to Blossom
• Aspiring New Moms: Navy & Neon
• Effortless Cool: A Lesson in Pastels
• The Fashion Firecracker: Colorblocking in the Sun     <--- Me!!! 
• Tobruck Ave: Print Mixing on the Beach
• Notes from a Stylist: How to Spring Clean Your Closet
• Incognito: Classic Books Become Couture Clutches

Feelin Like a Prairie Princess

Songs for You to listen to while you peruse the page:

Somebody that I Used to Know by Gotye feat. Kimbra

Drive by by Train

Outfit of the Moment:

Feeling rather prairie princessy and in touch with my natural 

earthy side in my hat and floral maxi skirt

       Top: Thrifted/Avalon (no tag), Skirt: H&M ($9.95 full price!!!), Shoes: Shoedazzle, Hat:Thrifted, Earrings: F21, Bracelet/Necklace: F21, Hair Feather: Urban Outfitters

Details: