‘Tis the season for great summer sales, and you know what that means – temptation to buy for fall.  After many a bargain-hunt-turned-serious-splurge, I’ve learned to thwart my spendthrift habits with a classic example of psychological deterrence: I distract myself with season-neutral accessories.
Cheaper than shoes or a dress, accessories are the most cost-effective way to spice up your closet without shelling out serious cash. With countless ways to wear and pair, they offer the quickest route to a fresh new wardrobe where you’d otherwise end up with just one new …

Decisions were much easier when I was younger.
“What do you want to get mom?”
“Flowers.”
Whether for her birthday, Mother’s Day, Easter or a “just-because” occasion, flowers were always the easiest gift option. But that was before floral became a fashion trend.
Now the flower scene has evolved into something a bit more complicated. First, there is the amount. Single? Bouquet? Gift Basket? And then, the tag-a-longs. A balloon? Or a bear? How about some candy? And don’t forget the actual flowers. Real? Dried? Or — artificial? And lastly, the colors. Extreme? Plain? …

As a serial mover, I know what makes a new place instantly feel like home. It’s not the artwork, books, or my favorite duvet, although they help. It’s the lighting. I need light. Lots of it. All of the time and in different intensities. From all directions. Overhead, floor, desk lamps: these are the tools I use to turn a humble studio apartment into My Place.
Trust me, nothing updates a standard white apartment more than changing the stock, boring overheads.
Unsurprisingly, I’ve amassed a lovely collection of lamps and lights. But …

With the popularity of Dancing with the Stars and hit films like Step Up is it any wonder more people are taking dance lessons? Luckily, from ballroom to hip-hop, you name the dance and Pittsburgh provides the dancefloor.
Absolute Ballroom and Dance on Hamilton Avenue in East Liberty has over 2,500 square feet of hard-wood dance floors (air conditioning included) and a spacious, comfortable atmosphere. Anyone can dance, from the beginning bumbler to the advanced athlete. And with no contracts, you pay as you dance. They offer Latin, Ballroom, Salsa, Argentine …

My father is an early riser. Check that: He’s a really, really early riser. The man wakes up at 4:30 a.m., which means he’s rubbing his eyes just about the same time people in Hong Kong are waiting for the five o’clock whistle to blow. And, it’s not only three or four days a week, it’s every day — 365 times a year.
As a youngster, I wondered why? But then I got smart and started to ask how? The answer isn’t surprising.
Coffee.
My father drinks coffee like John Belushi drinks whiskey. …