Nothing beats the charm of small, locally-owned shops. After ten years, Penhollows continues to captivate anyone who happens to stroll by. The wonderfully unique shop has a nice mix of art, antiques, home goods, and books. Collecting ever-evolving items, much of the merchandise combines new and vintage themes to reflect a worldly style while celebrating the achievements of local artists and writers.

Catering to a wide variety of styles and budgets, Penhollows opens its doors at 11 am on Tuesday through Saturday and closes at 5 pm. Guests are also welcome on Sundays from 12 pm to 4 pm. Don’t try to go on Monday, though, it’ll be closed.  

Oh, The Things You Could Find

Always a plus, Penhollows is located in Shadyside just a few blocks from Franklin West apartments. If you’re looking to liven up your space with the perfect conversation piece, you’ll surely find something that speaks to you at Penhollows.  

• Penhollows carries merchandise from several different vendors that mirror high quality, innovatively styled, has worldly influence, and thoughtful design. Much of their inventory changes with the seasons, as well. Penhollow steps right into the spirit of spring, with cute little Easter bunnies and floral printed decor.

• Whether it’s a family member or a good friend, gift season is a year-round thing. Instead of defaulting to giving a gift card, why not shake things up a bit. You’re bound to find something for everyone, from intriguing books and newborn onesies to upscale perfume and a three-piece shaving kits! Don’t have anything for that white elephant party coming up? Penhollows absolutely has your back.

• Wanting to help create your perfect environment, Penhollow’s Design Center offers full interior design services. The talented staff serves as a resource for customers looking for distinctive furniture that’s truly unique. They understand that your home reflects your lifestyle, so customers will be able to access leading furniture, fabric, floor covering, and lighting lines. But, don’t forget to call (412) 665- 0767 or send an email at us@penhollows.com to schedule an appointment first!

Penhollows might not be the biggest in square footage, but it sure makes up for it in quality with a pleasing reputation. Check out their site or follow them on Instagram @penhollows. On the other hand, you just can’t beat visiting in person!

Looking for something interesting to do tonight? No worries, we have you covered. East Liberty Chamber is partnering with local business owner Kiya Tomlin and  Kimberley Ashley Catering to host this month’s Eat Drink & Be Social Business Mixer.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to connect while enjoying delicious hor d’oeuvres and cocktails. Today’s mixer will take place at Kiya Tomlin Boutique, which is located at 5983 Broad Street, Pittsburgh Pa 15206. Doors will open at 5:30 pm. Since this is only a two-hour event, the boutique will be closing at  7:30 pm.

Don’t forget, RSVP here: http://www.eastlibertychamber.org/mixer

“Dress for Comfort… and Style”

We love supporting local businesses, and Kiya Tomlin Boutique is right in our neck of the wood on Broad Street. Getting there is less than a 5-minute walk!

Here are some impressive facts about Kiya Tomlin Boutique:

1. From mill to market, Kiya Tomlin clothes are made solely in the United States.
   

2. Clothes made from bamboo? Yes, please! When compared to cotton, bamboo is actually softer, silkier, and dries faster. Plus, environmentally friendly as a high sustaining resource, bamboo clothing is 100% biodegradable. Need we say more?
3. Kiya Tomlin makes online shopping a breeze. The site clearly identifies need-to-know information. Read about return policies, and get the most out of your clothes by checking out washing instructions.

Inspired by the modern women, Kiya first launched her collection in Fall 2014. Kiya has said, “My background in custom design inspires me to design for a variety of figures. My experience as a woman of many roles drives the direction and functionality of my designs. By combining these inspirations, I can create comfortable clothes that inspire confidence. That confidence is what makes a woman truly beautiful.”

Click here to discover Kiya Tomlin Boutique or find her on Instagram.

Shadyside summers are bustling with life and bursting with color — just two of the many reasons the neighborhood is a focal point of Pittsburgh. When the pink and purple blossoms fall from the trees and green leaves replace the palette, new forms of colors spring to life. 

Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, located right on 5th Avenue, features local artists who breathe energy into the space and the community year-round.

Starring 13 Pittsburgh-based artists, the current exhibition is brimming with vivid colors and unique forms, making summer in Shadyside all the more vibrant. Below are just a few of the works on display and a taste of the local talent that enlivens the walls. This exhibition lasts until July 23rd, but you can always expect something special to fill the space.

Beyond the inspiring galleries, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts offers in-depth classes and Summer Art Camps starting June 12th, for kids ages 4-12. If you’d like to know more about all that Pittsburgh Center for the Arts has to offer, visit center.pfpca.org.

Ready to explore Shadyside and paint the town colorful? 

Runners, take your marks! The annual DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon is here once again, and this year’s race weekend is sure to be exciting.

On the morning of Sunday, May 7th, more than 20,000 of Pittsburgh’s most passionate athletes will be lining up to traverse 13 neighborhoods and race by PNC Park, Heinz Field and PPG Paints Arena. For all you enthusiastic supporters in the crowd, the day will also be packed with neighborhood festivals, 40 live bands, and more to enjoy.

Cheering in Shadyside? We’ve got the deets for the bands you’ll be near on race day! Hourglass will be playing at the corner of 5th and Shady — within 1 block of many of our Shady, Fifth Avenue, and Denniston Avenue apartments.

The band Sunburst Rocks will be playing at the corner of Fifth Avenue and South Highland, just outside of our 5945 5th Avenue apartment.

The marathon course itself goes through passes many Franklin West buildings. Specifically, 5945 Fifth Avenue, 6315 Fifth Avenue, 516 S. Highland, 509 S. Highland, and 6007-6009 Walnut. See the full course map here!

Pictured above: Runners will pass Franklin West’s 5945 Fifth Avenue and 6007 Walnut Street apartments, among others.

We’ll see you on the course, Shadyside — come out, cheer on the runners, and enjoy celebrating Pittsburgh runners’ joyful dedication!

Location, location, location. You may have found your dream job in Pittsburgh, but finding your dream neighborhood is just as important. After all, when it comes to morning commutes, networking with colleagues, and finding fulfilling activities after quittin’ time, where you live is certainly a deciding factor.

So, why Shadyside? We’re here to shed light on why this East End neighborhood is the ideal place to live for Pittsburgh’s young professionals and families alike.

Networking is a Cinch

Founded earlier this year, Shadyside Young Professionals is a neighborhood-centric networking group for the young professionals living and working in Shadyside. With over 150 members, this growing organization hosts meetups and happy hours geared towards getting to know the professionals in your area.

Did someone say gin and tonics served with a side of career advancement? Cheers!

When It Comes to Workwear, Shadyside’s Got You Covered

Whether it’s first round of interviews or your first week on the job, you’re likely going to need some closet refreshes for that dream job you’re eyeing. As they always say: dress for the job you want, right?

Luckily, Shadyside has posh and professional workwear in spades. Walnut Street is Shadyside’s main thoroughfare, and is best known for its upscale shopping, fine dining, and private boutiques. On both Walnut Street and in surrounding areas, ladies can find office-ready attire at Banana Republic, Gap, J. Crew, E. B. Pepper, Talbots, and White House Black Market.

And, for men? Head to Samuel Baron Clothiers to get a perfectly tailored suit that wows on and off the clock!

There’s Always Somewhere to Go for Happy Hour

After-work cocktails with your new coworkers? Head to Casbah for upscale cocktails in a stunning modern space. Meeting up with friends or new neighbors? We recommend Mario’s East Side Saloon or Steel Cactus — both have breezy decks that can’t be beat in the spring and summer!

And, for a watering hole that’s really outside the box, book it to Shady Grove or The Urban Tap, where they offer over 100 draft beers and a chic “Urban Garden” space in the back. (Complete with cacti, neon lights, and geodesic cubes.) Need we say more?

 

1. It has a Network of Award-Winning Schools

With world-class universities like Carnegie Mellon, Chatham, The University of Pittsburgh, and Carlow all a few minutes away from one another, Shadyside makes it easy for grad students to explore social avenues via short bus rides or walks.

Shadyside offers a graduate experience like no other. Welcoming students, professionals, and families alike, it’s so much more than a college town — it’s an interconnected, academic-minded neighborhood with a wealth of activities throughout the day and into the evening. And, speaking of activities…

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2. Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Events are Endless

Shadyside’s major thoroughfares — Walnut Street, South Highland Avenue, and Ellsworth Avenue — are brimming with unique places to visit. Surrounded by whimsical gift shops, high-end boutiques, vintage stores, art galleries, and more shops to adore, Shadyside residents never have a boring afternoon.

And, when grad students have closed their books for the day, they can head out to enjoy Shadyside’s bustling bistros, cool cafés, pubs, and restaurants worth raving about! Learn more about Shadyside’s must-see destinations here.

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3. Its Apartments, Condos, and Homes Are Stunning

The history and unique architecture of Shadyside residences is simply unparalleled. Only minutes from downtown Pittsburgh and all within close walking distance to primary public transit lines, Shadyside apartments allow access to the best Pittsburgh has to offer.

Victorian homes intermix with apartments and condominium buildings full of hardwood floors. All these residences — brimming with old-fashioned architectural character — are woven together on Shadyside’s tree-lined streets, creating a beautiful neighborhood that more grad students are calling home each day.

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4. Its Parks Offer Serene Study Breaks

Grad students have important work to do, but they certainly need a break every now and then, right? Luckily, they can take a stroll in Mellon Park that’s as pretty as it is peaceful. Rich in history and nestled in the heart of Shadyside, Mellon Park’s stunning Walled Garden has become a beloved community gathering place.

Schenley Plaza, located just blocks away from Shadyside, offers a similarly vibrant green space, and hosts public gatherings, entertainment, and outdoor events to hundreds of thousands each year.

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5. It’s Got The Pittsburgh Effect

Last, but certainly not least, comes a phenomenon unique to Pittsburgh neighborhoods like Shadyside. Grad students can often find themselves feeling out of place as transplants in a new city. In Shadyside, however, small-town vibes offer encouraging comfort in the midst of a dynamic city setting.

Pittsburgh’s uniqueness keeps things interesting, and its tight-knit neighborhoods keep it feeling like home.

As young Pittsburghers told The Atlantic: “It’s much easier to connect with people here than it is in other cities. In many ways it’s like a small village. It’s easier than in other places to meet people who are interested in similar things, to get patched into networks that help you achieve your goals…there’s a small-town feel here.”

Valentine’s Day approaches, lovebirds. What better way to spend it than by experiencing all Pittsburgh has to offer with the ones you love? From fun and games at East End’s hippest hotel to a sponsored race through Allison Park, these local events are sweeter than a box of chocolates.

1. Shot to the Heart: Dodgeball Night at Ace Hotel

 

Monday, February 13th
7PM – 10PM
Ace Hotel Gym

Have some old-fashioned fun with your sweetie at Ace Hotel’s second-annual Valentine’s Day dodgeball night! Teaming up with City of Play in their beloved gym, Ace is ensuring a treat-filled evening to remember. Sip cocktails before you play, or head to Ace Hotel’s award-winning Whitfield restaurant for gourmet fare. If you’re loving Ace’s art deco-inspired design, stroll over to our Highland Towers for similar architectural step back in time!

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2. I Made It! Sweet Market

Saturday, February 11th
11AM – 6PM
McCandless Crossing

Pittsburgh’s favorite craft fair is back, and this time, they’re turning up the charm! Shop 50 local artists, culinary creatives, and makers. Featuring locally made goods for your sweeties, activities for kids, and small bites to enjoy, this lovely event is not to be missed.

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3. Breakfast In Bed: All You Need is Love

Sunday, February 12th
11AM
The Mattress Factory Museum

What’s sweeter than an art museum date? An art museum date plus brunch! Enjoy mimosas, Bloody Marys, brews from North Side’s War Streets Brewery, a continental breakfast, and FREE museum admission at The Mattress Factory’s 21+ Valentine’s Day brunch.

After checking out the latest art installations, meet adoptable pets from Animal Friends, create a medallion for your valentine, and explore the stunning streets and architectures of the North Side.

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4. Love of Friends at Spirit

Tuesday, February 14th
7PM – 10PM
Spirit

Come celebrate Valentine’s Day — or Galentine’s Day! — at one of Lawrenceville’s most popular destinations. A $25 ticket includes two drink tickets, Slice Island pizza, and dancing. Jams will be provided by DJ Diana Boss and DJ YASS Queen, with proceeds benefiting Planned Parenthood of Western PA.

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5. Valentine’s Day 5K, 10K, & 15K

Saturday, February 11th
9AM
North Park Boathouse

Looking to work off some of those Valentine’s Day sweets? Join Dick’s Sporting Goods and Froggy FM for a jog with the ones you love! All events are on certified courses that begin at the North Park Boathouse. The courses have minimal elevation and are surrounded by the beauty of North Park and its lake. Registration ends soon, so sign up while you can!

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