Todd took the term “custom-fitted” to a whole new level. Wrapped in plastic, he immersed himself in the wet cement in the main pool, making a contoured outline to create four built-in lounge chairs. “This was designed in a way that was more upright, so your knees are more raised and contoured for the small of your back and neck,” he says, adding that the design makes it less likely to float off them and provides an additional measure of comfort. A sun shelf, also known as a tanning shelf, immer

Randy Frankel has been the heart and soul of Squirrel Hill baseball for 30 years.

Driving along the Butler County Barn Trail is not a typical activity for this suburban Pittsburgh mom.  When I get in the car, invariably it is to chauffeur my kids between activities and friends' houses.  Rarely do I get a chance to drive for the pure pleasure of taking in the scenery. The self-guided Butler County Barn Trail was the perfect escape. Meandering through the countryside with a friend, we marveled that the busy city was only a few miles south of our destination. How was this po

Contemporary. Fresh. Local. For a restaurant that's only been on the scene since March of 2014, they've already garnered a lot of attention from the local media--all of it positive.

It's not easy to navigate steps in a wedding gown, especially when those steps are located outside. But that's exactly what Rita Gloff did on her wedding day June 7, 1947, when she and her newlywed husband, Art, climbed 110 steps of the Rising Main Way to Rita's parents' home.

Set on a secluded, 35-acre wooded lot, the modern home is intended to integrate the outdoors, both from an architectural and an interior design standpoint. Windows highlight virtually every room, except the powder room. “One of the key organizers for how we arranged the house with the site was a very linear form running east to west, which optimizes daylight and views from the house,” says architect Robert Gaskill, owner of Gaskill Architecture, who spearheaded the project. The exterior of

Bonnie Markowitz does not like Feb. 2. Twice on that date, several years apart, it was as if her son had vanished, even though he was still right there, next to her. The first time was on Feb. 2, 2007, when Brandon, then 5½, had a typical strep throat infection, which was treated with antibiotics. But a day or two after he got sick, his personality seemed to shift overnight: Uncontrollable tantrums and extreme separation anxiety kicked in, which was completely at odds with the person he had be

If you stop by Bella Christie and Lil’ Z’s Sweet Boutique on Butler Street in Lawrenceville for your daily spoonful of sugar, you may notice that the bakery has pared down its display cases. But don’t panic; you can still find a Hot Mess cookie (peanut butter, toffee, and white milk chocolate) or perhaps a HoHo cupcake (self-explanatory). What you will also notice are three interactive dessert stations that overflow with a rotating cornucopia of delectable goody-ness. The stations, which change

Every October, a group of Pirates faithfuls gathers Oakland to bond over baseball on the anniversary of what was arguably the greatest home run ever.

Seventy-five years ago, a group of secretaries in Topeka, Kansas, decided it would be beneficial to create a way to bring together secretaries from a variety of backgrounds to collaborate and further develop the discipline. What started as an informal gathering of a few women rapidly gained international momentum and the National Secretaries Association was formed.

If the shoe fits, wear it, but if the retail space doesn't fit, create a space that fits the shoe.