Date Night Chronicles: The Melting Pot & The Book of Mormon

Back on March 3, 2024 Adam and I had a delightful little date night that I decided I’d go ahead and chat about here because why not?! It was a good time and this will give me the opportunity to discuss two of my favorite things to do in the ‘Burgh and those would be eat fondue and see a musical at the Benedum Theater! (Not to mention, I’m playing with the idea of starting a little column called “Date Night Chronicles” where I write about the stuff Adam and I do around Pittsburgh and share some of our favorite spots!)

Part One Dipping Down Memory Lane: Our Fond(ue) Love Affair with The Melting Pot, Station Square

To start our date night, let’s step into The Melting Pot at Station Square, Pittsburgh – a place that's not just a restaurant; it's a cornerstone in the love story of Adam and me. You see, The Melting Pot has been witness to countless chapters of our romance, making it a bona fide member of our date night hall of fame. From those early days of nervous laughter over bubbling pots of cheese to the comfort of long-standing love affairs, this place holds more memories than a yearbook – but with way more cheese and chocolate.

A Cheesy Prelude: The Wisconsin Cheddar Tradition

Speaking of cheese, let me wax poetic about the gooey goodness that kicks off our culinary escapade. The "Wisconsin Cheddar" has become our date night tradition, a cheesy prelude to an evening filled with laughter, shared bites, and the promise of sweet indulgence.

Fondue Maestros: A Culinary Dance of Flavors

Now, when it comes to the main course, we play fondue maestros – each dip in the broth or sizzle on the grill is a collaborative effort, a culinary dance that mirrors the harmony of our relationship. The sizzling symphony of flavors and the playful banter create an ambiance that's uniquely Melting Pot – a feeling that's become synonymous with our love story.

Sweet Escape: The Yin & Yang of Chocolate Fondue

And don't even get me started on dessert! The "Yin & Yang" chocolate fondue is our sweet escape, a decadent swirl of dark and white chocolate that perfectly encapsulates the duality of our relationship – sweet, balanced, and utterly irresistible.

So, whether you're embarking on a new romance or celebrating the milestones of an enduring love, The Melting Pot at Station Square is not just a restaurant; it's a time machine of tastes and a witness to the chapters of our love story. Grab your forks, bring your appetite, and let the fondue-filled nostalgia unfold at our go-to date night spot – The Melting Pot, where every dip is a step down memory lane.

I had fun and decided to dress in character for Book of Mormon

Part Two: A Decade of Hilarity and Harmony, The Timeless Appeal of 'The Book of Mormon

A decade ago, I stumbled into a Broadway theater with a mix of curiosity and excitement, unknowingly about to embark on a musical journey that would forever alter my perspective on both comedy and introspection. It was my first encounter with "The Book of Mormon," a theatrical masterpiece that has maintained its cherished spot in my heart ever since.

The Promise of Laughter and Revelation

Back then, the allure of this production was twofold: the promise of a side-splittingly funny narrative and the revelation that the creative minds behind "South Park," Trey Parker and Matt Stone, had orchestrated this musical marvel. Fast forward to today, and "The Book of Mormon" continues to be a musical I hold dear – a testament to its enduring charm.

Blending the Outrageous with the Poignant

What makes this musical a perennial favorite is its ability to seamlessly blend the outrageous with the poignant. The satirical humor, a hallmark of Parker and Stone's work, is delivered with a precision that elicits uproarious laughter, but it doesn't stop there. Beneath the irreverent surface lies a thoughtful exploration of faith, humanity, and the universal quest for purpose.

Nuanced Characters and Transformative Journeys

The genius of the writing extends beyond witty one-liners; it lies in the nuanced characters and their transformative journeys. From the bumbling yet endearing Elder Cunningham to the charismatic Elder Price, each character contributes to a tapestry of self-discovery and personal growth. It's this depth that elevates "The Book of Mormon" from a mere comedy to a resonant cultural commentary.

Timeless Relevance and Resonance

Reflecting on the past decade, what stands out is the musical's timeless relevance. The humor hasn't aged a day, and the themes remain as poignant as ever. It's a testament to the universal truths embedded in the narrative – the struggles, triumphs, and the quest for meaning – that continue to resonate with audiences, regardless of the passage of time.

Soundtrack to the Soul

The music, composed by Robert Lopez, adds another layer of brilliance to the production. The infectious melodies and clever lyrics ensure that the songs linger in your mind long after the final curtain falls. From the upbeat "Hello!" to the introspective "I Believe," the soundtrack is a treasure trove that enhances the emotional impact of the storyline.

As a devoted fan who has witnessed the magic of "The Book of Mormon" unfold over the years, I can confidently say that this musical is more than a theatrical experience; it's a cultural touchstone. It has the rare ability to make you laugh uproariously while prompting introspection – a delicate balance that has kept it relevant and cherished in the hearts of audiences for a decade and counting. Here's to another ten years of irreverent humor, heartwarming moments, and the enduring legacy of "The Book of Mormon."

Final Thoughts:

Whoo! This post was essentially a double feature, but I hope y’all enjoyed it! I have to ask, have you ever been to The Melting Pot, if so what are your thoughts and if you’ve never been would you wanna try it?! Also, do I have any other musical lovers out there? What are some of your favorites and why?! And lastly, what do you think of this Date Night Chronicles idea, does it work, does it interest y’all? Let’s chat about all this in the comments below ✨

Xx, Bree

Early New Beginnings: A Prelude

Now that spring has sprung for the sixth time since my hiatus, I’ve been feeling rejuvenated and this recent reinvigoration has made me reflect on what I want in life as well as what I want for this blog. It has also reminded me of how much I have missed this incredibly special piece of my life, I suppose absence really does make the heart grow fonder. And if you’ve been keeping up with me on Instagram, you know I’ve gotten a lot of inspiration the last few years that has re-sparked the flame I have for blogging and I have been preparing a lot of new content,  have had a ton of experiences, and have grown/evolved significantly along the way.

With this being said, when I look back on my existence, I don’t want to debase my experiences to a mere meticulously executed Instagram feed, worrying about deadlines for sponsored posts, or “OOTDs” on this blog, for this blog I want authenticity.

I hope I can recall all of the times I spent walking through poorly lit alleyways to get to Liberty Avenue to meet friends at 941 Saloon, inhaling mold in dusty antique/bookshops, getting incredibly too drunk at the dive bars in Lawrenceville with my best friend, and getting pelted with fat raindrops in the city streets seemingly every time (at least for the first 6 months) my fiancé and I went on a date.

Don’t let me forget the grown out black bangs tangled in my long wispy eyelashes which never fail to cause me to have to change my contact lenses after removing my motorcycle helmet, or that eerie incandescent glow and spooky flickering of the lights at the 6th street parking garage after 8PM in December. Remind me of the unexpectedly vibrant conversations and kind words had with strangers at bus stops and crosswalks, as well as the elongated shadows of my loved ones as we trek across scorching, black pavement on the 10th street bridge on our walks to SouthSide in the sticky, muggy heat that Pittsburgh’s summers never fail to bring.

I cried, I laughed, I loved. I lived through that grit and blossomed in its chaos wearing well loved band t-shirts, skinny jeans, and on most occasions from spring throughout fall, a motorcycle helmet. And  what I learned is delightfulness  is nourished by unexpected developments.

I’ve grown  and evolved so much since my last post in 2018, and am excited to take this blog in a new direction, but with a little of the same flare. It’s good to be back, and I can’t wait to see what this journey unfolds with you.

Stay tuned for my official welcome back post on April 10, 2024.

Xx, Bree

Elegance Underneath (Feat. PPZ Lingerie)

As I am sure all my readers know, one of the many things I love to do is dress up, I mean I am a fashion blogger after all. However, though I have always loved clothes and fashion since I was a little girl playing dress up in my mum and grandmother's clothes, and have gone on to build this blog from my love of clothing. However, I feel there is one reason why I love dressing up so much that is often overlooked. That reason would be that fashion and the way I choose to style my clothing is also a form of self-expression to me, as I am sure it is a form of expression for many of my fellow bloggers as well. I think we can all agree and all forms of fashion can be considered artwork in their own light.

Speaking of things being often overlooked, I think something that many of us generally do not think about after we get our clothes on, is what we are wearing underneath that little black dress or killer crop top and jeans combo, and that would our lingerie. However, I find this to be interesting because if you are anything like me, you probably spend tons of time shopping for the perfectly matching bra and panties set, or just the bra that fits divinely. So, with this in mind, when I was approached recently by my newest sponsor PPZ Lingerie to work with them on this project I was absolutely thrilled for the opportunity! Because I don't know about you, but I feel what I wear underneath my clothes is every bit as important as the garments that I style everyday.

PPZ Lingerie

Before I dive into the review and styling of this lovely bralette and pantie set, I'm sure you would like to know a bit about the company that I received this dynamic duo from, and that would my newest sponsor PPZ Lingerie. If you have never heard of PPZ Lingerie, here are some highlights that you should know:

Firstly, PPZ is a fashion lingerie brand that was established in Michigan, USA, back in 2001. PPZ specializes in gorgeous lingerie but also sells a wide selection of women's underwear (I have to say they have some super cute bras and panties!) shapewear, and even yoga pants. So basically, PPZ has you covered for all your undergarment (and some activewear) needs. Another great thing about PPZ is that they live up to their tagline which is "The Most Comfortable Bras, Shapewear, and Panties", which I will be honest, I was skeptical of at first however, I was very pleasantly surprised, which I will tell you all about later. 

But the last thing that sold me on the company PPZ is besides their contemporary, fashionable, and comfortable lingerie, much like my sponsors SheIn, Modcloth, and Swim Classy, PPZ embraces body positivity, and encourages girls and woman to practice self-love. Which if you recall an earlier post of mine from this year, you know that this topic is something I am very passionate about, and think that it is an absolutely outstanding movement towards empowerment. 

Underneath It All

As I stated earlier, PPZ is a huge supporter of body positivity and practicing self-love, and that really hits home for me because that is something that I still strive to do but also still struggle with doing. As I stated in a post early this year, I opened up to you all about how that I myself struggled with severe anorexia in the past and though I initially went into rehab four years ago, it still continues to be a constant struggle for me, though I am still working hard everyday to overcome my negative self perception. With that being said, aside from personally loving lingerie, I also love it because it makes me feel confident and sexy when wearing it, either by itself or under my favorite outfits. Which is why I decided to take the plunge and model this absolutely gorgeous set from PPZ here on Stark Raving Chic!

So, since I'm sure this is what you all have came here for, so without any further to do, let's get to the review of this lovely set! Firstly, as I mentioned earlier, PPZ really lives up to it's tagline because this bralette and pantie set is definitely so comfy, and to top it off both pieces are true to size and fit absolutely perfectly. I also liked that the bralette, unlike some of the other bralettes I own, has four hook and eye enclosures which makes this piece much easier to take on and off and these also make the bralette fit much more comfortably. 

Along with the hook and eye enclosures being a plus, another thing I loved about this bralette is though that it is a push-up, the cups are perfectly sized and held my breasts perfectly, so the bralette did its job without making me feel like I was going to bust out of it. I also liked that the panties are bikini style, but with a cheeky fit, giving them a more playful and sexy feel. And finally, the reason why I love this set as a whole is because I love the lace design of each of these pieces, to me its just so romantic and feminine, but with a bit more sultry touch due to the lush navy color and turquoise bow accents on both the bralette and panties.   

Lastly, though this isn't an "Outfit Of The Day" post, I did want to talk a bit about how I chose to style this pretty lingerie set. Though this was a lifestyle shoot, due to the fashionable nature of this set and PPZ's focus on body positivity, I thought that it was only natural for me to model and style it opposed to simply shooting some flat lays and using the site's model images. So to style this bralette and pantie set, I chose to wear it under my silk robe from Nordstrom that I received ages ago from my mum as a Christmas present, some simple jewelry, and light makeup from bareMinerals.

One Last Look

So, have you ever shopped with PPZ and love them as much as I do, and what are your feelings on lingerie? Do you like it as much as I do or is it not as important to your styling routine? Let's chat in the comments below or you can tweet me about it at @StarkRavingChic. And don't forget, to keep caught up on my latest posts and to have my looks sent straight to your inbox, be sure to follow me on Instagram at @StarkRavingChic and sign up for LIKEtoKNOW.it. Later, babes!

Xx, Bree

P.S. Psssssst! In case you haven't heard, I am now a proud member of the rewardStyle and LIKEtoKNOW.it family! Meaning you can shop straight from my Instagram feed when you click here or here. Don't know what LIKEtoKNOW.it is all about? Learn more, here!