A Spooky Night of Nostalgia: Kennywood’s First Ever 21+ Night (feat. Fright Night Sneak Peeks!)

Ah, Kennywood. For anyone who grew up in Pittsburgh, this amusement park is more than just a place to ride roller coasters; it’s a treasure trove of nostalgia. As a lifelong Pittsburgher, Kennywood holds a special place in my heart. The sound of joyous screams from the rides, the aroma of funnel cakes and cheese fries from the famous potato patch, and the thrill of childhood memories come rushing back every time I step through those gates. This year marked a monumental occasion—Kennywood’s first-ever Over 21 Night in its 150-year history! Naturally, my fiancé Adam and I decided this was the perfect opportunity for a date night filled with nostalgia, thrills, and a touch of spooky fun.

As we entered, atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Kennywood (at least part of it—being Steeler Country) the park was transformed into a Halloween spectacle, and we were ready to dive into the festivities. Though the air was sticky due to the Pittsburgh summer heat, it was also electric with excitement, and I could feel my inner child bubbling with joy. Our first stop was the much-anticipated “mAlice in Wonderland Haunt.” Picture this: a haunted house based on the whimsical yet eerie world of Alice in Wonderland. Although the line was long, just the anticipation of what awaited inside was enough to get our hearts racing.

Next, we had our sights set on the “Open Body Boo-fet,” which sounded like a deliciously creepy feast. Unfortunately, the line was longer than the queue for a Black Friday sale. So at that, we had to abandon ship. Instead of waiting for what felt like an eternity, we decided to embrace our hunger, we opted for the classic Kennywood experience: potato patch fries. As we munched on those perfectly crispy, cheese-smothered fries, I couldn’t help but think—this was exactly what we needed. Who needs a fancy buffet when you've got the ultimate comfort food in hand? As we devoured our snack, I mused about how some things never change—like the joy of savoring those fries while surrounded by the sounds of laughter and the whirring of roller coasters.

After our fry feast, we ventured into the cocktail scene—because what’s an Over 21 Night without some adult beverages? One drink that caught my eye was the infamous “Blood Bag.” Yes, you read that right—a giant Jell-O shot served in a blood bag! It was equal parts hilarious and delicious, and I felt like a vampire as I sipped from it. Adam and I exchanged amused glances, both wondering if we were too old for Jell-O shots—spoiler alert: we definitely weren’t.

As the night progressed, we made our way through Steelers Country, which was open until midnight for voucher holders. This area was buzzing with energy! We jumped into the foam party, where we were greeted by a cascade of bubbles. Picture two adults trying to dance in foam while not slipping and falling—it was a comedy show waiting to happen! Adam and I laughed so hard that I’m pretty sure we burned off those potato patch fries in no time.

In addition to the foam party, we enjoyed a dance party, games, and a beer and wine tasting cocktail bar. It was like an adult playground, and we were here for it! The thrill didn’t stop there; we also made time for rides. We braved the Aero 360, soared on the Sky Rocket, enjoyed a nostalgic ride on the Old Mill, raced each other on the Racers, and relived our childhood memories on the Kangaroo. But the cherry on top was our favorite—the Jack Rabbit! The rush of that classic coaster’s double dip brought back all the feels, and we screamed (and laughed) our way through the twists and turns.

As we left the park that night, I couldn’t help but reflect on what a fantastic experience it was. Kennywood’s first Over 21 Night was a delightful blend of nostalgia, excitement, and a splash of Halloween fun. Adam and I had a blast reminiscing about our childhood while creating new memories together. Who knew that our childhood amusement park could still hold so much magic, even as adults? I think I can confidently say we’ll be back for more—after all, there are plenty more potato patch fries to devour and cocktails to sip. Here’s to more adventures at Kennywood—because whether you’re a kid or an adult, the magic of this place never truly fades!

Do you have a favorite childhood amusement park?? Let’s chat about it in the comments below!

Xx, Bree

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📣 Take Me Out to the Ball Game! 🎵

Last Saturday was a day of firsts for me! As a lifelong Pittsburgher, stepping into PNC Park for the first time was a moment I'll never forget. But here's the twist – my loyalty wasn't with the home team. Nope, I was proudly donning my Cubs gear. As a proud Pittsburgher, it might come as a surprise to my local readers that I was rooting for the Cubs. But there's a sentimental reason behind it that connects me to the team.

You see, my dear grandfather was a man of dreams and steel. Back in the day, he teetered on the precipice of becoming a bona fide pitcher for those illustrious Cubs. But life had other plans for him, nudging him toward a different career path at J&L Steel. Talk about a curveball! However, his love for the game never wavered, and his stories of near-glory on the pitching mound ignited a fire within me, starting an unconventional allegiance to the Cubs. So, there I was, a proud Pittsburgher, sporting my Cubs cap and ready to shout from the rooftops, "Go Cubs, go!" Being at the game, I felt a connection to him and his unwavering spirit.

To make the outing even more special, it was a double date with one of my best friends, her boyfriend, and my fiancé, Adam. We were all eager to soak in the atmosphere of the ball game and create lasting memories together. The excitement in the air was palpable as we entered the stadium, the anticipation building with every step.

As we settled into our seats, the stadium pulsated with an electric energy, infused with the fervor and enthusiasm of ardent fans. The ambiance was alive with the harmonious symphony of cheers, chants, and the collective heartbeat of the crowd. The resonant crack of the bat, the soul-stirring roar of the spectators, and the tantalizing aroma of freshly popped popcorn permeated the air, forming a delightful sensory overload that I will never forget.

Throughout the game, we cheered, laughed, and bonded over our shared love for the sport. It was a perfect blend of camaraderie and friendly rivalry, with fans from both sides engaging in good-natured banter. The innings ticked by, each one bringing a new wave of excitement and anticipation.

As the game reached its climax, tensions ran high. The Pirates and the Cubs battled fiercely, each team vying for victory. Every play, every pitch, held us in suspense, and we couldn't help but get caught up in the drama unfolding before our eyes.

In the end, even though the Cubs didn't clinch the win that night, the memories we made will last a lifetime. And beyond the final score, what truly mattered was the experience itself. The joy of being surrounded by friends, loved ones, and fellow baseball enthusiasts created a sense of belonging and community that transcended the game itself.

From the crack of the bat to the roar of the crowd, every moment felt like a piece of history unfolding before my eyes. Attending my first baseball game was a milestone in my life, a cherished memory that I will carry with me forever. It reminded me of the power of sports to bring people together, to unite us in a shared passion and create bonds that defy boundaries.

Sharing this experience with my fiancé Adam, and our friends on a double date, made it even more special. There's something about the camaraderie of a ball game that brings people together, regardless of the team they're rooting for.

So here's to the magic of baseball, to the thrill of the game, and to the treasured moments spent with loved ones. Take me out to the ball game, indeed!

What’s your favorite pastime? And any particular team you root for? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!!

Xx, Bree

#OOTD: Fit To Be Tied (Feat. SheIn + Rocksbox)

One of the many things I love about Pittsburgh is that though it is a small city, you can always find something to do. The Burgh is known for tons of fun events ranging from food festivals (We are known to have some of the best food and restaurants in the country after all!), live music, art crawls, and of course sports games. This weekend was no different, when Pittsburgh held its 40th annual Three Rivers Regatta, which was held at Point State Park. And of course after hearing about all the awesome activities going down at the regatta, you know I had to take sometime to check it out and be a tourist in my own city for the weekend.

Three Rivers Regatta 

As many of you know, I was born and raised in Pittsburgh and know the city like the back of my hand. From its hottest bars, coolest museums, and best places to grab breakfast, I've been to them all. So, it's quite surprising that I never actually attended The Three Rivers Regatta until this year! However, I have to say I'm so happy I decided to go this past weekend because it was quite the sight to see. Though I have to say watching the Red Bull Flugtag competition took the cake, seeing the mass amount of boats on the river as well as seeing the boat race was pretty sweet too. I also finally had the perfect opportunity to style my newest blouse from my sponsor, SheIn!

The reason I chose this outfit is because I felt that a laid back look was best for a weekend that would be spent downtown and among large crowds of people. This blouse was a prefect choice because not only is it light weight and kept me cool during the humid August weekend, it also is quite the interesting piece though its front looks a bit plain--but I'll get to that in a minute. I chose to pair this top with these highwaisted shorts that I received from SheIn last year (Unfortunately these specific shorts are out of stock but you can find similar ones here and here!), due to the fact I thought these shorts added a nice contrast to the outfit and balanced out the amount of skin I was showing. And lastly, I chose to pair this outfit with my trusty white Chuck Taylors because a girl has to be comfy while walking around the city!

As I mentioned earlier, though this blouse looks a bit plain from the front, the back is what makes this top so fun! The reason I love this blouse so much is along with its airy summer appearance, is because I am absolutely in love with tie back blouses. I just think this trend is such a great look for summer and though it keeps your look casual, it is also a bit daring and subtly sexy.

Though I have reviewed these shorts in the past, I feel as though they deserve an honorable mention in this post because they are so incredibly comfortable! Though all of my clothes from SheIn are pretty comfy, at first I was skeptical about these shorts because they are highwaisted, however much to my surprise, when I slipped them on, they weren't too tight and fit me just right! And have since become one of my favorite pair of shorts, they also go with a variety of different tops and come in handy for quite a few different looks, making them one of my most versatile pieces. 

Curious about my smart watch? You can check it out here!

Last but not least, I have to mention my bag from my sponsor, Sydney Love. I'm sure some of you may recognize it from a post earlier this year, but I just have to say it is the ultimate bag to take with you for a weekend full of fun. This bag isn't only fashionable, but it is also incredibly functional! I've actually started referring to it as my "Mary Poppins bag" because it fits anything and everything you could possibly need!

One Last Look

How have you explored your city this summer? Let's chat about it in the comments below or you can tweet me at @StarkRavingChic! Have a cool photo of a summer event you went to recently? I'd love to see it so feel free to tag me on Instagram at @StarkRavingChic. Later, babes.

Xx, Bree

P.S. Psssssst! If you love the jewelry I styled in this post as much as I do, you can try Rocksbox for a whole month 100% FREE when you sign up using my promo code "starkravingchicxoxo". Don't know what Rocksbox is or how it works? You can learn more here!

Also, I am now a proud member of rewardStyle and LIKEtoKNOW.it! 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!