Break out the SPF! Summer is officially here. Despite the constant rain and dismal weather Pittsburgh has been seeing, we at The Event Group have full faith that sunny days are ahead.

Here are our favorite tools, tips and trends to celebrate the summer in style.

Allegheny County Summer Concert Series

Every summer you can catch free concerts and performances at Hartwood Acres and South Park Amphitheater. This year’s lineup includes Blue Oyster Cult, Mat Kearney, Harlem Orchestra, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and many more. Pro tip: arrive an hour or two before the concert starts because parking fills up quickly and the later it gets, the farther you’ll be from the stage. Pack folding chairs, a blanket and a picnic for a truly lovely night under the stars.

Vera Bradley’s Clearly Colorful Tote in Lucky Dots

This is a perfect poolside tote. It’s vinyl so cannonball splashes (or unexpected raindrops) will slide right off. Always a summertime staple, especially with the not-so-predictable Pittsburgh weather.

Beautycounter Cosmetics

We’re so excited that one of our own team members will be getting married this fall. To prepare for wedding-worthy skin, she’s been using the Beautycounter Essentials Collection. She reports that her skin is already noticeably smoother and feels better.

S’mores Oreos

Ok, these got mixed reviews from the team. Some said they were creative and delightful; others said they were just too sweet. The jury’s still out on the execution, but we love the idea of bringing s’mores flavor to a classic cookie!

Postmodern Jukebox

Postmodern Jukebox offers a multi-decade time travelling experience in the form of music. They re-imagine top pop hits with a twist of 20’s jazz, 30’s bluegrass, 40’s swing, 50’s doo-wop, or 60’s soul. PMJ will be visiting Pittsburgh in November.

Statement Drop Fringe Earrings

Statement necklaces are so 2014 – we’re all about statement earrings now! These colorful pieces add a daring pop of color to a little black dress or tee-shirt and jeans.
What summery favorites are on your list this season?

This summer, Pittsburgh’s culinary scene is hotter than ever. From downtown to the Strip District and beyond, Pittsburgh is building its reputation as a foodie mecca.

With our minds open and our stomachs growling, we’ve compiled insider scoop on the hottest new places to dine this summer.

Smoke BBQ Taqueria –  4115 Butler St

Smoke opened in Lawrenceville this year and is already getting rave reviews. Located conveniently next to Atlas Bottle Works, this compact BYOB eatery smokes all of its own meats and veggies in-house. Start the meal with a big bowl of smoky queso or decadent mac ‘n cheese, but be sure to save room for the main event: the tacos! These are not your run-of-the-mill Taco Bell snacks. Smoke’s menu features modern concoctions like chicken and apple, BLT with smoked jalapeno mayo, and pork with apricot habanero sauce. So delicious that our marketing manager Kate ate there two nights in a row… and would have happily gone back for a third. Insider tip: Reservations are not accepted, so use the NoWait app to jump on the waiting list. You’ll get a text when your table is ready, so you can wander through the shops of Butler Street building your appetite in the meantime.

 Photos by Nicole Jarock Photography

Gaucho’s Bodega –  1607 Penn Ave

This Argentinian restaurant has received near-universal acclaim. Most recently it was named #7 on Yelp’s 100 Best Places to Eat in the U.S., as well as being named among Pittsburgh Magazine’s 2015 Best Restaurants and Chef’s Choice: Best Takeout. Until recently, Gaucho’s eat-in space was rather cozy with almost no seating, but that didn’t deter hungry fans from lining up out the door for grilled veggies and rosemary-braised beef sandwiches. On May 28 Gaucho finished construction and opened a new indoor seating area to accommodate a larger crowd. Guests still order at the front but then can seat themselves in the spacious main and upper level dining areas. We’re most excited about the new Bodega, a private event space located under the building. It’s perfect for rehearsal dinners, intimate weddings, private parties and staff meetings. The Bodega accommodates up to 30 people seated or 40 people for a standing cocktail-style event. Lunch and dinner packages complete with servers are available when reserving the Bodega space. Insider tip: don’t pass up the fresh chimichurris!

Photo by Farhaali Photography

Hello Bistro –  292 Forbes Avenue

Hello Bistro is not new to Pittsburgh, but it is new to Downtown. Located just around the corner from Market Square, this trendy salad bar is the perfect spot for a healthy breakfast, lunch or dinner. Burgers, sandwiches and salads can be ordered predesigned, but the crowning glory is the build-your-own salad bar. With 15 dressings and 55 ingredients, “salads by you” is the most popular option. Choose from mix-ins and toppings like quinoa, avocado, wasabi peas, Alaskan salmon and seasonal offerings, then have the salad chopped and tossed to your liking. The Caribbean Shrimp Salad is a big seller, but the famous Eat’n Park Superburger with fresh-cut fries is a hearty staple as well. As a bonus, Hello Bistro shares a space with Delicious Raw, a “sanctuary for anyone who wants to improve their wellbeing and quality of life through targeted nutritional boosts during the day.” This smoothie and juice bar adds no sugars or preservatives to their fresh concoctions. Insider tip: stop in for $1 coffee all day, every day!

Photos Courtesy of Hello Bistro

Did we miss your favorite new place to eat in Pittsburgh? Let us know and we’ll be sure to give it a try!

Recently engaged? It’s time for you to propose!
Asking your closest friends, relatives and future sisters-in-law to be part of your bridal party is one of the first steps to getting your wedding planning underway. It’s also one of the most deeply personal choices you’ll have to make. You’re choosing your entourage – the group of people you love and trust to help and attend to you in the coming months. They’re your friends, your advisers, your assistants, your confidantes, your emotional support system, your cheerleaders… sounds a lot like your fiance, doesn’t it?

Just as your fiance took the time to plan a thoughtful and personal proposal for you, “proposing” to your bridesmaids can be equally as meaningful. We’ve gathered our favorite creative ways of popping the question to your bridesmaids. We’d love to hear yours as well!

Cards

This may be the first piece of your wedding that your bridesmaids will see. Set the tone with a well designed, personalized note. This is great practice for your save-the-dates and invitations, allowing you to test drive design ideas, colors, fonts and even calligraphers.

Wine

What is a celebration without wine? A custom-labeled bottle shows your bridesmaids-to-be that you want them to help you celebrate!

Don’t forget the wine glasses….

…or champagne flutes, if you’re feeling bubbly!

Bridesmaid Boxes

Get personal. A box filled with little tokens, their favorite things and shared memories is a great way to show your friends what they mean to you.

Thinking ahead? Give them the things they need to “survive” your wedding weekend.

Puzzles

Make your future bridesmaids work a little bit for the question. We love these cute puzzle ideas to make them do just that!

Just make sure to “pop” the question in a cute and memorable way!

For more ideas for your wedding and wedding party, take a look at our Pinterest page.

All photos via Pinterest.